Published twice annually for alumni and friends of Wayne State College - Winter 2004 - No. 1
Wayne State Foundation - 1111 Main Street - Wayne, NE 68787
RHOP,
MARHOP
Address
Healthcare Needs
of Rural America
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Table of Contents
Interim President's Message ___________________ 3
WSC Welcomes Elementary
Leadership Conference ___________________ 13
Collings Named Next WSC President ___________ 4
Around Campus _________________________ 14-15
Riedmann Receives Award/
Zahniser Honored at Winter Commencement __ 5
Rural Health Programs at Wayne State __________ 6
International Program Growing at WSC _________ 7
Wayne State Receives Service Learning Grant/
Social Sciences Research Center ____________ 8
Student Elected President of
National Organization ____________________ 16
Come Home to Wayne ______________________ 17
Student-Athletes Receive Academic Honors _____ 18
WSC Hosts NCAA Division II North Central
Regional Cross Country Championships _____ 19
Academic Quality Improvement Program ________ 9
Alumna’s Gift to Assist WSC Students _________ 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration/
Noted Environmentalist Dr. David Orr _______ 10
Wayne State Foundation Trustees Named _______ 21
Graduate Students Complete Service Projects/
Mass Communication Studios Renovated ____ 11
Alumni Notes ___________________________ 22-27
Ronald W. Hunter ‘51 ___________________ 23
Kenneth D. Burns ‘83 ___________________ 25
Sister Maria Gabriel: A Community of One _____ 12
Tucson and Sun City Reunions _______________ 28
ON THE COVER: Students who successfully complete the Rural Health Opportunities Program and the Mid-America Rural Health
Opportunities Program at Wayne State are guaranteed admission to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (RHOP) or Creighton
University (MARHOP). Shown in the cover photo are some of the 56 students involved in these programs at WSC. They are, from top
left: Joe Dangberg of Wayne, Jessica Supencheck of Columbus, Jesse Carr of Seward, Renee Supancheck of David City, Megan
Runyan of Ainsworth, Kalina Ochsner of Saronville, Mikala Habrock of Emerson, Taylor Haymart of Aurora, Jessicka Martinez of
Dawson, Lindsey Stockwell of Geneva, Ashley Patterson of Broken Bow and Joshua Larkin of Benedict. Second row from top left:
Jay Bernecker of Plainview, Isaac Berg of York, Kallie Krugman of Wayne and Terrel Wiedenfeld of Hartington.
Wayne State Magazine is a publication mailed to 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.
Administration
Wayne State Foundation Staff
Editorial Staff
Curt Frye
Interim President
Deborah Lundahl
Director of Development
and Alumni Relations
Judy Johnson
Director of College Relations
Phyllis Conner
Vice President for Development
and Executive Director of the
Wayne State Foundation
David Fuller
Vice-President for
Academic Affairs
Carolyn Murphy
Vice-President for
Administration and Finance
Brian Lentz
Accountant and
Assistant Director
Carol Marsh
Foundation Office Assistant
Trudy Muir
Graphic Design Artist
Angie Nordhues
Writer, Photographer
Cathleen Hansen
Alumni Office Assistant
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Curt Frye
Interim President
Wayne State College
As I returned to campus from a visit to alumni and friends of Wayne State College in Arizona in January, I wished that those we
visited could have seen the energy and enthusiasm all across campus as the spring semester began.
Our men’s basketball team was drawing excitement—and big crowds—with wins over the University of Nebraska-Omaha,
Minnesota-Crookston, and Minnesota State-Moorhead, among others.
Three WSC drama students advanced to regional competition that was held in Denver in January. They were selected based on
their performances in “The Diary of Anne Frank” in November.
On Jan. 20, the WSC Multicultural Center sponsored an annual dinner and program honoring the memory of the late Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. The Rev. Leroy E. ‘Hurricane’ Adams, Jr., the Rev. John Lucas, and the Southern Comfort Jazz Band
featuring singer Cynthia Taylor inspired and entertained the students, faculty, staff and community members who attended.
Dr. David Orr, a nationally-acclaimed environmentalist from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio was the featured speaker for the
Stearns President’s Lecture Series on Public Affairs on Jan. 28. Dr. Orr spent part of the day on campus visiting informally with
students, faculty and staff before presenting his thought-provoking evening address that was attended by many from both the
campus and the community.
And did I mention that the WSC presidential search has been successfully completed? I am pleased to tell you that the
Nebraska State Colleges Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Richard Collings to be the eleventh president of Wayne State
College. As you will read on page 4, Dr. Collings brings a wealth of experience with him from his current position as vice
chancellor for academic affairs and professor of political science at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. We look
forward to working with Dr. Collings, who will assume his duties in June.
For the past several years, one of the slogans that has been associated with Wayne State College is “all about students.” We
know that it is more than a slogan—it is the way we operate here. Programs, services, everything we are about, are done because of
students. Approximately 80 percent of our faculty members have the highest degree in their field, and many have professional
certifications in their fields of expertise.
I’ve been at Wayne State College for nearly 19 years, and in that time, I have seen our commitment to students strengthened,
even in times of budget constraints and tough economic times.
I love this very special place, and I know that you do, too. That’s why I’m asking you to help us get the word out about Wayne
State College. Do you have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew or acquaintance in their teens? Alums, please tell them why you
chose to attend Wayne State, and encourage them to do the same.
Or simply contact our Admissions Office at 800-228-9972, ext. 7234 or e-mail the office at [email protected] and give them the
name and address of a prospective student. They’d love to hear from you, and will contact the student and give more information
about Wayne State.
In closing, I want you to know that it has been a privilege to serve as interim president of Wayne State College for the past
seven months. It has given me the opportunity to meet many folks, and to work in a different capacity with our students, staff and
faculty.
I am looking forward to resuming my role as vice president and dean of students. After all, as I said before, we’re “all about
students” at Wayne State, and I’m ready to get back to working with them in a more direct capacity.
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Meet Wayne State President,
Dr. Richard Collings
Dr. Richard Collings is eager to begin his presidency at Wayne State College.
The Louisville, Ky. native says he felt right at home when he and his wife,
Marilyn, were on campus in late January. “I was the first person in my family to
get a bachelor’s degree, let alone two graduate degrees, so I can relate to the
students at Wayne State, many of whom are first-generation college students, as
well,” he said.
Collings’ path to the Wayne State presidency has taken many interesting
turns. When he graduated from the University of Louisville in 1968 with a
bachelor of arts degree in international studies, he planned to go into the foreign
service. However, after completing his first semester of a master’s degree program
in Latin American studies at Tulane University, he was drafted into the Army, and
was stationed at Fort Knox. He completed the master’s degree in 1972, and earned
a doctorate in political science, also from Tulane University, in 1977.
The family moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where Collings was a political
science professor at Southeast Missouri State University. After being on the
faculty for two years, he served as department chair until 1985, when he was
appointed assistant provost, a position he held until 1989, when he accepted the
position of dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Kutztown
University in Pennsylvania.
“At the end of my second year there, the provost left, and I was asked to take
over for one year,” Collings said with a smile. The year turned into five, with
Collings serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1991
to 1996.
In 1996, Collings moved to Western Carolina University, where he has been
vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of political science and public
affairs. When he arrived at Western Carolina, the university, which was underenrolled, had been ordered by the state to grow. “In order to grow enrollment, we
had to enhance quality,” Collings said. “We started on a process of enhancing
programs and marketing. It took several years to lay the foundation, but
enrollment has increased from 6,500 to 7,500 in seven years, most of which has
come in the last three.”
When he arrives at Wayne State in June, Collings says he wants to meet with
faculty, staff and students. “I don’t kid myself to think I have all the answers,” he
said. “I plan to spend much more time listening than talking after I begin at
Wayne State.”
Collings believes there are several things every comprehensive, regional
college must do. “First, there must be a focus on student learning,” he said. “There
must be a solid teaching and learning environment, with the kinds of programs that
students want. We must have enough students to grow those programs so that
students have enough other students to interact with in the major.”
A second focus must be outward. “The college must reach out to the
community, must connect with and reach out to place-bound adults for both
undergraduate and graduate program needs,” he said.
Hand-in-hand with this is economic outreach that the college can and must
provide. “There are things we can provide to help stimulate the local economy,”
Collings said. “We must also welcome the community—both adults and
students—to come to our events and programs on campus.
“Every regional, comprehensive college has to do all of these things. We need
to find out where we are, and where we need to go from there. I’m looking forward
to getting started at Wayne State.”
Dr. Richard Collings
About Dr. Collings:
The Nebraska State Colleges Board
of Trustees officially appointed Dr.
Richard Collings of Cullowhee, North
Carolina, as the 11th president of
Wayne State College at its regular board
meeting, Feb. 12. He will assume the
presidency in June.
Collings, 57, has been vice
chancellor for academic affairs and
professor of political science and public
affairs at Western Carolina University in
Cullowhee, N.C., since 1996. At
Western Carolina, he has led many
academic and administrative initiatives,
including creating a residential Honors
College, developing technology
partnerships with other institutions
throughout the nation, and
implementing a strategic planning
process.
Collings and his wife, Marilyn,
have three grown children: Michael,
Kirsten, and Kelly. They also have two
grandchildren, Ethan and Kai.
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Riedmann Receives Alumni Achievement Award
Michael “Mike” Riedmann, Omaha, a 1976 graduate of Wayne
State College with a bachelor of science in business administration, is
the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award which was presented
at the Wayne State commencement on Dec. 19.
Riedmann is the president of NP Dodge Real Estate Sales, Inc. in
Omaha, a position he has held since 1994. He has served as president
of the Omaha Board of Realtors® and the Nebraska Board of
Realtors®. In 2003, he received the Outstanding Service Award from
the Omaha Board of Realtors®.
Serving the community has been an important part of Mike’s
career. A member of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Bridge
Builders Society of the United Way of the Midlands and a leadership
contributor to the Boy Scouts of America, Riedmann is a member of
the Corporate Achievers class of 2003 for the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society and 2003-2004 team captain for the American Heart
Association. He is on the board of directors for Easter Seals of
Nebraska.
While captain of the football and wrestling teams his senior year
at Wayne State College, Riedmann earned All American status. He
was named the State College Athlete of the Year by the Omaha
World-Herald in 1976 and was inducted into the Wayne State
Athletic Hall of Fame. His wife Coleen (Paulison) is also a 1976
graduate of Wayne State College. They have four children, including
a son Luke, who is currently attending Wayne State.
“Mike’s outstanding accomplishments, work ethic and
dedication to his community provides our students with a model for
success,” said Curt Frye, interim WSC president. “It is our privilege
to extend this award to such a distinguished and worthy individual.”
Mike Riedmann receives the Alumni Achievement Award from
Vice President for Development and Executive Director of the
Wayne State Foundation Phyllis Conner.
Winter
Commencement
Held
December 19
Zahniser Recognized
During the commencement ceremonies, Dr. Robert Zahniser,
professor of English and German at Wayne State since 1966, was
honored on his retirement. Zahniser, a faculty member at Wayne
State since 1966, received his bachelor’s degree from Allegheny
College in Meadville, Penn. He also studied at the University of
Hamburg in Germany and at the University of Arkansas, where he
received a master’s degree in English and a Ph.D. in comparative
literature in 1972.
In 1996, Zahniser completed a guest position at the Barnaul
Pedagogical Institute in the Altai region of Siberia. He has traveled
to Germany via the Fulbright Travel Grant program and the Goethe
Institute. He has attended four
National Endowment for the
Humanities summer seminars and,
since 1988, has regularly
participated in the University of
Illinois summer research program for
Russian and East European Studies.
In 1999, he was the recipient of the
Balsley Whitmore Excellence in
Teaching Award at Wayne State
College. Zahniser and his wife,
Edith, live in Wayne.
Dr. Robert Zahniser
Traci Coover
Winter commencement ceremonies were held on Friday,
Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. in Rice Auditorium. A total of 204
undergraduate and graduate students received degrees from
Curt Frye, interim WSC president.
Michael ‘Mike’ Riedmann of Omaha was the recipient of
the alumni achievement award (see article).
Traci Coover, graduating Summa cum Laude with high
honors in the major Spanish education, gave the address.
The daughter of Todd and Nancy Coover of rural Norfolk,
Coover received a bachelor of arts degree in secondary
education with endorsements in Spanish and speech
communication.
Alex Mohanna of Omaha, receiving a bachelor of
science degree in speech communication/corporate,
community and public relations, gave the invocation. He is
the son of Joseph and Marilyn Mohanna of Omaha.
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RHOP,
MARHOP
Address
Healthcare
Needs of
Rural
America
by Dr. Todd Young,
Wayne State College
RHOP/MARHOP Coordinator
Wayne State College (WSC) has many
excellent programs to boast about, two of
which are the Rural Health Opportunities
Program (RHOP) and the Mid-America
Rural Health Opportunities Program
(MARHOP). Both programs are designed to
address the special needs of rural America
by encouraging rural students to pursue a
health career and then return to rural
America. There simply were, and still are,
not enough health care providers in rural
America, so why not encourage those
mostly likely to return – rural America
itself?
Starting in 1990 at Wayne State, RHOP
is a cooperative with the University of
Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). RHOP
is for rural Nebraskan students only, where
“rural” is defined as everywhere except
Lincoln and Omaha (and Memorial Stadium
on game day). Currently, RHOP provides
career-track opportunities for students
interested in becoming a family physician,
a dentist, a dental hygienist, a pharmacist,
and a medical technologist.
So what is the actual “encouragement”
for these rural students to apply for the
program? Those accepted into the program
are guaranteed admission to UNMC,
contingent upon fulfilling a set of
expectations while at WSC. Other benefits
Dr. Harold Maurer, center, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center,
visits with students and faculty during a visit to Wayne State College. At right is
Dr. Todd Young, coordinator of the RHOP/MARHOP programs at Wayne State.
include: a tuition waiver, depending on
the career track; a specific curriculum for a
given career track; exposure to health care
settings and practices; and visits and
contact with faculty, students, and alumni
from UNMC. The set of expectations
includes maintaining a 3.5 grade point
average; attending all required program
events (presentations, meeting, trips, etc.);
conducting themselves properly and
professionally; and being a role model for
other health care students.
“The undergraduate education
I received at WSC greatly
prepared me for dental school.
My educational background
matched those who attended
larger colleges and universities,
both in- and out- of state.”
Starting in 1995 at Wayne State,
MARHOP is a cooperative with Creighton
University. MARHOP is for rural students
from Nebraska and the nearby states (Iowa,
Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado,
Kansas, and Missouri). MARHOP offers
career-track opportunities for students
interested in pharmacy, occupational
therapy, and physical therapy. The
benefits and expectations are identical to
RHOP, except that there are no tuition
waivers available at this time for the
program.
In addition to just having the programs,
WSC has something else to be proud of –
the academic quality it provides for its
students. Stephanie Stanton, an RHOP
student and dental college sophomore,
recently had this to say about WSC: “The
undergraduate education I received at WSC
greatly prepared me for dental school. My
educational background matched those
who attended larger colleges and
universities, both in- and out- of state.”
This past year, Stephanie’s class scored fifth
in the nation on the dental board exams,
part one.
Lastly, something important to note is
that both programs are “handshake”
agreements, in that there is nothing truly
committing a student to return to rural
America except their “word.” To date, the
rural American “word” has been good, as
over 95% of those students fully
completing their career educations have
returned to rural America. While this
continues, so do the programs.
Applications are due by December 1
and February 1 prior to the next fall
semester for RHOP and MARHOP,
respectively. For more information, please
visit Wayne State College’s Web sites for
these programs at www.wsc.edu/schools/
nss/pscm, or call the Health Professions
Office at 402-375-7329.
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International Education a
Growing Program at WSC
Anuja Ghimire is an undergraduate
(junior) majoring in Psychology
and English Writing. Anuja’s home
city/country is Kathmandu, Nepal.
Why do I Like
Wayne State?
“WSC is a small school in a small
college town. For someone like me
coming from Nepal to New York would
have been a great transition and
adjustment. Wayne is the perfect bridge
that would make me ready for the bigger
world. The friends that I have made here
and the people I met here will be
imprinted in my memory forever. I know
that I wouldn’t have met so many
wonderful people if I hadn’t come to
Wayne State.
“For a small school, the number of
international students that attend here is
encouraging. I have to admit that being
with international people that can
understand where I am coming from has
helped me adjust a lot. Wayne is a well
recognized state college that is as
affordable as community colleges but
better in reputation and education. I
have met quite a few very exceptional
professors that provide personal help
and go out of their ways to help a
student strive for the better.
“Professors know me by name,
including the administrative people and
just students in general and that makes
me feel like one of them. The on campus
job opportunities, social activities and
student organizations are encouraging.
Even though I am ready to move on
to a bigger world, I love WAYNE STATE
COLLEGE.”
Turkey. Japan. Nigeria. Guatemala. Canada. Denmark. Lebanon. Nepal. The list of
countries from which Wayne State students arrive continues to grow each year. Wayne
State College has attracted students from some foreign countries for many years, but
interest in the college’s programs and location has widened considerably in the recent
past. A total of 34 international students are enrolled at Wayne State this year.
This increase in numbers of international students can be partially attributed to
referrals from former Wayne State international students who, following their years at
WSC, return to their home countries and encourage others to attend school here.
Efforts are also being made to establish collaborative agreements with colleges or
universities in other countries. Last year, a dialog was begun with Kadir Has University in
Istanbul, Turkey. The rector of the university made a trip to Wayne State College, and
invited representatives of Wayne State to make a reciprocal visit. In February 2004,
several representatives of Wayne State visited Turkey to continue the dialog toward
reaching a cooperative agreement between the two schools.
Over the past five years, the Internet has provided prospective students in other parts
of the world with information about Wayne State College. From an initial inquiry, a
number of current Wayne State students have decided that Wayne State is the place they
want to get a college education.
Once students arrive from their home countries, Wayne State College has an active
host family program for international students who would like to develop a relationship
with an American family. Students are matched with a family in the local community.
These families invite the students to their homes for dinners and provide an introduction
to activities in the local community and nearby towns and cities.
But international education goes both ways! The WSC Study Abroad program,
which has been part of the college for many years, encourages Wayne State students to
consider studying abroad in a number of other countries. Wayne State offers programs
that are carefully structured to ensure excellent classroom instruction as well as plenty of
time for touring and independent exploration.
continued on page 16
These Wayne State students spent a month in Costa Rica during the summer of 2002. The
program offers a total Spanish language immersion experience. Dr. Adolfo Cachiero,
second from right in the back row, accompanied the group.
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Wayne State
Receives
Consortium
Grant for
Servicelearning
A consortium of 22 colleges including Wayne State College has received a $368,619 grant from
the Corporation for National and Community Service to support and expand service-learning on
college campuses in Nebraska and South Dakota.
The group of institutions, known as the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher
Education, is made up of a diverse collection of public and private colleges and universities from both
rural and urban settings. Grant funds are distributed to member institutions through a sub-grant
process operated from the Student Involvement office at the University of Neb.-Lincoln.
Member colleges will use the funds to certify community agencies and increase student servicelearning opportunities, especially for services to immigrants, refugees, and residents living in poverty.
The project’s goal is to increase civic engagement among college students living in Nebraska and
South Dakota through service-learning.
In March of 1997, the Nebraska Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education received its
first Learn and Serve America grant. Since then, the number of member institutions has grown to 22,
including the addition of the University of South Dakota. In the past five years, member institutions
have improved their infrastructure, increased the number of faculty rewriting course curriculum to
include service-learning projects, and have received national attention for innovative programs.
“This grant will provide funds to support and expand an already strong service-learning program
at the college,” said Dr. Jean Karlen, Wayne State College Service-Learning campus coordinator.
Dr. Pearl Hansen, WSC art professor, developed a servicelearning project that she integrated into her Watercolor for the
Art Educator class. Hansen used a “painting what you know”
theme that emphasized that students use their first hand
experience of their own communities as subject matter. This
“Sense of Place” theme formed the foundation of the course.
Another feature of the course was developing the concept of a
traveling art exhibit for area libraries and/or schools for the
works completed during this class and other art courses. This
service-learning course component with additional discussion
about how the project could be developed in students’ future
high school classrooms became an important feature of the
course. A reception for the student and their works of art was
held on campus.
Social Sciences Research Center Provides Assistance
Since it was established in 1997, the Social Sciences
Research Center (SSRC) has provided a valuable service to
regional communities while giving Wayne State students the
opportunity to perform “hands-on” research.
The SSRC, housed in Connell Hall, is directed by Dr.
Monica Snowden, associate professor in the School of Natural
and Social Sciences. Services are provided by WSC faculty and
specially-trained upper-level students. Karina Hasenkamp is the
SSRC coordinator; she works with numerous public health
grants and organizations. She is also the coordinator of the
Northeast Health Care Partnership, which is working with the
SSRC to develop infrastructure for the Center. Her position is
funded by a grant through the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation.
“The SSRC is involved in project consultation and
collaboration on campus as well as in regional communities,”
Snowden said. “One regional organization that comes to mind
is the Macy Youth Services. Dr. Joe Blankenau (associate
professor, Natural & Social Sciences) has worked with this group
over the past few years to do health care and needs assessments
as well as evaluation of programs and other projects.”
Blankenau, in collaboration with Dr. John Comer from UNL,
recently completed a study of educational needs for health care
providers in Northeast, Nebraska, for the Northern Nebraska Area
Health Education Center (AHEC). The findings were presented
to the Nebraska Economic and Business Association and are
being submitted for professional publication.
In addition, the SSRC is contracting with the Northeast
Nebraska Health Care Partnership for its research services to
complete a two evaluation of the Minority Education for Greater
Access (MEGA) Health Grant. Blankenau is also evaluating a
program for Santee Healthy Start.
The primary mission of the Social Sciences Research Center
is “working with diverse populations, individuals, communities
and organizations to enhance the quality of life by conducting
applied and basic research in northeast Nebraska,” said Snowden.
For more information about the Social Sciences Research
Center, please contact Snowden at 402-375-7136 or Hasenkamp
at 402-375-7178. The Web address is www.wsc.edu/schools/nss/
special_resources/ssrc/
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AQIP
Academic Quality Improvement Program
by Dr. David Fuller,
Vice President for Academic Affairs
In 2001 the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central
Association, the regional association that
accredits Wayne State College, invited
institutions to consider applying for
membership in the Academic Quality
Improvement Program (AQIP). AQIP, a new
and innovative alternative for institutional
accreditation, offers well established and
traditionally strong institutions, such as
Wayne State, the option to participate in a
process focused exclusively on quality
improvement. Following consultation
with faculty, staff, and students, the
Nebraska State College Board of Trustees,
and the Nebraska Coordinating
Commission for Higher Education, Wayne
State College applied for membership in
AQIP and was approved for membership by
the Higher Learning Commission.
The Academic Quality Improvement
Program requires member institutions
demonstrate success in improving the
quality of teaching and learning, support of
people, campus communication and
leadership, institutional operations,
planning, and building collaborative
relationships. AQIP members identify
goals and projects for quality improvement
after reviewing institutional data, trends,
and students’ and other stakeholders’
needs. Rather than undergoing an
exhaustive self-study of resources and
accomplishments over the past ten years, as
is the practice of seeking re-accreditation
through the traditional means, AQIP
institutions focus their attention on how
things are going now and how they can
make significant improvements in the
immediate and long-term future. AQIP
processes are ongoing, requiring consistent
and annual attention to quality
improvement. AQIP is exciting because it
asks institutions to look to the future and
to make quality improvements as evidence
to show that they qualify for continued
accreditation.
Wayne State College has been a
member of AQIP for three years, and in that
time has engaged the full campus in
frequent conversations and goal setting.
Dr. David Fuller
The campus has identified as a result four
vital quality projects and a host of
individual and department quality action
projects. Overseen by a governance
council made up of faculty, staff, students,
alumni, and community members, Wayne
State College’s AQIP program has focused
and worked on four vital quality projects:
1. improving learning through the
development of connected
learning opportunities (service
learning, learning communities);
2. enhancing faculty and staff
development and support
through the development of a
human resources office and
program;
3. improving the sense of
community on campus by
developing opportunities for
enhanced communication and
collegial interaction and
cooperation; and
4. pursuing strategies to increase
enrollment and improve the
retention of current students.
Last year’s annual update of each of
these vital projects showed significant
improvements for each, noting remarkable
increases in connected learning activities,
campus initiatives and successes in
building community, a reversal of the
steady decline in enrollment and a positive
3% increase in enrollment and a remarkable
5% increase in the retention rate of
freshman to sophomore students, and the
funding reallocations to hire a human
resources director and establish a longoverdue human resources system on
campus.
Further, Wayne State College has
involved campus wide input and activity in
AQIP by establishing an AQIP Annual
Proceedings Booklet, which is published
and distributed to all campus members and
includes the reports on the wide variety of
individual and departmental quality
improvement projects each year. All
departments and areas on campus have
been actively involved in working on these
special quality projects. There have been
286 quality projects completed and
documented in the past two years; such as:
a mentoring program for staff, service
learning projects, environmental studies
learning community, the development of an
alumni network, sponsored campus forums,
wireless notebooks implementation,
creating civic design projects through
community partnerships, and many more.
This year there are 83 annual quality
projects focused on the vital projects.
These projects included, for example,
the development of a new employee
induction program, leadership training,
programs to recognize and appreciate
faculty and staff, collecting data and
information through web surveys,
improving academic advising, a pilot
recycling and energy conservation project,
and improving communications through
existing media.
At the opening meeting of this
academic year a survey was distributed to
all faculty and staff. One of the primary
purposes defined by the Higher Learning
Commission is that member institutions
infuse the principles and benefits of
continuous improvement into the culture of
the institution. Asked if Wayne State
College had accomplished that purpose,
approximately 60% of all Wayne State
College faculty and staff indicated that the
College had infused the principles
continued on page 16
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Martin Luther King Day Dinner,
Program Held at Wayne State
Wayne State College’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commemoration was held
on Tuesday evening, Jan. 20. A dinner and program were held in the Frey
Conference Suite in the WSC Student Center.
The program featured the powerful and dynamic Rev. Leroy E. Adams, Jr. of
Omaha’s Morning Star Baptist Church and special guest, Rev. John Lucas.
The Southern Comfort Jazz Band featuring singer Cynthia Taylor performed
before dinner and during the evening program.
Rev. Adams, nicknamed Leroy “Hurricane” Adams, is a sought-after preacher
and teacher throughout the city of Omaha and across the country. He is currently
serving in his second year as president of the New Era Baptist State Unified
Convention and Congress of Nebraska, Inc.
The evening’s events were coordinated by the Wayne State College
Multicultural Center.
Rev. John Lucas was a speaker at this year’s
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program.
Noted Environmentalist Speaks at Wayne State
Dr. David Orr, nationally-known environmentalist and
professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College, Oberlin,
Ohio, was the featured speaker for the Sheila Stearns President’s
Lecture Series on Public Affairs at Wayne State College on
Wednesday, Jan. 28. Co-sponsored by the WSC American
Democracy Project, Orr’s evening presentation, attended by
approximately 400, was held in Ramsey Theatre in the Peterson
Fine Arts Building
Orr is perhaps best known for his pioneering work on
environmental literacy in higher education and his recent work in
ecological design. He raised funds for and spearheaded the effort
to design and build a $7.2 million Environmental Studies Center at
Oberlin College, which was described by the New York Times as
“the most remarkable” of a new generation of college buildings
and selected as one of 30 “milestone buildings in the 20th
century” by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Orr holds three honorary doctorates and has been a
distinguished scholar in residence at Ball State University and
Westminster College. The Cleveland Plain Dealer described
him as one of those who will shape our lives.” He has received
numerous national awards, including a National Achievement
Award by the National Wildlife Federation in 1993 and a
Bioneers Award in 2002.
The author of three books—The Nature of Design, Earth in
Mind, and Ecological Literacy—Orr has published 120 articles
in scientific journals, social science publications, and popular
magazines. He is a contributing editor of Conservation Biology.
“We are pleased to have someone of Dr. Orr’s stature and
experience in environmental studies as a guest at Wayne State
College,” said Interim President Curt Frye.
Dr. David Orr, nationallyknown environmentalist,
discusses environmental
learning issues with faculty
and students on Jan. 28.
Orr’s presentation was part of
the Stearns President’s Lecture
Series on Public Affairs at
Wayne State, and was
co-sponsored by the WSC
American Democracy Project.
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Wayne State Graduate Students Complete
Service Projects for Girls, Inc.
Mandy Engel-Cartie, director of Girls, Inc. of Sioux City, Iowa,
was in for a big surprise Thursday evening, December 18. Students
in the MBA program in the Wayne State College School of Business
& Technology presented Engel-Cartie with the results of a semester
project of service for the agency. The group watched a promotional
television commercial for Girls, Inc. developed by students with the
assistance of Cable One.
Earlier in the week, Engel-Cartie, on behalf of Girls, Inc.,
accepted a check for $1,000 from the Great West Charitable
Foundation – a project of another team of Wayne State MBA
students. Through a special discount from Gateway, the money will
be used to purchase a laptop computer, digital camera and a printer/
scanner/copier. The students worked with Girls, Inc. to create a
customized database (that will be loaded on the computer) for the
completion of routine reports. Other students presented a portfolio
of letters, Web site information and a brochure for the agency.
“Projects like this one encourage students to give back to their
community.” said Laura Barelman, WSC ass’t. professor of business
and class instructor. “The students learn valuable skills for working
with non-profits and as a volunteer – and Girls, Inc. serves the
community as a tremendous center of learning and fun for girls of
every grade level.”
Accepting the Great West Foundation check for $1,000 to Girls
Incorporated is Mandy Engel-Cartie (center), Executive Director
of Girls Inc. Presenting the check are Brian Bricker, Wayne State
College MBA student, and Deb Cook of Great West, right.
Mass Communication Studios Relocated, Renovated
by Amy Franco
College Relations Intern
Wayne State mass communication
students are reaping the benefits of the
latest renovations to the fourth floor of the
Humanities building. The extensive
project allows the building to house all
student media—KWSC-TV, KWSC-FM
radio, and the Wayne Stater, a student news
publication—under one roof.
Renovation work began in the summer
of 2002 and was completed a year later.
Space needed to be created for
broadcasting studios, previously located in
the basement of the Peterson Fine Arts
building. The studios were becoming
outdated, and plans were made to move the
broadcast studios to the fourth floor of the
Humanities building near the offices of the
Wayne Stater.
The renovations feature an editing
suite, expanded publication rooms with
digital audio work stations, and new
lighting instruments. Other improvements
include new non-linear editing systems and
an integrated wireless newsroom system for
teleprompting and closed captioning.
Along with the broadcasting updates,
the Wayne Stater offices also received a
facelift. During the summer of 2003,
selected journalism students cleaned out old
cupboards, repainted the entire lab, and
“I am delighted with
the results, and think
the education of the
mass communication
students will be
enhanced through the
use of this new facility.”
set up new work stations. In addition,
professional carpet layers installed new
carpeting throughout.
“The project took a lot of time,” said
Melissa Silvers, a Wayne Stater advertising
representative who helped on the project.
“We worked really hard last summer, but it
is all paying off now that we have moved
in.”
In the midst of the Stater lab
renovation, students and their advisor, Max
McElwain, found some buried treasure.
While cleaning out old cupboards, they
discovered yearbooks dated back to 1912,
newspapers going back to 1956,
underground student publications from the
1950s and 1960s, older technological
equipment from generations ago, and even
a half-full bottle of whiskey from the early
1900s.
“These items are truly treasures,” said
McElwain. “It was very interesting to
discover these heirlooms for both myself
and the students.”
James O’Donnell, Dean of the School
of Arts and Humanities, agreed. “I came
here in the midst of the renovation process,
and I am very impressed with the outcome,”
he said. “I am delighted with the results,
and think the education of the mass
communication students will be enhanced
through the use of this new facility.”
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Sister Maria Gabriel (Moore), S.A.
The Wayne State College Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers were featured
in “Holiday Harmonies,” on the statewide Nebraska Educational Television
Network (NETV).
Sister Maria Gabriel: A Community of One
For now, she is a community of one.
Sister Maria Gabriel (Moore), S.A., the first,
and to date, only, member of the Sisters of
the Annunciation of the Archdiocese of
Omaha, is also a Wayne State student with
a double major in elementary education
and music education.
And can she sing! Sr. Maria Gabriel, a
member of the WSC concert choir, was one
of the featured soloists at the WSC
President’s Holiday Gala concert in
December, singing “Ave Maria.” She also
sang with the choir on the Nebraska
Educational Telecommunications (NETV)televised concert, “Holiday Harmonies,”
which aired in November and December..
So how did a nun who’s the only one
in her order wind up at Wayne
State College? It all began many years
ago, she said.
“I came to Wayne State on a field trip
in 1985 or 1986 when I was a
student at Bryan High School in Omaha,”
she said. “I was highly involved
in the music program, and knew I wanted
to be a teacher. I remember hearing
the Wayne State choir sing while we were
here and I thought, ‘Wow, God!
I wish I could come here to school!’”
It didn’t happen for awhile. After
graduating from high school, Sr. Maria
Gabriel attended the University of
Nebraska-Omaha, majoring in vocal music
education. And then, she says, God
intervened.
“When I was at UNO, priests and
people in the parishes would ask me
if I ever wanted to be a sister,” she said.
“I kept saying, ‘No.’ One night I
remember I went home and knelt and
prayed, ‘Lord, I’ll do whatever you
want me to do, but, please, not be a sister.’
But, as you can see. . . .”
She was introduced to the founders of
a new order, The Sisters of the
Annunciation of the Archdiocese of
Omaha, and felt that this was right for her.
The order, begun by two archdiocesan
priests in Omaha, was established in
order to provide nuns to teach in Catholic
schools in the Archdiocese. The
late Archbishop Daniel Sheehan gave his
permission, and the order was
approved by church hierarchy.
After she entered the order in 1997, Sr.
Maria Gabriel spent nearly five
years with the Carmelite Sisters in
California, who agreed to guide the
formation of the new order. She professed
her vows in March 2000. Since
her return to Nebraska in 2001, she has
resided with the Missionary Benedictine
sisters in Norfolk while completing her
degree work at Wayne State.
Sr. Maria Gabriel says she enjoys being
a Wayne State student. She likes wearing
the traditional habit, which she had input
in designing. “The habit is a reminder of
what our calling is, and it is a privilege for
me to wear it,” she said.
Her habit does prompt questions from
fellow students and others. “I love my
classmates and I love Wayne State,” she
said with a smile. “It usually takes a
semester before other students will ask me
the same two questions: How short is my
hair, and what color is it? For the most part,
other students are extremely respectful. I
want them to be able to approach me with
anything and to be comfortable with me.”
Saying that she could easily be a
perpetual student, Sr. Maria Gabriel expects
to receive her degree from Wayne State in
December 2006, after which she will teach
in the Archdiocese of Omaha and continue
to work within her community.
“Attending school here is a real joy for
me,” she said. “It is providence that I’m
here. Please tell everyone how much I
enjoy Wayne. I don’t know if I can ever
express my deep love for it. Religion,
music, and Wayne State College. It’s
wonderful!”
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Elementary Leadership Conference
Welcomes Hundreds At WSC
The Wayne State College School of Education &
Counseling hosted more than 300 students for the annual
Elementary Leadership Conference on Oct. 15.
“We are happy to host the next generation of Wayne
State College students at this annual Leadership Conference.
It’s a wonderful way to reach out to area schools and
schoolchildren.” said Dr. Paul Theobald, dean of the School
of Education and Counseling at Wayne State College.
“Treat others as you would like to be
treated...with respect. This is what it
takes to be a leader. This is what we
are trying to help you learn to be:
a positive, respectful leader.”
The conference has grown each year from an original
attendance of approximately 70 students in grades fourth
through sixth in 2000.
Elementary and middle school students attended from
Ainsworth, Atkinson, Battle Creek, Norfolk, Bloomfield,
South Sioux City, Columbus, Crofton, Creighton, Elgin,
Tilden, Emerson-Hubbard, Ewing, Hartington, LaurelConcord, Madison, Neligh-Oakdale, Newman Grove,
Niobrara, Wayne, O’Neill, Osmond, Pierce, Plainview, Ponca,
Randolph, Stuart, Stanton, Wakefield, Walthill, West Point
and Winside.
WSC students taught sessions and guided fourth through
eighth grade students as they explored the campus. The day
provided an opportunity for students to learn about strategies
for dealing with bullies at school and how to treat each other
with respect.
‘’All of you have experienced bullying,” said Mimi
Moore, WSC director of field experience and organizer of this
conference, as she addressed the students at the end of the day.
“Treat others as you would like to be treated...with respect.
This is what it takes to be a leader. This is what we are trying
to help you learn to be: a positive, respectful leader.”
One of the sessions was titled, “Are You a Survivor?” Two
of the WSC student leaders for the sessions, Ashley Swanson of
Malmo and Naomi Hughes of Rising City, dressed in costumes
and played roles. Hughes represented an aggressive character
bullying the students as they participated in activities.
Following as a good character influence, Swanson asked
the students questions about how they would have felt or what
they would have done if these were “real-life” situations.
“We were surprised how easily some of the students were
swayed to go along with the bullying. Toward the end of the
day, we had one group that banded together to stand up to the
bully. This session gave the students an opportunity to use the
strategies that they learned throughout the day,” Swanson said.
“Students wrote how they felt in bullying situations on a
wall poster. We also gave out ribbons that displayed the
message, ’Stick with it’ or ‘Be a Friend’ and played the songs,
‘Thank You for Being a Friend’ and ‘Don’t Laugh at Me,’”
Hughes said.
Mimi Moore, WSC director of field
experience, asks for volunteers to
tell what they had learned about
dealing with bullies in their
everyday lives. The students
learned strategies for how to
handle these situations during the
annual Elementary Leadership
Conference hosted by the Wayne
State College School of Education
& Counseling. Chance Johnson of
Madison (standing) and Vance
Heyer of Ainsworth (raising his
hand) were among more than 300
students attending the event on
campus on Oct. 15.
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13
Around Cam
June Davidson of Stanton and Lois Nuernberger of
Wakefield have earned “Pat-on-the-Back” awards from the
Northeast Nebraska Library System Board for their service
at Wayne State College Conn Library.
”The Diary of Anne Frank,” a play set in
World War II Amsterdam, was performed in
Ley Theatre at Wayne State College from
Nov. 22-24. The drama, set in 1944 and
1945, covered the two-year span during
which the Frank family is hiding in a small
apartment, fearing Nazi persecution.
Nearly 90 employers from throughout the region,
including a number of Wayne State alumni, were on
hand for the Wayne State Career Fair held in the
Student Center atrium on Feb. 10. Approximately 500
students participated in the annual event that is
sponsored by the WSC Career Services Office.
Wayne State students in a family and consumer sciences special
methods and materials class were involved with a service learning
project to construct a total of 11 quilts and nine receiving blankets
for the local Haven House shelter and Providence Medical Center to
distribute to infants and young children in need. Involved in the
presentation of the quilts were (l-r): Wayne State student Suzanne
Wiese, Sioux City, Iowa; Karlene Meyer, RN, accepting on behalf of
Providence Medical Center; WSC student Karen Timm, Lyons,
Dr. Sandra Metz, WSC associate professor and WSC student Rita
Mathine, Creighton. The Sunshine Lady Foundation provided funds
for a serger for the class to use.
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Campus
Wayne State College senior art students (l-r) Teresa Marks
of Allen, Everett Deger of Grant and Oak Williams of
Lincoln displayed work together with an opening
reception for the campus in the Nordstrand Visual Arts
Gallery, located in the Val Peterson Fine Arts Building.
“The Pirates of Penzance,” performed by the
nationally-renowned Opera A La Carte of Los
Angeles, played to a full house in Ramsey Theatre
on Feb. 23. The production was presented by the
WSC Black & Gold Performing Arts Series.
Wayne State College Delta Sigma Pi members sponsored the annual
Shirtsleeve Workshop in Gardner Auditorium, Nov. 19. Featured speakers
included from left: Mike Riedmann, president, NP Dodge Real Estate
Sales, Inc.; Linda (Rasmussen) Meyer, accountant, KPMG, LLP; Scott
Mueller, president, Samson, Inc. and Bart Gotch, president, Siouxland
National Bank. The workshop gave WSC students had the opportunity to
ask business people about their fields and career tips for the future.
On Nov. 20, the Multicultural Center Brown Bag Series featured Lance Morgan, a
member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the CEO and an initial founder
of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the development corporation for the Winnebago Tribe. Prior to
working for Ho-Chunk, Morgan worked as a lawyer in the Indian Law Department
of the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney. He has a law degree from Harvard University
and a business degree in economics from UNL.
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WSC Student Elected President of National Organization
Wayne State College student Lila Preston was elected president of Lambda Pi Eta at
the national meeting of the National Communication Association in Miami, held
November 19-23. A graduate of Laurel-Concord Public School and a native of Lyons,
Preston is a senior speech communication major at WSC.
Lambda Pi Eta is the official honor society of the National Communication
Association. The primary purpose of Lambda Pi Eta is to recognize, foster and reward
outstanding scholastic achievement in communication studies. There are 400 chapters
throughout the U.S., Canada, and China. Preston was elected president on a platform
that included the need to develop more student research panels at the National
Communication Association regional conferences. Among other duties as the national
president of Lambda Pi Eta, Preston will conduct the annual business meeting and
establish the agenda for the annual student meeting.
Also at the National Communication Association convention, the Wayne State
chapter of Lambda Pi Eta received honorable mention for chapter of the year, and
chapter advisor Dr. Deborah Whitt received honorable mention for advisor of the year.
Since its inception in 2001, the WSC chapter has collected winter clothing for
disadvantaged children in the Wayne County area, walked 10K in a chapter-sponsored
fund-raiser that raised over $1,800 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and has worked
in support of the national Ronald McDonald house campaign.
Lila Preston
INTERNATIONAL...continued from page 7
AQIP...continued from page 9
In the Costa Rica Program, students learn Spanish in a total
immersion setting; they gain geographical and historical
knowledge and they live with people from a different culture. In
this process students may increase their interest in other cultures,
become less ethnocentric as they become aware of cultural
differences and develop language skills within a cultural context.
Students may gain a better understanding of the US by living
abroad; they often develop confidence, a strengthened sense of
personal identity and flexibility.
The Nebraska Semester Abroad program was begun in 1992
by Wayne State College, The University of Nebraska-Kearney, the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of NebraskaOmaha, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. The purpose of the
program is to offer all students the possibility to study abroad in a
program led by a Nebraska professor but taught by professors from
the hosting institution. The location, Olomouc, Czech Republic,
was selected because of the great difference between their culture
and our own.
One full-time faculty member from Nebraska accompanies the
students. Besides supervising local instruction, the faculty member
offers a four credit independent-study course in a subject relevant
to each students’ interests. Our participating faculty are selected
for their outstanding teaching, special expertise in area studies,
extensive travel experience and belief in the importance of
international education for all students.
An organization that brings both international and domestic
students as well as faculty, staff and the community together on
campus is the International Club. Entertaining and educational
activities bring the students, faculty, staff and community together
to learn from one another and have fun. The annual International
Dinner and Entertainment Night is the club’s biggest activity each
year. This year’s event on Saturday, Feb. 21, featured cuisine from
countries around the world. Dancing and music from a variety of
cultures are an important part of the evening’s festivities.
effectively. Wayne State College is making significant strides in
building on its strengths and making quality improvements
across campus, and working to ensure that it remains an
outstanding institution of higher learning. The achievements in
the first three years of the AQIP project show that the College is
indeed focused on exceptional quality and improvement.
If you are interested in reading more about Wayne State’s AQIP
program, go to the College’s AQIP web site at: http://
www.wsc.edu/academic/aqip/.
Phonathon Drive Underway
Wayne State College’s annual phonathon
drive seeking gifts to support college programs
and update address information is underway.
Calling continues through March 4 from 6 p.m.
to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday
evenings, and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“Contributions to the annual phonathon are an integral
part of the operations of Wayne State College. They allow us
to support our strong educational mission and sustain and
implement programs,” said Deb Lundahl, WSC director of
development and alumni relations.
WSC students will be calling more than 15,000 alumni
and friends to ask for a tax-deductible contribution to Wayne
State College. The goal this year is $170,000 to be used to
support scholarships, building projects, faculty development,
alumni publication, athletics and student support services.
Because the federal government realizes private giving is
essential for college campuses, Wayne State College is exempt
from the “Do-not-call registry.”
Your support will allow Wayne State College to grow and
continue down the path of academic excellence. EVERY gift
is important!
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Why Move Back and Retire in Wayne?
One of its best kept secrets is the variety of activities that Wayne has
in a safe family-oriented environment. If retirement is approaching,
you owe it to yourself to check out all we have to offer.
• Wayne’s real estate values
cover a wide range in the
economic spectrum.
• Wayne offers retirement living
choices at its best.
• The Wayne Library and Senior
Center offer a gathering place
for people of all ages.
• Wayne State brings educational
and cultural opportunities not often
available in small communities.
• The new Community Activity
Center is a fitness/recreational
facility for every age group.
• Wayne’s 18-hole golf course is
one of the most beautiful and
challenging in northeast Nebraska.
YES! I would like more information about Wayne!
Name ___________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
State/Zip ________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________________
E-Mail address ___________________________________________
Please send me information about:
_____ Housing and Costs in Wayne
_____ Recreation in Wayne
_____ Wayne’s New Recreation Center
_____ Wayne’s New Senior Activity Center
_____ Wayne State Fine Arts
_____ Wayne State Athletics
_____ All of the above
Please return form to: Wayne Industries • 108 West Third St. • Wayne, NE 68787 • “Promoting Wayne”
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
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17
Athletics
Wayne State College
Student-Athletes
Receive Academic
Honors
Libby Nelson, left, and Lisa Stewart were two
of the Wayne State College student-athletes
who were presented the President’s Scholar
Athlete Award on Jan. 31. One hundred fifteen
student-athletes qualified for the award.
Men’s Team Member Selected to
All-Academic Individual Team
WSC Women’s Track Team G.P.A.
Highest in NCAA Div. II
The Wayne State women’s track team topped the ranks in the
NCAA Div. II top 25 team honor roll for the 2002-03 season,
according to the United States Track Coaches Association
(USTCA). The awards recognize the nation’s highest team grade
point averages (GPA) for the 2002-03 season based upon
nominations submitted by USTCA-member coaches. WSC men’s
track team member Brian Dixon, a senior from Raymond, Neb.,
was selected to the All-Academic individual team.
Members of the team from a season ago are Elizabeth
Bridgeford, Audrey Emanuel, Melissa Green, Angie Kraus, Katie
Malander, Nicole McCoy, Erin Norenberg, Brenna Pribil, Jodi
Rhodig, Tiffany Schacher, Stacey Schultz, Lindsey Stockwell,
and Kari Torgerson. Wayne State, coached by Marlon Brink, had
a team GPA of 3.533.
Women’s Basketball Team
Ranks Ninth in NCAA Div. II Top 25
The Wayne State women’s basketball team is ranked ninth in
the NCAA Div. II top 25 team honor roll, according to the
Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The awards
recognize the nation’s highest team grade point averages (GPA)
for the 2002-03 season based upon nominations submitted by
WBCA-member coaches.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment by our team,” said
Ryun Williams, WSC women’s basketball coach. “Our players
put a lot of time and effort into their studies and it’s great to see it
pay off by this fine recognition. It is also a credit to our athletic
department, our student support services, and our administration.”
Wayne State had a team GPA of 3.529. This is the second
time Coach Williams’ teams have finished in the top 10. In the
1999-2000 season, they finished fifth in the top 25 honor roll.
2003 NSIC Fall All-Academic Teams
Include 29 WSC Student-Athletes
Twenty-nine Wayne State College student-athletes have been
named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Fall AllAcademic Teams. To be eligible for this honor, the student-athlete
must be a member of the varsity traveling team and have a
cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better. Wayne State
student-athletes on the all-academic teams include:
Men’s Cross Country
Ben Crabtree, sophomore, Lennox, S.D.
Women’s Cross Country
Nicole McCoy, sophomore, Lincoln.; Erin Norenberg, sophomore,
Fremont.
Football
Bump Christensen - Senior, Physical Education - Onawa, Iowa;
Eric Kjar, senior, Kemmerer, Wyo.; Kyle Lingenfelter, senior,
Plainview; Jake Marotz , sophomore, Stanton; Zach Molacek,
sophomore, Stanton; Eric Wells, sophomore, Ainsworth; Nick
Wemhoff, senior, Humphrey.
Men’s Golf
Kyle Lindstrom, junior, Norfolk; Jason Love, junior, Norfolk;
Klinton Keller, senior, Wayne.
Women’s Soccer
Michaela Blaylock, junior, Omaha; Amanda Ferguson, senior,
Wolf, Wyo.; Rachelle Jordan, sophomore, Omaha; Amanda Keller,
senior, Fredonia, Wis.; Sarah Lepak, senior, Green Bay, Wis.; Erika
Mather, senior, Norfolk; Tanya Mitchell, junior, Wisconsin Rapids,
Wis.; Kelly Peterson, sophomore, Vermillion, S.D.; Brea Rath,
senior, York.
Volleyball
Lindsay Boehm, senior, Treynor, Iowa; Julie Jacobsen, sophomore,
Winside; Jacey Kuck, sophomore, Central City; Libby Nelson,
junior, Harvard; Lani Recob, sophomore, Laurel; Chelse Schultz,
junior, Elkhorn; Heather Schuller, senior, Central City.
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Athletics
Wayne State Hosts NCAA Div. II North Central
Regional Cross Country Championships
November 8 was an exciting day of
cross country on the Wayne State campus,
site of the 2003 NCAA Division II North
Central Regional Cross Country
Championships. The 20-degree temperatures
made for tough running conditions. The
women’s race entailed 6,000 meters, or
3 3/4 miles, while the men’s race was
10,000 meters, or 6 1/4 miles.
On the men’s side, the number one
team in the nation, Adams State College,
won the event with a total of 33 points.
Number three-ranked Western State finished
second with 50 points, followed by No. 16
North Dakota State (122), No. 6 South
Dakota State (128), and Minnesota Duluth
(146). The top individual finisher was
Celedino Rodriguez of Adams State with a
time of 30:07.15.
On the women’s side, Adams State, also
ranked number one in the country, won the
event with a total of 20 points. Number tworanked Western State came in second with
53 points, followed by No. 9 South Dakota
(150), No. 13 South Dakota State (155), and
Wayne State
Hall of Fame
Nomination
Form
Please use the form below to nominate
someone you think is deserving of this
award by April 15, 2004. (If you have
additional information about achievements,
etc., please send with the form)
Colorado School of Mines (167). The top
individual finisher was Alisha Williams of
Western State with a time of 20:47.94.
Wayne State’s men’s team finished in
17th place out of 23 teams with a score of
524 points. The Wildcats’ top finisher was
freshman Jeremiah Herron who placed 80th
out of 141 runners with a time of 34:08.44.
The Wildcat women’s team was finished
in 22nd place out of 26 teams with a score of
611 points. The women’s team was led by
freshman Ashley Smith who finished in
105th place with a time of 24:52.72.
A total of 23 men’s and 26 women’s teams competed in the 2003 NCAA Division II
North Central Regional Cross Country Championships on Nov. 8 at Wayne State.
Information about Nominee:
Name ______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip _______________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________
Grad Year __________________________________________________________
Classification _______________________________________________________
(Student-athlete, coach, staff, team, administrator or contributor)
Sport(s) ____________________________________________________________
Years sport(s) was played ______________________________________________
Nominated by:
Return form by April 15, 2004 to:
Todd Barry, Director of Athletics
Wayne State College • 1111 Main Street
Wayne, NE 68787
402-375-7520 • [email protected]
Name ______________________________________________________________
Grad Year __________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
WSC Magazine_16768
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3/8/04, 1:21 PM
19
Late Alumna’s Gift to Assist Wayne State Students
Emma Kienke took many of her education classes in the Training
School, now the Hahn Administration Building, shown in the 1930
photo above.
This year Wayne State College received a very special gift
from 1945 alumna Emma Kienke who left the college a
percentage of her estate to create a loan fund for its students.
Emma devoted her life to education and through her bequest
created an endowment that will continue in perpetuity to
support her life’s work through the Emma Kienke Student
Loan Fund.
Both Emma and her sister Minnie Campbell completed
their education degrees at Wayne State in 1945 when it was a
normal school and teachers college. Because Emma taught
school during the year, she worked to achieve her degree by
attending summer school from 1932 through 1945. She
dedicated herself to teaching school in Nebraska for a total of
49 years. Her legacy of hard work and dedication to education
will be remembered at Wayne State College. “Emma will
continue to impact student learning for young men and
women who, like her, not only work hard in the classroom but
hold jobs to help pay for their education,” said Vice President
for Development Phyllis Conner.
Wayne State is proud of its history as a teachers college
and Emma Kienke who impacted so many lives in such a
positive way. The college has evolved over the years to a
comprehensive institution of higher education but continues
to play a proud and vital role in educating teacher for the
region and the nation. Approximately 30% of its student body
majors in education.
If you are interested in making a planned gift to Wayne
State College, please complete the form below or call Phyllis
Conner, Vice President for Development and Executive
Director of the Wayne State Foundation at (402) 375-7543.
Giving Through Your Will Creates a Lasting Legacy
_____ I have already provided for Wayne State College in my will.
_____ I have a specific question about my will. Please call me.
_____ I would like to become a member of the WSC Heritage Society.
Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________
Phone (_____)___________________________ The best time to call is _______________________
Please return form to: Wayne State Foundation • 1111 Main Street
• Wayne, Nebraska 68787 • 402-375-7510
20
WSC Magazine_16768
20
3/8/04, 1:21 PM
Newly-named Wayne State
Foundation trustees Beth and Steve
Manzer of Osmond, left, visit with
trustee Nic Windeshausen of Citrus
Heights, Calif. and Vice President for
Development and Executive Director
of the Wayne State Foundation
Phyllis Conner during the annual
Wayne State Foundation trustees’
meeting at Homecoming. Trustees
Terry McClain, Fremont, and David
Ley, Wayne, are pictured standing
behind Windeshausen.
Wayne State Foundation Trustees Named
New Wayne State Foundation trustees have recently been named. They are:
Galen Wiser ’75, Wayne. Wiser is a Senior Vice President of State National Bank, where he has been employed for 29 years.
He is a member of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, American Heart Association and a Wayne Ambassador.
Jim’57 and MSE ’58 and Vera’85 and MSE ’88 Hummel, Wayne. Before their retirement the Hummels were long-time WSC
employees. Jim served as Director of Admissions and Assistant Vice President for Admissions and Records, and Vera was an
office assistant and a business instructor. The Hummels are active in church activities and Jim is a Kiwanis member.
Bob and Deborah Enz, Wayne. Bob has been a District Judge for the State of Nebraska since 1992. Prior to his appointment
he was with the law firm of Olds, Swartz, and Ensz. Deborah is a Learning Skills Specialist at WSC; from 1977-1995 she was a
part-time adjunct professor. Bob and Deb have been active in numerous community organizations.
Irv Hoffbauer ’51, West Des Moines, Iowa. Hoffbauer is a CPA and owner of Hoffbauer and Company, CPA. Prior to starting
his company, Hoffbauer was a managing partner for Ernst & Ernst in Des Moines for 35 years. He has served on numerous
professional and civic boards.
Steve ’94 and Beth ’76 and MSE’81 Manzer, Osmond. Steve is vice president, general manager and owner of Manzer
Equipment in Osmond and provides consulting, installation, and support for microcomputer systems, local and wide area
networks and peripheral equipment to small business and schools. Beth is a business educator at Osmond Community School,
where she has also coached volleyball and basketball. The Manzers are both active in community organizations.
Robert Lichtenberg ’69, Walton. Lichtenberg is president and owner of Lincoln Machine, a metal fabrication company that
generates custom tools and parts for a variety of customers ranging from local farmers to manufacturing businesses. Bob and
his wife, Linda, bought the company in 1991. Lichtenberg’s career path has included teaching, banking, engineering and sales
and manufacturing.
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
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3/8/04, 1:21 PM
21
Alumni Notes
(Towns and cities listed on
these pages are in Nebraska
unless noted or generally
understood. All events
occurred in 2003 unless
indicated otherwise. Efforts
are made to keep our news
current.)
1953
George Konopik, Coupeville,
Wash., is directing the All-Island
Concert/Jazz band of Whidbey
Island, Wash., teaching private
music lessons and performing
for community events. He
retired in 1998 following 40
years of teaching music in state
and international schools.
1961
Douglas A. Hobel, Leigh, is the
recipient of two awards for his
dedication to his community.
He received the Woodword
Award, which is the outstanding
citizen award, and the Helping
Hand Award. Douglas has
retired from teaching at the
Papillion-LaVista high school.
1976
Shelley A. (Patterson) and
Mark S. (’77) Anderson reside
in Chicago, Ill. He is the
assistant vice president at VELA
Insurance Services, Inc. and she
is the manger of benefits at
AVAYA.
1977
David Brad Hahn has returned
to Colorado and is employed by
Western Sugar Cooperative as a
general sales manager. He and
his wife, Sammie, reside in
Aurora, Colo.
1983
Bob Wies and his wife, Tammy,
reside in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
He is the operations manager at
O-Flex Tube, Murfreesboro.
1984
Charlene (Smedra) Schadler
and her husband, Shawn,
announce the birth of son,
Maximilian Paul, born Sept. 18
and welcomed home by Sara
(11), Louie (6) and David (3).
They reside in Arvada, Colo.,
where Charlene is a reservation
agent at Frontier Airlines,
Denver.
1986
Colleen (Qualls) Fiegener,
Dawson, was selected as Health
and Human Services System
Supervisor of the Year for 2003.
She has been employed with the
agency since 1986 and was a
previous recipient of this award
in 1993.
1988
Susan (Wragge) Rinkel and her
husband, Allen, Pierce,
announce the birth of son,
Shawn Walter, born July 6 and
welcomed home by sisters,
Cassandra (6) and Stephanie
(2 ˚).
Susan is
spending
time at
home as
a full-time
mother of
three
children.
Diane K. Moore, Elkhorn, is the
Associate Director of
Development for the Omaha
Symphony, Omaha.
Julie (Hopper) Rice, York, is
employed as a community
support worker at Blue Valley
Mental Health Center. She
oversees care of the severely
mentally ill in their homes and
communities through
counseling, medication visits,
case management, education of
diagnosis and socialization
goals to combat isolation.
Victor Russell and his wife,
Toni, Omaha, announce the birth
Dawn (Qualley) Smith,
Bloomfield, the K-12 counselor of daughter, Kennedy Rae
born Oct. 11.
at Bloomfield Community
Victor is
Schools, was awarded the
project
Nebraska Counseling
Association’s 2003 Counselor of manager at
First Data,
the Year. She received her
Omaha.
master’s degree from WSC in
1994 and joined the staff of
Bloomfield Community Schools 1992
the same year. She and her
Jennifer (Schilmoeller, MSE
husband, Ken, reside in
’98) and Stuart Rethwisch (’98),
Bloomfield and are the parents
Waterloo, Ill., announce the birth
of two grown children.
of daughter, Elizabeth Mae,
born July 25 and welcomed
Mary (Thomsen) Gibb and her home by sister Lydia (2).
husband, Judd, reside in West
Elizabeth was baptized on the
Des Moines, Iowa, with their
same day that her father was
son, Andrew (3). Mary is the
ordained as a pastor. He
department chairperson,
graduated from Concordia
Counseling Department at West Seminary,
Des Moines
St. Louis, in
School
May 02, and
District and
serves the
Judd is a
Lutheran
golf pro at
Church of
Des Moines
Wartburg,
Golf and
Waterloo, Ill.
Country
Jaime M. Tiller was united in
Club.
marriage to Timothy H.
Johnston on July 12. The
1990
David Heilesen resides in Social couple resides in Mission, Kan.
Circle, Ga., and is employed as a She is employed as an
engineering architect at Cerner
sales manager at Southern
Corp.
Educational Systems.
1989
1991
1993
Sandra Glinsmann and Mike
Hansen were married Oct. 11.
The couple resides in Omaha,
where she is a nanny and he is
employed as the concession
kitchen supervisor at the Qwest
Center.
Margo Sandahl, Stamford,
Conn., has completed the
Master’s in Reading at the
University of Bridgeport, Conn.,
and is in her fourth year serving
as an instructional coordinator
for the Stamford Public Schools’
School Readiness Program at
Stamford, Conn.
Ken Fiscus was named Albert
Lea Area Schools’ Teacher of the
Year, and was one of 35
educators interviewed for
NASA’s new educator-astronaut
program. He and his wife, Kelli,
reside in Albert Lea, Minn., with
their children, Rigel and
Meridian.
22
WSC Magazine_16768
22
3/8/04, 1:21 PM
Carter and Tammy (Rudolph
’94) Hollenbeck, announce the
birth of daughter, Abigail Emily,
born Feb. 5, 2003. They reside
in Germany where they are both
employed at the Department of
Defense Dependent Schools.
She instructs
military
children for
the U.S. Army
and he
teaches and
coaches
football and
girls’ basketball.
born Nov. 23. Jody is a sixthgrade teacher at Norfolk
Catholic Schools.
DaVarryl Williamson, Aurora,
Colo., whose boxing nickname
is “Touch of Sleep,” is featured
in Mile High Sports Magazine
as “Colorado’s own heavyweight contender and his
strange trip to the heights of
professional boxing.” Although
he lost his last bout, he will
continue his professional
heavyweight career.
Elizabeth “Betsy” (Schmidt)
Spieler and her husband
Patrick, Omaha, announce the
birth of daughter, Laura Grace,
born Sept. 4. Betsy is a physical
therapist at Alegent Health,
Omaha.
Angela (Schmidt) Duffy and her
husband, Keith, Ponca,
announce the birth of daughter,
Olivia Renae, born Sept. 15.
Angela is a fifth- and sixthgrade teacher at East Catholic
Elementary, Hartington.
Lori (Maruska) Steinle and her
husband, Mark, Albuquerque,
N.M.,
1994
Keri (Kamrath) Lazure and her announce
the birth of
husband, Joseph, announce the
daughter,
birth of daughter, Aleah Marie,
Liesel Grace,
born Dec. 9. She is welcomed
born
to their home in Omaha by
June 17.
brother, Caleb (2). Keri is a
physician assistant at Family
James E. Gubbels, Omaha, has
Med Center,
earned his Certified CompenInc., Omaha
sation Professional (CCP)
and is
designation. He is employed as
entering her
th
a senior compensation analyst
14 year in
for Physicians Mutual Insurance
the Army
Co., Omaha.
National
Guard.
Gregory and Kate (Catherine
Brutsche ’95) Bergman
Laurie L. Brabec was united in announce the birth of son,
marriage to Darren VanName on Joshua Daniel, born July 14.
The reside in Newton, Kan.,
Aug. 30; they reside in Milan,
where Greg is a band/wind
Ill. They both are members of
the U.S. Army Reserves and she ensemble director at Newton
Public Schools, Newton, Kan.
was promoted to the rank of
Kate is the flute instructor at
Master Sargeant. She is
employed as a creative designer Emporia State University and
the graduate teaching assistant
for Genesis Health System in
for flute at
Davenport, Iowa.
the Univ. of
Jody (Bauermeister) Maas and Kansas,
her husband,
where she is
Chad,
pursuing a
Norfolk,
doctorate in
announce
flute
the birth of
performance.
son, Max
William,
Ronald W. Hunter ‘51
Alumni Mini-Feature:
Ronald W. Hunter ‘51
On Dec. 18, 1953, the University of Nebraska Law
School faced Georgetown University in the finals of the
National Moot Court Championship in New York City
before a court of eight judges. Nebraska upset the heavilyfavored Georgetown which had been undefeated for three
years and was attempting to win its third national
championship in a row. Ronald W. Hunter, a 1951 graduate
of Wayne State College, was on the winning Nebraska team.
The 1953 Nebraska team was the only Nebraska team to win
the national championship in the last 50 years. Hunter
graduated first in his class from law school in 1955, serving
as chief editor of the Nebraska Law Review.
Throughout his career, Hunter has had many interesting
experiences. He served as a special agent in the Counter
Intelligence Corps and wrote a book about the American
Communist Party.
In 1964, Hunter started a new law firm in Omaha. One
of his early clients was John Coleman of Chicago, son-inlaw of columnist Ann Landers.
Hunter was elected president of the Western Heritage
Society in Omaha in 1975. The society was attempting to
convert the abandoned Union Station into a museum.
Hunter led the efforts to open the museum, saving the depot
from destruction. He was re-elected president of the
museum for nine terms. After several years of financial
struggle and against overwhelming odds, the museum
survived and is becoming a world-class museum.
In 1990, Mary McKinney, chairperson of the museum
board, said, “Ron Hunter built the museum, but above and
beyond that, Ron was the visionary.”
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
WSC Magazine_16768
23
3/8/04, 1:21 PM
23
1995
Jennifer (O’Brien) and Ron
Koch announce the birth of son,
Kaeden Lee born July 10 and
welcomed home by sister
Karissa (3). They reside in
Sioux City, where they are both
employed in the school system;
Jennifer is a kindergarten
teacher and Ron is a second
grade teacher.
Wendy (Neuhalfen) Beatty and
her husband, Reese, reside in
Lincoln with their son and
daughter, Jackson (4) and Piper
(born March 2003). Wendy is a
third-grade teacher at North
American Martyrs’ School,
Lincoln.
Rebecca (Simon) and Daniel
(’96) Hoey reside in Parachute,
Colo., where both are employed
by Garfield County School Dist.
16. He serves as the principal
and she is a business teacher.
Joan (Scherbring, MSE)
Musich, and her husband,
Rodney, Earling, Iowa,
announce the birth of twins,
Luke Robert and Lexi Marie,
born July 22. Joan is a math
teacher
at Boyer
Valley
High
School,
Dunlap,
Iowa.
1996
Shannon (Roberts) Johnson
and her husband Mark, Wayne,
announce the birth of son, Couy
Robert, born March 11.
Shannon is
employed as
a paralegal
at Jewell,
Collins,
DeLay &
Gray,
Norfolk.
Angie (Moeller) and Scott (’98)
Simpson, Albion, have each
received their Master’s of
Education degree from WSC
and both are teaching at Boone
Central Schools. He teaches in
the second grade and she in the
kindergarten, first and second
grades. Scott also serves as the
assistant softball and freshman
boys basketball coach and
Angie is the high school cheer
coach.
Christine (Halmes)
Willingham and her husband,
Archibald, reside in Lookout
Mountain, Ga. She is a
professional services manager at
Intellisys Corporation,
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kevin Boies and his wife, Sara,
Indianola, Iowa, announce the
birth of daughter, Erika Barbara,
born March 3. Kevin is an
industrial tech teacher, varsity
track coach
and assistant
varsity
basketball
coach at
Norwalk
High School,
Norwalk,
Iowa.
Nichole (Adamson) Mathison
and her husband, Wade,
announce the birth of daughter,
Kennedy Christine, born Feb. 17
and welcomed home by brother,
Wade (2 ˚). The family resides
in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa,
Nichole is a
representative
with Bayer
Pharmaceuticals,
Sioux City.
Chad and Lori (Wilson ’95)
Van Cleave, Omaha, announce
the birth of second child, Adam
Wilson, born Aug. 11 and
welcomed home by sister, Emily
(3). Lori is employed at Oharco
Distributors as a sales rep and
Chad is employed at Mutual of
Omaha as an audit consultant.
1997
Margaret “Meg” (Neuberger)
Lee and her husband, Robert,
announce the birth of daughter,
Irene “Rena” Rose born April 7.
They reside in Omaha where
Meg is selfemployed
as a Pilates
instructor
and Robert
is employed
by Home
Smartz as a
mortgage
processor.
Aaron and Brenda (Russell)
Houser, Yutan, announce the
birth of son, Adam Geoffrey,
born Oct. 3 and welcomed home
by brother Russell (3). Aaron is
employed by American
Interstate Bank, Elkhorn, as a
loan officer. Brenda is a high
school math teacher at Yutan
High School.
24
Angela Warner, Haslet, Texas,
received her MBA in Dec., and
has accepted a position in the
human resources department at
First American Payment
Systems.
Kenny Loosvelt and Audrey
Kuester (’00) were married on
Aug. 2 and reside in Madison.
They are both teachers and serve
as coaches at the Madison
Public School, she in the middle
and he in the high school.
1999
Patty Murphy and Tracy
Lichty (‘00), were united in
marriage Aug. 2 and reside in
Norfolk were both teachers. She
is the reading specialist at
Lincoln Elementary and also
Sheri Nelson has moved to
serves as the college supervisor
Urbandale, Iowa, where she is
for student
employed as a regional sales
teachers.
representative for Cort/Instant
He is the
Business Services.
fifth grade
teacher at
Justin S. Cole (MSE ’99) and
Jefferson
Allison Paige Meadows were
married Oct. 22 in the Bahamas. Elementary
and also
They reside in Louisville, Ky.,
where he is a mortgage banker at coaches.
First Residential Mortgage,
Scott Bruns and Kelli Francis
Louisville. He was the head
were united in marriage Sept. 20
women’s soccer coach at WSC
and reside in Sioux Falls, S.D.
from 1998-2001.
He is employed as a salesman at
Mindy (Zierke) Carpenter and Stan Houston Equipment.
her husband, Jonathon, Las
Vegas, Nev., announce the birth Angela C Jurzenski,
of Jamisyn Ellen, born Sept. 18. Schaumburg Ill., is a graphic
designer at RC2 Corp.,
Mindy is
Bolingbrook, Ill.
the events
specialist at
Russell A. “Russ” Raszler, and
the Aladdin
Stefanie Senn were married
Resort &
Oct. 18 in
Casino,
Omaha,
Las Vegas.
where the
1998
Kelsie (Cappel) and Paul (’99)
Sather reside in Aberdeen, S.D.,
with their adopted son, Samuel.
24
WSC Magazine_16768
Paul is in his sixth year as an
assistant basketball coach at
Northern State and Kelsie has
taken a hiatus from teaching to
stay home with their son.
3/8/04, 1:22 PM
couple
resides.
Russ is
employed
by the City
of Omaha as a crime lab
technician for the Omaha Police
Dept.
Maralyn (Blair) Grimoskas,
Sioux City, Iowa, received her
senior claim law associate
designation from American
Educational Institute, Inc. This
designation involves the
completion of four claims law
programs. She was awarded the
Certified Administrative
Professional rating for having
met the requirements and
satisfactorily completing an
established program of
examinations. She is employed
at Great West Casualty
Company, South Sioux City, as
physical damage/cargo claims
adjuster.
Lisa Weber and Michael
Brandon were married Oct. 11.
She teaches first grade at Our
Lady of Guadalupe, Omaha, and
he is a
computer
analyst for
the Cerner
Corp. The
couple
resides in
Bellevue.
2000
Michaela M. Clifford has
relocated to Overland Park,
Kan., and is working as the
Development Assistant in the
office of Stewardship and
Development at the Archdiocese
of Kansas City in Kansas.
Keri Golden and Dustin Boyle
were married June 1 and reside
in Sioux City, Iowa, where she is
employed as a retail banker at
First Federal Bank.
Jason and Kelly (Rotherham
’01) Diaz reside in Brooklyn,
Wis. Jason is the director of
operations at Wisconsin Sports
Development Corp. and Kelly is
the investment technology
programmer analyst at Members
Capital Advisors.
2001
Jamie and Brooke (DeMarest
’03) Lang reside in Sioux City,
Iowa, where both are employed
by the Sioux City School
System. He is a fifth-grade
teacher at Joy Elementary and
she is a kindergarten teacher at
Whittier Elementary.
Adam Dangberg and Brenda
Johnson ’02 were united in
marriage July 19. They reside
in Omaha where he is an
actuarial technician for Empire
Insurance and she is employed
by the Bennington Public
School system.
Melinda “Mindy” Orke and
Tim Mullen were married May
31 and reside in Sioux City,
Iowa. The couple owns and
operates their own internet
business and she also is
employed at Midwest
Community Credit Union.
Ron and Nancy (Baasch)
Watts, Urbandale, Iowa, are
proud to announce the birth of
daughter, Jasmine Ann, born
Oct. 15. They are employed
with Principal Financial Group,
Des Moines,
Iowa; he as
IT analyst
and she as a
business
analyst.
Meghann (Bowder) Buresh
and her husband, Brian,
Norfolk, announce the birth of
daughter, Brianna Elizabeth,
born Oct. 21. Brian is a
salesman with Dr. Pepper/7-Up
Bottling and Meghann is an
inside sales representative at
Norfolk Iron and Metal.
Stacy Frasch was united in
marriage to Pat McNear on
Oct. 2. The couple resides in
Sioux City, Iowa, she is a
microbiologist at the Siouxland
Dist. Health Dept.
2002
Trevor J. Steinmeyer,
Fairbury, accepted the position
of PSA director for KUTT
Radio, Fairbury.
Susan Brudigam and Chad
Metzler, both of Wayne, were
married Oct. 4. She is a fifthgrade teacher at BancroftRosalie Schools and is
enrolled in graduate
studies at
WSC. He is
the program
director at
the Wayne
Recreation
Dept.
Alumni Mini-Feature:
Kenneth D. Burns ‘83
As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Greater Phoenix
(Arizona) Economic Council, Ken Burns ‘83 manages the resource development
and management functions for the regional economic development organization.
This includes the attraction and retention of public and private funding sources
including member relations, along with the corporate financial and administrative
functions of accounting, risk management, budgeting, financial reporting, and
human resources.
Prior to joining GPEC in 2001, Burns worked as a controller for one of the
largest heating and air conditioning service companies in Arizona. While in
Arizona, he provided management advisory consulting services with a regional
CPA firm. Additionally, throughout his career he has held various accounting and
general management positions in private industry.
Burns received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor
in mathematics and computer science from Wayne State College and his master’s
degree in business administration from Arizona State University. He successfully
completed the requirements for his Certified Public Accounting designation in
2001 and is a member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ken and his wife Chris are the parents of a daughter, Eliana.
Ken Burns ‘83
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
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25
3/8/04, 1:22 PM
25
Andrew Foltz and Andrea
Torczon were married in July
and reside in Omaha. He is
employed as a claims adjuster at
Empire Insurance and she is a
pharmacy student at the
University of Nebraska Medical
Center with aspirations of
attaining her doctorate degree in
May.
2003
Jadyne Kauth resides in
Chandler, Ariz., and is employed
at Carestone Assisted Living as
the recreation director.
Jason Taylor is a correction
officer at the Tecumseh State
Correctional Institution,
Tecumseh, and resides in
Sterling.
Eric Dickson and Katrina
(Kayte) Push were united in
marriage on May 24. The
couple resides in Omaha; he is
a patrol officer at Heartland
Public Safety, Omaha, and she
is a branch
manager at
Commercial
Federal
Bank,
Omaha.
Sarah Haag was united in
marriage to Brad Rippke on Aug.
9 in Denver, Colo. She serves as
business support personnel at St.
Brenda (Nelson) Buschkamp
Anthony’s North, Westminister,
and her husband, Tony, reside
Colo. They reside in Thornton.
Alumni Achievement Award
The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes Wayne State
alumni who have outstanding achievements in their career,
and/or civic involvement and provided support of WSC.
Please use the form below to nominate someone you think
deserves this award.
Nomination Form - Please fill out the following information
Please print
Nominee's Name__________________________Grad Year ______
near Wynot. She is a science
teacher at the Vermillion School
Dist., Vermillion, S.D.
John “Jack” Franklin
Johnson ’50, (77), Woodland,
Wash.; Nov. 25.
Julie Kehrli resides in Omaha.
She is in her third year of
pharmacy school at Creighton
University and works part-time
compounding drugs at Kohl’s
Parmaceuticals.
Kathaleen (McClary) Jeppson
’54, (69), Wakefield; Dec. 27.
IN MEMORY OF
Robert “Bob” Ohlund ’56,
(74), Storm Lake, Iowa;
Sept. 10.
Grace (Weldon) Murray ’34,
(94), Pender; Oct. 8.
Eugene James ’36, (89),
Lincoln; Oct. 3.
Ruth (Paddock) Voorhees ’36,
(90), Harvard; Dec. 13.
Harold Frey ’38, (86), Pierce;
Oct. 21.
Laura Zimmerman ’39,
(97),Orchard; Aug. 28.
Alice Mae (Young) Nelson ’39,
(85) Fountain Hills, Ariz.;
Sept. 23.
Mabel (Hendrick) Aiken ’39,
Hastings; Dec. 29.
Marjorie (Wiegert) Hutchins
’39, Lakewood, Colo.; Sept. 28.
Nominee's Occupation ___________________________________
Nominee's Mailing Address _______________________________
Helen (Maxell) Thomason ’40,
(83), Atlantic, Iowa; Jan. 4,
2004.
City/State/Zip __________________________________________
Nominee's Phone
Business____________ Home ____________
On a separate sheet of paper please state the nominee's career
accomplishments (cite specific achievements), and civic
contributions (community, charitable organizations, schools, etc.).
Anne Willms ’41, (96),
Coleridge; Nov. 11.
Mary Katherine (Hicks) Witt
’44, (80), Reno, Nev.; Sept 8.
Nominated by
Name__________________________________ Grad Year ______
Mailing Address ________________________________________
City/State/Zip __________________________________________
Phone
Business______________ ___ Home _______________
Send nomination and supporting information to:
Alumni Office, Wayne State College, 1111 Main St.,
Wayne, NE 68787, or e-mail [email protected]. Thank you.
Viola Thomas ’44, (92), Wayne;
Oct. 24.
Vivian ((Dikeman) Taylor ’44,
(88), Neligh; Aug. 26.
Elinor (Soderberg) Knobloch
’46, (77), Fairfield, Tenn.; Oct. 1.
Genene (Weddingfeld) Busch
’50, (72), Pender; Sept. 17.
26
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Florence (Anderson)
Kersenbrock ’55, (100), Grand
Island; Nov. 17.
Mary A. (Edwards) Miller ’58,
(88), Elgin; Nov. 12.
Marian (Behmer) Jordan ’62,
(93), Wayne; Dec. 28.
Nobuyoshi Okumura ’63,
Nishikyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Japan.
Sandra (Elsasser) Hicks ’68,
(56), Ham Lake, Minn.; Sept. 9.
Frances (Kuhl) Manske ’68,
(70), Pierce; Nov. 5.
Bette (Pippitt) Ream ’75, (81),
Wayne; Oct 6.
Mary (Walling) de Freese ’77,
(86), Wayne; Oct. 16.
Derek Aspedon ’01, (24),
Lincoln; Oct. 31.
Friends We Will Miss
Robert “Bob” Bogue, (85),
Crofton; Dec. 2. Bob was a past
member of the Board of
Trustees of the Wayne State
Foundation.
Upcoming
Events:
April
Denver Reunion
Des Moines Reunion
May 8
Commencement
June 4
Catbacker Golf
July 9 & 10
Chicken Days
July 17
Omaha Golf Tourney
Sigma Tau Gamma alumni gathered at the home of Drs. Ron and Deborah Whitt
at Homecoming. From left: Dan Wolken, Neal Halsey, Tad Edwards, Dave Whitt,
Kent Hoffart, Rod Giese, Ron Whitt, Kurt Edwards, Will Heelan, Chuck Maier, and
Byron Bonsall.
October 15 & 16
Homecoming
Send us your news & photos, too!
We encourage you to send photos with your alumni notes - wedding, new baby, promotion, informal gathering with other alumni, etc. Be
sure to identify people in the photos. Digital photos with fewer than five megapixels cannot be accepted.
You can send your news via email - [email protected] - Please remember to update your address!
Class___________________
Name________________________________________________________ (Maiden Name) ___________________________________________
Spouse________________________________________ (Maiden Name)___________________________________ Class __________________
Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________
State__________________ Zip_____________________ Home Phone_________________________ E-mail _____________________________
Employer_____________________________________________________ Title ____________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________
State_____________________________________ Zip_________________ Phone __________________________________________________
Spouse’s Employer______________________________________________ Title ___________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________
State_____________________________________ Zip_________________ Phone __________________________________________________
Information for alumni notes ______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Send to: Alumni Office, Wayne State College, 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787
WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE
WSC Magazine_16768
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27
Sun City Reunion
Beautiful Palmbrook Country Club was the site of the
Sun City, Arizona reunion on January 18. Interim
President, Curt Frye spoke to the group about
happenings at WSC. Pictured are, front row (l-r):
Hilda ’36 Neihardt; Faye ’47 (Sandahl) Purtzer;
Marjorie ’43 (Gnuse) Krohn; Ann ’66 (Thomas)
Carter; Marvel Lehman and Deborah Lundahl,
director of development and alumni relations. Back
row (l-r): Glennis ’45 (Haitz) and Milt Meyer;
Marilyn ’55 (Throckmorton) and Elwin Anson;
Horace ’42 Purtzer; Merna Rapp; Dianne and Curt
Frye, interim president; Ken ’55 Rapp; Joe ’41
Lindahl; Phyllis Conner, vice president for
development; George ’56 and Susan ’55 Menking.
Tucson Reunion
A very special reunion was hosted by Marge and
Bill Holland in their lovely courtyard. Pictured
(l-r): Interim President Curt Frye, Dianne Frye,
Deb Lundahl, Buford ’51 and Arlene Jones, Jim
’42 and Wilma Kingston, Marge ’82 (Stewart)
Holland, Lucy ’43 (Moseley) Kuhlman, Phyllis
Conner, Bill Holland. Back row (l-r): Roger ’59
and Karen Lundeen, Milo ’47 and Eveyln Blecha,
R. Greg ’72 and Becky Walker, Kristi Whitney and
Chris Gabriel ’94. Not present at time of photo:
Doug ’88 Eickhoff and Patricia Metz.
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #227
Sioux City, Iowa
WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION
1111 MAIN STREET
WAYNE NE 68787
www.wsc.edu
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