February 2002
Hi 48ers!
I am very pleased to
send you our guest class letter written by classmate, Dorethe Nelson Carlson of Lindsborg, Kansas. ~Lorrie Johnson Leaf
Dear Classmates,
This greeting comes to you from a voice of long ago, with the encouragement of Lorrie Leaf. I attended classes with you in 1944-46, my freshman and sophomore years. I have forgotten much of my early years, but not the time I spent at Gustavus. I remember you all vividly as 20-year-olds sprinting up those hills.
While I remember you, I realize you may not remember me because my time there was relatively short. Let me jog your memory just a bit. I worked long hours in the Registrar's Office for Mr. Gamelin, and you showed up there from time to time, all of you. And if you check your yearbook for 1946 you will see that I was class president during our sophomore year. Not a very good one, so I learned to say no ever after.
I married my Navy fiancé in June of 1946, and we've had 55 years of togetherness. He's a mechanical engineer from Kansas State University and worked in meatpacking his whole career, ultimately a vice president of engineering for John Morrell in Chicago. Meanwhile, I went back to college, graduated from Midland in Fremont, Nebraska, and became an English teacher. I taught in high schools in Fremont, Denison, Iowa, and Fort Dodge, Iowa, and also at Midland College. We raised four children, so those years kind of went by in a blur of activity.
Now we are very much retired. Alan is a native of Lindsborg, KS, and that was our choice for retirement. Not because of the scenery (pretty blah), not because of the weather (awfully hot in August), but because of the people. He has lots of relatives so we are part of a clan (good to have in a small town). And Lindsborg has Bethany College, much activity, and the people here work hard at maintaining the Swedish heritage. Kind of a tourist town, really. In October we have Hyllningsfest, in June it's Midsummersdag. We have the Bethany College Oratorio Society which performs Handel's Messiah on Easter and Palm Sundays, and Bach's St. Matthew's Passion on Good Friday. Rehearsals start February 3, and I will join 250 singers who make up the choir, including my friend, Marian, who has sung for 60 consecutive years.
What is exciting this year is the invitation from the Augustana Heritage Association for the choir to perform several movements at its biennial gathering here in Lindsborg the weekend of June 22, 2002. I don't know very much yet about the assembly, but I know it's large, and draws ex-Augustana people from all over the U.S. I timidly hope that some of you might be interested or already committed to the cause, and I might see you sometime that weekend. Is that possible? I can see that you get the information you need to consider it. My address is Box 56, Lindsborg, KS 67456. Phone: 785/227-2790. Our e-mail address is aldor@alltel.net.
Sincerely,
Dorothe Nelson Carlson
1948 Guest Letter Writer
And now back to Lorrie and for the news that really interests you:
Class News:
Phil Knautz and Marlys Schultz were married on July 28, 2001. Congratulations Phil and Marlys!
Lael Dahl Bjella and husband, Len, celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their six children and 11 grandchildren put on a wonderful musical "This Is Your Life, Mom and Dad" program for friends and relatives. Lael added "it was a great tribute of special memories!!"
Richard Hogland of Willmar, MN, enjoys retirement, but keeps very busy as Boy Scout leader, co-chair on Community Invision for 2002, Lt. Governor of Kiwanis, voting member of ELCA World Assembly, theatre board member, committee member for business retention in downtown, on the Board for the American Heart Assn., chair of Bethesda Homes (retirement and nursing home) and greeter for conventions in Willmar. I don't see how you have time to eat or sleep, Dick, but I admire your many interests, vitality, caring, and sharing in your community. Del's brother, Earl, will be moving to Willmar soon from New London, Mn. So be sure to meet and greet him and his wife, Helen Jo!
Roland Freeberg, Anoka, MN, and wife, Carol, have property at Eagle Lake near Anoka and have been busy cutting trees.
Manfred Carlson's wife, Delores, has had knee surgery. They have a cabin about 100 miles away and enjoy being there. He is proud that Steve Heitzeg ’82, Gustie composer, is from their town of Kiester, MN!
Eleanor Nelson Hayes and husband, Richard, live in Mankato, MN, and are enjoying life.
Elizabeth Nelson Kinmore, Edina, MN, died on November 9, 2001. Her husband, Bob, died on August 28, 1999. We send condolences to their children and grandchildren. I personally will miss talking by phone with them. Both were so personable, upbeat and interested in classmates and Gustavus.
Those of you who lived in Rundstrom as frosh remember Lorraine Telander ’36, our housemother. Her memorial service was held on December 27, 2001. She served as class agent since 1989 and was such a proud devoted presence on campus until the last few years.
Congratulations are in order for Associate Alumni Director, Barb Larson Taylor ’93 and her husband, Jaime and son, Kirby, on the birth of son, Anders Jaimeson, December 7, 2001. She will be back in the office in March.
Axel Steuer, 13th President of Gustavus Adolphus College, announced, in January, that he would resign as President at the end of the current academic year. We congratulate President Steuer for his many accomplishments and thank him for his faithful service to the college. He will remain with the college through May 2003 as executive advisor to the Board of Trustees to assist with the completion of current fund-raising initiatives and the transition to a successor. An interim president will be named prior to the end of the current academic year.
Do you remember Hello Walk? Of course you do! In February the Alumni Association is introducing Hello Walk, a place where Gusties meet for anything from small talk, to debate, to caring conversation. Hello Walk at Gustavus is the sidewalk running from Uhler Hall on the North side of the campus past the front of Old Main to Pittman Hall on the south side, which for decades of Gusties was the main "artery" and gathering point on campus. The campus landscape has changed, but the spirit of Hello Walk can continue with all of us joining the conversation on the virtual Hello Walk on the campus internet home page ‑ look for the opening this month and enjoy!
A reminder to send in your annual fund 2002 gift. Gustavus is counting on you. Even though our numbers and perhaps even our portfolios are decreasing, we can still take advantage of matching funds, and our gift, no matter the amount, has a chance to grow and help future students enjoy and learn in this special Gustie environment. We are proud that it includes high academic standings and provides an education of character (excellence, service, justice, community, faith) our very core value, right? Right!
Sincerely,
Lorrie Johnson Leaf
1948 Class Agent
P.S. Now for some other campus news written by a Gustavus student:
Campus News
Hi! My name is Tracey Hanson. I’m a senior, double majoring in Communication Studies and Business Management. I’ve worked in the Alumni Office all four years and can hardly believe that I’m now starting my final semester! Instead of taking a class (and doing homework) this J-Term, I spent my time slaving away in the Alumni Office. It was great to have the extra time to relax and do other activities that J-Term allows. Having unlimited time at home each night made for some great cooking! And getting to watch “Friends” without worrying about the homework you should be doing instead was also a plus! The start of the spring semester (thus, the start of homework) has been a sudden shock to my system!
The campus is full of life and excitement. A successful and busy J-Term just ended, and spring semester is now underway. The theme for J-Term 2002 was "Our Global Village," and the month was a celebration of cultural diversity as we grappled with social, political, economic and philosophical aspects of our ever-shrinking world neighborhood. Faculty offered 29 different classes that tied into this global theme, many of which were travel courses. Examples include Islam and Culture, and Chinese Cooking and Culture. This year, 2319 students enrolled in J-Term courses, with many who studied abroad, participated in internships, student taught or studied at other domestic institutions. I got very jealous when I read e-mails from my roommates who were studying in warm, sunny Australia. J-Term themes for the coming years include “Service-Learning” (2003) and “Undergraduate Research.” (2004).
Gustie winter sports teams are having a great year, as all are near the top in the MIAC.
Gustie music ensembles just returned from their tours. The Gustavus Band embarked on an international tour this J-Term. The band toured Sweden and Norway, presenting “Music from America.” The tour dates were January 16 through February 10. The Gustavus Choir toured the Midwest during Touring Week in February and the Gustavus Orchestra toured Minnesota, the Dakotas, Colorado, Kansas and Iowa. Each group had a home concert upon their return.
The Alumni Association is on the road this winter and spring connecting alumni to each other and the College. Director of the Linnaeus Arboretum and Instructor of Environmental Studies, Jim Gilbert ’62, will travel along to provide an interesting and informative program. Complete information is listed on our web site under events. If you need more information, give us a call at 800-487-8437.
March 7 San Diego Chapter event
Dinner hosted by John and Paula Penrod ’79, ’79
March 8 Tucson Chapter gathering
Dinner - Warren and Donna (Gabbert) Beck ’67, ’66 residence
March 9 Phoenix Chapter gathering
Dinner at Pera Club, Tempe
March 10 Sun City Chapter gathering
Dinner at Bella Vista Restaurant, Peoria
April 5 Bay Area Chapter event
April 6 Seattle Chapter event – Luncheon at Buca di Beppo Restaurant
April 7 Denver Chapter event
More information will be sent to alumni and friends in these chapter areas.
RSVP to Alumni Office at 800-487-8437 or e-mail alumni@gustavus.edu.
As I prepare to graduate in June, I find it increasingly hard to think about leaving this place. It hardly seems possible that four years have flown by, and that in six months I, too, will be considered an alum. I will always carry with me fond memories of my four years here. GO GUSTIES!!!