1993 Class Letter
Gustavus Adolphus
College gustavus.edu alumni@gustavus.edu
April 2004
Greetings Class of 1993!
First, let me apologize for the absence of the winter letter. I have no excuse, so I won't offer one! However, for this letter I have my first guest writer in about 5 years, so I know everyone will be happy to hear from someone other than me for a change. C.J. Turner has graciously offered to write about his son, Lincoln, so without further adieu here is C.J.
For those of you who don't know where I am at these days, I am married and live in Tampa, FL. My wife Michelle and I are the proud parents of two sons, Lincoln Joseph and Grayson McKay. Our first son, Lincoln, was born on September 5, 2001. While Lincoln's birth was an obvious blessing, it also brought something into our lives that we had not expected; Lincoln was born with Down's Syndrome. Down's Syndrome, if you are not all aware, is linked to mild to severe learning and physical disabilities in those that it afflicts. In addition, there are many common physical characteristics that are attached to Down's Syndrome, although these may vary from child to child. Low muscle tone and almond shaped eyes tend to be the most common.
Down's Syndrome is linked to a
chromosomal dysfunction during the fertilization stage. Instead of the chromosomes from both the man
and woman splitting and one each going towards the child, in Lincoln's case,
two came from one parent and one from another causing three chromosomes on the
21st Strand of DNA. Down's
Syndrome is also referred to in Lincoln's condition as TriSomy 21.
The percentages of women above the
age of 35 who have children are at higher risk of having children with Down's
Syndrome. However, what most people
aren't aware of is that the average age for Down's Syndrome mothers is still
around 27 years. This often comes as a
surprise to couples that feel rushed to have children due to higher risk
births. The reality is that young
couples too may also have children with chromosome disorders.
Lincoln's quality of life and
prognosis are great, but there other difficult challenges that go along with
Down's Syndrome. Often times heart
problems are prevalent as well as the possibility of Alzheimer's Disease. However, many children, once through the
initial medical challenges, can live long and productive lives. The quality of life and level of
intelligence varies from one child to the next. We have yet to meet two children with Down's Syndrome who have
been afflicted in the exact same way.
Lincoln was enrolled in a special
daycare from the time that he was nine months old. It is an "inclusion" program, which simply means that
there are children with disabilities sprinkled into the classroom. The great part about a program such as this
is that the learning disabled children seem to strive for higher goals set by
their peers. In addition, the peer
group learns to become accustomed to having children with special needs in
their classroom and in their everyday lives.
The daycare allowed Lincoln to receive his daily therapies while keeping
him involved with the class curriculum.
Lincoln receives seven therapies a week including speech/oral motor
therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. The individuals who work with Lincoln are a blessing in our lives
and we don't know what we would do without them. Lincoln thinks otherwise and often times will cry when they walk
into the room knowing what is in store for him for the next hour. By the end of the sessions however, Lincoln
is smiling from ear to ear.
Lincoln will begin Pre-K in
September and it is hard to believe that he is already almost three. He will attend a regular Pre-K school two
years ahead of most other kids his age.
This will allow for him to get adjusted to the routine of school while
also allowing him to receive his therapies outside the home. We have found therapy outside the home to be
much more productive as Lincoln has a tendency to slip into his own
"routines" at home.
My wife and I have found out a
tremendous amount about our faith and love for one another through our son
Lincoln. He has taught us that
everything that happens in this life is for a reason. Similarly to all children, he has taught us to look at life with
a sense of humor and wonder. My wife
continues to amaze me everyday with her steadfast approach to Lincoln's
education and quality of life. We have
worked together to ensure that Lincoln will have all of the things that he can
achieve in life. Sometimes it seems
very overwhelming. However, the network
of support that we have received from family, friends and groups such as Ups
With Down's keep us upbeat and motivated.
Our second son, Grayson, was born July 26, 2003. He is completely healthy, and we are very
excited to have a little brother for Lincoln to create some friendly
competition in the house. We have heard
that siblings are very good for children with learning disabilities.
If you have any questions about
Down's Syndrome, or just want to catch up, please feel free to contact me at:
CJ and Michelle Turner
15409 Sir Maxwell Court
Odessa, FL 33556
813/926-2384
CJ, thank you so much for sharing your story. I know everyone will be very interested in hearing about your situation.
Okay, this wouldn't be a class letter without some Gustavus Fund information, as well as some class gossip, so don't let me disappoint. First, let me remind you that last year we surpassed our goal with 132 donors. Our goal this year is 203 donors, and while we are doing great with 128 donors, we have a way to go if we wish to reach our goal again. Please, if you haven't sent in a donation already, contact the Alumni Office at alumni@gustavus.edu, or call 800-487-8437. Phonorama has started and runs April 25-29. You may pledge your donation at that time if you wish. And if you wish to participate in Phonorama, please contact the Alumni Office. Anything you can do to help raise money for the Alumni Fund will be greatly appreciated!
I know you are all hungry for news since this is so late, so here you go.
Weddings
Sharon Hanifl to Michael Lee on September 27, 2003.
Stephani Hillman to Scott Abramson on October 25, 2003.
Kris Kolvig to Todd Prokopec on August 30, 2003.
Kara Moller to Matt Russo on February 28, 2003.
Births (and lots of them
.)
Karin Anderson Foss and husband, Jim, welcomed son, Alexander Donald, on September 30, 2003.
Cherrish Arganbright Holland and Matt Holland welcomed son, Wolzen David, on April 5, 2003.
Jennifer Bowden Brickley and husband, Vince, welcomed daughter, Evelyn Grace, on September 3, 2003.
Erik Bowman and wife, Peta, welcomed daughter, Ella
Grace, on October 24, 2003.
Steve Cone and wife, Lisa (Decker '92), welcomed daughter, Madelyn Jean, on September 23, 2003. She joins big sister, Emma, and big brother, Ryan.
Danielle Dahlstrom Coughlin and husband, Kevin, welcomed son, Aidan Dahlstrom, on December 6, 2003.
Jeff Erickson and wife, Alana (Gustafson '97), welcomed daughter, Emilia, on January 30, 2004.
Lauri Gates
Robinson and husband, Mark, welcomed daughter, Betsy Joy, on
October 8, 2003.
Wendy Gilland Vedeen and husband, Erick, welcomed daughter, Lauren Olivia, on February 10, 2004.
Kristin Hagerty VanBlarcom and Andy VanBlarcom welcomed daughter, Teagan Grace, in November 2003.
Bryan Haines and wife, Michelle, welcomed son, Samuel Charles, on October 2, 2003.
Dawn Hanson McArthur and husband, Charlton, welcomed son, Charlton Hanson, on November 3, 2003.
Kim Harrold Campen and husband, Steven, welcomed son, Nathaniel Steven, on November 11, 2003.
Kris Haukoos Voeltz and husband, Chris, welcomed daughter, Molly Nadine, on April 12, 2004.
Jamie Jerdee and wife, Ann, welcomed daughter, Ella,
on July 28, 2003.
Jessica Kirtz Organ and husband, Ken'92, welcomed son, Alexander Kenneth, on October 15, 2003.
Jill Krautkremer Keddy and husband, Matt, welcomed daughter, Taylor Jane, on February 17, 2004.
Jenny Miller Bouchet and husband, Michael, have welcomed their third child, daughter Joy.
Brent Newman and wife, Michelle '96, welcomed daughter, Bailey Noelle, on September 13, 2003.
Mike Nordberg and wife, Dana, welcomed son, Caden Michael, on September 15, 2003.
Wendy Olson Myer and husband, Rodney, welcomed son, Abraham, in May 2003.
Dawn Parmley Hudnutt was expecting her second child on November 14, 2003. Dawn, don't forget to tell us what you had!!!
Erica Pye Marston and husband, John, welcomed son, Nicholas Theodore, on March 26, 2003.
Boni Olsen Berndt and Yuri Berndt '92, welcomed daughter, Linnea, on February 12, 2004.
Career News
Danielle Dahlstrom Coughlin is a software consultant
for COGNOS, Inc.
Steve "Eller" Erlandson is the property
manager for Four Seasons Lodging, Inc.
Kirstin Erickson Mohr is enrolled in the MSA-Administration program at Central Michigan University. Her concentration is human resources.
Erik Jelinek is a pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran
Church in Beloit, WI.
Jamie Jerdee is the wellness coordinator at Abbott Northwestern Center for Outpatient
Care.
Gretchen Kittelson Jerva is the assistant director,
technology, in the Department of Annual Giving at the University of Michigan.
Janeen Laatsch works for the Natural Heritage Program
in Madison, WI.
Krisha Nielsen Crabtree is a self-employed massage therapist, and also teaches rehabilitative medical massage at Center Point School.
Lori Pingatore earned her master's of science degree in education studies, literary specialist. Lori teaches remedial reading and English at New Ulm Senior High and occasionally teaches as an adjunct instructor of reading at MNSU, Mankato.
Greg Trebil received his MBA from St. Thomas University in December 2003.
Michael Weber is a freelance photographer in New York City.
Campus News
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.
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
Cec
Eckhoff Society Reception May 1
Commencement
May 30
Alumni
Fund closes May 31
Class
reunions on Homecoming & Family Weekend October 1 & 2
That's all I have for now. I would like to extend a huge thanks to C.J. Turner for sharing his personal story. If anyone else would like to volunteer to write their story, please let me know. If you have any news to share, please contact the Gustavus Alumni Office at alumni@gustavus.edu, or me at Kristen.Lamont@Genmills.com. Have a wonderful spring and don't forget to send your donations to the Alumni Fund!
Sincerely,
Kristen Lamont
Class Agent '93