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Remembering Drake Alumni Brad and Heather Bigler Overcome Tragedy With Hope of Raising Awareness About Drunk Driving
A magazine for alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University | Spring 2013 Edition
Spring 2013 | Vol. 32, No. 2
SMSUFOCUS
A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University
Dear Alumni and Friends, Where have the last two years gone! It seems like only yesterday that I started my Interim Presidency at SMSU with a terrific wind storm and downed trees and no campus electricity for four days. Two years later I look back at great memories, new friends, and a place to return to for comfort and enjoyment. Tomorrow has all the potential to see great things for the University. Dr. Connie Gores will bring great energy and new ideas on July 1. I have written before about the things that have happened in the past two years: RN to BSN program, School of Agriculture and Food, Track and Field resurrected, Cross Country added, and the rehabilitation of the former football and track and field complex to list a few items. These happened not because of me but rather the people who make up the SMSU family. It is with pride that I leave the institution with new energy and the beginnings of a vision of what tomorrow will bring to our region. As we embark on this new and exciting day I leave with the message that it will take everyone to work together to continue this growth into the future. I ask all alumni and friends of the University to welcome Dr. Gores to the University and continue to be generous with your time and gifts. Sincerely,
Ronald A. Wood SMSU President
Table of Contents 1 Around Campus: President-Elect Connie J. Gores 3 Alumni Spotlight: Mark Diekmann ’83 4 Feature: Brad ’02/MS’09 and Heather (Smith) ’05/MS’08 Bigler 8 Alumni Connections 10 Mustang Athletics 12 Class Notes President Dr. Ronald A. Wood
Senior Writer and Photographer Jim Tate
Vice President for Advancement/ Executive Director of Foundation Bill Mulso ’93
Contributors Stacy Frost ’93 Kelly Loft ’97/MS’11 Stacie Mulso ’94/MS’12
Director of Alumni Relations Michael Van Drehle ’08/MBA’10 Focus Editor and Designer Marcy D. Olson ’93/MBA’05
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. Online at www.SMSU.edu/focus 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
Feature Story & Photos Jim Tate
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
Connie J. Gores Named SMSU’s Next President It’s just a coincidence that Southwest toward creating collaborations and Minnesota State University’s next partnerships across the community and president is from Cando, N.D. (as in, region to continue that innovation and can do). transformation.” That, after all, is the attitude Dr. She is well aware of her Connie Gores brings with her as she responsibilities heading the region’s becomes Southwest Minnesota State only four-year institution, one with an University’s ninth permanent president economic impact of $141 million in on July 1. She will replace interim southwest Minnesota. “I will build a President Dr. Ron Wood, who has team based on shared vision, and then served in that capacity the past two get out of the way and help support the academic years. people as necessary. I will hold people As a person of the prairie who accountable, and in doing so our team understands and appreciates rural life, will be more successful and we will all Gores feels that SMSU is in a good share in the successes.” position to grow. “It has really good She calls herself “data-driven” and SMSU Presiden-Elect Dr. Connie Gores found this people doing good work for the right believes “no one does anything alone. It plaque, commemorating the “Birthplace of SMSU” reasons, who want to be a part of is done by the team. We are much at the Caldo Italian Kitchen (the old Atlantic Hotel). something bigger than themselves. stronger by working together.” The downtown building was the site of the first There is an esprit de corps, an ethos of Prior to her work at Winona State, Marshall College Committee meeting in October, 1956. working together and making things Gores served as a project director and happen. That really speaks to me.” onsite consultant at Longwood Being situated in a rural area brings special opportunities, she University from 2006-2007; vice president for enrollment at believes. “I feel that being in a more rural area, that we have to be Randolph-Macon Woman’s College from 1996-2006; dean of independent, hard-working, focused people, and at the same enrollment and student affairs as well as director of admissions time, be interdependent. As anyone who was raised in a small and financial aid at Cornish College of the Arts; director of town knows, cooperation and teamwork are important — very admissions and placement at Willamette University College of little is accomplished without people working together for the Law; and co-coordinator of new student programs/admissions benefit of others.“ counselor at Portland State University. Gores comes to SMSU from Winona State University where she She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from North Dakota served as the vice president for student life and development State University, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel since 2007. “Winona State is the oldest university in the Administration from Colorado State University, and a doctorate (MnSCU) system, and one of the oldest institutions in the state,” in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Higher Education she said. SMSU is 46 years old, the youngest of the MnSCU Administration, from the University of Washington. institutions, “and that is invigorating. It excites me that at SMSU MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone called her a “perfect fit” we will be the architects of our future as we build the next phase for SMSU and both Rosenstone and Gores praised the work done of the University’s success. There’s a benefit to being so young in a by Wood the past two years. “I think SMSU is on the brink of lot of ways. We have history to build on, but not so much history great things. Its history has been strong, and there has been so that it gets in the way. We can build on that foundation, and much momentum building. I’m excited about the fact that the together define our next history.” University has made big strides in the new ag programs coming, She’s been doing her homework, having read the Dick and the RN to BSN program as well. It’s an exciting time and I am Jorgenson and Joe Amato books about the University. “I’m struck eager to help move the institution forward.” by the vision, perseverance, the stick-to-itiveness of that original Gores believes that higher education changes lives, and holds college committee. Another thing I noticed was the level of herself up as an example. “What I see is the transformative community involvement in making SMSU a reality. It experience I had. There is no question that my life is different underscores the importance of community involvement and because I went to college,” she said. support in the University’s history.” Gores has two daughters, Tempa Klinegores Peters, who is What does she like about her new university? “Its innovation, married to Austin Peters and works with Catholic Charities in creativity and inventiveness,” she said. “It seems the University Richmond, Va., and Kasha Klinegores, a graduate student at the has faced stiff challenges and always come out on top. It has University of South Carolina. continually transformed itself, and I look forward to working
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RN to BSN Program Begins in Fall 2013 A new RN to BSN nursing degree will be offered at Southwest Minnesota State University beginning in fall 2013. “Our program is designed to be compatible with the busy schedules of working RN’s,” said SMSU President Dr. Ron Wood. “This program is crucial for an RN to have access to advanced educational opportunities in order to ensure a quality workforce for the health care industry throughout southwest Minnesota.” Statistics underline the need for the program in southwest Minnesota. “In 2011, the Institute of Medicine recommended that 80 percent of nurses have a BSN by the year 2020. Currently, in our area, that number is between 25 and 30 percent,” said Jane Wrede, SMSU’s Director of Nursing. Wrede said that students will enter the program with a two-year degree. They will take an additional 60 credits — 30 nursing credits and 30 liberal arts credits. “The focus will be on the specifics of being a practicing nurse in a rural setting; that’s what makes this degree unique,” said Wrede. “We also want our graduates to
come out with an understanding of management. We expect them to be able to take on management positions when they are finished.” The first cohort group of 30 has been accepted into the program for fall semester 2013. Additional cohorts will be accepted each semester thereafter, said Wrede. The first cohort group came to campus for orientation in late April. Convenience makes the degree popular, said Wrede. “We have a hybrid format. The students will come to campus, at the most, two or three times per semester,” said Wrede. Course delivery will be, primarily, online. Those interested in the program need to be first admitted to SMSU as a student, then they apply for admittance into the RN to BSN program. As health care continues to be a major topic of discussion on the national stage, the program will fill a real need in the region. “Some of the bill payers, like Medicare and Medicaid, are starting to recognize the benefits of hiring BSN prepared nurses,” she said.
Jane Wrede, Director of Nursing, leads the RN to BSN program.
In Memoriam: Remembering Elise Seymour by Joan Gittens, SMSU professor of history The world lost an elegant soul when Elise Seymour died last November. Elise was a person of culture and learning, prodigiously well read and up to the minute on current affairs. She usually carried a copy of The Christian Science Monitor on the teaching cart she propelled from one building to another. But erudite as she was, she had a wonderfully practical side as well. She didn’t just tell her students about Spanish and Latin culture. She demonstrated it. There was always something fascinating going on in Elise’s classroom. It was full of pictures, music, movies, and food. She brought in goat stew—not the usual Social Science Building fare. Her intelligence and education made her a teacher with high standards, and her practicality made her a
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patient, compassionate and humorous instructor. She paid attention to her students’ lives, listening to problems, joys and woes. Elise gave advice, a former student commented— not just platitudes but real, concrete advice. That same spirit made her an invaluable member of the many university committees she served on, and it made her a beloved neighbor to Marshall’s Latin American community. Elise assisted her neighbors with the many thorny problems of life in a new country. A measure of their regard was evident every time she walked into the downtown Mexican restaurant. As she stepped through the door, someone would always call out “ Maestra! ” Teacher. That was essentially who she was. That was Elise’s gift, and that was her gift to us.
Elise Seymour
Mark Diekmann ’83 Travels to North Korea and Beyond Mark Diekmann and his wife Deborah enjoy traveling to outof-the-way places. “We like to go somewhere a little bit exotic. We want to get to places before they’re too civilized, to see the way they were,” said Diekmann, a 1983 alumnus. In the past, such places have included Nepal, Morocco, Egypt and Botswana. Last year, the Diekmanns joined 22 others on a trip to North Korea, known as the Hermit Kingdom. It was an eye-opening trip, given the nuclear rhetoric being lobbed by North Korea over the past several months. “It was with a tour group, they had a special for 24 Americans. They sent an email to clients and my wife and I jumped on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look behind the Iron Curtain,” he said. They spent nine days in North Korea on a tour that lasted 19 days and included some time in China. “It’s rare to get into North Korea. Our guide had gone three years ago, and figured out how to get visas and permits and all of that. They don’t have much as far as tourism goes.” His impressions? “Prettier than I thought. It was very controlled, too. We could not leave our hotel and could not talk to the locals. We were told when and where to take photos. “It was kind of creepy. One morning we were outside the entrance to the hotel and waved to a few people. Across the street we were being photographed and [having] videos taken of us.” Most of their time was in the capital, Pyongyang. “They had such huge buildings, yet hardly any cars on the streets. There’s only about 3,000 cars in the entire country.” When they traveled rural areas, they saw no mechanized farming. “Everything was done by hand.” “I guess the main thing I took from it was how regimented a country it is and how brainwashed all of the citizens are. The U.S. is the evil empire, and their leader (Kim Jong-un) is the supreme leader, almost a deity. Everyone is on board there, even though they’re starving and struggling. It was a bit suffocating, and our tour guides were military, though they weren’t dressed in uniforms.” Diekmann graduated from SMSU with majors in Chemistry and Math. He later went to dental school at the University of Minnesota, where he met his wife. They practiced in the Austin, Minn., area for 10 years before Mark tired of the profession and looked for something else. Imagine — if you can — a job where you help young dentists find an appropriate practice, or retiring dentists find potential practice buyers, all done from a home on a secluded beach on the northern shores of the Dominican Republic. That’s Diekmann’s unusual life. “I loved the business part of running a dentist practice, but I didn’t like the hands-on part, so I transitioned.” He was looking for some Caribbean property when he stumbled on an ad. That led to him purchasing a home in the Dominican Republic eight years ago. There, “I can walk for an hour without
Above: Mark and his wife Deborah in Pyongyang, North Korea. Below: Mark with school children near his Dominican Republic home.
seeing another person or another house,” he said. He works for Paragon Dental Practice Transitions, based in Mississippi, and oversees all of the consultants in the northern United States. He moved to the Dominican Republic full-time three years ago. He’s very active in the Humane Society, helping provide medicine for dogs in several villages. He also helps coordinate volunteer veterinarians, who fly in and conduct spay and neuter clinics. In the nearby village of Boca de Asia, he provides toothpaste and toothbrushes and dental health instructions for school children. Nearby schools benefit from his generosity. “We have a yearly drive and collect school supplies, and bring them to several schools in the area. Books, pens, pencils, they really don’t have anything,” he said. He’s also involved with the building of a basketball court and a church. For someone who has actually been to Timbuktu, it’s hard to say where his next adventure will be. “We’re looking at taking a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, or perhaps dog sledding to the North Pole.”
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Brad and Heather Bigler find the strength to heal, to focus on the positive, to remember their son, and to make a difference Taleigha, 5, and Nash Bigler, 3, were about to sit down on the kitchen floor and play with a Polly Pockets water slide toy. “There’s 150 pieces in that bag,” said their mother, Heather (Smith’05/MS’08). She had just put down a towel to help catch the water that was about to be spilled. “A gift from (football coach) Cory Sauter’s daughter Berlin,” said their father, Brad Bigler (‘02/MS’09), SMSU men’s basketball coach. “I’ll have to find a way to repay him.”
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The Biglers had just finished sitting around their kitchen table talking about the loss of their five-month-old son Drake, and the good that has come out of that tragic July 28, 2012 crash. “The thing you miss is the interaction that Taleigha and Nash had with Drake,” said Brad. “Taleigha was already becoming another mother in the house, and Nash was having to share his time, and his toys.”
REMEMBERING Drake T
he facts of that crash are well known to the Mustang community. A drunk driver crossed the center line near Starbuck and hit the Bigler vehicle head-on late that July night, shearing off the passenger side of their vehicle and ejecting Brad’s seat into the ditch. Heather’s grandmother, Sharon Schuler, was in the back seat with Drake, and both she and Brad suffered terrible injuries. Brad’s 10 broken bones have healed, but the psychological scars of that evening remain with them all. Drake did not survive the trauma of the crash. Taleigha and Nash were not in the vehicle that Heather was driving. They stayed behind with other family members to dance some more at a wedding reception the family had attended. “You miss that complete family feel. You wonder ‘What if?’ about things. What would he be like now?” asked Brad. The loss of Drake affected Taleigha and Nash. Taleigha would draw family pictures after the accident, “only Drake would be a different color,” said Heather. Taleigha would also ask that her photo be taken, “so that when she went to heaven we’d remember her, too,” said Heather. And when her parents would leave the room, she would go looking for them. “She didn’t want us out of her sight.” Nash will on occasion ask where his brother is, but not often. “Every once in a while. He did a lot at first, like if
we were at church and he’d see other babies, and he’d ask, ‘Where’s baby Drake?’” said Heather. There are reminders of Drake throughout their home. They want to keep his memory — his spirit — alive. And while photos and possessions keep his memory fresh, some other reminders can’t be explained. Heather’s sister, shopping at a Willmar furniture store, called to ask if she needed another picture frame. The frame that caught her attention that day, which drew her closer, had the words “Now In God’s Hands … Forever In Our Hearts” on it. Handwritten, just above the $31.99 price on the tag, was the word “Drake.” “Who knows where that came from? I don’t know if it’s the brand or what,” said Heather, shaking her head. And there was the crash itself. “I remember most of it, but didn’t see it all because the air bag was in my face,” said Heather. “I just had the oddest feeling of someone holding on to me, being protective of me. And as far as finding my phone right away, that thing should have flown everywhere, but it was right where I stepped out of the vehicle. There are signs that God works in your life. It doesn’t take the pain away, but does remind you he [Drake] is in a wonderful place.” They both talk lovingly about Drake’s contagious smile, how alert he was— “head up, eyes always moving,” said Brad.
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D
riving the other vehicle that night was Dana Schoen, who got behind the wheel of his vehicle with a .351 blood alcohol content, more than four times the legal limit. He had two previous drunk driving arrests, and received a four-year prison sentence. Yet as bad as the tragedy was, it inspired a drunk driving consciousness-raising campaign throughout the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference that both Brad and Heather believe can make a difference. In honor of Drake and to encourage students and fans to not drink and drive, the NSIC, Brad and Heather Bigler, the NCAA and the TEAM Coalition joined together in a “It’s a Slam Dunk — Don’t Drive Drunk” campaign on the weekends of Feb. 1-2 and 8-9, 2013. The Student Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) of each NSIC school were encouraged to submit 30- to 60-
second videos to underscore that theme. (View SMSU’s video: SMSU.edu/focus) Also, SAAC groups had a booth at their respective arenas across the conference so those in attendance could sign a pledge stating they would not drink and drive. Each person signing the pledge card received a blue bracelet with the “It’s a Slam Dunk — Don’t Drive Drunk” theme, Drake’s name, and the NSIC and NCAA logos. SMSU won $1,000 for having the most pledge cards signed overall, over 300 more than the nearest school. “I think that two-week program has made an impact on the Northern Sun [Intercollegiate] Conference,” said Brad. “It put a face on things. The conference schools are all connected, people pay attention to other schools and events, and I believe it did make a difference, and will continue to make a difference.”
As bad as the tragedy was, it inspired a drunk driving consciousness-raising campaign throughout the NSIC that both Brad and Heather believe can make a difference.
Raising Awareness About Drunk Driving
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s the four-year sentence given to Schoen too lenient? “For killing someone, yes,” said Heather. “When he got behind the wheel of his truck, he was a loaded weapon.” “Minnesota is known as a lenient state,” added Brad. “There’s a big difference between having one drink over the limit, and being four times over the limit. It was a lack of respect for anyone and everyone outside of himself. It was just a matter of time that the evil within him was going to hurt someone.” Tougher drunk driving laws would help, he feels. The two have looked at surrounding states. “If it happened in Iowa, it would be 25 years,” said Brad. “In some states, it’s considered first degree murder. In Minnesota, the first three (convictions) are gross misdemeanors. It’s not a felony until the fourth,” said Heather. “People aren’t aware of the penalties and if the penalties were tougher, and with education, that would help make a difference,” said Brad. “We’re understanding, we all know someone who has been picked up for drunk driving. It doesn’t make that person a bad person. But when it happens
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multiple times, and has a severity to it, there’s a point when if you blow into a breathalyzer and you’re four times over, your rights should be affected, because you’re not having respect for anyone and you’re knowingly breaking the law. A person’s time is more valuable than anything, and if you’re going to take time away from their life, there’s no price on that.” Groups have contacted the Biglers, asking them to help toughen the state’s drunk driving laws. “It’s going to take the initiative of a group, and there are groups that have reached out to us to help make that movement happen,” said Brad. “We said we’d help, but we’re also not going to change our goals, our lives, to go after legislation, to go after the government. Sometimes when these things happen, people aren’t who they used to be. We want to be very careful not to let that happen. Our goals haven’t changed, we want to be great parents, set a good example and at the same time remember Drake and everything he brought to us.” Heather puts it succinctly: “The big thing is for people to think twice before they go out. It’s just taking responsibility.”
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f there was ever an “SMSU Couple,” then it is Brad and Heather Bigler. Heather is a Sacred Heart native who came to SMSU to play volleyball, transferring after playing two years at Moorhead State. She worked part-time as a counselor at the Marshall Middle School this past year. “The school district has been great,” she said. Brad, a Fort Madison, Iowa, native, was recruited by former coach Perry Ford and played for Tim Miles and Greg Stemen. After a year coaching at nearby Lakeview High School, he became an SMSU graduate assistant, then assistant coach, associate head coach and, finally, head coach. They met when Heather worked in the Office of Admission. “I would bring players there, and we became friends,” he recalls. They were married Jun 4, 2005.
Soon after the accident, the show of support for the Biglers spread quickly on social media. Facebook banners and Twitter hashtags allowed the SMSU community across the country to rally behind the coach and his family.
“We felt a real sense of community... That provided us strength, encouragement to keep our heads up, to keep fighting. It made our roots deeper here.” —Brad Bigler
Drawing Strength from the Mustang Family
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upport from the SMSU community came swiftly after the crash. A community-wide work calendar was created so that yard work would be taken care of every week and meals delivered every day. Heather received a lot of support from her three sisters, and her mother stayed with the family for a month. “We felt a real sense of community,” said Brad. “The yard work, the cards, the notes. That provided us strength, encouragement to keep our heads up, to keep fighting. It made our roots deeper here.” The Mustang basketball team was a big support for Brad. “Our guys were excellent in understanding, not just the current class, but those who played before them.” Well-wishes came from across the country, from people the Biglers don’t even know, touched by their story. Local, state and national media have come to tell their story. The CBSSports.com story published on January 23 quickly became the site’s most shared story. (Read Jeff Goodman’s story: SMSU.edu/focus) Former SMSU coach Miles, who had recently been named head coach at Nebraska, made the drive to Sioux Falls to see Brad as soon as he heard the news. “The look of devastation on the family was so sad,” he said. “Through it all, Brad was a rock.”
It was the second tragedy for the Bigler family in 13 months. In late June 2011, Brad’s mother, Diane Bigler-Hagenow, drowned just 90 feet away from Brad in a kayak accident near Sacred Heart. Stemen, now president of First State Bank in Marion, N.D., mentioned Brad’s even-keel personality. “He carries himself with a great demeanor, and that’s how he lives his life, too,” said Stemen. “When I visited him, the first thing he said was, ‘He was such a good baby.’ He’s always thinking of others first.” “We certainly weren’t in Brad and Heather’s shoes, but there were a lot of people that were walking with them,” said Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski. Despite the tragedy, Brad looks at the bright side. “I’m asked if I ever ask ‘why?’ I view it as unfortunate but in perspective, it could have been worse. I’m here, I’m moving, Heather has a husband and two children. Heather could have lost her entire family. “You know, I’ve had a lot of people ask me, are you looking to go bigger, to go better?” said Brad, talking about his coaching future. “I can honestly say we’re not looking. We love Marshall; we love everything it’s done. We’re just very thankful for everything. Marshall is our home.”
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Dr. Rassoul Dastmozd ’83 Encourages Grads to Take Risks Dr. Rassoul Dastmozd wants SMSU graduates to take risks and pursue their passion, even if it’s not what they initially planned. He speaks from experience. Dastmozd graduated from Southwest with a degree in Electronic Engineering in 1983, but found he didn’t enjoy the work after three years in the field. “In engineering courses, I learned all kinds of reasoning,” he said. “It got me the piece of paper I needed, but I wanted to work with people and their talents. Now I use that reasoning to reengineer people’s futures.” Dastmozd is president of Saint Paul College. He addressed the Class of 2013 during commencement on May 11. A former soccer player, Dastmozd speaks fondly of his days as a Mustang. “I used to live in Ocean Boulevard.” He also remembers how the opportunities he was given in college influenced the rest of his career. “I dabbled with teaching in college as a teacher helper. From then on, I always wanted to teach. It was like a higher calling.” Knowing he needed to get into education to fulfill his dreams, Dastmozd applied to teach at Indian Hills Community College three separate times before being hired. He spent 15 years teaching there before making the
transition into administration — a career shift he says can’t be measured by money. “If you get to do what you are passionate about, your day-to-day job isn’t a job or a paycheck. It’s servitude – you meld with it, and strive to do it better every day,” he explained. Dastmozd’s commencement speech celebrated graduates’ achievements as well as emphasized the importance of a lifelong education. A true educator, he wanted graduates to realize that learning should never stop. “You learn every day. If it stops, you’re in deep trouble, so learn, relearn, unlearn, and then learn again. That’s what it’s all about.”
Upcoming Alumni Events June 7
Minnesota Twins @ Washington Nationals, Washington DC
June 14
Minnesota Twins Game, Target Field *
June 14-15 28th Annual David & Carol Drown SMSU Golf Classic, Marshall and Tyler, MN
Connect with SMSU:
June 22
Valleyfair, Shakopee, MN
July 13
Alumni Board of Directors Meeting, Rochester, MN
July 13
Rochester Honkers Game, Rochester, MN
July 20
9th Annual SMSU Football Alumni and Friends Golf Scramble, Tyler, MN
October 5
Homecoming Day. Evening entertainment by 176 Keys Dueling Pianos
Dec 1-8
7-day Western Caribbean Cruise, Departing from Miami, FL
* Single game tickets are also available as part of our Season Ticket Package. Call for more information.
Check out these events and more as they are added and register online at: SouthwestAlumni.com 8
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2013 Alumni Award Recipients Announced Since 1974, the Alumni Association has honored alumni in various programs for success in their lives and careers. Each year outstanding alumni and dedicated friends of SMSU are honored by the Alumni Association during Homecoming. Alumni Achievement Award Recipients: Mark Nook ’80 Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, University of Wisconsin system. Charles (Chuck) Howe ’75 Chief Engineering Geologist, Minnesota Department of Transportation. Homer Chan ’77 Partner in Chan & Zhang LLP Accounting Firm, San Gabriel, Calif.
GOLD (Graduate Of Last Decade) Award: Darlene Guse ’05 Clinical instructor at the University of Cincinnati. The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award recipients will be announced at a later date. The awards luncheon will be held on Friday, October 4 at noon in the SMSU Conference Center. Everyone is welcome to attend the luncheon. Visit us online at SouthwestAlumni.com/AlumniAwards for tickets and information on nominating individuals for future awards. To preview the Homecoming schedule visit www.SMSU.edu/homecoming
Winter get you down? This December...escape! A unique cruise experience with a distinctive SMSU flavor is being offered by the SMSU Alumni Association. Join Culinology & Hospitality Professor Michael Cheng and students from the Cruise Operations Management class for this special
7-DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE December 1-8, 2013 Cruise Cost: $750.00** per person based on double occupancy
Norwegian Cruise Line Departs: Roundtrip from Miami* Payment Deadline: August 30, 2013. Connect with alumni and current students on this exciting travel opportunity!
Mustang Pride in Amazing Places Jennifer (Koch) Eisenbels ’06 traveled to Finland in the summer of 2012. She was photographed by her husband, Ross, at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland. Congratulations to Jennifer Eisenbels! You’ve won a $50 gift card to the Barnes & Noble Campus Store that you can use in the campus 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, use the online form at SouthwestAlumni.com or send it along with a brief description to: alumni@smsu.edu. 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 good quality, in focus, and have a clearly visible SMSU or Mustang logo.
PORTS OF CALL AND FEATURED SHORE EXCURSIONS‡ Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas: Parasailing, Snorkel Adventure Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Bamboo River Rafting, 4x4 Safari to Dunns River Falls George Town, Grand Cayman: Tiki Beach Break, Dolphin Encounter Cozumel, Mexico: Tulum Mayan Ruins, Dolphin Swim & Ride * Airfare and arrangements to/from Miami are the responsibility of the individual. ‡ Additional fees apply for Shore Excursions ** Guest Fare: $459.00, Gov’t Fees: $138.00, Insurance: $59.00, Gratuities: $94.00 Fare includes meals, lodging, on-board entertainment
Visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com/cruise2013 | Call 507-537-6266
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Track is Back at Southwest! Track and field will make its return to SMSU in the 2013-14 school year, said Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski. He also announced plans for the construction of the Marshall Regional Track and Field Complex, on the site of the old Mattke Field. The construction project is a joint venture between SMSU and the Marshall School District. SMSU sponsored a men’s team from 1969-1986 and again from 1990-1993. Women competed from 1972-1986 and 1990-93. SMSU fielded men’s and women’s cross country teams this year. Cross country coach Nate Wolf has been named the men’s and women’s track and field coach. He comes from Northwestern College in
Orange City, Iowa, where he built nationally-ranked NAIA teams. The Marshall Regional Track and Field Complex will include a nine-lane, doublebend 400-meter track, and will also include a water jump pit, hurdle for the steeplechase and high jump area. A synthetic turf field will be installed within the track. Field event competition sites will be constructed north of the stadium and will consist of long/triple jump pits, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throws. Construction will begin in the summer of 2013. Wolf is excited to build a program from the ground up. “I want a team that likes to do good
Coach Nate Wolf
work, and is not afraid of doing hard things. I have three main tenants: accountability, responsibility and discipline. Those are what make a good student, a good athlete and a good person.”
New Name Announced for Regional Event Center at SMSU The Regional Event Center at SMSU has been named the Schwan Regional Event Center, to recognize the Marshall-based food company’s long commitment to the university. The Schwan Food Company played a lead role in helping secure over $5 million in private funding for the $16 million facility, which opened on Aug. 24, 2008. “Throughout the university’s history, The Schwan Food Company has played a significant role in ensuring that education, arts and athletics in the Marshall community thrive and that there continue to be opportunities for future generations,”
said SMSU President Dr. Ron Wood. The Schwan Food Company’s President and CEO Greg Flack said the company is appreciative of the gesture. “The Schwan Food Company recognizes the value of Southwest Minnesota State University within the region,” he said. “We have many employees who are SMSU alumni, and we offer many students employment and internships. SMSU is an asset, and we’re proud of the relationship we’ve had with the institution over the years.” The Schwan Regional Event Center is home to Mattke Field, where SMSU and Marshall High School football and soccer
teams compete. The REC also plays host to high school regional and state football games and many other events. A formal ceremony celebrating the name change will be held Oct. 5, 2013.
Dreessen ’13 Shines in Her Senior Year of Mustang Softball Senior softball player Amy Dreessen was named to the 2013 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference first team. A native of Elkhorn, Neb., Dreessen had a career year in 2013 as she led SMSU in batting average (.436), runs (28), hits (51), doubles (12), triples (2), RBIs (28), slugging percentage (.726), walks (29), on-base-percentage (.554) and fewest strikeouts (14). In the NSIC games only, Dreessen finished first in hits (35), walks (23), onbase-percentage (.577), chances (230), and
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putouts (227), second in plate appearances (104), tied second in doubles (9), third in batting average (.443), tied for fourth in total bases (59), sixth in runs scored (22), 10th in slugging percentage (.747), and tied for 11th in home runs (5). Dreessen leaves the SMSU program ranked in the top five in SMSU history in on-base-percentage (.436), walks (91), hitby-pitch (13), chances (1,311), putouts (1,269), doubles (33) and home runs (18). She ranks in the top ten in total bases (259), slugging percentage (.512) and RBIs
(92). This marks the first time Dreessen was selected NSIC All-Conference.
Curtler’s Tennis Program Featured in New Book By Alumnus Yost What the SMSU tennis team accomplished under former head coach Hugh Curtler is so amazing, it’s been chronicled in a book. The book, authored by SMSU alumnus Dana Yost, is entitled A Higher Level: Southwest State Women’s Tennis 19791992. Yost started the project in January 2011 and worked on it for 20 months before turning it over to the publisher for editing. The book is published by Ellis Press, owned by SMSU English Professor Dave Pichaske. The book talks about the success of the women’s tennis program under Curtler. But it goes further, said Yost, a 2008 alumnus with a degree in Literature/ Creative Writing. The book includes an introduction to the university, the program’s humble beginnings, Curtler himself, facilities, international players, the program’s leap to new levels, gender pioneers and money,
which Curtler feels is the root of college athletics evil. There are also chapters on a trio of the best players in program history: Sharon DeRemer, Carolina Gomez and Leslie Jacobsen. During those years, the Pintos, as they were called then, won nine straight Northern Sun Conference championships; consistently placed in the top 20 in the NAIA national tournament; and had 135 all-conference or all-NAIA District 13 players and 9 All-Americans. Curtler was named NAIA national Coach of the Year in 1990. “The team had a tremendous winning record, but Hugh also emphasized academics,” said Yost. “As I wrote and researched the book, I thought it might need to be a bit more expansive of a story than a book on tennis teams. It expanded to other issues that are relevant to the rural experience.” The book is available online at ellispress.com and amazon.com.
“I was quite stunned to realize the book would be so outstanding, original, compelling, and informative.” —Jon Wefald
A HIGHER LEVEL Southwest State Women’s Tennis 1979-1992
BY DANA YOST
SMSU Alumni and Friends Inducted into the SMSU Athletic Hall of Honor
Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2013 was inducted at a ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. The newest Hall of Honor members are former basketball player Frank Belmont; swimmer Mike Fallon; football player Jason Jacobs; football and baseball player Rich Rhinesmith; basketball player Andrea (Schreier) Sawatzky; former head baseball coach Jim Denevan; community members and
supporters of SMSU athletics Brian and Kris Gruhot and Dan Snobl; and the 1991 volleyball team. A 10-member committee chose the inductees from a group of nominations. The new inductees bring the membership in SMSU’s Athletic Hall of Honor to 78 individuals/couples and 11 teams. The Athletic Hall of Honor is displayed in the lobby of the R/A Facility. The SMSU Athletic Hall of Honor was established in 1992 to honor achievements and to preserve the tradition of those athletes, coaches, teams and others who have contributed in various ways to strengthening the athletic tradition at Southwest Minnesota State University. The Hall of Honor is the highest
athletic award recognition given to any individual or team at SMSU. Recognition is based upon athletic achievement as a student-athlete within a respective conference, district, region or national competition. Further, contributions to teams or the athletic programs by coaches, faculty, staff, administrators, Booster Club members, business and community members and other special individuals also may merit induction. The next SMSU Athletic Hall of Honor class will be inducted in 2015. Those wanting to nominate an individual or team can submit their nominations via e-mail to SMSU Athletic Communications Director and Hall of Honor committee chairperson, Kelly Loft, at Kelly.Loft@SMSU.edu.
For updates on all the Mustang teams visit: www.smsumustangs. com FOCUS
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1975 Stillwater swimming and diving coach Brian Luke won his 100th duel meet in a row on October 16, 2012. He has been head coach at Stillwater High School for 38 years and was inducted into the Minnesota Coaches Hall of Fame in April 2012. 1976 George Brecheisen retired after 36 years of teaching and coaching at Lockport Township High School, Ill. 1986 John Schultz, head coach of the New Richland-H-E-G girls’ basketball team, led the Panthers to a 60-59 win over the Braham Bombers in the 2013 Minnesota Class AA State Tournament championship game. Schultz is a physical education and health instructor at NRHEG and is also an assistant football coach.
where the couple resides. 2003 Joseph D. Bessie, who earned his MBA in Management at SMSU, has been appointed University of Wisconsin-Stout Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. Dennis Hoffbeck purchased the financial firms Uhlenkamp & Associates in Redwood Falls, Minn., and Schaefer & Schaefer in Fairfax, Minn., on January 1, 2013. He renamed the firms DM Hoffbeck and Associates, PLLC. Prior to purchasing the CPA firms, Hoffbeck worked at Jackpot Junction Casino as an accounting director and controller.
2004 Cameron & Kari (Labat) Bailey welcomed their third child, Greta Mae, on Jan. 22, 2013. Greta was welcomed home by big brother Trae and sister Kyra. The family resides in Marshall, Minn. Callie (Rowen) Moser and her 1995 Head coach Chad Johnston led the husband, Lance, of Wolsey, S.D., welcomed their daughter, Pepper Minneota Vikings girls’ basketball team to the 2013 Minnesota Class A Marilee, on February 9, 2013. State Tournament title. The Vikings Lucas Schneider took over as Chief Financial Officer at Highwater defeated Ada-Borup 61-51 in the Ethanol in Lamberton, Minn., in championship game on March 16. November 2012. He previously This was Johnston’s fourth girls’ served as CFO for Heron Lake basketball team to make it to the BioEnergy near Worthington, state tournament and first to win the championship. Johnston teaches Minn. health and physical education at 2005 Minneota High School and is also Chris Volzke joined CorTrust the head football coach. Bank, a community bank serving South Dakota and Minnesota, as 2001 their new Mortgage Collections Sarah (Baumann) Hilpipre has Administrator. Prior to joining accepted the position of Christian Education Director at the Fairmont CorTrust Bank, Volzke spent seven years working as an Implementation United Methodist Church in Consultant in the home mortgage Fairmont, Minn. She resides in division of Wells Fargo Bank. He Fairmont with her husband, Tom, resides in Sioux Falls, S.D. and two children. Gustavo Condenzo (‘01/MS’07)and his wife, Kari, welcomed their fifth 2006 Lori (Meyer) and Michael (’07) child on April 7, 2013. Engebretson are the proud parents of Noah Michael Engebretson, born 2002 on January 12, 2013. Stacie (Ries) Swanstrom married Tammy Stahl, who received her Josh Swanstrom on October 20, master’s in Education from SMSU, 2012 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free was elected to the school board for Church in Beresford, S.D. Stacie is Pipestone Area Schools. Stahl also an internal auditor with the First works as the Director of Special National Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D.,
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Education for the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative. She lives in Pipestone with her husband, Preston, and their three children: Jaden, Logan, and Emma.
2011 Stacy (Bottolfson) Hubert is a Branch Office Administrator at Edward D. Jones. She and her husband, Kyle, live in Vermillion, S.D.
2007 Katherine (Boike) Rigge and her husband, Andrew, had a baby girl, Samantha Ranae, on January 2, 2013. The family resides in Redwood Falls, Minn. Jessica (Donoho) Wilson and her husband, Bryan, welcomed a baby girl, Parker, in 2012. Shari Maloney is chief human resources officer at Alexandria Technical and Community College where she has been employed for 35 years. Shari and her husband, Denny, live in Osakis where Shari also serves on the Osakis School Board.
2012 Kelly Fitzgerald married Kevin Andrews ’10 on April 6, 2013. The couple resides in Sioux Falls, S.D.
2008 Heather Bitker married Clancy Murphy on April 13, 2013. Heather is employed with First Independent Bank. Julie (Pohlman) and Jeffery (’09) Kelly welcomed their son, Liam Andre Kelly, on March 27, 2013. Joe Schomacker is the Assistant Minority Leader and Representative for District 22A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He lives in Luverne and works at Schomacker Office Cleaning. He also runs his own public relations firm. Leah (Schwan) Wiener and her husband, Benjamin, welcomed their daughter, Tessa, in December 2012. 2009 Andrew Beilke accepted an internal wholesaler position with IoCorr Funds in Exclesior, Minn. Abby Oakland ran the Medtronics Twin Cities Marathon on October 6th. It was her fourth marathon. Abby is currently an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator of the Bemidji State University women’s basketball team. Allison (Krause) and Alex (’07) Peterson welcomed a baby girl, Brylee Elise, on July 12, 2012. Allison is a kindergarten teacher at St. Edward Catholic School in Minneota.
FACULTY/STAFF Former SMSU wheelchair basketball coach Lew Shaver has been selected as the head coach of the United States’ men’s U23 national wheelchair basketball team that will travel to Adana, Turkey on September 12, 2013 for the fifth U23 Men’s World Championships. IN MEMORIUM Jean Chandler, a retired SMSU employee, passed away on April 7, 2013. Fran Dvorak ’90 passed away as a result of pancreatic cancer on August 12, 2012. Wayne E. Gross ’74 passed away on March 3, 2013 at Mercy Hospital. Ralph W. Nestor, founder of the Hospitality program at SMSU, passed away on December 9, 2012, at his home in rural Cashton, Wis. Dan Scott, former athletic director and chair of the Health and Physical Education Department at SMSU, passed away on January 8, 2013. Elise Seymour, retired Spanish professor, passed away on November 29, 2012. Mike Stephenson ’95 passed away on December 18, 2012 at North Memorial Hospice Residence in Robbinsdale, Minn., after a long bout of recurring pneumonia. The Minnesota Timberwolves honored him during their game against the Houston Rockets on December 26th for being one of their most loyal fans.
*Cities are in Minnesota unless noted.
Every Gift
matters Alex Schuh ’08 Alex Schuh knows first-hand how important scholarships are to SMSU students. The 2008 alumnus with a degree in Math (Finance minor) is currently an actuarial analyst for ING US Financial Services in Minneapolis, a position he accepted after graduating from SMSU. And even though he’s a young alumnus, he’s a consistent contributor to the SMSU Foundation. Alex worked on campus as a student caller for the SMSU Foundation’s Annual Fund, where he had the opportunity to talk with alumni, community members and friends of the University. “I got to hear a lot of great stories about why other people donate,” he said. “I received scholarships when I attended SMSU, so it seems right to give back and support the current students.” The Hutchinson, Minn., native visited several colleges, but chose SMSU “because I just liked SMSU. I had a great time there, and the education prepared me for finding a job when I graduated.” The percentage of alumni giving at SMSU is the highest of all the public universities in Minnesota. Alex is a reason why.
There are many ways you can give to support Southwest Minnesota State University in the area(s) of your choice. No matter how—or how much—you give, your generosity will make a difference in the lives and work of SMSU students and educators. Learn more about: Annual Giving: Gifts that enable SMSU areas to embrace opportunities and meet challenges Matching Gifts: A way to multiply your generosity through your employer’s matching gift program Memorial and Honorary Gifts: Honor someone special with a gift supporting SMSU Stock Gifts: Suppor SMSU simply and quickly with gifts of appreciated stocks and mutual funds Non-Cash Gifts: SMSU accepts non-cash gifts such as pleges, gifts-in-kind and real estate to support SMSU. Planned Giving: Gifts carefully planned to help you meet your philanthropic and financial goals Sustainers: Sustainers make recurring credit card or checking account gifts to the Annual Fund. Year End Gift: Help support the SMSU Foundation with a year-end gift.
You can make a difference. Start today. WWW.SMSUFOUNDATION.ORG
For more information contact the SMSU Foundation at 1-800-260-0970 or online at www.SMSUFoundation.org
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