SMSU Focus Magazine, Fall 2021

A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University

Taste

A NEW DINING EXPERIENCE AT SMSU

Fall 2021 Edition | Inside: 2020-21 Foundation Annual Report

A Message from the SMSU President Dear Alumni and Friends, We have many things to be grateful for at SMSU this year. One of which was the opportunity to welcome hundreds of first-year students to campus during this year’s Gold Rush Days. These students represent a freshmen class that is 41% larger than our freshmen class from two years ago, a trend which has helped make SMSU the only four-year institution in the Minnesota State System to have an increase in overall enrollment for the fall of 2021. I’m thankful for the hard work done by so many across campus, and also the support of our alumni and friends that helps bring these students to SMSU. It takes all of us working together to welcome them to our community, and to assist them once they arrive on campus.

Homecoming had a more traditional feel this year as many alumni returned to campus to celebrate SMSU with our current students and members of our Mustang Community. Most notably, the first 50th class reunion was hosted for our Charter Class of 1971. Several members of the class traveled great distances to join us and we hope such reunions become one of the many ongoing traditions at SMSU. I am also grateful for our wonderful alumni, donors, and friends. Your continued engagement and support has made SMSU what it is today. Scholarship support has continued to increase. Your help has allowed us to continue to invest in programs and spaces on campus that will enhance our students’ time at SMSU. I am confident that the experiences you are helping us provide for current students will help them become successful and active alumni in the future.

Best wishes, Kumara Jayasuriya

A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University

TABLE OF CONTENTS On the cover: Taste at SMSU

President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya Vice President of Government Relations, Communications and Marketing Bill Mulso ’93

1

Taste: A New Dining Experience at SMSU

Executive Director, SMSU Foundation Nathan Polfliet ’00/MS ’11

3

Student Spotlight

Senior Director, Alumni Relations and Outreach Stacy Frost ’93

4

Around Campus

9

Alumni Connections

14

Class Notes

16

Mustang Athletics

18

Foundation Report 2020-2021

Visit us online www.SMSU.edu and SMSUAlumni.com Follow the latest SMSU news at www.SMSU.edu/today

Focus Editor and Designer, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing Marcy D. Olson ’93/MBA ’05 Senior Writer and Photographer, Director of Communications & Marketing Jim Tate Contributors Adam Henning ‘11/MBA ’14 Karen Kaas ’94 Kelly Loft ’97/MS ’11 Student Staff Annika Freiburger ‘21 Hanna Vos Rebecca Wenisch Special Thanks Chef Ronnie Walker, Iasiah Cernohous, and the entire student team at Taste

FALL 2021 | VOL. 41, NO. 1

Send correspondence and story ideas to: SMSU FOCUS, Founders Hall 108 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 Contact the Editor: Marcy.Olson@SMSU.edu or 507-537-7374 Volume 41, Issue 1. Published December 2021.

All cities and towns are located in Minnesota unless noted.

Year(s) after names reference degrees awarded by SMSU. Year of undergraduate degree listed first.

Year of advanced degree listed after MBA/MS. FOCUS (USPS 565-770) is published twice each year for alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University by the Office of Communications & Marketing at SMSU. Opinions expressed in FOCUS do not necessarily reflect official University policy.

To make name/address corrections, call 507-537-6266 or email alumni@SMSU.edu.

Feature stories may be reprinted with the written permission of SMSU. Other articles may be reprinted without permission provided that credit is given to SMSU. This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Request by calling 507-537-6255, 800-260-0970, or via the Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529.

Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. ADA Accessible.

A member of the Minnesota State system.

[ around campus ]

Taste

A NEW DINING EXPERIENCE AT SMSU Great chefs have great mentors.

For Ronnie Walker, Chef and Instructor for the Culinology® and Hospitality Management programs at SMSU, that inspiration could be found under his own roof as a child.

“I got interested watching my dad,” said Walker, talking about his father Ron. “He enjoyed cooking, and it made an impression.”

Walker is the brainchild behind Taste. The student-operated restaurant opened for service earlier this fall. It is located in the Individualized Learning building and open on Thursdays and Fridays during the academic year.

It’s been met with enthusiastic reviews, but if there’s one thing he wishes he had, it’s a sledgehammer.

“I wish I could tear down some (dining room) walls,” he said. “It’s been very popular, and I’m running out of room.”

The restaurant can accommodate 38, but that’s tight. “Thirty-six is a little better,” he said.

Above: Chef Ronnie Walker Food Photography by: Adam Henning

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It’s a simple space, enhanced by modern table decor. Visitors enjoy a relaxed, quiet environment. Frosted glass separates the dining room from the kitchen, giving just a hint of the flurry of activity going on behind-the-scenes. Students work tirelessly to ensure patrons enjoy a dining experience unique to the region.

The meal consists of a starter, salad, entree and dessert. A fourcourse meal that’s carefully planned and prepared. “It’s unique for this area. Something different that people can’t get anywhere else in the region,” he said. The cost is prix fixe: a complete meal consisting of several courses served at a total fixed price. The price includes beverages.

As for his restaurant philosophy, Walker says this: Taste is simple food, done right.

He wants to use locally-sourced products as much as possible.

The SMSU agricultural test plots just north of Marshall have supplied some vegetables, and the SMSU greenhouse offers some fresh herbs. Walker receives a regular supply of pork from a local supporter of SMSU. He will be changing the menu from time to time. “We’ve added a pork dish, and a shrimp dish,” he said. “We’ll change the menu, but not every week.”

A son of the South, Walker grew up in North Carolina with family in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina.

He earned a degree in culinary arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta. And like most in the industry, started working at an early age.

“It was at Sandlapper Seafood, as a dishwasher. I was 15,” he said, referencing the Simpsonville, S.C. establishment.

Walker found himself in the region through a series of unexpected circumstances. He had come north to take over a farm, but some issues arose during that process. He saw an ad for an adjunct position at SMSU, and took that job for 18 months, before a full-time opening came up. He’s excited to put down some roots in the community and adapt to the Midwest climate.

“Mowing grass in the summer, and [blowing] the driveway in winter,” he joked. “People talk differently here, they use some different terminology. Little things I hadn’t picked up on. The other day somebody said to me, ‘You’re not from around here, are you?’”

The launch of Taste allowed Walker to become more familiar with other areas of the university, such as science and agriculture.

“I’ve worked with different departments. People here are outgoing, and they are willing to help,” he continued. “The students are so excited, and that makes me more excited.”

Diners are asked to fill out a survey and the input has been overwhelmingly positive. “They like the service. There’s really been nothing bad. This is unique for this area—something different—and I think people appreciate that.”

Most, but not all, of the students involved are from the Culinology® and Hospitality Management programs. And the students gain real-world, hands-on experience from working the front of the house and all aspects of the kitchen.

“Things are going really well,” he said about the studentoperated restaurant.

Over the years, the program has offered restaurant-style dining under a number of different names. Initially, it was over lunch.

Then after a short hiatus, the restaurant concept returned. And while longtime fans are glad to see its return, they are especially happy with the level of professionalism and style offered by Taste.

Reservations can be made online at www.SMSU.edu/go/taste or by email at: Taste@SMSU.edu. The restaurant will be closed during the winter break, but will reopen for weekly service on Jan. 26, 2022.

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[ student spotlight ]

A steak sizzling in the pan. The sound of chopping vegetables on a cutting board. The crunch of the very first bite. Eating food is an experience like no other — bringing people together around the table.

Those are the sounds in the kitchen of Taste at Southwest Minnesota State University. The restaurant showcases locally-sourced products in a student-centered operation. From servers to kitchen staff, students are responsible for all aspects of the operation. One of these students, Iasiah Cernohous, has more than one finger in the pie.

How can you get a seat at the table? Cernohous shares her experience about how the addition of Taste has created a truly unique hands-on experience for her.

Cernohous is from Rochester, Minn. Her major is Culinology, with minors in Marketing and Nutrition. “These degrees work well together, balancing each other,” she said. Cernohous is inspired by food science, figuring out how and why certain flavors blend. Being able to understand the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food allows her to have a deeper understanding of what she is cooking.

“My degree gives me the background to not only strengthen my cooking skills, but also learn about the science behind food. In the future, I will be able to compete for jobs against those who have food science backgrounds.”

Her favorite foods to cook are macarons, ice cream, and pho. She enjoys the creative freedom that comes with all these dishes — being able to take something so simple and turn it into something unique is a challenge she embraces. Cernohous’ favorite part about the Culinology program is the fact that it is a progressive, all-around major. You begin with food science, and, as the program progresses, you build into culinary arts, she said.

Cernohous’ experience at Taste has made her time at SMSU more meaningful. “I love being able to be creative with recipes, voicing my opinion on things, and collaborating with chefs and other students on

One of Iasiah’s

Favorite Recipes “I grew up celebrating Chinese New Year since I am half Chinese. Once I got to college, to keep my culture and traditions alive, I decided to cook traditional and good food to celebrate. So I now have a new tradition: I make pineapple buns (Bolo Bao), pho, and soup dumplings for my friends and teach them about my culture and our traditions for the new year. Pineapples are special since they are unique. They are called pineapple buns because of how they look (the topping dough is a crackling dough so as it cooks, it cracks and gives the look of a pineapple), although there is no pineapple in them. They are a sort of a hybrid bun combining the best part of milk bread and a sweet crackling topping.”

— Iasiah Cernohous

recipes for the menu. It is a truly remarkable experience.”

Knife skills, line work, prep time, and front-of-house training are all things that she is learning behind the scenes in the Taste kitchen.

Cernohous enjoys practicing alongside her classmates and enjoys the overall cohesiveness of the program. “I enjoy being surrounded by likeminded and driven people; it makes the days that much better.”

Her dream job is working in product development and research. She also enjoys “limited edition” and seasonal items, which allow her to use her natural curiosity and food science skills. “I love the creativity of the industry. Being able to do something different every time I get to work with food is quite the experience.”

All meal options at Taste consist of four courses — starter, salad, main and dessert. Cernohous said there are unique challenges coming up with different course ideas. “I’ve never done a course menu before, but this new experience is definitely preparing me for the future.” Her main responsibility at Taste is the grand finale—desserts. She loves being able to create that lasting final impression.

Cernohous’ advice to people who are timid about pursuing a career in cooking? “If you like science and you like cooking, go for it.”

Her attitude towards cooking reflects her drive to want to be the best she can be. There is no doubt that she has a passion for cooking and is making her mark on the Culinology program at SMSU. Story by Annika Freiburger ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the SMSU Communications and Marketing Office. Photos by Adam Henning. Photos above: Iasiah Cernous in the Taste kitchen. A sampling of her seasonal macarons.

Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)

Yield: 36 buns

From Iasiah Cernohous

[ around campus ]

Orchestra Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Beethoven The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO) is having a Beethoventhemed season during the 2021-22 academic year.

The year-long, five-concert series features all five Beethoven concertos, said SMO Director Dr. Daniel Rieppel. “For any pianist, Beethoven is the absolute center of the repertoire,” he said.

The series is called the “Beethoven/SMO 2/50 Festival,” in honor of the composer’s 250th birthday, and the 50th anniversary of the orchestra.

The orchestra was formed by music professor and cellist, True Sackrison.

The Beethoven event was originally scheduled for last academic year, but due to the pandemic, had to be pushed back.

Two concerts have been held so far. The other three will be performed Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022 at 4 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at Marshall High School; Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts; and

Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 4 p.m. in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre.

Rieppel said the SMO “has done a fair amount of Beethoven in the past. We’ve done the Choral Fantasy, a sketch of the 9th symphony, three times, and the 9th symphony once, a long time ago.”

Each of the concerts will feature a guest artist, said Rieppel. “All of the soloists in the concertos are friends or former students of mine,” he said.

The first concert featured a colleague, Minnesota State, Mankato music faculty member Dr. David Viscoli, and the second, former student Reed Tetzloff.

Rieppel is excited for the final concert on May 1. “That’s the 4th concerto, which was the first piece I ever played with the orchestra, before I even became the music director. It was five years before I got that job. I was teaching in Minneapolis, and doing freelance work. I’m looking forward to that, bringing it full circle, if you will.”

Photos, clockwise from top: the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra performance in October 2019. True Sackrison is shown directing the orchestra in an undated concert photo.

Dr. Daniel Rieppel conducting the orchestra during a recent concert.

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Dr. May Lee Moua-Vue Enjoys Supporting International Students In a lot of ways, Dr. May Lee Moua-Vue is a surrogate mother for the international students at SMSU. Moua-Vue is in her second year at the University as the Director of International Student Services and Global Studies, and after a year navigating COVID-19 restrictions, she’s enjoying a more ‘normal’ experience as she helps international students acclimate to SMSU. She welcomed 66 first-year international students this academic year. Counting transfer students and 17 MBA graduate students from Taiwan, there’s approximately 90 new international students on campus. The total number of international students is approximately 177, from over 30 countries, she said.

This year’s first-year international students represent 14 different countries, with Ethiopia leading the way. “Jamaica, Indonesia, Portugal, Tanzania — they are from all over the world,” she said. That number is a sharp increase from a year ago.

SMSU was ranked the safest campus in Minnesota a year ago “and that is important to the international students,” she said. “They look online, and find the rankings. SMSU is ranked in the top seven in the country as far as affordability for international students. We offer a quality education in a safe setting where everything you need is right here. We have a wonderful community transit system that’s free to the students and allows them to access local services, ethnic restaurants, and grocery stores. That partnership with Marshall Area Transit Service has been wonderful.”

SMSU international students make a great impact on the area economy bringing $14.1 million to the area and supporting 21 jobs. This is according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

“Some of the international students come here having never stepped foot on campus,” she said. “That’s a big leap, to travel halfway around the world. They come without family members, without anyone accompanying them.”

International students have concerns that most students don’t face, she said. “This year, for the first time, we are working with a cellular phone company to get them phones. Their phones won’t work here, and they arrive and haven’t called home. On top of that they don’t know anyone here, and they have to rebuild their support system, make new friends. One of their biggest fears is who they can rely on. There’s so much of a cultural difference, too. It’s hard for them to Dr. May Lee Moua-Vue approach locals. What are the cues for making new friends? What are the cues for dating? They all have to navigate these things.”

Several church groups and individuals in Marshall yearly make quilts for the international students. “We have wonderful partnerships with them, and the students are very appreciative,” she said.

She embraces her role as “the campus mom. I can be an older sister or auntie, too. I’m their best cheerleader and advocate. I am the first one to congratulate them, and I also tell them we have high expectations.”

She comes to SMSU from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. “I have an international background — my family came over here from Laos during the Vietnam War; I was a refugee. I can relate to their needs and concerns. The best part of my job is that I get to talk with students from all over the world. That’s amazing. They teach me as much as I teach them.”

Ezira Tafa Dedicated to His Role as Student Body President “The stuff you see yesterday is the stuff you see today; it doesn’t change.”

So says Ezira Tafa, the SMSU student body president. Tafa is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the youngest of five children. His parents strongly encouraged their children to pursue higher education. All but one of his siblings earned degrees from institutions in either Europe or Africa. He is the first to attend college in the United States, and he is pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration and Human Resources.

Tafa enjoys many sports, notably soccer (fútbol in Ethiopia) and UFC fights. In his free time, you can find him hanging out with friends and watching movies.

Globally, there are agents that can help international students find colleges in the U.S. They aide in school placement and counseling when it comes to families sending their children to college. Tafa used an agent to help him in his educational search, and chose SMSU over several other schools.

Tafa said he’s happy to have found SMSU. “The professors, community, and job opportunities on campus are all things I like about SMSU,” he said. His advisor, Heather Rickgarn, has played a key role in his academic journey, he said. “She has helped in class selection, and career planning.”

“I was the type of student who did not participate in anything my first

year,” he said. Tafa saw an email about running for student body president — the deadline was that evening. He turned his application in at 11:57 that night. Little did he know, that application would change his experience at SMSU. The position of student body president comes with it a lot of responsibility. From leading meetings, appointing members to committees and positions, and writing reports, all were new things to learn. “During the pandemic, it was really difficult to get members to join (student government),” he said. Since then, there’s a leadership team in place. The Student Senate currently has 21 members.

Tafa said the position has really helped his skill development in a number of ways. From speaking at convocation, managing an entire student organization, and meeting regularly with SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya, all of these have helped him improve his leadership skills.

His goals while he is in office are focused Ezira Tafa on campus experiences. He would like to see international students have more job options on campus, he said. His dedication to the well-being of students radiates when he speaks about his position as student body president.

Tafa’s advice to new students? “If you want to change, you have to change something in your life.”

That’s exactly what he did.

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Exercise Science + Employee Wellness Collaboration Norma Streich is a big believer in the Community Fitness Program, an employee wellness collaboration between SMSU and Schwan’s Company.

Streich, an Employee Health and Wellness Partner who has worked for Schwan’s Company for 44 years, picked up the phone 10 years ago and took a call from Dr. Kris Cleveland, SMSU Exercise Science Professor. Cleveland was inquiring about the possibility of creating a pilot program matching Exercise Science students with Schwan’s employees. The idea was to give her students real-life experience while supporting the health of the employees.

“I was part of that pilot program and started in the fall of 2012,” said Streich, also an SMSU alumna. “It was a wonderful experience for me.”

Streich was dealing with “messed up knees” from her days as a softball player when she first began. She stayed with it through spring 2017.

“I couldn’t do a squat or a sit-up when I started. It took a long time to walk a mile, and I had never worked out with weights in my life,” she recalls. “I walked a timed mile, was tested for balance, how long I could hold a plank, and we talked about what I wanted to focus on during that time period.”

The collaboration is in its 10th year, “and it’s a two-pronged program,” said Cleveland. “First, it allows students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to real people — they work individually with them. Second, for the

communicate. At the end of the semester they provide an action plan for going forward.”

“Norma was instrumental in helping this program get started,” said Cleveland.

“She really saw its value.”

This past summer, Schwan’s Company had the program analyzed, the first time its value was studied thoroughly.

It showed that program participants are healthier across nearly all measures, leading to savings for the company for long-term participants. “Our recommendation would be to increase program participation deeper into the population and longitudinally,” reads the report, issued by the firm workpartners.

Norma Streich and Dr. Kris Cleveland “By all biometric indicators, the SMSU exercise program is improving employee employer, it improves the health and wellness of health.” the employees.”

A healthier workforce equates to a more The Community Fitness Program began with productive workforce.

Schwan’s employees, and has grown to include The program has obvious benefits to some Ralco employees, community members, participants, but equal benefits to SMSU as well as faculty and staff at SMSU. students. “From our perspective, we see how Exercise Science students are paired with beneficial it is to the students. It builds their adult participants, who are tested at the start confidence, and they critically think about all of each semester, and go over individual goals. this data, and also get to know the person, what They usually meet two times per week. The their goals are, and how to work with people. participants are then tested again at the end of There are just so many benefits to our students, the semester, so progress can be measured. The no matter what they choose to do with their overall program data is shared with Schwan’s degree,” said Cleveland. Many Exercise Science Company. students go on to graduate school.

In Streich’s case, she lost weight. Immediately.

The collaboration is a real win-win for all “Between the fall of 2012 and spring of 2013, parties, said Cleveland. “Our students are I lost 35 pounds. And I’ve kept it off,” she said. very excited for the opportunity to take their “The students I worked with helped me a lot. education to a practical level.”

You get comfortable with them, and you can

Dr. Judy Wilson Appointed to National AWP Board SMSU English Professor and Director of Creative Writing Dr. Judy Wilson has been appointed to the national board of the Associated Writing Programs (AWP), and will also serve as the Chair of the Midwest Region Council, which represents all the creative writing programs in the Midwest.

Her appointment is for four years, and began in the summer of 2021.

Wilson is in her second stint as the Creative Writing director at Southwest Minnesota State University. She has been at SMSU since 2002 and yearly attends the national AWP conference, which draws approximately 9,000 participants.

She will represent the Midwest Region on the national board. It is one of six regions in the U.S., and represents over 200 writing programs, including high school, college, master’s and Ph.D. programs.

One of her objectives is to “boost membership. The stronger your membership numbers, the stronger voice you have at the national level,” she said. “The numbers have been falling off the last four to five years,

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and now with this pandemic, a lot of organizations are trying to save money by scaling back on membership (fees). That will be a big job going in, to boost membership.”

She also wants to “increase visibility for our Midwest programs, build stronger reputations for the same, downplay business model approaches to all things liberal arts, and push for increased diversity and equity at every level.”

The AWA board “produces the standards that writing programs adhere to; it controls how we operate our programs, and what has to be offered.

Dr. Judy Wilson It handles program reviews and assessments, too.

It is the organization that sets the bar — the gold standard as far as creative writing is concerned,” she said.

Wilson is the founder and Executive Editor of Yellow Medicine Review: A Journal of Indigenous Literature, Art & Thought, which has an international reputation and features Indigenous writers from around the world, filling a gap in the mainstream literary culture. She is also the coordinator of the campus literary journal, Perceptions.

[ around campus ]

SMSU hosted its first Day of Service on Oct. 6, with a theme of “Mustangs Give.”

President Kumara Jayasuriya had the vision for the program and deemed the day a complete success.

“Marshall and the region have been very supportive of the University since it opened its doors in 1967,” he said. “This was a good way to give back. I’m appreciative of those in the Mustang Family who donated their time.”

Over 250 SMSU faculty, staff and students participated in the event. They donated their time in two-hour shifts to a number of local volunteer projects, including Adopt-A-Highway, Light Up the Night, leaf raking, trash clean-up around town, Red Cross Blood Drive, Memorial Park painting at the 9-11 memorial, and Park Side Elementary sidewalk painting, among others.

A good example of a project was the painting at the 9-11 memorial at Memorial Park.

A beam from the Twin Towers is displayed there, and bricks surround the memorial. The bricks have embedded stars,

designating in three colors those who died — firefighters, police and civilians. Volunteers repainted those stars, one by one and on their hands and knees, and were done by noon, something that surprised Marshall Parks Superintendent Preston Stensrud.

“I can’t believe they got done so fast,” he said.

President Jayasuriya and his wife, Sal, traveled from site to site and handed out bottles of water to the many volunteers during the day.

The SMSU Foundation provided a “Mustangs Give” t-shirt to each volunteer. It is expected that the Day of Service will become an annual Homecoming Week activity.

Photos from top, left-right: The group painting stars at Memorial Park; Sal and Kumara Jayasuriya; Lori Engebretson painting stars; highway cleanup crew; an enthusiastic volunteer; a team at work cleaning the grounds at Red Baron Arena; the volunteer sign-in at Founders Hall.

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Spotlight on SMSU Veterans Resource Center

Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is the day set aside to honor those who serve our country and sacrifice so much to defend our freedoms.

Many veterans choose to attend college after being discharged.

At SMSU, they are met with a welcoming environment at the Veterans Resource Center.

The Center is something of a safe haven for these veterans, who tend to speak in military acronyms, have their own language, and unique sense of humor. They share common experiences that are foreign to the majority of the student body.

Justin Guggisberg is the Higher Education, Benefits and Resource Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. The Wabasso, Minn., native is a 20-year Air Force veteran, and is in his 11th year on the campus of SMSU, where he finds great satisfaction assisting veterans and active service military wishing to continue their education at the university.

“I actually started school here in 2009, and was finishing up my degree in Justice Administration and Social Work. I was a work-study student for Pat Ebner, and when she had passed away all of the work-study students had applied for her position and I was lucky enough to get it.”

RJ Hogrefe is from Holloway, Minn., and is a four-year Marine Corps veteran, where he was a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialist. The non-traditional student decided to return to college to finish his History degree, which he started in the Marine Corps.

Both Guggisberg and Hogrefe reflected on the benefits that the Veterans Resource Center has for them individually. The Center helps veterans, of course, but also their dependents. “We also assist the families of our veterans,” said Guggisberg. There are so many benefits available, and Guggisberg makes sure all questions are answered.

Hogrefe said the move from military to college life was a real change.

“Going to college after serving was a huge culture shift. Going from

Justin Guggisberg and RJ Hogrefe

a very structed lifestyle to a very relaxed atmosphere was difficult.

Making the transition to the real world is difficult, so being able to have a place where I can speak in our military acronyms makes me feel a lot better about college,” Hogrefe said, reiterating that the Veterans Resource Center is a place he calls home. “Everyone that comes to this Center understands me and I really enjoy that.”

Guggisberg and Hogrefe mention some of the outreach activates that the Veterans Club sponsors. Walking Tacos [sales] are a popular event, and Veterans Club sponsors a 5K/10K run each Homecoming. They are proactive in raising awareness of the

Veterans Resource Center.

“The best part of my job is getting to see the different groups come through and make those connections throughout their college journey,” said Guggisberg, a sentiment shared by Hogrefe. “I probably would’ve never spoken to some of the vets on campus because, as military, we are very quiet and keep to ourselves. This Center is a place for us to just come and talk about our struggles, accomplishments, and help one another just get through college knowing we aren’t alone,” he said.

Veterans bring an interesting perspective to college, said Hogrefe.

“They view courses as a job; you’re getting paid (from the GI Bill) for this, so they have the intentions of doing well in the class. Veterans have various life experience that will change them forever, so why not bring that into the courses that they are taking and share that experience with others?”

SMSU has been ranked third in the nation as a Military Friendly school, and a Military Spouse institution. It’s a culture Guggisberg has worked hard to establish. Area veterans thinking about returning to college may contact him by email at justin.guggisberg@smsu.edu.

Story by Annika Freiburger ’21

S M S U O F F E R S F U L LY

ONLINE DEGREES AT T E N D C L A S S F R O M A N Y W H E R E !

Southwest Minnesota State University now offers 16 degrees totally online. Complete online delivery started in Fall Semester 2020 with additional degrees being added to the lineup in 2022.

To ensure the full programs can be offered online (0-120 credits), SMSU offers online options to meet the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (general education goal areas) for the following undergraduate programs: • Accounting • Community Psychology and Health Promotion • Early Childhood Education (MN Licensure Prep) • Early Childhood, Special Education (MN Licensure Prep) • Elementary Education (MN Licensure Prep) • English - Creative Writing

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• History • Hospitality Management • Management: General Management; Supply Chain Management; Human Resources; or Entrepreneurship • Marketing • Nursing: RN to BSN • Psychology • Social Work • Sociology • Special Education (MN Licensure Prep) • Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL Licensure Prep) To learn more about online options, visit: www.SMSU.edu/online; or email OnlineLearning@smsu.edu.

[ alumni connections ]

Jenifer Goblish ’99/’04 Named Outstanding Adjunct Jenifer Goblish just likes the vibe at Southwest Minnesota State.

“There’s an energy here. Everyone is accepting, and they go out of their way to make sure you have a good day. It’s like a family,” she said.

That’s part of the reason she is so thankful for her recent Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, presented by the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota (CTAM). She was recognized virtually on Sept. 17.

Goblish is an adjunct faculty member for College Now, SMSU’s concurrent enrollment program, which includes over 100 high schools in Minnesota. She also teaches a course in Communication Studies to SMSU students on campus.

She’s been a full-time adjunct for eight years, teaching just under 12 credits per year. “Up until last year, all of my work was with College Now. The last two years I’ve had one course that I teach (on campus, to SMSU students).”

With College Now, she mentors high school teachers in a dozen districts. Those teachers, in turn, teach concurrent enrollment courses to their students, earning college credits while satisfying requirements for high school graduation.

Her background is student-based. She earned undergraduate degrees in Speech Communication, Secondary Education and Literature/Language Arts from SMSU in 1999. She earned a master’s in Educational

Mark Fokken, coordinator of the Communication Studies Program, had high praise in his nomination letter. “I could go on and on about Jen Goblish, but suffice it to say there is no one I can think of with whom I’ve worked in recent years who is more deserving,” he wrote. “I have known few instructors who take the job of course preparation more seriously.”

Associate Professor of Communication Studies Ben Walker echoed those sentiments.

“Jen continues to shine as one of the best teachers we have. She works passionately to provide a high quality education experience to students and is always thinking of ways to improve herself and the program” he wrote in his nomination letter.

Goblish is appreciative of the recognition.

But what she’s doing now hasn’t changed over Jenifer Goblish the years for the Fulda, Minn., native.

Leadership with an emphasis in Teaching, Before coming to SMSU she was an English Learning and Leadership from SMSU in 2004, teacher at Red Rock Central High School, in and a second master’s, in Communication Lamberton. “As an alumna, I’ve always been Studies, from Minnesota State, Mankato, in passionate about SMSU and being a part of it,” 2019. she said. “I like the atmosphere, the small class The mother of four delights in following her sizes. I just like being on campus.” children in their activities at Wabasso High And don’t think she doesn’t steer her College School. She and husband George farm outside Now students toward SMSU. “I tell them about of Vesta. Three children — Jordan, Jasmine and College Now scholarships (for concurrent Josh — are out of college, and their youngest enrollment students who attend SMSU). I even son, Jayden, is a senior at Wabasso High bought brown and gold M&M’s for them. It’s School, where, much to her delight, [he] was a small thing, but they really appreciated the recently crowned Homecoming king. gesture.”

Natasha Boe ’10 Returns as Director of Financial Aid Natasha Boe is no stranger to Southwest Minnesota State University.

A 2010 alumna with a double major in Management and Finance, she has made her way home.

Boe, originally from Ortonville, Minn., is the new Director of Financial Aid at SMSU. She was first exposed to working in a financial aid office through her graduate assistant position at Minnesota State, Mankato in 2012.

After earning her master’s there, she took a position in the Student Financial Services office, before accepting a position as Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Rochester Community and Technical College for eight years. She then saw the job posting at SMSU. “After my four years (as a student at SMSU), this is a place that I could come back and work,” she said.

There were some new things that came with moving from a two-year to a fouryear institution, and Boe is appreciative of the support she’s received from her SMSU colleagues. “The staff I work with is very knowledgeable and helpful, so that’s made the

was a student,” she said. “Honestly, just being back on the campus and being in a leadership role has been rewarding.”

Some of Boe’s favorite tasks as the director include helping students and their families pursue the dream of higher education. Currently, Boe travels to high schools in southwest Minnesota to do “Financial Aid Night” presentations. She discusses things like the FAFSA, workstudy opportunities, scholarships, tax benefits, and loans, to name a few. Her main emphasis is providing resources for students and their families who may have questions. When navigating the financial Natasha Boe aid landscape, especially for first-generation transition very smooth.” students, there are questions that will arise.

Before she had applied for the director “If your student is aware of where they are position, she was already familiar with going to college, reach out to their financial aid the financial aid staff. “The financial aid office if you have any questions,” Boe suggests. community is also very tight-knit,” she said.

If your school is Southwest Minnesota State “Other directors are willing to help out in any University, she is willing to help. “I can help way they can.” them navigate those waters,” said Boe. “One of the things that’s probably the most The SMSU alumna has come full circle — memorable is getting to know and reconnect from student to employee — and is happy to be with the individuals who were here when I a part of the Mustang Family.

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[ alumni connections ]

CHARTER CLASS REUNION Your Alumni BOARD MEMBERS Past President Neal Wahlman ‘75

Sheila Anderson ‘95

President Neil Kruse ‘79

Mandy Bouwman ‘00

Vice President Janine Teske ‘87

Japannah Kellogg ‘93

Secretary/Treasurer Polly Novack ‘90

Anthony Minus ‘06

Senior Director of Alumni Engagement & Outreach Stacy Frost ‘93

Julia Stuckey ‘15/’19

Lillie Arndt ‘96 Joe Guzman ‘12 Brittany Krull ‘04 Kim Sanow ‘01 Chris Volzke ‘05

The Alumni Board is the governing body of the Alumni Association. The Board promotes the social and educational interests of fellow alumni.

Meetings are held three times per year. Interested in serving on the board?

Contact Stacy.Frost@SMSU.edu.

FOCUS Reader Survey

On Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, the Charter Class of 1971 celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their graduation from Southwest Minnesota State College. The date was June 13, 1971 with the ceremony held in the gymnasium. The Charter Class enjoyed a fantastic turnout of classmates, spouses, friends and special guests. To help us correctly identify everyone in this photo, email Alumni@SMSU.edu

DANA YOST ‘08 PUBLISHES NEW BOOK Dana Yost, a 2008 alumnus, recently penned a new novel, Before I Get Old, published by Crossings Press this November.

The book is available on Amazon in print and e-book. The description reads: Wilcy Schmidt is a young man in the mid-1930s, struggling to start his life, and struggling on a farm with the weight of the Great Depression and terrible drought. He gets a chance to escape those conditions when his uncle offers him a job on a rich man’s yacht on Lake

Michigan. Wilcy takes the job, but something keeps pulling him back to the farm. What will he do? Should he follow his heart or follow is his duty?

If he gives up his dream, can he still find happiness?

Those are the questions at the heart of the novel Before I Get Old. Minnesota novelist Forrest Peterson said, “The story is memorable and the prose a pleasure to read, at times like poetry that you want to read and re-read, savoring the words and the feelings they evoke.”

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Focus Reader Survey. Your input is important to us and will help us continue to improve the Focus magazine. Thanks to those who chose to opt-in to our drawing for a special SMSU gift package valued at $50. The winner will be announced on Facebook. Follow us for more opportunities to engage and information about upcoming events! @SMSUAlumniandFoundation

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[ alumni connections ]

Alumni Gatherings in 2021 A group of alumni and friends gathered for a round of golf at Breezy Point this summer. Left to right: Greg Hastings, Bill DeLay ’85, Mike Thilges ’86, Pat Raasch, Mark Burnham ’84, John Larson ’93, Fred Peters ’84, Dave Geske, and Craig Forster ’85.

Among the summer social events hosted by the SMSU Alumni Association were (above) Lord Fletcher’s on August 3 and (below) Painted Prairie Vineyard on July 14, Rochester Honkers Game on July 16, and a service event at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen on July 22. Thanks to all who joined us!

A group of alumni who call themselves “Old F-Hallers” gathered this summer for a reunion. Pictured left to right, front row: Jane Klinkner Soukup ’80, Stacy Frost ’93, Bob ‘Biff ’ Ford ’77, Jason Mortvedt ’78 , Krista Christianson. Back row: Chuck Larsen ’02, Dave Sanderson ’78, Tom Moldenhauer ’90, Dick Christianson ’85, Greg ‘Leo’ Dorr ’75, and Craig Porter ’79.

Pintos reunited for Golf 2021 at Emerald Hills Golf Course, Arnold’s Park, Iowa, with coach Carmen DeKoster. Back row: Coach Carmen DeKoster, Val Swanson ’76, Roxie Hoffman Wurscher ’85, Jesse JonesFlaschenriem ’74, Jean Nagel ’77, Jo Buysse ’76, Paulette Ibberson Grausam ’76, Cindy Olson Schutt ’80, Nancy Hoffman Kissner ’74 .

Front row: Sue Zvorak , Jean Ufkin ’77, Deb Thompson Heacox ’77, not pictured Kathy Rudolph Raine ’73. All SMSU Alumni women’s basketball players are invited to next year’s event on June 7, 2022.

Do you gather with alumni friends? Share a photo!

Interested in having an event near you? We are open to ideas! Email Alumni@SMSU.edu

FOCUS | 11

[ alumni connections]

Left-right: Erin Frederiksen, Nancy Cooley accepting for her late husband, President Kumara Jayasuriya, Lauren Squires, and Todd Werpy.

Five Receive 2021 Alumni Awards

Five individuals received Alumni Awards as part of Homecoming 2021, with a theme of “Brown & Bold: Bringin’ It Home.”

Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to alumni in recognition of professional success and the positive reflection made on the University and fellow alumni. This year’s winners were: Posthumously, Michael “Dexter” Cooley, ’78, teacher and coach, Wakefield High School, Raleigh, N.C.; Erin (Mork) Frederiksen ’99, co-owner, Westridge Shores Resort, Alexandria, Minn.; and Todd Werpy, ’85, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer, ADM, Chicago, Ill. The Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award recognizes a recent graduate with exceptional achievement and contribution to the recipient’s profession, community/society or university. This year’s GOLD Award went to Lauren (Teal) Squires ’13, Project Specialist, Beacon Health System, South Bend, Ind. The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award is presented to an individual or couple who are not SMSU graduates but give their time, talents, and enthusiasm as if they were. This year’s award went to Gary Frandson, retired Associate Professor of Business Administration, 1969-2007.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Michael “Dexter” Cooley ’78 Michael “Dexter” Cooley was a promising basketball player from North Carolina when he was recruited from a junior college to play for the Mustangs by former coach Dale Honeck. He made an immediate impact, and was an honorable mention NAIA All-American in 1977-78, as well as a first-team All-NIC

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selection, and the conference Player of the Year.

He was honored posthumously by the Alumni Association with an Alumni Achievement Award. The 1978 alumnus died on Dec. 16, 2019 following a courageous battle with colon cancer.

While a senior at SMSU, he met freshman Nancy Byrne. The two dated, then Dexter graduated and moved back to North Carolina, where he began a successful teaching, coaching, and administrative career.

Nancy would move east, also, for a time, then returned to finish her education degree at SMSU. The two were married in Nancy’s hometown of Ghent, Minnesota, in 1989.

They would move back to North Carolina, where Dexter landed a teaching and coaching job at Bunn High School, and then Millbrook High School, before he took on the duties of teacher, boy’s basketball coach, and athletic director at a new high school, Wakefield High School, located in Raleigh, N.C., which opened in 2000. He was there for 15 years before retiring to fight colon cancer.

In his 37 years as a coach, he won over 400 games and was named conference Coach of the Year 8 times. He was honored with the Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award and Athletic Director of the Year Award in North Carolina.

The athletic complex at Wakefield High School is named in his honor.

Nancy was an elementary education teacher for 38 years before she retired, and remembers him as someone “who demanded discipline from his players. He preached acting like a gentleman, representing your school, and taking pride in who you are. At home, he was a man of few words, but when he spoke, the boys listened.”

The couple raised two sons, Michael and Phillip.

“This is really a nice award for Dexter, and I’m very happy to come back and accept it for him.

He would be so pleased,” said Nancy.

Erin Frederiksen ’99 Erin (Mork) Frederiksen’s interest in art has come in handy as owner of the Westridge Shores Resort on Lake Mary, near Alexandria.

The 2021 Alumni Achievement Award winner graduated in 1999 with a Biology degree, with minors in Computer Science and Math. She took a job as a programmer at the Schwan’s Company, then returned for a degree in Biology Education. She taught at Balaton High School in its final year of existence, then was a year-long sub at Murray County Central in Slayton.

How that education translated into her current position as a resort owner is something of a fluke.

She took many art classes at SMSU, and the activities offered at the resort are unique for the region. “My go-to elective was art,” she said.

Pottery, painting, and other art-related activities are available at the resort, and are popular with parents and children alike.

How did owning a resort happen? “I went online looking for a place to park a boat,” she explained. A phone call to the owners of the Westridge Shores Resort changed everything. The owners were ready to sell and Frederiksen was ready to take a chance.

Steady improvements at Westridge Shores have followed. When purchased, it was a seasonal resort. Now, it’s year-round. It’s gone from 17 total beds to over 60. “We insist on visiting with every guest. Summer is exclusively for families. We are proud to have old-fashioned values at our Ma and Pa resort.”

A big part of that ‘Ma and Pa’ feel are the unique offerings offered to patrons, including art opportunities.

[ alumni connections] Erin’s ties to SMSU run deep. She has six children, ages 36 to 15. The kids grew up in the SMSU bleachers attending events as booster club members. Her son, Matthew Fischer of Alexandria, is a 2009 alumnus who played football for the Mustangs. His wife, Whitney (Dierks), was a volleyball player and a 2010 alumna. Son David Fischer lives in Marshall and his wife Samantha (Downing) earned her MBA from SMSU. Son Zachary Frederiksen, a sophomore at Alexandria High, is taking concurrent enrollment classes through SMSU. Daughters Melissa Fischer and Dr. Katie Teague are working in the Twin Cities and son Nicholas Fischer and wife Katie are in Asheville, N.C. “I am completely and totally humbled by this award,” she said. “I hope to live up to it.”

Todd Werpy ’85 Todd Werpy takes great pride in the fact that his company, ADM, “touches everyone’s life, but you might not know it. It’s tough to go through a day where you’re not in contact with an ADM ingredient, whether that’s food you eat or gas you use to drive. I’ve always found that interesting.”

The 1985 alumnus is the Chief Science Officer for ADM, a company of nearly 40,000 employees based in Chicago, Ill. ADM is a global leader in human and animal nutrition, and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company.

A Marshall native, Todd is the son of Galen and Mary Werpy. His father was a baker for 50 years, and after some early mornings helping his dad, he knew “that I didn’t have that vision for myself.”

“To be honest, I didn’t enjoy high school that much. I thought about the Air Force. Mom finally told me to go to college for one year, and if I didn’t like it, I could do something else. I ultimately stayed in college for nine years.”

He graduated with a degree in Chemistry. Then it was on to Michigan State, where he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry.

He began his career with Michigan Biotechnology Institute and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He joined ADM in 2007 as Senior Vice President, Research & Development.

He oversaw ADM’s efforts to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions and corporations.

He was then promoted to his present position, which includes a seat at the table of the company’s Executive Council. He leads the development of ADM’s scientific talent and technical capabilities.

“From a career perspective, I’ve been fortunate,” he said. “I feel I have a lot of influence in the direction we’ve taken in science and technology, and individuals have an opportunity and a voice.”

He holds 30 U.S. patents in the area of catalysis and chemical conversions of biomass to

chemicals, and was presented the 2015 American Chemical Society Award for Affordable Green Chemistry.

He is the fourth in his family to graduate from SMSU — a brother and two sisters are also alumni. Todd and his wife, Aundrea, have three children: Courtney, Chase and Reagan.

“I am humbled by the Alumni Association Award. SMSU gave me a solid foundation, and I have such fond memories of my time there. I am very grateful.”

GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE (GOLD) Lauren Squires ’13 By her own admission, Lauren (Teal) Squires “likes to make a difference.”

This year’s Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award winner is a project specialist for Beacon Health System in South Bend, Ind., where she has the opportunity to do just that.

That’s a long way from being an English teacher, which she thought was in her future when she first enrolled. The 2013 alumna earned Sociology and Literature degrees at SMSU. “When I started at SMSU I was set on being an English teacher,” she said. “Then, one day (English Professor) Jim Zarzana asked if I thought my personality fit that. I had fallen in love with Sociology through my classes with Dr. Kerry Livingston. I did want to be a professor.”

She chose Zarzana’s alma mater, Notre Dame, to pursue her master’s in Sociology.

After earning that, she went to work for Beacon Health System as the Grant and Community Partnership Coordinator, “which is a long name for a grant writer,” she joked. “Then I transitioned into my new role, where I help continue these relationships with partners we fund from our health care community outreach program.”

Beacon Health System consists of two primary hospitals, Memorial Hospital of South Bend and Elkhart General Hospital, as well as four ancillary hospitals.

She has done research regarding “what stops people from getting health care and what can we do to reach those populations that can’t get the same care as others. My job is part of the Community Impact Department, and is involved with how hospitals can reinvest their money and resources for those less touched by the health care system.”

Lauren said “two years ago, could I see me in this position? Probably not.” But she “likes to make a difference. I like helping the hospital decide where it’s important to spend its resources.

I adore my co-workers who are like-minded and want to make a difference. And I also like using two interests of mine, sociology and English.

Lauren and her husband, Gage, are the parents of a daughter, Olivia.

She’s humbled to receive the GOLD Award, and credits SMSU with giving her the educational

foundation that has taken her on this interesting path.

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP Gary Frandson The year 1969 was a time of promise and limitless potential at what was then Southwest Minnesota State College, when Gary Frandson arrived on campus.

“Most of the faculty were just hired, and just about everyone was young and starting a family. We were interested in Marshall as a place to raise our families, and at a place that was a good job.

And when you talk about a place having a family environment, that was it.”

He taught at SMSU for 38 years, retiring in 2007 as an Associate Professor of Business Administration. “I was hired for Business Education and Secretarial and Office Administration programs,” he said.

The Verona, N.D. native earned his undergraduate degree at Valley City State University, where he ran cross country. He taught high school in St. Thomas, N.D. and Sauk Centre, Minn. He earned a master’s at North Dakota during the summer months while teaching high school. He joined the faculty at SMSC in 1969.

One thing he was proud of then, and which hasn’t changed today, is that “students were always number one. They received the personal touch; they were given attention,” he said.

Gary met his wife Mary (Haller) Frandson at SMSU. She was a non-traditional student, having worked for GM before coming to the university for her Elementary Education degree. She was the first Founders Day queen — the precursor to Homecoming.

Those early years were enjoyable for Frandson, who liked Mustang athletics and who took recruiting trips to various high schools within the region on a friend’s plane. “There wasn’t a lot of us (faculty), and we did a lot together,” he said.

Gary and Mary are the parents of three grown children: Angela Hoyme, Woodbury, Minn.; Kimberly Hoseck, Marshall; and Jason, Baltimore, Md. “I’m honored to be receiving this award,” he said. “I don’t feel as though I’m truly worthy, and I’m proud of my time here. The students were always first at SMSU.”

Submit Your Alumni Award Nominations Nominations are being accepted now for our annual Alumni Awards, including the Alumni Achievement, Graduate of the Last Decade, and Honorary Lifetime membership to the Alumni Association. For award criteria, visit: https://bit.ly/smsualumniawards

FOCUS | 13

[ class notes ] were promoting a new Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights that became law Aug. 1.

1974

Warren Cook retired as an umpire, a role he’s had since 1980. Cook officiated every level except midgets and covered eight All-Star Games. His last game was June 26 at the Minnesota State Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Star series.

1979

Terry Culhane, MS ’00 retired from coaching the SMSU volleyball team after the 2021 season.

1985

2010

Cook

Jackson

at the 2021 Best of Illinois History Award Ceremony for his book Poles in Illinois which he co-authored with Ann Gunkel. John teaches history at the University of Alaska-Southwest in Ketchikan.

1991

Rachel Wolter Mattson named interim middle Tom Jackson, president of Humboldt school principal, Marshall, Minn.

University in Arcata, John Sterner, MS ’99 Calif., received the Distinguished Alumni created a sculpture to tie the city of Northfield to Award from Highline the native tribes that live College, Des Moines, there. The new sculpture Wash. is entitled “Wanbli 1987 Mitakuye Oyasin/We are Justin Ingalls is the high all Related,” and stands school athletic officials 15 feet tall. It depicts coordinator for the an eagle in flight and is state of South Dakota, located at Hwy 3 and a position he started in Third St. in Northfield.

July 2021.

1988

Rhonda (Lembke) Fenner started a position in May as the senior vice president of operations transformation for AmeriLife Group, LLC in Clearwater Fla. Keith Helgeson was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz to fill the Eighth Judicial vacancy. He is chambered in the city of Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine County.

Jeff Schelhaas, MS ’00 retired in November from his teaching career of 33 years with 26 of them at the Pipestone Area Schools District.

1989

John Radzilowski received the Superior Achievement Award

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1993

Becky (Timmerman) Degreeff became an assistant professor of communication at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menominee, Wis., on Aug. 2020.

1996

Dr. Rhonda (Bartels) Bonnstetter joined the Worthington School District in Worthington as a secondary math teacher. She began the position at the start of the school year.

1998

Chris Hmielewski is the chief of staff with Benaiah Co., an insurance company in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kent Roers and his brother, Brian Roers, were named finalists in Ernest & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards recognizing them as the Heartland Region’s elite entrepreneurs.

1999

Jenifer (Kirsch) Goblish was presented the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award by the Communication and Theatre Association of Minnesota.

2000

Kindra (Witthans) Helin was selected to be the new activities Jeff Loots was named to the College Football director of North Hall of Fame ballot on Branch Public Schools June 3. Loots played for in North Branch, in Nov. 2021.

SMSU from 1990-92.

His career was one 2002 of the most prolific Michael Daugs is quarterbacks in school the first principal at history. Loots lives in Tiger Elementary in Hugo.

Hutchinson and started Jennifer (Kaczrowski) this new position in the Taylor started a new 2021-22 school year. position as the principal Josh Turek, the most of United South Central decorated wheelchair Elementary in Wells. basketball player in program history at

1995

Natasha (Thompson) Boe is the new Financial Aid Director at SMSU. Christina Boike earned Sterner Loots Bonnstetter her CPA and is manager in Accounting and Class of 2021, for SMSU, competed as a Attestation Services with member of the United being a distinguished Christianson PLLP. alumna of that school.

States Paralympic Tegan (Gullikson) basketball team, which Stacy currently is the Harris and her husband superintendent of the won the gold medal at Brian welcomed Jude the Paralympic Games Storm Lake (Iowa) Ryder, March 19, 2021. in Tokyo Aug. 24-Sept. Community School David Luepke married 5. It was his second gold District.

Jenny Baldwin on May Chris Volzke accepted medal with the team.

2, 2020. a new position in Oct. Debra Mueske was 2003 2021 with the Casper appointed Court Jim Menton, MS is Wyoming Community now superintendent of Department Authority Administrator for the BOLD Public Schools in as its Deputy Executive Seventh and Eighth Judicial Districts by Olivia, Minn.

Director & Chief the Minnesota Judicial Operating Officer.

Council and started her 2004 new position on June Satyajit Dattaguta 2006 30, 2021. Prior, Mueske became Tulane Amy (Lackmann) served as Deputy University’s first senior Julius started a new vice president and position with Vanco as District Administrator dean of admission a Revenue Enablement for the Eighth Judicial District. for enrollment Manager in April. management, graduate Vanco provides financial Kyle Pagel completed his Master’s of Music: and pre-college strategy. services in the Twin Music Education Kyle Kooima is the Cities. in Fall 2020 from head football coach and the University of chemistry teacher at 2007 Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Lead-Deadwood High Candie Baker, MS School in Lead, S.D. received the 2021 2011 Zeb Prairie was Friends of Public promoted to senior vice Schools award in Ripon, Jordan Kerr is a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the president at North Star Wis. Sioux County Sheriff ’s Insurance Company, Chris Nick, MBA Cottonwood, Minn. retired at the end of the Office in Orange City, Iowa. Kerr also serves in July. He has been 2020-21 school year with North Star since after 45 years as a music as a full-time police officer for the Rock 2005, most recently teacher, 42 of those as vice president of years with Pequot Lakes Valley (Iowa) Police Department where he is investments. In his new Elementary. also a K-9 handler. role he oversees the Finance Department.

Angie (Bernard) Trygestad is now the solutions adoption manager with Riskonnet Inc., a risk management software solution provider, Kennesaw, Ga.

2005

Stacy (Weaver) Cole (MS) was inducted into the Riverside Community School District Hall of Fame,

2008

Angela (Bonczek) Volzke began work as creative specialist for the Visit Casper (Wyo.) Tourism Bureau doing digital marketing and design in Nov. 2021.

Aguirre Reese is the St. Cloud Technical and Community College bookstore manager.

She recently met with state officials who

All cities are in Minnesota unless noted. Events are in the current year unless noted.

2012

Ralph Manyara has joined Leigh Consulting in Chesterfield, Mo. as the head of project management and cybersecurity.

Yome Nguyen works at General Mills and developed a line of softbaked cookies: Pillsbury Soft Baked Cookies with five flavors launched in March.

[ class notes ]

2013

Noah Anderson, MS ’18 was appointed as the choir director at Martin County West H.S. in Sherburn. He began Aug. 20, 2021.

Brian Bau is a social studies teacher at Prairie Elementary in Worthington.

Leah (Elsbecker) Box and her husband Kyle ’13 welcomed a girl, Madilyn Elizabeth, on June 21, 2021.

Mary (Groth) Buyan and Joel, welcomed Addy Rose, Mar. 26, 2021 Rachel (Serreyn) Krall and her husband Joe welcomed Cameron Joseph, Dec. 13, 2020.

Chelsea (Bau) and Luke ‘14 Lafrentz welcomed Layne Luelyn, Sept. 14, 2020.

2014

Macy (Oldre) Ellingson and her husband Matt welcomed Beckham Bryce, May 11, 2021.

Derek Golberg was hired as a manager of the Granite Falls office of Westberg Eischens in Sept. 2021. Golberg oversees the day-today operations of both the Granite Falls and Montevideo locations.

Caleb Heim was named the StudentAthlete Choice Award winner during the University of South Dakota’s 2021 digital version of The Charlies, an annual award ceremony that honors student-athlete achievements. Heim is currently the strength and conditioning coach for USD. Michael Paulson started a new job

Anderson

Hofmann

at Optum, a health 2017 services company Shelby (Horner) in Eden Prairie as Dickhausen started a senior software engineer in Oct. 2021. a new job in Detroit Lakes with Rural Minnesota CEP Inc. as 2015 MFIP Job Counselor Corey Boe became in Aug. 2020. Shelby assistant middle married Nate school principal, Dickhausen on Aug. Marshall, Minn.

7, 2021.

Elizabeth Briones Mathew Ferris MBA was promoted to ’19 joined Billion Human Resources Manager at JBS USA Auto, Rapid City, S.D. as Sales and Leasing in Worthington.

Consultant, Dec. 2020.

Nick Weinmeister Megan (Will) ’17 and started a new job Collin ’15 Nickel, in Aug. 2021 as the welcomed Carter Will, head softball coach Dec. 9, 2020. at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. Jen (Keohen) Packard ’17 and husband Matt Carley (Postma) welcomed Hunter Holmberg and her Michael, Nov. 2, 2021. husband, Mike, welcomed a daughter, Erin (Nelson) married Emelia Elizabeth, on Josh VanderVeen, Oct. 3, 2020.

Oct. 27, 2021.

Tanner Neale was 2018 hired as North Dakota Matt Ellinghuysen State University’s (MS) named the assistant baseball interim head baseball coach for the 2022 coach at Bemidji State season. He had University on May 2. previously been a volunteer assistant for 2019 the program.

Brook (Sorenson) married Bryce Bruner, 2016 Aug. 29, 2021.

Brittany Glidden Aryn Moura (MBA) is married Adam an assistant volleyball Rasmussen, July 31, coach at the University 2021. of Arkansas. This was Kaitlyn (Austin) its first year as a varsity Steichen and her sport. husband Dylan Emily Hofmann, welcomed Payten MBA ’21 is now LaVonne, April 13, Assistant Activities 2020.

Director with Upper Becky (Koepp) and Iowa University in husband Joshua Fayette, Iowa. welcomed Brooks Sayana Shrestha Aaron, Aug. 18, 2021. started a job with Apple as a software

Abudei

Warning

engineer in Austin, Texas in June 2021.

Tarah Young joined the University of Minnesota Hubbard County Extension Office in Park Rapids as an Interim Extension Educator in agriculture, food and natural resources in Sept. 2021.

2020

Kelli Wentz married Jared Kaul ’21 on June 26, 2021.

Rhea Melby started a new job as a Special Education teacher at Prairie Elementary School in Worthington on Aug. 31.

Amanda (Stafford) Nelson started a new position as a financial services representative for the Mankato office of Primerica.

Kali Tomlinson started teaching kindergarten at Lynd Elementary in Lynd.

2021

Vanessa Abudei is a graduate student at Niagara University in its clinical mental

Waldemar Anderson ’74, May 30, 2021.

Tom E. Boerboom ’74, Jan. 31, 2021 Jim Hayes, retired Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Aug. 14, 2021.

Thomas R. Hanson ’72, Aug. 24, 2021.

On August 3, Terry Bentele ’78 presented a plaque for the Alumni Heritage Gallery in memory of Thomas “Doc” Hicks, SSU Track Manager, 1974-1976.

health program.

Tanner Differding and a friend are raising a herd of buffalo near Minneota. The biggest challenge they have faced in the last year was higher hay price due to the dry weather.

Amber Hausmann won the title of Miss Morris Area in August which includes scholarships of $1,500 and entry in the Miss Minnesota contest.

Melissa Hawkland started an internship at Pinepoint Marketing Firm, Marietta, Ga., in July 2021 as a corporate trainer.

Maerius Jean Porter performed with the Fox and Beggar Theater, based in Minneapolis, for the production of Goodnight, Absalom!

The production opened in Duluth on

Jo A. GoodellHolmes ’74, Oct. 22, 2021.

Harry Jones, retired professor, Wellness & Human Performance 1970-2010, Oct. 31, 2021.

Paul Kooser ‘74, May 30, 2021.

Melissa (Oakland) Larson ’04, Jan. 18, 2021.

All cities are in Minnesota unless noted. Events are in the current year unless noted.

Sept. 3, and toured through Oct. 3, closing in Detroit, Mich.

Meghan Sullivan started a new job as marketing coordinator with American Enterprise Group in Des Moines, Iowa.

Tyler Thielges is a registered nurse for Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care in Marshall.

Lana Warning accepted position as a 4th grade teacher at St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School, Lilburn, Ga.

LET US KNOW!

Share your news with us: email alumni@SMSU.edu call 800-260-0970 click SMSUAlumni.com mail SMSU Alumni Office

1501 State St. Marshall, MN 56258

Gregory Lenz ’72, Sept. 22, 2021.

Dorothy (Thomssen) Madsen ’71, Sept. 23, 2021.

Kathy (Rudolph) Raine ’73, Aug. 12, 2021.

Michelle (Micki) Ann Williams ’18, Biology, July 2, 2021

FOCUS | 15

[ athletics ]

Culhane Retires After 18 Seasons as Head Volleyball Coach Terry Culhane, who has spent the past 18 seasons as the head coach of the Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball program, announced on Nov. 8 he will be retiring as head coach and assistant professor in the SMSU Education Department at the end of the 2021 fall semester.

“I would like to thank everyone in Mustang Athletics as I have truly enjoyed all of my time here at SMSU,” Culhane said. “It has been an honor to get to coach and teach all of our studentathletes, past and present.”

Culhane, the program’s all-time leader in victories, finished with a career record of 431-124, including 258-66 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches. Culhane closed his tenure ranked in the Top 20 for winningest coaches in Division II history.

“I know I speak for the entire Mustang family in wishing Terry the best in his retirement,” said SMSU President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya.

“His record speaks for itself, and he’s elevated our volleyball program to national prominence. His student-athletes are leaders on the court and in the classroom, and he has represented SMSU at the highest level. We are grateful for all he’s done for SMSU athletics.”

Under the direction of Culhane, SMSU made 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including 11 NCAA region semifinal appearances, three NCAA region championship appearances and one NCAA national runner-up finish (2014).

SMSU won at least 18 matches every season, including winning 25 or more in 13 of 16 seasons (2020 season was canceled). The Mustangs won two NSIC regular season titles and two NSIC Tournament championships during his tenure. SMSU also finished third or higher in the rugged NSIC regular season standings 13 times, including six second-place finishes.

SMSU has been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll for all but one week since Sept. 5, 2006.

“In my 18 years as a head coach, I have had so many great memories and experiences with our volleyball players that I will never forget and will cherish forever,” Culhane said. “I look forward

16 | FOCUS

to continuing to support Mustang athletics and our volleyball program.”

Culhane, a four-time NSIC Coach of the Year honoree, has coached 27 AVCA All-Americans, 24 AVCA first team All-Region honorees, five AVCA Region Freshmen of the Year, six NSIC Freshman/ Newcomers of the Year, five NSIC Players of the Year, 45 All-NSIC first team honorees, four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one AVCA Freshman of the Year.

Outside hitter Taylor Reiss was a two-time AVCA National Player of the Year (2017 & 2018) award winner and was recognized following the 2018-19 academic year as the NCAA Division II Honda Female Athlete of the Year, pictured below.

“On behalf of Mustang athletics, I would like to thank Terry for his many years of dedication to our Athletic Department, the Mustang volleyball program, coaching staff, and student-athletes,” said SMSU Interim Director of Athletics Bruce Saugstad. “Terry has made an impact on and off the court within the lives of our coaches and student-athletes. Our teams have been consistently ranked nationally under his leadership, creating a great environment for our student-athletes to compete in a sport they love.”

“Additionally, our former and current volleyball student-athletes perform exceptionally well in the classroom, providing them the education they need to start their careers after SMSU,” Saugstad said.

“Terry will retire from SMSU as our winningest coach in school history. We thank him for the many exciting moments he has provided our fans.”

Culhane, a 1978 graduate of SMSU, played both basketball and baseball for the Mustangs, and returned to his alma mater on Jan. 22, 2004, when he was named the fourth head coach in the program’s history.

Culhane had unparalleled success coaching high school volleyball and girls’ basketball for more than 20 seasons prior to his arrival at SMSU. A five-time Minnesota State Volleyball Coach of the Year honoree, Culhane finished with a record of 519-112 in 22 seasons as a high school volleyball head coach. His teams appeared in 15 state tournaments with six state Culhane with Taylor Reiss championships.

[ athletics ]

Josh Turek ’02 Brings Home Tokyo Gold Former Southwest Minnesota State University wheelchair basketball standout Josh Turek earned his second career gold medal in Sept. 2021, helping the USA men’s wheelchair basketball team capture the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics with a 64-60 victory over Japan.

Turek, who was playing in his fourth Paralympics, was also a member of the 2016 team that captured the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. He was a member of the 2004 team that placed seventh in Athens and was a member of the 2012 team that took home bronze at the London games.

Turek played eight minutes and had one rebounds in this year’s gold medal game. He appeared in all eight games during the

tournament, including scoring a team-high 21 points in a victory over Algeria on Aug. 30.

Turek attended SMSU from 1997 to 2002 and left the wheelchair basketball program as the most prolific scorer in team history. The 2002 SMSU Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Turek finished his career scoring 4,024 points and grabbing 1,213 rebounds. He was a four-time team MVP, four-time All-American and three-year team captain. He holds school single-season records in field goals made and points, along with holding single-game records for points scored, 3-point field goals made and free throws made.

Turek played professionally in Europe for more than 15 years.

2022 Hall of Honor Inductees Announced Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics recently announced that nine individuals and one team have been selected for induction into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor, sponsored

by US Bank, on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor is the highest athletic distinction awarded by the University.

The newest SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor members are former football and men’s basketball player Steve Elzenga (1983-88); softball player Erin Dickhausen (2005-08); softball player Amanda (Johnson) Van Gerpen (2006-09); baseball player Colby Pack (2003-06); wheelchair basketball player Josh Turek (1997-2002); former head women’s basketball coach Kelly Kruger (1991-2005); former assistant volleyball coach/community member Paul Soupir (2004-20) and community members and

supporters of SMSU Athletics Bob and Sandy Fenske. Also inducted will be the 2008-09 men’s basketball team that won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and NCAA Central Region championship.

The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor banquet, which will be held at the SMSU Upper Level Conference Center, will begin at 10 a.m. with a half-hour social, followed by lunch and the induction ceremonies beginning at 10:30 a.m. Ticket information and complete bios of the inductees will be

released in early January.

The new inductees bring the membership in SMSU’s Athletic Hall of Honor to 106 individuals/couples and 15 teams. The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor, with special thanks to US Bank, is displayed in the lobby of the R/A Facility. To view the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor, go to SMSUmustangs.com/hallofhonor.

For more SMSU athletics updates, visit SMSUMustangs.com OR download the SMSU Mustang App. Search “SMSU Athletics” in your app store.

Enjoy the latest news, live streams, audio, statistics, promotions, and more!

FOCUS | 17

SMSU FOUNDATION

Greetings, SMSU Alumni, Friends, and Community Members, Well, we near the end of 2021 with the relentless pandemic still nipping at our heels! Despite the unexpectedly challenging climate, we are very pleased to report that the SMSU Foundation provided nearly $3.4 million in overall financial support to SMSU in fiscal year 2021. Though it was a small improvement over 2020, it still allowed us to increase scholarship aid to more than $1.2 million— scholarships that benefited over 1,000 students!

While our traditional fund-raising activities were constrained

by COVID concerns, they continued provide a solid foundation of giving this past year. There were also two additional positive factors that helped us grow the total value of Foundation assets from $22.3 to $24.5 million in 2021. First, some solid investment results provided a nice lift. Second— and very importantly—we benefited tremendously from some exciting major gift commitments from alumni and friends of SMSU. In the last few months alone, we have received commitments of $1.8 million, $500,000, $300,000, and $250,000 from donors! As reported last year, SMSU and SMSU Foundation leadership are deploying new, focused efforts on major giving, and the formula seems to be showing great promise so far!

I want to offer a special word of thanks to Deeann Griebel, Class of 1980, for her very generous gifting plan focused on growing SMSU’s Student Success programs. You can learn more about Deeann and her long-term commitment at www.SMSU.edu.

While Deeann’s gift is significant, let me stress the importance of all donations, great and small, that collectively harness the power of giving at its very best. I thank all of you for your continued and spirited support. With your help, the SMSU Foundation is able to continue to help empower SMSU’s focus on enhancing educational access and campus experiences for students. The Foundation Board of Directors remains strongly committed to supporting this critical strategic goal under the visionary leadership of President Jayasuriya and his team.

We invite you to continue to follow closely, expect great things, and help us rise to new heights! Please feel free to reach out to any Foundation Board member with your ideas on how we continue this constructive journey for SMSU and its many constituencies. Our sincere thanks to all of you!

Let’s run together and imagine the impact!

Sincerely,

Dave Werpy ‘79 SMSU Foundation Board President

SMSU Foundation Mission

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bradley Bacon ‘92

Brian Knochenmus ‘00

Linda Baun ‘85

Dorene Kronke-McCourt ‘73

Julie Bleyhl ‘84

Jefferson Lee IV ‘96/ ‘11

Jerald Bly ‘71

Kristi Mukomela ‘80

Tyler Bowen ‘95/‘08

Kenneth Mukomela

Timothy Burns ‘72

Ann Roemen ‘84

Duane Carrow

Joe Roers ‘05

Tina Cartwright ‘97

Diane Taylor ‘75

Lee French ‘72

Cindy Verschaetse

Jim Fuhrmann

Neal Wahlman ‘75

Robert Gunther ‘77

David Werpy ‘79

Jason Hoffman ‘99

Interim Co-Executive Directors Stacy Frost ‘93 and Nathan Polfliet ‘00/’11

We exist in order to engage alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in funding scholarships, projects and activities that benefit SMSU Students and support the strategic priorities of SMSU.

18

FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

SUPPORT OF STUDENT

SCHOLARSHIPS

FOUNDATION SUPPORT July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (Fiscal Year 2021)

$3,416,032

FY 12 $625,499 University Development $1,265,169

FY 13 $806,093

Scholarships $1,224,719

FY 14 $737,384 FY 15 $817,309 FY 16 $711,302 FY 17 $991,279

Academic and Program Support $191,522

Fundraising $734,622

FY 18 $1,008,030 FY 19 $1,167,188

$4,552,405

FY 20 $1,204,119

Support and Revenue

FY 21 $1,224,719

101 1975 First-Time Alumni Donors

SMSU ranked Safest College Campus in Minnesota in 2020 Ranking by YourLocalSecurity.com

Alumni Class with Highest Giving Participation

$1,204,119 Total Student Scholarships

1003 Scholarship Recipients

1424 Alumni Donors

SMSU values the support of all of our donors who support our students and our mission. We thank all of the alumni, parents, and friends whose generosity makes our work possible. A complete honor roll of donors can be found on our website at

www.SMSUFoundation.org/HonorRollofDonors

FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

19

Emma Metter

Andrew Pelishek

Environmental Science major from Minneapolis, Minn.

Marketing major from De Pre, Wisc.

“It was really scary to apply to a university. If it weren’t for the Mustang Pathway Program, I probably wouldn’t have even thought that I could get a college degree.”

That’s the feeling of Minneapolis native Emma Metter, one of the members of the inaugural cohort of the Mustang Pathway Program at SMSU. Her story is one of opportunity and independence.

Metter, an Environmental Science major, reflected on her high school experience, and how the Mustang Pathway Program has been a perfect fit for her. “I don’t believe that your high school GPA defines you. There could be so many other things going on in your life at that time. I believe that it isn’t an accurate representation of who you are as a person.”

College was not something on Metter’s mind, until Associate Director of Mustang Pathway Program Dr. Erin Kline and program director Jay Lee came to her high school for a presentation. “This gave me a glimmer of hope, that I could pursue a college education, something that I didn’t think I had the chance to do.”

The Mustang Pathway Program is an alternate entry program to allow more students to earn their degree at SMSU. It meets students where they are, and helps them get on track to a degree.

Earning a college degree means a lot to Metter, as it will help her attain her career goal of becoming a dental hygienist. It’s a job that requires a degree and, what once seemed out of reach, is now at her fingertips.

“Before I started college, I was very dependent on my family. The program really gave me a chance to be independent and be proud as the first person in my family to go to college. It was an easy way to begin to understand what college is and what it is about, and I’m thankful for that.”

She was awarded a Mustang Pathway Scholarship, which was one more benefit of the program. She mentioned that receiving the scholarship made her feel more at ease when it came to committing to a college.

“I’d say just go for it. It’s a chance to put yourself out there and to grow. Why not take advantage of that?”

Andrew Pelishek is a De Pre, Wisc., native, whose passion is providing an experience for his customers. From a very young age, he always had a passion for barbecuing. After seeing other students on campus selling their own products, he was inspired to start his own business, Pelly’s Pit & BBQ. “It wasn’t about the money, but understanding the business process was my main goal,” said Pelishek, a Marketing major and a member of Enactus, a nation-wide entrepreneurial organization with a chapter at SMSU. “The whole reason I started this was because if I can learn the business on a smaller scale, then I’ll blow it up once I have more resources.”

The impact of scholarships helps students in so many ways, and recipients tend to get more involved, he feels.

“You’re able to invest more time into your education with scholarships,” he said.

Pelishek is the recipient of a trio of scholarships — the Arlene Barker Rich Memorial Scholarship, a football scholarship, and a Leadership scholarship.

Pelishek’s favorite class is the Fieldwork in Business and Entrepreneurship. The ability to be able to have a mentor in the course and meet all the guest speakers are two reasons he has enjoyed the course. Being able to network and hear about the guests’ entrepreneurial experiences has been something that Pelishek has found fascinating, as it’s a path he wishes to travel when he graduates.

“Honestly if you want to pursue anything, I’d say do it.

Whatever your skills are, put them out there. Find the value of those skills and put them out there.”

Sanford Health Commits $500,000 to Honor Legacy of Dr. Jim Denevan

The SMSU Foundation has received a $500,000 gift from Sanford Health to recognize the legacy of former Mustang baseball coach Dr. Jim Denevan.

The gift will be funded over five years by Sanford Health, which employs two of Jim’s sons. Jim, Jr., is Vice President of Construction and Planning, and Tom is a Property Management Specialist. A third sibling, Teresa, also lives in Sioux Falls.

The endowment will support baseball scholarships at the University.

Dr. Denevan was the head baseball coach at SMSU for 21 seasons (1971-81, 83-86, 91-96) and also taught in the SMSU Physical Education department. He took over the program in 1971, its second year of existence. He led SMSU to regular season conference championships in 1974, 1994 and 1996, and one conference tournament championship. He also led the Mustangs to three NAIA District championships in 1974, 1986 and 1993. Dr. Denevan retired in 1996 as the program’s all-time leader in victories with 353, a mark since surpassed by current head coach Paul Blanchard. He was enshrined in the Hall of Honor in 2013.

“I’m excited about the potential of this gift for the SMSU baseball program. Baseball was near and dear to dad’s heart, and it’s a wonderful way to honor his legacy at SMSU,” said Jim Denevan, Jr. “Sanford has established endowments with many schools and they mentioned that they would like to do some type of endowment in dad’s name at SMSU,” Jim, Jr. said.

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FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021

The Denevan family was recognized at halftime of the Dec. 4, 2021 men’s basketball game at SMSU. All three of the Denevan siblings graduated from Marshall High School. Jim is a 1983 SMSU alumnus with a degree in Health and Physical Education. Their mother, Marilyn, passed away in 2020.

“Jim Denevan played a big part in the early history of the baseball program and helped guide the program to prominence during his time as a coach,” said SMSU President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya. “We are thankful to Sanford Health and the Denevan family for this generous gift, which will continue his legacy in the future.”

Elizabeth Lockwood

SMSU Alumni & Visitor Center “It will be a lasting tribute to Betty, who played such an instrumental role at the University.”

—President Kumara Jayasuriya The family of Elizabeth (Betty) Lockwood ’84 has gifted $250,000 to the SMSU Foundation, which will be used to completely renovate the Elizabeth Lockwood SMSU Alumni & Visitor Center.

“We are grateful to the Lockwood family for their generous gift. It will be a lasting tribute to Betty, who played such an instrumental role at the University,” said SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya.

Lockwood served as Director of Development at SMSU from August 1989 to September 1995. She was active both on campus, and in the community. She was incredibly passionate about uplifting the Mustang community.

The gift by the Lockwood Family will be used to renovate the building, located at 1430 East College Drive, over a five-year period. In addition to the

Lockwood gift, the Alumni Association and the SMSU Foundation contributed to lighted signage and new landscaping. Parking spaces were also added to the front of the building.

The SMSU Alumni & Visitor Center will be the headquarters for the Office of Alumni and SMSU Alumni Association. Stacy Frost, Senior Director of Alumni and Outreach, will have an office at this location so she can readily connect with alumni and visitors In addition to serving as the base for the SMSU Alumni Association, it will also be a place where visitors can stop by to learn more about SMSU and the surrounding Elizabeth (Betty) Lockwood community.

Look for an in-depth story on Betty Lockwood and her legacy at Southwest in the Spring 2022 edition of Focus magazine.

SMSU Alumni Office 1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258

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If FOCUS is addressed to a son or daughter who has graduated or no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please email alumni@SMSU.edu to provide the current address or call toll-free 1-800-260-0970 to notify us of the change.

2022 UPCOMINGgrow EVENTS

JANUARY

22 Alumni Social: Victoria Borough, 2-5 p.m.

7999 Victoria Dr, Victoria MN 55386 FEBRUARY

5 Hall of Honor Ceremony, SMSU 5 Alumni Social: Tavern 507, 8-10 p.m.

EverSpring Inn and Suites, Marshall MN 19 Gold Rush Raffle, SMSU MARCH 24 Alumni Social: Buck Hill, 7-9 p.m.

15400 Buck Hill Rd, Burnsville MN 55306 APRIL

21 M4L Day: Details to come!

29 Women’s Leadership Conference, SMSU 30 WorldFest presented by SMSU/Visit Marshall,

Red Baron Arena MAY 7 Commencement, SMSU 19 Alumni Social: Barrel House, 5-7 p.m.

4701 E 54th St, Sioux Falls SD, 57110 JUNE 7 SMSU Women’s Basketball Golf Outing

Arnold’s Park, Iowa 9 Alumni Social: Old Brick House, 5-7 p.m.

6th Avenue South, St. Cloud MN 56301 OCTOBER 1 Homecoming 2022: Save the Date!

For register for events, visit:

SMSUALUMNI.COM

Join us for this exclusive, in-person event:

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Keynote Speaker, Jo Saxton Find her free e-book 5 Relationships Every Leader Needs at JoSaxton.com

Register at www.SMSUFoundation.org ALUMNI HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP Through its scholarship program, the SMSU Alumni Association recognizes high school seniors and transfer students who are children of SMSU Alumni. Awards are based on academic and leadership achievements. Up to 10 scholarships of $500 each are awarded for the student’s first year at SMSU. For criteria and application details visit: www.SMSU.edu/scholarships