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Published by SMSU Alumni Office 1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

A P U B L I CAT I O N O F T H E S M S U A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N • S P R I N G 2 0 0 9

SMSUAlumni Mr.

May

Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 97

Fund Support the Southwest & Alumni Plaza

Elite Eight

Bill Holm

Online gifts save!

Contributions made online to the Southwest Fund and the Alumni Plaza campaign will receive a free SMSU ChicoBag™ —a reusable bag that lets you show your SMSU pride. Online giving saves staff time processing gifts and we’ll thank you with this gift that lets you save the paper and plastic when you shop!

This handy bag fits into its own integrated stuff pouch and with an attached carabiner, you can hook the bag on your keychain, beltloop or backpack to save time! But hurry—supplies are limited! Give today!

www.SMSUFoundation.org

Fine Arts

Celebration

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Brown & Gold Pride It is great to be a Mustang!

As a former high school teacher and now, as an SMSU staff member, I have always believed that graduation is the best day on the job. It’s extremely exciting to see a genuine sense of accomplishment on familiar faces, with the knowledge there are great things in store for them. I sincerely congratulate and welcome 629 new graduates into our family of over 17,000 members in the SMSU Alumni Association.

Keeping you connected to the events, news and accomplishments of faculty, staff, students and alumni is an important function of the SMSU Alumni Association. This publication, the Focus Alumni Magazine, our online community, alumni events, and Homecoming are a variety of methods in which to keep you updated with SMSU news. Social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn have been added to connect you with SMSU as well as other alumni and friends of your alma mater.

I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming alumni events, Homecoming 2009 Mustang Mardi Gras, or to simply make a special trip back to campus. I also encourage your support of the Alumni Plaza fundraising project, which will help us turn an undeveloped, heavily used space on campus into a vibrant social and recreational hub of the University.

On behalf of the Alumni Association and the entire campus community, I want to thank you for your continuing interest, loyalty and support. It is great to be a Mustang!

Ways to connect

Search “SMSU Alumni”

Men’s Team Breaks into Elite Eight The Southwest Minnesota State men’s basketball team put together one of the most memorable seasons in school history in 2008-09 by winning both the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and NCAA Central Region championships.

For the first time in school history SMSU hosted the NCAA Region Tournament and entered the eight-team tournament as the No. 1 seed with a record of 25-6.

SMSU cruised past Northern State in the quarterfinals 69-47 and then rallied from a six-point second half deficit to earn a thrilling 77-69 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato.

In the region championship game, SMSU, in front of a record crowd of nearly 4,000 fans, held an eight-point halftime lead and never looked back in claiming a 73-60 victory and the program’s second region championship.

Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick (Tomah, Wis.) had one of the best seasons in school history in 2008 passing for 3,149 yards and 30 touchdowns, both ranking as the third highest in a single season.

The men championship ’s team celebrates their regi win over Augu on stana th them to Elite at sent Eight.

SMSU’s dream season came to end at the NCAA Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., as the Mustangs saw an early six-point second half lead evaporate as Cal Poly Pomona, the eventual national runners-up, slipped past SMSU 79-74.

Tyler Bowen, Director of Alumni Relations

fall & winter SMSU Alumni Event at Wrigley Field with Minnesota Twins vs Cubs Saturday, June 13, 2009 10:00 a.m. social, Noon game (SOLD OUT) Holy Cow! Enjoy a pre-game alumni gathering at Goose Island as the Twins face the Chicago Cubs.

SMSU Alumni Night at Canterbury Park Friday, June 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

Join your SMSU friends at the races!

Wave your Homer Hanky with the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 5:00 p.m. social, 7:00 p.m. game Join the SMSU Alumni Association while we cheer on the Twins as they face the NY Yankees.

Twin Cities Golf Outing Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 1:00 p.m.

Deer Run Golf Club, Victoria, MN Get ready for a great day of golf at this annual outing at Deer Run. Step in Time with Mary Poppins at the Orpheum Sunday, September 20, 2009, 1:00 p.m.

A spoonful of fun for the whole family!

SAVE THE DATE: Mustang Mardi Gras: Homecoming 2009 Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 Visit: www.SouthwestAlumni.edu/homecoming Bert and Ernie, Goodnight Sunday, October 25, 2009, 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy Bert & Ernie in a Minneapolis Children’s Theatre World Premier!

For more information, to see other events in your area or to register online visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com

SMSU volleyball finished 28-6 in 2008, the best winning percentage in school history and advanced to its fifth straight NCAA tournament before losing in the regional semifinals. The Mustangs finished ranked eighth in the final Top 25 poll. Senior Kasey Loeslie was named an AVCA third team AllAmerica. The Mustang football team finished the 2008 season 6-5 and earned the program’s first winning season since 1999 and just the eighth in school history. Junior running back Zach Wysong rushed for 1,027 yards and scored nine touchdowns. The Mustang soccer team finished 3-14 under first-year head coach Amy Olson. Freshman Kelly Fitzgerald earned honorable mention All-NSIC honors, while six

players were named Academic All-NSIC. SMSU women’s basketball team ended the 2008-09 season with a 14-16 record. SMSU lost seven games during the season by six points or less. Senior Sara Leidall was named second team All-NSIC, while the squad had five players earn Academic All-NSIC accolades. The SMSU wheelchair basketball team had a young squad in 2008-09 and ended the season 10-17 overall and finished seventh in the national tournament. The Mustang wrestling team concluded the 2008-09 season with a 3-7 dual record. Michael Barrie and David Albrecht qualified for the NCAA national tournament, while three individuals were named to the NWCA All-Academic team.

Senior Kasey Loeslie (Tracy, Minn.) was named a third team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Senior safety Tyler Reed (Ottumwa, Iowa) capped off a tremendous four-year career earning honorable mention All-America honors by D2Football.com while also earning the NSIC Glen Galligan Award.

Follow the Mustangs online at www.SMSUMustangs.com

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect official University policy. Send correspondence via email: alumni@SMSU.edu, mail: SMSU Alumni Office, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 or call: (507) 537-6266.

Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

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

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Best seats in the house Story by Rae Kruger, Marshall Independent, published Feb. 28, 2009 He gets seats for every game, but you will never see him in the stands.

Dan Nesdahl, a graduate of Southwest and now a member of the Southwest Minnesota State University Booster Club, buys season tickets for Mustang football games and basketball games.

The Army officer is now stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., and recently returned from his third deployment in Iraq. It was during his deployment to Iraq that Nesdahl said he decided to give his tickets away.

“I can’t come back for the games,” Nesdahl said. So he donates his tickets to the Big Buddies program in Marshall. Western Community Action operates the program in the region.

“My parents were divorced when I was 8 years old,” Nesdahl said. The divorce had an effect on him and now, the tickets are way to help kids who may need some attention and direction in life, he said.

“I talked with my wife and we didn't think there was a better program,” Nesdahl said of Big Buddies.

Kids in the Big Buddies program or their mentors may not always get the chance to attend a college game, Nesdahl said.

LeeRoy Rocha, 12, of Marshall is a big basketball fan. On a recent Friday night in Marshall, Rocha and his Photo: Marshall Independent Big Buddy Bob Gjorvad Big Buddy Bob Gjorvad and his little buddy were seated in Nesdahl’s LeeRoy Rocha watch a basketball game in seats seats in the R/A Facility donated by Dan Nesdahl.

Clockwise from top left: Robert Norbie ’74, Annette Atkins ’72 and Mark Sunwall ’72 were the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award recipients. Stanger ’67 and Garry Mercer ’82 enjoy the annual Faculty/Staff Alumni Luncheon. Homecoming Queen Charlotte McMullen and friends enjoy the Homecoming football game. Lenny and Judy Pippen, Eric Markensun and Robert Larsen were recognized as Honorary Lifetime Members of the SMSU Alumni Association. Read more about all of the Homecoming 2008 award recipients at www.SouthwestAlumni.com/awards

! e t a d e Save th

2009 t. 9Friday, Oc t. 10 c O , y a d r u Sat la: University Ga Friday, Oct.6p9m t

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at SMSU. “It’s awesome,” Rocha said of being in the seats and at the game.

Rocha said he had no idea he’d be going to an Submitted Photo.

Dan Nesdahl, left, presents an award to one of his SMSU soldiers at a combat outpost in Baghdad, Iraq. basketball game until Gjorvad told him earlier that day.

“I was excited,” Rocha said.

During the second half of the women’s game, Rocha and Gjorvad talked basketball and remarked about a pass or an offensive move. Rocha ate a snack and drank an energy drink.

When T-shirts were tossed into the audience during a timeout, one flew in Rocha’s direction and he caught it, almost, But he grabbed it when it hit the seat in front of him.

“To do something like this is very generous gift,” Gjorvad said of Nesdahl’s donation.

“I’d like (kids) to know there are activities out there such as sports or arts or music,” Nesdahl said. “It’s a good atmosphere, being on campus. It gives them something to shoot for. Not only to be an athlete but a student.”

Nesdahl graduated from SSU in 1996. He joined the Army in 1998 and is now a captain.

Nesdahl said he talked to Big Buddies director Allan Bakke while he was deployed in Iraq. Bakke updated him on the response to the tickets.

“That was uplifting,” Nesdahl said. “It’s well worth the investment.”

Jaimie Mattes ’93

Hotel-Restaurant Administration

Just days before his 32nd birthday, Jaimie Mattes got the kind of news you never want to hear—his doctor told him he had colon cancer, a type of cancer typically seen in people 50 or older.

Jaimie was invited to bare his scar for an awareness calendar called the “colondar” along with 12 other young survivors. All the models in the calendar have had either colon or rectal cancer. All of them reveal their surgical scars. He’s the first Minnesotan to be featured in the fifth year of the colondar. He is Mr. May 2009.

Now 39 and cancer-free., Jaimie wants people to know that colon cancer can strike at any age. He encourages young people to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice for any unusual symptoms because screening doesn’t happen until age 50.

For more information on the colondar and Jaimie’s story visit: www.colonclub.com

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Blair Wins Blacklock Photography Fellowship

Tony Greenfield (Biology) had scientific research published in one of the leading journals in the field of microbiology, The Journal of Bacteriology. Tom Dilley, Emily Deaver, Linda Jones and Greenfield were awarded a $30,000 grant for the creation of a freshman research experience to promote enrollment, retention, and student learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Mark Fokken (Speech Communication) was elected to the office of PresidentElect of the Communication and Theatre Association of Minnesota and served on the tournament staff of the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament in Akron, Ohio.

John Ginocchio (Music) had an article published in “The Wind Repertory Project,” and conducted clinics with 13 bands from around the region. Teresa Henning (English) had a chapter published in the book Writing and the iGeneration: Composition in the Computer Mediated Classroom and also an article published with interim Dean of ALS Betsy Decy in The Journal of Effective Teaching.

Anthony Neil Smith’s (English) fourth novel Hogdoggin’ will be published in June receiving great reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Steve Kramer (Philosophy) was elected President of the Upper Midwest Honors Council and along with former student Travis Berg had papers published in an anthology entitled Food & Morality.

Watch the Fall 2009 FOCUS for Dr. Jay Brown from the SMSU Chemistry program.

4

SMSU English Professor Dr. Elizabeth Blair has won the prestigious 2009 Nadine Blacklock Nature Photography Fellowship. The award includes a one-month residency at the 500-acre Blacklock Nature Sanctuary near Moose Lake, Minn.

The fellowship is named for nature photographer Nadine Blacklock, who died in a car accident in 1998 at the age of 44. The award honors her career by annually recognizing a woman nature photographer.

The Blacklock family founded the sanctuary in 1994 with the goal of conserving wild lands and providing artists and naturalists with studio space.

The nature sanctuary includes hundreds of acres of pine and deciduous forest, a half-mile of lakeshore on Little Moose Lake, beaver ponds, and wildflowers and heron rockery. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Blair will have the use of a twobedroom house with a black-and-white darkroom, workstation and separate studio.

She will also have access to a one-bedroom cabin with artist’s loft adjacent to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The cabin overlooks a half-mile Lake Superior shoreline.

Blair majored in art and English as an undergraduate and for the past several years has been photographing Minnesota wild orchids. This past fall she audited Jim Swartz’s digital art photography course at SMSU to learn more about photographic composition. She has had a photography exhibit during SMSU’s Fine Arts Festival this past spring.

SMSU mourns the loss of a literary giant Retired English professor Bill Holm died suddenly from complications related to pneumonia on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009.

Holm retired in December 2007 after 27 years in the English Department. Holm received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn., and his master’s from the University of Kansas. He came to Southwest when former English professor Phil Dacey took a sabbatical leave. Bill never left.

He won the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award in 2008. He was a two-time Bush Arts Fellow, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and a Fulbright lecturer, and a two-time Minnesota Book Award winner, among his many honors. He authored 15 books.

Standing about 6-foot, 6-inches tall, Bill was a giant both literally and figuratively, and his passing has saddened the SMSU community.

Student success in a supportive environment The SMSU’s forensics team had four students that qualified for the national forensics tournament at the University of Akron. They included Veronica Fischer, junior, Redwood Falls, Minn.; Elizabeth Stoltz, senior, Owatonna, Minn.; Andrew Jacobs, senior, Forest City, Iowa; and Brian Warner, senior, Rock Rapids, Iowa. Kristina Paczkowski, a senior marketing major from Marshall, and Laura Steichen, a biology and chemistry double major from Slayton, Minn., were singled out for their research efforts at the annual SMSU Undergraduate Research Conference in December. Over 180 students representing 12 academic programs gave either oral or poster

presentations. Kyle Timmerman, freshmen, Minneota, Minn., attended tryouts for the USA Junior’s National wheelchair basketball team in Birmingham, Alab. The SMSU Honors Program hosted the Upper Midwest Honors Council which brought 150 participants from a six-state region.

Maria Toledo, senior, Willmar, Minn.; Chelsey Wagner, senior, Nicollet, Minn.; Amy Grund, junior, Renville, Minn.; and Kristine Seidl, senior, Hanska, Minn., attended the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference, where they were able to participate in some of the 40 sessions addressing issues in mathematics education.

05.31.09 new & improved

www.SMSU.edu As of May 31, 2009, SMSU’s home on the Internet will be www.SMSU.edu. Email addresses will also be affected by this change.

Visit www.SMSU.edu/email for details to access your email account

Special needs students from public school districts in Southwest Minnesota participated in the 10th annual Mustang Rodeo on Friday, April 3 at SMSU. Over 175 special needs students from 24 school districts participated, said Wellness & Human Performance Professor Ellen Radel.

There where many activities for special needs students planned for this year including Dance Dance Revolution, relays, parachute, soccer, capture-the -flag, racquetball and aquatic activities, to name a few.

SMSU students plan and run the event, said Radel. “We have six student chairs this year, and they’ve been working since the last Rodeo to get this one organized,” she said.

There are over 160 SMSU Education and

Wellness & Human Performance majors who worked at the Rodeo this year.

Student chairs include Maria Toledo, senior Elementary Education major from Willmar, Minn.; David Connors, senior Physical Education major from Chicago, Ill.; Rebecca Hosna, senior Physical Education and Health major from New Ulm, Minn.; Kristine Seidl, senior Elementary Education major from Hanska, Minn.; Troy Salter, junior Elementary Education major from Huron, SD; and Lillian Appelgren, senior Elementary Education major from Randolph, Minn.

“This event is all about the kids—the special needs students who attend, and the SMSU students who put it all on,” said Radel.

FuN faCts:

Southwest Regional Network This new initiative is designed to provide regional contacts for the SMSU Alumni Association. Volunteer alumni contacts are ambassadors for Southwest Minnesota State University who are committed to supporting SMSU alumni interaction in their area.

For more information visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com/southwestnetwork

6 academic programs • 22 days • 43 events 1,000 lbs of molten iron • 307 artworks 88 pieces of music • 52 costumes • 34 poems 314 fine arts students • 3,185+ in attendance 5

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Blair Wins Blacklock Photography Fellowship

Tony Greenfield (Biology) had scientific research published in one of the leading journals in the field of microbiology, The Journal of Bacteriology. Tom Dilley, Emily Deaver, Linda Jones and Greenfield were awarded a $30,000 grant for the creation of a freshman research experience to promote enrollment, retention, and student learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Mark Fokken (Speech Communication) was elected to the office of PresidentElect of the Communication and Theatre Association of Minnesota and served on the tournament staff of the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament in Akron, Ohio.

John Ginocchio (Music) had an article published in “The Wind Repertory Project,” and conducted clinics with 13 bands from around the region. Teresa Henning (English) had a chapter published in the book Writing and the iGeneration: Composition in the Computer Mediated Classroom and also an article published with interim Dean of ALS Betsy Decy in The Journal of Effective Teaching.

Anthony Neil Smith’s (English) fourth novel Hogdoggin’ will be published in June receiving great reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Steve Kramer (Philosophy) was elected President of the Upper Midwest Honors Council and along with former student Travis Berg had papers published in an anthology entitled Food & Morality.

Watch the Fall 2009 FOCUS for Dr. Jay Brown from the SMSU Chemistry program.

4

SMSU English Professor Dr. Elizabeth Blair has won the prestigious 2009 Nadine Blacklock Nature Photography Fellowship. The award includes a one-month residency at the 500-acre Blacklock Nature Sanctuary near Moose Lake, Minn.

The fellowship is named for nature photographer Nadine Blacklock, who died in a car accident in 1998 at the age of 44. The award honors her career by annually recognizing a woman nature photographer.

The Blacklock family founded the sanctuary in 1994 with the goal of conserving wild lands and providing artists and naturalists with studio space.

The nature sanctuary includes hundreds of acres of pine and deciduous forest, a half-mile of lakeshore on Little Moose Lake, beaver ponds, and wildflowers and heron rockery. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Blair will have the use of a twobedroom house with a black-and-white darkroom, workstation and separate studio.

She will also have access to a one-bedroom cabin with artist’s loft adjacent to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The cabin overlooks a half-mile Lake Superior shoreline.

Blair majored in art and English as an undergraduate and for the past several years has been photographing Minnesota wild orchids. This past fall she audited Jim Swartz’s digital art photography course at SMSU to learn more about photographic composition. She has had a photography exhibit during SMSU’s Fine Arts Festival this past spring.

SMSU mourns the loss of a literary giant Retired English professor Bill Holm died suddenly from complications related to pneumonia on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009.

Holm retired in December 2007 after 27 years in the English Department. Holm received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn., and his master’s from the University of Kansas. He came to Southwest when former English professor Phil Dacey took a sabbatical leave. Bill never left.

He won the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award in 2008. He was a two-time Bush Arts Fellow, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and a Fulbright lecturer, and a two-time Minnesota Book Award winner, among his many honors. He authored 15 books.

Standing about 6-foot, 6-inches tall, Bill was a giant both literally and figuratively, and his passing has saddened the SMSU community.

Student success in a supportive environment The SMSU’s forensics team had four students that qualified for the national forensics tournament at the University of Akron. They included Veronica Fischer, junior, Redwood Falls, Minn.; Elizabeth Stoltz, senior, Owatonna, Minn.; Andrew Jacobs, senior, Forest City, Iowa; and Brian Warner, senior, Rock Rapids, Iowa. Kristina Paczkowski, a senior marketing major from Marshall, and Laura Steichen, a biology and chemistry double major from Slayton, Minn., were singled out for their research efforts at the annual SMSU Undergraduate Research Conference in December. Over 180 students representing 12 academic programs gave either oral or poster

presentations. Kyle Timmerman, freshmen, Minneota, Minn., attended tryouts for the USA Junior’s National wheelchair basketball team in Birmingham, Alab. The SMSU Honors Program hosted the Upper Midwest Honors Council which brought 150 participants from a six-state region.

Maria Toledo, senior, Willmar, Minn.; Chelsey Wagner, senior, Nicollet, Minn.; Amy Grund, junior, Renville, Minn.; and Kristine Seidl, senior, Hanska, Minn., attended the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference, where they were able to participate in some of the 40 sessions addressing issues in mathematics education.

05.31.09 new & improved

www.SMSU.edu As of May 31, 2009, SMSU’s home on the Internet will be www.SMSU.edu. Email addresses will also be affected by this change.

Visit www.SMSU.edu/email for details to access your email account

Special needs students from public school districts in Southwest Minnesota participated in the 10th annual Mustang Rodeo on Friday, April 3 at SMSU. Over 175 special needs students from 24 school districts participated, said Wellness & Human Performance Professor Ellen Radel.

There where many activities for special needs students planned for this year including Dance Dance Revolution, relays, parachute, soccer, capture-the -flag, racquetball and aquatic activities, to name a few.

SMSU students plan and run the event, said Radel. “We have six student chairs this year, and they’ve been working since the last Rodeo to get this one organized,” she said.

There are over 160 SMSU Education and

Wellness & Human Performance majors who worked at the Rodeo this year.

Student chairs include Maria Toledo, senior Elementary Education major from Willmar, Minn.; David Connors, senior Physical Education major from Chicago, Ill.; Rebecca Hosna, senior Physical Education and Health major from New Ulm, Minn.; Kristine Seidl, senior Elementary Education major from Hanska, Minn.; Troy Salter, junior Elementary Education major from Huron, SD; and Lillian Appelgren, senior Elementary Education major from Randolph, Minn.

“This event is all about the kids—the special needs students who attend, and the SMSU students who put it all on,” said Radel.

FuN faCts:

Southwest Regional Network This new initiative is designed to provide regional contacts for the SMSU Alumni Association. Volunteer alumni contacts are ambassadors for Southwest Minnesota State University who are committed to supporting SMSU alumni interaction in their area.

For more information visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com/southwestnetwork

6 academic programs • 22 days • 43 events 1,000 lbs of molten iron • 307 artworks 88 pieces of music • 52 costumes • 34 poems 314 fine arts students • 3,185+ in attendance 5

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Best seats in the house Story by Rae Kruger, Marshall Independent, published Feb. 28, 2009 He gets seats for every game, but you will never see him in the stands.

Dan Nesdahl, a graduate of Southwest and now a member of the Southwest Minnesota State University Booster Club, buys season tickets for Mustang football games and basketball games.

The Army officer is now stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., and recently returned from his third deployment in Iraq. It was during his deployment to Iraq that Nesdahl said he decided to give his tickets away.

“I can’t come back for the games,” Nesdahl said. So he donates his tickets to the Big Buddies program in Marshall. Western Community Action operates the program in the region.

“My parents were divorced when I was 8 years old,” Nesdahl said. The divorce had an effect on him and now, the tickets are way to help kids who may need some attention and direction in life, he said.

“I talked with my wife and we didn't think there was a better program,” Nesdahl said of Big Buddies.

Kids in the Big Buddies program or their mentors may not always get the chance to attend a college game, Nesdahl said.

LeeRoy Rocha, 12, of Marshall is a big basketball fan. On a recent Friday night in Marshall, Rocha and his Photo: Marshall Independent Big Buddy Bob Gjorvad Big Buddy Bob Gjorvad and his little buddy were seated in Nesdahl’s LeeRoy Rocha watch a basketball game in seats seats in the R/A Facility donated by Dan Nesdahl.

Clockwise from top left: Robert Norbie ’74, Annette Atkins ’72 and Mark Sunwall ’72 were the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award recipients. Stanger ’67 and Garry Mercer ’82 enjoy the annual Faculty/Staff Alumni Luncheon. Homecoming Queen Charlotte McMullen and friends enjoy the Homecoming football game. Lenny and Judy Pippen, Eric Markensun and Robert Larsen were recognized as Honorary Lifetime Members of the SMSU Alumni Association. Read more about all of the Homecoming 2008 award recipients at www.SouthwestAlumni.com/awards

! e t a d e Save th

2009 t. 9Friday, Oc t. 10 c O , y a d r u Sat la: University Ga Friday, Oct.6p9m t

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at SMSU. “It’s awesome,” Rocha said of being in the seats and at the game.

Rocha said he had no idea he’d be going to an Submitted Photo.

Dan Nesdahl, left, presents an award to one of his SMSU soldiers at a combat outpost in Baghdad, Iraq. basketball game until Gjorvad told him earlier that day.

“I was excited,” Rocha said.

During the second half of the women’s game, Rocha and Gjorvad talked basketball and remarked about a pass or an offensive move. Rocha ate a snack and drank an energy drink.

When T-shirts were tossed into the audience during a timeout, one flew in Rocha’s direction and he caught it, almost, But he grabbed it when it hit the seat in front of him.

“To do something like this is very generous gift,” Gjorvad said of Nesdahl’s donation.

“I’d like (kids) to know there are activities out there such as sports or arts or music,” Nesdahl said. “It’s a good atmosphere, being on campus. It gives them something to shoot for. Not only to be an athlete but a student.”

Nesdahl graduated from SSU in 1996. He joined the Army in 1998 and is now a captain.

Nesdahl said he talked to Big Buddies director Allan Bakke while he was deployed in Iraq. Bakke updated him on the response to the tickets.

“That was uplifting,” Nesdahl said. “It’s well worth the investment.”

Jaimie Mattes ’93

Hotel-Restaurant Administration

Just days before his 32nd birthday, Jaimie Mattes got the kind of news you never want to hear—his doctor told him he had colon cancer, a type of cancer typically seen in people 50 or older.

Jaimie was invited to bare his scar for an awareness calendar called the “colondar” along with 12 other young survivors. All the models in the calendar have had either colon or rectal cancer. All of them reveal their surgical scars. He’s the first Minnesotan to be featured in the fifth year of the colondar. He is Mr. May 2009.

Now 39 and cancer-free., Jaimie wants people to know that colon cancer can strike at any age. He encourages young people to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice for any unusual symptoms because screening doesn’t happen until age 50.

For more information on the colondar and Jaimie’s story visit: www.colonclub.com

3

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5/19/09

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Page 2

Brown & Gold Pride It is great to be a Mustang!

As a former high school teacher and now, as an SMSU staff member, I have always believed that graduation is the best day on the job. It’s extremely exciting to see a genuine sense of accomplishment on familiar faces, with the knowledge there are great things in store for them. I sincerely congratulate and welcome 629 new graduates into our family of over 17,000 members in the SMSU Alumni Association.

Keeping you connected to the events, news and accomplishments of faculty, staff, students and alumni is an important function of the SMSU Alumni Association. This publication, the Focus Alumni Magazine, our online community, alumni events, and Homecoming are a variety of methods in which to keep you updated with SMSU news. Social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn have been added to connect you with SMSU as well as other alumni and friends of your alma mater.

I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming alumni events, Homecoming 2009 Mustang Mardi Gras, or to simply make a special trip back to campus. I also encourage your support of the Alumni Plaza fundraising project, which will help us turn an undeveloped, heavily used space on campus into a vibrant social and recreational hub of the University.

On behalf of the Alumni Association and the entire campus community, I want to thank you for your continuing interest, loyalty and support. It is great to be a Mustang!

Ways to connect

Search “SMSU Alumni”

Men’s Team Breaks into Elite Eight The Southwest Minnesota State men’s basketball team put together one of the most memorable seasons in school history in 2008-09 by winning both the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and NCAA Central Region championships.

For the first time in school history SMSU hosted the NCAA Region Tournament and entered the eight-team tournament as the No. 1 seed with a record of 25-6.

SMSU cruised past Northern State in the quarterfinals 69-47 and then rallied from a six-point second half deficit to earn a thrilling 77-69 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato.

In the region championship game, SMSU, in front of a record crowd of nearly 4,000 fans, held an eight-point halftime lead and never looked back in claiming a 73-60 victory and the program’s second region championship.

Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick (Tomah, Wis.) had one of the best seasons in school history in 2008 passing for 3,149 yards and 30 touchdowns, both ranking as the third highest in a single season.

The men championship ’s team celebrates their regi win over Augu on stana th them to Elite at sent Eight.

SMSU’s dream season came to end at the NCAA Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., as the Mustangs saw an early six-point second half lead evaporate as Cal Poly Pomona, the eventual national runners-up, slipped past SMSU 79-74.

Tyler Bowen, Director of Alumni Relations

fall & winter SMSU Alumni Event at Wrigley Field with Minnesota Twins vs Cubs Saturday, June 13, 2009 10:00 a.m. social, Noon game (SOLD OUT) Holy Cow! Enjoy a pre-game alumni gathering at Goose Island as the Twins face the Chicago Cubs.

SMSU Alumni Night at Canterbury Park Friday, June 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

Join your SMSU friends at the races!

Wave your Homer Hanky with the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 5:00 p.m. social, 7:00 p.m. game Join the SMSU Alumni Association while we cheer on the Twins as they face the NY Yankees.

Twin Cities Golf Outing Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 1:00 p.m.

Deer Run Golf Club, Victoria, MN Get ready for a great day of golf at this annual outing at Deer Run. Step in Time with Mary Poppins at the Orpheum Sunday, September 20, 2009, 1:00 p.m.

A spoonful of fun for the whole family!

SAVE THE DATE: Mustang Mardi Gras: Homecoming 2009 Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 Visit: www.SouthwestAlumni.edu/homecoming Bert and Ernie, Goodnight Sunday, October 25, 2009, 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy Bert & Ernie in a Minneapolis Children’s Theatre World Premier!

For more information, to see other events in your area or to register online visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com

SMSU volleyball finished 28-6 in 2008, the best winning percentage in school history and advanced to its fifth straight NCAA tournament before losing in the regional semifinals. The Mustangs finished ranked eighth in the final Top 25 poll. Senior Kasey Loeslie was named an AVCA third team AllAmerica. The Mustang football team finished the 2008 season 6-5 and earned the program’s first winning season since 1999 and just the eighth in school history. Junior running back Zach Wysong rushed for 1,027 yards and scored nine touchdowns. The Mustang soccer team finished 3-14 under first-year head coach Amy Olson. Freshman Kelly Fitzgerald earned honorable mention All-NSIC honors, while six

players were named Academic All-NSIC. SMSU women’s basketball team ended the 2008-09 season with a 14-16 record. SMSU lost seven games during the season by six points or less. Senior Sara Leidall was named second team All-NSIC, while the squad had five players earn Academic All-NSIC accolades. The SMSU wheelchair basketball team had a young squad in 2008-09 and ended the season 10-17 overall and finished seventh in the national tournament. The Mustang wrestling team concluded the 2008-09 season with a 3-7 dual record. Michael Barrie and David Albrecht qualified for the NCAA national tournament, while three individuals were named to the NWCA All-Academic team.

Senior Kasey Loeslie (Tracy, Minn.) was named a third team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Senior safety Tyler Reed (Ottumwa, Iowa) capped off a tremendous four-year career earning honorable mention All-America honors by D2Football.com while also earning the NSIC Glen Galligan Award.

Follow the Mustangs online at www.SMSUMustangs.com

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect official University policy. Send correspondence via email: alumni@SMSU.edu, mail: SMSU Alumni Office, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 or call: (507) 537-6266.

Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

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

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This handy bag fits into its own integrated stuff pouch and with an attached carabiner, you can hook the bag on your keychain, beltloop or backpack to save time! But hurry—supplies are limited! Give today!

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