18 minute read
Class Notes
1970’s
BARRY MONSON Barry Monson (U’74) is retired after 36+ years teaching mathematics at the University of New Brunswick. He says he is “still researching, another word for mental torture.” Barry has been married to Milda Markauskas (of Montreal) for 41+ years. They still live in Fredericton. Their two daughters are academics (in Quebec and England), and they have a two-year-old grandson who is extraordinarily busy.
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Special Memory:
“Having my own room in residence. It was 106, I think; and I suppose I was the first student to use it!”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“I think Tom Strutt taught a summer course (1973, I guess) on a modern English novel. It was marvellous.”
Gary Williams (U’74) is retired after 34 years working for SGI. He is now following his passion in aviation, serving as the national president of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (as well as that of the Regina Chapter). He also belongs to several other aviationrelated organizations and gets to work with many fantastic people who share his quest for knowledge about the rich history of Canadian aviation along with aviation in general. Both of his daughters received a quality education at Luther College High School, which was the foundation for them both to go on to earn graduate degrees. Luther was a great part of that.
Special Memory:
“Living in residence, playing bridge into the wee hours of the night. Spending time and getting to know Rein Sommerfeld. My parents had moved to Toronto for work and Rein became like a father figure to me. Both of our daughters went to Luther High School and when our youngest was in grade 11 I volunteered to help Gail Fry with the musical. Ten musicals later, with both daughters now graduated from the U of R, I looked back and truly appreciated every moment I spent with those students and teachers.”
GARY WILLIAMS
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“The people, the staff, professors, and the other students. Relationships are everything and I have nothing but positive memories of all those people.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“Thank you for the times we spent together and PLEASE don’t look for my photo of our graduation class hidden in the hall on the second floor of the classroom wing. It was the 70’s back then!”
MERLIN THOMPSON Merlin Thompson (U’75) is still going strong with music. His book More than Music Lessons: A Studio Teacher’s Guide to Parents, Practicing, Projects, and Character was published by Rowman & Littlefield in March 2022. He says all through the pandemic, technology has made it possible for music lessons to continue and he’s enjoyed extraordinary connections with colleagues across Canada, USA, New Zealand, and Australia.
Special Memory:
Luther was “a great place that felt like home.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“I really appreciated living in the on-campus residence. There was always someone ready to talk at the end of the day. Amazing.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“When everything is a possible poem, the world is suddenly far more interesting.” Phil Cousineau, The Art of Pilgrimage.
Patricia Cook (HS’72, U’81) is a retired music director/teacher. Her special memory of Luther is “that it is where my parents first met.”
1980’s
residents! Playing cards in the quad lounge, room parties, social events!”
LEA (DOW) PENNOCK
Lea (Dow) Pennock (U’79)
retired from the role of University Secretary at the University of Saskatchewan in 2013 and has spent nine years of happy retirement in Saskatoon. One of her favourite retirement pastimes has been walking with her husband, Dan, along the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. So far, they’ve walked about 3,000 km and are hoping to add more this year. She also just finished a 3-year term as national President of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, a volunteer organization that supports Canadians interested in the Camino.
Special Memory:
“A Reading Week cross-country trip to northern Minnesota in a van with about eight other Luther students, organized by Paul Antrobus. We enjoyed fantastic hospitality from former Luther folks, the Dales, at their cabin on a lake near Bemidji, and skied every day. The drive was a winter driving adventure, but we made it! It was such a small and intimate College; you really got to know all the professors and most of the students, and to appreciate them as human beings.” GLENN SCHMIDT
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“Sense of community. Had I not lived in residence I believe my university experience would not have been nearly as enjoyable as it was.”
MICHELLE AND MIKE FRITZLER
Michelle and Mike Fritzler (HS’88) tied the knot on a Princess Cruise for the sixth time as a way to celebrate their 21st anniversary. Mike tells us if you look closely, he is proudly wearing his Luther College alumni pin in the photo.
Glenn Schmidt (U’80) enjoyed a 36-year career in IT in Regina and Kansas City, including two years of teaching Computer Science at the U of R right after graduation (B.Sc.’80). His love of travel has taken him to over 40 countries. Glenn took an early retirement and now resides in the Kansas City area with his wife, Diane, the love of his life.
Special Memory:
“Hanging out with my fellow ALLAN HUNCHUK
Allan Hunchuk (U’81) – after his BA in sociology from Luther College, he completed his MA in sociology from the University of Regina (1984), and a PhD in sociology from The University of Notre Dame (1990). He is currently
CLASS NOTES
a Professor of Sociology in The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He has been teaching at Thiel College for over 30 years. His research areas are in the sociology of music, literature, and film, with specializations in sociological theory, socio-political thought, and sociology of culture.
Special Memory:
“I have many fond memories of Luther College (U of R), but the memories that stand out, aside from my many friendships, are the courses that I took from Professor Ross McLeod and Dr. William Stahl. Ross introduced me to phenomenology and ethnomethodology which led to me studying in those areas. Bill offered a course on the Sociology of the Frankfurt School, and two reading courses during my MA studies on Western social and political thought. Bill was also the co-advisor for my master’s thesis on freedom in the thought of Hannah Arendt (along with Dr. Phil Hansen in, at that time, Political Science, before he joined the Philosophy Department at the University of Regina). What I learned from Ross, Bill, and Phil has been instrumental in my intellectual development and gave me direction in my doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“Luther was where I began my academic and intellectual journey. Without the courses that I took from Ross McLeod and Bill Stahl, I would not have pursued graduate studies in sociology and would not have become a college professor. I would have most likely ended up in punk rock band singing off-key and thrashing around on guitar. Mind you, lead singer in a punk rock band is what I plan to do after I retire from teaching at Thiel College in a few years.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“I would like to thank all the professors at Luther College (U of R) that I have taken courses from: Dr. William Stahl, Professor Ross McLeod, Dr. Paul Antrobus, Dr. Roland Miller, Dr. Author Krentz, and Dr. Richard Hordern. Dr. Miller deserves special thanks for helping me land an excellent summer job mining salt at Ormiston Mining and Smelting in Ormiston, Saskatchewan.”
Yvonne Petry (U’85) is the Dean of Luther College and a Professor of History. She began teaching History at Luther College in 1998.
Special Memory:
“I was a typical day student, and not really involved in the life of the College. This was largely due to the fact that I was a French major, so most of my courses were at the U of R, not Luther. That said, I have very fond memories of my English 100 course with Dr. Bruce Macdonald, who really got me interested in the novels of Robertson Davies, and of my Sociology 100 course with Dr. Bill Stahl. I remember Dr. Stahl showing us stacks of 3x5 notecards and explaining how to keep and organize our research notes. My best memory of Luther College is of Naomi Matthes in the Academic Office. I can still see her smiling face and hear her friendly, patient voice as she walked me through whatever question or problem I presented to her.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“As I was finishing my PhD in the late 1990s and starting to apply for academic jobs, I had in the back of my mind the idea that working in a small, interdisciplinary, liberal arts college would be my ideal location. That said, I knew that I had to be prepared to go anywhere in the world for a tenure-track position. I didn’t realize that that also meant returning home! I feel very fortunate to be able to work at my alma mater and am happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of Luther College.”
Brenda Beckman-Long (U’88)
recently published an article, “Creating a Community of Witnesses: Acts of Reading in Anne Michaels’s Fugitive Pieces,” in Canadian Jewish Studies 32 (2021): 113-127. It appears in a special issue on Canadian Holocaust literature. Dr. Beckman-Long is an associate professor of English at Briercrest College, which is affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and author of Carol Shields and The Writer-Critic (University of Toronto Press, 2015).
Yodit Seifu (U’88) is a statistician with a Ph.D. working at BMS in New Jersey. She is married and has two kids. Her eldest is doing his master’s degree in biostatistics and her daughter is a student at the United States Naval Academy. "I have a lot of special memory with my Luther math professor (Prof. Engestrom). He was such a nice and supportive person. I also have a lot of special memory with the Dean."
Special Memory:
“I was a scholarship student. I am extremely grateful for this education. I am originally from Ethiopia. I am most grateful for what I have been able to do to help others. To those more is given, more is expected.”
1990’s
Stephen Barlow (HS’95) is the Vice-President at Dusyk & Barlow Insurance, which was voted the Best Insurance Agent in Regina according to Prairie Dog Magazine.
MELISSA (KUNTZ) PRICE
Melissa (Kuntz) Price (HS’91,
U’95) is a full professor at Clarion University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her 11-year-old son, husband, and dog. Melissa and her husband also develop and rent properties in the Pittsburgh area. They enjoy biking and outdoor activities and spend most of their free time traveling for hockey with their son.
Special Memory:
“The community developed between students, teachers, and staff is really what makes it special.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“The friends I made and how I was able to explore many areas and activities and eventually find my passion.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“I loved [high school] gym class, to my surprise. Art class was always fun. I am grateful for how kind everyone was at this school. It was a very positive high school experience and I’m so happy I got to know so many people.” SABRINA CATALDO
Sabrina Cataldo (U’97, ’99)
received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her work with Regina Cat Rescue, Carmichael Outreach and Regina Lyric Musical Theatre over the past decade. Photo credit: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
JODI (COOKSON) KYDD
Jodi (Cookson) Kydd (U’98) is the Director of Human Resources for Luther College. This is the sixth role Jodi has had since starting as a student employee at Luther in 1998. She is proud to be a staff member at Luther College and is so happy to be part of an institution that values their students and employees as whole persons. She hopes to continue to contribute towards Luther’s next 50 years!
Special Memory:
“For me, it is the people at Luther that make it so special. I think of the professors I had who have provided their knowledge to each generation and what that means collectively as all those students have gone out into the world. I think of the staff of Luther and all the care they have poured into students that made all the difference in their academic journeys.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“The care that I received as a student arriving for my first academic advising appointment in 1993 has carried me through my education and now my career. Prior to that day, I had never even set foot on the University campus, but I loved it right from the beginning. Little did I know I would still be coming to campus daily almost 30 years later! Having a home base at Luther from which to explore learning, program options, and career directions made all the difference in my journey.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“I would love to invite everyone to come and celebrate the 50th anniversary with us! Classmates my age may have children considering their options for university, so it would be wonderful for them to come and see what Luther has to offer.”
CLASS NOTES
Deanne Cobb-Zygaldo (U’99) is teaching English for Academic Purposes at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. She says she had to move to Kazakhstan to meet one of her fellow 1999 Luther College alumnae, Rheanne Anderson. They not only work for the same university and program but ended up sharing an office and working together on a new program for pre-master’s students.
Special Memory:
Luther’s English classes
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“The administration staff were always so helpful and friendly.”
2000’s
Colleen (Eliason) Wilkinson (U’01)
is a teacher and counsellor at Luther College High School.
Special Memory:
“I remember Mary Jesse patiently assisting me with registration every time I changed my program (at least once a year during my B.A.). Also, I remember Paul Antrobus wearing his skeleton suit (with a string of pumpkin lights taped all over his body) on Halloween. He ran into the classroom and jumped onto the table, causing quite a stir in the class!”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“Getting to know faculty and feeling comfortable in the building. Faculty were so knowledgeable yet humble, going out of their way to share their knowledge with students. The staff were always welcoming and helpful.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
Luther College was an ideal place to study after high school. I really appreciated the smaller classes and individual instruction from professors. The college provided a small, safe community within the larger university that scaffolded my transition from high school to post-secondary studies.
Stephanie Smith (U’03) is the manager of the new Accommodations Test Centre at the University of Regina.
Daniel Stubbings (HS’05) studied at the University of Regina and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he graduated from the Department of Geomatic Engineering Technology in 2019. He works as a surveyor in Ft Saint John, British Columbia.
Patrick Neufeld (HS’06) signed a one-year contract extension in January 2022 to play another season in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
2010’s
ISHA (MELISSA) LARSON
Isha (Melissa) Larson (U’15)
says her volunteer work at the University of Regina and Luther College introduced her to the work of philanthropy, and she dove headfirst into the nonprofit community. After working at the Canadian Cancer Society and the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, she recently returned to the University campus as an employee, utilizing her skills in fundraising and her love of the campus to promote a culture of philanthropy at the University.
Special Memory:
“There are a number of moments that were special to me at Luther. It was through the help of the Registrar that I chose my path of study and for that I am grateful. I had the honour of being on the Dean’s list and was invited to attend a luncheon at Luther College. Dr. Franz Volker Greifenhagen was Dean at the time. To receive our Dean’s Medal we had to learn Dr. Franz Volker Greifenhagen’s “special” handshake. These moments with the faculty and staff are what made my time at Luther College memorable and life changing.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“I attended my first year of post-secondary at a different institution and it was not a positive experience. It made me question if university was a place for me. But I decided to give it another go through Luther College, and I immediately knew that the experience was going to be different... better! Luther College felt like a community and there was always someone available to help me and provide support. I will be forever grateful to the people who where there to help and the friends I made along the way.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
Thank you to everyone that made my time at Luther College special!
MARCIA MITSCHKE Marcia Mitschke (U’16) is an optometrist and co-owner of a small Moose Jaw clinic. She’s happily married to her partner, Francois Boire, who she met while living at Luther Residence over a decade ago. She thanks everyone who works so hard behind the scenes to keep the magic of Luther alive.
Special Memory:
“So many memories, it’s hard to choose just one: midnight breakfast during exam periods, watching movies in the quad lounge, Luther cabarets, touring new students around as a student volunteer, choosing classes with Mary Jesse, presenting to potential students as an alumna.”
What Made Luther College Meaningful:
“Luther College was the perfect home for me during my first few years of university, allowing me the freedom to live away from home for the first time but still providing me with all the supports I could ask for to be able to focus on my schoolwork.”
A Message to Former Classmates/Teachers:
“THANK YOU to all the staff and faculty at Luther for supporting me and believing in my future success as much as I did. THANK YOU to all the wonderful friends I made along the way for pulling me out of my comfort zone and helping me grow into a “real adult.” THANK YOU especially to my amazing life partner for being my study buddy and my best friend.”
Faculty & Staff
Dr. Kaila Bruer and Dr. Sarah Zanette are the Luther College psychology faculty members within the University of Regina’s Psychology Department which has landed a top spot in Times Higher Education’s list of best universities for psychology degrees in Canada 2022, ranking number six of 27 Canadian universities. Two long-time faculty members (and alumni of the high school) are retiring June 30, 2022. Mark Becker (HS’82) and Dave Hall (HS’80) will be retiring from their accomplished careers as beloved teachers at Luther College High School. Fuller articles thanking them and celebrating all they have meant to this community will be featured in the Fall 2022 issue of The Luther Story. The British Library in London has published a sound and vision blog featuring traditional Tonga music from Zambia recorded by Brian Stubbings when he was teaching in Africa with the United Church of Zambia from 1971 to 1978. Brian recorded over 500 traditional songs of the Tonga people and that collection is now held at the British Library, Indiana University and the University of Zambia. The blog features a traditional pounding (kutwa) song, sung by two women as they pound maize in a mortar with a large wooden pestle. The words of the song were changed to words appropriate for Christian worship and sung in the chapel of Kafue Secondary School, where Brian taught history and English. Brian was a substitute teacher at Luther College High School from 2008 to 2017, taught one semester of Latin in 2011-12, and was acting librarian in 2012. He has been living on Vancouver Island since 2017.
In Memoriam
With sorrow, we remember these Luther College alumni and community members on their passing.
Gwen (Carswell) Hawkins (HS’46) Anna (Rutherford) Lemon (HS’48) Eleanor (Sauer) Matthews (HS’52)
Edward Diakow (HS’54). He will be missed by family, classmates and former dorm friends from Luther College High School. Submission by Wilbur Wilson (HS’54), McCord, SK
