Class of 1968

February 2007

Greetings ’68ers!

As the calendar flips (again) to 2007 let us greet you all with a Happy New Year and we ask how do we make sense of these disappearing years? Can it be that we’ve be connected in one way or another for over 43 years and we are quickly approaching our 40^th reunion? As sobering as this is, it’s a blessing to be able to extend the greeting!!!

CLASS NEWS & NOTES

Judy Opheim Schwakopf announced in her ’06 Christmas letter that her four sons, Jason, Matt, Peter and Mike are all doing well and she is still calling K.C. her home. Also, she has a new “friend” (as in boy) in her life and from the sounds of it 2007 is shaping up to be a very good year. Judy, how about bringing Jerry to the 40^th Class reunion?

Judy Draxten Ellis’ 2006 turned out to be anything but routine with some major health problems causing much concern. Judy had broken several vertebrae and she underwent 10 hours of surgery to repair her back and straighten out the scoliosis due to the back bone damage. After many months of rest and rehab she reports that she is on the mend. Judy and her husband, Mike, are still in Burley, ID.

Both of those notes came to us from Cheryl Braunworth Carlson and we appreciate the news. While attending a men’s Gopher hockey game last month I ran into Phil and Cheryl (they are season ticket holders), it’s always nice to see a friendly face! Phil continues to work for Metropolitan Health Plan while Cheryl is enjoying retirement from teaching.

Speaking of Gopher hockey I was there with Dick Peterson who continues to work for several software companies, does a couple of days of “legal” stuff, sells real estate and is always looking forward to the next opportunity. Karen Monson Peterson is still teaching in the St. Paul school district. Kris and I are very fortunate to have had the Petersons in our lives since Gustavus and we enjoy many great times on Lake Vermilion, around the cities and on the golf course.

Mary Lock Palm and her husband, Paul ’67, are in Springfield, VA. Mary is a clinical nurse specialist for Inova Health Systems and Paul is a program analyst for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Gayle Affolter Carlson and her husband, Jim, live in Eagan and Gayle teaches German at Eagan High School. When Gayle dropped us a note Jim was running for the Minnesota Senate, District 38. Can you let us know the outcome?

Rebecca Gilbertson Merritt tells us “My husband, Jack, and I are retired and living in Scottsdale. Retirement is even better than advertised...Love it!”

Angie Kuper Christmann retired from the University of California, Santa Cruz administration in 2006 and in her words “just in time!” Her days don’t go by idly, as she volunteers in local land preservation, mental health services, stage productions and she provides bookkeeping duties for her husband’s (Jim) marine business.

Jean Magnusson Nye and her husband, Jim, live in Chicago, IL. Jean is an associate in ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Homeland, IL and Jim is a bibliographer for South Asia at the University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library and Director of the South Asia Center.

Darrell and Sally (Wigand) Weslander live in Floyd Knob, IN. Darrell is with UPS and regularly writes feature articles for the UPS pilot’s newsletter. Darrell, how about lending a hand with the class letter one of these years?

Janice Nelson Napier is the principal at Amy Blanc Elementary School in Fairfield, CA. Not knowing where Fairfield is we looked it up and it’s in Northern California, close to the Napa Valley area.

Arv and Jane (Dornfeld) Zenk are still calling North Mankato home. Arv recently retired from the Taylor Corp after 17 years and retired his Air Force wings after 20 years.

Anne Berg Carlson and Paul ’66 are still living in Minnetonka and Paul is in his 30th year at Park Nicollet Clinic, St. Louis Park. Paul’s current position at the clinic is in the hematology and oncology department.

Steve and Mim (Sponberg ’67) Kagol have both retired―Mim from teaching at St Louis Park High and Steve from Julius Nelson & Sons where he was a project manager. We hear that the Kagols are enjoying their retirement years with lots of travel and Steve continues to do that running, swimming and cycling thing!

Steve Streed sent us a nice e-mail after the fall letter letting us know that he visited the campus to attend the Nobel Conference. Also, he had designed, cut and leaded three stained glass windows for a Lutheran church in Parkers Prairie, MN.

Carl Zaar who is still in Milwaukee, WI sent us a Christmas wish via e-mail this year and we certainly appreciate hearing from you. The best to you, Carl, in 2007!

Unfortunately, we have some very sad news to report. On December 12, 2006 Maureen Brink Anderson passed away. All that we can offer are our thoughts and prayers to Mark and their three children Christopher, Caryn and Chad. For those of you who would like to send your thoughts to the family; their address is: 8416 Buffalo Creek Road, Brainerd, MN 56401.

CAMPUS NEWS

Alumni Starring in The Cherry Orchard

The Department of Theatre and Dance is celebrating 75 years of theatre at Gustavus this year with two featured events: Theatre Reunion May 11-12 and a gala performance of The Cherry Orchard followed by admission to the cast party on February 10. The Cherry Orchard will be Professor Rob Gardner’s final directing work before retirement. A cast of professional theatre alumni will join the student actors for this very special production. The alumni cast includes: Peter Breitmayer ’87, Karen Esbjornson ’80, Kevin Kling ’79, Scott Novotny ’75, and Michael Glenn (Waldhauser) ’97. A sold-out performance is expected for this unique celebration, so order your tickets soon. For more information and to order tickets, go to the Cherry Orchard site from <gustavus.edu/alumni>.

Lindau Symposium brings Richard John Neuhaus to campus

The Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, a well-known conservative Catholic intellectual, will address “Religion in American Public Life” at the inaugural Lindau Symposium at Gustavus on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. A gift to the College from Phil ’58 and Nancy Lindau, given prior to Phil’s death last April, established the symposium at Gustavus that bears his name. Lindau, a commodities broker and executive who served Gustavus as a board member, campaign chair, and longtime volunteer leader, was passionate about the faith-life intersection and the church-relatedness of his alma mater. The symposium, which the Lindau family and College officials anticipate will be an annual event, aims to provide a forum in which diverse intellectual voices and mainstream beliefs and values can be brought together in a liberal arts environment.

Gustie Pages

Looking for a dentist, doctor, lawyer, pastor, Realtor, or other professional? Make it a Gustie! Look in the Gustie Pages, an online database of Gusties who have submitted information about their profession. Use the Gustavus network to meet your needs, or submit your professional information if you would like other Gusties to become your customers. Go to the Gustie Pages at the alumni website at: <gustavus.edu/alumni>.

Career Connections with Students

Sign up now for the 2007 Gustavus Career Connections Reception. The reception will be Monday, February 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Hilton. The gathering allows Gustavus alumni to provide advice, encouragement, and career networking opportunities to Gustavus students seeking internships and career opportunities. Alumni are invited to attend and assist current students in their career search. You do not have to be hiring at your company to attend – just willing to share your experience. E-mail the Career Center at career-center@gustavus.edu or call 507/933-7586 if you can attend or want more information.

Give Every Year to Gustavus?

Do you give to Gustavus every year and plan to give every year in the future? Then you should become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society. Members of the Cec Eckhoff Society simply make the public commitment that they plan to give financially to Gustavus every year. It does not matter how much you give and this is not a formal pledge for a certain amount of money. Cec Eckhoff ’56 led the alumni office from 1963-1994. Cec believed that part of being an alum of Gustavus was to give monetarily each year to the College. To become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society, please call The Gustavus Fund office toll-free at 866/487-3863 or e-mail <gustavusfund@gustavus.edu>. Thank you for your support of Gustavus!

Summer Sport Camps at Gustavus

Gustavus’ strong athletic tradition is evident with numerous summer sports camps featuring knowledgeable coaching staffs, acclaimed athletic facilities, and quality dining service and housing accommodations. Camps offered this year include: golf, hockey, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, throwing, and swimming. For more information go to <gustavus.edu/athletics/camps/> or contact the Athletic Department at

507/933-7617.

Upcoming Music Tours

This year nearly 300 students will participate in music tours as members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, Gustavus String Orchestra, Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, and Choir of Christ Chapel. The Gustavus Choir will tour Spain and Portugal January 11-30. Performances are scheduled for Lisbon, Seville, Malaga, Grenada, and Madrid. The Wind Orchestra will tour Minnesota, Madison and Milwaukee, WI and Chicago. The String Orchestra will be in Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota.

Upcoming Alumni Events

The Cherry Orchard Gala Performance – February 10

Orlando Gustie Gathering – February 13

Tampa Bay Gustie Gathering – February 15

Naples/Marco Island Gustie Gathering – February 17

Tucson Gustie Gathering – March 16

Phoenix Gustie Gathering – March 17

Sun City Gustie Gathering – March 18

Celebrating 75 years of Theatre Reunion – May 11-12

We’ll be in touch this spring with some reunion details and along the way don’t be surprised if you’re asked to lend a helping hand in planning the event. Until then we wish you all the very best!

John and Kris (Lundberg) Moorhead and Paula Navarro