Spring 2004 Bethany Report

Men’s basketball team heads to national tournament for first time in 42 years - page 4

Bethany will soon have a new logo - page 9 Students propose health care reform - page 10 Summer reunion information - page 16

Bethany Lutheran College

Board of Regents The Rev. John A. Moldstad, Sr. Pine River, Minn.

Chair Mr. Harold A.Theiste Plymouth, Minn.

Vice Chair The Rev. Kenneth V. Schmidt West Bend, Wis. Secretary Willis Anthony, Ph. D. St. Peter, Minn.

The Rev. Mark Bartels Madison, Wis. Mr. Jon C. Bruss Hartland, Wis. Mr. Paul T. Chamberlin South Chatham, Mass.

Mr. Lyle Fahning Burnsville, Minn.

Mr. William Overn Eagan, Minn.

Mr. Roland Reinholtz Middleton, Wis. The Rev. Dr. J. Kincaid Smith Shawano, Wis.

Advisory Members The Rev. Lawrence Burgdorf St. Louis, Mo. President John A. Moldstad Mankato, Minn.

The Rev. M. E.Tweit Mankato, Minn.

All correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments are welcomed and should be directed to: Bethany Lutheran College The Report 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163 E-mail: alumni@blc.edu (507) 344-7000 1-800-944-3066 FAX: (507) 344-7417 Web site: www.blc.edu ISSUE: XCVII

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P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S AG E

First year has been a blessing

T

he month of January marked the completion of my first year as president of Bethany Lutheran College.

bachelor of arts degree in the physical sciences from Bethany and a bachelor of science degree in one of a broad array of engineering sub-disciplines from Minnesota. This will bring our number of majors up to fourteen. Work is also in progress to develop majors in English and It has truly been a blessing for in sociology. Our elementary me to work with the outstandeducation program is in full ing, dedicated group of people swing and we hope to initiate President Dan Bruss who serve as faculty, staff, and dialogue with the State Board administrators in our joint effort of preparing of Teaching regarding secondary education. students for lives of Christian leadership and On the co-curricular front, we officially join service. Equally a blessing has been the oppor- the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference this tunity to interact with you alumni and friends fall. We are very excited that our athletes will of the college, who through your prayers and now be able to compete for four years. financial gifts allow our endeavors to prosper With our rapid expansion of majors and and expand. I thank you for your continued other opportunities for our students, Bethany support in this ever-important task of provid- is poised for a healthy jump in enrollment. ing a high-quality liberal arts education that While there has been a temporary lull in integrates the gospel message of the “One construction for the past several semesters, Thing Needful.” plans for building apartment style housing An exciting aspect of being in academia is for our upper classmen are currently being that no two years are ever the same. This is discussed. Although at this writing these plans especially true for Bethany as we continue to are still in the preliminary stages, I fully anticiexpand our options at the baccalaureate level. pate that we will have to step up our efforts Psychology will officially begin as a major this to accommodate the projected growth in our fall, and a “three-two” agreement with the junior and senior classes. I look forward to University of Minnesota in engineering is in each of these new developments as the year the final stages of development. With this unfolds. agreement, students interested in pursuing

engineering would attend Bethany for three years and Minnesota for two years. At the end of this time, the student would receive a

The Report is published by the Bethany Lutheran College public relations office and distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which calls for people to make the most of their God-given talents in whatever walk of life they pursue.

Mission: Bethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college committed to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions. Bethany provides studies culminating in a bachelor of arts degree. The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship. In keeping with

Editor – Lance Schwartz Graphic design, photography – David Norris Proofing – Mary Hansen, Jon Kovaciny, Elayne Luiken, and Glenda Williams On the cover: Colby Swanson had a turn at cutting the net down after the team won the District 4 Championship game, sending the team to the national tournament.

- Photo courtesy of Kirsten Jeddeloh

Bethany Report

From the Chapel January 30, 2004 “God’s Healing and your Chiclets” Jeremiah 33:6b “I will heal my people and I will give them abundant peace.”

Y

ears ago, I had a dog that really liked me. He was an American Eskimo, pure white. He always wanted to be at my side.

What amazed me, however, was how fast that dog could turn on me. If I had a dog bone in my hand he acted like my best friend, but the minute I gave him the bone, he’d growl at me. Apparently he has a holy name that we should respect. thought I was going to take it away again. We said, “No way; we’ll use God’s name I couldn’t figure it out. The minute I gave whenever we feel like cursing and swearing.” The third commandment says that him the bone, I became the enemy.

Years ago, one of my daughters liked to the Sabbath Day should be a day set aside go to the grocery store. I’d put this two for Him. We said, “No way; Sunday is the year-old into her child seat, drive to the one day we can hit the highway and have store and buy groceries. Then as we headed some fun.” How can we human beings do home I’d surprise her and say, “Honey, I that to God? After God has given us all bought you a package of Chiclets gum.” good things, how can we growl at Him, (Years ago these packages held fifty or sixty bite His hand, or not share our Chiclets?

That’s precisely what the book of Jeretiny pieces of gum.) I’d say, “Here, the package is yours, but may I have a couple miah is about. Many times Jeremiah told of pieces?”And just as quickly she’d say, his people something like this: “You know, God made you His chosen people. God “NO!” Just that fast, “NO!” gave you this beautiful promAnd I could never figure ised land. He gave you the that out. What do American prophets and the promise of Eskimo dogs have in common a Messiah, and what have you with two-year-olds? How done in return? You’ve cheated could I be a friend one minute, Him. You’ve ignored Him. but an enemy the next? I was You’ve even worshipped Baal. the giver of good gifts, but I Consequently, I have some got absolutely no respect! bad news for you. The BabyloMaybe that’s how God feels nians are going to capture you about us. He gave us this Rev. Richard and carry many of you off into wonderful planet earth to call Wiechmann captivity.” home—a home which provides In the verses surrounding our text, Jereus with everything we need. He gave us the Ten Commandments to use as our miah preaches a law and gospel sermon. rulebook, but immediately we changed First of all, the law: “Nebuchadnezzar the rules. God became the enemy. The is going to bring his Babylonian troops. first commandment says that God should They’ll lay siege to Jerusalem. They’ll set be the lord of our lives. We said, “No way; Jerusalem on fire and finally, many of you we are going to do whatever we feel like will be carried off into captivity.”

But now listen to the second part of doing.” The second commandment says that God, the giver of all good things, his speech (the gospel part) and this is so Spring 2004

amazing — God says: “Don’t cry, there is hope for the future.

Someday my people will return from Babylon… The days are coming when I will again bless the houses of Judah and Israel. I will be their God and they will be my people. I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more.”

And now listen to our text: “I will heal my people and I will give them abundant peace.”

Isn’t that amazing? How can God, the giver of all good gifts, forgive His people so quickly?

The Apostle John answers the question by stating that God is love. That’s why He forgives and forgets. God does not merely love. He actually is Love itself. Sometimes parents have these same loving tendencies. They work hard and sacrifice for their children, only to be mistreated and despised—but some parents just continue and continue to show love to their children.

Do you remember the parable of the prodigal son? This boy takes his dad’s money, leaves his dad’s house, goes to a far country and breaks every rule his dad ever taught him. Finally, after living a wild life, after going bankrupt, he decides to go back home, and what happens? The father sees the son walking up the driveway, the father runs to the son, the father hugs the son and welcomes him home even before Chapel continued on page 5 3

AT H L E T I C S

Men’s basketball wins big T

he Bethany Lutheran College men’s basketball team hadn’t seen a new face on the sidelines since 1986 when Art Westphal began his seventeen-year tenure as the Viking mentor. Prior to Westphal’s term on the sidelines, Ron Younge coached the men’s team for nineteen years. Collectively Younge and Westphal hold a 514 – 351 career record. Both had numerous trips to state and regional tournaments, but surprisingly, neither coach can claim a trip to the national tournament. And that is why they both are ecstatic about first-year head coach Rick Jeddeloh’s national-tournament team. “I couldn’t be happier for Rick!” says Westphal. “He had a fine group of kids that played extremely well as a team, I can’t wait to cheer them on in Illinois.”

This is the first time in fourty-two years that the Vikings have made it to the final twelve of the NJCAA. The men defeated Minot State University - Bottineau 91-90 in two overtimes to win the 2004 Region XIII Championship earning them a spot in the District IV Championship. They defeated Central Community College 86-64 to become the District Champions giving them a spot in the 2004 NJCAA National Tournament.

The Vikings will travel to Danville, Illinois, to compete in the tournament.

The 2003 Men’s Basketball team back row from left: Asst. Coach Charlie Freitag, Alfonso Mayfield, Jonathan Monson, Colby Swanson, Tavish Satrom, Ross Libby, Head Coach Rick Jeddeloh Front row from left: Student Manager Brenda Trahms, Cedric Dildy, Jerome Wardlow, Cory Johnson, Robert Smaller, Mike Colago, Asst. Coach David Cink

Women’s Basketball The Bethany women’s basketball team also began a new era this season under the direction of first-year head coach Tiffany Young. They finished their season with a mark of 16-9 and were the Region XIII Runner-Up after being defeated

by Bismarck State 82-73. The program racked up some impressive offensive stats.

The Vikings topped the century mark three times during the season. They tallied a season-high 122 points against Minnesota West on January 14.

Marcia Ankrum and Jessica Merseth were named to the Region XIII All-Tournament team. Merseth was also named to First-Team All-Division, and Kasey 4

The 2003 Women’s Basketball team back row from left: Head Coach Tiffany Young, Leah Schwertfeger, Marissa Soderquist, Jessica Merseth, Kasey Schlicker, Stephanie Schmitz, Christina Madson, Asst.

Coach Marci Greisen Front row from left: Katie von Holtum, Katie Wiechmann, Marcia Ankrum, Tyrika Gordon, Maria Ankrum, Ashley Danielson

Schlicker was named Second-Team AllDivision (MCCC Conference, Southern Division).

Both the men and women’s teams will compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) next season. In

addition to Bethany the UMAC members schools include the College of Saint Scholastica, Crown College, Martin Luther College, Northland College, Northwestern College, Presentation College, and the University of Minnesota – Morris.

Bethany Report

CAMPUS NEWS

Education on ‘the hill’ over three centuries I

t was named Marsh Street because of the marshes that once dotted the area.”

False: One of the earliest homesteaders of the property was John Q. A. Marsh, who with his brother also had a contract to carry the mail from St. Paul to Mankato.

“Bethany Ladies College, built in 1911 was the first women’s college in Mankato.”

False: In the 1860s, the Presbyterian pastor James Thomson opened a college for women on the site.

He was called Father Thomson, since he was the first pastor to come to Mankato.

He envisioned a great university for Mankato, and in 1864 established Woodland Ladies Seminary on McMahan Hill. With a curriculum patterned after Mt. Holyoke College, Massachusetts, the institution lasted less than two years, achieving an enrollment of thirty or so students. Some later founders would envision their Bethany as the Smith-Vassar of the Midwest for Synodical Conference Lutheran girls. The rarefied air of McMahan hill has made for big dreams, not all fulfilled.

The site of this first women’s college was the brow of the hill “behind St. Joseph Hospital” (between Fifth and Sixth

Streets), according to an early history of Mankato. Thomson purchased a small tract of land from John S. Hinckley, the homesteader who settled the 160-acre area between Main Street and Elm Street at the top of the hill. Thomson built a house, fairly large, which later came to be known as McMahan house after the physician, Dr. William McMahan, who lived there later. Thomas Hughes, in Blue Earth County History published in 1908, writes “The old building still stands on the brow of the bluff, now almost a ruin.” (p. 148) According to the secretary’s minutes of the Lutheran Education Association in 1909, the properties acquired for Bethany Ladies College included several old buildings that had to be demolished. The McMahan house was one of them. So, as usual, the old makes way for the new.

As a sabbatical project during the 2003-04 school year, the undersigned has begun work on a history of Bethany Lutheran College. That means digging back deep into Mankato history. Since the “hill” was especially meaningful to Bethany students before the automobile population exploded, it has seemed important to explore the history not only

Chapel continued from page 3

He was bruised for our iniquities The chastisement of our peace was upon Him And with His stripes, we are healed (There’s that word healing again…)

I don’t know exactly why you go to church. I go primarily to find healing and peace. At my stage of life, I need to know that I have forgiveness. I need to hear that God is my loving parent, who will continue to shower my life with blessings, even as He will shower your life with blessings.

Someday when you are no longer

“

the son has admitted how foolish he had been.

That’s why there is healing and peace in the Christian Church. That’s why there can be healing and peace in your life. God is a God of love and forgiveness. And when His Son came into the world, Jesus also came to bring you love and forgiveness. According to Isaiah: Jesus bore our griefs He carried our sorrows He was wounded for our transgressions Spring 2004

Woodland Ladies Seminary

of the institution, but also the ground on which its stands. Poring over some of these old records the mind inevitably forms mental images of Native American youth encamped with their tribe on this bluff, sitting at the feet of the elders learning their lore—their history and ways. Soon, those images begin to mix with those of studious young women in Civil War times; in turn, they mix again with the voices of young women during the time of the First World War. And soon, those voices are joined by young men and women, steadily growing greater in numbers through the second century of the history of the hill. And now, more voices, some more mature, join the mix from a third century on McMahan hill.

— Erling T. Teigen Religion Department

students, but you’re married, you have a house, you have a family, and God has provided you with clothing and food., make sure that you don’t growl at Him, or bite Him in the hand. And someday if He chooses to bless you super-abundantly with ice cream and chocolate and chewing gum, say maybe Chiclets, do what a thankful Christian ought to do: Be sure to share your blessings with Him even if it means sharing what you cherish the most. Yes, even if it means… sharing your Chiclets.

Amen.

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STUDENTS

BLC studio full of action

T

he Bethany production studio is a busy place these days. The studio is part of the communication program at Bethany. In the studio, communication students have many opportunities for real-world production experience.

Several recent projects demonstrate the scope of activities in which Bethany communication students may participate.

Minnesota state legislators visit the BLC studios Sixteen Minnesota state legislators visited Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, February 28, to film the political news program, “Between the Lines,” produced by BLC students. BLC students produced the programs that air on cable systems throughout the state during March.

Students’ broadcast work shows across states The Bethany studio continues to produce Minnesota State Division One Men’s Hockey games for broadcast.

Recently, the BLC students’ broadcast of MSU Hockey was seen live in homes throughout northern Minnesota on KDIO, Duluth. Bethany students provided the KDIO crew with all camera angles, graphics, and instant replays. At the time of this writing, details were being worked out for a Fargo, North Dakota, television station to carry a BLC studentproduced Minnesota State vs. University of North Dakota hockey game.

Bethany to present at Broadcast Educator’s Association Convention The Broadcast Educator’s Association (BEA) has accepted a panel presentation by Bethany Lutheran College at its upcoming national conference in Las Vegas. The panel is titled, Liberal Arts Production Studio. It discusses how a school like Bethany can provide the depth of knowledge required to work in the television and film industry while main6

The legislative show “Between the Lines” was produced at Bethany and is seen throughout Minnesota.

taining a strong focus on the liberal arts.

Two student panelists from Bethany will discuss why they chose to stay in a liberal arts setting and what advantages they feel it has given them over a technical background. Acceptance to the convention represents a growing desire for liberal arts schools to add media/video production opportunities for students. This involvement indicates that the Bethany Communication Department is an innovator and leader in this area.

Fox Sports Net Producer visits BLC Studios Chris Withers, producer of Minnesota Gophers Hockey for Fox Sports Net, visited Bethany to meet with students on February 9. Withers met the students while working with them during the Minnesota State vs. University of Minnesota hockey games in Mankato. He shared his experiences, evaluated students’ work, and provided valuable insight for those interested in this form of communication.

Fox Sports Net director, Dave Higgins, also expressed interest in working with Bethany students and was impressed with the program. From these connections, BLC students have also received a special invitation to visit with Fox Sports Net

crews in Minneapolis.

Bethany student receives award for video work Studio Director Christopher Johnson reports that the BEA has awarded BLC student Kurt Paulsen second place honors in the 2004 BEA Festival of the Arts competition for his work on The Skylands of VanMorse. This is a nationwide video competition among four-year colleges.

The competition is intense. Winners represent some of the finest student video work in the country. The Festival Awards Ceremony and Screening will take place on Saturday, April 17 Kurt Paulsen at the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of the annual convention of the BEA. The BEA convention and Festival of the Arts is held in conjunction with the National Association of Broadcasters convention, which draws over 100,000 broadcast professionals each year. Eight members from the Bethany campus will be in attendance at this year’s convention.

Bethany Report

DEVELOPMENT

Golf outing held in Wisconsin

O

n September 30, 2003, the first southern-Wisconsin golf outing for alumni and friends of Bethany was held in Madison. Plans are underway for another outing next fall and it is our hope that this will grow and continue as an annual event. There were twenty-five people in attendance at the Blackhawk Country Club on a beautiful fall day. The course was fantastic and it was a wonderful time for alums to connect and tell old stories while proving their skills on the course.

The winning team consisted of Ron Younge, Tim Sires, and George Mortl with a rather impressive score of nine under par. Following golf, the group was served a first-class dinner in a beautiful setting overlooking Lake Mendota. The highlight of the evening was hearing many stories of wonderful experiences at Bethany. Each person in attendance told a little about what Bethany meant to them.

Information about next fall’s date will be in your mailbox soon.

Phone-a-thon goal surpassed

E

very February and March many talented Bethany Lutheran College students attempt to reach over 5,500 alumni and friends of BLC. The student callers’ job is to communicate to those they are calling the exciting things happening on the Bethany campus and to ask for financial support directed to the annual fund. This fund helps cover dayto-day expenses, faculty development, and tuition assistance for Bethany students.

As of March 4, 2004, the ambitious phone-a-thon callers have raised $90,575 in pledges. These students reached and surpassed their goal of $85,000.

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to visit with our students and offered your support for Bethany Lutheran College.

Admissions Counselor Bethany Lutheran College invites applications for the position of admissions counselor.

Position Responsibilities: Promotion of Bethany to prospective students in churches, high schools, college fairs, and conducting campus visits. Other responsibilities include telemarketing and personal contacts, e.g. writing notes and letters.

Qualifications: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Candidate must have a high level of communication skills, e.g. writing and speaking.

In addition, candidate must be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) or Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or be willing to join one of these two synods.

Benefits and Salary: The current benefit package includes medical (partial), dental, and life insurance, an eight percent institution contribution to pension after one year of service, as well as Social Security and a flex plan for pre-tax benefits for certain health and/or child care costs. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Deadline:

May 1, 2004

Student callers were attempting to contact some 5,500 alumni and friends as they surpassed their goal for the year.

Spring 2004

Position Opening

Letter of application, resume, and other materials should be directed to:

Bethany Lutheran College Mr. Don Westphal Dean of Admissions 700 Luther Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

1-800-944-3066

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CAMPUS NEWS

Teaching with

TECHNOLOGY A

few weeks ago, I began a graduate class in technical editing. The class is taught in a computer lab, and the instructor sends e-mails and uploads files for the class to use. The instructor’s syllabus and exercises are on his personal Web site – very few handouts. Students keep their class files on their own storage area provided by the university. The classroom has changed since I was in school sixteen years ago.

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Indeed this was new territory for me, but I don’t know why it seemed so overwhelming. Technology certainly has established itself into the mainstream. How often do you check your e-mail each day? Are you purchasing music online? Have you uploaded photos from your digital camera recently? Do you keep your personal calendar on a handheld device? These are all things that are part of my daily routine,

and the list goes on and on. Yes, technology is a way of life.

What did you consider to be high-tech when you were at Bethany? Maybe even the use of that word, high-tech, is a bit antiquated. Was it the overhead projector the instructor used to magnify items being presented in class? Maybe it was the first electric typewriter you used. Perhaps it was the first time you saw a presentation done in PowerPoint. Maybe there wasn’t anything high-tech about your Bethany Lutheran College education. But my, how times have changed.

Technology has made its way onto the Bethany Lutheran College campus in a big way. Mark Meyer, Bethany’s Director of Academic Computing notes, “Right now Technology continued on page 9 Bethany Report

CAMPUS NEWS

New logo for Bethany unveiled Y

ou will notice a change in the look of the next issue of the Report magazine.

What began as an effort to refine the Bethany Lutheran College logo will result in a new look for many of our publications and the college Web site.

The process to refine the logo began almost a year ago. A group met and looked at the characteristics of the Bethany logo that we most wanted the viewer to understand. Our current logo was developed seven years ago and is an attractive logo, but the logo has five elements in it that at times are not easily discernable. Most agree that a logo should tell one or two attributes of the entity it represents.

Because a logo hopes to be an entry point for brand identity, the group’s

Technology continued from page 8

challenge was to find the one item that best represents Bethany’s mission. The process of understanding what this message should be was not difficult for the group. Within just a few minutes of discussion the group decided that the steeple and cross of Trinity Chapel, one of the five elements of the current logo, was the element that was to be the focal point of a new logo.

The revised logo highlights the cross and steeple and allows it to be the most visible aspect of our “new look.” No matter what the logo is placed on, T-shirt, business card, letterhead, or a billboard, it will tell the viewer what Bethany Lutheran College views as its central mission, that being the continued teaching of the “One Thing Needful.”

the most part, a thing of the past. Most professors simply plug in their laptop for we have nearly 100 Macs and PCs avail- lectures these days. able for student use at BLC,” he adds, “I Gone are the days of the lunch line attenwould also guess that at least 200 students dant asking for your ID to get into the have their own machines in cafeteria. In order for a student their dorm rooms.” to access any of the foodA Bethany student “lives” serving venues on the BLC technology. Many profes- Gone are the campus a fingerprint scanner sors also have their own Web days of the is used. That’s right; cafeteria sites that allow the student access has become something 24/7 access to assignments lunch line from a science fiction novel. and resources. In many ways, The student simply scans their it is much easier than it used attendant fingerprint before they enter. to be to find the information asking for The fingerprint technology you need to complete a paper accesses the food-service dataor do a report. The Bethany your ID to base to see if the student has Lutheran College library has its enough credit remaining for own Web site where students get into the the meal. No more borrowing can browse not only the library cafeteria.

ID cards to get more food. collection at Bethany, but Perhaps you have been an also many other area librarathletic coach at some point ies. Work is beginning on an in your lifetime. Statistics are updated library Web site that important to a coach as he or will allow students to reserve and renew she prepares for the next game. Forget library books online. In the classroom, waiting to read about them in the paper or transparencies and blackboards are, for through the mail. Bethany athletic statisSpring 2004

The new logo focuses on the steeple of Trinity Chapel as the basis for the central teaching across campus—the ‘One Thing Needful.’ The next issue of the Report will include our new logo and a new design.

tics for certain sports are on the college’s Web site, usually right after the game is completed. Who knows, maybe the complete game will be video-archived on the Web site in years to come.

Do you remember waiting for the USPS to deliver your report card in the mail at semester break time? Now as a Bethany student you can log onto a Web site to view your grades. Another modern convenience of the instant information age.

Technology has invaded the Bethany Lutheran College campus. More will certainly follow. Next time you visit the Bethany campus, take time to look for all of the technology in place. Of course, if you’d rather, just take a virtual tour of the campus on our Web site or get a real-time look at the campus through our Web cam.

Who knows what technology holds for us, but I am guessing that Bethany students will continue to benefit from the technology revolution. ­ — Lance Schwartz Director of Marketing & Public Relations

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AC A D E M I C S

Students help shape health care reform F or an experiential classroom, an educational approach that strives to facilitate a partnership between theory and practice, the necessity for innovation and flexibility is ever present, but especially in a class taught for the very first time. Did it work? Consider responses from students such as that of senior Chris Thiel: “We were involved in something that I haven’t experienced in any other course before.

Instead of discussing issues and problems within the limits of our classroom, we went out and made our attempts as a team.”

In Introduction to Health Communication, part of Bethany’s new health communication minor, students joined a partnership that evolved from initiatives on health care reform in Minnesota. In September 2003, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty formed a “Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs” led by former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger. The members of the class seized this opportunity to engage in initiatives outside the classroom as a demonstration of what they were learning in the classroom.

Their efforts culminated in a threepage proposal for health care reform.

Students first presented the plan to Senator Durenberger and the health educators of the Minnesota Private College Council.

The intention of the presentation was to solicit feedback prior to submission of the final proposal to the task force. However, the outcome was more dramatic than expected.

Immediate enthusiasm emerged from a representative of the Minnesota Private College Council and Senator Durenberger’s office. Durenberger referred to the proposal as “a gift” and requested that it be forwarded to all members of the task force. The praise continued, including a personal call from former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, a task force member.

The project had value on at least two levels. First is its value to a society deeply engaged in solving problems related to

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Photo courtesy of Angela Nissen

Students in Professor Angie Nissen’s (center) Introduction to Health Communication class presented a proposal for health care reform to a panel that included former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger (right), and received praise from State Senator Roger Moe.

“By examining health care and its dimensions with a distinct purpose I felt like I was actually contributing something to society.”

— Becky Ringen, Senior

health care. Second is its educational value. Students were further engaged in the curriculum, unconcerned with grades and recognition, but rather motivated by the “realness” of the project. They took pride in their own learning, the partnership with their peers in the course, and the identification of stakeholders. Lisa Wager, a junior communication major reflects, “It is hard to change something that has been in place for so long. Making small, clear, simple, and well-explained ideas, definitions, and plans can really help you

to make a difference and see a progress in your solution.” Senior Becky Ringen adds, “This project was one of the most beneficial projects I have ever done. Although it is helpful to gain knowledge from books and classroom situations, I believe that the knowledge gained from applications and real-world experiences is the most lasting,” she continues, “By examining health care and its dimensions with a distinct purpose I felt like I was actually contributing something to society. This feeling led me to work more intensely and with more enthusiasm as I knew that it was going to a bigger cause, a cause that would affect many people.”

Students were exhibiting a new level of confidence in their abilities. They began to see that they were making a difference and that they could learn by doing and do by learning. The positive feedback from all of the parties involved indicates the value of the opportunity.

— Angie Nissen Communication Department

Bethany Report

AC A D E M I C S

Business leaders give students insight I

n the fall of 2003, Bethany Lutheran College business administration students discovered that “business as usual” just may be a figment of their imagination. This revelation came when the students had the opportunity to interact with two prominent businessmen: Glen Taylor, Chairman of the Board of Taylor Corporation, and Kevin Freeland, former president of Best Buy’s Musicland division.

On October 27, Freeland addressed the importance of practicing business in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

He shared examples of decisions he had faced in his career, including pulling objectionable merchandise from the shelves, dealing with managers and employees who were acting unethically, and balancing the demands of his work with those of his family. Freeland emphasized that “businesses need all the ethical people they can get,” and recommended that students surround themselves with people who have solid ethics.

Taylor shared a similar philosophy in his November 18 presentation as he encouraged students to nurture their God-given talents and hire people who complement

those strengths. He also stressed the importance of teaching good morals and ethics to young people so that they will be able to make better business decisions when they enter the workplace. Students from Dr. Janet Moldstad’s Leadership and Organizational Change class and other students met face-to-face with Taylor where they learned more about his career and business philosophy and were able to ask questions.

The business administration faculty at Bethany continues to strive to assist its students in developing critical and analytical skills as they prepare to be contributing men and women in organizations and society in general. Presentations by Taylor and Freeland, as well as many other speakers, provide our students with the opportunity to hear from business leaders who share the principles that Bethany espouses.

The faculty is currently working with Art Westphal, Bethany’s Director of Development, to sponsor a panel of business leaders that will focus on how they resolve managerial and ethical dilemmas and how faith influences their professional lives.

— Paulette Tonn Booker Business Department

Glen Taylor talked about his business philosophy to a packed seminar room on November 18.

STUDENTS

Speech team finishes strong in Minnesota T he Bethany Speech Team competed at the Minnesota State Forensics tournament in Moorhead, Minnesota, on February 21-22, 2004.

The tournament was attended by thirteen colleges and universities and is one of the most competitive tournaments of the year. This year, Bethany took six competitors participating in ten varied events. The Bethany debaters had many strong performances. Rachel Berger and Rick Jones finished third in the state in dramatic duo.

Spring 2004

Casey Barnes and Julie Quist made it into the quarterfinal round of parliamentary debate. Along with solid performances from Stacy Lilienthal and Beth Gullixson, the Bethany Speech Team earned first place honors in the limited entry division of the tournament. Since schools like Bethany cannot compete in size with the state universities, different divisions are created based on the number of events a school brings. This was the first year that Bethany has won the limited entry

division.

The Bethany Speech Team competes in an average of twenty tournaments a year throughout the country and even internationally. The team has earned eighteen national-individual medals, six of which are national-gold medals in parliamentary debate. The team is open to all students, regardless of experience.

— Jon Loging Communication Department 11

F I N E A RT S

Spring choir tour schedule T

he Concert Choir, Handbell Choir, and Mary-Martha Singers will leave for their annual spring tour on May 15. The student musicians will perform at Jerico and Iowa City, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Litchfield, Illlinois; Lexington, Louisville and Bardstown, Kentucky; and Brownsburg and Hobart, Indiana. They will perform a homecoming concert at Bethany’s Trinity Chapel on Tuesday, May 25. Details of the performance schedule will be available at the BLC Web site. The choirs are directed by Professors Dennis Marzolf and Ann Fredrickson.

Fine arts camps offered during summer T he college students may pack up and leave the halls of Bethany’s Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center still and quiet in May, but with the arrival of June, things liven up rapidly with summer camp opportunities for the younger artistic set.

The Young Michelangelo Art Camp consists of two one-week sessions, June 14–18 and June 21–25. Morning sessions for students who are going into grades 5–8 are held from 9:00–11:45 a.m.; afternoon sessions for students who are going into grades 9–12 are held from 1:00–4:00 p.m. Prof. William Bukowski, head of the Bethany art department, is assisted by Jason Jaspersen, art instructor at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School and Bethany graduate, in teaching various art techniques as well as art history. The cost for the grade-school morning session is $70 per student, and the high school afternoon session is $90 per student. With a history of over fifteen years, these sessions fill quickly so

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early applications are encouraged.

The ELS Youth Honor Choir Camp will again be held during the annual Synod Convention on the Bethany campus. Registration and opening for the camp will be Sunday, June 20 in the late afternoon and camp will run until Thursday, June 24. Youth Honor Choir Camp is open to students who have completed at least one year of high school. It is a residential camp with on-campus housing, and all meals and activities provided. Prof. Dennis Marzolf, head of the Bethany Music Department and director of the Bethany Lutheran College Concert Choir, directs the program with assistance by other Bethany faculty. The cost for the music camp is $150. In addition, the ELS Board for Education and Youth will provide a $100 travel stipend for any ELS members traveling more than 400 miles to attend the camp. The application deadline is May 15.

For more information, or to request application forms for the Young Michelangelo Art Camp or the Youth Honor Choir Camp, please call 1-800-944-3066 and the college receptionist will assist you, or visit Bethany’s Web site.

— Lois Jeaeger Director of Fine Arts

Bethany Report

The

F I N E A RT S

Gondoliers Photos by Denice Woller

A

udiences were transported to Venice in this year’s Choraliers production, The Gondoliers

by Gilbert and Sullivan. The Gondoliers has been performed twice before on the Bethany campus, in 1955 under the direction of Marjorie Loberg, and in 1994 under the co-direction of Peter Bloedel and Dennis Marzolf. These two talented gentlemen left their mark on this year’s production as well – with Marzolf as musical Director, and Bloedel as technical director and set designer.

The curtain opened to reveal a magnificent drop painted in the style of an Italian master, which instantly set the mood for the music that followed.

Over sixty students participated in the cast, crew, and scene shop.

The Gondoliers is the final collaboration of Gilbert and Sullivan, and some hail it as their most technically and artistically advanced work, more in the line of grand opera than musical theater.

The lead roles were ably sung by two quartets of students, and a student developed the choreography. There was a special surprise awaiting the audience, when a former talented actor of the Bethany stage (last seen in The Unsinkable Molly Brown) made a cameo appearance. President Dan Bruss appearing as Inez, an elderly nursemaid, successfully resolved the plot to bring about the expected happy ending. Ann Fredrickson served as artistic director, with Dr. Jonas Nissen designing lights and Esther Iverson designing costumes.

— Professor Ann Fredrickson Music Department

Spring 2004

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major and an anthropology minor. After graduation, I finished a second summer guiding canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (best job on the planet)! After spending a few months with my family in Lake Crystal [Minnesota], saving money, and seeing friends, I opened the next chapter of my life: Peace Corps Guatemala.

How did you decide to join the Peace Corps?

I decided to join the Peace Corps in the beginning of my senior year at Duluth. I was taking some heavy environmental courses as well as interesting anthropology courses. The combination of these courses, the fear of what the real world had to offer, and a fascination with travel, cultures, and languages drove me to where I am today.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Sandstrom

Brian Sandstrom (left) and a fellow volunteer are able to get around using Peace Corp-issued bikes.

ALUMNI PROFILE

A broad study of life I

n previous issues of the Report magazine we’ve met Bethany alums that are doing some amazing things, and this interview is no different. Brian Sandstrom (JC 99) is certainly on an interesting journey while providing service to fellow man as he works for the Peace Corps in Guatemala. What follows are excerpts from a recent e-mail interview I conducted with Brian.

When did you attend Bethany, and where did life take you after BLC? I attended BLC from 1997-1999. After graduation, I studied abroad in Granada, Spain, with a private program, American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). After an amazing year abroad, I decided to finish school at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the gateway city to my fishing, canoeing, and camping havens. I received a bachelor of arts degree with an environmental studies 14

What exactly are you doing with the Peace Corps?

The Peace Corps service is a three-month training session of language, culture, security, etc. and a two-year commitment. I was trained in a small town called Magdalena Milpas Altas just outside of Antigua Guatemala. I was trained with three different groups of volunteers. Our group was environmental education and the other two were eco-tourism and basic health volunteers.

After three months of intensive language training and living with a host family, we were sent to our new homes for the following two years. I have been living now for nearly a year in San Andres Semetebaj in the western highlands. My town is a highly indigenous town, probably 95% indigenous and 5% Ladino (they have Spanish blood). The people speak Q’aq’chikel, which is a Mayan language. I am giving my all to learn this language, but some guttural and clicking sounds will never come fluently from this mouth. I am teaching environmental education in two different schools as my main job, but other work often comes up. I have organized a couple re-forestation projects where we’ve planted nearly 1,000 trees in and around the communities where I teach.

I’ve also implemented worm composts at the schools and we will be planting school gardens when the next rainy season comes.

That is the heart of my work, but some of the most excellent jobs I’ve done have been with other volunteer friends.

I recently finished a couple weeks of cave exploration in the northern part of the country. We hiked the jungle with machetes and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) devices and marked the new caves we found. We came across a few interesting places where ancient Mayan pottery was scattered in the cave and fossils were visible on part of the cave ceilings. The most intense part of this time of exploration was when we equipped ourselves with inner tubes, rope, and headlamps and tubed a river from one town to the next. About 85% of the river was underground, through incredible caves. This is one thing that may relate to the dangers I’ve faced. There is nothing like spending hours inside the earth, hearing rapids and not knowing what is coming around the next corner, constantly waiting and wondering when we will see light again. One section happened to be loaded with siphons connecting to an even deeper river below us. We stood in Sandstrom continued on page 15 Bethany Report

Sandstrom continued from page 14 awe of the natural phenomenon where water was rushing straight down through natural water slides into the earth. It was a perfect micro-example of just how geologically amazing, yet unstable the entire country is. Guatemala lies on multiple fault lines and is the converging point of three of the earth’s tectonic plates. I have awoken to numerous earthquakes, almost shaking my walls to the ground, and have seen unbelievable explosions from two active volcanoes near my town.

The instability of the land seems to portray itself in the people as well. After years of civil war, the country is still shaken. Kids have seen parents killed and married couples have seen spouses die. The poverty level is high, robberies and murders are not uncommon, and corruption at all levels continues to flow through the blood of some people. Generally, the place and people are marvelous, but the truth is, it can be a dangerous country for locals as well as foreigners. So we. as volunteers, do have to alter our lives from how we normally live in the U.S. We have to be more cautious than we would like to be, but it is for our own safety. But, “the times they are a-changin’ ” and it feels good to be a part of it.

Did Bethany Lutheran College prepare you for your work in the Peace Corps?

I would be a liar if I said BLC prepared me for the Peace Corps.

There is nothing that ultimately prepares you for the experiences you will encounter in the Peace Corps. Bethany was the place I decided to study abroad, it is the place I was fortunate enough to play two years of college basketball, it is a place I met people and teachers that helped shape who I am. But it wasn’t the institution that had anything to do with preparation. It was the relationships I had that molded some part of me to take the next step in my life to study abroad. From Spain I was shaped in other ways, from UMD in others, guiding canoe trips in even other ways. But they all played a part in shaping who I am, and where I go next.

What is your favorite memory from your days playing ball for Bethany Lutheran College?

My favorite memory playing ball for Bethany is not a specific year, game, shot nor practice. It was everything. It was the extreme

N

miles 0

50

100

GUAT Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala

practices with a group of guys, the sense of camaraderie, walking painfully to the cafeteria after a hard workout, winning together, not so much losing together, and just being able to spend hours in the gym playing a game I love.

Anything you would like to say to Bethany students and alumni who might be considering work with the Peace Corps?

I would tell people not to be afraid of trying something different. The world is bigger than Bethany Lutheran College and even the United States. The Peace Corps is an unbelievable way to see that, but not just Peace Corps, there are other ways. How many people do we know that jump from high school to college and work without thinking for ourselves? We have been programmed in our push-button, quick-fix society that we need to accomplish these certain standards and there is no other path. I would tell people to do what they want, not what they are supposed to.

Bethany Lutheran College congratulates Brian Sandstrom for his service to others through his work with the Peace Corps.

— Lance Schwartz Director of Marketing & Public Relations

BLC alumnus honored for service R Ron Mathison

Spring 2004

on Mathison, a 1962 alumnus of Bethany Lutheran College, has been recognized by Memorial Blood Centers and Baxter Healthcare Corporation as a “super” blood donor.

Mathison, a pastor at First Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, was honored as an inductee into the “Donation Hall of Fame.” Mathison has been donating blood since his college days at Bethany when he and friends received free sloppy joes and

homemade cake at the donation center. He has continued to donate throughout the years and recently topped the fourty-one gallon mark. Mathison also volunteers with Memorial Blood Centers and sees it as a way to help others in the community.

The award has been given to only seventy-two others since 1998. Bethany Lutheran College congratulates Ron Mathison for his unselfish service to others and wishes him all the best.

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ALUMNI

Gearing up for summer reunions I

t’s time to start thinking about your summer plans! I suggest that you pull out the Bethany yearbooks, dust off your old BLC sweatshirt, and make plans to reunite with your Bethany classmates.

The summer of 2004 marks the return of five-year reunions at Bethany. In 2002, we celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of Bethany Lutheran College. Traditional reunions were not held in 2001 and 2003 because of the grand reunion.

Consequently, there has not been a traditional reunion on the BLC campus for four years. Make plans now to bring the reunion tradition back to the Bethany campus.

If you attended or graduated from BLC in a year ending in a four or nine you are invited back to campus for a trip down memory lane. Mark your calendars now for July 9-11, 2004, for a great time getting reacquainted with former classmates, friends, and professors. By now, you should have received a letter and regis-

tration information in your mailbox.

More information will follow in the mail. If you have not yet received your reunion information, please contact the Bethany Alumni Office Kaye Anderson at 507-344-7427.

In a past issue of this magazine, I asked for your input and ideas regarding alumni awards at Bethany Lutheran College. I ask for your continued suggestions and nominations. We will be considering two types of awards.

First, the distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The alumni board would like to recognize an individual that has contributed to the betterment of God’s creation.

The criteria for consideration are as follows: the honoree must have attended Bethany Lutheran College or High School, and the

honoree must have worked/volunteered to assist fellow mankind in some way based on Christian love for others.

Secondly, the Athletic Hall of Fame Award will be granted to an individual that played, coached, or supported athletics at Bethany. The award shall be granted to: someone who attended Bethany Lutheran College or High School, a supporter of BLC athletics, or a current or former staff member. As with the distinguished alumnus/a award, the individual should give of their time or talents to assist fellow mankind in some way based on Christian love for others.

Send your nominations to: Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Award Nominations 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001 — Kaye Anderson President, Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Association

FA C U LT Y

More faculty holding terminal degrees Johnson thesis honored at MSU A thesis written by Professor Lars Johnson, communication faculty member, was recently chosen as the outstanding thesis in the College of Arts and Humanities at Minnesota State University. The thesis was titled, Par Lagerkvist: Cubist Narrative and the Quest for Existential Meaning and was part of Johnson’s MA program in English.

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I

n the spring of 1996, the Board of Regents approved President Meyer’s recommendation that the institution begin the transition from an associate degree-granting institution to a full baccalaureate degree-granting institution.

The Board envisioned this transition to take up to twenty years to be completed. In the fall of 1999, Bethany offered its first two majors, which were communication and liberal arts.

As the doors opened on the 2003-04 academic year, twelve majors were being offered as well as twelve minors. Obviously, the faculty has put a tremendous amount of work into curriculum development to have moved the institution this far this fast. Several additional majors are in various stages of development.

In order to support this tremendous curricular expansion, it has been necessary not only to expand the faculty, but also to upgrade

the faculty credentials. In 1996, the full-time faculty consisted of twenty-one members, two of which held terminal degrees with all other full-time faculty holding master’s degrees.

Since 1996, the full-time faculty has grown from twenty-one to thirty-six with sixteen faculty now holding terminal degrees. In addition, seven faculty members are currently pursuing terminal degrees.

With the rapid development of majors and programs consistent with a baccalaureate institution, the dream of Bethany Lutheran College becoming a senior college is being realized in far less time than originally envisioned. Our Lord is blessing Bethany in ways we could only have dreamed of a few years ago.

— Ronald J. Younge Vice President for Academic Affairs

Bethany Report

Ada (Stokes) Jeppesen is again actively involved in teaching English through a church program called “Listening to God in Contemporary Literature.” Ada was a former English teacher at Bethany Lutheran High School in Mankato.

1947

George Lillegard of Barefoot Bay, Florida, and Pauline Unger of Vero Beach were married on June 29, 2003, at Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, Maryland. The couple is residing with the groom’s daughter and son-inlaw, Tom and Rebecca (Lillegard ’81) Stangl, in St. Paul, Minnesota, while George completes a course of experimental treatments at the University of Minnesota cancer research center.

1948

Richard Hawley recently released a CD of his choir (1977-78) at El Paso High School. The CD includes vocalists, madrigal groups and the combination of two high school orchestras. If you are interested in obtaining a CD contact him at 2325 N Kansas St., El Paso, Texas 79902.

1949

Esther (Overn) Asmus and her husband, Donald, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children in South Haven, Minnesota, on August 22, 2003. They continued their celebration with a trip to China in October.

Ruth (Harms) Krueger and her husband, Henry, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 19, 2004.

The actual wedding date was June 26, 1954.

1950

Mary (Harstad) Moldstad enjoyed having her four children and spouses and all seven grandchildren in California for the Christmas/New Year holidays. She said, “I’m proud to say that my Spring 2004

children and spouses are all Bethany alumni and the oldest grandchild is currently a sophomore at Bethany.”

CORRECTION: Aaron Olmanson (’94) is Marilyn (Hanson) Olmanson’s grandson, not her nephew as reported in the Winter Report.

1951

LaVonne (Leiding) and Albert Remme celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 19, 2004.

1960

his wife Sarah have three boys: Jesse (7), Owen (5), and Wade (4). Cami (Smith ’88) Sonnenburg together with her husband Gary have two girls: Kalli (7) and Leah Grace (5).

1965

Cynthia (McCoy) Boersma’s mother, Mrs. Carol McCoy, passed away January 22, 2004. Her funeral was held at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Jackson, Minnesota.

1966

Russell Carstensen asks for prayers that he might remain in his house until the Lord calls him to his heavenly home.

Russell’s health is not very good at this time.

David Walther told us that he has two new grandchildren: Daniel Barnack, son of Rebecca (’95) and Anthony, was born October 27, 2003, and Nicholas Lopacinski, son of Scott and Christine, was born December 12, 2003.

1962

1967

John Widvey retired in January 2003 after serving the students of Minnesota’s public schools for 38 years. He and his wife, Jennifer, plan to invest more time with their grown children Erik, Mark, and Peter, and their grandchildren Katie and Lindsey. Among John’s top retirement priorities are volunteer work, traveling, and catching up on his reading.

John also joined an education-consulting group that specializes in school executive searches and school management studies. The couple makes their home in Worthington, Minnesota.

1963

Ruth (Tweit) Smith her husband Bob (’59) are busy visiting their five grandchildren. The grandkids’ parents also attended BLC. Chan Smith (’86) and

Kenneth Ebert was recently appointed treasurer of his township near Cannon Falls, Minnesota.

1968

John Pemble told us that his second grandchild was born in December and was named Jacob Kenneth Rigdom.

1970

Alice (Valen) Olson is working as a speech/language pathologist in the Osseo, Minnesota School District. Their daughter, Emily, is a sophomore at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, majoring in math/pre-med. Alice and her husband, Charlie, have adjusted to their “empty nest.”

1971

Judith (Honsey) Haaland works at Wells Fargo Bank in Blue Earth, Minnesota, as a service manager. Her husband, Olaf (’70) is a grain farmer. They have three children: Jordan works at an ethanol plant near Frost, Minnesota, Marit, is a property manager in Burnsville, and Rachel is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. They also have two 17

ALUMNI NEWS

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Alumni News

ALUMNI NEWS

grandchildren, Claudia and Gabrielle, who are both one year old, born two days apart.

1972

Kenya (Steffey) Beasley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University. She is a teacher of the deaf/hard-of-hearing in Mishawaka, Indiana. She is the mother of three sons and they live on a lake in Syracuse, Indiana. Kenya sends warm greetings to all her Bethany friends.

Aline (Schey) Tyler and her husband, (Larry ’68), traveled to Ireland in January for her youngest sister’s wedding reception with her Irish in-laws. Soon after their return, their son, Ben (’02), surprised them with his early return from service in Kuwait. She said, “We praise the Lord for his safe return.”

1976

Jane Briggeman has authored a book to be published by Collectors Press in Fall 2004. Jane plans to be back in the Midwest sometime in the spring of 2005 and would like to connect with former classmates. She may be reached by e-mail at jbriggbhs@yahoo.com

1977

Ruth Manthei and Daniel Wilkey were married on January 10, 2004. They are now living in Michigan.

1981

James Mihas tells us that as of 2002, he is in the book of world records for onearm pushups. His record stands at 8,861 left-arm pushups in five hours.

James and Karen (Harstad) Scislow’s daughter, Kristen, participated in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with her St. Croix Lutheran High School Spanish class. The Scislows live in Lakeville, Minnesota.

1982

James and Lori (Urban ’86) Wall are parents of a son, Jackson, born June 8, 2003. He joins two siblings.

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1985

Jean (Larsen) and John (’87) Rendall are living in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

They have three children: Jessica, James, and Julianna.

1987

Carrie (Lemke) Carns and her husband, Terry, are happy to announce

Silas, born July 24, 2002. Anna has served as coordinator of foster, adoptive, and kinship parent training through a contract with the State of Indiana since 1995.

1989 the birth of Julia Beth on September 17, 2003. She has her two brothers, Cole (8) and Will (5), wrapped around her finger.

The family makes its home in Excelsior, Minnesota.

Shelly (Sornberger) Merchlewitz and her husband, Frank, are parents

Willetta DeYoung held her first fashion show ever on December 6, 2003, to a full house of 143 people. She has started her own fashion design company, DeYoung.

Lee Hagre and his wife are parents of a son, Erik Robert, born November 17, 2003.

Steven Hoem just completed a one-year mobilization to Stuttgart, Germany, as a Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer fighting the war on terrorism. He lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters Kayla (10) and Jordan (8). Steven works for Edina Realty.

Michelle (Wenndt) Jugasek and her husband are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Lillian Daisy, on September 10, 2003.

Jeffrey McCutcheon and his wife are pleased to announce the birth of a son, Collin Bryce, on February 20, 2003.

1988

Anna (Schumpe) Pollert and her husband, Gregory, have four sons: Seth (10), Joshua (8), Caleb (6), and Luke

of three sons: Dominic (4), Dylan (3) and Damian who was born October 9, 2003. Frank works at WinCraft as a printer and Shelly stays at home with the boys. They make their home in Winona, Minnesota, and their email address is shmerchle@yahoo.com.

1990

R. Keene and Shelly (Buch ’91) Kohrt are the parents of four children: McKenzie (7), Jenna (5), Evan (3) and Megan (9 months).

1991

Christine (Jensen) Rohrer and her husband, Jeff, had a baby boy on January 13, 2004, and named him Kyle Christian.

Tammy (Nickel) Schellpfeffer and her husband, Greg, have three children: Bethany Report

Peggy Sue (Schmidtke) Snustad and her husband, Pete, have two children: Ila Rose is two-years-old and their son, Ike Adam, was born in early February 2004.

The family makes its home in Plymouth, Minnesota.

1992

Eric Casteel and his wife, Angela, have a new son, Urban, born October 23, 2003. The family is now complete with each person’s name beginning with the vowel A-E-I-O-or U. Beth (Griffin) Riesinger and her husband, Ryan, are pleased to announce the birth of their first child. Brandon Michael was born February 10, 2004 and weighed 9 lbs, 1 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Richard Russell and his wife, Amy, announce the arrival of their son, Brennan Russell, on August 1, 2003.

1993

Matthew and Debra (Schulz ’94) Mielke have a new daughter, Miriam Hannah, born August 2, 2003.

Melissa Sorensen and Jeff Vogt were married in October 2000. They now

Mark and Bonnie (Raddant) Fahning were blessed with a son, Braden Mark, on September 19, 2003.

Brady arrived three weeks early weighing only 4 pounds, 10 ounces. Mark is currently the operations manager for Loomis, Fargo & Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Bonnie is teaching third grade in the Prior LakeSavage Area School District.

Ronda (Hendrickson) Staloch and her husband, Chad, were married in March 1999. They have two sons: Cole (4) and Nicklas (19 months).

1995

Christopher and Gail (Kamrath ’94) Carbonaro we re blessed with the birth of their first child on August 25, 2003. His name is Samuel Peter. The family is living in San Leandro, California. Friends can email them at kamrath2carbo@aol.com.

Spring 2004

Todd Johnson was married to Keri Scheler in 2001. They have a son, Tyler, who will be two in March.

Annette Rutschow graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee in December 2001. She received bachelor’s degrees in both communication and English.

1999

Kristopher and Susanna (Matzke) Meyer are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Madelyn Sue, on February 10, 2004.

2001

Sarah Schleve graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in December 2003 with a degree in early childhood education.

Elizabeth (Westphal) Harrison and her husband Cornelius Harrison (’98) live

Andrew Bach and his wife have a second daughter, Madeline Shirley, born March 18, 2003. Their three-year-old daughter’s name is Samantha.

in Mankato, Minnesota and have three children: Wynter (6), Izayah (2.5), and Kyreis (1).

2003

have two children: Jon, born May 2002 and Anna, born November 2003. The family makes its home in Waconia, Minnesota.

Kelly Behnke is teaching health at Jordan High School in Jordan, Minnesota. She is engaged to Gary Schleper and they plan to be married November 20, 2004.

1998

1996

Erin Neve and Jeremy Monsrud were married October 18, 2003. Other Beth-

1994

two children: Maida (2) and Teddy (7 months). Jason had a gallery show in November and helped direct Theater Physics at Bethany this year. Jason teaches art at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm, Minnesota.

Eryn Mawe married Michael Michlitsch (’02) on January 31, 2004. any alumni involved in the wedding were: Amy (Beyer) Doering and Luis Alcala.

1997

Jason Jaspersen was married August 1, 1999. He and his wife, Jennifer, have

In Memoriam

Lorna (Jaastad ’32) Unseth entered her heavenly home on February 13, 2004.

Richard Hobbs (’63) passed away one year ago of cancer.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Libby (7), Jacob (4) and Megan (1).

Tammy teaches grades K-3 at St. Peter’s Lutheran in Kekoskee, Wisconsin.

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage

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Minneapolis, MN PERMIT No. 4656

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Education That Lasts Beyond A Lifetime

C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S April

4/14 Baseball at MN West, Worthington, MN, 2 p.m.

4/16 Baseball vs. Ridgewater, Home, 2 p.m.

4/16, 17 Spring Play, “The Ice House Madrigals”

YFAC Theater, 7:30 p.m.

4/18 Baseball at SW MN State JV, Marshall, MN, 1 p.m.

4/18 Spring Play, “The Ice House Madrigals”

YFAC Theater, 2 p.m.

4/19 Senior Art Lecture & Reception

YFAC Gallery, 7 p.m.

4/19 Ben Wilinski, guitar player/singer

The Lab Coffee Shop, 8 p.m.

4/21 Baseball vs. Anoka-Ramsey, Home, 2 p.m.

4/23, 24 Spring Play, “The Ice House Madrigals”

YFAC Theater, 7:30 p.m.

4/24 Baseball at Rochester, Rochester, MN, 1 p.m.

4/25 Baseball at Riverland, Austin, MN, 1 p.m.

4/28 Baseball vs. Dakota County Tech.

BLC Baseball Field, 2 p.m.

4/28 Speech Concert, Meyer Hall 101, 7 p.m.

4/29 Spring Semester Honors Recital

Trinity Chapel, 7 p.m.

4/29 Student Art Reception & Awards

YFAC Gallery, 8 p.m.

May

5/1 Luthapalooza, Sibley Park, Mankato, 1 p.m.

5/1 Baseball vs. Minnesota West, Home, 1 p.m.

5/2 Baseball at Ridgewater, Willmar, MN, 1 p.m.

5/7 Spring Formal

Midwest Wireless Civic Center, 7 p.m.

5/7-9 Baseball Region XIII Tournament

BLC Baseball Field, TBA 5/10 Final Examinations begin 5/13 Graduation Vespers

Trinity Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

5/14 Commencement Ceremony

South Gym, 10:30 a.m.

5/14 Residence Halls Close, 5 p.m.

5/25 Homecoming Concert by Bethany Choirs

Trinity Chapel, 7 p.m.

For a complete listing of events go to: www.blc.edu/events

What about Bethany?

B

ethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college with a commitment to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions.

The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship.

In keeping with its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which calls people to make the most of their God-given talents in whatever walk of life they pursue.

Location: Bethany is located in Mankato, Minnesota, an area of approximately 45,000 residents (eighty miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul).

Campus: Overlooking the beautiful Minnesota River Valley, the campus occupies fifty acres with thirteen buildings and two athletic fields.

Enrollment: While Bethany is continually growing, the average full-time enrollment is 475 students, with approximately thirty additional part-time students.

Bachelor of Arts degree: Thirteen majors and fourteen minors are offered.

For more information, please visit our Web site at www.blc.edu.

Schwan Center upcoming programs Located in the North Woods of Wisconsin (two hours from the Twin Cities and one hour from Duluth/Superior) the Schwan Center, associated with Bethany Lutheran College, boasts affordable prices, excellent food and absolutely wonderful facilities in the midst of 700 acres of beautiful lakes, pines, trails and wildlife.

Confessional Christian Worldview Seminar - June 6-12, 2004 Teaching vigilance and truth to help Christians understand the times and avoid being taken captive by “hollow and deceptive philosophies.”

Presenters include: Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Prof. Craig Parton, Pastor D. Jay Webber, Dr. William Kessel and others.

Single Parenting Retreat - July 30-Aug. 1, 2004

“The toughest job in the world.” What makes it even more difficult is that there is not much out there in terms of support and guidance. This retreat will deal with the challenges single parents face. It will be honest, comforting, encouraging, practical, and above all Christian.

For costs and more information or to register go to our Web site at www.schwancenter.org or call us at 1-800-577-4848.

Key: SFC – Sports and Fitness Center; YFAC – Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center Dates and times are subject to possible changes. Please call in advance to confirm dates and times of events before traveling. Call toll free 800-944-3066, or 507-344-7000.