Winter 2004-05 Bethany Report

WINTER 2004-05

100 Bethany report

the magazine of bethany lutheran college

th ISSUE

6 Fall athletic teams first season in UMAC 10 Reunion and homecoming news 12 Aspects of the Elementary Education major

from the president

A journal of Bethany days

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ebruary 1976—just another month and year in the history of Bethany Lutheran College, but a date that waxes with nostalgia for the Bethany Report. This was the month that the first Report was published. The issue that you are holding in your hands is the 100th. During all of this time there were only three editors: Prof. Sigurd Lee for the first 14 years, Don Westphal for the following 10, and Lance Schwartz since 2002. We thank them for their many years of service documenting Bethany Lutheran College history.

To appreciate this anniversary, Kathy and I pulled out old copies of the Report and began reliving past experiences. Here are some samples from the very first issue: • “After 23 years of service at Bethany, Miss Mildred Larson has returned to her home in Calmar, Iowa. Alumni will remember her with affection, not only as nurse and Dean of Women but as a friend and counselor.”

• “For the second time in three years, Mike Butterfield, soccer coach... has been named N.J.C.A.A. Region XIII Coach of the Year.” It was the third time in five years that his team took the Region XIII Championship. The year also marked the beginning of the first women’s volleyball and basketball teams.

• Student Brian Lee, wrestler and tailor from Chicago, Illinois, was profiled.

President Dan Bruss • “Marvin Meyer has accepted the position of Dean of Student Services.”

• “Bruss New Instructor” A big part of my life was chronicled in this alumni magazine: days as a new instructor, my wife as a student, our wedding picture, photos of loved ones. If you would have the luxury of perusing these copies, you alumni would also come to the same realization. The Report is a photo album and journal of those in the Bethany family.

It also chronicles the growth of the institution in a myriad of ways. The first issue marked the initial year of the Annual Fund, established to assist the college in current operations. Rev. John Moldstad was director of development. His suggestion for alumni was to contribute a dollar per year after leaving Bethany. Moldstad commented, “Many have contributed much more.”

Articles about academic achievements, our students’ first jobs after graduation, occupational transitions, publications, professional accomplishments, and family milestones all document the identity of Bethany Lutheran College. Through all of this we are thankful that the fundamental goal of Bethany, to provide our students with the “One Thing Needful,” has remained a constant. I hope you enjoy this issue and many more to come.

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Bethany report editor | Lance Schwartz design, photography | David Norris

proof readers | Mary Hansen Jon Kovaciny Tami Tillman contributors | Matt Caron Marcia Eggen Rob Pipal Bob Ring Tami Tillman Paulette Tonn-Booker Please direct all correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments to: Bethany Lutheran College Bethany report 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163 Email: alumni@blc.edu | www.blc.edu 507.344.7000 | 800.944.3066 FAX: 507.344.7417 ISSUE: C The Report is published quarterly by the Bethany Lutheran College public relations office and distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

All contents © COPYRIGHT 2005 Bethany Lutheran College. Articles, images or photographs may not be reproduced without written permission.

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

Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents: Rev. John A. Moldstad, Sr., Chair Mr. Harold A. Theiste, Vice Chair Rev. Kenneth V. Schmidt, Secretary Mr. Willis Anthony, Ph.D. Rev. Mark Bartels Mr. Jon C. Bruss Mr. Paul T. Chamberlin Mr. Lyle Fahning Rev. Herbert C. Huhnerkoch Mr. Roland Reinholtz Rev. J. Kincaid Smith, D.Min. Rev. Joel Willitz Advisory Members: President Dan R. Bruss, Ph.D. Rev. Lawrence A. Burgdorf Rev. John A. Moldstad, Jr., ELS President Mr. William Overn Rev. Milton E. Tweit

On the cover: A snapshot of how the Bethany Report has changed in appearance over the years.

report | winter 2004-05

from the chapeL December 21, 2004

LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will n Jesus’ name.

I wouldn’t advise you to visit Bethlehem now, it’s be their peace.”

We are too used to peace. Suppose in making your too dangerous. While this year authorities have been working hard to assure tourists that for the first time way across the mall to chapel this morning you had in five or six years, a visit would be safe, still Americans to duck between the pillars of the colonnade for fear aren’t much liked in most of world, maybe especially of being picked off by a sniper. Suppose to avoid there. I’m not sure if there will ever again be a time the crossfire above ground, you decided to take the when it’s safe for us to go there, to stand in the narrow tunnel, but were warned not to for fear of a deadly cave beneath the Church of the Holy Nativity viewing terrorist gas grenade in the enclosed space. Suppose as the very place where, it is said, Jesus was born, with we sit here, we suddenly heard the whistle of incomthe manger carved out of the cave wall just a few feet ing ordnance and by reflex duck under the seats—not that it would protect us from a direct hit but at least away.

The truth is, the “little town of Bethlehem how still we might be shielded from glass splinters flying from we see thee lie” is frequently far from quiet and peace- the windows from a hit just outside. Suppose we were ful. Just a couple of years ago, militants took possession forced to view this beautiful chapel, which many of of the Church of the Nativity and had to be flushed us have come to love, reduced to piles of rubble. And this would be our last view of campus altogether as out by a military operation. we rush to our rooms to gather what is most precious You can still see the bullet holes to us into a bundle or single suitcase to carry, and in the stone church walls, both we set off afoot down some road in some direction external and internal. we believe might be safe from the invading army we Violence in Bethlehem is know is on its way. not new. It was less than two We are perhaps too used to peace. So much, that years after Jesus was born when we don’t appreciate it as we should. You know, of King Herod sent his soldiers course, there are right now many places in the world to murder all the babies and where reality is as I’ve described. One of those places toddlers in the area in an attempt Dr. Thomas Kuster is the so-called “holy land,” the land of Bethlehem. to rid himself of a prophesied Jewish King born there. Today’s reading goes back still I never call it “holy” because there have been more further to the days of the prophet Micah. It was a time wars, more blood shed in those few square miles than when, in that part of the world, whole regions were any other place on earth. We don’t appreciate peace ruled by the latest biggest bully, where the people lived as we should.

Could it be the same in our spiritual lives? How in constant fear of the thugs who ruled the tribe or country next door. It’s still like that over there today;­ sheltered we are from the great cosmic battles over our souls. We sing “A Mighty Fortress is our God” with only the weapons have changed.

That’s the atmosphere in which Micah preached, little feeling of how precious it is to have a fortress, with the land facing imminent invasion by the chief an armed, fortified refuge to which we can flee from thugs of the day, Assyria, and he drew attention to this the great danger pressing on us from all sides. Luther in that hymn tries to express the danger to our souls, little town with these words.

Micah 5:2-5a “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, perhaps compared to dodging sniper bullets or fleethough you are small among the clans of Judah, out ing terrorist gas attacks. “The old evil foe now means of you will come from me one who will be ruler over deadly woe with deep guile and great might … on Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient earth is not His equal… Devils all the world might times. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the fill, all eager to devour us.” time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Chapel continued on page 5

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education that lasts beyond a lifetime

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community news

100

Celebrating issues of the Bethany Report

By Sigurd K. Lee Class of 1949

T

he 100th Report. It’s hard to believe it has been that long! I am honored to have been asked to write a few words about my tenure as editor of the Report, 19781992. One obvious difference: compared to the dazzling color of today’s Report, our editions were modestly subdued.

Like Henry Ford’s early cars, we had a limited choice of color, in our case, black and white; and during lean budget time, we retreated from a white paper stock to a less expensive one, gray, in fact. Older alumni will remember.

It takes the skills of many people to create, execute and finally place the Report into your hands. A few students and several faculty wrote or took pictures for us over those years and a myriad of Bethany staff people helped in so many ways. Lest I leave a name out, I’ll not try to name them.

I will mention four, to stand for the rest: Vicki Butterfield, in effect, co-editor; Judy Helland and Ione Geistfeld, respectively, followed Vicki in that position; and Orla Petersen who, with her accurate copy editing, saved us much embarrassment. Not just them but to all who helped over those fourteen years, a fervent “Thank you.”

After putting an issue to bed (a little parlance there), if the mail brought a compliment, the editor would say, “You know what they say? If one person writes, that means ten people meant to write but didn’t get around to doing it.” In these email days that ratio is likely not valid.

We endured publishing perils. We worked hard. We had fun! A natural exuberance develops when planning an 4

From top: The Spring 1981 issue told of how computers were now being used on campus; the Fall 1991 issue still included an editorial column; The Fall 1980 issue featured an article on the topic of genetic screening.

issue—article interest, coverage, photos, and the writing in this issue will exceed all previous ones. Ensuing weeks of hard work tempers this contagion—but enough remains to carry through to publication, especially with a good lead story.

Such was the case with a piece about Marvin Schwan. Not only the odyssey of moving from using his first “truck,” a Dodge with the back seat torn out to make room for pails of ice cream for Marshall, Minnesota farmers, to becoming a nation-wide business of repute; but then the munificent use of his wealth in helping many, including Bethany, as the story shows. A side note: Marv Schwan called just as we were

going to press. He’d received an advance copy and was concerned that, as written, feelings would be hurt because key subordinates had received unequal recognition in the story. We happily corrected that mistake and the presses rolled.

Materials in an alumni magazine can be touchy. Editorials, which we did then, are by their nature, controversial, but it can happen elsewhere, as the Schwan story taught us; the “alumni news” section is also written with care. Of course, too much caution can lead to dullness. Most editors would agree that a certain bravado is 100th Issue continued on page 5 report | winter 2004-05

Chapel continued from page 3

campus news

Three American Lutheran giants

By Erling T. Teigen Religious Studies

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n 2003, the Reformation Lectures dealt with three pastors especially significant for the Norwegian Lutheran immigrant heritage of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). In 2004, the focus was again on three American Lutheran theologians, but this time on significant figures who worked among German Lutherans – Charles Porterfield Krauth, Adolph Hoenecke, and Franz Pieper. The presenters were Prof. Jay Webber, rector of St. Sophia Seminary, Ternopil, Ukraine, Prof. Lyle Lange, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., and Dr. Larry Rast, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Ind. The three subjects had much in common, chiefly that they represented a faithful, confessional type of Lutheran theology. Two of

them led their churches and students from a less robust confessional faith to a more staunch confessional faith. Two of them wrote dogmatics books, still in use today, and translated from their original German – Hoenecke and Pieper, and the same two represented two of the founding synods of the Synodical Conference – Hoenecke and Pieper. All three speakers are also involved in theological education.

The common theme that ran through the three lectures was that the three were deeply biblical theologians, standing firmly in the teachings of the Lutheran Confessions. All three responded to the challenges addressed to their respective churches by the spirit of the time, and the needs of their people to keep them steadfast in their Christian faith under the Lutheran Confessions.

100th Issue continued from page 4

necessary to enliven the enterprise.

The stories didn’t need to be lengthy.

Vicki came up with a unique idea of a story on Mary Page, Bethany alumna (later appointed a Regent of the University of Minnesota) and, at that time, mayor of Olivia, Minnesota, when singer Olivia Newton-John visited Olivia. We ran a short piece along with a good photo of mayor and singer.

When I was starting as editor, President Norman Holte brought in a consultant that was knowledgeable about campus publications. “What you send out,” he said, “to your alumni (and in our case, to the pastors and churches of our Evangelical Lutheran Synod) is important, so in each issue, be sure to say something important.”

Not always heeding that advice, after one of my issues, a discerning alumnus wrote that it had “pretty pictures,” but lacked “substance.”

And the substance can—should have, occasionally—the bite of reality. I once wrote an editorial about clinical depression education that lasts beyond a lifetime

on campuses and another concerning the decline of cultural literacy. A recent issue featured a young alumna, Julie Woodhouse, a member of the ELS from the Western Koshkonong congregation in Wisconsin, and her struggles with illness. When reality enters, triumphalism exits. All of us have wastebasketed too-good-to-be-true glossy materials we’ve received. But with a healthy mixture of reality, blessings can then be celebrated, whether scholarship, artistic endeavors, athletic skill, building additions, or alumni success.

At the consultant meeting, President Holte spoke of our “uniqueness.” In each issue of the Report, “From the Chapel” proclaims the most salient feature of that uniqueness, the Gospel love that propelled our forefathers to locate and purchase this institution located on a high hill in Mankato, Minnesota, there to train young minds to learn, and to especially learn to love their Saviour. As a part of that endeavor, may the Lord continue to bless the Report in the years to come.

We’re mostly shielded from all this— and why? Because as Micah foretold, Someone else has effectively fought this battle for us, won it, and leaves us in peace.

How remarkable it was, in a country racked by war, occupied by a powerful enemy, pre-occupied with secret talk of rebellion and armed revolt – how remarkable that out of the little town of Bethlehem, just as Micah had prophesied, there appeared a man who spoke gently of peace. Blessed are they…, He said, in words we repeat frequently in chapel. Blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, the poor in spirit, the peacemakers. How startlingly different was this teaching than anything heard before. This man teaches of peace!

But it’s not surprising He spoke of peace, for He was, He is peace. He fought for us the battle against sin, death, and Satan. He won that battle for us, emerged the victor in His resurrection from the dead, and leaves us as we are now – with sins forgiven, assured of eternal life through faith in Him, and enjoying the peace of God which passes all human understanding.

The Old Testament prophet Micah wrote to a people frightened and wearied by war, under imminent threat of attack by Assyria, the superpower thugs of the day. He spoke of how the Lord God takes on our enemies for us and leaves us with peace.

No, it’s not wise to visit the town of Bethlehem these days. It’s too dangerous. But if you ponder once again this Christmas those words of the angels’ song, “Peace on earth … for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” – if you ponder those words, you’ve been to Bethlehem.

Thanks be to God. Soli Deo Gloria

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athletics

Teams now compete in UMAC

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t Bethany, it was the same sports teams on campus this fall and the uniforms were still red, white, and black, but it was obvious that change was in the air from the minute the athletic teams stepped on the court, field, and course.

A new conference, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), meant new competition and new venues to visit.

It meant competing against some long-established collegiate programs. Eagerness and anticipation marked the venture into the athletic unknown. With the fall athletic seasons completed, it can be said that Bethany’s move to the UMAC provided success, excitement, and tough competition.

Cross Country New conference, new affiliations (National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA], National Christian College Athletic Association [NCCAA]), new level of competition! All of Bethany’s athletic teams face challenges unprecedented in the history of Viking athletic tradition. Add to all of this newness the introduction of cross country as a team sport, and the idea of baby steps emerges. Bethany has had cross country runners for some time but now enters the next phase of competition: fielding five men and five women who run together as a team as well as for individual times and positions. 2004 was the first time the cross country teams competed exclusively against four-year competition.

Although the teams lacked the numbers to post high finishing scores, individuals continued to place among the better runners in the region. Sophomore Jeremy Costello and senior Ivy Pike led their respective teams with consistent finishes and personal best times. Pike finished her Bethany career by being named the Most Valuable Runner of 2004. Her leadership and work ethic are going to be missed as the teams move into 2005.

Coach Bob Ring had high praise for all 6

2004 Cross Country Team

Picture unavailable: Jennifer Pitt

Jeremy Costello

Katie Erdman

Rachel Mellon

Ivy Pike

Stephanie Schmitz

Laura Sparley

of the runners and appreciated the dedication and commitment shown throughout the season. “Although we were small in number, we were strong in purpose.

Every runner performed to the best of their ability and represented Bethany Lutheran College and their Lord well, as they competed.” 2005 looks to be a break-out year for Bethany Cross Country

Coach Bob Ring

when experienced runners will be joined by new team members to bring even more excitement to Bethany athletics.

Men’s Soccer The Bethany men’s soccer team had two goals, 1) to finish first in the UMAC and 2) to qualify for the UMAC soccer tournament. The men’s team did not win report | winter 2004-05

Team photos by Michael Schwertfeger

the conference championship but accomplished its goal of making it to the UMAC tournament.

The key to success in soccer is the team’s ability to learn how to work together as a unit. The men’s team was made up, for the most part, by freshmen and sophomores and that ability to work together really became apparent toward the end of the season. The majority of the competition the Vikings faced were teams that started upper classmen who had been working together as a team for several seasons. In spite of their youthfulness, the team posted a 5-13-2 record.

With a conference record of 3-3 the team was able to earn a fourth-place finish in the UMAC, thus qualifying the team for the UMAC tournament. At the tournament, Bethany played number-one seed St. Scholastica to a draw for 73 minutes before running out of gas and losing 3-0.

The final match of the season was a NCCAA region tournament game, another first for Bethany. The game was played against Greenville College at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

Wind, cold, and rain kept the game evenly matched, but an experienced Greenville College team wore down the younger Bethany team in a 3-1 loss.

Excellent team chemistry and great attitudes made the 2004 men’s soccer season successful. Team awards went to: Mike Colago, Most Valuable Player; PJ Waddell, Mr. Hustle; Nikolaus Schultz, Mr. Viking; and Ryan Johnson, defensive MVP.

2004 Men’s Soccer Team: Back row from left: Head Coach Rob Pipal, Beneyam Retta, Chancel Malonga, Martin Boucek, Nikolaus Schultz, Ales Ters, Nicholas Peltier, Leonce Bouya-Nzassou, Michael Colago, Ryan Johnson—Front row from left: Tyler Freyberg, Luis Berrospid, Brandon Londgren, Aaron Lindquist, Cole Downing, Zach Harlan, Patrick Waddell, Mike Moldstad—Not pictured: Oliver Lundquist, Cesar Flandes

2004 Women’s Soccer Team: Back row from left: Head Coach Rob Pipal, Megan Spaulding, Stephanie Pipal, Carissa Masarro, Rachel Mellon, Giselle Grabowski, Elizabeth Radloff, Julia Bukowski, Asst.

Coach Ramon Pinero—Middle row from left: Lucy Tillman, Elizabeth Hellmann, Jerusha Londgren, Bethany D’Andrade, Rebekah Fehr, Renae Kitt, Natalie Green, Nina Junius—Front: Brittany Bowman

Women’s Soccer Measuring the success of the women’s soccer season by the number of victories might leave you with the impression that it was a tough season. Although it was difficult to lose a lot of games, the team always gave their all. They refused to give up no matter what the score; a great tribute to the quality of the women that were part of the 2004 Bethany women’s soccer team.

Season highlights include: leading Waldorf College by a 1-0 score with fifteen Athletics continued on page 8 education that lasts beyond a lifetime

2004 Volleyball Team: Back row from left: Asst. Coach Jill Johnson, Joelle Shouts, Renee Tatge, Head Coach Marcia Eggen, Naomi Johnson, Amber Schreiner, Student Manager Brandy Jones—Front row from left: Amber Danckwart, Bridget Burger, Lindsey Larsen, Britt Rinne, Kristen Goebel, Kelsey Black, Aimee Freiborg

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Athletics continued from page 7

Let’s Golf!

Upcoming Tournaments Join us this summer for some fun and exciting golf events. There will be three opportunities to enjoy a day on the golf course with friends and alumni of Bethany Lutheran College. For registration information call Bethany at 800-944-3066 extension 313.

The Second Annual Joel Laube Memorial Golf Tournament Friday, June 17, 2005 Crystal Lake Golf Club Lakeville, Minnesota Wisconsin Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament Monday, July 18, 2005 Blackhawk Country Club Madison, Wisconsin Bethany Golf Classic Monday, August 1, 2005 Mankato Golf Club Mankato, Minnesota

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minutes left, eventually losing 2-1; playing an excellent game against UW-Superior right up to the final whistle, narrowly losing 1-0, and winning their first game in a 2-1 victory over Crown College.

A tie against Presentation College, together with the Crown win, landed the Vikings in sixth place in the eight-team Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

Success for the women’s soccer team was measured by their hard work and the enjoyment they had playing together.

Team awards were given to: Carissa Massaro, MVP; Rebekah Fehr, Ms. Hustle; Giselle Grabowski, Most Improved; Jerusha Londgren, defensive MVP; Elizabeth Hellmann, Ms. Viking; and team captain was Megan Spaulding.

Volleyball The volleyball program at Bethany Lutheran College has a great tradition.

Making the transition from playing junior colleges to competing against four-year institutions looked like it would be a big challenge and perhaps threaten the tradition. The 2004 edition of Vikings volleyball stepped up to the challenge and the result was a 27-7 season.

The debut in the UMAC was even more impressive. The team kept their focus through the double round robin to finish the regular season perfect with a 14-0 record and the first UMAC championship in school history. The Vikings were privileged to host the conference tournament, due to their number-one finish in the regular season, and finished on top with an exciting five-game win over Northwestern College in the championship match.

Another new experience was the affiliation with the NCCAA. A trip to Chicago in October to play in the single-elimination North Central Region Tournament resulted in a five-game loss. The NCCAA tournament provides a very competitive post-season option for the Vikings.

Lindsey Larsen and Aimee Freiborg were

named to the NCCAA All-Region team.

The Vikings once again went undefeated (11-0) on their home court. They were proud to have a winning non-conference record (11-7) as they faced many NAIA schools with scholarship athletes and Division III opponents from long-established programs. Not one opponent was able to shut them out completely as they managed to push the fourth or fifth game in each of their seven losses.

Sophomore co-captains Aimee Freiborg (RH) and Amber Schreiner (libero) were key returnees along with middle blockers Kristen Goebel and Amber Danckwart.

Junior college transfers Lindsey Larsen and Britt Rinne also brought valuable experience to the team. Freshmen Kelsey Black, Joelle Shouts, and Bridget Burger completed the squad.

Freiborg was named Offensive Player of the Year as she recorded 518 kills and a .348 hitting percentage for the season.

Freiborg was also a top blocker, teaming up with Goebel and Danckwart much of the time for the ace. Goebel led the team with 171 ace blocks for the season. Defensive Player of the Year was awarded to Britt Rinne who led the team with 553 digs and was a consistent passer on the serve receive.

Kelsey Black set up the Viking offense and finished the season with 1,411 assists.

Lindsey Larsen was named team MVP for her all-around contributions, most notable her 457 kills, 533 digs, and leading pass percentage. Amber Schreiner was the team’s most consistent server. Bridget Burger was given the Viking Award for her work ethic and unselfishness. Joelle Shouts was named Most Improved.

Aimee Freiborg, Lindsey Larsen, and Kelsey Black were named to the UMAC All-Conference Team. Kristen Goebel, Amber Danckwart, and Britt Rinne received All-Conference Honorable Mention. Marcia Eggen, second year head coach, was named UMAC Coach of the Year.

report | winter 2004-05

fine arts

The Glass Menagerie I

n November 2004, the Bethany Lutheran College Theatre Department staged The Glass Menagerie,

by Tennessee Williams. The play, directed by Bethany alumnus and new theatre professor, Matthew Caron, takes a look at the life of a St. Louis family as they struggle to deal with their uncertain future.

The play is narrated by Tom (played by Richard Jones), who exists both in the “present” and in his own memories—through which the bulk of the story is told. Through these hazy memories, we get to know Amanda (Tierney Hintz), Tom’s overbearing and controlling mother, Laura (Kirstin Roble), Tom’s socially underdeveloped and shy sister, and the gentleman caller, Jim (John Henry III), Tom’s friend, who is the most realistic character in the play. As the story unfolds, we see Amanda trying with great vigor to give her children a better life. She finally persuades her son to bring home a “nice boy” for Laura to meet… and hopefully marry. This gentleman caller is the one ray of hope in the play as he helps Laura take the first

steps in overcoming her fears and low self-esteem.

The Glass Menagerie was entered as a participating production in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, a national organization dedicated to the celebration of college-level theatre. A respondent was sent to critique the show, which proved to be a valuable learning experience for the students involved.

Through this process, two student actors, Jones and Henry, were nominated to go on and compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the regional festival in St. Louis in January. In addition to the actors, three student designers also participated in the festival: Andrea Jaspersen for her scene design, Jacob Yenish for his lighting design, and Benjamin Inniger for his sound design and original score.

Photographs by Denice Woller

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reunion news

Reviving a Bethany tradition

By Lance Schwartz Director of Marketing and Public Relations

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radition! On the Bethany campus, like many other colleges, certain traditions are carried out every year.

Part of what makes a campus special are those traditions passed down from generation to generation. At Bethany, the singing of “High Amid The Trees” and “On My Heart Imprint Thine Image” come to mind. Gathering for the all-school photo is another Bethany tradition. Maybe it isn’t a formal tradition that you remember, but rather hanging out in the “Viking Village” or a walk down “The Steps.” These are a few of the memories that Bethany alumni fondly recall.

Now is the time to bring back another tradition to Bethany Lutheran College.

Homecoming is coming back this fall.

Perhaps Bethany was your home for two, three, four, or even six years. Certainly you remember the beautiful fall days when leaves were turning and the campus was abuzz with activity. Fall on a college campus is a beautiful time and we think you will enjoy being back at Bethany during that special time of year.

So make plans to “come home” to your alma mater next fall. You’ll be able to attend a game, take in fine arts events, attend reunions and just hang out with friends you haven’t seen for a while. All alumni are welcomed to attend this special event.

Reunions will be held for classes celebrating graduation anniversaries. If you graduated in a year ending in a “0” or “5” you will be reuniting with your classmates during homecoming.

A complete list of activities will be mailed in the spring, but mark your calendars now for the weekend of September 23-25 and come enjoy a weekend full of memories and fun.

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Arts on the Green to become part of bigger festival this fall

By Lois Jaeger Director of Fine Arts

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“

icture the perfect early autumn day in Minnesota. Branches touched by the first gentle hues of red and gold sway in a soft breeze above emerald grass under a crystal blue sky.

Such is the setting that the Bethany fine arts division is wishing for on September 25, 2004 as they plan the second annual ‘Arts on the Green’ festival.”

So began the article written for the summer 2004 Bethany Report as the division planned and plotted their strategy for the upcoming festival, praying fervently that the fickle Minnesota weather would cooperate in creating this idyllic atmosphere— and it did!

September 25 was indeed one of those “golden days” that are designed to draw people out to savor the fresh air and sunshine. An estimated 400 members of the Bethany and Mankato communities turned out to enjoy the artistic offerings of seventy students and faculty throughout the day. Visitors circulated about “the green” participating in pottery throwing, sidewalk art contests, face painting, “instant” poetry, and story-times.

Entertainment abounded with musical performances, juggling and magic shows, and artists at work producing a variety of creations from chain saw sculpture to oil paintings to digital art.

And when all that activity produced an appetite, chemistry professor Eric

Daniel Jasperson performed magic and juggling as part of the many activities going on at the Arts on the Green festival in 2004.

What: Homecoming When: Sept. 23-25, 2005 Where: Bethany Campus

Woller prepared instant ice cream with liquid nitrogen! At day’s end, the event was soundly pronounced a success by all.

In September 2005, student services and student senate propose to incorporate homecoming and Family Weekend with Arts on the Green and Theatre Physics, making the event available to even more people and enhancing both. The fine arts division looks forward to cooperating in creating a memorable weekend for everyone.

report | winter 2004-05

alumni news

Alumni Legacies 2004-05

A picture of students who have at least one parent who went to Bethany Lutheran High School, College, or Seminary is taken on an annual basis and published in the Bethany Report. This year’s students include: Nathanael Abrahamson (Harvey Abrahamson 85), Nina Anderson (Thomas Anderson 79), Casey Barnes (Deborah Zimmerman 75), Jessica Bartels (Timothy Bartels 78), Jesse Becker (Barbara Bloedel 74), Brandon Benzer (Bernis Johnson 72), Meredith Browne (Crista Meyer 84), Elisabeth Bruss (Dan Bruss 73, Kathryn Moldstad 79), Julia Bukowski (Sherri Goetzke 74), Larissa Chervestad (Kim Chervestad 74), Margaret Dale (Janice Behrens 73, Lowell Dale 73), Jeremiah Erickson (Timothy Erickson 71), Ezekiel Ernst (Micah Ernst 83), Benjamin Faugstad (James Faugstad 76, Emily Trier 76), Jacob Faugstad (Daniel Faugstad 73, Julie Sorenson 77), Mark Faugstad (Norman Faugstad 57, Adela Halverson 59), Peter Faugstad (James Faugstad 76, Emily Trier 76), Rebekah Faugstad (Mark Faugstad 85, Marlene Heller 85), Samuel Faugstad (Daniel Faugstad 73, Julie Sorenson 77), Laura Fehr (Lee Fehr 80, Linnette Mundfrom 80), Rebekah Fehr (Roger Fehr 76), Danielle Geistfeld (Jon Geistfeld 81, MaryJo Starkson 82), Andrew Greibrok (Patricia Newgard 77), Elizabeth Gullixson (Norman Gullixson 69), Sarah Gullixson (James Gullixson 77, Connie Warrant 76), Lucas Hendricks (Richard Hendricks 82), Jonathan Homan (Bradley Homan 75, Julie Koenen 77) Martha Hougan (Elizabeth Nickerson 75, Paul Hougan 76), Jessica Huber (Kathleen Holmen 74), Benjamin Hughes (James Braun 84), Erik Hughes (James Braun 84), Richard Jones (Steven Jones 77), Rebekah Kopperud (Sheryl Cohrs 78), Andrew Larson (Darilyn Wiechmann 77), Brandon Londgren (Elisa Boniek 79, Jeffrey Londgren 79), Jerusha Londgren (Elisa Boniek 79, Jeffrey Londgren 79), Kristin Lussky (Glenn Lussky 78, Rebecca Madson 80), Marie (Holtz) MacPherson (Roger Holtz 94), Christina Madson (Karen Hougan 69, the late Paul Madson 70), Amanda Mattson (Bruce Mattson 80, Patricia Bremseth 81), Rachel Mellon (Kenneth Mellon 78), Jessica Merseth (Juel Merseth 69), Jill Merseth (Grant Merseth 74, Karen Spangler 74), Brandon Meyer (Timothy Meyer 79), Angela Moldstad (Donald Moldstad 78, Gina Hassler 80), Jacob Moldstad (Donald Moldstad 78, Gina Hassler 80), Diana Naatz (Deborah Sundby 75), Corey Olsen (Oren Olsen 76), Megan Paggi (Mary Stuebs 76), Kara Quist (Paul Quist 72), Tricia Quist (Allen Quist 64), Amanda Rank (Sonja Kulseth 77, Thomas Rank 77), Nikolaus Schultz (Nathan Schultz 78, Shelly Hein 78), Andrew Shoop (Dean Shoop 75, LuAnn Larson 75), Joshua Skogen (David Skogen 67), Natalie Skogen (David Skogen 67), Sarah Sohre (Arthur Sohre 71), Amanda Spreeman (Edward Spreeman 76), Hannah (Ernst) Taylor (Micah Ernst 83), Sarah Taylor (Kathleen Overn 76), Taci Tolzman (Alan Tolzman 70), Amanda Ulrich (Sharon Bjoraker 75), Daniel Wiechmann (Mark Wiechmann 76, Nancy Dickert 76), Katie Wiechmann (Ann Monson 81, David Wiechmann 81), Terri Wiederhoeft (Joni Baarts 78, Keith Wiederhoeft 73), Traci Wiederhoeft (Joni Baarts 78, Keith Wiederhoeft 73), Sarah Wright (David Wright 78, Julie Baarts 80) Not pictured: Matthew Anthony (L. Joel Anthony 79), David Brassow (Earl Brassow, 56), Jennifer Cachiaras (David Peoble 91), Nicholas Cachiaras (David Peoble 91), Jeremy Costello (Gregory Costello 76, Janet Nelson 81), Sarah Ernst (Micah Ernst 83), Amanda Fehr (Lee Fehr 80, Linnette Mundfrom 80), Kjirsten Fletcher (Kari Lillo 85, Michael Fletcher 85), Kristen Goebel (Kurt Goebel 81), Samuel Gullixson (Norman Gullixson 69), Christina Handberg (Lynn Rank 72, Martin Handberg 72), Nathan Harstad (Mark Harstad 74, Peggy Sorenson 72), Peter Harstad (Mark Harstad 74, Peggy Sorenson 72), Jennifer Haugen (Elyse Olson 75, Jeffrey Haugen 75), Dustin Howley (Charles Howley 95), Jacob Jaeger (Lois Olson 71, Steven Jaeger 72), Kristen Jones (Lyle Jones 80, Lynette Abel 80), Jeanette Kauffeld (Shawn Kauffeld 75), Thomas Kessel (William Kessel 78), Amy Knudson (Kathy Goetzke 73), Joanna Kopperud (Sheryl Cohrs 78), Andrew Lecy (Gregory Lecy 77, Rebecca Browning 75), Jeffery Merseth (John Merseth 99), Thomas Metzger (Daniel Metzger 74), Michael Moldstad (John Moldstad 74), Andrew Olsen (Oren Olsen 76), Jacqueline Pemble (John Pemble 68), Lisa Petersen (Carol Sorenson 73, Joel Petersen 75), Gregory Pipal (Lori Degner 76, Robert Pipal 76), Stephanie Pipal (Lori Degner 76, Robert Pipal 76), Peter Preus (Peter Preus 76), Elizabeth Rank (Sonja Kulseth 77, Thomas Rank 77), Laura Sparley (Janice Hoyord 74, Steven Sparley 74), Nicole Strackbein (Philip Strackbein 71), Kasey Taylor (Scott Taylor 78, Trudy Smith 78), Michael Taylor (Scott Taylor 78, Trudy Smith 78), Brian Wegner (Kay Johnson 70)

education that lasts beyond a lifetime

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academics

Lea r ning how to

God’s childr en

By Silas Born Coordinator of Christian Education

“

T

ell us why you want to be a teacher.”

The reply to this request is an important part of the student interviews for entrance into Bethany’s Elementary Education Major.

Even though the candidates may respond in various ways, a common thread is evident as they elaborate on their reasons for choosing a career in education.

Some tell how a parent or teacher has influenced them. Others speak of their love for children and their desire to help children reach their God-given potential. Still others talk about the opportunity for sharing the Gospel and serving as a Christian role model for children. As the interview continues, students present their portfolio of coursework and clinical experiences completed in their education foundations and philosophy course. The evaluation of their early field experience in an elementary school is discussed, and the students are asked to explain their understanding of good teaching practices. Further discussion focuses on the student’s goals and how Bethany’s education faculty can assist in reaching those goals.

Once students have been accepted into the major, they begin their journey toward a career in elementary education. This involves taking specific professional education courses that will prepare them for Minnesota teacher licensure and Lutheran teacher certification.

The professional education courses build on the liberal arts foundation established during the freshman and sophomore years. Both content and teaching methods Educate continued on page 13 12

Junior Jessica Bartels is one of several Bethany students who conducted a clinical experience at Mount Olive Lutheran School in Mankato.

report | winter 2004-05

Educate continued from page 12

are emphasized. Courses in psychology and teaching children God’s plan of salvaand pedagogy provide students with an tion in Christ Jesus includes clinical expein-depth understanding of learning theory rience under the guidance and supervision and how to apply those theories in teach- of a certified Lutheran elementary school ing children from kindergarten through teacher.

Bethany Lutheran College’s teacher traineighth grade. In the process, students learn how sound research is used to deter- ing program is unique in that its educamine effective teaching methods, and tion majors have the opportunity to learn how curriculum and assessment decisions and discuss how specific lessons would be are integral components of the learning taught in the Christian day school and process. An important part of teacher how those lessons may need to be modipreparation takes place during the exten- fied when teaching in a public school. sive clinical experiences in an elementary Insights are shared on how specific topics are handled in each setting school classroom under the and the possible limitations guidance and supervision of placed on the teacher within an experienced general educa‘...students a specific setting. Through tion teacher. So student teachers understand how to adapt come to realize such discussions, students develop an awareness of how instruction for children with that their a clear understanding of the special needs, they complete philosophy of separation of church and coursework that includes a state will guide their teachclinical experience under the education will ing in a public school. At the direction of a special educator. serve as the same time, they recognize In all their studies and clinical that there will be multiple experiences, students come to framework opportunities for modeling realize that their philosophy for all their and sharing their Christian of education will serve as the decisions as faith. framework for all their deciUpon successful complesions as professional educa- professional tion of the professional tors. During the entire process, educators.’ education courses, students students include documentaapply for acceptance into the tion in their professional portinternship program, during folios as evidence of having fulfilled the requirements of Bethany’s which they complete a semester of student teaching and a seminar on Christian vocateacher training program.

A major component of Bethany’s teacher tion. Bethany’s first elementary educatraining program is the “One Thing Need- tion majors have reached this marker in ful.” In addition to chapel and the religion their journey toward a career as profescourses taken by all Bethany students to sional educators. During the journey, nourish their faith and enhance their spiri- the students have become close friends. tual understanding, students who wish They have worked closely on projects. to be certified to teach in one of the ELS They have shared their joys and encourelementary schools are required to take aged each other when the work may have specific religion courses that will prepare been exceptionally challenging. Even them for teaching in those settings. though one of them is student teaching in Courses include the study of Old Testa- Georgia while the others are completing ment, New Testament, Christian doctrine, their internships in Mankato, they will be and Lutheran confessions, hymnody and together again in May when each of them liturgics. A course that focuses on commu- will be awarded Bethany’s Bachelor of Arts nicating the proper use of law and gospel Degree in Elementary Education. education that lasts beyond a lifetime

academics

Sociology added to list of majors

By William B. Kessel Sociology, Religious Studies

I

n November 2004, the Board of Regents approved sociology as the sixteenth academic major at Bethany Lutheran College. Sociology is the social science which focuses on human group behavior. The Bethany program will differ from those in public colleges and universities because it will address issues such as culture, socialization, groups, deviance, family, race, ethnicity, human sexuality, gender and similar topics from a Christian perspective. The faculty is committed to two objectives for its majors: 1) that they grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, and 2) that they become responsible citizens, aware of social realities.

The Bethany sociology major is an integrated major. In other words, selected courses from other departments (anthropology, communication, physical education, psychology and religious studies) count toward the sociology major and add an interdisciplinary component to the program.

Students who graduate with a BA in sociology have several career choices.

They can move on to graduate studies or pursue jobs available in business and nonprofit institutions. Because sociology majors are trained in research methods, they are also qualified for positions in industry and government.

Finally, there is a need for committed Christians, trained in sociology to serve the church in various capacities: pastors, teachers, members of boards and committees and involved laypeople.

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alumni profile: Channing Lillo, Class of ’91

Illumination wins award for Lillo W

hat exactly is your profession and who do you work for?

I am a senior electrical engineer for RSA Engineering in Anchorage, Alaska.

I understand that you’ve won an international award for lighting design. What can you tell us about the award and the work that went into the project?

My job as an electrical engineer involves designing electrical systems for buildings (i.e. lighting, power, fire alarm, telecom, security, etc...) Recently, I designed the electrical systems for a new railroad depot at the Anchorage International Airport that had some very unique lighting. The president of the railroad wanted the building to be their signature facility in the state Channing Lillo and asked me to come up with a one-of-a-kind display that would mimic the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) phenomenon to be installed in the tunnel that connects the rail station to the airport. I ended up designing a display using fiber optics, synchronized illuminators, and acrylic panels suspended from the ceiling to imitate the constantly changing colors and shapes of the northern lights.

The display turned out great, and with the other interesting lighting we had in the facility, my company decided to take some photos and enter the project into a lighting design competition that is held by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

The project ended up winning for the state of Alaska and moved on to the national competition where it scored high enough to move onto the international judging. At the international level, the project was competing against very large design projects from all over the world, but still ended up winning the top prize.

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Submitted photos

Bethany alumnus Channing Lillo recently won an international lighting design award for his work on Alaska’s Bill Sheffield Railroad Depot. The interior tunnel from the depot to the Anchorage International Airport supports a lighting display that simulates the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

I was very shocked that my “little project from Alaska” was given the recognition that it did, especially when compared to the competition. It was the first time my company had submitted a project for a lighting award and we won the whole thing, so who knows, maybe we’ll try again.

What other types of projects have you been involved with?

Most of the projects that I have worked

on in the past have been pretty normal (schools, office buildings, retail stores, etc.). However, right now, as a result of my Northern Lights display, I was asked to design a new project for downtown Anchorage that will be a dynamic, illuminated sun display that will be the center of a new Planet Walk that is being designed for the city. (If you remember from your grade school science class, a Planet Walk is where you build a scale model of our solar system and if the Sun is the size of report | winter 2004-05

a basketball, then Earth is 100 feet away and the size of a pea, etc.) This display we are building consists of a 12-foot diameter sun, which would put Pluto almost 10 miles away. I plan to construct the sun using a translucent fiberglass dome that is illuminated from within using a large array of programmable LED lights that will allow the sun to look like its rotating, with sun-spots, flares, etc.. It should be a lot of fun.

I also just found out that my company has been selected to perform the design for a new 100 million-dollar expansion of the museum here in Anchorage, and I’ve been selected to be the engineer for all of the electrical systems, so that should keep me busy for a couple of years.

How did you end up at Bethany and where did you go after your Bethany days?

Like many other alumni, both my parents attended Bethany (Gary Lillo, Gail Anderson). They offered me the deal that if I went to Bethany they would help pay for my school, but if I went anywhere else, I’d have to pay my own way. Well, actually it started out that they would pay for all of it, then it was the first year, and then it ended up being half of the first year… In the end I was truly the one that benefited.

With the friendships I made, the one-onone teaching I got from the professors, and the confidence I got from succeeding, the price was the easy part. And hey, my student loan will finally be paid off this year! After I completed my AA degree at Bethany I also followed in my father’s footsteps and went on to Mankato State University to finish my degree (bachelor of science in electrical engineering). After graduating, I moved back home to Alaska and was fortunate to start working right away at RSA Engineering, where I’ve been for the past nine years.

Tell us about your family. Any future Bethany Vikings?

It was the fall of 1999. I had almost given up on finding a woman in Alaska and was going to move back to Minnesota to find a wife, when I met Sheila. She was a education that lasts beyond a lifetime

beautiful blond-haired, green-eyed nurse from Texas who had just moved up to Alaska. I quickly made sure she didn’t meet any other guys and talked her into marrying me in the summer of 2000. Since then, we have had two beautiful, healthy children: Joshua (2-1/2) and Megan (4 months). Sheila has since “retired” from nursing, and watches the children full time. As for me, being a husband and a father is the best thing that I could have asked for. I feel truly blessed.

As for the kids, they’ll probably get the same great “deal” I got to attend Bethany, so look for them to start showing up at campus around 2020.

Living in Alaska, who do you root for besides the UAA Seawolves?

Being a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan, I found out that I was not alone up in Alaska. Since the games are rarely played on network television up here, myself and a few other “purple faithful” formed an official Minnesota Vikings Fan Club, we called it the Arctic Vikings Club. We then convinced a local restaurant to give us their sports bar and broadcast the Vikings game for us every week. The club now boasts over 300 members.

What’s it like to live in the Land of the Midnight Sun? Summers are too short, and winters too long. But when you’re fishing on a riverbank by yourself on a sunny evening at 1:00 a.m. and throwing back thirty-pound fish because that’s the smallest thing you’ve caught that day… it makes a long, cold winter worth enduring.

Tell us something about your Bethany days that nobody knows about.

On a dare from one of my friends, I decided to run for student council president my sophomore year, and just missed getting elected by five votes. (Must have had a couple of hanging chads somewhere…)

As the election grew nearer, I wondered nervously what I was getting myself into.

I’m glad I never had to find out.

campus news

Matching gift companies: double your gift dollars

Y

ou can make your gifts to Bethany Lutheran College more valuable by taking part in your company’s matching gift program. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees.

Bethany has already been blessed with matching gifts from many alumni and friends. Some of the companies we have recently received matching contributions from are: • 3M • Alliant Energy Corporation • American Express • Caterpillar • ConocoPhilips • Ernst & Young • ExxonMobil • Guidant Corporation • Hormel Foods Corporation • Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies • Josten’s • Motorola • Parker Hannifin Corporation • Prudential Financial • Sentry Insurance Foundation • US Bancorp • Wells Fargo Over 900 U.S. companies have been identified as having gift matching opportunities for their employees. Do you work for one? Check with your company’s human resource department to see if this benefit is available to you.

Also, be sure to check our Web site for more information on matching. Go to: www.blc.edu/giving

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campus news

New Coordinator of Career Services and Internships

C

16

alumni

news

We need your personal and professional updates to include in our alumni news.

You may also submit alumni news by emailing it to: alumni@blc.edu. Post your news online by visiting our Web site at: www.blc.edu and click on the “My Account” link.

Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City____________________________________________ State___________________________ Zip ________________________ Phone ( _________ ) ______________________________ Email______________________________________________________ Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year __________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name)

news (attach additional information and photos as necessary) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

birth/adoption announcement Parents’ names______________________________________________________________________________________________ Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year __________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) [ ] Daughter’s name

[ ] Son’s name_________________________________________________________________________ First Middle Last

Date of Birth____________________________________ Place of Birth_______________________________________________

#

harlene Trautman is Bethany’s new Coordinator of Career Services and Internships. The Coordinator plays a pivotal role in helping students discover their strengths and interests and translating them into a major area of study.

Trautman’s approach is one of advisor, helping the students find the answers that will fulfill their needs and desires. Once the students have identified their direction of study, she will provide a road map for their education and work closely with the academic advisors in planning course selections and credit loads for the students. As students reach the completion of their Charlene Trautman programs, she will continue to work with them to develop job search or graduate program strategies.

Alumni of Bethany interested in having Bethany students intern at their place of employment are encouraged to contact her. Other resources at Trautman’s disposal include Bethany’s membership in the Minnesota Private College Council, which provides numerous exposures to job fairs and business connections as well as working with local business contacts for student internships and placement upon graduation.

Trautman comes to Mankato from Lake Benton where she and her husband, Scott, farmed for nearly 30 years. After their children, Heather and Joshua, moved away to attend Bethany, she pursued and earned a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

We want to hear from you

marriage announcement Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year __________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Date of Marriage ________________________________ Current Residence __________________________________________

Cut out (or photocopy) and send to: Alumni News, Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

report | winter 2004-05

alumni news

alumni

news 1945 Helen (Kohlmeyer) Keyes and her husband, Don, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2005.

They have nine living children, twentythree grandchildren and twenty-five greatgrandchildren. The Keyes make their home in Wykoff, Minn.

daughter being best man and maid of honor as they renewed their vows. They have become semi-truck drivers for the last eight months after twenty-five years at their previous jobs. They are “trucking for Jesus,” sharing Him as much and as often as they can.

1979 James Schol is enjoying retirement, working several part-time jobs and taking advan-

joins his older brother, Jordan (2), in making their family complete!

Christian was born October 23, 2004.

The family makes its home in McAllen, Texas.

Renee (Wiechmann) Jackson and her husband J. are proud parents of a daughter, Kerrera, born May 2, 2004.

Lance Schwartz is happily married to Jennifer (Brassow ’92). They have three

1955 Elaine (Bergemann HS) Priebe has retired from teaching as of August 2004. She was married to Curtis Bening of Beaver Dam, Wisc. on December 26, 2004.

1975 Joyce (Lillegard) Rude lived in Lake City, Minn., for nine years and worked at the Lake City Medical Center as a Coding and Reimbursement Specialist. She has four children: Eric (20), Brian (18), and twins Rachel and Joel (15). She has been to almost every reunion at Bethany, including the 75th, and she encourages her classmates to make a special effort to be there for their thirty-year reunion in 2005. Joyce married Joel Johnson of New Ulm, Minn., on July 26, 2003. They live in New Ulm, where she works from home as a medical records coder for the Lake City Medical Center.

Ted Remus recently went back to school to obtain Illinois State School Certification and became employed as the school librarian for St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago, a high school in the Benedictine tradition. He says he loves working with the kids. He also does part-time reference work at Evanston Public Library.

1976 Joni (Gessner) Pratt and her husband, Michael, just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii with their son and education that lasts beyond a lifetime

tage of the Alaskan outdoors. The photo shows his daughters: Sarah (20), Samantha (18) and Sabrina (16). James reports that he shot an elk this fall in the panhandle of the state so the freezer is full for winter. Jim extends an open invitation to his friends from the classes of ’78, ’79 and ’80 to come visit Alaska for some fishing, hunting, snow machining, four-wheeler riding, skiing, camping or gold mining fun! Just email him at jimschol@hotmail.com

1984 Stephen Anderson was married in 1999 to Julie. He is a pilot for SkyWest Airlines, flying the Canadair Regional Jet.

1986 Marisa (Christenson) Crippen and her husband, Scott, have been blessed with a baby boy, Christian James. Christian

children: Ben (7), Sarah (5), and Anna (7 months).

1987 Todd and Ruth (Moldstad ’88) Olsen have recently moved back to North Mankato from California and look forward to seeing their Bethany friends more often. Their children, Rachel (9) and Bekka (7), attend Mt. Olive Lutheran School. Their son, Austin (3), is ready for preschool. The Olsen’s email address is toddandruth@charter.net.

1988 Lisa (Roning) Boehlke is working at the Mankato Department of Public Safety. She and her husband, Joel, celebrated their 12th anniversary in May and their daughter, Lydia (5), is in kindergarten, and enjoying every minute of it. Joel is a high school automotive teacher.

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alumni news Mark Grossklaus is starting his third year of a four-year term on the Cottage Grove City Council.

1989 Anthony Pittenger has been a pastor in Port Orchard, Wash. since seminary

graduation in 1996. In 1997 he married Melissa Mantey, a member of the congregation. They have two children: Karalena (Lena, 6) and Micah (4). Their third child is due in February 2005.

1994 Joshua and Tracy (Gray ’95) Birkholz and their daughters, Zoe and Charis, are living in Somerset, Wisc. Josh and Tracy are expecting their third child in February 2005. Tracy is a Tupperware manager and community education teacher. Josh is a fundraising consultant for Bentz Whaley Flessner in Edina.

Lisa (Diercks) Risse and her husband, John, welcomed their second daughter on

January 17, 2004. Jordyn Marie joins her big sister, Karsen Rae (3). Lisa continues to work as a public health nurse for Anoka County, Minn. The family resides in Coon Rapids, Minn.

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Gina Tetzloff is living in Burnsville, Minn., and spending time with her family, which includes her parents, nieces, nephews and one grandparent. She also enjoys visiting her friends when she is not working.

1995 Carissa Bode was married to Jerrel Flanagan in July 1999. They had their first child on October 9, 2003. His name is Keiryn Patrick. He has brought a lot of joy to their lives.

Carrie received her BS degree in elementary education with a concentration in art in March 1998.

She has recently started work as the visual arts coordinator at Lifeworks in Mankato, Minn.

Bryce Eggert resides in New Brighton, Minn. He started a construction business called Eggert Contracting. He also coaches wrestling and baseball at Park Center High School. In the summer months you can find him playing baseball for the Arlington A’s amateur team.

Emily (Luttman) Metcalfe and her husband, Joshua (’97), annouce the birth of Sylvia Grace on August 23, 2004.

Emily will soon be completing her master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Minnesota.

Julie (Westphal) and Ryan (’96) Freeberg announce the birth of their second daughter, Ella Ryan, on September 27, 2004. Their first daughter, Lydia Genevieve, turned two on September 7. The Freebergs continue to reside in Oakdale, Minn. Ryan is the head men’s basketball coach at Concordia College-St. Paul. Julie

works part-time at The Center for Reproductive Medicine.

Simon Gaylord was married to Heather Winter on December 4, 2004, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minn. Alumni in the wedding were Gary Goetzke (’76) as best man, Michael Soost (’94) as groomsman, and Chris Johnson (’95) as videographer. Simon and Heather will make their home in Janesville, Minn.

1996 Melissa Westphal and Kent Knutson were married November 6, 2004 at Bethany’s

Trinity Chapel. Family members in the photo are Missy’s grandmother, Genevieve Westphal; parents of the bride, Art (’70) and Terri (Severson ’71) Westphal; Juli (Westphal ’95) Freeberg, sister of the bride, and her husband, Ryan (’96), with their children Lydia (2) and Ella (6 weeks); Elizabeth (Westphal ’01) Harrison, her husband, Neil (’98), and their children, Wynter (7), Izayah (3) and Kyreis (2).

Missy works at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn., as a social worker and Kent works at HealthPartners in Bloomington, Minn. Additional members in the wedding party included Allison Younge (’96) and Sheila Uecker (’96). report | winter 2004-05

alumni news Michael Valleau and his wife, Rebecca, are parents of a third child, Evan. He joins sisters Bethany (3) and Kendra (22 months). Mike is currently a legislative assistant in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The family makes its home in Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Miles Wurster started his second full school year at Wiggins School District this fall. He teaches grades 5-12 band and grades 7-12 choir. Wiggins is located on the eastern plain of Colorado, just off Interstate 76.

1998 Anika Jaeger and Bryan Rychner were married at Bethany’s Trinity Chapel on

August 21, 2004. Anika is the daughter of Steven (’72) and Lois (Olson ’71) Jaeger.

Bethany alumni and faculty involved in the wedding included matron of honor Kristine (Baermann ’79) Jaeger; maid of honor Heather Helgerson (’98); bridemaid Amanda Jaeger (’97); groomsman Jacob Jaeger (current); Pastor Donald Moldstad (’78, MDV ’85); musicians Prof. Dennis Marzolf, Prof. Adrian Lo, Prof. Ann Fredrickson, Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (MDV ’85), Prof. Mark Harstad (MDV ’74), Peggy (Sorenson ’72) Harstad, Nathan Harstad (current), Sarah (Harstad, ’98) Dale, Jennifer Cachiaras (current), Abigail (Proeber ’03) Marozick; florists Gina (Hassler ’80) Moldstad and Sara Tacheny (’97); photographers John Schwertfeger (’62) and daughter Jill Schwertfeger (’03); videographer Gregory Vandermause

education that lasts beyond a lifetime

(’05); and DJ Matthew Wiechmann (’03). Anika is employed at Community Action Council as the sexual assault services coordinator for Dakota County and she manages a shelter for women and children in Eagan, Minn. Bryan is a police officer for the city of Burnsville, Minn.

They live in Farmington, Minn., and welcome news from other Bethany folks.

Their email is bugz228@frontiernet.net

1999 Terri (Sohre) Malecek graduated from MSU, Mankato in 2003 as a registered nurse. She was married in September 2003.

Emily Van Hee was married to Jesse Berg of Sanborn, Minn. on December 18,

David and Shelby (Reuter) Kirschner were married September 23, 2000 at the Amboy United Methodist Church in Amboy, Minn. They are living in Amboy where they purchased a home in 2001.

Their son, Brennan Karl, was born on September 15, 2004. He was four weeks premature and weighed just 4 pounds, 5 ounces. The couple gives thanks to God for blessing them with a healthy, happy little angel.

Lisa (Burcham) Petersen and her husband, Ted (’03), are currently residing in Gainesville, Florida. Ted is attending USF in Tampa to complete his master’s in communication and Lisa is an assistant loan officer with SunTrust Bank.

Jessica Shelvik recently spent the summer in St. Petersburg, Russia, for intensive language study and research on her master’s thesis, which she will complete in Spring 2005. She won the University of Illinois 2002 Yuro Skalnik Prize for best graduate essay in Russian and East European Studies. She will be teaching music history during the academic year.

2004. Emily currently teaches physical education/health and coaches volleyball and basketball at Madelia, Minn. Jesse is superintendent at the Farmers Golf and Health Club in Sanborn, Minn.

2000 Joshua Skogen just finished his student teaching. He will be substituting in Winona, Minn. Next fall he will consider either going to the Mankato area to teach or attending Southwest Minnesota State University to compete in his final year of eligibility in wrestling.

2001 Elizabeth (Shaw) Hansen’s email address appeared incorrectly in the last Report. Her correct email address is: jandehansen@verizon.net

2003 Jeffery Merseth and Megan Armbrecht were married at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Friday, July 5, 2002. Other Bethany alumni in the wedding party were Katie Recknor (’01), Heather Look (’01), John Moldstad (’02), Adam Holtz (’01), and Aaron Ferkenstad (’02).

Jeff and Megan received their BA degrees from Bethany in 2003. Megan will graduate with a master’s of music-applied voice from MSU, Mankato in May 2005. Jeff is taking Greek classes at Bethany and plans to enroll at the Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in the fall of 2006. They currently reside in Mankato, Minn.

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Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN PERMIT No. 4656

700 Luther Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001-6163 education that lasts beyond a lifetime

Calendar of Events march

3/1 PLUM #5 Debate Tournament, 2 p.m.

3/7-10 Baseball Spring Trip, Port Charlotte, Fla. 3/8 Softball Spring Training, Tucson, Ariz.

3/8 TCFL #6 Speech Tournament

Normandale CC, 1 p.m.

3/11,12 District Speech Tournament

South Dakota State University, 1 p.m.

3/16-20 PI Kappa Delta National

Speech Tournament, Comm. Center, 8 a.m.

3/17 Kjerstin Theraldson Art Lecture

YFAC, 7 p.m.

3/19 Baseball at Wartburg

Waverly, Iowa, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

3/19 Bethany Band Reunion Invitational

Trinity Chapel, 4 p.m.

3/20 Baseball at Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

3/30 Baseball vs North Central

Home, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

april 4/1 Baseball at UM Morris

Morris, Minn., 3 p.m.

4/1 Softball vs North Central

Home, 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

4/2 Baseball at UM Morris

Morris, Minn., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

4/3 Tennis at St. Scholastica

Duluth, Minn., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

4/4 Softball at Gustavus Adolphus

St. Peter, Minn., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

4/5 Baseball vs Martin Luther

Home, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

4/5 Softball vs Waldorf

Home, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

4/6 Speech Team Home Concert

Comm. Center, 7 p.m.

4/7 Tennis at Martin Luther

New Ulm, Minn., 2 p.m.

4/7 Organ Recital by Herman Jordaan

Trinity Chapel, 7 p.m.

4/8 Baseball vs St. Scholastica

Home, 3 p.m.

4/9 Baseball vs St. Scholastica

Home, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

About Bethany Lutheran College Bethany 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 52,000 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 515 students, with approximately thirty additional part-time students.

Bachelor of Arts degree: Sixteen majors and seventeen minors are offered.

For more information, please visit 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, offers affordable prices, excellent food, and wonderful facilities in the midst of 700 acres of beautiful lakes, pines, trails, and wildlife.

2005 Schwan Center Programs • Women’s Retreat: April 15-17, 2005 • Confessional Christian Worldview Seminar: June 26-July 2, 2005 • ELS Camp Indianhead—Minnesota/Iowa Youth: July 17-22, 2005 The goals of our programs are: • To apply confessional Lutheran theology to the present culture • To distinguish truth from error • To defend and offer the Gospel of Christ in its purity ­—all in an environment of mutual encouragement, beauty, and quietness For more information or to register, visit www.schwancenter.org or call 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: 800.944.3066 or 507.344.7000.

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