Class of 1973

July 2005

Dear Classmates and Friends,

This will be my last class letter. I’ve been your class agent, writing to you and talking to you during Phonorama for well over 10 years. Probably closer to 15. But now life is leading me in new directions, and it seems wise to follow. Last January, I decided to work only four days a week. On Friday, I go to my neighborhood elementary school, grades K-2. I’m helping ESL kids improve their reading skills. My caseload so far has been made up of Hispanic kids. They all seem to love pepperoni pizza and soccer. Reading with them is very rewarding, especially when I see a light go on for one of them. Some of them prefer to read to me in Spanish. Huevos Verdes Con Jamon is a really fun book. I actually purchased a copy so I can work on my pronunciation and fluency. I learned a little Spanish in summer school, between sixth and seventh grades. Reading with the kids in Spanish, and trying to learn some Spanish myself, helps me to better understand and empathize with learning a second language. It has also become abundantly clear to me that being able to read the words does not guarantee understanding. When I return in the fall, I will be more vigilant in testing for understanding.

You may still see me at reunions, GIVE activities and the Nobel Conference. Thanks to all of you for your support and for sending emails to me. Being a class agent has been a great way to get to know many of you better. If anyone of you is interested in being a class agent, even if only for a few years, I’m sure Randall Stuckey in the Alumni Office will be very happy to hear from you.

Here’s the news:

OK Marcia-here's our news: Ivy has been chief legal officer for the Hazelden Foundation in Center City since January, 2004; Mark ’71 continues as city manager in Bloomington, (where we’ve lived since shortly after he became city manager in 1990). Our kids are Andy ’06, a second class (same as a junior in college) midshipman at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and Jenna, a freshman at Carleton College (yes, I did say Carleton!) in Northfield. We are adjusting to empty-nesthood. I continue to sing with the Minnesota Chorale, the principal chorus for the Minnesota Orchestra. In his spare moments, Mark bikes around the Twin Cities. ~Ivy Schutz Bernhardson (11/04)

I know there were about three or four other news items mailed to me, but I’m unable to locate them. Probably others were mailed to January’s guest writer, but I don’t know where those are either. Please accept my apologies. I have no good excuses. It appears that I “quit” being a class agent some time before actually notifying anyone. As always, your support of Gustavus is appreciated.

That’s all for now.

Sincerely,

Marcia Stephens