Horizons - Summer 2001

Horizons Page 1 BSUCalendar August 1, 2001

Founders’ Walk Honoring the Welle Family of Bemidji, Alumni Arch, BSU August 3, 2001

First National Women’s Golf Classic, Bemidji Town and Country Club

Vol. 17, No. 1, Summer/Fall 2001

A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State University

BSUHorizons Quistgaard Named

August 4, 2001

Dr. Jim Bensen Retirement Party, Beaux Arts Ballroom, BSU August 24-25, 2001

BSU Alumni Board Meeting, BSU

PRESIDENT

October 5-7, 2001

BSU Homecoming October 5, 2001

40-Year Reunion of Class of 1961, David Park House, BSU September 4, 2001

BSU Fall Semester Classes Begin March 10-11, 2002

BSU Winter Rendezvous, Flamingo Hilton Hotel - Laughlin, NV

Bemidji State University

BSUHorizons

Bemidji State University Alumni Association 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Box 17 Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 218-755-3989 / 1-877-BSU-ALUM alumni@bemidjistate.edu http://info.bemidjistate.edu/alumni

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Dr. Jon Quistgaard will become the ninth president of Bemidji State University in mid-August when Dr. Jim Bensen, current president, retires.

Quistgaard was named to the position by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees in late May following a national search. A member of the BSU community for 22 years, he has served since 1997 as the vice president for academic and student affairs.

“On the one hand, this appointment is overwhelming and daunting when you think about it,” Quistgaard said. “On the other hand, the expression of support I’ve received from this campus and this community is something that I just didn’t expect to the extent that it’s been.

“We have wonderful people at this university doing really wonderful things. We have students who have a genuine thirst for learning. This gives me a lot of confidence as we move forward.

We have resources that we can draw on in terms of experience, knowledge and ideas.

“I also am excited about working with people in the community and region. It has to be a partnership if Bemidji State is to be successful in accomplishing its mission of improving the quality of life and assisting in the economic development of north central Minnesota.”

As the chief academic officer of the institution, Quistgaard was responsible for academic programming in three colleges, integrative studies, distance learning, library, advising services, international student services, counseling, career services, the American Indian Resource Center, and student development programs.

He recently helped guide the University through its first tenyear national accreditation selfstudy, one so successful that it did not require a follow-up site visit.

Dr. Jon Quistgaard (center) visits with faculty, staff, students and community members during a reception following his selection as BSU president.

W “

e have wonderful people at this university doing really wonderful things. We have students who have a genuine thirst for learning.

This gives me a lot of confidence as we move forward.

We have resources that we can draw on in terms of experience, knowledge and ideas.”

Dr. Jon Quistgaard m

Quistgaard, 52, began his association with BSU as an admissions representative. He became the director of admissions and advising in 1980; was named the dean of undergraduate admissions and graduate studies in 1988; served as acting vice president for academic and student affairs from 1993-94; and was the associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of academic services from 1994 until assuming his current position.

He is an active presenter on the national level in the areas of continuous quality improvement, challenges in higher education, planning, assessment models, and transforming higher education.

He received a doctorate in political science from the University of Arizona, where he also obtained his master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Raised in Bemidji and a graduate of Bemidji High School, Quistgaard hopes the institution will continue to strengthen its position in several critical areas facing higher education and the area.

“I believe globalization is absolutely critical to the growth of our university, in terms of students, faculty and staff, as well as our region,” he commented. “I also think it is an area where we are continuing to achieve a real distinctiveness.

“We also must pay attention to technology and use it as a tool.

We must be certain that our stu-

dents are prepared to assume leadership positions in their careers, are comfortable with technology, and understand the ethical responsibilities they have in terms of its use and application.

“But there are other areas we have to pay considerable attention to,” he added. “One would be the area of multiculturalism where I think we have a special responsibility given the location of the University. I also know the university is about people. I want to make sure that students who come here feel BSU is a good fit for them so they can achieve all they are capable of achieving.

“I finally would focus on the continuing development of our faculty and staff. My expectation is that this university will meet or exceed national standards in every major, and will probably expand that into the international arena. To ensure that, we must have faculty, staff and administrators who understand the issues and contribute to their disciplines on the national and international levels.”

Horizons Page 2

21st Century Bemidji Poised for a Healthy 21st Century Alumni who haven’t visited Bemidji in many years may recall a sleepy little lakeside town where metropolitan influences appeared far away and change seemed as unlikely as snow in July.

It’s not that those returning after a 10-, 20-year or 30-interval wouldn’t feel a sense of homecoming. The original university buildings, the lakeshore and historical downtown district all maintain their traditional layout and atmosphere. But a closer examination reveals new areas of development, renovation of the core city and major building projects in progress that promise to strengthen Bemidji’s claim of being the service and retail center of north central Minnesota.

Few people are as knowledgeable as Larry Young, executive director of the Bemidji Joint Economic Development Commission, about the visible and sometimes nearly invisible, but just as important, changes that make Bemidji prime for robust growth and development as it enters a new century. In addition to his current position, Young has also served as director of the chamber of commerce and as its city planner.

A visiting alumnus would likely first see and hear about the physical changes in Bemidji’s retail setting starting with the renovated downtown district and building projects on the outskirts of the city that are new or in progress.

Young’s office is located in the new Visitors’ Information Center that replaced the old center several years ago near the statues of Paul and Babe at the lakefront.

Although the old building was demolished, a portion of the historical Fireplace of the States was re-erected in the new building that also houses Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce offices.

A short walk west on Third Street brings visiting alumni to the heart of downtown which, Young notes, boasts predominantly full storefronts, unlike many Minnesota cities of a similar size. A downtown renovation project was completed in 1984 that widened the streets, addressed traffic flow problems and installed new infrastructure. A look up and down Beltrami Av-

The statues of Paul and Babe now overlook a new Visitors’ Information Center on the shore of Lake Bemidji.

enue reveals paver-stone walkways with pedestrian lighting provided by decorative lampposts topped by lantern-like glass fixtures. A sculpture walk featuring 15 original works of art representing a variety of media has been installed downtown in recent years, giving visitors one more reason to stroll around.

At the south end of Beltrami Avenue, the old Markham Hotel was demolished, making way for the 1986 development of Union Square, home to several restaurants, a sports bar, retail stores and a grocery store. The refurbished Soo Line Depot stands at the corner of the development and has been home to Union Station Restaurant and Bar since 1976. Union Station added its own microbrewery in recent years.

New uses were also found for the long-abandoned 1912 Great Northern Depot on Minnesota Avenue. At the conclusion of a restoration project costing close to $2 million, the Beltrami County History Center opened its doors to the public April 30.

“It’s a stunning building,” said Wanda Hoyum, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society that operates the museum and gift shop in the city-

owned depot. “I believe it provides a strong cornerstone for future growth and economic development for downtown Bemidji and Beltrami County. The feeling it gives is such a fusion of the past, present and future.”

The depot has been listed on the National Register of Historic Sites since 1988. With its arched framework windows and original terrazzo floors, it is a stunning example of Neo-classical architecture. The inaugural exhibition “Pathways Through History,” constructed by artist, designer

I “

and BSU faculty member Steve Sundahl, tells the story of the county’s rich heritage in a threegallery museum.

“The museum is beautifully curated and is on par with any state historical society exhibit,” observed Young.

Beyond the downtown area, extensive development has taken place along Paul Bunyan Drive NW. Young notes that growth has been possible because the city has undeveloped space available and has carried out infrastructure improvements on an enlarged scale

to accommodate growth. And with its growing population, it offers a labor force of 50,000 living within a one-hour drive.

The Paul Bunyan Mall has seen two major expansions since it first opened in 1977 and its anchor stores now include Big K-Mart, JC Penney and Herberger’s. At the old site of Beltrami Electric Cooperative, construction is underway on a Wal-Mart scheduled to open in the spring. Across the road from the construction and slightly to the east is the Westridge development that was built (Continued on page 3)

believe it (the Beltrami County History Center, shown below) provides a strong cornerstone for future growth and economic development for downtown Bemidji and Beltrami County. The feeling it gives is such a fusion of the past, present and future.”

Wanda Hoyum, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society

Horizons Page 3 The state-of-the-art Bemidji High School campus opened in January of 2001.

BEMIDJI (Continued from page 2) within the last three years adjacent to the existing Target store.

The new complex houses an Office Max, Marketplace Foods, Fashion Bug, and Curves, a women’s fitness center.

Across Paul Bunyan Drive, slightly to the west, is the new Home Depot that opened its doors this spring. Businesses operating out of new buildings adjacent to it include Tires Plus and NAPA Auto Parts in its new location. A Ground Round Restaurant, now under construction, will join the mix this winter.

If visitors travel farther west along Highway 2, the sprawling Amigo 9 multiplex movie theater might catch their eye. Some probably remember when the only movie in town played at the Chief Theater downtown on Beltrami Avenue. Now the Chief is home to the flicker of spotlights instead of projectors, housing the live stage productions of the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and Bemidji Community Theater.

“The last five or six years have brought stronger regionalization and enhanced Bemidji’s role as a center of government and health services,” said Young, noting that both the MeritCare Clinic and North Country Hospital recently completed major expansions.

North Country Health Services’ long-range development plans are ambitious, including development of congregate housing and assisted living units, a skilled nursing facility and its own clinic facility. MeritCare Clinic’s staff of physicians has grown to 68 and may increase by an additional 10 over the next few years, according to Young, who said the combined facilities are now servicing a health care population of 60,000.

Bemidji has expanded existing government services and added new services in recent years. Examples include the construction of a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensics lab and new Minnesota Department of Transportation facility, both located near the airport. A new Beltrami County Human Services facility opened several years ago at 616 America Avenue SW, successfully pulling previ-

ously scattered public welfare services together under one roof and providing a new home for Minnesota Job Service and affiliated employment programs.

Investments in local education have been made to meet the needs of a county population that’s grown 15 percent in the last 10 years. The new Bemidji High School that students moved into this school year was built large enough to meet the needs of that growing population. In the fall of 2000 a new charter school opened giving parents of K- 8-graders an alternative to the District 31 educational system.

Additional learning experiences are offered to the public by the Headwaters School of Music & the Arts, located downtown on Minnesota Avenue, and the Headwaters Science Center which opened in 1993 in the storefront on Beltrami Avenue that had been home to JC Penney before it relocated to the mall. The science center is open seven days a week offering hands-on science exhibits, special Saturday and summertime programs, and demonstrations.

As striking as all of this might seem, it’s sometimes the less visible development that lays the foundation for a city’s future growth.

Paul Bunyan Telephone has just installed a fiber optics communications system throughout the greater Bemidji area allowing access to high speed Internet, representing an investment of close to $20 million.

Young said the high-speed service, with high-end bandwidth, is

necessary to businesses conducting on-line catalogue sales, like Bemidji Woolen Mills and Indian Harvest Wild Rice. It’s also on the must-have list of any company considering locating in Bemidji that conducts any type of computer design, drafting or engineering. It provides instant Internet access and the ability to download information several times faster than with a dial-up connection. The lack of such a service quickly eliminates many small cities from consideration as a development site, said Young.

Affordable housing, energy reliability, and air and ground traffic accessibility rank as other nuts and bolts necessities to growth.

All are areas that have received attention and seen development in recent years.

(Above) The Alumni Arch is the welcoming entrance to Deputy Hall, or what was once called the Old Main, on the BSU campus. (Top) The MeritCare Clinic continues to build and expand its facilities, staff and services.

(Right) New businesses are finding homes in places like the Westridge development.

A variety of housing developments have sprung up in the past five to 10 years ranging from the upscale lakeside townhouse atmosphere of the development on the east end of Lake Irving to the multi-level apartment complexes adjacent to the hospital.

Otter Tail Power Company is studying the feasibility of building an electric peak generation plant fired by natural gas. With increasing concern about the reliability of power sources in parts of the nation like California, sustainable electric rates and availability rank higher than ever before with companies looking at development sites, said Young.

Plans are underway for new runway development at the Bemidji-Beltrami County Airport and a modern new terminal has

taken the place of the original one.

Phased construction of a four-lane highway stretching from Duluth to Bemidji to Grand Forks is finally nearing completion.

There’s no doubt that Bemidji has become a busy place, but visitors still often comment on how friendly the people are and how welcome they’re made to feel.

Conversations overheard at local coffee counters still center largely around where the fish are biting and how to grow bigger tomatoes. Although some favorite old student haunts may be gone, a visiting alumnus is likely to catch hold of that Bemidji atmosphere, that feeling of home, and it’s always bittersweet to realize that as much as things may have changed - so much more has remained the same.

Horizons Page 4

Northern Tier Project Goes Live in August

BringingHigh-tech Network to the Northwoods

“

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f we want to build information technology in our communities, then we need to bring together people who are already doing it. That’s where new business ideas and opportunities grow.”

Sandy Layman, president, Itasca Development Corporation

Mention northern Minnesota and most people conjure up bucolic images of the big woods, pines, lake cabins and open spaces, a far cry from the sophisticated technology and professional resources of large metro areas.

But don’t be fooled. Tucked away in wooded lots, farms and little-known places throughout the region are professionals and companies that touch the world with their ideas and innovation, or have aspirations of someday doing so. Now, people throughout the region have a new tool to help share their knowledge and expertise with their northern peers and beyond.

In August, Bemidji State University, through its Center for Research and Innovation (CRI), will open the Northern Tier Technology Corridor, a single, highspeed Web portal where people can create virtual communities, search databases, and collaborate on issues and projects of mutual interest. The project was developed over the last two years by technology leaders throughout the region and with funding from the Blandin Foundation.

The goal is to establish northern Minnesota as a vital hub in the technology industry by identifying and promoting its resources and then fostering partnerships regionally and nationally.

The portal will allow commu-

nities, companies, entrepreneurs, job seekers and other organizations and individuals throughout northern Minnesota to quickly find resources related to economic development, higher education, business and industry. What’s more, people will be able to build networks regardless of their geographic location.

“One of the biggest obstacles for technology-based business in our region is knowing where to find the right resources and people and then bridging geographic gaps,” said Mike Wellcome, Northern Tier project manager and associate director of the CRI. “Until now, we’ve never had a comprehensive database to market our knowledge and technology resources.”

How it works Anyone can use the new site, which is found at www.northern tierhitech.org. Following an overview of the site, users will find directions on how to establish a user name and password.

There is no charge to participate, although guidelines for participation will be established to ensure that all licenses are used appropriately. Licenses will be limited.

Users will establish either an individual knowledge profile or a business profile including industry experience, research experience and a short biography.

These profiles then become part of a searchable database for

others looking for resources.

From there, users may choose to post information in a library file, post meetings or events on a community calendar, create a virtual place to start a discussion about a topic, or put out a request for information. Discussion sites can be made public or be available to individuals by invitation only to collaborate on specific projects that may require confidentiality. An instant messaging option allows people to have virtual discussions so participants can work together online in real time.

“If you’re willing to share your knowledge with others, you should join this site,” Wellcome said. “I especially encourage businesses to join and promote their expertise. It’s a great place to make contacts and create energy around opportunities that might not otherwise be considered.”

Building a stronger future The Blandin Foundation funded the development of the Northern Tier in keeping with its mission to strengthen rural communities in Minnesota. The site is valuable in that it can connect geographically separated stakeholders in the future of northern Minnesota, according to Wade Fauth, senior program officer for the Blandin Foundation.

“While the Web site’s development is being funded by the Foundation, the owners of the site are the people who use it,”

Fauth said. “We urge everyone interested in a vital Minnesota to join this community.”

BSU spearheaded the project through the CRI as part of the University’s mission to promote economic development, healthy communities and a free exchange of ideas throughout the region. The project also provides another tool for students, faculty and staff to connect with professionals outside the academic setting and make contributions to issues and projects that can benefit the region.

Knowledge management “We believe that the sharing of knowledge is critical to the survival of rural Minnesota,” Wellcome said. “We know that we have talented people and progressive organizations throughout the region, but we need to work together and pool our knowledge to be global competitors and build a thriving and sustainable economy.”

Knowledge management tools available through the Northern Tier will help foster diverse partnerships for economic development and healthy communities.

For example: ♦ A person in Hallock who wants to bring a product to market may find the technical or engineering assistance he needs from someone in Ely. ♦ A university researcher may link with individuals from business and industry in the same field.

(Continued on page 12)

Bemidji State University

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing

BSUHorizons Vol. 17, No. 1, Summer/Fall 2001 Produced by the News and Publications Office and the Alumni Office at Bemidji State University, HORIZONS is published quarterly and distributed without charge to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff and other friends of the University. BSU is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Nohner Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Berglund Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Swartz President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Jim Bensen Alumni Director . . . . . Marla Huss Patrias Contributing Writers . . . . . . . . Jody Grau, Cindy Serratore Editorial Assistance . . . . . . . . Peggy Nohner Editorial Board: Dr. Jim Bensen, BSU president; Al Nohner, director of news services and publications; Carl Baer, vice president for university advancement; Dr. Jeff Totten, assistant professor of business administration; Dr. Gerald Morine, professor of chemistry; Marla Huss Patrias, director of alumni relations.

ALL CITIES ARE LOCATED IN MINNESOTA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Thief River Falls for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He’s currently involved in a family farm operation growing wild rice at Clearbrook ... Kathryn Gordon Graf (’59) of Arnold, MD, recently took a European vacation and is enjoying spending time with her three granddaughters ... Richard Haberer 1940s (’56) is retired and living in Park Rapids ...

Dora Jenso-Sather (’41) lives in Auburn, CA, and Chandler Bailey (’50) of Palm Desert, CA, taught enjoys RV travel ... Murray Warren (’48) is living biology and chemistry at Redlands High School for in Crookston ... Eva Young (’49) lives in Chula 30 years and has five children ... Dick Green (’56) Vista, CA, and continues teaching at Embry-Riddle and his wife, Janet, live in Bloomington and recently Aeronautical University at Point Loma, North Island collaborated on an exhibit of 50 of their paintings and Camp Pendleton ... Josephyne (Harrieth) which appeared at the MacRostie Art Center, Grand Branshaw (’41) of Martinez, CA, has been Rapids, during April ... James W. Buchanan (’57) volunteering three days of her week to the Veterans’ of Duluth and his son, James P. Buchanan, recently Medical Center since 1999 ... Betty Nesbit (’49) of published a book written to promote walking as a Billings, MT, writes, “We gave up our beautiful form of exercise and transportation on a book huge yard and home to move into a patio home. We website, mightywords.com. “Walk Right: Second find the change more relaxing.”

Edition” discusses physical and mental health effects that stem from walking... Alden Kittleson 1950s (’55) and Jan Kittleson (’57) live in San Marcos, Don Barron (’50) ran as a candidate for re-election CA, in north San Diego County. Alden works in to a fifth term on the Thief River Falls City Council financial services and is active in Lions on the local, last fall. He and his wife, Gladys, have been married zone, regional and district levels. Jan works at the Ken Blanchard Companies where she coordinates since 1952 and moved to Thief River Falls in 1953.

Barron worked with the Soil Conservation Service in and schedules employee orientation and internal training. She’s active in the couple’s church, singing

1930s

Verna Langlie (’34) and her husband, Tuss, of Bemidji celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 24.

in the choir and playing with the hand bell choir.

They have four children and seven grandchildren ...

Bob King (’59) is retired and lives in Pelican Rapids ... Corinne Mase (’53) is retired and living in a home for senior citizens in St. Paul ... Diane Sorensen (’50) of Stockton, CA, has retired for a second time from a job as superintendent and principal in a K-8 school in rural San Jonquin County after filling the position for three years ...

Dale Sorensen (’57) of Two Harbors is the clerk of the Superior School District School Board and is retired from a 33-year career of teaching chemistry at Two Harbors High School ... Cora (Ingalls) Ravndalen (’53) of Roosevelt has retired from teaching elementary education and is enjoying life with her husband, Alvin, and their family ... Gladys Paulson (’59) was recently recognized for serving congregations as an organist for churches near her home south of Badger. She also taught school in Thief River Falls from 1957 to 1977. She’s been a widow since 1984 ... Shirley Knutson-Nelson (’57) has retired from teaching. She lives in Pharr, TX, and married Bruce Nelson in December ... Bill Robertson (’53) lives in LaMirada, CA ...

Charles Patterson (’50) of Baton Rouge, LA, was honored by the Republic of Korea when he received the Korean War Service Medal on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. He served Bill Robertson

as a unit supply sergeant with Company K, Third Battalion, 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th (California National Guard) Division ... Mary Frankfurth (’52) was recently the subject of a feature story “Grandma keeps up tradition - Mary Frankfurth celebrates Norwegian culture and cuisine” that appeared in the Pioneer newspaper of Bemidji.

She has seven grandchildren and enjoys traditional cooking and quilting.

1960s Dave Trompeter (’65), having served as the mayor of Ranier for 30 years, decided last fall not to seek re-election. He taught engine repair in the International Falls School District, retiring in 1992.

He looks forward to having more personal time to spend with his wife, Barb, and sons, Mark and Paul ... Dennis Carlson (’60) of Effie has retired from his position as community education director with ISD 701 in Hibbing. He now operates a small summer resort on Deer Lake and serves as a distributor and dealer for a line of sports canoes ...

Jerry Riewer (’60) of Staples reports that his granddaughter, Jolene Otteson, is now a student at BSU ... Lou De Sarno (’68) of Tinton Falls, NJ, has been a teacher and a coach for 33 years in Neptune Township Schools in New Jersey ... David Nelson (’61) of Cannon Falls retired from teaching math and is now self-employed as a tax-preparer ...

Carolee (Spangrad) Mock (’61) lives in Breckenridge and spent most of last winter in Arizona ... Betty Whaley (’67) of St. Francis teaches middle school physical education and is planning “a trek down the Grand Canyon” this

Horizons Page 5

2001 Distinguished Minnesotan Award

Composer Libby Larsen Receives

Libby Larsen

Composer Libby Larsen received the 2001 Distinguished Minnesotan Award during commencement ceremonies last May at Bemidji State University.

Presented annually by BSU, the award recognizes the contributions of a current or former resident of the state who has performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States.

One of the most celebrated composers working today, Larsen has created an immense catalogue of works that spans virtually every genre and establishes a permanent place for herself in concert repertory.

She received a 1994 Grammy as producer for the CD, “The Art of Arleen Auger,” an acclaimed recording that features Larsen’s “Sonnets from the Portuguese.”

summer ... Janice Lundsten (’62) of Nevis continues to substitute teach after retiring from 32 years of full-time teaching.

She enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, plays bass guitar in a group and recently had a poem published ...

Carol (Tappero) Janice Lundsten Anderson (’62) of Wrenshall has been doing a lot of traveling since retiring from teaching in 1999. Trips highlighting the past year include those to Louisiana and Europe as well as a cruise in the Caribbean. She also enjoys spending time with her three granddaughters ...

Bette (Behrens) Wammer (’62) of Audubon retired from teaching in May. She continues to substitute teach and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren ... Norman Hecimovich (’60) of Austin has retired but is acting as a consultant with CFL. He is also involved in a variety of community groups and has spent time traveling in Southeast Asia ... Dorothy Billberg (’67) of Roseau has been retired for 16 years and writes that she is “enjoying it very much” ... Thomas Kantos (’66) will celebrate his 30th year of employment with the U.S. Immigration Service in October. He currently serves as the port director at International Falls ... Marie Abele (’66), a Richfield High School teacher , was recently named National Honor Society Advisor of

USA Today selected her opera, “Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus” as one of the eight best classical musical events of 1990. Her music has been commissioned and performed by the world’s greatest artists.

Larsen’s works are widely recorded on multiple labels including Angel/EMI, Koch International, Nonesuch and Decca. Her symphonic works have been recorded by the London Symphony and were released by Koch International in 1997.

Two new Koch recordings were released in 2000, including orchestral and vocal works performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and featuring soprano Benita Valente. The Colorado Symphony recorded her fifth symphony, “Solo Symphony,” in September of 1999.

Larsen holds a doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota and is a vigorous, articulate advocate for the music and musicians of our time. In 1973

she co-founded the Minnesota Composers’ Forum, now the American Composers’ Forum, which has been an invaluable aid for composers in a difficult transitional time for American arts.

The first woman to serve as a resident composer with a major orchestra, Larsen has held residencies with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Charlotte Symphony and the Colorado Symphony along with many others.

She is the first composer to be honored with the Distinguished Minnesotan Award since it was first presented to naturalist and author Sigurd Olson in 1981.

The previous recipients include:

the Year. Abele has been a teacher at Richfield High School for 32 years. In addition to teaching English and German, she’s served as a department chairman and coordinator of summer school. She has worked as the advisor to the National Honor Society for the past six years ... Orley Gunderson (’60) of Thief River Falls is president of Northland Community and Technical College ... Tom Gulovich (’66) of Grafton, WI, retired in June after teaching for 34 years. He and his wife, Mary, are anticipating the birth of their first grandchild in September ... Gwenn (Bengston) Smith (’62) of Deer River substitute teaches at Deer River High School and is coordinator for a chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly ... Lowell Scearcy (’67) of East Gull Lake retired in 1999 after 32 years of teaching mathematics and coaching. He spent the last 27 years in the Brainerd school system and is still coaching Brainerd High School baseball and refereeing football and basketball. He and his wife, Diane, have two children, Kimberly and Ryan, who live in Minneapolis ... Robert Treuer (’60) of Bemidji recently published his fourth book, “The Moccasin Game & Other Stories,” with the Loonfeather Press, Bemidji. Treuer has been a federal worker in Washington D.C., a teacher in Cass Lake and Red Lake, an editor and union staffer, an instructor at BSU and a county commissioner ...

Loren Solberg (’65) is a Minnesota state representative for District 3B. Committee appointments include capital investment, governmental operations and veterans affairs policy, rules and legislative administration, and ways and means. He is a teacher and he and his wife, Joan, have four children.

and Evan ... Linda Lyons (’74) has been named commissioner of Health and Human Services by the Karen Schrader (’76) of Warroad retired from her Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Lyons is an enrolled teaching career this spring ... Gary Cheney (’75) of member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Most Conroe, TX, is chief of property management with recently she’d served as a controller for the Leech the Veterans’ Administration office in Houston, TX, Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Division of Finance and and is celebrating a 35th wedding anniversary this Accounting in Cass Lake. Prior to that, Lyons was a year with his wife, Sharon ... Paul Freude (’79), management consultant and a deputy director for the general manager of Paul Bunyan Telephone Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe ... Rick Ellingworth Cooperative in Bemidji, has been elected the 16th (’76) was recognized as one of two 2000 Gazette president of the Joint Economic Development People of the Year for his contributions to the Commission. A member of the JEDC since 1997, Redwood Falls community including efforts on he’d previously served as secretary and vice behalf of the new Redwood Area Community Center, president. Freude has been employed with the which opened its doors recently. He came to telephone cooperative since 1985, first as office Redwood Falls in 1976 and since then has been manager and since 1993 as general manager. Prior to football coach, middle school principal, activities that he was an auditor for the Federal Energy director and, in 1992, was offered the position of Regulatory Commission ... Norma Schleppegrell superintendent ... Teresa Fisher (’79) of North Pole, (’75) of Hibbing was recently named trustee of the AK, has been athletic director of North Pole High year by the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare school for the past six years and has been teaching in Partnership. She is chair of the Fairview Range that community for 19 years. She has two daughters, Regional Health Services Board and was recently Megan, 17, and Mallory, 16 ... Michael Cyr (’78) honored by the Hospital Trade Association at an lives in Monticello ... Tammy (Tobin) Soderlund awards ceremony in Minneapolis ... Curtis Hanson (’76) of Montomedi has two sons and has been (’75) conducted a premier performance of his own divorced since 1998 ... Nancy (Homola) Ralston musical works in his hometown, Proctor, this fall. (’75) of Virginia is teaching in the Information After graduating from BSU, he taught K-12 vocal Management Specialist Program at Mesabi Range music for nine years before pursuing an advanced Community and Technical College in Eveleth and degree. Hanson earned his doctorate in musical arts at Virginia ... John Lund (’72) of Bemidji and his wife, the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1990 and Mary, have quit dairy farming after 15 years and returned to the area, settling in West Duluth. He now have purchased a new home in Bemidji ... Nancy holds the first full-time faculty position at The John (Hagen) Staiger (’76) is living in Moorhead and Duss Memorial Music Conservatory and teaches would like to hear from other alumni who lived in voice and directs the choir at Our Savior’s Lutheran Maple or Oak Halls ... Scott Lindberg (’75) of Mill Church. He and his wife, Brenda, have two sons, Eric

1981, Sigurd Olson, naturalist and author 1982, Karl Kassulke, athlete and handicap advocate 1983, Janet Dearholt Esty, businesswoman and entrepreneur 1984, Frederick F. Manfred, author 1985, Dr. John Najarian, transplant surgeon 1986, Dr. Harlan Cleveland, political scientist 1987, Muriel Buck Humphrey Brown, advocate for the disadvantaged 1988, Elmer L. Andersen, businessman and former governor 1989, Curtis L. Carlson, businessman and philanthropist 1990, William S. Marvin, businessman and community leader 1991, Meridel LeSueur, writer and social activist 1992, Veda Ponikvar, newspaper publisher 1993, Nellie Stone Johnson, political and social activist 1994, Cheryl Dickson, leader in humanities programming 1995, William H. Kling, innovator in public radio 1996, Jerry Willet, businessman and former state senator 1997, Ann Bancroft, explorer of the North Pole and South Pole 1998, Bob Bergland, congressman and former secretary of agriculture 1999, Coya Knutson, congresswoman 2000, Jon Hassler, author and educator

Incoming freshmen visit with a student counselor on the shoreline of Lake Bemidji during a June Summer Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program at BSU. Five SOAR dates for new students were filled to capacity and the campus is preparing for its biggest freshman class in more than a decade. As of mid-July, freshman registration was 28 percent higher than the same level in 2000. To accommodate continued interest, three mini-SOAR events are planned in August and a fall SOAR is planned September 4. As many as 1,200 new freshmen and transfers could enroll by the first day of classes on September 5.

1970s

Valley, CA, has been working for Hitachi Semiconductor for the past 13 years. He and his wife, Ellen have two children, Zack, 10, and Britt, 7 ... Jim Walrath (’71) and Mary Walrath (’72) of Chippewa Falls, WI, will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year. Jim has been teaching for 30 years and spent 26 of those in Chippewa Falls schools. Mary is expanding her private driving school to cover the largest territory in northwestern Wisconsin. They gained two new grandchildren during 2000 ... Holly Geroy (’77) of Eagan works at Ever Care (United Health Group) in Minnetonka as a senior quality assurance analyst ... Kim (Leier) Ramsey (’77) and Dave Ramsey (’78) reside in Owatonna ... Richard Leathers (’71) lives in Phoenix, AZ, and is employed as a mortician ... Jim Fisher (’78) ran for election to the Sixth Commissioner District seat on the St. Louis County Board, competing with 11 other candidates. He retired from the Eveleth Taconite Company in 1997 after 31 years, was a maintenance millwright class instructor and has been on college advisory boards ...

Clarence Dobmeier (’74) ran for election to the Little Falls School Board. He moved to Little Falls in 1993 when he became employed by State Farm Insurance Agency and had spent several years working as a licensed social worker prior to then. He and his wife, Nancy, recently celebrated 18 years of marriage. They have two children, Brett, 16, and Brittany, 12 ... LuAnn Arnold (’78) ran for election to the Delano School Board. She is employed as a project manager in information technology and has lived in Franklin Township for eight years with her husband and two children ... Michael Meuers (’78) (Continued on page 6)

Horizons Page 6

Founders Welle Family Added to Founders’ Walk T

“

he Welle family is a prime example of people who give of themselves for the betterment of others and their community. The breadth of their involvement and the sustained commitment to Bemidji State University over the years is truly gratifying.”

Dr. Jim Bensen, BSU President

The Welle family of Bemidji joined other honorees recognized with permanent plaques displayed along Bemidji State University’s Founders’ Walk during an induction ceremony August 1 at the Alumni Arch in front of Deputy Hall.

The Founders’ Walk was established in 1993 to recognize the efforts of those who played major roles in the development and growth of the university.

“The Welle family is a prime example of people who give of themselves for the betterment of others and their community,” said Dr. Jim Bensen. “The breadth of their involvement and the sustained commitment to Bemidji State University over the years is truly gratifying.”

Through three generations of Welle leadership at First National Bank, the financial institution has forged a strong partnership with BSU providing significant financial support in the form of donations to the BSU Foundation, noted Sue Kringen, BSU Foundation director of development.

In addition, each year the bank sponsors the First National Bank-

BSU Women’s Athletic Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for women’s athletic programs at the university, with this year’s event scheduled August 3. Bank employees have also contributed countless hours to benefit the university by serving on the Foundation board, assisting in fund raising efforts and serving on BSU’s Beaver Pride board.

“The Welle family is deeply honored to be recognized by Bemidji State University with this distinguished award,” stated a spokesperson for the family.

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with many outstanding individuals to advance the growth and development of Bemidji State University.

It has established an outstanding record of academic and sports excellence and has been a leader in community development.”

The BSU Foundation, in its Founders’ Walk recommendation, summarized contributions by individual Welle family members to the development and growth of the University.

Nick Welle signed the original BSU Foundation Articles of Incorporation in 1969, was president of the BSU Foundation

board in its earliest days and served as a foundation board member from 1969 to 1978. A Nick A.Welle Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established with a significant gift. He also served as a president and CEO of First National Bank.

The Robert and Jeanette Welle family sponsored a room in the A.C. Clark Library with a generous gift. Robert served on the BSU Foundation board from 1972 to 1986 and is chairman of First National Bank. Jeanette Welle, his wife, was one of the original organizers of the annual golf tournament.

E. Joseph Welle is a long-time supporter of BSU’s athletic program and foundation efforts.

Prior to the formation of the foundation, he served as one of Bemidji’s representatives to a group composed of members from each of the state universities that worked with the chancellor’s office and the legislature. He is a former president of First National Bank.

Paul Welle is vice president of the BSU Foundation board and will serve as its president for the 20012002 term. He’s served as a board member since 1998 and is vice president of First National Bank.

Pat Welle is a professor of economics and environmental studies at BSU. Hugh Welle is a strong advocate of BSU and vice president at First National Bank. His wife,

Debra, has volunteered at the annual golf tournament. His sister, Theresa, is a graduate of BSU. Tom Welle served as a BSU Foundation board member from 1988 to 1994 and is a 1972 graduate of BSU. Two of his brothers are graduates of BSU. His son, Ryan, is currently a BSU student and member of the BSU football team. Tom is the president and CEO of First National Bank.

The Welle family joins six individuals and two other Bemidji families honored with plaques along the Founders’ Walk. They are A.P. Ritchie, Lloyd Pendergast, Leonard Dickinson, A.P. White, Tams Bixby, William “Bill” Howe, the Baer family and the Naylor family.

Representatives from Bemidji State and local Native American communities gathered for a site blessing ceremony in May for the new American Indian Resource Center on campus. Located at the west end of the tennis courts adjacent to Chet Anderson Stadium, the center will house academic programs and services for BSU Native American students as well as serve as a regional resource for tribal governments. Work on the building is expected to start this school year.

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing (Continued from page 5) of Bemidji, Beltrami County’s longest-serving DFL chairman, resigned from that post at the end of 12 years. He works as an underwriting representative for Lakeland Public Television ... Jim Balfour (’78) has been named the manager of creative services at JPG Communications Inc. in Virginia. He is responsible for management and oversight of the creative department that includes strategic planning, production supervision, layout and design, quality control and staff supervision ... Jim Fugleberg (’75) was a featured speaker at Rose Lutheran Church for three days in October. For the past 10 years he has served as pastor of St. Paul’s Free Lutheran Church in Fargo and previously served congregations in Ontonagon, MI, and Ferndale, WA. He married Linda Erickson in 1975 and they have six children ...

Jeffery Rust (’76) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, is a physician’s assistant practicing emergency medicine.

He and his wife, Sande, have three daughters, Nicole, 17, Katelyn, 6, and Aimee, 4 ... Wendy Flinner (’78) of St. Paul is married, has three children and enjoys teaching music in St. Paul ...

Karla (Reimer) Jensen (’75) of Pierz teaches physical education and health at Pierz schools as well as coaching tennis and track ... Teresa Kuleta (’76) of Bemidji teaches kindergarten and has two children, ages 13 and 10 ... Charles Dibley (’72) of Rock Valley, IA, is a tubist with the Sioux City Symphony and performed with the Rock Valley Concert Band on May 10 for the Iowa Band Masters Convention in Des Moines, IA. He’s been married 27 years to Lonna and they have three children, with the youngest attending high school. In his free time

Charles enjoys playing golf, composes two to three musical works per year and is “rediscovering the joys of chess” ... Bruce Erickson (’74) is living in Alexandria ... Edward Coyle (’75) of Blackduck is coaching the Kelliher-Northome baseball team this summer and writes a sports column for the Northome Record ... James Wheeler (’72) was recently elected as secretary of the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. Wheeler has been principal of the Bemidji Middle School for two years and prior to coming to Bemidji was principal at Gilbert Junior High School, Waubun High School and assistant principal at Grand Rapids Middle School ... Lois Spooner (’73) and her husband, Felix, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary ...

Vicki (Olson) Rowe (’78) of Bemidji, who taught English for 17 years at the Bemidji High School, recently appeared as a contestant on the hit television game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” ...

Linda Brew (’77),who serves as Bemidji High School Knowledge Bowl coach, was recognized this season by her fellow coaches as the Knowledge Bowl 2000-2001 coach of the year. The BHS team consistently took first place in the Northwest Region and finished fifth in state competition this season ...

Terry Bradley (’75), Bemidji High School Band director, retired this spring concluding a 34-year teaching career with 29 of those years spent at Bemidji ... Steven Hoffbeck (’79), a professor at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, won a 2001 Minnesota Book Award for his book “The Haymakers: A Chronicle of Five Farm Families” in the history and biography category ... Kathy Elhard (’73) is coordinator of the Northome Resource Center, with offices located in the Northome City

Hall. Elhard strives to assist residents in identifying and accessing a variety of services offered in International Falls, Bemidji and Grand Rapids ...

Thomas Fatticci (’73) of Winthrop is currently the state coordinator of mental health services for deaf, deaf and blind and hard of hearing Minnesotans. He and his wife, Trudy, have five children and one grandchild. Trudy is a director with the Mary Kay Corporation ... Dick Anderson (’75) and Vange Anderson (’76) of Solway recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary ... Richard Vesely (’73) and his wife, Rose, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house event held in Bemidji ... Colleen Ketelsen (’78) and her husband, Larry, recently opened a new business, Missy Too, at 317 Beltrami Ave. NW. The store specializes in women’s clothing in sizes 8-18.

husband, Paul, announce the birth of their first child on April 27, 2000, a son named Bronson. She teaches special education and coaches skiing in the Bemidji School District ... Robert Lalone (’85), a database analyst with Hutchinson Technology, Inc., was a candidate for the Dassel City Council. His wife, Diana, is employed in customer service at Crest Health Care in Dassel. They have a son named Christopher ... Jim Hoffman (’88) lives in Brooklyn Center ... Matt Amundson (’80) and Kim (Volstad) Amundson (’80) have three daughters and live in Hendricks ... Kathleen Hill (’88) of Bemidji is employed in the lab at the Cass Lake Hospital ...

Wendy (Witmer) Perry (’81) of Omaha, NE, teaches music in Omaha public schools and plays in a local string quartet. She lives with her husband, Joel, and their daughter, Paige, 5 ... Kari (Norling) Stadem (’84) and her husband, Pete, of Blomkest were expecting their seventh child this spring. Their oldest 1980s Chris Fettig (’86) and his wife, Tiffany, of Bemidji is nearly 13 ... Jenny Bonde (’89) and her husband live in Mineral Point, WI, and are beginning their announce the January 5 birth of a son, Christian Michael ... David Sea (’86) and his wife, Bonnie, of sixth season as certified organic vegetable growers.

They sell their produce through a subscription service Park Rapids are the new parents of a son ... Bill called Community Supported Agriculture, farmers’ Brunelle (’88), an enrolled member of White Earth markets and to restaurants in Madison and Chicago ...

Reservation, has been selected as the new White Val Thompson (’83) of Aitkin is employed as a Earth Reservation Tribal Police Chief. He has 17 social worker at a nursing home and, along with her years of law enforcement experience that began in 1984 when he worked as a conservation officer cadet husband, owns a funeral home. She has three children, ages 17, 13 and seven ... Tom Swanson with the Leech Lake Department of Resource (’89) of Apple Valley is a deputy with the Hennepin Management ... Bruce Slinkman (’87) of Bemidji County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife, Julie, have spent his winter vacation serving as a guide during a four-year-old daughter named Madison ... Michael the Ski for Light International gathering in Green Ganyo (’89) is employed as a senior learning Bay, WI. Ski for Light is a program that partners skiers who can see with blind and visually impaired associate at Prudential. He and his wife, Brenda, live in St. Louis Park with their daughter, Hannah, who people ... Angela Nistler (’88) of Bemidji and her

was born on October 12 ... Ann (Vosen) Mizelle (’82) of Midland, VA, received her master’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia in July, 2000. She also announces the birth of her first child on July 25, 2000, a daughter, Bethany Ann ... Todd Matta (’80) of Auburn, MA, is employed as a computer technician support engineer with the EMC Corporation ... Sue (Warnke) Carlson (’89) lives in Cottage Grove ... Rebecca Braaten (’89) of Westhope, ND, manages six branch insurance offices for Farm Credit Services of North Dakota. She lives with her husband, Sheldon, and their children, Alisha and Hunter ... Shiek Shah (’82) of Irving, TX, is the co-founder and CEO of Akili, a Dallas-based systems integrator. Shah is married, has a two-year-old son and recently climbed Mt. Aconcogua in South America ... Mary Grund (’86) of Baudette enjoys showing horses and is attempting to qualify for the AQHA World Show ... Bradley Thom (’80) is a reverend in Glencoe ... Ward Blumer (’89) of Golden Valley has been teaching at Oakwood Elementary School in the Wayzata School District since 1994. He also coaches football at Wayzata. He and his wife, Jill, have a one-year-old daughter, Margo ... Mike Frankenfield (’80) lives in Faribault ... Cory Shubert (’83) lives with his wife, Susie, and their children in St. Louis Park ... Scott Storrick (’86) and his wife Amy (Miller) Storrick (’87) live in Coon Rapids with their two children. Scott teaches technology education and coaches tennis at Coon Rapids High School and this winter received his master’s in educational leadership from Bethel College. Amy works in student services at AnokaRamsey Community College ... Mike Anderson (Continued on page 11)

Horizons Page 7

Bemidji State Remembrances Remembrances is a new section that will appear periodically in HORIZONS. It features the memories and thoughts of BSU alumni who remain in contact with the University through a variety of venues. Alumni with memories they would like to share may forward them to the Alumni Association, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE Box 17, Bemidji, MN 56601. To highlight this new section, Dr. Jim Bensen (class of 1959 and retiring BSU president) and his wife Nancy (‘57) were asked to comment on their remembrances of the institution.

O

Jim Bensen in Memorial Hall

nce a week, President Sattgast would have a convocation. He would once or twice deliver the message himself, particularly when it was the first, opening convocation for new students. We were all sitting in the Memorial Hall bleachers and it was filled from end to end. He said, “Look to your right side and look to your left side. At the end of four years, only one of the three of you will be here to walk across the stage and graduate.” It wasn’t what I would call affirmative psychology, but it got your attention.

Remembrances Jim Bensen

Horizons Page 8

Nancy and Jim Bensen

JIM BENSEN Looking back on the first week of school, it was one of perpetual change. You had to come in and find the place - we thought it was huge and there were only four buildings. We had to get checked into the dorms, meet our roommate, get classes scheduled, have orientation sessions, and go to the mixers to meet new people. Looking back on it, I don’t think it’s much different than it is today.

Except for the beanie. You got your beanie and you’d better not be caught on campus without it.

I think a student’s favorite classes often follow favorite faculty. Sulo Havumaki in psychology was such a great person. Ruth Stenerson was a great proponent of literature and she got everyone

of the year we realized how far she had taken us all. I think I would have written a thousand papers in order to get away from giving a speech.

And now I look at my life as it has evolved in public speaking; keynoting major conventions all over the world has been a very large part of my life.

In looking back at a defining moment in my time at BSU, I worked with Harry Fritz, the athletic director and basketball coach at the time. I was the student manager. We had been in Ely with the JV team. It was 30-some below zero and as cold as could be. We had a bunch of guys sleeping in the station wagon on the way home, and Harry and I were in the front seat — the only two awake. And we began talking one-on-one. Harry was a pretty serious guy. Harry said, “Jim, whatever you decide to do, become the very best in what you do.” Here was a guy with a great national reputation and who had his doctorate at a small univer-

Bemidji State Remembrances going in that area. I look back at John Warford and Bill Sellon in my major and they were the best you could ever imagine. Throughout my career, I patterned what I did after these people.

The class that permitted me to grow the most was Margaret Kelly’s English class. It was a performance-based class. You had to turn in a theme one week and give a speech the next week. This rotated through the whole year. So you gave a lot of speeches and wrote a lot of papers for her. And she was a stickler for perfection.

We weren’t that inclined to be perfect at the start, but toward the end

sity. In his own time, he really was the best at what he was doing. I looked at that and I thought it was very good advice.

My wife Nancy knew a marriage proposal was coming, but didn’t know when. I thought, I’m really going to be kind of romantic about this. Of course, no one owned a car at the time so I borrowed my cousin’s. I took her out for a dinner and a show. Following the evening, I swung into Diamond Point to make the ask, and she said yes. It was Valentine’s Day eve, in the winter - cold. We stayed in the car. But I can still almost put an X on the spot where I proposed.

In the times I came back to Bemidji while I was at UW-Stout or Dunwoody Institute, I was always awed with the natural setting of the campus. It gave me a good feeling just coming into town. I was always impressed with the attitude of the faculty and staff here. Such caring people doing a great job.

My best memory as president of Bemidji State is celebrating the excellence and innovation that the faculty and staff of this institution have embraced from day one. I continuously would get kudos from the corporate world, legislators and others. They would say, “Wow, Bemidji State, there’s so many good things happening up there. It’s out on the front of the curve. It’s open, it’s robust.” Having a role to play in that has been one of my major satisfactions.

Each of my three stops in higher education (UW-Stout, Dunwoody, and Bemidji State) has really been the right thing at the right time. And I look at retirement as another right time for me. I am really excited about the next stage in our lives. We’ve committed ourselves to our community and the university. It’s a chance to do the things you really want to do: read, write, consult, and volunteer for the university in a lot of ways.

NANCY BENSEN My mother was an elementary teacher who was widowed. She always said, “Where would I be with three girls without my education and if I couldn’t teach school.” So all three of us had to do something, and I had always planned on going to college. I was apprehensive when I first came. I thought I was a little frog in a big puddle. I look back now at the number of faculty on campus at that time, and we thought it was immense. I remember all of my instructors because they were an important part of my life.

The first year both Jim and I lived in Birch Hall, which did not sit well with my mother. Not the fact that Jim was there, but that it was a coed dorm. It really wasn’t coed because there was a wing for men and women. Several walls

Remembrances

and a common lounge area separated us, but it was not enough.

The fact that we had hours and Marie Bishop living at the end of our floor meant we were well taken care of. Marie was, let me put it this way, very conscientious.

I went to summer school for one session with my mother, and it was a wonderful experience.

I took class voice from Carl Thompson, and I had to sing 10 solos. My mother would have to drive all around town so I could practice my solos.

Some of my fondest memories of BSU are of the girls in the dorms. You come from a little town of Erskine with 27 kids in the graduating class. I met lifelong friends, people I am still connected with. We just had a good time. We did a lot of visiting, eating popcorn, drinking coffee, and just hanging out together. It’s different today. We played cards and drank a lot of coffee. Remember, TV was not a big thing.

There was one telephone per floor in the dorms. And it was a party line. There was no privacy; you could hear everyone’s phone conversation. It’s unbelievable compared to today. Now everyone is running around with cell phones and there’s a phone in each room.

We had no money, and none of the kids had money, so we didn’t know we were poor. When I went home, I would have to take the bus from the Mileage Café or get a ride because I was not allowed to hitchhike. But the guys hitchhiked all the time.

On the night Jim proposed, I remember it was cold. I did know a proposal was coming, but not when. Jim had borrowed a car and we had gone out. When we pulled into Diamond Point, I thought we were just going to do a little smooching. We had dated for years – all through high school and college — and I said yes right away.

Horizons Page 9

WAYNE (1983) & LOUISE (1981) (GADBOIS) BEAMAN St. Paul Park, MN We enjoyed the walks through Diamond Point Park, the bike rides around Lake Bemidji, disco dancing at the Viking, the Beaver Pond, Jack’s Supper Club, TBones, Noel’s, etc. and the fact that you could head to any one of those places and see familiar faces. We were both athletes at BSU and remember how hard we worked and with limited facilities - we know that it made us tough! We enjoyed our athletic careers there. We especially recall running the stairs in Tamarack Hall - what a workout! Our legs were like Jell-O after several rounds of 13 flights! Do they still use that as a workout facility?

CYNTHIA A. NELSON (1978) Eagan, MN In the winter of 1970 Lake Bemidji froze over before we had any snow. I remember putting on skates on the shoreline of Diamond Point Park and skating across the lake under a full moon.

It was beautiful, twinkling lights on shore and stars and moon above.

WILLARD ROBERTSON (1953) La Mirada, CA Returning to Birch Hall after a downtown movie in Dec. (1950) and being greeted with, “You are in the Army now.” President Truman, in a radio broadcast, had federalized the Minnesota and other Midwest National Guards because of the Korean Conflict.

Twenty or more BSU students were in this group. One week

later we were on a troop train going to Ft. Rucker, AL. My rough assignment was to play tackle on our regimental football team. My three years on the Beaver football team had paid off.

Before the days of refrigerators in the room, we would keep things cool between the window and the screen or bury our ice cream in a snowbank. It wasn’t always easy to find again.

CASSIE (GRAVEL) BORNETUN (1983) Andover, MN I’ll never forget the fall of 1977. My parents drove me to Bemidji, the car loaded to the roof with all my worldly possessions.

They unloaded my boxes and drove off. There I was, a freshman at BSU, not knowing a soul, scared to death and lonely already! It wasn’t long before other “refugees” on Linden 4B started arriving, unpacking and sticking their heads in my room to say “hi” and introduce themselves. A bunch of us walked to Renaud’s for pizza that first night. I knew at that time I was going to be all right - so many of us in the same boat. Safety in numbers as the saying goes.

PAUL WOLTER (1973) Wadena, MN During the summer of 1971 I started commuting to BSU daily from my home in Wadena. I took my family to Bemidji State Park to camp for the last week of the first summer school session. We woke up to rain on the very first morning. I left my wife in a tent with four children ages 2-11 years. When I returned in the early afternoon the sun was shining and everyone was just fine.

MANDY GOPLIN (1970) Bemidji, MN Attending BSU was a time of great discovery, exploration and excitement. Life on campus was an education in itself. Some of the friendships I developed will remain lifelong friendships that I’ll always treasure.

JANE CHAGNON (1984) St. Paul, MN I have very fond memories of attending BSU hockey games with my then boyfriend, now husband, John. Hey, it was a cheap date!

LINDA JAAKOLA (1974) Windom, MN

Willard Robertson

MARVIN SAUERS (1979) St. Cloud, MN Because my wife and I attended BSU off and on for eleven years the campus became very familiar to us. A beautiful location that we often return to visit.

We have great memories of warm fall days, cold snowy winter days that drove us indoors, and a campus energized by spring.

JUDITH HENTGES (1986) Ham Lake, MN I remember that when I first got to BSU, I was extremely worried about the need to get A’s to make it into grad school. Dr. Don Dyrhaug was my advisor as I was a psych major. He told me, “Good grades are important; perfect grades aren’t necessary.” That helped me to take off some of the pressure I had placed on myself.

FRED WESELY (1987) Elk River, MN My memories of my time spent at BSU: The beautiful setting on the Lake. Bemidji is the perfect spot for an intellectual as well as physical experience. My sailing across the lake gave me the physical release needed from the rigors of the academic challenges.

BEVERLY WIDSTRAND (1970) Aurora, MN One of our BSC band tours must have been especially hairy, because when we returned to campus, professor Tom Swanson knelt to the ground and kissed it in joy to be safely home. Was that the time the bus lights kept going off on the freeway?

HAROLD MELBY (1946) Minnetonka, MN In January 1946, I returned to Bemidji after service as a pilot in the Naval Air Corps. BSU was just starting housing for veterans and we were fortunate to be chosen to rent the apartment they made in the power plant. It was a two-room apartment overlooking the lake with a bathroom we shared with the custodians working in the power plant. The facilities were great Harold and daughter Karen at 1 - swinging outside the BSU and we enjoyed power plant. Again, some 54 years later using the lake – that is, until we went away one weekend and came home to an apartment full of soot. Two boilers backfired, sending black soot into the apartment and elsewhere.

It took a lot of scrubbing to make it livable again.

SCOTT HAUGEN, (1998) Fargo, ND My favorite memories of my undergraduate studies at BSU involve participation in music and theatre department activities and performances. I had the opportunity to be a part of the Bemidji Choir’s concert tour of (Continued on page 10)

Horizons Page 10

REMEMBRANCES (Continued from page 9)

Europe. There were many memorable moments from that three-week tour, but our concert in Chartres Cathedral stands out as the most vivid and inspiring.

Finally, who can forget the “rubber chicken tradition?”

Legend has it that on the closing night of each theatre performance, it is expected that a rubber chicken will make a conspicuous appearance somewhere on the set some time during the show. Now, who will ever forget the faux fowl visiting a diva’s deathbed scene in a Verdi opera?

MARY CUMMINGS 1984 Tulsa, OK At Halloween our freshman year, six of us girls painted white sheets to resemble Pabst beer cans and we wandered around to various parties as a six pack of beer. Luckily one of our group was an art major so she drew the design on each sheet and the rest of us used tempera paint to fill in the design and then cut out cardboard collars which we stapled to the sheets. It was lots of fun.

TIA PISCITELLI (1990) Corte Madera, CA I was an RA in Tamarack Hall.

I remember showing the freshmen on my floor around campus.

We toured through the tunnels, walked through the Union, explored by the lake and located their classes. During the tour, I really began to realize how special Bemidji State University is.

It is a jewel and I feel fortunate to have gone there.

LORETTA CRUZ (1998) South Royalton, VT My fondest memory of BSU was how friendly everyone was.

Being from out of state, I was afraid that I would have a hard time fitting in. Not true! Everyone made me feel right at home.

ALICE FUGLESTAD (1967) Bemidji, MN My favorite memory of BSU is when Dr. Harry Bangsberg became president. He was young with a young family. He was in touch with students - he didn’t just sit in an office somewhere.

My worst memory is when Dr. Bangsberg’s plane crashed in Southeast Asia and he was killed.

(1967). My class donated the picture of Dr. Bangsberg that hangs in Bangsberg Hall.

Bemidji State Remembrances MURRAY WARREN 1948 Crookston, MN I remember riding with Rodney Hobson on the back seat of his motorcycle as we went searching for rubber, iron, aluminum or any recyclable scrap to support the war effort in the fall of 1942. By 1943 most of us were in uniform.

Many came back to graduate but some never had a chance to return. We salute them.

GEORGIA MEADE (1956) Westminster, CA One of my favorite memories was living in Birch Hall. We had a formal dance one evening but did not return to the dorm in time for curfew. We had to spend the evening in a car at Diamond Point. We would turn the car on and off throughout the evening to stay warm.

Loretta Cruz and friends

JACQUELYN WITTY (1973) Mt. Iron, MN I dearly loved the Sattgast people where I worked. I ended up minoring in biology - the bird watching and plant eating were extremely fond memories! My funniest memory was my first job at the desk where I checked all the ladies from Linden in by 10:00 on weeknights and by 12:00 on weekends. Those were the days!

BONNIE K. EDWARDS (1972) Eveleth, MN My fondest memories revolve around the lake: huge ice chunks on the beach in April; walks along the shoreline in the fall when leaves were falling and every step made a crackling sound; enormous gray squirrels running everywhere on campus; and last, but not least, getting proposed to (engaged) during a sunny afternoon in May of my senior year in Diamond Point Park - the perfect romantic setting!

LINDA LOVE (1959) Allen Park, MI My best, well not best, but most remembered memory is of the Asian flu. Everyone was quarantined if they came down with the illness, which most students did. Things were put on hold for a couple of weeks due to this epidemic that hit the Bemidji campus.

DOROTHY BILLBERG (1967) Roseau, MN I attended Bemidji State only for night classes and summer school. Our night classes were late enough so we could leave when school was dismissed and drive 132 miles to Bemidji and then back home after the class was completed. In summer we stayed at homes where we could rent rooms. Some years we had four children living with us in an apartment.

Horizons Page 11

Legacy

Bensen Legacy Campaign Dr. Jim Bensen, retiring BSU president, was recognized with a special honor dance during the annual 2001 Pow Wow presented by the Bemidji State Council of Indian Students.

Jim Bensen Legacy Campaign Bemidji State University Alumni Association

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT WHEREAS M. James (Jim) Bensen has served as President of Bemidji

State University for the past seven (7) years; and WHEREAS After serving as a leader in education, business, industry,

communities and society for forty-two years (42), Jim Bensen is retiring; and WHEREAS Jim Bensen is recognized across the state, nation and world

as an innovator and visionary; and WHEREAS Jim Bensen has successfully led Bemidji State University in

new directions creating a culture of technology and innovation; and WHEREAS Jim Bensen has created new models of outreach and part-

nership with business, industry and communities for the further benefit of Bemidji State University; and WHEREAS Jim Bensen is an alumnus of Bemidji State University, the

first alumnus/a to serve as President of that same institution; and WHEREAS Jim Bensen, as President of Bemidji State University, has

partnered with the Bemidji State University Alumni Association, leading it in new, exciting, and innovative directions, therefore be it RESOLVED In recognition and sincere appreciation of all that Jim

Bensen has contributed to Bemidji State University and to continue to support his vision of innovation and creativity into the future, the Bemidji State University Alumni Association pledges to support the Bemidji State University Foundation in the Jim Bensen Legacy Campaign.

After 42 years of leading education, business, industry, communities and society as a whole in creative and productive ways of inventing the future, Dr. Jim Bensen is retiring as president of Bemidji State University.

Bensen, a BSU alumnus (class of 1959), has approached his work and his life in a fast-paced environment of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

He provided sustained ideation and leadership at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Dunwoody Institute, and Bemidji State University - three very different, yet dynamic, institutions of higher education. With the faculty and staff of these institutions, along with hundreds of other organizations, more partnerships were formed, synergy created, jobs established, and economies raised than can be even catalogued.

Yet, he is the first to recognize the contributions of others.

Building relationships and empowering people to take risks and try new ideas are hallmarks of his style of working with people.

Bensen has touched thousands of lives and influenced thousands of organizations. To honor Bensen and build upon the momentum of innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration he has

created, the Bemidji State University Foundation is orchestrating the Jim Bensen Legacy Campaign, a major fundraising effort to create the Jim Bensen Innovation Fund.

The Jim Bensen Innovation Fund will provide resources dedicated to stimulating new ideas in the areas of instruction, research and partnerships. Areas to be supported by the fund will include: ♦ faculty mini-grants to support new approaches to teaching/ learning strategies and emerging curriculum; ♦ investment capital to advance applied research and development; ♦ collaborative problem-solving communities focusing on creating new futures; ♦ student/faculty collaborative scholarship activities; and ♦ experiments with alternative entrepreneurial partnership ventures (e.g., prototype development).

In recognition and appreciation of his leadership and spirit of collaboration, the board of directors of the Bemidji State University Alumni Association during its April meeting approved a resolution in support of the campaign.

Volunteers for the Jim Bensen Legacy Campaign will work through three divisions; the Metropolitan, Northern Minnesota and Foundation Divisions.

County Corrections, and for the nine months prior to being named center director, he served as the schoolbased corrections agent at Crookston Central High School. Meyer and his wife, Arla, who works in the Polk County Auditor/Treasurer’s office, have two daughters, Ashley, 10, and Karlee, 2 ... Michael Neumiller (’82) of Williams ran last fall as a candidate in the District 4 Lake of the Woods county commissioner elections. He’s currently employed as Williams’ city clerk, having retired in 1993 from active duty as a lieutenant commander, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy. He and his wife, Melody, have been married for 25 years. They have a grown daughter, Sarah, and last year adopted two boys, Troy, 7, and Kyle, 4 ... Jerry (’87) and Tammie Colley (’92) announce the May 5 birth of a son ... Susanna Jackson (’85) of Minneapolis received her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota and since then has held several positions including director of clinical research for an allergy and asthma clinic. She’s currently a clinical pharmacist for St. Joseph’s Hospital of St. Paul ...

Sharon Elliott (’87) of St. Louis, MO, and her husband, Thomas Lavallee, have a daughter named Sophia Rose who was born April 6, 2000 ... Elaine (Eisenberg) Schneider (’83) of Lake Zurin, IL, writes that she’s single again and works as an educational nanny and tutor with Montessori background. Hobbies include doing black and white hand-colored photography, rescuing stray cats and driving her ’63 Comet ... Lydell Husmann (’82) of Dakota Dunes, SD, is employed as a senior finance manager in the manufacturing finance department at Gateway Inc. in N. Sioux City, SD. He and his wife, Karen, have five children ranging in age from two to nine ... Raymond Claassen (’82) of Ottertail works with mentally and physically disabled individuals in a group home setting. He’s single and recently visited

his sister in eastern England. He enjoys bird watching and singing in a church choir ... Patricia Johnson (’89) of Coon Rapids works for Independent School District 15 in the communications department creating ads and paginating the Community Courier newspaper. She enjoys traveling with her husband ... Mark Kurtzahn (’82) and Lesley Kurtzahn (’83) recently moved to Caledonia, IL, the couple’s 14th move in 18 years ... John Flannagan (’83) is a psychologist for the Wells Fargo Employee Assistance program and a professional actor. He’s done commercials for Best Buy and Time-Warner, recently appeared in the movie “Sugar and Spice” and is currently filming “Joe Somebody” with Tim Allen ... Melanie Benjamin (’88), chief executive director of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, served as keynote speaker at the American Indian Seniors Honors Banquet at Bemidji High School this spring ... Jim Lyons (’89), who had served as pastor of the Newman Center at BSU, recently transferred to a position in which he will be serving parishes in Blackduck, Kelliher and Northome ... Jill Landsverk (’89) and her husband, Mark, of Fosston announce the May 29 birth of twin daughters ... Julie Harris (’84), a U.S. Navy veteran and county employee since 1979, is Beltrami County’s new veterans service officer. The Beltrami County Board appointed her to a four-year term in the position May 1. She’d worked for 21 years with the previous veterans service officer.

Donations will be sought from business and industry, foundations; BSU faculty and staff; BSU faculty emeriti; members of the BSU Foundation; Bensen’s 1958, 1959, and 1960 classmates; and those individuals of the foundation and alumni boards who have worked with Bensen since his appointment as president of BSU. Total dollars contributed to date will be announced during Bensen’s retirement celebration, which is scheduled for August.

“Jim Bensen certainly has touched lives and impacted communities in so many ways,” said Sue Kringen, BSU Foundation director of development and campaign coordinator. “It is so refreshing to see the number of people who are voluntarily stepping forward to assist in the campaign and who are making donations.

“In addition to the leadership he has provided in ‘shaping new futures,’ Jim Bensen has given so much of his time helping others.

He is a friend. This campaign is a way to thank and honor him for all he has contributed, and will allow BSU to continue his legacy.”

For additional information relating to the Jim Bensen Legacy Campaign, contact the Bemidji State University Foundation at 755-2762 (local) or 1-888-2345718.

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing (Continued from page 6) (’89) competed last fall in the National Guard Marksmanship competition in Little Rock AK. He and five teammates from the Charlie Company based out of Bemidji represented Minnesota in the competition where all 50 states and two territories are represented. Anderson has been employed as a police officer in East Grand Forks for the past 11 years, and in 1997 he was promoted to sergeant ... Brenda Renczykowski (’82) teaches Spanish at SSC High School in Okabena and Sioux Valley-Round LakeBrewster in Round Lake. She has developed a web site for her students to use in reviewing and practicing their Spanish ... John Terwilliger (’84) filed in the fall as a candidate in the Lake Shore City Council elections. He is semi-retired and serves on Lake Shore’s planning, zoning and sewer committees.

He taught electronics for 20 years at Wadena Technical College. He and his wife, Cindy, grew up on farms in the Lake Shore area ... Wayne Hoffert (’86) ran as the Republican candidate for the Senate District 11 seat in last fall’s election. He is a manufacturing production supervisor at the Fargo tractor/wheeled loader plant of Case New Holland.

He and his wife, Coni, have been married for 29 years and have six children and two grandchildren ...

Rachel Stewart (’81) of Iowa City, IA, recently started a new job as web administrator for the Henry B. Tippri College of Business at the University of Iowa ... James Green (’82) has accepted a position with the University of Wisconsin Space Science and Engineering Department in Madison. His first assignment will be with Operation Icecube, a National Science Foundation research project in Antarctica. He and his wife, Nancy, have a home in

Madison where he has worked as an engineer for the past eight years ... Marie Gibbons (’84) teaches business math, workplace readiness and on the job study at Grand Rapids High School. Her husband, Denny, is in computer sales and the couple has three children, Calihan, 12, Kassandra, 10, and Maggie, 4 ... Brian Anderson (’88) is the new general manager of the Chisholm Tribune Press. He has been with the paper for five years and had held the position of editor and assistant general manager since his arrival ... John Damjanovich (’86) was recently hired as a commercial loan officer with the Woodland Bank of Remer, with branches in Cohasset, Hill City and Longville. Prior to starting his new job, he worked for three years as the loan fund manager for the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund and had previously been employed for eight years as a business development specialist for the Itasca Development Corporation ...Kathy Buxton (’80) has been appointed to the board of the St. Joseph’s Foundation.

She is from East Gull Lake and owns A Woman’s Choice, which provides breast prosthesis and other products to women diagnosed with breast cancer. She is active in the American Cancer Society, the Institutional Review Board and P.E.O. ...Paul Weinzierl (’84) is the new elementary principal for the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public School District.

He’d previously spent five years as the activities director for grades K-12 in Wadena –Deer Creek Schools. He and his wife, Jean, a teacher, have two children, Bethany, a sixth-grader, and Drew, a fifthgrader ... Daryl Meyer (’84), a 16-year veteran of corrections work in Polk County, is the new director of the Red River Valley Juvenile Detention Center in Crookston. He’d been employed since 1984 by Tri-

awaiting the birth of their first child in July ... Karen Hall (’96) of East Gull Lake is employed as a family nurse practitioner, having completed her master’s degree in nursing in 1999 ... Harriet Evans (’98) of Deer River works for Kootasca Community Action Inc. as a guardian ad litem and serves as the adult foster care licensing coordinator for Itasca County.

She’d previously worked at Northland Recovery and Detox in Grand Rapids and continues to work with Northland in an on-call capacity ... James Figliuzzi (’95) lives with his wife and children in Des Moines, IA ... Paula Baier (’94) of Carlton is the mother of three-year-old Brittany and was expecting a second child in April ... Tracy (Ethen) Jones (’98) and her husband, Jason Jones (’97), live in Sartell with their son, Luke, who will be one year old in July ... Kelly (Spierings) Aspen (’92) of Amherst Junction, WI, is the varsity volleyball coach at Amherst High School.

She also owns a medical sales business along with her husband, Bryan. The couple has a son, Riley, 6, and daughter, Aubrey, 4 ... Jennifer Mellum (’99) of Owatonna married John Thompson (‘98) in July ...

Steven Fisher (’90) of Hibbing is employed by ISD701 and Hibbing Community Education. Hobbies include motorcycling and acting as a disc jockey at dances ... Dena Boutto (’94) recently purchased a home in Chisholm, brought home a puppy and reports that her life is “stressful but exciting” ...

Loretta Cruz (’98) is living in South Royalton, VT 1990s ... M. Elaine Bonnell (’94) lives in Warroad and Kristen Knoshaug (’98) and Chad Mihm were married December 9 at Concordia Language Villages works in the Warroad Middle School as a media near Bemidji. They live in Plymouth ... Steven Asche specialist and ESL teacher ... Ryan Holmgren (’99) (’97) of Rice has been working in quality assurance at of New Richland is enjoying teaching senior high social studies at NRHEG High School in New Bankers Systems Inc. in St. Cloud for about four years. He and his wife of three years, Krista, are (Continued on page 12)

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LegacyBuilders

Northern Tier Project (Continued from page 2) ♦ Government, higher education,

non-profit or business entities may establish forums to identify best practices or address common issues. ♦ A small business searching for a home may link with regional technology centers and other resources to better assess possible locations and available support services. ♦ An Internet service provider may create a community of other Internet service providers who are willing to share ideas or work together on common issues.

Attracting new business Key to the project will be a simplified process to search the resources of the 30 higher education institutions in northern Minnesota. That access can help businesses assess workforce skills, available training and education programs in the region. Ultimately, that information may attract businesses to areas that might otherwise not be recognized for their breadth of knowledge and technology expertise.

Access to higher education is often an important factor for businesses considering a move to northern Minnesota, according to Sandy Layman, president of the Itasca Development Corporation, a non-profit organization for economic development in the Itasca County area. Businesses often want to evaluate the available workforce in the area and the programs available for ongoing training.

Also important to economic development is the ability to share information within the region and cooperate whenever possible. Distance and isolation often make collaboration difficult in rural regions where people have to travel to meet. The Northern Tier portal makes it easy to schedule a virtual discussion online without anyone driving anywhere.

“If we want to build information technology in our communities, then we need to bring together people who are already doing it,” Layman said. “That’s where new business ideas and opportunities grow.”

Layman envisions the Northern Tier as an important tool for groups like the Itasca Technology Exchange, a business incubator that houses small business startups, primarily in the Internet business.

“It will be helpful to those businesses to have access to the Northern Tier to share ideas, increase cooperation within the region and also work smarter,” Layman said.

A network for everyone Although focused on building technology-based businesses, the Northern Tier is aimed at attracting people with diverse backgrounds and representing all fields of specialty.

“One important goal is to help people discover the resources in their own backyards,” Wellcome said. “For example, I know two attorneys who do business nationwide. One lives in Big Fork and the other in Leech Lake, not

the most likely places to begin a search for nationally-known business attorneys. I also know a talented Web page designer who does all her work from her northern Minnesota farm. Again, most people wouldn’t begin to know where to find her.”

Electronic community The Northern Tier encompasses the sort of electronic community that Andrew Lucero, director of emerging technologies for Minnesota Power, has long promoted. Lucero is a member of the Northern Tier board and worked with Minnesota Power in creating MP Telecom, a telecommunications subsidiary serving much of Minnesota.

Lucero equates the Northern Tier portal to a large chat room where people who might otherwise never cross paths can work together, share information and successes.

MP Telecom, for instance, has its normal telecommunications contacts who work together on issues. But Lucero notes that there may be many other valuable regional contacts who have not yet been discovered.

“The strength of the Northern Tier is in participation,” Lucero said. “The more people who participate, the more information we’ll have out there. We can’t afford to let something like this fail.”

NOTE: The Northern Tier site will be open to the public on August 6. For more information or to join the site, contact Mike Wellcome at (218) 7554900 or send an e-mail to mwellcome@bemidjistate.edu.

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing (Continued from page 11) Richland and coaching junior high football, girls basketball and baseball ... Nicholas Neeb (’95) is living in Holden, MA ... Eric Johnston (’94) lives in Farmington and runs a financial services business ...

Brandon Blanchard (’96) lives in Saginaw, MI ...

David Herring (’93) is employed as a territory consultant for Orion Food Systems. He lives with his wife, Kelly Jo (Macleod) and their son, Cole, in Grand Rapids ... Stacy Gray (’94) has been working at Express Scripts for more than six years. She lives with her husband and their child, Brayden, 3, in New Hope ... Tia (Filipovich) Piscitelli (’90) of Corte Madera, CA, teaches first grade as well as serving as a literacy facilitator in Mill Valley, CA, and is the parent of three ... Jeffrey Carpenter (’90) lives in Marstons Mills, MA, and has two children, Taylor, 4, and Zackary, 2. He’s anticipating the birth of a third child in August ... Paul Hetland (’95) of Stillwater recently accepted the position of membership development and communications director for the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors. He and his wife have a daughter, Kathleen Rose, born October 25, 2000 ... Ranae Tenold (’95) lives in Columbia Heights ... John Ingebritson (’96) of Pipestone is teaching fourth grade, coaching wrestling and working on a master’s degree at Southwest State University ... Pat Grahek (’92) of Virginia recently remarried and received an LICSW license ... Pat Randall (’97) lives in Osage ... Jonathan Olson (’98) of Hopkins is a certified public accountant working in the tax department for Lurie, Besikof, Lapidus & Co. in Minneapolis. He began attending the William Mitchell College of law in the fall of 2000 ... Marc Glowack (’91) and his wife, Rachel,

live in Nashwauk and were expecting their first child in June ... Jason Saari (’93) of St. Paul has been promoted to the position of lead developer at U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray ... Leona Stern (’92) of River Falls, WI, married Bob Tuomala, formerly of Bemidji, in March of 2000. She received her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, in 1996 ... Kim Elhardt (’98) of Marcell has been teaching kindergarten for three years at Bigfork Elementary. She and her husband, Eric, have a son, Ethan, born June 22, 2000 ... Mike Youngquist (’92) of Baxter recently became a partner in the accounting firm of Kummet Larson Bruth & Co., Brainerd ... Vicki Palmer (’95) of Pequot Lakes teaches high school English at Pequot Lakes Schools. She’s also served as speech coach for five years and as a Pathwise assessor ... Jodi (Holmgren) Sotebeer (’94) and her husband, Mark (’90) and their daughter, Kaiah Noelle, born August 2, 2000, live in Chanhassen ... LaDonna Muster (’94) and her husband, Mark Muster (’91), live in Blaine with their son, Christopher ... Barry Dowers (’99) of Thief River Falls has started a business with two friends, Athletic Resume Service LLC ... Angie Lauderbaugh (’95) of Bemidji has been married for four years and has a daughter who is almost two years old ... Patricia Davidson (’99) of Baudette works at Lakewood Health Center in a variety of areas including prenatal teaching, cardiac rehabilitation and stress testing ... Ian Mackenzie (’99) of Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, has a one-yearold son, Alexander ... Christine Blomberg (’94) and her husband, Steven, of Bemidji are the new parents of a son ... Bonnie Sea (’90) and her

husband, David, of Park Rapids are the new parents of a son ... Fred Yiran (‘86) & (’90) presented his program, Dance and Drums of West Africa, to staff and students of the Squaw Lake Elementary School in November. Originally from Nso in Cameroon, West Africa, Yiran learned many musical traditions from his family. He came to Minnesota 15 years ago and studied art at Atelier le Suoeur in Excelsior and later received a master’s in African art from St. Cloud State University ... Kris Blackburn (’95) filed as a candidate in a recent New York Mills School Board election. She works as an accountant with Renee L. Andrie, CPA. She and her husband, Rick, live in New York Mills ... Darian Hunt (’98) was recently promoted to the position of marketing representative in the Rochester territory for Auto-Owners Insurance.

He joined Auto-Owners in 1998 as an associate underwriter assigned to the White Bear Lake Branch.

He was promoted to underwriter in 1999 and was serving in that position in Wisconsin ... Aaron Clusiau (’96) filed as a candidate for a two-year term on the ISD 319 School Board recently. He lives in Nahwauk with his wife, Christy, and is employed as a loan officer at the American Bank in Nashwauk ...

Nate Dybvig (’97) recently started his own business doing public policy coaching and strategy. He won the Associated Press Freedom of Information Award in Minnesota in 1999 and has worked as a journalist in Bemidji, Brainerd and Ely ... Buni Slinkman (’96) of Bemidji spent her winter vacation serving as a guide during the Ski for Light International gathering in Green Bay, WI. Ski for Light is a program that partners skiers who can see with blind and visually impaired people ... Heather (Smith) Kilde (’98) and John Kilde were married July 28 at Reformation

This column is a regular feature of HORIZONS. The column will highlight major gifts made by individuals or organizations to the University that support the mission of Bemidji State and build a legacy for the future.

Evan and Elaine Hazard Evan Hazard came to campus in 1958 and retired from Bemidji State University in 1994 as professor emeritus of biology. However, his influence on BSU biology continues today.

He and his wife, Elaine recognize how vital BSU is to the communities it serves, especially to students who attend BSU seeking a quality education in biology.

To this end, they will provide $10,000 to the BIO Elaine and Evan Hazard (Biology Investigative Opportunities) Endowment. Established in 1997, the fund provides annual research awards to students with declared majors in biology, medical technology, or aquatic biology.

Additionally, in 1999 Evan established the Hazard Scholarship, providing an annual scholarship to a junior or senior declared biology major. In order to grow the fund and provide additional scholarships, the Hazards invite further donations from alumni, faculty, and friends.

Evan earned a bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and his doctorate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

His contributions to BSU biology include developing the vertebrate collection, strongly advocating science as an integral component of the liberal arts, and designing and teaching a writing course for biology majors.

Elaine Hazard, RN, earned a BSN from Cornell’s nursing school in 1959 and retired in 1991 after 17 years at North Country Regional Hospital. She also has bachelor’s degrees in biology and English (’70) and a master’s in English (’73) from BSU. Evan and Elaine have three children: Brian (BSU ’85), Stuart (BSU ’82), and Kathryn.

“I once said, ‘College teaching is the world’s greatest underpaid profession,’” Evan noted. “I have fond memories of working with both students and colleagues. We are still in contact with many alums, some now university profs themselves. We have always lived less than a mile from campus, and I still frequently lunch with my biology colleagues.

“Public universities like BSU educate most American undergraduates, and undergrads at such schools have far more contact with full-time profs than do those at giant ‘research universities.’

No capable American student should be denied a college education for solely economic reasons. Through the Hazard Scholarship and a contribution to the BIO Endowment, Elaine and I hope to help enhance quality biology education at BSU and help the university recruit the best and brightest students to campus.”

Lutheran Church, New Berlin, WI. Smith is employed as an educational sign language interpreter and her husband is a resident of otolaryngology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. They live in New Berlin ... Richard Kehoe (’92) and his wife, Charleen, of Bemidji announce the March 21 birth of a daughter ... Lisa (Partyka) Lindgren (’95) and Steven Lindgren (’96) were married December 9 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Lake Park. Lisa is employed as information and assistance specialist with the Headwaters Regional Development Commission in Bemidji and Steven is quality assurance manager at Minnesota Dehydrated Vegetables in Fosston ... Dawn Golly (’94) of Hinckley is general manager of the Days Inn at Hinckley and has a daughter who is nearly a year old ... Brian Schaefer (’96) and Lisa Rossiter (’96) of Bemidji were married in September ... Ann McCann (’90) of Brighton, CO, announces the October birth of her daughter, Samantha ... Carolyn Johannsen (’93) was recently chosen as Heartland Christian Academy’s teacher of the week. She’s been teaching at Heartland in Bemidji for five years and has also worked part-time at Sylvan Learning Center, Bemidji. She and her husband, Norm, have been

married 25 years and are the parents of four children ... Jon Monacelli (’96) has been hired as the new chief executive officer for Fortune Bay Resort Casino. He is a certified public accountant and was previously employed as the chief financial officer for Befera Interactive Cablenet in Hibbing ... Karen Jongquist (’99) is employed through Marshall County Social Services as a full-time social worker at the Grygla School. In her position, Karen works with students who may be having problems either at school or at home. She also coordinates a “wrap around” program, which can help supply such items as clothing or school supplies to students in need ... Dan Prijatel (’91) has been promoted to a new position with JPG Communications Inc., Virginia. He’s been named art director/webmaster to creative director with responsibilities that include supervision of the overall creative direction of the agency’s products and services. He began working with JPG in May 1995 ... Kevin Abrahamson (’90) is employed as the principal of Cook School and is working on his doctorate in education at the University of Wisconsin – Superior ... Sunnie Engstrom (’98) has been hired as an accountant and controller by Duluth Federal Employee Credit Union. She’d

Horizons Page 13

IN MEMORIAM Paul A Smith (’70), Deer River, MN Andrew Dolny (’49), Luck, WI Frank James Kovall (’81), Annandale, MN Brenda Eickhoff (’69), Chatfield, MN Santa Wallace (’70), Deer River, MN Carol M. Knutson (’68), Mountain Iron, MN James Berger (’81), Nisswa, MN Dean R. Aeling (’79), Park Rapids, MN Merle Baird (’50), Bemidji, MN Richard (Dick) Otterstad (’47), San Diego, CA Anthony Rozycki (’38), St. Cloud, MN Lafayette Connor (’93), Cook, MN Mary Ann (Woodward) Larson (’36), Duluth, MN (formerly Bemidji) Stan K. Medina (’75), Minnetonka, MN Dorraine Schlichting (former staff of BSU) - Bemidji, MN Luella (Drake) Streed (1938), New Brighton, MN Patrick Gardner (’64), St. Paul, MN Robert M. Haberer (1956), Brainerd, MN Troy M. Nelson (’97), Bemidji, MN Kevin L. Milbrandt (’97), Bemidji, MN Clarence “Bun” Fortier (’42), Bemidji, MN Norita F. McKennett (’37 and ’53), Cass Lake, MN Mary (Worth) Mack (’46), Bemidji, MN George G. Newcomb (’80), Denver, CO F. Miles Nelson (’37), Champlin, MN Duane Ellefson (’59), Hibbing, MN Verna M. Kentner (’92), Shevlin, MN Almond H. Sollom (’43), Thief River Falls, MN Gerald K. Kahl (’36), Rochester, MN Lenora Larson (’28), Edina, MN Elmer E. McCormick (’41), Berea, KY Don Garrigan (’77), Brainerd, MN Constance Simenson-DeKrey (’76), Bemidji, MN John Ainley (’79), Marco Island, FL William McDowall, Puposky, MN (retired faculty) Barbara Ruark (’78), Monticello, MN Shirley Coleman (’78), Naytahwaush, MN Darryl Headbird (’89), Cass Lake, MN Pricilla (Hepokoski) Burt (’44), Vadnais Heights, MN Lyle Dally (’54), Patagonia, AZ Ebba Gladen (’35), Blackduck, MN Margaret Nygaard (’53), Park Rapids, MN Louise Lundberg (’36), Solway, MN Gerald E. Green (’70), Jasper, GA

Music Scholarship Addendum Those who received the music scholarship brochure this spring probably noticed that there was a glaring omission in the listing of music scholarships. Inadvertently missed was the Fulton Gallagher Music Award. The BSU Foundation apologizes for the error and thanks all who notified its office of the mistake.

Jack and Linda Hoeschler, St. Paul patrons of the arts and opera, founded this award in 1993. It was renamed in 1995 to honor Dr. Fulton Gallagher, a professor of music at BSU from 1963 until his retirement in 1996. Gallagher was the moving force behind the Opera Night performances both in Bemidji and Minneapolis.

On July 14, 2001 he directed the first Alumni Opera Night in Bemidji.

Again, apologies are in order for inadvertently missing the Fulton Gallagher Music award in the scholarship brochure. Those wishing to make a contribution in honor of Gallagher to this scholarship can fill out the form below.

Fulton Gallagher Music Scholarship Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ City________________________________ State______________ Zip ___________________ Phone _______________________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________________________________ Enclosed is my gift of: $1,000 $500

$250

$100

$ _____ other

Check enclosed (payable to BSU Foundation) Please charge my MasterCard or VISA Credit Card Number __________________________Exp. Date ______________________ Signature _________________________________________________________________ Please send information on making this gift though EFT _____________________________ (Electronic Fund Transfer or automatic bank withdrawals) Please mail to: Bemidji State University Foundation, 1500 Birchmont Dr NE #17, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699, 1-888-234-5718 or (218)755-4145.

announce the birth of a son, Nathan John, on September 11, 2000 ... Anthony Zimmerman (’96) and Dawn (Stephens) Zimmerman (’96) of Bellingham, WA, launched their company, AwesomeDrinks.com on the internet in April. In addition to photographs, detailed recipe reviews, expert ratings for each recipe and the option to display only the recipes that a user can make with ingredients on-hand, the website also offers metric conversions, articles by experts and daily tidbits of history, humor and insight ... Kristin Nordling (’95) and Brian Nordling (’93) of Savage have a 10-month-old son, Keith. Kristin works at United Health Group and Brian works at Creative Publishing ... Ann Katzmarek (’95) of Crystal has been teaching elementary education for six years at Wayzata and coaches tennis and girls’ hockey ...

Jason Bradley (’99) and Brandy Kellenberger of Bemidji announce the May 3 birth of a daughter ...

Marta Underthun (’96) and Douglas Underthun (’93) of Bemidji announce the May 2 birth of a son At a district breakfast in the Fridley public schools, BSU Alumni Board member Adele Munsterman invited all BSU graduates to turn out for a group photo. When they met in front of the ... Tammie Colley (’92) and Jerry Colley (‘87) of high school, everyone was surprised to see who showed up. Many had been long-time colleagues in the small school district but didn’t realize they shared the same alma mater. Pictured Bemidji announce the May 5 birth of a son ... Mike are (back, left to right) Joyce (Smith) McKnight (’69), Gail (Aver) Wellner (’68), Margy (Trombley) Sweeney (’73), Jean (Roehning) Linnell (’78), Leann Hess (’78), Todd Reiland (’96), Brian Kingbird (’94) and Charlotte Roberts, both of Red Weierke (’91), Adele (Levchak) Munsterman (’74) and (front, left to right) Bruce Messer (’78), Teresa Schneider (’00), Cathy (Taray) Bular (’70).

Lake, announce the April 26 birth of a son ...Dawn Hinrichs (’94) and Tim Hinrichs (’90) of Bemidji previously worked for the public accounting firm of Plymouth ... Daryl Smith (’98) is a third-grade Austin received a master’s degree in library media announce the April 30 birth of a son ... Brenda Kummet, Larson, Bluth and Company ... Matthew teacher at Rippleside Elementary School in Aitkin education in 2000 and is currently employed as a Manz (’92) is engaged to marry Anne Athmann in St. and recently became the head coach of the Gobbler’s media specialist at an elementary school in Austin ... Dukek (’98) and Stuart Dukek of Bagley announce the April 23 birth of a daughter ... David Gooch Paul this summer. He attends Luther Seminary in St. girls’ basketball team ... Joshua Stevenson (’97) has Jill (Saulsbury) Mahoney (’94) and Chris Paul and plans to become a Lutheran pastor. Anne is accepted a position with the engineering and Mahoney (’94) live with their two-year-old daughter (’93) and his wife, Amber, of Bemidji announce an accounting manager for 2nd Swing Golf stores in consulting firm of Rodeberg & Berryman of in Jamestown, ND. They’ve been married since 1995 the May 14 birth of a daughter ... Amy Birch (’90) and her husband, Chad, of Driggs, ID, announce Montevideo where he will do Geographic ... Jason Moen (’94) has been working for the past the May 29 birth of a son ... Spencer Brandt (’92) Information System work and computer-assisted six years for the Lower Yukon School District in is coach to eight members of the Bemidji School of drafting. He had been employed with the GIS Service Russian Mission, AK. This summer he plans to Tae Kwon Do who prepared to compete in the 21st Bureau of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional marry Tracy Badger of Anchorage, AK ... Wendy Development Commission ... Neal Anderson (’98) Scholler (’97) of Random Lake, WI, has a daughter Junior Olympic Tae Kwon Do championships this summer ... Jenny Bakke (’96) and her husband, and Erica Stomberg were married July 1, 2000, in who is almost two years old and works as an Brian, of Clearbrook announce the June 7 birth of a Grand Forks. Neal works at Knight Printing in Fargo environmental health and safety coordinator. She son ... Steve Page (’91) recently became a sheriff’s where the couple now resides ... Carrie Collyard also coaches a high school track team ... Gayle (’96) received a doctor of chiropractic degree April 7 Runck (’91) of Tonopah, NV, teaches fifth grade and sergeant with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Department. He’d been a deputy with the at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in is also a youth director at First Baptist Church ... department for eight years. He will also continue Boomington. She recently completed a nine-month Donovan Koxvold (’93) of Mound is currently his duties as the department’s field training officer internship with Dr. John Belde of Big Lake working as the GIS coordinator for the Hennepin and community policing coordinator, responsibiliChiropractic and currently lives in Elk River where Conservation District ... Bob Brauer (’92) of ties he’s held for six years. she plans to begin her practice ... Paula Springfield, IL, is the vice president of Brauer Schaefbauer (’96) of Virginia became the Supply Company, a wholesale distribution business.

2000s administrator of White Community Hospital in He has three children, Travis, 6, Elexis, 3, and a October ... Jackie (Riewer) Lenk (’93) of Foley newborn, Britta ... Kimberly (Pechan) Olson (’94) Adam Wojciehowski (’00) of Somerset, WI, was recently hired as an officer with the Somerset received a master’s of arts in education degree on and her husband, Eric, of Alexandria announce the Police Department. He also volunteers with the June 2 from St. Mary’s University of Winona, birth of a daughter, Brianna, on June 14, 2000 ...

Somerset Fire Rescue unit and continues to teach Minneapolis campus ... Melissa Loper (’96) of John Schmitt (’97) and Shannon Schmitt (’96) Mathew Manz and Anne Athman courses for the American Red Cross ... Mike

Norland (’00) is employed as a police officer in the city of Fosston ... Kathy VandeKamp (’00) resides in Blackduck ... Chad Mihm (’00) and Kristen Knoshaug (‘98) were married December 9 at Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji. They live in Plymouth ... Laurie Olson (’00) took a teaching position last fall at the Reishus School in Biwabik where she teaches Title I, basic skills for grade four and physical education for kindergarten and first grade. Her husband, Dave, has been employed as a maintenance mechanic. Their children attend Mesabi East in Aurora where Kari is a junior and Andy is in eighth grade ... Sherry Erickson (’00) of rural Orr was hired last fall as city clerk of Orr. Previously Erickson worked as an accounts payable clerk for Independent School District 2142, administrative assistant to the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council Chair, Bois Forte purchasing clerk and Y.O.U. Camp Department manager. She is married to Glenn Erickson and has three children, Andrew, Megan and Meredith ...

Richard Kehoe (’00) and his wife, Charleen, announce the March 21 birth of a daughter ...

Nathan Mrnak (’00) works as a police officer for the city of Appleton, WI, where he also resides ...

William Cory (’00) lives in Mentor, OH ... Wade Clisby (’00) recently opened a new media design company in Bemidji called Critical Mass Studios along with three friends. He is currently living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in hopes of incorporating a branch office there as well ...

Michael Bynski (’00) lives in Portage, MI ... Elinet Arika (’00) of Columbia Heights is employed parttime and plans to return to BSU soon to work on a master’s degree ... Erin Sopp (’00) of St. Paul plans to get married in July and is working as the lead preschool teacher at KinderCare Learning Centers in Eden Prairie ... Stephanie Jacobi (’00) of Brainerd is teaching Spanish at St. Francis School in Brainerd for grades K-7 ... Jena Johnson (’00) and Jason Katzenberger (00) plan to be married July 28 in Bemidji ... Jennifer Erickson (’00) of Bemidji was recently hired as a police officer with the City of Bemidji Police Department, the first woman officer to be hired by that department in more than 20 years ... Jeremy Stay (’00) and Lisa Schimers plan to be married July 7 at Lastrup.

Jeremy is employed at Potlatch Corporation in Bemidji and Lisa is employed as a nurse at MeritCare Clinic, Bemidji

Horizons Page 14

DR. RANAE WOMACK was named as the dean of the College of Social and Natural Sciences (CSNS). A graduate of BSU and a member of the BSU staff since 1987, Womack had served as the CSNS acting dean since July 1 of 1999.

As the dean, she will oversee a college that includes departments in biology, chemistry, criminal justice, economics, environmental studies, geography and political science, math and computer science, nursing, physics, psychology, and social relations and services.

has been named as the dean for the College of Arts and Letters. A member of the BSU language faculty since 1981, Erickson had served as the interim dean for the college since 1997. As dean, she administers departments in English, history,

DR. NANCY ERICKSON

University, including accounting; business; industrial technology; physical education, health and sport; and professional education.

Changes Ranae Womack

Nancy Erickson

Paul Lindseth

New Administrators In Place Several new hires within the past few months have slightly changed and added to the administrative landscape at Bemidji State. The changes include: mass communication, modern languages, music, philosophy, theatre and speech communication, and visual arts.

DR. MARTIN TADLOCK Dr. Martin Tadlock will become the dean of the College of Professional Studies in mid-August, replacing Dr. Dave Larkin who was serving

in an acting capacity. An associate professor of elementary education at Utah State University, Tadlock will oversee some of the largest academic programs within the

PAUL LINDSETH has been named as the director of financial aid at Bemidji State University. A member of the BSU staff since 1983 and a graduate of Bemidji State, Lindseth had served as acting director since July of 2000 following the retirement of John Schullo. As director, he is responsible for designing, developing, budgeting, reporting and providing oversight for the University’s financial aid operation that awards more than $17 million each year in scholarships, loans, grants and part-time employment.

New Athletic Staff Athletic changes include a new athletic director, sports information director, and new coaches to guide the fortunes of the BSU men’s hockey team, women’s hockey squad, and men’s basketball team.

Dr. Rick Goeb

Andy Bartlett

ANDY BARTLETT was selected to serve

as the University’s sports information director (SID). An assistant sports information director (SID) at Kansas State University until accepting the BSU position, Bartlett will be responsible for managing all facets of the sports information program, including game-day operations, media relations, statistical compilation and reporting, web site development, fund raising assistance, publication production, and external relations with national and regional athletic organizations.

TOM SERRATORE has assumed head coaching duties for men’s ice hockey. The associate head hockey coach at BSU the past three seasons, Serratore is familiar with Bemidji State as a student, having graduated from the University in 1987. He played in three NCAA III national hockey tournaments for the Beavers, including the 1986 squad that won the championship, and was captain in 1987.

Tom Serratore

Jeff Guiot

Jason Lesteberg

After graduating, Serratore was an assistant hockey coach at Brainerd High School until he moved to Henry Sibley High School as the head coach in 1991.

In 1993, he was named the associate head coach at St. Cloud State University. In his tenure at St. Cloud, he led recruiting efforts and was instrumental in helping the program reach national prominence. His recruits include the upper classmen who competed in the last two NCAA tournaments for St. Cloud.

JEFF GUIOT has taken over the reigns of the men’s basketball program this summer. Guiot most recently was an assistant coach at Southern Utah University, which enjoyed its best men’s basketball season in history. Prior to joining the Southern Utah coaching staff in the fall of

2000, Guiot had served as the head coach at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS where he compiled a 164-60 record, won four conference championships, and made seven consecutive playoff appearances.

On the high school level, Guiot served as the head coach at Inman (KS) High School, an assistant at Chanute (KS) High School, and head coach at Schell City (MO) High School.

In his 11 years as a head coach on college and high school levels, he has never had a losing season.

JASON LESTEBERG will be guiding the fortunes of the women’s ice hockey team starting this fall.

Lesteberg comes to Bemidji State after one year as the head women’s coach at Wisconsin-

Stevens Point. He led the Pointers to a 13-13-1 record in their inaugural season of varsity women’s ice hockey competition despite having just 15 players on his roster. Under Lesteberg’s guidance, the Pointers posted an 11-0-1 record against other first-year programs and regularly earned votes in the Division III national rankings.

His performance earned him Coach of the Year accolades from the NCHA, and he was a finalist for Division III National Coach of the Year.

Prior to his position at Stevens Point, Lesteberg spent three years as assistant men’s hockey coach at his alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus.

DR. RICK GOEB will begin his duties as the new BSU athletic director in early August. He comes to

Bemidji State from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks where he was the senior associate athletic director.

At BSU, Goeb will direct a program for 17 teams, including ice hockey on the NCAA Division I level for men and women as well as other sports that compete on the NCAA II level. He will also serve as the primary representative of the athletic department in fund-raising activities.

Originally from Anoka, MN, Goeb received his undergraduate degree at North Dakota State, a master’s from Northern Colorado, and doctorate from UND. Prior to joining the AlaskaFairbanks staff in 1995, he worked in athletic administration at the University of North Dakota, served as the head wrestling coach at St. Cloud State, was the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Northern Colorado, and served as an assistant wresting coach at North Dakota State University.

Horizons Page 15

Communiques

Communiques

from alumni

ALOHA BEAVERS! Homecoming Hawaiian Style The Homecoming theme for 2001 has been selected so grab your grass skirt or Hawaiian shirt and plan to attend! See the registration form on the back page for more details and registration information.

and Marla Huss Patrias, Director of Alumni Relations

Winter Rendezvous Continues Tradition of Success

Once again, the Fifth Annual BSU Winter Rendezvous in Laughlin, Nevada was a great success, with over 130 BSU alumni and friends attending. As has been the case for the past five years, Bill Howe ’59, coordinated the golf tournament, which was again held at the Desert Lakes Golf course.

Even those who don’t play golf well had a good time!

The awards banquet on Monday evening featured a roast of BSU president, Dr. M. James Bensen ’59, who will be retiring this year. Being the good sport that he is, Dr. Bensen took it all in stride, including the gift of a feather boa, jokingly presented as a gift from our well-known midwestern governor.

Based on responses to a participant survey, it has been decided that the 2002 BSU Winter Rendezvous will be held at a new hotel. The Flamingo Laughlin has been chosen to host the event for next year, and will feature our Sunday night registration / reception on the Flamingo’s riverboat Celebration.

Dates for the 2002 Winter Rendezvous will be Sunday, March 10 and Monday, March 11. For further information about the 2002 BSU Winter Rendezvous, or to get on the mailing list, contact the Bemidji State University Alumni Office at 755-3989 (local calls) or 1-877-BSU-ALUM (toll free).

Capturing first place honors during the 5th Annual BSU Winter Golf Classic were (left to right): Roger Aitken ’73, Vera Kavanagh, Jim Smalley ’62, and Rose Skyberg ’57.

Outstanding Alumni to be Honored

Homecoming Reunions

Six BSU Alumni will join the ranks of the Alumni Association’s outstanding alumni on Saturday, October 6, 2001. This banquet, annually held during Homecoming, will honor six people chosen by the Alumni Association’s board of directors. Honorees include Gene Anderson ’63, Dan Dressen ’73, Douglas Hendricks ’72, D. Patrick McCullough ’67, Dorothy Moore ’49 and David Ramsey ’78.

The class of 1961 will celebrate their 40-year reunion during Homecoming 2001. In addition to many Homecoming events, there will be a reception for the reunion participants at the David Park House Friday evening, October 5.

Mark your calendars now, and plan to attend!

Registration information will be sent to members of the class of 1961 in the mail. We are also seeking volunteers to help plan the reunion, so if you are interested, please contact the alumni office at 218-755-3989 (local calls), or 1-877-278-2586 (toll free).

This Alumni Honors Banquet is open to the public, however reservations are required. For more information, or to make reservations, please contact the Alumni Association at 755-3989 (local) or at 1-877BSU-ALUM (toll free).

Items Sought for Silent Auction The Alumni Association is looking for donated items for the silent auction to be held at the “Fifth Quarter” Alumni reception during Homecoming 2001. To make this a great success, we need your help in increasing the number of items we will have to bid on. Some examples of items we’ve received in the past include gift certificates for stays at lodges or bed and breakfasts, guided fishing trips for two, hand-carved pine bed frame, hand-made Up North trivets and soap, bottles of wine, golf putters, an amethyst necklace, and more.

If you have an item you would like to donate, please send it to the BSU Alumni Association at 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Box 17, Bemidji, MN 566012699. In order to be included in the auction, items must be received by the Alumni Association no later than Tuesday, October 2.

40-Year Reunion of the Class of 1961

Lutheran Campus Center Alumni Reunion The Lutheran Campus Center at BSU is holding an alumni reunion during Homecoming 2001. There will be an open house Saturday evening, October 6 and a worship service Sunday, October 7, on campus followed by a brunch and program at the Northern Inn. Please call 218-751-5326 to register or for more information.

Catholic Newman Center Alumni Reunion Holy Spirit Catholic Newman Center will have the annual Catholic faculty/student “Get Acquainted brunch” following the 11 a.m. Mass Sunday, September 30. The Cardinal Newman Service and Scholarship Award will be presented during this brunch. All alumni are invited. For more information contact Lois by email at newmancenter@bemidjistate.edu or by phone at 218-444-4762.

Changes to the Alumni Relative Scholarship Application Process The Alumni Association sponsors a scholarship program for students attending BSU who are relatives of active alumni. Active alumni status consists of having made a gift of $30 or more to the BSU Foundation since June of the preceding year. If you are not currently active, you may become so by making a gift of $30 or more prior to, or along with, submission of a scholarship application.

The deadline for applications for the 2002-2003 Alumni Relative Scholarship has been Second place finishers in the 5th Annual BSU Winter Golf Classic were (left to right): moved up. The new deadline for all applications, including freshman and returning or transBob Fitzgerald ’85, Ardie Rotto ’72, Betty Howe, and Don Meacham ’59. fer students, will be December 31, 2001. Notification of successful applicants will be made

by February 1, 2002. Previously, applications were due on March 1 for incoming freshman and May 1 for returning or transfer students. The schedule has been changed so that students have more timely information about whether or not they will be receiving the award.

Class of 1951 50-Year Reunion In addition to the schedule change, applications will no longer be mailed just The class of 1951 celebrated their 50to active alumni. Instead, a postcard will be mailed to all alumni for whom we year reunion on May 17-18. As has become the tradition for reunion particihave good addresses, notifying you of the availability of applications. This gives pants, many of them participated in the all alumni an opportunity to become active and sponsor an eligible student.

BSU commencement ceremonies held Applications will be available three ways: 1) on the internet at the Alumni on Friday, May 18. Members of the Association’s web page - http://www.bemidjistate.edu/alumni.html; 2) through class of 1951 served as the honor guard, the mail by calling the alumni office at 755-3989 (local) or 1-877-BSU-ALUM and led the faculty and students in the (toll free); or 3) by picking one up at the alumni office located in the David commencement processional across campus. Other reunion activities inPark House at 1501 Birchmont Drive NE. cluded a reception on Thursday evening, This scholarship program is very competitive, with more than twice the numa luncheon Friday afternoon with many ber of applicants than available awards each year. For the best chance of of the administrators on campus as well being successful, the student should complete all questions as completely as as Libby Larsen, the 2001 BSU Distinpossible. Applications must be postmarked by the December 31 deadline to guished Minnesotan, followed by a be considered.

Presidential Banquet held on Friday evening. The 50-year reunion of the If you have questions about the scholarship program, please contact the BSU Photo of 50-Year Reunion Participants - Top row to bottom row: class of 1952 will be held on May 15 Bruce Jamieson, Burna (Krugler) Jamieson, Anna Senn, Evelyn alumni office at 755-3989 (local) or 1-877-BSU-ALUM (toll free). and 16, 2002. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!

(Krogstad) Rorem, Anita (Hanson) Dittmer, Dr. Dale Bergeron, and Ray Pearson. Not pictured: Russell Nelson

Horizons Page 16

September 27 through October 7, 2001

ALOHA BEAVERS! Homecoming Hawaiian Style BSU HOMECOMING 2001 THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AND 28 Voting for King and Queen: 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. – Lower Hobson Union-Free Ice Cream!

4:30-6:30 P.M. – Walnut Hall

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 7:00-9:00 P.M. – Coffeehouse Entertainment: Oak Hall 2nd Floor Lounge

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 7:00 PM – Coronation with BSU Women’s Volleyball Team: PE Gymnasium

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 7:00 PM – Outdoor Movie, “Gladiator” North side of Walnut Hall at dusk

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 9:00 PM-Midnight – Dance to Johnny Holm; John Glas Fieldhouse.

Tickets available at the door.

Students $5 with BSU ID, non-students $7.

9:00 AM-4:00 PM – David Park House; Open house with tours available; Coffeepot is on!

6:00-11:00 PM – 40 Year Reunion of the Class of 1961; Opening Reception. David Park House

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 11:00 AM – **Bemidji State University Homecoming Tailgate Party-Diamond Point Park. Music, entertainment, Stittsworth Brats and beverages. $3 with Homecoming button or $5.00 without. Cosponsored by the BSU Alumni Association and Beaver Pride.

1:30 PM – Traditional BSU Homecoming Football Game. The BSU Beavers play host to Concordia Golden Bears at the Chet Anderson Stadium. Tickets available at the game.

4:00-6:00 PM – **Fifth Quarter Alumni Reception and Silent AuctionLakeside Hobson Memorial Union.

Co-sponsored by the BSU Alumni Association and KBUN/KB101/KZY Radio. Celebrate with friends, former classmates, faculty, and staff. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided. Cash bar. Free with Homecoming button or $2.00/ person without button.

6:30 PM – BSU Alumni Association Honors Banquet-Beaux Arts Ballroom. Join alumni, faculty and friends of Bemidji State University for the presentation of the 2001 BSU Outstanding Alumni Awards.

6:30 PM – Social Hour 7:00 PM – Banquet 8:00 PM – Awards Program $18.00 /person – (RSVP required, use attached registration form).

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 3:00 P.M – Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert; Beaux Arts Ballroom, BSU Campus. Tickets available at the door. (**) NOTE: Homecoming Buttons will be sold throughout Homecoming week at a cost of $2.00 each and can be purchased at the Hobson Memorial Union Desk, PE Complex Office and at the David Park House. Please note (**) that certain events and activities are free, or discounted, with the purchase of a Homecoming Button!

BSU HONORS BANQUET ADVANCE RESERVATION Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Years attended BSU: 19 _____ to 19______ OR 19 _____ to 20______ Name of Spouse: _________________________________________________________________ Years attended BSU: 19_____ to 19______ OR 19 _____ to 20______ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________________State_______ Zip _________________________ Home Phone: ( __________ ) _______________________________________________________ E-mail Address: __________________________________________________________________ Names of Add’l Guests, If Any: _______________________________________________________ COST OF EVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #______ @ $18.00/person. = $ ______ ____ Enclosed is a check made payable to The BSU Alumni Association. ____ Please charge $________ to my credit card: ____ Visa ____MasterCard Account #: ________________________________ Expiration Date: ______________ Signature _____________________________________________________________

Reservations must be received by Monday, October 1, 2001.

Mail reservation form and payment to: Bemidji State University Alumni Association / 1500 Birchmont Drive NE #17 / Bemidji MN 56601-2699 Registrations will be accepted over the phone if payment is being made with a credit card. Call the BSU Alumni Association Office at: 755-3989 (local) or 877-BSU-ALUM (toll free).

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Alumni Association “Honors Banquet” has limited seating available. RSVP’s are required and MUST be made in advance in order to attend. Reservations must be received by October 1, 2001. All other events have tickets available at the door.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE DURING HOMECOMING: University Bookstore Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:45 AM-5:00 PM Friday: 7:45 AM-4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Campus Tours: Weekdays, 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM; BSU Admissions Office (218) 755-2040.

Gillett Recreation & Fitness Center: Open Friday 6:15 AM-9:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM-9:00 PM and Sunday 1:00 PM-9:00 PM. Come enjoy a great workout with family and friends at the Gillett Recreation and Fitness Center during Homecoming Weekend. Simply show your BSU Alumni membership card at the door and you and your family will be admitted free of charge or stop by the Alumni Office to pick up a pass.

KB101/KBUN Chat-a-bout: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 12:30 PM at locations across campus.

Lutheran Campus Center Alumni Reunion: Saturday: Open House, 4-8 PM Sunday: Worship Service at 9:00 AM at Beaux Arts Ballroom, with a welcome by Incoming President Jon Quistgaard; followed by a brunch at 11:00 AM at the Northern Inn, featuring Outgoing President James Bensen as keynote speaker.

Catholic Newman Center Alumni Gathering: Holy Spirit Catholic Newman Center will have the annual Catholic Faculty/Student “Get Acquainted Brunch” following the 11:00 AM Mass, Sunday, September 30. The Cardinal Newman Service and Scholarship award will be given to a senior. All alumni are invited.

For more information contact Lois: newmancenter@bemidjistate.edu or 218-444-4762.

2001 HOMECOMING COMMITTEES Marla Huss Patrias, Director, BSU Alumni Association / Homecoming Co-Chair Linda Blanchard ’70/’75, Associate Director, Hobson Memorial Union / Homecoming Co-Chair

COORDINATING COMMITTEE Marion Christianson, ’50/’71, Alumni Association Board of Directors; Kelly Main, HUPB; Gary Sabart, HUPB; Phil Sauer, BSU Professor Emeritus

ALUMNI EVENTS COMMITTEE Jerry Abbott ’60 Susie Balstad ’74, Kermit Bensen ’60/ ’70, Marion Christianson ’50/’71, Joann Gardner ‘93, Dick Haugo ’61/’63, Delphine Jacobson ‘63, Bill Kirtland ’53, Suzy Langhout ’93, John Liapis ’52, Willie Stittsworth ’53, Ken Traxler, and Jessica Ward ‘96.