The Morningsider, Vol. 79/No. 1 - Spring 2024

WHY I LOVE MORNINGSIDE

I’ve spent most of my career working in both K-12 and higher education, and there are two universal truths educators know: 1) Building positive relationships with students matters and 2) Learning abounds when students have an inspired curiosity. Showing students you are genuinely interested in their lives, ideas, struggles, and triumphs—and that you want to help them reach their potential— it makes all the difference. Morningside University is a place where these truths are clearly understood by faculty and staff who intentionally and passionately care about, develop, and serve students while igniting the sparks of curiosity within them.

I have always been one to pursue a diverse range of opportunities in pursuit of knowledge and new experiences, and because of this, I was fortunate to know faculty and staff from multiple disciplines and departments across campus through various classes, work study jobs, extracurriculars, etc. It did not matter what department or campus office I was in—everyone was committed to the mission of the college and helping students. Countless professors and staff members opened my eyes and opened doors to opportunities that have shaped the core of who I am today.

Dr. David Elder encouraged me to submit a research paper I had written for his class for publication, helped me through the submission and editing process, and celebrated with me when the printed journal arrived months later in the mail. He later hired me as a writing consultant in The Writing Center and allowed me to hone my graphic design skills as an advertising major by designing posters for the center to put up around campus. The joint efforts of Dr. Elder and the student writing consultants to increase appointments was notable enough that we presented a poster on the topic at the International Writing Centers Association Conference in San Diego. All of this stemmed from a professor who believed in me and encouraged me to pursue an opportunity I didn’t even know existed.

After traveling on a short-term study abroad program to Cuba, and later spending a semester in Sicily, Italy, my life was transformed as I realized my insatiable curiosity about the larger world around me. It was the gateway to becoming a lifelong traveler, prompting me to work in international education in Boston, and later live and work abroad in Europe. Morningside planted these seeds of curiosity in me and thousands of other students. We are all empowered, lifelong learners because of it.

To me, Morningside was, and remains, a place where I have an abundance of meaningful human connections. It is the place where I built friendships that will last a lifetime. It is where I was encouraged, challenged, and supported by caring professors and staff who led with a students-first mindset. Now, as a proud alumna, I am part of a community of alumni with whom I can continue to celebrate my passion and gratitude for the institution that has given so much to me.

Demi

Morningside Avenues

$7.5 million gift from Dave Honeck ‘75 announced

In January, Morningside announced a generous $7.5 million gift from alumnus Dave Honeck ’75. This transformative donation will provide direct student support as well as enhance the student experience and support innovative new programs for which Morningside is well known.

Dr. Albert Mosley, in expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Honeck, highlighted the far-reaching implications of this gift for the future of Morningside. “We are incredibly grateful to Dave Honeck for his generous contribution. This gift has the potential to profoundly impact Morningside’s future, expanding educational opportunities, fostering innovation, and enabling more students to engage in the Morningside experience.”

A proud member of the Morningside community from Early, Iowa, Honeck earned his bachelor’s degree in 1975. At Morningside, he was active in football and track, a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and later pursued his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver Law School. Honeck served as an attorney in the Denver area before retiring and moving to Sioux City.

Honeck’s decision to make this vital gift to Morningside was inspired by his own undergraduate experience and the visible impact of Morningside graduates in the Siouxland community. He shared, “I wanted to give to an organization where I knew it would make a positive impact, and I was confident that a gift to Morningside would make a difference for students.”

Reaffirmation of accreditation earned through 2033

Following a three-year process toward comprehensive evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Morningside University has reaffirmed its accreditation through 2033. This official acknowledgment signifies the University’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality in higher education.

The efforts around Morningside’s comprehensive evaluation were led by Dr. Leslie Werden, professor of English and rhetoric, and Dr. Brian McFarland, associate vice president for academic affairs, and involved numerous faculty and staff across Morningside University.

“Earning the HLC accreditation renews our dedication to academic excellence and innovation. It represents a significant achievement for our institution,” said President Dr. Albert Mosley. “We take immense pride in this recognition, which underscores our commitment to providing a top-tier education to our students, and we are incredibly proud to have met all criteria with no concerns and no monitoring reports. My thanks to Dr. Werden and Dr. McFarland for their leadership throughout this process, as well as to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Chris Spicer and all those who diligently work to make Morningside a great place to learn and work.”

The Morningside Choir earns top national award

The Morningside Choir received national recognition by being awarded The American Prize in Choral Performance for the college/university division (smaller program), the top honor for a small program. As a part of winning The American Prize, Morningside Choir will receive both a physical and financial award.

“We are very honored to accept this special recognition on behalf of Morningside,” said Dr. Ryan Person, director of choral activities. “Since the choir’s inception in 1925, generations of Morningside Choir singers have lifted their voices together on our campus, and we feel humbled to carry on this special tradition. Finally, we could not be more grateful for the continued support of the entire Morningside administration, School of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Heath Weber, and our exceptional performing arts faculty.”

The Morningside Choir, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Person, is the University’s premier choral ensemble, annually traveling to regional, national, and international destinations.

MUSTANGMinute

COURTING SUCCESS

By Bailey Zubke

Fostering a legacy of excellence at Morningside

Morningside University alumnus Alex Struck '16, has made a strong return to his alma mater as men’s and women’s tennis coach. Since his hire in 2021, Struck has significantly expanded his roster to almost three times the size as when he arrived. His leadership last season propelled both teams to runner-up positions in the GPAC Championships. Building on that momentum, the teams boast an impeccable 5-0 record as of February 2024 and have garnered attention in the NAIA national rankings—an indication of a promising future for Mustang tennis.

As a former Mustang player, Struck set records for single-season wins, earned the All-GPAC title twice, and honed his skills under M Club Hall of Fame Coach Larry Mason '73.

“I’m grateful I got to play for Larry Mason. There was a lot about the game that he taught me, but he was able to teach me a lot more about life through tennis. That impacted my teaching career, and now back at Morningside, my coaching career,” Struck reflected.

In line with those lessons, Struck has established four core elements as the foundation for his team, each of which are emblazoned on the handle of four old tennis rackets: Family, Attitude, Effort, and Commitment.

“Family is the anchor of everything for our foundation,” Struck affirmed, stressing the significance of relationships over victories. “I went into teaching and coaching for relationships. It’s nice to win, obviously, but the relationships that are built within a team are what is really important, and those relationships often extend well beyond the four years at Morningside.”

This sense of unity was vivid during a recent match against Coe College, where the entire team rallied around a freshman player in a high-stakes moment, demonstrating the Mustangs' collective spirit.

“In a 4-4 match and one flight remaining, Christian Kelly had dropped his first set 6-4 and won his second 6-4. The other singles flights were wrapping up and everyone turned their attention to supporting him. There were even a couple of guys who were not in our main line-up that day who had previously been all-conference players, and they were right there cheering, too. It would have been easy for them to let resentment creep in and walk away, but the team was together on one court watching that match. Some of the loudest cheers came from people who didn’t have a spot that day,” shared Struck.

My goal is to try and lead the team as best as possible and give 100% both on and off the court so we can have a shot at the title.

-Mikhil Raja Sophomore Belvedere Harare, Zimbabwe

Through international recruitment efforts, Struck has also broadened the diversity of his team, which now includes 18 international students from 17 countries. The captains of the men’s team are Mark Trenkle, a junior from Lahr, Germany, and Mikhil Raja, a sophomore from Belvedere Harare, Zimbabwe. Both are standouts on the team and appreciate the welcoming environment Struck has fostered.

“It’s more difficult than people think being that far away from family, but when we got here we were greeted with a huge welcome sign with our names and a bag of cookies, and it was things like that that helped us quickly feel welcome,” Raja said.

Struck furthers the familial atmosphere on the team by hosting dinners alongside his wife Megan (Carlson) Struck '16, and inviting students unable to return home for holidays into their own home. Raja and Trenkle both acknowledge how much those gestures from their coach mean to them, but Struck is quick to emphasize that it is the commitment of his athletes that is worthy of being commended.

“I’ve made some airport trips to get students where we get back at 1 or 1:30 a.m. Raja and Trenkle have been there waiting at the door of the dorms to help carry bags, take them to their room, and show them around campus. Those students have traveled 14 hours and arrived in the middle of the night, and it means a lot that their teammates show up to love and support them like that. Those kinds of actions set the tone for the team,” said Struck.

The growth of international students on the tennis teams is part of a trend Morningside has been seeing over the last few years, with international students now making up a recordsetting 10 percent of the total undergraduate population. That overall growth has also been helpful in making students like Raja and Trenkle feel more at home.

“For me, there are a lot of Germans on the soccer team, and sometimes it is very comfortable for me to hang out with them and fall back on my main language because I have spoken it for my whole life. But it is also good to learn and experience new

things. This year we have players from every continent playing tennis. It’s cool to learn about the different cultures and get to know them,” said Trenkle.

As the teams learn from one another off the court, they are also working together to achieve some important goals on the court. Each team hopes to clinch a conference title—a feat yet to be achieved by the men's team and a long-awaited repeat for the women's team.

“My goal is to try and lead the team as best as possible and give 100% both on and off the court so we can have a shot at the title. That can only be done by working together, step-by-step and day-by-day,” said Raja.

For the first time ever, Morningside will host the GPAC Tournament at the Mason Family Tennis Complex. Struck is hopeful that with the growth of the program and the successes the team has experienced, the home court advantage might also be further leveraged.

“Hosting the tournament is a huge benefit to our program,” said Struck. “I’m optimistic that we can have a lot of people there to give us energy. There can be a stereotype among people who aren’t familiar with tennis that it is a quiet game with no energy, but college tennis has a lot of juice. I encourage people to come out and experience it. As a former Mustang I know what having Mustang fans cheering me on meant, and I would love to see more of the Mustang faithful at our meets to help us continue to grow that feeling of family around our teams.”

Delfina Stuzynska, Emma Dahlhoff, Abhishek Mohapatra, Eduard Cardelus

The three coaches are Larry Mason '73, Alex Struck '16, and Cole Renken.

The Magnanimous Miss Dimmitt

By Dr. Erin Edlund

A series celebrating the life and history of Lillian E. Dimmitt

PART THREE:

Throughout the 1930s, Miss Dimmitt continued to teach, lead, travel, and connect with her students. Upon retiring as the dean of women in 1941, she was honored as emeritus dean, yet she elected to continue her part-time teaching duties and campus residency until her final days.

It was during this period that Miss Dimmitt extended offers to select Morningside men to reside in her home and support her when required. To be one of “Miss Dimmitt’s boys” was a respected privilege. One alumnus fondly recalled to The Collegian Reporter in 1965,

"It is difficult to describe the feelings one has about and for such a person as Miss Dimmitt but having had the privilege of being one of 'her boys' as she called us, I know that each and every one of us held only the deepest love and respect for her. She was more than a landlady. She became our own 'Miss Dimmitt,' a friend, counselor, teacher, confidant, and a sort of part-time grandmother."

Indeed, Miss Dimmitt’s home was as much a part of Morningside as she was. She kept a guest book by the front door so that all who entered were asked to sign her book. The book became a living testament to her connection to every Morningside graduate, and served as a memory book for her. Miss Dimmitt frequently reviewed her guest registries, along with all her grade books, to remember and stay connected to her many students. Miss Dimmitt's commitment to diligent record-keeping became so legendary that alumni would often jest they wished she would dispose of her records because they sometimes chronicled academic struggles and occasional misdemeanors. Nevertheless, Miss Dimmitt faithfully protected the privacy of her students, ensuring that only she reviewed the grade books.

As part of her record-keeping processes, Miss Dimmitt was also well-known for frequent correspondence with her former students, regularly sending personal notes and news clippings that she happened upon. Both the Morningside University archives and many articles referencing Miss Dimmitt provide evidence of the hundreds if not thousands of cards, letters, and notes she sent to students over the years to maintain her connection to them. Miss Dimmitt took the relationships she built seriously, and she made every effort to maintain those relationships regardless of time or distance.

Miss Dimmitt's profound relationships and enduring connections not only bolstered Morningside's success but also brought her personal recognition. In January 1956, alumni Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Eerkes underwrote a contract with the artist Rolf Stoll to paint a portrait of Lillian E. Dimmitt to be hung in the drawing room of Dimmitt Hall. The Eerkes were 1924 graduates of Morningside and wanted to find a way to honor Miss Dimmitt’s legacy. Miss Dimmitt was overwhelmed and honored by the experience, going so far as to extensively document the journey through writing.

In the story that now lives in the Morningside University archives, Miss Dimmitt describes inviting her niece, Frances Jingle, to accompany her on the trip and assist her with

preparations. Miss Dimmitt had never flown before, and she also wrote that she had been quite concerned about finding a dress that was right for a portrait that would outlast herself. In the end, her fears were for not. The experience of flying was one that she found most enjoyable, and she also discovered that the artist Mr. Stoll was fully prepared to assist in making sure her portrait was the best it could be.

In her writing, the 89-year-old Miss Dimmitt recounted that at one point she had remarked to Mr. Stoll that he probably wished she were younger and more beautiful. She said he responded by saying,

“I’m going to answer that with a no. The conversation of a debutante has nothing inspiring to it. She wants to be sure to get the real length of her eyelashes, and eyelashes do not furnish an interesting subject of conversations.”

The portrait was completed later that same year and revealed at a special ceremony at Morningside in June 1956. It remains a fixture on campus as of 2024.

While the portrait was certainly a wonderful acknowledgement of Miss Dimmitt’s legacy, it was not the

(L to R) Miss Dimmitt; Mrs. David Steward, wife of the president of the Board of Trustees of Morningside College; Mrs. Thomas E. Tweito, wife of the Dean of the College; Mrs. Earl A. Roadman, wife of the former president of Morningside; and Mrs. J. Richard Palmer, wife of the president of Morningside College.

only honor she received. In 1948, Miss Dimmitt became the first recipient of the Woman of Achievement award in the Sioux City Journal. She was also named an “Honored Woman” of the Sioux City Business and Professional Women’s Club, was anonymously memorialized in the headquarters building of the Iowa Educational Association, and was also publicly honored by the Delta Kappa Gamma Mu chapter.

Upon reaching 65 years of service to Morningside in 1959, Miss Dimmitt received a special commendation at Morningside commencement from the Iowa Methodist conference bishop for her years of service to Christian education. In recognition of this achievement, U.S. President Dwight E. Eisenhower sent his personal well-wishes via telegram to Miss Dimmitt, writing,

“Through Congressman Charles B. Hoeven, I have learned that Miss Lillian E. Dimmitt, dean of women emeritus at Morningside College, will be honored at your commencement exercises on Monday. I understand that Miss Dimmitt has completed 65 years of service on the Morningside campus. During this remarkable career she has strengthened the lives of a host of students and by her devoted example she has advanced the highest traditions

of the college. Please give my congratulations and best wishes to her and the class of 1959.”

The occasion and telegram earned national media attention, with many noting that the 92-year-old Miss Dimmitt appeared to be one of the longest-serving educators to a single institution in the history of the United States.

Miss Dimmitt would go on to add another six years to her Morningside service, continuing to teach part-time and mentoring students from her home on the Morningside campus. She only stopped living and working at Morningside a few months before her death on Sept. 11, 1965, when she had to be moved to Sunrise Manor due to her declining health.

Following her death, news spread and mourners from across the country and around the world paid their respects to the woman who had seen Morningside College rise from the dust of University of the Northwest, helping it grow from a mere handful of students to more than 1,000.

Nearly 60 years later, Miss Dimmitt remains one of the most revered names in Morningside history. The Dimmitt Scholars program now honors full-time students who have completed at least 45 credits of college work with a cumulative grade point average between 3.50 and 3.75. The Dimmitt Fellowship on campus invites scholars to campus to complete a residency and work with Morningside students. Dimmitt Hall continues to be the largest residence hall on campus, housing both men and women. Miss Dimmitt’s former residence was purchased

Miss Dimmitt’s former residence was purchased by Morningside and dedicated as the Lillian E. Dimmitt Alumni House.

In January 1956, alumni Mr.

Mrs.

by Morningside and dedicated as the Lillian E. Dimmitt Alumni House on Oct. 21, 1983. Most recently, the Connie Wimer Women’s Leadership group on campus brought back the tradition of the Dimmitt Tea and will be awarding the inaugural Lillian Dimmitt Excellence in Women’s Leadership Award this spring to retiring Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment, Terri Curry.

While Miss Dimmitt’s name and title may not have been visibly connected with or fully captured the full breadth of the work she did on behalf of campus, Miss Dimmitt’s character and relationships with students, alumni, and colleagues tell a much richer story of her contributions to Morningside. Miss Dimmitt truly built a legacy through the lives she touched that has lived on for new generations of Morningsiders to know and celebrate. She is more than a memory. Miss Dimmitt is a living presence in this special place known as Morningside University.

If you read Lillian Dimmitt's story and liked it, email Dr. Erin Edlund at edlunde@morningside.edu for an exclusive Lillian Dimmitt sticker.

The first two volumes of "The Magnanimous Miss Dimmitt" were featured in the Spring and Fall 2023 issues of The Morningsider, available online at morningside.edu.

and

C. E. Eerkes underwrote a contract with the artist Rolf Stoll to paint the portrait of Lillian E. Dimmitt that currently hangs in the lobby of Dimmitt Hall.

ALUMNI AMBASSADORS

By Tasha Goodvin '14

THE NEXT GENERATION OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AT MORNINGSIDE

To more closely align with dynamic trends in alumni engagement, Morningside University has announced a strategic evolution in its approach towards alumni relations through a newly launched Alumni Ambassadors program.

The Morningside University Alumni Ambassadors program replaces the previous Morningside University Alumni Board as a more flexible option designed to increase inclusivity and engagement. Led by Alex Watters ‘09, director of alumni engagement, the shift recognizes the changing landscape in how our alumni connect and contribute to our university community.

“Over the past decade, the Alumni Board had struggled to define its purpose. When Dr. Erin Edlund, chief of staff and vice president for university engagement, began overseeing

this area and brought me on board in 2021, we launched an initiative to revisit this question by directly consulting our alumni. They expressed a strong desire to remain connected, prompting us to seek methods for making engagement more flexible and convenient. That included rethinking the Alumni Board’s structure,” Watters explained.

RESPONDING TO CHANGING BEHAVIOR

This pivot to a more modern, ambassador-led engagement model is designed to harness the collective power of our alumni community while granting them the autonomy to engage in ways that are meaningful to them. Watters believes this approach not only reflects current alumni behaviors but also sets a future-ready foundation for alumni relations at Morningside.

Alumni Engagement Director, Alex Watters '09, meets with a group of alumni in the Krone Center.

“Instead of a board limited to a small, local group, the Alumni Ambassadors can include up to 40 individuals nationally and globally from many different eras. We’re offering more meeting flexibility and aiming for broad representation from various regions and backgrounds to assist with events and to connect current students with internships, job shadowing, or other developmental opportunities,” said Watters.

Edlund echoes Watters' comments, stating, “The structure Alex is building offers a better fit for alumni from all walks of life, allowing for a more organic and impactful involvement. As the nature of networking and volunteering shifts towards a more project-based and digital-focused approach, the program honors Morningside’s tradition of connection and relationships while empowering alumni to engage on their terms – leading local meetups, mentoring current students, supporting virtual programs, and advisory assistance as needed.”

ABOUT THE INAUGURAL ALUMNI AMBASSADORS

The inaugural group of Alumni Ambassadors has 29 members from across the United States. The individuals who are part of it represent classes from 1969 to as recent as 2023. This ensemble also includes former Alumni Board members who are eager to continue their commitment to Morningside through this new format, a continuity Watters appreciates.

“Change isn’t always easy, but I appreciate that the Alumni Board supported the need to evolve in order to best serve Morningside University alumni. I want to sincerely thank all who have served on the Alumni Board for their dedicated service. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. I am also truly grateful for those who have agreed to continue their service as we start this new program.”

INAUGURAL ALUMNI AMBASSADORS

Jemar Lee, 2022

Josh Bliven, 2006

Jason Bennett, 2001

Jen Pottebaum, 2002

Molly Petersen, 2001

Brendan Pinto, 2015

Elizabeth Thies, 2019

Lisa (Cunningham) d'Auguste, 2006

Barbara (Brantley) Pitts, 1970

Heather (Nielsen) Appel, 2011

Laura (Scammacca) Schmitt, 1989

Ann Cole-Nelson, 1993

Kevin Zoz, 2012

Daniel Burow, 1992

Taera (Stille) Mulder, 2005

Ally Hecht, 2020

Marc Burkhart, 1975

Dennis Lauver, 1986

Daniel Frazier, 1980

Collin Adank, 2023

Joe Roepke, 1999

Paul Berger, III, 2003

Terry Alvarez, 1983

Lynae (Toom) Becker, 2015

Rick Amos, 1990

Heather Brown, 2012

Brian Johnson, 1983

Esther Mackintosh, 1969

Patrick O'Connell, 1991

Morningside University alumni interested in applying to be part of the Alumni Ambassadors program can find more information at morningside.edu.

Alex Watters ’09 Alumni Engagement Director

ELEVATING EDUCATION

for Aviation Takes Dreams to the Skies

By Dr. Erin Edlund

The conversation that led to the inception of the aviation program at Morningside University could be likened to a pilot being concisely told by air traffic control to standby for takeoff. Retired Colonel Brian Miller, the former commander of the 185th Air National Guard who now serves as director of aviation at Morningside, made a call to President Emeritus John Reynders just before the holidays in December 2018 to see if Reynders might be interested in sitting down to discuss the possibility of starting a flight school. Reynders replied that he appreciated the call and that he would get back to Miller after the new year. The conversation lasted under a minute.

Miller truly wasn’t sure that another phone call would happen, but Reynders was good to his word. In the weeks that followed, Reynders consulted with now retired Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bill Deeds, and the two had concurred that the idea was worth exploring. Conversations were quickly set up to bring the City of Sioux City, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Oracle Aviation, and Morningside together to develop a plan.

"The idea was simple yet audacious: create a flight program that leveraged our underutilized airport and forged a synergy between Morningside and the other players," Miller recounted. But as the winds of change blew, so did the onset of COVID-19, throwing a wrench into the plans. Determination prevailed, though, as the partners pushed forward their vision through nearly four years of turbulence caused by the pandemic and an array of challenges.

Department

Emphasizing the power of teamwork, Miller praised community collaboration as the force that transformed their vision into reality. "

None of this would have taken off if every single one of the partners hadn’t stepped up and made commitments to help hold all the pieces together. There are huge benefits for each partner involved, and the culmination of the efforts are going to result in world-class pilots and aviation management specialists being turned out from this program while also increasing traffic at our airport and creating more opportunities for Siouxland.”

TAKEOFF, EARLY ARRIVAL, AND DELAYS

At the heart of Morningside’s aviation venture is the construction of a 40,000 square foot dual-purpose facility at the Sioux Gateway Airport that will be used by Morningside and Oracle Aviation, a fixed-base operator (FBO) based in Omaha. Oracle will use the hangars and first-floor spaces for its operations, and the second floor of the facility will house offices and classrooms to be used by the Morningside University Department of Aviation.

“The building is going to introduce new generations of pilots and aviation management professionals to the skies, and it will also act as a catalyst for increased airport traffic and funding that will amplify Sioux City’s economic development,” said Miller. “Coastto-coast flights are now going to want to be able to stop in Sioux City to refuel. Not only will we be able to get them landed and back in the air quickly, but they are going to see this

[The new facility is] going to showcase Sioux City and Morningside in an impressive way that will help give us not only a national reputation, but a global one as well.

-Brian Miller Director

of Aviation

beautiful facility and the name Morningside University on the flight school. It’s going to showcase Sioux City and Morningside in an impressive way that will help give us not only a national reputation, but a global one as well.”

While the original timelines foresaw the building being completed in fall 2023 followed by the launch of the program in 2024, the arrival of President Dr. Albert Mosley at Morningside marked the acceleration of plans. Sensing the palpable enthusiasm surrounding the program and the soaring need for aviation expertise, Mosley and the Morningside executive leadership team made the announcement that the inaugural class would happen one year earlier in fall 2023.

This advancement was made possible due in large part to the strategic hiring of Aaron Diedrichs as chief flight instructor. Working alongside Miller, Diedrichs quickly mobilized the initial phases of the program and recruited 16 students to start in fall 2023, 11 of whom planned to pursue the professional flight program. Though the opening of the facility was delayed, Diedrichs managed to make the necessary pivots while keeping the momentum behind the program moving forward.

“Ideally we would have loved to have been in the facility when the program launched last fall, but we adjusted and students are

The aviation program at Morningside is more than a curriculum. Whether they want to play college football while getting flying time to become a commercial pilot, or whether they want to manage the many components that go into flying while enjoying life in the residence halls or singing, the Morningside Department for Aviation can give students an outstanding experience and help make dreams a reality.

-Aaron Diedrichs Chief Flight Instructor

Freshman, Trevor Paulsen, with the flight simulator.

I knew my flight meant the first student to fly would be a woman, and there aren’t a lot of women pilots out there. It felt good to know that other little girls out there would see me on the news and maybe see themselves as a pilot, too.

-Valerie Mejia freshman Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

still learning and flying. We have strong partners behind us, and that has helped a lot,” shared Diedrichs. Diedrichs also cites the location of the airport itself as being a major benefit to the program.

“Being at Sioux Gateway Airport, Morningside is fortunate to have runways, four-season flying weather, and an FAA control tower right on the field that few other programs have. We have military, commercial airline, aero-medical, and corporate all flying on one field, and our airspace is relatively uncongested with our training space just five minutes out after takeoffsomething a lot of programs just don’t have. When you combine all the advantages of our airport and location with the fact these students also get to enjoy all the benefits of being a Morningside student, it isn’t hard to see we really are shaping a world class training environment.”

THE THRILL OF FLIGHT

Two students among the inaugural class are Valerie Mejia, a freshman from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and Trevor Paulsen, a freshman from Yankton, S.D.

Valerie is the daughter of a commercial airline pilot and has been dreaming of following in her father’s footsteps since middle school. She was thrilled when Morningside launched the program because of the close proximity to her home and family.

Meanwhile, Trevor is a football player who has loved planes since he was five. He had been planning on pursuing exercise and sport science in college so he could continue to play football, but when he saw that Morningside would allow him to get a pilot’s license and be part of the Mustangs dynasty his plans changed. Each is loving the excitement that has accompanied the launch of the program. “Whenever people ask me about college and my major and I tell them I’m part of the aviation program, they immediately are excited and impressed,” said Paulsen. “It’s fun to be part of something people are really interested in.”

Mejia found herself getting a big share of the spotlight on the program when she became the first student to fly as part of the newly launched program in early September. With media on the ground and plenty of cameras pointed her way, Mejia recognized her moment as one with meaning beyond herself.

“I knew my flight meant the first student to fly would be a woman, and there aren’t a lot of women pilots out there. It felt good to know that other little girls out there would see me on the news and maybe see themselves as a pilot, too,” Mejia shared. “It was a little nerve wracking knowing so many eyes were on me, but once we got into the plane the nerves went away. Everything we had learned was in my mind and I felt confident. It felt amazing to finally get to take off and get up in the air to do the thing I want to spend my life doing.”

Echoing the sentiment of blossoming confidence, Paulsen recounted a moment he had during his second solo flight. After a successful takeoff into quiet air space, Paulsen suddenly had five other planes enter the traffic pattern – a number of planes that many delta airports won’t even allow because of how congested it makes the air traffic.

When you combine all the advantages of our airport and location with the fact these students also get to enjoy all the benefits of being a Morningside student, it isn’t hard to see we really are shaping a world class training environment.

-Aaron Diedrichs Chief Flight Instructor

“There was a helicopter, and a KC 135, and some other jets. I was getting extended down and the tower was telling me to keep waiting. It was stressful, but I just stuck to my training and listened closely to the tower. It felt good to know that everything I am learning at Morningside is going to equip me to handle the unexpected,” recalled Paulsen.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

Reflecting on all that has happened in the short life of the program so far, Diedrichs is proud of what he has seen students like Paulsen and Mejia accomplish in such a short time. He also knows that the rich experiences they have had so far are only the beginning of what is to come.

more take-off and landings at Sioux Gateway Airport

“The aviation program at Morningside is more than a curriculum. It enables students to captain their own destinies by giving them top-notch aviation experiences while also being able to have the opportunities and relationships that are the bedrock of the Morningside experience. Whether they want to play college football while getting flying time to become a commercial pilot, or whether they want to manage the many components that go into flying while enjoying life in the residence halls or singing, the Morningside Department for Aviation can give students an outstanding experience and help make dreams a reality,” said Diedrichs.

anticipated increase in demand for over the next two decades

763,000 pilots

the annual median salary for airline pilots $202,180

The current progress on the 40,000 square foot dual-purpose facility at the Sioux Gateway Airport that will be used by Morningside and Oracle Aviation.

THE FIRST MOSASAUR FOSSIL FOUND IN IOWA

By Bailey Zubke

When a local community member, Tyler McDonald, discovered a fossil in a load of gravel in 2015, he was unsure what to do with it or who to ask. After holding onto it for a few years and reaching out to a variety of people, he was eventually connected with Dr. Kurt Spearing, an associate professor in the Natural & Mathematical Sciences Department.

Spearing has been with Morningside for 14 years and teaches courses in human anatomy, vertebrate paleontology, and comparative vertebrate anatomy. His doctoral research was focused on sabertooth cat fossils in the United States, and he has continued his work both in the field and in the lab. “I have done some work with dinosaurs, but a lot of my research has been with smaller invertebrate organisms,” Spearing said. “In my Ph.D., I worked with fossil cats like sabertooth cats. Believe it or not, there actually used to be cheetahs right here in the center of North America.”

Most recently, Spearing was approached about a fossil found in a gravel pit in northwest Iowa in 2015. In 2021, Dr. Clint Boyd of the North Dakota Geological Survey, who is a close friend of Dr. Spearing, reached out to Spearing about the fossil. “Tyler McDonald is a roofer, so he works with gravel for a lot of his large scale projects, and in one of those loads of gravel, he found something that looked like a fossil,” Spearing said. “Through a series of social media pages, Tyler was connected with a close friend of mine in North Dakota, who contacted me about this fossil.”

While Spearing is familiar with Mosasaur fossils from early in his career, he hadn’t come across one in Iowa. Upon further investigation it turned out this find was unique. Spearing's investigation showed there hadn’t been a Mosasaur fossil discovered in Iowa, and when he took this discovery to the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October, no one disputed his claim.

“Over the course of the last couple years, I was able to do some research with it and confirm that it was what we thought it was,” Spearing said. “This fall, I presented at an international conference where the title of my talk was, ‘The First Mosasaur Fossil Found in Iowa.’”

The fossil is a set of three caudal vertebrae from a Plioplatecarpine Mosasaur. This fossil can be found around the Midwest because this region of the country used to be underwater and Sioux City would’ve been coastal property in that time, Spearing said.

“A Mosasaur is a marine reptile, kind of like a Komodo Dragon or a Monitor Lizard, but picture one of those that is 20-to-30 feet long with flippers instead of legs,” Spearing said. “These guys were probably the top predator of their time, and they lived from roughly 100 million years ago to about 66 million years ago. During the time when the dinosaurs were around in the Mesozoic, most of the Great Plains was actually underwater.”

This fossil can be found around the Midwest because this region of the country used to be underwater and Sioux City would’ve been coastal property in that time.

-Kurt Spearing Associate Professor

Spearing has done research with students over the years as well. Recently, Spearing has worked with a student (Riley Farrington '20) on a small fossil dog from North Dakota. That research will be published soon. Most of Spearing’s research work with students has been in the anatomical field, but a handful of students have shown interest in extinct animals and fossils.

“Some colleagues of mine and I found a fossil where the ear bones are actually intact in this fossil cat, which is almost unheard of,” Spearing shared. “Ear bones are tiny, tiny things, and they usually disintegrate or get lost. I had a student working with me to compare the fossil ear bones to a cat’s ear bones today.”

Spearing has also taken students to the field to search for and research fossils outside of the Walker Science Center. Outside of teaching class and working on research with his students, Spearing occassionally has community members visit him with questions about a fossil or unusual rock they have once a year or so. “A few months ago, someone from the community brought in what was essentially part of a mammoth molar that had been worn away so badly it didn’t really look like bone,” Spearing said. “The guy who found it knew it was something unusual and he wanted to bring it in and have someone look at it.”

Spearing and his students are usually willing to take a look at anything unique that the community brings to their attention. Sometimes, like in the case of the molar or the Mosasaur, something is unique enough that it is fairly easy to identify, but there are cases where Spearing and his students have to conduct additional research to identify the fossil.

As for what’s next, Spearing is focusing on finishing up his research on the Mosasaur and continuing his field work in North Dakota. One day, he would love to excavate a saber tooth skeleton. “My dissertation research dealt with fossil cats, including the saber tooth, so it would be really interesting to excavate or discover and excavate a saber tooth skeleton,” Spearing said. “There have not been very many found in a one state or so radius of here. They should be there, there just haven’t been that many discovered and that would be really interesting.”

Spearing encourages people who have fossils or unique looking rocks that they want to learn more about to reach out to him, and students who are interested in fossil research can also contact him to get more information.

Dr. Kurt Spearing with the mosasaur fossil.

Image of a mosasaur.

Eleven elected to Board of Directors

Jodi (Sohn) Bacon of Des Moines, Iowa, a 1991 graduate who recently retired as the vice president of compensation and talent at Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Chris Bogenrief of North Sioux City, S.D., a 1994 graduate who is president and owner of NAI United.

Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai of Des Moines, Iowa, who will serve as an ex-officio member in her capacity as bishop of the Iowa Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church.

Cy Chesterman III of Sioux City, Iowa, a 1991 graduate who is president of Chesterman Company.

Scott Kerkhoff of Coralville, Iowa, attended Morningside in the early 90's and is president of Midwest Surplus.

Meredith (Davis) Lang of Minneapolis, Minn., a 2002 graduate and organizational development business partner with Endeavor Air.

The Morningside University Board of Directors elected 11 new members who officially joined the board June 1, 2023.

"These individuals represent a diverse tapestry of industries that reflect our commitment to inclusivity and broad perspectives at the helm of our institution's future. I look forward to the energy and perspective they will add as we shape the future of Morningside University.”

-Dr. Albert Mosley

Nolan Lubarski of North Sioux City, S.D., chief executive officer of CNOS.

Tim McCabe of North Sioux City, S.D., a 1988 graduate and president of Sterling Computers.

Khalid Rasheed of Sioux City, Iowa, a former member of the Morningside University Board of Directors.

Ray Scott of Jacksonville, Fla., a 1991 graduate and CEO of RAAS Holdings & Real Estate Development.

Erica Thein of Minneapolis, Minn., a 2002 graduate who is vice president for food and beverage owned brands for Target Corporation.

Morningside's new animal ambassador

Say hello to our charming campus Golden Retriever, Bette Watters!

Bette’s the top dog of Morningside University’s Animal Ambassador program. With her sunny disposition and waggy tail, she’ll greet you like an old friend, even if it’s your first meeting. Bette’s got this canine sixth sense when it comes to knowing who might want to give her a good ear scratch and who needs a comforting paw to hold. She’s always ready for a photo opp, too, somehow knowing when to flash her sweet doggy smile.

Bette’s not just about the fun and games, though. As an animal ambassador, she plays a pivotal role at Morningside. She’s a furry comfort resource for students during the high-stress periods, exam times, or even if they just miss their own pooches back home. Whenever you spot a golden flash of fur on campus, that’s Bette, spreading her love and good vibes to everyone she meets.

While Bette does not work on campus full-time, she keeps regular office hours alongside her dad, Alumni Engagement Director Alex Watters, in the Krone Center. She is also available to make special appearances at campus events (assuming her schedule allows) by contacting Alex or Erin Edlund.

If you’re someone who prefers to admire dogs from a distance, we totally understand. Everyone has their own comfort levels when it comes to our furry friends. When you spot our sunshine girl trotting around campus or if you are attempting to enter Krone Center when she is there, feel free to let us know if you’d prefer not to have a close encounter. We’ll promptly ensure that Bette maintains a respectful distance, letting you enjoy your day in your own comfort zone. After all, Morningside University is all about celebrating each person’s unique preferences.

If you are interested in stopping by to see Bette when she is in Krone Center, keep an eye out for our BETTE IN/OUT sign on the office door. All are always welcome in Krone regardless of whether or not Bette is there!

Pingel, Williams named College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans

College Sports Communicators announced its Academic All-Americans for the 2023 football season, naming Isaac Pingel and KJ Williams First Team Academic All-Americans for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics division. Pingel, a linebacker from Spencer, Iowa, tallied 65 solo tackles, which ranked third in the country, and 113 total tackles, which ranked eighth.

Williams, who was a special teams selection, is a running back from North Liberty, Iowa. He ranked third in the country in average yards per return, with 30.7 yards per return. The CSC Academic All-American program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for a combination of success on the field and in the classroom, requiring that nominees maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and participate in at least 50 percent of games played in a season.

Morningside celebrates National First Gen Day

In our continuing work to support our students' diverse educational journeys while increasing access and opportunity for all students, Morningside University hosted a celebration of its First Gen students, faculty, and staff on National First Generation Day, Nov. 8. The event served to honor the determination and achievements of students who are the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree.

Currently, First Gen students make up around 20 percent of Morningside’s overall student population. During his first year on campus, President Dr. Albert Mosley committed to investing further in First Gen students at Morningside through scholarships and programs designed to offer additional support. The Nov. 8 event was part of that ongoing effort.

Human Rights Essay Contest winners announced

Morningside University is proud to announce that students Ellie Barber, Elaine Morgan, and Ezinne Odigbo are the winners of the 2023 Human Rights Essay Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Morningside University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The first-year student winner was Ezinne Odigbo. Ellie Barber won second-place for upper-level students, and Elaine Morgan won first place. Odigbo is a freshman from Lekki in the Lagos State, Nigeria, who is majoring in computer science and marketing. Barber is a junior political science major from Sioux City, Iowa. Morgan is a senior psychology major who hails from Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Essay contest winners Elaine Morgan, Ezinne Odigbo, and Ellie Barber

Dr. Mosley with Monte the Mustang and First Gen students

Josie Dike and Kailin Pippenger

2023 Sharon Walker Faculty Excellence Award winners

The Sharon Walker Faculty Excellence Awards were established by Jim and Sharon Walker ’70 in 2003. Criteria for selection include teaching excellence, effective advising, scholarship, and service to Morningside University. The awards are based upon the accomplishments and activities of a faculty member during the previous academic year using both submitted materials and in-person evaluations conducted by a panel of three outside evaluators. Each winner receives an honorarium and funds to use for faculty development.

Dr. Stacey Alex began her time at Morningside in 2019. She is a faculty member in the humanities department leading the Spanish program and also serves as the chair of the campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. As a faculty member, Alex regularly integrates experiential learning opportunities into her teaching to allow students to become involved in the community, attend organized cultural events, and take part in service activities. Alex holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa and completed her PhD in Latin American Literary and Cultural Studies at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Brandon Boesch joined Morningside in 2018 and has created a learning community in his classroom centered on mutual respect and collaboration that encourages his students to further explore their insights and inquiries. Boesch is also active on numerous campus committees, including serving on a subcommittee for Morningside’s recent decennial visit from the Higher Learning Commission. Boesch earned his undergraduate degrees in philosophy, Spanish, and biology with minors in theology and chemistry from Benedictine College and his PhD in philosophy from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Ryan Person started teaching and directing in the School of Visual and Performing Arts in 2018. He is incredibly well connected and involved with music educators across the country and around the world, regularly involved with camps and clinics and earning invitations to serve as guest conductor for countless performances. Person recently earned the honor of being titled the ‘Outstanding Collegiate Choral Educator of the Year’ by the Iowa Choral Directors Association. Person holds a bachelor’s degree from Luther College, a master’s degree from Michigan State University, and a DMA from Texas Tech University.

Award winners Dr. Stacey Alex, Dr. Brandon Boesch, and Dr. Ryan Person

2023 Thomas S. Thompson Staff Excellence Award Winners

Morningside University presented its 2023 Thomas S. Thompson Staff Excellence Awards in December. Recipients of the award are selected annually based on their demonstration of outstanding dedication, service, and commitment to Morningside and its students. Each winner receives a cash bonus. The Thompson Staff Awards are funded by an endowment established in memory of Thomas S. Thompson who served as president of Morningside from 1969 to 1978.

Stacie Hays has worked at Morningside since 2005, most recently serving as the associate vice president for careers, life, and success. Hays has been pivotal in Morningside achieving a 99 percent job and graduate school placement rate for more than a decade due to her outstanding work in building relationships with regional employers and developing programming that prepares students for life after Morningside. Additionally, Hays recently upstarted a peer mentoring program to support retention efforts that helped contribute to a five percent increase in retention over the last year.

Tom Maxon has served as head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Morningside since 1999. He was honored for regularly going the extra mile to ensure students have a rich and meaningful Morningside experience, as well as leading the soccer teams to gain regular conference and national honors both on and off the field. Further, his abilities as a recruiter have helped significantly grow international student enrollment at Morningside while also enhancing the overall experience for international students attending Morningside.

Jodie Nieman has been employed as a housekeeper as part of the facilities team since 2009. Nominators describe her as an unsung hero behind Morningside’s well-kept campus who is known for her relentless dedication to making sure the campus gleams with an unblemished shine, meticulously attending to every detail of her job. Nieman is also beloved by students, regularly sharing a smile or thoughtful exchange as she goes about her work to help make Morningside more welcoming for students.

Employee of the Year

Angie Zuehl has been an employee at Morningside since 2016. Named both a 2023 Thomas S. Thompson Award winner and the Employee of the Year, Zuehl is noted for her bright personality and positive attitude. Nominators shared that Zuehl has a multifaceted role that she manages adeptly, handling a variety of administrative duties, greeting visitors, and assisting students in a variety of ways. She is described as skilled at managing difficult situations and resolving conflict, and is well known for her willingness and ability to pick up extra tasks when needed. Zuehl has also demonstrated significant personal courage in the last year as she faces serious medical challenges, with nominators underscoring that those circumstances have not diminished her work ethic or spirit.

Yockey Assessment Award Winners Announced

Two Morningside faculty members, Dr. Jessica LaPaglia and Dr. Anni Moore, and the Applied Agricultural & Food Studies Department have received the 2023 Dr. William C. Yockey Assessment Awards. The awards recognize outstanding efforts to improve student learning at Morningside. They were established by the family of the late Dr. William C. Yockey, a 1949 Morningside graduate and chemistry professor at Morningside for more than 30 years.

Dr. Jessica LaPaglia, an associate professor of psychology who has been at Morningside since 2013, was recognized for her work in her research methods in her psychology course. Using past assessment data, LaPaglia has implemented continuous improvement to inform changes to writing assignments so as to better student performance. External evaluators were impressed with the effectiveness of the small tweaks for improvement, as well as the use of qualitative survey responses to inform the quantitative data. LaPaglia received her bachelor’s degree from Augsburg University and her master’s and PhD from Iowa State University.

Dr. Anni Moore is an associate professor of biology who has been at Morningside since 2014. Moore was selected for the award for assessment work she did in a genetics course she teaches, examining biases when making ethical decisions. Moore presented students with different ethical case studies to help reveal biases and demonstrate how different models may be used for different cases. Evaluators noted that it was interesting to see how the assessment demonstrated that different theories of distributive justice varied with the types of scenarios presented in the case studies. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree and a PhD from Northern Illinois University.

Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Department was selected as the William C. Yockey Programmatic Assessment Award recipient for 2023. Evaluators remarked as to the use of authentic artifacts in assessing student learning within the department and the use of multiple raters to examine the artifacts. Overall, the department was credited with doing excellent work in assessing student performance, using ratings from practicum supervisors to provide an outside perspective on student performance, and practicing continuous improvement to make adjustments for student learning.

Dr. Annie Kinwa-Muzinga

Kinwa-Muzinga Selected for Global Guides Program

Dr. Annie Kinwa-Muzinga, professor of agribusiness, was selected for the elite Global Guides program hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation and the Global Teach Ag Network. This prestigious program is part of the World Food Prize and the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. It brings together top educators for a blend of immersive learning experiences. Dr. Kinwa-Muzinga engaged in two months of digital preparation, then took part in the Borlaug Dialogue where she interacted with global food security experts. Over the next five months, she will apply her expertise and insights by designing impactful global learning projects. Dr. Kinwa-Muzinga's participation underscores the critical role of educators in addressing global food insecurity and contributes to Morningside University's commitment to fostering meaningful global engagements.

Dr. Anni Moore, Dr. Jessica LaPaglia, Dr. Tom Paulsen, and Dr. Albert Mosley

2023 Employee Service Awards Announced

Morningside is proud to recognize employees who have reached milestones in their years of service at the university.

5 YEARS: Dr. Brandon Boesch, assistant professor of philosophy; Dr. Elizabeth Coody, assistant professor of religious studies; Dr. Erin Edlund, chief of staff and vice president for university engagement; Adam Hilker, assistant baseball coach; Dr. Annie Kinwa-Muzinga, professor of applied agricultural and food studies; Dr. Erik Mahon, assistant professor of music; Melissa Nelson, internship/externship coordinator for the Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Department; Dr. Ryan Person, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music; Brooke Pruner, head softball coach; Steven Ricke, assistant director of admissions; Diane Shanafelt, assistant professor of education; and Dan Witten, assistant professor of applied agricultural and food studies.

10 YEARS: Nick Buth '11, sports information director; Randi (Mann) Hudson '05, associate director of student financial planning; Dr. Jessica LaPaglia, associate professor of psychology; Dr. Brian McFarland, associate vice president of academic affairs; Bobbi (Eberly) Meister '00, personal counselor; Dr. Kari (Skalisky) Varner '07, associate professor of nursing; and Alex Watters '09, alumni engagement director.

15 YEARS: Renee Bock, registrar’s office associate, and Carla Gregg, director of applications in information technology.

20 YEARS: Dr. Shar Georgesen, professor of nursing; Twyla Rosenbaum, professor of accounting; and Dr. Dave Slaven, associate professor of physics.

25 YEARS: Dr. Eric Canning associate professor of mathematics, and Amy (Gerdes) Williams-Malenosky '98 senior associate director of admissions.

20 years 25 years

Dr. Shar Georgesen Twyla Rosenbaum

Dr. Dave Slaven

Dr. Eric Canning Amy Williams-Malenosky '98

Class Notes

Catch up with your Morningside Community in these pages. Have something to share? Send us your good news, job updates, big life moments, or anything you’d like us to know.

Milestones and Memories

1972

Michael Schmidt was elected as the new president of the 40,500-member Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

1982

After 17 years as CEO of the Iowa Association of Community Providers, and 40 years as a provider, advocate, and lobbyist in the mental health and disability services industry, Shelly (Miller) Chandler retired in June. She and her husband, John, have recently moved to Red Wing, Minn.

1973

Rev. Msgr. Mark Duchaine retired from active ministry as a priest in the Catholic Diocese Of Sioux City in 2021. He served as a diocesan judicial vicar for 33 years and a diocesan vicar general for eight years. He was declared a prelate of honor by Pope Saint John Paul II with the title 'Monsignor' in 1998. He now resides in Mesa, Ariz.

Sandra (Popenhagen) Craig retired from BoxTech, LLC. Her title at the time of retirement was accounting consultant and she worked for the company for eight years. She recently moved to Lincoln, Neb. with her husband Bob Craig '87

1974

After his time at Morningside, Donald Enockson went on to the University of Arkansas and obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1977, and then lived in Little Rock Arkansas for the next ten years with his wife and two children, Coleman and Mary Cat '00. They then moved to Minnesota where he attended the University of Minnesota Law School and obtained his J.D. in 1990. After 33 years as a family law attorney, Don retired from the practice of law in 2023.

1972

Eugene Buccelli turned 80 years old this January, and he and his wife Connie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

He resides in White Bear Lake, Minnesota with his wife of 47 years, the former Dot Durbin. They have three grandchildren. Don stays in touch with Morningside through his father William Enockson ’51 and brother Bill Enockson ’72, who both live in Sioux City, and through the many alumni who attend the annual Snoot/Jake/Whip golf outing in Okoboji each year in August.

1977

Dr. Kent Boyer accepted online teaching positions with two of the industry leaders in online education. He will be teaching a new required diversity, equity and inclusion course for South University and a series of new humanities classes for Southern New Hampshire University.

CLASS NOTES

1982

Cindy (Barrett) Brewer was selected volunteer of the year for Sioux City Boards and Commissions by the Sioux City City Council 2023. She was on the Sioux City Advisory Board for Parks and Recreation and was commended on the work she did co-chairing with Susan (Richmann) Chartier '83

1983

Cindy (Smith) Burkitt celebrated 20 years at FirstFleet, Inc in Dec. 2023.

1984

Kelly (Phillips) Kamowski's business CMBCartoons was certified in May 2023 as a woman-owned business by the Women Business Enterprise National Council. CMBCartoons is a nine-year-old cartoon advertising company. Kamowski is the CEO/Co-creator of CMB-Cartoons and the brand, Compassionate Cartoons Phillips-Kamowski and syndicated cartoonist, Stephanie Piro, published their first book from their Compassionate Cartoons brand on Amazon this year. The book, Compassionate Cartoons about Divorce, has been well-received by divorce lawyers, psychologists, and families going through divorce.

1986

The National Association of Realtors has selected Dennis Lauver to serve as a member of its Federal Taxation Committee. The committee works to help impact federal tax policy that impacts real estate. Lauver is a broker/owner of a 20-licensee realtor firm in Clinton, Iowa.

1989

Chris Steinback has been hired as development director for Historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

1991

Troy Sparks accepted a new position with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier for the City of Milwaukee.

1992

Dennis Reyman received the D. Howard Doane Award for lifetime contributions to agriculture in the fields of farm management and rural appraisal from the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers at their annual meeting in Nashville on November 15, 2023. He earned both the accredited farm manager and accredited rural appraiser titles, and served as national government relations committee chair for over a decade, representing farm managers

and their clients and later rural appraisers. He served as Iowa Chapter president in 2009 and ASFMRA national president in 2020/21. Reyman has been a long-time partner in Stalcup Agricultural Service in Storm Lake, Iowa.

1998

Michelle (Coyle) Drees received the Excellence in Education Award for her work at Danbury Catholic.

1999

Nancy (Vaughn) Bogenrief retired from CF Industries after 39 years. Her title at the time of retirement was accounting manager.

Abby Goodlaxson was named the 2023 Iowa Association of Track Coaches (IATC) Middle School Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Michelle (Stocks) Reichardt accepted a new position with Southeast Polk Community School District as a title I math teacher at Four Mile Elementary. Previously she taught fourth grade from 2000-2023.

2009

Kayla (Weerheim) Engleman and Jason Engleman '11 were the first husband and wife duo to ever be inducted into West Sioux's Athletic Booster Club Hall of Fame.

1984

Steptoe & Johnson attorney Larry Rector was appointed the honorary consul of Japan in Charleston, W.V. Rector's appointment marks the first of its kind in the state of West Virginia by the Government of Japan.

CLASS NOTES

1988

Lisa (Grubb) Niebuhr joined the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa's Board of Directors where she's the chair of public relations, advocacy, and marketing committee. Lisa says "My husband, Paul ('87), and I have three children. Our youngest, Evan, was diagnosed with dysarthria at the age of 2. We worked tirelessly over the years with specialists and educators. Evan overcame his speech disability, graduated from Gehlen Catholic, and went on to Iowa State. Through the FIRE Foundation, we can assist Catholic schools and families so every child is achieving his/her dreams.”

2011

Jacob Widman accepted a new position where he will serve as the director of finance for the City of Clear Lake.

Cindy Belson accepted a special education position at River Valley High School.

2013

Daniel Cunningham accepted a new position as distribution manager at Glen Gery where he is in charge of customer service, inventory and scheduling the brick plant.

Justin Tjaden has launched his campaign as an independent candidate for Ohio State District 99.

2015

Jeremy Ogle was re-elected to his third term as a board member at Western Iowa Tech.

2016

Jared Schramm accepted a new position at Woodbury Central as the vocational ag/ industrial technology instructor and FFA advisor.

2019

Lucas Schwery accepted a new position as a physical therapist at Manning Regional Healthcare Center.

The Council Bluffs Community School district announced Shea Patterson as the new head baseball coach at Thomas Jefferson.

2020

Eric Meyer was chosen as the Minnesota State Speech Coach of the Year for 2023.

After being sworn in as a licensed attorney in the State of Iowa, Tyler Haberman began a new job as the law clerk to the Honorable Judge Samuel Langholz on the Iowa Court of Appeals, where

he assists him in conducting legal research, drafting, reviewing opinions, and preparing case summaries to assist the judge with the disposition of cases.

2022

Lexie Stolen was named head coach of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School's softball team.

2023

Anna Van Dusen accepted a position at Baxter CSD as the 6-12 grade agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.

Angela Parker passed the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Board exam after graduating from Morningside with a MSN in adult-gerontology nurse practitioner.

2003

Two education program friends from Morningside, Jenny (Hulce) Johnson and Nicholas Kleve, both completed their 20th year of teaching in South Sioux City School District. They completed their undergraduate education degree in 2003 and graduate degrees in 2006. They were recognized at the start of their 21st year of teaching in South Sioux City.

Future Morningsiders

2007

Alicia (Baier) Everton and Tim Everton welcomed Anastasia Everton on Oct. 2, 2023.

2009

Molly (Dennis-Dress) Yock and Nathan Yock welcomed Hudson Patrick Yock on Dec. 26, 2023.

2010

Shannon (Hettinger) Jensen and Seth Jensen welcomed Sydney Claire Jensen on Jan. 26, 2024.

2019

Molly (McInnis) Beauchene and Jake Beauchene '18 welcomed Grayson Beauchene on June 15, 2023.

Miranda (Shipley) Klemme and Matthew Klemme '17 welcomed Boston Klemme on Sept. 28, 2023.

Kaitlyn (Polk) Thomas and Dylan Thomas welcomed Korbyn O’brayant Thomas on Feb. 9, 2024.

2021

Chrissa (Deeds) Gray and Colton Gray welcomed Nash Gray on March 3, 2023.

Nash Gray

Korbyn O’brayant Thomas

Boston Klemme

Hudson Patrick Yock

Grayson Beauchene

Sydney Claire Jensen

Newlyweds

1997

Missy (Hardersen) Clark and Dan Clark, Oct. 13, 2023.

2017

Kenzie (Anderson) Karcher and Kyle Karcher, Dec. 9, 2023.

2018

Ethan Scheffler and Abigail (Fitzgerald) Scheffler '20, Nov. 18, 2023.

2019

Kylee (Goodvin) Borchers and Alex Borchers '20, Sept. 30, 2023.

Erica (White) Olson and Tyler Olson, Oct. 7, 2023.

Niccole (Wolken) Gebel and Miles Gebel '21, Oct. 21, 2023.

2022

Megan (Drey) Roy and Mark Roy, Sept. 2, 2023.

Abigail (Fitzgerald) Scheffler and Ethan Scheffler

Kenzie (Anderson) Karcher and Kyle Karcher

Megan (Drey) Roy and Mark Roy

Niccole (Wolken) Gebel and Miles Gebel

Missy (Hardersen) Clark and Dan Clark

Kylee (Goodvin) Borchers and Alex Borchers

In Loving Memory

1925

Alice (Lohse) Paulsen Sioux City, Iowa, died Dec. 18, 2023.

1944

Elinor (Jacobson) Ringland Bainbridge Island, Wash., died Oct. 27, 2023.

1946

Darvin Hartman Hinton, Iowa, died Dec. 4, 2023.

Patricia (Lindsay) Parsons Bakersfield, Calif., died Oct. 20, 2023.

1947

Lovice (Kingsbury) Sprugel Kansas City, Mo., died Nov. 20, 2023.

1948

Alyce "Darlyne" (Schwinderman) Hobson Clearfield, Iowa, died March 12, 2020.

1949

Lyle Schossow Sun Lakes, Ariz., died Oct. 7, 2023.

Earl Pollock Durham, N.C., died Oct. 15, 2023.

1950

Robert Meyer Des Moines, Iowa, died Aug. 30, 2023.

Lois (Schram) Holcomb died Sept. 14, 2021.

1951

Loretta (Yanney) Kacere Wahoo, Neb., died Jan. 11, 2024.

1952

Joanne (Nunemaker) Bates Council Bluffs, Iowa, died Sept. 29, 2023.

Kenneth Erickson Stanley, N.D., died June 3, 2022.

Allen Holmes Boulder, Colo., died Jan. 3, 2022.

1953

Jo Ann (Hammerstrom) Fowler Dakota Dunes, S.D., died Jan. 2, 2024.

Allen Welding Sioux City, Iowa, died Jan. 11, 2024.

Gayle Webber Evanston, Ill., died Sept. 3, 2023.

1956

Nancy Kirk Anaheim, Calif., died Jan. 18, 2024.

1957

Robert Sabel Sioux City, Iowa, died Feb. 3, 2024.

1958

Darlene (Froehlich) Miller Dakota Dunes, S.D., died Nov. 22, 2023. Sondra (Shields) Peters Denver, Colo., died Dec. 27, 2023.

Doris (Vander Hamm) Mauer Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Dec. 3, 2023.

1959

Mardell (Burch) Skaggs Dana Point, Calif., died Sept. 19, 2023.

1960

James Kennedy Dubuque, Iowa, died Jan. 31, 2024.

Betty (Madsen) Baker Fort Wayne, Ind., died May 22, 2022.

1976

Roger Randall St. Louis Park, Minn., died March 11, 2023.

1961

Loren Andrews Moville, Iowa, died Aug. 20, 2023.

Elmer Menage Luverne, Minn., died Jan. 9, 2024.

Charles Harstad Saint Paul, Minn., died May 30, 2023.

1962

Thomas Gentleman Algonquin, Ill., died Feb. 4, 2023.

1963

David Bones Ashland, Ore., died March 1, 2023.

Dianna (Larson) Lanpher Centennial, Colo., died Jan. 4, 2024.

Stanley Boyle Dakota Dunes, S.D., died Nov. 10, 2023.

James Sauerberg Sioux City, Iowa, died Sept. 29, 2023.

1970

Tom Narak ’70, a member of the Morningside University Board of Directors, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 18, 2023. Tom touched the lives of many people through his work in education, with Rotary, and as a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Tom's loved ones, and especially his wife of more than 50 years, Carol '71, and their family.

Paul Turnquist Longmont, Colo., died Feb. 16, 2023.

1964

Dorothy (Jorgensen) Gunion Onawa, Iowa, died Oct. 31, 2023.

Gary Harward Georgetown, Texas, died Jan. 13, 2024.

1965

Luella (Bossman) Sanders Denver, Colo., Dec. 6, 2023.

Joann (Loftus) Morris Chapel Hill, N.C., died Oct. 26, 2023.

Tim Schoeneman North Sioux City, S.D., died Nov. 18, 2023.

1966

Loren Johnson Salt Lake City, Utah, died Sept. 28, 2023.

Clair "Charles" Stanley Tucson, Ariz., died Sept. 12, 2023.

1967

Kenneth Dober Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Aug. 7, 2023.

1968

Richard Duane Aaland Zumbrota, Minn., died Sept. 3, 2023.

Fay (Nelson) Smith Grandville, Mich., died Oct. 18, 2023.

1963

Bob Roe was an incredible supporter of our students and athletic programs for decades, and his restaurant Bob Roe's Point After has been and will continue to be a beloved gathering spot for Morningsiders far and wide. Our Morningside community has been made better and stronger by Bob Roe, his family, and his businesses, and Siouxland is better because of his incredible legacy as well.

Mary (Cranno) Hanson Albuquerque, N.M., died Oct. 16, 2023.

Leslie Decker San Rafael, Calif., died Dec. 6, 2023.

1970

Joyce (Barr) Myer Weeks Anderson Grinnell, Iowa, died Jan. 7, 2024.

Wilma "Carol" (Schmidt) Grau Lawton, Iowa, died Dec. 4, 2023.

Carole (Obye) Hutchinson Saint Paul, Minn., died Dec. 12, 2023.

James Fraser Green Bay, Wisc., died Mar. 20, 2023.

Randall Sailors Bellevue, Neb., died Aug. 10, 2023.

1972

Marjean (Potter) Ehlers Overland Park, Kan., died Dec. 18, 2023.

1973

Arlene (Lynn) Baldes Sioux City, Iowa, died Aug. 25, 2023.

Richard LaFleur Jefferson, S.D., died Oct. 22, 2023.

1974

Charles "Chuck" Widman Bronson, Iowa, died Nov. 24, 2023.

Wayne Kurle Elkhorn, Neb., died Apr. 8, 2021.

1975

Marcia (Froehlich) Huffman Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Aug. 11, 2023.

1976

Lana (Campbell) Lundt Cushing, Iowa, died Dec. 24, 2023.

Kristin (Egli) Dillman Sioux City, Iowa, died Aug. 11, 2023.

1977

Paula Kinney Lincoln, Neb., died July 16, 2023.

Dar Lewis Estherville, Iowa, died Dec. 24, 2023.

1978

Clayton Koehler South Sioux City, Neb., died Jan. 11, 2024.

1980

Georgia (Stolpe) Schieffer Ponca, Neb., died Aug. 27, 2023.

Patricia (Tubbs) Windeshausen Sioux City, Iowa, died Sept. 30, 2023.

JoBeth (Cook) Waters McCook Lake, S.D., died Oct. 19, 2023.

Remembering Cherished Friends

Daniel Callahan North Sioux City, S.D., died Dec. 7, 2023.

Dr. Sharon Ocker Sioux City, Iowa, died Nov. 4, 2023.

Larry Book Sioux City, Iowa, died Nov. 14, 2023.

Dr. Earl Moore Sioux City, Iowa, died Dec. 10, 2023.

Roger Tschampl-Diesing Bellevue, Neb., died Sept. 28, 2023.

1983

Robert Gray Sioux City, Iowa, died Aug. 13, 2023.

1984

Patricia (Shoemaker) Probasco Sioux City, Iowa, died Nov.. 22, 2023.

1998

Sarah (Larsen) Storm Adel, Iowa, died Sept. 15, 2023.

1999

Richard White Sioux City, Iowa, died Nov. 7, 2023.

2009

Andrea Henley Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Sept. 5, 2023.

2011

Devin Landgraf Jolley, Iowa, died Nov. 15, 2023.

Morningside Madness is a 36-hour giving event that supports the Morningside Fund. The money raised provides critical funding for student scholarships, academic and extracurricular programs, faculty development, technology, and campus life.

While we encourage you to participate during the event, pre-giving will be available at our website.

Camrie Miranda // Omaha, NE

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 30 and Friday, December 1, 2023

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

Sioux City Relays

Softball vs Mount Marty 3 PM & 5 PM

Men's Tennis vs Augustana 4:30 PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Sioux City Relays ( Alumni tent present TBA)

Softball vs Briar Cliff 1 PM & 3 PM ( Alumni tent present 1 PM )

Baseball vs Concordia 1 PM & 3:30 PM (Alumni tent present 1 PM)

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Men's and Women's Tennis vs Doane TBA ( Alumni tent present TBA)

Baseball vs Concordia 1 PM & 3:30 PM

Save the Date

HOMECOMING - OCTOBER 11-13

C elebrating the classes of 1999, 1974, and 1964

Alumni tent recognizing the classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019

SUBMIT CLASS NOTES

Send us your good news, job updates, or big life moments.

alumni@morningside.edu

712-274-5409

morningside.edu/alumni/connect

Morningside Class Notes

1501 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, IA 51106

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

Retirement reception for Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment, Terri Curry Yockey room - Olsen Student Center 3-5PM

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Above the Covers Outdoor Concert

Jolly's on the River – Sioux City, IA 7PM

THURSDAY, JULY 18

Morningside Alumni Night at Great Shots

Great Shots - Sioux Falls, SD 5:30-7:30PM

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Picnic & Cruise on the Queen II Okoboji, IA 5:30-8:30 PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

Morningside Alumni Event: Minnesota Twins game

Target Field - Minneapolis, MN 6PM

AUGUST 16 & 17

Snoot/Jake/Whip Open

Emerald Hills Golf Club - Arnolds Park, IA

Morningside University Operator - 712-274-5000 or 1-800-831-0806

Are you moving? Do you have an email address? Please let us know! Just send an email to alumni@morningside.edu or write to the Alumni Office, Morningside University, 1501 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106.

The Morningsider is published twice a year under the auspices of the University Engagement office. It is distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of the university. ©2024 by Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa. All rights reserved.

POSTMASTER

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

Morningside University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. phone: 712-274-5191 email: titleix@morningside.edu

The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility

THEN AND NOW

Morningside was one of two institutions in Iowa approved to offer aviation courses during WWII that was part of a larger cadet training program. The program ended after only a few short years, but aviation has made a return to Morningside as of Fall 2023.

Photo courtesy of the Sioux City Public Museum