Class of 1993

February 2006

Greetings Class of 1993!

The guest letter portion written by Kirstin Sersland Beach was removed from this letter by request because of personal information that was not appropriate for the internet.

Babies, we have a few to report, as well as some career news, so here it is:

Babies

Susan Almen-Whittaker and husband, Matt, welcomed son, Erik, on May 20, 2005.

Megan Briggs Speers and husband, Steve, welcomed daughter, Annabelle Louise, on December 13, 2005.  She joins big sister, Lucy.

Stephanie Hillman Abramson and husband, Scott, welcomed son, Samuel, on July 16, 2005.

Heather Hoglund Elliot and husband, Doug, welcomed daughter, Meg, on February 28, 2005.

Jessica Kirtz Organ and husband, Ken ’92, welcomed daughter, Katherine, on September 9, 2005.

Rebecca Lemcke Thompson and husband, Rob, welcomed their second daughter, Brooke Soleil, on November 11, 2005.  She joins big sister Kylie Grace, age 2.

Nathan Lind and wife, Krista, welcomed daughter, Madeline, in 2005.

Kelly Morse Nowicki and husband, Jeff, welcomed daughter, Jordan, on July 25, 2005.

Marc Pera and wife, Jennifer (Deye ’94), welcomed son, Matthew, on August 6, 2005.  He joins big sister, Abby, and big brother, Jacob.

Carrie Schafer and Jason Barnett welcomed son, Gavin, on March 30, 2005.

Jeff Stang and wife, Lisa, welcomed daughter, Eleanor, on November 16, 2004.

Andy Voorhees and wife, Gretchen, welcomed daughter, Margeaux, on August 12, 2005.

Kate Walker and husband, Bjorn Westgard, welcomed son, Erik, on July 2, 2005.

Careers

Craig Anderson is a mortgage consultant with Northwest Mortgage in Bloomington, MN and recently earned his Minnesota Mortgage Specialist designation.

Kim Bowar Kruger was presented the honor of “Family Practitioner and Resident Teacher of the Year” award from the Duluth Family Practice Residency Program.

Andy Goodger has accepted a position at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School as the band director.

Lee Kruger completed his master’s of education from Hamline and is now teaching economics and history at Duluth East High School.

Rebecca Lemcke Thompson is human resources manager at Best Buy Co., Inc.

Kris Odegaard Tlapa is a stay-at-home mom living in Hawaii.

Andy Voorhees is pursuing his MBA at Carlson School of Management.

Eric Wood is assistant pastor at Our Savior Lutheran in Carbondale, IL.

Penny Worsech is a primary care provider at the Montevideo VA Community-Based Out-Patient Clinic.

Before we wish you a wonderful spring, we would like to remind you to make your contributions to The Gustavus Alumni Fund.  If you would like to make your contribution now you may do so on-line at: gustavus.edu/giving/, or call 800-487-8437.  If you have any news to share, please contact the Gustavus Alumni Office at:  alumni@gustavus.edu, 1993classagent@gustavus.edu or you can reach one of your class agents at: canderson@northwestmtg.com or kristen.lamont@genmills.com.  Have a great spring and don’t forget to send your donations to the Alumni Fund!

Sincerely,

Craig Anderson and Kristen Lamont

1993 Co-class Agents

P. S.  We’ll have the Alumni Office add some campus news here:

Study Abroad Leader

Gustavus continues to be a leading institution for the number of students studying abroad, according to an annual ranking recently released by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  Consistent with its mission of giving students an education that is international in perspective, Gustavus was ranked seventh in the "Top 20 Baccalaureate Institutions" list of the institute’s "Open Doors 2005" report.  Gustavus was one of four Minnesota private colleges to make the list of 20.  The report was based on study abroad statistics from the 2003-04 academic year.  Gustavus students engage in international learning through various programs in more than 100 locations throughout the world, ranging from Australia to India and Ecuador to Sweden.  In recent years, 50 percent of Gustavus graduates have participated in at least one study-abroad experience.

New Carnegie Classification for Colleges and Universities

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a new classification system for institutions of higher education.  Gustavus’ classification is Arts & Sciences plus Professions, indicating that 60 to 80 percent of Gustavus students complete a traditional liberal arts major, such as political science, classics, or biology.  The new classifications describe five aspects of colleges and universities: instructional programs, enrollment profile, undergraduate demographics, size, and setting.  Undergraduate instructional programs are now designated as Arts & Sciences Focus, Arts & Sciences plus Professions, Balanced Arts & Sciences and Professions, Professions plus Arts & Sciences, or Professions Focus. 

Insurance Programs

The Alumni Association, in partnership with Meyer and Associates and Liberty Mutual, offers an insurance program to alumni and their families.  Products include insurance policies for life, short-term medical, auto, home, and renters.  For life and short-term medical insurance call Meyer and Associates at 800-635-7801 or visit www.meyerandassoc.com.  For auto, home, and renters insurance call Liberty Mutual at 800-524-9400 or visit www.libertymutual.com/lm/gustavus.

Gustavus to Perform at Orchestra Hall

The Gustavus Music Showcase will be Sunday, March 12, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.  The Gustavus Choir, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and Gustavus Wind Orchestra will perform.  This is a unique opportunity to hear three premier ensembles from Gustavus in one concert.  This showcase also allows prospective students, parents, and alumni from the area to meet and connect.  For tickets, call the Orchestra Hall box office at 800/292-4141.  Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $10 for students 18 and under.

Athletics

Two big stories from the fall sports are that Hailey Harren won the national NCAA Division III cross country title and the men’s soccer team became the first MIAC school to play in the national championship game and finished second, losing 1-0 to defending national champion Messiah.  For the second consecutive year, men's soccer coach Larry Zelenz has been named Coach of the Year in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas NCAA Division III West Region.  The men's hockey team is unbeaten in conference play, outscoring their opponents 28-5 in four games.

Upcoming Music Tours

This year nearly 300 students participated in music tours as members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, and Choir of Christ Chapel.  The Gustavus Wind Orchestra toured Eastern Europe Jan. 14-30.  Performances were scheduled for Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria.  The Gustavus Choir toured Jan. 27-Feb. 11, with performances in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, and Choir of Christ Chapel will tour during Spring Semester.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Gustavus Music Showcase at Orchestra Hall - March 12

Atlanta, GA Gustie Gathering - March 26