Alumni class notes
Inducted into Hall of Fame
Isidore “Issy” Schmiesing ’71, Sauk Centre, made a name for himself on the basketball court at St. Cloud State, but he was recently honored for his efforts while at Sauk Centre High School. Schmiesing was inducted into the Mainstreeter’s Hall of Fame for his high school days when he starred in basketball, baseball, football and sometimes track.
Dusting off those rusty lips Tom Mehelich ’62,
Naples, Fla., found the courage to do it. And he couldn’t be more proud. After a 55 year hiatus from playing the horn, Mehelich decided it would be fun to learn how to play the St. Cloud State University rouser. He e-mailed Glen Tuomaala, director of the Husky’s Sports Band, and asked for the sheet music. Tuomaala directed Mehelich to the Husky Sports Band website where the music is posted. For his part, Mehelich began to practice and practice and practice some more. He also listened to the Husky Sports Band’s rendition. He slowly got better, all in the hopes of being able to play the rouser when the St. Cloud State hockey team traveled to Florida in December to play at the Florida College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla. “I brought the horn to the Husky game and while surrounded by Husky fans, did a few renditions of the rouser,” Mehelich reported. “After winning the championship game, a group of us gathered in the arena parking lot and we did another stirring rendition of the song. We had a great time. “I honestly did not know if I would be brave enough to play in a setting like that. It went well, so I am glad I did it.”
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Outlook Spring 2011
• Mohammad Pirasteh, Plano, Texas, co-authored the book, “Profitability with No Boundaries: Focus, Reduce Waste, Contain Variability, Optimize TOC, Lean, and Six Sigma.” The book is based on 25 years of research and implementation of continuous improvement efforts in manufacturing and transactional environments. • Pamela (Siegel) Thomsen, Brainerd, is executive director at the Central Lakes College Foundation where she has been an accounting instructor and a business consultant for the past nine years. • Debra Yerigan, Brooklyn Park, joined the McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb, Chartered law firm as a shareholder. Yerigan will continue her practice in the area of family law. She was a 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyer and was listed as a Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer and Top 50 Women Minnesota Super Lawyer.
’85
Janine Dahms-Walker, St. Cloud,
is recipient of the 2010 Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) Legacy Award, which recognizes a member for their commitment to encouraging, developing and mentoring leaders. • Alan Goracke, Blaine, was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives. Goracke, is the senior pastor at Kingswood Church in Blaine and is pursuing a doctorate of ministry at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul. He is a member of the Blaine Planning Commission, Blaine Charter Commission and is the faith
community representative to the Anoka County Emergency Shelter Grants Program/Federal Emergency Management Agency Committee. • Steven Grosser, Plymouth, along with two other long-time employees and minority shareholders of Midcontinent Media, Inc. have bought out the remaining shares of that privately-held company with operations in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Grosser, the company’s chief financial officer, has been with Midcontinent for 20 years.
’86
Jenny (Dougherty) Fredrickson, International Falls, was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota Financial Services Champion of the Year for her work with Koochiching Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Development Center. The award is presented annually in each state to individuals who assist small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services.
’87
Eric Carlson, Chesterfield, Va.,
co-presented at the Consumer Bankers Association Conference in Hollywood, Fla. Carlson’s presentation addressed innovative strategies for communicating with customers throughtout the banking lifecycle using smart automated communications. Carlson is group vice president for mortgage and real estate collection at SunTrust Bank. Prior to joining SunTrust, Carlson
was vice president of outbound operations for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. • James Mathiasen, Panajachel, Guatamala, authored the book, “What is the Greatest Thing You Would Do For Love.” “This book combines the human traits of love, hope and despair, interwoven with the good, bad and weird of life,” Mathiasen said.
’88
Karen (Bullert) Adel, Cannon Falls,
is a developmental adapted physical education teacher at the Cannon Falls school district.
’88 ’99 ’00
Lisa (Olson) Morgan, Brainerd, is
principal at Harrison Elementary School in Brainerd. Morgan has served 20 years working in public education, most of which has been at Brainerd School District.
’89
Michelle (Martin) Fischbach,
Paynesville, was re-elected to the Minnesota State Senate Disctrict 14 for her fifth term. • James Rauch, Norman, Okla., was named the first Vision Bank endowed professor in banking and finance at East Central University in Ada, Okla. • Richard Spaeth, Paynesville, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Spaeth played football and was named to the All-Conference offensive line in 1984 and as All Conference offensive and defensive tackle in 1985.
Earns high honor
Stacie Jergenson ’05 ’09,
Litchfield, was elected “2010 Court Reporter of The Year” by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. Jergenson, a criminal justice major, is an Official Electronic/Digital Court Reporter for the Honorable Steven Drange, in the Eighth Judicial District, Litchfield.
Unless otherwise noted, all cities listed in class notes are in Minnesota.