April 2004
Greeting
to all you '68ers!
First and
foremost we want to thank Connie Bohn Edward for authoring the winter
class letter. She did an outstanding
job and it was enjoyable to get a perspective from another classmate. The offer to share your thoughts with the
class is always open so, if you would like to be the author of our next letter,
just let us know.
As spring
arrives, the conclusion of the school year is only a month away. Hard to imagine that we are almost half way
through 2004! The end of the school
year also marks the end of the 2003-04 Alumni Fund so, if you are still
planning to participate in this year's fund drive, your pledge needs to be in
by May 31. Thank you.
News and
notes from some of our classmates:
Barbie
Gray Wenschlag, Pequot
Lakes, MN took her spring break from her teaching job in Pine River to join us
in Naples this March. We had a great
time playing golf, enjoying the beach and pool with lots of relaxing mixed in.
Judy
Hayenga Baron,
Fort Wayne, IN is vice president of investments for Smith Barney, recently
becoming a financial planning specialist.
Judy's working with Gusties in the Fort Wayne area and is always looking
for more!
Bobette
Woehler Schauer,
Arlington, MN. Our apologizes Bobette,
our last note indicated that you retired from Arlington Green Isle when in fact
you have retired from Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop, District 735. Hope we've set the record straight.
It was
reported in the Spring Quarterly that Ruth E. Olson was living in
Haines, Alaska. We'd like to hear more
about that!
Maryann
Pommeranz Kaul has
traded her Fargo, ND "You betcha" for "Y'all" as she and
her husband, Robert, moved to Comfort, TX.
Robert has taken a new job with Emanuel Lutheran Church in Comfort.
Judith
Nelson Gore,
Culpeper, VA continues to sing with the Culpeper Piedmont Choral Society.
Until next
fall we wish you all a healthy and safe summer!
John and Kris (Lundberg) Moorhead
Paula Navarro
1968 Class Agents
P. S. Now the Alumni Office will add some campus news here:
President Peterson inaugurated
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.
Scholarships and financial assistance at Gustavus
Did you know that scholarships and financial assistance for Gustavus students totals $18M, almost 25 percent of Gustavus' annual budget? Alumni Fund gifts, including designated and unrestricted gifts, help enable students to receive a Gustavus education. Gustavus offers two types of scholarships to students -- merit awards given to recognize academic achievement, and tuition grants are used to assist students with recognized financial need. Endowed scholarships are an important part of the Gustavus grant program and currently nine percent of scholarship funds come from the endowment.
Alumni survey
An alumni survey was sent to 2,000 members of reunion classes. Approximately 600 have responded as of April 1. Questions on the survey consist of how well Gustavus prepared them for employment and graduate education, activities involved in while at Gustavus, personal growth skills, alumni events and services, and overall satisfaction with the College. Results of the survey will be included in the Fall Quarterly.
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.
Did you know . . .
●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