The Morningsider, Vol. 71/No. 1 - Fall/Winter 2015

fall winter 2015

College completes renovation of Dimmitt Hall PAGE 10 Students cut off professor’s iconic beard PAGE 5 Morningside is featured in new book “Off to College” PAGE 31

P R E S I D E N T T H E F R O M

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It was great to see so many of you at Homecoming this year. The event really captured the spirit of Morningside. There is a pride in the college right now that is unparalleled. Alumni are certainly proud of the facilities improvements. Dimmitt has been home to so many. What a thrill to see it updated!

But even more than the physical transformation at Morningside, alumni are proud when they interact with our students. When you walk around campus, there’s a warmth. Students look you in the eye, and they are interested in what you have to say. There’s an authenticity there.

Our faculty and staff help to create that culture at the institution. They go above and beyond when working with our students. Many of them participated in Homecoming activities, not because it was their job, but because they love the school.

Alumni go out of their way for our students as well. They are not just generous financially, as proven by their donation of $100 million to the college over the last decade.

They also refer prospective students to the college. They help our students get jobs.

They help them find internships. They give career advice. They take the time to help our students be successful.

We are investing in our students, and they are making us proud. You will read in this issue how Dr. Esther Morningside College student Tony Enriquez works one-on-one with a child at Bryant Elementary School in Sioux City during the college’s Into the Streets campuswide service day.

Mackintosh 1969, a member of Photo by Kevin Pottebaum 2010. our board of directors, helped student Nick Misukanis get an internship with the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. While there, Nick got into a friendly debate with an intern from Harvard University. He won the debate, and she asked, “Is Morningside the Harvard of Iowa?”

He said, “No. Harvard is the Morningside of Massachusetts.”

We are proud of our students because of their achievements, but also because of their character. The culture of Morningside is one where people make time to stop and chat. They care about one another.

Last year our students, faculty and staff donated more than 20,000 hours of their time to community service projects. And this fall more than 900 of them participated in our campuswide service day, Into the Streets, where they assisted about 90 different organizations in the Sioux City area.

Mary Leida, a longtime faculty and staff member who retired last year, summed it up well when interviewed for Roger Martin’s new book, “Off to College.” She said, “We are a college that has heart.”

When I reflect upon the growth of the college over the last 15 years, I’m proud of the physical transformation of the school. But I’m even more proud that we are a college with a big heart.

JOHN REYNDERS

contents fall winter 2015

Editor: Jenny Welp Thomas Art Director: Kevin Kjeldseth

volume 71 number 1

Vice President for Communications & Marketing: Rick Wollman Alumni Association Executive Committee: Adam Lloyd 2004, president Matt Campbell 1998, vice president Dick Stone 1968, treasurer & secretary Julie (Negus) Eickhoff 1989, college board representative & alumni chapter liaison Paul Johnson, student government president Nick Misukanis, student alumni association president Gene Ambroson, director of alumni relations Shiran Nathaniel, assistant director of alumni relations

in this issue 4 Morningside Avenues

Community news on and off campus

10 College completes $14 million renovation of Dimmitt Hall.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Morningsider Morningside College 1501 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, IA 51106

Morningside sports highlights

8 M-Club Hall of Fame

Meet the new inductees

9 M-Club Messenger

The GPAC has been a good fit

14 Faculty and Staff Notes

Morningside College Operator: 712-274-5000 or 800-831-0806 The Morningsider is published twice a year under the auspices of the public relations office. It is distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college. © 2015 by Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. All rights reserved.

7 Mustang Minutes

Check out the latest news

16 Class Notes

Alumni news and feature stories

12 Students make the most of their Morningside experience.

31 Morningside is

one of five colleges featured in a new book.

Morningside College does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, creed, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information or national origin in its programs and activities.

The Morningside College experience cultivates a passion for life-long learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

ON THE COVER: Students Abby Lindmark (left), Amy Carothers and Tracy Gates smile for a photo in front of the newly renovated Dimmitt Hall. Photo by Doug Burg, Burg Studios.

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MORNINGSIDE AVENUES

Notable Top special education degree The website Top Education Degrees recognized Morningside College for offering the nation’s most affordable online master’s degree in special education. The website’s “50 Most Affordable Online Masters in Special Education Degree Programs 2015” ranks Morningside’s program at number one.

Graduate courses for music teachers

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This fall Morningside College began offering graduate-level courses specifically designed for music teachers.

The new 18-hour Music Education Strand is offered 100-percent online, and the coursework may be applied toward a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Morningside.

ALD receives national award Morningside’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) National Honor Society won a 2015 Order of the Torch Award. Six chapters were honored for outstanding chapter work in programming, internal communications, campus visibility and overall presentation of their application.

ALD recognizes and encourages academic excellence among first-year college and university students.

ODK National Leader of the Year Hannah M. Hecht 2015, who graduated summa cum laude in May with a bachelor’s degree in English, was named one of five Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) national leaders of the year. ODK is a leadership honor society that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character.

Author speaks at Morningside Drew Magary, author of the novel “The Postmortal,” gave a lecture at Morningside College in September, after much of the student body had read the book.

All incoming Morningside freshmen were given “The Postmortal” to read this past summer. The freshmen discussed the book with upperclass student leaders during orientation activities on campus.

In “The Postmortal,” Magary imagines a near future where the cure for aging is discovered and made available to people worldwide after much political and moral debate. The critically-acclaimed novel was nominated for the 2012 Philip K. Dick Award and the 2012 Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Magary is a correspondent for GQ and a columnist for Deadspin. He also is the author of the book “Someone Could Get Hurt: A Memoir of Twenty-First-Century Parenthood.” He has written for New York magazine, NPR, NBC, Maxim, The Atlantic, Bon Appetit, The Huffington Post, The Awl, Gawker, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Yahoo!, ESPN, Comedy Central and more.

Professor writes book on the histories of American holidays Why is Easter called Easter? Why is Christmas as commercialized as it is today? Where does the Valentine heart shape come from, since it does not seem very similar to a real heart? When did trick-or-treating originate? Has the Thanksgiving story always involved Pilgrims and Indians?

These and many other questions are answered in the book “America’s Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories” by Dr. Bruce Forbes 1970, professor and chair of religious studies at Morningside College.

Forbes’ book, recently published by the University of California Press, discusses the importance of Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Thanksgiving in American culture. It also discusses how these holidays came to be, as well as what they are today.

“I wrote this book to survey scholarly information about these holidays and condense it in a way that would be interesting and available to a general audience,” Forbes said.

“Much of the conventional information about these holidays is sugar-coated and sometimes flat-out wrong. This book is my answer, when someone asks me, ‘What’s the real story?’”

“America’s Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories” can be purchased at the Morningside College Bookstore, on Amazon.com and at Barnes and Noble.

–Channing Pick

Chuck Todd gives Waitt Lecture

MORNINGSIDE AVENUES

Students cut off professor’s iconic beard

Photo by Rick Wollman.

Chuck Todd, NBC News political director and host of “Meet the Press,” gave the 2015 Waitt Lecture at Morningside College in October.

Todd offered commentary and analysis of the presidential race leading up to the 2016 Iowa Caucuses and the 2016 presidential election.

Prior to “Meet the Press,” Todd served as NBC News chief White House correspondent (2008–2014), as well as the host of MSNBC’s “The Daily Rundown” (2010–2014). He has held the role of political director since 2007, leading all aspects of the news division’s political coverage and analysis. He is also the editor of “First Read,” NBC’s online guide to political news and trends in and around Washington, D.C. Todd is author of the book “The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House” (2014) and co-author of the book “How Barack Obama Won” (2009).

The Waitt Lecture Series at Morningside College was established in 1997 by Norman Waitt Jr. 1986, a member of the Morningside College Board of Directors.

Morningside seeks college memories from the last 25 years Alumni and friends are encouraged to write down their Morningside College memories from the last 25 years and submit them to the college.

Dr. Tim Orwig 1980, who wrote “Morningside College: A Centennial History,” is updating the book for the college’s 125th anniversary.

Writers are encouraged to think about all of the changes in the past 25 years – technology, new buildings, new programs, campus achievements, humorous incidents, etc. Some more specific examples include the Palmer Student Research Symposium, Into the Streets campuswide service day, presidential campaigns, the campus response to 9/11 and other world events, the new athletic conference and teams, and the expansion of study abroad.

Send your memories to Jenny Welp Thomas at welpj@morningside.edu.

Photos by Kevin Pottebaum 2010

Dr. Mark Heistad, associate professor of mass communication at Morningside College, hadn’t seen his chin in more than 40 years until this fall, when he let students cut off his beard.

Heistad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and his doctors required him to remove the beard before continuing with his treatments. So Heistad allowed students from KMSC, the college radio station, to cut off his iconic chin whiskers during a special event on campus.

Heistad, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, joined Morningside's faculty in 2002. Previously, he worked for more than 15 years at Minnesota Public Radio. While working at KUNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa, he was a frequent contributor to National Public Radio's “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”

– Channing Pick

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MORNINGSIDE AVENUES

Linda L. Jennings

Paul Johnson

Cynthia C. Moser

Ronald L. Shurts

Dr. Craig Wansink

Morningside College Board of Directors elects new members The Morningside College Board of Directors elected five members to new terms during the board’s annual meeting in October.

Board members elected to new terms include Linda L. Jennings 1986, a senior vice president for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Des Moines, Iowa; Paul Johnson, Morningside College student government president; Cynthia C. Moser, attorney and partner with the Heidman Law Firm in Sioux City; Ronald L. Shurts 1983, founding partner of the financial firm Annexus in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Dr. Craig Wansink 1984, professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va. Wansink also serves as the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock Jr. director at Virginia Wesleyan’s Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.

Curtis N. White 1976, retired chief procurement officer and senior vice president for Mattel Inc. in El Segundo, Calif., continues to serve as chair of the Morningside College Board of Directors. Sandra K. Bainbridge 1970 of Jefferson, S.D., continues to serve as board secretary.

Members named to chair board committees include Dr. Esther M. Mackintosh 1969, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils in Arlington, Va., Student Life and Learning Committee; Craig Struve 1970, agribusiness owner from Calumet, Iowa, Finance/Facilities and Investment Committee; Richard Waller, chairman and CEO of Security National Bank in Sioux City, External Relations Committee; and Dr. Thomas C. Narak 1970, West Des Moines, Iowa, Graduate Programs Committee.

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Morningside acquires tennis courts, completes $200,000 renovation Morningside College recently completed a $200,000 renovation of the campus tennis courts.

The City of Sioux City transferred ownership of the Lewis Park tennis courts to Morningside College in the fall of 2014.

The renovation was completed thanks to several generous gifts from alumni and friends, including Larry “Mace” Mason 1973, Morningside’s head tennis coach; Dr. Charles “Chuck” 1967 and Patricia Mason; Tom Rosen 1970; Richard 1971 and Frances (Radtke) Keith 1971; Capt. Russell C. McComsey 1975; and alumni brothers of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.

The dedication of the Mason Family Tennis Complex was held during Homecoming weekend.

“The Mason Family Tennis Complex is an outstanding addition to our campus,” said Tim Jager, athletic director at Morningside. “Not only will it provide our athletes with a top-notch facility, but it will also help us recruit in an increasingly competitive market.”

The tennis courts continue to be open to the public.

“Through our partnership with the Siouxland community, Morningside acquired and transformed this area into a ‘wow’ facility that fosters health and well-being and is a place where people of all ages can come together and interact,” said Morningside President John Reynders.

Morningside College recently completed a $200,000 renovation of the campus tennis courts. Student Natasha Hongersmeier (below) plays in the newly renovated facilities.

Photos by Kevin Pottebaum 2010.

MUSTANG MINUTES

By Dave Rebstock

Morningside sports highlights

Football team doesn’t miss a beat

The football team didn’t miss a beat this fall, just one year after fielding the most prolific offensive attack in the history of NAIA football.

Morningside established new National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national records last season with averages of 55.5 points and 662.8 yards total offense per game while advancing to the national semifinals of the NAIA Championship Series. The Mustangs were close to those numbers through the first nine games of the current campaign with averages of 59.7 points and 598.4 yards total offense to lead the nation in both categories.

The Mustangs’ record stood at 8-1 nine games into the regular season. Morningside’s only loss was a 33-30 setback against two-time reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III National Champion Wisconsin-Whitewater on a rainy night Sept. 24 at Elwood Olsen Stadium. It was a rare matchup between the No. 1-ranked teams in the NAIA and NCAA III divisions. The loss against the Warhawks dropped the Mustangs to No. 4 in the NAIA rankings before they climbed to No. 2 with two regular season dates remaining, including a matchup with undefeated and fifth-ranked Doane on Nov. 14 to determine the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) champion.

Morningside entered the campaign riding streaks of four consecutive GPAC championships and appeared certain to extend its run of 11 consecutive post-season appearances in the NAIA Championship Series for the longest active streak in the nation.

The Mustangs have the luxury of an experienced senior quarterback in Ryan Kasdorf, who is in his third season as a starter. Kasdorf threw only one interception in the first nine games while raising his career totals to 9,421 yards passing and a school-record 105 touchdown passes. He was the NAIA national leader in pass efficiency for the third year in a row.

Morningside’s other primary offensive weapons have been sophomore wide receiver Connor Niles, who was the NAIA national leader with 999 pass reception yards, and junior running back Tyler Kavan, who was closing in on a 1,000-yard season and was the NAIA national leader with 19 touchdowns.

Not to be outdone, the Mustangs’ defense ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense and total defense by allowing averages of only 13.9 points and 264.9 yards per game. The defense has been led by senior linebackers Zac Schleuger and Ethan Stofferan, who ranked one-two on the team’s tackle chart for the second year in a row.

Schleuger went over 300 career tackles during the Mustangs’ 79-7 destruction of Briar Cliff to make him one of only six defenders in Morningside history to reach that milestone.

Cross country teams are nationally ranked

It’s been an outstanding cross country season, as both the men’s and women’s teams were nationally ranked heading into the GPAC Championships on Nov. 7 in Crete, Neb., where the men would be going for a third consecutive conference championship. Both teams being nationally ranked at the same time was a first in the history of the program.

Mark Abrams was the top finisher for the men at all five of their regular season meets and was the overall individual champion when he led Morningside to the team title at the Doane Dean White Invitational.

The Mustangs captured a second team championship later in the year

at the Mount Marty Invitational, where the Mustang women ran second to match a runner-up effort at the Dean White Invitational for their top finish of the season.

The all-freshman group of Myla Brown (left), Mikaela Livengood, Elizabeth Thies, Cheyanne Becker and Alexandra Mankle led the Mustangs to victory at the first three women's golf tournaments. Photo by Dr. Gene Knudsen 1971.

Freshmen have quite a season in golf

The women’s golf team made an impressive debut when it opened the season by winning the team title at the Mount Marty Invitational using an all-freshman lineup of Cheyanne Becker, Myla Brown, Mikaela Livengood, Alexandra Mankle and Elizabeth Thies. The “Freshman Fab Five” kept on rolling by winning the first three tournaments of the season and later added GPAC Qualifier #1 to its list of triumphs. Mankle was the individual medalist when the Mustangs reigned over the two-day College of Saint Mary Invitational.

Although the Mustangs didn’t win the Nebraska Wesleyan Pink Classic, they made headlines there as well when Thies aced the 120-yard par three 16th hole with a nine-iron for the first hole-in-one in Morningside women’s golf history.

The men’s golf team also won a tournament title during the fall with a first-place finish at the Morningside Invitational, where Zach Ward claimed individual medalist honors with a two-under par 70.

Soccer teams make strides

The men’s and women’s soccer teams displayed vast improvement while climbing up the GPAC ladder this fall. The women’s team finished the regular season as the GPAC runner-up following a ninth-place finish in 2014, and Morningside moved up from 10th to fifth in the GPAC men’s standings.

Amy Samuelson and Amy Grause entered the GPAC Tournament one-two on the Mustangs’ scoring list with 43 and 40 points, respectively, and the senior Samuelson had moved into fifth place on Morningside’s all-time scoring list with 36 career goals and 99 career points.

The climb in the men’s standings was made even more impressive considering their 11-player starting lineup usually included eight freshmen, creating optimism for future seasons as well.

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Alumni inducted into M-CLUB HALL OF FAME

By Dave Rebstock

The 2015 M-Club Hall of Fame inductees are Jake Stevenson 2008 (left), Craig Fobbe 2006 and Lonnie MacPeek 1994.

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Morningside College inducted athletes Craig Fobbe 2006, Lonnie MacPeek 1994, Jake Stevenson 2008 and the 1980 North Central Conference (NCC) championship baseball team into the M-Club Hall of Fame during Homecoming weekend.

Fobbe was a four-year starting quarterback for the football team. He graduated as the most prolific passer in Morningside history with school-record career totals of 11,623 yards passing and 89 touchdown passes. He owned three of the top four single-season passing yardage totals in Morningside history at the time of his graduation. He was a two-time Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Player of the Year, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) honorable mention All-American as a junior, and a second-team All-American as a senior.

Fobbe quarterbacked the Mustangs to their first-ever NAIA playoff berth in 2004.

As a senior, he passed for an NAIA national record 4,885 yards and led the Mustangs to their first-ever GPAC championship and the semifinals of the 2005 NAIA playoffs.

MacPeek was a standout sprinter for the track team. He earned National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II All-America honors as part of a 1600-meter relay team that placed eighth at the 1990 NCAA II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. MacPeek ran the anchor after Kevin Freeman 1992, Chad Libby 1993 and Brad Bartlett 1994 ran the first three legs.

MacPeek was the 1990 NCC champion in the 400-meters with times of 50.12 seconds

Morningside’s 1980 North Central Conference championship baseball team also was inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame during Homecoming 2015. Photos by Dr. Gene Knudsen 1971.

at the NCC indoor championships and 48.77 seconds at the NCC outdoor championships.

That year he also anchored Morningside to NCC championships in the 1600-meter relay at both the indoor and outdoor championships.

Stevenson, now the Mustangs’ head wrestling coach, is Morningside’s only four-time NAIA All-American in the sport of wrestling. He posted a 130-25 record during his career for the most victories in Morningside history.

Stevenson had a 23-1 record as a junior and won the 2007 NAIA 184 lb. National Championship with a 3-1 decision against No. 1-ranked Jeffrey Lander of

Seeking nominations All alumni, especially former athletes, are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals for the M-Club Hall of Fame. We ask that all nominations be submitted through our online nomination form. To learn more about the nomination and selection process, go to www.morningside.edu.

Under “Athletics,” click on “M-Club Hall of Fame.”

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to become Morningside’s first-ever NAIA national champion.

Stevenson set a school record with 45 victories as a sophomore, was a three-time GPAC champion, and was named the Mustangs’ Most Valuable Wrestler in each of his four seasons.

Morningside’s 1980 baseball team won the NCC title with a 12-4 record to earn a berth in the NCAA II Midwest Regional Tournament. The team had an overall record of 18-16, of which 10 of the losses came against NCAA Division I opponents.

The team was guided by longtime Morningside skipper Don Protexter 1949, who was named the NCC Coach of the Year.

The team featured a dominant pitching staff that led the NCC with a 2.25 earned run average. Mike King 1982 and Royce Schultz 1982 each pitched three shutouts in NCC competition to tie a league record and were both named to the All-NCC team. King was also named the NCC’s Most Valuable Pitcher, was a first-team All-American, and was eventually selected by the Oakland Athletics with the fourth overall pick in that year’s Major League Baseball draft.

King and Schultz were joined on the All-NCC team by catcher Jay Rehnstrom 1981 and shortstop Greg Smith 1982, while second baseman Ron Stabile 1980 and outfielder Terry Meyer 1980 received honorable mention All-NCC recognition.

Tom McCann 1983 was the team’s leading hitter with a .313 batting average, and Smith led the NCC in both doubles and runs scored.

M-Club Messenger

The Mustangs and the GPAC A good fit

Morningside has been a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) for 12 years, and the Mustangs have done quite well. We have won a lot of contests and championships. But as Sgt. Joe Friday said in “Dragnet,” "Show me the facts, Ma'am."

The conference awards an all-sports trophy based on how schools finish in each seasonal race. It gives 11 points for first place, 10 for second and so on for all 19 sports.

Adding the results from the last 12 years provides the following totals: Hastings - 1885, Morningside - 1866, Nebraska Wesleyan - 1861, Doane - 1767, Concordia - 1737, Northwestern - 1672, Midland - 1315, Dordt - 1272, Briar Cliff - 1090, Dakota Wesleyan - 1039, and Mount Marty - 575.

The scores are pretty clear – Morningside has done well. But the numbers are even better for the last five years: Morningside - 762, Doane - 727, Northwestern - 699, Hastings - 675, Concordia - 671, Nebraska Wesleyan - 644, Midland - 519, Dordt - 519, Briar Cliff - 391, Dakota Wesleyan - 387, and Mount Marty - 243. That is impressive, since the figures shed light on overall sports success and include balance, effort and administrative support.

Another yardstick for success in the GPAC would be the number of conference championships per school.

Nebraska Wesleyan led the way with 51 over the 12 years, followed

by Doane - 38, Morningside - 29, Hastings - 29, Northwestern - 21, Sioux Falls - 16, Concordia - 12, Dakota Wesleyan - 12, Dordt - 12, Dana - 6, Mount Marty - 3, Briar Cliff - 2, and Midland - 2. Interestingly, Nebraska Wesleyan had 17 championships in cross country, 12 in tennis, and six in golf. Thirty-five of Doane's championships were in track and field. Morningside’s 29 were more balanced.

The last comparison seems like the most important – the number of all-sports trophies. Morningside has won that award five times, followed by Concordia, Hastings and Nebraska Wesleyan each with two and Sioux Falls with one. That's pretty impressive!

It looks like the Mustangs have done very well. There are other plusses, too. Morningside’s travel has been cut drastically. (No more North Dakota and Northern Colorado trips.) The average trip distance is 112 miles, and the longest is 255 miles to Hastings. That means a lot less time on the road and almost no overnighters, reducing costs considerably. Morningside now plays against schools more similar to itself (size, faith-based, financial support), making it a win-win situation.

Clearly, the GPAC has been a good fit. For more, go online to www.morningside.edu/ocker.

Morningside has had a lot of success in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) over the years. Members of the Morningside College Football Team (top) celebrate in 2005 after winning the GPAC Championship for the first time. Members of the women’s basketball team (middle) and the men’s basketball team (bottom) celebrate in 2015 after winning their regular season GPAC titles. Football photo by Dr. Robert Rasmus. Basketball photos by Kevin Pottebaum 2010.

By Dr. Sharon Ocker

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Making Dimmitt more Morningside College completes $14 million Morningside College is already one of the top 10 fastest growing private colleges in the country. Now incoming students have one more reason to get excited about the college.

This summer Morningside completed a $14 million renovation of Dimmitt Hall, the largest residence hall on campus and home to most freshmen.

Students say they are excited to be in the “new” building, even though the building is almost 90 years old.

New windows, doors, ceiling tiles and floor coverings, as well as new furniture, better lighting and a fresh coat of paint, give the entire building a fresh, new look. At the same time, elegant details remain in place to celebrate the history of the building.

For the first time, Dimmitt has air conditioning, an elevator and an apartment for visiting faculty. It also has a practice room for music students, an exercise room and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

“I’ve already seen people making pizzas at midnight,” said student Sarah Yankowski.

There are now free laundry facilities on each floor.

These distinguished alumni and friends will forever be Yankowski said this change remembered for their generous gift for Dimmitt Hall makes Dimmitt feel less like a and for their support of Morningside College. hotel and more like home.

There also are more public Platinum spaces throughout the building KIND WORLD FOUNDATION & NORMAN W. WAITT, JR. where students can go to study WALTER A. & LUCY Y. BUHLER ’56 or to socialize.

The new hot spot is the Gold informal lounge. Barely used THOMAS J. ROSEN ’70 before, it features a new ANDREA WAITT CARLTON FAMILY FOUNDATION fireplace, lounge and table seating, a pool table, a Silver ping-pong table, a foosball GARY ’61 & TERRI ANDERSON table, and a screen for gaming.

BOB ’87 & SANDY ’73 (POPENHAGEN) CRAIG “I’ve seen a lot of people DAVID M. & ARLENE T. CURRY down there playing DR. DAN L. FLANAGAN ’69 ping-pong,” said student DAN ’71 & SUE ’72 (ROBERTS) HENDERSON Spencer Eiseman. “I actually REV. ALAN ARNOLD HERBST walked through the other day, LEE ’62 & NANCY ’59 (MACKINTOSH) JARVIS and there were four people JOHN & JANICE (HAUPT) MECHEM playing and like 20 people MARJORIE (MCCRACKEN) MORRELL ’70 lined up on the sides watching, RON ’73 & STEPHANIE O’NEAL cheering these people on for KEN SEILING ’67 their ping-pong game. It’s just weird to see so many students Bronze in there all the time.”

MICHAEL ’72 & LINDA ’72 (MCFARLANE) ALEXANDER

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Photos by Jamie Byrnes, Doug Burg and Jenny Welp Thomas.

DR. GREG ’67 & JOAN ’68 (MURPHEY) CLARK BEVERLY (TUCKER) FEST ’71 & BRUCE FEST RICHARD ’71 & FRANCES ’71 (RADTKE) KEITH LINDA (HOOGENSEN) JENNINGS ’86 FAMILY OF SHELLEY SEMON PAPE ’91 CORY A. ROBERTS, M.D. KEITH ’58 & DONNA ROEPER MURIEL B. (SMITH) STONE ’64 DON ’61 & DIANE ’63 (HUNTSINGER) TAYLOR

like home

renovation of its largest residence hall

By Jenny Welp Thomas

Informal Lounge

Formal Lounge

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Trail Blazers

Nick Misukanis prepares for career with the U.S. State Department

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Nick Misukanis knows exactly what he wants to do with his life. He credits Morningside for helping him get there.

A history major with three minors, his long-term goal is to work for the U.S. State Department to help shape foreign policy regarding the Middle East.

Misukanis has already done a lot to build up his resume. Last fall he was one of 20 or 30 students from across the United States selected for a semester-long study abroad program at Oxford in England.

Then last spring his faculty adviser, Dr. Patrick Bass, suggested he apply for a summer internship in Washington, D.C., since he wants to work for the government.

Bass told Misukanis to email Dr. Esther Mackintosh 1969, who is on the Morningside College Board of Directors and is president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, an organization that advocates for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Misukanis emailed Mackintosh, and she

forwarded his internship application to the NEH. He got an interview a couple of weeks later and was hired. He said most of the other interns were from schools in the Ivy League.

“As big as D.C. is, it’s really small in terms of everybody knows somebody who knows somebody,” Misukanis said. “Having a contact there was probably the most important thing because she’s the one who opened the door to eventually get me out there.”

While in Washington, Misukanis educated lawmakers about the impact of the NEH in their districts. He also learned about the complexity of the decision-making process in government. He figures the same would be true at the U.S. State Department.

“You’ve always got to take a broad range of interests into perspective,” he said. “Like with international relations, it’s not just country A, country B. There’s so much more. There are businesses involved, and there’s trade involved.

That’s just how Congress is.”

Josh Doering develops product to be sold internationally Josh Doering came to Morningside with a general interest in sales and management. Now as a junior, he has developed a product that will be sold internationally.

It all started last year when the business major got involved in the college’s Entrepreneurship Group. As a result, he attended a Startup Weekend in Sioux City, where you go from the brainstorming phase to a business plan, all in one weekend.

Doering didn’t pursue his idea from the Startup Weekend, but it got him excited about starting his own business. Back home in Hubbard, Iowa, his dad had an idea.

Doering’s dad is a Pioneer dealer. When he delivers seed to farmers, a box is lifted above a wagon, and then someone has to climb into the wagon and open a gate for the seed to come out.

“With that, there’s a lot of effort; there are a lot of safety concerns,” Doering said. “So there was a need for something to make

that process a lot safer, a lot easier.”

They talked with a neighbor who is a manufacturer, and with him, they developed a product that opens the gate remotely. They started with a market promotion of 30 units, got feedback from farmers, and then made improvements to the product, which Doering branded as Seed Slide.

Then during his summer internship in Sioux City, Doering found a distributor. A co-worker put in a good word for Doering, they scheduled a meeting, and now the distributor plans to sell Seed Slide in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“That’s been a big development – getting that all organized and getting those business relationships established to get this on more of a global awareness level,” he said.

Doering said his professors have been a great resource through this process.

“I have relationships with all of them where they’re very willing to help me,” he said.

Students make the most of their Morningside experience

By Jenny Welp Thomas

Mallory Sea conducts research with one of the world’s leading scientists Mallory Sea has never known what she wanted to do with her life, but Morningside College has done a lot to help her figure it out.

A double major in biology and chemistry, Sea has considered doing research and teaching as a college professor. But she also thinks she might like to go to professional school, perhaps to become a doctor or a dentist.

During her sophomore year, one of her chemistry professors, Dr. Brian McFarland, overheard her expressing frustration at not knowing what to do with her life. He suggested that she try doing research with him, and she loved it.

“He’s taught me so much,” she said. “The education I’ve had here is amazing.”

Sea was encouraged to apply for competitive summer research experiences, and was offered four different opportunities for the summer after her junior year. She chose to do research in Japan through the Amgen Scholars Program. Less than

five percent of applicants were selected for this opportunity.

As a result, Sea spent eight weeks in Tokyo doing chemistry research with Dr. Eiichi Nakamura, one of the world’s leading scientists.

They used high-tech microscopes to examine the surface of biological structures – something you can’t do with traditional microscopes.

“It’s cutting-edge research,” she said. “For the field of medicine, it could be huge.”

Sea loved her time in Japan, but she decided she doesn’t want chemistry research to be her career. So this fall she is doing biology research in Panama. She is based in Bocas del Toro along the Caribbean coast and is studying marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

“I’ve always known that I’m a good student, but Morningside has made me aware of the opportunities that I could take,” she said. “I really just needed someone to be like, ‘Did you know you could do this?’ And Morningside has been fantastic for that.”

Tyler Halligan attends training with former vice president Tyler Halligan has always been passionate about taking care of the environment. At Morningside, he has been able to take that passion to the next level.

At first, the biology major was discouraged because the college’s environmental awareness club meets at the same time that he has practice for swim team. He mentioned the conflict to his chemistry professor, Dr. John Helms.

Helms showed Halligan a website where he could apply for the Climate Reality Leadership Corps training with former Vice President Al Gore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Halligan applied for the three-day training and was chosen for the program.

Halligan said there were over 350 participants from 19 countries at the event in May, and he was one of only nine participants that were age 21 or younger.

“I remember Al Gore had us all stand up as the future of climate change, and seeing such a small number of people

out of so many made me realize how much we need to bring awareness to everyone, especially the youth,” Halligan said. “We are going to be inheriting this world, and we cannot keep leaving it in worse shape than when we got it.”

The training focused on how to communicate the urgency of the climate change issue, how to combine science and solutions to engage audiences and how to inspire others to take action. Participants heard from experts in fields such as strategic communication, climate science and grassroots organizing.

Now Halligan wants to raise awareness on the Morningside College campus. He received a slide show that he plans to present to different groups. He also wrote a letter to the editor that appeared in the college newspaper.

“I plan on doing a lot of campuswide activities to bring awareness,” Halligan said. “Doing this right now is a passion, so I’ve got to follow this.”

13

Faculty Notes Patrick Blaine, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, was elected to the executive committee of the Film Studies section of the Latin American Studies Association.

John Bowitz, M.F.A., professor emeritus of art, had his artwork on exhibit at the Sioux City Art Center. “Recent Thoughts” was on display from July until October.

Aaron Bunker, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, wrote a paper that was published in the Journal of Heart and Cardiology. Bunker’s paper examined how an animal model of vascular disease found only in the arms and legs influenced the function of blood vessels found only in the heart.

Marilyn Eastman, M.B.A., associate professor of marketing, attended the Digital Marketing Boot Camp in Chicago to prepare to teach a course on digital and social media marketing.

14

Geoff Harkness, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology, authored a chapter in the book “The Cambridge Companion to Hip-Hop” published

by Cambridge University Press. The chapter examines how hip-hop culture was portrayed in American feature films from 1983-2013, and how these images reflect and comment upon larger issues of race, social class and gender.

John Helms, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, wrote a paper published in the journal “Marine Chemistry.” His paper examines dissolved organic matter in the ocean. His findings suggest the existence of previously undetected compounds containing carbon that have resisted microbial and chemical degradation for hundreds or thousands of years.

Valerie Hennings 2001, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, has been named interim director of the Col. Bud Day Center for Civic Engagement. The center, which opened at Morningside in April, focuses on civic awareness and citizenship on campus and in the Sioux City area.

Jan D. Hodge, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, had a collection of his carmina figurata – or shaped poems – published by Able Muse Press. “Hodge is the master par excellence of carmina figurata,” said Vince Gotera, editor of North American Review.

“Hodge surely creates the best shaped poems anybody has done (in a long while),” said award-winning poet X.J. Kennedy. More information about the book is available at jandhodge.com/taking-shape. An exhibition of the poems is on display at the Sioux City Art Center through Jan. 24.

James M. Hopkins, C.P.A., professor of accounting, had an article published in the May/June issue of TAXPRO Monthly. The article explains how situations can arise when a qualifying child meets the relationship, age, residency, support and joint return tests and is a qualifying child of two or more persons.

Susie Lubbers, M.S., assistant professor of education, and Leslie Werden, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of writing and rhetoric, gave a presentation at a school in Uri, Switzerland, on what it is like to be a high school student or to study abroad at a college in the United States. Lubbers also gave a presentation at The University of Lucerne in Switzerland that focused on teaching English in the United States and the research-based strategies for engaging students, such as differentiated instruction, motivation strategies, and growth and fixed mindset.

Brian McFarland, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, had a paper published in the “Journal of Polymer Science.” His paper dealt with the production of premixed systems that can create a plastic material at a desired time by adding heat.

Pam Mickelson, Ed.D., professor and chair of business, and student Drew Nolan gave a presentation on “Re-branding – How to Start a Brand Makeover” at the Midwest Educators Forum on Entrepreneurship in Mason City, Iowa.

Dick Owens, Ed.D., professor emeritus of education, received the Chadron State College Distinguished Alumni Award. Owens spent more than 20 years teaching in K-12 schools in Nebraska and Iowa, eight years supporting K-12 schools as an administrator for Western Hills Area Education Agency in Sioux City, and more than 20 years as a professor at Morningside.

Heather Reid, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, organized an interdisciplinary conference, gave lectures in Greece and Italy, and contributed to a book translation. The conference in Syracuse, Sicily, discussed the importance of Sicily and Southern Italy in ancient Greek culture. Her presentation at the 14th Biennial Conference of the International Olympic Academy Participants Association in Ancient Olympia, Greece, argued that the term “Olympic” should be used in an ethically prescriptive way instead of as a descriptor for athletic excellence. Her talk at the American Academy in Rome Classical Summer School discussed how Roman gladiators embody the philosophical ideals of Roman Stoicism. Her presentation at the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy-Temple University Conference on the Future of Study Abroad in Rome focused on

her revival of the ancient Olympic-style games as part of the Morningside in Italy program, where Morningside students spend a semester studying in Italy with Morningside professors. Reid also worked with two scholars to complete a new Italian translation of “The Gymnasticus,” the only complete text from the ancient world devoted to the topic of athletics. Reid wrote the introduction and commentary in Italian. The new translation was published this summer.

Jeremy Schnieder, Ph.D., assistant professor of writing and rhetoric, and Aaron Bunker, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, had a paper published in the Athens Journal of Education. The paper, “Once Upon a Time in a Biology Class,” centers on a biology writing project created by Bunker that epitomizes the Writing Across the Curriculum program at Morningside, of which Schnieder is the director.

Tim Sesterhenn, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, co-authored a paper published online by the Journal of Great Lakes Research. The paper examines the environmental factors during the critical early life transition from feeding on egg yolk to feeding on prey in yellow perch and alewife fishes in Lake Michigan.

Jessica Tinklenberg, Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies, and Jeremy Schnieder, Ph.D., assistant professor of writing and rhetoric, gave the presentation “Home and Away: The Representation of Masculinity and Blame in Discussions of Domestic Violence in the NFL” at the International Conference on Sport and Society in Toronto, Canada.

Mary Zink, M.B.A., instructor of business, re-joined the board of directors for the Siouxland Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as college relations chair, and she presented at the Siouxland SHRM annual conference. As college relations chair, Zink will work to recruit members and administer scholarship money. Her presentation on “Managing Difficult Conversations” discussed the process of observing facts and reacting positively in business and in personal interactions.

New Faculty Shannon Claxton, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, previously taught undergraduate courses and served as a graduate research assistant at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She has a doctorate

in experimental psychology from Kent State University.

Marilyn Eastman, M.B.A., associate professor of marketing, previously taught at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. Earlier in her career, she worked for Procter & Gamble as an assistant brand manager and a marketing research manager. She has an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and she will be graduating with her doctorate in December.

Amanda (Van Meeteren) Haverhals 2003, M.S.N., assistant professor of nursing education, most recently was a nursing instructor at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. She previously worked in rehabilitation nursing for eight years at Avera McKennan University Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Haverhals has a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz.

Jayne Jadick, M.S.N., assistant professor of nursing education, most recently was a nurse at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ohio.

She also served five years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps, serving in a combat zone during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jadick has a Master of Science in Nursing in health systems management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. Dharma Jairam, Ph.D., assistant professor of education in the graduate program, previously was an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State University in Erie, Pa. Prior to that, he served as a doctoral fellow at Colorado College in Colorado Springs.

Jairam has a doctorate in cognition, learning and development from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Tiffany (Pribyl) Lafrentz 2008, M.Ed., visiting instructor of education, previously was a teacher at Miller Park Elementary School in Omaha, Neb. She has experience mentoring and coaching novice teachers, designing and developing curriculum, and coordinating reading programs in the Omaha Public Schools. Lafrentz has a master’s degree in elementary education from Concordia University in Seward, Neb. Tangela Sylvester 1980, Ed.D., assistant professor of education, has almost 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in South Sioux City, Neb. She also taught at Wayne State College and chaired the education departments at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., and Huron University in Huron, S.D. Sylvester has a doctorate in educational administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

Staff Notes Stacie Hays, career counselor, was elected to be president-elect of the Iowa College Recruiting Network. She will serve a threeyear term, with one year as president-elect, one year as president and one year as past president and auditor. The Iowa College Recruiting Network is a cooperative recruiting service representing 26 independent colleges and universities across Iowa that hold membership with the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Heather McFarland, first-year adviser, and Stacie Hays, career counselor, presented research at the 2015 National Academic Advising Association regional conference in Fargo, N.D. Their presentation focused on research they completed with first-year students on the Morningside College campus.

Last year Morningside started a new advising program where full-time, professional advisers focus on meeting the needs of first-year students. Once the students have identified their goals and declared a major, they transfer to a faculty adviser.

New Appointments Barb Chambers 1977, director of graduate education, provides leadership and vision for the graduate education program.

Chambers had served as lead coordinator for special education courses in the graduate education program since 2010.

Davi Gradert, associate registrar, assists the registrar in managing and supervising the registrar’s office. She previously was a transcript analyst for the graduate education program at Morningside.

Brett Lyon 2004, director of safety and security, oversees all safety and security issues related to the campus. He previously was assistant director of safety and security at Morningside.

Retirements Jim Cornelia retired in July. He had been the director of safety and security since 2000.

While at Morningside, he was instrumental in transforming the department into one that offers numerous services to the campus community and provides educational programs.

Linda Goode retired at the end of July after 10 years with the graduate program in education, where she served as a program coordinator and adviser. She continues to work as an adjunct faculty member in the program. Goode played a key role in the expansion of the program to all parts of Iowa.

15

Class Notes

By Vianna (Miller) Hobbs Please send your news to: Jeanie Dolphin Morningside College 1501 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, IA 51106 alumni@morningside.edu 712-274-5363 or 800-831-0806, ext. 5363

Bud and Dorie Day Patriots’ Trail. The half-mile walking trail features signs marking different points in Bud’s life, a freedom memorial, a photo wall and a garden dedicated to Dorie. Bud was one of America’s most highly decorated servicemen, and he lived near Fort Walton Beach.

1960

Dr. Leslie Steffe is a distinguished research professor of mathematics education at the University of Georgia.

Jim Umbarger and his wife, Marlene, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 30, 2015, in Tulsa, Okla. Jim is a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran and is retired from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

1934

16

Adeline (Hall) Anderl blows out the candles with her son Jim at her 102nd birthday party at Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City. Adeline was born on Sept. 30, 1913, in White Lake, S.D. She started her career teaching English, drama, rhetoric and debate in the Le Mars Public Schools and later at East Junior High School in Sioux City. She taught Sunday School at Morningside Presbyterian Church and is an active member of several local organizations. She married Wayne “Andy” Anderl in 1940. He died in 2009. They have three children: Dick 1964 and Bill, both now deceased, and Jim, who lives in St. Paul, Minn. They have four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

1943

Dr. James L. Adams and his wife, Luverne, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 3, 2015, as well as his 94th birthday on June 29. Adams is a retired professor of mathematics from the Minnesota State University at Mankato and has spent 43 years in the education field. James and his wife have retired to the lake region of Alexandria, Minn.

1961

Elmer Menage has been inducted into the Minnesota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the hall of fame for his high school in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and a member of the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Menage served as the activities director in Luverne, Minn., from 1968 to 1998.

He served on many Minnesota State High School League committees, and his community involvement includes serving as a member of the Lions Club, Optimist Club, Toastmasters Club and Grace Lutheran Church. He also was a charter member of the Luverne Booster Club, and he is a driver for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

1962

Charles LeMaster Jr. retired from Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City after 24 years in September 2014.

may be downloaded through his publisher Smashwords.com on a smart phone or an electronic reader for a nominal fee.

Sutherland is currently writing a science fiction thriller titled “Rockets of Ages.” He is also fattening a plot file for a fifth novel titled “The Fall Guys.” He has won numerous awards for his short stories and novels that he has entered in contests at writers’ workshops he has attended throughout the United States.

1968

John Withhart directs and plays lead alto saxophone in a 17-piece big band of retired musicians in Sun City, Ariz. He is director of a group called Jammers that offers weekly concerts poolside. He also plays lead alto saxophone in the All Stars big band that plays in the Phoenix area, and he plays saxophone or clarinet with numerous groups in the Sun City area.

1970

Dr. Randall Bergen retired after 40 years of podiatric medicine and surgery. He plans to visit his kids and attend more Morningside College events.

Larry Countryman was elected treasurer on the executive committee for the Boys Club of Sioux City.

The Rev. Greg Wolfe recently celebrated two years of retirement from full-time ministry in the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. However, he is still serving three-quarter time at the small Napoleon United Methodist Church in West Michigan.

1971

Milton Aunan II serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer for UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids Region and was recently named the Financial Executive of the Year (Nonprofit Division) by the Corridor Business Journal.

Ed Benton is a software engineer at Lockheed Martin in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The military draft caused him to join the U.S. Air Force and put him in electronics. He has been working technical jobs ever since.

1950

The late Col. George “Bud” Day and his wife, Dorie, were honored last year when the city of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., dedicated the new

1963

Gary Martin Sutherland has published three novels. They are “Laughed to Death,” a comedic mystery; “T’Whom It May Concern,” a supernatural suspense story; and “Nailing the Board,” a satirical mystery. These e-books

Kathryn Lindquist retired from TaylorDeJongh, an independent investment banking firm providing strategic, project finance and corporate advisory services. She is currently serving on the Thunderbird Executive Leadership Council, now a part of Arizona State University, and also on the Maryland Public Television Foundation Board.

Eight years in Dimmitt Hall Grad shares her memories

By Laura L. Florio

Mary Elizabeth Sievert 1960 was only 13 years old when she first moved into Dimmitt Hall. She lived there during the summer while her mother attended Morningside to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Beginning in 1953 and spanning eight years, Dimmitt was Sievert’s home.

“One evening, that first summer we lived there, I discovered a moth in one of the bathrooms. As biology intrigued me, I captured, preserved and tried to identify the moth. However, I could find nothing about the moth in any of my books, so I brought it to my mother’s biology professor, Professor LeRoy Nydegger, hoping he might identify it.”

Nydegger could not find any information on the moth either, which meant that Sievert had discovered a new kind of moth! Instead of receiving credit for such a discovery, Sievert used the moth as leverage for her mother, Bertha (Busboom) Sievert 1959, who struggled in her science classes. “I believe in that moment my mother discovered my negotiating ability,” Sievert chuckles, “because the professor kept the moth, and my mother passed the course.”

In 1957, following her graduation from high school, Sievert was accepted at Morningside and moved into Dimmitt full time. For the next three years, she would learn to manage the switchboard, serve as hostess in the dining room, take part in coordinating special events and serve as a dorm counselor, as well as her sorority and Panhellenic Council’s president.

“The Dimmitt experience contributed greatly toward my overall educational experience at Morningside. I have traveled a great deal, and the formal teas and other events held in Dimmitt taught me the etiquette I required to address heads of state and other officials later in life. My time in Dimmitt equipped me to successfully and gracefully conduct myself in any situation. And that etiquette is something I passed along to my students during my 40-year tenure in teaching.”

Not all of Sievert’s memories of Dimmitt were rosy, however. She grimaces when she recalls the long trek down the impossibly steep hill and across campus to the science building. “The science hall was precisely on the opposite end of campus, and anyone who lived in Dimmitt during those Iowa winters, might be heard proclaiming, ‘Dimmitt, damn it!’ as they skidded down the slippery slope to one of their classes.”

Although her mother and several Morningside professors encouraged her to pursue a major in the humanities – one professor even offered her an additional scholarship – Sievert chose to major in biology and chemistry. She did, however, minor in education, English

and Russian history. Sievert also joined the Sigma Kappa sorority, stage-managed several theatre productions, and became an avid member of the debate team. “The debate team was my ticket to travel when I studied at Morningside. We were quite good then and qualified to participate in national tournaments. My debate partner, Charlene (Wilmarth) Barnum 1961, and I remain good friends and correspond with each other fairly regularly.”

Sievert graduated from Morningside in 1960 and attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a master’s degree in science education on a double assistantship. In 1962, she began teaching high school chemistry. “In that time, approximately two-thirds of high school teachers were men, and the fact that few women pursued careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) put me in a small minority.”

During her 40 years in education as a nationally-recognized high school chemistry teacher, department head and administrator, Sievert has traveled with her students to science fairs across the globe, including a trip during which she led two teachers and 45 students around the world in 50 days. She herself has traveled to all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Sievert also put her humanities talents into practice as one of three authors of the first collective bargaining agreement, which included binding arbitration to address third-party mediation and was passed into law in Iowa, along with several other states.

In 1993, Morningside College honored Sievert as a distinguished alumna. Prior to her retirement in 1999, Sievert founded an antiques and collectables business called Memorabilia Extra Ordinaire Inc. (MEO), for which she is still an active owner. Through MEO, she also sees the world and has since led many clients on antiquing trips in various countries to make wonderful finds. During one of her recent trips to Europe, her clients purchased a vase for $43 that is actually valued at $1,500. Sievert is also an avid bridge player and enjoys the fruits of her garden. In 2017, she and a friend will travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

When asked what advice she might pass along to current students, Sievert, who celebrated her 76th birthday in September, is thoughtful.

“Morningside prepared me for the world, but life is not all academic.

Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can that Morningside offers, and remember that life is fun!”

17

class notes

Dr. Bill Russell attended the Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, D.C., where his musical “Side Show” won for Outstanding Costumes and Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical and tied for Outstanding Musical.

“Side Show: Added Attractions” was presented at 54 Below – Broadway’s Supper Club – in March to launch the original cast recording of last year's Broadway revival of "Side Show." Those performances were recorded and in May the company returned to launch the new live album which includes material that didn't fit on the original cast recording, as well as new takes on old favorites. Both albums were released by Broadway Records. In addition, a recording of the score from Russell’s musical “Pageant” was released by Jay Records in June.

18

Charles Smith and his wife, Fay (Nelson) 1968, enjoy collecting antiques. His favorite is vintage farm sets, and she has collected Block Optic Green Depression Glass. Their son Paul shares their love of antiques, and he now is a full-time antique dealer, with a large portion of the Granary Mall in Walnut, Iowa, as his home base. Their son Rob is a minister at the Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley, Minn., and his wife, Lisa, is a nurse practitioner working with a major heart transplant program in Minneapolis.

Their daughter, Christy Landrigan, works for Disher Design outside of Grand Rapids, Mich., and her husband, Jack, works for Licensing Resource Group out of Holland, Mich.

1974

Karin (Mease) Grimes has retired from her job as a social worker in the Chicago Public Schools, which gives her more time to devote to her therapy and life coaching practice in Oak Park, Ill. She is now part of a collaboration called College Readiness 4 Success, a program that assists parents, educators and mental health professionals in preparing students with learning, attention, social and emotional differences for the transition to college.

1975

Delbert Christensen umpired his fifth Iowa Girls’ High School State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in July.

Heidi Pfeil is a real estate agent at Keller Williams Montana Realty in Bozeman, Mont.

She is also an artist and is involved in various local nonprofit and service organizations.

1976

Lynn (Brandt) Ubben was recognized for her 25 years of experience at the School Administrators of Iowa annual conference in Des Moines. Ubben began as a principal with the Central Community School District in DeWitt, and she is now in her seventh year as superintendent of the Perry Community School District. She also served as a principal with the Iowa Falls School District and as superintendent of Winfield Mount Union Community School District before moving to Perry. Ubben has a master’s degree in learning disabilities from Northeast Missouri State University and an education specialist degree from Iowa State University. She is pictured here with Perry High School graduate Keegan Pfau, who is a freshman at Morningside and on the cross country and track and field teams.

1977

Bob Kirschbaum has been named the new executive director of the Northeast Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross. The chapter serves 17 counties in Northeast Iowa, including the former Dubuque, Decorah and Clinton chapters. This is Kirschbaum’s seventh year with the Red Cross. Before that, he served 32 years in education, most recently as an elementary school principal.

He and his wife, Sharon, have four children and one grandchild.

1978

Dawn (Dickinson) Pegis is the music director at Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, Ill. Pegis also frequently visits her family farm in Mason City, Iowa.

Beth (Benjamin) Vorhees began her professional broadcasting career in Sioux City, starting at KCAU-TV in 1979, moving to KMEG-TV in 1982 and then to KWSL Radio later in 1982. She has been with West Virginia Public Broadcasting since 1984, working in radio and television. She recently was inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

1979

Sarah (Bentzinger) Clarahan and her husband, Rick (former head track coach at Morningside), have been teaching in the Sioux City Community School District for 15 years. Sarah teaches math at West High School, and Rick teaches physical education at West Middle School. Their son, Jake Clarahan, joined Sarah at West High School this year, teaching special education inclusion math, after finishing his teaching endorsement at Morningside. Both Rick and Jake coach at East High School.

Lonnie and Doloros (Boyle) Clemon retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was a supervisory certified public accountant in the Kansas City Regional Office. She served as a staff accountant, most recently as a budget officer in the Kansas City Regional Office. They celebrated their retirement with a family trip to Hawaii.

1981

Janna (Bobolz) Willnauer retired on June 1 after working as the access services supervisor at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan.

1982

Mark and Robin (Nilson) Gambaiana were honored by the International FOP Association with a 2015 Outstanding Community Involvement Award. The Gambaianas are part of a family effort that has raised more than $500,000 for FOP research since 2009. FOP is a rare bone disease. Their grandson is one of 300 patients across the United States.

1983

Carol (Ryan) Kessenich was honored by Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City during the annual Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools in 2013. She received the Excellence in Education Award for her outstanding service as a junior high school math teacher for Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars, Iowa, and for her years of outstanding teaching and service throughout the Diocese of Sioux City.

1985

Bill Hackett is chief financial officer at Thermo Bond Buildings in Elk Point, S.D., a portable building manufacturer.

Jerry Lindman is a digital marketing consultant in Kansas City, Kan. David Speer is a financial professional at Prudential Advisors in Downers Grove, Ill. He is married to Debbie Speer and has one child, Caitlin Rank. They live in Lisle, Ill. Kelli (Murphy) Tuttle is a physical education teacher at East High School in Sioux City and an adjunct faculty member at Morningside College. She was named the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Iowa Teacher of the Year and Central District Teacher of the Year.

She also was one of the organization’s finalists for National Teacher of the Year. Due to her recent recognition, she has had the honor to present at the SHAPE (Society of

Marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Grad remembers the Civil Rights Movement

By Laura L. Florio

On March 25, 1965, Dr. Alan Stone 1964, his wife, their unborn daughter and 22 Morningside students took their place amongst 25,000 peaceful demonstrators who marched to the state capitol building in Montgomery, Ala. – a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

During the past 19 days, marchers had been denied protection by the state governor, subjected to tear gas, billy clubs, shots fired and violent mob opposition including the murder of one demonstrator, the Rev. James Reeb. But now, during the third march from Selma to Montgomery, demonstrators were under the protection of President Lyndon B. Johnson and flanked by U.S. military, members of the National Guard, FBI agents and federal marshals as they made their way along the Jefferson Davis Highway toward the capitol. That evening, they would hear Martin Luther King Jr. give his speech “Our God Is Marching On!” Stone and his compatriots joined the march after the famous bridge incident recently portrayed in the critically-acclaimed film “Selma.” “It was my initiation into the Civil Rights Movement,” Stone recalls. “I graduated from Morningside the year before, and worked one year as an admissions counselor, liaising with the Methodist churches. I was always interested in civic engagement, but decided to attend this particular march because I learned that racism was at the root of the voting right infringement. Our group went to leaflet the African-American communities near Montgomery and encourage them to take part in the last leg of the march.”

The journey to Montgomery required two days and several cars. “We did not stop overnight for fear of confrontations. Once we crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, there were sneers and scary looks, so we stuck to the route, stopping only at gas stations for fuel and snacks. When we arrived, an elderly woman hosted us for the two days we were there. After we left, her windows were shot out because she supported the marchers.

“In spite of the military presence, the environment surrounding the march was far from peaceful. I recall hearing about Viola Liuzzo’s death, which happened the night of Dr. King’s speech, just as everyone was dispersing. Several people spit on me as I carried the American flag, and one of the students was almost purposefully run over by a car as we crossed an intersection. But hearing King and other leading rights supporters made the trip worthwhile.”

Stone and his family left Sioux City a year later for the University of

Iowa, where he earned a master’s degree in history, and then the University of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate in history and religion. While in Chicago, he continued to participate in civil rights demonstrations. He marched with King again for integrated housing in Cicero, Ill. “When the Black Power movement swept the country, I turned my attention to the American Indian Movement. Their plight became my academic focus. Over the years, I taught several courses in Native American history while serving as an administrator.”

After graduating from the University of Chicago in 1970, Stone became director of admissions for George Williams College in Illinois and then vice president at Hood College in Maryland. Later he moved on to the University of Maine. Recognizing his talent for recruiting students and raising money, Aurora College in Illinois invited Stone to become its president in 1978 when he was only 35 years old! During the next decade, Stone turned the struggling college into a successful university, increasing enrollment from 700 to 3,400, adding 10 graduate programs and a football program. In 1988, he went to Alma College in Michigan, where he served as president until his retirement in 2000.

“My wife, Jonieta, says the only thing I’ve ever flunked is retirement.

After six weeks of it, we moved to Chicago, where I became the head of the National Alzheimer’s Association. When Jonieta became sick a year-and-a-half later, we quit to travel the world together. For the next 10 years, I lectured on the history of various ports for several cruise lines. We also did some traveling on our own to places like Tibet, the Antarctic, Kenya, India, China and Korea. As a result of our travels, I hold honorary doctorates from two Korean universities. I also received an honorary doctorate from Morningside.”

The Stones now live in Phoenix, Ariz., where they hike and play golf.

“Three times a week, my wife and I go for an early-morning five-mile hike in the desert. There is so much beautiful wildlife to observe.”

When asked what piece of wisdom he would offer current Morningside students, Stone declares, “I would recommend that students learn to give back to their communities by volunteering. They should become involved with some of the many organizations at Morningside and travel abroad when they can. Such activities will help students to lead a rich full life after academia.”

19

class notes

Health and Physical Educators) America conference in Seattle, Wash., on projectbased learning for the physical education teacher at the high school level. She also presented at the James Madison University Health & Physical Activity Institute in Virginia and the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, Central District SHAPE Convention and the Minnesota SHAPE Convention, all in Minnesota. More recently, she presented at the Denver Public School Teachers Institute in Colorado and the Sioux City Community Schools Leadership Academy.

1986

Chris Johnson is vice president for inside sales and service at American HomePatient in Brentwood, Tenn.

1987

Paula Hamp is president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa.

Choice in Education Board of Directors, and more. Prior to the dinner, Dr. Dan Ryan (left), diocesan superintendent, and the bishop (right) congratulated Niebuhr and her husband, Paul 1987, on her receipt of the Good Shepherd Award.

1990

Rick Amos is the director of business partnerships for the Digital Ally Open Golf Tournament in Overland Park, Kan. Derek and Dawn Peterson 1991 celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on July 7, 2015. Dawn and Derek met at Morningside College and now live in Papillion, Neb., with their twin daughters, Kathleen and Jordan.

1991

Linda Finzen-Mathers retired from the Sioux City Community School District in 2014 and relocated to Ankeny, Iowa.

Hans Katzenmeier is district manager for the U.S. Social Security Administration in Sioux City.

1992

Deborah Ammons retired from Spalding Park Elementary School in Sioux City. She taught special education, first grade, Title I and Reading Recovery.

20

Amy (Wihelm) Lefler made her mark at Morningside as the all-time leading scorer for the college in women’s basketball history.

Now she is a fourth-grade teacher in the Lawton-Bronson Community School District, but she still enjoys shooting hoops with her two sons.

1988

Alicia (Wessendorf) Bohlke has earned an MBA in health care management from Western Governors University. She is currently the administrator for Dignity Health Medical Group, a service of Dignity Health Medical Foundation in California.

Bohlke graduated from Morningside with a double major in music and journalism and is proof you can change careers many times during your life!

Lisa (Grubb) Niebuhr was honored by Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City during the annual Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools in 2014. She received the Good Shepherd Award for her leadership as Gehlen Catholic School's development director, her service on the Iowa Alliance for

kickoff for the Wartburg College Board of Regents, and at Wartburg Choir’s final home concert in May when Estes was recognized for 50 years of singing professionally. Pfaltzgraff is a senior voice lecturer, adjunct voice instructor and staff accompanist at Wartburg College. She also directs the chancel and bell choirs at Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church in Waterloo and serves as an organist and leader of the praise team. Pfaltzgraff also accompanied several Suzuki student recitals to support her children, who play stringed instruments through the UNI Suzuki School.

She was the accompanist for the spring concert held in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls last May. She played for the violin, viola and cello groups, from the youngest beginners to the most advanced high school students. She also accompanied the honors concert for select Suzuki students.

1993

Patty (Klaschen) Considine is the practice liaison for Physical Therapy Specialists in Sioux City. She recently accomplished the Okoboji Point to Point Swim, a 3.5-mile open water swim on West Lake Okoboji.

David Harris works in business development for Security National Bank in Sioux City.

Joseph Klundt is head of estimating and pricing for Boeing Defence UK. In this position, he is responsible for developing policy and implementing the tool sets for bidding on United Kingdom defense contracts. His family has moved to the United Kingdom with him, and his children are attending English private schools, which he said are a lot like Hogwarts – but without the magic! The photo shows him atop a mountain in Southern France as he was doing one of the Tour de France routes on a bike. It was a hot climb, with temperatures over 100 degrees at 4,000 feet.

Laurel (Hellinga) Klaassen is a counselor at Sibley-Ocheyedan elementary and middle schools. She was recently voted presidentelect-elect for the Iowa School Counselor Association Board of Directors. In this position, she is responsible for the association’s conference program, working to recruit program proposals, selecting among the submissions, developing the final program for the event and making all necessary communications with those who made proposal submissions. She also keeps a blog about the great things that she is doing with students in school, which can be found at mygoodstuff2share.blogspot.com

1994

Kent Lundquist is the marketing/public relations manager at Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, Iowa.

Carita (Ellerbeck) Pfaltzgraff accompanied Simon Estes, international opera singer, at the Transforming Tomorrow campaign

From theatre to economic development

Recent grad finds career opportunities in both of her majors

By Laura L. Florio

Just a year after graduating from Morningside, Melissa Richter 2014 has had two great career opportunities, one geared toward her major in theatre and the other relating to her major in business administration. From the moment Richter set foot on campus, she knew she wanted to be a double major in those two fields.

“I worked with my adviser to make sure that my schedule would work out, and every semester, I developed a plan so that all my courses were in order,” she explains. “Of course, there was always a spontaneous course offering to take advantage of, but, thankfully, I was able to meet all the requirements and graduate on time.”

One could almost always find Richter in Klinger-Neal Theatre, working on the latest theatrical production or in Lincoln Center absorbing information related to business administration.

“Theatre is a wonderful major, in part, because of the people,” she says. “The theatre majors and professors I encountered at Morningside gave me the freedom to try different things and take constructive criticism in a way that empowered me to be better — an important aspect of the jobs I took following graduation. Also, the theatre department is small at Morningside, which makes it more of a family and provides majors with the opportunity to do everything.

My first production, ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears,’ was when I learned how to apply stage makeup. Since then, I’ve tried my hand at lighting, blocking, set design and directing. It’s instilled a confidence in me to not be afraid to try something new.”

Richter’s favorite professor at Morningside is Mary Zink in the business department. “Professor Zink has high expectations, which she clearly communicates, and she teaches very dynamically. But more than that, Professor Zink takes the time to get to know her students. She attended our plays, basketball games and music concerts. She helped to make my Morningside experience special.”

Richter mentions her adviser, Julie Keime, who helped navigate major requirements, and Career Counselor Stacie Hays, who helped Richter put together a compelling resume. She also praises the versatility of the business major at Morningside.

“The business faculty members know how to teach effectively and have relevant curriculum,” she says. "My accounting and finance classes have really proven helpful in the work I do now. My part-time job off campus with Downtown Partners that I held during college

also provided me with valuable work experience.”

Connections led Richter to her first job after graduation. A Morningside graduate helped her find a position at the Rose Theater in Omaha, Neb., as the box office manager and volunteer coordinator. The Rose Theater is the third largest children’s theatre in the United States and offers approximately 10 productions per year.

Richter managed the 100 volunteers who help with the logistics of each of those productions, including collecting tickets, directing children to their seats and manning the doors of the auditorium.

Although Richter loved her time with the Rose Theater, she felt that Omaha was too big of a city. One of her friends told her about a job opportunity in Hull, Iowa, a small town of 2,300 in the northwestern region of the state. “I contacted them, and after two interviews, they hired me to become their new director of economic development. It turns out they were looking for someone like me — a recent college graduate from a small town who understands the challenges of small-town living, but, more importantly, sees the potential for growth.”

Hull has much to offer. It has three high schools, beautiful parks, a new community pool, an industrial park and residential developments. Richter, who began her duties in July, works with the city administrator, Aaron Kooiker, to expand Hull through the retention of established businesses and the recruitment of new industry. As hers is a new position, she is currently learning what businesses look for when they choose a new site and how to know whether Hull would be a good fit for those industries. Richter reports her findings and progress to the Hull Industrial Development Corporation, a long-established board composed of eight community members dedicated to improving the town’s quality of life.

Richter says she loves that her job will affect people’s lives beyond this present moment. “I have the opportunity to make a genuine impact, and I am very thankful for that opportunity.” Richter is already putting down roots by becoming involved with community life and helping to direct one of the high school’s plays.

When asked about advice she would give to current Morningside students, she says, “Don’t get too caught up in your plans day-today. Plans are good, but there will always be something wonderful and unexpected just around the corner that you won’t want to miss.”

21

class notes

1995

Joel Jadus is a Chemistry I Honors and A.P. Chemistry teacher at Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he lives with his two sons, Brody, 15, and Wesley, 11. He also coaches youth football and soccer in the community.

2000

Shannon Sargent’s artwork titled “The Purpose of Understanding” was on display at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa. His sculpture “Striped Gargoyle” is featured in the 2015-2016 Sculpt Siouxland outdoor exhibit in downtown Sioux City.

Brian Romero is assistant controller at MS Energy Services in Conroe, Texas.

Tiffany (Dirksen) Snead is team care coordinator at Corporate Fitness Works in Overland Park, Kan.

1996

Brian Keating is acting division manager of information technology at Omaha Public Power District in Nebraska.

Shiloh (Woolman) Todorov is executive director of the German Village Society in Columbus, Ohio.

1998

22

Chuck Baughman is currently in his 15th year with the Chicago Cubs Baseball Organization. He has been very active with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers’ Society, Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. He also was recently appointed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to the State of Arizona Board of Athletic Training.

1999

Kelly “Malibu” Boyce is assistant director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.

Teresa Gronwoldt is the senior media planner at UnityWorks, a video advertising company in Minneapolis, Minn. She also is the games project manager for the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. Gronwoldt skates for the Minnesota RollerGirls and coached the Twin Cities Terrors, the Minnesota Men's Roller Derby all-star team, this past season.

A.G. Kruger III won the men’s weight throw for the ninth time at the U.S.A. Track and Field (USATF) Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston, Mass. Kruger has won five titles in the hammer throw at USATF Outdoor Nationals in the past 12 years. He has earned 14 national championships and is a threetime Olympian hammer thrower that has been to Athens, Beijing,and London. His goal now is to make the 2016 Olympic team.

Kruger is working as a full-time strength coach in Ashland, Ohio.

2003

Peggy Hamilton is a second-grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School in Carroll, Iowa.

2001

Dave Buchheit is the project manager for Buchheit Law, PLC. Buchheit assisted his wife, Lindsey, in the establishment of her law office in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, which opened in June 2013. Under his supervision and management, the firm moved into its newly constructed building in December 2014. Buchheit manages the property and landscaping along with other projects for the firm. He also is a full-time Sioux City firefighter. Dave and Lindsey live in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, with their two daughters, Parker and Kendal.

2002

Desmond Armentrout is working on his dissertation to complete a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer issues in music education, as well as creativity and technology in music education. He is an adjunct professor at the Des Moines Area Community College Newton Campus and has presented at both national and international conferences in music education. He is currently working on topics to present at the 32nd World Conference of the International Society for Music Education in July 2016.

Tasha (Segebart) Eldridge is a substitute teacher for the East Butler Public Schools in Brainard, Neb. She is also the administrative assistant for the East Butler Foundation. She runs a private piano and guitar studio and also a small cupcake bakery out of her home.

Tasha and her husband, Michael, welcomed their third child, Olivia, to their family in July.

She was welcomed home by her two brothers, Nathaniel and Jacob.

Mara (Cook) Jorgensen and Travis Paulson 2006 are software developers and co-founders of SharedBinder, an online career portfolio management tool and professional network.

Bea (Palmer) Houston is activity director, faculty development specialist and adjunct Spanish instructor at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City.

Tavia Malone is the business manager for The Freedom Trail Foundation in Boston, Mass.

Jesus Pena is a mortgage loan originator at Northwest Bank in Sioux City.

2004

Michael Eldridge is in his third year as the seventh- through 12th-grade principal for the East Butler Public School District in Brainard, Neb. He received a school bus driver's license in order to help the district out as an occasional substitute bus driver.

Eldridge is also president of the Butler County Arts Council and a board member for the Butler County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. During his free time, he sings in the Butler County Community Choir and has started a local barbershop group called the Three Saints, and Gary!

Molli (Laing) Ginger is a human resources recruiter for Wells Enterprises in Le Mars, Iowa.

Brett Lyon recently was named director of safety and security at Morningside College after serving eight years as assistant director.

Lyon oversees all safety and security issues related to the campus. He is completing a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.

Erin Mulvany is now a part of the management team in the Patient Access Department of the Sanford Children’s Hospital/Surgical Services in Sioux Falls, S.D. Adrian “A.J.” Rieder celebrated his 10-year anniversary as a technical lead software engineer for Garmin International in Olathe, Kan.

Brenda (Waage) Tutje is a first-grade teacher at Sibley-Ocheyedan Elementary School in Sibley, Iowa. Tutje welcomed her first granddaughter, Delta Bec Tutje, on May 22, 2015.

2005

Darija (Ljubibratic) Vladisavljev lives in Los Angeles, Calif., with her husband, Branislav. Together they have two children: Kozma, born in 2012, and Kira, born in 2014.

Darija is working as a creative director from her home in Los Angeles.

2006

Dr. Jonathan Fisk is assistant professor of political science at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. Rebecca (Limke) Whitlock is a therapist at Parkview Psychological Services in Sioux City. She recently became certified as a trainer for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.

2007

Dr. Laura Roost earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2014. Her doctorate is in political science with a specialization in human rights and humanitarian affairs. During the graduation ceremony, she was hooded by Dr. Patrick McKinlay, professor of political science and chair of the Economics, Political Science and Sociology Department at Morningside College, and Dr. Ari Kohen, her dissertation committee chair and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Schlesinger Associate Professor of Political Science. Her dissertation examined the potential place of feminist care ethics in transitional justice. It included data she collected during her time in Bosnia-Herzegovina and during her time in Rwanda on a Fulbright Scholarship to examine the impact of non-governmental organization care activities. Roost is a lecturer of political theory at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park.

2008

Alumni rave about the Dimmitt renovation After walking through Dimmitt during Homecoming weekend, alumni shared their thoughts on the $14 million renovation that was completed this summer.

“I’m a little jealous because it’s air conditioned and the rooms seem bigger. But I’m so excited for current and future Morningsiders to have such nice dorm facilities. Very impressive.”

Tracie (Mohr) Franko 1989 “It’s a nice mixture of keeping the traditional – some of the old - with the modern.”

Kate (Moser) Albrecht 1989 “I was afraid when they were remodeling that I would walk in here and wouldn’t recognize it.

But it still feels like home. It’s just fresh and clean and nice.”

Julie (Negus) Eickhoff 1989 “I was so pleased to see that they kept the spirit of the old Dimmitt. It was updated, but they kept all of those details that make it a beautiful historic building. It’s a beautiful job.”

Mickey (Cobb) Howard 1976 “It’s amazing. Before you lived in Dimmitt for the atmosphere. Now you can live here for the atmosphere and the facilities.”

Tarah (Sagedahl) Nolan 2009 “Before people were like, ‘I want to live somewhere that has A.C. I want to live somewhere that is closer to everything.’ Who cares? You’ve got it all here now. This is amazing.”

Will Swanson 2009 “We loved Dimmitt while we were here, but now it’s just so much more. Dimmitt has that community feeling already, and then when you match the facility with it, it’s just perfect.”

Derek Nolan 2009 “It would have been great to have something like this when we were all here. It’s great for the school. It will be one more thing that will attract new students. It’s really cool.”

Spencer Walker 2013

23

“The reason why you live in Dimmitt is to be surrounded by your peers and make life-long friendships. The renovated space will give students an even better opportunity to network and build on their Morningside experience.”

Jeremiah Curry 2013 “The renovation effort looks amazing. My donations are going to good use.”

LaVone Sopher 1979 “They did an awesome job of making an old building modern, but still keeping the feel of the building.”

Glenda DenHerder 1979 “It’s very classy. I love the extra pictures that they added to show the history of Dimmitt, and I love the fireplace. Free laundry’s awesome as well.”

Leah Godbersen 2004

Michael Axelsen graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in May. He and his wife, Vanessa (Warzecha) 2009, recently moved to Overland Park, Kan., and Michael started his pharmacy hospital residency.

Dr. Rebecca (Harrell) DeVine earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Iowa in May to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

class notes Wyeth Lynch 2009 looks at the historic photos on display in the Dimmitt Hall Formal Lounge. Photo by Doug Burg, Burg Studios.

Jonathan Green is an information technology infrastructure analyst at Cambridge Investment Research in Fairfield, Iowa.

Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, celebrated their first wedding anniversary on May 9. They reside in Lone Tree, Iowa.

Melissa Stidfole is an English as a Second Language teacher in the Sioux City Community School District. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Morningside College. She and Jesus Pena 2003 are engaged to be married in July 2016.

Teresa Trierweiler is the talented and gifted coordinator and eighth-grade Spanish teacher at Spencer Middle School in Spencer, Iowa.

24

Scott Wismont is an independent travel consultant at Magical Enchanted Vacations in La Vista, Neb. He is also an executive escalations senior specialist at PayPal.

2009

Vanessa (Warzecha) Axelsen graduated from

the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in June of 2013, and she completed her pediatric dentistry residency in June of this year.

Krista (Vanderbur) Elmquist is a librarian at Spirit Lake Public Library in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Bryan Hansen attended the U.S. Young Leaders Discussion Series for Innovative Ideas to Address Dementia in Washington, D.C., in February. The aim of this conference was to give young leaders the opportunity to develop innovative ideas to support the ongoing work of the World Dementia Council and to create a sustainable global network that will continue to address the challenges presented by dementia. Since then, Hansen has continued to be involved as the Young Leaders have moved forward with a collaborative effort with the World Health Organization to continue this work internationally.

Russell and Ashley (Danner) Heine live with their family on a farm where Russell runs entirely grass-fed cattle. Ashley is currently working part time at a hospital day care and hopes to eventually work with new and existing parents on proper child development and overcoming family issues that arise with children. Russell is assistant vice president at Midwest Bank in York, Neb. He also is chair and member-manager of Morningside Cattle Ranch in York and secretary-treasurer for the Waco Rural Fire Department Board of Directors.

Jeremy Lafrentz is entertainment supervisor at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City.

Breanne (Evans) Lynch is a seventh- through 12th-grade business and computer teacher at McCook Central School District School in Salem, S.D. Mandy Morrow earned a Master of Arts in archeology from Tel Aviv University in Israel.

Now she is pursuing a Ph.D. in classical and ancient Near Eastern studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chad Redmon is a social studies teacher at Southeast Polk Junior High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

David Terry is an operator qualification coordinator at CHS. He lives in Billings, Mont., with his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Isabelle.

2010

Cassie Dickerson is a case manager for the day rehabilitation program at Heartland Counseling Services in South Sioux City, Neb. Her daughter, Amelia, will be 2 in February.

Catelin (Hoistad) Drey is owner and lead photographer of Shirley Chic Photography in Sioux City. She specializes in weddings, families and headshots.

Jennifer Johnson is an instructional coach at Lewis Central Middle School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Dr. Beau Kildow is completing an orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Joseph Lockett is an agency owner for Farm Bureau Financial Services in Omaha, Neb. Brandon Sturges is a family and consumer sciences teacher at East Middle School in Sioux City.

2011

Krystina Brickley is a recruitment, cultivation and selection specialist for the Denver Public Schools in Colorado.

class notes

There was a Morningside College reunion in Tokyo, Japan, at the wedding of Nami (Toyotani) Kumaki 2006 in October. Nami is in the front row with her husband, Toshitaka Kumaki. In the back row are Chihiro Tanaka (from left) and her husband, Akira Tanaka 2003; Yumiko Guelcher 2008; Randy Hansen 1972; and Himi (Mizutani) Matsumoto 2007. Randy is the director of alumni development at Morningside. He and his wife, Becky, were Nami’s host parents when she attended Morningside. Nami had Randy walk her into her wedding reception.

David Ericson is branch office manager at Postrock Brokerage Iowa Branch in Akron, Iowa.

Michael McBride is an instructional assistant in the Sioux City Community School District.

further advance in her field. She is also recently engaged!

Erin Weiland is a fourth-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Sioux City.

Amanda (Gezel) Merema is a special education teacher at Indianola Middle School in Indianola, Iowa.

Denise Bovee is a sixth-grade special education teacher at McCombs Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa.

2014

Lindsey Nielsen is a marriage and family therapist trainee at Hannah’s House in San Diego, Calif. Hannah’s House is a children’s charity dedicated to creating a brighter tomorrow for children caught between parents struggling with difficult family transitions.

Jacob Elsbernd is a special education teacher/transitions coordinator at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar, Iowa. He also coaches wrestling and football at South Winneshiek.

Marshall Tuttle is the student body president for the Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa.

2012

Kyle Bubb is an attractions attendant at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Stefanie Ford is a middle school special education teacher as well as the sixth grade English/language arts teacher for Audubon Community Schools in Audubon, Iowa. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Morningside.

Jared Goforth is a retail account manager for Mahindra Finance USA at De Lage Landen Financial Services in Houston, Texas.

Seth McCauley is a paralegal at Golan & Christie in Chicago.

Tom Chilton is an admissions counselor at Morningside College for Central Iowa. He previously worked as an account executive for Powell Broadcasting, and he continues to cover small town sports on Y Country 101.3 FM.

Cristina McCrystal is a dancer and flow artist in Chicago as well as a resident performance artist and core company member with the burlesque and variety troupe Dramageddon.

Joseph O’Neill is Midwest regional sales manager for Palmer Candy Company.

Tahaun Fountain is a big brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa.

Danya Hangman is a full-time registered nurse circulator in surgery at Mercy Medical Center Sioux City.

Becca (Kent) Johnson is a staff accountant for Windsor Windows & Doors in West Des Moines, Iowa. She lives in Windsor Heights, Iowa, with her husband, Andrew, and two children, Kinley and Dylan.

Brady Lakes is a conductor for BNSF Railway and an independent distributor for AdvoCare in Dakota Dunes, S.D. Kimberly (Lauck) Traub is a TRIO talent search adviser at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Jared Wildeboer is an estimator for HD Supply-Interior Solutions in Denver, Colo.

2013

Emily Beckfield is assistant property manager of two properties for Sherman Associates Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn. She is looking at attending post-graduate classes to

Jamison Parkhill is in his third year teaching at Kirn Middle School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

He also is the head soccer coach at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. In the photo, he is selling scarves as a fundraiser for the soccer team.

William Pfau is a quality engineer at Nypro, A Jabil Company, in Gurnee, Ill. Chelsie Trask is a fundraiser intern at Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy in Aurora, Colo. Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy is for boys who are committed to honing their basketball skills, striving for academic success and developing as quality young men. She is also working with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment in Aurora, Colo.

Miguel Beltran is the media manager for the Nicholas Academic Centers in Santa Ana, Calif.

Nick Brincks is a broadcast operations specialist for Iowa Public Radio in Ames, Iowa.

Sarah Davy is the engagement lead for the Blue Zones Project in Marion, Iowa.

Carly Hanson is an elementary literacy tutor for AmeriCorps at Loess Hills Elementary School in Sioux City. She is also attending the University of Northern Iowa to pursue a graduate degree in communications studies.

Brittany (Belzer) Hoffman is office administrator at Cloverleaf Farms Inc. in Elk Point, S.D. Cora (Kugler) Terry is an assistant swim coach at Bakersfield Aquatics Club in Bakersfield, Calif.

Jennifer (Gaylord) McCormick is a lender administrator at Allied Solutions in Sioux City.

25

Trent Miller is director of sports ministry at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City and will be assisting the Morningside men’s basketball team this season.

Sarah Munson works as a sales associate and content specialist for KMEG 14 Siouxland News in Dakota Dunes, S.D. She also works part time as a contract editor for Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group in Louisville, Ky. Munson was recently contracted as a writer for Etcetera, Carlisle Etcetera LLC. She also wrote a piece of fiction that was published in the 2015 Morningside Kiosk, and she won second place for the short story. Munson graduated cum laude from Morningside, and she was awarded the Dr. B.G. Knepper Award for Outstanding Senior Project in Literary and Cultural Study during the commencement ceremony.

Preston Nibaur is a micro lab technician at Wells Enterprises in Le Mars, Iowa.

class notes

Sara Olson was the summer intern at the Sanford Museum and Planetarium in Cherokee, Iowa. She currently works at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City.

Emily (Greenlee) Parkhill is an assistant account executive at NEI Global Relocation in Omaha, Neb. Emily and her husband, Jamison 2013, recently bought a house.

Jacki Peters is an associate insynctive product specialist at Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa.

Aaron Roberg is a financial institution specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in Grand Island, Neb. Cole Schwarz is an agent at Schwarz Insurance Group in Silver Lake, Kan.

26

Matthew Stuhrenberg is operations manager at FedEx Ground in Sioux City.

Blake Anderson is co-founder of Pushlee, a mobile application that saves you money at participating gas stations.

Kristina Andrews is a fifth-grade teacher at Battle Creek-Ida Grove Elementary School in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Katie Larson is a kindergarten through second-grade resource teacher at Harney Elementary School in South Sioux City, Neb.

Hope Forman traveled to Tanzania this summer to teach English at an orphanage.

She started law school this fall at Chapman University in Orange, Calif.

Lacey “Ruth” Martinez is a community outreach coordinator for the Asian American Community Empowerment Project for the Japanese American Service Committee at AmeriCorps in Chicago.

Alex Groth is a fifth-grade teacher at Homer Elementary School in Homer, Neb.

Karissa Meyerhoff is assistant internal auditor at Central Bank in Sioux City.

Justin Henderson is a web application developer intern for Hayneedle, a website that specializes in selling home products.

Stephen O’Neill was a marketing intern for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in the summer of 2015.

He is currently a recruiting manager for K&B Transportation in South Sioux City, Neb. He was offered the chance to play professional basketball in Portugal over the summer, but he turned it down so he could coach and work.

Jacob Hess is a personal banker at Security National Bank in Sioux City.

Lehi Tonga is a recruiter for K&B Transportation in South Sioux City, Neb. Renee van Beaumont is an admissions counselor at Morningside College for Lincoln, Neb., the western part of Nebraska, and the states of Missouri and Kansas. She previously worked at Morningside as a temporary admissions counselor.

Jianna Hoss teaches yoga classes to students, faculty and staff at Morningside College.

Hoss is also a yoga teacher at Evolve Yoga in Sioux City. In the summer of 2014, Hoss completed an intensive yoga teacher training at Heartwork Yoga Studio in Northfield, Minn. She is a registered 200-hour yoga instructor, primarily trained in vinyasa flows, and has a deep passion for being on her mat.

Along with yoga, Hoss is the marketing representative at Paul Davis Restoration in Sioux City.

Morgan Hively is a first-grade teacher at Edison Elementary School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Haley Zahren is a microbiologist for Vanguard Sciences in North Sioux City, S.D. Vanguard Sciences is one of the leading companies in testing food safety.

2015

Kelsey Ahart completed a graphic design internship at Avery Brothers Sign Co. in Sioux City.

Lacey “Ruth” Martinez 2015 and President John Reynders share a light-hearted moment this summer during Morningside’s annual dinner with the Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC) in Santa Ana, Calif. NAC is an after-school tutoring and mentoring program for high school students that provides support for them to go to college. Many NAC students come to Morningside. This annual dinner gives NAC students and their families the opportunity to meet the president; his wife, Robin; André McWell, director of the Student Success Program at Morningside; and Morningside graduates.

Jennifer Petsche is a project manager for MetaCommunications, a workflow software company in Iowa City, Iowa.

Leslie Pfeifer is a registered nurse at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Neb. She is also engaged to Kaleb Horton.

Kimberly Schroeder is a legal intern at Corbett, Anderson, Corbett, Vellinga & Irvin law firm in Sioux City.

Stephanie Shever served last spring as a long-term substitute teacher for fifth grade at Woodbury Central Elementary School in Moville, Iowa. She accepted a full-time position as a fifth-grade teacher at Woodbury Central in Moville for the 2015-2016 school year.

Dr. Roger Burgess, Nashville, Tenn., died May 10, 2015.

Robert Lipshutz, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 30, 2015.

Burton Nixon, Norfolk, Neb., died July 11, 2015.

1951 Josephine (Sanford) Gruhn, Spirit Lake, Iowa, died April 4, 2015.

Allen E. Tasker, Sioux City, died April 25, 2015.

1952 Fred Brown, Corpus Christi, Texas, died April 8, 2015.

Charles Palmer, Seattle, Wash., died Jan. 7, 2014.

1953 Willis Strong, Omaha, Neb., died Nov. 13, 2012.

Jessica (Blasingame) Voigt is a special education teacher at Le Mars Community High School in Le Mars, Iowa.

1954 Wallace “Wally” Johnston, Sun City, Ariz., died Aug. 3, 2015.

Teagan Wilkerson is a reading and English as a Second Language teacher at Covington Elementary School in South Sioux City, Neb.

Marilyn (Goodwin) Knudsen, Loveland, Colo., died March 31, 2015.

In Loving Memory 1939 Helen (Arthur) Sandmeyer, Washington, Ill., died July 30, 2014.

1941 Stella (Isenberger) Andersen, Walla Walla, Wash., died June 14, 2013.

1945 Norman Tvedte, Van Nuys, Calif., died April 3, 2015.

1947 Katherine (Roadman) Mills, Elkhorn, Neb., died April 22, 2015.

Ralph Graham, Mendota Heights, Minn., died May 23, 2015.

1950 R. Gene Benham, Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Feb. 4, 2015.

Clayton Bristow, Davenport, Iowa, died June 27, 2015.

James Godfrey, Sioux City, died March 28, 2015.

Amy Gohring, Hughson, Calif., died Nov. 28, 2014.

We apologize for incorrectly reporting that Beverly (Battey) Smith 1981 had died.

It was a different Beverly Smith who had passed away.

1949 Eileen (Sommers) Follett, Sioux City, died July 26, 2015.

Raymond Johansen, Sioux City, died April 16, 2015.

1955 Roger Benson, Sioux City, died Dec. 27, 2014.

1956 Cesar Lay, Panama City, Panama, died Sept. 18, 2012.

1958 Barbara (Palmer) Deery, Lake Zurich, Ill., died May 28, 2015.

Norman Kolberg, Riceville, Iowa, died July 10, 2015.

1960 Keith Stratton, Newton, Iowa, died July 27, 2015.

1961 Kenwood Prunty, Clear Lake, Iowa, died June 15, 2015.

1962 Mary Gehrett, Ottumwa, Iowa, died June 24, 2015.

E. Kent Hansen, Bronson, Iowa, died April 15, 2015.

1963 Bruce Yockey, Sioux City, died July 16, 2015.

1964 Donna O’Sullivan, Sioux City, died April 26, 2015.

1966 Owen Riddle, Anthon, Iowa, died June 15, 2015.

1967 Edward “Paul” Kirwan, Sioux City, died July 27, 2015.

1968 Mildred Peterson, Sioux City, died July 13, 2015.

1969 Warren Ah Loo, Mililani, Hawaii, died March 10, 2015.

Robert Hamilton, Sioux City, died May 9, 2015.

Judy (Krumm) Van Riemsdyk, Bourbonnais, Ill., died Aug. 2, 2015.

Eugene Windeshausen, Sioux City, died May 22, 2015.

1970 Reah (Knoll) Severson, North Sioux City, S.D., died July 25, 2015.

1971 Paul Koets, Orange City, Iowa, died June 23, 2015.

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Phyllis Merten, Sioux City, died July 6, 2015.

1972 George “Bob” Batcheller, Sioux City, died July 27, 2015.

1974 Dallas Courtney, Santee, Calif., died Jan. 21, 2015.

1975 Darwin Lewis, Sioux City, died March 30, 2015.

Fredrick Titus, Milliken, Colo., died Sept. 28, 2014.

1976 Helen Gatewood, South Sioux City, Neb., died April 26, 2015.

1981 Rebecca (Zierott) Boyd, Sioux City, died May 10, 2015.

1982 Robert Kummer, Omaha, Neb., died May 31, 2015.

class notes 1984 Lila (Nagel) Derby, Sioux City, died May 26, 2015.

1988 Kevin Behan, Sioux City, died May 29, 2015.

1999 Julie Baum, Lincoln, Neb., died March 26, 2015.

Remembering Cherished Friends Sam Shapiro, Redwood City, Calif., died July 24, 2015. Thirty years ago, he created an endowed scholarship that is given each year to a visual arts student in memory of his late wife, Marion Rocklin Shapiro. He continued to raise money for the scholarship fund over the years, recently raising money at his 100th birthday party.

Cora Ann Owens Mae Frances Whitlock

2003 Nicholas Kleve and his wife, Kristine, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, a son, Gavin, Aug. 31, 2015.

2005 Mandie (Norby) Mayo and her husband, Jeremy, Sioux City, a son, Holden Lou, July 4, 2015.

2006 Rebecca (Limke) Whitlock and her husband, Michael, Sioux City, a daughter, Mae Frances, June 12, 2015.

2007 Michael Laue and his wife, Amy, Fairmont, Minn., a son, Cord Michael, Feb. 23, 2015.

2009 David Terry and his wife, Barbara, Billings, Mont., a daughter, Isabelle Vivian, June 8, 2015.

2010 Brandon Sturges and his wife, Mallory, Sioux City, two daughters, Brayleigh Ruth, July 30, 2013, and Zoey Mae, Feb. 2, 2015.

2011 Kristine (Davis) Bata and her husband, Luke, Sioux City, a son, Joshua, June 23, 2015.

Jill (Oehlerking) Kerr and her husband, Nick, a daughter, Kelsey Nichole, Feb. 3, 2015.

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2015 Daniel and Cora (Kugler) Terry 2014, Bakersfield, Calif., a son, Troy Douglas, July 14, 2015.

Newlyweds 1996 Brian Poggenklass and Alexei Wagner, June 18, 2015, Golden, Colo. At home in Broomfield, Colo.

Tyler James McClintock Isabelle Vivian Terry

Future Morningsiders 1993 Patty (Klaschen) Considine and Bob McClintock, Sioux City, a son, Tyler James, Feb. 18, 2013.

1998 Jonathan Owens and his wife, Lindsay, La Mesa, Calif., a daughter, Cora Ann, May 26, 2015.

2002 Tasha (Segebart) and Mike Eldridge 2004, David City, Neb., a daughter, Olivia Almarine, July 21, 2015.

2006 Josh Bliven and Kristin Struss 2009, Nov. 15, 2015, Wesley United Methodist Church, Sioux City. At home in Sioux City.

Nami Toyotani and Toshitaka Kumaki, Oct. 3, 2015, Tokyo, Japan. At home in Saitama, Japan.

2007 Missy Keiper and Ryan Vande Kieft, Nov. 8, 2014, Embrace Church, Sioux Falls, S.D. At home in Brookings, S.D. 2009 Dr. Autumn Bartel and Dr. Bradley Shobe, Dec. 14, 2013, Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Fla. At home in Royal Oak, Mich.

Jonalee Jackes and Jared DeNoble, May 30, 2015, Okoboji, Iowa. At home in Spencer, Iowa.

2010 Keith Crane and Melissa Horton, Aug. 29, 2015, Cherokee, Iowa. At home in Cherokee.

Joseph Lockett and Jacqueline Hitt, Aug. 15, 2015, St. Bridget Church, Omaha, Neb. At home in Omaha.

2011 Levi Liester and Courtney Lucart 2013, Sept. 20, 2014, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sioux City. At home in Omaha, Neb. Katelyn Nelson and Eric Griffith, April 25, 2015, Marina Inn, South Sioux City, Neb. At home in Sioux City.

Jessica Standard and Nathan Yosten, Aug. 30, 2014, Villa Parker, Parker, Colo. At home in Aurora, Colo.

Evan Swan and Angela Melia, June 13, 2015, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wayne, Neb. At home in Wayne.

2012 Darcy Christensen and Travis Hardin, Sept. 5, 2015, United Methodist Church, Jefferson, Iowa. At home in Jefferson.

Erica Luetje and Tim Ruhland, Aug. 29, 2015, Zion Lutheran Church, Arcadia, Iowa. At home in Sioux Falls, S.D. Ashley Streeper and Matthew Kurt, Sept. 5, 2015, St. Peter’s Church, Temple Hill, Iowa.

2013 Jamison Parkhill and Emily Greenlee 2014, Aug. 9, 2014, Lincoln, Neb. At home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

2014 Michael Lewis and Nicole Guericke, June 6, 2015, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Sioux City.

At home in Sioux City.

Kyle Schuck and Megan Deichmann, June 27, 2015, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cherokee, Iowa. At home in Cherokee.

2015 Ashley Drey and Bryce Wittrock, May 30, 2015, Ida Grove, Iowa. At home in Ida Grove.

Britney Kleinhesselink and Billy Peterson, May 23, 2015, Sunnybrook Community Church, Sioux City. At home in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.

Daniel Terry and Cora Kugler 2014, Jan. 31, 2015, officiated by Dr. Bruce Forbes 1970, Charles City Hall, Morningside College. At home in Bakersfield, Calif.

Carlyn Wacker and Nick Lechtenberg, July 11, 2015, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Waukon, Iowa. At home in Elgin, Iowa.

Wagner & Poggenklass

Griffith & Nelson

Kumaki & Toyotani

Yosten & Standard

Vande Kieft & Keiper

Melia & Swan

Alumni Office Update

Bartel & Shobe

Parkhill & Greenlee

Jackes & DeNoble

Lewis & Guericke

Wacker & Lechtenberg

By Gene Ambroson

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us; and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt We, at Morningside College, have so much to be thankful for as we continue our mission in higher education. The continued blessings and support that we receive from you, our alumni and friends, is most appreciated. It is our aim to demonstrate to you, our partners in progress, our determination to continue to make Morningside College one of the best colleges in the Midwest.

Now the news. Lots of activity! Homecoming 2015 has come and gone. Homecoming 2016 is being planned and organized. Get ready! It’s a happening thing!

We constantly assess how things go at Homecoming and seek ways to enhance the alumni experience and make it more fun, more engaging, more inviting, more family-oriented, and an experience you walk away from saying WOW! We are getting there! As you know, we have come a long way in the past 10 years, but we are seeking ways to do things even better.

This year we tried a Friday night mixer with students and alumni at Bob Roe’s Point After. While our aim was to get alumni and students together – which we did – there were so many people that it got a little chaotic. As a result, we may re-think how we do Friday night next year. Your suggestions are always welcome.

We will continue to have the 50-year class reunion dinner on Friday evening at the president’s home. We will work with the 25-year class reunion to find a suitable venue, and we will work with a couple of affinity groups – that is, reunions based on activities on campus. Stay tuned! It may be your group!

Several months ago the Alumni Office had plans to form chapters across the country – starting on the outside fringes of the U.S. and moving inward toward the college. While at the time it made sense, we began to ask ourselves if it would be better to start at the center of activity – where we have a higher concentration of alumni – and gradually move outward?

Thus, we have decided to shelve our attempts at chapter formation in cities more than a few hours away. We will continue to have events in those areas. There just won’t be organized chapters.

We see a chapter as a self-sustaining group in an area where alumni are able to travel to and from a chapter event and not spend all day doing it!

As a result, we plan to start chapters this year in Des Moines and Omaha. We also are exploring how we would form a chapter in Sioux City and continue to support the upstart chapter in Kansas City. In addition to the chapter discussion, it is our plan to have an alumni event in the Twin Cities in April of 2016.

All of this, for me, is very exciting. Based on conversations I have had with alumni from the Des Moines and Omaha areas, they are very excited about working with the Alumni Office in the formation of chapters. Chapters are a lot of work! Thankfully, our alums are more than up for the challenge!

May the blessings of this special season be with you and your loved ones. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as we will you!

Mark your calendars for Homecoming 2016, Sept. 30–Oct. 1. Look out 2016 – here we come!!

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class notes

Morningside College sweethearts

Alumni share their stories

Jason 2003 and I met in 2000 while he was at Morningside and I was headed to UNI. After coming home every weekend to see him, he persuaded me to transfer to Morningside. The rest is history! We lived in Omaha for 10 years, had three boys there, and then came back to the Sioux City area and welcomed our little girl. We talk about Morningside often and would love for our kids to attend someday!

– Cheri (Jorgensen) Gehling 2003

Austin 2012 and I met during RA training at the YMCA ropes course in 2009. He proposed to me in front of the pergola in 2011, and we got married in 2012. This past December we welcomed our handsome little boy into the world. Thank goodness for Morningside College, where we fell in love!

– Kelsey (Kleinhesselink) Todd 2012

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Ray 1984 and I met in Morningside marching band in 1980 and started dating the next spring. We were married in 1984 and now have two grown daughters and a baby grandson. One of our daughters, Christine Harris, is a 2010 Morningside grad. We enjoy attending Homecoming festivities whenever we are able to make the trip.

– Jan (Hunt) Harris 1983

Jason 2010 and I met during freshman move-in weekend and started dating shortly after. We were married in 2010 after graduation, and Jason joined the military later that year. I stayed in Minnesota while he was stationed in many different places. He re-enlisted for another four years, and I was finally able to join him in May. We currently live in Hawaii. We are so grateful for our time at Morningside, and can’t wait to visit again with a family.

– Phia (Orke) Magill 2010 Cameron Scott 1999 and I both have a history with Morningside.

Cameron’s great-grandfather was President Earl Roadman, and my grandfather was a star athlete at Morningside in the 1930s. We met at Morningside in the summer of 1997, dated all through the rest of our college years and married in 2003. We now have three boys together and continue to live in the Sioux City area.

– Nicole (Blessing) Scott 2000

Morningside College is featured in new book

By Jenny Welp Thomas

Dr. Roger H. Martin, a longtime college president, featured Morningside College in his new book “Off to College: A Guide for Parents,” which was recently published by the University of Chicago Press.

The book gives parents an insider’s perspective on the first year of college. It answers a range of questions, from whether a campus job will hurt grades to what will happen if your child gets in trouble.

“The answers I give are based on my almost 40 years of experience in higher education, 20 of them as the president of two liberal arts colleges,” Martin wrote in his book. “The answers, however, are not just my own. They also come from the professionals (professors, deans, campus safety personnel, and health care professionals) who work in the trenches with first-year students…”

The book features five colleges: Queens College of the City University of New York in Flushing, N.Y.; Tufts University in Medford, Mass.; Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Washington College in Chestertown, Md.; and Morningside.

“I wanted to write about five very different colleges and universities,” Martin said. “I wanted places where I felt the first year was done well, so the people I would talk to at those institutions were people I could trust.”

Morningside is featured in two chapters of the book, one about living on campus and another about support for first-year students with disabilities.

Martin actually lived in Dimmitt Hall for a week to learn firsthand what it is like to live in the residence hall at Morningside.

“Parents sort of surreptitiously wish they could live in their child’s residence hall, but they can’t, of course,” he said. “So I was able to do what they really wish they could do and actually live on a freshman floor, talk to the students there and then write about it.”

After giving an insider’s perspective of college life, Martin encourages parents to let go.

“College isn’t just about academics; it’s also about learning how to grow up,” he said. “Support your child, but let them make mistakes because all college students make mistakes. We’re preparing them for four years later, when they’re going to go off into the real world.”

In addition to the book, Martin wrote a 2012 article for the New York Times that featured Morningside College. Recent graduate Alex Watters 2009 led Martin on a wheelchair tour of campus and shared his story. You can still find the article if you do a Google search for “Alex Watters” and “New York Times.” Watters now works at Morningside as an adviser for first-year students.

Martin has spent his entire career in higher education, first as a faculty member and later as an administrator. He was associate dean of the Divinity School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., from 1980 to 1986, president of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., from 1986 to 1997, and president of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., from 1997 to 2006.

In 2004, Martin took a six-month sabbatical from his job as president at Randolph-Macon College to enroll at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., as a 61-year-old freshman. He wrote about the experience in his book “Racing Odysseus: A College President Becomes a Freshman Again.”

Martin received an honorary doctorate from Morningside in 2009.

Photo by Keith Haluska.

Are you moving? Do you have an e-mail address?

Please let us know! Just send an e-mail to alumni@morningside.edu or write to the Alumni Office, Morningside College, 1501 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106.

Sioux City, IA 51106 Change Service Requested

Christmas at Morningside

Sing in Exultation Friday, December 4 • 7:30 p.m. • Eppley Auditorium • Free Admission

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