5-Year
Class of 2003
Reunion dates ― October 3 & 4, 2008
January 2008
Dear Class of ’03,
Of all the decisions I’ve made over my academic career, I’m beginning to think re-applying for grad school was one of the best and yet least thought-out decisions I’ve made. Higher degree? Check! Passionate discussions about health care, politics, and social justice? Check! Thirty-page papers? …Wait, what?!
That being said, like many of you, I’m back in grad
school. I’m enrolled in the public
health administration and policy masters program at the
Aside from feeding a passion for social justice issues, Gustavus has certainly laid a foundation for my studies in public health. I feel prepared for the rigorous grad school academic setting (even after four years off), I feel as though my writing ability is still at a pretty high level, and I guess I have a reputation for bringing the pain when it comes to health care debates. You can bet that’s a direct result of late-night discussions on all things political over at Nate Kennedy, Drew Hasty, and Eric Parrish’s Arborview apartment during senior year!
In the end, though, my best memories of Gustavus don’t come solely from my academic experience—they come from my heart: Late-night Taizé services in Christ Chapel, locking arm in arm with fellow choir members to sing the Circle Song, midnight Mankato runs with Paulie Biederman and Dan Roeder, all-night Halo marathons with housemates Brian Collins, his [now] wife Debbie, Josh Whitver, Justin Caldwell, Ben Kooiker, and Annie Johnson Selander. Each of you has these funny, quirky, perfect memories, and I encourage you to foster them in future Gusties by contributing to the Gustavus Fund, or becoming a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society like I did. Yep, giving to Gustavus means so much to us that my fiancé and I have pledged to give every year for the rest of our lives.
Best wishes for a peaceful, inspiring, and safe spring. Watch out for those snow emergencies. Me, I’m off to pack for a short
Allie
Hawley
2003 Guest Letter Writer
Before we leap into the classmate info, here is a very
important announcement about Erika Royer. Erika has had some fairly serious health
issues throughout the past year, and some fellow Gusties are hosting a benefit
for her in Minneapolis on January 26th. You can find out more information at Erika’s
Also, we have one correction from last month’s letter. Becca
Anderson, not Becca Bosen Anderson, graduated
from the
Classmate Updates (in alphabetical order)
Morgan Barkus is
attending grad school at
Nicholas Brase is
living in
Britt Brown is now married and living in Sweden.
Katie Pelleymounter married
Andrew Carlson on
Anndi Daleske is
attending grad school at
Cindy Miller Erkel is working as a bookkeeper for Soderlund Village Drug.
Joe Erickson is a senior accountant for Health Partners.
Jack Evans is working for Weld Riley Prenn Ricci.
Jody Anderson was
married to Philip Gabler on
Gina Johnson was married to Casey Garven in October 2007.
Kyle Hall is
living in
Diana Hamilton works for the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis as a youth law project attorney.
Elizabeth Jensen is working for Land Title, Inc.
Nathan Kennedy is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota.
Julie Langenfeld is a health and physical education teacher for Medford Public Schools.
Emily Johnson Mamun is a product marketing specialist for United Healthcare.
John and Katie Mueller had a son, Noah James Mueller,
on
Kallie Lundmark married
Benjamin Norton on
Andrew Odden is a
medical student in the
Alicia Jacobs married
Thomas Osthus ’04 on
Katie Josephson Ploog works for Taylor Strategic Accounts and lives in Mankato.
Anna Pouliot is a teacher at the Middle School in North Branch, MN, and is now a JV cross country coach there as well.
Jake Sand
recently completed coursework for membership in the
Tom Scott with
Edina Realty was nominated for the third year in a row for the “Super Real
Estate Agent” award by Minneapolis/St.
Paul Magazine.
Sarah Splinter is a police officer with the New Ulm Police Department. She is the School Resource Officer/Patrol Officer.
Jennifer Thingvold is
living in
Jenny Thomas is a teacher in Shakopee Public Schools, and completed her master’s in education from St. Mary’s University in June 2006.
Amy Tillges is a project manager for Martin Williams.
Erin Tousley is
an administrator and care supervisor with MillBrook Homes in
Andrew and Michelle (Welshons) Traetow had their
first child, Norah Ann, on
Jen Hill Trundle owns a day care/preschool, and lives in Queen Creek, AZ.
Matthew and Kara (Wachlarowicz
’01) Wallace had a baby boy,
Benjamin James, on
Anne Wenstrom is living and working in Singapore.
Jennifer Wood is
a special education paraprofessional in the
Brandon Wright graduated
from law school and is now a judicial law clerk in the 8th
Campus News
Alumni Insurance Programs
The Alumni Association sponsors insurance products for alumni, spouses, children, and parents. Products include life insurance, auto, home and renters insurance, and short-term medical insurance to fill temporary needs of new alumni without insurance after graduation and others who may have gaps due to unemployment. For information about life and short-term medical insurance, call 800-635-7801. For information about auto, home, and renters insurance, call: 800-524-9400, (800-328-0705, ext. 552 in the Greater Twin Cities area).
Gustavus Music Showcase
The three international touring music ensembles at Gustavus Adolphus College — The Gustavus Choir, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra — will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Tickets for the concert are on sale through the Orchestra Hall box office and may be purchased in-person, online at: www.minnesotaorchestra.org/boxoffice/, and via fax or phone at 612-371-5656. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children ages 6-18 and current Gustavus students with a valid I.D.
College Relations
blog
Gustavus College Relations staff has introduced a new blog
that will offer commentary and news on a variety of topics pertinent to the campus
community as well as some photography, video, and audio content. During the month of January the blog will
feature the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra’s
Upcoming Alumni
Events
Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast - Jan. 16
Gustavus Gathering in Phoenix/Sun City, AZ - Jan. 21
Gustavus Gathering in
Winter Reunion Committee Retreat,
For more information on alumni events, go to: gustavus.edu/alumni/events