L u t her C o lle g e news SPRING / SUMMER 2010
Music Issue Inside Jennifer Jade Kerr Bryan Hillis Echo Fettes September Russell And more…
REGINA CANADA THE LUTHER STORY • spring & summer • 09
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Call for Submissions: Inspired Stories Wanted from Former Students and Colleagues of Dr. Paul Antrobus Hagios Press of Regina is seeking submissions from former students and colleagues of Dr. Paul Antrolbus. If you were a student or fellow teacher of Dr. Antrobus at the University of Regina, Luther College, The University of Regina Department of Extension or the Seniors Learning Centre we welcome your written submissions that relate particular experiences or discoveries in Dr. Antrobus’ classes or teaching activities that have made a significant difference in your life. These submissions should relate to a personal experience and should be written in the first person. Also provide a brief biographical paragraph outlining your connection with Dr. Antrobus. Selected contributions will be integrated into a book by Dr. Antrobus with the working title Listen to Your Life, Find Your Spirit. Hagios Press prefers not to put a word limit on submissions but will reserve the right to edit those submissions selected for publication. Submissions should be type written, double spaced, on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper and submitted by mail to: Hagios Press, c/o Paul Wilson, Box 33024, Cathedral P.O., Regina, SK S4T 4C6. If you have questions on a submission please contact the press at hagiospress@accesscomm.ca. The deadline for submissions to Listen to Your Life, Find your Spirit is June 1, 2010
Contents
From the Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R.
editor’s desk We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams;— World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems.
–Arthur O’Shaughnessy, “Ode,” 1874
For nearly a century, Luther College has been providing its students, alumni, and the greater community with opportunities for musical education, involvement, and enrichment. From the long-standing traditions of the high school Candlelight Carol Service and Broadway musical to performances by the Luther Bach Choir and the ever-popular musicology classes taught at the university campus, Luther’s offerings allow students to experience and explore the intricacies of the sonic world. At Luther, music education is considered to be an essential part of a balanced, holistic liberal arts education which integrates learning and service.
03 From the editor’s desk 04 From the pulpit 05 Attention, everyone: GirlOnStage 07 Luther celebrates the naming of its next president 08 Can you hear the music calling? 12 Studing, teaching, performing, and all that jazz 14 Bringing Broadway to Luther 15 Class notes 18 Contributors
Amongst Luther’s alumni ranks are a plethora of accomplished music educators, performers and creators. While the ways in which they embody musical excellence and participate in the world of music vary, these musicians share one key characteristic: all have a desire to serve others in and through their music. In this issue of The Luther Story, we focus on some of our young and recently graduated Luther musicians, all of whom are not only “music makers,” but also “dreamers of dreams” and “movers and shakers.” Jennifer Arends, editor We have moved a few of our features, including “bits & bites,” to our brand-new website. Please visit www.luthercollege.edu/lutherstory for more alumni news and features.
On the cover Echo Fettes (HS’04, U‘09) and her violin.
The Luther Story is the magazine of the alumni and friends of Luther College. If you have a question or story idea R Eshare, G I N A please , C A N Acontact DA to us at: The Luther Story c/o Luther College high school 1500 Royal Street Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4T 5A5 Editor: Jennifer Arends (U’02) communications@luthercollege.edu Assistant editor: Mathew Block Designer: Bradbury Branding & Design cb@bradburydesign.com
Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R.
The Luther Story is distributed by Canada Post under publication mail agreement number 40065736. THE LUTHER STORY • spring & summer • 09
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From the
pulpit
Under the direction of Pastor Cheryl Toth, university campus chaplain, several students have the opportunity each semester to work as peer chaplains. These students participate in chaplaincy projects and actively serve the Luther community by ministering to their peers. In this issue of The Luther Story, peer chaplains Mike Maekelburger and Emily Bernston reflect on what music means to them. Mike: I grew up listening to my father’s vinyl records of The Beach Boys and Ray Stevens, sang the usual “churchy” songs, and listened to my mother play folk guitar. In grade one, I was dragged against my will to the home of “Mrs Kneecher the Teecher,” my rather intimidating piano instructor. She taught me that if I didn’t practice for hours a week, I would bring dishonour upon my family at the yearly recital (at which I performed “Great Balls of Fire”). In grade six, I began guitar lessons from an “ex-biker” blues musician. Since then, music has allowed me to communicate with others in a way that I simply cannot through spoken language.
Emily: My childhood was spent singing in the Saskatoon Children’s Choir. After eleven years of performing, touring, and talking in the back row during rehearsal, I left Saskatoon to attend university in Regina. For me, the obvious place to take my talents was the church. My mother, who also happened to be my choir director, told me that “all good Lutherans know how to sing.” Many of my early church years were spent sight reading the alto line in the LBW [Lutheran Book of Worship] with my mother. Without singing, my life would be incomplete. Us: Now we are able to bring our separate experiences together in the Luther College Chapel. Mike plays guitar and Emily sings. We love the music we play with our eight-piece band, and know our student congregation enjoys it as well. For us, music and worship go together like stress and exams! We hope our music enhances others’ worship experiences in the same way that it does ours.
Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R.
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By Mathew Block
Attention, everyone:
GirlOnStage! At about the age of thirteen, Jennifer Jade Kerr (U’03) made her musical debut at the local Lutheran church in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan. Fifteen years later, music is still a major part of her life, but the size of the audience tuning in has grown dramatically. Today, Jennifer is a rising star in the Canadian contemporary Christian music scene. Her story is one of faith, opportunity, and determination – with perhaps just a little divine intervention thrown in for good measure. And it appears there is a new chapter in the works, as she launches a project to inspire young girls to embrace their God-given musical talents.
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Jennifer realised at a young age that song was an integral part of who she is. “I had music in me that needed to get out,” she confesses. By twelve, she was already writing her own songs. At seventeen, when her father brought home a guitar after a trip to the city to buy tractor parts, her love-affair with music was cemented. “That guitar,” she remarks, “finally made music a realisable dream for me.” But being an aspiring artist in a small town is seldom easy. For Jennifer, the real opportunity to flex her musical muscle began while a student at Luther College at the University of Regina. In Regina, she was introduced to the broader performing community through a “Writer’s Net” open mic night organised by the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (now called SaskMusic). “It was my first time singing original songs in front of people actually involved in the music industry,” Jennifer notes. Through connections made at such events, she received valuable insight on how to develop her craft. It was not long before Jennifer became a regular member of the local music scene. Following her graduation from Luther College at the U of R with a degree in religious studies, Jennifer spent a year with CREW Ministries, touring Canada as a member of the band Saltwater. Upon returning to Regina, she continued to expand her musical involvement, participating in events like Regina radio station CKRM’s annual talent show, where on two occasions she placed second and third respectively. She also remained an active member of the Luther College community. In fact, it was while playing a concert at the youth conference Emerge—sponsored by Luther College—that Jennifer met Dennis Hendricksen, a Regina Lutheran pastor and musician, who would go on to produce her first album “Somehow it always does… .” While working on the album, Jennifer represented Regina at the 2008 Canadian Radio Star Competition during Canadian Music Week in Toronto. When the album dropped later that year, it did so to much critical acclaim. Jennifer won “Gospel Music Album
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of the Year” and was further nominated for “Album of the Year” at the 2009 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards. Further, during the 2009 Covenant Awards (the awards event of Gospel Music Association Canada), Jennifer placed in the top six in the Performance category of the Cross-Canada Talent Search – the only female artist to do so. All in all, not a bad couple of years. Despite her success, Jennifer never forgets what a challenge it was when she first began to make her way as a Christian musician. Without the benefit of mentorship and guidance from artists already established in the industry, Jennifer’s progress was at times an up-hill battle. “God gave me a gift,” she recollects, “but it took me so long to learn how to use it.” She believes the story is the same for many young girls who dream of being musicians but simply do not know where to begin. That acknowledgment lies behind her latest venture, GirlOnStage, a project designed to empower young girls to explore and embrace their talents in the performing arts, especially music. “The idea is to build a network of songwriters, of dramatic artists, of people who already have the skills, who want to mentor girls to perform as people of God and artists of faith,” Jennifer explains. By being a role model on stage and providing critical instruction off stage, she hopes to inspire and equip young women to expand their presence, and God’s presence, in music genres of all kinds. The program officially launched on 14 February 2010 in Kelowna, British Columbia, where Jennifer currently serves as Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministries at First Lutheran Church. If Jennifer’s past accomplishments are any indication, GirlOnStage is sure to be another success in an already long line of triumphs. To learn more about GirlOnStage, keep an eye on the still-underconstruction girlonstage.com website.
By Jennifer Arends (U’02)
Luther celebrates the naming of its next president In December 2009, the Board of Regents of Luther College announced that Dr Bryan Hillis (U’78) has been appointed president effective 1 July 2010. Dr Hillis will be the eighth head of Luther College, building on the firm foundation established by many forerunners, including current president Dr Bruce Perlson (HS’62, UHS’63). Dr Hillis is a professor of religious studies at Luther College at the University of Regina. He first came to Luther in 1974 as an undergraduate student, studying under Luther mentors such as Art Krentz, Paul Antrobus, Roland Miller and Don King. He graduated from the university campus in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts (great distinction) in religious studies, received his Master of Arts in theology from Oxford University in 1981, and earned his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1988. Dr Hillis received the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship from 1979 to 1981, and he has been awarded numerous high-profile grants for his research. After beginning his professorial career at the College’s university campus in 1989 as an assistant professor, Dr Hillis served as academic dean from 1995 to 2005. During his time at Luther, Dr Hillis has spearheaded many innovative programs and initiatives, including the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and improvements to classroom technology. He is known for his excellence in teaching, and he is quick to identify students as the College’s greatest priority:
learning environment, whether that be the cafeteria worker who wants the food to be hot, the caretaker who takes pride in how good the building looks, or the people who process students’ tuition. We have faculty who are most concerned that our students are treated fairly in the classroom and that they receive as rich a learning experience as possible. And we have administrators who want to make sure that all the supports are in place for all these things to happen effectively. Whatever and wherever we approach a task, an issue or a challenge, the question of what is best for our students remains paramount.” Dr Hillis is not only a valued member of the academic community at Luther College and the University of Regina, but is also a contributor within the greater civic and provincial communities. He is an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, a member and coach of the Regina Rowing Club, past president of the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra, and a director of the Saskatchewan Games Council. In 2004, the first of Drs Joanne and Bryan Hillis’ four daughters began attending Luther College high school. While Amy (HS’08), Karla (HS’09) and Erin (HS’09) have all completed their studies at the high school campus, youngest daughter Laura has just begun her grade nine year. Dr Hillis notes, “in all these connections, Luther has been a very special place for me and my family.”
“I really know of no area of the College where the student experience is not a first priority for our staff and faculty. Our faculty and staff are concerned that students have the best possible
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Can you hear t
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By Jennifer Arends (U’02)
the music calling? For Echo Fettes (HS’04, U’09), as for many other musicians, music constitutes more than a mere hobby, or a job, or a degree program. For her, it is a vocation, a way of life to which she feels called. And it is a calling that has been shaped and coloured by her experience at Luther College. A graduate of both Luther’s high school and university campuses, Echo is an accomplished musician with a history of involvement in the musical life of her alma mater and greater civic community. She recalls that her musical career at Luther began the night before her first day of grade nine, when she auditioned for the high school musical. Echo was involved in the musicals as a cast member every year of her high school career until her senior year, at which point she moved from the stage to the orchestra pit to play the violin. But Echo’s involvement in Luther’s rich musical tradition did not end there. She was a member of the high school girls choir, the handbell ensemble, the Candlelight Service orchestra, the senior choir, and AVE (advanced vocal ensemble). “My high school years prepared me for life as a musician by introducing me to the fine art of multitasking,” exclaims Echo. “I know very few musicians who work just one job—most are teachers, clinicians, conductors and scholars, as well as performers. Juggling academics with co-curricular activities was excellent preparation for life as a musician.” The juggling skills Echo acquired during her time at Luther College high school were called
into action when she decided to continue her studies at Luther’s university campus. While music already occupied a central place in Echo’s life, she notes that it wasn’t her first choice when choosing a subject area in which to major in university. “I actually resisted studying music at the U of R during my first year, choosing instead to take a variety of general arts classes with the intent of finding the subject that interested me most and pursuing that. For better or worse, I had a lot of fabulous professors that year, which resulted in me wanting to study everything under the sun. Luckily, I was also studying violin privately at the time, and when Ed Minevich, concertmaster of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, said to me, ‘Echo, why not music?’ I thought to myself, ‘okay, why not’. Five years later, I know that regardless of whether I pursue it professionally or not, music will always play a central role in my life.” While Echo remained academically focused during her student years on violin performance, she was known around campus as an exceptionally well-rounded Luther student. She retained a high level of involvement in musical ensembles within and outside the university community, such as the University Chamber Orchestra and the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra; at her church, Bread of Life Lutheran, as an accompanist and member of the worship team; and in the greater life of Luther’s university campus, where she served as a member of the Student Life Committee, just to name a few examples.
Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R. T H E LU T H ER S TO RY • SPR I N G / SUM M ER 2010
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Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R.
Echo notes that becoming a well-rounded adult was always one of her parents’ goals: “I started piano at the age of four, choir at seven, violin at eight, and Ukranian dance and baseball somewhere in between. Fond childhood memories include bringing my violin to the dance studio so that my mom and I could practice in the hallway during my brother’s class.” Oh, and Echo is also a current member of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, playing in the orchestra’s Violin II section. Not exactly a minor accomplishment. Echo recounts many fond memories of her time at Luther College at the University of Regina, and she is vocal about the many advantages that being part of Luther’s tightly woven community affords its students: “Studying music through Luther was a great experience. Talking with friends who opted to attend larger universities, I always felt very fortunate to be treated by the faculty and staff as an individual, and not as a nameless number. That personal connection is definitely one of Luther’s greatest strengths.”
***
Upon graduation from the U of R in 2009, Echo embarked upon a new adventure, one that took her first to Calgary and then to South
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Africa. In March 2010, she completed a six-month term with the Youth Leaders in Action program through Canada World Youth, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that focuses on fostering community and cross-cultural understanding through non-formal, experiential learning. Echo spent three months in Calgary and another three in Athlone, South Africa. Along with 19 other young women from Canada, South Africa and Kenya, Echo lived with host families in Calgary and Athlone, allowing her and her colleagues to experience both places from local perspectives. Echo’s time in the Youth Leaders in Action program was certainly not short on action! Once a week, Echo and her colleagues attended educational activity days that focused on topics such as gender, government, history and community, which each team member took a turn at developing and facilitating. The participants also volunteered in the community, taking work placements. In Calgary, Echo volunteered with 90.0 FM CJSW, a community radio station, and in Athlone, at a shelter for abused women called Place of Hope. “Because we were greeted with a lot of support and enthusiasm in Athlone,” explains Echo, “we were able to organise several ongoing community projects, including after-school activities for children at the local library, and an environmental awareness campaign that we presented to over one thousand students at four primary schools.”
Photo courtesy of the Photography Department, U of R.
While Echo was unable to help out with a children’s orchestra in Athlone due to transportation complications, she jokes that she “did teach a classroom of high-energy preschoolers all of the words and actions to ‘Skinamarinky dinky dink’ and a number of other songs.” What is most interesting to note about Echo’s time in South Africa is that she talks less about the musical lessons she taught others, and more about the musical lessons that others taught her. “If my experience in Athlone has taught me anything about music, it’s that music is one of the cornerstones of culture. Music defines a place. From the early morning Islamic prayer call from the nearby mosque, to my host brother’s and sister’s competing hip-hop, pop, and techno cellphone ringtones at the breakfast table, to public taxi vans literally throbbing with bass, exposure to music constantly shaped my cultural experience in South Africa.” Echo provides an example of one of the profound musical moments from her time in Athlone: “One especially memorable musical experience occurred on a Saturday afternoon in January. It was one of a handful of really hot days, and, having just walked back from getting groceries at the mall with my host sister, Lesley-Ann, I wanted nothing more than a cold shower. While I was standing under the freezing water, the strains of far-off brass band music came wafting through the open
window. I hurried to find one of the bands from the Kaapse Klopse ministrel carnival that entertain every festive season marching right past our house. Lesley-Ann and I went out to follow them down the road, where we heard another, completely different type of music. As it turned out, the Bridgetown Presbyterian Church, where my host family worships every Sunday, was hosting an annual prayer meeting for the Presbyterian women of the Western Cape. The place was packed and sweltering, yet the voices of over three hundred black women filling the church with a cappella Xhosa hymns gave me goosebumps like I’ve never experienced before.” Can you hear those women’s voices in your “inner ear?” Does the sound give you goosebumps? In recounting the story of the singing at Bridgetown Presbyterian Church, Echo illustrates what it means to have a musical vocation: it is calling that is not only academic, spiritual, or practical, but also clearly audible. And it is Echo’s openness, her ability to perceive new sounds, that enables her to continue responding to her vocation in new and exciting ways. Echo Fettes returned to Regina in March 2010. She reports that she is still in the process of “unpacking” her experiences in South Africa—“both literally and mindfully.” If you would like to see (and hear) Echo in action, watch for upcoming RSO performances at www. reginasymphony.com.
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Studying, teaching, performing, and all that
JAZZ: AQ&A session with September Russell
By Jennifer Arends (U’02)
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Since 2006, September has worked parttime in the university campus library, assisting Luther students and faculty with their research needs.
At the upcoming Spring Convocation, September Russell (U’04) will be awarded a Master’s in Music from the University of Regina. A graduate of Luther College’s fine arts program, September remains heavily involved in the life of the College as a sessional instructor of music and a part-time library assistant in the Luther Library. I recently sat down with September to talk about her musical journey. How did you decide to pursue music as career and life-path? I’m originally from Lumsden, Saskatchewan, and my music education started with the band program there. I played flute in concert band and saxophone in jazz band. After high school, I enrolled in the Bachelor or Music Education program at the U of R with a major in music education and a minor in math education. I finished my degree and taught for a couple years before going back to university to do a Master’s in music theory. My university experience was great. I chose to enrol in fine arts through Luther because Luther had the greatest number of music scholarships. I didn’t realise that Luther also had such a close-knit, music-loving community. The U of R Music Department, by nature, is also a very close-knit community. You have to get along with each other because, at some point, you’ll probably have to play together! What instruments do you play? Are you a part of any music ensembles? This is always a funny question because music education students have to learn to play most of the band instruments. I play many instruments. I play very few of them well. Saxophone is my main instrument. Right now I’m part of an informal saxophone quartet and I sing in the choir at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Occasionally I have the opportunity to direct different choirs in the city. Oh, and I’m currently taking piano lessons! What is it like to teach music? Teaching music is probably the best job in the world. I’m currently teaching Music 100 which is a course for non-music majors that is essentially an introduction to music. I know that not everyone gets excited about teaching 100-level courses, but I can’t imagine a class that is more fun. In class, we study and listen to music. What could be better? Actually, it does get better than that because we study great pieces from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. These pieces are the works that have inspired humankind for centuries. Most of the homework involves listening to music or going to concerts. It’s just a lot of fun!
How would you say your perspective has changed as you’ve transitioned from student to instructor? In general, I would say that in moving from student to professor I have a clearer view of the “big picture.” To me, music is an important part of human life. Music ministers to people in a way that is very direct and very different than other types of media. For example, music happens in real time. You cannot rush it. It is refreshing to slow down and listen to a piece of music. Your family’s involvement in the music community is fairly extensive. Tell me about that. I feel very lucky to be a part of the Lutheran community and Regina’s music community. My husband Jon Achtzehner (HS’98, U’04) went to Luther College high school and registered in the music program through Luther’s university campus, which is where we met. Now we’re both heavily involved in these communities. Jon plays with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, directs the choir at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and sings in the Luther Bach Choir and Per Voce, a Baroque-period vocal ensemble. Music is really important to our family. Our daughter Katie takes violin lessons, and you’ll often see us at concerts around Regina. I think she went to her first concert (performed by the Luther Bach Choir) when she was two weeks old. I couldn’t imagine my life without music. What does music mean to you? I think that humankind loves music and needs music. I think that we often identify ourselves with the music we listen to and it becomes an important part of who we are as individuals and as a culture. Music is also a very direct form of expression; it is a universal language. If you think of music in this way, you can just imagine the possibilities. When I play a piece of music, I give the audience insight into who I am. At the same time, the audience also has some insight into the mind of the composer. As an audience member you are an important participant in the music. Each person will hear a piece differently; you are the author of your own hearing of a piece and, in some ways, it becomes your music and a part of your identity. It’s a very intimate way to communicate.
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Web exclusive
A MUSICAL TRADITION
Bringing Broadway to
Luther
For decades now, Luther College high school has produced a Broadway musical. Talented students have served as cast and crew, and they have been led by a fearless team of Luther faculty. Read more about Luther’s musical tradition online at www.luthercollege.edu/ lutherstory.
In 2009, students presented “Anne of Green Gables” to appreciative and enthusiastic crowds.
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Class notes
Edited by Lecina Hicke
Susan (Goohs) Barr (HS’69) has been living the life of an “expat” for the last 15 years or so. Over the course of her adult life, she has called Beijing, London, Hong Kong, Bucharest, Damascus, and, soon, Mexico City home. Her husband Donald is in the foreign service. Susan and Donald have two sons, aged 29 and 28, who live in Vancouver (one of whom is soon to be married), as well as one daughter aged 16, who is in her final year of high school. Susan fondly remembers the teaching staff of Luther College. She insists that she “never would have succeeded in life” if it had not been for her educational and life experiences at Luther. David Code (HS’83) recently appeared on CTV’s Canada AM to discuss his book entitled To Raise Happy Kids, Put Your Marriage First. David’s book has sold out in Britain and has also been featured on ITV, CBS News, NPR, and in The Wall Street Journal, with future stories planned by ABC’s 20/20 and USA Today. Visit http:// tinyurl.com/9DCbio for more information. Dawn (Cook) Criddle (HS’69) retired in December 2008 after 28 years of operating a restaurant in Broadview. Dawn and her husband Sid are now enjoying travelling, spending summer months at Kenosee Lake, and wintering in Palm Springs, CA. James Davis (HS’99) has been working as a pharmacist since 2004. James just completed writing a book and currently lives in downtown Vancouver. Jonathan Denis (HS’93) was recently appointed the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and is serving as the Deputy House Leader in the Alberta Government
for the Progressive Conservative Party. He is the youngest person in the last 20 years to hold either position. Jonathan credits Mr Freitag for both sparking and encouraging a continued interest in debate, as well as Dr Cherland for nurturing his interest in music. Jonathan also remembers Mr Anderson and Mr Stark as teachers that both challenged and inspired him. Jonathan credits Luther College with providing him the tools necessary to succeed. Jim Elliot (U‘73-’75) was named Best Eco Warrior by the readers of Prairie Dog Magazine in 2009. Elliot has dedicated himself to educating the public about environmental issues for over thirty years, involving himself with projects such as Wings Over Wascana Nature Festival and Earth Day Celebrations. Elliot prides himself on more than just “talking”: when it comes to environmentalism, he sees himself as a mentor to his peers, and he takes every measure possible to lead a “green life.” Joyce (Balser) Fitz (HS’54) and Dennis Fitz (HS’52-’53) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2009. Joining them in their celebrations were their three daughters, their sons-in-law, and their grandchildren. Also accompanying the couple were Mary Anne (Hindle) (HS’61) and Gary Fitz (HS’59), Beryl (Blaser) (HS’55) and Blaine Ledingham, as well as all of their children and grandchildren. Joyce and Dennis live in Victoria. Alice (Boxall) Gabriel (HS’95) attended the Western College of Remedial Massage therapy and became a Registered Massage Therapist in 2000. Since 2001, Alice has been teaching several different forms of dance, including ballet,
contemporary, musical theater and traditional Middle Eastern and tribal-style belly dance. In the summer of 2007, Alice married Cst Chris Gabriel of the RCMP and became a stepmother to his two beautiful boys. After their marriage, Alice started school again and became a Primary Care Paramedic, also known as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In the spring of 2008, Alice was hired by Regina Emergency Medical Services, and she enjoys every moment of her career as an EMT. The family welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Kinsey Anne Gabriel, on 10 June 2009. The family reports that they “are all so very happy [Kinsey] is loved by everyone, especially her two big brothers.”
Stacey Gattinger (HS’99, U’06) recently moved back to Regina after spending the last five years living in Alberta and Ontario. She is currently working for Ranch Ehrlo and is the program coordinator for the Lakeview Community Association. Stacey recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in sociology through Luther’s university campus and a diploma in recreation and leisure services at the University of Regina. Wayne Kallio, a former teacher at the high school, has recently launched a website focused on non-fiction stories about various mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Wayne reviews and evaluates each book he reads in an effort to assist individuals looking
for information pertaining to their personal situations and needs. His own book Mind Gone Astray is also available on the website. Visit www.mindbogglingbooks.com for more information. Jeff Lindskog (HS’98) and wife Leah welcomed baby girl Sarah into their family in December of 2008. Jeff is currently the Manager of Capital Markets at Viterra Inc in Regina. Tracey McFadyen (HS’97) married Mark Urban in September of 2009 at Château Lake Louise. Anne Marie Mulvenna (HS’97) was Matron of Honour; Pam Muckosy (HS’97) read and Michael Fry (HS’01) played the violin at the ceremony.
Raylene (Ellchuk) Moshondz (HS’89) runs a 3rd-generation cattle and grain farm with her husband Brian. Besides being a workaholic on the farm (and loving every minute of it), she horseback rides and kayaks for fun. The two call rural Manitoba home. Raylene reflects that the farm is beautiful and her life there is quiet, busy and sometimes stressful, but for the most part, very rewarding. Vicki Nelson, who will graduate from Luther College at the University of Regina this Spring with a Bachelor of Human Justice (social justice and human rights
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concentration) has begun a new position as Communications and Outreach Officer with the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation. In early 2009, Vicki worked as a Youth Program Assistant with SCIC, but left the position to work in Zambia with Engineers Without Borders. In Zambia, she worked on a capacity building and market facilitation project with vegetable farmers. Keith Putt (HS’69) has been retired for five years but insists that he is busier than ever. Keith has been filling his free time with lots of travel, hobbies and some sports. Ron Schramm (HS’49) was born in Neudorf, SK, and enrolled at Luther in 1946 with his friend Ken Mohr (HS’56). Ron graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. While attending university, he joined the Contingent of the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps, attended the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers school at Barryfield, ON, and received a commission in the Canadian Army. After graduation, Ron entered the Graduate Student Training Program at Canadian Westinghouse in Hamilton, ON. Ron retired from that company 43.5 years later, but he continues to serve both it and its successor firm, Siemens, as a consultant providing litigation support services. While employed at Westinghouse, he earned his MBA from the University of Toronto through part-time studies. Most of Ron’s working life has been spent in management in the power generation business – marketing, designing, manufacturing, installing and servicing steam and gas turbines for electric power generation. Over 90% of
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his business was export-driven, so the job involved a lot of travel. Through all the travels, however, he and his wife Nancy have lived at the same address for over 50 years. The two have one son, David, who is a medical doctor and a professor of neuro-otology surgery at the University of Ottawa medical school. Ron is a self-proclaimed alpine ski addict and aims for at least 50 days per season on the slopes. Since retiring, Ron has taken up golf, though with much less success, he laments, than skiing. Tim Shirkey (HS’95) and Kathy (Coles) Shirkey (HS’95) moved to Minneapolis, MN, in February 2010. Tim has accepted a position with Cameco Inc as Manager, Marketing Americas, and Kathy now works with NORAC International Systems as their Marketing Manager. In January 2009, Tim and Kathy welcomed baby girl Ella Ray Shirkey into their family. Jodi (Tiefenbach) Spies (HS’93) and Todd Spies were married on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera in November of 2008. The family held a celebratory reception in August to commemorate the joyous occasion. At the celebration of Jodi’s and Todd’s union, the family was struck by the overwhelming number of Luther alumni in attendance.
Lindsay (Almas) Vandermeer (HS’05) met Chris Vandermeer at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute (CLBI) in Camrose,
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AB. The two were married on 9 August 2008 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose. Chris works for the Federal Government in Human Resources, and Lindsay is a full-time education student at the University of Alberta. Lindsay is also the Director of Youth Ministries at her church in Edmonton. She recently received her Bachelor of Applied Christian Studies in Youth Ministry from CLBI in April 2009. Wilbur Wilson (HS’54) wants to thank Don and Lydia (Miller) Olafson (HS’54) along with Ernie Everingham (HS’54) for organising the Las Vegas reunion and making it a memorable time for everyone who was able to attend. Wilbur states that guests of the reunion remembered their high school classmates and teachers fondly, as well as many stories from those years. A note from HS’54 alumni: Margaret and Ed Diakow; Mary Jane and Ernie Everingham; Violet (Krell) and Bob Jacob; Lorine and Don MacRae; Doreen (Morley) Arnott; Joyce and Jack Morris; Lydia and Don Olafson; Eunice (Sonstelie) Bluhm; and Audrey and Bill (Wilbur) Wilson met in Las Vegas in late October 2009 for a 55-year reunion. They took in many of the Las Vegas attractions,
but they report that the most enjoyable parts of the weekend for all were the impromptu morning, afternoon and evening happy hours in the hospitality suite, where they reminisced and relived the happy times at Luther. Fifty-five years fell by magic from their shoulders, and they were all teenagers once again, learning in the classrooms, competing on the sports fields, singing in the choir or playing in the orchestra, dating at the local cinema, and preparing for their futures. “To those who could not attend, we missed you very much and we raised a glass (or several) to remember and honour you. We also raised hopes and possibilities for another reunion in two years or so.” Jack Morris will investigate possible venues on Vancouver Island, where a number of classmates live and where it is within easy reach for many. So, “if the Lord be willin’ and the creek don’t rise,” in 2012 all just might meet again. For more information on the next reunion, please contact Don and Lydia at olafson1@telus. net or Ernie Everingham at ernie@ eagle.ca.
IN MEMORIAM Philippin Borkowski (née Scherle) (HS’32) passed away on 31 August 2009 at the age of 94 years. Left to cherish her memory are her children Alan (Barbara), William (Joann) and Joanne Langelier (HS’70); 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews, and many good friends. Phil went to normal school in Regina, after which he taught in southwestern Saskatchewan’s Monodale School, located in the Tyvan area. It was there that she met and married Albert Borkowski. During the Second World War, Albert and Phil lived on the West Coast. After the war they returned to the Tyvan area, where they farmed until their retirement. Phil took pride in keeping a beautiful yard filled with flowerbeds. Viola Haverstock (HS’34) passed away peacefully on Friday 18 September 2009 at the age of 92 years. She was predeceased by her husband Bill and all of her brothers and sisters. Viola is survived by her son Cal (Sandi) and grandchildren Shannon (Chuck), Brennan (Sandra) and their family Matthew and Mackenzie; and other son Rae (Diane) and grandchildren Jon and Kirstin; sister-in-law Katherine O’Brien; as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States. Keith Isaac Peacock (HS’39) was born on 23 April 1921 and died Monday 26 October 2009. He leaves behind his daughter Lynn and son-in-law James, his two grandchildren Leigh Spence (HS’92) (Matthew) and Paul McManus (HS’94) (Carolyn), and his three great grandchildren: Emma, Sarah and Brooke. Keith was predeceased by his loving wife Noreen in 2005. Keith was a Regina boy through and through.
He went to Albert School, Scott Collegiate and Luther College. He served in the Air Force during WWII as a flying officer. Upon returning home, he started working for the City of Regina in the Water Department, retiring after 42 years of service. Keith was an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan: at 14, he was a ball boy and helped construct and paint the old wooden fence that surrounded the football field. He later served on the Roughriders executive. He was a football season ticket holder for over 50 years—he lived and breathed green. Keith was a Shriner and a member of the Legion for many years. He was known as a knowledgeable man, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, and had a wonderful sense of humour.
wanted his children to be raised. Don was confident, genuine and kind, and he had a terrific sense of humour. His feet were firmly planted on the ground, and he always had lots of time for everyone, no matter their walk in life. Be sure to watch for more about Don in an upcoming issue of The Luther Story.
Don Watt (HS’53) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday 23 December 2009 at age 73. He was the much-loved husband of Patricia (née Martin); dear father of Peggy (Adam), Greg (Beth), Laura (Craig), Sarah, and step-son Robert; and proud grandfather of Katie, Jennifer, David, and Lauren. Born in Regina, SK, Don attended Luther College and moved to Toronto in the mid-1950s to attend the Ontario College of Art and Design. He was predeceased by Patricia Watt (née Williams) and is survived by his first wife Val Mund (HS’51-‘53). Recognised as an icon in his industry, Don worked with major retailers all over the globe. He developed brands that still exist today, including retail store designs that remain some of the world’s most recognisable. Don was known as a visionary with a brilliant mind. He changed how people shopped around the world. He could have lived and worked anywhere in the world, but he preferred to stay in Canada, a country in which he
Beverly Scotton (U’01) passed away unexpectedly on 19 January 2010 in the company of her service dog Emerald. She was one week short of her 33rd birthday. Bev will be greatly missed by her mother Delaine Scotton, father Dick Scotton, and sisters Connie (Brad) Wagner and Stacey (Kirby) Ulrich. She was a special auntie to Levay Wagner (Chris Turner), Warren Wagner (Anja Curuvija), Jacob Ulrich and Matthew Ulrich. Also shocked and saddened by her death are many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Bev leaves behind many friends and family, who treasured her as a unique individual with a quirky sense of humour and a love of a good “Double-Double.” The family asks that you honour Bev’s memory by sharing a cup of coffee and a silly joke with a good friend. Bev received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College at the University of Regina in 2001 with a major in psychology and minor in political science.
Please visit The Luther Story online to view a list of lost alumni. Remember, for submitting information on a lost alum, we will enter your name into a draw for a piece of Lutherwear!
T H E LU T H ER S TO RY • SPR I N G / SUM M ER 2010
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Contributors Jennifer Arends (U’02) is editor of The Luther Story and manager of alumni relations, development & communications (university & institutional) at Luther College. She is a graduate of Luther’s university campus with a Bachelor of Arts (English and religious studies), and in 2007 she completed a Master of Arts in English at the University of Regina. Jennifer loves all things outdoors and has an insatiable appetite for adventure.
Mathew Block, assistant editor of this issue of The Luther Story, is graduating this spring from Luther College at the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English with a minor in classical studies, and a second Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in linguistics. An amateur theologian, poet, and litterateur, he can be most often found poring over some quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.
Lecina Hicke is the manager of alumni relations, development & communications (high school) and will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (English) from Luther College at the University of Regina this spring. Amongst Lecina’s many responsibilities are the annual Luther College Golf Classic, Homecoming events, and high school communications.
The Luther Story online Luther alumni can now access more features online! Visit www.luthercollege.edu/lutherstory to view the current issue, read the bits & bites section, and access a feature article not available in the print version of the magazine!
REGINA CANADA
If you prefer to read The Luther Story online and no longer wish to receive a printed version, email us at communications@luthercollege.edu.
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T H E LU T H ER S TO RY • SPR I N G / SUM M ER 2010
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The Luther Story is distributed by Canada Post under publication mail agreement number 40065736 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Luther Story c/o Luther College high school 1500 Royal Street Regina, SK S4T 5A5 email: alumni@luthercollege.edu