Spring 2006

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 97Marshall, MNPublished by:

SMSU Alumni Office1501 State Street

Marshall, Minnesota 56258

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

If Focus is addressed to a son or daughter whohas graduated and no longer maintains apermanent address at your home, please clip theaddress label and return it with the correct addressto the address above or E-mail the updatedaddress to [email protected]

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2006

Join us forHomecoming 2006

SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2006

For more details, visitwww.SouthwestAlumni.com/Homecoming

TheforSouthwest

Campaign

Highlights of the week:Sunday, September 24

Miss Tootsie

Thursday, September 28Homecoming Coronation

Friday, September 29Alumni Awards Luncheon

University Gala

Saturday, September 30Homecoming Parade

Mustang Football vs. University of Mary176 Keys Dueling Piano Show

GIVE YOURSELF A GIFTTHAT WILL LAST FORYEARS.

Recent Grads: Act Now!

Consolidate while in your grace

period and receive an additional

discount of 0.6%1

Lock-in a low interest rate and reduce your monthly payments for the life of the loan.

CALL (800) 747-3514 or visit us at www.southwestalumni.com/studentloans

1In order to receive grace rates, your application must be received prior to the first grace end date on the loans being consolidated.

Brought to you by:

Call 1-800-260-0970 for details or go online at www.SouthwestAlumni.com

The trip includes:• Round-trip trans-atlantic air transportation from MSP to Shannon, Ireland• Seven nights in first-class hotels • Professional tour guide• Full Irish breakfast daily • Round-trip transfers between airport & hotels• Sightseeing via deluxe motorcoach • Luggage handling & related tips• Local government & hotel taxes • Complete pre-flight information

ClassicAn

October 6–14, 2006from Minneapolis/St.Paul

(other departure cities are available)

Ireland is a country unlikeanywhere else in the world, a landof constantly changing colors,magnificent and varied landscapes,a land of folklore and legend.Experience it for yourself from thecolorful towns of Killarney andGalway, the “Capital of the West.”Visit Blarney Castle, and enjoy thespectacular scenery of the DinglePeninsula from Killarney. FromGalway, perhaps journey to theAran Islands or the spectacularCliffs of Moher. Discover thisbeautiful land where a hundredthousand welcomes await you.

Irish

June 9 Down the Stretch at Canterbury ParkCome enjoy live horse racing with SMSU alumni andfriends.

June 11-12 SMSU Golf ClassicThe Mustang Booster Club sponsors it twenty-first golfclassic at the Marshall Golf Club.

June 22 Hit a Home Run with the Sioux Falls CanariesEnjoy a great night of baseball action from our private deckin right field!

June 23 Alumni Night with the Twins and CubsHoly Cow! Don’t miss the hottest Twins ticket of the year.Enjoy a pre-game gathering on the Plaza and then watchthe Minnesota Twins face the Chicago Cubs. TheMinnesota State College & University that sells the mosttickets will be able to select an alumnus to throw out thefirst pitch!

July 10 SMSU Twin Cities Golf OpenHelp support Mustang Athletics and the SMSU AlumniAssociation by participating in the inaugural Twin CitiesOpen at Deer Run Golf Club in Victoria, MN

July 16 Xtreme Fun at ValleyfairDon’t miss one of our most popular events last year! Enjoythrilling rides and meet & greet SMSU alumni and friends.

July 17 Wicked at the Orpheum Theatre—SOLD OUT

If you think you know the two iconic witches from Oz —the Wicked Witch (Elphaba) and the Good Witch(Glinda) — think again. Benefit from group pricing forthis night at the theatre!

Aug. 9 Throw a strike with the Rochester HonkersAn August tradition! Enjoy a fun night of Honkersbaseball on the Sports Deck at Mayo Field.

Sept. 29-30 Homecoming 2006Take a look for yourself at the changes on campus whileenjoying all the Homecoming activities.

Oct. 6-14 Enchanting IrelandMark your calendars and make plans to travel with fellowSMSU alumni and friends to Ireland.

Photos, clockwise from top left: 1. Tyler Engquist ’02; Nathan Burns; and Tyson Kassel ’02 enjoy the meeting with SMSU alumni

and friends at the Hawaiian Night luau.2. Michael Fallon ’76; Bill Mulso ’93, Assistant Vice-President of Advancment; Susan Fallon;

President David Danahar; Clayton Schwerin ’77; Patrick Wiese ’72; Barbara Wiese; andTyler Bowen, Alumni Director enjoy their SMSU update at a dinner in Fort Collins, CO.

3. Katy (Pivec) Hansen ’95; Tom Hansen ’94; Charlie Boeyink ’95 and Sheri (Mathieu) Boeyink’95; gather for an SMSU alumni dinner in Scottsdale, AZ.

4. Tracy Jensen ’85 Chris Demarest ’87 and Joan (Anderson) Fangrow ’83 relive Southwestglory days at a Denver, CO alumni dinner.

Space is stillavailable!Call today!

2006 SMSU Alumni Events

For more information, updated events, or to register visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com

Spring 2006

A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University

volume 26 number 2

FOCUS MAGAZINE SPRING 2006 1

Alumni SpotlightTwo alumni talk about their careers andhow Southwest helped them get there.

11

The Campaign forSouthwestPresident Danahar sits down fora Q & A on the campaign, itsprogress, and his vision for thefuture of Southwest.

6

Serving Those Who Serve A new Veteran’s Center opens at SMSU.

10

PresidentDr. David C. Danahar

Vice President for AdvancementDr. Vincent M. [email protected]

EditorTyler Bowen ’[email protected]

DesignerMarcy Olson ’93/MBA’[email protected]

Senior Writer and PhotographyJim [email protected]

ContributorsKelly Loft ’97Sara Granheim ’02/MBA’04Jake Strait ’03Ryan Wendland

Cover PhotographGreg Devereaux Photography

Feature Story PhotographTodd Finlo, Prairielight Photography

In every issue

3 Southwest News

9 Profiles

10 Alumni Connections

13 Mustang Athletics

15 Class Notes

Focus (USPS 565-770) is published twice each year for alumni and friends of SouthwestMinnesota State University by the Alumni Office.

Opinions expressed in Focus do not necessarily reflect official University policy. Sendcorrespondence, name changes and address corrections to: Focus, Alumni Office, SouthwestMinnesota State University, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 or call (507) 537-6266.

Focus is not copyrighted. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted withoutpermission if credit is given to Southwest Minnesota State University.

Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator andemployer.

Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges andUniversities system.

This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities.Please make your request by calling 507-537-6266, 1-800-260-0970, or through theMinnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.

A BC

DE

FG

Faculty, staff, students, alumni,and community members willhelp support the Campaign forSouthwest.

On the cover: A. Mary HickersonB. David Marshall C. David DanaharD. Deb Mitlyng ’85E. Jack HickersonF. Sheldon HaalandG. Samantha Stenzel

Photo by Greg Devereaux

dear friends

2 SPRING 2006 FOCUS MAGAZINE

President:Jason P. Hoffman, Esq. ’99Faribault, [email protected] Expires: 2006/2009

Vice-President:Bill DeLay ’85Orono, [email protected] Expires: 2003/2006

Secretary/Treasurer:Karen VanKeulen ’87Ghent, [email protected] Expires: 2007/2010

G. David Peterson ’75 West Des Moines, [email protected] Expires: 2007/2010

Kathy Paxton ’69Marshall, [email protected] Expires: 2003/2006

Sedric McClure ’94Brooklyn Park, [email protected] Expires: 2007/2010

Chuck Larsen ’75Minneapolis, [email protected] Expires: 2006/2009

Jason Mortvedt ’78Blue Earth, [email protected] Term Expires: 2006/2009

Carole Jean Toft-Ness ’80Hendricks, [email protected] Expires: 2005/2008

Bruce Bossuyt ’96Sioux Falls, [email protected] Expires: 2008/2011

Michelle Anderson ’88Rochester, [email protected] Expires: 2008/2011

Amanda Romaine ’03St. Cloud, [email protected] Expires: 2009/2012

Jan Craig Nelson, ’73Redwood Falls, [email protected] Expires: 2009/2012

Robert Walker ’98/’04Marshall, [email protected] Expires: 2009/2012

Executive DirectorTyler Bowen ’95Marshall, [email protected]

A letter from the President of SMSU

Alumni BoardThe Alumni Board

is the governing body

of the SMSU

Alumni Association.

The Board promotes

the social and

educational interests

of fellow alumni.

Meetings are held

three times per year.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As I write to you, I am completing my fifthyear as president of Southwest MinnesotaState University. While my association withSMSU may not be as long as yours, I hopeyou know that I take tremendous pride inthis institution and want to see it continue toaccomplish great things. With your help, Iknow my next five years as president will behighly productive and exciting.

In looking to the future, I am pleased toannounce the Campaign for Southwest. Thiscampaign is our first major comprehensivecampaign to raise funds to enhance theUniversity. As you read this issue of Focus,you will learn the details and goals of thiscampaign.

Southwest Minnesota State University cannotbe the great institution it is without you.Your participation in and support of thiscampaign will signal your continuingcommitment to the growth and prosperity ofyour University.

I would welcome the opportunity to meetpersonally with all of SMSU’s alumni andfriends. As this campaign has movedforward, I have traveled across the country tospend some time with those who loveSouthwest, but cannot always make a trip tocampus. I do want to invite those that can tojoin me on campus to see firsthand howsignificantly the campus has beentransformed. Homecoming would be awonderful time to do that.

So, when you get the chance, please return toyour college home and join me and all theother friends of the University in celebratingour past accomplishments and the futureaccomplishments that your gift will makepossible. Your support and participation willmake the Campaign for Southwest a success.

Sincerely,

David C. Danahar, PresidentSouthwest Minnesota State University

southwest news


Southwest Awarded $100,000 Ford Foundation Grant

For more great moments, visit the photo history section of the Alumni Web site at www.SouthwestAlumni.com/history

Do you remember? E-mail [email protected] if you recognize any of the people in these photos.

Southwest Minnesota State University is one of 27institutions from across the nation that has been

awarded a Ford Foundation grant of $100,000 as partof its Difficult Dialogues Initiative. Nearly 700 grantapplications were submitted for consideration.

The grant will be coordinated by the ThomasJefferson Center for the Protection of FreeExpression in Charlottesville, Va.

The Ford Foundation was started in 1936 by EdselFord and two Ford Motor Company executives tocreate political, economic and social systems thatpromote peace, human welfare and the sustainabilityof the environment.

Associate Professor of English Judy Wilson wasthe grant’s author, and said the Ford Foundationgrant grew out of an idea she had for the creation ofa journal for indigenous peoples. “I’m always lookingfor grant opportunities,” she said. “I had been talkingto (former faculty member) Lupe Solis about creatinga journal called the Yellow Medicine Review.”

She came upon information about FordFoundation grants and saw that it fit in with the goalof her project. “But I found that we would need todevelop a bigger project [than the journal],” she said.

She put together a team including faculty membersChris Mato Nunpa, Jeff Kolnick, Stewart Day, EricMarkusen, Vicky Brockman and herself, along withOffice of Cultural Diversity Director Don Robertson,and together, they came up with four projects that arethe basis for the grant.

The SMSU Difficult Dialogues project, which willbe spread out over two years, includes:

• Sponsoring the 2006 and 2007 IndigenousNations and Dakota Studies spring conferences, andgiving the event a stronger national presence withgreater visibility.

• Creation of Faculty Awareness & DevelopmentSessions. This will be worked into regular

professional development periods in the fall and willinclude awareness of indigenous issues andimmigrant populations, as well as a diversity trainerto work with faculty.

• Establishment of four new classes in thecurriculum, including Breaking Native AmericanStereotypes, Issues of Immigration, Islamophobia andHomophobia & Sexualities.

• Publication of the Yellow Medicine Review, asemi-annual journal of indigenous literature, art andthought.

The 27 institutions will update one another ontheir progress via the Web, said Wilson. The Website will act as a resource for the institutions todiscuss the progress of their individual projects andhelp answer questions as they come up.

The SMSU team will also attend seminarsthroughout the two-year cycle of the grant.

“It’s great to have this happening at institutions allacross the country,” said Wilson. “The others toreceive a Ford Foundation grant represent awonderful cross-section of institutions.”

Her ultimate goal for SMSU as it relates to theDifficult Dialogues initiative? “To have a healthieratmosphere on campus,” she said. “I’ve noticed thatwe are at a crossroads on campus, that feelings havequietly been bottled up, and that the feeling is we arepreventing conflict by not talking about it.”

“Too often, I have heard of classes whereprofessors shut down discussion. We want to invite it;it should be an atmosphere where healthy discussionscan take place, where people listen.”

Wilson credits the SMSU administration for beingfully supportive of the grant’s goals. “It’s a favorableenvironment here, which enhances difficultdialogues,” she said. “We want our faculty andstudents to be able to talk about anything with nobias.” �

Judy Wilson

More information about the SMSU DifficultDialogues initiative and the Ford Foundationmay be found online at:www.SouthwestMSU.edu/DifficultDialogues

Southwest Marketing Advisory Center Blazing a Trail

Mike Rich will be the first to tellyou, there’s nothing better for

a graduate looking for a job then aresume that includes practicalexperience.

“I just had an e-mail from (anemployer) the other day, and shetold me one of our marketingstudents had the best interviewshe’s ever been a part of, and shewants me to point future gradstoward (her company),” he said.

Rich is a marketing professorand director of the SouthwestMarketing Advisory Center, an on-campus marketing business. It hiresand pays students to conductmarketing projects for clients fromsouthwest Minnesota.

To date, over 180 jobs havebeen completed, “both big andsmall,” he said. The largest? A$32,000 study on renewable fuelsfor Sen. Norm Coleman,

underwritten by the Minnesota Corn Growers andSoybean Growers Associations.

Other recent projects have included a surveyabout the demand for modified housing, and marketresearch about whether a Kentucky Fried Chickenand A&W restaurant would work in Marshall (itopened recently).

Students are paid $10 per hour, and anywherefrom 12 to 20 are on the payroll at any given time.“It depends on the size of the jobs we have,” saidRich. Each student averages 10 hours in the Centerper week, said Rich.

The Center has gained attention. Bemidji StateUniversity recently sent a delegation to SMSU to seehow the Center works. “They wanted to model theirs

after ours,” he said.“The Southwest Marketing Advisory Center is

an opportunity for our graduates to differentiatethemselves from other marketing grads from otherinstitutions,” he said. “They graduate with experiencein the field, and there are becoming more and morelocal opportunities for them. Before, you’d have to goto Sioux Falls, the Cities, Omaha, but now, more andmore businesses are realizing the importance ofhaving a marketing person on board.”

He defines marketing as “giving the customerwhat they want, and helping the customer realizewhat that want is.” Rich is involved in thecommunity through boards and civic organizations,and those contacts have helped the Center get newjobs. “A lot of it is word of mouth,” said Rich. “Weare in our fourth year now, and people are starting torealize what the Center is, and what it can do.”

Rich also is a member of the national faculty ofthe American Marketing Association and as a resulthas the opportunity to make contacts all over thecountry. “Recently, we were asked to bid on anextensive marketing project for a publisher in St.Louis,” Rich said. “That lead came from an attendeeat one of the national AMA programs I taught.”

The number of marketing majors has increased,as well. “When I got here, we had 28. We have over75 now,” he said. “Students today know what theywant, they have more street smarts, and the Centerhelps them get a leg up when it comes time to lookfor a job.” �

southwestnews


Top photo: Mike Rich. Bottom photo,students compile data from a recent

marketing survey.

SMSU Selected to Host Legion Boys State 2007-2011

Southwest Minnesota State University has been selected to hostMinnesota Legion Boys State from 2007-2011. The announcement

was made at a press conference held at SMSU on January 20.Legion Boys State centers around hands-on experiences about the

principles of the representative form of government while nurturingan interest in governmental affairs. Participants learn about city,county and state government and the two-party system while at LegionBoys State. They elect their own legislature, governor, and introduceand vote on bills.

Approximately 450 male seniors-to-be annually participate inLegion Boys State. Each Legion post in Minnesota can nominate oneor more boys to participate.

The 2007 event will run from June 10-16. Legion Boys Stateparticipants also hear from speakers from the Minnesota StateLegislature. A Minnesota Supreme Court associate justice also makesan annual visit.

“These are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Director of EnrollmentServices Richard Shearer, who was a member of the SMSU team thatmade its presentation to Minnesota Boys State during the selectionprocess. “We are happy to be able to host this outstanding event. Itwill be good exposure for the University, the city and the region, andbrings to campus outstanding young men whom we hope will beimpressed with what SMSU has to offer when it comes time to makea college choice.” �

Southwest Marketing Advisory Center1501 State Street, Marshall MN 56258

Phone: (507) 537-7241 Fax: (507) 537-7179 [email protected]

www.SouthwestMSU.edu/smac

5

The Campaign for SouthwestThe Campaign for Southwest is a 17.2

million dollar fund-raising campaign to

build support for Southwest Minnesota State

University. SMSU is a university of choice for

Southwest Minnesota and beyond, and the

campaign will ensure that choice for

generations.

Southwest is committed to sustaining an

enriched learning environment that provides a

host of supportive and challenging

opportunities. Alumni, faculty, staff, and

friends are being asked to participate in this

campaign so that they can contribute to SMSU’s

continued success in the future.

Southwest has played a critical role in and

changed the lives of its students, its employees,

and the citizens of the region. The funds raised

from this campaign will allow the University to

continue its distinctive role in transforming the

lives of those associated with the University.

You are invited to join those who believe in

Southwest Minnesota State University.

Consider donating to this campaign and making

a difference in the lives of future. Please join

the Campaign for Southwest.

For more information on how to support the campaign, visitwww.SMSUFoundation.org

P h o t o b y J e r r y S w a n s o n

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Campaign for Southwest

Q Q: What is the Campaign for Southwest?

Danahar: The Campaign for Southwest is the first major comprehensivecampaign for the University in its 38-year history. It is a fundraisingcampaign, and it is also a friend-raising campaign. It provides an importantopportunity to connect or reconnect with our alums and at the same time, it willallow us to explain future directions and make new friends.

A&with President Danahar

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Q: What are the goals and priorities of thecampaign?

Danahar: The goals and priorities are set out in fivesignificant areas. First, the campaign seeks supportfor our financial aid and scholarship needs. Second,we will be seeking support for faculty developmentand in areas such as curriculum development,research and scholarly growth. The third priority willbe to seek support for student services in areas asdiverse as facilities, international education, andresidence hall life. We also have two other areaswhere we will seek support: Funds for “bricks-and-mortar” and undesignated funds in support of ourendowment. Our campus is 38 years old and we havemany areas that need to be upgraded, includingacademic space, residence halls, and laboratories.Undesignated support for our endowment will beused for our academic programs, internationaleducation initiatives, and student researchopportunities.

Q: How were the campaign priorities identified?

Danahar: The priorities emerged in great measurefrom our annual campus-wide planning sessions. Eachyear we have been able to bring the campuscommunity together and ask for input on direction,priorities and needs. Additionally, we used outsideconsultants to survey the larger university communityregarding direction, future needs, and potentialsupport. Both this survey and our internal planningsessions shaped the priorities for this campaign.

Q: Since you have been traveling for fundraising, howhas the campaign been received?

Danahar: It has been very well received. Alumni,friends and parents have been attentive and verysupportive. I’ve gone to Phoenix, Denver, New YorkCity, and Washington, D.C. During these trips, I’vemet with a wide range of alums who have been verysupportive, and want to know where the university isand where it intends to go. My conversations havebeen direct, and practical financial responses andcommitments have been made by a wide range ofalums and friends.

Q: Where is the campaign right now?

Danahar: We have commitments today of $12.7million toward an overall goal of $17.2 million. Sothat is roughly 73 percent of the goal. This is a verysignificant step forward, and it has been accomplishedin a relatively brief period of time, two and a halfyears. As I look at it right now, I am positive aboutmeeting our overall goal, and I hope that we will notonly meet that goal, but also exceed it by the close ofthe campaign in the summer of 2008.

Q: Who is joining you in providing leadership forthe campaign?

Danahar: Leadership comes from the directors of ourFoundation—the president, vice president, secretary,and treasurer. Obviously, I also take a leading role inthe campaign. Others have stepped forward,including Dorene Kronke-McCourt, an alumn fromthe early 70’s, who has assumed a leadership role,particularly in the East and along the East Coast. Onthe campus front, we have been fortunate that Jackand Mary Hickerson have stepped forward to help.Other faculty and staff have expressed a willingnessto become involved, and our Alumni Director, Tyler,Bowen, will also play a prominent leading role.

Q: What is the role of alumni in the campaign?

Danahar: They are key to the success of thiscampaign. We have approximately 14,000 livingalumni. It is very important to me that theyparticipate in this campaign. It is not so much aquestion of the financial level at which theyparticipate but rather that they make a commitment.The alumni’s commitment makes a very strongstatement to the rest of the SMSU community. Thealumni phase of the campaign is about to be formallylaunched and Tyler Bowen will have a lead role.


Q

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Q: What has been the response of the campuscommunity?

Danahar: It has been quite positive. I’ve worked closelywith my cabinet, and they have been very generouswith their time, commitment, and funds. We are nowmoving forward to work with faculty and staff, bothcurrent and retired. In terms of the response so far,people have been upfront, positive, and generous.

Q: Have you been surprised by the response?

Danahar: I have been delighted by the level of support.It is reassuring to the staff, our students, and ourfaculty, and it assures me that Mustang Fever andMustang Pride are alive and well.

Q: What have you learned about Southwest whilemeeting with alumni and going through thisprocess?

Danahar: One thing I’ve learned is not to have anyparticular stereotypical image. We have a wonderfulcollection of alumni who reside within a wide range oflocations and who are busy in a rich spectrum ofcareers. It’s been fun to engage them and meet withthem. For example, when I was in Denver two monthsago, I had a wonderful evening with some 30 alumni.They had a wide range of interests and backgroundsand represented the 70s, 80s, 90s and the first decadeof the 21st century.

Q: What is your vision for the future of Southwest,and how is this campaign going to bring thatvision to fruition?

Danahar: I have a phrase that I use when this questionis put to me. My hope is that Southwest MinnesotaState University will become “a University of Choice.”What do I mean by that? Simply put, it is my hope that

when students and their families begin to considerhigher education options, SMSU automaticallybecomes an option to be considered. It would bewonderful if the university was on most students’ listsfor consideration when they are thinking about auniversity education. If the university can become “aUniversity of Choice” for the residents of Minnesota aswell as the residents of the five surrounding states, thatwould be a wonderful transformation.

In terms of the campaign helping to enhance theuniversity of choice issue, it should fundamentallyassist us in providing the resources needed to move theuniversity forward on all fronts. Additionally, ourrecognition by US News and World Report and othernational organizations does help enhance ourpositioning and recognition. I have every reason tobelieve that SMSU will be a university of choice andwill be such beyond the upper Midwest region.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to mentionabout the campaign?

Danahar: You have to give credit to many people forwhatever successes you have, and I realize that whateversuccess I have had and whatever successes I am goingto have with this campaign are really made possible bythe support I continue to have on campus as well as offcampus. I cannot emphasize too much the importanceof that support. People like to talk about “thepresident’s leadership” and all the rest, but that doesn’thappen without a great deal of support. And that isvery important and very rewarding. �

8

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f t h e m a r s h a l l i n d e p e n d e n t

To find out more about the Campaign for Southwest, visitwww.SMSUFoundation.org

get to know us

Idriss Njike, senior, marketing and businessmanagement major from Douala, Cameroon.

Ray Oster, professor of theatre at SMSU.

Lisa Kratz, director of the Student Center at SMSU

Idriss Njike gets involved to feel comfortable at SMSU

Ray Oster is still happy to be at Southwest

Lisa Kratz leads the way in the new Student Center

For Idriss Njike, coming to SMSU was a leapof faith.

“I had a good vibe about the school; theyreplied quickly to my e-mails, answered all myquestions,” said Idriss, a senior Marketing andBusiness Management major from Douala,Cameroon, a western Africa country of 16.5million people about the size of California.

He had a cousin in Eden Prairie, Minn., whohelped him look for schools in the U.S. “It wasSMSU or one other, but I liked the way I wastreated here,” he said.

When he arrived, he had to overcome alanguage barrier. “My first language is French. Itwould have been easier to go to college in France,but I wanted to learn English, so I thought, ‘Why

not the U.S.?’”He’s a familiar face on campus. Idriss has been

a Resident Assistant for three years, and works inPublic Safety. “Those jobs really helped me getto know people and made me feel comfortablehere,” he said. “The people I’ve met, they havemade a difference.”

He’s active in the International StudentOrganization, Students in Free Enterprise(SIFE), Campus Crusade for Christ and serveson the Student Health Advisory Committee.

“I got involved on campus, and for me, thatwas the difference,” he said. “There are so manyopportunities to get involved.”

For Idriss, SMSU is where he belongs. “Ireally love SMSU,” he said. �

If Ray Oster’s wife Jane hadn’t written his letterof application to Southwest State University,

who knows where he’d be today.“She was from Illinois, and I had attended

college in the Midwest too,” said Ray, anAssociate Professor of Theatre Arts at SMSU.“She asked me one day about this school in theMidwest. The only thing we knew is that wedidn’t want to go to the west or the south, so shewrote the letter, and I’m in my 25th year here.”

Oster is a New Jersey native who came toSMSU via Florida and The Hamptons. Heattended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, andtransferred to Southampton College inSouthampton, N.Y. He earned Fine Arts degreesin Visual Arts and Theatre from there in 1972.

“I thought I’d go right to work at the

Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center. I wasnaïve,” he said.

A number of ‘right place at the right time’events took him to theater jobs in Florida andNew York, where he gained experience inlighting and set design.

He earned a Master of Arts in Theatre fromthe University of Wisconsin-Superior. Timingwas right when his wife Jane penned the letter toSouthwest, where he has been ever since.

“I love it here,” he said. “The Theatre facultywork well together. When I arrived, I was thenew kid, and now, I’m the old man.”

In his spare time, he likes riding horses andspending time in the Black Hills. He and Janehave a daughter, Hayley, who is a freshman atSMSU. �

Walk into the new Student Center atSouthwest Minnesota State University, and

chances are good you’ll bump into Lisa Kratz.She has an office, but spends most of her time inthe spacious Student Center, talking to peopleand making sure everything is going right.

Kratz is the Student Center Director. Shecame to SMSU in March 2005 from Iowa StateUniversity, where she was the assistant MemorialUnion Director and Manager of Programs at theAmes, Iowa institution.

It’s her job to oversee the Student Center andthe Conference Center, two buildings that havetransformed the face and feel of the Universitysince opening at the end of the 2004-2005academic year.

“It’s a wonderful space for the students,” shesaid of the new Student Center. “It has a living

room feel–warm and inviting.” It’s a busy place, too. From Aug. 19, 2005

through Jan. 6, 2006, there were 307,270 totalvisitors to the Student Center, an average of3,073 per day. “The traffic patterns areevolving,” she said. “It depends on what is goingon.”

Plenty is going on. The Student Center is aplace where students gather, where they eat, andwhere events are held.

Likewise, the Conference Center offers a spaceunique to the region. It can host small meetingsand large, and has quickly become a favorite spotto host wedding receptions.

“It’s our goal to make this a vibrant, alive andbusy space on campus,” she said. “Now thatwe’ve fully moved in, that’s what we are trying todo on a day-to-day basis.” �


alumni connections


A New Veteran’s Center Opens on Campus

The willingness with which ouryoung people are likely to serve in

any war, no matter how justified, shallbe directly proportional to how theyperceive the veterans of earlier warswere treated and appreciated by theirnation.

—George Washington

That quote is displayed prominently in front ofthe new SMSU Veteran’s Center, which opened atthe start of the spring semester in Social Science218-220.

“I’d been working with veterans out here for over24 years, but we never had a place of our own,”explained Jim Hubley, the Lyon County VeteransService Officer who is also an adjunct Englishfaculty member.

Hubley graduated from SMSU in 1974 with aSociology degree. He went on to earn master’sdegrees in English and Creative Writing. During hisyears in college, he became acutely aware of thevoid that existed when it came to services that wereavailable to veterans.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969,which included a tour of duty in Vietnam. “I startedat SMSU in 1970, and the transition was difficult. Iwas asked to use a side of my brain that hadn’t beenchallenged for a while.

“Two Korean War veterans who were facultymembers, Jim Hayes and Bob White, encouragedme to begin a support group, and that’s whatstarted it all. Back then, there wasn’t the sensitivity

toward veterans’ issues there is now. There were anumber of guys falling through the cracks.”

What does Hubley do? Act as a resource forveterans attending SMSU. Much of his work dealswith questions about education benefits as theyrelate to the GI Bill. Hubley knows the variousveterans system well enough — national, state andlocal — so that even if he doesn’t know all theanswers, he knows where to go to get them.

Hubley began as the county Veterans ServiceOfficer in 1982. “There weren’t that many veteransattending SMSU back then, but after the Gulf Warended, a few more showed up.

“In the ’70s we were behind the curve as far asthe services that were offered veterans, and theservices we have now grew out of too little, too late.It’s nice to see us being proactive like this.”

Hubley is at the campus two afternoons per week,and a member of the local National Guard unitstaffs the space two other afternoons per week.

“Sometimes, veterans just want to come in andtalk. It’s nice that we can have this space. We wantto think of this office in the long-term, to have itgrow and be a real resource, not just a brochureplace. Word has gotten out, we’ve been busy.”

He said there are approximately 100 veteransattending SMSU now, probably more. “It takes timefor the lists to be updated,” he said.

Hubley and his wife Barb (Bot ’75) are theparents of three children: Dan, 22; Adam, 19; andJessie, 14. �

Jim Hubley ’74.

“Mustang Memories” by Terrence Fogarty,

SMSU Class of 1982. Only 509 limited edition prints

are available for $150. All proceeds benefit

the SMSU Alumni Heritage Scholarship Fund.

Prints and framing options available in Marshall at

Johnson’s Paint and Wallpaper or order online at

www.SouthwestAlumni.com. For a color brochure

call 507-537-6266 or 1-800-260-0970.

Mustang Memories Print

Available Now


About her careerJoann Fredrickson is the Provost and Vice President for Academic

and Student Affairs at Bemidji State University, a position she has heldsince 2002.

Her ties to SMSU run deep. The Hector, Minn., native graduatedfrom SSU in 1984 with a degree in Business Administration. Shestayed at SSU and received an accounting degree in 1987. She took aposition with Dr. Lynn Cupkie as an Assistant to the Vice President forStudent Affairs in 1987, and soon was approached by Jan Kraft to seeif she’d be interested in a two-year appointment to replace two facultymembers who were going on sabbaticals.

“That decision, to begin teaching, changed my life,” she said.“Within the first quarter, I had fallen in love with teaching.”

While serving in various capacities as a faculty member at SMSU,she earned a master’s in Accounting from St. Cloud State in 1991 anda Ph.D. in Sociology from South Dakota State in 1996. While atSMSU, she was a faculty member, chair of the Department of BusinessAdministration and Political Science, interim dean of the College ofBusiness, Education, Professional and Graduate Studies and interimVice President for Academic Affairs.

“Those positions really helped me prepare for my current position,”she said.

As Provost at Bemidji State, she is responsible for the university’sStrategic Plan and related annual Work Plan. She advises the presidentand serves as chief executive officer in his absence.

As Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, she serves as

the chief academic and chief studentaffairs officer, and has primary leadershipduties and responsibilities in the areas ofpolicy development and administration,human resources planning andleadership, fiscal stewardship and supportof outreach and partnerships.

About her SMSU daysWhen it came time to choose a college,

Joann followed the path paved by herfamily. She was the fourth of an eventualsix siblings or cousins to attend SMSU.“The fact that Southwest was located in arural area was a plus for me. Looking back, I could not have selected abetter school to fit my needs.”

She remembers the SMSU faculty fondly. “They were committed tobeing excellent teachers and mentors. They recognized several of uswere coming into college as first-generation college students who werefairly unaware of what it meant to be an educated citizen. Faculty likeBabcock, Kraft and Hugh Curtler, and numerous others, challenged myunderstanding of both myself and the world around me.

“I remember my time at SMSU as challenging, rewarding and a heckof a lot of fun.”

About the value of a liberal arts college“SMSU is an example of an outstanding liberal arts university, with a

commitment to their students and the region,” she said. “They produceeducated students. So much of our culture and fabric is related topeople being a part of a community, and what you get at a liberal artsuniversity like SMSU helps you become a contributing citizen.” �

JoAnn FredricksonBusiness Administration, 1984

About his careerLuke is one of the most successful swimming coaches in the state of

Minnesota.He received a degree in Chemistry and Secondary Education from

what was then Southwest Minnesota State College in 1975 and iscurrently a ninth-grade Physical Science teacher at Oak-Land JuniorHigh School, part of the Stillwater School District.

Brian coaches both the boys and girls teams at Stillwater High School.That tenure has included 980 meets. He’s won his share of individualhonors, and has seen many of his swimmers go on to compete incollege. But it’s not the swimming that keeps him going, it’s the kids. “Ilike working with them, watching them grow and mature,” he said. Eachyear, he presents to a swimmer his own “Coach’s Award” which goes tosomeone who exemplifies what a student-athlete should be: dedicated toschool and community, a good student, and well-rounded.

He is finishing up his 31st year as a swimming coach at Stillwater.The girls’ season is in the fall, and the boys compete in the winter. Hisboys’ team recently finished eighth in the state meet. His girls’ teamwon the state title in 2005, and the true team state championship in2004 and 2005.

He’s in the pool from June to March every year, and it never gets old.“The techniques are changing,” he said of the sport. “There is moreinvestigation of fluid physics, that’s why we are seeing times drop. Nowit’s core body strength rather than pushing weights. We haven’t been in

a weight room for three or four years, wetry to develop whole body strength—that’swhat swimming is.”

About his time at SMSUHe arrived at SMSU when the

University was still being built. “Some ofthe buildings were just going up, andthere are more today.”

Brian is a Hopkins native who wasrecruited by Don Palm. He swam fouryears at SMSU, and every three yearshosts a reunion of Mustang swimmers.“We get about 20 or so at each of them,”

he said. “I really enjoyed everything about SSU, I got a good educationand made lifelong friends.”

Con Eckstrom, former SMSU registrar and diving coach, and hiswife, Marcie, remain close friends. Marcie ran the town club team at thetime, and Brian helped coach that group as a junior and senior. “Ilearned a lot of the philosophy of coaching from her,” he said. “Don’toverdo it with younger kids, keep it fun for them.”

About his familyBrian and his wife Jane are the parents of four children: Melanie

Mahowald of Vermillion, S.D.; Taylor, a senior at the University ofMinnesota; Maggie, a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College; andMarnie, a junior at Stillwater High School. They are all swimmers.

Melanie’s husband Jason is the head swimming coach at theUniversity of South Dakota. �

Brian LukeChemistry and Secondary Education, 1975

Alumni Spotlight SMSU alumni shine brightly in their chosen fields.

alumniconnections


AWARD WINNERS

From top left photo: Jeff Gadbois,

Mick Joyce, Sandy Nelson, William

Hezlep, Lyle and Cheri Weismantel.

Contact the Alumni Officeat 1-800-260-0970 or visit

www.SouthwestAlumni.comto find out how you can

nominate someone who isdeserving of an Alumni

Association Award.

Each year, the Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity Alumni Association honors

individuals with a pair of awards—AlumniAchievement Awards and Honorary LifetimeMembership Awards. Alumni Achievement Awardshonor those who have excelled since graduating fromSMSU. Honorary Lifetime Membership Awards goto individuals who did not graduate from Southwestbut who have shown their commitment throughtheir years of service and support to the University.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSJeff Gadbois

You may not know his face, but you certainlyknow his voice.

Jeff Gadbois is a 1975 graduate with a degree inTheatre. Following an accomplished acting career, hefound his niche doing voiceovers for radio andtelevision commercials from his home studio inChanhassen. He did over 6,500 voiceovers last yearalone, and, on a national level, is the TV voice forBreathe-Right Nasal Strips, Papa John’s Pizza andthe radio voice of Consort Hair Care. His voice isheard regionally and nationally on a daily basis.

During his television days, he performed withsuch names as Louis Anderson, Ben Affleck andShannon Dougherty. He was also a regular at TheJungle and the Old Log Theatres.

Jeff and his wife, SMSU graduate Sally Curtis,have three children: Jon, Tom and Libby.

Mick JoyceJoyce is a 1975 graduate with a degree in

Literature and Individualized Interdisciplinary, SocialScience. He has earned two master’s degrees, inPublic Policy and Urban and Regional Planning.

Currently, Mick works as a private contractorresearching grants and contracts and consults ondisability-related issues and assistive technology. Heis a tireless advocate of the disabled and disabilityissues, and his interests include politics, poetry andoutdoor activities.

He was the first editor of the campus rehabnewspaper, “Quenching Quill” and was a key playerin bringing the Southwest Center for IndependentLiving to Marshall.

Mick is a Huron, S.D., native and chose SMSUbecause of its proximity to his home, its writingprogram and its wheelchair accessibility.

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSSandy Nelson

Sandy is a mother away from home for theinternational students at SMSU. She has been at theUniversity since 1988, and currently works as thecoordinator of International Student Services and assupport in the Office of Cultural Diversity. She hasseen the number of international students swell from

just a handful when she started to an all-time high ofover 220 this year.

Sandy goes out of her way to help internationalstudents adjust to life in rural Minnesota, taking careof everything from handling ground transportationto setting up orientation and helping establish bankaccounts. If there’s a problem, Sandy is the person togo to for the answer.

Her warmth and generosity have endeared her tointernational and minority students on campus.

Sandy and her husband, Larry J. Nelson, havethree children: Jeff, Kristine and Kimberly.

William HezlepWilliam Hezlep has just about seen it all, be it

from the deck of a navy ship, as part of touringtheater groups, from the stage, the big and smallscreen, or from the classroom on the prairie ofSouthwest Minnesota.

William, a Professor Emeritus of Theatre atSMSU, came to the University at the request of BobOram, the first chair of Theatre at SMSU. He stayedfor 37 years.

He is a Pennsylvania native and entered the Navyout of high school. He had his sights set on being aradio and television star when he enrolled atWestminster College in New Willmington, Pa., butwhen he was recruited to play a part in Hamlet,acting soon won out.

His acting career took him across the nation. Heis a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and hasappeared in movies and television commercials. Hehas been listed in Outstanding Educators ofAmerica, and Who’s Who in Entertainment. He haswritten many plays, and continues to write today.

William maintains friendships with many of hisformer students, who today work in all areas of thetheater, film and television.

He has two children, Dirk and Erin.

Lyle and Cheri WeismantelLyle and Cheri Weismantel have been active

supporters of the University since coming toMarshall 10 years ago.

Lyle retired as the president of Bremer Bank inDecember of 2005. He is a Columbia, S.D. nativeand has been on the SMSU Foundation Board fornine years, also serving a term as president. He hasbeen active in Mustang Booster Club projects,including the membership drive, the reverse raffleand the golf tournament.

Cheri is a Ruthton native and worked in the socialservices field before retiring 10 years ago. She helpedorganize the recent Senior College Vital AgingConference, has served on the University Galacommittee and enjoys taking Senior College classes.

Lyle and Cheri are the parents of two children,Lisa Jurik, and Stacy Taylor. They have fourgrandchildren. �

2005 Alumni Award Winners

Mustang FlashbackDAN KOSTER

Sports at SMSU: Basketball, threeyears. Football, four years as quarterback.

Graduation Year: 1985

Major: Agribusiness with emphasis ineconomics and finance.

Sport Memories:I have many fondmemories of playingsports at SMSU (SSU).The one that stands outabove the rest was thelast game of my footballcareer. We played theUniversity of Wisconsin, River Falls at theMetrodome (the first time and only time Iplayed there). River Falls was ranked 13th inthe nation and SSU had only won a fewgames. Our offense came out smoking andthe Mustang defense was solid. I believe wetruly stunned River Falls beating them 35-24(a great way to end my football career). Thething I cherish the most, over and above theteam’s accomplishments and my personalaccomplishments, are the people I met overthe years, fellow students, faculty,roommates, teammates and coaches. Since Graduation: After graduation Iworked one year for Navistar Financial andthen accepted a job with Minnwest Bank inRedwood Falls, Minn. I have been withMinnwest Bank for almost 20 years and amcurrently the Senior Vice President incharge of commercial and agriculturallending. I credit SMSU for my qualityeducation and specifically my advisor, thelate Jim Babcock, who suggested aninternship at Minnwest Bank. Personally: I married my best friend, mywife now for 20 years, Joan Nordmeyer. Wehave three great children: Jackson, 16;Bailey, 14; and Alec, 11. They are active inschool and keep us busy following theirevents (football, volleyball, basketball, track,golf, baseball, dance, band & choir).Athletic Involvement Today:I enjoy playing golf and I stay involved withsports by coaching youth flag football andyouth traveling basketball. It has been greatgoing to youth tournaments, running intocollege friends and watching our kidscompete! �

On April 17, Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity director of athletics Dr.

Howard Gauthier announced the hiring ofMike Jewett as the head women’s basketballcoach at SMSU. Jewett comes to SouthwestMinnesota State following a two-year stay as anassistant coach at St. Cloud State University.

Jewett becomes the sixth head coach in theprogram’s 37-year history.

“We are extremely excited to have foundone of the top coaches in the region in MikeJewett,” Gauthier said. “With what he hasbeen able to accomplish as a head coach atFranklin College and the past two seasons asan assistant at St. Cloud State he’s a perfect fitat SMSU. He brings a proven track record ofsuccess and his knowledge of the region willhelp make SMSU one of the best programs inthe NSIC. I am happy to have him join theMustang family.”

Jewett recently completed his second seasonat St. Cloud State University. During his twoyears on staff, the Huskies recorded 52victories which includes two NCAA regional

championships and a Final Four appearancethis past season.

Prior to joining the SCSU staff, Jewett wasthe head women's basketball coach (2001-04)at Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., for threeseasons. During his tenure he compiled a 62-20 overall record and in his final season in2003-04, led his team to the second round ofthe NCAA tournament, a conferencechampionship and was named conferencecoach of the year.

Jewett began his college coaching career in1997 serving as an assistant coach atAugustana College for four seasons (1997-2001), where he help lead the Vikings to 76victories and an appearance in the NCAAtournament in 2001. He coaching career beganin 1994 as the head girls’ basketball coach atBrandon Valley High School in Brandon,S.D., where he spent three seasons (1994-97)before moving to the college ranks.

“I’m excited about the opportunity andchallenge to take over the SMSU women’sbasketball program,” Jewett said. “I lookforward to getting things going right away. Iwant to meet with the current members of theteam as soon as possible and also beginrecruiting for the upcoming season.”

Jewett received his bachelor’s degree inEnglish education from Augustana College(S.D.) in 1994, where he also was a member ofthe Viking men’s basketball program for twoyears. He earned his master’s degree from theUniversity of South Dakota in physicaleducation in 1999.

Jewett, a native of Flandreau, S.D., and hiswife Michelle, have two children, daughterMichaela (5) and son Kaden (2).

The position became available on Mar. 21when Mike Power was assigned to instructionalduties on campus. Power served as head coachfor one season leading SMSU to a record of 7-21 overall, 4-10 in the Northern SunIntercollegiate Conference. �

Mike Jewett Named Head Coach of Women’s Basketball

Mike Jewett speaking at a press conference on April 18.

SMSU Twin Cities Golf OpenMonday, July 10, 2006

Deer Run Golf Course in Victoria, MinnesotaTo Benefit Mustang Athletics & the SMSU Alumni Association

Call 507-537-6257 or visitwww.SouthwestAlumni.com/TCGolf

Dan is pictured with Coach Gary Buer.

mustangathletics


Two Mustang athletes earned All-American statusfor the outstanding achievements on the court

and mat during their respective seasons.After helping guide the Mustang volleyball team

to their second consecutive trip to the NCAATournament, Erin Contons hauled in an impressivelist of postseason awards. The two most notable werefrom the American Volleyball Coaches Association(AVCA) and Daktronics. Both named Erin to the All-America second team. The AVCA was the first tohonor her with the award which made her the firstvolleyball player from SMSU to earn All-Americastatus since SMSU moved to Division II in 1995.

Contons joins Beth (Elliot) Lanoue (1990), Monica

Green-Connell (1991) and Jenai (Hutchinson) Wright(1992) as All-Americans at SMSU. Elliot was thefirst player to be named to the All-America teamwhen she was selected to the first team in 1990.Elliot, Green and Hutchinson all received honors atthe NAIA level.

Joel Wipperfurth, a senior 197-pound wrestlerbecame an NCAA All-American for the first time inhis career at the national tournament in Findlay, OH.

He finished in sixth place at the NCAA Division IINational Tournament to earn All-America status.Wipperfurth went 3-3 at his first ever nationaltournament. Wipperfurth finished the season with a21-10 record. �

Two Mustangs Earn All-American Honors

Mustang senior football player EErriiccOOllddeennkkaammpp ((CChhaannddlleerr,, AArriizz..)) was named tothe 2005 ESPN The Magazine AcademicCollege Division All-District V second team.Oldenkamp was one of just 12 student-athletes from NCAA Division II schoolsamong the 49 individuals selected either firstor second to earn all-district. Oldenkamp hascompiled a 3.68 GPA while majoring injustice administration and sociology.Oldenkamp finished his three-year careerbooting 20 field goals which ranks second all-time in school history. Another Mustangfootball player, junior punter AAnnddyySScchhlliicchhttiinngg ((CChhaasskkaa,, MMiinnnn..)) earned severalpostseason honors. Schlichting, who led theNorthern Sun Conference with a 39.9 yardaverage, was named Daktronics first team all-region, Football Gazette first team all-regionand D2Football.com second team all-region,along with being named first team All-NSIC.

SMSU men’s basketball sophomore guardMMaatttt FFlleettcchheerr ((NNoorrtthh BBrraanncchh,, MMiinnnn..)) wasnamed second team All-NSIC, the onlySMSU player to garner postseason accoladesthis season. Fletcher lead SMSU in scoring,averaging 13 points per game while shooting49.8 percent from the field (121 of 243). Healso led the squad with 84 three-point fieldgoals and set an SMSU single-season record

for three-point field goal percentage at 48percent (84 of 175). Two SMSU men’sbasketball juniors were honored as players ofthe week by the NSIC this past season.Junior CChhaadd OOrruumm ((LLeeRRooyy,, MMiinnnn..)) earnedthe award on Jan. 3, while junior JJeerreemmyyVVaannKKlloommppeennbbuurrgg ((CCaannbbyy,, MMiinnnn..)) earnedthe award on Jan. 30.

Mustang senior baseball player CCoollbbyyPPaacckk ((LLaammbbeerrttoonn,, MMiinnnn..)) was named the2006 NSIC preseason player of the year.Pack, the 2005 NSIC Player of the Year,became SMSU’s first ever NCAA All-America last spring batting .414 with 15home runs, 13 doubles and 50 RBI.

Despite a difficult a season, the Mustangwomen’s basketball team had a couple ofplayers receive postseason honors. SSaarraaLLeeiiddaallll ((RRoocchheesstteerr,, MMiinnnn..)) was named theNSIC’s Freshman of the Year as well assecond team All-NSIC. The senior guardKKeellllyy CCrriimmii ((JJoorrddaann,, MMiinnnn..)) was also namedto the All-NSIC second team. She leavesSMSU as one of the most prolific three-pointshooters in school history. Crimi ended hercareer with 142 three-pointers, good forfourth on the all-time career record.

TTiimm JJoohhnnss ((HHaarrrriissbbuurrgg,, SS..DD..)) was named

the NSIC Co-Wrestler of the Year. He joinsTroy Mentzer (1993) and Jared Cooley(2003) as the only two other Mustangs toearn the award. Johns finished the seasonwith a 28-8 record as he made his third tripto the NCAA National Tournament. Johnsalso joined teammate JJooeell WWiippppeerrffuurrtthh((LLooddii,, WWiiss..)) on the NSIC All-Conferenceteam.

A pair of Mustang softball players havebeen busy re-writing the SMSU recordbooks. Freshman AAmmaannddaa JJoohhnnssoonn((FFrreemmoonntt,, NNeebb..)) has already broken theschool record for single game strikeouts aswell as the single season strikeout record.She struck out 16 batters in SMSU’s 8-4 winover Minnesota-Duluth on Mar. 15 inOrlando, Fla. She then broke the singleseason strikeout record on April 5 againstSouth Dakota when she struck out tenbatters, to give her 149 strikeouts at thatpoint and breaking the old record of 140.She has twice been named NSIC Pitcher ofthe Week this season. EErriinn DDiicckkhhaauusseenn((WWaatteerrttoowwnn,, MMiinnnn..)) set the SMSU recordfor home runs in a game on April 5 againstSouth Dakota. The sophomore catcher hitthree home runs, one of which was a grandslam. She was then named NSIC Player ofthe Week following her efforts.

UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 class of the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor. The inducted ceremony will takeplace in January, 2007. The Hall of Honor is the highest athletic award recognition given to any individual or team at SMSU.

To nominate an individual or team, please contact Kelly Loft, Hall of Honor chairperson, at 507-537-7177 [email protected]. More information is also available at www.SMSUmustangs.com

Nominations Sought for 2007 Athletics Hall of Honor

Contons Wipperfurth


1970sSTEVEN JANSEN ’71 has become amember of the faculty of DonnellyCollege in Kansas City, Kan. Stevenand his wife Kathryn live in Lawrence,Kan.

JIM DESCHEPPER ’72 was recentlypromoted to vice president andgeneral manager of WKOW-TV inMadison, Wis. Prior to that, he wasvice president and general manager ofKTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa.

NANCY NIELSEN MANKIN ’72 wasselected for the 2005 edition of Who’sWho Among America’s Teachers. Sheis a school library media specialist atBethel Elementary School inSimpsonville, S.C. and was selectedas the 2004-2005 Teacher of the Yearand the 2003-2004 PTA Teacher ofthe Year. Nancy and her husband,Jim, relocated to Forest, Va., last July.

PETER HEIKES ’74 returned to workfull-time in November 2005, afterbeing on medical leave from his workat Electronic Data Systems so hecould fight leukemia. “Though the firstweek was physically challenging,mentally, it has been very good forme,” he writes.

DEBRA BANKS ’75 works at the U.S.Agency for International Development,where she is helping track tsunamirelief efforts. She is also overseeingthe development of a pilotmanagement informationsystem/geographic information systemfor the Asian and Near East region.

1980sPETER BREYFOGLE ’80 continuesto enjoy his early retirement whilebeing the primary caregiver for his 12-year-old son, Alex. The two completedthe CANDISC bike tour in NorthDakota last summer.

DEEANN GRIEBEL ’80 was recentlynamed Managing Director-Investments of Wachovia Securities inMesa, Ariz. She was selected to the2005 Arizona “Winner’s Circle”recognizing her commitment to

providing superior service to herclients while sharing her bestpractices with others.

JOHN RADZILOWSKI ’89, aUniversity of Minnesota historyprofessor, recently published a book,Minnesota: On-the-Road Histories, apanoramic view of the cultural,historical and geographic aspects ofthe sprawling, multi-ethnic state.

RENEE (BURG) WINICK ’89 and herhusband Mark welcomed twins,Caiden and Lydia, on Nov. 30, 2005.They live in Prior Lake, Minn.

1990sJODI RUIS ’90 is a litigation paralegalin St. Paul, Minn. She and herhusband, Brian, flew to Seoul, SouthKorea in 2004 to bring home their son,Caleb Jee Hoon, who was eightmonths old when he came to the U.S.“He is the biggest blessing of ourlives,” she writes. She continues tokeep in touch with former classmatesAlexis Fehrman (’88), Deb Lustig(’90), Teresa Joens (’90), Hugh Curtler(’91), Maureen Garrahay (’90), EricKoester (’90) and Bonnie Witt (’92),who is Caleb’s godmother.

CHRISTY (MILLER) KLATT ’92 hasfinished veterinary school at theUniversity of Minnesota and currentlyworks as the assistant commissionveterinarian at Canterbury Park inShakopee, Minn.

BETH MUCHLINSKI-REISBIG ’94and her husband, Mike, welcomedtheir third child, Jack Michael, onMarch 16. He joins sisters Madelina,4, and Maggie, 1-1/2. She teaches atMillard North High School in Omaha,Neb.

HEIDI (WHITCOMB) WEINAND ’94stays at home with her three children— Morgan, 4-1/2; Riley, 2-1/2; andBrenna, born last May. She hadworked for State Farm Insurance fornine years. She is married to husbandMike and lives in Stillwater, Minn.

BRETT KRUSCHKE ’96 is an editorat Thomson/West in Eagan, where he

has been for 5-1/2 years. He lives inJordan, just 7 miles from hishometown of Belle Plaine. He enjoysHomecoming at SMSU, and otheralumni get-togethers.

M. JABRAN MUSTAFA (formerstudent) is the sole proprietor of asuccessful business in Willmar, Minn.He writes it would be great to haveformer ISO members get together totrade stories and catch up.

OLUBUNMI ADEKUNLE ’99 is themother of a baby girl, Anu, born lastAugust. Adekunle is in the U.S. Army“and love every minute of it.” Sheplans on attending Homecoming 2006.

2000sAMY (STUEBER) NORDAUNE ’00 isa financial analyst for constructionbonds at Golflead Financial inMontevideo, Minn. Amy and herhusband, Dave, live in Granite Falls,Minn., and have two children, Tylerand Kayla.

BECKY LIEN ’01 was recentlypromoted to Study Director of In-VitroTesting at AppTech Labs in St. Paul,Minn., where she has been employedthe past two years.

AMANDA GOEBEL ’02 is a seniorEnvironmental Specialist forWashington County, Minn. She gave apresentation “GroundwaterSustainability and ContaminationIssues in Washington County” on theSMSU campus in April.

KATIE SINKSEN ’02 is a third-gradeteacher in Sioux Falls, S.D. She ispursuing her master’s degree at theUniversity of Sioux Falls.

SHEILA TOERING ’02 has startedher M.S. studies in ExperientialEducation at Minnesota State,Mankato. She has gained valuableexperience in the field working as awilderness therapy counselor inFlorida, a domestic violence counselorin Sioux Falls, S.D., and as a campdirector for those with disabilities.

classnotes

RETIREMENTSFrom top, left to right: Randy Abbott,Michael Boedigheimer, Edward Carberry,Mary DeAustin, Ronald Douglas, JonHarback, Lloyd Petersen, and Lloyd Whiteall retired during the 2005-06 academicyear. With over 220 years of service, theSMSU community says ‘thank you’ to all ofyou!

classnotes


JAYME MCGHAN ’03 is a student at the University ofNevada-Las Vegas and recently wrote a play, Ragtown,about Irish immigrants who helped build the Hoover Dam.He is a MFA candidate in playwriting.

JESSICA OLSON ’03 does adult day treatment and in-home visits for a counseling center.

ELAINE LADWIG ’04 is the new SMSU Program Directorfor New Horizons Crisis Center. New Horizons CrisisCenter’s SMSU outreach office is located on campus andprovides free and confidential services to crime victims.

JENNIFER PICKERING ’04 married Corey Carlen inFebruary. She works at Russell Associates in Le Sueur,Minn.

In memoriamROBERT HAYES, Class of 2003 and MBA 2005, passedaway on Feb. 25, 2006.

KEVIN M. MATHER, Class of 1977, passed away on Feb.20, 2006.

LORETTA R. WOELFEL, Class of 1973, passed away onAug. 19, 2005.

The Minnesota Associationof Secondary School

Principals (MASSP) recentlyannounced Richard "Dick"Jones, SMSU Class of 1973, ofJohn Adams Middle School inRochester, Minn. as the MiddleLevel Principal of the Year.Dick was selected based uponhis use of collaborativeleadership, knowledge andimplementation of programs that enhance studentachievement, and ability to provide a positive schoolclimate. He will continue on to the competition forthe National Principal of the Year awards sponsoredjointly by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company(MetLife) of New York City and the NationalAssociation of Secondary School Principals(NASSP). MASSP is a school leadershiporganization that serves as a state voice and resourcefor middle level and high school principals, assistantprincipals, and aspiring school leaders.

The staff at John Adams has worked

collaboratively with Dick to plan and implementprograms to enhance the education of theirstudents. Through their unified efforts, technologyand software for students, staff, and parents havebeen upgraded. Learning programs for at riskstudents have been instituted and curriculum hasbeen adjusted. The school has also instituted aSaturday tutorial program, an intensive SchoolWithin a School for grade 6 students in need of asmaller learning community with more attentionand direction, a site council, and a RespectfulSchools program that works to encourage positivestudent behavior.

MASSP Executive Director, Robert J. Schmidtstates, "Dick is an outstanding representative formiddle school principals in Minnesota. He trulyexemplifies commitment to educational leadershipthat best serves the needs of students."

"It is humbling to be recognized by your peers forthe job that you do,” said Dick, when asked how hefelt about this honor. He will join other statehonorees at the Principals Institute to be held inWashington, D.C. in the fall of 2006.

CLASS NOTESIf you want your information

included in FOCUS, contact the

Alumni Office: call 800-260-0970,

email [email protected],

or submit your news online at

www.SouthwestAlumni.com

Dick Jones ’73 named Minnesota Middle Level Principal of the Year

Out of 50 teachers in the Medford,Minn. school district, nine have adegree or have attended SMSU.Mustang Pride is alive in Medford!Pictured are (front row, left to right):Lia (Proell) Peterson ’94; Mary(Bottke) Osborne ’76;Adam Drever’02; (back row, left to right) ToddBerglund MSE ’01; Steve Hammer ’79;Teresa Johnson, Master’s degreestudent; Kathy Johnson MSE ’01; andJenny (Sanow) Kellen, Attd 96-97. Not pictured Brett Haugen MSE ’05.

SMSU EDUCATION CONNECTION

GIVE YOURSELF A GIFTTHAT WILL LAST FORYEARS.

Recent Grads: Act Now!

Consolidate while in your grace

period and receive an additional

discount of 0.6%1

Lock-in a low interest rate and reduce your monthly payments for the life of the loan.

CALL (800) 747-3514 or visit us at www.southwestalumni.com/studentloans

1In order to receive grace rates, your application must be received prior to the first grace end date on the loans being consolidated.

Brought to you by:

Call 1-800-260-0970 for details or go online at www.SouthwestAlumni.com

The trip includes:• Round-trip trans-atlantic air transportation from MSP to Shannon, Ireland• Seven nights in first-class hotels • Professional tour guide• Full Irish breakfast daily • Round-trip transfers between airport & hotels• Sightseeing via deluxe motorcoach • Luggage handling & related tips• Local government & hotel taxes • Complete pre-flight information

ClassicAn

October 6–14, 2006from Minneapolis/St.Paul

(other departure cities are available)

Ireland is a country unlikeanywhere else in the world, a landof constantly changing colors,magnificent and varied landscapes,a land of folklore and legend.Experience it for yourself from thecolorful towns of Killarney andGalway, the “Capital of the West.”Visit Blarney Castle, and enjoy thespectacular scenery of the DinglePeninsula from Killarney. FromGalway, perhaps journey to theAran Islands or the spectacularCliffs of Moher. Discover thisbeautiful land where a hundredthousand welcomes await you.

Irish

June 9 Down the Stretch at Canterbury ParkCome enjoy live horse racing with SMSU alumni andfriends.

June 11-12 SMSU Golf ClassicThe Mustang Booster Club sponsors it twenty-first golfclassic at the Marshall Golf Club.

June 22 Hit a Home Run with the Sioux Falls CanariesEnjoy a great night of baseball action from our private deckin right field!

June 23 Alumni Night with the Twins and CubsHoly Cow! Don’t miss the hottest Twins ticket of the year.Enjoy a pre-game gathering on the Plaza and then watchthe Minnesota Twins face the Chicago Cubs. TheMinnesota State College & University that sells the mosttickets will be able to select an alumnus to throw out thefirst pitch!

July 10 SMSU Twin Cities Golf OpenHelp support Mustang Athletics and the SMSU AlumniAssociation by participating in the inaugural Twin CitiesOpen at Deer Run Golf Club in Victoria, MN

July 16 Xtreme Fun at ValleyfairDon’t miss one of our most popular events last year! Enjoythrilling rides and meet & greet SMSU alumni and friends.

July 17 Wicked at the Orpheum Theatre—SOLD OUT

If you think you know the two iconic witches from Oz —the Wicked Witch (Elphaba) and the Good Witch(Glinda) — think again. Benefit from group pricing forthis night at the theatre!

Aug. 9 Throw a strike with the Rochester HonkersAn August tradition! Enjoy a fun night of Honkersbaseball on the Sports Deck at Mayo Field.

Sept. 29-30 Homecoming 2006Take a look for yourself at the changes on campus whileenjoying all the Homecoming activities.

Oct. 6-14 Enchanting IrelandMark your calendars and make plans to travel with fellowSMSU alumni and friends to Ireland.

Photos, clockwise from top left: 1. Tyler Engquist ’02; Nathan Burns; and Tyson Kassel ’02 enjoy the meeting with SMSU alumni

and friends at the Hawaiian Night luau.2. Michael Fallon ’76; Bill Mulso ’93, Assistant Vice-President of Advancment; Susan Fallon;

President David Danahar; Clayton Schwerin ’77; Patrick Wiese ’72; Barbara Wiese; andTyler Bowen, Alumni Director enjoy their SMSU update at a dinner in Fort Collins, CO.

3. Katy (Pivec) Hansen ’95; Tom Hansen ’94; Charlie Boeyink ’95 and Sheri (Mathieu) Boeyink’95; gather for an SMSU alumni dinner in Scottsdale, AZ.

4. Tracy Jensen ’85 Chris Demarest ’87 and Joan (Anderson) Fangrow ’83 relive Southwestglory days at a Denver, CO alumni dinner.

Space is stillavailable!Call today!

2006 SMSU Alumni Events

For more information, updated events, or to register visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 97Marshall, MNPublished by:

SMSU Alumni Office1501 State Street

Marshall, Minnesota 56258

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

If Focus is addressed to a son or daughter whohas graduated and no longer maintains apermanent address at your home, please clip theaddress label and return it with the correct addressto the address above or E-mail the updatedaddress to [email protected]

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2006

Join us forHomecoming 2006

SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2006

For more details, visitwww.SouthwestAlumni.com/Homecoming

TheforSouthwest

Campaign

Highlights of the week:Sunday, September 24

Miss Tootsie

Thursday, September 28Homecoming Coronation

Friday, September 29Alumni Awards Luncheon

University Gala

Saturday, September 30Homecoming Parade

Mustang Football vs. University of Mary176 Keys Dueling Piano Show

Spring 2006

Documents

Transcript of Spring 2006