September 2003
Dear Classmates,
Greetings from Gustavus and our apartment in St. Peter. Another school year has begun, there’s a fall chill in the air, but there’s a mellow breeze blowing on campus as our new president, Jim Peterson ’64, is exceptionally well received. He’s a friendly, supportive, unassuming genius for whom everybody predicts great success in fulfilling the promise of Gustavus. He talks about that promise in terms of growing diversity on campus, alumni involvement, enlarging college resources, and college-church synergy. We wish him great success in leading Gustavus another laudable step beyond the modest college we attended during the Great Depression.
Remarkable campus changes since our time include its physical transformation into a veritable sculpture garden. The bust of Gustavus Adolphus that we remember between Old Main and the Auditorium is still there, but in the last 30 years the campus has blossomed with the deceptively carefree, profoundly spiritual sculptures of Paul Granlund.
Even more important, perhaps, to the education of future Gusties is the addition of the Richard Hillstrom Museum of Art. Coincidentally, it opened its current exhibit of Granlund sculpture just after the renowned sculptor died (Sept. 15). Because the Hillstrom Museum is a major addition to the facilities of an eminent liberal arts college, we are very thankful to Rick for lifting our class into the ranks of major contributors to the quality of Gustavus.
There is not much other class news available, but we did learn that Evans Anderson continues to be productive in San Diego, where he was honored recently by the city library as author of Positive Reflections on My Life. That’s the kind of memoir every one of us should leave to his progeny. Congratulations for getting it into print, Evans.
Another facet of this stage of life is the loss of beloved mates and friends. Gertrude Nelson Iverson reports that on July 21, after 62 wonderful years of marriage, she lost her husband, Hamlin. We share your sorrow, Gertrude, and your thanksgiving for those 62 years.
Since the college will append news of current and coming events at Gustavus, I won’t duplicate them here. Let me close with one point on which we can help the college immensely. We need to retrieve the distinction and awards that Gustavus alumni achieved years ago for very high percentage participation in the annual fund. Last year exactly half of us in the class of ’38 participated, and we got a boost above the 50% level by Stan Erickson’s widow, Jo. Thanks, Jo, for your generosity and for reminding us of a beloved classmate.
Gustavus can use any amount we donate, but I hope that 100% of us will send in at least a bit of the increase in income we received as a consequence of obtaining a college degree. To fulfill that hope, we’ll try to reach you by phone during the Gustavus Phonorama (October 12-23) or in a student call at a later date.
Sincerely,
Frank Gamelin
1938 Class Agent
P. S. Now for some other news from campus:
Alumni Board members selected – Seven alumni have been selected to serve a three-year term on the Alumni Board. They are Liesl Batz ’90, Minneapolis, senior vice president and director of marketing, Lakeside Investment Partners; Jan Eiffert Hoomani ’62, Raleigh, NC, Realtor, JB Realty; Jim Malmquist ’53, Scandia, MN, retired athletics director, Gustavus; Jan Ledin Michaletz ’74, Edina, volunteer/homemaker. Incumbents to serve a second term include Vivian Foyou ’02, Mankato, graduate student, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Jason Sawyer ’93, Plymouth, vice president, Cronin & Co.; and Dan Currell ’94, Alexandria, VA, director of corporate leadership council, Corporate Executive Board.
2003 Hall of Fame inductees -- Nine individuals were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on September 27. Inductees were Val Flom Ashland ’87 (volleyball), Wendy Ericksen Bachman ’87 (soccer), Karen Ahlstrom Bishop ’86 (gymnastics), Jay Coatta ’87 (basketball and golf), Marv Gunderson ’53 (football), Jim Hearn ’81 (tennis), Dave Najarian ’82 (football), Betty Wannarka Ringeisen ’84 (basketball and track and field), and Larry Shelhamer ’76 (soccer).
Gustavus Finishes sixth in Directors’ Cup – Gustavus finished sixth out of 395 Division III institutions for the 2002-03 Director’s Cup announced recently by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The only all-sports competition in intercollegiate athletics, the award honors four-year institutions with the best overall athletic programs. Last year Gustavus placed 10th.
Chapel Program – The Gustavus Chapel program is one of the strongest in higher education averaging 350 students attending Daily Chapel. In addition, there are many student-led programs including: Apprentice - students who are interested in being part of ministry and open to see where the Spirit might be leading; Christ Chapel Volunteers - assist in the ministry of Christ Chapel by ushering, carrying the cross and candles, reading lessons, writing and/or reading prayers, and serving as assisting ministers; Community Service Center Programs - one-time and on-going service programs; Fellowship of Christian Athletes - athlete or not, time for fellowship, worship, speakers, service projects and mission trips; Gustavus Youth Outreach - committed to sharing the Gospel and providing opportunities to serve by participating in off-campus youth ministry; Habitat For Humanity/Spring Break Work Trips - Habitat works locally and Spring Break Work Trip nationally to fundraise for and build affordable housing; Jewish Organization of Gustavus - for students, faculty and staff who were either Jewish or interested in the Jewish faith; Newman Center - dedicated to building a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith; Prepare - build a new generation of believers through mentors, mission trips, Bible study, prayer and worship; Proclaim - Bible-based contemporary worship and teaching; Taizé - a contemplative worship service of music, prayer, readings and silence; Wednesday Friends – visits St. Peter Regional Treatment Center residents weekly.
Don't miss A Royal Affair . . . pa rum pum pum pum - Gustavus Library Associates is presenting their biennial benefit for our College's Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library on Saturday, November 15, at the Radisson Hotel South in Bloomington, Minnesota. If you have names for invitations (reservations are due by October 31), an auction item to donate (no later than October 15 please), volunteer time to offer, or if you wish to contribute financially to help defray expenses, we welcome your call today; Marty Penkhus, 507/388.5474 and Susan Wilcox, 952/944.5972, Co-Chairs.
Charlotte, NC, Gustavus Gathering - October 18
Phonorama -- October 12-16 and 19-23, Minnesota Valley Country Club, Bloomington
Our
Story Conference, The Growing Gender Gap in the African American
........... Community -- October 24-25, Campus
Reformation Festival featuring the Gustavus Choir, Central Lutheran Church,
........... Minneapolis -- October 25
JFK Assassination 40 Years Later, presented by David Jones ’83 and Political
........... Science Professor Chris Gilbert at Minnesota Valley Country Club, Bloomington-- November 4
A Royal Affair, benefit sponsored by Gustavus Library Associates in the Twin
........... Cities -- November 15