alumni
& friends 29
Shannon Schweigert ’89 (BA), Fargo, N.D., founded GivingPoint – Partners in Fundraising, a philanthropy consulting firm.
The Rev. James Shea (’97) was named President of the University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D., in December. He will assume his duties July 1, 2009.
Jeff Pospisil ’01 (BA), Mitchell, S.D., is director of finance for the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
1990s
Scott Walch ’98 (BA), Jamestown, was elected to the Jamestown Public School Board in June.
Dr. Christopher Ralston ’01 (BA), Ames, Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University with a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. He is completing a post-doctoral research fellowship in forensic psychology and serving as a contract counselor, both at Iowa State.
Dr. Kimlyn Bender ’92 (BA), Sioux Falls, S.D., was a visiting scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary for the fall semester. He is associate professor of theology and philosophy at the University of Sioux Falls. Cory Mantyka ’93 (BA), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, joined orthopedic sales with Zimmer, Inc. after retiring from nursing in 2005. He moved from Vancouver to Winnepeg. Dr. Jacinta Thompson Klindworth ’94 (BA), Beulah, N.D., was recently named vice president of the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians. She is a family physician employed with Coal Country Community Health Center. Maj. Kathi (Heinle) Vavra ’94 (BA) received her master’s degree in nursing with a women’s health specialty and has been reassigned to Scott Air Force Base. Dr. Lance Grammont (’96), Appleton, Wis., completed his family practice residency at the Fox Valley Program – University of Wisconsin in June and is working as a family practice physician in the Appleton area. Sandra Goehring ’97 (BA), Richmond, Va., completed her M.Div. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and has begun doctoral studies in the history of Christianity at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education.
2000s Jill Aune ’00 (BA), Castle Rock, Colo., is Colorado district manager for Chamberlin Edmonds. Shea Gaier ’00 (BA), Grand Forks, N.D., is a mortgage consultant at First Class Mortgage. Benjamin Kennelly ’00 (BA), has been working as a Highway Patrol officer in Cooperstown, N.D., and was recently reassigned to Valley City. Doug Lerfald ’00 (BA), St. Bonifacius, Minn., has been named the head varsity girls’ soccer coach at Chanhassen High School, a brand new school opening in the fall of 2009. He recently was an assistant coach at Southwest Minneapolis High School and prior to that he was an assistant at Totino-Grace High School. While at Totino Grace, the team won the state championship once, and placed third two times. Keri (Bakker) Esslinger ’01 (BA), Fayetteville, Ark., completed her M.S. in kinesiology from Fort Hays State University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Andy Forward ’01 (BA), Oakes, N.D., has begun a law practice in Oakes. Julie (Baenan) Jeske ’01 (BA), Bismarck, N.D., has become club relationship manager at American Bank.
Carey (Dahners) Rivinius ’01 (BA), Carson, N.D., graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Mary. She is working as a family nurse practioner at the clinic and hospital in Elgin, N.D. Valerie (Herold) Bakken ’02 (BA), Jamestown, is an individual program coordinator at the Anne Carlsen Center for Children. Tausha Diede (’02), Edgeley, is the office manager for the Edgeley Mail. Marty Oelrich ’02 (BA), Phoenix, Ariz., completed his M.A. in forensic psychology in May. Dr. Mika Thorlakson ’02 (BS), Jamestown, has joined the Jamestown College institutional advancement staff as Director of Donor Relations. Amanda Higley ’03 (BA), Baltimore, Md., is working at the National Institute of Drug Abuse at the National Institute of Health as a research fellow to complete her Ph.D. in neuropsychopharmacology through a partnership program with the National Institute of Health and Kansas State University.