Class of 1938
October 2004
Dear Classmates,
Seventy years ago in the fall of 1934 our class began college at Gustavus. Although that year was the pit of a depression, we hoped to achieve a good life through further education. And we did, despite the ominous interruption of World War II. Gustavus served us well.
Five of us returned last May 29 for our 66th anniversary of graduation. Here we are, but in case you no longer recognize us, see below the picture.
Gertrude Nelson Iverson, Alva Anderson Wellington,
Francis Gamelin, Ralph Bolmgren, and Richard Hillstrom
We missed Grace Palmer and A. Harold ’41 Peterson, who usually have attended these events, as they did our 65th anniversary. Unfortunately, Harold passed away in March. We extend our sympathy to Grace and hope she will rejoin us next year, or at least in ’06, when her son, Jon, celebrates his 40th!
From our point of view, the major event at our 66th was the ceremony in which Rick received the Greater Gustavus Award. He garnered the award for something that wasn’t in the Gustavus curriculum in our time―art―and something that was his hobby rather than his career! That’s the versatility of a liberal arts education!
While a pastor and hospital chaplain, Rick developed enough expertise in art to acquire a superb collection of prints and paintings. He has given a large proportion of them to Gustavus as the core collection of the Hillstrom Museum of Art. This museum met a major campus need―a high-quality gallery that gives the college access to notable exhibits from around the world. Thus, Rick has enhanced the Gustavus experience for innumerable students and visitors.
Gustavus was a modest launching pad for us 70 years ago, but it has grown into a very impressive institution, rated one of the 100 best liberal arts colleges in the country. This fall its 600 freshmen look at least as attractive and capable as we felt 70 years ago, and they seem better prepared and more confident.
For those of us who grew up during the Great Depression, it is notable that Gustavus gets more bang for the buck than most colleges. Student costs are $2,000 - $8,000 less per year than at three other Minnesota liberal arts colleges in the top 100.
Nevertheless, financial aid is as necessary today as it was in the 1930s, as evidenced by the fact that Gustavians come from less affluent homes than University of Minnesota students! Consequently, almost 90% of Gustavus students need financial aid. Grants, scholarships, and student employment constitute a quarter of the college’s unrestricted budget!
That’s why our Annual Fund gifts are so valuable. Just as we benefited from every dime of help in the 1930s, our grandchildren and great grandchildren’s generation benefit today. Hearty thanks, therefore, for your annual gifts.
Half of our class is in the habit of contributing annually. If you are one of them, use the enclosed envelope for your 2004-05 contribution. If you’re not in the habit, please participate this year, even if you send just a token gift. In 1992-93 we hit 93% participation. Help us reach that rate again!
Also, use the envelope to tell us about your current interests and activities! Then we can report in the next class letter how we spend our late 80s.
Sincerely,
Francis
Gamelin
1938 Class Agent
P. S. Now the Alumni Office will add some campus news here:
143rd Academic Year Begins
Classes began Sept. 8 with 657 first-year Gustavus students and 2,500 in all. Long-standing orientation traditions such as the Square Dance and President’s Banquet have been joined by newer traditions like Gustie Greeter Orientation Groups and the Reading in Common program. These newer programs were created to provide a more meaningful transition and to encourage students to meet others outside their residence hall.
Nobel Conference, The Science of Aging
The 40th Anniversary of the Nobel Conference was on the Science of Aging. The campus hosted over 6,000 guests October 5-6 to learn about the research molecular biologist are conducting on longevity, Alzheimer’s, and delaying debilitating disease and how this impacts life expectancy, the economy, and the health-care system.
New Residence Hall
Work crews have been busy this summer and fall constructing
a new residence hall on campus. The
goal is to have the building enclosed before winter. The building, located southwest of the football field, will house
200 students in suites and apartments and is scheduled to open for fall 2005.
Gustie Pages
Looking for a dentist, doctor, lawyer, pastor, realtor, and
much more? Make it a Gustie! The Gustie Pages is an online database of
Gusties who have submitted information about their profession. Use the Gustavus network to meet your needs
or submit your professional information if you would like other Gusties to be your
customers.
Athletics Hall of
Fame
The Gustavus Adolphus
College Athletics Department has chosen eight individuals for induction into
its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2004
inductees include Lori Allen ’88 (golf), Jim Chalin ’76
(basketball), Bruce Edwards ’77 (ice hockey), Barb Jaeger ’88
(soccer), Dean Kraus ’89 (football), Pachi Lopez ’71 (soccer), Greg
Peterson ’88 (golf), and Gary Reinholtz (long-time athletic trainer,
benefactor). This group will be honored
at the Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet, which will be held in Alumni Hall at
7:30 pm on Saturday, October 16.
Extraordinary Place
Gustavus is once again ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the nation in U.S. News and World Report's annual college rankings. Gustavus is one of five Minnesota colleges in the top 100 national liberal arts colleges for overall quality (Carleton, Macalester, St. Olaf, Gustavus, St. John’s). The ranking groups schools into categories based on a national educational classification that includes national liberal arts colleges, national doctoral universities (University of Minnesota, St. Thomas), regional master's degree-granting universities (Hamline, St. Catherine’s, Bethel, Augsburg), and comprehensive regional colleges (Concordia-St Paul).
Upcoming Events
35 Years of Gustavus Tennis – October 8-10
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction – October 16
Charlotte Area Gustavus Gathering – October 30
Christmas in Christ Chapel: “Seasons of Promise” – December 3-5
St. Lucia Festival – December 9
Class of 1954 and 50 Year Club Reunion – May 27-28
Class Reunions for 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 – October 7-9, 2005