Class of 1946

 

February 2007

 

Dear Gustie,

 

I’m a bit slow in getting this letter out to you.  It is so easy to say, “Don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow.”  I have no real excuse―so here goes.

 

I was amused when I received the fall Quarterly and saw the class picture from the May 60-year reunion.  A nice picture of Sigri Gunderson Hecht and Marvin Odland.  I don’t know how the rest of us were missed, but there was a table of us ’46ers at the luncheon and the evening banquet.  Others of us there were:  B. J. (Johnson ’47) and Bob Gove, Dick Stebbins, Donna Silver Fredrickson, Louie and Ardis (Swanson ’49) Almen and me.  Dorothy Boyer Adolphson ’45 joined us too.  It was a lovely day and I must say the kitchen staff does a wonderful job presenting wonderful meals.

 

We had lively, interesting conversation and I marveled at the accomplishments of the various alumni who are awarded recognition for their achievements in medicine, education and professional service.  I hope you read the summaries in the Quarterly.  We may be a small college in the Midwest, but the influence of our alumni is recognized beyond our local area.

 

A wonderful improvement on the campus has been the renovation of the interior of Old Main.  It is a complete extreme makeover and what a beauty it now is.  That building is remarkable when you consider that it was virtually unscathed by the tornado.  Be sure to stop in if you are on campus.

 

I have not made many contacts with other classmates, but I do have a bit of news―

 

Dick Stebbins is still working with his writing skills in an office where his daughter works in Minnetonka.

 

Bob and B.J. (Johnson ’47) Gove were proudly watching the graduation of their granddaughter.

 

The Willmar Tribune featured a picture and article about Ginny Lind Hanson who regularly attends the local “Y” for workouts.  Congratulations for your diligence, Ginny.

 

Melva Lindstrand Jacobson also lives in Willmar and follows the activities of her grandchildren.

 

Some of you may remember Shirley Menk, who spent one year at Gustavus.  She married a student from Costa Rica whom she met at Macalester.  He was in the government services.  She became an accomplished sculptor and many of her works are in the capital, San Jose.  Ray Christensen, spouse of deceased classmate, June Naplin Christensen, has a piece of Shirley’s entitled, “Dedication to Challenger,” which is a commemorative piece for the space shuttle that blew up on lift off.  It is very inspirational.  Shirley died last May.

 

Phyllis Anderson Gillson is still involved in music.  She is organist and choir director at her church.  She lives in Alamosa, CO where her husband, Dr. Gordon, is a retired professor at Adams State College.

 

Juliet Anderson Moris lives in a retirement center in Norfolk, NE.  She keeps active in local events.

 

Lois Magnuson Cole is going to the annual “Lois Get-Together,” in Charleston, NC in March.  This is a group of women around the country whose name is Lois.  There is a club for everyone!!

 

In reviewing the results of the 2006 annual fund you were very generous and, I, as your representative, thank you all.  As students call I hope you give them news items too.

 

I am very proud of the accomplishments of our college and alumni.  Last summer I sent my grandson to tennis camp on campus and his roommate was a boy from Anoka, MN.  That camp has a remarkable reputation.

 

An item of interest is that the Gustavus Food Service was selected as one of the top 10 in the United States.  You have never seen such variety in the cafeteria.  Remember when there were no choices?

 

I hope all of you are in good health, have escaped the flu and the vagaries of weather we have had this winter.  Minnesota just experienced its longest stretch of below zero weather in many, many years.

 

Take care―as we say, “Go Gustie Alum!”

 

Arlene Sorenson Higgins

1946 Class Agent

 

CAMPUS NEWS

Lindau Symposium brings Richard John Neuhaus to campus

The Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, a well-known conservative Catholic intellectual, will address “Religion in American Public Life” at the inaugural Lindau Symposium at Gustavus on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall.  A gift to the College from Phil ’58 and Nancy Lindau, given prior to Phil’s death last April, established the symposium at Gustavus that bears his name.  Lindau, a commodities broker and executive who served Gustavus as a board member, campaign chair, and longtime volunteer leader, was passionate about the faith-life intersection and the church-relatedness of his alma mater.  The symposium, which the Lindau family and College officials anticipate will be an annual event, aims to provide a forum in which diverse intellectual voices and mainstream beliefs and values can be brought together in a liberal arts environment.

 

Gustie Pages

Looking for a dentist, doctor, lawyer, pastor, Realtor, or other professional?  Make it a Gustie!  Look in the Gustie Pages, 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 become your customers.  Go to the Gustie Pages at the alumni website at:  <gustavus.edu/alumni>.

 

Give Every Year to Gustavus?

Do you give to Gustavus every year and plan to give every year in the future?  Then you should become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society.  Members of the Cec Eckhoff Society simply make the public commitment that they plan to give financially to Gustavus every year.  It does not matter how much you give and this is not a formal pledge for a certain amount of money.  Cec Eckhoff ’56 led the alumni office from 1963-1994.  Cec believed that part of being an alum of Gustavus was to give monetarily each year to the College.  To become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society, please call The Gustavus Fund office toll-free at 866/487-3863 or e-mail <gustavusfund@gustavus.edu>.  Thank you for your support of Gustavus!

 

Summer Sport Camps at Gustavus

Gustavus’ strong athletic tradition is evident with numerous summer sports camps featuring knowledgeable coaching staffs, acclaimed athletic facilities, and quality dining service and housing accommodations.  Camps offered this year include: golf, hockey, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, throwing, and swimming.  For more information go to <gustavus.edu/athletics/camps/> or contact the Athletic Department at

507/933-7617.

 

Music Tours

This year nearly 300 students participated in music tours as members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir and the Gustavus String Orchestra.  The Gustavus Choir toured Spain and Portugal January 11-30.  Performances were scheduled for Lisbon, Seville, Malaga, Grenada, and Madrid.  The Wind Orchestra toured Minnesota, Madison and Milwaukee, WI and Chicago.  The String Orchestra toured Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota.

 

Upcoming Alumni Events

Tucson Gustie Gathering – March 16

Phoenix Gustie Gathering – March 17

Sun City Gustie Gathering – March 18

Celebrating 75 years of Theatre Reunion – May 11-12