SMSU Focus/Annual Report Fall 2012

SMSUFOCUS

Global Connections:

JAMAICA Students from SMSU Enactus tackle their biggest project yet

Fall 2012 Edition | Insert: 2011-2012 Foundation Annual Report

Fall 2012 | Vol. 32, No. 1

SMSUFOCUS

A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University

SMSU Athletics Adds A New Look to The Mustang Brand Several new athletic logos were met with enthusiasm when they were unveiled during halftime of Homecoming 2012 at SMSU. The new logos were created in-house, at no additional cost to the University, by Web Services Coordinator Jacob Speer and Graphic Designer Stacie Mulso, of the Communications and Marketing team. The process took two years.

The logos depict a more aggressive Mustang and are not meant to replace the current, ‘running’ Mustang, said Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski. “The new group of athletic logos will create stronger branding opportunities for the university and give us a vertical logo option we have been missing. Our running Mustang logo will remain a part of the package.

The new logo gives us more options and is consistent with other enhancements that other NSIC schools have made in recent years.”

Interest in the new logos has been high, said Cindy Peterson, manager of the Barnes & Noble Campus Store. “I’ve ordered different logos on several different pieces to see how it goes. People have been asking about the new logos, and we’ll have it on a dozen new pieces.”

The Barnes & Noble Campus Store web address is: www.smsu.bncollege.com.

For the complete story, a look at the new logos and to view the video created to launch the new look, visit: www.smsu.edu/mustangs4life.

Table of Contents 1 Around Campus: 4 Alumni Spotlight: Mike Winter ’88 5 Feature: SMSU Enactus Making a Global Difference 8 Alumni Connections 10 Foundation Annual Report 2011-12 18 Mustang Athletics 19 Class Notes

President Dr. Ronald A. Wood Associate Vice President for Advancement/Executive Director of Foundation Bill Mulso ’93 Director of Alumni Relations Michael Van Drehle ’08/MBA ’10 Focus Editor and Designer Marcy D. Olson ’93/MBA ’05 Senior Writer and Photographer Jim Tate

All cities and towns are located in Minnesota unless otherwise noted. Year(s) after names reference degrees obtained at SMSU. Focus (USPS 565-770) is published twice each year for alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University by the Alumni Office and the Office of Communications & Marketing at SMSU. Opinions expressed in FOCUS do not necessarily reflect official University policy. Send correspondence, name changes and address corrections to: Alumni Office, Attn: Focus Southwest Minnesota State University 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 You may also call (507) 537-6266 or email alumni@SMSU.edu

Contributors Stacy Frost ’93 Karen Kaas ’94 Kelly Loft ’97/MS ’11 Stacie Mulso ’94/MS ’12 Emily Neperman ’12

Feature Story Photos Courtesy of SMSU Enactus Cover: Laura Johnson is pictured with a young resident of Faith’s Pen, Jamaica.

Feature stories may be reprinted with the written permission of the FOCUS editor. Other articles may be reprinted without permission provided that credit is given to SMSU. Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. ADA Accessible.

This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Request by calling 507-537-6266, 1-800-260-0970, or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.

Visit us online www.SMSU.edu or www.SouthwestAlumni.com Follow our daily news feeds at www.SMSU.edu/today

A message from the president

Ronald A. Wood It is hard to believe that 16 months have passed since joining the SMSU family. Even harder is the realization that my two years as interim President will come to a close in eight months. It has been an exciting time for me as the friends I have made and the experiences I have had are unmatched in my higher education career. The University family, including Alumni, has demonstrated an ability to change and accept new pathways to success during the last year. I am proud to have been a part of a transition to new leadership and new programs.

SMSU is deep into the search for its 15th President. The Search Advisory Committee has been busy reviewing applications and the first round of interviews will take place in early November. The MnSCU chancellor will then select candidates to visit the campus in early January to meet the campus family and the community. Through open forums with individual candidates one will be able to give feedback on each candidate to the chancellor through an electronic process. At the same time the candidates will be asking us questions to determine if the fit is right for them! With all the information at hand, the chancellor, along with one to three Board of Trustee members, will interview the finalist in St. Paul and then make a recommendation to the entire Board of Trustees in late February. If all goes according to schedule the new president will be introduced to the campus community the first week of March and start on July 1, 2013.

While the search headlines the campus activity, there is much more to talk about. The scholarship program instituted last fall seems to have taken hold. At this point in time we are up 2.5% for the fall semester. In relative terms

only Metro State has a larger growth among the seven state universities. Early indications are that the second year of the program should bring even more impressive growth in enrollment. This year we are placing an emphasis on creating a Student Success Program that will improve our retention rate and assist students in completing their degrees on time!

Last year we talked about creating a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. We did it! The RN to BSN program has begun the process of accepting its first class of RN’s for the fall of 2013. We hope to have the new Director of Nursing hired and on campus by December. We intend to bring a second class on campus in the spring. The program is primarily on-line with a limited number of on campus activities to allow for flexibility of RN’s already in the workforce. We hope to have 100 students in the program by the spring of 2015.

A dream about restarting Cross Country and Track and Field programs has moved foward. We started the Cross Country program this fall after only putting it in place in June.

Our new coach is now busy recruiting individuals for the 2013-14 Cross Country and Track/Field seasons. We are inching closer to gaining final approval from the system office for the rehabilitation of the original Mattke Field being transitioned into the new Marshall Regional Track and Field Complex. It is exciting to be adding the new programs to our athletic department.

Much more is taking place so when on campus please do not hesitate to drop by to talk. Have a great rest of the year!

Wood

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RN to BSN Initiated at SMSU An exciting new academic degree — Registered Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) — will be offered at SMSU in the fall of 2013.

The RN to BSN program is designed with the working RN in mind, said Jan Loft, interim Dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences.

It offers the RN who wishes to earn a bachelor’s degree an opportunity to build upon existing knowledge and skills in order to advance their education and increase career options.

The RN to BSN program prepares students for a management career in nursing or advanced practice. As healthcare organizations continue to streamline and expect more of their RNs, demand for nurses with credentials beyond an associate’s degree or diploma is expected to grow.

Course delivery will include online courses and occasional on-campus classwork. The RN to BSN degree requires 120 credits, 60 of which are transfer credits.

The RN to BSN program has been approved by the Minnesota State Colleges and

Universities system. A director of nursing will join the SMSU faculty

by January 2013, said Loft.

Once courses in the program have begun, SMSU will apply for accreditation to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

It is the brainchild of SMSU President Dr. Ron Wood, who said establishing an RN to BSN degree was one of his top priorities when he began the first of his two-years as interim president in 2011-12.

Applications are currently being accepted for admittance to SMSU. Students are encouraged to enroll now and complete work on the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and Liberal Education Core courses. Once admitted to SMSU, transfer credits will be evaluated and admittance into the program will be determined by the director of nursing.

It is hoped that the degree will be popular with two-year RN degree holders who wish to advance their careers. Students can take courses either part-time or full-time.

Presidential Search Process Underway The ninth permanent president of Southwest Minnesota State University should be known by the end of February 2013.

So says Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Dr. Steven Rosenstone, who was on campus Oct. 4 to meet with students, faculty and staff regarding the presidential search process.

A Search Advisory Committee of 12 individuals is assisting in the process. It consists of representatives of the four bargaining units on campus, as well as administration, community representatives and a student representative. The committee is chaired by Richard Davenport, president of Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The MnSCU system office is working with the executive search firm of Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. The committee first met in September 2012.

At that time, the process to be followed was discussed, along with roles, expectations,

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affirmative action responsibilities, confidentiality and search procedures.

The timeline calls application reviews to have been completed by the end of October, followed by off-site interviews. On-campus interviews will be conducted during January and possibly early February 2013.

Rosenstone indicated that, if things go as planned, the committee will forward to the chancellor the name of the person recommended to be the next president of SMSU. That person must then be approved by the MnSCU Board of Trustees at its February 2013 meeting.

“We’d like the person to be named by then so that we have some transition time,” said Rosenstone during his Oct. 4 visit.

Dr. Ron Wood is in his second year as interim president.

The new president will begin his or her duties on July 1, 2013.

Rosenstone

Mario Hernandez ’98 Addresses Freshmen Class Alumnus Mario Hernandez talked about embracing the college experience when he spoke to the freshman class of 2016 during convocation in August.

Convocation is a part of Gold Rush Days, when entering freshmen come to campus two days before classes begin to acclimate to the University and meet fellow classmates.

Hernandez, a Class of ’98 alumnus who majored in Business Administration, is the vice president and chief operating offer of the Latino Economic Development Center in Minneapolis. He previously worked as a legislative and community affairs liaison with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

“When I came to SMSU, my mission was to get a degree as fast as I could,” he said. “Then I got more involved, and found more enrichment, as I got to know people.”

Hernandez called convocation the start of a journey when students will “build communities on campus — with classmates, teammates, neighbors and friends.”

Hernandez became very involved with student government, both on campus, and at the Minnesota State University Student Association, when he attended SMSU. He indicated that SMSU was the right size for him, and that “the size of SMSU makes it easy to get involved.”

He told entering freshmen that they are “social media and technology savvy, and socially conscious” and urged them to embrace those qualities, and build on them, during their time at SMSU. “Learn to be learners, get engaged, take chances, try new things, make connections and enjoy your time at SMSU,” he said.

Hernandez

Desy named Vision and Change Leadership Fellow Southwest Minnesota State University biology professor Dr. Betsy Desy has been named one of 40 Vision and Change Leadership Fellows by the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE).

The fellows will identify and consider how to eliminate barriers to the changes that are needed to improve undergraduate life sciences education.

The PULSE program is a joint initiative of the National Science Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health. The effort supports a yearlong program in which Vision and Change Leadership Fellows consider and then recommend models for improving undergraduate life sciences education.

Desy is one of 40 selected from 250 applicants. The fellows are from 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands and are employed by research universities, liberal arts colleges, comprehensive/regional universities and twoyear colleges.

The group met at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland Oct. 15-18 to launch the initiative. Input from faculty

members from across the country will be encouraged, and a website set up to take input regarding “strategies that have worked on other campuses that focus on biology education for all students,” said Desy. “From all of these stories we will put together models that faculty at any institution can look at. From that input, faculty members can say, ‘I can implement that on my campus.’”

They will reconvene in June for another four days to look at the suggestions and develop a final draft of the document which spells out a vision for change in undergraduate biology education.

Desy said the whole idea of revisiting biology education “has been going on for 25 years now — how to make it more engaging, and showing all students why biology is important to their lives. We know things now about student learning we didn’t know before, and I’m excited to see this tackled,” said Desy.

“Most science faculty are not trained in pedagogy. We teach the way we were taught.

This endeavor gives a slightly different perspective. I know it has caused me to be more reflective and purposeful in how I approach classes.”

Desy

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[ alumni spotlight ]

Ag Parts Take Mike Winter ’88 Around the Globe To Mike Winter, president of He spends about 50 percent of Worthington Ag Parts, “it’s all about his work time on the road, relationships.” cultivating and nurturing those The 1988 alumnus has been relationships he talks about, and is president of Worthington Ag Parts, a proud of the expansion that has global supplier of replacement occurred within Worthington Ag tractor, combine and machinery Parts. “Farming has been good these parts the past 12 years. days, the price of corn has never He joined the company 23 years been better.” ago, and has held various positions The Midwest drought this past along the way. growing season has taken a toll on Worthington Ag Parts may sound some states’ agricultural industries, like it’s a small business in especially Missouri, Iowa and Worthington, Minn. While the Illinois, to name a few. “Certain company started there, it now has parts of the country the drought did retail stores in nine Midwest set back (agriculture). There was no locations and three other facilities in harvest, and the need for the United States. It sells after-market replacement parts was less. It’s the new, re-manufactured and used worst I’ve seen it in all my years with parts. Along with that, they are the Worthington Ag Parts, but one year U.S. distributor for Capello corn doesn’t make a cycle.” heads, manufactured in Italy. The Winter went to Minnesota West company recently completed a $5 Community College before million worldwide headquarters in transferring to SMSU to pursue his Sioux Falls, S.D. Currently, corporate accounting degree. “Jan Kraft was Winter headquarters are in Maple Grove, very influential to me when I Photo courtesy of Brian Korthals/Worthington Daily Globe Minn., but Winter and his family will attended SMSU,” said Winter. “I move to Sioux Falls by June 2014, he enjoyed my experience. I think said. what’s unique is the ability to create relationships with the The company also has one location in Germany, and seven in professors. They knew who we were. If I had a problem, I could Australia, known by the name Neil’s Parts. go talk to them. It wasn’t like being a number at a big university.”

Worthington Ag Parts employs 250 people worldwide, and After graduating, he went to work for Gerber & Haugen, a the growth the company has enjoyed will continue, he feels.

CPA firm in Slayton, Minn.

The company decided to open stores overseas in the mid-’90s, It was a relationship he had with a friend that led him to said Winter. “We had a lot of foreign customers coming to the Worthington Ag Parts. “I was playing amateur baseball in U.S., to [do business with] us, and we would develop relationships Worthington and a teammate told me that Worthington Ag Parts with them. We learned their markets and realized that farming is was looking for a staff accountant,” he said. the same worldwide and some of them wanted to be our Thus began a career that has “taken me to every continent on partners.”

Earth except Antarctica.”

Winter is a big believer that scuffing some shoe leather is Winter said that “the world keeps getting smaller, and I see us important. “The key is to get out in traffic and develop continuing our global growth without losing focus on our relationships,” he said. domestic market. The American farmer feeds the world, and the Winter credits the internet with his company’s ability to world is getting hungrier.” successfully go from regional to global. “We program our own Winter and his wife, Karen, are the parents of two daughters: web sites in-house,” he said. “Our customers can look at our Kristen, a sophomore in college, and Allison, a junior in high products any time of the day.” school.

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Logan Arendt, left, and Zach Raddatz, right, secure a new banner.

Driven to make a difference

2200 miles away

It’s about 2,200 miles from Marshall to Faith’s Pen, Jamaica. Yet for the past year, strong bonds between the two communities have been forged, thanks to the Southwest Minnesota State University student group Enactus.

Enactus is a worldwide community of student, academic and business leaders committed to teaching entrepreneurship and free market concepts.

Members of Enactus — formerly known as Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) — have been to Faith’s Pen four times since the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year. Faith’s Pen is a rest stop halfway between Ocho Rios, the country’s tourist center, and Kingston, the capital and business center of Jamaica.

Faith’s Pen consists of 30 food shacks, where authentic Jamaican food is prepared on-site. It is located close to a small village by the same name where most of the food vendors live.

Faith’s Pen had slowly developed problems over the years, including a run-down appearance, water supply problems and hygiene issues. Then one SMSU student had an idea. (continued on next page...)

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Above: Enactus team members show pride in the work assembling new picnic tables (front, l-r) Tanya Ashley, Shawna Erickson, Anna Berman, Erika Rust, Brooke Zins, Brynn Berens, Brittany Swartz, (back, l-r) Rene Wegner, Zach Raddatz, Eskor Eyo, and Logan Arendt.

Below: Brooke Zins enjoys time with the local children.

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ENTER SMSU ENACTUS...

Tanya Ashley is from Jamaica and became aware of the plight of Faith’s Pen. She took her concerns to Enactus advisor Dr. John Gochenouer, professor of management at SMSU. Thus began “our most challenging and impactful effort,” said Gochenouer.

Enactus members took three trips to Faith’s Pen in 2011-12, and one so far in 2012. The first three trips were to scout Faith’s Pen and create a work plan; do the actual work to alleviate the problems; and follow up with marketing efforts. The fourth, most recent trip, was to develop a permanent business plan so Faith’s Pen can become an officially certified cooperative, which allows it to be designated as a tourist location and to reap the benefits of government advertising opportunities.

The brainpower and elbow grease involved with the project left the students tired and satisfied. They helped apply fresh paint; clean up the debris from the area; helped secure trashcans and picnic tables; solved an ongoing water supply issue; and, perhaps most importantly, helped educate the vendors regarding proper hygiene and food preparation.

The Red Stripe Brewing Company of Jamaica heard of the effort and helped paint the vendor shacks. Enactus also partnered with the Sunrise Rotary Club of Marshall and the North Saint Catherine Rotary Club of Jamaica to fix bathroom plumbing and install a new fuel tank for the diesel water pump, so that water would flow continuously to Faith’s Pen. The Enactus help came just in time. “The Ministry of Health was going to close it down due to a lack of hygiene standards. They were set to close on March 6,” said Gochenouer.

Faith’s Pen got a reprieve. “It was very dramatic when the Health Ministry people came. It was raining hard, and we were standing there describing the improvements. We were all happy when they said ‘Keep up the good work.’”

Laura Johnson, a senior speech communicationpublic relations major from Maple Lake, Minn., is the Enactus vice president this year. She has been to Jamaica twice with the group.

“We worked really hard at Faith’s Pen and, for me, it was rewarding to go back and see all of the changes and how things are progressing. The people there are very appreciative and it was humbling.”

Johnson said the vendors now must sustain the group’s efforts. She believes that will happen.

“You can see they’ve implemented programs, have taken the initiative. They are pushing themselves, and cleaning up a lot more now. They are taking ownership of what we did,” she said.

“Business is up,” said Gochenouer. “They are now getting drivers, buses, cabs, jitney drivers. It’s more of a tourist destination now. In fact, three days before we arrived (during fall semester break), The Travel Channel was there doing a story on Faith’s Pen.” Gochenouer is proud of the group. “When I look at the pictures, and think back, I remember I thought it was crazy trying to take on that much.

What’s even crazier is the level of enthusiasm and accomplishments of the group. When you think Jamaica, you think beaches and resorts, but that’s not the Jamaica these kids know.”

A total of 22 Enactus members have visited Jamaica as part of the Faith’s Pen project.

The Enactus group competes against other colleges and universities each year at the regional level and has won that competition all nine years SMSU has had a chapter. Regional winners advance to nationals, and SMSU Enactus finished in the top 20 nationally last year. “This project is what got us into the top 20,” said Gochenouer.

What’s next for Enactus? Besides monitoring Faith’s Pen, the group that traveled to Jamaica in October visited Robin’s Nest, an orphanage about 30 minutes outside of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“The Faith’s Pen project is winding down, and we were looking for a way to expand our efforts.

When we contacted them, they said ‘God sent you to us.’”

The orphanage is run by a Lutheran group from Minnesota, said Gochenouer. They have severe water problems “and will probably be broke by the end of the year (buying water) if we don’t come up with a solution.”

Enactus will also help with education issues associated with the 28 orphans who live there. It will also help Robin’s Nest employees and residents learn to grow their own food. A group of Enactus members are excited to travel there in December to begin that project.

“Some of the children are far behind. They were born and thrown to the curb,” said Johnson.

“Robin’s Nest is at the top of a mountain, and when we were there, we discussed with the director their needs.”

It’s inspirational to know that a group of SMSU students from the plains can have such a profound effect on needy residents of what many consider to be a plush island paradise. “These students see another part of Jamaica,” said Gochenouer. “What they have done is nothing short of amazing.”

Above: Work at Faith’s Pen included repainting buildings in the traditional vibrant colors of the island nation. Pictured are (l-r) Laura Johnson, Jasmine (Ghorbani) Kortsmit, and Jenna Vieau.

Below: On March 9, 2012, the Faith’s Pen Rest Stop was officially reopened.

Pictured are: (l-r) Ericka Rust; Eskor Eyo; Lisa Hanna, Member of Parliament Minister of Youth and Culture; Lloyd Garrick, Parish Councillor; Tanya Ashley; and Zach Raddatz.

News of the renovation at Faith’s Pen Rest Stop was covered widely by the Jamaican press. To read the local coverage visit: SMSU.edu/Focus for links to The Gleaner.

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2012 Alumni Awards Five individuals in three separate categories were honored by the Alumni Association during SMSU Homecoming on Oct. 5-6.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS David Christensen “At that time, with SMSU in its infancy, it was just right for me. It was new, growing, and it just seemed to be an abundance of life on campus.”

That’s how David Christensen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HickoryTech Corp. in Mankato, describes his time at Southwest.

HickoryTech Corp. is a leading communications provider with headquarters in Mankato, HickoryTech has 500 employees and a five-state fiber network spanning more than 3,250 route miles throughout the Midwest.

Christensen graduated from SMSU with an Accounting degree in 1975.

Christensen and his wife, Jill Evans, have four children, all grown and living in Minnesota.

Clayton Schwerin Clayton Schwerin grew up on a farm between Wood Lake and Echo. His parents, Harlan and Carol Schwerin, always told their four children that they needed to get an education. He

graduated from Southwest in 1977 with degrees in Engineering and Machine Design.

He went on to purchase Baldwin Construction of Fort Collins, CO and changed the name to Alliance Construction Solutions and had eight active companies with the brand Alliance Solutions.

Schwerin sold six of the eight Alliance businesses to employees in 2010, and is now retired and living with his wife, Tami, in Edina, Minn. They have five grown children.

The award, he said, is a tribute to his parents and all the work they did raising their four children.

Dr. Debra Morgan When Dr. Debra Morgan came to Southwest, it was her first experience living in a rural setting.

Morgan is a St. Paul native who chose SMSU upon the recommendation of a high school counselor. “She said Marshall is the place, the best in the state,” said Morgan.

Morgan is a 1979 alumna of SMSU, with a degree in Health.

After graduating, she received a master’s degree in counseling from Bemidji State.

She then moved to Texas and began work with Alamo Colleges. Today she is the

Christensen ’75

Schwerin ’77

Morgan ’79

District Director of Strategic Initiatives and Performance Excellence at Alamo Colleges in Texas. Her time at SMSU was influenced by professors Lew Shaver, Joe Amato, Molly Person, Gustav Vargas and Ken Mukomela.

Morgan is married to Dennis Gittinger, a math professor.

They have three children, and five grandchildren.

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD Doug Anderson Doug Anderson retired from a 48-year career in the banking industry in 2009, and today finds himself as busy as if he were working again. “[Volunteering] does keep me busy,” said Anderson, a Hanley Falls native who has given of his time and talents to benefit SMSU. Anderson served as property manager for SMSU Foundation-owned farmland for years. He was a member of the SMSU Foundation Planned Giving Committee for a dozen years. He is an active Mustang Booster Club member.

He said the presence of SMSU

Anderson

Kassel ’04

benefits the entire region and he’s humbled to be honored.

GOLD AWARD Janell (Powers) Kassel Janell (Powers) Kassel traveled a long way to attend SMSU. It was worth every mile, she said.

“I was so excited to go away and play on a college team,” said Kassel, a Lohrville, Iowa, native who was recruited by former volleyball coach Deb Denbeck.

“I had visited other colleges and met the girls... but I didn’t get the same warmth that I felt at SMSU.” She graduated in 2004 with a double major in Biology and Chemistry. “I always knew I wanted to be an optometrist,” she said.

After graduating from Pacific University Optometry School in 2009, she joined the Family Eye and Contact Lens Center in Muscatine, Iowa where she is now a partner.

Janell is married to SMSU alumnus Tyson Kassel. They had their first child, McKenna, in April 2012.

For the complete biographies: www.SouthwestAlumni.com/awards

Call for Alumni Award Nominations The SMSU Alumni Association is accepting nominations for Alumni Awards. These awards honor deserving alumni and friends of the University and are presented each Homecoming.

Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to graduates in recognition of their professional success and the positive reflection made on the reputation of all SMSU graduates.

Honorary Lifetime Membership Awards are presented to individuals who are not a graduate of SMSU, but give their time, talents and enthusiasm as if they were.

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GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Awards recognize recent graduates with exceptional achievement and significant contributions to their profession or community/society or university.

The Paxton Award is given, not on a yearly basis, to individuals who have gone above and beyond in support and service to the University, based on the examples of John and Kathy Paxton, longtime SMSU benefactors.

Deadline for 2013 consideration is: January 1, 2013. Download the nomination form at: www.SouthwestAlumni.com/alumniawards

Reconnecting with Friends at Homecoming 2012 A group of faithful alumni returned for another great Homecoming. Seated (l-r) Valerie Hattan Romberg ('78), Dorothy Balen ('73), Cathy Moeller Guthrie ('79), Cindy Bloomquist ('79), Mark Bloomquist ('78). Standing (lr)Vicki Dietz Dalager ('75), Marion Sewich Lueth ('75), Jane Klinkner Soukup ('80), Jack McDonough (former student), Charles Schaefer ('76), Karla Schaefer Godbey ('74), Laure Schaefer. Thanks for joining us! If you haven’t come home in a while, it’s time you did! Homecoming 2013 is Saturday, October 5.

Alumni Heritage Scholarships Available for Fall 2013 The SMSU Alumni Association is proud to recognize high school seniors and transfer students for their academic and leadership achievements by offering the Alumni Heritage Scholarship.

The Alumni Association will award

scholarships to students attending SMSU in the Fall of 2013. Children and grandchildren of SMSU graduates are encouraged to apply for these scholarships.

The application deadline is March 1, 2013.

Scholarship recipients are notified in April.

For more information visit: www.SouthwestAlumni.com/scholarship

Mustang Pride in Amazing Places Melissa Bromen ’74 traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She is pictured (far left) with her family. She wrote, “While visiting the United Arab Emirates, our family spent a day in the desert outside of Abu Dhabi sandboarding, dune bashing and enjoying a traditional Arab meal. Truly an amazing place!”

Congratulations to Melissa Bromen! You’ve won a $50 gift card to the Barnes & Noble Campus Store that you can use in the store or online at smsu.bncollege.com to pick up more Brown & Gold gear!

Do you have a photo of yourself wearing your Mustang gear in an amazing place or while on an incredible adventure? If so, submit online at www.SouthwestAlumni.com/AmazingPlaces.

Winners will see their photo published in FOCUS and receive a $50 gift card to the SMSU Barnes & Noble Campus Store. To be considered, photos must be in focus with SMSU or Mustang logo clearly visible.

Let’s Get Social:

Recognize anyone?

In preparation for an upcoming book commemorating the 50th anniversary of the University, the Communicaitons and Marketing Office has been scanning old photos. Unfortunately, almost all of the photos are not identified. That's where you come in. Visit and like “SMSUToday” and “Southwest Minnesota State University Alumni Association” on Facebook. Check out the photo albums entitled “A Look Back.” New photos are added regularly.

Tag your friends, yourself, and help identify everyone. If need further information is needed, you will be contacted. Not on Facebook? You can still browse the albums at www.SouthwestAlumni.com/ALookBack

SMSU Alumni Association Board Members: President: Becky Bot MS ’02 Vice President: Sara Granheim ’02/MBA ’04 Secretary/Treasurer: David Sanderson ’78 Doug Franzen’82 Becky Gerdes ’98 Jason Holland ’95 Deb Mitlyng ’85 Tracey Mork ’06 Melissa Moulton ’98 Tom Quarnstrom ’75 Josh Scholten ’05 Justin Thordson ’98 Neal Wahlman ’75 Dr. Jim Walters ’89 Steve Yakesh ’99

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Foundation Annual Report 2011-2012

Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends, The Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation is pleased to share with you our 2011-2012 Annual Report. We would like to thank and recognize those whose time, talents and financial contributions have so generously supported the University.

Nearly 5,000 donors helped the SMSU Foundation raise $3,770,716 in contributions, revenue and support. This generosity allowed the Foundation to contribute just over $2.7 million back to the University with over $625,000 going directly to student scholarships. Overall, we were pleased to show significant growth in the total net assets of the Foundation from $8,600,180 to $9,757,887.

As the year draws to a close and we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I would encourage you to consider the SMSU Foundation in your year-end giving plans. Contributions of cash, stock, or life insurance are just a couple of ideas to enhance the impact of our scholarship fund. Your gift today will ensure additional value and support for our students in the future.

As you read through this report, please note all of the individuals and businesses that have so generously supported Southwest Minnesota State University with a gift of $100 or more. No matter what the size of the gift, please know that each and every gift is important and appreciated by SMSU, so the next time you visit campus stop by the Alumni Heritage Gallery and see a complete listing of everyone who made a contribution this past year.

On behalf of the SMSU Foundation Board of Directors, thank you for all that you do to make Southwest Minnesota State a great University!

Sincerely,

Bill Mulso Executive Director SMSU Foundation

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Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED as of June 30, 2012 Alumni $439,154

Board of Directors

Interest Income $142,103

2011-2012

Faculty & Staff $58,507

Business $1,121,658

Friends $1,842,018

Matching Gift $167,276

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Foundation Support for FY 2012 - $2,704,687 Scholarship $625,499

University Development $1,206,711

Fundraising $405,653

Academic & Program Support $466,824

Daniel Koster: President Diane Taylor: 1st Vice President Doreen Kronke-McCourt: 2nd Vice President Roger Madison: Secretary/Treasurer Bradley Winkelman: Past President Robert Aufenthie Kyle Berndt Julie Bleyhl ’84 Deb Boulton ’93 Timothy Burns ’72 Stephen Davis Bill DeLay ’85 Lee French ’72 Robert Gunther ’77 Sheldon Haaland Maren Larson Jan Loft Richard Maertens Marilyn McLaughlin Mary Meaden Roger Mohr Orian Muecke '75 Ken Mukomela Kristie Mukomela ’80 Chuck Myrbach Mike Rich Bruce Saugstad ’89 Bill Toulouse ’94

For complete information on the University’s Financials for Fiscal Year End June 30, 2012, visit: www.SMSU.edu

Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

11

Honor Roll of Donors Presidential Benefactors Society $1,000,000 + cum.

Presidential Patrons Society $500,000 - $999,999 cum.

Presidential Fellows Society $250,000 - $499,999 cum.

Presidential Benefactors Society Alumni & Friends D. C. (Pat) McFarland Jr. Business Aramark Corporation Schwan’s Shared Services, LLC The Schwan Food Company Presidential Patrons Society Alumni & Friends Deeann Griebel ‘80 Oscar & Cora Sather Farms Presidential Fellows Society Alumni & Friends Karen LeShufy Business Archer Daniels Midland Company Bremer Bank Minnesota Corn Growers Association Otto Bremer Foundation Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation US Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group Cornerstone Society Alumni & Friends **David & Cecelia Danahar Mark Edelmann ’75 Robert Lockwood Thomas McCourt & Dorene Kronke-McCourt ’73 Charles & Dorothy McGuiggan Beth Wesselhoeft ’76 Business Bremer Financial Corporation Buuck Family Foundation CHS Foundation Ecolab Industry Foundation Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Ralco Nutrition, Inc. Ralph Manwarren Charitable Trust Southwest Initiative Foundation Upper Midwest Employers Association Landmark Society Alumni & Friends ** Doug & JoAnne Fraunfelder

Cornerstone Society $100,000 - $249,999 cum.

Landmark Society $50,000 - $99,999 cum.

Benefactors Society $25,000 - $49,999 cum.

Sheldon & Margery Haaland * Robert & Premjit Larsen Thomas & Linda Sanders **Joseph & ** Eileen VanWie Business Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Bank of the West - Marshall Carr Properties D & G Excavating East River Electric Power Cooperative First USA Bank, N.A. Great Plains Natural Gas Co Har-Mar Foods, Inc.Hardees Hy-Vee Food Store KMHL Broadcasting Lockwood Motors, Inc. Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative McLaughlin & Schulz, Inc. R & G Construction Slumberland of Marshall Southwest Marketing Advisory Council The McFarland Company Wells Fargo Foundation Benefactor Society Alumni & Friends **Joseph & Cathy Amato Bradley Baune Jerrold Cohen & Diane Cohen ’72 David Grong ’76 & Linda Grong Brian & Kristin Gruhot ’93 **William Hezlep **Jack & ** Mary Hickerson * Christopher Hmielewski ’98 & Mary Jo Hmielewski Richard & Marilyn Kontz John (Jack) McLaughlin Orian Muecke ’75 & Sue Muecke **Kenneth & Gwen Mukomela * William Mulso ’93 & *Stacie Mulso ’94 Lenny & Judy Pippin **Lloyd & Linnea Raymond * Michael & Arlene Rich Thomas Sand Bruce Saugstad ’89 & Linda Saugstad ’90 **David & Marlys Simpson **Dan & Mary Snobl ’88 **Michael & ** Karen Sterner **Mary Jane Striegel Dan & Kathy Sussner

2011-2012

University Society $10,000 - $24,999 cum.

President’s Society $5,000 - $9,999 cum.

Karen Sweetland * Beth Weatherby & *Steven Kramer Dale. W. Youngern Business Ameriprise Financial - Tom VanderHagen Annexstad Family Foundation Basin Electric Power Cooperative Bisbee Plumbing & Heating Borch’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Buffalo Ridge Concrete, Inc. Bremer Trust Company of MN Burger King of Marshall Cattoor Oil Company, Inc. CHS Inc. D & M Implement Davisco Foods International, Inc. Edelmann Management Company Great River Energy Heartland Consumers Power District Helena Chemical Company - Marshall Henle Printing Company Hoffman & Brobst, PLLP Hormel Food Corporation ING ReliaStar Life Insurance Company K.T.’s Kitchens, Inc. KHC Construction, Inc. Land O’Lakes Foundation LeAnn Tolk Charitable Fund Mardag Foundation Marshall Independent Marshall Public School District 413 Material Distributors, Inc. Merck Partnership for Giving Midwest United Insurance Services, Inc. Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Minnesota Pork Board Minnwest Bank, M.V. Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation, Inc. Paxton Signs, Inc. PPG Industries Foundation Prudential Financial Quarnstrom & Doering, P.A. Rock-Tenn Company Runnings Farm and Fleet Schott Foundation Southwest Tour & Travel

Bellows Club $1,000 - $4,999 annually Founders Club $500 - $999 annually Century Club $100 - $499 annually

State Farm Companies Foundation Subway The Farm Credit System Foundation, Inc. UniPro Foodservice, Inc. US Bancorp Foundation Viking Coca Cola Walter L Mann Estate Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, NA Western Printing Company University Society Alumni & Friends **Randy Abbott & Jill Buitendyk ’92 * Timothy Alcorn ’89 Frederick Almer & *Debra Almer ’76 Michelle Anderson ’88 Harvey Angel ’73 Kevin Anundson ’82 & Karla Anundson Robert Archbold Robert Aufenthie & Ramona Nagel Bonnie Babcock Michael Bjerkesett ’71 Greg & Paula Boerboom ’91 Charles & Katherine Bonifas Tyler Bowen ’95 & Susan Bowen ’95 Brian & Kathy Brandt Leland Bush ’73 & Pamela Bush ’72 **Edward & Linda Carberry Audrey Carlson Duane & *Debra Carrow ’94 Jim Checkel Jim & Kim Christianson Esther Cooper * Scott & *Laura Crowell Donald & Phyllis Danielson Debbie Denbeck Rick & Linda Dennis David & Carol Drown Eric & Neenah Eben Terry & Roxanne Eberle Willard & Colleen Engel **Ed & **Connie Evans Daniel Fischer & Jan Nordin-Fischer Terrence Fogarty ’82 & Karen Fogarty Neil Frost ’93 & *Stacy Frost ’93 Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Jim & Jan Fuhrmann Mitch Glover ’85 & Jane Glover ’84

Mabel Grong Robert Gunther ’77 & Jill McCartney Lois Henkel ’72 Tom & Fran Hill **Keigh & Arlene Hubel James Hubley ’74 & Barbara Hubley ’75 Robert Jacobson & Jill Vroman * Brent & Mary Jeffers Randy & **Deb Johnson Robert Johnson Violet Johnson Eileen Jones Richard Jorgensen ’72 & Barbara Jorgensen **Charles Kauffman James Kerkaert & *Debra Kerkaert ’88 Michael Kramer ’94 & Alecia Kramer ’94 Vincent & Anne LaPorte Therese Larsen Dennis Larson ’71 & *Maren Larson ’89 John Lasher Gregory & Rebecca Lecy Rena Lockwood John & Kathy Loe Susan Madsen Richard & Irene Maertens C. Paul & Carole Martin Bill & Roz McCormack Tom & Liz McLaughlin Harvey McVey **George & Risë Mitchell Bruce Mitlyng & *Debra Mitlyng ’85 **Roger & Constance Mohr Gordon & Jenice Molitor Doug & *Sandy Mosch ’79 Chuck & *Rosalie Muller ’85 **Charles Myrbach Kenneth & Janice Noyes John Paxton ’71 & Kathy Paxton ’69 Vincent & Marcy Pellegrino Stella Peterson * David Pichaske & Michelle Payne Pichaske ’88 Doug Pilgrim & *Jan Loft Karl Porisch & Shirley Anderson-Porisch Warren & Ardella Quarnstrom **Thaddeus Radzilowski David & Bette Reeder Thomas Roberts & Deanna Getschel Roberts

This Honor Roll of Donors lists annual contributors of gifts of $100 or more for the period between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and cumulative gifts and pledges of $5,000 or more. While gifts of any amount are very much appreciated, this report contains only those in the Century Club or higher. Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report. If you see any discrepancies, please contact the SMSU Foundation. A complete listing of donors is available in the Alumni Heritage Gallery.

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Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

* Don Robertson ’84 & Marci Robertson Alvin Rusk & **Joan Rusk ’82 Steve & Juli Sanders Michael Springman ’73 & Tracey Springman Mark & Claudia Stenson David Taylor & Diane Taylor ’75 **Eileen Thomas Michael & Jennifer Thomas ’95 * Gerald & Mary Toland ’96 William Toulouse ’94 & Traci Toulouse Doug & Carole Treadway Robert Walker ’98 & Nancy Walker Patrick Wands ’85 David Weiner Mike & ** Lorraine Weverka Daniel & Carleen Wiersma * Ronald & Sandra Wood * James & *Marianne Zarzana Business 3M Foundation Affiliated Community Medical Center AgriBank AgStar Financial Services AgStar Financial Services Alltel Corporation American Legion Post #113 Aramark ATM Network, Inc. B & N College Booksellers, Inc. Breyfogle Auto Sales Burger King Corporation Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration Cars Limited CHS Inc. - Marshall Coca Cola Bottlers’ Foundation Cottonwood Co-op Oil Company Cowles Media Company Credit Bureau of Marshall, Inc. Dale W. Youngern Trust Domino’s Pizza Duane Anderson Chartered First Independent Bank Granite Falls Bank Great Plains Sports, LLC Gregory G Lecy, D.D.S. Heartland Corn Products Hitching Post of Marshall, Inc. Hubbard Foundation Jennie-O Turkey Store John V or Esther McLaughlin Foundation Kyle B Petersen Farms Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau McNeely Foundation MDU Resources Foundation Meier Electric, Inc. Midwest Ag Enterprises, Inc. Midwest Aviation Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative

Minnesota Pork Producers Association Minnwest Bank, M.V. National Collegiate Athletic Association National Endowment For The Humanities Nationwide Foundation North Star Mutual Insurance Company Papa John’s Pizza Perkin’s Family Restaurant Prairie Pride Cooperative Preferred One Prudential Foundation Ramada Marshall Red Rock Rural Water System Reinhart FoodService, LLC Shooters Sporting Clays Smile Designers Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Southwest Ophthalmology Associates, P.A. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Strategic Marketing Services, Inc. Titan Machinery United FCS US Bancorp Vendor Services Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #742 Wachovia Foundation President’s Society Alumni & Friends Bruce & Mary Ahrendt * John Alcorn ’89 & Susan Alcorn Tony Alcorn ’90 & Patricia Alcorn ’91 David Anastasi ’82 & Joyce Anastasi Adrian & Claudia Anderson ’81 Douglas Anderson Joseph & Helen Andries Wilfredo & Alice Apostol Shirlee Bailey Lee Barrett ’83 Gary & Marjory Becker Dale Berkner ’78 & Dianne Berkner Eli & Mary Berry Steven Binder ’79 & Debbie Binder Thomas & Gayle Birath Brian & Krista Bjella ’96 * Paul & Nancy Blanchard Jerald Bly ’71 & Ricke Bly ’73 Todd & Jane Bock Jeff & *Rhonda Bonnstetter ’96 * Patricia Brace * Glen Bruns ’85 & Mary Bruns ’75 Thomas Brutscher ’85 Don & Susan Buhl Julie Caron David Caslavka ’91 Greg & Sue Cattoor John Chute ’77 & Debbie Chute

Stanley & Katherine Claussen Edmond & Nina Conway * Verna Cornish Bruce Cox & Constance Smith-Cox Chad Crow ’72 & Marilyn Crow * Terrence Culhane ’78 & Sandra Culhane ’78 **Hugh & Linda Curtler Jeremy Daberkow Kevin & Nancy Dahlman Fran & Syl DeBaere John & Stephanie DeVos Martin & Betsy Draper John & Pat Drown ’71 Tim & Marlene Dufault **Conrad & Marcia Eckstrom Faye Eckternacht Eric & Brandy Eidsness **Robert & **Maryann Eliason Bradley Engebretson ’76 & *Jill Engebretson Dave & Pam Epperly Cam & Joanne Fanfulik Robert & Sandra Fenske William Fenske ’84 & Anne Fenske Bryan Fier & *Sara Fier ’93 Oliver & Mary Ford **Gary & Mary Frandson ’71 James & *B.C. Franson Joann Fredrickson ’84 Steve & Linda Fruechte Randy & Pamela Galbraith ’80 * Stuart Galstad ’72 Pete Gaskell & Julia Gaskell ’83 LaVern & ** Pat Gawarecki * Vaughn Gehle ’82 George & Jenifer Goblish ’99 Thomas Good ’73 & Annette Good Forrest Gorter ’73 & Mary Ferron Curtis & Kristy Griffin Joanne Groenewold ’76 Jason Gruhot ’88 & Danielle Gruhot William Hanson ’77 & Jan Hanson ’75 Shane Hastings ’92 & Penny Hastings Darin & Nancy Hegland Don Hein & **Julie Hein ’71 Patrick & *Sharon Hennen Marvin & Jan Hey Mark Hodder ’87 & Xunyu Qian Gerald & *Sandy Hoffbeck ’74 Brian & Sandi Hoffman Ken Holm & *Cynthia Holm ’79 Michael Holmes ’85 Bryon Hotzler ’72 & Laura Hotzler ’72 Jerry & *Marcia Hubner Owen Jensen ’71 & Darlene Jensen James & **Ann John ’77

David Johnson ’72 & Lourdes Vasquez De Johnson Michael Kaczmarek ’98 Ralph & Mena Kaehler Randy & Susan Kamrath John Kern ’75 & Lynda Kern ’77 Carlos & Jean Knakmuhs * Jeff Kolnick & Rosa Tock Todd Konietzko ’85 & Kelly Konietzko ’84 Marilyn Kontz ’71 **Michael Kopp & *Vicky Brockman ’82 George & Jane Korver * Charles Kost & *Elizabeth (Betsy) Desy David & *Brittany Krull ’04 Stephen Krumpe & Paula Nelson ’72 Russ & *Debra Labat **Marilyn Leach Daniel & Kim Lippert * Kelly Loft ’97 & Kari Loft ’96 **Max & Mary Lord Sander & Peggy Ludeman Sally A. & Burton M. Magnuson ’04 Joel Mathiowetz Darlene Mattke ’74 Mike Maxwell Steve McGinness Ronald & Marilyn McLaughlin Perry & Lou Ann Meyer Tim Moberg ’71 & Judy Moberg Larry & Michelle Muff Kristi Mukomela ’80 David Musser ’81 & Tammy Musser ’81 **David & Judith Nass Jan Nelson ’73 Ron & Karen Obermoller Thomas Odland ’72 & Pamela Odland **Girard Parnell ’71 & Diane Parnell * David & Marica Patterson * William Pavot George & Mary Peichel Craig Pellerin **Lloyd & Rennae Petersen ’86 Les & Mary Jo Plumley ’81 Duke Pogatchnik Don & Mary Polfliet John & Kathy Pollock Gregory Posch & Diane Nagel ’73 David Potter ’77 Anne Pryor ’82 Thomas Quarnstrom ’75 Leland & Norma Raske Daniel Reed ’76 **Roger & Karen Reede Robert Reinhart ’75 **Jean Replinger Michael & Rosemary Rizzo Joe & *Betty Roers Anthony & Michelle Rossman **James & Aileen Rowe Larry & Dawn Schiavo Mike & Susan Schneider * Robert Schwoch ’02 * George & Peggy Seldat

**Lew & **Judith Shaver ’95 Richard & Mary Shearer **Sherwin Skar & **Kathy Jones James Smalley & Sara Runchey Paul & *Connie Smisek Alan Smith ’71 & Evelyn Smith Cynthia Sorenson ’80 **Richard & Carol Spencer ’97 * Tim & Christy Steinbach Gregory Stemen David Strom ’75 & Vicki Strom ’75 Mike & *Elizabeth Struve John & Margaret Suedbeck Jerry & Linda Svoboda Lonnie & Jeannie Swenson Randy & Leann Tatge Doug Theis David Thomas Eric & Tamara Thorn Bruce & Ann Tiffany Paul & Cindy Torkelson Thomas Vandendriessche ’77 & Janet Vandendriessche Pat VanKeulen & Karen VanKeulen ’87 Joseph & Shirley VanOverbeke David Verkinderen ’90 & Krista Verkinderen * Eugene & Brenda Verschelde Timothy & Mary Jean Waibel * Ross Webskowski ’02 & Heather Webskowski ’98 Darrel Wiener ’75 & Karen Wiener ’74 Mark & Michelle Wilcox Joe & Jane Willett Harmon Wilts & Gina Kelly-Wilts Bradley Winkelman ’91 & Alison Winkelman ’91 Terry Wynia ’87 & *Lori Wynia Thomas & DeVonna Zeug John & Karen Zimmerman James & Emily Zwach Business A & W & Kentucky Fried Chicken All My Favorites Alliance Pipeline L.P. American Hotel Foundation, Inc. American Insurance Administrators, Inc. AmericInn Motel & Suites Ameriprise Financial Randy Groff BENCO Electric Cooperative Big Stone Therapies Marshall, LLC Bladholm Construction, Inc. Brownlee & Hayes, Inc. Buysse Roofing Systems & Sheet Metal Co. Charter Communications Company Chase Manhattan Foundation Chemical Bank

* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee

Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

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City Looks Comfort Inn Communicating for Agriculture Complete Health Center Daley Farm of Lewiston, LLP The Equitable Foundation F & M Bank Minnesota Farmland Foundation First Independent Bank Floor to Ceiling Store Floyd Wild Trucking, Inc. Fran’s Communications Gene’s Sporting Goods, Inc. of Marshall Gene’s Sporting Goods, Inc. of Minneota Harvest Land Cooperative Home Federal Savings Bank Hormel Foods Charitable Trust Horty Elving & Associates, Inc. IBM Matching Grants Program J. R. Farms, Inc. Johnson’s Paint & Wallpaper Center Kruse Auto Sales Landmark Bistro Larson’s Home Furnishings Marshall H. W. Linder Lockheed Martin Corporation Ludowese A E Inc. Luther College Lyon County Farm Service JV Marcotte Jewelry LTD McDonald’s of Redwood Falls Medtronic Foundation Mike’s Cafe Minnesota FFA Foundation Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Mister Cool’s Clothing Monsanto Company N.B. Golf Cars, Inc. NE Foods, Inc. New Life Farms, LLLP Northrop Grumman Foundation Olson & Johnson International, Inc. Pepsi Cola Bottling Company Pine Lake Wild Rice Farm Prairie’s Edge Casino Prinsco, Inc. R & R Imdieke Farms Randall W. Johnson, D.D.S. Redwood County Probate Court Sanford Health Silvercrest Charolais Skewes Jewelry SMSU Alumni Association SMSU HRS/Culinology SMSU President’s Office SMSU Theatre Department Southwest Cattlemen’s Association Southwest MN Arts & Humanities Council Southwest Sanitation

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State Farm Insurance Company - Kevin Anundson Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation Distric Stoneberg Giles & Stroup, P.A. Tanner Systems, Inc. Thalmann Seeds, Inc. The Rosen Family Foundation Tip Top Tux Traveler’s Lodge Motel True Value Home Center TRW Foundation TSP Twin Oak Acres United FCS United Southwest Bank US Bank Wherley Moving & Storage Wilson O’Brien Realtors Yellow Medicine East Ind. School Dist. 2190 Bellows Club Alumni & Friends Lawrence & Elizabeth Baun Julie Bigler Eric Bly ’02 & Erica Bly ’02 **Philip Dacey Tom Day Harlan & Teri Dreessen Scott Dubbelde ’84 & Diane Dubbelde ’87 Carey & Venkat Duraiappa Tom Ellingson James & Michele Engels * John & Leanna Ginocchio Kurt Greniger ’87 & Teresa Greniger Barbara Habstritt Jon & Lynetta Knochenmus Curt & Luci Kovash Chet & Nicole Lockwood ’10 Jon Maker ’78 & Rhonda Maker Patrick McCoy Keith & Cheryl Miller ’89 James Moline Steven Otto ’79 & Teresa Otto Kelly & Lynn Plumley Michael Raway ’75 Darlene Rebehn Peter & Stacy Ripka Marsha Rose ’94 Scott & Staci Saugstad Kurt Stiles * William & Candace Thomas ’08 Jeff & Colleen Thompson Denise Webb Adam Willert ’05 David Wolter ’78 & Dianna Wolter ’80 Michael & Susan Wudel Business Awards Plus of Southwest Minnesota, Inc. Bremer Bank Bremer Bank, National Association Buffalo Ridge Concrete, Inc Dental Health Center Edward D. Jones - Neil Frost Hay Dobbs, P.A.

Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

HyVee, Inc. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches Jim’s Clothing & Sporting Goods LaValley Industries, LLC Lucky Dreamer Herb Farm B&B Marshall Dairy Queen Brazier McIlhenny Company Mike Miller Foundation Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Foundation Northwestern Farm Management Reinhart FoodService Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc Sandra L Fuhr Family Trust Torgerson Properties Founders Club Alumni & Friends Jason Adams ’94 & Kami Adams ’95 * Chris Anderson Brian Bauer Frank Belmont ’76 & Rebecca Belmont James Beyer ’97 & *Noelle Beyer ’97 * Brad Bigler ’02 & Heather Bigler ’05 Dean Bloemke ’73 & JoAnn Bloemke Michael Blum ’77 & Louise Blum Jeffrey & Candice Bobrowicz Thomas Boerboom ’74 & Susan Boerboom Carol Bragg Cal & Deb Brink Brian Bromen ’72 & *Melissa Bromen ’74 * Thomas & Candace Buchholz Keith & Mary Burger James & Judith Chittick Lynn & Colleen Cuyler Kevin DeBoer ’87 & Nicole Johnson-DeBoer ’90 Scott Dethlefsen Cathy DeVos ’74 Todd & Brenda Dirckx Bruce Egeland * Brian Ehlenbach ’01 & Shawna Ehlenbach Charles & Kari Ehlers ’99 Michael & Pamela Ellingson John Fischer ’89 & Mary Fischer Quentin & Carla Fixen ’11 Everett Garlisch ’72 * John & *Denise Gochenouer Marvin Grobove & Leah Grobove ’87 Randy Groff ’84 & Patty Groff Matthew Gross Sharon Gruhot Jonathan Harley ’72 & Donna Harley Josh & Michelle Hawkinson ’03 Tom & Leanne Hearne Michael Hickman ’74 & Sharon Hickman

Daniel & Ronaele Hoffman * Diana Holmes Richard & Margaret Jolstad John Kelly & Paula Kelly ’89 Michael Klein ’86 & Jenifer Klein Dallas & Gale Kluksdal Kerry & Becky Knakmuhs Gary & Joleen Koch Scott Kodet Emily Kram ’06 * Allison Kruger Steven & Peg Lange Michael & Paula Liepold * Michael McHugh Michael Meier ’98 & Cat Abbott ’09 Tony & *Jessica Mensink ’04 Thomas Meulebroeck ’73 & Veronica Meulebroeck Bret & Sally Neubauer ’11 Craig & Debra Norland Donald Ochocki ’74 & Arlene Ochocki ’71 Todd Pack ’77 & Debi Pack ’89 Bradley & Sue Peterson ’89 Kevin & Jacqueline Peterson ’88 Vincent & Chris Robinson Brian & Tiffany Rodning Gary Rychley ’72 & Wendy Rychley Robert & Betty Patterson Elwyn & Rita Saugstad * Cory & Amy Sauter Terry Schleif ’76 & Robin Schleif Ron & Julie Schlenner Karl & *Nadine Schmidt Dan Schneider Joshua Scholten ’05 & Melissa Scholten ’07 Steven & Loronda Schuler Randy Serreyn ’82 & Roxanne Serreyn ’82 **Frank & Mitsue Shindo * Douglas Simon ’94 & Molly Simon Michael & Lois Sinram Rick & Bunny Sommers Rodney & LaDonna Stensrud Bradley Strand Pam Sukalski ’95 Neil Sussenguth & Valerie Swanson ’76 Robert & Harriette Tholen Mark & Rita Vandeputte Gary VanOverbeke & *Debbie VanOverbeke ’89 Jon Vezner ’76 & Kathy Mattea * Zack Vogelsberg Kim & Kristin Wegner Michael Winter ’88 & Karen Winter Hans & Shana Zahrbock John & Kara Zimmerman Business 212 Strategies, LLC AgVenture Feed & Seed, Inc. Alden Merritt Enterprises LLC Ashley Engineering Bike Shop Birath Wealth Management Doom & Cuypers, Inc.

Eickhoff Enterprises, Inc. Grandview Financial, Inc. Huebsch Company Independent Lumber of Marshall Independent School District 2904 Inspec Lockwood Motors Employees Marshall Area Stage Company Marshall Area YMCA Schlenner Construction Co SNS Seed Service State Farm Insurance Charlie Aufenthie Town & Country Agency Turkey Valley Farms, LLC Werkman Mechanical, LLC Willmar Poultry Co. Inc. Century Club Alumni & Friends Bruce Aamot ’76 & Lori Aamot Kim Abraham & Kimberly Fier-Abraham Rebecca Achen ’07 Buddie Adkins & Mary Adkins ’74 Alan & *Jorun Ahmann Robert Alexander & Sonya Alexander ’89 Jeffrey Allen & Linda Allen ’84 A. Eric Anderson Brent Anderson ’83 & Rebeca Anderson Brian Anderson ’74 & Lea Anderson Charles Anderson Jessica Anderson ’07 Paul Anderson ’93 & Julie Anderson David Andresen ’86 & Molly Andresen Bradley Angell ’72 & Erna Angell Adam & Laura GuzaAntony Paul Arends & Joyce Arends ’98 Richard Arkell ’06 & *Bridget Arkell ’00 Kent Augustin & Eileen Augustin ’84 Bruce Aune ’71 Eric Baertsch ’98 & Lori Baertsch Marvin Bahn ’75 & Janet Bahn Richard Banks & Debra Banks ’75 Jeffrey Bartz ’85 & Jill Bartz Robert & Sherri Bauer Daniel Baun ’83 & *Linda Baun ’85 Daniel Beacom & Ann Roemen ’84 Gary & Teresa Becker Larry & Lynne Beeler Richard Bendt ’90 & Shawna Bendt Rena Benedict ’72 *Bill Bennett Roger Benson ’78 & Deborah Benson ’76

Charles Beranek ’96 & Heidi Beranek ’96 Dale & Marlene Berg Scott & *Marcia Beukelman Milton Bighley & Cynthia Bighley ’83 Mark Bigler Matthew & Kimberly Bigler David Binder ’83 & Yu-min Chiou Douglas Binsfeld Harry & Mardella Birath Michael Bird ’95 & Jodi Bird ’95 Kevin & Nancy Bitterman Deb Blomme John Blomme ’90 & Kristin Blomme ’89 Adam Blume ’06 Ricky Boelter ’95 & Nicole Boelter Dean & Jeanette Boerboom Dwayne & Eunice Boerner Eric Born ’93 & Danita Born Frank & Mary Borowiak Thomas Bosch ’87 & Amy Bosch Greg & *Carol Bossuyt Mark & Jeanette Bosveld John Bot ’95 & Becky Bot Jon Bot ’80 & Susan Bot Mark Boulton & Deborah Boulton ’93 Gregory Bova & Kathryn McNally-Bova ’93 Rande Bowman ’78 John Boyd & Joan Mire ’75 Timothy & Kathy Boyd Ardene Boysen ’74 & Roxann Boysen * David Braaten Dale Bradtke ’85 Jason Branby ’89 & Vineeta Branby Stan & Rebecca Brewers Peter Breyfogle ’80 & Nancy Breyfogle David & Jean Broders Bruce Bruhn Darlyne Brunsvold James Buchanon ’85 & Lois Buchanon Jim Budahn ’75 & Amy Budahn Floyd & Judith Buddenhagen John Bunge & *Kathleen Ashe Jerry & Michelle Bunkers John Burton ’72 & Sandra Burton ’71 Velmer Burton John Buseth ’86 & Vicki Buseth Steve Bush ’76 & Sonya Bush Irving Busman ’82 & Judith Busman ’82 Charles Buysse ’82 & Sharon Buysse Jeff & Rhonda Buysse Ryan Byers ’04 & Cecelia Byers ’04 Ronald Campbell ’75 & Patricia Campbell ’75 Rodney Cardinal ’71 & Mary Cardinal ’71

Brett Carlson ’92 & Loretta Carlson Kevin Carlson & Susan Carlson ’98 Mary Alice Carlson Sean Carmody ’81 & *Patricia Carmody ’80 Alan Carpenter ’72 & Anne Carpenter ’75 Elizabeth Carstens ’74 Chad Cartwright & Tina Cartwright ’97 Gregory Casey ’71 & Barbara Casey Charles Chalberg ’73 Dean Champine ’74 & Karen Champine ’77 Paul Choudek ’82 & Julie Choudek ’84 Nancy Clark ’00 Margaret Cline James Cockriel ’84 & Jean Cockriel ’85 Rod & Laurie Condon Darrell Courneya ’73 & Celeste Courneya Michael Cox ’73 & Cheryl Cox Sherry Craig ’78 Jeffery Crain ’81 & Michelle Crain Matthew Crellin ’76 & Joan Cochran * Sean Culhane ’05 Peter Cummings ’72 & Teras Karlinsey Timothy Cundy ’97 Larry & June Daellenbach Nathan Dahlager ’98 & *Cori Ann Dahlager ’98 Dan Dallman & Judith Letrud ’77 Jeff Dammen Stephen Danielson Peter & Elizabeth Davis * Stephen Davis Todd Deal ’84 * Emily Deaver Deb & Roger DeBaere Charlotte Decoster John DeGroff ’72 & Barbara DeGroff Dave Deines ’93 & Kim Deines ’95 Jeanne Deinken ’86 **Carmen DeKoster William DeLay ’85 & Lori DeLay Alan DeLeeuw ’76 & Jane DeLeeuw James Denevan ’83 & Betsy Denevan Timothy DeSaer & Susan DeSaer ’83 Allen Deutz ’07 & Kathleen Deutz ’06 Mary Devens ’77 Douglas & Helen Devereaux Brian & Dorothy DeVos Mary Jo Dierickx ’84 Carolyn Dindorf ’83 Richard Dinello ’78 Bradley Dirckx ’76 & Margaret Dirckx Josh Dirckx ’85 & Heidi Dirckx

Tracy Doherty ’80 & Lisa Doherty Lon Dopp ’93 & Jill Dopp ’93 * Robert Dorlac & Patricia McLoone Chad Dressen & Janel Dressen ’97 Verna Droege Adam Duske Greg & Jody Duske William Duwell ’86 Peter Egan ’74 & Carol Egan ’74 Robert Eichenlaub & Margaret Eichenlaub ’89 Gary Eickhoff ’73 & Joyce Eickhoff Joyce Eischens ’87 Gerald Elert Delmar & Phyllis Ellis David & Norma Ellwein Erik Enersen Curtis Enestvedt ’71 & Debra Enestvedt Michael Engebretson ’07 & *Lori Engebretson ’06 David Engel ’72 Gordon & *Bonnie Engesmoe Tyler Engquist ’02 & Jill Engquist ’02 Gary Erbes ’90 & Mary Erbes ’92 James Erickson & Christine Erickson ’73 Mike & Connie Erickson Carl Ernst & Evelyn Ernst ’71 Merlyn & Ann Eubank Marilyn Eye Jacob Fahl ’03 & *Angela Fahl ’04 Mark & Cindy Farrell Craig Feldman ’99 & Stacey Feldman ’98 Arnold & Joyce Fencl Aju & Ann Simpson Michael Fenske ’83 & Sharon Fenske ’82 Molly Feterl ’90 David Fischenich ’96 & Joni Fischenich ’88 Charles & Bernice Fischer Mark & Beth Fischer Steve Fleck ’90 & Cindy Fleck ’92 Neil & Carol Fletcher James Fox ’76 & Laurinne Fox ’76 Tom & Karen Francis Dennis & Marjorie Frederickson ’79 Eloise Fredrickson ’73 Charles Freiss & Catherine Schlagel ’76 Lee French ’72 & Joann French ’75 John & Michelle Full Nathan Funk ’00 & Brooke Funk ’01 Paul Gaffney ’82 Jeffrey & Ruth Gallagher Ron & Carol Gardenhire David Garman ’76 & Nancy Garman Jon & Julie Garrow

James Garvin ’84 & Debra Garvin ’84 David & Judy Gaspar * Brett Gaul ’00 & Anita Gaul Edward & Lori Gaul Larry Gavin ’81 & Patricia Gavin Thomas Gelhar ’78 & Lynn Gelhar David & Linnea Genereux Craig Gifford ’71 & Ann Marie Gifford ’71 Scott Gilbertson ’90 & DeAnn Gilbertson ’90 Kevin & Rita Gildner Greg Gile & Norma Gile ’02 Jerome Girton ’73 Brent Gish ’73 & Gayle Gish Dennis Gittinger & Debra Morgan ’79 Miles Gladitsch & Shirley Gladitsch ’75 Richard & Susan Glanzer Raymond & Colleen Glembot Thomas Goblirsch ’75 & Lisa Goblirsch James Goldenstein ’04 Jamie Gonzales & Kay Gonzales ’73 * Mark Goodenow Sara Granheim ’02 Kory & Amy Grant Greg Grausam & Paulette Grausam ’76 Gary Grimms ’93 Jerry Groen ’85 & Marcella Groen ’85 Patrick & Patti Groff Jan Grote ’79 Alan Grube ’90 & Barb O’Connor-Grube Sanford Gruhn ’76 & Joyce Gruhn * Christian & *Kim Guenther Darlene Guse ’05 Richard Haberman ’94 Mark Hacker ’74 & Marilyn Hacker ’77 Zach Hadler David Haecherl & *Mari Haecherl ’81 Bruce Hagen ’71 & Lelia Hagen Steven Hagen John Hagenow Eugene & Sandra Hagny Michael Haig ’76 VaDonna Hall ’73 Douglas & Charis Hamilton Dorothy Hamman ’93 Steve & Kristin Hanneman * Carrie Hansen ’08 Wayne & Janet Hanson Annette Harding ’71 Daniel Harms ’89 & Heather Harms Brian Harron & Christine Hansvick ’71 Glen & Kirsten Harstad Michael Hass ’84 & Jane Hass Jeanette Hauschild Jed & Patti Heard Jeremy Hebl & Brenda Hebl ’02

Larry Hebrink ’72 & Linda Hebrink Steven Hedberg ’71 * Shawn Hedman ’86 & Nancy Jo Hedman ’87 Mark Hedrick & Lisa Hedrick ’87 * Neil Hefti ’98 Richard Hegge ’83 & Kari Hegge ’83 Randy & Tania Heikes Lowell & Gladys Hellie Peter Hellie ’84 & Joy Hellie ’88 Thomas Hellmann ’81 & Diana Hellmann Christopher Helvig ’83 & Lisa Helvig Pepper Henkel ’91 Larry & Barbara Henle John Henrich ’76 & Roberta Henrich ’74 Kim Henspeter & *Kristine Henspeter ’74 Shaun Herring ’81 & Paula Herring Chuck Hess Jason & Pam Hess Greg Higdem ’77 David Hilbrands ’86 & Dori Hilbrands ’85 Jeffrey Hill ’77 & Amy Hill Scott & Shirley Hiller Max Hinneberg ’78 & Michele Hinneberg * Andrew & Jennifer Hlubek Michael Hoberg ’77 & Traci Hoberg Barry Hochhalter & Lisa Hochhalter ’89 Robert Hoff & Teresa Hoff ’78 Thomas Hoff ’87 & Cheryl Hoff ’87 Jason Hoffman ’99 & Pam Hoffman James Hofmann ’84 Tim Holinka ’87 & Kris Holinka Mark & Jodi Holleman Carl Holmquist Dale Honeck & Mary Honeck ’73 Dennis Hoogeveen ’85 & Brenda Hoogeveen ’88 David Horn ’78 Les Horsager & Linda Horsager ’71 Mark Hotzler ’80 & Jane Hotzler Loren Hovland & Denise Hovland ’89 Mark & Carol Hruby Doug & Susan Huebsch Courtney & Angie Hughes Jason Huss ’97 & Dongi Huss Douglas Imming ’84 & Coleen Imming Lee Isenberg Chris & Debra Iversen Jeffrey Iverson & Lorie Iverson ’77 Nathan Jacobson ’87 & Karla Jacobson ’90 Ashraf Jamal & Claire Jamal ’73

* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee

Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

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* Jeffrey & Nicolle Jennings Dennis Jensen ’71 Kevin Jensen ’01 Mark & Mary Joy Jensen ’84 Neil Jensen ’71 & Karen Jensen Robert & Sharron Jensen Paul Jesse ’98 & *Denise Jesse ’98 Jeff Johannesen ’81 & Jane Johannesen Brad Johnson ’73 & Deborah Johnson Curtis Johnson ’81 & Ruth Johnson Gary Johnson ’75 & Susan Johnson Omar Johnson Richard Johnson & Lori Johnson ’98 Thomas Johnson ’80 & Kristen Johnson Brian Jones ’82 & *Susan Jones ’82 Richard Jones ’73 & Jeanne Jones ’86 Gary Jongerius ’77 & Debra Prairie ’79 Richard & Pam Jueneman Frank Jump & Marlene Jump ’74 * Sangnyeol Jung Bruce Kaardal ’82 & Merceday Kaardal ’82 * Karen Kaas ’94 Dave & *Sharon Kabes Aaron & Darcie Kaiser * Daniel & Sheryl Kaiser Dan & Kari Kalkman Gordon Karels ’73 & Earla Karels Merlyn Karjala ’80 & Linda Karjala ’82 Robert Kaufman Jared Keaveny * William & Gayle Keehr Gary & Candy Kellen Steven Kellen ’93 Keith Kern Brent & Jessica Kesteloot ’04 Richard Kidrowski ’94 Linda Kimber ’83 Marc & Melissa Klaith Robert Klatt ’92 & Christy Klatt ’92 Andy Kleindl ’83 & Julie Kleindl Gary Klimmek ’73 & Marion Klimmek ’74 Don & Karen Klinkner Sarah Kmetz ’97 Kevin & Mary Knetsch ’05 Maxine Knox Ken & Marlys Knuth Judith Koch Thomas Kolb ’09 & Emily Kolb ’10 James Konradi ’73 & Roberta Konradi Gary Koosmann ’73 Daniel Koster ’85 & Joan Koster Roger Koster ’84 & Joan Koster ’86 Michael & Mary Krantz David Krause ’84 & Carolyn Krause

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Ryan Krome ’09 **Richard Krueger Andrew Kubat ’76 & Dona Kubat ’76 Ronald Kuehl & Debra Kuehl ’01 Natasha Kuhle ’03 Douglas Kunde ’83 & Marissa Kunde Shane Kussatz ’96 & Heather Kussatz Dick & Kathy Labat Duane & Gerri Labat Christopher & Candace LaDage Kevin & LuAnn Lafky Scott & Jolene Lamp Bruce & Vicki Lamprecht Kirk & Jane Landman **Cletus & Lorraine Lanners Dave & *Maggie Larsen Dane Larson ’06 & Jacqueline Larson Danny & Tracy Larson Steven Leaf ’76 Rita Lear ’89 Daniel Lee ’83 & Karolee Knudson-Lee Greg & Kari Lee Gregory Lee ’80 & Theresa Wolf-Lee Justin Lee ’10 Darwin Leek ’79 & Virgean Leek Michael Leischner ’09 Bruce Lerohl ’74 Bill Leslie & *Diane Leslie ’91 Lavilla Levtzow’ Ronald Levtzow Pat & Jody Lhotka Michael Lieb ’94 & Karole Lieb Jeff Lies & Melissa Lies ’92 Peter Linder ’94 & Rhonda Linder Gary Lindert ’75 & Mary Lindert Kaye Link ’73 Eugene Longstrom ’73 Brenda Lonneman ’09 James Louwagie ’86 & Julie Louwagie Joe & **Jo Anne Louwagie Pat Louwagie ’83 David Luepke ’10 Doug Luepke ’73 Micah Luke Adam Lund ’05 & Chelsea Lund ’07 Barbara Lynch ’75 Jeff & Denise Lynn Louis & Amy Maday Todd Madden ’86 & Karen Madden Roger & Donna Madison Jon Madland Dorothy Madsen ’71 Jolayne Madson ’87 John & Sue Maertens Steven Malecek ’73 & Roxane Malecek ’75 Randy Manderschied & Cherie Manderschied ’71 Daniel Marks ’87 & Kirstin Marks ’93 Phil Martin

Foundation Annual Report 2011-12

Robert Mathison & Sandra Mathison ’71 Bruce Mattson ’73 & Susan Mattson David Mbonu ’80 & Emilia Mbonu Mike & Becki McGlauflin Christopher & Cindy McHorney * Susan McLean Perry & Kristin McNeil ’05 Tim & *Mary Meaden Ruth Meirick Steven & Karen Meister Brad Melberg & LeAnn Melberg ’97 Darrell & Kitty Mercie David Meyer ’93 & Becky Meyer Steven & Debra Meyer Daniel & Rosmari Mihin Garry Miller ’76 & Mary Carpenter-Miller Hope Miller Wade Miller ’88 Thomas Minehart ’78 & Anita Minehart ’77 Alan Miner ’84 David Minge & Karen Minge ’88 Atul Mishra Lindi Mittelsteadt E.J. Moberg ’98 & Shannon Moberg G. R. & Phyllis Moberg Jeffrey & *Regina Modica Chris & Mindy Moede Howard & **Joland Mohr Tim Moline ’01 & Erin Moline G. Arne Monson ’73 Dwayne & Jean Moon Doug & Celeste Moore Lawrence & Lavonne Moorse Scott & Kristi Morgan William Morgan ’79 & Joanne Morgan Scott Morin ’76 & Mahree Morin Randy Morken ’80 & Mary Morken ’78 Stephen & Bridget Morse CJ Mortier & Julie Mortier ’91 Jim & Mary Muchlinski Paul Muecke ’09 Kristi Muller ’89 * Michael & Cinara Munford Thomas Munns & Rebecca Munns ’93 * Ken Murphy ’88 & Sandra Murphy Denise Myhrberg ’81 Bradley Narveson Michael Nash ’75 & Elizabeth Nash Mark Neisius ’87 & Megan Neisius Keith Nelsen ’71 & Jane Nelsen ’88 Beth Nelson Jess & Linda Nelson * Jesse & Julie Nelson Lloyd Nelson ’84 & Cecile Nelson

Randall Nelson ’82 & Lynn Nelson Robert Nemmers ’77 & Kathleen Nemmers ’88 Daniel Nesdahl ’97 Keith Newman ’88 & Tamara Newman ’90 Jackson Nichols Mark Nordrum ’78 & Barbara Nordrum Dale Norell ’74 & Deborah Lien Michael Norgaard ’02 & Susan Norgaard Susan Norgaard Aaron & Jill Norman Jim Norton ’78 & Cynthia Norton Barbara Ohl Jerry Olerud & Ron Nenovich * Carl & Sarah Olimb Doug & Leanna Olsem Dean & *Julia Olson **Doris Olson Larry Olson ’71 & Diane Olson Mark Olson Roger Olson ’73 & Sherry Olson ’65 Sarah Olson ’06 * Raphael Onyeaghala * Ray & Jane Oster Harlan Otto Terence Parr David & Kyong Ae Paskach * David Paulson Timothy & Kimberly Peck LeaAnn & Michael Peschong Frederick Peters ’84 Nathan Petersen ’00 Svend & Maren Petersen Carol Peterson ’79 Gary Peterson ’77 & Patricia Peterson James Peterson ’87 Ronald Peterson & Marguerite Peterson ’72 * Scott & Peggy Peterson Scott Petrich ’87 & Connie Petrich ’87 Steven Petrich ’82 & Peg Furshong William & Tamara Pierce Eric & Rachelle Graham Alex Pirkl Michael Pirozzoli & Karen Pirozzoli ’80 Heather Planting Mark Plenke ’77 James Polejewski ’87 & Gail Polejewski ’93 Nathan Polfliet ’00 & Angela Polfliet Dean Polkow ’82 Steven Polkow ’71 & Linda Polkow Duane Possail ’87 & Jeanna Possail ’89 Prudence Precourt Mark Priegnitz Tom Prokosch & Wendy Prokosch ’74 Carol Purrington Michael Qualls & Laurie Shaw ’82

Daniel Radel ’08 & Kelli Radel ’93 Brian Rademacher & Lisa Rademacher ’93 Lowell Rademacher Jim Radloff ’08 Scott Radloff ’96 & Carrie Radloff ’98 Charles Rahm ’72 Gary Range ’77 & Deb Range Dale Raschke ’75 Steven & Peri Rasske Heather Reber Jane Redlinger ’77 Glenn Reecy Paul & Marcia Rehkamp John Reid ’74 & Cindy Reid Todd Reif ’84 & Mary Reif ’85 Ardith Reishus ’78 Bruce & Carie Remme Roger Reuvers ’81 & Linda Reuvers ’82 Elizabeth Rhoden Jeffrey Richmond & Lee Richmond ’80 Mark Riebel ’85 & Kathy Riebel Dennis Rieke ’72 & Debra Arlington Dennis & Lois Ries Derek Rignell ’06 & *Raftyn Rignell Thomas Rignell ’76 & Cindy Rignell Brian Ringsven & Karen Ringsven ’92 Dan & Marie Ritter Brad & Gina Roberts * Rick & *Janice Robinson Theresa Rodas Mary Roe ’78 Richard Roesler Valerie Romberg ’78 LeAnn Roth ’93 Gregory Rotunda ’06 & Christy Rotunda Brian Rowell ’77 & Susan Rowell Christopher Rowell ’05 & Michele Rowell ’07 Russell & Lisa Rupiper Phyllis Rustad Terrance Ryan ’98 Dolores Rysdahl ’71 Thomas Sahlstrom ’83 & Cindy Sahlstrom Steven Sandquist ’75 Julio & Rita Santiago Jerry Schaefer ’12 & *Kathy J. Schaefer ’84 Alan Schafer ’73 & Juliane Schafer Rodney Schaffran ’74 & Debra Schaffran Terry Schiro ’75 & Susan Schiro James Schlenner ’79 & Joan Schlenner Andrew Schlichting ’06 Corey Schmid ’89 & Julie Schmid Jay & Amy Schmidt Travis Schmidt ’02 & Frankie Schmidt ’03 Mark Schmitt ’88

Troy Schmitt Robert & Robin Schoeneck Paul & Nancy Schons Dean Schoolmeester ’94 & *Wendy Claussen ’87 Tracy Schramm ’01 Wayne & Darlene Schreurs Alex Schuh ’08 Robert Schulte Aaron Schultz ’92 & Danelle Schultz Bill Schulz ’71 Stan & Janice Schuttpelz Charles & Patricia Schuveiller Mary Schuveiller Bradley Schwartz ’78 & Deborah Schwartz Willard & Doris Schwartz Gregory & Joan Schwarz Todd Schweer ’74 & Jeanine Schweer Clayton Schwerin ’77 Dave Seidler Martin Seifert ’95 & Traci Seifert Nancy Seifert ’76 Kristopher Setnes & Marie Setnes ’02 Krishna Shah ’97 Craig Shea ’80 & Barb Shea Dean Shupe & Colleen Shupe ’86 Rodney & Ronda Simpson Brian Skalbeck ’73 & Dee Skalbeck Brad Skoglund ’83 & Teresa Skoglund John Smith ’74 & Becky Smith Kirk Smith ’79 & LouAnn Smith ’77 Paul Smith Scott Snobl ’94 & Saundra Snobl John & Pam Soderholm Bradley Sorenson & Jean Sorenson ’89 Lyle Sparrowgrove ’74 & Bobbi Jordan A. Eugene & Virginia Spicer Chad & Joy Springborg Ron Springer & Sharon Springer ’71 William Springman ’88 & Jill Springman Steven Squibb ’92 & Kelly Squibb Gary St Aubin ’82 & Wendy St Aubin Daniel Stanley ’82 James Stanton ’87 & Pamela Stanton ’85 Robert Steffen & Kathy Steffen ’83 Dennis Stemen Allen Stewart ’74 & Diane Stewart ’79 Leon Stoel ’89 & Tammy Stoel ’90 Doug & Sharon Stoks Wendell & Pam Strohm Corey & Susan Strom Dale & Roberta Strom Jennifer Stromme

Mark Stumm ’82 Timothy & Julie Stupka * Matthew Suby Jon Suedbeck & Becky Suedbeck Harbarth ’97 Jim Sullivan ’83 & Terry Sullivan Mark Sunwall ’74 & Deborah Sunwall Bob & Yvonne Sussner April Sutor ’80 **James Swartz Shane Sweetland ’94 Tim & Donna Swenson * James & Mary Tate Loren Tauer ’73 & Janelle Tauer Rodger & Jill Taylor Ron & Shirley Taylor Jeff Tetrick ’72 & Chris Tetrick Andy Thangasamy ’98 Todd & Julie Thedens Christopher Theobald ’86 & Elisa Theobald Robert & Julie Thiel Lyle Thies ’77 & Joyce Thies Doug Thiesen & Dawn Reed ’74 Alan Thom ’71 & Sharon Thom ’73 Jeff & Nancy Thomas Robert Thomas & Julie Thomas ’89 * Gloria Thompson Mary & Wayne Thompson Justin Thordson ’98 & Jamie Brink-Thordson ’06 Jerome & Debbie Thygesen Gary Tigges ’78 Earle Tighe & Barbara Tighe ’98 Thomas Timko ’91 & Tamela Timko ’91 Irene Timm Rollin & Bonnie Timm Terry Timm ’71 & Rebecca Timm Brian & Darla Timmerman Steven Titus ’87 & Sara Titus ’87 Richard Toews ’75 & Jeanne Toews ’74 Roger Tollefson & Gloria Tollefson ’87 Gary & Connie Tonderum Kent & Jennifer Tonsager Cynthia Torkelson Wade Tornquist ’81 & Mary Tornquist Lee Trotman ’07 Steve & *Joan Tutt Carey & Emily Tweten Charles & Debra Uphoff Donald & Kandice Vandendriessche Glen & Katie VanHecke Bert VanHoof & Maria Verbeeten Jim & Henrietta VanHyfte Dustin & *Sonya Vierstraete Elmo Volstad & Julie Volstad ’77 Cliff Vrieze

Gerald Waletzko & Kathy Waletzko ’81 Doug Wallace ’77 & Debra Wallace ’79 Valerie Walseth ’80 Eugene Walter ’83 & Nancy Walter Jim Walters ’90 & Sharon Walters * John Ward Jack Warnemunde ’73 & Jodi Warnemunde John Warnert ’86 Phillip & Mischelle Watts Ronald & Donna Weidauer Harry & Jaen Weilage Bradley Wendland ’89 & Pamela Wendland ’90 Ryan Wendland ’02 & *Marcy Olson ’93 Ron Wendorff ’78 & Ann Wendorff Devlon Werkman ’01 & Bobbi Werkman Daniel Westby ’89 & Debra Westby ’83 Tim Wester & Jocelyn Wester ’02 Amy Westermeyer Randy Wewetzer Matthew & Kristi Wickett Timothy Wilcox & Sandy Wilcox ’82 Jason Wilhelm ’02 Paul & Myrth Williamson Marlin & Beverly Winkelman Tom & Karen Winn Robert & Lynn Winslow Bruce Winter ’79 Brian & Carol Wixon Rex Wohlhuter ’71 & Kathleen Wohlhuter William Wojcik Ronald Woldengen ’72 & Karol Woldengen Mark Woodworth & Teresa Woodworth ’79 Kevin Wynia ’84 & Sara Lee Wynia ’89 Edwin Yerka & Roberta Wyatt Sonja Yonak Edward & Joan Young Thomas & Cheryl Zager Aaron Ziemer ’01 Donald Zierke ’77 & Barbara Zierke Larry Zwach Business 509 Design AB Vacuum Center Altria Group, Inc. Andes Tower Hills Animal Health Center Anytime Fitness Aramark Employees Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC Avon Products Foundation, Inc. B & A Sundance Barnes and Noble BH Electronics, Inc.

Bloomington Legion Baseball Concession, Inc. Boysen Insurance Services Brauhaus Bruce L Kaardal, CPA Buffalo Ridge Resort & Business Center C & C Custom Interiors Canterbury Park Capital Group Companies Cargill Matching Gifts Program City of Marshall Class of 1973 Computer Man, Inc. Computers and Beyond CU Mortgage Direct, LLC Culligan Water Conditioning Dakota County Farm Bureau Federation Douglas Scheppmann Insurance Agency Dow Corning Matching Gifts Program Dulas Construction Edward D. Jones - Mike Snodgrass Gary Bruns Insurance Agency, Inc. Great Plains Natural Gas Co Guthrie Theater Hamilton Funeral Home Harley-Davidson Motor Company Harts Heating & Refrigeration Heaven on Earth Hiller Rentals HiRel Systems ING Insurance Service Agency Investors Choice Financial Services, Inc. Jackpot Junction Casino Jasper Bus Service, LLC Jeffrey R. Thomas, D.D.S. Jeseritz Electric Johnson Family Dental Care Karen Leonard Family Charitable Fund Kesteloot Enterprises Key Largo Restaurant & Lounge Konradi Koncrete, Inc. Le Donna Farms Madden & Madden Marshall Golf Club Pro Shop Massa Dental Offices, P.C. McDonald’s of Marshall Mike Nordby Insurance/Mike’s Country Photo Minnesota Twins Moline Products, Inc. Motorola Foundation Murray’s Auto Glass, Inc. Nestle Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Orphanage AntiquesStrawberry Fields PAC Basic, LLC Paullina Chiropractic Inc. Pine Clothing Pine Hills Golf Club

PNC Foundation Preferred Loyalty Solutions Premier Massage Purple Iris Yarn Shop Randy Dyrdahl Rentals Robert Lindow Company, Inc. Schneider Development, Inc. Schuneman Equipment Co. Sharp Automotive Shell Oil Company Foundation Sherman Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Silveira Pontiac-Buick-GMC SMSU Faculty Association SMSU Men’s Basketball Team SMSU Music Program SMSU Residential Life Sole-Mates, LLC Southwest Glass Center Southwest Pro Painting LLC Southwest Wholesale Company State Farm Insurance - Mark Priegnitz State Farm Insurance - Tom Suby State Farm Insurance Companies State Farm Insurance Companies - Jack Warnemunde Steven G Winther, D.D.S. Studio B Fine Photography & Design Sunsational Tanning SuperAmerica Taft Optical The Baxter International Foundation The Daily Grind The Escape Spa United Ag Resource LLC VanderHagen Skogrand & Associates VanderZiel Tax & Accounting Service Ziegler Inc. Heritage Society ‡ Michelle Anderson ’88 Michael Bjerkesett ’71 John & Jean Brobst Timothy ’72 & Julie Burns Marylee ’94 & Dennis Dallmann David & Cecelia Danahar Donald & Phyllis Danielson Mitch ’85 & Jane Glover ’84 Deeann Griebel ’80 Chris Grosz ’82 Sheldon & Margery Haaland Jason ’99 & Pam Hoffman Richard ’72 & Barbara Jorgensen Grant & Nancy Joy Marilyn Kontz ’71 Sally A. and Burton M. Magnuson Marilyn McLaughlin **Charles Myrbach Doris Olson

‡ Heritage Society was established to recognize and honor, during their lifetime, those persons whose vision and generosity move them to support SMSU through an estate plan gift. * Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee

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Shaver to Coach National U23 Wheelchair Team The National Wheelchair Basketball Association recently announced that Southwest Minnesota State University head wheelchair basketball coach Lew Shaver has been named the head coach for the United States Men’s Under-23 team that will compete in Turkey in 2013.

The NWBA High Performance Committee, who reviewed over 10 excellent applicants and interviewed five candidates, made the selection.

Shaver will be working with the High Performance Committee in the selection of his coaching staff as well as the selection of the players who will make up the U23 team at the tryout camp later this month in Colorado Springs.

“Obviously it is a privilege and an honor to represent the USA as a head coach in an

international competition,” Shaver said. “I am also proud to represent SMSU with our rich wheelchair basketball history.”

Shaver is currently in his fourth season as head coach at SMSU and has been involved in coaching wheelchair basketball at SMSU since 1969. Shaver returned to the sidelines during the 2009-10 season, serving as interim head coach.

He was named head coach in August 2010.

Shaver began teaching and coaching at SMSU in 1969 and spent 26 seasons as the head coach of the wheelchair basketball team compiling a record of 339-241 from 1969-95. During his tenure, the team won three national championships in 1981, 1983 and 1986 and finished as national runners-up six times.

Shaver has authored several wheelchair basketball coaching books, coordinated PVA/

Shaver NWBA Basketball camps for 20 years and has served on the coaching staff of five different international teams, including the 1996 USA Men’s Bronze Medal Paralympic Team in Atlanta and the 1988 Women’s Gold Medal Paralympic Team in Seoul, South Korea.

Turek Wins Bronze at 2012 Paralympic Games Josh Turek, a former Southwest Minnesota State University wheelchair basketball player, earned a bronze medal playing with Team USA at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England.

“London was amazing,” Turek reflected. “The Paralympics were broadcast on the national news every night so there was incredible support and excitement from the crowd.”

A bronze medal in London was “100 times better” than the seventh-place finish Turek experienced with Team USA in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

“Athens left a bitter taste. I was younger and just emerging internationally. I played a limited role on the team and only saw limited minutes.

This time around I played a major role and was happy with the way I played. London was a drastic improvement in every way.”

Turek scored 15 points and tallied 8 rebounds

to lead Team USA to a 61-46 victory over England in the bronze medal game on Sept. 8.

Over eight Paralympic games, he averaged 10.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, shot 53 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line.

Turek attended SMSU from 1997 to 2002 and left as the wheelchair basketball program’s most prolific scorer. He finished his career with 4,024 points and 1,213 rebounds and was the 2002 SMSU male Student Athlete of the Year. A fourtime team MVP, four-time All-American and three-year captain, he holds the school’s singleseason records in field goals made and points scored as well as single-game records for points scored, 3-point field goals made and free throws made.

It wasn’t until his junior year that Turek realized he could make a career out of basketball.

“I didn’t even know you could play professionally.

When we were playing in the Final Four, I got

Turek, left, competes at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. scouted to play in Italy.”

He reflected, “As a kid, I always wanted to play on the Paralympic USA basketball team. And at SSU, I knew I was good, but I never could have imagined that it would go to this level.”

Volleyball Makes History On Monday, October 15, 2012—for the first time in program history—the Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team earned the No. 1 ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association (AVCA) Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.

The No. 1 ranking marks the first time in history an SMSU team has been ranked No. 1 in a Division II or NAIA national poll.

Southwest Minnesota State has now been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 since Sept. 5, 2006.

At the time of printing, the Mustangs remain ranked No. 1 and look to claim the NSIC title.

To follow their post-season play, visit www.SMSUMustangs.com

For updates on all your favorite teams visit: www.smsumustangs. com 18

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1972 Ronald Stock is the city administrator in Weed, Calif. He is a credentialed manager by the International City & County Managers Association.

Bart Sutter performed with his brother Ross at SMSU on September 18, 2012.

Their performance celebrated Bart’s new book, The Reindeer Camps and Other Poems.

1981 Richard Crumb completed all certification requirements for the Centurions Program of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

This intensive one-year training program equips Christian leaders to engage their churches, communities, and the culture with biblical truth. Crumb lives in Stillwater.

intercollegiate sports block of business.

Before joining Mutual of Omaha, she worked for more than 16 years at American Enterprise Group, Inc. as a pricing/valuation analyst. Pam and her husband, Scott, live in Elkhorn, Neb., with their two children.

lives in Marshall with his wife, Sarah, and their three children: Jefferson Lee V (13), Tyrese (12), and Devon (11).

1999 Duane Wolfe, who has his masters in Education from SMSU, is a fulltime instructor in the Law Enforcement 1991 Program at Alexandria Technical Marie Senn was named accounting and College in Alexandria, and is also financial analyst at Metropolitan State employed by the Parkers Prairie Police University in Minneapolis. She had been Department. He has been a Minnesota 1973 1982 a senior accounting officer in the peace officer since 1988, serving as John Skogstoe is a broadcasting Terrence Fogarty has been instructor in the Humanities, Arts, and commissioned by the city of Marshall to Minnesota State Colleges and patrolman, sergeant, S.R.T., and Use of Social Sciences department at Northeast design the “Sports and Recreation” Universities system office since 2007.

Force and Firearms Instructor.

Community College in Norfolk, Neb. mural, the last of three murals displayed She lives in St. Paul. on downtown buildings as part of the 2000 1976 Marshall Mural Project. The mural is an 1993 Roxanne Kremer, who earned her masters in education at SMSU, was Sam Legget, former basketball standout, artist’s rendition of more than 40 Lisa Maurer made her perpetual was inducted into the Northern Sun monastic profession with the named the Worthington School Marshall youth sports programs that Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame were provided to him and three of the Benedictine sisters of the St. Scholastica District’s 2012 Teacher of the Year. on July 11, 2012, in St. Cloud.

Kremer has taught kindergarten at subjects of the mural are actual Marshall Monastery in Duluth, on July 11, 2012.

She joined the Benedictine sisters’ Prairie Elementary for the past 11 years students who were selected through a 1977 community as a postulant in the fall of “This is an overwhelming award — to be raffle. Fogarty has also done two Pat Hand’s exhibit, “Hand-Me-Downs,” paintings featuring SMSU, 2007, became a novice in 2008, and nominated by your peers,“ she of pottery, sculpture, textiles, graphite commented.

“Horsepower” and “Mustang Memories.” made her first monastic profession on drawings and oil paintings was featured August 22, 2009. She commented that Kim Dobson, who earned her master’s in the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council’s 1983 life as a sister is “a fulfillment of such (a) in Educational Leadership at SMSU, art gallery. She lives in Marshall and has Robert Baerenwald is a price accuracy longing that I’ve always had.” joined the faculty of Augustana College been teaching in some capacity at SMSU supervisor at Shopko in Worthington. in Sioux Falls, S.D., as an assistant He is also member of the Worthington since 2001.

1994 professor of education. She has over 21 Crailsheim International Committee, Mark Plenke is a lecturer in the Jeff Whitney became the St. James High years of special education teaching School head football coach after serving experience in the Sioux Falls School which recently received a $1,000 grant Journalism and Public Relations as the team’s defensive coordinator. from the Shopko Foundation to assist Department at California State District and at Augustana College. with the ongoing expenses of the University, Chico. Prior to this, he 1995 exchange student program. taught at Normandale Community 2001 Shelia (Rangaard) Anderson was Rassoul Dastmozd is the president of College, Bloomington, where he Melissa Schulte married Thomas Swyter on August 25th at Gilfillan Estate in named Chief Financial Officer and St. Paul College in St. Paul. Prior to founded the community-building Treasurer of Daktronics in Brookings, Morgan. The couple resides in Olivia taking the position at St. Paul in July website www.55423.info.

S.D. She joined the company as a senior and Melissa works as a Renville County 2011, he was the vice president of Clarence Hightower was elected as dispatcher/jailer. instruction at Clark College, the second- accountant in 2002 and was Corporate chairperson of the Minnesota State Controller since 2006. Prior to joining Gus Condezo (MS.Ed ’09) is an largest community college in Colleges and Universities Board of Daktronics, Anderson was a senior admission counselor at SMSU. Prior to Washington state.

Trustees. His one-year term began July accountant at Dakota Minnesota and joining SMSU, he was an admission 1, 2012. Hightower lives in Plymouth, Eastern Railroad. representative for Ridgewater College in 1985 and is executive director of the Mike Mueller was named to the North Willmar. He and his wife, Kari, own the Craig Kallemeyn is the systems Community Action Partnership of improvement manager at Quatro American Fastpitch Association’s “20th SMSU Child Care Center and are the Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Composites in Orange City, Iowa. He is Year Anniversary” team. Mueller has parents of Tate (6), Alana (5), Isabel (3) spent his fastpitch softball career playing and Cole (1). certified in production and inventory 1978 for the Sioux Falls Chiefs and the Sioux management from the Association of Jeff Mauland was elected chairman of the board of the North Star Mutual Falls Sox. He’s had four NAFA first-team 2002 Operations Management and is Insurance Company in Cottonwood. facilitating the implementation of a lean All-World selections, two World Series Josh Turek earned a bronze medal on He’s held various positions at North Star enterprise transformation at Quatro championships, two runner-up finishes the 2012 USA Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Paralympic Team. The team since starting his career there in 1979. In Composites. and two third-place finishes.

1999, he was elected to the board and Sheri (Mathieu) Boeyink read excerpts competed in the Paralympics in London this past summer (see page 18). Josh has has been the company’s president and from her books at the Marshall-Lyon 1986 played professionally in Europe for the CEO since 2001. He currently serves as Marvin Zylstra is currently serving his County Library on October 8th. She 10th year and running for reelection as a writes under the pen name Lynn Rush past 10 years, most recently for a team in chairman-elect of the Minnesota Nobles County Commissioner. He also and her most recent book, Violet Madrid, Spain.

Association of Farm Mutual Insurance has a farming operation near Midnight, was released on October 15, Gretchen Johnson’s first book, The Joy Companies and, in February 2013, will Worthington, consisting of corn, 2012. of Deception and Other Stories, was begin a one-year term as the soybeans, and a 50-sow farrow-to-finish published by Lamar University Press. association’s chairman of the board. hog operation.

1996 She lives Beaumont, Texas.

Jefferson Lee IV (MBA from SMSU in Jason Olson was selected the 2012 1980 ’12) is the director of the Office of 1989 Minnesota recipient of the National Winn (Kivisto) Skinner teaches high school journalism in the Keller, Texas, Diversity and Inclusion at SMSU. He Pam (Mueller) Kurz joined Mutual of Federation of High Schools’ Outstanding school district and lives in Denton, Omaha in May 2012 as an Actuarial Rate implements programs that bring about Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator of Texas.

Analyst II in Omaha, Neb. She performs cultural inclusion and awareness within the Year award. He has been a social pricing and actuarial analysis for Mutual the campus community and the greater studies teacher at Adrian High School in of Omaha’s NCAA-sponsored southwest Minnesota community. He Adrian for the past 10 years. He is also

*Cities are in Minnesota unless noted.

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the speech team co-coach and one-act play coordinator. He is studying for a master’s degree in history through the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Troy Cody, who earned his master’s degree at SMSU, took over the principal position at Davies High School in Fargo, N.D., for the 2012-2013 school year. He has been an assistant principal and activities director at Fargo North High School for the past five years. He has also served on the boards of directors of the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders and the North Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Ryan Martin is a professional wheelchair basketball player for CID Casa Murcia Getafe in Madrid, Spain. He has played for the team for the past six years and resides in South Windsor, England. Ryan also started The Ryan Martin Foundation with the mission to assist student athletes with disabilities with their lives on and off the court.

management program at Harrah’s College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The couple lives in Henderson, Nev. Christie Ruda now teaches 3rd grade at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Elementary School in Long Prairie. She joined the LPGE faculty after teaching elementary special education for 14 years in Sauk Centre.

2006 Sharon (Olson) Johnson, who earned her master’s in Educational Leadership at SMSU, became the District 518 Community Education Program Director in Worthington. She took over the position after eight years as the Nobles County Integration Collaborative coordinator. “I like the opportunity it brings to interact with many facets of the community and to collaborate with other organizations to promote education for all people living here,” she said of her new role.

Vang Xiong led two all-staff assemblies and six lunch sessions at Bremer Bank’s 2003 Jeremy Pritchard is the video director at Hmong Culture Days event at its Faith Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Willmar and Marshall locations. He also owns a freelance graphic design shared his story of living in refugee business, Spirit 9 Design. He resides in camps as a child and coming to America Spirit Lake with his wife, Joy, and as well sharing information on traditions daughters Charlotte, 6, and Anna, 2. in the Hmong culture. Xiong is an assistant professor in the Department of 2004 Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State Amanda Ackerson is a paralegal at University, Mankato.

Roggeman Law Office, P.A. in St. Cloud.

She has been working there since 2011 2007 and her work is concentrated in the areas Emily DeBoer married Bryan Hansen of estate planning and trusts and estates. on September 22, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn. She works Bill Northey, who received his MBA from SMSU, is two years into his second at Little Huskies Daycare and Preschool term as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. In in Jackson.

Meghan Nelson became a women’s a recent taping of the Iowa Public basketball assistant coach at Cal StateTelevision show Iowa Press, he did not Los Angeles. She served as an assistant rule out running for governor in the coach for two seasons at Northwest future. “I don’t know what’s next,” he Missouri State and, prior to that, two said. “I love what I’m doing. It would have to be something I would really want seasons at the University of Sioux Falls. to do to take me away from secretary of Nelson began her coaching career as a agriculture.” He raises corn and soybeans student assistant at SMSU, where she also played two seasons. on his farm near Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Brian Smith married Trisha Jones on September 22nd at Worthington Christian 2008 Church in Worthington. He works for Julie (Pohlman) Kelly became the the Veterans Benefits Administration in assistant principal at the Internationella Englska Skolan school in Halmstad, Sioux Falls, S.D. Sweden.

Melissa Heckel became an Interactive 2005 Strategist at Click Rain, a Sioux Falls, Scott Koch, who earned his masters in Education at SMSU, was named activities S.D., firm that provides online director at Washington High School in marketing, website development and Cherokee, Iowa, for the 2012-13 school digital strategy services. She left the year. As a teacher and coach at WHS, he’s Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors had a distinguished coaching career, Bureau to join the team at Click Rain. leading the baseball team to back-toShe also runs a freelance graphic design back state tournament appearances and a business in her spare time. state title in 2007.

Adam Zishka received a lifesaving award Leah Tinklenberg married Benjamin from the Multnomah County Sheriff ’s Miller on June 9, 2012 at the Rio Secco Department in Portland, Ore., for Golf Club in Henderson, Nev. She is helping pull a woman dangling over an currently enrolled in the hospitality embankment to safety. He and two other

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officers saved a woman he found clinging onto a tree limb over the fast-moving Sandy River in November 2011. He has been a Multnomah County Sheriff ’s deputy for the past three years following four years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Anthony Ortmann took over as head football coach at New Ulm Public High School after four years as an assistant coach. He is also the head track coach.

2010 Jenna Gorans married Reed Davids on August 4, 2012, at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. The couple resides in Zumbrota, and she teaches early childhood special education in the Rochester Public School District.

Curt Anderson is now an overnight editor at The Washington Post after a career as a news executive at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver.

Kyle Pagel is teaching 5th-8th grade band and 4th grade general music at Cologne Academy in Cologne. He previously taught afterschool band for St. Paul public schools and was a long-term sub at Big Lake Middle School, teaching 6th grade band and general music.

Joe Kruger married Tonya Ravellete on July 7, 2012 in Philip, S.D. He works as an elementary teacher in Sisseton, S.D. Kori Ryan, who earned her master’s in Education from SMSU, has been hired as the special education coordinator at the SW/WC Service Cooperative in Marshall. She will assist southwest Minnesota school districts’ special education staffs in meeting the requirements of special education.

2011 Kayla Schwarz married Brandon Jensen on July 16, 2012, at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington where the couple now resides. Kayla is employed at Prairie Elementary School.

James Kiekhaefer is a graduate assistant in the Marketing & Promotions and Sports Information departments at Minot State University (N.D.) He assists in all aspects of the athletic program’s marketing, sports information, social media and video production efforts. He is pursuing his master’s in management.

Curtis Gosser married Brittany Gravley on June 23, 2012, in Lynd. He has a research position at Bellisio Foods in Lakeville, Minn. The couple lives in Apple Valley, Minn.

Jennifer Platt married Jonathon Lankenau on October 20, 2012 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. The couple resides in Willmar, and Jennifer works as a preschool teacher for the Tri-Valley Opportunity Council in Danube.

2012 David Gregoire married Anna Full on June 23, 2012 in Marshall.

Deborah Snook, who earned her master’s in Education from SMSU, received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She has been teaching advanced math and physics at Phillip High School in Phillip, S.D., for the past 12 years. She said, “The Presidential Award is a validation that my teaching methods have evolved to include the best practices to foster in my students the knowledge and love of mathematics.”

Derek Klinkner is a graduate assistant for the wheelchair basketball team at SMSU. Kayla Kruger married Mitchell Cox on Dec. 31, 2011, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian, where the couple also resides.

Blake Eller, who earned his master’s at SMSU, was hired as the head baseball coach at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

Janna Dorman is a Teaching Assistant at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where she is attending graduate school for Rhetoric, Composition and Professional Communication.

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF Dr. Karl-Heinz Evers, former SMSU faculty member, earned emeritus status in Phi Delta Kappa International, one of the largest professional associations for educators in the world. The College of Idaho granted him emeritus status in appreciation for his 20 years of teaching the German language and culture. He resides in Nampa, Idaho.

Tim Miles, former SMSU men’s basketball coach, was named head coach of the University of Nebraska men’s basketball team. He left his position as head coach at Colorado State University and signed a seven-year deal with the Huskers.

IN MEMORIUM Joseph C. Cech, 1973, passed away on July 10, 2012 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Jeffrey Anderson, a 1991 alumnus, passed away on August 19, 2012.

Dr. Gerald D. Kangas, 1971, died in his home on June 13, 2012, with his wife and daughters at his side.

Former Director of Cultural Diversity Stacy Robinson passed away on May 8, 2012 after battling cancer.

What’s your story?

There are many ways to share your news with other alumni: email alumni@SMSU.edu call 800-260-0970 click SouthwestAlumni.com mail SMSU Alumni Office 1501 State St. Marshall, MN 56258 *Cities are in Minnesota unless noted.

Leaving a

Legacy

Joe & Eileen VanWie Retirees Continue to Give.

The way Joe VanWie sees it, SMSU upperclassmen who know what they want to do after graduation are the ones who could use some financial help.

“By the time they’re juniors or seniors, they have an idea of what they want to do,” he said, talking about the VanWie Mathematics-Education Scholarship, established two years ago through the SMSU Foundation.

“Sometimes they don’t quite meet the scholarship requirements when they come in as freshmen, yet they are pretty good students who do well later on. We wanted to help them.”

Joe and Eileen VanWie are both former professors at SMSU — Joe in Math, and Eileen in Education. They combined those two disciplines in establishing the VanWie Mathematics-Education Scholarship, awarded annually to a junior or senior majoring in Mathematics Education.

Joe taught at SMSU for 39 years and Eileen, 20. “We both enjoyed our time at SMSU. We know a lot of graduates in southwest Minnesota and across the state, and we enjoyed all of them. They’re good people,” said Joe. “We wanted to focus our support on math teachers. There’s a huge need for them now, and that’s why we combined our two areas, math and education,” said Eileen.

The VanWies live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and enjoy spending time at their cabin near Brainerd.

You can leave a legacy. Start today.

WWW.SMSUFOUNDATION.ORG/LEGACY

Creating an Endowed Scholarship at SMSU You can establish a named, endowed scholarship at Southwest Minnesota State by making a gift of $10,000 or more. A scholarship can be in your name or in honor of someone dear to your heart. An endowed scholarship can be funded over one, five or 10 years, depending on your wishes. You may designate your endowment to academic scholarships, a specific collegiate unit, or students in need of financial assistance. In some cases, donors prefer including a scholarship gift in their will. For more information contact Bill Mulso, SMSU Foundation Executive Director, at 1-800-260-0970 or Bill.Mulso@SMSU.edu.

Consider These Advantages: • Tax deduction for charitable contribution • Membership in the Heritage Society • Helping SMSU students earn their degree in today’s challenging economic environment • Leaving a lasting legacy at Southwest

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 97 Marshall, MN SMSU Alumni Office 1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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.

Connect with your fellow alumni at an event near you...

The SMSU Alumni Association plans a variety of exciting events to connect and engage alumni. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming programs!

If you have ideas for gatherings in your area, email alumni@SMSU.edu!

• Elf: The Broadway Musical – December 15, 2012 • Hawaiian Night Post-Game Luau – January 26, 2013 • Minnesota Wild Event – March 23, 2013 (Tentative) • Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash – April 2013 • SMSU Commencement – May 11, 2013 • Minnesota Twins Event – June 14, 2013 • SMSU Golf Classic – June 14-15, 2013 • Save the date for Homecoming – Saturday, October 5, 2013 For updated events and online registration:

www.SouthwestAlumni.com

Connect: www.SouthwestAlumni.com