Waldorf Magazine: Winter 2022

ALUMNI

WHY DO YOU GIVE TO THE WALDORF LUTHERAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION?

Did your time at Waldorf change your life? Did you meet lifelong friends? Or maybe you were able to start the process of turning your passion into your career? Was it a professor who truly cared?

The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation would be nothing without our generous and devoted donors. We want to know you and your Waldorf story.

Reach out to alumni@waldorf.edu today to tell us why you have decided to give back!

STAY IN TOUCH

As faithful stewards of our resources and in an effort to go green, please let the alumni office know if you prefer not to receive a printed copy of the Waldorf Magazine. A digital copy is available online at waldorf.edu/waldorf-magazine

The Waldorf Magazine, usually published each spring and fall, is largely funded by donations to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. We thank you for your continued support and welcome your input for future articles. Please contact the alumni office at 641.585.8148 or alumni@waldorf.edu with your ideas.

Want to stay connected to other Waldorf alumni? If you do not currently receive the Waldorf monthly e-newsletter and would like to sign up, please email the Alumni Office at alumni@waldorf.edu.

WEB waldorf.edu waldorffoundation.org waldorf.edu/waldorf-magazine

ADMISSIONS OFFICE admissions@waldorf.edu 641.585.8112 800.292.1903

Theodore Schoneman Director of Alumni Relations Waldorf University

Sheryl Barbour

Database & Gift Processing Coordinator

Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation

Meet Our new Alumni Director

Hello, Waldorf friends!

As an alum myself, it's truly an honor, privilege, and blessing to be able to walk the hallways of Waldorf University once again - this time as an employee. My Waldorf journey is an interesting tale, and it all started five years ago in January of 2018. But first, I want to fill you in a bit on my life before Waldorf University.

I grew up just down the road from Forest City in the small town of Garner. Growing up - I had a pleasant childhood. My dad, Paul, worked for the Garner-Hayield-Ventura School district; most notably as a high school principal, student advocate, and coach. My lovely mother, Marilyn, was a stay-at-home mother. I am grateful to both of them for raising me up, teaching me right from wrong, enlightening me about Christ, providing me all the materials and education needed to succeed as a child, and so much more. Oftentimes, it can be easy to take our parents for granted throughout the roller coaster ride of life, but I will forever have gratitude and love in my heart for mine, and I am thankful to God for them.

I had a positive educational experience as a whole at the GarnerHayfield-Ventura Community School District as a student, where I was heavily involved in numerous activities, with fine arts always being a favorite of mine. When I graduated with my class in 2016, I honestly did not have a single clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. Coming from a family where education is extremely important, the "no-brainer" next step was to go to North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) to obtain my Associate in Arts. While I may not have known what path I wanted to take, this was a good stepping stone for me. I lived in the NIACC dorms with one of my absolute best friends from grade school, Holden, and we had a lot of fun. However, for some reason - like many kids - I was in a hurry to move on. I wanted to get out of north Iowa, so I crammed in as many classes as I could into my schedule and graduated after one year with my AA from NIACC with the class of 2017.

The following fall - I moved on to one of the three biggest universities in the state of Iowa. The day I moved in, I knew I had screwed up. The classes were huge and I felt like a number, I couldn't stand my dorm, and I was in the wrong major/program. Ultimately, I felt lost and alone, which led to me withdrawing and leaving the school entirely after two miserable months. I'm choosing to not mention the institution by name, as I think it's a great school. Many of my friends and family members have studied there, and they've had great experiences. It just wasn't for me, and it took a lot for me, a "know-it-all" 20 year old, to swallow my pride and take the loss.

Upon my arrival home in Garner, I had a discussion with my dad that went like this: He said, "Theo, do you remember what I asked you to do before you left NIACC?" I sighed and said "you asked me to visit Waldorf."Naturally, this is where my Waldorf story begins.

Leading up to my transfer from NIACC to the large university, my dad had asked me on multiple occasions to visit Waldorf because he thought it would be a good fit for me and my personality. However,

because of my tunnel vision at the time, I completely scoffed at the suggestion. But, there I was - after my failure at a large university, revisiting the idea of Waldorf - this time way more seriously. I took a trip up to campus in late October of 2017, and immediately felt at home. Each professor I met wanted to sit down with me and formally introduce themselves. The campus was cozy and beautiful in the fall colors, and my heart told me that it was the right place. One of my favorite parts of the visit was having the opportunity to meet with David Rutt and try out for the band (I play saxophone) - he made me feel very comfortable and extremely at ease. I was offered a scholarship, and quickly accepted upon approval of my application to Waldorf.

So here we are, back to where we started this article - January of 2018, when I started class at Waldorf. I was enrolled in the Communications program, and I kid you not - I knew from day one that the COMM department was something special. Having the opportunity to be in a program where I could go on the radio and TV, plan events, publish stories/designs, and so much more - all right here in small town Iowa!? Who would've thought!

Waldorf University and the COMM department changed my life in more ways than I can express. It made me feel loved, boosted my confidence, showed me how to persevere through adversity, introduced me to some of my best friends, helped me grow my faith in Christ, and SO much more! I am sincerely - from the bottom of my heart - forever grateful to this institution for changing my life for the better. I want to say thank you to every single faculty/staff member who has been part of my journey. However, my special thank you has to go to Profs. David Damm, Mark Newcom, Tiffany Olson, Carlos Ruiz, and Heather Yeoman specifically, as the COMM family was the largest contributor to my successes here. I truly love all of you. I graduated with my B.A. in Communications with the class of 2020. After graduation, I worked a couple of different jobs, and I met the love of my life, Baili. Funnily enough, Baili was in the process of transferring to Waldorf University when I met her. We did not have any overlap as students during our time here, as she came to Waldorf the semester after I graduated. Her major? Communications - just like me. Baili is a talented, beautiful young woman, and I now have the honor of calling her my wife - we got married last summer in June. We love the Forest City community so much that we decided to move here a couple of months after our wedding with our mini goldendoodle puppy, Oakli. When the Director of Alumni Relations position opened up - my heart told me that I needed to apply, and I truly believe that God was pulling me back to Waldorf. He provided me with a life-changing experience at Waldorf, and now it's my turn to return the favor and hopefully provide others associated with Waldorf with a similar experience. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, and I am excited for this journey!

Sincerely,

Theodore Schoneman Director of Alumni Relations

Waldorf Magazine—a combined effort of the Waldorf

College

and Waldorf University—is published for alumni and friends of Waldorf University. Please help us keep our records up-to-date by notifying the Alumni Department if you have moved, changed your name or updated your email address. Contact alumni@waldorf.edu or 641.585.8148. Waldorf University, 106 South 6th Street, Forest City, IA 50436 // 641.585.2450 // 800.292.1903

The

Lutheran

Foundation

HOMECOMING 2022 recap

Waldorf University students chose the theme "Warrior Strong" and the theme truly felt like a representation of the warrior spirit as a whole, especially with the resliency we have had to display coming off the heel of a global pandemic. The 17th Annual Warrior Cup competition featured several student groups from Waldorf, and they battled all week in friendly competition events. Homecoming week featured 19 events ranging from tug-of-war and sidewalk bowling, to giant cup pong, a belching competition, speed billiards and more! Homecoming Royalty Review or "Meet the Court" was held on Monday evening at the Boman Fine Arts Center for students to meet and learn more about their homecoming court candidates, with students Sidney Boyd and Mohamed Lamin Yokie being crowned as royalty. Friday kicked off Homecoming for our alumni on campus with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Boman Fine Arts Center honoring Denny Gilbertson '81, Samantha Stone '07, and Brad Stockton '07. Friday night concluded with a bonfire, pepfest, and concert featuring DJ Lil Nolan.

Saturday morning began with our tradition of a 5K Run/Walk around Forest City hosted by the Waldorf Track and Cross-Country teams followed by a pancake breakfast. The morning really got rolling with the start of the carnival and tailgating at 10 a.m. near Bolstorff Field which was staffed by several volunteers from students in the Pillars Scholarship Program and members of the Alumni Board. A large class reunion luncheon took place in the Atrium, with a special 50th Reunion lunch being held in the Salveson Ballroom

50th ReunionClass of 1972

Very Front: Rolf Anderson

Front Row: Deb (Lee) Eide, Becky (Reisetter) Rolland, Wendy (Olson) Schulte, Larry Rygh, Debra “BJ” (Bjorkman) Kehoe, Genelle (Severtson) Morgan, Karla (Holman) Grennan, Jane (Ellwood) Askeland. [Via Zoom

Laptop: Jan Rosdail-Aegerter, Lark (Orvick) Moore, Shirley (Adams) Hanson, and Charla (Ellison) Johnson]

Second Row (up and down): Mary (Knudson) Smidt, Karilyn (Naeve) Claude, Joyce (Plaisier) Welsh), Diane (Teigland) Clark, Linda (Hinds/ Buehler) Buol, Jan (Shurson) Anderson, Marcia (Lonnevik) Cain, Debra (Boettcher) Armstrong, Virgina (Dolalie) Overland, Cheryl (Sprung) Pearson

Third Row (up and down): Marge (Nelson) Lee, Martha (Vick) Hagen, Don Meyer, Tom “Hairy” Martin, Joel Knutson, Lee Kerndt, Greg Hovden, Sonja (Peterson) Johnson, Janelle (Johnson) Swenson

Fourth Row (up and down): Duane Wickman, Kent Olson, Ralph Hospodarsky, Dave Sanderson, Clark Anderson, Thomas “Hap” Vagt, Marlin Weidler, Dann Johnson

for the class of 1972. Longtime Waldorf Professor, Julienne Friday '68, was honored as the Grand Warrior for her incredible lifetime of service to Waldorf University and the Forest City community during halftime of the Homecoming football game vs. Valley City State. A new event to homecoming - the Waldorf Alumni Author Panel - was held mid-afternoon and featured four of Waldorf's alumni authors: Lars Walker '70, Lasantha Rodrigo '00, Jennifer Spencer '03, and D.R. Humble '20. Later that everning, the Alumni Distinguished Service Award Ceremony was held at the Boman Fine Arts Center honoring the following alumni: Nathan Anenson '01 & '02, Nancy (Bergland) Olson '75 & '97, and Timothy Tarris '70. The ceremony also featured music from the Waldorf Jazz Band. The evening concluded with a Waldorf Trivia Night at Paddler's Tap on Clark Street where faculty/staff and alumni had the opportunity to test their knowledge of Waldorf history while enjoying snacks and beverages. The Waldorf Theatre Department also held a haunted house both Friday and Saturday evening.

Sunday began with yoga at the Boman Fine Arts Center, followed by church service at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The weekend concluded with a homecoming concert featuring the Waldorf University Wind Symphony and Choir at the Boman Fine Arts Center in the afternoon. Mark your calendar now for next year's festivities: Oct. 5-8, 2023! Waldorf Homecoming is always one of the best weekends of the entire year, and we thoroughly enjoy seeing many of our wonderful alumni reconnect with their peers when they come back "home" to Waldorf University!

Class of 1982 Photo (Left to right):

Front Row: Lori (Simonson) Key, Connie (Holstad) Arispe, Kari Hamre, Tammy (Sersland) Egesdal, Julie (Emmert) Gerstandt, Sharon Peterson, Jerry Barth;

Back Row: Rosalyn (Halma) Wielenga, Jan (Tweeten) Sauerbrei, Martha (Moen) Frohwein, Betty (Balder) Bollard, Juoy Tangen, Miriam Ring, Scott Meyer

Class of 1977 Photo (Left to right):

Front Row: Jeneen (Banker) Carnes, Pam (Carlson) Holtan, Lana (Potter) Thompson, Donna (Peterson) Rasmussen, Clandis (Boos) Smith, Kathleen (Grant) Olson, Sue (Pirsig) Griese, Carol (Orvick) Larson; Back Row: Bev (Tweed) Retland, Ron Holtan, Elizabeth Jacobson, Christa Cosgriff, Mark K Langerud, Kevin Olson, David Skattebo

50s thru 60s photo (Left to right): Dennis Henrichs ’67, Paul Johnson ’68, Caroll Carson ’57, & Marvin Anderson ‘57

Class of 1962 Photo (Left to right): Linda Hoppel, Nancy Neilsen, Beverly (Schaefer) Cataldo, Don Cherland, Diana & Dennis Bergeson

Class of 1974 Photo: Bill Kautz

Class of 1987 Photo: Alan Carlsborg

ERIC J. BARTLESON ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

We are excited to share with you the Eric J Bartleson Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship enables you, our alumni, to give directly to a current Waldorf student in their junior or senior year who needs financial assistance to continue their Waldorf education.

The scholarship was named after Dr. Eric J. Bartleson '64, a former alumni board member, who passed away in 2020. Eric’s love and dedication to Waldorf was apparent both as a student and an alum. Eric realized that Waldorf was not only a place of academia but also a place of self-growth. Eric held the belief, as our other board members do, that Waldorf alumni is a family that supports each other.

Our goal is to endow this scholarship by raising $25,000. Visit the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation website at waldorffoundation.org to donate or you may mail a check to:

Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation 106 South 6th Street Forest City, IA 50436

Your donation is tax deductible.

12 new and/or upgraded security cameras have been installed throughout the campus. Safety and security is an important priority to Waldorf University, and these added cameras will seek to add to the protection of those on campus.

Watertower Parking Lot Paved!

New Sign!

HOW CAN YOU get involved ?

Do you have a passion or skill that you would be willing to share on campus? Are you looking to continue your education with a certificate or degree that Waldorf doesn't have? Are you interested in becoming a mentor for a student in your field/industry? Is your business looking to hire interns/recent graduates? Have you ever considered serving on the Alumni Board of Directors? Do you or a classmate have a story that would inspire?

We would love to hear from you! All of these (and more) are ways to get involved with your alma mater. Please don't hesitate to reach out to alumni@waldorf.edu if any of these apply to you.

Thank you for your continued support of Waldorf University and the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation.

We appreciate everything you do for Waldorf University!

In 2006, Waldorf students were promised that over the summer the "Watertower Lot" would be paved and striped. However, this project continually got delayed for various reasons - even with several pushes of the student senate. After 16 years, the wait is finally over! The parking lot is freshly paved and striped as of last fall, and students have been enjoying the perks of good parking!

A new Warrior Athletics sign has been erected outside of the Hanson Fieldhouse. The sign is a full sized athletics "W" logo which lights up at night. Tim Tarris '70, designed and built the sign from scratch and donated it to Waldorf University. The sign was installed last fall, and landscaping was done by Denny Jerome '70. Pictured above (L-R) with the sign is Denny and Kathy Jerome with Vicky and Tim Tarris.

THE GIFT OF MUSIC—VIBRANCY THOUGH TRANSITION

Since the fall of 2020, the Waldorf University Music Department has intentionally embraced the idea of resiliency, forging forward through difficulties posed by COVID-19. On the heel of the pandemic, the 2022 fall semester offered a new challenge: transition. True, every semester brings change. Seniors graduate, new students begin their journey, underclassmen become upperclassmen and degree studies progress. This year added an adjusted academic calendar, changes in department personnel, a new concert experience and potential ownership transfer. Through the variability, Waldorf Music students performed as vibrantly as ever, offering their gifts of music to enrich our greater community.

The semester commenced in early August, complete with fresh faces, the hope of future possibility and a bit of nervousness regarding the months to come. The first of several large-scale departmental events

occurred on September 15 as Waldorf Music hosted our annual All-State Piano, Vocal, and Instrumental Workshop, welcoming over 120 high school students from across northern Iowa to our campus. Attending students worked with Waldorf Faculty and invited clinicians in master classes, group lessons, sectionals and mass rehearsals to prepare challenging All-State audition repertoire. On October 18, Waldorf Choir was honored to be featured guests at Clear Lake High School’s fall choir concert, performing both individual selections and collaboratively with the high school ensembles. Waldorf Homecoming weekend quickly followed October 22-23. Music was present throughout the weekend’s celebratory events, with special performances by the Jazz Ensemble, student-led pep band and Schola Cantorum. Alumni Choir and Alumni Band gatherings offered opportunity for generations of Waldorf graduates to share fond stories of their experience, and presented current students a tangible connection to Waldorf Music’s

continuing lineage. The weekend closed with the Waldorf Choir providing special music at Immanuel Lutheran, followed by brunch at the Boman and the Homecoming Showcase Concert, “Warrior Strong,” which featured all five Waldorf Music performing ensembles. October ended with three phenominal junior voice recitals: Hanna Ferguson (Music Education), Benjamin Lockwood (Church Music) and Brycen Bohl (Musical Theater).

As November ushered in the conclusion of the semester, the music students continued to shine. Percussion Ensemble presented a mid-morning concert in the Atrium, offering students, faculty, staff and guests the opportunity to hear exciting percussion pieces from around the world. On November 12 and 13 the Waldorf Choir, Schola Cantorum and Wind Symphony presented the first annual Gift of Music Concert: “Make a Joyful Noise!” This concert was blanketed with community involvement as area musi -

Pictured L-R: Dr. Emilie Bertram, Travis Beck, Nancy Farndale, & Melissa Phillips

cians joined the Wind Symphony; and the NordKor Children’s Choir, guest instrumentalists and handbell players from Immanuel Lutheran performed with the Waldorf Choir. Music from a variety of time periods and cultures was presented, from Russian Romanticism to Gospel to traditional Maori culture, delighting those in the audience and viewing online.

Uniting the semester was the opportunity to say “Thank You” to Waldorf’s beloved Nancy Farndale. Nancy announced her retirement after 40 years of service to Waldorf University, where she was currently serving as the composer-in-residence. Through the years, Nancy has filled many roles, including accompanying the choir, teaching organ and oboe lessons and even working in the residence halls. Nancy was lovingly honored during the homecoming showcase concert and with a special Chapel service in the Odvin Hagen Recital Hall in November, during which the choir performed one of

Nancy’s original compositions, I Will Extol You, My God. Travis Beck, former Waldorf Music faculty, returned to campus to offer a heartfelt tribute to Nancy during the service. We are thankful for the decades of knowledge, compassion, care and kindness that Nancy has shared with so many who have walked these halls. Nancy fully embodies all that Waldorf is and seeks to be. We are all truly blessed to be a part of her story.

We are looking forward with heightened anticipation to the opportunities that 2023 will bring! In the excitement of performance and events, it is sometimes easy to forget that Waldorf music students are completing daily coursework, practicing their craft in weekly lessons, preparing for juries and finals, performing in studio seminar, attending pre-professional events, working, learning and being human. Our students are resilient, vibrant, striving to improve and offering the best of themselves to their community, truly sharing their gifts of

music. If you are interested in supporting our programs so that we may continue to bring music to our community and to create high quality experiences, please consider a financial gift or other gift appropriate to your talents. We would love to hear from you and look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Emilie Bertram, DMA

Director of Choral Activities Music Department Co-Chair Assistant Professor of Music emilie.bertram@waldorf.edu

Choir Students Gathered for 2022 Fall Music Camp

The Waldorf Choir Singing at the "Make a Joyful Noise!" Concert in November

Waldorf Wind Symphony Playing at the October Homecoming Concert

The Waldorf Warriors began the 2022-23 academic year with a bang, seeing immediate success in competition in all fall sports. As fall gave way to winter, 18 of the 22 Waldorf sports have begun their seasons, with numerous Warrior athletes earning honors of distinction.

FOOTBALL

The Waldorf Football Team turned in a seven-win campaign for the second straight season under the tutelage of Head Coach Will Finley, who earned his 20th career victory in just his third season when the Warriors bested Iowa Wesleyan on November 5. The Warriors began the 2022 campaign with four straight victories, including three against Iowan foes in Briar Cliff University, 42-24, Saint Ambrose University, 33-13, and Simpson College, 54-21.

The Warriors’ hot start led to national recognition, with Waldorf spending three weeks in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Waldorf had most recently joined the Top 25 in the 2019 season.

Senior wide receiver Sam Huntley became the program’s all-time leading receiver when he hauled in eight passes for 93 yards in a 28-21 victory at North Star Athletic Association conference foe Mayville State

on October 8. The senior earned North Star Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the victory. Huntley finished his stellar career with 226 receptions for 2,420 yards, both of which are program records. He scored 24 total career touchdowns and gained a total of 2,554 yards from scrimmage.

Senior Morgan Dostal had a day he will never forget in Waldorf’s 54-21 win over Simpson College on September 10. Dostal, a special teamer who would not typically touch the ball, managed to score two touchdowns in the same game. In the third quarter, he returned a blocked punt for a score. On Simpson’s next punt attempt, Dostal caught an unusually short kick and also brought it home to paydirt for another Waldorf touchdown. For his efforts, Dostal was named North Star Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week on September 12.

Samuel Huntley, who had 55 receptions for 535 yards and six touchdowns, was named to the All-NSAA First Team. The Warriors placed six athletes on the 27-man NSAA All-Conference Second Team: junior offensive lineman Logan Miller, senior offensive lineman Kade KlosterHodak, senior offensive lineman Zachary Throne, senior defensive lineman Deqwunn McCobb, senior defensive back MaCoy Yeakel and senior defensive back Tyler Dennis.

In addition to the all-conference first and second teams, the North Star Athletic Association also recognizes four players per conference team with honorable mentions. The Waldorf players earning this distinction were junior quarterback Jordan Cooper, senior wide receiver Malik Adams, senior linebacker Nico Morasco and senior safety Kasen Handal.

Samuel Huntley and fellow Warrior wide receiver Mike Mouton were selected to play in the 2022 NAIA Senior Football Classic in Durham, N.C. on the eve of the NAIA National Championship Game.

Athletic Conference in 2022.

Langrell joined forces with Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Joel Popenfoose, who came to Waldorf one year ago from Judson University in Elgin, Ill. Together, they are on a quest to rebuild the Cross Country and Track and Field programs to establish each as a power in the North Star Athletic Association as well as the Midwest.

The women’s cross country squad sent six competitors to the conference championships at Dickinson State on November 5. Sophomore Danielle Wood led the way for the Warriors with a personal best time of 20:53.8, a 34-second improvement for her.

Warrior players were a staple of the conference office’s weekly honor roll. In addition to Huntley and Dostal, the following Warriors also earned weekly awards: cornerback Tyler Dennis (Special Teams, Week 2; Defense, Week 4), wide receiver Seth Oakes (Offense, Week 1), defensive lineman Deqwunn McCobb (Defense, Week 3) and quarterback Jordan Cooper (Offense, Week 4).

Several Warriors earned postseason honors from the North Star Athletic Association.

CROSS COUNTRY/ TRACK & FIELD Waldorf welcomed to campus a new head cross country coach, Janna Langrell, who came by way of Hope International University, a fellow NAIA program located in Fullerton, Calif. There, Langrell spent just over two years as the Assistant Cross Country & Distance Track Coach. During her time at Hope International, the Royals set 39 new school records and had NAIA national qualifiers on both the men's and women's sides. The HIU men's high jump took first place in the Golden State

Senior Mindy Barchenger earned the distinction of 2022 Daktronics NAIA Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete. Barchenger was one of just over 600 NAIA athletes to earn the award, which requires a cumulative grade point average over 3.5.

MEN’S SOCCER

Under the direction of Head Coach Michael Ritterbeck, the Men’s Soccer Team enjoyed their first winning season since 2019, finishing 8-6-2. The team’s success included the third-longest winning streak in program history, going undefeated from August 31 through September 21.

The team boasted exceptional international talent, particularly that of sophomore Daniel Burko

Samuel Huntley

Morgan Dostal

Danielle Wood Mindy Barchenger

of Lovenstad, Norway. Burko led the team with eight goals, four of which were game-winners, and 13 assists. Burko earned Continental Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors on September 6.

Burko, who also set program records in Track and Field, is a 4.0 student who was also named an NAIA Daktronics ScholarAthlete. Teammates Lucas Berte of Joinville, Brazil and Mohamed Yokie of Kenema, Sierra Leone also earned NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete awards.

Soccer program will bid farewell to a sizeable graduating class of 12 seniors: Katelyn Brandt, Katie Cooling, Autumn Petersen, Iveth Guzman, Adrianna Vargas, Amber Williams, Camryn McFarland, Sydney Boyd, Araneg Leon Velazquez, Reyna Suarez, Nelly Ndlovu and Courtnie Turner. The Warriors also bid farewell to Head Coach Lugo Arenas ’15, who departed after five seasons at the helm to accept the same position at Laramie County Community College, where Arenas also played. Arenas led the Warriors to their highest winning percentage in program history (.571) in 2020-21.

acknowledges NAIA Champions of Character honors upon one player per conference team. Senior middle-blocker, Abygail Wood earned the Champions of Character recognition for the third consecutive season.

Invitational (5,807-yards, 71-par), Karvala took first with a score of 77, helping the Warriors receive a first-place finish.

Sophomore Thomas Houdayer also finished first individually at the Buena Vista University Fall Invite. On Day 1, Houdayer was two strokes over par, with a score of 74 and on the second day he shot an even-par. He had a combined total of 146, earning him NSAA Golfer of the Week.

Senior midfielder Antonio Coutinho of Lisbon, Portugal was named to the Continental Athletic Conference’s All-Conference Second Team following a five-goal, five-assist season. Junior goalkeeper Osvaldo Andrade earned CAC Defensive Player of the Week on September 26 following a week in which he posted 16 saves.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Waldorf Women’s Soccer Team won three of its final four away matches of the season to finish the year strong. One of those victories came at Illinois College on October 23 by a score of 3-0. Senior Iveth Guzman scored all three goals in the contest. For her efforts, Guzman was awarded Continental Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. In the spring of 2023, the Women’s

The Waldorf women's soccer team had five athletes named as NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes for their efforts on the field and in the classroom: senior Adrianna Vargas, senior Courtnie Turner, senior Katie Cooling, junior Daniela Benavides and junior Mikayla Smith.

VOLLEYBALL

The Waldorf University Volleyball Team started the 2022 season on fire. The Warriors made program history by starting the season 7-0, including undefeated showings: both at the Cardinal Stritch University Triangular and at the Jimmy John’s Classic at William Penn University.

Junior outside hitter Kenzie Kidd was named to the AllConference Second Team. Kidd finished the season with a team high of 255 kills, averaging 3.19 per set. She also had 239 digs with appearing in 22 matches. Kidd recorded 13 of her 22 matches with double digit kills and digs.

In addition to the All-Conference teams, the NSAA also

The Waldorf volleyball team had 10 athletes named as NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes for their efforts on the court and in the classroom: senior Abygail Wood, junior Alisha Schaefer, sophomore Annie Stotlar, junior Charlotte Wright, junior Emma Hovenga, sophomore Juliet Karlen, senior Kaitlyn Bakke, junior Kaylee Kidd, junior Kenzie Kidd and sophomore Laina Yurs.

GOLF

The Waldorf Men’s and Women’s Golf teams saw success on the links this past fall, and eagerly await the opportunity to get back out on the course in the spring.

Sophomore Amanda Karvala had four straight first-place finishes, which earned her back-to-back North Star Athletic Association Golfer of the Week awards. Karvala tied for first place at the Waldorf Challenge (5,945-yards, 72-par), finishing with a score of 83, helping the women's team get a secondplace finish. At the Waldorf

Both Waldorf golf teams won the annual Waldorf Invitational at the Rice Lake Golf Course in Lake Mills on September 26. The Men's and Women's teams finished with leading scores of 310 and 358, respectively. The women also won the BVU event, finishing first among five competing schools.

HOCKEY

Head Coach Mike Heitkamp’s squad is picking up steam headed into second semester. At press time, the Warriors are winners of six straight contests, including four straight road wins on the Midwest College Hockey conference circuit. The win streak includes weekend series sweeps of Northern Illinois, Midland University and Dakota College at Bottineau.

In their final game of calendar year 2022, junior defenseman Michael Heitkamp scored the decisive goal in the final three minutes, with his shorthanded squad killing off penalty time the rest of the way for an exciting

Warrior victory.

The Warriors played in a historic weekend to open their season when they welcomed The University

Abygail Wood Kenzie Kidd

Daniel Burko

Antonio

Coutinho

Iveth

Guzman

Amanda Karvala

Thomas Houdayer

Michael Heitkamp

of Oklahoma Sooners for a game at Albert Lea City Arena on September 16. Waldorf also honored longtime assistant coach Steve Smith on October 28. Smith, who retired after 11 seasons behind the Warrior bench, was presented with jersey number 11 by Waldorf University President Dr. Robert Alsop and Director of Athletics Chad Gassman in a pregame retirement ceremony.

University of Great Falls (currently Providence) from 2006-10.

In all, Coach Chaffin has spent 21 years in intercollegiate athletics as an assistant basketball coach, head basketball coach, admissions coordinator, and assistant athletic director. He also coached at the NCAA Division II level for six years as an assistant women's basketball coach at Minot State University in North Dakota.

Throughout his career, Chaffin's squads have been known for their exceptional integrity. Coach Chaffin was the director of San Diego Christian's Champions of Character program which led to five NAIA Gold Star Awards and a perfect score of 100 for the 2019-20 academic year. Chaffin was named the 2022 Golden State Athletic Conference All-Sport Coach of Character.

Ogbemudia received her degree from Waldorf University in 2019, with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology. She was a standout basketball player for Waldorf for four years. Ogbemudia recorded 1,013 career points and 517 career rebounds. In her senior season, she led the Warriors to a 9-5 record in conference and 14-12 overall.

WINTER SPORTS SEASONS BEGIN AT WALDORF

The Warriors’ seasons recently got underway in Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, Men’s and Women’s Bowling, and Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field. Competition resumes across all winter sports in the first week of January 2023. Updates for all Waldorf University teams can be found at WaldorfWarriors.com; be sure to visit the website when you have a chance!

The Warriors will play eight of their final 13 regular season contests in Albert Lea, beginning with a pair of contests with topranked University of Mary on January 6-7. The team hopes to have a successful stretch run and a berth in the 2023 Midwest College Hockey Tournament in February.

CHAFFIN, OGBEMUDIA TO LEAD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Waldorf University began a new era in its women's basketball program in the 2022-23 season, the program’s 50th anniversary. New Head Coach Shawn Chaffin comes to Waldorf following five seasons as the head coach at fellow NAIA member school San Diego Christian College. He also spent five years as the head coach at NAIA member

Chaffin’s first order of business was hiring Waldorf alumna Ameh Ogbemudia ’19 as his assistant coach. Coach Ogbemudia comes to Waldorf by way of North Central University, a Division III institution, in Elliot Park, Minn. Ogbemudia served as the women's basketball assistant coach where she helped the head coach with tasks involving recruiting, film breakdown and the team diagnostics.

While at North Central University, Ogbemudia was a part of their 24-5 season, in which NCU was Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament Champions, and played in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Steve Smith was honored for his retirement after 11 years of coaching

Coach

Shawn Chaffin Asst. Ameh Ogbemudia

Student profile STARR GEORGE '24 - WHY WALDORF?

Out of all the schools in America, why are you going to Iowa? Why would you leave your warm Caribbean Island for the school in a cold cornfield? I thought you were going to Ohio, but why Iowa? These were questions that my friends and family kept asking me when I started my first year at Waldorf University.

I discovered Waldorf while I was working an apprenticeship program at the Barbuda Channel in Antigua and Barbuda. I was giving the midday newscast and there were two individuals that came to do relief network because my island was damaged by hurricane Irma in 2017 and recovery was slow, even in 2019. After my newscast, I met Mr. Cory Brown, Associate Vice President of Waldorf University and he asked me “how long have you been working here?” and I said to him “This may sound like a lie, but I’ve only been here for 3 weeks.” He then gave me his card and asked me to apply to the school, and then I was granted the opportunity to study communications under the Pillars scholarship.

When I got to Waldorf, I was excited but then that quickly went away because I am from the Caribbean where we have one climate, and I had never experienced frigid

climates before - so I got super depressed.

The culture shock took a massive toll on me, but then I met some people who I will remember as lifelong friends, and they helped me get over home sickness and quickly became my second family.

I really like the small community where Waldorf is because it reminds me of where I’m from, everyone knows everyone, they’re very friendly and they’re very supportive. Even though Forest City doesn’t have much, the goal is to earn the degree and become outstanding individuals to move on to the real world.

I got heavily involved in many things around campus. I became a resident assistant in the Johnson and London Residence Hall after being at Waldorf for one semester and I’m a member for the following clubs: Black Student Union, WAL TV (the school’s tv station), “The Lobbyist” (the school’s newspaper), KZOW (the school’s radio station), World Student Association (WSA), Pillars program, orientation leader and I'm a student photographer as well.

I am very grateful for the many opportunities that I have been given on Waldorf’s campus. It has taught me to network and build very close relationships with students,

faculty and staff. And knowing how to reach out to the right people at the right time. This has helped me so much, especially in my adjustment period here in a new country and new climate. In the United States, the culture shock is so harsh especially on international students like me, but attending a university as small as Waldorf makes it easy to have personalized attention for your courses and yourself.

Now that I have decided to obtain a B.A. in Communications, I want to emphasize journalism and digital media. One of the core values of Waldorf University is passion. My passion can impact the world in a very positive way. My goal is to network with major and minor news and media companies to be one of the first Caribbean females to produce joint shows and programs for the international scene when I graduate. This can help bridge the gap between the older and younger generations and help find lost traditions and re-discover cultures. I want to document history digitally so the younger generation to never forget who they are when they’re older.

Waldorf has become my home away from home and has contributed to molding me into the person I am today!

From Waldorf to the World

My Waldorf story is not quite as traditional as most Waldorf students, but I think it shows that Waldorf really has helped to put me on my current life path. As a high school student up the road in Lake Mills, Iowa - I was able to take some classes at Waldorf during my senior year where I was able to build friendships with the Waldorf freshmen music students. After that year, I hadn’t really thought about Waldorf until my sophomore year at Wartburg College when I decided I needed to make a change for several different reasons. I was finding my way back home and to Waldorf, ready for a new beginning and little did I know, it would put me on a path I had never dreamed of growing up.

While at Waldorf, I moved in with some of those friends I had made while being a high school student. It was great to have those instant friendships to start at a new school to help guide me through my transition. If we weren’t in class, we were hanging out in the

music lounge being the weird music people that we were. Some of my best Waldorf memories come from that music lounge. However, my Waldorf experience was not just amazing friendships. Every single professor I had for classes cared about me as a person and as a student. I remember some of my first interactions with Dr. Taylor, and her asking me about what my biggest concerns were about finishing my degree on time and laying out a plan with her to make sure I was able to get everything done on time. To this day, I will still reach out to her from time to time for advice or just to chat.

The largest influence Waldorf had on me began early in the spring semester of my senior year. My academic advisor, Dr. Luebke, called me into his office. He started talking about how when he was in college, he went on a music mission trip to Guyana. They were setting up a music school there for the first time and he wanted to tell me about the opportunity. When I left his office I went straight to the music lounge to do some

KELLI LAIR '15

research because I had no idea where Guyana was and I wanted to try to learn a little more about this school. That day, I turned in my application and about a week later I interviewed for a position. So - that spring I left Waldorf after walking the graduation ceremony, knowing I would be taking a year off to go teach in South America before I would return to Waldorf to finish the rest of my student teaching.

Setting up a music school from scratch in a different country is an eye-opening experience. The Guyana Lutheran Music Academy was being set up by a group based out of Minneapolis, Minn., so I had the ability to drive up to Minnesota to assist with cleaning and packing up all the instruments and supplies that were being sent down over the summer. When we arrived in Guyana, we met the shipping container and started to unpack everything and figure out how to fit it all into our building. We also worked on creating promotional materials and went out to find potential students. That first year

we had 180 students ranging from grade 6 to age 72 taking lessons on piano, violin, percussion, brass, guitar and choir. The three of us who were living and teaching there became like a family as we worked through living in a new country, medical emergencies, flooding after rain and figuring out logistics of our unique concert situations. The next year I went back after my student teaching to fill the role of percussion and brass teacher.

Teaching in Guyana opened my eyes to a whole new field I didn’t even know existed previously. Teaching internationally allowed me to combine teaching and traveling. During my second year in Guyana, I did a phone interview with a school in the country of Kuwait. Once again, I had to do some research as I didn’t know much about the country other than it being located in the Middle East. I then went on to accept a position their as a middle school music teacher at an all-girls American school, and after a summer - plus a couple extra months due to visa issues - I was packing my bags again on a new adventure.

Living in Kuwait was quite a bit different than living in Guyana for many reasons. This was the first time I was living in a country

where I didn’t speak the language whatsoever, which made for some interesting struggles sometimes. However, I pushed through these, and while working in Kuwait, I was able to meet teachers from all over the world and got to learn about each of their home cultures. I made some great friends and got to travel quite a bit around the Middle East. This ended up even leading to a trip to the UK, which was a lot of fun!

After Kuwait I made the move to Shanghai, China. I became the elementary music teacher and beginning band teacher at an American school. I have spent the last four years at this school working with students from all over the world, but mostly China, South Korea and Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic hit us hard in late January of 2020 and shut down all schools for the rest of the year. COVID-19 had a resurgence in Shanghai this past school year and shut us down for a second time during another three-month lockdown. I have now left the school I’ve been working at for the last four years and am currently preparing to start a new two-year contract at another international school in Shanghai as a secondary music teacher and as the new Head of Performing Arts.

I have no clue where in the world I will end up after China, but I do know that I want to continue to travel around the world in the future. As I look back on the last ten years of my life, I realize I would not be where I am today had it not been for heading back to Waldorf all those years ago. It’s amazing how one little choice can change the course of your entire life.

Has Waldorf changed your life? Where are you at now because of your Waldorf experiences? Please email alumni@waldorf.edu or mail them to the Waldorf University Alumni Office, 106 South 6th St., Forest City, Iowa 50436.

Kelli Lair teaching music in Guyana

Kelli Lair with a group enjoying a meal in Kuwait

Back to Our Roots

New Waldorf Ownership

We did it! After months of work, planning, and prayer, Waldorf is now under the ownership of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation, returning the institution to its private, non-profit, faith-based roots. What a journey it has been, not only in this last year, but the last decade plus. In this season of reflection, it is an appropriate time to take stock of this historic period of time for Waldorf University.

A little over a decade ago, Waldorf had less than 500 full-time students on campus and several of its dormitories were empty and unused. It was a difficult time not only for Waldorf but the nation as we navigated through the recession of 2009. Through a series of what can best be described as miracles, Columbia Southern University, under the leadership of Robert Mayes and Chantell Cooley, saved Waldorf College by taking ownership of the institution. Certainly, this was a time of great anxiety at Waldorf. What would it mean to be owned by a family? How would we be able to deliver a Waldorf experience with online programs? What would happen to the mission of Waldorf?

While the path has not always been easy, I believe we can say that the ownership of the Mayes/Cooley families has been an unqualified success for Waldorf. We just need to take a look at the results from the last several years.

Since 2009 we have seen dramatic growth on campus. This fall we welcomed 626 full-time students to campus and the dormitories are full. It was a wildly successful fall semester, filled with vibrant student learning experiences, incredible fine arts performances and competitive athletic competition. The energy and school spirit on campus has been exhilarating!

Also, during this period of campus success, we initiated and grew our online programs, adding thousands of students to our Warrior Nation. We currently have 31 online programs at the associates, baccalaureate and masters level, with over 3000 active online students, with about 2000 of them currently in a class. And while some of these students may never have the opportunity to step foot on Waldorf’s campus, they, too, bleed Waldorf purple and gold.

We have also maintained Waldorf’s historic mission through this time period. Waldorf’s mission continues to be at the center of all that we do. It is expressed in our values, taught in our curriculum and reinforced in our co-curriculars. As articulated in our value statement, “Waldorf uses academic coursework and co-curricular activities to explore the meaning and depth that religion and spirituality can add to life. Students are encouraged to develop a deep respect for the role religious devotion can play in giving direction, purpose, and a moral foundation to life.” The ownership by the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation will only expand opportunities in the expression and reach of our mission.

We are and will forever be grateful to the ownership of the Mayes and Cooley families for their experience and expertise in leading Waldorf forward over the last twelve years. They have committed financial resources and countless hours of work to build and strengthen Waldorf University. They are an incredible family and will always be an indelible part of Waldorf history. In addition, there are many other people to

thank for their contributions to Waldorf’s development. There are too many to name, but a few have been integral from the start. Joe Manjone, Rick Cooper, Ken Styron, Chelsea Hoffman, Pat Troup, Tara Collins, Scott Oswald, Tina Cox and Charles Mims all served leadership roles on Waldorf’s President’s Council. There are countless others at Columbia Southern University who committed their time and knowledge to serve Waldorf University and her students.

But now, we look with renewed excitement to a new ownership with the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. The Foundation has been supporting Waldorf students through scholarships, campus ministry and alumni events for over 15 years. Like the university, it has also seen amazing growth over the last decade. Because of the generosity of alumni and friends, the assets of the foundation have grown considerably, not only generating more and more scholarships for Waldorf students, but also giving it the financial capacity to take ownership of Waldorf University. Under the leadership of Ray Beebe, the Foundation also played an essential role in telling Waldorf’s story. The Foundation has been a steady partner, maintaining and professing the historic mission of Waldorf. No entity could be better equipped to lead Waldorf University forward into the future than the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation.

It has also been gratifying to see the community rally around this project. The Forest City Council, area businesses, city leaders, local alumni and many others all have contributed to the success of this project. They know that not only is Waldorf important to the economic development of

north central Iowa, but they have witnessed, or experienced for themselves, the profound and transformative impact of a Waldorf education. Waldorf University provides amenities for which few cities the size of Forest City can boast. Whether through athletic events, fine arts performances, or our speakers’ series, Waldorf is proud to welcome the community to experiences that enrich all of our lives.

While we return to our private, non-profit, faith-based roots, we do so with a new model. A model that is made possible by the Hanson Family Foundation whose generosity will eliminate Waldorf’s $5.2M long-term debt over the next 4 years. It is a model that includes a vibrant and expanding campus. It is a model that expands the reach of Waldorf’s mission with online programs. It is a model with a reconstituted advancement team, generating new ways to connect with alumni and friends. It is a model positioned for additional benefits of a non-profit, such as grant opportunities and tax relief. The future is very bright for Waldorf University!

We still have much to do, including our post-closing application to the U.S. Department of Education, migrating to new software systems and re-establishing prior relationships. I ask for your continued prayers for the success for this transition. As we endeavor to strengthen the Foundation’s position going forward, I ask you to consider how you might continue, or even increase, your support of Waldorf’s important mission. Moving forward, philanthropy will be an exciting opportunity for each of us, knowing we are strengthening Waldorf to serve generation of students to come. And there is no better moment to consider your

now. Board chair, Dr. David Weber and his wife Dr. Susan Weber, have created a challenge grant to match any gifts to the "Window of Opportunity" campaign, all the way up to $500,000!

Thank you all for your prayers, well wishes and support. I look forward to working with you as Waldorf University continues to evolve under the ownership of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. We are all in this together, and we are all . . . Warriors!

Sincerely, Dr. Robert A. Alsop Waldorf University President

Window of Opportunity

To donate to the Window of Opportunity Campaign mentioned by President Alsop, please send a check to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation at 106 S 6th St, Forest City, IA 50436, with "Window of Opportunity" notated in the memo.

You may also donate to the campaign online under the "Giving" tab at: waldorffoundation.org

Alumni Distinguished Service Awards: 2022 Recipients

The Alumni Distinguished Service Award recognizes Waldorf alumni who have performed distinctive and meritorious service in areas such as public affairs, education, church, business and government. They have demonstrated their Christian faith in service to community and church. The 2022 award ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 22 and honored the alumni pictured below.

Nancy (Bergland) Olson '75 & '97 “For selfless dedication to serving others and exemplification of the Waldorf University mission and values."

Nathan Anenson ‘01 & '02 “For faithful dedication and service to the church and deep commitment to serving others."

Timothy Tarris ‘70 “For extraordinary achievement and leadership in military service and outstanding contributions to community."

Dear Friends,

We delayed this issue of the Waldorf Magazine so that we could tell you about the recently concluded purchase of Waldorf University from Columbia Southern University and the Mayes family by the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. Elsewhere in this issue, President Alsop has provided you with more specific details about this transaction.

This major development causes me to reflect on my long involvement with the Waldorf Foundation. I have served on the Waldorf Foundation Board of Directors since before Waldorf College was purchased by Columbia Southern University (CSU) on January 10, 2010, and I have served as Chairman of the Board through most of that period. I won’t go into all the details but most of you would remember that Waldorf College was experiencing financial difficulties which were only exacerbated by the “Great Recession” of 2008-9 and that the sale to CSU was likely a “lifesaver” for Waldorf College. I was still working for Winnebago Industries at the time of the Great Recession and it was also a very difficult time for us with several of our major competitors going broke. I remember telling people at that time to pray for the two “W’s,” i.e., Winnebago and Waldorf. (Fortunately, those prayers were answered!) Many people thought Waldorf would never be the same following the sale to CSU but they were wrong as CSU allowed Waldorf to operate pretty much “as is" with the same values and mission as had existed throughout Waldorf’s history. For all of this we owe CSU a big thank you!

It has been quite a year! I still remember being called to President Alsop’s office last January and receiving the surprise news that Waldorf University was for sale by Columbia Southern University and the Mayes family and a possibility being considered was that the Waldorf Foundation would purchase the University. We were amazed as neither Waldorf University nor the Waldorf Foundation thought this opportunity would ever present itself. I don’t think it is necessary to explain here the reasons CSU had decided to sell Waldorf University but I will say that none of them reflected negatively on Waldorf. Fortunately, because of the good relationship CSU had with Waldorf and its desire to see the university continue “as is,” it gave the Waldorf Foundation the first opportunity to purchase Waldorf University on terms we felt to be quite favorable and doable.

Many of us have been involved with this since the first of the year and I want to especially note that President Alsop has “captained” this effort and devoted countless hours to it. I would also note that the volunteer time I devoted to the Waldorf Foundation and the countless details involved in a project of this magnitude increased dramatically. But I am thrilled that I was able to take a significant role in this historic event.

I am convinced this was the right thing to do. It allows Waldorf University to control its own destiny for generations to come. Waldorf’s proud history from 1903 forward will continue on and we can feel confident that young people will continue to come here and find that same life changing experience that Waldorf will continue to deliver to each and every student. We could not let this opportunity get away from us. For information about the Window of Opportunity Campaign, be sure to read President Alsop's article!

Sincerely,

Raymond

M. Beebe

Chair, Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Retired Vice President, General Counsel Secretary Winnebago Industries, Inc. 1974–2012 Recipient of Honorary Doctorate Degree, Waldorf University (2021)

The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation affirms the mission of Waldorf University to be an engaging community of learning and faith where relationships are formed and opportunities for learning and service abound.

The Foundation is committed to providing financial resources to honor the past ideas of the university and to enrich learning and spiritual opportunities for future generations of Waldorf University students, empowering them to impact the world through lives of service. The Foundation is funded by generous gifts from alumni and friends and supports student scholarships, campus ministry and alumni relations.

Foundation Chair, Ray Beebe, on the Waldorf University campus

In Loving Memory of Dr. Carol Fischer

Dr. Carol Fischer passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022. She was serving as an upper level science teacher at Waldorf University at the time of her death, and she has been dearly missed by our students and members of the faculty/staff. Carol was a passionate educator who adored her students. She held a special place in her heart for Waldorf's internation student population, and she regularly played the role of "mother hen" while they were stateside, and invited them into her home for game nights and even hosting two students. Carol was also an active member and president of the Faculty Senate. She was also a loving mother and wife to her boys Benjamin and Samuel, and husband, Scott. In honor of her impact at Waldorf University and life dedicated to education, a butterfly sculpture has been erected next to Lund Pond in her memory. We love you Dr. Fischer, and we thank you for everything!

Waldorf University Honors Day 2022

Honors Day 2022, Chapel Service & Recognition and Celebration Event, was held Wednesday, Sept.14 at the Boman Fine Arts Center. Donors were recognized for their support of student scholarships and students were recognized for their academic achievements. There were 128 scholarships awarded, 160 total student recipients, and over $200,000 in scholarship funds awarded. The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation is incredibly grateful for all of our donors!

Aagot Thomte Swenson Memorial Scholarship

Matteo Rodriguez—Mounds View, MN;

Collin McCutcheon—Ogden, IA;

Evelyn Hickman—Clear Lake, IA

Adrian & Eleanor Johnson Endowed Scholarship

Anna Ramaker—Lake Mills, IA

Adrian & Shirley Ploegstra Scholarship

Matthew Burns—Westbrook, MN

Al Heppner Scholarship

Anthony Blazek—Sumner, IA

Alan Sansgaard Memorial Scholarship

Ellie Clark—LeMars, IA

Anna Marie Mitchell Endowed Scholarship

Nicole DeWitt—Bridgeport, WV

Bartelson Family Endowed Scholarship

McKaylee Kidd—Roscoe, IL

Baseball Scholarship

Anthony Hibl—Sharon, WI

Bergland Family Memorial Scholarship Heather Viers—Charles City, IA

Bernett Salven Lincoln Scholarship

Daniela Benavides—Peru

Bill & Mary Johnson Baseball Scholarship

Nathan Westfield—Rockledge, FL

Bill Hamm Scholarship

Daniel Burko—Norway Bill Smith Scholarship

Nehemiah Harrell—Cincinnati, OH; Yoana Esquivell—Lompoc, CA

Boyken Family Scholarship

Emily Ryerson—Britt, IA

Carlyle Holte Scholarship

Rhoda Nyarko—Forest City, IA

Class of ‘48 Scholarship

Logan Tyler—Eden Prairie, MN

Class of ‘78 Scholarship

Laina Yurs—South Beloit, IL

Clifton L. & Marjorie J. Bruland Scholarship

Khiaya Burns—Postville, IA; Tori-Ann Francis—Jamaica

Communications Scholarship Charlotte Wright—Porter, MN

Dale & Agnes Hagen Scholarship Fund

Annabella Jensen—Lake Mills, IA

Dan and Clarice Grefthen Scholarship

Adrianna Vargas—Brighton, CO

Dan Mork Memorial Scholarship

Camara Green—Houston, TX

David Bolstorff Endowed Scholarship

Zachary Morel—Oceanside, CA

Dean L. Nerem Scholarship

Joseph Van Essen—Edgerton, MN

Don & Kris Meyer Scholarship

Clare Sharpe—Plymouth, MN

Donald and Charlotte Anderson Scholarship

Adisyn Erdman—Forest City, IA

Dorothy (Nasby) Carlson Music Scholarship

Ben Hemsworth—Mount Pleasant, IA

Dorothy A. Wonsmos Endowed Scholarship

Matthew Delaney—Fort Dodge, IA; Benjamin Lockwood—Andover, MN; Abigail Lumley— Boone, IA; Dana Pioske—New Ulm, MN

Dr. Lynn & Rosalie Juhl Educational Scholarship

Heather Viers—Charles City, IA

Dr. Paul D. Mork Memorial Scholarship

Lindsay Field—Eyota, MN

Dr. Richard Baur Memorial Scholarship

McKenna Metink—Mason City, IA

Emalie Edmiston Endowed Scholarship

McKenna Clouse—Mounds View, MN

English Department Scholarship

Arnaldur Stefansson—Iceland

Eric Bartleson Alumni Scholarship

Timothy Nielsen—Forest City, IA

Ernest & Mildred Thompson Family Endowed Scholarship

Barbara Romero Arroyo—Forest City, IA

Ethel Hanson Saltou & Celia Ramsey Scholarship

Katie Cooling—Mason City, IA

Eugene M. & Clarine Strand Endowed Scholarship

Katie Cooling—Mason City, IA

Everett & Clara Nelson Endowed Scholarship

Riley Walton—Cedar Rapids, IA

F. Elizabeth (Carson) Olson Memorial Scholarship

Mara Schmitz—Faribault, MN

Frank & Anna Banta and Family Endowed Scholarship

Anthony Ramaker—Lake Mills, IA;

Carter Bruckhoff—Forest City, IA

Gabby Pierce Scholarship

Isaac Burgett—Emmons, MN

Genevieve Stelberg Memorial Scholarship

Angela Ruiz—Des Moines, IA; Armando Ramos— Santa Maria, CA; Arwen Kubicek—Austin, TX; Briggs Hartley—Wilton, IA; Genaro Marcatoma—Columbia Heights, MN; Jacoby Terry—Houston, TX; Jaylen Malone—Conroe, TX; Kristian Guerrero—Tulare, CA; Madelyn Benson—Mason City, IA; Matteo Rodriguez— Mounds View, MN; Tehya Fenton—Jasper, MN

Gerald & Mary Jo Boman Scholarship

Carter Bruckhoff—Forest City, IA; Antonio Lopes—Forest City, IA

Gordon and Margaret Cosner Memorial Scholarship

Bethany Rehse—Ida Grove, IA; Thor Phelps—Algona, IA

Gordon and Opal Aasgaard Memorial Scholarship Thor Phelps—Algona, IA

Hans & Grace Olson Memorial Scholarship

Abbey Ludden—Inner Grove Heights, MN; Amanda Jamison—Buffalo Center, IA; Anna Barros Araujo de Almeida Andover—Brazil; Ashlyn Brandt—Austin, MN; Autavia Gibson—Tallahasse, FL; Courtnie Turner— Farmington, MN; Hailey Mesake—Las Vegas, NV; Jacob Sundgren—Pinedale, WY; Jordan Ribbink—Canada; Kelsie McKibben—Britt, IA; Lucas Berte—Brazil; Mindy Barchenger—Bismark, ND; Morgan Sweenet—Hastings, MN; Nicolas Morasco—Azusa, CA; Starr George— Antigua & Barbuda; Tyler Okada—Anaheim, CA

Harold C. Smith Scholarship

Collin McCutcheon—Ogden, IA

Harold & Ella Midtbo Endowed Scholarship Mikayla Smith—Honolulu, HI; Austin Siegal—Mount Pleasant, WI

Helen Briggs-Halverson Scholarship Natasha Droessler—Titonka, IA

Herb and Cathy Ihle Scholarship

Elijah Weaver—Forest City, IA; Evelyn Hickman—Clear Lake, IA; Jorge Alonzo-Oviedo—Orlando, FL; Morgan Eggleston—Meta, MO; Ryan Kaufman—Minneapolis, MN

History Scholarship

Nadia Turner—Bloomington, MN; Olivia Martin-King—Fridley, MN Holmen Scholarship

Madison Abbott—Forest City, IA

Howard & Verna Thoresen Scholarship Joshua Martin—Pulaski, WI

Hubert & Daisy Cormaney Hill Scholarship Zoe Czapiewski—Rochester, MN

Irwin Z. Hyland & Mildred Hyland Drentlaw Scholarship

Abbie Tapp—Forest City, IA

Immanuel Lutheran—Burton Smith Memorial Award Maddy Stott—Saint Charles, IA

Ingeborg Coltvet Memorial Scholarship Zackary Bender—Canada

J. Gordon and Agnes M. Christianson Endowed Scholarship

Dalton DeBuono—Hastings, MN; Daniel Caruso—Fort Madison, IA; Zachary Jimenez—Mason City, IA

J.D. Mangan Scholarship

Carter Bruckhoff—Forest City, IA

John & Opal Solomonson Memorial Scholarship Cheyenne Orwig—Pocahontas, IA

John Ostermann Jr. Scholarship

Jeremiah Lebsack—Duluth, MN

John & Viola Olson Scholarship

Ryan Webster—Las Vegas, NV

Joel P. Laaveg Choir Scholarship

Daniel Caruso—Fort Madison, IA

Jolivette Endowed Scholarship

Hanna Ferguson—Johnston, IA; Kaitlin Christensen—St. Charles, IA

Karol Sucher Clemens Memorial Scholarship

Alisha Schaefer—Mount Calvary, WI

Kathryn Ann Galvin Memorial Scholarship Ethan Hexamer—Alton, IA

Kathryn Johannesen Kuginskie ‘58 Memorial Scholarship

Landin Churchman—Ankeny, IA

Ken and Joan Hansen Scholarship

Chloe Boydstun—Anna, TX

Kennes & Alice Kingland Future Teachers Scholarship

Faith Sorenson—Leland, IA

Larry Lenning Memorial Scholarship

Banele Ndlovu—Zimbabwe

Lawrence & Edna Johannesen Memorial Scholarship

Fidencio Chavez Jr.—Edinburg, TX

Lloyd & Josie Erickson Family Scholarship

Antonio Pedroza—Colorado Springs, CO

Lois Rose Memorial Scholarship

Laura Merino—Newport, OR; Jayla Phillips—West Palm Beach, FL

M.O. Nilssen Scholarship

Alexander Atherton—Buckeye, AZ

Maevis Adams Memorial Scholarship

Bennett Eaton—Lake Mills, IA; Brennan Laugen—Mason City, IA

Margaret ‘Muggie’ Hagen Scholarship

Hannah Meyer—Burt, IA; Taylor Moen—Big Lake, MN

Marie Walker Nodland Scholarship

Mason Ford—Allison, IA

Marlys R. Cook Memorial Scholarship

Tyler Nelson—Chippewa Falls, WI

Marvin E. Simonsen Endowed Scholarship

Paige Pierson—Cambridge, IA

Mary Ella Wiese Scholarship

Cheyenne Orwig—Pocahontas, IA

Merle & Delores Kudej Scholarship

Anthony Toulouse—Marshall, MN; Elizabeth Garza—Brownsville, TX; Peyton Blankenburg-Kesselhon—Jackson, WI

Metta Fick Family Scholarship

Paige Pierson—Cambridge, IA

Mildred J. Johnston Memorial Scholarship

Marriah Dunning—Leland, IA Music Scholarship

Riley Walton—Cedar Rapids, IA

O.J. Johnson Scholarship Caden Loeppky—Canada

Odvin Hagen Scholarship

Riley Walton—Cedar Rapids, IA

Orval & Esther Trail Education Scholarship

Chase Bulten—Barnum, IA

Oscar Ronken Scholarship

Juliet Karlen—Janesville, WI

Osnes Family Scholarship

McKenzie Kidd—Roscoe, IL

Otto and Margaret Tonneson Scholarship

Allison Funderburk—Starke, FL; Gerda Fiske— Owatonna, MN; Isabelle Gibbs—Bancroft, IA; Natalie Larson—Britt, IA; Rafe Vandusseldorp—Garner, IA

Outstanding Future Educator Fund Scholarship

Amanda Jamison—Buffalo Center, IA

Ove and Mabel Anderson Scholarship X'zayvier Horton—Columbia, TN

Pastor Mark Ronning Scholarship

Jayden Lawrence—Hampton, GA

Pastor Palmer & Ruth Wold Scholarship

Natasha Droessler—Titonka, IA

Pete & Janet Hermanson Scholarship

Alexander Bartz—Klemme, IA; Josephy Walgenbach— Richmond, MI; Roberto Morales—San Diego, CA

Ralph and Bonita Olsen Scholarship

Morgan Sweeney—Hastings, MN

Rasmussen Encouragement Award

Nicole Callow—Forest City, IA

Ray & Joan Beebe Scholarship

Luke Johnson—Leland, IA

Ray Mehl Family Scholarship

Gabriel Jaramillo—Lapuente, CA

Rev. P. Lauritz & Alpha Mork Scholarship

Tori-Ann Francis—Jamaica

Roger C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship

Natalie Larson—Britt, IA

Ron Sime Memorial Scholarship

Janessa Weston—Elmo, UT

Rosdail Family Memorial Scholarship

Jayden Lawrence—Hampton, GA

Ruth & Jacob Lee Scholarship

Tatum Phelps—Algona, IA

Sam Koehnk Courage Award Scholarship

Justin Wiggins—Lake Worth, FL

Second Orm Scholarship

Elisabeth Webb—Edgewater, FL

Selmer & Lorena Gunderson Scholarship

Annie Stotlar—Davenport, IA; Audrey Skjeie— Forest City, IA; Madelyn Stott—St. Charles, IA

Seth Wooldridge Endowed Scholarship

Dawson Urbatsch—Forest City, IA

Shaw Family Scholarship

Aaron Mathahs—Thompson, IA

Shirley Olson Teig Scholarship Joshua Martin—Pulaski, WI

St. Olaf Lutheran Church Of Austin/ MN Found. Scholarship

Jennifer Ngobeh

Stanford & Ruth Holtan Endowed Scholarship

Emma Hovenga—Forest City, IA

Stella L. Peterson Memorial Scholarship

Katelyn Brandt—Waverly, IA

Stensland Family Scholarship

Samba Gueye—Cincinnati, OH

Tracy Mathisen Memorial Award Scholarship

Hayden Hoffmeyer—Leland, IA

Trygve Lenning Family Endowed Scholarship

Cecelia Hemsworth—Mt. Pleasant, IA

Verna and Harry Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

Keegan Bronson—Hayfield, MN; Abby

Pearson—Grand Rapids—MI; Angel Phan— Waukee, IA; Elijah Lozano—Wilmar, MN

Waldorf Choir Scholarship

Evelyn Hickman—Clear Lake, IA

Walter & Evelyn Bergland Scholarship

Aaron Mathahs—Thompson, IA

Wayne and Karen Johns Mathematics Scholarship

Araneg Leon Velazquez—Santa Maria, CA

William and Mary Johnson Scholarship

Marissa Norby—Rudd, IA; Noah Ward—South St. Paul, MN

Back to the Future

To begin with, allow me to introduce myself. I am Steve Smith and many of you probably know me. I am starting my twenty-seventh year at Waldorf as a professor of religion and philosophy. Last spring, President Alsop asked me if I would take over as the coordinator of campus ministry for this year and so I have. Because of the responsibilities I have on campus as professor, I have really tried to be a coordinator of campus ministry this year. I have also really tried to bring others in to lead and participate in our campus ministry activities this year and I feel there has been some new life in what is happening. I pray that the verse above holds true here and that Christ is at work in what is seen and in what is not seen and that in Him, our campus ministry holds together.

The past few years of life with COVID have hit campus ministry at Waldorf quite hard. Campus ministry mission/service trips, along with outreach into our local community ceased and student, faculty and staff participation in worship on campus dropped significantly. The harsh reality is that by last spring, campus ministry events were attended, at best, by a handful of students. Because of that, the focus this fall has really been to get students, faculty and staff involved with campus ministry again primarily through worship and study events. I want to say a few words about each of the ways worship and study events have been happening on campus.

Wednesday Chapel

This fall we stopped calling Wednesday chapel, “chapel.” I’m not sure how our students hear the word chapel or what kind of connotations it has for them, but the term does not draw them to our Wednesday morning worship experiences. As I was thinking about what Wednesday mornings should be, I kept coming back to them being a moment of rest, a deep breath, in the middle of our busy weeks. That resonates with the Jewish idea of Sabbath. The sabbath day is to be a day of rest, but rest with a rest a purpose. The Sabbath is to be rest that renews us to engage the many responsibilities and tasks that life lays upon us. So, playing off that idea of Sabbath, we started calling our Wednesday morning time just what it is, Wednesday R(est) and R(enewal) or "R & R". For us it isn’t a whole day. It’s just twenty minutes.

The next question was what to do to draw students, faculty and staff back to our Wednesday morning gatherings. Our theme for the fall, that will carry over into the spring, is vocation. This is a theme that is supposed to permeate every aspect of life at Waldorf and so it seemed most appropriate for Wednesday mornings. It is also very down to earth and real. Vocation provides a way for people to talk about their real lives and some of the struggles that come with the demands of work, family and life. It also seems like a way to for us to get to

know each other better and to be inspired by one another. Our Wednesday R & R did not disappoint. Our time was filled with laughter, tears, struggles and the stories of some lives that took very unexpected turns. The music on Wednesday mornings was also greatly varied with Nancy Farndale leading us in song on the piano, Nolan Reynolds and Ben Hemsworth providing guitar music to lead our singing, Professor Jonathan Klauke jamming on the electric guitar and President Alsop having us listen to a song by the hard rock band, Rush. The last Wednesday of the semester was a day dedicated to the faithful years of service Nancy Farndale

“…for in him {Christ] all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16-17 (NRSV)

Professor David Greder shares his story at R & R

has given to Waldorf. Travis Beck came back and gave an appropriate message of thanks for Nancy and the choir sang a piece composed by Nancy. That day ended with the choir singing none other than F. Melius Christensen’s, Beautiful Savior. For decades Nancy has embodied everything Waldorf stands for. In her own gentle, caring ways, she has imparted that to countless students. Chapel has held a special place in Nancy’s heart over the years and it seemed most appropriate that our last Wednesday of the semester was dedicated to how God has blessed Waldorf through her.

Like Fire

Sunday evenings we have had some varied experiences to observe the Sabbath called Like Fire. With some beautiful fall weather, we began outside literally around a fire. A few nights were so warm, it was debated whether a fire was necessary or not. We sang songs led by guitar. We ate pizza and roasted marshmallows. We read scripture and had guided conversations on the readings. With the changing seasons, we moved indoors in October for the same kind of activity minus roasting marshmallows. I had an idea to change things up for a couple weeks that I thought would be wildly popular with students. I thought we could watch a movie and use it to inspire some conversations about faith. We used the movie, Chariots of Fire. It turns out, this was not a wildly popular idea with students. Two students showed up the first night and only one student the next Sunday. We stopped that and moved back to our prior format. Student participation on Sunday evening varied quite a bit throughout the semester. Our numbers ranged from over twenty students to one as I said above.

The Bridge

For a number of years now, a Bible study has been provided for our students by First Baptist Church at 8 on Tuesday nights called "The

Bridge". The Bridge engages students’ faith with study, games and time to know and care for one another. There are seven to ten students who have made this a part of their weekly routine. Josh Pagle, a Waldorf graduate who used to work here, leads this group. He is joined by our own Professor of History, Jonathan Klauke, and Andrew Jermeland, one of our online advisors.

Catholic Mass

Over the years, Waldorf has enjoyed a great relationship with the Catholic priests serving parishes in Forest City and the surrounding area. This fall, Mass was celebrated every other Thursday evening in the recital hall. There is always a good turnout consisting of faculty, staff, and students. Things begin with the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. and Mass being celebrated at 8. This has been a long-standing tradition at Waldorf, but I am sorry to say this semester was the end of Mass being celebrated on campus for the foreseeable future. A change is being made and one priest is now going to be tasked with serving six parishes in the area. Waldorf cannot be added to that workload. We have been blessed and are very thankful for the way our local priests have cared for the Waldorf community over the years.

Monday Night Bible Study

Monday evenings at 7, there has been a purely student led Bible study. This group began meeting by the pond and when the weather cooled, they moved to meeting in a dormitory.

Peer Ministers

I have been assisted all semester by four helpful, competent peer ministers. They have been a kind of advisory committee for me, giving me some good advice at times. They have also helped with the nuts and bolts of making things happen. They have taken care of publicity for our events, taken care of getting food and drink to proper locations when necessary, run power-points on Wednesday mornings and provided music. I’m feeling good about how things went this fall, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our four peer ministers. Our peer ministers are Nadia Turner, a senior from Bloomington, Minn.; Abby Tapp, a senior from Forest City;

"Like Fire" participants gathered in song around a bonfire last fall

Nancy Farndale at her "Farewell" R & R

MINISTRY

Moving Forward

This fall, we have worked hard to establish a regular pattern of worship and study opportunities for students. In the spring semester, I would like to add some service activities as well, but the plan is to keep that local for this year.

I found over this semester that coordinating campus ministry is most definitely more than a part-time job or at least should be. I am always aware of how much more could be or should be done, but all that comes with being a professor as well, and I just don’t have more time to give to this. My position directing campus ministry is meant

to be temporary. When we became a forprofit college, we moved from having a fulltime campus pastor to having a part-time and then roughly three-quarter time campus ministry coordinator. This has worked to varying degrees over the last twelve years and campus ministry has stayed alive and a vital part of life at Waldorf, but it isn’t what it used to be. Now we are moving back to the world of non-profit education. We are moving back to our roots, but at a very different time in history and with us being in a very different position as a university. I like to think of this time in term of a popular movie from a few years ago, Back To The Future. We are moving back to our roots, back to a place where we can be more connected to the faith tradition that gives Waldorf it’s foundation and purpose

in education, but we are moving into a future with students and a world that is far different than the one that gave birth to this university. As this happens, I would like to see Waldorf move back to having a fulltime campus pastor. My prayer and dream for Waldorf would be that a day would come when there could be an endowed chaplaincy position that would guarantee we always have pastoral care and an active campus ministry for our students. I hope that you, our alumni, will consider this and make it happen.

Blessings to you all and I hope you are all as excited as I am about the changes happening at Waldorf and as hopeful for the future.

Murad Hazhibayev, a senior from Dashoguz, Turkmenistan; and Ben Hemsworth, a senior from Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Alumni Board Profile - Samantha "Samm" Rosenberg '20

Degree: Theater Arts

Occupation: K-2 Special Education Teacher, Fairmont Area Community Theater Program Coordinator and Technical Director at Fairmont Opera House.

What made you want to be a part of the board?: You know that saying “leave this world a better place than you found it.” That has always been something in the back of my mind while attending Waldorf. I remember midway through my Junior year, a professor was talking about what happens after we leave Waldorf. I thought to myself “we can’t just leave and be done.” After finally getting to walk in 2021 (thanks COVID) I remember being told about the Alumni Board and all the awesome things you can do as an Alumni. A year or so after I thought I should check in and ask. I was already doing stuff with Waldorf through my job at the Fairmont Opera House so I thought why not get more involved. What has been your favorite part of being on the board so far?: Meeting other alumni and hearing about their Waldorf experiences!

What accomplishments would you like to see by the board during your service?: I would like to see more scholarships for students and more mentoring current college students. I am looking forward to digging and working with all of these people to make a difference in a current Waldorf student's experience.

Favorite Waldorf Memory: My favorite memory was attending my first 24 hour theater event. We got to stay up all night inside the school and bond with other students. Then we had to perform our freshly written and barely rehearsed show to our peers. For someone who didn’t achieve a theater arts degree for acting - it was a completely out of body experience. I loved every minute of acting on stage in front of peers. Advice you would give to your college self: I would tell myself to not to rush the experience and take things slowly. Enjoy every minute. I feel like senior year had a pretty unfair end for not only me but my other 2020 classmates. I sometimes wish I had the chance to go back and slow it down. How do you feel your education at Waldorf impacted you the most?: I feel like my education from Waldorf has really rounded me out. We were able to take classes from any area of study and really find what we were passionate about. There were some classes that were mandatory that felt like burdens at the moment but looking back I have used a lot of that education in my daily life. But most importantly my education at Waldorf impacted my relationships. I made friends with people that I never thought I would be friends with. Some of those friends are still my friends today. I was able to meet people from all over the world and even got the opportunity to indulge in their cultures.

Any fun facts/accomplishments you would like to include about yourself?:

Since leaving Waldorf I have enjoyed directing shows, creating educational theater camps and workshops for ages 5-18, and working with some incredibly talented people! I also found a passion for teaching Special Education which - fun fact - Education was what I originally went to Waldorf for!

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CONNECT with US

As a member of our alumni community we want to stay connected with you and we want you to continue to engage with us.

Visit our website at waldorf.edu/alumni/ update-your-info to update your contact information and share news!

Waldorf makes well rounded students and teaches you more than just academics.

L-R: Samantha Rosenberg, Dr. Bob AuFrance, and Alexis Washington (Samantha's first friend at Waldorf.)

CLASS UPDATES: 1950'S

Capt. Phillip Oppedahl '55 resides in St. Petersburg, Fla. He and his wife, Karen, have officially retired. His email address is pandkstpete@outlook.com

Janet (Lee) Stock '56 resides in Story City. Her email address is kenandjanetstock@gmail.com

CLASS UPDATES: 1960'S

Rev. Harold E. Petersen '60 resides in Fergus Falls, Minn. He has written five books as devotional commentaries - all of which can be found on Amazon by searching his name. His email address is larskuhr@att.net

Esther (Mattson) Brown '60 resides in Kalamazoo, Mich. She has a daughter, three grandsons, and six great grandkids. Many activities keep her busy, and she would like a travel companion. Her email address is estheranndesigns@yahoo.com

Gayla (Richardson) Dieball '61 resides in Carlsbad, Calif. Her email address is gayladieb@yahoo.com

Dallas Olson '67 resides in Lakeville, Minn. His email address is dalolson@usinternet.com

CLASS UPDATES: 1970'S

Tim & Vicky (Pedersen) Tarris '70 will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary on July 3, 2023.

Don Nigg '70 resides in Jasper, Ind. His email address is dnigg64@gmail.com

Mary Beth (Sucher) Royer '71 resides in North Mankato, Minn. She is enjoying retirement with her husband, Bruce, and have 3 married sons-Matt, Phil, & Luke, along with 7 granddaughters and 1 grandson. They winter in Palm Springs, Calif. Her email address is royer.marybeth@gmail.com

John Deneen ’72 resides in St. Paul, Minn. He enjoys hearing from those that remember him and has a lot of fond memories of college. He feels that attending Waldorf saved him from "a lot of bad things". His email address is johndeneen@gmail.com

Marcia (Lonnevik) Cain '72 resides in Spirit Lake. Her email address is caindick@aol.com

Sue (Witte) Swackhamer ’73 resides in Holmen, Wis. She retired seven years ago after 35 years of teaching elementary education, and is currently a substitute teacher. Her email address is sueswackhamer@yahoo.com

Robin (Olson) Becker '74 resides in Bloomington, Minn, and lives less than 2 miles from the Mall of America. She recently retired after 35 years of doing home daycare. She has two grown sons and three grandsons as of 2022. Robin loves time with family and friends and would love to hear from any former classmates. Her email address is robinbecker54@hotmail.com

Gaile (Lasch) Schriber '74 resides in Sidney, Ohio. She is enjoying retirment with her husband, Jon, and enjoying quilting. They have five grandchildren. Her email address is schriberg@hotmail.com

Dean Downer ’76 resides in South Dakota and works for the largest upland game reserve in North America during fall. He has 3 labrador retrievers and has been out of teaching and coaching for the past 6 years. He was awarded "Outstanding Middle School Shop Teacher" by the Iowa Industrial Teachers Association in his last year teaching. His email is ddowner@netins.net

Donna Rasmussen '77 resides in Decorah, Winneshiek, Minn. She retired from the Fillmore Soil & Water Conservation District in Preston, Minn., in 2019. Her email address is rdrasmussen@outlook.com

Candice (Boos) Smith '77 resides in Waterloo, IA. She is an Administrative Assistant in Plant Operations at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital & Organist at Ascension Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Her email address is bmsmith33@hotmail.com

Terry Schatzberg ’77 Moved to Nebraska 10 years ago & looks forward to hearing from fellow classmates. His email address is terryschatzberg@yahoo.com

Kim (Bosacker) Pinkstaff '79 resides in Kingman, Ariz. Her email address is kimbo.pink59@hotmail.com

CLASS UPDATES: 1980'S

David Clark '80 resides in Morgan Hill, Calif. His email address is dclarkem@yahoo.com

Daniel Auxter '80 resides in Fremont, Ohio. His email address is dantvnut@yahoo.com

Charles "Corky" Summers '81 resides in Yuma, Ariz. His email address is corkysummers13@gmail.com

Craig Anderson '86 resides in Seattle, Wash., after a five year working vacation in Hawaii. His email address is craig@iwantapuppy.org

Laura (Houwen) Honken '89 released her first novel, The Best Laid Lies, on February 7, 2022. Her email address is lhonken25@gmail.com

CLASS UPDATES: 1990'S

Jay Honsey '90 resides in Roseville, Minn. He owns ACSDI, a programming company in Roseville, Minn., specializing in meeting room and conferencing control.

Amanda Blazek '90 resides in Sumner. Her email address is amandablzk@gmail.com

Neil Birdsall '90 resides in Missoula, Mont. His email address is carolinaomm@yahoo.com

Rev. Julie Wright '91 resides in Mahtomedi, Minn. She has been called to serve as Associate Pastor for Connect Ministries in Apple Valley, Minn. Her email address is wrightjuliejo@gmail.com

Janna (Brinkman) Kautz ’91 resides in Phillips, Wis, and is enjoying retirement. Her email address is 71brinkman89@gmail.com

Esther Nelson '92 resides in Skokie, Ill. She works as a Senior Shift Supervisor at CDS (inside Costco). Her email address is estherjnelson2019@gmail.com

Heather (Ihle) Lilienthal '94 resides in Ankeny with her husband, Brad. They own and operate Commercial Supply Co. and the Iowa Meat Truck businesses. As "Mother Trucker", Heather delivers in the Des Moines metro and surronding area. Her email address is heatherlili@msn.com

Erin Aalfs '96 resides in Moravia. Her email address is guthrie4me@yahoo.com

Maria (Thorn) Wozniak '98 resides in Menifee, Calif. Her email address is alwaysmarialouise@gmail.com

CLASS UPDATES: 2000'S

Brandon Baker '01 resides in St. Louis Park, Minn. His email address is brandon.baker198042@gmail.com

Mollie (Dettman) Baltutat '01 & '02 resides in De Soto. Her email address is mollie6610@gmail.com

Jennifer Spencer '03 resides in Forest City. She is currently in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diagnosed in Oct. 2020. She wrote a children's fairytale book titled Princess June of Tangerine Lake which is loosely based on her cancer journey. Her email address is spenbj@wctatel.net

CLASS UPDATES: 2010'S

Robert Edel '10 resides in Davenport. His email address is rdedel023@hotmail.com

Steven Cross '12 resides in Christiana, Tenn. His email address is stevenecross64@gmail.com

John Sauve '13 & '14 resides in Tyron, N.C. His email address is JSAUVE07@gmail.com

Paul Morrill '16 resides in Ludington, Mich. His email address is shur40k@yahoo.com

Ivan Olaciregui '16 & '22 resides in Burke, Va. He completed his M.A. in Sept. 2016 & his M.B.A. in Aug. 2022.

Latasha Gause '17 resides in Longs, S.C. She is an HR Practitioner for the Federal Government and Teaching Associate at Coastal Carolina University. She has recieved awards for her work and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority while also affiliated with the Wimington and Conway Alumae Chapters.

Caleb Gilbertson '17 resides with his wife, Megan, in Woodward. Their email address is caleb.megan2021@gmail.com

Laurie (Lively) Chandler '18 resides in Bon Wier, Texas. Her email address is lauriechandler1@gmail.com

LaRonda "Ronnie" Coffie '18 resides in Mulberry, Fla. Their email address is laronda.coffie@gmail.com

Wesley Murphy '18 resides in Summerville, S.C. His email address is murphyncfd@gmail.com

Haleigh (Biernacki) Couch '19 resides in Kenosha, Wis. Her email address is haleigh.couch2@gmail.com

Christopher Deckard '19 resides in Weatherford, Texas. His email address is cdeckard18@gmail.com

CLASS UPDATES: 2020'S

Theodore Schoneman ’20 married Baili Grikin '22 in June of 2022. They reside in Forest City with their mini goldendoodle puppy, Oakli. His email address is tschoneman115@gmail.com

Bryan Lawson '20 resides in Boiling Springs, Conn . His email address is bryanslawson@hotmail.com

Jesse Jackson '20 & '21 resides in Owens Cross Roads, Ala His email address is swac02@protonmail.com

Jeff Dirling '21 resides in Parrish, Fla. His email address is ffjeff@hotmail.com

Geoffrey Hamilton '21 resides in Goldsboro, N.C. His email address is geoffhamilton262@yahoo.com

Bradley Barbuch '22 resides in Scott AFB, Ill. His email address is srabthor@gmail.com

Lars Kuhr '22 resides in Sharbsburg, Ga., and congratulates all his fellow classmates! His email address is larskuhr@att.net

Autumn Petersen '22 resides in Aztec, N.M. Her email address is autumnpetersen8117@gmail.com

Jonathan Marshall '22 resides in Akron, Ohio. His email address is jmarshall0331@starkstate.net

IN MEMORIAM: 1940'S

Ina (Peterson) Sabby '46 passed away on October 19, 2022.

Marjorie (Hovey) Bruland '47 passed away on December 14, 2021.

Kevin V. Jones '48 passed away on November 14, 2019.

Violet (Mino) Opdahl '49 passed away on January 20, 2022.

Mildred Lonnevik '49 passed away on August 15, 2022

IN MEMORIAM: 1950'S

Marlys (Degen) Maas ’51 passed away on March 6, 2022.

Joan (Mehus) Olson ’51 passed away on March 14, 2022

DeEtta L. Twedt ’53 passed away on March 4, 2022

Carmen (Brandt) Jorgensen '55 passed away on May 19, 2022.

Donna (Heitland) Gilbertson ’56 passed away on March 19, 2022.

John Theron Peterson '56 passed away on April 22, 2022.

Harriet (Stokke) Winden ’57 passed away on April 25, 2022.

Samuel Hovey '58 passed away on March 16, 2021.

LeRoy Simonson ’58 passed away on September 1, 2021.

Gerlandine (Nelson) Thompson ’58 passed away on July 31st, 2019.

IN MEMORIAM: 1960'S

Janet (Hovick) Tantow '60 passed away on

February 16, 2022.

Jack D. Lyster '60 passed away on July 13, 2022.

Rev. Gary Westgard '63 passed away on November 12, 2022.

Lorraine (Svedin) Helms '66 passed away on October 12, 2022.

David Larson ’68 passed away on February 2, 2022.

Brad Kohler '69 passed away on March 26, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM: 1970'S

Marlon Jepson ’72 passed away on January 11, 2022.

Linda Lea ’72 passed away on January 26, 2022.

Mark Brown ’72 passed away in October of 2021.

Steven Hove ’72 passed away on December 3, 2014.

Janet (Halleland) Lovell ’73 passed away on March 15, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM: 1990'S

Christopher D. Hoyer '94 passed away on November 2, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM: 2000'S

Brenton "Brent" J Johnson '09 passed away on July 14, 2022.

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF

Howard Lee, former band director, passed away on April 3, 2022.

Joyce E. Johnson, former biology staff member, passed away on March 6, 2022.

Rev. Dr. Charles D, Gavin Jr., former professor of religion and philosophy, passed away on July 18, 2022.

Marvin A. Hickman, former maintenance worker, passed away on October 11, 2022.

Dr. Joen M. Larson, former professor, passed away on June 29, 2022.

WALDORF UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS

Waldorf Music & Theatre

2023 Spring Season

Come Blow Your Horn, Feb. 15-18 Waldorf Theatre Production @ Smith Theatre - 7:30pm

Fat Tuesday Jazz, Feb. 21 Waldorf Jazz Ensemble & Mason City High School Jazz @ Boman Fine Arts Center - 7pm

24 Hour Theatre Project, Feb. 25 @ Smith Theatre - 7pm

March Masterwork Festival "Into the Light", March 2 Waldorf Wind Symphony & Waldorf Choir @ Boman Fine Arts Center - 7pm

The Addams Family Musical, April 12-15 Waldorf Theatre Production @ Boman Fine Arts Center - 7:30pm

Spring Spectacular "Music and Our Memories", April 22 Ticketed Dinner with the Jazz Ensemble - 5:30-6:30pm Waldorf Choir and Algona High School Choir - 7pm @ Boman Fine Arts Center - 3pm

Spring Spectacular, April 23 Waldorf Percussion Ensemble & Waldorf Wind Symphony @ Boman Fine Arts Center - 3pm Reception in Mezzanine to Follow