THE GATHERING OF THE
FLOCK
THE CLASS OF
1954's
50th
REUNION
Dear
Classmates,
By now you
should have received your registration materials and information book from the
Alumni Office about our Big Golden. It
looks to be a fine turnout from early indications.
John
Chell, Betty
Lundgren Schlotthauer and I were on campus in early March to work with the
Alumni Office, chaplains and organist on details for the event. We were thrilled to hear the hymn played at
9:50 a.m. calling the community to chapel, the pealing of the bells just before
the 10:00 service. (It also plays at
8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day as well as for all special occasions such as
President Jim Peterson's ’64 investiture, graduation, or, of course, our
service of dedication on May 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Since then
we have a number of you, in one way or another, in reunion events. Here, subject to a revision here and there,
is the program to date:
GUSTAVUS CLASS OF 1954 REUNION
28 MAY 2004
Greeters
1:00-2:00: Marlys
Setterholm Gamm; Bob Gamm; Adelaide Rethwill Meyer
2:00-3:00: Jim Anderson,
Barb Gruse Johnson; Gloria Brouillette Strom; John Wright
1:00-1:30
Rehearsal - The 50th Anniversary Class Choir: Christ Chapel
George Skogg will direct all of us who have ever sung a note as
well as those who haven't in a hymn at the memorial service, "Children of
the Heavenly Father" (Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara in our native tongue). This is not only for those who "sang
under Casselman." It is a time for
"wannabes" as well. Come
early to rehearse.
3:00 Playing Of The Carillon And Explanation Of Its History By David
Fienen, College Organist: Christ Chapel
3:30 The Dedication Of The Carillon: Christ Chapel
Greeters and ushers: Jim
Anderson, Gladys Johnson Biltonen, Fran Gabrielson Blomgren, Vic Carter, Dianne
Anglemyer Clinton, Dave Gillis, Rollie Herbst, Paul Olson
Opening Remarks: John
Chell
Welcome: Jim Peterson ’64,
College President
Response: John Chell
Dedicatory Blessing: Brian
Johnson ’80 and Rachel Larson, College Chaplains
Closing Remarks: Mike
Anderson for the college, Janet Hanson Jones for the community
Postlude: David Fienen
4:00 Memorial
Service For Classmates Who Have Died:
Christ Chapel
Gathering Prayer: Marilyn
Reiten Meyer
Scripture Readings: Arlene
Waxlax Sonday, Paul Vollan
Homily: Forrest Chaffee
Class Choir: George Skogg,
director, "Children of the Heavenly Father"
In Memoriam, The Reading of Names: Roger Carlson, Betty Lundgren Schlotthauer
Closing Prayer: Arne
Peterson
5:00 Wine
And Cheese On The Lawn
7:00 Class Dinner: Campus Center
Co-hosts: Class Officers -
Betty Lindstrand Abrahamson, (treasurer); Helen Forsgren Hokenson, (secretary);
Dave Johnson, (president); Howie Ruggles, (vice president)
Class Artists' Contributions to the Carillon Fund, e.g., Betty
Lindstrand Abrahamson, Jim Anderson, Roger Hanson
__________
Now for
some ways to enrich the weekend for yourself and for all who attend:
1. OWN A CLASSMATE'S ART. Roger Hanson, who has just had an exhibit of
his paintings at Nina's in St. Paul, has made a swell offer. He will contribute one of his paintings to
the Carillon Fund to be sold by silent auction during our class dinner on
Friday 28 May. That led to two more
gifts from classmates: a quilt by Betty
Lindstrand Abrahamson and a watercolor by Jim Anderson.
NOW TO
HEAR FROM OTHERS OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ARTS TO CONTRIBUTE
SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE YOURSELF.
PLEASE LET ROGER HANSON (320-587-3970) KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU
HAVE A WORK YOU WOULD BRING TO THE SILENT AUCTION. Perhaps you have become a weaver, potter, printmaker,
quilter. Here's a way to help the
Carillon Fund. And for the rest of us,
here's a way to own something by a classmate.
This is likely the College's first 50th reunion art auction!
2. FIGURE TO STAY THROUGH THE SATURDAY LUNCHEON
FOR OUR CLASS AND THE EVENING ALL-COLLEGE ALUMNI DINNER. THE DINNER GIVES A GREAT PICTURE OF TODAY'S
GUSTAVUS. THE GRADUATES OF 2004 WILL BE
SPECIAL GUESTS, JUST AS WE WERE IN 1954 (when we likely gave the returning
class of 1904 about the same amount of thought which we will receive from the
class of 2004!) WE'LL HAVE OUR OWN
TABLE AND BE RECOGNIZED BY THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. A SPEAKER FROM THE CLASS, NORMAN NERDMORE,
WILL DO HIS BEST TO CAPTURE A BIT OF OUR TIMES ON THE HILL. IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT THE CLASS OF 2004
WILL NOT LISTEN. THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO
BE THERE!
3. PUT THE CARILLON AND ITS ENDOWMENT OVER THE
TOP. We're close, 79.5914% (heck, call
it 80) of the way to our $140,000 goal.
Our Schulmerich Celebration Carillon is installed, playing and pealing
each day at 8:00 a.m., 9:50 a.m. (to call people to chapel) and 6:00 p.m. The money we need now doesn't have to be in
cash; it can be a deferred gift for it will be for the instrument's endowment,
an assurance of both its proper maintenance and that there will be concerts and
clinics for visiting choirs forever.
Here is
the list to date of the 93 of you who are contributors, 11 of you joining the
list in the last few weeks. If you have
not already done so, please send your pledge or gift to the College's
Advancement Office, ideally before we gather for the reunion. Remember that you can pledge now, deferring
the transfer of assets in a way most beneficial to you. Contact Jim Isaak at 1-866-487-3863 about
ways to do that.
CARILLONEUR
LEVEL, $5000 or more:
Anonymous David Johnson *Arlene Waxlax Sonday
Roger
Carlson Paul
Olson Paul
Vollan
Vic Carter Ardis Peterson
Schwarz John Wright
CARILLON
TOWER LEVEL, $3000-$4999
Jim
Anderson Barbara
Gruse Johnson Janet Hanson Jones
Sharon
Anthony Bower Lavern Johnson Adelaide Rethwill Meyer
Dick
Brubacher Sylvia
Johnson Johnson Marilyn Peterson Reaser
CARILLON
BELLS LEVEL, $1500-$2999
American
Express Fdn. Bob & Marlys Gamm Howard
Ruggles
Darrell
Anderson *Jean Kovacs
Larson Betty Lundgren
Schlotthauer
Mike
Anderson *Carole
Duffy Miller Gloria
Brouillette Strom
Forrest
Chaffee Marion
Vorlicek L'Ivers Phyl Johnson
Wegner
Dick Dee John & Lois Myers Grace Ronholm Westlund
CARILLON
CHIMES LEVEL (up to $1500)
Amy
Wampler Adamson Olga Gray Marilyn Reiten
Meyer
Phyllis
Anderson Adamson Mary Lundgren Hauck Donald
Miller
Valerie
Olson Andrews George Haun Mary
Jane Monson
John
Bjorkquist Rollie
Herbst Lewis
Moon
Fran
Gabrielson Blomgren Clare Berntson Hibbard Mary Lou Peterson Munroe
Patricia
Dirks Carlson *Donna Norlund
Holmgren Kathleen Norman Noren
Adolph
Carlsted Dianne
Johnston Janda Lou Winberg Nuss
Del Hanson
Cedarholm Paul
Kaus Arne
Peterson
John Chell Jeanette Larson Paul Peterson
Dianne
Anglemyer Clinton Russell Larson *Augusta Nelson Rinta
Rhoda
Roadfeldt Cocca Carol Lester
Lassiter *Jean Simonson
Rolloff
Roy
Daumann Marilyn
Nelson Leverenz Ellen Togikawa
Ryusaki
Mildred
Jacobson Dorow Waldo Lindberg *Carolyn Pryor Sarrail
Nancy Pringle
Ellingson Don
Malm Alan
Slettehaugh
Jean
Kirkvold Emholtz Kenneth Manfolk (dec.) *Virginnia
Swenson
Vianne
Lager Engwall Marjorie Wise Mann (dec.) Art
Tangwall
Elaine
Wellendorf Fink *Bernice Hecht Martino Carl
Towley
Shirley
Lund Flom Dayton Martinson Shirley Thornquest Welch
Pauline
Melin Glenchur Bryan McGroarty Verne
Wussow
Duane
Goese
*Given
partially or entirely in memory of Lorraine Nelson Lindholm
__________
And now
for news about some of our cohorts:
Dave
Gillis, retired
from the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel since 1990 writes, "A couple of
my grandchildren doubt that I ever went to work." Some of his photos can be viewed on
http://myweb.core.com/myweb/photos.
Last Christmas the Wisconsin Wood Workers Guild in which he is an active
member made 1200 wood toys for women's shelters in southeastern Wisconsin.
Rollie
Herbst is living
in Loretto, a choir member in Delano, caregiver for his wife, Donna.
Waldo
Lindberg says,
"We live at the Pacific Ocean with a territorial view in southwestern
Washington state, 14 miles north of the Columbia River's Lewis & Clark
destination... We welcome visits..." (Ed. note, careful what you promise,
Waldo!)
Glen
Lovestrand has
served as organist and choir director at three churches in his home area for
the past 33 years, SS. Peter and Paul in Ivanhoe and Bethany Elim in Ivanhoe
and St. John Cantius in Wilno. (Ed.
note: Ivanhoe and Wilno were settled by Poles who immigrated to Lincoln County
in southwestern Minnesota; the two Roman Catholic churches in which Glen plays
are on many lists of the state's most spectacular rural edifices.)
Carole
Duffy Miller, a
new member of the carillon bells donor group with her memorial to Loni
Nelson Lindholm, writes, "My husband and I are song leaders at our
church...we attend many jazz festivals here in California and in Europe. I have fond memories of my still dear
friends I met at Wahlstrom Hall..."
John
Sandquist has
organized an "Understanding Islam" seminar in his Northfield church
in conjunction with Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. About 90 people attend each session. He is also serving as a substitute teacher in the middle school
there.
Phyl
Johnson Wegner
writes, "...I remember dorm life in Wahlstrom and Rundstrom… instructors
Hildegard Hein, Arthur Glass ’43, Lloyd Hollingsworth ’36, Floyd Martinson and
Robert Esbjornson ’41…homecoming with Queen Dodie Ketola…trudging through deep
snow for 8:00 a.m. classes in the chilly Classroom Annex…and wet frozen hair
after swimming."
_____
Before
ending this, an important Help Wanted ad:
Think about volunteering to Randall Stuckey ’83, Alumni Director, to be
our next class agent. That job has been
filled by many of us over the years, Rog Carlson, John Chell, Dianne
Anglemyer Clinton, Jean Kirkvold Emholtz, Rollie Herbst, Forrest
Chaffee, Jean (Lunnis) and Dave Johnson, Joyce Lindell Lund, and John
Sandquist. Now it's someone else's
turn! Each fall the college hosts the
class agents for an informational session, a good time to visit with other
agents as well as to collect information.
Until
Friday 28 May when we gather to register at the Campus Center Information Desk,
1954 Class Agent
P. S. Now the Alumni Office will add some campus news here:
Dr. James Peterson ’64 was inaugurated during a ceremony in Christ Chapel on Friday, April 16. Other inaugural events scheduled April 15-18, included a symposium featuring Rev. Dr. Martin Marty, tree dedication, Gustavus Association of Congregations meeting, G.I.V.E. community service day in St. Peter, music concert, art exhibition, and an alumni reception preceding the Nobel Symphony Concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.
50th Anniversary Alumni Fund Closes May 31
The 2004 Alumni Fund will close May 31 with a goal of 50 percent alumni participation. Thanks to everyone who has already participated with a gift. If you haven’t given, please think about sending a gift along with your news in the enclosed gold envelope. Gustavus alumni have a long tradition of strong alumni participation. Help maintain our national ranking by participating in the 50th anniversary year of the Alumni Fund.
Winter sports summary
Women’s basketball finished third in the MIAC and advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs. Men’s basketball won the MIAC regular season and playoff championship titles before losing to eventual national champion UW-Stevens Point in the NCAA national tournament. Men’s hockey posted a third-place finish in the regular season and advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs. Women’s hockey finished second in regular-season MIAC play, but won the post-season tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Men’s swimming won its third consecutive MIAC championship and completed their season by finishing ninth at the NCAA championships. Women’s swimming won the MIAC championship and completed their season by finishing 13th at the NCAA championships. Men’s Nordic skiing won its first-ever MIAC championship and finished fourth at the NCAA Central Region meet. Women’s Nordic skiing claimed their third consecutive MIAC title and completed their season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Central Region meet. Gymnastics posted a 6–1 dual meet record and a second-place finish at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Regional. The women’s indoor track and field team finished second and the men fifth at the MIAC championships.
●Nearly
80% of Gustavus students graduate in four years, compared with 56% of students
from other Minnesota private colleges; the national average is 17%.
●There
are seven choral ensembles and 23 instrumental ensembles, two jazz, four
woodwind and three brass ensembles.
●More
than 40 percent of Gustavus students volunteer through the Gustavus community
service center on a regular basis.
●For student safety, the campus is well-lit, there is 24-hour Safety and Security patrol and escort service, residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, and there are blue light emergency phones throughout campus linked directly to Safety and Security.
●And
looking back -- during the college’s early years, students were awakened by a
bell at 5:45 a.m. and all lights had to be out by 10:30 p.m.
Upcoming
events
Phonorama
- April 25-29, Central Lutheran Church
Mayday! Conference, The United
Nations at the Crossroads – April 28
Cec Eckhoff Society Reception – May 1
Class
of 1954 and 50-Year Club Reunions – May 28 & 29
Commencement
– May 30
Alumni
Fund closes – May 31
Class
reunions on Homecoming & Family Weekend – October 1 & 2