Wayne State
College
Magazine for alumni and friends
Summer 2013
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Read about
a few of our
outstanding
professors...
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in this issue . . .
3
President's Message
4-6
Spring Commencement
7-9
Campus News
10-18 Why We Teach
20-22 Wildcat Athletics
23-27 Alumni Notes
25
Wayne State Magazine is
published semiannually for
alumni and friends of
Wayne State College.
The magazine is funded by
the Wayne State Foundation.
Comments and letters
should be mailed to:
Wayne State Foundation,
Wayne State College,
1111 Main Street,
Wayne, Nebraska 68787
Des Moines, Kansas
City, and San Antonio
Reunions
Administration
Wayne State Foundation Staff
Editorial Staff
Curt Frye
President
Deb Lundahl - 402-375-7209
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Jay Collier
Director of College Relations
Dr. Michael Anderson
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kevin Armstrong - 402-375-7534
Director of Planned Giving
Trudy Muir
Graphic Design Artist
Dr. Jeff Carstens
Vice President and Dean of Student Life
Sue Jammer - 402-375-7559
Controller
Angie Steffen
Writer, Photographer
Phyllis Conner - 402-375-7543
Vice President for Development
and Executive Director
of the Wayne State Foundation
Carol Stephens - 402-375-7510
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Tessa Moser
College Relations Intern
Jean Dale
Vice President
for Administration and Finance
Cathleen Hansen - 402-375-7526
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Lori Bebee
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President's
Message
Curt Frye
T
eaching forms the core of everything we do at Wayne State College. My career in education began in 1969
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at Neligh-Oakdale and then Wayne High. Eleven years later, I joined Wayne State. During those years I
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Wayne State boasts too many great teachers to possibly contain in an issue of this magazine. Instead, the following
pages contain thoughts from nine faculty members that reveal a great deal about teaching at Wayne State. I believe
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why we teach.
Wayne State also takes a great amount of pride in providing teachers and students with the tools they need to be
successful. Conn Library, predictably, is one of the most important resources on campus. The college's library building
dates from 1956, when the original Conn Library opened, and from 1970, when the addition to the south opened.
While the library has been well maintained during the past 40 years, and while it has accommodated enrollment
growth especially between the mid-1950s and 1970, sweeping changes in technology, and recent innovations such as
Jitters coffee shop and the Nordstrand Art Gallery, it is fundamentally the same building as existed in 1970.
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meetings, emerged from a month of focused deliberations by the U.S. Conn Library Planning Steering Committee.
Besides a full renovation of the facility, the college intends for the library to have a deep effect on student learning and
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One of the important transformations envisioned by the library steering committee involves strengthening
collaboration between library staff and the college's faculty and students. This will necessitate a shift from seeing the
library as a passive resource to recognizing library staff and resources as partners in instruction.
Broad conversations with students, classroom faculty, department heads and deans, and with librarians, information
technology staff, and student services personnel, all pointed to expanding and renovating physical library space and
programmatic activities that will reposition the library in the academic culture of the college.
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legislature has appropriated funds for the project in recognition of its value to the college and community. But the
project still needs the support of generous alumni and friends to secure the funds needed to close the gap between the
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This renovation project provides the college, in the words of the steering committee, the once-in-a-generation
opportunity to strongly align change in teaching and learning with change in the library. I ask each of you to consider
making a designated gift in support of the library project to allow the college to seize this opportunity to dramatically
improve this important resource for our students. Thank you.
commencement
8BZOF
State Spring
Commencement
Brandon Foote
Wayne State held commencement May 4
in Rice Auditorium. A total of 448 degrees -354 undergraduates and 94 graduate degrees
-- were conferred at the ceremonies by Wayne
State President Curt Frye. Nebraska State
Senator Greg Adams, speaker of the Nebraska
legislature and a 1974 graduate of Wayne
State College, delivered the commencement
address at the undergraduate ceremony.
Graduate Commencement Address
Brandon Foote, husband of Staci Foote
and the son of Brian and Tammy Foote,
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graduate ceremony. Foote, who graduated
with his master's degree in organizational
management with an emphasis in sport
management, earned his bachelor's degree at
Wayne State in 2011.
Foote has served as a graduate assistant
for the Wayne State sports information
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included helping create all of the media
guides for the various sports at Wayne State,
while also updating the website with stories,
photo galleries and press releases. Foote also
entered live stats for the website at all home
games along with numerous other tasks and
responsibilities.
Graduate Commencement Address
Kimberly Hix, wife of Ryan Hix and
daughter of Jim and Terri Vrooman, delivered
the second of two addresses at the graduate
ceremony. Hix received her master's degree
in curriculum and instruction. She graduated
from Wayne State in the winter of 2008
with her bachelor of science in elementary
education with an endorsement in early
childhood development.
Hix teaches fourth grade at Wayne
Elementary School and has two children,
Elizabeth and Benjamin.
Undergraduate Invocation
Alexis Sieh delivered the invocation
at the undergraduate ceremony. She is the
daughter of Mike and Shellie Sieh of Stanton,
Neb. Alexis graduated as valedictorian
from Stanton Community Schools in 2009
and studied chemistry health science with a
Preparing for Wayne State's graduate commencement
ceremoney are (l-r) Emily Christen of Anselmo, master
of science in education degree in curriculum and
instruction; Brandon Foote of Wayne, master's degree
in organizational management with an emphasis
in sport management; and Kyle Martinez of Fort
Wayne, Ind., master's degree in exercise science.
Christen served as a graduate assistant coach with
the Wayne State College women's basketball program.
Foote delivered one of two addresses at the graduate
ceremony. Foote attained his bachelor's degree at
Wayne State in 2011 and served as a graduate assistant
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past two years. Martinez was a WSC graduate assistant
in athletic training during the past two years.
4
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
Kimberly Hix
Alexis Sieh
minor in biology at Wayne State College.
She has been on the Dean's List with a 4.0
GPA all four years, is a Board of Trustees
Scholar, and is a member of the Rural Health
Opportunities Program.
Sieh has participated in Health Science
Club, Cardinal Key Honor Society,
Philomathean Presidential Honor Society,
and was named a 2012 Homecoming
Princess. She held positions as the President
of Rotaract Club and the Co-Student
President of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
while attending Wayne State College. Sieh
has been a Science and Math Tutor for the
Holland Academic Success Center the past
two years and was their secretary. She is
graduating with High Honors in her major
and has presented her honors research project
at the National Academy of Science and the
American Chemical Society. Sieh will begin
her studies at University of Nebraska Medical
Center's College of Medicine in August to
pursue a doctorate degree in medicine. Sieh
hopes to one day return to rural Nebraska to
practice in the surrounding area.
Adams Delivers WSC
Commencement Address
Dr. Bonnie Bass (center) was presented with the Alumni Achievement Award at spring
commencement. She is pictured with Phyllis Conner, vice president for development
and executive director of the Wayne State Foundation, and President Curt Frye.
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Alumni Achievement Award
Bonnie (Hubby) Bass was presented with the Wayne State Foundation Alumni
Achievement Award at the undergraduate commencement ceremony May 4. Bass
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matter most in life: family, teachers and friends.
She is the founder and president of Expertise, a consulting and executive advisory
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U.S. and Canada. She also serves as Vice President of Research and Development for
Professional DynaMetric Programs, Inc., a Colorado behavioral research, program
development, and international training company. She serves as Director of the
DynaPro Consulting Division of PDP Inc.
Bass graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Wayne State College
in 1954. After teaching at Wayne High School and Technical High School in Omaha,
she enjoyed a number of years as a homemaker, parenting two children (Jefferson
Bass and Jane Bass Page) and serving her community in cities in California, Iowa and
Utah. Her love of learning and a desire to assist people to become successful in life
inspired her to enroll in a master's degree program at University of San Francisco in
psychology. After a two-year internship (1978), she was granted a license as a family
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During 1978 her brother, Bruce Hubby, a businessman in Colorado Springs,
Colo., was funding and leading a new research project that incorporated technology
with the vision of assisting businesses and organizations to achieve success through
understanding people. The two siblings joined in this venture, later known as PDP Inc.
Bruce Hubby, now deceased, graduated from WSC in 1957, along with his wife, Jan
Hubby. Bruce Hubby's son, Brent Hubby, is now President of PDP Inc. To assist in
the new research and expand her knowledge of business applications of psychology,
Bass returned to the University of San Francisco, earning a doctor of education degree
in 1983.
She is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants USA and the
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president and chairman of the board of the San Francisco Kiwanis Club (1990).
Nebraska State Senator Greg Adams
delivered the commencement address at the
undergraduate ceremony held May 4. Adams
represents the 24th District in the Nebraska State
Legislature.
Adams graduated with a bachelor's degree
in education in 1974, and a master's degree
in education in 1975, both from Wayne State
College.
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time in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. He was
elected Speaker of the Legislature for the 201314 session. He served as chair of the legislature's
Education Committee, served on the legislature's
Revenue Committee, and the Committee on
Committees from 2009 to 2012.
He began his teaching career in 1976 at
York High School where he taught American
government and politics until 2006. During his 30
years as an educator, Adams served as president
of the Nebraska State Council for the Social
Studies from 1980 to 1981, was a member of
the Nebraska State Bar Foundation Curriculum
Committee from 1992 to 1994, administered the
Washington, D.C. Close Up Program since 1982,
and served as the K-12 Social Studies department
chair from 1982 to 2004.
His service in government began in 1986
with election to the York City Council. After 10
years as a councilman he was elected mayor of
York, a post he held until 2006. He was appointed
by the governor in 1997 and again in 2000 to the
Nebraska Information Technology Commission.
Adams married Julie A. Epke on Oct. 8,
1992. He has three children: Heather Loveless,
Shawn Levitt and Sarah Adams.
Nebraska State Senator Greg Adams
wayne state magazine
5
commencement
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Teaching
Excellence Award
Dr. Mark Leeper (left),
receives the State National
Bank Teaching Excellence
Award from Matt Ley (center),
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State National Bank, and
President Curt Frye.
Dr. Mark Leeper, professor of politics
at Wayne State, received the State National
Bank Teaching Excellence Award at the
undergraduate commencement ceremony
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State National Bank in Wayne, presented the
award.
David Ley, the bank's chairman of
the board, established the award in 1998
as a way of recognizing and strengthening
outstanding teaching at Wayne State. David
Ley and State National Bank of Wayne
support the college in many ways, including
scholarships and as a trustee of the Wayne
State Foundation Board of Trustees.
This prestigious honor is awarded on
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superior level of effective teaching. Leeper
also was Wayne State's nominee for the
Nebraska State College System Teaching
Excellence Award.
This is Leeper's fourth recognition for
excellence in teaching, two at Wayne State
and two at University of North CarolinaChapel Hill. Leeper has been at Wayne State
for 17 years, teaching American government,
constitutional law, elections, and American
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He earned his master's degree and Ph.D.
at the University of North Carolina and
his bachelor's degree at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.
Leeper has taken students to observe
oral arguments of the U.S. Supreme Court
as a part of their honors projects; has
taken students to Iowa caucus events to
interact with major party candidates for
president; and has co-authored papers with
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at professional political science conferences.
His nomination materials note that he
"exhibits the traits embodied in the great
teachers of politics: he is engaging, feisty,
reverent, and when necessary, irreverent,
critical, humorous, and intellectually
curious. His approach to teaching has
profoundly affected students for over a
generation. His former students are now
lawyers, teachers, political activists,
lobbyists, and more. Most importantly, his
students see the world more clearly, engage
in their communities more passionately
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would otherwise."
Four faculty members and one professional
staff member retired at the conclusion of the
academic year. From left, Dorothy Weber,
director of the Holland Academic Success
Center, Dr. Terry Hamilton, professor of
counseling and special education, Dr. John
Renzelman, professor of technology and
applied sciences, and Dr. Marilyn Mudge,
professor of educational foundations and
leadership, stand with WSC President
Curt Frye (center) prior to the graduation
ceremony. Not pictured: Dr. Daryl Wilcox,
professor of counseling and special
education. They have a total of 122 years of
teaching and service at Wayne State.
6
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
campus news
The School of Natural and Social
Sciences at Wayne State hosted
the Tests of Engineering Aptitude,
Mathematics and Science (TEAMS)
competition on campus on Feb. 20. Six
schools participated in the event.
The Wayne State College Rotary Club
Rotaract hosted an event to help water and
development challenges facing South Sudan
on April 27 on campus. Pictured are: Dr.
Barbara Engebretsen, Buey R. Tut and Wayne
Rotary President, Dr. Elise Hepworth.
Wayne State College students put together meals for undernourished and starving
children across the United States and around the world. Cup of Grace/Lutheran
Student Fellowship, a student organization on campus, led the project.
Wayne State College Track & Field hosted the inaugural Youth Track & Field Meet on March 1 at
the WSC Rec Center Indoor Track. The meet was
for children ages 6-14. The meet was sponsored by
WSC Track & Field. The Optimist Club of Wayne
helped with the meet and provided the ribbons for
the athletes.
wayne state magazine
7
campus news
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that provided audience members with the background of a variety
of cultures and their fashions on April 16 on campus. Izabella
Parker of Wayne demonstrated the Women's Fancy Shawl Dance
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of Nicole Parker of Wayne. The shawl she holds is to create the
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mate in battle. In her grief, she wrapped herself in her cocoon and
traveled the world by stepping on each stone until she found beauty
in one and was able to start her life anew.
Wayne State College theatre and music departments collaborated for
the presentation of "Kiss Me Kate" in March. This musical combined
the humorous re-telling of Shakespeare's classic Taming of the Shrew.
The 18-member cast joined together from across disciplines at WSC,
including graphic design, accounting, and early childhood education
majors, as well as students from the music and theatre departments.
The cast was led by junior Amy Stump of Rock Rapids, Iowa as
Katherine, and sophomore Mike Carraher of Lincoln as Petruchio.
Rev. Carl Lilienkamp of Grace Lutheran
Church, WSC student Ryan Rolfzen of
Papillion; WSC student Gage Crosgrove
of Le Mars, Iowa; WSC student Ron
Westlake of Norfolk, WSC Professor
Dmitry Pobedash, Fulbright ScholarIn-Residence from Russia, and Lisa
Nelson, Service-Learning Coordinator
at Wayne State College, gather after Dr.
Pobedash's presentation on April 14
at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne.
Wayne State College was awarded one of
only 50 Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence
grants for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Pobedash is an associate professor of
international relations at Ural Federal
University in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
He taught classes on world politics,
international relations, and Russian
language and culture during the 2012-13
academic year.
8
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
follow wayne state college at www.wsc.edu
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Wayne State College is the highest ranked Nebraska public
college or university included in the recent list of Top U.S.
Colleges & Universities for Teaching Education. The list was
compiled by The College Database, a free, non-commercial
website dedicated to providing current and future post-secondary
students and their families with accurate and valuable college- and
career-related information. Colleges and universities included on
the list offer their students the widest range of program options
when it comes to teaching education. Wayne State College ranks
#32 nationally, with a reported 51 different teaching education
programs available.
"When pursuing a college degree, it's important for students
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wants and needs," said Teresa Mullins, managing director of
communication and partnerships at The College Database.
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and universities with programs and atmospheres that truly make a
difference. A very well deserved 'Congratulations' to Wayne State
College. And a huge thank you for being a fantastic educational
option for thousands of students."
While certainly one of the most important academic and
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interested in teaching can choose from dozens of specialties, from
elementary education and middle school English to college-level
mathematics and instructional theory.
Wayne State College's inclusion on the list can be found at http://
www.onlinecollegesdatabase.org/top-colleges-and- universities-forteaching
WSC students enrolled in an Early Childhood Education
course with Professor Pam Langlie-Willers worked with
children from Head Start on early reading skills. Her
students also spent hours reading stories and playing
games with children at Rainbow World in Wayne.
WSC Professor Mark, Jenny and Nina Hammer attended the
International Dinner on Feb. 24 in the Student Center. Foods
from different countries were highlighted during the evening
meal. The atmosphere was family-friendly and provided the
opportunity to meet WSC international students.
The Wayne State College "Green Bike Project," supervised by
Dr. Barbara Engebretsen, is focused on a healthier lifestyle
for everyone on campus by providing bicycles for students,
faculty and staff to use for free. Wayne State College students
of Business Communications and Managerial Communications
completed a project for the Green Bikes Project. Engebretsen is
a Professor in the School of Natural and Social Sciences at WSC
in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Sport. To
complete this project the business students researched bike share
projects and related ideas from across the country. Dr. Laura
Dendinger, Associate Professor, taught three business classes at
WSC that worked together with exercise students on the project.
wayne state magazine
9
why we teach
Teaching forms the core of everything we do as a society. Whether we
are parents, community leaders, supervisors, big brothers or sisters,
mentors or professionals leading a classroom, we each engage in the
process of passing along the tools for success to those around us.
We asked nine WSC faculty members to write about why they teach.
Their answers provide a unique look at the strong culture of teaching
and learning excellence at Wayne State.
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Dr. Johanna Barnes, assistant professor of education
at Wayne State, says she dreamed of becoming a teacher
growing up in Pierce, Neb.
"I was a Pied Piper of sorts; younger siblings, cousins,
and kids followed me everywhere," she said. "So, while I
realized teaching was going to be my career, the more I have
engaged in education the more it has blossomed into my
vocation."
Her path to becoming a faculty member at the college
began with her bachelor's '97 and master's degrees '06 from
Wayne State and then working as an adjunct professor for the
master's in curriculum instruction – Community of Learning
program. She earned her Ed.D. from University of South
Dakota in May.
"I was teaching second grade during the day, and
facilitating the master's program one weekend a month, and
I started realizing the impact I could have by working with
teachers," she said. "From that seed sprouted the desire to
continue my own education so that I could be part of future
teachers' paths toward becoming educators. I was thrilled to
be able to give back through the college that offered me the
same opportunity."
More from Dr. Johanna Barnes...
What are you most passionate about in your professional life?
"Teachers conducting action research was the topic of my dissertation,
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thing they are doing to impact students' lives."
Describe your best/ideal day on the job
"There is nothing better than listening to students after they have
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Describe the typical WSC student and the rewards of working
with them
"Our students are so considerate! I am always thinking about how I can
best help support and encourage them. Yet they blow me away when
they slip a thank you note under my door for writing a reference letter
for them, when they stop by at the end of a semester to thank me for
being their advisor before heading off to student teach, or when they
email a picture of their new third grade class. When they take the time
to see me as a person, I know they will be excellent teachers, for they
will take time to see their students as people, too."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"I love our students and I love that our size allows us to better know
each person and listen to their needs and goals. I truly hope I am
encouraging, and not scaring, prospective students who come to campus
visits when I tell them we will know you here at Wayne State College."
What do you bring to the classroom that makes you unique and an
important component of our students' education?
"I care. I understand that our students have a desire to become teachers,
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professional balance. Making their time in class worthwhile is a
responsibility I take seriously. When they have been up since 4 a.m.
working, have a daughter who is home ill, or have been celebrating
with friends late the night before, yet are in class, I acknowledge their
commitment to learning. I believe I create an environment where
they understand that I am facilitating and they have ownership of the
learning that takes place in our classroom. They do not want to miss the
opportunity for themselves."
"I had the privilege of working with Dr. Barnes as an undergraduate student at Wayne State College. Her
classes were engaging and she challenged me to think in new ways. I know she has that love of learning
because of the energy she displayed in class. Dr. Barnes has a way of making students feel valued and
respected. I believe that those two things are important to students and I work to do the same for my students
now. She has played an important role in my education and I am sincerely grateful for all she has taught me."
- Samantha Parolek '11, will begin teaching fourth grade
this fall at Douglas County West Public Schools in Valley, Neb.
10
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
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Dr. Joe Blankenau, professor of political science, says it is
hard to describe the typical Wayne State student, but he feels
fortunate to have worked with a lot of interesting, thoughtful and
respectful students.
"Since WSC students do not typically come from highly
privileged backgrounds, they have to work while in school," he
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sometimes even raising a family is challenging for students and
also their professors. The rewards, of course, come when students
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Blankenau grew up mostly in Mankato, Kan., and McCook,
Neb. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Kearney State
College and went on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
where he earned his Ph.D. in 1995. He has been at WSC since the
fall of 1997.
More from Dr. Joe Blankenau....
How did you decide to become a college professor?
"Growing up, I was always drawn to the idea of college. It
seemed like a place where people gathered to ask and try to
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course, I was fortunate to have some wonderful faculty at
schools I attended, particularly in graduate school at UNL."
- Jack LaFleur '10,
University of Nebraska
College of Law, 2013
"Through lessons I learned in and outside of his classroom,
Dr. Blankenau has left a lasting impact on me. In class, Dr.
Blankenau makes particular effort to objectively present
both sides of policy issues, often sharing the views of both
right and left-leaning journalists. By taking this approach, he
creates an atmosphere of critical thinking where all views of
issues are considered and students desire to stay engaged in
the discussions to reach their own conclusions. Through his
teaching, he helped me develop my analytical skills, which
became vital to my success in the law school environment
where such skills are continuously put to the test. Outside of
class, he truly has an open door policy. Several times he offered
me individualized advice on where I could improve my writing,
while recognizing my strengths and constantly challenging
me to improve my analysis and writing style. By helping me
become a more effective writer, Dr. Blankenau has been key in
guiding me toward reaching my goal of being an attorney."
What did you dream of doing with your life
when you were young?
"I wanted to be a professional football player but
unfortunately I found out that you need to have athletic talent
in order to do that."
Describe your best/ideal day on the job
"Actually the ideal day is the routine day where for some
mystical reason the class goes well, the students are engaged
and interested and then you to go to Los Arcos for lunch."
What do you like to do outside of work?
"Perhaps my favorite time is my family's annual vacation,
often to the northwestern part of the U.S. and British
Columbia. During the rest of the year, I like the outdoors:
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:KDWDUH\RXPRVWSDVVLRQDWHDERXWLQ\RXU¿HOGRIVWXG\"
"I'm fascinated by how politics work. Of course, to try to
understand politics you have to have a curiosity in many areas
such as sociology, psychology, history, economics, etc. That
is what makes college interesting: You get to bring together
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What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"I like that you can make your experience here what you like.
While teaching is the number one part of our jobs, outside
of that some faculty focus more on service activities, others
research and some governance. I particularly enjoy research
and am impressed by what I have seen some faculty and
students do in their research here at WSC."
What do you bring to the classroom that makes you unique
and an important component of our students' education?
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governmental organizations over the years doing research,
grant writing, and other activities. I have also worked with
other faculty on academic publications on policy and political
LVVXHV,
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to bring what I've learned back to the classroom."
wayne state magazine
11
why we teach
%S%PVH$ISJTUFOTFO
Dr. Doug Christensen, professor of biology at Wayne State, says
he enjoys hearing the excitement in the voices of our students who have
recently been accepted into the graduate or professional program.
"I believe the sciences at WSC do a tremendous job of challenging our
VWXGHQWVZLWKDZHOOWKRXJKWRXWGLI¿FXOWSURJUDPRIVWXG\&KULVWHQVHQ
says. "Our outstanding graduates have proven over and over that they can
stand toe to toe with anyone."
Christensen, a native of Newman Grove, Neb., began his career at
Wayne State in 1998 after earning his bachelor of science and master of
science degrees in Food Science and Technology, his Ph.D. in biological
sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and completing
postdoctorate work at North Carolina State University.
More from Dr. Doug Christensen...
Describe the typical WSC student and the rewards in
working with them:
"I think we science faculty have the very best of both
worlds at WSC. Many of our students are the brightest
young minds in the state and yet they chose to commit to
an open enrollment college. Many of our students have
a tremendous work ethic and attitude. Our students learn
from each other's strengths and weaknesses. I believe
this combination results in an atmosphere that is far less
presumptuous then most other colleges. There is very
little sense of entitlement in our classrooms."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"I do like the small community. I can stop in any
building on campus and talk to great colleagues in a
completely different discipline. At larger schools your
communication is in a single department and may be
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teaching. Here, I get to enjoy insight from a large array
of disciplines. I also enjoy that the campus is small
enough that you can have a real and immediate impact on
decisions ranging from academics to campus planning."
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
"I have had the great fortune of witnessing the growth
of several former research students who have gone
on to achieve some truly worldly accomplishments. I
must stress that many faculty members have played a
large role in building the foundation of these students
but they include students who have gone on to earn
Howard Hughes Fellowships, invitations to Nobel
Laureate meetings and several who have become
principle investigators earning National Institute of
Health research grants. These are accomplishments that
certainly surpass any talent I may have, but that is what
is so great about it. It is our job as faculty to make the
next generation of students better than we were. I can say
with certainty, that we are successful doing this at Wayne
State College."
"Exactly 10 years after graduating from WSC, I ran into Doug (Christensen) and Shawn (Pearcy) in April at the Experimental Biology
Meeting in Boston. I had seen Doug on several occasions while still working on my Ph.D. in Omaha, and always enjoyed catching
up. But this time it was different. This was not a random encounter with your old college advisor, but a meeting of friends and now
FROOHDJXHV7KLVUHÀHFWV'RXJ¶VFRPPLWPHQWWRVHHLQJKLVVWXGHQWVUHDOL]HWKHLUSRWHQWLDODQGDERYHDOOEHKDSS\ZLWKWKHLUFKRLFHV
By creating an intellectually stimulating teaching and research environment, he is directly responsible for many of us pursuing careers
in biomedical research. I was an eyewitness to the amazing effort put in by Doug and Shawn to develop a serious research program
DW:6&(YHQEHIRUH:D\QHKDGLWV¿UVW0F'RQDOG¶VZHKDGDVWDWHRI
the-art DNA sequencer on campus. Today, WSC has a truly impressive
undergraduate biology program with research opportunities that can
rival any program in the country."
- Marko Jovic ’03, Visiting Fellow,
section on Molecular Signal Transduction, National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Md.
Pictured (l-r) Dr. Shawn Pearcy, Dr. Marko
Jovic '03 and Dr. Doug Christensen.
12
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
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"My research thus far has focused on examining muscle
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(MMG). MMG provides information about various aspects of
muscle function and is therefore of interest to professionals in
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physical therapy, and other related disciplines. MMG can be
XVHGWRGLVFULPLQDWHEHWZHHQPXVFOH¿EHUW\SHVH[DPLQH
factors related to electromechanical and phonomechanical
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patterns, and diagnose muscle diseases."
Describe the typical WSC student and the rewards in working
with them
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and is appreciative of the knowledge that can be gained
through coursework. I have found that if I work hard, they will
work hard."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"I like knowing all my students. As they pass through WSC I
get to know them pretty well and by the time they are seniors I
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$V,WKLQNEDFNWRWKHPRVWLQÀXHQWLDOSHUVRQGXULQJP\
college career and also in determining my future career
SODQVLWLVGH¿QLWHO\7DPP\(YHWRYLFK$VDSURIHVVRUVKH
made learning exciting and fun, and was always available
for further assistance if needed. She even managed to make
research and statistics fun! After college I maintained
a close relationship with Tammy and she was pivotal in
helping me choose a path for graduate school and ultimately
¿QGLQJP\SDVVLRQIRUZRUNLQJZLWKVSHFLDOQHHGVFKLOGUHQ
which I continue to do today! Tammy encouraged me to
pursue my degree at University of Nebraska-Omaha, and
through that, I ended up in Sun Valley, Idaho, working at a
camp for special needs children, which in turn led to further
training to be a behavioral therapist. I still live in Sun
Valley. She has been an incredible mentor and friend!"
- Natalie Nauman '02,
licensed Behavioral Therapist
for special needs children
Natalie is
pictured with
client and friend
Nathan Lago.
What do you bring to the classroom that makes you unique
and an important component of our students' education?
"I am committed to being sure that they are well-prepared in
RXU¿HOGEHIRUHOHDYLQJ:6&,QSDUWLFXODU,VWULYHWRDVVXUH
that everything I am teaching can be applied in their careers
someday."
How would our students describe you/your classes?
"I am tough…but fair."
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
"There is not one highlight, there are many and I couldn't
begin to pick out just one. I am very fortunate to be doing
what I love."
Dr. Tammy Evetovich says her ideal day on the job
would be spent in Wayne State's Human Performance
Laboratory conducting research with her students.
"I try to bring my research agenda into the classroom
in many ways," Evetovich said. "Some of my classes
UHTXLUHWKHFRPSOHWLRQRIDUHVHDUFKSURMHFWPDQ\RI
which have culminated in presentations and publications,
WKXVWKHVWXGHQWVJDLQ¿UVWKDQGNQRZOHGJHRIWKHUHVHDUFK
process. I encourage students to participate in ongoing
research projects, incorporating what I have learned at
professional conferences into my lectures, and discussing
my research interests openly with my students."
Evetovich, who is serving as interim dean of the
School of Natural and Social Sciences, earned her master's
degree and Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A
native of Ord, Neb., she has been at WSC since 2000.
"I always wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I knew
WKDW,ORYHGWKH¿HOGRIH[HUFLVHSK\VLRORJ\DQGZDQWHGWR
learn as much as I could about the discipline."
wayne state magazine
13
why we teach
More from Dr. Tim Garvin..
%S5JN(BSWJO
Dr. Tim Garvin '79 and MSE '86, professor and Computer
Technology and Information Systems department chair at
Wayne State, describes his classes as a blend of theory and
practice that aim at preparing students for careers and lifelong
learning. His classroom philosophy echoes through most of the
classes at the college
"The practice portions help students make sense of and
apply the theory, in addition to helping the students develop a
skill set that is valuable in their future employment," Garvin
said. "The theory portions of each course provide the foundation
and framework upon which students can place their learning,
relate that learning to other knowledge, and integrate it into their
overall conceptualization of the world."
Like many professors at the college, Garvin earned his
bachelor's and master's degrees at Wayne State. He received his
Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"I am very proud to say that I received my undergraduate
degree and master's degree from Wayne State College," Garvin
said. He started working at WSC in 1984 as the coordinator of
the Nebraska Business Development Center on the campus. He
became an interim instructor in 1986 in the former Division of
Business and a year later was hired as a tenure-track instructor.
He has been at WSC as a faculty member since that time and
now holds the rank of tenured, full-professor.
"I have taught many courses in the Business Administration
academic programs and have taught in the WSC MBA program
since 1993," Garvin said. "I served as interim CTIS department
FKDLUGXULQJWKH¿UVW\HDURI:6&SRVWUHVWUXFWXULQJLQWKH
early part of the new millennium and then as department chair
continuously since that time for the entire life of the CTIS
Department to-date."
14
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
Where did you grow up?
"On a farm in the Dixon area of Northeast Nebraska. It was and is
a great community and region in which to grow up."
Describe your best/ideal day on the job
"The days when we get to see students be successful. That can
include seeing students grasp new concepts in class, perform well
on examinations or projects, successfully apply what they have
learned to the real world, or other similar scenarios. It always
makes our day to hear from students who have graduated from our
programs and are doing well out in the real world as well."
:KDWDUH\RXPRVWSDVVLRQDWHDERXWLQ\RXU¿HOGRIVWXG\"
"Helping students navigate and make sense of all of the new
developments in computing and information technology without
allowing the complexities to overwhelm them. Helping students
see the details, but also keep a 'big picture' perspective and
not lose sight of the fact that the technologies are not an end
in themselves, but rather, a means and an opportunity to help
individuals, organizations, and society as a whole."
Describe the typical WSC student and the challenges of working
with them
"Most WSC students come to us with a sincere desire to learn. As
one would expect, there is a range of talent and prior preparation
that students exhibit, but in general, most students are willing to
ZRUNKDUGDQGDUHSROLWHVLQFHUHDQGDWWHQWLYH$VWKH¿HOGVRI
computing and information technologies change at a very rapid
SDFHZHKDYHWRFRQWLQXDOO\DGMXVWWRUHPDLQFXUUHQWLQWKH¿HOG
Each new group of students that enters our academic programs
FRPHVWRXVZLWKDXQLTXHOHYHORISULRUH[SRVXUHWRWHFKQRORJ\
and expectations."
"Whether in the classroom, for servicelearning projects, or in the community, it
seemed like I was always interacting with
Dr. Garvin. Some might say the pivotal
point in my education at Wayne State
College was adding the CTIS major,
but I think the more important milestones were reached in every
opportunity provided by Dr. Garvin and the CTIS Department.
Many of my questions were replied to with questions, rather than
answers or solutions. As frustrating as it may have seemed, this
strengthened my critical thinking and analytical skills. Although
I didn't know it at the time, all of this was building my framework
for leadership and troubleshooting, which are skills required daily
LQWKHWHFKQRORJ\¿HOG7KHEHVWSDUWRIWKLVLVWKURXJKP\ZRUNDW
WSC, I get to collaborate with Dr. Garvin on a professional level,
as well as observe from the sidelines how he continues to positively
guide and challenge CTIS students. He is truly an exemplary
professor, advisor, mentor, leader, and co-worker, who always
keeps WSC and WSC students' best interests in mind."
Nick Muir '03,
Director of IT User Support,
WSC Network and Technology Services Department
%S1FBSM)BOTFO
When asked about the highlight of her career at Wayne State
College, Dr. Pearl Hansen, professor of art, pointed to the campus wide
support and trust placed in her to preserve the campus art collection and
make the whole campus an art gallery.
"Wayne State offers so many opportunities
for a student to reach success. It rests with
the student to take advantage of these."
More from Dr. Pearl Hansen...
How did you decide to become a college professor?
"As an undergraduate at Wayne State College, I received
encouragement from many professors to pursue college
teaching. Wayne State contacted me when I was teaching
in Omaha wanting me to come and teach here. It has been a
JUHDW¿WIRUPH
What did you dream of doing with your life when you
were young?
"Exactly everything I have done or am doing: to help
others, to get my education, to be independent, to take
risks, to travel, to always be connected to the land, to meet
people, to teach others and to be an artist.
What do you like to do outside of work?
"Work on my farm, observe changes in nature and let
WKLVLQÀXHQFHZKDW,GRIRUPDNLQJDUW,OLNHWLPHDORQH
WRWKLQNUHÀHFWDQGGRDQGWKHQWLPHIRUIDPLO\DQG
friends."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"Connecting with people across campus – faculty, staff and
administrators – to make things happen and create a rich
learning and teaching environment. Wayne State offers so
many opportunities for a student to reach success. It rests
with the student to take advantage of these."
"We now have more than 300 pieces of public art across campus,
with more than 270 pieces being part of the permanent college and
Wayne State Foundation collection," she said. "This year, with the
assistance of Josh Piersanti, assistant professor of art, and graphic
design instructor Matt Hepworth, we will have an app that people can
GRZQORDGIRUYLHZLQJWKHZRUNDQG¿QGLQJLQIRUPDWLRQRQHDFKDUWLVW
A map of the locations where the works are permanently installed on
campus will also be available."
"As a college student I was responsible for hanging special exhibits
in the Fine Arts foyer with the art collection on campus," Hansen
continued. "The art included works by Picasso, Moore, Monet, Renoir
and the list goes on. This was a really big inspiration to me as a college
art major. The collection was started thanks to the foresight of Dick
Lesh, art professor, and President William Brandenburg, to raise the
level of cultural awareness through the college."
$VDUWZRUNPLJUDWHGIURPRI¿FHWRRI¿FHRYHUWLPHWKHFROOHFWLRQ
JUHZGLI¿FXOWWRWUDFNDQGPDQ\SLHFHVZHUHRXWVLGHRIWKHSXEOLF
V
view.
"With much support and interest from across campus, I wanted to
preserve the collection and to make it available to the public, as was
the original intent of the collection," Hansen said. "I hope by making
the work publicly available there will be opportunity for the public and
schools to tour the beautiful campus facilities and take in the art. It
already is serving as a great learning resource for our art appreciation
students and art students."
Hansen grew up west of Wayne on a farm and attended a oneroom rural school as the only one in her class. She lived with her aunt
in Wayne during the week to attend high school in Wayne. Hansen
graduated from WSC in 1971 and began teaching full time at Wayne
State in 1978. She earned her master's degree in sculpture at Kansas
State University and her Ph. D. in administration, curriculum and
instruction, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"There is always that one person who comes to mind when you think of your past and who helped you get
there. Dr. Pearl Hansen has gone above and beyond for me over the past four years; becoming more than
a professor, advisor, and mentor, she has become a friend. She has guided me in the world of art education
as well as my artistic expression. She has taught me much regarding the duties and responsibilities as
an art teacher, and she has guided me as an artist by not only being a professor in the studio arts but by
expanding my artistic world by taking me and a group of peers to New York City to have a gallery showing
as well as tour the numerous art museums and venues NYC has to offer. Much of my success is due to her
and her constant commitment to the students of WSC. She always has high expectations for her students as
she guides them through their education while never settling."
- Demi Harlan '13,
art teacher for Hinton Community
Schools, Hinton, Iowa
wayne state magazine
15
why we teach
More from Dr. Jeryl Nelson...
%S+FSZM/FMTPO
Dr. Jeryl Nelson, professor of business, says he believes his
students would describe his business and economics classes as
more interactive than most.
"We have structured discussions and presentations in most
of the classes I teach," he said. "My goal is for students to
develop a deeper understanding of the material beyond what
you may sometimes get in a traditional class. Sometimes this is
achieved across a couple of classes rather than in just one class."
Nelson earned his bachelor's degree in business
administration at Wayne State in 1986. He began working
at the college that year as the director of the Small Business
'HYHORSPHQW&HQWHU7KH2DNODQG1HEQDWLYHD¿UVW
generation college student, earned his MBA at University of
South Dakota in 1989, then began teaching full time at WSC.
He received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 2000.
He has served as director of business graduate studies and
interim department chair.
What did you dream of doing when you were younger?
"When I was growing up, and early in my college career, I planned
on becoming involved in banking. I received a job offer to become
a bank examiner in the FDIC upon graduation. I instead chose to
become the director of the small business development center at
Wayne State College (called the Nebraska Business Development
Center). I decided to become a college professor as a career while
serving as the director of the business development center."
Describe your ideal day on the job
"My ideal day is working with students and helping them to
XQGHUVWDQGPDWHULDOWKDWDW¿UVWVHHPVFRPSOH[EXWRQFH\RX
break it down is much easier to understand. I have taught in both
WKH¿QDQFH DQGPDQDJHPHQWDUHDV0\IDYRULWHWRSLFWRWHDFK
is Investments. In some ways, the investments class is really
DQDGYDQFHGSHUVRQDO¿QDQFHFODVVWKDWFDQEHUHDOO\XVHIXOWR
all students. When I began my career I was more interested in
research, but as I have been at the college longer, the interactions
with the students are the important part of my career."
Describe the typical WSC student and the challenges in working
with them
"Sometimes the challenging part of working with our students is
WKDWWKH\ODFNVHOIFRQ¿GHQFH:HKDYHUHDOO\JUHDWVWXGHQWVKHUH
that can compete with students from across the United States. We
just need to remind them of that fact. My undergraduate degree was
from Wayne State. When I attended the University of Nebraska for
my doctoral program I had students in my classes from throughout
the U.S., some from highly-selective undergraduate institutions.
I felt I was at least as prepared, if not better-prepared, with my
undergraduate degree from Wayne State, at a much lower cost, than
many of my counterparts. One of the challenges working with our
students is getting them to see the big picture of business, and the
UROHRIODUJHU¿UPVZLWKLQRXUHFRQRPLFVWUXFWXUH7KLVLVZKHUH
clubs, organizations, and other co-curricular activities really come
into play. If we can give our students a chance to interact with
business professionals and other students throughout the U.S. and
DEURDGLWFDQUHDOO\HQKDQFHWKHLUVNLOOVDQGFRQ¿GHQFH,DPDELJ
proponent of our study abroad programs."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"My favorite part about working at Wayne State would be our
students. My background allows me to have a good understanding
of their perspectives. Most of the students attending WSC grew up
ZLWKLQPLOHVRIKHUH0DQ\ RIWKHPDUH¿UVWJHQHUDWLRQFROOHJH
students. Many of them had graduating classes with less than 100
students. I came from a similar background."
"Dr. Nelson's experience with Wayne State graduates stepping into the career world is tremendous.
+HVHUYHGDVP\VWXGHQWDGYLVRUDV,ZDVUHVHDUFKLQJGLIIHUHQWEURNHUDJH¿UPV,PHQWLRQHGWRKLP,
was looking at Edward Jones and he stated it would be his top pick. That led into more discussion as
KHKHOSHGPHVROLGLI\ZK\(GZDUG-RQHVZRXOGEHDJUHDW¿WIRUPHDQGP\SHUVRQDOLW\,UHDOL]HQRW
PDQ\FROOHJHVWXGHQWVDUHDEOHWRLPPHGLDWHO\VWHSLQWRDFDUHHULQWKHLU¿HOGRIVWXG\DQGDFDUHHU
they enjoy but Dr. Nelson had a vital impact on helping me do just that."
- 0DWW.QHLÀ
, Financial advisor with Edward Jones
16
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
Dr. Tim Sharer says when he was younger he dreamed of playing third base
for the Minnesota Twins or being in a famous rock band. Or both. Childhood
dreams aside, he lists being able to return to his home town and the place that
gave him the opportunity and education to start his career as a professional
educator, as the highlight of his career.
"I am richly blessed," Sharer said.
Sharer graduated from Wayne High School, earned a bachelor degree
in K-12 music education at Wayne State '75, and a master's degree in music
SHUIRUPDQFHYRFDOSHGDJRJ\FKRUDOFRQGXFWLQJDQG3K'LQFXUULFXOXPDQG
instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"I had a great family who valued education and involvement in activities
like sports, music, drama and community service. If I had not grown up in
Wayne, I would never have been able to afford to attend college," Sharer said.
Sharer, a professor of education in the School of Education and Counseling,
shared passionate feelings about building effective relationships and the
development of order, predictability and safety in classrooms to contribute to the
success of others. He said he shares a similarly intense passion for Wayne State.
"Wayne State College is an exceptional institution because of its place
historically and geographically in Nebraska," Sharer said. "As a faculty member,
I am honored to be entrusted as a caretaker of this rich history and to be allowed
to contribute diligently and honestly to the primary mission of creating highly
competent and passionate educators for the classrooms of our area, state, region,
nation and the world. I never take this responsibility lightly and as such, I
have, at times, been frustrated and disappointed in those who do not have an
HTXLYDOHQWFRPPLWPHQWWRPDLQWDLQWKHH[FHOOHQFHIRUWKHVDNHRIWKHLQVWLWXWLRQ
and its students."
%S5JN4IBSFS
More from Dr. Tim Sharer...
"While pursuing my masters in
curriculum and instruction, I
was asked the question, 'Who
is someone that has impacted
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7KH¿UVW
person I always think of is
Dr. Sharer. As his former
student, I can say with all
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of integrity and wisdom. His smile is enduring, and
most importantly, his outlook on teaching students was
contagious. As my advisor and professor, his knowledge
about creating a successful classroom was priceless to me.
,NQHZWKDWLI,FRXOGQRWPDQDJHP\FODVVURRPHI¿FLHQWO\
then the effort I would put into the curriculum would be
wasted. As a friend, Tim helped me see that I would not be
an average teacher, but an amazing teacher who would
KDYHFRQ¿GHQFHWRGHDOZLWKDQ\REVWDFOHWKDWZRXOGFRPH
my way. A good teacher does not just simply teach, but
a teacher such as Tim Sharer is someone who sees the
greatness in a student before he or she even knows that
greatness is within them."
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What do you like to do outside of work?
"Spend time with my wife and best friend Beth Ann, travel to spend
time with Corbin and Hilary, our family in New York City, study the
Bible, walk, read books about education, history, politics, sports, play
guitar with my friend Paul Karr, brew beer with friends Bob McLean
and Blythe Franklin."
Describe the typical WSC student and the challenges/opportunities
rewards in working with them
"Almost without exception, Wayne State students are good people
who are hard-working and appreciative of what we can do to help
enhance their achievements. Students are the reason I got into the
business and the reason I stay. There are very few meetings I look
forward to attending, but I really enjoy spending time with the
students on this campus in or out of class."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"When students say 'thanks' for helping them with a problem or when
they write or call after graduation to tell you how they appreciated
what you taught them."
What do you bring to the classroom that makes you unique and an
important component of our students' education?
,
PQRWXQLTXHEXW,GREULQJP\JHQXLQHLQWHUHVWLQWKHVWXGHQWV
which they readily recognize about me. I know this allows me to build
a great deal of trust with my students because they know I like them
DVSHRSOH¿UVWDQG,EHOLHYHLWJLYHVWKHPWKHFRQ¿GHQFHWRNQRZWKDW
what I am teaching them is necessary, useful and important."
wayne state magazine
17
why we teach
More from Dr. Deb Whitt...
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Dr. Deb Whitt, her husband, Dr. Ron Whitt, and
their six children, all have degrees from Wayne State. It
is not overstating the obvious to say that Deb, a professor
and chair of the Communication Arts department at the
college, has a deep connection to the college.
"I started teaching junior high and high school at
O'Neill, St. Mary's in 1979 right after graduation from
WSC," Whitt said. "I enjoyed teaching and began working
on advanced degrees, which led me back to Wayne State in
DVDSDUWWLPHWHDFKHUWHDFKLQJ¿YHVHFWLRQVRI&1$
100 each term. I worked up through the ranks to get where
I am today."
Whitt grew up on a farm near Platte Center, Neb.,
and dreamed of becoming a scientist and astronaut. She
earned her master's degree and Ph.D. at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.
Describe your best/ideal day on the job
"My ideal day on the job is busy -- interacting with students before and
after class, facilitating intriguing class discussions, enjoying a laugh
with fellow colleagues, and attending a Lambda Pi Eta communication
honor club meeting. Outside of work, I garden, can the fruits of my labor,
participate in yoga, workout, and water ski."
:KDWDUH\RXPRVWSDVVLRQDWHDERXWLQ\RXU¿HOGRIVWXG\"
,DPSDVVLRQDWHDERXWLQWHUSHUVRQDOFRPPXQLFDWLRQVSHFL¿FDOO\
intercultural and family communication. I am passionate about creating
the next generation of communication scholars."
Describe the typical WSC student and the rewards in working with them
"The typical WSC student is eager to learn. They love the educational
opportunity to see what they can accomplish. They desire to improve their
communication skills. It is a joy to watch them achieve their goals."
What do you like best about working at Wayne State?
"I enjoy the supportive faculty, staff, and administration. I appreciate the
beautiful campus. It is a very pleasant place to work."
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
"Watching the students grow personally and professionally. I have
UHFHLYHGQXPHURXVWHDFKLQJDZDUGVDQGWKHVHDZDUGVFRQ¿UPWKDW,PXVW
be making a difference in students' lives. When students tell me that I
have, it motivates me to work even harder."
A passion for speech communication and research runs deep in
Whitt's family. Ron, Deb, and sons David and Joe Whitt presented at the
15th International Computer Assisted Language Learning Conference,
"The Medium Matters," May 24-27, 2012, in Taichung, Taiwan.
The paper, "From Guthrie to Dylan to Springsteen: Using Music
Videos on YouTube to Teach ESL Students American History and
Culture" by David, Ron and Joe Whitt won a top paper award.
Deb presented a paper entitled, "Enhancing English Writing and
Intercultural Understanding through Internet-based Technology."
Dave Whitt is a 1989 graduate of WSC and is an associate professor
of Communication Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan. Joe graduated from
WSC in May. He majored in speech communication with an emphasis in
Organizational Leadership and Public Relations.
The remaining Whitts with WSC degrees are Derek, who is a captain
and commander of the LeMars, Iowa Army National Guard Unit; John, a
fourth-year podiatric medical student at Des Moines University; Robin,
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plan operations manager with Medica Health Plans in Minneapolis.
"Dr. Deb Whitt is one of the true gems of WSC. She not only pushed me to start thinking about
communication in different ways, but she exposed me to the opportunities available outside of WSC.
Because of her enthusiasm and support, I traveled to national and regional conferences to present
research. I studied intercultural communication immersed in the Costa Rican culture. She inspired me in
so many ways to chase my dreams of becoming a professor and I am forever grateful to her for exposing
me to the wonderful world of communication. I remember being a freshman in her Communication
Theory course. I was the only freshman and everyone (including seniors) was a bit apprehensive toward
WKHFRXUVH$OWKRXJK,ZDVWHUUL¿HG,GHFLGHGLQWKH¿UVWIHZZHHNVWKDWHYHQLIWKLVFRXUVHZDVJRLQJWR
be a challenge I was going to do my best. It was because of Dr. Whitt's love and passion for teaching and
FKDOOHQJLQJVWXGHQWVDERXWFRPPXQLFDWLRQLQWKLVFRXUVHWKDWLQWKHVHFRQGVHPHVWHURIP\¿UVW\HDURI
college I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a professor (I am still chasing that dream)!"
- Tim McKenna-Buchanan '08,
Doctoral Candidate, Ohio University
18
summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
campus news
Wayne State College students from left: Josh Fedde of Valley; Cody
Christensen of Humphrey; and Kristen Halvorson of Omaha with Dr.
'RQRYDQ&RQOH\ULJKWRI:D\QH6WDWH&ROOHJH¿QLVKHGWKLUGLQWKH
national Student Bowl competition, at the 60th annual meeting of the
American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, Ind.
Wayne State HHPS Students
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Wayne State College students Cody Christensen of Humphrey;
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third in the national Student Bowl competition May 28 through
June 1, at the 60th annual meeting of the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM) in Indianapolis, Ind. Wayne State is the
only school in the U.S. to win the national championship (2009)
and return to compete for the national title for a third time.
The team competed representing the Northland Chapter
ACSM in a Jeopardy style contest against eight other top regional
teams representing ACSM regions across the United States. The
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW(O3DVR¿QLVKHG¿UVWIROORZHGE\WKH
University of Kansas.
Third place Wayne State outscored Brigham Young
University, University of Connecticut, Eastern Michigan University
and East Carolina University.
WSC faculty members Dr. Donovan Conley and Dr. Kris
Hinnerichs accompanied Health, Human Performance and
Sport Department students to the 37th annual Fall meeting for
the Northland Chapter American College of Sports Medicine
(NACSM) held at Mankato State University where the team won
the regional Student Bowl on Oct. 11-12, 2012. The team competed
against 14 other teams from the NACSM region (Minnesota,
Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) and was awarded two
¿UVWSODFHWURSKLHVRQHSHUPDQHQWDQGRQHWUDYHOLQJ
Conley, who works closely with student researchers at WSC,
presented a paper titled "Postactivation Potentiation Improves
Sprint Performance in Collegiate Football Players" at the national
meeting for the American College of Sports Medicine held June
1, 2012, in San Francisco. WSC student coauthors for this paper
included Austin Bright, Tiffany Kellerman, Paige Pollard, and
Katie Reikofski, as well as HHPS faculty member Dr. Tammy
Evetovich. The abstract for this research paper was published in
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise Volume 44,
Number 5, S650.
Dr. Patricia Arneson, professor of business at Wayne State, was named the 2013
1DWLRQDO&ROOHJLDWH8QLYHUVLW\%XVLQHVV(GXFDWRURIWKH<HDUE\WKH1DWLRQDO%XVLQHVV
Education Association (NBEA). Arneson was recognized by NBEA at its award ceremony
April 19 during the NBEA national convention and trade show in Atlanta.
Arneson served as the 2013 national convention director for the Atlanta convention
DQGWKHFROOHJLDWHXQLYHUVLW\GLYLVLRQDOSURJUDPGLUHFWRUIRUWKH1%($FRQYHQWLRQ
in New Orleans, as well as the Nebraska membership director for NBEA. Arneson is a
member of the Mountain Plains Business Education and the Nebraska State Business
Education associations. She has been the recipient of numerous prior teaching awards
and recognitions, including the Mountain Plains "Payne-Porter Award" for membership
UHFUXLWPHQWDQGWKH0RXQWDLQ3ODLQV2XWVWDQGLQJ&ROOHJH8QLYHUVLW\%XVLQHVV(GXFDWRU
Award," as well as the NSBEA "Outstanding Service Award" for statewide contributions
to Business Education, and "Outstanding College Business Educator" Award.
Arneson teaches undergraduate and graduate studies in the areas of business
teacher education, as well as business administration specializations of human resource
PDQDJHPHQWRI¿FHDGPLQLVWUDWLRQDQGUHDOHVWDWH6KHVHUYHVDVFRRUGLQDWRUIRUWKH
WSC Business Competition Day event, and student organization sponsor for Pi Omega Pi
business education honorary and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has
been the recipient of many teaching grants and awards throughout the years at Wayne State
College. She has trained and supervised approximately 200 middle and secondary student
teachers in Business Education.
NBEA is the nation's leading professional organization and learned society devoted
exclusively to serving individuals and groups engaged in instruction, administration, and
research in business and technology education.
%S1BUSJDJB"SOFTPO
3FDFJWFT/BUJPOBM
Teaching Award
wayne state magazine
19
wildcat athletics
follow the cats at wscwildcats.com
Wayne State Honors
Top Student Athletes
The Wayne State College athletic department honored its
top student athletes for the 2012-13 school year during the
annual athletic honors banquet held April 29 sponsored
by Ameritas. Seven major awards were handed out at the
banquet along with Most Valuable Players announced for
each sport. Front row (l-r): Wildcat Inspiration Award
winner Kara Powell, Hot Springs, S.D.; Female Athlete of
the Year Carly Fehringer, Wayne and Freshman Female
Athlete of the Year Leisa McClintock, Sioux City, Iowa.
Back row (l-r) Male Athlete of the Year Richard Daniel,
Papillion; Freshman Male Athlete of the Year Eric
Browning, Lyons and Cunningham Scholar Male Athlete
of the Year CJ Nolen, Sioux City, Iowa. Not pictured is
Cunningham Scholar Female Athlete of the Year Melanie
Placke, St. Libory, who was studying abroad in Greece.
8JMEDBU5SBDL1SPHSBNT&OKPZ4VDDFTTGVM4FBTPO
Lachel Milander and Carly Fehringer
were honored at outdoor nationals as
All-Americans in the hammer throw.
Sara Wells also received AllAmerican honors in the shot put.
20 summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
For the third straight season and seventh
time in the past eight years, Wayne State
&ROOHJHWUDFNDQG¿HOGKDGDWOHDVWRQH$OO
American to highlight a successful 2013
season. The Wildcats had two All-Americans
during the indoor season and three more in
the outdoor season.
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indoor team set two school records and
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Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)
Championships with 39 points. Wayne junior
Carly Fehringer was conference champion
for winning the indoor hammer throw and
was named NSIC Field Athlete of the Week
on two occasions.
The women's team had two athletes
earn All-American honors at nationals as
Fehringer was All-American in the hammer
throw and Sara Wells, a sophomore from
Albion, was All-American in the shot put.
Lachel Milander and Emily Wells also
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eighth at the Northern Sun Conference
Championships in Mankato, Minn., with
28 points. During the indoor season, Brad
Wright threw the shot put 52'6 ¾" and
earned NSIC Field Athlete of the Week for
his efforts and set a school record. Wright
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throw. Zach Thomsen and Wright earned
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the NSIC Championships in their respective
events as Thomsen competed in the 600
meter run and Wright in the weight throw.
The Wildcat women's outdoor team
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67 points and featured two athletes winning
three conference championships as Fehringer
won the hammer throw and Sara Wells took
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Wildcats had seven All-Conference athletes and
took the top three places in the hammer throw
and set two school records during the season.
Fehringer was named U.S. Track & Field and
Cross Country Coaches Association Central
Region Outdoor Female Field Athlete of the
Year and was named NSIC Field Athlete of the
Week once while Lachel Milander also won
NSIC Field Athlete of the Week during the
season.
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in two events while Mackenzie Masching and
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Fehringer, Sara Wells, and Milander each
earned All-American honors, Fehringer second
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with 24 points and had one All-Conference
DWKOHWHDV:ULJKW¿QLVKHGVHFRQGLQWKHKDPPHU
throw. During the season, the Wildcats set a
school record when Wright threw the discus
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for the men's team as he competed in the discus
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The 'Cats are just a click away at wscwildcats.com
#BTFCBMM1MBZFST/BNFEUP"MM$POGFSFODF5FBN
The Wayne State College baseball team had a winning record for the 16th straight season, posting a
PDUNRYHUDOODQG¿QLVKLQJVL[WKLQWKH1RUWKHUQ6XQ,QWHUFROOHJLDWH&RQIHUHQFH16,&ZLWKDQ
12 league record. The unusual spring weather played havoc with the Wildcat schedule this season, with six
games canceled and another 10 games moved to Wayne or Omaha while several days were spent shoveling
VQRZRIIWKH¿HOGWRJHWLWSOD\DEOH
7KH
&DWVRSHQHGWKHVHDVRQ)HEDWWKH0HWURGRPHLQ0LQQHDSROLVDJDLQVW0LQRW6WDWHDQG¿QLVKHG
the season May 10 at the NSIC Tournament in St. Cloud, Minn. WSC was ranked in the Central Region
rankings several times throughout the season.
Three players were named NSIC Players of the Week this season. Tadd Johansen and CJ Nolen swept
Player and Pitcher of the Week honors on Feb. 25 while Brandon Lalk was selected NSIC Player of the
Michael Herman
Week on March 11.
The Wildcats had two players named to the All-Northern Sun Conference Team. Johansen was named
to the Second Team with an 8-2 record for the Wildcats this season and a 2.89 ERA. In 11 appearances and
10 starts, Johansen had three complete games and two shutouts while throwing a team-high 62.1 innings
this season. He allowed just 22 runs (20 earned) and gave up 60 hits while recording 57 strikeouts with just
13 walks. Johansen tied for second in the NSIC in wins this season, was seventh in innings pitched and
strikeouts, 11th in fewest runs allowed and 12th in earned run average.
Sophomore third baseman Michael Herman was named to the NSIC Gold Glove Team and later
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JDPHVDWWKLUGEDVHWKLVVHDVRQIRUD¿HOGLQJSHUFHQWDJH,QFKDQFHV+HUPDQKDGDVVLVWV
putouts and just one error while turning two double plays. At the plate, he recorded a .252 batting average
ZLWK¿YHGRXEOHVRQHWULSOHDQGUXQVEDWWHGLQZKLOHVWDUWLQJJDPHVDWWKLUGEDVH
-XQLRU ¿UVWEDVHPDQ&-1ROHQSDFHGWKH:LOGFDWVLQKLWWLQJWKLVVHDVRQZLWKDDYHUDJHOHDGLQJWKH
WHDPLQKLWVKRPHUXQVDQG5%,6HQLRURXW¿HOGHU%ODNH%ULVVRQIROORZHGZLWKDDYHUDJH
Tadd Johansen
and was 21 for 22 in stolen bases to rank second in the NSIC.
Keeping our "goal" in mind as the
Cunningham football field and soccer
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t 5PUBMQSPKFDUDPTU
$1.5 million
t5IF8BZOF4UBUF
Foundation has
$510,000 of the
$575,000 fundraising goal
t .JE"VHVTU
completion date
Visit our website to make a donation, watch the live
Turf-Cam, and see who has already contributed:
www.wsc.edu/foundation/turf/
wayne state magazine
21
wildcat athletics
follow the cats at wscwildcats.com
Seventh Straight Winning Season
4PGUCBMM#BUUMFTUIF&MFNFOUTJO4QSJOH4FBTPO
Kaiti Williams
Kelcie Bormann
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SOD\WR¿QLVKVHYHQWKLQWKHFRQIHUHQFHVWDQGLQJV,WZDVWKHVHYHQWKVWUDLJKWZLQQLQJVHDVRQIRU
the Wildcat softball program under head coach Krista Wood.
Weather played a major role in the Wildcat season, causing 13 games to be canceled and
another 18 games to be moved to either Wayne or Omaha. The Wildcats' season also ended
in snowy conditions as the conference tournament was held in Rochester, Minn., with more
than a foot of snow. The storm forced the tournament to be moved indoors into the Rochester
&RPPXQLW\DQG7HFKQLFDO&ROOHJH'RPHDVWKH:LOGFDWVSOD\HGXQGHUDURRIIRUWKH¿UVWWLPHLQ
program history.
The Wildcats had a season-high 11 game win streak from March 27 through April 7 and had
an impressive 2-0 and 11-0 sweep over league-leading Winona State on April 25 as sophomore
SLWFKHU6DUD6FKHIIHUW¿UHGEDFNWREDFNVKXWRXWVDJDLQVWWKH:DUULRUVZKRZHQWRQWRDGYDQFH
to the NCAA Super Regionals.
The Wildcats had three players named Northern Sun All-Conference as Kelcie Bormann was
named First Team, Kaiti Williams was Second Team for the second straight season and Kylie
Simpson was named to the All-NSIC Gold Glove Team. Bormann ranked second on the team in
batting average at .331 and posted a 6-6 record in the circle with a team-best 2.05 ERA. Williams
led WSC in batting for a second straight season with a .357 average while pacing the Wildcats in
hits (50) and runs scored with 34. Simpson earned Gold Glove honors without making an error in
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84$4UVEFOUBUIMFUFT
Win in Classroom
Student-athletes at Wayne State are continuing to excel in the
classroom while maintaining high standards in their respective sport.
The cumulative grade point average for the 2012-13 academic
year for all Wayne State athletics was 3.175. Thirteen of the 15 sports
posted a team cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better. As a
whole, 57.79% (141 of 244) of WSC student athletes had grade point
averages of 3.00 or better with 29.92% (73 students) recording a
grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
"The academic performance of our student athletes is just
fantastic. Our young men and women push themselves physically
and mentally and continue to achieve great things in competition
and in the classroom. They truly embody what it means to be NCAA
Division II student-athletes," said Mike Powicki, Wayne State
College Athletic Director.
Women's sports were led by volleyball with a 3.61 team grade
point average, soccer with a 3.55 and basketball at 3.51. On the men's
side, baseball recorded the top team grade point average at 3.23,
followed by indoor track with a 3.12 and outdoor track at 3.07.
Seven teams from Wayne State have also received special
academic awards from their respective coaches associations. Eightyseven student-athletes with sophomore academic and athletic
standing received NSIC All-Academic honors throughout the
2012-13 school year.
22 summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
Did you
miss it?
ENEWSLETTER
You can sign up for the electronic newsletter at
www.wsc.edu/alumni/update_info/
and read the latest edition at
www.wsc.edu/emails/alumni/enewsletter_spring_13/
For more alumni news, visit www.wsc.edu/alumni/news/
2013 WSC Homecoming Schedule of Events
5)634%":4FQUFNCFS
11:30 a.m.
Scholarship Luncheon (by invitation), Student Center,
Frey Conference Suite
'3*%":4FQUFNCFS
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Noon - 1 p.m.
Noon - 1 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
1:30 - 3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
6:15 - 8:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
9 p.m.
Information Center - Student Center, Atrium
Trustee Workshop (by invitation), Gardner Auditorium
e Suite
Trustee Luncheon (by invitation), Student Center, Frey Conference
h Student Center
he
Lunch available for visiting alumni in the Lower Food Court of the
Planetarium Showing "STARS" - Carhart Science Building
Annual Trustee Meeting, Gardner Auditorium
Dedication of Willow Bowl Renovation (WSC band performing), Willow Bowl
Greek Olympics, Willow Bowl
Social - Frey Conference Suite (for Friday evening Banquet ticket holders)
Outstanding Alumni Banquet, Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
Planetarium Showing "Astronaut" - Carhart Science Building
Volleyball, WSC vs. Minot State University, Rice Auditorium
Planetarium Showing "STARS" - Carhart Science Building
(after the VB game) Pep Rally, Rice Auditorium
4"563%":4FQUFNCFS
8:30 - 9 a.m.
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
11 a.m.
Noon
12:30 p.m.
12:40 - 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
6:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Registration for Alumni Football events, Student Center
Football Alumni Reunion, Student Center
Homecoming/Band Day Parade, parade begins at the south end of Main Street
Presidents Society Brunch (by invitation), Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
All Honored Classes Reunion Brunch, Lower Food Court, Student Center
(Classes of '53, '63, '73, '83, '93 & '03)
Soccer - WSC vs. University of Minnesota-Crookston, Soccer Field
Tailgate Party, Bob Cunningham Field, under the tent (free to "Cat Club" members)
Tailgate meal: adults $8; younger than 12-$5
Homecoming Royalty introduced
Pre-game Show - WSC Marching Band, Bob Cunningham Field
Halftime Show - WSC Marching Band and introduction of Hall of Fame Inductees
Football Game - WSC vs. Minnesota-Duluth (General admission $10; K-12 $5)
Planetarium Showing "Astronaut" - Carhart Science Building
WSC Theatre Performance "Campus Capers" - Black Box Theatre, Peterson Fine Arts Building
Volleyball, WSC vs. University of Mary, Rice Auditorium
Social - Student Center, Frey Conference Suite (for Saturday evening Banquet ticket holders)
Homecoming/Hall of Fame Banquet, Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
46/%":4FQUFNCFS
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
Soccer - WSC vs. Bemidji State University, Soccer Field
Alumni Baseball Home Run Derby, Pete Chapman Baseball/Softball Complex
For more information contact:
%FC-VOEBIMt"MVNOJ0GåDFt8BZOF4UBUF$PMMFHFt8BZOF/&ttEFMVOEB!XTDFEV
For a list of registered attendees please check upcoming events at www.wsc.edu/alumni
alumni notes
www.wsc.edu/alumni/
(Towns and cities listed on these
pages are in Nebraska unless noted
or generally understood. Efforts are
made to keep our news current.)
High School and spent the past
\HDUVWHDFKLQJFRDFKLQJDW
David City Public High School.
He became the head wrestling
coach in 1978 and produced
numerous state and individual
'RQDOG5DQG-DQQHQH*ULI¿WK
champions during his coaching
Reed celebrated their 60th
career. Gaylen and his wife,
wedding anniversary April 5.
Nancy, reside on their farm south
They were married in the Wayne
of Columbus where he continues
Presbyterian Church. Don and
to farm and enjoys spending time
Jannene were members of the
with his 14 grandchildren.
¿UVWFODVVRIOLEHUDODUWVGHJUHHV
at WSC. Most recently, Don
was real estate counsel of Union
Bank in downtown Los Angeles.
Sandra (Jones MSE'10)
Jan was editor and publisher of
Driskell completed her doctoral
the Sierra Madre News, a paper
studies and earned a Ph.D. from
owned by the Reeds. Both retired the University of South Dakota,
in 1994. Jan continued to do
Vermillion. She serves as director
public relations for various Sierra of STRIDE Student Support
Madre organizations, including
Services Program at WSC.
service as a board member of
Methodist Hospital of Southern
California in Arcadia, Calif. She
continues her writing, publishing Don Tepley retired from a
lengthy career in education. He
personal sketches of all 70
has served as a teacher in the
employees of The Villas and
Millard Public Schools for the
Astoria.
past 34 ½ years. He was involved
with coaching middle level sports
at Millard schools. Don and his
Gaylen
wife, Shirley, reside in Omaha.
.DPUDWK
06(
retired from
Gale (Solheim) Horan and
a successful
daughter, Jennifer Horan
career in
0DOOHWW
each earned a
education.
Master of Science in Education
He began
degree through the WSC
teaching in the Monroe Public
basketball coach at Lincoln
Southwest.
Community of Learning
program. Gale and Jennifer are
employed as Spanish teachers at
LeMars Public Schools, LeMars,
Iowa.
Sally (Schwede) Shively
submitted this photo taken at
Wayne State's December
commencement ceremony.
y
Left to right: Brett '12, Sally
'79, Drew '11 and Bruce '78, in
background. Sally and Bruce
are employed by Norfolk Public
Schools. She is a substitute
WHDFKHUWXWRUDQGKHLVDKLVWRU\
teacher and head girls basketball
coach for Norfolk Sr. High. Brett
and Drew reside in Lincoln.
Brett works for NELnet as an
advisor in customer relations
and Drew is an underwriter for
Allied Insurance and a volunteer
Send us your news
& photos, too!
We encourage you to send photos with your alumni notes
– wedding, new baby, promotion, informal gatherings with
other alumni, etc.
24 summer 2013 / www.wsc.edu
3DXO3HDUVRQLogan, Iowa, was
honored as a 2013 President's
Circle award winner for sales
excellence at QIAGEN, Inc.
QIAGEN, based in Helden,
Germany, is a leading global
provider of sample and assay
technologies for accessing
biological sample content. Paul
was the top-ranked representative
in the North America Life
Sciences sales organization
in 2012. He covers academic,
JRYHUQPHQWDQGSKDUPDELRWHFK
accounts in Nebraska, Iowa and
Kansas. Awardees were honored
at a dinner in Maryland and Paul
along with his wife, Heather, will
join the President's Circle award
trip to Miami.
Renee (Novak) Loper and her
husband, Michael, announce
the birth of son, Matthew
Michael, on May 15, 2012. He is
welcomed to their Omaha home
by sisters Lauren (4) and Brooke
(3). Renee is employed as a
teacher
with the
Omaha
Public
Schools.
Be sure to identify people in the photos. Digital photos
with fewer than five megapixels cannot be accepted.
Please remember to update your address!
4FOEUP%FC-VOEBIM"MVNOJ0GåDF8BZOF4UBUF$PMMFHF
.BJO4U8BZOF/&[email protected]
Cory Nelson was appointed
deputy director for the Arizona
Department of Health. He
oversees all behavioral health
services for the state of Arizona.
Cory and his wife, Kimberly,
reside in Chandler along with
their youngest daughter, Jade.
Deb Lundahl,
Director of Development
and Alumni Relations
Traci (Vogel) Jensen was
promoted to senior vice president
at Pioneer Bank, Sioux City,
Iowa. She has been a member of
the bank's management team for
seven years. She currently leads
WKH¿QDQFLDOGLYLVLRQRIWKHEDQN
3&6/*0/4
San Antonio
Dr. Kenneth Eng hosted Wayne
State College alumni and friends on
Feb. 22 in his home in San Antonio.
Those attending: (front row) Todd
Campbell '97, Carroll Hochstein,
Karen (Hallstrom) Campbell '06,
Diana (Lichtenberg) Lock '72,
Gretchen Biehle, Kenneth Eng, and
Sally Link. Standing: Ken Rapp
'55, Karl Hochstein '91, Megan and Chris Gentry '06, Karen '70 (Wills) and Phil Kelton, Claudette
(Sanders) Hudson '70, Greg Link, Steve Lock '72, Annie Powell, Wayne State President Curt Frye, Deb Lundahl, director
of development and alumni relations, Arlen Biehle '64, Joel Ott '91, Phyllis Conner, vice president for development and
executive director of the Wayne State Foundation, Kelly Williamson, and Violette Martinez.
Des Moines
Alumni and friends of Wayne State were hosted by Paul
and Sally Latta at their home in West Des Moines on
May 21. Those in attendance included (front row) Deb
Lundahl, director of development and alumni relations,
Katrina Ellensohn, Janice (Moeller) Hoefs '82, MSE '88,
and BJ Jennisch. Middle: Bob and Dolly Sullivan, Paul
'51 and Sally Latta. Back: Phyllis Conner, vice president
for development and executive director of the Wayne State
Foundation, Shirley (Pudil) Holbach '76, Karen Sievers,
Gary Hartsock '85, Nancy Diischer-Hartsock '86, Dan '75
and Jennifer Jones, Kyle Ellensohn '06, Diane and Jerry
'74 Carlson, Dan Bertsch '71, Jim Sievers '71, Nell and
Dan Duwelius and Wayne State President Curt Frye.
Kansas City
Wayne State alumni and
friends gathered June
13 at Lathrop & Gage,
Crown Center in Kansas
City. Refreshments were
compliments of Jed and Ann
Reeg and Lathrop & Gage
LLP. Those attending: (front row) Deb Lundahl, director of development and alumni
relations, Joyce Kern Reeg '85, Carolyn Madaus, MSE '74, Deb Shuck, Ann Reeg, WSC President Curt Frye, and Phyllis Conner,
vice president for development and executive director of the Wayne State Foundation. Middle: Gary and Ellen (Buck) McElderry
'74, Kevin Armstrong '99, director of planned giving, Michaela (Clifford) Comstock '00, Don Schernikau '81, Toni (Huggenberger)
Berrie '99, Julie (Gottschalk) Lanphear '90, Fred Madaus, Kurt Christensen '88. Back: Jim Lindau, George Shuck '76, Jed Reeg,
Kevin Saunders '86, Dustin Berrie '99, Jim Budde '62, Wade Lanphear '90, Carl Owczarzak '65, Ted Tow '57, and Dale Putman '48.
alumni notes
GLUHFWVWKHDVVHWOLDELOLW\DQG
pricing committees, and oversees
V\VWHPRSHUDWLRQVLQIRUPDWLRQ
technology. She and her husband,
Shawn '92, reside in South Sioux
City with their three children.
Ruth (Aschoff) Bloedorn and
her husband, Dillon, announce
the birth of daughter, Annamae
Grace, on Aug. 3. They reside in
Wisner. Ruth works as a
Blessings Unlimited consultant
while staying at home with their
daughter.
www.wsc.edu/alumni/
education and community
representatives who advise
EducationQuest on programs
and services that support its
mission of improving access in
higher education in Nebraska.
Kevin oversees the enrollment
of undergraduate students at
Wayne State. Kevin and his wife,
Kimberley, reside in Wayne with
their daughters, Kyla (3) and
Kenna (1).
Renate (Waibel) Keener and
her husband, Charles, reside in
Centreville, Va., along with their
sons, Zachary (born April 17) and
Benjamin (2).
Kevin Halle (MSE'07) was
named to the EducationQuest
Foundation Advisory Council.
He joins a group of statewide
1LFNDQG.ULVWLQH)LQN
MSE '10) Muir announce the
birth of son, Merrick Jay, on
Jan. 11. They reside in Wayne.
Nick
is the
director
of IT
user
support
at WSC.
Kristine
teaches
English
at
Pierce
Public
Schools.
Joe and Nicole (Schaefer '04)
Everingham announce the birth
RIWKHLU¿UVWFKLOG.HQ]LH0DULH
on March 9. They reside in
Omaha.
Jeremy Tosaya (MSE '05)
serves as the head men's soccer
coach at Dakota Wesleyan
University, Mitchell, S.D. He
has completed the US Soccer
Federation National "A"
License, which is the highest
level of
licensing
in US
soccer.
Jeremy
and his
wife,
Ashley,
reside in
Mitchell, S.D.
The family of Drs. Ron and Deb Whitt gathered in May to celebrate
the graduation of another Whitt from Wayne State College. From
left, Dr. Dave Whitt is a 1989 graduate of WSC and is an associate
professor of Communication Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan; John
Whitt ‘10, is a fourth-year podiatric medical student at Des Moines
University; Jennifer (Whitt) Spors ‘91, is a health plan operations
manager with Medica Health Plans in Minneapolis; Derek
Kinnison ’07, is an Army captain and commander of the LeMars,
Iowa Army National Guard Unit; Robin Whitt ‘95, is an actor/
voice over artist in Minneapolis; Joe graduated from WSC in May
and will attend Colorado State University for graduate school in
the fall; Dr. Deb Whitt ’79, is a professor and chair of the WSC
Communication Arts department; and Dr. Ron Whitt ’67, is a
professor of communication arts at WSC.
26
winter 2013 / www.wsc.edu
BJ and Sara (Ehlers'08) Gotch
announce the birth of son, Wyatt
James, on May 10. BJ is
employed at Fiserv, Lincoln, as a
conversion analyst. Sara is the
VHYHQWK
eighthgrade art
teacher
at Alice
Buffett
Magnet
Middle
Schools,
Omaha.
The family resides in Ashland.
Rob Gist and his spouse, Paige,
reside in Parker, Colo. He serves
as an SVP in marketing at
Christian
Library
on
Demand,
Denver,
Colo.
0OMZ
Become a member of
the Wayne State Alumni
Association today. Members
will become part of a special
group of alumni who want
to stay connected.
Joining is easy!
Visit the Wayne State Alumni
Web site at
http://www.wsc.edu/alumni/
BOEDMJDLPOUIF"MVNOJ
"TTPDJBUJPOMJOL
PSDBMM
Upcoming Events
Make a Gift
With Your IRA
President Barack Obama signed the
American Taxpayer Relief Act on Jan. 2,
which included the IRA Charitable
Rollover. This bill restores the IRA
Charitable Rollover and permits its use
in all of 2013. The IRS uses the term
TXDOL¿HGFKDULWDEOHGLVWULEXWLRQWR
describe an IRA charitable rollover. A
TXDOL¿HGFKDULWDEOHGLVWULEXWLRQLVPRQH\
that individuals who are 70½ or older may
direct from their traditional IRA to eligible
charitable organizations. The provision
has a cap of $100,000 for charitable
distributions from individual IRAs each
year. Individuals may exclude the amount
distributed directly to an eligible charity
from their gross income.
We recommend that you contact your IRA
&XVWRGLDQDQG\RXU¿QDQFLDODGYLVRUIRU
PRUHLQIRUPDWLRQUHJDUGLQJ\RXUVSHFL¿F
details on this tax-wise way to make
charitable gifts. Distributions to the Wayne
State Foundation must come directly from
your IRA Custodian.
Please feel free to contact Kevin Armstrong
for more information.
Dakota Dunes Golf ..................................... August 19
Homecoming ............................................. September 26-29
Wayne State College Madrigal Singers ........ December 6 & 7
Presidents Holiday Gala ............................. December 8
Commencement ........................................ December 13
Black & Gold Series ................................... February 13, 2014
Montana Repertory Theatre Company performs The Miracle Worker
IN MEMORY OF
Robert S. Anderson '37, (96), Denver, Colo.; Dec. 25.
Mildred (Schubert) Breiland '37$OEXTXHUTXH10$SULO
Waldo H. Johnson '37, (96), Wayne; May 12.
Nan (Bangs) McKinnell '37, (99), Fort Collins, Colo.; Aug. 9.
Myrle E. Hemenway '39, (95), Lawrence, Kan.; Jan. 27.
Eunice (Stancliffe) Eddy '41, (93), Lincoln; March 12.
Arthur W. Gulliver '42, (91), Omaha; Feb.11.
Marjorie (Johnson) Drickey '42, (92), Stockton, Ill.; Feb. 8.
Priscilla (Dover) Petersen '42, (89), Madison; Jan. 30.
James T. Scott '47, (89), Stanton; March 22.
Elaine (Brabec) Molacek '50, (87), Howells; March 11.
Delores (Dwinell) Pearson '50, (82), Columbus; March 25.
Anna (Harrom) Hintz '51, (102), Norfolk; April 3.
Emmett Garvin '54, (84), Los Alamitos, Calif.; March 19.
Leon John "Jack" Pingel '56, (78), Palm Desert, Calif.; Feb. 20.
Lola (Erwin) Erlandson '59:DNH¿HOG)HE
Verlie (Gunnarson) Brown '60, (76), Sioux Falls, S.D.; March 20.
'RQDOG:6FKXPDFKHU
06(
, (78), Norfolk; Feb. 9.
Hugh D. Troshynski '60, (74), Stamford, Conn.; May 13.
Sandra (Shrader) Metz '62, (72), Wayne; March 4.
Richard "Dick" Frey '64, (70), Wichita, Kan.; March 8.
Janice (Srb) Hubbard '66, MAE '73, (66), Madison; Sept. 13.
Marian (Loseke) Davis '68, (66), Atkinson; March 30.
Alberta (Ross) Behr '69, MSE '76 (97), Norfolk; May 10.
Dwayne "Fritz" Fritzinger '70, (68), Wahoo; Feb. 24.
June (Sallach) Bentley '71, (97), Fremont; May 21.
Gloria (Shaw) Carlson '72, (61), Albion; Jan. 30.
Richard L. Duering '72, (63), Fairbury; Feb. 6.
Margaret (Gotch) Rasmussen '72, (94), Homer; Dec. 29.
Dianne (Kuhl) Anderson '73, (82), Laurel; April 20.
Rhonda (Wiedeman) Miller '78, (57), Norfolk; June 7.
-DQHW%HUQLFH%HUQLH.LGPDQ'DYLV06(
, (77), Omaha; Feb. 28.
&\QWKLD0LOOHU*LSVRQ0$(
, (63), Norfolk; March 13.
Shelley (Jedlicka) Pokorny '83, (52), Fremont; April 11.
Betty (Eschliman) Zoucha '86, (88), Stanton; Feb. 16.
6KDURQ2HUWZLFK(ULFNVRQ06(
, (63), Stanton; April 6.
Dawn (Larsen) Wiese '93, (42), Columbus; Jan. 27.
Nanett Holtz '96, (39), Lexington; May 15.
Jeremy L. Markussen '97, (39), Kearney; Feb. 4.
Meighan (McCarthy) Johansen '06, (29), Omaha; Feb. 28.
,QJD%URGHUVHQ/LQGKROP06(
, (48), Papillion; Feb. 28.
FRIENDS WE WILL MISS
Kevin Armstrong
Director of Planned Giving
Wayne State Foundation
402-375-7534
[email protected]
Robert M. Brown (94), Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; Feb. 22.
Richard R. Ditman (65), Lake Kiowa, Texas; April 19.
John A. Doherty (91), Norfolk; April 5.
Dr. Gail B. Dunning (88), Wayne; Dec. 22.
Bonnie (Nissen) Lund (85), Wayne; Jan. 27.
Dr. Jack Middendorf (87), Omaha; March 31. Emeritus Director of Information
Services and an associate professor of Library Science, Jack was employed at WSC
from 1978 until his retirement in 1993.
wayne state magazine
27
1RQ3UR¿W
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
ABPC
WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION
1111 MAIN STREET
WAYNE NE 68787
www.wsc.edu
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