50-Year Reunion
Class of 1962
Sesquicentennial Year – 150 and Counting
Reunion dates ― May 25-26, 2012
March 2012
CLASS OF ʼ62 REUNION WEEKEND SCHEDULE AND UPDATES
Check out the Gustavus link - https://gustavus.edu/alumni/class/1962/attendees.php
and see who is planning to come to our reunion.
So far 35 rooms have been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn for our class.
You will receive detailed information around April 1st that will include all of the registration options. We
hope you will stay for the entire weekend and take in all that is offered.
Here’s an overview:
Friday - May 25th
Registration begins at 12:30 - Student Center
Choir Practice in the chapel - 1:00 until Diane thinks we’re ready!
Tours and programs will be provided beginning at 1:30
Chapel Service - 4:00 PM will include all pastors from our class who are attending as well as the
Sesquisingers conducted by Diane Loomer
5:00 PM - class photo in the Chapel
5:30 - 6:30 - Cocktails in “The Dive”
6:30 - ? Class Dinner, Program, Election of class officers and visit from President Ohle to accept
our class gift. We don’t have to leave at the end of dinner as beverages will be available if we want to
continue our conversations.
Saturday - May 26th
Morning and afternoon programs - details in registration information
50 Year Club Lunch - we are officially inducted into this select group!
The Dive is ours throughout the day for conversation and relaxation
Alumni Banquet - tables will be assigned by class, a much shorter event than in previous years.
Orchestra Concert to follow
Perhaps a gathering at the Hilton?
SUNDAY - GRADUATION DAY - PLAN ‘B’ - we will NOT walk with the graduates.
Please gather at 1:15 outside the Johnson Student Union and form two rows that the 2012 graduates can
walk through as they begin their walk to the ceremony. We will have a banner from the class of ’62 and
cheer them on. The Dive will be available after.
Questions, send an email [email protected] or call me at home:
360-321-2522 or cell: 206-795-2041.
A CLASS AGENT’S SORROW: SORROW TO HEAR OF ONE INJURED LAMB
Thanks is due to the good people who are tirelessly working to make this 50th reunion a huge success and
a big celebration!!! It has been in these past nine months that I have been so very aware of both – good
people and good guidance. Good people – classmates, co-workers in reunion preparation, Sharon
Maurer Edberg, The Fund Crew and The Fun Group. Good guidance – Gustavus staff, especially
Jacque Schwartz Brunsberg ʼ81, the advancement staff, Kathy Erlandsen, Philly Kauffmann and Ann
Hogberg Johnson.
These past weeks I have been talking with Fund Crew members. In so doing, I have learned that a small
number of people (one is too many) are unhappy with Gustavus. They are mad at Gustavus because for
49+ years they have sent information to Gustavus and their news has not appeared in class letters.
So, how do you suppose I felt to hear that? Wow! NOT music to my ears! Attempting to assuage my
sadness and guilt, I reminded myself that I have been writing class letters for only 8 of the 49 years;
THEREFORE, there were others who could share the criticism with me. AND of course, I was quick to
add in the fact that if news came to the alumni director and it didn’t come to me, I SURELY could not be
entirely at fault. AND, in addition, if people don’t send their news to the class letter writer, how was the
writer to get the news. (Excuses can make such a soft cushion….)
Are there reasons? Yes. Are there excuses? No.
I am very sad and very sorry that any one person in our class has been left out. Every single person, every
bit of news, is important – equally important! Simply speaking, it was by error, not by intent. (To err is
human, to forgive divine. If you are angry, I sincerely hope you can forgive.)
As a pragmatic person, I said, “What can be done to correct the problem?”
(The new class officer structure should help a lot.)
Gathering news and information from a few hundred people spread across the U.S. and several countries
is a daunting task. Since June of 2011 the members of Sharon Maurer Edberg’s “Fun Committee” and
my “Fund Crew” have undertaken to call the entire class list. Not one caller has reported that he/she
could reach everyone on his/her list. People aren’t home. We don’t have current/correct numbers or
addresses. People screen calls. Different time zones make finding the “right time to call” difficult.
I dare say, however, that incoming reports from callers are great. “It sure was fun to talk with ______.”
“I never knew _____, but I wish I had known him/her.” “I never knew ____and I had so much in
common.” “Our lives, though miles apart, have been so similar.” “I had a delightful chat with _____.”
And every caller has expressed amazement at the closeness and connection that exists with us even after
so many years.
We have made it our goal to reach every member of the Class of 1962. IF NOBODY HAS SPOKEN
WITH YOU, PLEASE CALL ME! 919-556-6162 (eastern time zone) or Sharon Maurer Edberg 360321-2522 (Pacific time zone). Please take the responsibility to call, email or mail your news to Sharon or
me. [email protected] 2522 Hillis Drive, Langly, WA 98260
[email protected] 2537 Carriage Oaks Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614.
DO WE HAVE SOME LOST LAMBS? THE SHEPHERD GOES OUT AND SEEKS EVERY LOST LAMB….
The Alumni Office records show that all of the names listed below have a current mailing address;
however, our reunion committee has been unable to contact you. We may have an old number or email
address, so if you have a current phone number, email address or postal address for any of the following,
please call or email 919-556-6162 or [email protected]. Some of the callers report that they call and call
and leave messages, but there is no return call. If you have received a call from a classmate, please talk
with the caller. We want news of every single person in the class! Thanks for your help!!
Heidi Mether Anderson
Bette Churchill Thorstenson
Geri Sparks Evans
Gerald Florine
Dick Hultberg
Karen Johnson
Bob Knudsen
Bill Larson
Mike Manuel
Jeanette Palmquist Momot
John Musser
Roger T. Nelson
Ethel Anderson Peterson
Paul C. Peterson
Mary Roggow Rogers
Rosemary Eklund Saur
Peggy Helvig Sediva
Sandra Swenson Wise
Roger Wyland
THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE MAKING GIFTS!!!
The giving goals are high but not unreasonable for a class that has consistently proven its generosity and
love for Gustavus. We have already exceeded our Gustavus Annual Fund goal of $30,000.
Our most challenging goal is to enroll 100% of our classmates in the Gustavus Heritage Partnership
(GHP). GHP is a giving society that recognizes future gifts. Joining has little or no impact on current
income. Members of GHP have elected to leave a legacy, including Gustavus in estate plans through
their Wills, Trusts, Retirement Plan Assets, Life Insurance Policies or Charitable Annuities.
We also have a goal of raising $470,000 for the GUSTAVUS ENDOWMENT. Gifts can be designated as
unrestricted or restricted (e.g. Class of ’62 Scholarship Endowment, general scholarship, department
scholarship, special scholarship, chairs, research.) The lasting power of any institution depends upon the
strength of its endowment. Our gifts to endowment help insure that Gustavus will celebrate a 200th
Anniversary in 2062!
TOTAL Class of ‘62 GOAL: $1,500,000.
Let us remember that we exceeded our $1,000,000 goal in 2002. And recall Judy Flom Hill’s words, “It’s
time to give thanks to our friends and classmates, to the school that gave us those wonderful friends, and
to the God who gave us Gustavus. Let’s pass the plate and fill it up!”
1962 Donors to Date – 2011-12 Fund Year
Dennis Anderson
Gary Anderson
Jackie Falk Anderson
Jim Anderson
Karen Koehn Anderson
Norman Anderson
Roz Johnson Anderson
Betty Jensen Avant
Ed Blair
Linda Johnson Blanding
Gail Lindsey Breen
Nan Forsman Buchanan
Sandra Luedtke Buendorf
Jon Buss
Darrol Bussler
Margo Callaghan
Fred Carlson
David Dahlgren
Evi Gustafson Davenport
Sandra Johnson Deegan
Toni Bennett Easterson
Joan Eckberg
Bill Eckerly
Matthew Eckman
Gordy Edberg
Sharon Maurer Edberg
John Engstrom
Myrna Zielske Fish
Linda Swanson Fjerstad
Terry Frazee
Judy Loomer Giese
Solveig Overdahl Goldstrand
Dick Hane
Harvey Hanson
Gail Nelson Helgeson
Al Henderson
Reet Lind Henze
Jan Eiffert Hoomani
Carl Isadore
John Jambeck
Bob Johnson
Curt Johnson
Dale Johnson
Kay Jurgenson
Charles Kampen
Mary Anderson Kennedy
Jim Kersten
Carmen Jones Knoble
Tom Komatz
Audrey Kylander Kramer
Nancy Larson Kruse
John Larson
Linda Jones Lawrence
Ben Leadholm
Ruth Ann Johnson Leadholm
Hap LeVander
Pete Lindell
John Lundblad
Craig Martens
Diana Jacobson Martens
Mickey Montague McBride
Mary Johns Miller
Carolann Belmont Minor
Dick Moody
Jan Swanberg Mousel
Kay Estesen Mowbray
David Nelson
Rolf Nelson
Janyce Helgeson Olson
SuzAnne Schmoeckel Olson
Brad Pester
James Peters
Mary Linnerooth Petersen
LouAnn Eckberg Reese
Lynn Rosendahl-Johnson
Joan Rahm Roy
Jan Swanson Sammelson
Bruce Seastrand
Terry Skone
Mark Skoog
Sandra Springer Smith
Ted Stoneberg
Karen Hawkinson Summers
Gerald Swanson
Jan Swanson
Kermit Swanson
Joan Boyum Tavares
Irene Penner Van Norman
Sandy Hendrickson Walls
Val Whipple
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if 100% of the Great Centennial Class of ’62 would make a 50th anniversary
celebration gift in the 150th year of Gustavus!!! That means every one of us makes a gift of any size.
We’d love to see numbers that coincide with our numbers 100%/100 years/$100 or 150 years/$150.
Please send in your gift of any size so that we can be the 100% 100 year Class!
At All Saints Lutheran Church in Milan, Minnesota they have a weekly husbands' marriage seminar. At the
session last week, the Pastor asked Ole Westrum, who was approaching his 50th wedding anniversary, to
take a few minutes and share some insight into how he had managed to stay married to the same woman all
these years.
"Vell," Ole replied to the assembled husbands, "I've tried to treat her nice, spend da money on her, but best of
all, I took her to Norvay for da 20th anniversary!"
The Pastor responded, "Ole, you are an amazing inspiration to all the husbands here! Please tell us what you
are planning for your 50th anniversary."
Ole proudly replied, "I'm a-gonna go get her!"
TO: MY 1962 CLASSMATES IN THE FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY CLASS
FROM: MARK C. SKOOG
I would like to give an explanation to our class as to why I chose to make a Charitable Gift
Annuity to our alma mater. Here is some background in my considerations of my becoming a partner in
our collective Gustavus Heritage.
I am married and we have three grown daughters. My goal throughout my working years was to
provide for my family and their future. When I was first exposed to the Gustavus Heritage Partners
program, my reaction was to disregard it because I wanted to provide for my family with any financial
savings I could amass. After reflecting for a long time on whether or not to establish a gift annuity at
Gustavus, I finally realized with a deep reality that I did, in fact, owe something to Gustavus. This was, to
me, just like I owe to my church for all I receive from God, my pastors and others.
Many of my personal successes in my adult life came from my association with you and our
professors here at GAC. Much of my personality was shaped by my interactions with many of you as
students and, in some cases, with you as life-long friends for all these years since graduation.
I really did feel that I wanted to give something back to Gustavus for the outstanding education
that it provided me. Added to that thought was that I realized that I have a better retirement alone than my
spouse would have alone. That is specifically due to the fact that I worked outside the home full time for
all our adult years whereas she was working at home as a housewife and a mother. Another factor is that
my wife is not a graduate of Gustavus so I mistakenly thought that only I in my family could have an
annuity with the GHP program.
Well, that certainly is not true. I found that I could write an annuity for me alone, for both of us
together or for my wife alone. So to accomplish two concurrent goals I was able to establish a charitable
gift annuity at Gustavus with only my wife as the beneficiary. This helps the Gustavus endowment and
simultaneously gives my wife added income for as long as she lives. I feel very good with this decision
for both reasons.
The GUSTAVUS HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP (GHP) program is a relatively new program for
many of us. It was not established until 1988, long after we were out trying to find our successes in life.
It was started to recognize anyone who chose to include Gustavus in their gift planning.
If any of you reading my words want more information in this area, please know that there are a
number of other investments and gift programs under Gustavus Heritage Partners that may better fit your
situation. Simply call or write the Office of Gift Planning at Gustavus and they will provide the
information to you. Call 507-933-7512 or 800-726-6192 or email [email protected].
WILLS ARE IMPORTANT
by Rolf Nelson
Specialist in Elder Law
In many ways our Will or Trust is a statement to the people, causes and institutions that are important to
us. Our Will and Trust documents will embody our priorities and convictions. The creation of our Estate
Plan says we care enough to make those intentions clear.
Key Components of an Estate Plan:
1. A WILL gives substance to our concerns for the future of our spouse, our family and other
beneficiaries.
One Reason for having a WILL: It is the simplest way for us to direct who will receive our property
when we die.
2. A WILL also enables us to name trusted persons as fiduciaries with powers to manage and
distribute our money and property to or for loved ones per our directions. In addition we can
nominate a person we believe would best serve as guardian of a minor child.
3. A WILL, if carefully drawn, can minimize our taxes.
Without a WILL or Trust, the Intestacy Laws of whatever state you then reside in, will dictate to
whom, when and how your property will be distributed. Such laws are inflexible, cover all
situations in only a rudimentary way and often produce results contrary to our wishes. Further,
they are often Tax Insensitive shrinking one’s estate when NO TAX need be paid.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
It is time to recognize and say thanks to the people of our class who have served as class agents over the
past 50 years. These are the people who collected news bits and took their time to write some newsy,
sometimes amusing, sometimes delightfully funny, but always welcome class letters.
Class of ’62 Class Agents 1963-2012!
1963
1964-66
1967-69
1970-72
1973
1974
1975-76
1977-1982
1983-85
1986-87
1988
1989-90
1991
1992
1993-94
1995-2000
2001-2005
Newell Nelson
Dick Blenkush
Hap LeVander
Joan Eckberg & Lynn Rosendahl Johnson
Joan Eckberg
Matt Eckman
Al Henderson
Sandy Springer Smith
Rick Joseph
Audrey Kylander Kramer
Geri Sparks Evans
Geri Sparks Evans & Sandy Springer Smith
Geri Sparks Evans, Sandy Springer Smith & Judy Flom Hill
Judy Flom Hill & Geri Sparks Evans
Judy Flom Hill
Jan Swanberg Mousel
Judy Flom Hill
NEW CLASS MODEL
More than 50 years ago Cec Eckoff ʼ56 established the Class Agent Model. (In 1958 there were 7,067
Gustavus alumni; today there are 27,133 living Gustavus alumni.) Gustavus alumni have enjoyed reading
news of classmates as gathered and written up by a single class agent and the news was sent to the class
agent from the Alumni Office. A class agent would serve until he or she found a replacement or said, “I
quit!”
Wisely, the Alumni Board set to the task of creating a different model for alumni class structure. The
Board created a class officer structure which had (1) several people to serve the class and (2) term limits
of five years. The graduating classes of 600 need more people to reach out (a class of 250 needs more
than one person!).
Many of the “older classes” have not felt the need for all of the recommended positions for several
reasons. Primary focus for the members of the “older classes” is to keep in touch with one another.
Having conferred with Randall Stuckey, alumni director, other class agents and some of the Alumni
Board Members, the present class officers have agreed that the officers of the Class ’62 will be a
president, a vice-president and a large communications committee chaired by one or two of its members.
The Communications Committee members will be responsible for retrieving information and for writing
the class letters.
The nominees are as follows:
President: Hap LeVander
Vice President: Janyce Helgeson Olson
Communications committee:
Norm Anderson
Gail Lindsey Breen
Sandy Luedtke Buendorf
Bill Eckerly
Dick Hane
Curt Johnson
Kay Jurgenson
Charlie Kampen
Sue Schreiber Kear
Pete Lindell
Craig and Diana (Jacobson) Martens
Louise Spong Rodine-Ducette
Mark Skoog
Kermit Swanson
Joan Boyum Tavares
You may notice in this list of nominees, people who have not been actively involved to any large degree
with class events. Some even admit that they have not been in touch nor have they visited campus in a
long, long time. There is a wide representation of our class in the slate of officers.
The present class officers strongly urge you to volunteer your own services if you would like to be the
president, vice president or a member of the communications committee. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
DO NOT BE MINNESOTA LUTHERAN MODEST!! IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS AND ARE
WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE, GIVE YOUR NAME!! YOU MAY VOLUNTEER FOR PRESIDENT,
VICE PRESIDENT OR COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE. You are also invited to nominate
someone that you feel would be a good servant of the class. PLEASE SEND NAMES TO:
[email protected] or [email protected] Names submitted will be added to the above list.
Election of the nominees will be at the reunion. (Nominees voted upon will be those printed above and
all names submitted subsequent to this notice.) There will not be votes for individual members of the
Communications Committee. One vote will be for all nominees for the committee.
Resignation of the current officers is hereby tendered and will be effective May 26, 2012.
President/Co-Class Agent: Jan Eiffert Hoomani
Annual Fund Chair: E. Terry Skone
Communications Chair: Audrey Kylander Kramer
Reunion Chair/VP: Sharon Maurer Edberg
Recruitment Chair/Co-Class Agent: Ben Leadholm
Co-Class Agent: Sandy Luedtke Buendorf
CLASS AGENT’S JOY: TO HEAR FROM A LOST SHEEP
Ruminations and reflections from a not-so-often heard from classmate:
Hi Jan,
Last Christmas after receiving your card and enjoying your added personal touch to the class
letters, and then reading some of the other classmates’ responses and more recently, Kermit’s wonderful
Christmas note, my nostalgic feelings were rekindled and I began to notice that this “communication bit”
is not a one-way street. I finally realized that I know a lot more about you and some classmates than you
do of me and that I have failed to keep in touch and share any news from me or even my actual existence.
I apologize for that and reassure you that I am indeed alive and well! Being in a reflective mood and with
your permission and patience, I’d like to share a bit of myself.
I feel incredibly lucky that I was able to attend Gustavus. As a young and somewhat immature (to
say the least) 17 year-old high school senior, I was overwhelmed with the idea of college. It didn’t seem
appropriate financially or intellectually to follow my older sister Greta’s footsteps (high school
valedictorian, Gustavus English major, Class of ’60) and travel the 14 miles from Le Center to enroll.
Enlistment in the military seemed an easier choice! When Bob Peterson ʼ58 from admissions arranged a
luncheon interview at Mangan’s Café in Le Center with my friend (a merit scholar) and myself, I had a
sneaking hunch that I wasn’t the guy being heavily recruited, but I did sense that perhaps giving college a
try might not be so bad after all.
The trip from home to St Peter and up College Avenue to be dropped off at Uhler Hall was
accompanied with some serious doubts and mild angst. There was indeed a fair amount of uncertainty
and lack of confidence early in that freshman year. I’ll never forget Freshman English with Prof George
and his questions and dialog often with some pretty impressive insights and exchanges with the likes of
Bill Nordstrom and Jan Eiffert. I would be wondering, “Wow! Do I belong here?”
As the year progressed I found myself developing friendships. In chapel with assigned seating, we
slowly integrated into the “Gustavus Family” and were developing a real sense of belonging. Many upper
classmen and members of our class that I looked up to (Diane Kolander, Dick Loomer, LouAnn
Eckberg, Hap LeVander and others) and countless faculty (Prof George, Arnie and Beanie Langsjoen,
Karlas Kaufmanis, Art Glass, Esby, Edgar Carlson, Richard Reusch) were positive influences for me and
helped build my confidence and self. I continued to grow and mature, both physically (4’5”), spiritually,
and in the classroom.
My constant over-riding concern, however, was academia and achieving grades. And, it is not too
surprising that I was not exactly a social butterfly. A positive social interaction for me might be a
periodic peeking out of the stacks at the library for a 10 minute break or a coffee date at the canteen (a
rarity). Even exchanging a friendly smile and “hi” along Hello Walk was a social event. I’ve often
wished that I would have devoted more time to addressing my social skills at this time in my life. I could
go on and on with self analyses but I won’t.
My life after Gustavus includes medical school years, marriage and beginning raising a family of
four, a year of internship in Philadelphia at a large charity hospital, two years in the military during the
Viet Nam War stationed in the Philippines, travel throughout Southeast Asia, three years of medical
residency at Hennepin County Medical Center, 32 years of medical practice in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
and retirement in 2004.
Life in Grand Rapids included my practice in internal medicine, helping raise 4 children, 3 horses,
a cat and a variety of dogs, membership in a duck hunting camp, encouraging my kids (2 boys and 2 girls)
and, of course, being driver/chauffeur extraordinaire. Grand Rapids also included being active at Zion
Lutheran in choir, church board and later chamber singers, community chorus and other civic
organizations. There were some difficult times in my early 40’s including divorce in 1985, back surgery
and my sister’s premature death of pancreatic cancer in 1986.
In 1995 our church choir, which included several Gusties, toured Germany. The best part of the
trip for me was my marriage to Pam Rajala. The ceremony in Thomas Kircke (Bach’s church) in Leipzig
followed the choir concert. All of our eight children were present as we started our new beginnings. The
memory of Susan William’s (GAC) crystal clear operatic voice wafting down from the balcony through
streams of sunlight coming through the stained glass windows still sends chills up and down my spine.
Yicks!
Since our marriage in 1995 we have traveled extensively. Pam continues to work at Itasca
Community College as a counselor. Besides other duties, her role as global education director has
provided many opportunities for travel to China, Europe, Egypt, Morocco, Croatia, etc. Our kids and our
blended family are doing well. Between the two of us we are blessed with 14 grandchildren.
Before ending and hopefully not to bore you to death, I must say something about my new life
since retirement. I continue to be active in the community as a board member of Grand Itasca Clinic and
Hospital (check out our web site) and the MacRostie Art Center. However, my greatest passion of all
began three years ago when I enrolled in “Introduction to Drawing 101” at Itasca Community College.
This has morphed into watercolor painting lessons and more. I must admit I’m hooked and it’s treating
me as if I’m starting a new career. I have insomnia and delusions of grandeur. Move over GrandMa
Moses!
To sum it all up, I’d say that since our freshman year in 1958 to the present, this has been an
incredible journey filled with countless blessings. Even today there is a reaffirmation of those “Gustavus
Life-Moments” and ideals shared with us by faculty, old friends and classmates. And this sharing and
growth continues.
Thank You Gustavus and Thanks Be To God!
~Charlie Kampen
Pastor Lars had been called to St. Brigit's Luteran Church up dere on the edge of da nort woods
in March, the previous pastor having left the fall before. It was now early June and the
townspeople and members of the congregation weren't satisfied with the way in which Pr. Lars
was keeping up the parsonage grounds, and so Arvid was asked by the Church Council to
speak with Pr. Lars.
"Ya know," Arvid said, "our last pastor alvays kept da lawn mowed.
Ve'd like to know vat yure gonna do about dat."
"Vel," said Pr. Lars, "I called yer last pastor, and she said she doesn't vant to do it anymore.
"Yeepers!”
CLASS NEWS
A good way to get news from classmates and to be sure it goes into the class letter is to call them and talk
with them. However, as already mentioned, reaching people on the phone is a daunting task. There have
been many contacts made and reports are coming in regarding who is coming to the reunion. In a recent
telephone conversation, Matt Eckman pointed out that by now most everybody has lost any pretentions
and is looking forward to seeing and talking with and singing with classmates and friends. Matt also
asked me to remind you that “your presence is a gift.” Matt is adjusting to retirement (Or should it be
said that Kay is adjusting to having Matt retired?). He says he is less impatient at red lights now.
Carolann Belmont Minor called Carol Vinson Trahms. Carol really wants to be at the reunion but her
husband is ill so they can’t make the trip. Her daughter and grandchildren are in San Jose. Carol’s
husband is a St. Olaf grad. Carol and Carolann talked of the two of them having lunch together since they
both live in the same area. A post-reunion lunch will give Carolann an opportunity to tell Carol about the
reunion.
7
Joyce Hegland Balstad lives in northern Minnesota and is a retired black jack dealer at a casino. She has
three sons and six grandchildren. AND she is planning to attend the reunion. Coreen Silseth Morrill
Freeman will not be able to attend the reunion because her husband is not well and cannot travel. Coreen
was a biology/science major at Gustavus. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in
psychology and counseling. She has two adult children, a son in Spokane and a daughter in Missoula ,
Montana and two grandchildren from each. For 18 years Coreen taught at Eastern Washington University
near Spokane. She moved to Chicago where she and her second husband had a consulting firm
specializing in human resources. She and her husband are now retired and living back in Spokane.
Mary Anne Kern Northcott cannot attend because she babysits for her two granddaughters who come
from Bosnia to visit from the end of May through August. Her son lives in West Virginia and is retired
from the Army. Mary Anne is very active in her mission church. She visits her daughter and family in
Dallas, Texas. She also shared memories of the difficult years when she cared for her husband, John
Northcott, who suffered a disabling fall and needed care for almost five years before he died. Now she is
very fit and her kids say they think she should slow down.
Joan Rahm Roy has talked with Mary Jo Anderson Kuhn who lives in Arizona. Mary Jo and her
husband Roger may be able to come to the reunion. Joan also spoke with Mike McGaffin who is going
to try to come to the reunion. Margo Callaghan has recently traveled to Panama and she intends to
attend the reunion. Besides calling classmates, Joan continues to sew costumes for Cabin Fever Theatre
on Deer Isle as well as planting, tending and harvesting her gardens−both vegetable and flower gardens.
Al Henderson sent in a big bunch of news, some of which may have appeared in a previous letter as a
result of having both committees trying to call every classmate. Carmen Jones Knoble is not coming to
our reunion. Last year Jim ʼ61 went to his 50 th Gustavus reunion. This May, Carmen and Jim will be
adding to a long list of past travels to places including South America, Tahiti and cruising off the coast of
Antarctica by going on a river cruise leaving from Amsterdam. Carmen really loved their trip to Africa
last fall. She especially liked Cape Town, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. She said the poverty they saw is
so sad. They celebrated their 50th anniversary fishing at Kodiak Island, Alaska catching halibut and
salmon. They enjoy Estero, Florida in the winter and Big Sandy Lake north of McGregor, Minnesota in
the summer.
Patti Bull Harman and husband, Bill, also are not coming to our reunion. Bill went through the
seminary with some of our classmates and other Gusties. They are part of a world-wide network of
wonderful old Augustana, LCA and now ELCA clergy and friends. In retirement Bill started an Interfaith
Clergy association in San Diego County. Rev Harvey Hanson plans to come to the reunion. Harvey
enjoyed going to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Bethany Lutheran in Megonee, Michigan in the upper
peninsula where he was pastor for 14 years. Retired in Minneapolis, Harvey is near his brother in Lake
Elmo and not too far from his sister in Amery, Wisconsin. Karen Anderson continues to be active in
San Francisco and also plans to attend the reunion. She is using her teaching skills as a docent at the
Golden Gate Park Stribling Arboretum San Francisco Botanical Gardens, teaching kindergarten through
sixth graders about plants, nature and life.
In a recent telephone conversation with Terry Frazee I learned from Terry that he had traveled to
Stockholm several years ago and among many other places, visited the place where the Nobel Prizes are
given. (Terry, was that the Konserthuset?) Although there was no audience, Terry was able to walk
down the stairs tread by Nobel recipients as they receive their prize. What a sense of awe that must have
been to experience in part the feeling of the Nobel winners. In June I will be in Stockholm and will
certainly find my way to the Nobel Museet and the Konserthuset. I doubt that I will have such a grand
experience, but I will think of you, Terry.
Cameron ʼ63 and Nancy (Larson) Kruse included in their Christmas letter a picture of their five
beautiful grandchildren. The oldest, McKenzie, is a sophomore at the College of St Benedict. Mark ʼ60
and Roz (Johnson) Anderson also sent a picture of their five adorable grandchildren – Anders, Elsie,
Tanner, Inga and Dane. Roz and Mark enjoy having the kids visit them at the lake. Roger and Lynn
(Rosendahl) Johnson have two handsome sons and a very pretty daughter-in-law. Carol Harvey
Schutte still lives in Nevada. Her daughter, who lives in Richmond, Virginia, has two kids, one of whom
is beginning college at William and Mary this fall. Her son Bob lives in Sonoma and also has two kids.
All of these classmates will be at the reunion.
Knee replacements seem to be “the thing to do” this year. Kay Jurgenson is presently recovering from
knee replacement surgery. Hap LeVander has a new knee. And Joan Boyum Tavares will be at the
reunion if her husband, Pedro, is recovered from his knee surgery and able to travel. No doubt there are
many more who have had this popular surgery so forgive me for neglecting to mention all members of
8
“the club.” Having been the spouse of a knee-replacement patient, I sincerely offer my wishes and
congratulations to the surviving care-givers!
Just received an email from Kay Jurgenson. I had asked her if she would be able to get to the reunion.
Kay’s reply: “Of course, I will be at the reunion…won’t miss it.” So come on, all you people with
replacement parts!!!!!!
It has been so good to hear from David Noer. He lives in Greensboro, NC, just an hour from Raleigh.
Often I have wanted to see both David and Joan Boyum Tavares in Greensboro. However, “the best laid
plans of mice and men go oft astray.” I do hope that one day we can all say hello. David is the author of
six books and many articles, writes a monthly newspaper column, does consulting and speaking, is an
honorary senior fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership and is professor emeritus at Elon University.
North Carolina ʼ62 Gusties include Gail Lindsey Breen (Charlotte), David Noer and Joan Boyum
Tavares (Greensboro), Sue Schreiber Kear (Cary) and me, Jan Eiffert Hoomani (Raleigh). Joan is still
working and her work even involves international travel. Hopefully, we all will be at the reunion on
campus and also have our own reunion in North Carolina.
Karen Hawkinson Summers is a retired minister of word and sacrament of the Presbyterian Church.
She received her M.Div. degree at the Vancouver School of Theology. She presently lives in Bellingham,
Washington.
Janyce Helgeson Olson and her husband Rich Olson seem to be on the go most of the time. They visit
kids and grandkids in Austin, Texas, Caracas, Venezuela and Lagos, Nigeria. They went to Tanzania
with seminary classmates, to Minnesota for Rich’s 50th Hamline class reunion, and off to Seattle where
they saw Sandra Johnson Deegan.
A few months ago I caught up with two people most of us have not seen or heard from in quite a long
while. Travis Lamons Hoppes lives in Cedar City, Utah. She is married to Alan Hoppes ʼ64; they have
one son who lives in Eugene, Oregon. Travis reminisced about Louise Spong’s having been quite the
match-maker. Louise introduced Travis to her husband and Travis thinks that Louise had something to do
with Sandy Luedtke and Dan Buendorf ʼ60 having a date. Stan Bolin! Remember Stan? He was so
happy to hear from us. Stan began with us as a freshman, was in an auto accident and returned to
Gustavus to graduate in 1965. But he says he still loves us and considers himself to be a member of the
Class ’62. Stan worked for Remington Rand Univac Sperry Unisys and lived in Minneapolis. He has two
sons−one is not married and lives in Bozeman, Montana and one lives in Denver. Stan lives in Missoula,
Montana. Hope to see you at the reunion, Stan, so we can welcome you back into the fold.
Jan Swanberg Mousel lives in Eden Prairie but spends some winter time in Florida. She has two
grandchildren and a third on the way. Jan and her husband will be at the reunion. JoAnn Olson Ree may
come to the reunion. She lives in Maple Plain. Carolyn Wahlstrom Rowell and her husband live in
Garden Grove, California. They will be coming back to Minnesota at another time for family and they
don’t feel that they can make two trips so close together from California.
Hap LeVander reports that he has spoken with Fred Fischer, Sam Forsythe, Sue Schreiber Kear,
Karen Lundquist Meyer, Kay Estesen Mowbray, Annette Hoffman Olson and Mary Roggow
Rogers and everyone will be attending the reunion!
Ben Leadholm had quite a time trying to reach Judy Loomer Giese until somebody told him that Judy is
spending the winter months in Arizona. Judy will be at the reunion and she may have a surprise for us….
Another classmate who was difficult to round up was right in St Peter. Pete Lindell found Roger
Rodning. Roger is the office manager for Lager Chrysler in St Peter. His wife, Barb, is the
administrative assistant to the athletic director at Gustavus. Roger has four sons and two grandchildren.
He did a three-year tour in the army with the 82nd Airborne interspersed with his years as a student on
campus. He and Barb enjoy traveling in the western states and they enjoy history of the West. Ben
reached Jody Creighton Nemetz and learned from her that she may not be able to come to the reunion.
Jerry Aaseby sent an email message to Terry Skone who had been trying to reach him. Jerry wrote,
“The arrival of the 50th year after graduating from Gustavus is hard to believe and I am sure everyone else
has duly made a note of that. I have every expectation of attending the Class ’62 reunion, but I still face a
possible conflict that I hope to have corrected so that I can attend. Unfortunately, about 30 years ago, I
lost my Gustavus annual in a flood so remembering classmates is getting to be more of a challenge.”
(Jerry, with or without annuals, with glasses and reunion booklets, we will all have a hard time
remembering! And recognizing?!)
9
Newell Nelsen and Bruce Seastrand will be at the reunion. Newell will take a role in the chapel service.
Bruce may have some “Sound of Men” CDs available for you to purchase if you didn’t get one at the last
reunion. Bruce and Barb just returned from three weeks in Hawaii. They said it was chilly and they did
not spend time on those great sand beaches. However, Bruce says they had a great time. Talk to Bruce
and Barb at the reunion to find out about the cruise ship and high seas.
Carolann Belmont Minor has spoken with Solveig Overdahl Goldstrand, Dick and Judy (Samuelson)
Hane and Gwen Westman Nesburg, all of whom will be at the reunion. Wes Johnson and Jeanette
Palmquist Momot may be at the reunion and Elli Axelsen will not be at the reunion.
Pete Lindell called Phil Benson in Beaverton, Oregon. Phil’s wife, Marion (Jaeschke) is a Gustie, Class
’65. She and Phil have three children and five grandchildren, all of whom live nearby. Phil retired as
chairman of the board of a property insurance company. His more relaxed hours allow him to work on his
golf handicap. Phil was inducted into the Gustavus Hall of Fame for swimming in 2001. Phil and Marion
will not be at our reunion because they will be on a Baltic trip to Latvia, Estonia and Russia.
David Dahlgren hadn’t been back to campus much over the years; however, recently he began taking
trombone lessons on campus with the head of instrumental music. He is a grandparent of five and visits
them in several places on the west coast.
This will be the last class letter I write. Although doing a class letter often seemed like more than I
wanted to handle at the moment, I have enjoyed every day of being a class agent. The treasure I have
earned is the opportunity to make contact with and to get to know so many, many people that I never
knew when we were on campus. As Charlie Kampen so well stated, communication is a two-way street,
and people did call and write and email to me. I enjoyed that. I loved the messages that came to my desk.
So, thank you, Class ’62 Classmates; I treasure every one of you and I cherish the friendships I have made
1958-2012. (If you miss the Ole jokes, contact John Lundblad and Terry Skone.)
Jan Eiffert Hoomani
1962 Co-Class Officer
So anyvay, late one night, Lena vakes Ole and says, "I tink its time!" So Ole fired up the Yohn Deere
tractor and took her to the hospital to have their first baby. She had a little boy, and the doctor looked over
at Ole and said, "Hey, Ole! You yust had a son! Ain't dat great! "
Vell, Ole got excited by dis, but yust den the doctor spoke up and he said, Hold on! We ain't finished yet!"
The doctor den held up a little girl.
He said, "Hey, Ole! You got you a daughter! She's a pretty little ting, too” ... Ole got kind of puzzled by
this, and then the doctor said, "Holey Moley Ole, we still ain't done yet!"
The doctor then delivered another boy and said, "Ole, you yust had youself another boy!" Ole was
flabbergasted by this news!
A couple days later, Ole brought Lena and their three children home in the self-propelled combine. He
was real serious and he asked Lena, "How come we got tree on the first try?"
Lena said, "You remember dat night we ran out of Vaseline and you vent out in the garage and got dat
dere 3-in-1 Oil?"
Ole said, "Yeah, I do. Uffda!, it's a damn good ting I didn't get the WD-40!”
LOOKING BACK
by Joan Boyum Tavares
Years ago Mary Catherine Bateson, Margaret Mead’s daughter and a respected author in her own
right, wrote a book called Composing a Life, comparing women’s lives to creating a piece quilt, where
rather than following a linear path, the placement of individual squares eventually results in the quilt’s
pattern as a whole.
Looking back, I’m focusing on the pieces and looking for the pattern. At Gustavus, my life’s passion was
clear: the theatre. But no theatre major was offered at the time (only a minor), and even if it had been, I
knew I would need to be practical. I was not going to be an actress. My home situation was such (I had
lost my father the summer before freshman year, and my mother was in precarious health) that I needed to
be a person with a secure job and a paycheck once I graduated.
10
Career choices for Gustavus women in those days were not complicated: with a BA the options
were basically teaching, nursing, and being a secretary−which nobody I knew considered seriously.
Teaching was the popular choice in terms of sheer numbers. I joined the crowd.
Declaring a major had been easy. I decided that I wanted to be a French major; this was based on
zero knowledge of France, the French language, and French literature. But, given that a theatre major was
not offered, and given that I did enjoy languages (I’d had two years of Latin, and I liked English) I was
quite happy with my choice.
Then, to fulfill a requirement, I signed up for Psych 101 with Dr. John Kendall, a large class that
met in an auditorium-like space. I was mesmerized. The material was intrinsically interesting, yes, but
John Kendall was one of those rare teaching personalities that made each minute in his classroom
fascinating. Lightning struck, and I went to my advisor.
“I’m thinking I’d like to change my major,” I said to the professor of Latin who had been assigned
to advise me. “Psychology is what I think I want to focus on; I love it.”
My advisor looked at me consideringly. “There is not much you can do with a BA in psychology;
you would need to do a Ph.D., or at least a master’s, to work professionally.”
I was seventeen and had never thought of myself as someone likely to do a Ph.D., and anyway I
knew I’d need to get a job after graduation. “OK,” I said. And that was that. For then.
I did have a life’s dream fixed in my mind at that point, not a long-term sort of life goal, but
something that I passionately wanted to experience. In high school I had read a book by a Fulbright
scholar about his enormously enjoyable year in Italy, and I had developed the intense desire to live for a
year in Paris. I saw the Fulbright as the magical vehicle for making this happen.
So after graduating and (easily, in those days) getting a good teaching job in St. Louis Park, I set
about fulfilling my dream by applying for a Fulbright. My sources told me that most Fulbrighters were
assigned to cities in the provinces; I was having none of that. In my arrogant naivete. I felt it had to be
Paris or nothing. So I designed a project on the Comedie Française, the national classical French theatre,
that would – of course – have to be carried out in Paris where the theatre was located. Miraculously the
project was approved, and after one year in St. Louis Park teaching French and speech (my one speech
class had mostly eighteen-year-olds, and at 21, I struggled mightily to retain the composure and authority
necessary for coping with students who had selected what they figured was an easy credit), I was buying a
trunk and packing for a year in Paris.
I could not have taken a year off work, having family obligations, but the Fulbright year was
funded and therefore became possible. My mother had been ill for many years already, but my younger
brother signed on to take care of her. He was still living at home with her in St. Peter, and going to
Mankato State – which of course was much less costly than Gustavus.
Paris was as wonderful as I had dreamed. I lived at the Cite Universitaire along with thousands of
non-French students from all over the world, mixed in with students from all over France. I was
permitted to audit acting courses at the national Conservatoire d’Art Dramatique, and I had unlimited
access to performances at the Comedie, though not to rehearsals. I reported in once a month to a
gentleman of great prestige, author and member of the French Academy, who would inquire gently if I
was enjoying my year and enjoying Paris, and I would say oh, yes, monsieur, I was very much enjoying
everything.
My reflection today: What if my advisor had pushed me to produce what today people are calling
“deliverables,” for example requiring me to write up reports on what I was learning? As someone with a
strong drive to please authority figures, I know I would have come up with whatever he had assigned.
But he requested nothing. He trusted me and gave me my freedom.
Looking back, I appreciate infinitely that extraordinary year, a year in which I met my husband,
fell in love, and experienced many of the joys of that amazing city. But I also realize that I failed to make
full use of my opportunities: I floated along, enjoying all that came before me. My spoken French was
improving significantly, and that was important to me. But I was not intentional about setting other goals,
thinking through what I could be doing during that year that would support future efforts. An example
occurred during my initial interview with the Managing Director of the Comedie Francaise. “Eh bien,
Mademoiselle, during your time here are you planning to write something that will be published in the
U.S.?” This caught me off guard, because I had in fact not thought about this at all, and no one had raised
it with me. So I replied immediately, truthfully, and without thinking: “No, Monsieur, I don’t have such
a plan.”
Years later, I looked back and realized how utterly STUPID that was. I could easily have written
something to submit for publication somewhere, even locally to the St. Peter Herald! I suspect that I
might have been given access to rehearsals at the Comedie if I had thought through all sorts of
possibilities and come up with a reasonable plan.
There is for me a good deal of pleasure in not constantly focusing on specific goals, but rather
staying open to what life has to offer on a given day or a given year. But being intentional, looking ahead
and making best use of the opportunities that life DOES offer, this is not my forte and never has been. I
see this clearly in that interview at the Comedie Francaise, and it has remained so for my entire life,
although awareness of my inclinations has mitigated the tendency somewhat.
11
My year in Paris brought with it the decision to marry Pedro, a Portuguese student of milling
engineering who lived at the Cite. I came home to teach another two years at St. Louis Park, and during
that time we finally managed to get Pedro into the U.S. (I had been naïve, too, about how easy that would
be). We were married in the spring of 1965.
New opportunities arose. Russia’s triumph with 1958’s Sputnik had had all sorts of repercussions
in the U.S., one of which was a new emphasis on foreign languages. The National Defense Education Act
included three-year fellowships supporting work for the Ph.D. in languages such as French. I liked
teaching but suspected I would like it more at the college level; moreover I had always loved going to
school. Starting graduate school at the University of Minnesota, NDEA fellowship in-hand, opened a
new world for me.
I liked the University environment, loved the course work and piled it on, found the people
fascinating. The dissertation requirement, however, seemed to me like an onerous and really tiresome
hurdle; I dragged my feet. It was easy to do. I kept busy as a teaching associate and was even allowed to
teach a beginning literature class. One of the insights I best remember is my discovery of what a joy it
was to live a life as both teacher and student, as I took courses and taught others.
Later I took on a position as assistant to one of the Deans in the College of Liberal Arts, and later
still managed the upper-division office for Humanities and Fine Arts. Years were passing. The
dissertation, an analysis of the use of laughter in Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past, lay in organized
piles all over the floor in my study at home, occasionally moving ahead a step or two. (Research for it led
me into journals of psychology and psychiatry; Proust himself was one of the greatest psychologists ever
to explore the human condition. Despite my early abandonment of the notion of majoring in psychology,
I had managed to return to my fascination with the workings of the human mind.) I finally finished it.
One of the reasons my motivation to finish the dissertation, and therefore the Ph.D. had lost its
edge was that the market for college-level foreign languages had imploded; by the seventies the
curriculum buzzword was “Relevance,” and foreign languages were no longer perceived to be a high
priority. I decided that perhaps I should look at another kind of career. What would that be? Well, my
beloved theatre still seemed the least practical choice possible. I had heard that government jobs were
boring (what was my evidence, you may well ask). It appeared to me that that left business, which had
never attracted me.
But just then I read in Time magazine a story on a pilot program at NYU called “Careers in
Business,” an experiment where Ph.D.’s were being recycled into businessmen and businesswomen
during a summer’s course work at NYU’s Graduate School of Business Administration. These were
fellowships; about fifty candidates were selected from all over the U.S. It sounded interesting. I applied,
made my way through a long selection process, was thrilled when in the end I was told I would be part of
the second cohort.
Living in Greenwich Village and going to school downtown next to Wall Street was an adventure,
and getting to know my fellow students, many of whom were Ivy League, was eye-opening. Not so
different as I’d imagined they would be – that was my discovery.
The Careers in Business program, a sort of mini-MBA, tried to take a holistic approach and
prepare us for actual business careers. We were given all kinds of support, and assisted in finding jobs. I
needed to return to Minneapolis/St. Paul where Pedro was employed. I ended up working at the North
Central Home Office of the Prudential, starting as a management intern in the Employee Development
division.
The Prudential was in those days (1980-85) a wonderful place to work from many perspectives.
People were kind and respectful. It seemed no one ever got fired; “Ma Pru” had been known as a “cradle
to grave” employer. The big push for PRODUCTIVITY started during my years there, and by the time I
left, jobs were no longer secure. Reorganizations and downsizing became a norm all over the U.S.,
including at Pru.
I worked my way up to manage a division, learning along the way that business offered a fine
environment for many, but that I would never be completely at home in it. I had discovered that my
passion was to help people learn and develop themselves, but I did not yearn to return to academic
education.
A friend I worked with and took walks with used to tell me one of her dreams as we circled Lake
Harriet. She described a place called the Center for Creative Leadership, located in Greensboro, North
Carolina. She said it was a beautiful place, on a lake surrounded by trees, and filled with interesting
people who did original and fascinating work. It was a nonprofit hybrid of an academic environment and
a business, including teaching, learning and research carried out with clients from business, education,
government, and the nonprofit world.
A few years later this same woman thought of me when, as a client of the Center, she was asked if
she knew anyone she could recommend as a facilitator for the Leadership Development Program, their
flagship program.
Here was a confluence of circumstances: I was ready to leave Prudential, and Pedro and I were
ready to leave the North after a particularly harsh winter. In the Spring of 1985, I was hired at the Center
and we moved to Greensboro.
12
Pedro was working as a marketing manager for Central and South America and had no difficulty
getting an okay to be located in North Carolina, as long as he was willing to come to Minneapolis
periodically. It seemed perfect.
I stayed at the Center (known as CCL) for 22 years, and in fact still work occasionally for CCL as
“adjunct faculty,” which means on a consultant basis. Over the years I’ve learned a lot about leadership,
of course, and about creativity. But the main lessons have had to do with self-awareness and self-clarity,
since so much of the work in leadership development has to do with deepening and broadening
knowledge of the self, along with increasing awareness of the impact of our own behaviors on others.
I have learned to work with psychological tests and questionnaires. Most of the colleagues
surrounding me have had graduate degrees in various branches of psychology. It seems to me now that
what I’ve done is circle back to that love affair with psychology that started in John Kendall’s classroom,
and never ended.
~Joan Boyum Tavares
Our Lake Home
by Dick Moody
For many people with Minnesota roots, a lake home is not unusual. But I believe that ours is
somewhat unique! My wife, Bev, and I have our lake home on the 15th floor of a high rise building in
Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan. All that separates us from the lake (besides height) is Lake Shore
Drive and the running/bicycle path that stretches along the lake for many miles. We are located between
Oak Street Beach and North Beach−just north of downtown.
From our apartment windows we enjoy winter views−changing ice patterns on the lake which are
more a function of wind conditions than of the temperature, and sometimes seeing the “polar bear club”
enter the cold waters. During the summer we view fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday and
Saturday night, and have a “front row seat” for the annual air and water show since their viewing stand is
at North Avenue Beach just out our window!
Our home since 1971 is in the suburb of Buffalo Grove which is about 35 miles northwest of
downtown Chicago. On average we spend about eight days a month at our lake home where we do a lot
of walking from that ideal location. It is an easy walk to Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, North Michigan
Avenue (the “magnificent mile”), Millennium Park, The Art Institute, and many more interesting
destinations. We enjoy the theater, lectures, concerts and museums during our city stays−as well as
several great restaurants within walking distance.
I spent the summer of 1962 in the actuarial summer program at Northwestern Mutual Insurance
Company in Milwaukee. The next two years were at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a
degree in actuarial science. Bev and I were married in 1964. I spent two years at IDS Life in
Minneapolis and two years as a Commissioned Officer in the Public Health Service near Washington DC.
In 1968 I joined Hewitt Associates, an employee benefit-consulting firm, in suburban Chicago. It
was a small partnership with about 75 employees, and I became a partner in 1972. I was consulting
actuary, working primarily with large corporations on their defined benefit pension plans. The firm was
very successful. Hewitt had about 15,000 employees when I retired in 1995 and about 25,000 employees
when they became publicly traded in 2003.
The work was very hectic, challenging, and rewarding. But I tired of the travel and long hours so
in my mid-forties I started planning an early retirement. Happily it occurred at age 55. Retirement has
been and continues to be very enjoyable. There is just not enough time to do all we would like to do.
Another view from retirement is to look back to the early days of my education. For grades 1 to 6,
I attended a rural one-room schoolhouse. My class consisted of three students which was the largest class
in the school during most of my six years there! While a one-room school may not be unique among
members of the “Class of ʼ62,” I expect it−like our lake home−is somewhat unusual.
During my youth, I do not recall any serious thinking about my future career and retirement. But
upon reflection now, the journey and all the events along the way have been remarkable and could not
have been anticipated. My four years at GAC were an important building block in all that has happened.
Vic Gustafson ʼ42 Dies
Another Gustie death to report is that of Victor Gustafson ʼ42. Vic died on his 95 th birthday on Feb. 9.
He was a physical education teacher and a winning swim coach from 1945 until 1995. During that time
Vic also coached cross country, track, hockey, tennis and golf at one time or another and he taught
outdoor education for years before other colleges were offering similar courses. His obituary said that
Vic taught 100 semesters and a total of 17,179 students. That’s quite a record! He is survived by three
children and their families. Peace be to his memory!
13
Gustavus: 150 Years of Images and Stories
by Dave Kenny
The book cover bears a quote from the 1931 Gustavian Weekly. "The friendships and associations we have had
while in college, even though they may become memories fading into the past as time slips by in its wild rush
toward the brink of eternity, will be a source of comfort and inspiration."
The book is a photo album of people, places and events long before and long after our 1958-1962 tenure. Arranged
in alphabetical order from "A is for Ancestry" to "Z is for Zeitgeist" with an additional chapter for a, å and ö, the
alphabet unfolds telling a pictorial story of Gustavus. Photos range from times before our parents to times of our
children and grandchildren. And yes, there are pictures of our classmates, profs and friends - Doc Ed, Dr. Alexis,
Mickie Montague, Liz Stohl ʼ63, Phil Knautz ʼ48, Lenny Vretholmʼ61, Folke Person, Margo Callaghan, Karen
Noren, Gunnar and a car load of Alphs.
It is a pleasant way to follow the directive of the alma mater, "Gustavus Adolphus, remember thy past." It is also
an interesting learning experience. Did you know that in 1904 the first sorority precursors appeared on campus?
The "Independent Blessings," (the IBs) and TMT were established as the first "limited membership literary
societies." The first fraternity precursors, the "Olympian Council" (limited membership debating society) were
established in 1920. Two secret societies, the "Reds" and the "Grays" were officially recognized as legitimate
limited membership societies in 1920.
The book is available at the campus bookstore, The BookMark (507-933-7587 [email protected]).
Order on line or by phone or get yours when you are on campus in May.
Also, you may be interested in another book that has come out in the sesquicentennial year. It is Gustavus: 150
Years of History, also by Dave Kenny.
A Royal Visit
To: The Gustavus Community
From: President Ohle
I am excited to inform you that Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden will
visit Gustavus Adolphus College and the American Swedish Institute in October 2012.
The King and Queen will start their two-day visit to Minnesota at Gustavus on Friday, October 5. Their
Majesties will be on campus for an extended chapel service in the morning and other activities on campus
to highlight the College’s Sesquicentennial.
Details regarding the schedule and tickets for the Royal Visit will be announced in May by Gustavus and
the American Swedish Institute. A joint press release from the College and the American Swedish
Institute that will be sent tomorrow to media outlets. [Can be found at:
http://news.blog.gustavus.edu/2012/02/24/gustavus-and-american-swedish-institute-announce-royalvisit/]
We will be pleased to welcome Their Majesties to the Gustavus campus as part of our Sesquicentennial
celebration.
GUSTAVUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOTES
Our classmate, Al Henderson, is a member of the Gustavus Board of Trustees. Last time I spoke with Al
he was telling me of the many things going on at Gustavus and the activities of the Board. Al was kind
enough to write up this report of current happenings:
President Ohle works to keep Gustavus focused on addressing and implementing the Commission's 236
recommendations which entails staying true to our mission statement, pursuing academic excellence,
providing quality education with caring faculty mentoring students. We are establishing Crown Council
Advising Groups to report to the Board. The groups will be people with a common interest working on a
specific topic such as the Arboretum. Classmate Jim Gilbert is serving on the Arboretum Advising
Group and reports a very high degree of enthusiasm among members who are looking forward to their
next meeting.
Building Activity
The new Warren & Donna Beck Building is a BIG HIT! Both students and faculty love it. The design
14
provides much more open air, student life space with many rooms and areas for students to study and
interact with peers.
Work continues on the designing and build-out of our new West Mall that will tie together and create a
very comfortable and appealing environment for the area of campus where building construction has
occurred with more planned for the future.
Going forward we have hopes and plans to remodel and expand the Nobel Science Hall.
The Gustavus Student Senate has plans to remodel The Dive which is a student social center where our
swimming pool was located when we were students.
Academics
Although Gustavus is recognized as a fine Liberal Arts college many of us do not appreciate how strong
we are in math and science. We do know that we are strong in biology and chemistry and have very good
pre-med and nursing programs.
Gustavus ranks number three in the nation for number of physics Ph.D. degrees awarded to graduates of
all the four-year liberal arts colleges in America.
The freshman class is the largest in Gustavus history resulting in an uptick in total enrollment after a
couple years of declining enrollment. The relative academic standing of the incoming freshmen is the
highest ever with a record high percent ranking in the top 10% of their graduating class. Fall 2012-2013
applications and enrollment deposits are up versus last year. It was interesting to learn that our admission
department now feels that the #1 affect on the public perception of Gustavus value is our website.
At the January board meeting Tenure was granted to seven professors.
Summer Academic Programs will start this summer. The number of courses and size of the summer
programs will expand in the years ahead. The new programs will provide a wide variety of benefits to
both Gustavus and the community. The offerings will generally be about a week or less aimed at a range
of age groups with many aimed at high school students. Academic offerings may include nursing, speech,
coaching, choir, poetry, and different music offering such as summer strings. Financial benefits to
Gustavus include additional revenue generation by expanded use of the campus during summer.
Additional funds generated will allow greater total annual compensation for our faculty and staff who
choose to participate, greater awareness of Gustavus that helps student recruitment enhancing our ability
to have optimal enrollment with greater choice and selectivity of students accepted for enrollment.
There has been a change from focus on Western Civilization to a broader world view. Students are now
much more interested in India, Africa and Asia than previous students and this is reflected in the teaching
of courses. A stark example is that Gustavus now offers Chinese and German is being dropped.
Gustavus has funding for and is looking to fill two economics/management chairs.
Gustavus has an active Investment Club that I enjoy watching and working with. It gives students a great
hands-on experience managing real live money generously funded by our classmate Terry Skone.
Teaching methods have switched from lecture to more smaller-group and one on one discussions. There
is more lab work and study groups. Gustavus plans to require all students to do an individual research
project before graduation.
The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra went to South Africa for J-term.
Upcoming Special Campus activites
Augustana Synod meetings June 21-25. I view this as a celebration of our Gustavus heritage and support
from the old Augustana Synod. Tickets are available on-line.
Swedish Royal visit. October 5 the King and Queen of Sweden are coming to Gustavus for a day of
special activities. October 6 the King and Queen will be at the American Swedish Institute in
Minneapolis.
Best wishes,
Al
15
CAMPUS NEWS
National Sesquicentennial Celebrations
Throughout the coming year, Gusties are gathering across the country to reflect on Gustavus’s past,
celebrate 150 academic years, and engage for the future. In conjunction with the celebrations on campus,
the College invites all alumni, parents, and friends for a celebration in an area near them. You can view
them all and register for an event at gustavus.edu/150.
• Seattle - Friday, March 16, 2012 - The Swedish Cultural Center
• Denver - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - Three Tomatoes Steakhouse and Club at Fossil Trace
• Chicago – Thursday, April 26, 2012 – Gleacher Center with Allison Rosati ʼ85
Gustavus Music Showcase – Tickets Going Fast
Last chance to get tickets for the Gustavus Music Showcase! Tickets are going fast, so order your tickets
today for this spectacular event. The Music Showcase will be taking place on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at
2 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis. The Showcase will feature the Gustavus Choir,
Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, Gustavus Wind Orchestra and the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band. This is a
great opportunity to hear four major touring ensembles. Tickets are $17.50 for general admission and $10
for students. For more information or to order tickets visit: Gustavus.edu/events/musicshowcase/
Gustie Breakfasts
Join your fellow Gusties for breakfast and to learn something new about your alma mater at the monthly
Gustie Breakfasts. Speaker for March will be Jeff Owen ʼ92, Assistant Professor in
Economics/Management and Environmental Studies and April and May will feature former Gustavus
presidents, Jim Peterson ʼ64 and Dennis Johnson ʼ60 (respectively). The St. Peter Breakfasts are held in
the banquet rooms on campus at 7:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month and the Twin Cities
Breakfasts are held at the Doubletree Hotel in Minneapolis at 8 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the
month. RSVP by calling 800-487-8437 or e-mail [email protected]. Hope to see you bright and
early!
2012 Alumni Association Awards Announced
The Gustavus Alumni Board of Directors has announced its 2012 award recipients:
Greater Gustavus Award –Jon and Anita Thomsen Young ’77 ’77, Eden Prairie, MN, for their volunteer
leadership, service and philanthropy to the College.
Distinguished Alumni Citations Scott Dee ’81, Farwell, MN, professor of veterinary population medicine,
University of Minnesota, swine consultant, and international research veterinarian and director at
Pipestone Veterinary Clinic;
Mark Elfstrom ’01, Anchorage, AK, middle school math and science teacher, recipient of a 2011 Milken
Educator Award and finalist for the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science
Teaching;
Kurt Elling ’89, New York, NY, Grammy Award-winning vocal jazz artist.
First Decade Awards – recognizing early professional achievement in the 10th anniversary class:
Amy Brown ’02, Pittsburgh, PA, neonatology fellow at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center;
Michael Bland ’02, St. Louis, MO, postdoctoral associate, earth and planetary sciences, Washington
University.
James McPherson Lecture
Gustavus alumnus, Civil War historian, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author James McPherson ‘58 will
return to his alma mater April 15-17 as a Sesquicentennial Scholar.
On Tuesday, April 17, McPherson will speak at Interlachen Country Club in Edina at an event that is also
open to the public. McPherson’s lecture will be titled “Why the Civil War Still Matters” and will address
the ways in which the war’s impact on America is still being felt today. Those interested in attending this
event, which will include a reception at 4:30 p.m., McPherson’s lecture at 5 p.m., and a book signing at 6
p.m. RSVP by going online to https://gustavus.edu/forms/james-mcpherson-lecture, or by contacting the
Gustavus Office of Alumni Relations at 507-933-7511.
16