Fall 2021 Quarterly by Gustavus Adolphus College

FALL 2021 800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE SAINT PETER, MINNESOTA 56082

TITLE

for the win!

50 years of gender equity for Gusties in sports.

Audrey Ochtrup-DeKeyrel ’22 and Emily Gerencer ’23 and their haul from Big Hill Farm on an August day. The week this photo was taken, the farm yielded 200 pounds of produce, which fed folks who eat in the Caf.

GUSTIE WOMEN IN SPORTS Working, coaching, and leading + a timeline of Gustavus history

“STILL MORE WORK TO DO.” Nicole LaVoi ’91 on the state of gender equity in sports

CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to

Left to right: Greta Fell ’37, daughter of former Gustie student-athletes | Nicole LaVoi ’91, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport

and former Gustie student-athlete | Lydia Fell ’32, daughter of former Gustie student-athletes | Carmen Valentini ’38, daughter of a former Gustie student-athlete

TE A D E H SAVE T For Alumni, Parents, and Friends FALL 2021 | VOL. LXXVII | ISSUE 3

#FireUptheRouser

STA F F Chair, Board of Trustees Scott Anderson ’89 President of the College Rebecca Bergman Vice President, Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President, Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement Angela Erickson ’01 Director, Editorial Services Stephanie Wilbur Ash | sash@gustavus.edu Alumni Editor Philomena Kauffmann | pkauffma@gustavus.edu Visual Editor, Production Coordinator Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Design Jill Adler | adlerdesignstudio.com, Sydney Stumme-Berg ’22 Contributing Writers and Copy Editors Skylar Abrego ’20, JJ Akin ’11, Bruce Berglund, Rachel McCarthy, Emma Myhre ’19, CJ Siewert ’11, Corinne Stremmel ’21, Luke Yang ’22 Contributing Photographers Ackerman+Gruber, JJ Akin ’11, Sebastian Marko, Ryan Siverson, CJ Siewert ’11, SPX Sports, Sydney Stumme-Berg ’22, Luke Yang ’22, Jesse Yeakle, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives Printer John Roberts Company | johnroberts.com Postmaster Send address changes to the Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Articles and opinions presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or official policies of the College or its Board of Trustees.

The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published four times annually by Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minn. Periodicals postage is paid at Saint Peter, MN 56082, and additional mailing offices. It is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the College. Circulation is approximately 32,500. Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Photographer Luke Yang ’22 spent the 2020–2021 academic year documenting campus life that was at times tumultuous, at times triumphant. See his (and others’) photos from the year, pages 6–9.

Join us on Thursday, October 28 as Gusties and friends around the globe rally to support Gustavus. Every gift will help release thousands of challenge dollars to support the Gustavus Fund, impacting absolutely everything across campus.

GIVE A GIFT TODAY! gustavus.edu/give

24 IN THIS ISSUE

3 6 12

NOBEL CONFERENCE 57: BIG DATA REVOLUTION

How is big data changing our lives, and what challenges and opportunities does this transformation present? A COVID-19 YEAR IN PHOTOS

A visual essay on the 2020–2021 academic year from photographer Luke Yang ’22 and others. GUSTIE WOMEN IN SPORTS

On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, we celebrate our alumni and our history. Plus: Nicole LaVoi ’91, the nation’s foremost expert on gender equity in sport, on the work still ahead.

IN EVERY ISSUE 2

VÄLKOMMEN

ON THE HILL

GUSTIES GATHER

SHINE PROFILES

Photos from Commencement ceremonies for the

SPORTS

Class of 2021 and—after a year on hold—the Class

FINE ARTS

of 2020, which missed its originally scheduled

HERITAGE

Commencement due to the pandemic.

GRATITUDE

GUSTIES

VESPERS

Välkommen

The Rev. Jon V. Anderson (ex officio), Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA Scott P. Anderson ’89, MBA (chair), Senior Advisor, TPG Capital

Wow! The Gustie women in this issue truly inspire me. They

Grayce Belvedere-Young, MBA, Founder and CEO, Lily Pad Consulting

Gustavus liberal arts, such as excellence, perseverance, and the value of community. They also remind me of the enormous impact of Title IX on educational institutions and the associated educational opportunities for women and girls. Title IX is civil rights law. It protects—among others—women and girls from discrimination, exclusion, and sexual harassment as they learn. As I entered Princeton in 1974, Title IX had just been codified into law. While I was never a varsity athlete, I was one of very few women at that time studying chemical engineering. It was exciting to be a part of this important time of change. As a small group of women in engineering, we felt like trailblazers. I

Catherine Asta ’75, JD, Attorney at Law Rebecca M. Bergman (ex officio), President, Gustavus Adolphus College Suzanne F. Boda ’82, Former Senior Vice President, Los Angeles, American Airlines Robert D. Brown, Jr. ’83, MA, MD, Staff Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and John T. and Lillian Matthews Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Kara K. Buckner ’97, President/Chief Strategy Officer, Fallon Worldwide Janette F. Concepcion, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Concepcion Psychological Services Edward J. Drenttel ’81, JD, Attorney/Partner, Winthrop & Weinstine Bruce A. Edwards ’77, Retired CEO, DHL Global Supply Chain

developed an internal fortitude and a determination to succeed. At Medtronic, I again

John O. Hallberg ’79, MBA, Retired CEO, Children’s Cancer Research Fund

found myself in the distinct minority as a female engineering manager. I felt driven

John M. Harris ’92, PhD, Associate Director, Protiviti

to excel and to help forge a path for the next generation of technical women coming

Mary Dee J. Hicks ’75, PhD, Retired Senior Vice President, Personnel Decisions International

after me. I wanted to serve as a positive role model for younger women who were aspiring to careers in science and engineering, and I began actively mentoring them—

The Rev. Alicia A. Hilding ’09, Co-Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New Prague, MN; President, Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations

supporting and encouraging their professional development.

Keith N. Jackson ’89, JD, Assistant General Counsel, Aon

I went on to have a 26-year career as an engineer and became the first female vice president for research and development at a global biomedical company, and later, of course, became the first woman president of Gustavus Adolphus College. Along the way I had incredible mentors—men who encouraged me to grow and helped me succeed. I’ve tried to emulate their mentorship. I was frequently invited

The Rev. Peter C. Johnson ’92, Executive Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church Paul R. Koch ’87, Managing Director–Private Wealth Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, Koch Wealth Solutions, RBC Wealth Management Dennis A. Lind ’72, Chairman, Midwest Bank Group, Inc.

to speak to women at colleges and universities all over the country. My goal was to

Jan Lindman, MBA, Treasurer to the King, The Royal Court of Sweden

inspire them to be leaders, to trust their own capabilities.

The Rev. Dr. David J. Lose, Senior Pastor, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

During the next 50 years, I want Gustavus alumni to provide such mentorship and support to our students and recent graduates, particularly those who have been traditionally underserved by higher education and certain fields of study. Let’s lead with courage like pioneering coaches Nancy Baker ’56, Mary Dahl Williams ’63, Gretchen Koehler, and Sally Hokanson ’69, who launched Gustavus women’s sports before Title IX existed. Let’s make space. For everyone. GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2020 2021

B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S

MAKE THE SPACE

embody so many lessons learned by student-athletes through

G U S TAV U S A D O L P H U S C O L L E G E

Yours in community,

Gordon D. Mansergh ’84, MA, MEd, PhD, Senior Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (serving in a personal capacity) and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Mikka S. McCracken ’09, Executive Director for Innovation/Director, ELCA Leader Lab, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Jan Ledin Michaletz ’74, Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Thomas J. Mielke ’80, JD, Retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Kimberly-Clark Corporation Bradley S. Nuss ’97, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nuss Truck & Equipment Marcia L. Page ’82, MBA, Founding Partner, Värde Partners The Rev. Dr. Dan. S. Poffenberger ’82, Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church

Rebecca M. Bergman President, Gustavus Adolphus College

Karl D. Self ’81, MBA, DDS, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Kent V. Stone ’80, Retired Vice Chairman, U.S. Bancorp The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

ON THE HILL

Big Data REvolution October 5 & 6, 2021

L to R: Wendy Chun, Canada 150 Chair and Leader of the Digital Democracies Institute, Simon Fraser University; Francesca Dominici, professor of biostatistics, population and data science, and co-director of the Data Science Initiative, Harvard University; Pilar Ossorio, professor of law and bioethics, University of Wisconsin; Michael Osterholm, professor of public health and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota; Cynthia Rudin, professor of computer science, electrical and computer engineer, and statistical science, and director of the Prediction Analysis Lab, Duke University; Rhema Vaithianathan, professor of health economics and director of the Centre for Social Data Analytics, Aukland University of Technology; Talithia Williams, professor of mathematics, Harvey Mudd College

N O B E L 5 7 : B I G D ATA R E V O L U T I O N How is big data changing our lives, and

in areas as diverse as public health, drug

years ago, Osterholm participated in Nobel

what challenges and opportunities does this

development, child welfare, and climate

Conference 42, “Medicine: Prescription for

transformation present?

change. This year’s Nobel Conference will

the Future.” His prophetic talk detailed the

mine these subjects, and more.

likelihood and impacts of a global influenza

This year’s Conference is particularly

pandemic. In November, Osterholm was

personal, scientific, and societal data

timely. Thanks to public health data, the

elected to President Biden’s National

come to be stored digitally. This stored

spread of COVID-19, its variants, and its

COVID-19 Advisory Board to help the

information is both an intellectual and

vaccination rates can be tracked around

U.S. navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

an economic commodity; it is used by

the world.

businesses, governments, academics,

The Conference will also welcome—

DUE TO COVID-19, the

and entrepreneurs. The velocity with

again—epidemiologist and pandemics

Conference will be virtual. Visit

which it accumulates and the techniques

expert Michael Osterholm, professor of

gustavus.edu/nobelconference

for leveraging it grow at a pace that is

public health and director of the Center

to watch live Oct. 5 & 6, or watch

remarkable and often intimidating.

for Infectious Disease Research and Policy

the archive. No pre-registration is

at the University of Minnesota. Fifteen

needed. The virtual Conference is free.

But this revolution also promises hope,

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

In less than a generation, we’ve witnessed nearly every piece of

ON THE HILL

DOUG THOMPSON NAMED INAUGURAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION In the newly created role on the

Pell Grant-eligible students to navigate

President’s Cabinet, Thompson will lead

and overcome barriers on their path

diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial

to a bachelor’s degree. Previously, he

justice strategy and alignment across

served as the Assistant Dean for Equity

the College; chair the President’s Council

and Inclusion at the University of West

for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and

Florida and provided academic advising

manage a team of professional staff

and student support services at Cardinal

charged with building a welcoming and

Stritch University. Thompson grew up

and inclusion efforts at Gustavus,”

supportive campus for all Gustavus

in New Orleans and holds degrees from

President Rebecca Bergman says. “I look

students, faculty, and staff. He will also

Southeastern Louisiana University, Seton

forward to his thoughtful and capable

work to grow the College’s reach and

Hall University, and Cardinal Stritch

leadership in this vital position.”

impact, building and strengthening local,

University, where he earned a doctorate

regional, and national partnerships.

in leadership for the advancement of

interview process is that this community

learning and service.

is highly engaged and collaborative,”

Since 2017, Thompson has served as the Associate Dean of Students at the

“Dr. Thompson has significant experience in a variety of higher

working with all stakeholders to build

Family College, a two-year program that

education settings that will inform his

trust and advance the work of diversity,

focuses on preparing first-generation and

holistic work advancing diversity, equity,

equity, and inclusion.”

Vicki Domras, print and mail services Linda Gibbs, custodial service Mary Gunderson, registrar’s office Donna Hewitt, admission Shirley Mellema, Linnaeus Arboretum Joe Pope, campus safety Ronald Rietz, mathematics, computer science, and statistics

Martha Rivas, custodial service Diane Stocker, advancement Todd Stolt, campus safety Rita Tlougan, dining service Gail Thorson, custodial service JoAnn Vaughn, custodial service Kristi Westphal, registrar’s office Diane Wilson, custodial service Janine Wotton, psychological science Sheryl Youngblom, advancement

Congratulations and thank you to all. Deb Andros, dining service Patty Brandt, custodial service Gail Brandt-Otero, custodial service Diane Christiansen, acquisitions, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library Duane Clementson, physical plant Laurent Dechery, modern languages, literatures, and cultures

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Thompson says. “I look forward to

University of St. Thomas’s Dougherty

2020 AND 2021 RETIREMENTS

“What was evident during my

“ I’m most proud of my students and their success after graduation. I learned from them just as much as they learned from me.” —professor emeritus Bruce VanDuser, health and exercise science

“Watching students come in, helping them to see their DREAMS COME TRUE to get a college education, and then graduate four years later—it’s been extremely gratifying.” —Doug Minter ’79, retired dean of financial aid

I’VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HELP CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. THANK YOU, AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU.” —professor emeritus Mike Hvidsten, mathematics, computer science, statistics

CAMPUS SOCIAL FACEBOOK

Follow @gustavus

@gustiealum

TWITTER

“Part of being human means happiness

@KathyLundDean1

and sorrow. But our resilience allows

Many years ago I met a friend for coffee, complaining

us to live through it.” —Joy Dunna ’20,

about having to navigate all the construction at his

Commencement speaker for the Class

campus. He said, “You’re looking at that all wrong.

of 2020, which lost much of its senior

The signs of a thriving institution are cranes and big

year on the hill due to the pandemic.

piles of dirt.” @gustavus #whygustavus There you go.

@gustavus Spotted in the Arboretum. #whygustavus

Follow /gustavusadolphuscollege

Follow @gustavusadolphuscollege @gustieathletics

@gustavusfinearts

@gustavusalumni

INSTAGRAM

@big_hill_farm A foggy morning harvest featuring the end of our snap peas, a MASSIVE cucumber haul, some beautiful sun gold tomatoes, and two surprise carrots!

“May this tree, now in its new home/ Have the water and nutrients/ The sunlight and soil/ The love and care/ It needs to expand up and out./ To live long and deep as it bears witness to the campus and its stories/ at this important intersection.” —Rev. Dr. Siri C. Erickson, Chaplain, at the May dedication of the new bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in front of Jackson Campus Center.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection

ROARing* through COVID As a photographer and Campus Activities Board (CAB) member

by Luke Yang

CAB members, who are also members of a larger politically

during COVID-19, I wanted to immortalize this strange, trying

charged and driven community, pulled through to put on

time. I love to capture campus life, and the 2020–2021 academic

COVID-friendly events. We had socially distanced outdoor

year looked the same—at a glance. Upon closer inspection

movies, a campus Pride Parade, political protests, Relay For

it was very different. Signs encouraging masking, plexiglass

Life, and Midnight Express. We responded to COVID-19 with

barriers, and social distancing markers dotted campus.

innovation, such as a new Virtual and Everyday Events

COVID-19 safety reminders were pinned on bulletin boards next

Co-Executive position to facilitate quick-grab giveaways

to phone numbers for Campus Safety. Students attended class

that were safe, entertaining, and accessible.

through laptops all over campus; classroom capacities were

COVID-19 brought changes, but it also

bare minimum. Caf tables sat only two at a time. And masks

brought growth through adversity.

were worn everywhere except in a person’s own room.

Gusties will roar, forever and always.

To first-years, this might be all they’ve known of Gustavus. We seasoned “COVID CABbies” tried valiantly to be as normal

*ROAR: Respect Others, Act Responsibly;

as we could.

the campus rally cry during 2020

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

5 1. Ellie Anderson ’21, member of the Gusties ROAR team, reminding folks to stay six feet apart. | 2. Students masked and in class at Beck Hall, in a classroom with reduced capacity. | 3. The Campus Activities Board hosts Hypnotist Chris Jones for first years, socially distanced. | 4. Welcome to the Information Desk, complete with plexiglass, disenfectant, paper towels, and Katie Doolittle ’23. | 5. Bella Nduwayezu ’23 and Leah Nelson ’23 crown Abbie Doran ’23 as St. Lucia. | 6. The Fire Pit Grill, across from Uhler, provided outdoor meals and snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. | 7. Honors Day. | 8. Socially distanced selfies at Drag Queen Bingo.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

12 9. Black Lives Matter at the Gustavus Pride Parade in the fall. | 10. Nurse and clinical coordinator Jessica Helget ’11 administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a student in Don Roberts Arena. | 11. Chemistry professor Ian

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Hill beaming in live from Nobel Hall during

the virtual Nobel Conference. | 12. Kevin Panora ’22 takes in the exhibit An Active and Urgent Telling in the Schaefer Art Gallery.

| 14. Nana Abena Boateng ’22 performs at a soldout Diversity Ball, held outdoors in the Arb. | 15. Movies in the Arb. That’s the ’80s classic Goonies. 16. Youth non-profit PackASmyle, headed by Gustie alum Muresuk Mena ’13, hosts a backpack supply drive for youth.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

13. The Campus Activities Board hosts a new tradition during COVID-19: Cornhole Tournament.

ON THE HILL

SHINE: SKYLAR ABREGO ’20 Working the Connections BORN INTO HOCKEY AND RAISED THROUGH HER GUSTIE PROFS, SHE’S THE CURRENT GRADUATE ASSISTANT IN GUSTAVUS SPORTS INFORMATION.

It started when communications studies professor Pamela Conners said to her, “I think you’re holding yourself back.” Abrego had planned on becoming a teacher, but she loved Conners’ class Public Discourse far more than she loved her elementary school job shadow experience. Then came professor Sarah Wolter ’02 and her class, Screens. “I kept picking athletic commercials to analyze,” Abrego says. Then Abrego had an idea—a Gustavus sports podcast. Without having every played Gustavus sports, or produced a podcast, or even met Tom Brown, director of Gustavus Athletics, “I put on my big girl pants and knocked on his door,” she says. The result was Behind the Bench, the first campus sports podcast, which Abrego recorded through the audio on a camera placed on a music stand. More firsts followed. She became the first woman intern for the off-season professional hockey league Da Beauty League, where she grew the Instagram account and interviewed professional players. She became one of the first two women broadcast interns at Fox Sports North to cover Northwoods League Baseball in both taped and live segments. She hated the appearance, performance, and lifestyle constraints for on-camera women reporters, not to mention the gross men who trolled her on the Internet, some with photos of their daughters in their feeds. But she loved the video editing, graphics, writing, and social media aspects. Today, among her other duties as Gustavus graduate assistant in sports information, she works with Gustie teams to develop their social media, and she’s pioneered “Women’s Coach Wednesday” profiles on the Gustavus website. Equity and inclusion in sports are central to her work, especially in hockey. “It’s all about connections. But what if you don’t have them?” she asks. As a first-generation college student from a town of 600 people, and as a biracial woman devoted to the predominantly white sport of hockey, these are careerdefining questions. “No one should have to deal with sexism or racism as they play their sport,” Abrego says, stating what should be obvious. Gustavus, she says, is a great place to begin a career as a woman in sports. “The MIAC does a really good job with equity. I’m so lucky at Gustavus to

It was a wild spring in Gustavus sports with 11 seasons running simultaneously. “Sometimes we had five home games going on at once.” Despite the long work weeks, Abrego pulled two As and an A- in her master’s program in sports management at Minnesota State University, Mankato. More on the historic Spring 2021 sports season on page 22.

COMMUNITY

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

have so many extremely strong women professors and coaches as mentors.”

SHINE: HAYLEY RUSSELL All Around Athletes THIS CANADIAN PROF TEACHES SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY, FRAMED WITHIN THE AMERICAN CONCEPT OF LIBERAL ARTS LEARNING.

Teaching in the health and exercise science, public health, and gender, women, and sexuality studies, Russell has a courtside seat to today’s biggest sports trends. First, there is equity. “The strongest student writing and reflection has been on racism in sport and inequity in exercise,” Russell says. “Students are very interested in social inequity as it relates to sports and exercise.” Then there is the issue of specialization in youth sports. Athletes used to come into college having played a wide range of sports. Those days are long gone. “For decades, student-athletes have specialized very young in one sport and have a lot of identity and experience in that one thing.” Russell grew up playing multiple sports in a small Nova Scotia fishing community. She tore her ACL playing high school basketball, which kicked off an interest in kinesiology. Her doctoral dissertation at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, explored the psychosocial readiness to return to sport after ACL reconstruction surgery. “The first class I taught was Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology,” Russell says. She now teaches similar classes at Gustavus, including the popular First-Term Seminar, Youth Sport and Society. It’s rocked many a former high school athlete’s outlook on their favorite sport. “As students grapple with the challenges of the thing they love, it sparks critical thinking.” Russell relishes a holistic learning approach to teaching in the health & exercise science department. “I was completely unfamiliar with the concept of liberal arts before studying in the United States. It’s not a term we use in Canada. But I’ve always been doing it,” she says. At a small school like Gustavus, “I like the research opportunities, the close connections with students, the personal aspects.” And, of course, Gustie students. “They are willing to try whatever. They’re enthusiastic, thoughtful, and nice. They’re really

Russell represents the health & exercise science department on the Lund Expansion and Renovation team. She’s particularly excited about the new fitness facilities— “We’re improving them for all students,” she says—and the Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art teaching and research space.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

E XC E L L E N C E

fun to teach.”

GUSTIE WOMEN IN

Sports ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX, A CELEBRATION OF SOME OF THE BEST OF GUSTAVUS WOMEN IN SPORTS.*

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

BY SKYLAR ABREGO ’20, STEPHANIE ASH, BRUCE BERGLUND, EMMA MYHRE ’19, AND CORINNE STREMMEL ’21

*“THE PLAYING FIELD STILL ISN’T LEVEL.” GENDER EQUITY IN SPORT IS THE LIFE WORK OF NICOLE LAVOI ’91. SEE WHAT SHE SAYS ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT, PAGE 18.

KAELENE BAVERYLUNDSTROM ’10

FROM TRACK TO RUGBY Currently vice president of the Twin

eventually leading the Gustavus team to nationals her senior year. Then, fate intervened. “None of us on the team were old enough to rent a van to get there. We connected with women who played for one of the teams in the Twin Cities,” she says. That team was Twin Cities Amazons,

Cities Amazons, Bavery-

and she began playing for them after

Lundstrom didn’t know

graduation. In 2012, she became one of

what rugby was when

the first of seven women to be contracted

she showed up at

to play Olympic rugby in 2016, its

Gustavus. “I came for

inaugural year. Between 2011 and 2013,

Canada. “It’s a crazy feeling the first time

track,” she says. But she

she played for the U.S. in such places as

you put on a Team USA jersey and you

started playing club rugby her first year,

England, Italy, France, Netherlands, and

stand for the national anthem,” she says.

TAM MEUWISSEN ’13

Cathedral Hill in St. Paul. She’s currently

Players use short sticks to hit a ball, not

ranked eighth on the tour.

a puck. Meuwissen was first invited to

TWO NEW WAYS TO WIN

Bandy resembles hockey but is older.

play bandy by a former Gustavus hockey

It was invented in England in the early

teammate. “The first time on the ice, I

1800s. It’s played on a rink about the size

absolutely loved it,” Meuwissen says. “It’s

of a soccer field, with 11 skaters on a side.

a combination of all the things I know.”

She was a two-sport Gustie athlete: soccer and hockey. Ten years later, she is still a two-sport athlete: ice cross and bandy.

Seven of the 11 starters on the U.S.A. Women’s Bandy Team are former Gustie hockey players, as is their coach, Chris Middlebrook ’79. Spot them? Tam Meuwissen ’13, Marah Sobczak ’14, Meagan Wanecke ’13, Maddie Bergh ’14, Jenna Christensen ’13, Kelsey Kennedy ’13, Allie (Schwab) Johnson ’12, Mollie Carroll ’12. This winter, they’ll play for the world title.

In ice cross, four skaters hurtle down a narrow course, navigating jumps and hairpin turns, hitting speeds up to 50 miles per hour. “Anyone who tells you they’re not scared is lying,” Meuwissen says. She’s traveled the world on the France, Finland, and Japan, as well as on

NO PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES SHALL, BASED ON SEX, BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION IN, BE DENIED THE BENEFITS OF, OR BE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION UNDER ANY EDUCATION PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. —Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Red Bull Crashed Ice tour, competing in

NICHOLE PETERSEN PORATH ’05

ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS

stroller and six months post-partum.

IN MEMORIAM

and finance professional, she tries to

NANCY BAKER ’56

instill the love of the process and the

She launched the Gustavus gym-

importance of hard work that she learned

nastics program in 1962, setting the

at Gustavus. “I’m better able to handle

foundation for women’s gymnastics

Today, as a cross country coach

everything from deadlines to the chaos

in Minnesota and beyond. In 1963,

During her senior year

of motherhood,” because of Gustavus

Gustavus hosted the first women’s

of high school, Porath

cross country, she says. She’s back to

gymnastics meet in the state, and

worried she had already

training after the birth of her second

hit her fastest time, and

baby, and will run the Boston Marathon

almost didn’t go out for cross country at

in October.

Gustavus. “I knew that I would feel left out, so I decided to join anyway,” she says.

ANNIE ODEGARD ’17

She still had faster times ahead of

a contract with Brooks shoes, which

TO DO WHAT SHE LOVES

allowed her to run professionally for two

As an athletic administrator

years. She set a world record in the indoor

for the University of

marathon, and twice a world record in

Minnesota women’s

the half-marathon while pushing a double

basketball team,

her. In 2011, alongside Gustavus coach Brenden Huber, Porath ran Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, where she qualified for the Olympic trials, which earned her

Odegard is shaping women’s sports. From recruitment coordination to marketing, she helps push the team forward.

ADELE BURK ’04

THE BIG(GER) PICTURE Burk has always loved

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

sports, statistics, and

in athletics. Looking at her life in the big picture, Burk turned back

Her passion for teambuilding started as a Gustavus first-year.

to sports information. Today,

“I have always wanted to work in

she is Associate Director

sports, so I asked Coach [Laurie]

for Championships and

Kelly if I could work in her office,”

Compliance for the New

Odegard says. She played on the

England Small College Athletic Conference, coordinating 26 conference

women’s basketball team, including in the NCAA tournament. “It was

writing. When she got to

championships and assisting members

an amazing experience to compete

the hill, she worked with then

with NCAA and conference compliance.

every day and work with all kinds of

sports information director Tim Kennedy

She’s excited about the direction

people to reach a common goal.”

’82, translating statistics into exciting

college athletics is moving in to further

stories. “I learned to see everything I

address racial and gender equity and

at the center of her work growing

worked on in big pictures,” she says.

mental health. And she uses her Gustavus

women’s basketball, and the

experiences every day. “I’m still teaching.

center of her very being. “I could

education and mathematics double

I’m still working with statistics. Now, I’m

have taken a job in anything, but I

major, she missed the rush of working

doing all of that to an even higher degree.”

wanted to pursue what I love.”

After graduating with a secondary

Relationships and leadership are

for the next two decades, Baker’s teams won 15 state meets in 17

her retirement in 1992. Baker died in March. “Not only

appearances. In 1982, the Associ-

was she a dear friend but also a

ation for Intercollegiate Athletics

mentor. She had such foresight

for Women (AIAW) hosted the

about the growth of health and

first-ever national championships

wellness and the future of wom-

for small colleges. The Golden Gusties

en’s sports,” says former Gustavus coach

won the title. Baker’s teams would go

(and fellow women’s athletics pioneer)

on to win six more national titles until

Gretchen Koehler.

GREAT MOMENTS IN WOMEN’S ATHLETICS HISTORY

FROM THE FIRST TIP-OFF

TO THE LATEST NATIONAL CHAMPION, AN INCOMPLETE LIST OF EXCELLENCE.

1903

The first-ever sports

season included women’s basketball. Gustie women played Mankato Normal women at the first intercollegiate game. The 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has Gustie Dr. Virginia A. Caine ’73 (former Gustie hooper, top, second from right) to thank for the health and safety of fans and teams. She’s the public health director of Marion County, Indiana.

1920

The Minnesota

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) debuts. Women’s teams are not a part of it. Shortly after comes the Women’s Athletic Association— with no intercollegiate

preconceptions of what a girl or woman can do on the

competition.

1923

Gustavus women

ice—and I’ve been able to harness that drive to prove my

make news playing football.

capabilities while getting a PhD in the male-dominated field

See page 44.

of physics.” —Nara Higano ’12 (hockey, lacrosse), research faculty in pediatric pulmonary medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

“REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN in sports shows the younger generation all the life-enhancing opportunities that come from coaching and participating in sports.” —Jaime Gaard Chapman ’07 (tennis), co-founder of Gaard Performance Academy

“I FEEL EMPOWERED as a woman coaching Division III athletics to pave the way for future student athletes to pursue their dreams.” —Megan Gaard Gunderson ’12 (tennis), co-founder of Gaard Performance Academy, head tennis coach, St. Catherine University

1951

Inga Carlson ’53

competes as a diver on the men’s team. See page 24.

1962

Coach Nancy

Baker ’56 starts the women’s gymnastics program.

1965

Coach Mary Dahl

Williams ’63 starts the Gustavus women’s swimming program.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

“IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE to smash through

BRENDA MAGOBA ’97

year letter winner for the

ANNA EAMES ’13

SWIMMING IN A VILLAGE

FOOD, FRIENDS, TEAMMATES

from laughing than from working out.

“When Coach Tom Thorkelson ’70

caused her right leg to

My friends and teammates made my

recruited me, he told me how good the

be shorter than her

athletics experience memorable.” After

food was at Gustavus. That’s really all I

left. “I had to adapt

graduating with a degree in religion,

needed to hear. We throwers did a lot

to some activities, but

Magoba has spent her career in non-

of eating,” Magoba says. She starred

I never felt excluded,”

profit agencies, serving at-risk youth in

in the shot put and discus, earning all-

she says.

sports, camps, and Christian ministries,

conference honors 11 times and, in 1997,

She wanted to be an athlete, and

as well as domestic violence survivors.

taking fifth place in shot put at NCAA

swimming didn’t cause her pain. Her

She’s stayed active in sports as a college

Championships. She was also a three-

high school talent led to the U.S.

basketball and soccer referee.

Paralympic National Team in 2005,

soccer team, with three MIAC championships. “I honestly don’t remember many of the awards and accomplishments,” she says. “I do remember leaving practices and meets with my stomach hurting more

Eames was born with fibular hemimelia, a congenital disorder that

and gold and bronze medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. When it came time to pick a college, she wanted to be competitive in swimming and chase her dream to

ELLIE ROSCHER ’02

SPORTS, FAITH, AND EQUITY After a gymnastics injury at

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

study biology to become a genetic

awareness week, and finished the pre-

counselor. When she wasn’t in the bio

medicine track while studying religion

lab at Gustavus, she was training with

and the Three Crowns Curriculum. Her

her Gustie and Paralympic teams. In

gymnastics team was especially formative. “They’re still my best friends today,” she says.

age 13, doctors told

Roscher earned a master’s in

her they might have

theology and joined the Lutheran

to amputate her

a Greeter, started an eating disorder

Volunteer Program in Uruguay,

2012, she took silver with her relay team at the Paralympics in London. Today, she’s patient navigator for the National Marrow Donor Program/ Be The Match. Her work centers on accessibility, inclusivity, and scientific

left arm. She was

which inspired her first book, the spiritual

advancement. Those values grew

devastated. “Then,

memoir How Coffee Saved My Life.

through Gustavus and her swimming

I became acutely

After teaching high school theology and

career. “I was always meeting people

aware that I still had

coaching gymnastics, she led research in

I wouldn’t otherwise meet. Everyone

two arms. And I was

Kenya while studying writing. Her second

had different backgrounds, from

going to use them.”

book, Play Like A Girl, tells the story of

majors to disabilities to nationalities.”

She launched

how the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy in

a new trajectory.

Nairobi, Kenya transformed gender equity

Gustavus was a

and education in the region through

perfect fit. Roscher

sports. Her latest book, the co-written 12

competed for four

Tiny Things, Includes stories about how

years on the gymnastics team and two

being a college athlete taught her to trust

years on the softball team. She became

the wisdom of the body.

LINN ERICKSON AHRENDT ’87 AND ANGELA AHRENDT ’12

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO The two share a passion for volleyball

but brought back an offspring so they

that’s part DNA, part developed. “Pretty

could go to nationals again!” jokes Linn.

1967

Women’s athletics

shows up as a line item in the college budget.

1968

Coach Gretchen

much since I was a baby, my mom has

She and her daughter continue to play

been there to coach me,” Angela says.

and coach volleyball, keeping strong ties

Koehler starts an organized women’s basketball program,

In fact, she was 11 years old when she

to each other through their sport.

then volleyball a year later, then

attended her mother’s induction to the

softball a year after that. Mary

Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame. At that

Dahl Williams ’63 starts coaching

point she knew she’d be a Gustie too.

women’s tennis.

volleyball team went to nationals, the

1972

first time since her mother, Linn, played

Amendment passes Congress.

Six years later, the Gustavus

1974

on the team. “It was like I left Gustavus

The Title IX

Women’s track and

field is introduced under coach Sally Hokanson ’69.

1975

LISA BROWN ’09

THROWING IT OUT THERE

Gustavus women’s

volleyball makes the Small College National Volleyball Tournament.

After three months at MSU, Mankato,

1981

she called up coach Tom Thorkleson ’70

Women’s Championships for

and asked if there was still time to join

first time. Women’s tennis claims

the Gustavus team. She transferred that

its first league title. The team has

January, got introduced to javelin, and

won 28 more since.

by spring had placed first in Division

The MIAC sponsors

1984

III nationals. “It got me thinking the

Attending trials was another dream

Olympics would be cool,” she says.

come true as she competed alongside

ushers in equal space for men’s

athletes she’d watched and learned from.

and women’s athletics and

year. “At nationals, throw after throw

She brings with her today as she coaches

recreation.

was better than the last. Finally I heard

youth hockey and mountain biking.

someone read the number that was the B

1991

qualifier for the Olympic Trials.”

team wins its first NCAA D-III

The women’s tennis

National Team Championship.

“MY EXPERIENCES on the track & field team taught me perseverance, patience, and hard work. These skills are also what I need as a journalist and will carry on to grad school.” —DeAnna Giles ’21, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland

1992

Sarah Edmonds Harris

’93 Wins NCAA D-III National Cross Country Championship, the first national individual title for a women Gustie in NCAA competition.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Her dream became reality her junior

The new Lund Center

Where We Go FROM HERE

and use of the word “gender” rather than “sex” to move away from binary assumptions.) In 2019, Gustavus professor Sarah Wolter ’02 released a co-authored longitudinal analysis of Division I media guides through the Tucker Center. Here at the 50th anniversary of Title IX, where do we stand? As LaVoi is known for saying, “The data tells the story.” The good news: “In two generations we’ve gone from girls and women hoping there is a team to girls and women hoping they’ll make the team,” LaVoi says. More participation means more girls and

NICOLE LAVOI ’91, DIRECTOR OF THE TUCKER CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON GIRLS

women get the physical and psychological

& WOMEN IN SPORT, ON HOW WE ACT NEXT TO ADVANCE TITLE IX’S PROMISE.

benefits of sports, and the corresponding career, relationship, and life satisfaction

sk LaVoi her Gustavus major and

In July, the ninth annual Women in Col-

she’ll laugh and say, “Tennis!”

lege Coaching Report Card was released

Coach Steve Wilkinson recruited

with LaVoi’s graduate student advisees

the St. Cloud native to join the team as

and fellow Gustie alums Courtney Bouch-

a first-year. That team “was a group of

er ’15 and Hanna Silva-Breen’18 sharing

women that made no excuses.” They won

authorship. Its focus is to hold decision-

the NCAA Championship her junior year.

makers accountable for hiring practices.

LaVoi was inspired. After completing

(New this year: data on racial identity

her health fitness and communications

and success. The not-so good news: though there have been slight increases, the number of women coaching and leading sports has not risen on par with the growth in participation. Neither has media coverage of women’s sports. Not even close, in fact. Why? “The simple answer is it’s about power.” With coaching, “It’s not that we

double major, she went on to coach tennis at Wellesley College (an all-women institution), earn a PhD in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, and conduct research at the Center for Sport, Character & Culture at Notre Dame. “I became passionate about women and girls empowerment through sport.” Today she directs the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. When it was founded in 1993, the

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Tucker Center was the only research

center of its kind in the world. LaVoi was at the starting line. As a grad student, she worked on the Center’s first groundbreaking report on sport for girls and women, released in 1997. Today, Tucker Center research spans Title IX and gender equity, physical activity and girls, media representation, and the women’s sports industry.

“IN TWO GENERATIONS WE’VE COME A LONG WAY. AND WE HAVE TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR IT.”

1998

Women’s hockey

becomes a varsity sport. It’s since won 16 MIAC titles.

2000–01 (L) LaVoi and former championship teammate Heidi Rostberg Carlson ’93. (R) With former PhD advisee Tommy Valentini ’02, Steve Wilkinson Endowed Professor of Sports Ethics and Tennis and head men’s tennis coach.

The women’s

program wins its first MIAC AllSports title, with league titles in hockey and tennis, and second finishes in soccer, swimming and diving, and nordic skiing.

have less qualified women or women who

“People are finally realizing that this is

2005

don’t want those positions. It’s about

an untapped, underserved market,” LaVoi

the opportunity that women are given to

says. “As we emerge from COVID, people

have access to positions of power that are

see women’s sports as more aligned with

is the first woman Gustie to

controlled by men.” With media coverage,

values. When you watch you become a

receive the NCAA Postgraduate

it’s her oft-repeated mantra: “If you show

fan. When you become a fan you buy

Scholarship. Since then, 17 Gustie

it, they will come.”

merchandise. This is what the Tucker

women have earned it.

Center has been arguing for decades.”

2009

NEXT MOVES

For the next five decades, LaVoi’s got

Volleyball player

Rachel Batalden Hollerich ’05

Softball advances to

“The people at the top must change.

clear targets. “I would like equal resources

the NCAA Division III World Series

They’re the ones that make the decisions,

dedicated to women’s sport scholarships,

for the first time.

the policies, and the occupational culture

participation opportunities, facilities,

that either supports and values women or

treatment, coverage, sponsorship, market-

does not.” First among many such deci-

ing, and viewership,” she says “I hope it

2017

sions is a commitment to equal resources.

doesn’t take 50 years to get there.”

“You’re going to have to double down and invest above and beyond,” she says. Then there’s coverage. A surprising thing happened during COVID-19. The Women’s Soccer League adopted a

And she’d like new defenders of Title IX to come along. “We need courage to make change among those who don’t want to.” If that’s you, “Welcome,” LaVoi says. ”There’s still more work to do.” •

Volleyball team claims

its first NCAA Regional title and advances to NCAA Finals.

2018

Women’s basketball

advances to NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time.

closed “bubble” model and was the first professional league to return to play. The WNBA followed with “the wubble” as well as a focus on social justice issues. Both leagues saw astronomical increases in viewership, social media engagement,

GUSTIE WOMEN ALUMS DOING THE WORK: Skylar Abrego ’20 (sports information), Stephanie Jensen Otto ’00 (professor, health and exercise science), Sara Wolter ’02 (professor, communication studies), Kelsey Letourneau ’13 (assistant women’s basketball coach), LaVoi, Heidi Rostberg Carlson ’93 (director, Swanson Tennis Center; assistant women’s tennis coach), Aryn Bell DeGrood ’09 (head gymnastics coach), Cal Carlson ’17 (Tennis & Life Camps)

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

marketing, and platform streaming.

SPORTS

SQUEEZED INTO SPRING In the most unusual spring season, traditional fall and spring sports competed at the same time. From left, Anna Stutz (Jr., Dellwood), Trace Dobson (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), Kasie Tweet (Fy., Adrian), and Weston Lombard (Sr., Stillwater) made the most of the opportunity.

A SEASON FOR (ALMOST) ALL SPORTS

A home softball doubleheader at the exact

soccer. Football did not play any official

the viewers at home through a significant

same time as a home soccer match?

games but did compete against Minnesota

increase in livestreamed events. Sports

That was a first.

State University, Mankato in a joint

schedules were intentionally spread out

Not much has been normal about

practice/scrimmage. Cross Country was

with minimal overlap, allowing other

the past year and the same can be said

the lone fall sport that did not compete at

sports information departments with

for Gustavus athletics. This spring was a

all during the spring.

limited resources to broadcast as many

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

mashup of fall sports that had gone dark

Under strict COVID-19 protocols,

events as possible. In total, Gustavus

in 2020, and spring sports that hadn’t

player safety was the top priority. There

Sports Information broadcasted 73 of

competed since the 2019 season.

were moments when some student-

80 home sporting events from February

For the most part, the traditional

athletes were quarantined and missed

through May.

spring sports of men’s and women’s golf,

time with their team. Some games and

men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and

matches were cancelled or postponed. The

year, we’re excited to enhance the fan

women’s outdoor track & field, baseball,

protocols kept our student-athletes safe.

experience this fall for those watching

and softball were able to compete in a full

With no fans allowed for indoor sports

With what we’ve learned over the past

online and in person.

season (with the exception of out-of-state

and limited fans admitted for outdoor

travel). Sliding into spring after a dark fall

sports, Gustavus Sports Information

For where and when to watch, visit

were volleyball and men’s and women’s

brought the action from the players to

gustavus.edu/athletics

In the Face of COVID-19—

Championships. Kratz took sixth, Erin

Spring brought incredible performances.

Ericson (Jr., Onalaska, Wis.) took

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

seventh, and Sydney Regalado (Jr.,

Birgen Nelson (So. Edina) was selected

• TAYLOR ROONEY (Sr., Andover) won

Rosemount) took 10th, each earning All-

CoSIDA Academic All-America. Halley

the NCAA championship in the 110-hur-

Conference. Regalado received the MIAC

Brocker (Jr., Ankeny, Iowa), Madi Kes

dles with a Division III all-time record

Elite 22 Award.

(Fy., Jordan), Doris-Klein Mor (Jr., Saint Peter), and Annika Poe (So., Big Lake)

(So., Cleveland) earned the baseball

Men’s Soccer

program’s first All-America honor since

The Gusties played a truncated schedule,

The Gusties took third at the MIAC

2007 and was named MIAC Player of

going 2-0 in official contests and 5-0

Championships.

the Year. • JACOB PEDERSEN (Jr.,

in exhibition matches. Cole Schwartz

Minnetonka) tied for eighth place at the

(Sr., Jakarta, Indonesia) was selected

Baseball

NCAA Golf Championships, claiming the

to the CoSIDA Academic All-America

The Gusties finished the season 27-7

program’s first All-America honor since

First Team.

overall (the most since 2006) and 18-3

2012–13. • BIRGEN NELSON (So., Edina)

joined Nelson on the All-Region Team.

in the MIAC for second place. Bryce

earned two All-America honors, taking

Women’s Soccer

second in the 100-hurdles and fifth in the

In a shortened spring schedule, the

Minnetonka), Damon Rademacher (Sr.,

400-hurdles at NCAA Championships. •

Gusties finished with a 4-3 overall record.

Princeton), and Weston Lombard (Sr.,

MEN’S TENNIS won its 32nd consecutive

Katie Ashpole (Sr., Chaska) scored three

Stillwater) earned D3baseball.com and

MIAC championship and 10th straight

goals with an assist, while Taylor Hemme

ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honors.

MIAC playoff title. • GINGER VALENTINE

(Sr., Eden Prairie) added two goals and

(Sr., Delano) capped her career with an

three assists.

All-American performance at the NCAA

Novak (So., Cleveland), Jack Hanson (Jr.,

Softball The Gusties posted a 17-17 record and

Singles Championships. • NICK ANEY

Volleyball

(Jr., Rochester) and ALEX BUDDE (So.,

The Gusties played just six matches this

Coley Ries’s first season. Madelyn

Menomonee Falls) went to semifinals

spring season, going 4-2 overall. Kate

Mueller (Fy., North Mankato) and Ashley

of the NCAA Doubles Championships,

Holtan (Sr., Rochester) was selected

Neuenfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) were

earning All-America status. • STEVEN

to the CoSIDA Academic All-America

named All-Conference.

ORZOLEK (Jr., Darwin) claimed the 26th

Second Team, joining her sister Nora

All-America award by a men’s thrower

Holtan as the only other Gustie volleyball

Men’s Tennis

in Gustavus track & field. • AND EIGHT

player to earn the honor.

The Gusties finished 17-3 overall and 9-0

GUSTIES took nine All-America honors.

went 8-14 in the MIAC in Head Coach

in the league. Nick Aney (Jr., Rochester)

Men’s Golf

Men’s Outdoor Track & Field

Jacob Pedersen was named All-

Steven Orzolek (Jr., Darwin) took sixth

earned All-District honors. Aney also

Region for the third consecutive

place in the shot put at the NCAA meet.

earned the MIAC Elite 22 Award.

season. The team took fourth at MIAC

Josh Beiswanger (So., Mankato), Xander

Championships.

DuMoulin (Jr., Shorewood), and Andrew

Women’s Tennis

Stumbo (Sr., Boone, Iowa) joined Taylor

The Gusties went 16-2 overall and 8-1

Rooney and Orzolek on the All-Region

in the MIAC for second place. Ginger

Emily Kratz (Jr., Edina) earned All-

Team. The Gusties took fourth at the

Valentine, Sydney Douglas (Jr., North

Region honors after leading the Gusties

MIAC Championships.

Mankato), Simona Potockova (Jr., Nova’

Women’s Golf

was selected CoSIDA Academic All-America while Indraneel Raut (Jr., Oshkosh, Wis.)

with a 79.5-stroke average. As a team,

Dubnica, Slovakia), and Anna Stutz (Jr.,

the Gusties took second at the MIAC

Dellwood) were named All-Conference.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

of 13.72 seconds. • BRYCE NOVAK

FINE ARTS

Top: Gustavus Wind Orchestra (April), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Feb.); Bottom: Spring Dance Complex (April), An Active and Urgent Telling exhibit in Schaefer Art Gallery (Feb./March)

M E E T I N G YO U W H E R E YO U A R E Spring was all about going to where the

been challenging, but everyone’s attitude

tour. In particular, that meant showcasing

audience was—outside or in homes.

has been fantastic.” This spring, Rolnick’s

the talents of Gustie students and sharing

students performed live after more than

the power of music with the world.

experimentation in the artist-audience

a year of cancelled concerts and filmed

And with recorded concerts that are

relationship. Students stretched to

performances. The performances were

archived for anytime viewing, a new

deliver in multiple mediums: live outdoor

held outside, dancers stayed distanced,

benefit emerged. Many Gustavus music

events, pre-filmed events, livestreamed

and they did not have physical interaction

performances are accessible to anyone

performances, and virtual walkthroughs

with one another.

with digital streaming access, not just

COVID-19 created opportunities for

of visual art exhibitions. All offered new GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

ways to create and enjoy the fine arts.

“[This year has] been a good lesson in

James Patrick Miller, the Douglas Nimmo Professor of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, and Brandon Dean, Jon and

those who can be present in person at one place during one moment in time. For Gustavus Fine Arts, the moment

adaptation all the way around,” says dance

Anita Thomsen Young Distinguished

in time that is COVID-19 has been

professor Melissa Rolnick. “In theatre and

Chair in Music and Conductor of the

trying and tumultuous. It is also a driver

dance, what we teach is so challenging

Gustavus Choir, reached audiences

of innovation. Through it, we have

online. And I think we’ve done good

through virtual concerts. Livestreamed

discovered and honed ways to reach

work. We’ve been pushed, but I think

and archived performances accomplished

audiences—like you—across the world

we’ve been successful. The logistics have

many of the goals of a more traditional

and in your own homes.

Music

of the tsunami and nuclear disaster that

“acting for the camera” workshops with

The Gustavus Wind Orchestra released

devastated Tohoku and Fukushima in

New York-based actor Robert Galinsky.

their new album digitally this summer.

Japan. Ishikawa grew up in Fukushima.

Alum Nick Campbell ’18 returned as the

The piece, titled Haseru—馳せる—, was

is the result of spring’s virtual tour,

composed by Ishikawa, who also plays

recorded and livestreamed in April.

piano.

The album includes music from major

videographer for this production. After more than a year of Zoom classes, the Gustavus Dance Company presented a Spring Dance Complex in

Hollywood productions such as How

T he GWO album can be streamed

April. “We changed the title because the

to Train Your Dragon, Schindler’s List,

on most services and purchased

venue/forum is different,” co-director

and Star Wars. “To create a virtual tour

via iTunes. The video performance

and professor Melissa Rolnick said.

video and release an album across all

can be found at youtube.com/

Unlike concerts of years past, this one

streaming platforms while seated six

GustavusFineArts. The G Choir

was performed almost entirely outside

feet apart, masked, and using bell covers

video performance can also be

at different sites. Tickets were available

found there. Haseru—馳せる— can

is a success unlike any I have seen in my

to Gustavus students, faculty, and staff.

17 years as a professor,” says conductor

be found on the Gustavus website,

The outdoor locations made the concert

James Patrick Miller.

search “Tohoku and Fukushima.”

more difficult, but also more exciting.

The Gustavus Choir also recorded

“I’ve never been a part of a concert with

and streamed a virtual tour this

Theatre & Dance

spring, singing an eclectic program

The Department of Theatre & Dance

so that’s a really unique aspect,” says

of choral repertoire ranging from the

presented Anton Chekhov’s Three

dancer Megan Setterlund ’21.

Renaissance to today. The program

Sisters (a new version translated

also included the world premiere of

in 2009 by playwright Sarah Ruhl).

Art & Art History

“Kouraj,” a work written for the choir

Directed by professor Amy Seham

Four senior studio art majors were

by Haitian composer Sydney Guillaume.

and shot as a filmed stage production,

featured in the exhibition 6 Feet Apart at

The Gustavus Choir held rehearsals in

it streamed in May. The production

the Hillstrom Museum of Art and online:

the Torrey Atrium of Beck Hall, where

was the honors project of Jordan

Hannah Calkins, Bryanna Filip, Darby

student musicians were able to spread

Johnson ’21. She played Olga, the

Rose Hurlbert, and Claire Strohmeyer.

out across three floors to ensure social

oldest of the three sisters. “She keeps

Junior art majors and sophomore art

distancing while wearing custom masks

trying to contain her emotions, keeps

majors and minors had exhibits this

designed for singing. “We all have a

wanting to control herself as much as

spring in the Schaefer Art Gallery.

greater appreciation for what it means

she can, knowing that the other two

to make music in community,” says

sisters in her life are so passionate

Online exhibitions can be found at

conductor Brandon Dean. “It has been

and emotional that she needs to be

gustavus.edu/finearts as well as

really healing.”

that rock,” Johnson says. For the first

gustavus.edu/hillstrom. COVID-19

Music professor Masayoshi Ishikawa

so many pieces in different locations,

two weeks of rehearsal, the cast and

restrictions for Gustavus galleries

collaborated with taiko and shinobue

crew met online to work on lines and

have been lifted. Check the websites

performer Eien Hunter-Ishikawa on a

understand the historical context of

for updates on COVID-19 visitor

powerful tribute to the 10th anniversary

the piece. They also participated in

restrictions.

UPCOMING Art for All: The Swedish Experience in Mid-America (co-organized with the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, Kansas) runs Sept. 13 through Nov. 7 at the Hillstrom Museum of Art. For more, including updates to COVID-19 restrictions, visit gustavus.edu/hillstrom.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Heroes: Facing Adversity and Destiny

Heritage IN 1922, A NEW GYMNASIUM (now O.J. Johnson Student Union) was completed. It housed a basketball court, indoor track, and, in the basement, a pool with locker rooms, showers, and changing areas. (The “men’s” and women’s” entrances are still marked). The pool was home to swimming and diving teams and competitions, as well as Aquatic League Water Ballet and canoeing and water safety classes. “Ancient history: Proving we could manage a swamped canoe before heading out on the river with Professor (Vic) Gustafson ’42,” noted Jan Johnson LeClair ’80 on the Gustavus Alumni Facebook page. After the pool in Lund was complete (later named for Coach Gustafson), the Johnson Student Union pool was drained. For a few years it was offices. Then, in 1998, it reopened as The Dive, a name that nodded—like the salvaged tiles of the pool walls—to space’s history.

Plunging into the pool circa 1936.

The Dive was “a combination canteen, bar, and coffee house,” and a place “to dance and socialize on a Friday night,” says a yearbook story on its renovation. Clinton Dietrich ’98

A 90s-themed Dive Dance in 2012.

noted on Facebook, “There would be so many people dancing, the tile walls would be wet!” In 2020, The Dive plunged into a new

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

role as home to the Center for Inclusive

EQUITY ALERT

Excellence (formerly the Diversity

Without a women’s swimming team

Center). It’s still an all-access hangout,

in 1951, Inga Carlson ’53 competed as

with study rooms, offices, and a multi-

a diver on the Gustavus men’s team,

use space. The iconic dance floor, disco

prompting a MIAC-wide ban on women

ball, and neon sign remain, as do the

competing on men’s athletic teams.

tiled walls from the old pool, politely

Women swimmers and divers would

reminding everyone, “Please no diving

not compete with other colleges until

from the gallery.”

at least the late 1960s.

GIVING THAT DRIVES GUSTAVUS

The engine that powers the College is the Gustavus Fund. The fuel that powers the Gustavus Fund is alumni, parents, and friends.

he roots of a Gustavus education are transformative connections between people who serve students on the hill we all love. This kind of engaged experience has its costs—particularly in faculty, staff, and facilities—and tuition does not cover that

investment. To meet the full expense of educating today’s Gusties, the College relies on Gusties who came before them. The Gustavus Fund is the annual pool of gifts that sustains the College. The largest scholarships. The remaining resources meet a variety of needs across campus, including student services, instruction and research, and operating costs. “It’s the engine that powers Gustavus,” says Katie Ackert Schroeder ’03, director of the Fund. “The fuel is the collective generosity of the entire Gustavus community.”

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

part of the Gustavus Fund––just over four out of every 10 dollars––goes to student

The Gustavus Fund is sometimes over-

to the College’s strong financial stabil-

fall and spring Phonathon, student callers

looked. Gifts in the fund are not directed

ity. “Many schools just didn’t have the

hear donors speak of their gratitude and

to a building project or an endowed

resources to test the way we did.”

loyalty to Gustavus. But connection to

professorship. But the Fund is vitally

The Gustavus Fund is not only vital

the College is not the only motivation

important. Gifts to the Gustavus Fund

to the College’s day-to-day operations,

for people who give. The same survey

are “unrestricted,” meaning they can go

it’s also an important measure of how

of Americans’ motivations for giving

wherever they are most needed. As Pres-

you, the broader Gustavus community,

showed that close to four in 10 people

ident Bergman explains (see page 28),

are viewing the College. “The Gustavus

donate to organizations they believe

college budgets are highly regimented.

Fund is a barometer for how Gusties feel

will use their money effectively. Before

There isn’t a lot of leeway for moving

about the College,” says Schroeder.

people give, they want to know that

money. The Gustavus Fund solves that

According to a 2019 survey, about

their contributions will be put to good

problem, allowing the president and her

half of Americans who donate say they

use. The recent growth of the Gustavus

cabinet to meet urgent needs.

give to organizations to which they feel a

Fund’s annual total––as well as the

The past 18 months has put the Gus-

personal connection. Many Gusties give

number of donors––shows that people

tavus Fund to the test. Multiple urgent

to the Gustavus Fund year after year out

trust the College’s work, encouraged by

needs emerged due to COVID-19, from

of this sense of connection. During the

the College’s current momentum.

new technology to plexiglass barriers. The strength of the Gustavus Fund allowed the College to flex to meet those challenges. For example, nurse practi-

ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, GIVE TO GUSTAVUS DAY will kickstart the Gustavus Fund for the 2021–2022 academic year. With an online broadcast from campus to the world, the event will celebrate Gusties’ collective generosity.

tioner Nissa Fell ’00, part of the Health

Last year, gifts to the Gustavus Fund came from alumni and friends in all 50

Service team, says Gustavus was able to

states and 11 countries, including New Zealand, India, and (of course) Sweden.

carry out testing for COVID-19 due

CL A SS R AN KS The top 10 classes for gifts to the Gustavus Fund in Fiscal Year 2021 (for number of individual donors).

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

1963

1969

1964

1997

1981

1990

1980

1968

1970

1984

59%

Increase in the dollar

TH E NUMBERS

25%

Number of

Increase in the amount of

amount given to the

states represented

countries represented

individual donors to the

Gustavus Fund since 2017

with gifts

Gustavus Fund since 2017

WH Y WE G IVE :

Kris Samelian Potter ’81 and Mike Potter ’81 “THIS YEAR, OUR GUT FEELING HAS BEEN THAT THE BEST PLACE TO GIVE WAS THE GUSTAVUS FUND.”

Kris: My mother and her mother both went to Gustavus. When I was growing up, and we would visit the campus, going to “college” meant going to Gustavus and singing in the Gustavus Choir. That’s what I always aspired to do. Mike: I didn’t know about Gustavus at all. When I was in high school, I expected to go to the University of Minnesota. But [famed head Gustavus cook] Evelyn Young ’33 was a family friend of ours. During my senior year she said that she would give me as many hours of work in the cafeteria as I wanted. So I went to Gustavus, and went to work in the Caf. I worked

In 2019, the Potters toured the Great Music Capitals of Europe with the Gustavus Choir as part of an alumni companion tour. (Here, they’re pictured in Prague.)

at the Caf all four years. I learned the importance of accountability, integrity, and results. I carried those lessons throughout my career. One of my jobs at the Caf was unloading the food trucks. I

at a Minneapolis church. Gustavus prepared me to be a wellrounded educator, to adjust and pivot.

was so impressed with the company that delivered to Gustavus, US Foods, that I went to work for them. Twenty years later, I

Mike: Kris and I give to Gustavus out of deep appreciation. This

was president of the company. Along the way, I have also been

began for me when I was senior class agent, working to raise

director of food bank operations for Second Harvest Heartland.

money for the class gift. I needed to give something back to all

Now, I work for Simek’s.

the people who had supported me. I felt it was an obligation. We are both grateful for the mix of people at Gustavus who allowed us to grow, who opened our eyes to different things.

was living in Rundstrom, and he was going around door to door. We didn’t have our first date until the end of senior year. I was

Kris: In the past, we would give to music or something else close

looking for a date to formal. We knew each a bit by then, and he

to our heart. This year we recognized that the College needed

made me laugh. A friend suggested that I call him up, and the

to decide where to use our donation. The faculty and staff went

rest is history.

the extra mile this past year, adjusting and readjusting. We have

I spent my career in education, teaching preschool and elementary school, with nonprofits, and as director of ministries

been so impressed. By giving to the Gustavus Fund, our money goes where it is most needed.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Kris: We met when Mike was campaigning for Student Senate. I

The Costs— and Benefits—of COVID-19 President Rebecca Bergman on how the pandemic affected everyone and everything about the College, and what we can do to recover.

What did you miss most last year

expenses. But most important was

2020 expenses. The second package in

while working remotely?

the relief money we received from the

December covered losses from summer

I missed seeing students, bumping into

federal government. The first relief

and fall. The third package, from the

them, attending their events. I adjusted

package, from the CARES Act, got us

American Rescue Plan, will help us offset

to meetings on Zoom, and I was grateful

to the break-even point with Spring

expenses from this past summer through

for that technology, but I

the 2021–2022 academic

missed interacting with the

year.

community in person.

Although we had some

I missed the opportunity

short-term furloughs, we

to meet with alumni and

avoided layoffs. We put a

donors as well. I longed for

high priority on retaining

those personal interactions

our employees. We made

both on and off campus.

the tough decision not to increase salaries, and we

What were the costs

paused our contribution

of COVID-19 for the

to employees’ retirement

College?

plans, though at the

The first big expense, back

end of the year, we were

in spring 2020, when we

able to make a one-time,

sent students home, was

additional payment to

reimbursing students for

employees. Thanks to

room and meal charges. After that, we didn’t have summer camps, so that was lost revenue. Once we started planning to bring students back for the Fall 2021 semester, the COVID-19 expenses piled up quickly. Classrooms had to be outfitted with technology, and we had all the costs associated with creating a safe environment for our community. We also saved some money. For instance, there were very few travel

good expense management and the relief

In comparison to our competitors across the country with larger endowments, I like to think of it this way: Knowing what we are able to do with what we have, imagine what we could do with more.” —President Rebecca Bergman

money, we balanced the budget. When you became president, what were you surprised to learn about the finances of a college? One thing that surprised me was how little flexibility there is. People have the impression that there are big buckets of money lying around at a college. There are not a lot of line items in a college

TH E COST O F R U N N I N G G U STAV U S

$406,164 A DAY Students’ tuition and fees cover only 75 percent of the day-to-day costs of operating the College—things like lights in the classrooms, food in the Caf, heat in the dorms, and salaries for professors and staff. To help meet operating expenses, the College relies on support for the Gustavus Fund, designated gifts, and endowment income.

28%

72%

COVERED BY PHILANTHROPY, ENDOWMENT INCOME, AND OTHER SOURCES

COVERED BY TUITION, ROOM & BOARD, AND OTHER SOURCES

budget that can easily be moved. This

signature events. That’s why unrestricted,

small classes, excellence in teaching,

business is very people dependent. After

flexible dollars—such as those from gifts

career preparation, student activities, fine

all, our “customer” lives on campus.

to the Gustavus Fund—are so essential.

arts, and athletics. So we must invest in

I had gained an understanding of

people––faculty and staff—to support

nonprofit finances while serving on two

What else do you wish alumni

academic boards, including the Gustavus

knew about the cost of running a

Board of Trustees. In the corporate

college?

Post-COVID-19, how does Gustavus

world, there was one source of revenue:

I would like to emphasize the impor-

stack up financially compared to

sales. At Gustavus, tuition and student

tance of scholarships. They are critical for

other colleges in its class?

fees are the majority of our revenue, but

meeting the financial needs of families,

Gustavus has effectively managed expenses

we also have revenue from gifts, grants,

making a Gustavus education affordable

in order to focus on our students. We

and the endowment.

and accessible to all who seek it.

are efficient, responsible, and diligent.

The endowment was an important

Technology is changing rapidly and

this student experience.

We are careful, just as you are with your

source of revenue for us. With the

is expensive. The systems needed to

own wallet. We invest for the long term.

combination of new gifts and an

run a college, including all of the user

Because of our thoughtful focus

extraordinary investment return––

interfaces, require significant investment.

on students—access,

thanks to the incredible stewardship

In addition, we must continually invest

experience, and

of our investment committee––our

in our facilities. Our buildings and out-

outcomes—we are

endowment showed substantial growth

door spaces are critical in delivering our

consistently ranked

over the last year.

mission. Maintaining and improving the

as a “best value”

campus costs money.

college, and

The endowment is not a pot of money the College can just grab from. Most

Our investments revolve around

nationally known

of the endowed funds are restricted for

providing an outstanding student expe-

for our smart

specific and important purposes, such as

rience. Gustavus offers a highly person-

stewardship.

scholarships, endowed professorships, and

alized liberal arts education. We value

In total, the College incurred $7 million in COVID-19 expenses from March 2020 to the end of Spring 2021.

G USTIES

Did you know you can GIVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO A NEW GUSTIE student simply by referring them? See page 34.

YOU SPOKE. WE LEARNED. RESULTS OF THE 2021 GUSTAVUS ALUMNI SURVEY

The Alumni Survey closed on May 31. More than 4,000 Gustie alumni responded. Thank you! Graduation year and geographic distributions were nearly identical to the 2016 alumni survey and our overall alumni population. As with the 2016 survey, women survey respondents were slightly overrepresented compared to our alumni universe. There’s much to glean from the data. We’re digging into it now, with more stories and details to follow throughout the year. Here are just a few points of interest. Though the majority of Gusties who Survey respondents identified more

responded identify as Christians, we are not a

often with non-white population groups,

homogeneous group when it comes to religion,

as well as with identities affiliated with the

spiritual practice, or worldview.

LGBTQ+ community.

2016

2021

Respondents identifying as a population group other than white

Respondents identifying as LGBTQ+

10%

38%

Christian (not-specified)

Catholic

of respondents identify

additional education since

as first-generation

leaving Gustavus, and nearly

college students.

17% indicated plans to do so in the future.

Protestant (including Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, etc.)

6% Atheist

of respondents have completed

30%

9%Agnostic

“Nothing in particular”

3% 2%

“Something else” Prefer not to say

1% Other identities and 1% Unitarian

traditions (including Judaism, Islam, Orthodox, Buddhist, Hindu, and Mormon)

= Christian-based traditions

30 28

Alumni Association

CLASS NEWS and information to be included in the Alumni section of the Quarterly should be sent to: Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 alumni@gustavus.edu | 800-487-8437 | gustavus.edu/alumni

net increase in socioeconomic status. As students, fewer than 70 percent of survey respondents identified as “middle class” or “affluent/upper class.” As alumni, 88 percent identify as within those two categories.

Daniel Sellers ’06, (ABIDE Liason) executive director, Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children

breakdowns in the career clusters of alumni

Jessica Martinez ’15, (treasurer) Academic Dean for Grade 9, assistant to the principal, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

respondents.

Education

Business

Arts & Communication

Government & Social Services

18%

11%

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math

Health Professions

J. C. Anderson ’82, (vice president) partner/ attorney, Lathrop GPM Esther Mulder Widmalm-Delphonse ’08, (secretary) attorney, labor law, United States Department of Labor

What professions are we in? The percentage

27% 24%

Michael Bussey ’69, (president) senior consultant, Donor by Design Group, LLC

Rick Barbari ’91, head of enterprise data management, US Bank

Melinda Moen Batz ’86, business manager/ partner, Good Leadership Enterprises Mark Bergman ’79, president and owner, Bercom International, LLC Mary Booker ’91, executive director, student financial services, University of Delaware, Newark

of survey respondents are

Sarah Schueffner Borgendale ’06, managerrecruiting, inclusion and diversity, Fredrikson and Byron, P.A.

current or former military

Jen Brandenburg ’02, pharmacist

service members.

Torin Dougherty ’16, solution architect, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Bruce Ensrud ’90, senior financial consultant, Parable Wealth Partners Alissa Fahrenz ’13, analyst, Excelsior Energy Capital Rebecca Wold Freeman ’98, associate pastor, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church Amy Zenk James ’94, sales and outreach director, Meadow Woods Assisted Living Jillian Hiscock ’05, director of college and career success, Genesys Works Twin Cities Todd Krough ’85, senior investment officer, Tealwood Asset Management Bill Laumann ’66, retired schoolteacher/ librarian, Albert Lea ISD #241 Katherine Medbery-Oleson ’02, professor, speech communications, Bellevue Community College John Moorhead ’68, retired co-owner, Lindskoog Florist Craig Nelson ’70, retired, teacher on special assignment, LeSueur/Henderson ISD Jace Riggin ’16, assistant director of admissions, Macalester College Deb Johnson Rosenberg ’79, director of retirement plan consulting, Stiles Financial Services, Inc. Mary Anderson Rothfusz ’83, retired attorney Mark Scharmer ’77, retired executive vice president, insurance operations, Federated Mutual Insurance Company Marcia Stephens ’73, retired financial advisor Matt Swenson ’06, director of CEO communications, Cargill, Inc. April Valentine ’92, assistant director for immigration, Purdue University Calumet

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

2021–22 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GUSTIES

MY GUSTAVUS McKenzie Swenson ’18 EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY MAJOR, COACHING MINOR "I BELIEVE HAVING A TEAM TO BRING YOU IN AND MAKE YOU THEIR OWN HELPS YOU PERFORM BETTER. GUSTIES ROOT FOR EACH OTHER."

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

My senior year of high school, I met with Coach (Mike) Carroll and Coach (Scott) Moe ’95. Gustavus ended up being a good fit. It was far enough away from my parents but close enough to go home on the weekends if I needed to. I was really drawn to Gustavus due to the fact that the women’s golf team was coached by the men’s coach as well. I had that in high school and my favorite part was bonding alongside another team and knowing that we were going to learn from and push one another. Fellow golfers Sam Falk ’15 and Jordan Drenttel ’15 made me feel comfortable as the only first-year in the top five. One of my favorite moments competing was in a tournament at Illinois Wesleyan as a senior. I was thinking I could shoot 100. The first day, I shot 78. The next day, I shot 75 in snowy conditions and placed second. I became a Gustie superfan. I loved the energy that other Gustie teams brought. One of my favorites was volleyball—that fan excitement and feeding off of that energy. I can still recall certain games that gave me chills. Seeing my friends succeed in college athletics is what made me happy. I eventually became a manager of that team. I took Sports Ethics from Tommy Valentini ’02 and it taught me a lot. It opened my eyes to small things that have become gendered that don’t necessarily need to be gendered. Now I correct people when they refer to the red tees as “women’s tees,” and I say, “No those are the forward tees. They aren’t just for women.” There’s so much you can learn from team sports, but with golf—as an individual player and in life in general—it’s about honesty, morality, accountability, and the ability to make mistakes and let it go. Golf has helped me learn by asking myself, “How could I have swung differently. How could I have made a better decision for the future?”

When Swenson was 15, she volunteered with the 3M Championship. “I honestly felt like I should’ve paid them to get to do it,” she says. She volunteered for five years, then interned at the 3M Championship. Now she’s a volunteer coordinator with the 3M Open, managing thousands of volunteers. Her office team has gender balance, “which is a really cool part of my job.”

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Russell O. Allen, Scottsdale, AZ, has retired from the Consul of Sweden in Phoenix and has been given the title of Consul of Sweden Emeritus. Mona Amundson Burns, Minneapolis, has retired as a volunteer at the Fine Arts Institute. Reuben Carlson, Wittenberg, WI, was recently honored for his 60 years in ministry. Bob Erdman, St. Paul, is a retired coach/counselor for Roseville Area Schools.

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Arnold Walker, Gatlinburg, TN, has written his third book, Spirit Promptings. To date, he has raised more than $7,000 for his local clinic which serves the uninsured working poor.

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Mary Nelson, Chicago, IL, completed a stint as interim president and CEO of the Christian Community Development Association.

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Jean LeVander King, St. Paul, retired as president of Communi-King in St. Paul. Bruce Mohs, St. Cloud, is retired after teaching for 33 years and serving on the St. Cloud School Board for 15 years. Stephen A. Otto, Appleton, WI, is a retired educator of 40 years working in special education and administration. He now is a world traveler to more than 55 countries and does volunteer work as a Stephen Minister and facilitator for Community Circles of Support for recently released felons.

Jean Magnusson Nye, Chicago, IL, is a docent at the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago. Diane Mickelson Brady, Edina, retired as an associate from Thrivent Financial in February. Joy Arend Burdick, Champlin, is a retired sixth grade language arts teacher at Centennial Middle School. Brian Deschneau, Arden Hills, retired as a financial representative at Country Financial. Steve Furuseth, Rochert, is a retired educator for the White Earth Tribe. John Greupner, Tucson, AZ, is a retired school administrator. Karol Klint Greupner, Tucson, AZ, is a retired special events and arts coordinator for the City of Plymouth. John Holt, Harpswell, ME, is a professor of Theravada Buddhism at the University of Chicago. Dan Klein, Excelsior, retired from Klein Bank in 2018 after working for 44 years in the banking industry. Carol Kingbay Kuhl, Bloomington, is a retired elementary and preschool teacher. Pat Kindstrom LeVesque, Hopkins, has retired as the owner of the women’s clothing store Pat LeVesque Clothing Store, Cannon Falls. Bonnie Lindgren, Sioux Falls, SD, is the director of Carol Choir (children’s choir) at First Lutheran Church. Allen Lipke, Hibbing, is a retired outreach education coordinator at the Soudan

Underground Physics Lab, University of Minnesota. Sandy MacKenzie Madsen, Hudson, WI, is a retired teacher. Craig Nelson, Saint Peter, is working as a field representative for the U.S. Census Bureau. Jann Olsten, Mound, has retired as the CEO of TightKnit. Janet Nelson Spielman, Hugo, is the manager of U.S. and international pension plans for Target Corporation. Paul Thompson, Edina, has completed his 40th American Birkebeiner ski race that covers 55K (34 miles). Throughout the years he has raised thousands of dollars for various causes, including climate change, hunger, and poverty. Bruce Torkelson, Tulsa, OK, is the president and a consultant of Torkelson Geochemistry.

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Vicki Larsen Anderson, Cloquet, is the medical director of quality at Community Memorial Hospital. Randy Beahrs, North Oaks, retired in February 2021 as a urologist for Minnesota Urology. Bill Carroll, Clermont, FL, has retired as a plan document analyst at Mayo Clinic. Beth Williams Dahlmeier, Minneapolis, has retired from Medtox Laboratories. Lynn Olson Engler, Northfield, has retired as an RN assistant clinical nurse manager at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. David Fabio, Stillwater, has retired as a senior technical service engineer at 3M.

Tom Farm, Hugo, has retired as president and chairman of the CPA firm Olsen Thielen and Co. Bonnie Friesner, Menomonie, WI, is a retired RN from the VA Medical Center who has been working as a contact tracer during the pandemic. Linda From, Eden Prairie, retired as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines. Eileen Holz, Saint Peter, is a freelance graphic designer with her own business, Eholz-Graphix. Karen Johnson, Minneapolis, is a retired obstetrician/gynecologist with Group Health. Judy Okerman Kastelle, Hudson, WI, is a freelance costumer for community theaters and other stage venues. Dan Kratz, St. Paul, retired as vice president/director from the Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota. Rebecca Abrahamson Larsen, Willmar, has retired as an elementary teacher at Willmar Schools. Jennifer Villas Lipke, Hibbing, is a retired nursing professor for Hibbing Community College. Jim Lobdell, Inglewood, CA, has retired as pastor emeritus at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Bev Peterson McGriff, Laurens, IA, is a retired elementary teacher from Albert City. Warren Mullen, Mill Valley, CA, is in real estate sales and investments with Compass. David Murray, Blue Earth, has retired as a substitute teacher from Blue Earth Area Schools. Sandra Burfeind Murray, Blue Earth, has retired as a paraprofessional from Blue Earth Area Schools.

Sue Carlson Murray, Eagan, retired in February as a psychiatric registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Yoshio Okada, Brookline, MA, is the director of the magnetoencephalography program at Children’s Hospital Boston. This program is part of Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science of the Newborn Medicine Research Center and the Division of Epilepsy of Department of Neurology at Children’s. Bonnie Sable Peterson, Northfield, has retired as a first grade teacher at Jefferson School in Faribault. Gary Peterson, Northfield, is a retired attorney from his private practice in Faribault. Lynnae Hultgren Ringus, Plymouth, has retired from working as a sales manager at Mark Fisher Footwear. Jim Rusch, Cleveland, retired as a social studies teacher and coach in February. Carol Hamrum Rutz, Northfield, is now the executive director of the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium. Carol Sells Sorensen, Forest Lake, has retired as a parish nurse at Hosanna Lutheran Church. Richard Swenson, Dublin, OH, has retired as emeritus professor at The Ohio State University. Nancy Sandeen Tarbox, Edina, has retired as an advocacy associate at the American Heart Association. David Tente, Lake Mary, FL, is the executive director of ATM Industry Association.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

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GUSTIES

Jerold Wright, Chicago, IL, retired as a CFP from Wright & Associates but continues to serve clients as an insurance broker. Constance Baer Youngdahl, Brooklyn Park, has retired as a choral/music teacher for AnokaHennepin ISD #11 and is a yoga instructor for Lifetime Fitness.

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Jill Starkey Anderson, Lakeville, has retired from her position as a customer service representative with Sun Country Airlines. Mark Bennett, Sioux City, IA, has retired from his position as a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Iowa.

Becky Bingea, San Rafael, CA, is a retired audiologist from the University of California, San Francisco. Robert Sletta, Park City, UT, is owner/contractor of Sletta Construction.

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Matthew Peterson, Coon Rapids, is retired from Leading Edge Human Resources Network.

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Karl Blomquist, Owatonna, retired as a family physician at Mayo Clinic Health Systems. Mary Montgomery Felvey, Enon, OH, has retired after 20

years in the Air Force and 23 years in various positions for the Veteran’s Health Administration. Eric Mattison, Owatonna, has retired from the law firm of Einhaus, Mattison, Carver & Haberman, where he worked as an attorney and partner for 38 years.

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Barb Davis Augustinack, Apple Valley, retired from being a travel consultant for Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Brian Bakk, Champlin, retired as the CFO for Killmer Electric Co. David Bonne, White Bear Lake, retired as the owner of DB Wireless.

KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT GUSTIE? There is a $4,000 scholarship waiting if you recommend them. High school students who choose Gustavus under the endorsement of an alum receive a scholarship. It's that simple. Even better, now you can refer juniors AND seniors, and we'll award them the scholarship as part of their financial aid package after they apply during thir senior year! How do you refer someone? Go to gustavus.edu/alumni/referral, or call 507-933-7676. GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Referrals must be received and students must apply by November 1 of

their senior year of high school to be eligible. They must choose to attend by May 1, 2022. (Note: Students with immediate family members who have graduated from Gustavus are instead awarded a Gustavus Legacy Scholarship.) Since the program’s inception in 2016, hundreds of high school students have become Gusties under your endorsement and with our financial aid help. Thank you for helping us shape the future of Gustavus by finding the best and brightest young people to join our community.

Jean Swanson Broberg, Shoreview, has retired from her position as systems analysis supervisor for Minnesota IT Services. Deb Miller Duffy, North Oaks, has retired as the HR director at the Minnesota Institute of Arts. Melanie Williams Frank, Blufton, SC, retired as the business owner of Kindred Spirit Elopements and Intimate Weddings. Gary J. Hansen, Chanhassen, is senior vice president at UBS President-Investments in Wayzata. Sam Johnson, Red Wing, retired as the manager of a Hallmark store. Paul Jokela, Omaha, NE, is the president of Jokela Consulting Group. Kristen Spaude Lee, Hastings, has retired from the State of Minnesota Public Defender Office. Donna Bergum Miller, Rochester, retired as a customer service specialist at Lands’ End Business Outfitters in Dodgeville, WI. Bonnie Bergs Morcomb, Dayton, is assistant vice president for Optum. Gary W. Seline, Apple Valley, retired as a broker at Erickson and Larsen in Maple Grove. Judy Larson Slarks, Owatonna, has retired as a teacher for Medford Public Schools. She was inducted into the Medford Hall of Fame in 2019. Rick Vanderstoep, Edgerton, retired as an owner of Vanderstoep Furniture. Sarah Wilcox Vanderstoep, Edgerton, retired as a registered nurse at LLMP Public Health Services in Pipestone.

Laura Peterson Zollar, Soudan, retired as an English instructor at Virginia High School after 30 years of teaching.

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Craig R. Maki, Marshall, retired after 38 years as a physician assistant at Avera Marshall Medical Center.

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Bonnie Stein Anderson, Sierra Vista, AZ, has retired from teaching third grade at Lake Geneva School District, in Lake Geneva, WI.

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Craig R. Anderson, Sierra Vista, AZ, has retired as the general manager at Allied Supply Company in Elkhorn, WI.

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Dave M. Miller, Northfield, has retired after 34 years of teaching middle school band at Valley Middle School of STEM in Apple Valley. He continues to direct the Northfield High School jazz ensemble. Merita Schollmeier, St. Paul, has retired as the director of corporate accounting from U.S. Bancorp. Mickey Hanson Speck, Danville, CA, has retired from her position as a computer scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and is now involved in volunteer endeavors and singing with choirs. Allison Waggoner, Sartell, is the director of human resources at DCI.

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Jody Anderson, Burnsville, is a dental lab technician for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

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Kathy Flory, Minneapolis, is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Voyage Healthcare (formerly North Clinic) in Crystal, Maple

Grove, and Plymouth. She was named a Top Doctor by Mpls. St.Paul Magazine in 2017 and one of Minnesota Monthly’s Best Doctors for Women in 2018. Connie Fortin, Plymouth, owns Fortin Consulting, an environmental consulting firm concerned with water protection.

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Paul D. Erickson, Milwaukee, WI, is bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA. Jonathan M. Heller, Poughkeepsie, NY, is the principal probation officer with Dutchess County Office of Probation and Community Corrections. He has been with the department for 36 years. Kevin Russeth, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, is president of Tek84 in San Diego.

Minnesota Department of Health in order to help with the COVID-19 response. Laura Peterson Olson, Burnsville, is the regional director at Caravel Autism Health. Quentin Randolph, Minneapolis, is a staff RN for the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. Judy Nakata Schmidt, Los Gatos, CA, is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. Scott Sorbo, Pensacola, FL, retired from the Army as lieutenant colonel in 2007 and is now an IT technician for Pensacola Christian College. Paul Wennberg, Rochester, is the division chair of vascular medicine in the department of cardiology at Mayo Clinic. Stuart Widmark, Gilberts, IL, is a senior solutions architect for Columbus US.

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Kimberly Ziesemann Ewen, Eden Prairie, is a grade school teacher at Clear Springs Elementary in the Minnetonka School District.

Janie Rademacher Warner, Chanhassen, is a grade school teacher at Clear Springs Elementary in the Minnetonka School District.

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Chris Carlson, Fargo, ND, is an insurance producer for Keith Phillips Agency. Mark S. Hanson, Edina, is a manager of brokerage services at CHS. Tamara Wiebusch Liansi, Mahwah, NJ, is a project manager for Crossmark. Medea Edwards Myhra, Saint Peter, was redeployed to

Jana Krzyzaniak Swenson, Bloomington, is an associate with Kairos Christian Resource Development. Jamin Johnson, Minnetonka, is a corporate marketing consultant for Ebenezer in Edina. Christine Middlestadt Warga, Westminster, CO, is a senior data analyst for ReedGroup. Karen Olson-Fields, Herriman, UT, is an advanced practice registered nurse and family nurse practitioner at Coast Community Health Center, Bandon, OR. Tom Trondson, Minneapolis, a former Tennis and Life Camp coach, published his first novel, Moving in Stereo.

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Robert O. Berdahl, Brooklyn Park, is a Realtor for Edina Realty. Scott M. Nelson, Austin, TX, is the global co-head investor relations for Eisler Capital.

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Robert Aitken, III, Bemidji, is an executive director/attorney at Leech Lake Financial Services in Cass Lake. Aaron A. Bloomquist, Chanhassen, is currently the chief financial officer for Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. Kristina Suneson Bloomquist, Chanhassen, is the senior director of innovation at Be The Match. Amy Brucker, Redwood City, CA, is the founder of Dream Temple Healing Center. Karen Pahr Cone, Fairmont, is working in surgery as a registered nurse at United Hospital District in Blue Earth. David Detlefsen, Saint Peter, is an insurance agent for State Farm. Steven M. Dittrich, Rochester, is an attorney and co-owner of the law firm of Dittrich & Lamers, P.A. Patti Mitchell Duffy, Fort Pierre, SD, is the owner of Duffy Editorial & Writing Services. Susan Engel, York, ME, is a sales manager for Eldredge Lumber & Hardware. Troy Gies, Hallandale Beach, FL, is a budget and contracts manager for the City of Tamarac. Kathleen Ilten Heller, Park Ridge, IL, is an office manager at Northbrook Covenant Church. Joan Marquardt Hines, Lakewood, CO, is research administrator at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Amy Jacobson, St. Paul, is a registered nurse at Mental Health Resources. Gwen Kuhns Krueger, New Richland, is a media specialist at Hartley Elementary School. Michelle Lange, Minnetonka, is an IT service management manager for Accenture. Valisa McKinney, Inver Grove Heights, is a child support magistrate for the State of Minnesota. Elizabeth Brown Mercier, Victoria, is the first U.S. sales manager at Hacche USA Retail (doing business as Ginger Fox) in Cheltenham, UK. Karen Metz Hady, Farmington, is the vice president marketing strategy manager for US Bank. Kim Osland, Maplewood, is the senior programmer analyst/ administrator for St. Catherine University. Joseph R. Paulsen, Mankato, is the owner of Pinnacle Business Traction in Mankato. Georgi Speliopoulos, Plymouth, is a school psychologist for the Eden Prairie School District. Jennifer Larson Stokes, Minneapolis, is a senior business analyst for Ameriprise Financial Services. Jeffrey Suzik, Pittsburgh, PA, has been named director of Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

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Annie Marshall, Baltimore, MD, is a high school English teacher at Jemicy School.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Jonathan Asp, Minneapolis, is an orthopedic surgeon at Twin Cities Orthopedics. Julie Morris Betchwars, Savage, is the director of financial planning at Caiss Wealth Strategies. Kim Luke Hakensen, Corcoran, is a retired sales associate for Dana’s Apparel. Terri Hobson Horn, Le Sueur, is a pastor at Le Sueur United Methodist Church. Nancy Haining Huninghake, Oak Grove, retired as an autism specialist at St. Francis School District #15. Barb Nelson Hutson, Robbinsdale, is in prospect development and is a campaign manager for Luther Seminary. Paul Jacobson, Cannon Falls, has retired as vice president of imports at Sullivans in South Dakota. Kari Miller Johnsrud, Winona, has retired as a second grade teacher for Winona Public Schools, District 861. Amy Anderson Moore, Minnetonka, is a diabetes nurse specialist at Fairview Health Services. Beth Olsen Myren, Eagan, manages inpatient clincal documentation at Fairview Health Services. Diane Nelson, St. Paul, has retired as a registered nurse at Children’s Minnesota. Marci Mannella Wills, Osseo, retired as an elementary school physical education teacher in Buffalo.

GUSTIES

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Alan Guthrie, Blockley, Gloucestershire, UK, is a chief transformation officer at Johnson Matthey in London. Eric O’Denius, Burnsville, has retired after 25 years as a deportation officer with Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security at Fort Snelling.

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Joey Anderson, St. Paul, is a self-employed jewelry fabricator. Mark Nechanicky, Albert Lea, is a fourth grade teacher at Albert Lea Area Schools and was selected as one of ten national 2021 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence. Britta Ramseth Reierson, Loretto, is a medical director for the Well Onsite Solutions at Optum in Eden Prairie.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

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Michelle Randall Ament, Inver Grove Heights, is the senior director of personalized learning for the Eden Prairie Public Schools. Jane Pallo Britton, Lakeville, is a senior sales planning analyst for JAMF, a software company. Tieg B. Britton, Lakeville, is a lead data analyst at Target Stores. Corey J. Christensen, Spicer, is a general manager at Family Marine. Tim Gerdin, Plymouth, is operations team lead for GrandPad, a purpose-built tablet designed for seniors over the age of 75. Joleen Giliotti, Bloomington, is a business manager at Giliotti Tax and Legal Services. Kristen Glass Perez, Evanston, IL, is chaplain and executive

director of religious and spiritual life at Northwestern University. Stephen Henderson, Minneapolis, is a lead medical support assistant at Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Travis Lange, San Jose, CA, is a senior mechanical engineer at Stanford University. Kayan Lewis, Austin, TX, is a data analyst for Texas Education Agency. Jay Ness, Woodbury, is the director of polymer research and development for SherwinWilliams. Kim Michaelson Nohava, Hampstead, NC, is an event manager for N2 Publishing. Chad Peterson, Minneapolis, is the director of marketing and communications at Children’s Theatre Company. Faith Handevidt Wagner, La Crosse, WI, is a nurse practitioner at Marathon Health. Heather Wahl, Hopkins, is a special assets risk manager for US Bank. Kristen Richardson Wilcox, Cedar Rapids, IA, is a self employed attorney. Rebecca Love Williams, Round Lake, IL, works as an application Consultant II for Improvizations and is an executive director, certified coach, trainer and speaker for The John Maxwell Team.

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Erika Burge Rudin, Cave Creek, AZ, is working for the City of Phoenix as a business data analyst for the Salt River Project. Jennifer Vickerman, Minneapolis, works in the advancement office at Gustavus as a gift planner and recently

earned the certified fund raising executive (CFRE) credential from the University of St. Thomas.

Jason P. Stockwell, Edina, is a professional Realtor for RE/MAX Results.

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Cari Serbus Briner, Kellogg, ID, is president of Freedom Coaching in Hayden. Heather McClelland, Vancouver, WA, is a behavior intervention teacher at Vancouver Public Schools and has started a new business, BreatheArtCalm LLC, dedicated to supporting children’s mental health. She has also written a children’s book titled Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids.

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Justin Cain, Walker, is a criminal defense attorney in private practice. Debbie Lang Chmielewski, Golden Valley, is an attorney/ partner at Halberg Criminal Defense. Joe Kellner, Mound, is a medical endotherapy representative for Olympus America. Heather Boyd Marx, Blaine, is part of the Customs, Imports, and Trade Remedies Practice at Cozen O’Connor. She and her partners have developed a very specialized practice group, one of only a handful in the country. Trade with China and the pandemic has put her practice front and center.

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Mike Durfee, Lakeville, is the owner of Elkhorn Trail Wood Works. Melanie Larsen Sinouthasy, Maple Grove, is the human resources coordinator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Nathan Beran, New Ulm, is an IT supervisor for New Ulm Public Utilities. Joel Beyer, Thornton, CO, is the owner of JIBE Enterprises. Weston Cutter, Jr., Fort Wayne, IN, is the founder of Haven Watch Co. and an associate professor of English at University of Saint Francis. Regan Nitz Dose, Arlington, is a quality improvement manager for Ridgeview Medical Center. Angela Erickson, Chanhassen, was recently admitted to a PhD program in Higher Education at Azusa Pacific University and awarded the department’s Leadership Scholarship. Tricia Niebuhr Lancaster, Northfield, is an attorney at Schmitz, Ophaug, Blumhoefer & Yahnke. Dana J. Menard, Maple Grove, is a founder and CEO at Twin Cities Wealth Strategies. Juanita Diller Olsen, Glen Flora, WI, is a deputy medical examiner for Rusk County.

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Joe Carlile, Alexandria, VA, is the senior advisor to the Secretary for Budget, Policy and Programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Cory Starkweather, New Brighton, is the senior manager of analytics and implementation for Be The Match.

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Ryan Barnick, Mantorville, is the assistant principal at Ellis Middle School, Austin School District #492. Joshua Carter, Minneapolis, is director of public relations and communications for Shutterfly. Josh Omang, Detroit Lakes, has been named the new Detroit Lakes High School principal and head football coach.

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Adam Barrett, Minneapolis, has joined the Minneapolis-St. Paul office of Colliers as an occupier advisory specialist. Hope Crenshaw, Crenshaw, MS, received her doctorate in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is the executive director of Teen Health Mississippi. Lindsay Hadtrath Keller, Minneapolis, is a managing partner with Keller, Woods & Thompson, PA. Marnie Nelson, Lincoln, NE, is the associate director, education abroad office, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

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Dave Dressler, Blue Earth, is a principal at Blue Earth Area Schools. James Gempeler, Eden Prairie, is an attorney/partner of criminal defense and expungements at North Star Criminal Defense in Hopkins. Meghan Lynch Heldman, Chanhassen, is a first grade teacher at Clear Springs Elementary for Minnetonka ISD #276. Kelly Biondich Small, Minneapolis, is a senior assistant

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Brandon Darcy, Mazeppa, is a software engineering manager for Western Digital. Gina Kilchenman, Celina, TX, is vice president of sales for Highgate Hotels in Dallas. Shelli Horrigan Roberts, Lakeville, is the talent acquisition senior program manager at Amazon in Seattle, WA. Drew Stifter, Waconia, is a district manager for United Rentals.

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Lindsay Eastman, Naperville, IL, is a senior counsel at Upadhye Tang in Chicago. Jon Keseley, Minneapolis, a former Gustavus hockey player, has been recognized as the greatest goal scorer in the history of U.S. Bandy. Landon Zinda, Washington, DC, is a counselor for the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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Megan Deschneau Long, Brooklyn Park, is an elementary teacher at Hope Community Academy in St. Paul. Jared D. Sieling, Maple Grove, is founder and CEO of Chanl Health, a virtual health care

company that developed a cardiac rehab program. Laura Rahm Tait, Andover, is an education product manager at Mimecast, a cyber security software company.

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Molly Beernink Wilker, Decorah, IA, is an associate professor of chemistry at Luther College. Joel Rindelaub, Auckland, New Zealand, was recently featured in the magazine of the University of New Zealand, Auckland. He is a research fellow in chemistry and a media personality known for his comedic style.

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Raissa Carpenter, Minot, ND, is a staff attorney in criminal defense practice for The Legal Aid Society of New York City.

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Jovanna Anderson, Minneapolis, is a psychotherapist and play therapist at Aris Clinic. Cassandra Brady, St. Paul, is a second grade teacher at Cowern Elementary School. Kiera Braun Bridley, Webster, WI, is a special education teacher at Pine City Elementary and is pursuing a masters in special education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Chris Golv, Hugo, and Anna Jones Golv have opened a Brazillian Jiu Jitsu academy in White Bear Lake called Higher Ground BJJ. Collin Lehman, Blaine, is a CPA, tax advisor for Berger Financial Group. Craig Nordquist, Jersey City, NJ, is a researcher for MLB Network.

FIRST DECADE AWARD SAMUEL GRACE ’11 Director of Worship and Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church and Artistic Director of MPLS (imPulse), a choral ensemble that re-imagines the traditional choir through creative collaborations, narrative style programming, and engaging audiences in the diverse and unusual spaces. He is completing his doctorate in choral conducting at Indiana University–Bloomington.

MAYANTHI JAYAWARDENA ’11 An illustrator, photographer, and videographer for musicians, comedians, and events, she also works in violence prevention and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She holds a master’s in public health from University of Minnesota. At Gustavus, she studied health and physical education and peace studies.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI CITATION BARBARA COBB ST. MARIE ’77 An adult, gerontology, and primary care nurse practitioner at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. Her research is on acute and chronic pain and opiod misuse. She holds master’s from University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University, and a PhD from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

PAUL ERICKSON ’83 Bishop of the ELCA’s Greater Milwaukee Synod, he has also served the Saint Paul Area Synod, Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, and Faith Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. His doctorate is from Luther Seminary; his master’s from Lutheran School of Theology. He was a Gustavus religion major.

TIM QUADY ’91 Owner of Blue Rhino Studio, an in-house artistic fabrication studio specializing in custom work for museums, visitor centers, and zoological institutions. He has been a fabrication artist since he was a Gustavus studio art major.

SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARD KATHLEEN VOHS ’96 Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Land O'Lakes Chair in Marketing at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Her research is on self-control, psychology of money, and heterosexual sexual negotiations. She has authored more than 250 scholarly publications and has been the editor of nine books. At Gustavus, she majored in psychology.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY AWARD MARK BERNHARDSON ’71 A Navy lieutenant who earned his master’s in public affairs from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He served the cities of Edina and Orono, then became the manager of the City of Bloomington. He was on the board of directors of Group Dekko International, and chair of the Board of Directors at Hennepin Healthcare System/Hennepin County Medical Center. He also chaired the Gustavus Board of Trustees. He majored in economics.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Carver County Attorney for Carver County. Shawna Weaver, Duluth, is a director of education at Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans in San Diego, CA. The organization preserves the legacy of world renowned oceanographer Walter Munk and supports research and education for ocean conservation.

GUSTIES

Brendan Ringdal, Robbinsdale, is a senior accountant for Slumberland. Noah Setterholm, San Diego, CA, earned his PhD in organic chemistry and is now a research associate for Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

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Spencer Bonnerup, Albert Lea, graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine (Grenada, West Indies) in January 2018 and received his master of public health from St. George’s University in December 2019. Kelsey Swanson Erickson, St. Paul, is the senior manager of projects and strategic planning at Allianz. Doug Frey, Hopkins, works in human resources for Xcel Energy. David B. Johnson, Prior Lake, is a chiropractor at HealthSource of Edina Crosstown. Hilary Bauer Kunkel, Rochester, graduated from Mayo Medical School in May. Annabel Landaverde, Austin, TX, is a senior copywriter for amazing.com. Tom Lany ’12, Edina, is one of six honorees statewide who received the 2020 CEO Award of Excellence from Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, where he is a digital marketing manager. The award recognizes exceptional employees who demonstrate outstanding leadership, inspire colleagues, drive innovation, and build community. Ryan Steele, St. Louis Park, is a business and risk consultant for Marsh McLennan Agency.

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Adam Esselman, Cockeysville, MD, has been named manager, baseball communications for the Baltimore Orioles. Jonathan Logas-Lindstrom, St. Paul, is a veterinarian at the St. Paul Pet Hospital. Lisa Beacher Mekic, Ogden, UT, is a data analytics manager for Castell. Tam Meuwissen, Richfield, skated for the U.S. Women’s National Bandy Team in the Women’s World Championships in Oslo, Norway. It was her second World Championship for the USA. She is also the seventh ranked downhill skater in the world and took third in Red Bull’s Crashed Ice Downhill Skating Competition in 2018. This is in addition to her full-time employment with Optum as a healthcare economics consultant. Timothy J. Miller, Golden Valley, is a physical therapist at Methodist Hospital. Laura Purdham, Fridley, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of St. Thomas in October.

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Tyler J. Bridley, Webster, WI, is a mental health program director at Dungarvin in North Branch. Sydney Firmin, Denver, CO, is a manager, data science for Alteryx in Broomfield, CO. Laura Flicek, Minneapolis, is a grade school teacher at Clear Springs Elementary in the Minnetonka School District. Rebecca Hare, Bloomington, has received her juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Sasha Rieland, Vancouver, WA, is a kindergarten teacher at Banister Primary School in Southhampton, England.

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Katie Feterl, Eagan, is the communications director for the Sustainable Farming Association. Gavin Kulick, St. Louis Park, is a Go To Market Manager for Therabody. Elizabeth Lutz, Wausau, WI, has been promoted to library specialist at Marathon County Public Library. Paige Miller, Athens, GA, has completed her PhD at the University of Georgia studying infectious diseases and is working as a scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Anna Tucker, Coon Rapids, is an attorney for Ranstad Legal.

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Tyler Bishop, Minneapolis, is the founder and lead cinematographer at Tyler Bishop Studios. Logan Boese, Hundhamaren, Norway, is in project management and implementation services for Epic. Mitchell Elofson, Mankato, and Sidney Dirks Elofson, are owners and operators of a new pickleball facility in Mankato called The Picklebarn. Tara Hoverstad, Miami, FL, is an intern in pediatric behavioral medicine at the Jackson Health System. Samuel Lundberg, Saint Peter, was named the tight ends coach for Minnesota State University, Mankato football team in January.

Brynn Makela Mathis, Big Rapids, MI, is a science teacher at Baldwin Community Schools. Tara Miller, Minneapolis, is a senior employee relations specialist for Target. Emily Ferguson Pierce, Deltona, FL, is the fifth grade team lead at the Arbor Ridge K-8 School. Kalyna Rieland, Vancouver, WA, is a customer service consultant at Babbel in Berlin, Germany. Elizabeth Schutz Rodriguez, New Hope, is a grade school teacher at Clear Springs Elementary in the Minnetonka School District. Janelle Thienes, Minneapolis, is a project manager for Creed Interactive.

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Riley M. Abeyesekera, Brooklyn Park, is a junior project manager for Flint Group in Fargo, ND. Elizabeth Adams, Farmington, is a day services coordinator for MRCI. Kellen Andersen, Omaha, NE, has graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine and matched into psychiatry residency at Creighton University. Long Hoang, Saint Louis, MO, is an analyst for Cognizant. Janet Jennings, Chaska, is the diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator for Robins Kaplan LLP. Andrew Lindmeier, Britt, is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota in hospital administration. Katie Peterson, Littleton, CO, is an attorney with Whitcomb, Selinsky, P.C. in Denver.

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Emily Craig, Rochester, is a registered nurse at the Mayo Clinic. Bailey Montgomery, Eden Prairie, is a project coordinator for Bailiwick Company. Jared Morningstar, Madison, WI, is founder and director of ’Alif: Traditional Wisdom in Review, a digital media collective which brings together perspectives from both classical Islamic sources and the Western intellectual tradition. Thanh Binh Pham, Austin, TX, is the program manager for releases at Anaplan. Tyller M. Robert, Maplewood, came back from a serious accident in 2012 that required seven surgeries to his left leg to play for the Gustavus hockey team and then for the Saints in the USA Bandy’s 1st Division. He also works for Twin City Orthopaedics. Marissa White, London, is a choral scholar at St. Mary’s Church, Battersea and a graduate student in musicology at King’s College London.

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Erin Peterson, Brainerd, is a program specialist for NLC Mutual Insurance Company. Anh-Tuan Tong, St. Paul, received an Air Force scholarship to attend medical school.

20|

Lanie Altmann, Olivia, is a communications specialist for UnitedHealthcare. Sage Mathers, Golden, CO, is employed by PartnerHero. Grant Stramer, Fergus Falls, is a paraprofessional at Rothsay Public School.

BIRTHS

Sybil Keesbury ’96 and Steve Martin, 07/24/20, Forsyth, GA Mark Elfstrom ’01 and Carri Jones, 06/24/18, Anchorage, AK Jennifer Hovendick ’07 and Luke Savick, 08/22/20, Freeborn Addie Ryan ’08 and Syam Tadavarthy, 03/06/21, Silver Spring, MD Kelley Nemec ’10 and Sebastien Dixon, 07/31/20, White Bear Lake Jovanna Jensen ’11 and Joel Anderson, 04/06/21, Minneapolis Cydni Smith ’11 and Justin Moser, 04/10/21, Scottsdale, AZ Amy Hughes ’12 and Colby Collura, 05/26/18, South St. Paul Abbey Burkel ’12 and Brendan McBride, 12/27/20, Eagan Anna Looby ’13 and Jimmy Vancura, 9/19/20, Waconia Hallie Martin ’13 and Henry Fischer, 08/04/18, Crookston Lisa Beacher ’13 and Amar Mekic, 09/05/20, Ogden, UT Nate McNab ’15 and Rachel Hain ’17, 10/10/20, New Brighton Evan Drantch ’16 and Alacia Drantch, 09/26/20, Shorewood Cassandra Lindstrom ’16 and Kevin Gorman, 10/03/20, Winona Kirsten A. Palan ’16 and Jake Schwinghammer, 09/26/20, Spicer Emily Ferguson ’16 and Michael Pierce, 06/13/19, Deltona, FL Allison Birnschein ’17 and Konnor Barlow, 12/23/20, Tuscaloosa, AL Stephen Montgomery ’20 and Bailey Krumwiede ’18, 06/06/20, Eden Prairie

Ava to Steven Zielske ’91 and Tiara Zielske, summer 2020 Nicolas to Sally Gramstad Casey ’97 and Frank Casey, winter 2020 Luella to Mark Elfstrom ’01 and Carri Jones Elfstrom, summer 2020 Nori to Sarah Nihart Hein ’04 and Mike Hein, winter 2021 Olivia, to Robert Hill Marshall ’04 and Matt Marshall, born fall 2017, adopted spring 2021. Sydney to Nikki Briggs Beckmann ’05 and Marc Beckmann ’05, spring 2020 Christian to Hilary Larson Goebel ’05 and Steven Goebel, spring 2021 Lane to Joel Herrick ’10 and Lynn Moore Herrick ’08, winter 2021 Simon to Drew Yackel ’10 and Angelica Matthes Yackel ’10, fall 2020 Rory to Katie Lowery Hanson ’11 and Travis Hanson, winter 2021 Emerson to Collin Lehman ’11 and Amanda Olek Lehman, spring 2019 Emmett to Megan Myhre Grace ’11 and Samuel Grace ’11, spring 2021 Sadie to Amy Hughes Collura ’12 and Colby Collura, winter 2020 Myla to Sydney Charneski ’13 and Matt Strumpf, summer 2020 Henry to Whitney Novak Millis ’13 and Richard Millis, winter 2020 Eleanor to Christine Roering Moser ’13 and Cameron Moser, fall 2020 Blake to Marty Schmitz ’13 and Jordan Noble Schmitz ’14, spring 2021 Robert to Laura Schnell Stubenvoll ’13 and Robb Stubenvoll, fall 2020

Valerie to Emily Hansen Wieck ’13 and Bradley Wieck ’11, fall 2020

IN MEMORIAM Mignon Carter Johnson ’41, Pomeroy, WA, on 4/23/21. A former kindergarten teacher for 23 years, a wife and mother, she is survived by three children including Dianne Johnson ’69 and Scott Johnson ’73, and a brother, Verle “Vic” Carter ’54. Richard L. Spelbrink ’42, Burnsville, on 6/3/17. Dick owned and operated Spelbrink’s Clothing in New Ulm and then Mankato for many years. He is survived by a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Mary Gault Durbahn ’47, Farmington Hills, MI on 10/25/20. A former sales consultant for Hudson’s Department Store, she is survived by four children including Cynthia Bowers ’75. Raymond Torgersen ’48, Estelline, SD, on 2/10/21. A retired pastor for various congregations in the Midwest, he is survived by three sons. Virgil Juliot ’49, Geneseo, IL, on 4/15/20. A retired ELCA pastor serving various parishes in Washington, Minnesota, and Illinois, he is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and five children. John Esbjornson ’50, Minneapolis, on 3/28/21. A former World War II veteran, he was a speech, theater, and English teacher at Willmar Senior High School as well as director of classic and modern plays and a community theater director. He is survived by four children including David Esbjornson ’75 and Karen Esbjornson ’80.

Arlene Johnson Johnson ’50, Red Wing, on 1/28/21. A wife, mother, and former real estate agent, she is survived by three children. Donald E. Nelson ’50, Mankato, on 4/11/21. A World War II veteran and retired professor of speech communications at Bowling Green State University, he is survived by his wife, Yvette, and three sons. Charles “Chuck” Pelzl ’50, Baxter, on 2/7/21. An Army veteran and later a family physician, he practiced medicine for 41 years. He is survived by his four children including Barbara Goochey ’77. Arthur Vansickle ’50, Minneapolis, on 4/2/21. An Army veteran and former long-time employee of Honeywell, he retired as the manager of production support. He is survived by five children. Norman Flaaten ’51, Brainerd, on 1/2/20. He worked for IBM and was one of the founders of CPT Corporation. His is survived by his wife, Jean, and two children. Phyllis Naslund Jacobson ’51, Eden Prairie, on 1/22/21. A registered nurse, she was the head of the operating room technician program at Western Wisconsin Technical College. She is survived by six children. Helen Peterson Johnson ’51, Sparta, MI, on 5/27/18. A wife, mother and volunteer, she is survived by five children. Jeanne Hanson Peter ’51, Cloquet, on 3/21/21. A former business education teacher and telephone operator, she is survived by her three children.

Gwain Gillespie ’53, New London, on 4/17/21. His former positions included CPA and partner with Touche Ross & Company, French divisional manager with Chrysler Corporation and then president director of Chrysler Europe, chief financial officer for RJ Reynolds, executive vice president and CFO at First American Bankshares, and senior vice president, finance and administration at Heublein. He is survived by his wife, Janet, seven children, and two stepchildren. Elizabeth “Bette” MartonReese ’53, Orono, on 4/30/21. She had a long career as a kindergarten teacher in the Robbinsdale School District and is survived by her husband, William Marton. Richard M. Tillquist ’53, Belle Plaine, on 3/26/21. An Army veteran, he owned and managed the Belle Plaine Motor Company for many years and after selling the business, ran a bus company. Dick is survived by his wife, Dara Lee, two daughters, Kristi Yee ’86 and Karin Miller ’91, and a brother, Paul Tillquist ’63. Donald C. Arneson ’54, Prior Lake, on 4/18/20. A former teacher who moved into other educational fields, he was also a writer of published plays. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and six children. Ivan W. Roettger ’54, Mankato, on 3/12/21. An Army veteran, he worked his whole career with Owatonna Tool Company as a facility engineering supervisor and is survived by two daughters including Susan Fleming ’77. Shirley Thornquest Welch ’54, Mound, on 1/15/21. A former teacher and program secretary/

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

WEDDINGS

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

GUSTIES

gift education services at Hennepin Technical College, she is survived by two daughters. Nelda Ullrich Abrahamson ’55, Lindstrom, on 1/16/21. A former employee of General Mills, she later farmed alongside her husband. She is survived by three sons. Shirley Nelson Chrest ’55, Winthrop, on 1/10/21. A wife, mother and volunteer, she is survived by her husband, John, and three children including John Chrest ’80. Herbert E. Mattke ’55, Eden Prairie, on 2/26/21. A Navy veteran, he worked his whole career for International Harvester as manager of parts, sales, and support. He is survived by three children including Gena Olson ’90 and two stepchildren. Diana Pool Scheff ’55, Chanhassen, on 5/3/21. She was retired from Image Systems as their director of marketing and is survived by her husband, Dean, and three daughters. Deon Gerry VandeBerg ’55, Sioux Falls, SD, on 2/13/21. She worked at various hospitals all of her working years and is survived by four children. Melvin C. Carlson ’56, Kansas City, MO, on 3/19/21. A Korean War veteran, he was a commercial HVAC design engineer for various companies. He is survived by three children. Carol D. Christensen ’56, Golden, CO, on 2/21/21. A former English teacher and librarian with Jefferson County Public Library in Golden, she is survived by two nieces. Charlotte “Char” Swansson Erickson ’56, Minneapolis, on

3/22/21. A retired speech and English teacher at various schools, she is survived by her husband, Richard ’56, and three children including Kristen Thatcher ’83 and Mark Erickson ’84. Faith Walfrid Lindell ’56, Minneapolis, on 5/8/21. She served as a Lutheran missionary alongside her husband in Tanzania and Ghana, Africa. She is survived by her husband, Carl, four children, including Cathryn Hirst ’92, and three siblings, Lois Walfrid Johnson ’58, Ruth Dettor ’60, and Jim Walfrid ’66. Marlys Swenson Ostrand ’56, Scandia, on 1/28/21. She served as the postmaster in Scandia until her retirement. She is survived by two sons. Mary Ellen Rockwell Johnson ’57, Lakeville, on 10/13/20. She was the former owner of Maid with Care Inc. and is survived by her husband, Stephen and two children. Gary Knoll ’57, Bismarck, on 4/20/21. A retired claims manager, auto and property, for CIGNA Corporation, he is survived by his wife, Joyce Kirkvold Knoll ’57, and three children. Marlys Jonason Nordgren ’57, Forest Lake, on 6/13/20. She was a retired social worker and member of the hospice team at North Memorial Medical Center, and is survived by her husband, Reuben, and three children. Charles Majeske ’58, Minneapolis, on 4/21/21. An Army veteran, he is survived by his wife, Florence, and three children. Ruby Fabre Antonsen ’59, Prior Lake, on 5/5/21. A retired registered nurse at St. Francis

Hospital in Shakopee, she is survived by a daughter. Myrna Landmark Noyed ’59, Edina, on 1/15/21. A former registered nurse, she worked for Hennepin County Medical Center and Phillip’s Eye Institute. She is survived by her husband, Rodney, and two sons. Robert L. Olson ’59, St. Paul, on 4/23/21. He was a national sales manager/strategic business plan management for 3M Company and is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two sons including Bradley ’88. Roger L. Peterson ’59, Bemidji, on 1/27/21. He had a 34-year career as a high school math teacher at Blue Earth High School and West St. Paul Henry Sibley High School. He is survived by two sons and two stepsons. William H. Benson ’60, Kandiyohi, on 2/10/21. He had a long career teaching physics and engineering at Ridgewater College and he ran the family farm. He is survived by his wife, Carol Hansen Benson ’61, and four sons. Donald Hautala ’60, Newberry, MI, on 4/11/21. A former math instructor, he joined the Army and worked for the Pentagon, retiring as the chief program budget manager for all Automatic Data Processing (ADP). He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, and three children. Gary Morgan ’60, Banning, CA, on 1/17/21. A former Peterbilt salesman, he later owned and operated Mallard Creek/Farmers Feed and Ranch Supply for more than 20 years and is survived by his daughter and two brothers. D. Anna “Nan” Forsman Buchanan ’62, Poland, OH, on 5/4/21. She was a freelance

photographer and is survived by her husband, Robert, two children, and two sisters, Margaret Nelson ’64 and Jane Harrison ’67. Terry Frazee ’62, Spicer, on 3/27/21. A longtime educator and retired superintendent for the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa school district, he is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and two daughters including Shane Illies ’89. Reet Lind Henze ’62, Huntsville, AL, on 1/20/21. An immigrant from Estonia, she earned her doctorate in nursing and was a professor at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, until her retirement. She is survived by her husband, William, two children, and two siblings, Miriam Lagus ’61 and Mart Lind ’65. Barbara “Barbie” Kay Johnson ’63, Mankato, on 5/4/21. A retired registered nurse with Meritcare Health Systems, she is survived by three children including Deb Johnson ’90. Howard C. Davis ’65, Windom, on 2/4/21. He had a long career as a high school guidance counselor at Windom High School and is survived by his wife, Rosalee Fox Davis ’66, and three children, Eric Davis ’92, Scott Davis ’97, and Lisa Young ’00. Margaret Ims Selfridge ’66, Minnetonka, on 2/3/21. A longtime high school teacher for Eden Prairie School District, she is survived by her husband, Bill, and two children. Stephen L. Bomgren ’68, Waconia, on 1/30/21. He was an ordained minister serving various parishes and is survived by his wife, Marian, three children, and a sister, Gail Bomgren ’78.

Kristine Lundberg Moorhead ’68, Naples, FL, on 5/3/21. A wife, mother and volunteer, she served as a Gustavus Class Officer for 14 years. She is survived by her husband, John ’68, and two children. David Stussy ’68, Minneapolis, on 4/14/21. A chiropractor in the Twin Cities with a specialty in the motor vehicle and brain trauma, he was also owner of Brain Balance, a learning program for children with ADHD. He is survived by his wife, Zena, and two daughters. Michael P. Wheeler ’69, Forest City, IA on 2/2/21. A former Navy veteran, he became a dentist serving the community of Laurel, MT for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and two sons. Barbara Busack Hillmer ’70, Burnsville, on 7/14/20. A history major, she enjoyed traveling and is survived by her husband, Ken. Brian H. Felt ’71, Saint Peter, on 1/24/21. He worked a variety of jobs and is survived by three siblings. James V. McCallum ’71, Rochester, MI, on 11/16/20. The former president of McCallum Consulting, he is survived by his wife, Debbie, two children, and two siblings including Janet Maruska ’70. Douglas M. Ewert ’72, Cambridge, on 7/3/20. A husband and father, he is survived by his wife, Darlene, and three sons. Louis A. Gary ’72, Collinsville, IL, on 5/22/20. A retired physician, his practice spanned more than 30 years at Missouri Baptist Hospital and Touchette Regional Hospital where he was the director of the emergency department. He is

John P. Johnsen ’81, Hartwell, GA, on 1/1/21. He was the former owner of JP Development and is survived by a sister. Elizabeth Zender Sandt ’84, Lake Crystal, on 3/21/21. A registered nurse, she worked as a health facility inspector for the Minnesota Department of Health and is survived by her husband, Mike, two children, and her father. Marc Louis Tennis ’91, Rochester, on 4/30/21. He had a long career with Wells Fargo in various positions, most recently as an outbound sales specialist and personal loan consultant in St. Louis Park. He is survived by his mother and a son. Scott Zurn ’93, Stillwater, on 10/21/20. A former staff geologist for Bay West, he is survived by his wife, Lynn, and four children. Derek Perushek ’95, Hibbing, on 4/14/21. He worked various positions in the St. Paul area and is survived by his life partner, Jill Kinney, her children, and his mother and stepfather. Michael G. Ryan ’95, Minneapolis, on 4/18/21. An avid hockey player, he was the head coach for Bloomington Jefferson/ Kennedy Girls Varsity Hockey as well as a territory manager for Callaway Golf. He is survived by his wife, Julie, two daughters, and his parents. Justin W. Friedrich ’18, Bellingham, on 3/16/21. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and was working on an organic farm near Burlington, WA. He is survived by his parents, Allen and Tammy Friedrich, two siblings, and a grandfather.

REMEMBERING WARREN BECK ’67 (former Board of Trustees) Wayzata, on 4/26/21. A dedicated development and business manager of shopping centers and hotels, he was recognized with many awards, including 1990 Edina Businessperson of the Year, Gustavus Adolphus College Golden Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Citation, and the Greater Gustavus Award. He served on the Gustavus Board of Trustees from 1995–2016. Beck Academic Hall is named in his honor. He is survived by his wife, Donna Gabbert Beck ’66, three children including Amy Strom ’93, and a sister, Marilyn Brooks ’65.

REMEMBERING LAURIE BICKETT (former staff) Mankato, on 3/23/21. A former special eduaction teacher with a master's degree she later worked at Gustavus as the disabilities services coordinator for more than a decade advocating for students with disabilities. She was also a talented singer performing with Toledo Symphony Choral and Minnesota Valley Choir. She is survived by three children.

REMEMBERING RICHARD M. FULLER (former faculty) St. Paul, on 1/20/21. He taught physics at Gustavus from 1969-1999, where he was a beloved mentor to students and colleagues alike. His primary interest was in the intersections of physics, philosophy, and human values, and he continued to explore these areas after his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Judy, children Cynthia, Christopher, and Janet, several grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

REMEMBERING RAMONA MUELLER STEELE (former staff) North Mankato, on 4/2/21. A 1956 graduate of Mankato Teachers College, she worked as a high school business education teacher for several years and starting in 1979 came to Gustavus working as the administrative assistant in the education department until her retirement in 1998. Ramona is survived by three children.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

survived by his wife, Julie, four children and two stepsons. Thomas C. Miller ’72, Mishawaka, IN, on 7/22/18. He was the former the dean of the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University, South Bend, and is survived by his sister, Patricia Peterson ’58. Stephen J. Lee ’73, Circle Pines, on 2/28/21. A former biology teacher turned supervisor of emergency response for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, as well as a volunteer firefighter, he is survived by two sons. Mark J. Sallmen ’74, Jakobstad, Finland, on 10/9/20. An Army veteran, he was a Lutheran pastor serving various parishes and is survived by his brother, Erik-Paul Sallmen ’66. Glenn P. Tapley ’77, Winter Springs, FL, on 2/11/21. A Navy veteran, he worked as an actor, professional poker and blackjack dealer, and technical educator. He earned an MBA and an MA in public communications and spent 40 years as a toastmaster earning two distinguished awards. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and two daughters. William Randall Beard ’78, Minneapolis, on 4/17/21. A Twin Cities playwright, writer and arts critic, he is survived by relatives and friends. Debra Reed Thilgen ’79, Forest Lake, on 2/15/21. After graduating with her nursing degree, she joined the Army for four years and then the Army Reserves for many years, while working at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. She is survived by her daughter, father, and three brothers.

GUSTIES GATHER

2021 COMMENCEMENT

“No class deserved a perfect day more than the Class of 2021,” said Board of Trustees Chair Scott Anderson ’89 to the Gusties who spent 30 percent of their years on the hill under COVID-19 restrictions. Their commencement on May 13 was the largest campus gathering in 15 months, and happened at the very moment the Centers for Disease Control announced relaxed mask guidelines.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Said President Bergman, brimming with joy, “I’m so happy we are here.”

On May 16, members of the Class of 2020 returned to the campus that COVID-19 caused them to abruptly exit last spring. Their commencement was part triumphant reunion, part cathartic closure. “We’re finally back together again!” exclaimed class speaker Joy Dunna ’20. “Not to be dramatic, but we’ve been put through a lot.” Said President Bergman, “It has been almost a year since you took your last final. There is no test today. Treat it as a new beginning.”

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

2020 COMMENCEMENT

Vespers HISTORY, OUR PROFS LIKE TO SAY, IS WRITTEN by those in power. And so it follows that all that exists in the known historical record about the Gustavus First Women’s Football Classic, which was played on Friday, Dec. 1, 1923, was likely told to and/or written by white men. That being said, what we know is as follows. Gustavian Weekly sportswriters of the time created a fantasy football team of Gustie women students. Whether it was Gustie men challenging the women to make it real, or the fact that women’s interschool competition had ended with the creation of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (including the Gustie women’s basketball team, which would not break out of intramurals again until 1970), the women said yes. It was, by all accounts, brutally cold. The football coaches required the women to wait until the men’s season was over to use the men’s uniforms. The two opposing teams of Gustie women—as named by Gustie men—were the “Heavies” and the “Leans.” No tackling was allowed, just “taps on the fourth lumbar,” read The Weekly. The Minneapolis Journal went on to note, “frequently the girls so forgot themselves as to dispense with the slaps and they nailed their man in regulation fashion.” Wrote The Weekly sportswriters, “They showed surprising acumen, for girls.” The game ended in a 6-6 tie. The Weekly editors were soon buried in requests to learn more about the audacious act of Gustavus women playing football. News of the game soared around the world, making headlines in such dailies as the New York Times, GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2021

Los Angeles Times, and internationally via

wire service. But the much anticipated Second Women’s Football Classic was never played. The smallpox vaccination, wrote The Weekly editors, “has rendered most of the co-eds hors de combat with sore arms… The hardy women of Gustavus can hardly be expected to carry on.”

This is the first time GA has received nationwide publicity. And to think it took the girls to do it.” —Gipp Ludcke, Class of 1921, writing from Harvard University after seeing dozens of stories about Gustavus women playing football in national and international newspapers.

TE A D E H SAVE T For Alumni, Parents, and Friends FALL 2021 | VOL. LXXVII | ISSUE 3

#FireUptheRouser

Photographer Luke Yang ’22 spent the 2020–2021 academic year documenting campus life that was at times tumultuous, at times triumphant. See his (and others’) photos from the year, pages 6–9.

GIVE A GIFT TODAY! gustavus.edu/give

FALL 2021 800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE SAINT PETER, MINNESOTA 56082

TITLE

for the win!

50 years of gender equity for Gusties in sports.

GUSTIE WOMEN IN SPORTS Working, coaching, and leading + a timeline of Gustavus history

“STILL MORE WORK TO DO.” Nicole LaVoi ’91 on the state of gender equity in sports

CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to

Left to right: Greta Fell ’37, daughter of former Gustie student-athletes | Nicole LaVoi ’91, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport

and former Gustie student-athlete | Lydia Fell ’32, daughter of former Gustie student-athletes | Carmen Valentini ’38, daughter of a former Gustie student-athlete

Fall 2021 Quarterly

Articles inside

GUSTIES

VESPERS

FINE ARTS

VÄLKOMMEN

SHINE PROFILES

SPORTS

HERITAGE

ON THE HILL