50-YearReunion
Class of 1957
Reunion dates ― May 26 & 27, 2007
December 2006
Dear Classmates,
I have three more letters to share with you. These are from Sharon Johnson Eddy, Ted
Granquist, and Barb Bredsten
Stephens. (Remember, your memories
are always welcome—send them to me at: marlys@apimixing.com or Marlys Mattson Nelson,
When you look back some things always stand out as
special. Coming back to the campus after
Thanksgiving—time went really fast.
Winter had come with beautiful snow that covered “Hello
Walk” and all the trees and evergreens.
We were headed toward the end of the semester. We had music to memorize for choir, music for
band and orchestra, and papers due.
Basketball had started and going to the Fieldhouse to watch
Mrs. Young and listen to the Pep Band play “Who Kicked Nellie in the Belly in
the Barn” was a must do!
We picked Barb
Bredsten to be our
But I think the most memorable was the “Christmas Service”
in the chapel the night before we went home for Christmas. We (the choir) sang the Christmas portion of
our concert. It always sent shivers down
your back. We had real candles to light
and left the chapel with that special feeling of youth!
With the snow falling outside, Gustavus was and is a special
place.
Hope to see all of you at our “50th” class
reunion.
Happy Holidays,
Sharon Johnson Eddy
1957 Guest Letter Writer
Dear Classmates:
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost 54 years since an
unsophisticated “Yooper” (someone from
Two things come to mind:
profs and questions.
Example: The first
prof I met when I arrived was Rod Davis―puffing away on his pipe as we
talked while walking on the way to somewhere.
I came to know that in class he was prone to ask prodding
questions. I also came to know that in
history class he taught far more than dates and events. The unspoken question was “where does all
this fit in the bigger scheme of things in the light of what is happening
today?”
Example:
Conversations with Art Glass ’43 in genetics lab on Saturday morning
when I came up to count my fruit fly population. (I think he wondered what a pre-seminary
student was doing in a genetics class. I
did too when my fruit flies got loose in the lab.) But the class opened up an interest that has
continued even today living in “
Many of us found a small liberal arts college offered us an
opportunity to “dabble” in a lot of areas.
As a pre-sem student, I found myself taking not only religion,
languages, history and philosophy, but also inorganic chemistry, quantitative
analysis, astronomy and…music appreciation.
That last one was almost my undoing!
I found myself sitting in the Art Barn on warm, spring Friday afternoons
at
Times have changed when you walk on campus today. I came to G. A. with one suitcase and some
warm clothes prepared to stay on campus until Thanksgiving—providing there was
a ride home then. (A couple of years
later I got my freedom in the form of a 16-year-old ’39 DeSoto which had the
disconcerting habit of blowing light fuses at the most inconvenient times. Some of you had the privilege of riding in it
on trips back to the UP or to NW Montana for a summer job. That DeSoto cost me $100—four years later I
sold it for $75. A real bargain!) Students today appear to have a little bit
more when they arrive on campus!
Well, enough of that.
Suffice it to say that the campus has changed, the classrooms have
changed, St. Peter has changed, but…none of us have changed!!!??? Hope to renew friendships with many of you in
May, 2007.
Ted Granquist
1957 Guest Letter Writer
Dear Classmates,
Well, the frost is on the pumpkin here in
The Gustie spirit is alive and well—and waiting to welcome
us to our 50th. Come say “Hi”
to Gus; gaze across the valley; eat some of Ma Young’s Rye Bread; experience
worship in Christ Chapel; remember the good times (Dean Melva Lind’s rousing
rendition of the “Yellow Rose of Texas?”
Battling your way to an
Barbara Bredsten
Stephens
1957 Guest Letter Writer
Barb also sent along some class news that she has gleaned:
Carol Lundgerg Owen
lives in
Emily Louise Backlund
Cole and her husband live in
CAMPUS NEWS
Gustavus Designated
an “
Steinway and Sons, makers of what many would say are the
best pianos, has added Gustavus to its “All Steinway Schools” list. This is an exclusive list of just 66
colleges, universities, or conservatories in the world. To be considered for the Steinway
designation, a school must first have at least 90 percent of its performance,
practice, and teaching pianos be Steinways.
Gustavus Excels in
Fitness and Dining
Men’s Fitness
magazine has named Gustavus as one of the top 10 colleges in
Gustavus Alumni
Professional Apparel
Check out the two new oxfords on sale online through the
Gustavus Book Mark. The Book Mark is
offering a women’s and men’s long sleeve shirt in a variety of colors and
sizes. The shirt features an embroidered
three crowns and Gustavus. A great idea
for holiday shopping for your favorite Gustie.
Check them out online only at www.bookmark.gustavus.edu/.
Gustavus Legacy Award for Gustavus Admission
Mark Anderson, Vice President of Admission and Student
Financial Assistance, is pleased to announce the Gustavus Legacy Award for new
students beginning with the incoming class of 2007. Renewable awards of $2,500 per year are given
to new students whose siblings are current Gustavus students or graduates or
whose parents or grandparents are Gustavus alumni. Scholarship recipients must have a high
school grade point average of at least 3.5 or an ACT of 26 or an 1170 (Critical
Reading + Math) on the SAT. For more
information contact the Admission Office at 800/GUSTAVU(S) or email <admission@gustavus.edu>.
Upcoming Gustavus
Events
Naples/Marco
Sun City Chapter Gathering – March 18
Again I say thank you to our guest writers. There is always room for your memories too.
Marlys Mattson Nelson
1957 Co-class Agent