Class of 1955

 

Epiphany, January 6, 2008

 

Dear Classmates,

 

I have been asked to write the first class letter of 2008 and I have chosen to write it on Epiphany or the twelfth day of Christmas.  I was considering sending a CD along with me singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but I had an “epiphany” and, fortunately for you, decided against it.  But I will take this opportunity to wish you all the best year ever and may we all have an epiphany of some kind, some time, in the New Year.

 

There was very little news passed on to me from classmates.  I thought seriously of going through the yearbook and making up some gossip that could be passed on through the grape vine.  At our “age” I’m sure we wouldn’t mind having someone…anyone…talk about us particularly if it had nothing to do with the shape we are in or what medications we are taking!  However, I am confident that whatever you all are doing, that you choose to keep to yourselves, is much better than anything I could dream up.

 

I did receive a note from Paul Vrudny that he is still officiating swimming and “like most others trying to exercise 3-4 times a week.”  (Speak for yourself, Paul.)  And he keeps busy going to grandchildren’s weddings.  (He obviously didn’t make the stipulation that they had to be 30 before they could date, as we did!!)

 

Betty Malmborg Malm sent a note about being the moderator of the Oxford debate in which Jerry Christianson and Ron Brown ’56 participated.  Patrick Mayhew, who went on to be Great Britain’s Minister to Northern Ireland, was one of the debaters from Oxford.  Betty also attended Gustavus Theater’s 75th anniversary celebration.  She was asked to read at the festivities as she had played Cinderella (remember?) in Mrs. Anderson’s staging of the first children’s play in 1954.  A week later, Betty was awarded a master’s of liberal studies degree from the University of Minnesota.  Way to go, Betty!  Thanx, you three, for your news…HELLO…PEOPLE…  We would like to hear from you!!

 

I will report on some of the activities of the Gustavus Library Associates.  We are just winding down with the tallying of results from A Royal Affair - Razzle Dazzle.  Besides having great fun, great food, great shopping, and great visits with great Gusties of all ages, we managed to take in over $200,000.00 for the Folke Bernadotte Library endowment fund!  If you haven’t been to one of these biennial affairs, you should try it…you’ll like it!  Also, GLA sponsors an Easter Bunny Breakfast (take your grandchildren!) and Author Day in the spring.

 

Just a note about St. Knud’s Day.  In Swedish tradition this is the day that Christmas ends.  It seems a long-ago Swedish King got sick and tired of his subjects celebrating Christmas for too long a time.  So he decreed that on the 13th of January everyone should drink up all the Christmas glug, eat up the Christmas cookies and cakes, and throw the tree out the door in one last grand party and…GET BACK TO WORK!!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

Joan Bonn Wright

1955 Guest Letter Writer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campus News

Forensics Team Continues Excellence

The Gustavus forensics team continues the tradition of excellence, with major team and individual wins this season.  Last season the team ranked in the top 20, which is impressive since 14 of the top 20 schools are “Division I” schools that have more funding and more coaching staff.  While many schools have several full-time forensics coaches, the Gustavus coach also is a full-time professor.  So a unique aspect of the Gustavus program is the team meets weekly for peer coaching, a technique the team has found to be very successful. 

 

Twin Cities Gustie Breakfasts

Join other Minneapolis/St. Paul area Gusties for a once-a-month morning cup of coffee and breakfast while getting an update on Gustavus. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Doubletree Hotel, Minneapolis-Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard (Hwy. 394 & Hwy. 100), 8:00-9:30 a.m., $10 per person.  Reserve by calling Don Swanson ’55 at 763/533-9083.  Next gathering, Wednesday, January 16, featuring Doug Nimmo, Conductor, Gustavus Wind Orchestra.

 

Gustavus Dancing With the Profs

Inspired by the popular television show Dancing with the Stars, a standing room only crowd of students, faculty, and St. Peter community members filled Alumni Hall on November 2 to watch Gustavus students and faculty/staff members swing dance to raise money for the St. Peter United Way.  The event, “Dancing with the Profs 2,” featured six teams of one Gustavus student and one faculty/staff member.  In preparation for the evening competition, the Gustavus Swing Club gave the teams dance lessons, while members of GAC-TV documented the learning to provide a video showcase on each couple.

 

Alumni Insurance Programs

The Alumni Association sponsors insurance products for alumni, spouses, children, and parents.  Products include life insurance, auto, home and renters insurance, and short-term medical insurance to fill temporary needs of new alumni without insurance after graduation and others who may have gaps due to unemployment.  For information about life and short-term medical insurance, call 800-635-7801.  For information about auto, home, and renters insurance, call:  800-524-9400, (800-328-0705, ext. 552 in the Greater Twin Cities area).

 

Gustavus Music Showcase

The three international touring music ensembles at Gustavus Adolphus College — The Gustavus Choir, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra —  will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.  Tickets for the concert are on sale through the Orchestra Hall box office and may be purchased in-person, online at:  www.minnesotaorchestra.org/boxoffice/, and via fax or phone at 612-371-5656.  Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children ages 6-18 and current Gustavus students with a valid I.D.

 

College Relations blog

Gustavus College Relations staff has introduced a new blog that will offer commentary and news on a variety of topics pertinent to the campus community as well as some photography, video, and audio content.  During the month of January the blog will feature the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra’s China tour and observations on several January Interim classes.  The new blog can be read at:  www.collegerelations.blog.gustavus.edu.

 

Athletics

Men's tennis coach Steve Wilkinson has been named the national winner of the United States Tennis Association (USTA)/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Campus Recreation Award.  This awards program, which began in 2003, was open to more than 2,000 ITA head and assistant coaches at the NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA and junior/community college levels.  Senior goaltender Trevor Brown became the first men's soccer player in Gustavus history to be named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men’s Soccer Team as released by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

 

Upcoming Alumni Events

Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast featuring music conductors - Jan. 16

Gustavus Gathering in Phoenix/Sun City, AZ - Jan. 20

Gustavus Gathering in Tucson, AZ - Jan 22.