October 2003

Greetings to the 35th Reunion Class Of 1968!

"Still Crazy After All These Years"

Our 35th class reunion has come and gone…looking ahead to our 40th reunion it's hard to believe we'll be 62 years old when that one rolls around. A good time was had by all who attended even though out of our class of 340 only 45 people were at the Radisson Hotel in Edina.

John and I sent a notebook around so people could update us on what's been happening in their lives and we'll share them with you. (Again, it would be terrific to hear from any of you...it sure makes it easier for us to write the class letter.)

Some people included their e-mail address if you would like to get in touch with them. We also have some e-mail addresses as does Gustavus so just let us know.

The nurses were out in force (thanks to Cheryl Kramer Vinson for keeping this group together and organized) and it was fun seeing them all, especially Sandy Silrum Eberhardt who graduated with Kris at Hopkins High School. Speaking of Hopkins, Kris wondered where Dale Sulander and Harry Dinwiddie were after 35 years?

Sandy Silrum Eberhardt (haleb@aol.com) is working in oral surgery and enjoying being a part-time grandma.

Cheryl Kramer Vinson (cherylvins@aol.com) currently is on medical leave of absence from her duties as a nurse for the Robbinsdale Cooper High School. She is providing day care for her grandson.

Mary Lock Palm (vervain9@aol.com) is an education coordinator for Innova Health Systems and wedding planner for her daughter's upcoming wedding.

Naomi Baker Rothrock (naomibaker@comcast.net) is an oncology infusion nurse at Fairfax Northern Virginia.

Maryann Pommeranz Kaul (maryannkaul@cableone.net) is working full-time in psychology and substance abuse.

Julie Biehl Paschke (juliepschk@aol.com) works as a group program coordinator at HCMC, Inpatient Psychiatry.

Janet Quarn (j.quarn@comcast.net) is a nurse practitioner in the geriatric division at Regions Hospital/Health Partners.

Judy Opheim Schwakopf (jschwakopf@kc.rr.com), is an education coordinator at Carondolet Health, in Kansas City, MO.

Kitty Maahs Breitenbach (glb50@aol.com) is a school nurse at Woodcrest Elementary.

JanaLee Sponberg, Ph.D. (jlsponberg@earthlink.net) has retired and loving life.

Talking about retirement, we've heard through the grapevine that more of our classmates have graduated to this stage...Dawn Nelson, Holly Biebel Pierce, Cherry Norberg Marcelius, Marg Eisinger, Cheryl Braunworth Carlson and we're sure many more, let us know...

Carol Palmquist Grimmer (jgshang@prairielakes.com), retired but still working??????

Ingrid Wilson Molde (imolde@gac.edu) (addressing this to Ingrid may go though Al so careful what you say) is a 4th grade teacher at Monroe Elementary in North Mankato. Ingrid follows LOTS of Gustie athletics thanks to the athletic director, Al '66.

Dick and Karen (Monson) Peterson (dick.peterson@meritide.com). Karen is teaching in the St. Paul School District and Pete loving life to the fullest!!!

Doug Scheunemann (dhscheun@aol.com), a life in mortgage banking.

Jack and Ruth (Johns '69) Niemi (jackniemi@aol.com), the Niemi's are at home in Eden Prairie but back on the Hill with Jack's responsibilities as vice president of Church Relations at Gustavus.

Jerry and Nancy Okerman (okerman@sotatec.com) is CEO/president for Sota Tec.

Barb Veker Elnes is still substitute teaching in the Hopkins and Edina school districts and loving it. No grandkids yet, but a new puppy, Hans Veker Elnes, keeping her busy when not working. "Wished more of the "O.F.C's" would have been here tonight!"

Barb Rhinehart Cameron (cameron@chaska.k12.mn.us), administrator at Chaska High School, as assistant principal.

Barbi Gray Wenchschlag (bwenschlag@prbackus.k12.mn.us), teaching K-6 art in Pine River. Summers working at Grandview's, The Pines golf course and she invites us all to come up in the summer and golf with her!

Connie Bohn Edwards (cedwards@detlakes.k12.mn.us), teaching elementary school in Detroit Lakes and loving it everyday and glad to BE ALIVE!!!

Some additional notes from some of our classmates that weren't at the reunion but were good to pass along some information that wasn't included in the Fall Quarterly...

Bruce and Jean (Brittany '67) Gross are still in Windom and are proud grandparents of two; Teegan Brittany Jass born on 2/15/02 to Krista (Gross '92) and Darrin '89 Jass and Bruce Alexander Gross born to Brett '96 and Linda Gross on 4/25/02.

Lynn Harter Kelley retired this June from her position as executive director of student affairs at Cherry Creek Schools in Denver.

Chris Swaggert retires as Dean of students in the Dassel-Cokato School District after 34 years in education.

Rev. Dr. Joel and Dr. Donna (Davies '67) Bexell. Joel is senior pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove and Donna is an English teacher at Tartan High School in Oakdale. The Bexell's are proud grandparents of twin boys born in June 2003.

Bobette Woehler Schauer is retiring from teaching music in the Arlington-Green Isle School District.

We took a moment to remember classmates that have passed away since our graduation and we would like to remember them now…

Can't let this opportunity pass without thanking all of you that have the Alumni Fund in your budgets. As a class last year we contributed over $43,000 dollars with 164 donors. The goal for 2003-2004 Fund is to have 186 donors!

Fall Phonorama is October 12-16 and 19-23 at the Minnesota Valley Country Club, 6300 Auto Club Road in Bloomington. If you have a free evening please stop by!!!!

John and Kris (Lundberg) Moorhead (klmoorhead@aol.com)

Paula Navarro (afton.alps@juno.com)

P.S. One more thing before we close…we are looking for a "guest" letter writer for the winter Class Letter due out in January so sign up NOW!!!! If this doesn't appeal to you because you'd like to be the Class Agent…we'll talk, just let us know!!!!!!

P.S.S. Now the Alumni Office will add some campus news here:

College opens 142nd Academic Year -- More than 700 new students, including transfer students and international students, joined the Gustavus community this fall, keeping the total student population around 2,515. The retention rate of students from the first to second year remains at 90 percent. These students will be taught by 198 full-time and 55 part-time faculty. Gustavus was again ranked in the top third of the 214 national liberal arts colleges by the U.S. News and World Report.

The Alumni Fund Turns 50 -- On June 30, 1954, the first Alumni Fund officially closed with 1,204 donors (32 percent) and $26,013, under the direction of the executive committee of Dr. Hobart Johnson '21, Dr. Edgar Carlson '31, The Rev. J. Millard Ahlstrom '34, and Ren Anderson '34. Dollars and donors continued to grow and, under the leadership of Cec Eckhoff '56, alumni participation continually exceeded 50% each year, making Gustavus a national leader recognized with 17 national awards. Alumni contacting alumni has been the hallmark of success; we depend on Phonorama volunteers to make the difference. Help the alumni fund again reach over 50% participation by contributing before May 31, 2004, or by volunteering to make calls during Phonorama, October 12-16 and 19-23. Do your best to participate in the Alumni Fund to continue the Gustavus tradition of strong alumni support and return the College to national recognition.

Sculptor Paul Granlund '52 dies -- Paul Granlund died on September 15, 2003, the same day his exhibit Retrospective opened as scheduled in the Hillstrom Museum of Art on the Gustavus campus. He was sculptor-in-residence at Gustavus from 1971-1996. His figurative bronze sculptures are found in private collections and public installations nationally and internationally, including 30 bronze works on the Gustavus campus. Retrospective will be displayed until November 9.

Alumni Board members selected -- Seven alumni have been selected to serve a three-year term on the Alumni Board. They are Liesl Batz '90, Minneapolis, senior vice president and director of marketing, Lakeside Investment Partners; Jan Eiffert Hoomani '62, Raleigh, NC, Realtor, JB Realty; Jim Malmquist '53, Scandia, MN, retired athletics director, Gustavus; Jan Ledin Michaletz '74, Edina, volunteer/homemaker. Incumbents to serve a second term include Vivian Foyou '02, Mankato, graduate student, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Jason Sawyer '93, Plymouth, vice president, Cronin & Co.; and Dan Currell '94, Alexandria, VA, director of corporate leadership council, Corporate Executive Board.

2003 Hall of Fame inductees -- Nine individuals were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on September 27. Inductees were Val Flom Ashland '87 (volleyball), Wendy Ericksen Bachman '87 (soccer), Karen Ahlstrom Bishop '86 (gymnastics), Jay Coatta '87 (basketball and golf), Marv Gunderson '53 (football), Jim Hearn '81 (tennis), Dave Najarian '82 (football), Betty Wannarka Ringeisen '84 (basketball and track and field), and Larry Shelhamer '76 (soccer).

Gustavus Finishes sixth in Director's Cup -- Gustavus finished sixth out of 395 Division III institutions for the 2002-03 Director's Cup announced recently by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The only all-sports competition in intercollegiate athletics, the award honors four-year institutions with the best overall athletic programs. Last year Gustavus placed 10^th.

Chapel Program -- The Gustavus Chapel program is one of the strongest in higher education averaging 350 students attending Daily Chapel. In addition, there are many student-led programs including: Apprentice - students who are interested in being part of ministry and open to see where the Spirit might be leading; Christ Chapel Volunteers - assist in the ministry of Christ Chapel by ushering, carrying the cross and candles, reading lessons, writing and/or reading prayers, and serving as assisting ministers; Community Service Center Programs - one-time and on-going service programs; Fellowship of Christian Athletes - athlete or not, time for fellowship, worship, speakers, service projects and mission trips; Gustavus Youth Outreach - committed to sharing the Gospel and providing opportunities to serve by participating in off-campus youth ministry; Habitat For Humanity/Spring Break Work Trips - Habitat works locally and Spring Break Work Trip nationally to fundraise for and build affordable housing; Jewish Organization of Gustavus - for students, faculty and staff who were either Jewish or interested in the Jewish faith; Newman Center - dedicated to building a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith; Prepare - build a new generation of believers through mentors, mission trips, Bible study, prayer and worship; Proclaim - Bible-based contemporary worship and teaching; Taizé - a contemplative worship service of music, prayer, readings and silence; Wednesday Friends -- visits St. Peter Regional Treatment Center residents weekly.

Don't miss A Royal Affair . . . pa rum pum pum pum - Gustavus Library Associates is presenting their biennial benefit for our College's Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library on Saturday, November 15, at the Radisson Hotel South in Bloomington, Minnesota. If you have names for invitations (reservations are due by October 31), an auction item to donate (no later than October 15 please), volunteer time to offer, or if you wish to contribute financially to help defray expenses, we welcome your call today; Marty Penkhus, 507/388.5474 and Susan Wilcox, 952/944.5972, Co-Chairs.

Upcoming Events -- call the Alumni Office at 800/487-8437

Charlotte, NC, Gustavus Gathering - October 18

Phonorama -- October 12-16 and 19-23, Minnesota Valley Country Club, Bloomington

Our Story Conference, The Growing Gender Gap in the African American

Community -- October 24-25, Campus

Reformation Festival featuring the Gustavus Choir, Central Lutheran Church,

Minneapolis -- October 25

JFK Assassination 40 Years Later, presented by David Jones '83 and Political

Science Professor Chris Gilbert at Minnesota Valley Country Club, Bloomington-- November 4

A Royal Affair, benefit sponsored by Gustavus Library Associates in the Twin

Cities -- November 15

1968 Class Letter

Paul Raedeke