bismarckstate.edu

Alumni excel in medicineA newsletter for Bismarck State College alumni, contributors and friends.

Volume 14. No 1 April 2010

Continued on page 2

Dr. Ron Tello Dr. Michael R. Brown

The BSC National Alumni Association board has selected two recipients for the 2010 Alumni of the Year Award. Dr. Ronald Tello, ’70, and Dr. Michael R. Brown, ’82, are recognized for their extraor-dinary professional achievements, dedication to the medical field and leadership in our community and state. BSC will honor them at a din-ner May 13 and during commencement May 14.

Dr. Ronald Tello, ’70Baseball, music, good teachers and science

experiments with his dad marked Dr. Ronald Tello’s youth in Bismarck, a city he loves and now nurtures as an internal medicine physician and afterhours civic and healthcare worker.

In practice 31 years, Tello joined Q&R Clinic and Medcenter One, Inc., in 1979 after his residency at University of North Dakota (UND) hospitals in Fargo. Through the years, he has dedicated time and service to the Bismarck-Mandan community far beyond expectations for doctors in private or group practice.

The past two decades, Tello has been med-ical director of health compliance require-ments for four large area businesses, two nursing homes, and the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan (1984-2008), where he also did physical exams. His longest tenure was 27 years at the Golden Manor Nursing Home in Steele, N.D., until it closed. But he continues as Kidder County health officer.

Tello worked concurrently in most of his positions, including these remaining affili-ations: Baptist Home, Bismarck, 18 years; Tesoro refinery, Mandan, 20 years; and Coal Creek Station Power Plant, Washburn, 18 years.

In 2009, Tello concluded 12 years as Burleigh County health officer as well as Burleigh County coroner, a tough, on-call job that sometimes required court testimony. Tello also completed 12 years as medical coordinator for the USDA Agriculture Re-

Dr. Michael R. Brown, ’82When Dr. Michael Brown was growing

up on his parents’ dairy and grain farm near Scranton, medicine was nowhere in sight. His horizon included football, basketball, track, 4-H, and milking cows. He was happy about that until a school counselor advised him his low ACT score implied something voca-tional.

“They told me I couldn’t do it, so when I got to college, I did,” said Brown, a cardio-vascular and thoracic surgeon at St. Alexius Heart & Lung Clinic as of 2000.

He arrived at BJC on a football scholar-ship, played two years under Leo Ringe, Steve Kilwein and Dan Keegan, and worked as a hospital orderly to get experience. Brown plunged into the sciences, absorbing inspiration from chemistry professor Mary Ann Durick.

“She encouraged us to do whatever we want – that if you work hard enough, you can,” said Brown, a President’s list scholar. “I’ve told many people, if I hadn’t chosen BJC, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It pro-vided a very good background that I didn’t pursue in high school.”

Brown continued at the University of North Dakota, earning his medical degree and a doctorate in biochemistry and molecu-lar biology in 1992. He spent eight years completing two residencies in general and cardiothoracic surgery at universities in Iowa and Hawaii. While at Heart & Lung, he did additional fellowship training in endovascu-lar therapies in 2005-06.

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BSC Connections is published quarterly at Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North Dakota

Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director, BSC Foundation Gordon Binek

BSC Foundation Staff Christina Burns Janet Decker Julie Erickson Deb Kraft Darcy Makeeff Rita Nodland

BSC Foundation (800) 272-2586 or (701) 224-5700

BSC Connections Staff Jordis Conrad, Editor Crystal Forster Vicki Voskuil

Connections on the Web Patrick Bjork

BSC Foundation President Jim Christianson

BSC National Alumni Association President Larry Oswald

Send alumni notes to: Jordis Conrad BSC, P.O. Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506 or e-mail to: Jordis.Conrad@bsc. nodak.edu

Send address changes to: Rita Nodland Alumni Coordinator BSC, P.O. Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506 or e-mail to: Rita.Nodland@bsc. nodak.edu or call: 1-800-BSC-ALUM

BSC’s World Wide Web site address is bismarckstate.edu

Tello likes challenge of medical mysteries search Service’s health surveillance program in Mandan in 2004. He was medical director of Bismarck’s Melroe plant for 17 years until it closed last year.

Between legwork and paperwork, Tello sees his clinic patients while also contribut-ing to Medcenter One Foundation’s board of directors and chairing its Medical Fund Com-mittee. In 2008, he became chief of staff at Triumph Hospital in Mandan, where he has been a physician since 1999.

“You have to be devoted to your work, and somehow he manages to balance it all,” said Dr. Kent Martin, a clinic colleague and neighbor.

That devotion translates into dedication to his patients and being available to them, said his wife, Joyce Tello. It’s why he went into medicine.

“When I get a sincere thank you for how much families appreciate what I did for them, it makes it all worth while,” said Dr. Tello, who draws sustenance from his specialty.

“In internal medicine, we are the Sherlock Holmes of medicine. We will solve the mys-tery,” he said. “For me, it’s the challenge and when I’ve solved and treated it, they get bet-ter. Humans 1 – Disease 0. It’s a ball game. I gotta’ win.”

Indeed, Tello loved to play and follow baseball growing up, biking two miles to watch a Minnesota Twins farm team play at Municipal ballpark and sell concessions in the stands. His fascination with science began with listening to his father, a Bismarck bacteriologist, talk about his work, then tag-ging along weekends when he checked his lab cultures.

Tello consumed junior and senior high sci-ence courses and took violin, continuing both at BJC. Music was a reprieve from the sci-ences, he said, and Francis Elliot took time at noon to give him lessons.

Because of his full-time job at Safeway grocery, Tello was given unusual afterhours access to BJC’s chemistry lab. The instructor gave him a key to run his long experiments at night and weekends. He studied as they “cooked.” For a break, he sometimes slipped into the auditorium to watch his future wife rehearse “Carousel.”

“BJC crystallized his goals,” Joyce said, “and laid a great foundation for his educa-

Cardiovascular researchbrings notice to Brown

“To witness the passion Dr. Brown has for his profession and patients is a testimony to native North Dakota roots and the educa-tion system that touched him in his formative years,” said Linda Knodel, former senior vice president, St. Alexius Medical Center. “He loves what he does.”

Brown has applied his scholarship to medi-cal research, a field he enjoys immensely. Not every doctor does research, he said, be-cause of time constraints. But the overriding motivation for him comes from developing cutting edge care that pushes his program.

“This is what I was trained to do and what I love to do: to make a difference in people’s lives and improve the quality of health care,” Brown said.

As chief and co-investigator of numerous published and abstracted articles, Brown has completed studies on diabetes, heart and lung disease, surgical interventions and cancer. He is now involved in two international clinical trials using stents for carotid artery stenosis and medication for people with high risk for coronary bypass grafting.

Brown has been recognized nationally by the American Heart Association for his research in cardiovascular diseases as a finalist for the Melvin L. Marcus Investiga-tor Award in Cardiovascular Science. He was one of five students chosen nationwide to receive the Young Scientists Training Program scholarship to complete his M.D. and Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. In 2006, he was invited to present a scientific paper based on his research at the 19th International Congress on Endovascular Interventions.

Besides his surgical practice, Brown teach-es at the UND Medical School and received the Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005. He served two tours of duty as a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and III with the Army National Guard Medi-cal Corps, retiring in 2007 after 20 years of service.

Brown is married to Dr. Karen Brown, a neonatologist. They tag team daily, Knodel said, balancing their careers, family life and attending the activities of their four children, Christopher, Alexis, Nicholas and Madison, ages 6 to 14.

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Lewis receives Rising Star Award

Amanda Lewis

An alumna in broadcast journalism has earned the Rising Star Award from the Bis-marck State College National Alumni Asso-ciation. The award honors alumni under age 40 with exceptional achievement in a career, public and volunteer service or in a position of distinction.

Amanda Lewis (’98) is weekend morning show anchor and reporter for KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, the city’s No. 1 station. She has worked there eight years, four as an-chor, after advancing from Des Moines No. 3 station. On weekdays, Lewis writes stories for the evening broadcast.

“I like it that way – the variety. Every day is new,” said Lewis, who mines for the per-fect narrative mix.

Her early photography has appeared on CBS’s “Inside Edition” and Animal Planet’s “The Planet’s Funniest Animals.” As a reporter, she received the HEROES Compas-sion and Excellence in Journalism Award in 2001 for a series about Iowans living with AIDS.

Lewis’ long history in music and theater has contributed to her skills and success as a journalist. She performed in talent shows, sang in Bismarck’s All-City Girls Choir and pursued music and theater through high school and college. Her BSC credits include “Baby,” “Godspell” and the Jazz Choir.

“In news you’re putting yourself out there every day, and the confidence you need to do that comes straight from theater,” said Lewis, who names BSC Theatre Director Dan Rog-ers as a mentor.

His encouragement to step beyond her boundaries and BSC’s social science courses laid foundations in independence and how to connect with people, critical skills in journal-ism, she said.

While attending BSC, Lewis balanced three part-time jobs at a bookstore, 24-hour answering service, and KFYR-AM overnight DJ on weekends. She also co-hosted KYYY-FM’s morning show with Bruce Elscott.

Lewis holds a Certificate in television broadcasting with honors from Brown In-stitute in Minneapolis and BA in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines. At Drake, she was selected to attend an inter-national journalism conference in Germany. Her goal is to be news director of a TV sta-tion.

In college, Lewis recruited donors for the American Red Cross and raised money for Jerry’s Kids. Today, she sits on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with the goal of finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Her family includes husband Jeff Eckhoff and son Elliot, age 2. A second child is expected in August.

tion. The individual attention and one-on-one instruction helped launch him to become a very academically committed student.”

Tello has taught at the UND School of Medicine since 1979 and completed addition-al training in occupational and environmen-tal medicine at University of California. He originated the Occupational Health Services department at Q&R Clinic/Medcenter One and served as its medical director from 1992-2008.

Today, his schedule allows a little time for golf and building sets for the B-M Civic Cho-rus, where Joyce sings. Rooted in family and commitment, the Tellos enjoy the continuum of hometown life and their mutual children, Christina, Deanna, Jason and Jeff.

Tello also teaches Outstanding Alumni Dinner is May 13 Make plans to attend the BSC Alumni Awards dinner Thursday, May 13, honor-ing Alumni of the Year Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Ron Tello, and Rising Star Awardee Amanda Lewis.

The evening begins with a social at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Missouri Room.

Reservations will be accepted through May 8. Seating is limited.

Tickets are $20 per person. Make checks payable to the BSC Alumni Association and mail to Rita Nodland, Alumni Coordinator, P.O. Box 5587, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5587. Guests are welcome to bring cards or letters or mail them with the reservation and pay-ment.

June 18 is date for President’s Cup

Community leaders join BoardThe BSC Foundation has four new mem-

bers on its Board of Trustees.Deb Gallagher is the Chief Executive

Officer/President of Capital Credit Union of Bismarck. She is a member of Bismarck Kiwanis Club and the Credit Union Execu-tive Society and is a director of the Midwest Corporate Federal Credit Union.

BSC’s annual fundraiser for athletic schol-arships, the 2010 BSC President’s Cup Golf Classic, is scheduled June 18 at Prairie West, Pebble Creek and Tom O’Leary golf courses.

After an action-packed day of golf, all par-ticipants, sponsors and volunteers are invited to the 19th hole social and ceremony for inductions into the Mystic Hall of Fame. The inductions take place at 5 p.m. on the BSC Armory south lawn.

Tournament proceeds are used for scholar-ships for area student-athletes. Since 1996

the BSC Foundation has awarded over $116,000 in athletic scholarships.

Call the BSC Foundation at 224-5700 or go to bismarckstate.edu/golf to print the golf brochure and registration. Early Bird regis-tration ends May 21.

Hole sponsorships are still available. For information, contact Jason Harris at 224-5504 or Len Stanley at 224-5736.

Clifton (Buzz) Hudgins is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ba-sin Electric Power Cooperative of Bismarck.

Wade Boeshans is the general manager of BNI Coal Ltd. and serves on the Lignite Energy Council. He lives in Washburn.

Karen Summers is general manager of the Seven Seas Hotel and Waterpark in Mandan.

Wade Boeshans

Deb Gallagher

Clifton (Buzz) Hudgins

Karen Summers

Surgical technology prof retiresSeeing her students in a setting where she

practiced her skills is a gratifying experience. For Associate Professor Jean Hinton, who started BSC’s surgical technology program in 1999, it is especially satisfying as she pre-pares for retirement in May.

Hinton had been employed in the operating room at St. Alexius Medical Center for 10 years before she joined BSC to develop the curriculum and teach the new program.

The number of students in the two-year program ranges from 10 to 20 each year.

“We have met the hospitals’ needs,” Hin-ton said. “Practically all the surg tech staff at Medcenter One have graduated from our pro-gram. And at St. A’s, it’s a large majority.”

BSC students have done well in their National Certification Examinations (NCE). In 2003 and 2004, BSC received a National Merit Award for having a 100 percent pass rate by graduates who applied to take the NCE in surgical technology. That rate placed the program in the top 10 percent in the country. The procedure for merit awards changed after 2004, but students continued

to test well and the class of 2009 had a 100 percent pass rate.

“I’m going to miss BSC a lot,” said Hinton. “It is the best place I’ve ever worked. Everyone is so friend-ly, and everyone works with you. Everybody wants you to be suc-cessful.”

She also expects to miss working with stu-dents and her colleague

Trudy Riehl, assistant professor who joined the program in 2000. “We see our students five days a week so we are really close to them,” she said. Next year in May, she hopes to come back for graduation, because that group of students will be the last class she started.

It will mean a trip back here from Kerr-ville, Texas, where she and her husband, Rick Hinton, are retiring.

Jean Hinton

Contributions were made to the Founda-tion in memory of: Given by:

In memoriam

Chris Albin ............ Central Dakota Amateur Radio ClubForrester Austin ..................................... BSC Employees Meredith Baarstad .......... Dr. Lloyd and Susan Anderson

BSC EmployeesWillie and Darlyne Clausnitzer

Loren KjonaasArdyce MillerYvonne Peters

Marjorie ThorneRae Bloom ................................................... Ardyce MillerSteve Harris ................................................ Donna FrickeLawrence Heinrich .....................................Julie EricksonWalter Hermes ........................................ BSC Employees

Ken LaMont .............................................................AE2S Dr. Lloyd and Susan Anderson

Gregory BachLowell and Kirsten Baesler

Brad BallweberTamara and Troy BarberWayne and Claire Baron

Gary BenzSteven and Genevieve Berg

Dee BertschCarla and Dick Bickert

Don BigwoodGordon and Paula Binek

Bismarck – Mandan ChamberLoren and Lisa Black

Craig and Martha BoeckelWalter and Lucille Braun

BSC EmployeesHolly Burch

Neva CarlisleRonald and Mary CarrickCarol and Dan Cashman

Bradley CharnholmCrescent Printing and Office Products

Jeffrey and Gloria DaxeJoe Ellefson

Marvin ErdmannJanet Erhardt

Monte and Kristen FischerGary and Darlene Flaa

Donna FrickeBuster Gilliss

Ervin and Geraldine GodesJames and Ronda Gustafson

H.I.T., Inc.Ed Hasche

Dr. Hal and Gerrie HaseLori Heinsohn

Ralph HenningHJL Management Associates

Mark HolkupLogan and Jeanette Holm

Mike and Geris HopfaufLeon House

Toby and Ellen HuberRichard Jacobchick

Ellen JacobsonKimberly Jensen

Jay and Lisette JohnsonLorell and Renae Jungling

Thomas and Rae Ann KelschJoan and Craig Kleven

Robert and Maureen KoellerRoger and Kathy Krance

Wallace and Betty LabergeLarry and Jane LaMont

Jeffrey and Doreen LeingangTroy and Twila Leingang

Todd and Colleen LeingangDr. Kermit Lidstrom

Rita Lindgren Donald and Dorothy Litchfield

M & W Beef Packers, Inc.David and Kathy MacIver

John and Judi MaddockKevin and Kristine Magstadt

Deborah MantzAmy McNalley

Missouri Valley PetroleumJudy and Marlin MjelstadJoseph and Bonita MochLarry and Lucinda Moos

National Information Solutions Coop.Mitch and Kathleen NillesDarrel and Carol Nitschke

Rita NodlandGary and Shirley OlmstedLynette Borjeson Painter

Richard PalmerWendy Pank

Jack and Kristi ParisYvonne Peters

Tracy and Jane PorterMonte Rogneby

Donald and Evy RussellWally Russell

Judy SauterMargaret Schaar

Tyler and Tara SchilkeBill and Kay Schlosser

Jane SchreckHenry Schroeder

Julie SchroerJoan Schuh

Londa SchwartzMarlene Swenson SeaworthLannon and Linda SerranoRick and Kathy Setterlund

Kathy and Dan SewellDavid Sitte

Dr. Larry and Alison SkogenGerald and Marilyn Skogley

Larry and Cheryl SoutherKaren Summers

Dr. Donna and Sloan ThigpenSteven Thomas

Continued on page 6

Ken LaMont .......................Cynthia and Ryan ThompsonHarlowe and Carolyn Tjaden

Twin City RoofingDan Ulmer

Donald and Virgina UlrichDebbie and Steve Van BerkomMary Jo and Clark Van Horn

Curt WalthAnita Wilson

Shirley WilsonAl Wolf

Thomas WoodmanseeJames WrightLeon ZanderDeb Zodrow

Patty Lidstrom ................Dr. Lloyd and Susan AndersonGordon and Paula Binek

BSC EmployeesCarol and Dan Cashman

Allen DockterShirley Dykshoorn

Lois EnglerDonna Fricke

Jennifer GladdenBert and Rose Gerhart

Dr. Hal and Gerrie HaseKari Knudson

Michael and Karen LaLondeRita Lindgren

Arthur and Cherie MerkelDennis F. Meyer

Rita NodlandYvonne PetersBill Redmond

Jane SchulzDavid Sitte

Debbie and Steve Van BerkomHoward Wolfe

Bruce Meland ........................... Earl and Karen Petersen Barb Mutzenberger ........Dr. Lloyd and Susan Anderson

Gordon and Paula BinekBSC Employees

Carol and Dan CashmanAllen Dockter

Lois EnglerDonna Fricke

Michael and Karen LaLondeDr. Kermit Lidstrom

Rita NodlandYvonne Peters

Jane SchulzDavid Sitte

Paul SwansonClayton Pudwill. .............................. Dr. Kermit LidstromJim Silbernagel ........................................BSC Employees

Arlene FlutoJane Schulz

Mike Wickstrom ..............Dr. Lloyd and Susan AndersonMark and Nancy Berger

Mitchell and Terri Berger

Gordon and Paula BinekLawrence and Janice Blattner

BSC EmployeesBSC Retired Employees Group

Lois EnglerEd Hasche

Daniel JohnsonLoren Kjonaas

Dr. Kermit LidstromDennis F. Meyer

Ardyce MillerGlen and Janet Peterson

Bill RedmondMichael and Janel Schmitz

Marjorie ThorneDebbie and Steve Van Berkom

Bruce and Karla WickstromMavis Wickstrom

Joyce Williams

Contributions were made to the Founda-tion in memory of: Given by:

In memoriam

North Dakota’s five community colleges launched a cooperative campaign in February to increase understanding of the value of a community college education. The campaign focuses on the vital role community colleges play in preparing students for success, either in the workforce or when moving on for four-year degrees.

Bismarck State College is one of the partners in the campaign, along with Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota State College of Science and Williston State Col-lege. The campaign includes television, print and statewide radio ads and an online landing page to connect visitors to the colleges and other related sites.

“Our five community colleges help build the specialized workforce needed for many high-demand careers and prepare students to obtain more advanced degrees,” said Bill Go-etz, chancellor of the North Dakota Universi-ty System, at a news conference in February. “From manufacturing to energy, from busi-ness to nursing – North Dakota’s community colleges are preparing students to contribute to the future of our state and nation.”

To see the landing page and campaign pieces, go to ndcommunitycolleges.com.

Colleges promote value of two-year college education

The Foundation welcomes new and renew-ing President’s Club members for January 1 through March 31, 2010.

The Foundation welcomes new and renew-ing Executive Club members for January 1 through March 31, 2010.

Donors give generously to college

American Bank CenterBasin ElectricBEK CommunicationsFred and Arlene BergerBismarck Title CompanyBismarck TribuneCandlewood SuitesCapital Credit UnionCapital Electric Coop.Cass County Electric Coop. Century 21 Morrison RealtyBill ChausseeBlack Ridge BankCloverdale Foods Co.Consolidated Telecom. Dakota AwardsDakota Bumper & Body SupplyDakota Central Dakota Gasification Co.Dickey Rural NetworksEAPCJudith Ekberg JohnsonExpressway InnFalkirk Mining Co.Fargo BumperFinley EngineeringFireside Office SolutionsCress GackleGolder Associates, Inc. Ray GrabarGreenberg RoofingTerry HarrisWayne R. HarrisIdeaOne Telecom. GroupDr. Eugene and Carol KralicekLindtech Services, Inc.McLean Electric Coop.McQuade DistributingMDU Resources GroupMidcontinent CommunicationsMidstate Telephone Co.Mitchell InternationalMoore Industries-International, Inc.Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Coop.Mountrail-Williams ElectricNational Information Solutions Coop.NemontNorth Dakota Agricultural Assoc.Northwest Communications Coop.Northwest Contracting, Inc.Odney Advertising AgencyDale PahlkePrairie State Plant Manager’s GroupRadisson HotelKen RenoReservation TelephoneWarren RobinsonRoughrider Chevrolet Assoc.

Roughrider Electric Coop.Seven Seas InnKathy and Dan SewellSlope Electric Coop.St. Alexius Medical CenterJason and Dr. Nigeria StahlState Farm Companies FoundationTelephone AT&SDr. Donna and Sloan ThigpenUnited Telephone Mutual Aid Corp.Verendrye Electric Coop.Cyndy Welken-Place AFLACWaterford on West CenturyScott WegnerWest River Telecommunications Coop.Mavis WickstromDarrell Wrege

Capital TrophyEastgate Funeral ServicesGreg GundersonInvestment Centers of AmericaDr. Gaylord KavlieKEM Electric Coop., Inc.ND Society of Professional EngineersThe North American Coal Corp.Robert and Julia RitterbushMichael and Janel SchmitzJoyce and Ron Tello

Spring enrollment a record for third consecutive year

BSC reported a record spring enrollment for the 3rd consecutive year, with 3,899 stu-dents. This is an increase of almost 9 percent compared with last spring’s total enrollment of 3,586.

“I believe we’re seeing three things at play in our growth,” said BSC President Larry C. Skogen. “First, BSC continues to deliver strong programs at a beautiful cam-pus. Secondly, BSC froze tuition rates this year, a factor that is helping students achieve their goal of working toward a college de-gree. Finally, the state of the economy and the nature of our technological future mean that individuals will have to sharpen their intellectual or dynamic skills to be competi-tive in today’s labor market, whether they are transferring for a four-year degree or going directly into an occupation.”

Employees donate $51,976 in 2009The following BSC employees generously

donated a total of $51,976 to the BSC Foun-dation during the 2009 calendar year.Christopher AbbotGregory AchtenbergChere AllardJaclyn AllenZak AllenMarlene AndersonKaren ArlienRobert ArsoBrenda AustinGregory BachShirley BachmeierTamara BarberKaren BauerAlicia BergerJean BergerDee Bertsch Carla BickertDon BigwoodGordon BinekJohanna BjorkEric BlessStephanie BorudElaine BowmanWes BraunHolly BurchChristina BurnsKendal BuschBob CanterLois CarleyDrake CarterCarol CashmanRyan CayaKim ChristiansonDave ClarkJordis ConradWilliam CossetteJohn DarlingJanet DeckerSierra DishonCraig DolbeareJan DralleMarilyn EckrothJames EggertDiane EichhorstMary EisenbraunDave EllLinda EllJoe EllefsonBruce EmmilJulie EricksonKaren EricksonTheresa FeldermanVila FishDonna FishbeckMary FiskDarvin FitzgeraldCarol FlaaJustin Forde

Crystal ForsterLinda FossumDonna FrickeLee FrieseMary FrieszAngie FriezTanya FuherJamie GableKarla GabrielWilliam GieserBuster GillissJenny GisingerNancy GordonArlene GrayLinda GreensteinPat GrossDean GunschJackie HagelDawn HagerottJason HarrisSue HartleyDaphne HauckWayne HeckamanLori HeinsohnLance HendricksonTammy HeupelDebra HiebCarla Braun HixsonMark HolkupMichael HolmanKevin HolmstromMelody HopfaufPerry HornbacherLisa HoynesMichael HubbelFrank HuberLane HuberBrian HushagenGregory HutzenbilerJeffrey JacobsCathy JanikowskiMichael JordanClaire JorgensonAmy JuhalaRon JyringAnnMarie KajenckiLaura KalvodaClancy KellerPaula KemnitzJoshua KernMichael KernNick KjosCraig KlevenJoan KlevenGreta KnollKari KnudsonAlbert KochPam Kostelecky

Caroline KozojedDeborah KraftTimothy KramerAndrene KreinBonnie KruegerMichael KubisiakKayla KunkelRobert KuntzMike LaLondeDan LandeisKeith LandeisDeborah LarsonRobert LeingangThomas LenoMichelle LindblomRita LindgrenSusan LippertJason LuederDarcy MakeeffRichard MalsamDeborah MantzTom MarpleElizabeth MasonJeanne MassethJanelle MastersYvette MathewsMike McCormackSuzie McShaneJay MeierLonna MeierAngie MilakovicAmanda MillerCarmel MillerFrancis MillerKyren MillerMarvin MutzenbergerKatherine NetzerMartin NielsenRita NodlandBrenda NottestadArlan OkersonKate OlsonSheryl OmlidGerry PabstLynette Borjeson PainterWendy PankByron PaulKenneth PaulusJoDean Knutson PersonYvonne PetersRyan PitcherErin PriceLee Red HorseBrent ReemsTodd ReidmanJean ReisenauerDaniel RogersJean RolandeliGregory RossArt RudeDavid SagsveenMichele Schatz

Tyler SchauKeith SchelskeDaniel SchmidtAimee SchmitJane SchreckKeana SchulerJane SchulzMarlene SeaworthKayla SeifertKaren SelenskyHeather SheehanDeb ShipmanDavid SitteCarla SivesindJeffrey SkibickiLarry SkogenRachelle SmithCindy SplichalLen StanleyRon StarckThomas SteinDeborah StevensonSusan StockertDanny StoplerGreg SturmNorlyn SwensonAnselm TernesKristi TetzloffSean ThorensonErrol ThvedtLinda TonolliEarl TorgersonLaurie TorgersonJessica TrautmanScott TschaekofskeIvan TschiderJerry TuhyCarolyn TwingleyAngela UhlichDebbie Van BerkomRoxanne Van ZomerenWade VogelVickie VolkSara VollmerJoseph VuoloLyle WarnerLynn WarnkeMike WavrinJeremy WehriElmer WeigelNancy WeisbeckBonnie WeiszLori WelderKristina WellsEva WentzAnita WilsonJulie WilsonShirley WilsonMarge WindhorstJames WrightAlison ZarrPaul Zimmerman

Mike Wickstrom

Patricia Lidstrom

Meredith BaarstadMeredith Baarstad, retired business and

office education instructor, died Jan. 7, in Mesa, Ariz. She was 76. An instructor at BSC from 1972-94, Baarstad had previously taught at Bismarck High School and Valley City State University.

She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1955 and received a mas-ter’s degree from UND in 1963. Her secre-tarial and teaching career took her to many places, including Minneapolis, Denver and California, and included working for law firms and oil companies. She married Robert Baarstad in 1966. While teaching at BSC, she coordinated the job placement program for secretarial students, finding jobs for up to 80 secretarial majors.

After retiring, Baarstad moved to Chan-dler, Ariz. She is survived by two daughters, Lore and Julie, a step-granddaughter, and a brother.

Patricia LidstromPatricia Lidstrom, wife of BSC President

Emeritus Dr. Kermit Lidstrom, died Jan. 31, 2010, at the age of 79. A victim of breast cancer, she died at her home in Bismarck.

A Bismarck native, Patty married Kermit Lidstrom in 1950. In 1954 the couple moved from Fargo to Cleveland, Ohio, where they raised their daughters. Patty also worked as a legal secretary, was a Girl Scout leader, and appeared in musical productions.

The Lidstroms returned to North Dakota when Dr. Lidstrom was named president of BSC in 1977. She graciously served as “First Lady” of the college during her husband’s 18-year presidency. She also was an active volunteer for a number of charities and com-munity groups.

In 1998 she received the JC Penney Gold-en Rule Award for her work with the Salva-tion Army. That same year the Lidstroms were recipients of BSC’s Distinguished Service Citation.

Those surviving include her husband, daughters Katherine and Eve, her stepdaugh-ter, two granddaughters, and a great-grand-daughter.

Retirees and former First Lady dieMichael Wickstrom

Michael Wickstrom, 76, an innovative teacher who helped expand the BSC campus, died Feb. 26, in Chandler, Ariz. A math and engineering instructor, he was BSC’s first full-time engineering instructor, teaching from 1960 to 1991. Wickstrom developed the 2+2 engineering program with North Dakota State University and founded the BSC Stu-dent Engineers Club in 1978. He was known for his high profile toothpick bridge contest, a teaching tool for calculating weight load.

Wickstrom served on the college’s master plan committee and used his engineering and leadership skills for several projects, includ-ing Student Union construction and design of the Bismarck Community Bowl. He planned the field layout, drainage, and sprinkler sys-tems. After retiring and moving to Arizona, Wickstrom continued teaching math there on a part-time basis. Awards include the BSC Distinguished Service Citation in 1991 and BSC Outstanding Alumnus in 2004.

Survivors include his wife, Mavis; three daughters, Terri, Tammy and Jane; six grand-children, and many other relatives.

Mystics teams are champions

March Madness was apparent on the BSC campus this year, with the women’s and men’s Mystic basketball teams winning their respective NJCAA Region XIII Champion-ships and District Championships in early March. This meant both teams qualified for the NJCAA Division II national tournament – a first with both teams in nationals the same year.

The national competition results were an elimination game loss for the men to St. Clair County (Mich.) Community College, and a loss to Lake Michigan College for the women.

Coaches Jason Harris (men) and Len Stan-ley (women) were named Region XIII Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year for their respective teams.

Earlier in the season, the women earned the Mon-Dak Conference Co-Championship, tied with Miles Community College. It has been over 10 years since the women Mystics won the conference championship.

1980sclass Connections

Name: __________________ Class: ______Address _____________________________City _________ State _______ Zip ________❏ Check here if new address❏ Check here if your name has changedPrevious name _______________________BSC Degree & Major ___________________Employer name _______________________Your Position _________________________Phone (Home) _________ (Work) _________Recent achievement ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Let us know what’s new in your life by submitting updated information to:

BSC Alumni AssociationP.O. Box 5587Bismarck, ND 58506-5587

Kevin Roy, 81, Langdon, was elected to the board of directors of the North Dakota Implement Dealers Association. Kevin is the vice president of Langdon Implement Com-pany Inc.

Kari Warberg Block, ’82, was recently elected to the The Dakota Manufacturing Extension Partnership Inc. board of directors for a three-year term. She is the founder and CEO of Earth-Kind Inc. of Bismarck. Her inventions, which are sold in 5,000 stores in the United States and Canada, include FRESH CAB® rodent repellent, and Prai-rie Aire® air freshener. The mission of her company is to create natural, safe and effec-tive products that have a positive impact on agriculture, society, and the environment.

Todd Ness, ’88, was promoted to senior graphic designer at Gate City Bank’s corpo-rate office in Fargo. He has been with Gate City Bank since 2005.

Rhonda Schafer-McLean, MD, ’93, joined the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Mid Dakota Clinic Center for Women Prime Care in Bismarck. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Colorado in Denver, where she received the OB/GYN Teaching Award.

Heather McCormack, ’96, Brooklyn, N.Y., managing editor of Library Journal’s Book Review section, is the recipient of the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) 2010 Louis Shores/ABC-CLIO award recognizing excellence in book re-viewing. McCormack was selected for her in-novative spirit demonstrated by her creation and editing of Book Smack!, a free bi-weekly online newsletter.

1990s1960sGordon Joseph Weiss, ’69, New York City, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in “The Seafarer” and “A Moon for the Misbegotten” with Merrimack Repertory Theater of Lowell, Mass. The nominations are by the Independent Reviewers of New England, and the awards ceremony is April 19 in Boston.

1970sDave Clark, ’74, BSC executive vice presi-dent, is president of the Central Association of College and University Business Officers (CACUBO) for 2009-10. He served as first vice president last year and second vice president the previous year. CACUBO is a nonprofit association representing chief busi-ness officers at 660 colleges and universities of all sizes and types in the north central region of the U.S. The first North Dakota college executive to be appointed president, Clark has served on the board of directors for seven years. The board is responsible for professional development activities, which includes five major programs for those in business and financial areas of higher educa-tion.

Rhonda Schafer-McLean, M.D.

Dave Clark

Heather McCormack

2000sAustin Wolf, ’06, Bismarck, was hired as a quality assurance associate in the Research, Development and Quality division at Na-tional Information Solutions Cooperative of Mandan.

Reunion prompts Title IX memoriesJo Koch, an alum formerly of Mandan,

now of California, recently wrote about a reunion of the five starters on BSC’s 1975-76 women’s basketball team. In the midst of their fun, they realized how federal legisla-tion has influenced their lives.

Jana Engberg, Julie Glasoe, Patsy Hansel, Deb Hoistad (1977 graduates) and Jo Ann Koch met in San Diego in February for their first reunion since 1982. Here are excerpts from Jo Koch’s story.

On June 23, 1972, Tricky Dick Nixon signed Title IX. I never thought of him as a trailblazer or a visionary, but Title IX changed our lives and aided in transforming the professionals that we are today and gave us the opportunity to attend BJC and build the friendships we cherish.

From the moment we got together in San Diego it was a Talkfest. We had planned activities but found that we just wanted to talk, laugh, and talk. We easily made fun of ourselves. Talked about all the boys they chased and lost. We telephoned Nancy Stavn, Women’s Athletic Director, who had recruit-ed them all. We contacted Brian Torvik, who had played on the men’s team in 74-75. We watched a video that Jana put together with photos she and Patsy pulled from their photo collections of the dormitory days with Ma Steckler (who kicked me out of the dorm and I didn’t even live there.)

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is the land-mark legislation that bans sex discrimination in schools, whether it be in academics or athletics.

From left to right - Jo Koch, Deb Hoistad, Julie Glasoe Uriell, Patsy Hansel Vaagen, Jana Engberg McKee

As the weekend concluded and everyone left for home, I thought we owe Title IX our educations, our friendship, and our careers. It gave us a chance to go to college, play sports, live in the dorm, and leave the farm. And become who we are. These ladies are all

professionals in their fields. I am so proud to call them friends. Since it has been 35 years since Title IX was enacted, I suspect that not too many know what Title IX did for women. If you have to Google Title IX to understand this article, then you probably won’t under-stand that ELO and BTO are not text-messag-ing shortcuts. Thanks Title IX and BJC!

Atkinson donates historical photographs

Pictured with Atkinson, at left, are Brenda Nottestad, Marlene Swenson-Seaworth, President Skogen, and Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Klein, N.D. National Guard. Swenson-Seaworth is the Veterans Services and Student Accessibility Coordi-nator, and Nottestad is Veterans and Student Accessibility Specialist. Klein is a representative from the Guard who assists in the office.

Patrick Atkinson, president and founder of The God’s Child Project, recently donated these photographs to the BSC Veterans Ser-vices and Student Accessibility Office. These are original photographs of North Dakota National Guard members when they were training in Texas during WWI.

BSC President Larry C. Skogen said the donation was the result of a conversation he had with Atkinson about the services BSC is providing for veterans. Atkinson, who col-lects historical artifacts, then offered these pieces to the college.

NonprofitOrganization US Postage

PAIDPermit #9

Bismarck, ND

New technical programs begin fall semester

BSC Connections Bismarck State College

PO Box 5587Bismarck, ND 58506-5587

BSC will offer a new program in Renew-able Generation Technology, and a one-year certificate program in Electronics Technol-ogy, both beginning in the fall semester. Both programs will be offered on campus and online.

The Renewable Generation Technology program is designed to provide students with a broad background in the electrical genera-tion industry and prepare them for high pay-ing positions in both traditional and emerging generation areas. The curriculum builds on a core of courses already offered by BSC by adding specialized coursework in biomass, hydro, wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and fuel cell generation of electricity.

Students can earn a certificate or associate in applied science degree. The program will be located within the National Energy Cen-ter of Excellence where it will complement five established energy technology programs and the bachelor of applied science degree in Energy Management.

The Electronics Tech program provides a basic electronics background directly appli-cable to the job market. BSC has offered a two-year program in Electronics/Telecommu-nications Technology for many years.

BSC students named toAll-NoDak Academic Team

BSC students Abby Anderson, Meno-ken, and Amanda Krieger, White Earth, are among eight North Dakota community

college students named to the 2010 All-North Dakota Academic Team, which recog-nizes the academic achievements of community college students. They were honored during an event at Lake Region State College in March.

In North Dako-ta, the community college awards are co-sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa

International Honor Society and CTEC, the NDUS College Technical Education Council. The program is active in 37 states. Students named to the state team also are nominated for the All-USA Academic Team. Nomina-tions are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.

President Larry C. Skogen and two Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisors with BSC’s team members. From left are Dr. Skogen, Abby Anderson, Advisor Dan Leingang, Amanda Krieger, and Advisor Michelle Lindblom.