SMSUFOCUS A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University
Ryan Hugh Ross ’08 shares his discovery of suppressed music pg. 6 Fall 2016 Edition | Inside: 2015-2016 Foundation Annual Report
SMSUFOCUS A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University
FALL 2016 | VOL. 36, NO. 1
SMSU Named Military Friendly School for 2017 Southwest Minnesota State University has been named to the 2017 Military Friendly Schools list. Military Friendly Schools is sponsored by Victory Media. The list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students to ensure their success on campus. This is the third year in a row SMSU has been named a Military Friendly School. “We have a number of students who are in the service now, as well as many veterans who are enrolled at SMSU,” said SMSU President Dr. Connie J. Gores. “Being named a Military Friendly School is recognition of the efforts being made to support our military members and their families. We are honored to again be named a university of choice for veterans.” Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a datadriven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for VA tuition funding. Justin Guggisberg, Veterans Center coordinator at SMSU, said, “The Military Friendly award speaks volumes to the continued resolve of SMSU to honor those who choose to serve our country and pursue goals for higher education. Southwest Minnesota State University will once again be listed with the top universities in the nation for military members to obtain college degrees.” Victory Media is the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The Military Friendly Schools website can be found at: www. militaryfriendly.com. It features the list of schools named, interactive tools and search functions to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences.
Table of Contents
1
Board of Teaching Approves Ag Education
2
Around Campus
4
Alumni Spotlight: Dave Werpy ’79
5
Alumni Spotlight: Nicholas Schleif ’06
6
Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Hugh Ross ’08
8
Mustang Speaker Series
9
SMSU to Celebrate 50 Years
10
2016 Alumni Award Recipients
11
Alumni Connections
12
Mustang Athletics
14
Class Notes
16
Foundation Annual Report 2015-16
President Dr. Connie J. Gores Vice President for Advancement/ Executive Director of Foundation Bill Mulso ’93 Director of Alumni Relations Michael VanDrehle ’08/MBA’10 Focus Editor and Designer Marcy D. Olson ’93/MBA’05 Senior Writer and Photographer Jim Tate
Contributors Rita Fonder ’16 Stacy Frost ’93 Karen Kaas ’94 Kelly Loft ’97/MS’11 Mary Meaden Erik Vogel Cover Photo Angela Prokosh, SMSU Senior
Send correspondence and story ideas to: SMSU Communications & Marketing, Attn: FOCUS 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 Contact the Focus Editor: Marcy.Olson@SMSU.edu or 507-537-7374 All cities and towns are located in Minnesota unless otherwise noted. Year(s) after names reference degrees obtained at SMSU. Year of undergraduate degree is listed first. Year of graduate degree is listed after MBA or MS.
Feature stories may be reprinted with the written permission of the editor at Marcy.Olson@SMSU.edu. Other articles may be reprinted without permission provided that credit is given to SMSU.
FOCUS (USPS 565-770) is published twice each year for alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University by the Office of Communications & Marketing at SMSU. Opinions expressed in FOCUS do not necessarily reflect official University policy.
Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. A member of the Minnesota State system. ADA Accessible.
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Visit us online www.SMSU.edu and SouthwestAlumni.com Follow the latest SMSU news at www.SMSU.edu/today
[ around campus ]
MN Board of Teaching Approves Ag Ed at SMSU The Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Department of Agriculture, Culinology and Hospitality Management has received approval from the Minnesota Board of Teaching to offer an Agricultural Education teacher licensure program. The program began this fall and will help meet the growing demand for agricultural education graduates in the state. According to Department of Education statistics, there are approximately three job openings for each agricultural education graduate. The multidisciplinary degree focuses on a strong liberal education program that emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication and a well-rounded knowledge base. Through active learning, the Agricultural Education Teacher Licensure Program prepares students to become agricultural teachers and FFA advisors in Minnesota secondary schools. The core of the major is a balanced program of study that includes core courses in science, agriculture, educational methodology and leadership development. “Agricultural education is a degree that’s in high demand,” said SMSU President Dr. Connie J. Gores. “There are annually more jobs than there are graduates, and we’re pleased to be able to add this major to our curriculum.” Legislative support came from State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, and State Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls. “We want to keep our young people in the area,” Swedzinski said. “I’m excited to see this, it’s going to have a big impact on agriculture and agribusiness in southwest Minnesota.” “I’d like to congratulate SMSU for having the Board of Teaching accept the proposal for an Agricultural Education program,” said Dahms. “We have a shortage of ag education teachers every year, and we need to expand opportunities for students in that area. This is a final piece to the puzzle.”
Students in the Agricultural Education program will benefit from many classroom experiences throughout their education. “Students in the Agricultural Education program at SMSU will gain valuable learning experiences throughout their term at SMSU with early and frequent classroom placement opportunities, as well as experientialbased education in the area of agriculture,” said Dr. Kristin Kovar, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education. With the addition of the Agricultural Education program, SMSU’s School of Agriculture now offers six bachelor’s degrees — Agricultural Education; Agronomy; Agricultural Business Management; Agricultural Communications and Leadership; Agriculture; and Agricultural Solutions. SMSU also offers a two-year Agricultural Business Management degree. Joel Larson of the Minnesota Department of Education said the degree will go a long way toward providing the state with an increased number of ag education instructors. “There’s a tremendous shortage of ag educators and having SMSU’s program will certainly make an impact on the shortage and give students another option within our state borders,” he said. For more information contact Grant.Will@SMSU.edu or 507-5376428.
Students Use Storytelling To Connect With Community A new Storytelling and Modern Communication class is connecting SMSU students with community members in unique and meaningful ways. Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Julie Walker has had her students work on two projects during the fall semester. In the first, SMSU students are teamed with Advance Opportunity adults to assist them in creating “kernel stories,” or, as she explains, “an elevator pitch, framed so it can be delivered in several ways, for different audiences. In a way, that is storytelling, using these characters for this theme for this purpose.” Advance Opportunities is an agency that connects adults with developmental disabilities with employers in Marshall. The goal, she said, is to “market themselves better in the community. To an employer, for instance, it says ‘I have this work history, I am a good person, and yes, I have this thing I’m dealing with but I have so many strengths.’ It’s self-advocacy in getting a job, or to garner support for a cause or organization.” A second part of that assignment includes students doing a oneon-one interview with the Advance Opportunity client about their
experiences interacting with the organization to create short testimonials that can be used by Advance Opportunities for promotional materials. “I want students to get the chance to work through how to use storytelling in a PR setting,” said Walker. The second project teaches SMSU students about language barriers, narratives and interviewing skills. The students work with Literacy Volunteers, a local group that, among other things, helps new populations learn English. Students will listen to an English language learner tell a story, first in their native language. Julie Walker They then tell the same story in their second language, English. “Hopefully the SMSU students will see what is missed by being able to speak only one language, and will be able to see that just because someone doesn’t speak English, that doesn’t mean the individual doesn’t have incredible experiences to offer,” said Walker. “I want our students to understand the richness of the story, the culture. It’s not a critique of their English, but to show how much they have to give to this community and how much they bring with them. It’s easy to put someone in a box when you don’t understand the language.”
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[ around campus ]
SMSU Jazz Ensemble Celebrates 10 Years of Guest Artists University. Now retired, he was a The SMSU Jazz Ensemble celebrated 10 years of its guest trumpet instructor and director of the jazz studies program. artist series with a concert on McWilliams and Ginocchio Saturday, Nov. 19 in the SMSU Fine visited Minnesota State Community Arts Theatre. and Technical College in Fergus The guest artist was trumpeter Larry McWilliams, who was the Falls for a clinic and concert with its Jazz Ensemble on Nov. 17. The first guest artist back in 2007. two also conducted a clinic at Forest Twenty-two musicians have been guest artists at SMSU since the Lake High School on Nov. 21. During the Nov. 19 concert at series began. SMSU, 15 Jazz Ensemble alumni “The guest artist series started as were on hand to celebrate the a means of bringing these full-time anniversary of the guest artist series. musicians to our students so that they learn more about professional “They played music we have done with guest artists in the past, pieces musicianship,” said Director of they played when they were here,” Bands Dr. John Ginocchio. said Ginocchio. “I think our guest artist series Past guest artists have included has been one of the most valuable From left: Larry McWilliams with Dr. John Ginocchio McWilliams, 2007; Mike Flack, things we’ve done in terms of 2008; Jim Snidero, 2009; Dennis helping our students improve as Wilson, 2010; Matt Murdock, 2010; musicians. There is no substitute for our students than meeting with people who are actively performing Rodney Whitaker, 2011; Michael Phillip Mossman, 2012; Antonia Hart, 2013; Bill Prince, 2014; Conrad Herwig, 2015; Mike Clark, 2016; and and writing and conducting in professional capacities,” he added. McWilliams, 2016. McWilliams is a former professor of Ginocchio’s at Ball State
SMSU Chorale to Perform at Carnegie Hall in 2017 The SMSU Chorale will have an opportunity to perform on the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City in March, 2017. The group of 35 singers has been invited to participate in a festival hosted by Manhattan Concert Productions. “We were selected based on our excellent reputation in the region,” said Dr. Stephen Kingsbury. The group will perform “Requiem for Choir and Orchestra,” said Kingsbury. “It’s a piece by John Rutter,” he said. “The Manhattan Chamber Orchestra will accompany the Chorale.” The piece lasts about 45 minutes, said Kingsbury. “Historically, a requiem was the Roman Catholic Mass for the dead. This is a concert piece he wrote that uses that idea as a starting point but mixes in English texts from other sources. It’s a very comforting and beautiful piece.” The song includes both English and Latin, he said. The Carnegie concert is on Monday, March 20 at 8 p.m. The SMSU Chorale is one of several groups performing that evening. The chance to sing at Carnegie Hall can be life-changing, he said. “It has been at the center of the most important and significant musical performances in our nation’s history. The chance to appear on stage is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “It’s a monumental occasion for our students to connect with that history, to stand on that stage where so many musicians have stood, to look out at that audience. It is transformative and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Free-will offerings are being accepted at concerts, and the group has partnered with the Schwan Food Company, whereby a percentage of purchases is contributed to the Chorale. The link is on the SMSU Choirs Facebook page or www.SMSU.edu/focus. The SMSU Chorale is the department’s elite mixed choral ensemble. It is open to all students regardless of major, by audition. Auditions are held at the start of each semester, said Kingsbury. Each student is asked to raise a certain amount of money for the
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SMSU music students in their Carnegie Hall fundraising performance.
trip, and money from fundraisers helps offset that amount. “Those wishing to contribute can do so through the SMSU Foundation,” he said. Donations can be made online at www.SMSUFoundation.org and mention ‘SMSU Chorale Trip’ in the donation comments. Checks may be made payable to the SMSU Foundation and mailed to 1501 State St., Marshall, Minn. 56258. “I’m excited for the students. Being invited is recognition of the high level of achievement of our students. This is something our students have aspired to for years, and is an opportunity for them to achieve that dream,” said Kingsbury.
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SMSU Professor Launches Diverse Soccer Club The U.S. National soccer team slogan is “One Nation, One Team,” but the Southwest Minnesota State University soccer club can say “Many Nations, One Team.” SMSU students, community members, faculty, and alumni from six nations comprise the “Diversity” team. They include Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Somalia, Spain and the United States. Assistant Professor of Spanish Jose Losada-Montero arrived at SMSU one-and-a-half years ago. He was encouraged to find ways to create cultural links between the University and the Marshall community, and realized there was a lack of activities for adults. The soccer club at SMSU was struggling with organization and looking for an advisor, so Losada-Montero decided to use soccer as a medium to encourage interaction between SMSU and the community. “There are many people, especially foreign students, who live on campus, work on campus, and spend their free time on campus and in Marshall,” he said. “They need activities, things to do that bring them together. Almost all the world has soccer in common. No other event brings so much diversity together.” The soccer club certainly brings people together. The team speaks a total of nine different native or near-native languages, including Arabic (Libya), English (United States), Galician (Spain), Hindi (India), Igbo (Nigeria), Nepali (Nepal), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Yoruba (Nigeria). The team plays in the indoor YMCA soccer league in Marshall, competing against teams from around the area during the two seasons each academic year, October through December and January through April. The team practices once a week at SMSU, and the practices have become a common ground for many different nationalities. “Some
people come because they love soccer, others come for the sense of belonging, that safe space that feels like home,” he said. Losada-Montero designed the team uniforms himself. “It was important for us to have a uniform,” he said, “It provides a sense of belonging and helps people feel like part of a group.” The uniform itself is blue and white to represent the sky, which has no borders. The front of the jersey says “DIVERSITY,” and the team logo honors immigrants with a ship design. Each jersey has “RESPECT” instead of the usual name on the back. Team Diversity “Soccer is a team sport,” said LosadaMontero, “and we encourage a team mentality. It’s more than just racial respect, we encourage religious respect, positional respect, and so on,” he said. “I’m trying to bring values to the students through soccer,” LosadaMontero said. Each team member volunteers in the community, including two students who coach youth soccer teams for the Marshall United Soccer Association (MUSA). Being part of a team involves commitment to practice, showing up on time, and working with others, and these values carry over into studies. “If you’re not dedicated to what you love, it’s hard to be dedicated to schoolwork!” he said. The soccer club is now expanding to two teams, but despite growing interest, Losada-Montero says that is the limit for now. “I’m still a Spanish professor, and one person can only do so much.” He hopes to eventually build the team into a non-governmental organization in order to continue building awareness, accept donations, and create more teams. By engaging diversity and the power of soccer, the club is doing great work to break barriers and help immigrants and international students truly feel that SMSU is where they belong.
SMSU is Home to Community Access TV Southwest Minnesota State University is the new home of Studio 1 Community Access TV, the city’s public access television operation, thanks to a collaborative effort between the university, the City of Marshall and Marshall High School. Studio 1 serves the Marshall community with public access, educational and government-based television programming. Content is also available online for those who may not be cable subscribers but are still interested in locally-produced video programming. “In most places, you don’t get this kind of cooperation,” said Jos Ullian, Assistant Professor of Speech Communication. “By working together, Studio 1, the university and the high school can share resources and give students a wider variety of production experiences and programming opportunities. It’s a win-win for all of us,” he said. The City of Marshall has two cable providers, Charter and Vast, and each makes available several channels for public access programming.
Studio 1 had had two different homes within the last 16 months before moving to SMSU. Alex Peterson, an SMSU alumnus and the Media Communications Specialist for Studio 1, said the partnership will open the studio to more collaboration and help SMSU and MHS students gain hands-on experience. Outdated technology has been replaced with digital equipment and a broader offering of cable access programming is now available. “That will increase in the future, as we settle into the technology and better understand the possibilities for all the partners,” said Ullian. Additionally, Peterson said he’d like the general public to take advantage of resources offered by Studio 1. “Our goal is to open it up to the whole community,” he said. Studio 1 is located next to the current television studio in Bellows Academic. The Studio 1 website is: www.marshallstudio1tv.com.
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[ alumni spotlight ]
Submitted photo of the SMSU group accomanpied by Director of Career Services, Melissa Scholten, far left. Dave Werpy is on the far right.
Dave Werpy ’79 Gives Back in Many Ways SMSU alumnus Dave Werpy continues to give back to the University in a number of ways. Werpy, Vice President and General Auditor, Corporate Auditing, for 3M, recently hosted a group of SMSU students at the company’s Customer Innovation Center on its St. Paul campus. The group, accompanied by Career Services Director Melissa Scholten, primarily consisted of Accounting, Business and Finance majors. “We were invited to learn more about 3M and career opportunities with the company,” said Scholten. The group heard from Werpy about his experiences with the company he has been part of since a few days after graduating from Southwest in 1979. His career led to extensive international travel for him and two multi-year assignments in Europe for him and his family, experiences that enriched all of their lives. The students were also able to hear presentations from some of Werpy’s professional peers from PricewaterhouseCoopers, 3M’s external audit firm, and Cargill. Accompanying Werpy as a host was 2015 alumna Rachel (Groff) Schulte, now a 3M corporate auditor herself for a little over a year.
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The special tour was facilitated by SMSU Director of Development Stacy Frost. Prior to the student tour in 2016, Werpy hosted an alumni networking luncheon on the 3M Campus in June 2015. “It was very gracious of Dave to take time out of his busy schedule to show our students around 3M and answer their questions,” said Scholten. “The 3M presentation, and those from Cargill and PricewaterhouseCoopers, were very informative and gave our students a glimpse into the corporate world.” Werpy and his wife, Melissa (Johnson), are Marshall natives. They recently established the Dave and Melissa Werpy Endowed Scholarship through the SMSU Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a Marshall area resident, preferably first-generation, who has already completed their freshman year at SMSU, maintains a job to support their education, is engaged in the community and who has limited other forms of financial assistance. “SMSU obviously played a vital role in giving me the foundation credentials I needed to join a great company like 3M,” said Werpy. “The endowment that Melissa and I decided to establish is just a simple effort on our part to show our gratitude.”
Collegiate license plates are more than a way to show off your alma mater. It is great a way to build awareness and help raise money for student scholarships. The new SMSU License plates are available from your local Automobile License Bureau. Next time you renew your tabs, renew your identity with SMSU collegiate license plates!
[ alumni spotlight ]
Art of Nicholas Schleif ’06 Featured in New Stadium
SMSU alumnus the glass doors of the entry on Nicholas Schleif ’s the main concourse, near the artwork is southeastern side of the building. prominently displayed His other three pieces, created in the new U.S. in a similar style to his Prince Bank Stadium in portrait, are of former Vikings Minneapolis. coach Bud Grant, and running An art collection backs Chuck Foreman and Adrian estimated in value Peterson. They are located in the at several million same hallway with the artwork by dollars is included in Viking alumni. “It’s on the fourth the stadium. Vikings floor, outside the box seats,” he and Stadium officials said. commissioned the art Schleif is a Comfrey native now through Sports and living in a house/studio in Milroy. the Arts. Most of the He came to SMSU “hands down, 104 artists featured because of Ed Evans. I knew of his are from Minnesota work, and that he was a professor — including there. He retired after my first several past Vikings semester, and we have a close Above: Schleif with a gunpowder painting of Martin Luther King Jr., Bottom left: Prince themselves. professional relationship.” painting “Purple Reign.” Bottom: “Then” painting of Viking great, Chuck Foreman. Schleif, a 2006 As an artist, he’s constantly Studio Art alumnus, thinking of his craft. Most has four pieces that recently, he’s been concentrating hang in the stadium. The crown jewel of the four is called “Purple on a series of pieces with Civil Rights and gun control themes, using Reign,” a 4 ½-by-7 ½-foot acrylic on canvas painting in which Schleif gunpowder as his medium. He describes himself as a “non-traditional re-created an image of Prince using words from the lyrics of Prince portrait artist,” and his unique, meticulous style has won him a lot of songs. fans. He is currently working on a portrait of Facebook co-founder The lyrics line up horizontally across the painting, but also stack up Mark Zuckerberg. The piece isn’t commissioned, but he said the San vertically so that, like a crossword puzzle, they spell out key words from Francisco 49ers are interested in perhaps purchasing it. That NFL team Prince’s life, words such as Revolution, Time, Royalty, First Avenue and has purchased a portrait by Schleif featuring Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Paisley Park. together, with their likenesses made out of binary code. “Prince had been a hero, an idol, of mine,” he said. “I had done the Schleif ’s unusual style and commitment to his craft have won him other three pieces already, they had been accepted, and when Prince some notoriety in recent years, and he looks forward to expanding his died, I offered to do one for free. I contacted the Vikings.” artistic horizons in the future. It hangs in the entry to the Medtronic Club, Valhalla Suites and Delta For more information on Schleif ’s work, visit his website at Sky 360 Club areas of the stadium. Fans can see the piece through nicholasschleif.com.
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[ alumni spotlight ]
Ryan Hugh Ross ’08 Shares His Discovery of Suppressed Music
Ryan Hugh Ross has a voice you won’t soon forget. When he performs, you look, listen, and are immediately struck by the depth, the resonance, and ask yourself, “How does that sound, come out of that body?” Ross, a 2008 alumnus with degrees in Music Education and Music Performance, is a professional opera singer now living in Cardiff, Wales. He was the special guest curator and performer at the October “Voices of Exile: The Jewish Experience” Festival, hosted by SMSU. Ross is a Rock Rapids, Iowa native and the son of the late Betty and Randy Ross. Growing up, he couldn’t imagine leading the life he does today. His appearance at the Voices of Exile Festival was a way for him to give back to a university he holds dear to his heart. It was at SMSU that he earned his undergraduate degree, made lifelong friends, and connections that have steered him down the path of success. It was shortly after he enrolled at SMSU that a family tragedy would put his college career in jeopardy and show him the compassion that sets SMSU apart. It was halfway through the semester “and he (Ross) just disappeared,” said Professor of Music Dr. Dan Rieppel. “He called us, and told us that his father had fallen ill. He died right away. All of us (in the Music program) went immediately into support mode. I kept tabs on Ryan and we all knew this was a difficult time for him. All of us did what we could to help him get through the difficult situation. It was a familial relationship.” And it is through relationships that Ross has climbed the ladder of professional success. Former SMSU music faculty member Russell Svenningsen suggested he pursue a master’s degree and recommended Cal State-Long Beach. Ross listened to the advice, and received his master’s in opera performance there.
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More connections. A faculty member at Cal State-Long Beach recognized his unique talent and suggested he continue his studies at the Wales International Academy of Voice, in Cardiff, Wales. “They take 20 students per year and I was the first American accepted,” explained Ross. There, he studied with Dennis O’Neill, world renowned operatic tenor, who co-manages the school with operatic soprano Kiri Te Kanawa. “I auditioned with him (O’Neill). My teacher in California was a former colleague of his and pointed me in that direction. “It’s sort of a finishing school, in a sense,” said Ross. “It’s an incredible school, when you think of all of his studying and coursework he has gone through during his career, all of his experiences, and he brings that to the students.” It was at the Wales International Academy of Voice that he met his wife Sian Cameron, who was a student there. The two met up with Rieppel in Minneapolis after they started dating. “Dan took me aside and told me I’d better not let her get away,” said Ross with a chuckle. He didn’t. Ross studied two years at the school. “It’s normally one year, but I thought I’d stay on the second year to help solidify things. Dennis’ main focus is the Italian school of singing, a new approach I was not fully aware of, so I fine-tuned that specific school of singing.” He has been a fulltime freelance opera performer for four years. His professional work has taken him to 11 countries, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, the Yankee Stadium of opera. A humble individual, he still shakes his head at his good fortune. He selected SMSU initially because he had some older friends attend the university. “I liked the location, and I liked the campus and faculty. The
Education program is incredible, so I thought, ‘Yeah, this is the place.’” Rieppel and Ross traveled to Vienna, Austria, twice during the summer months of 2006 and 2007. “I was teaching for Webster University in Vienna, and Ryan came with us on two occasions. Vienna is a small city and turned him on to the possibilities there are in classical music. That’s really when we got tight and started doing things together musically,” said Rieppel. The Voices of Exile Festival came about as a result of Ross’ interest being piqued during his master’s studies in California. “I was looking for music to fill out a solo recital. A teacher there, Steven Kronauer, said I should check out what James Conlon, director of the Los Angeles Opera, was doing. He was involved with suppressed composers, and I became fascinated with the subject. I’ve always been interested in history, and World War II in particular. The following year I came up with the concept of a concert series at Cal State. It was a five–part series, with lectures and different types of concerts. That led to the festival at SMSU,” he said. The festival celebrated the musical works of Julius Burger, an Austrian/American Jewish composer who established a successful career as a conductor and accompanist before the rise of Adolph Hitler sent him into U.S. exile in 1938. His music was all but lost until he met with attorney, Ronald Pohl, to put his estate in order. Burger died in New York City in 1995 but fortunately his musical works were preserved and some performed at SMSU for the very first time. Rieppel beams like a proud father when talking about Ross. “Working with Ryan as a colleague was a thrill and doubly so as I was one of his main teachers during his years at SMSU. Even though I’m no voice instructor, he was an eager student of Viennese culture and came on two of my Viennese courses. It was a very satisfying personal and professional engagement and we’re already looking for situations in the next year to again collaborate.” Ross has decided to begin a doctorate on the subject of suppressed composers, with a focus on Julius Burger. “I will continue with my operatic stage career, and have a few ideas for further premieres regarding Burger works over in the United Kingdom,” he said. His festival appearance at SMSU was satisfying for him on a number of levels. “The week was a huge success. Dan and I had a blast visiting local high schools and doing master classes. The chamber concert was lovely with many friends and alumni present. And the lectures, both mine and the roundtable, were informative and useful. The final concert was above and beyond everything I could have hoped for. It was well attended and the format, with the Jewish invocation at the opening, was powerful. To be able to perform at my alma mater under my great friend Dan Rieppel was fantastic.” The unique relationship between student and professor has remained strong, and Rieppel is proud to today call Ross a colleague, one with a bright future ahead of him on the operatic stage. Photos, facing page from top: Ross and Rieppel at the Finale concert. Ross giving a lecture on his research. Photo to right, from the top: a vocal masterclass with SMSU music students, a recital of chamber music, the panel discussion with Ronald Pohl (center) who saved the Burger music from oblivion, Ross in the Finale concert performance.
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[ alumni spotlight ]
Alumni Trent Redfield and Jennifer Andries Speak to Students The Mustang Speaker Series continued recently with alumni Trent Redfield and Jennifer Andries addressing the SMSU History Club. They spoke about their personal experiences as well as career opportunities in history, and encouraged students to think outside the box in their job search. Alumnus Trent Redfield graduated in 2000 with History and Philosophy degrees, and was the first to obtain a minor in what is now known as Indigenous Nations and Dakota Studies from SMSU. Redfield was also part of the Honors Program. His love of history has since taken him to places as diverse as the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Redfield said his biggest honor was participating in a special unit created for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, celebrated from 2003-2006. The “Corps of Discovery II” was created to travel Lewis and Clark’s trail as closely as possible and share the history along the way. Redfield participated during the final two years of the four-year expedition. “We would set up a huge tent at each stop, and invite different people to come in and do historical interpretation,” he said. “We told the stories of history in the places where they happened.” He is now coordinator of the Education and Volunteer Programs at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana, as well as a historian at the Yellowstone Historic Center during the summer. Along with his historical work, Redfield is currently a trainer for the National Association for Interpretation, the national organization for park rangers and related career fields. Recently he was honored with the “Master Frontline Interpreter Award” through the organization. Redfield has also written for the organizational publication, including a recent article about Native American naming practices. His advice to students interested in the public history career field is to start early. “Find internships, volunteer, and look for local opportunities,” he said. “Public history is a good choice if you’re looking for a career in history that takes you out of the classroom setting.”
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“Don’t just be a history major,” Redfield said. “Broaden your horizons, learn foreign languages and writing skills. That liberal arts background will set you apart in the job search.” He credited his Philosophy degree with helping him see different viewpoints and understand how people form opinions. Jennifer (Schefers) Andries, a 2008 alumna, is now the executive director of the Lyon County Historical Museum in Marshall. While earning her history degree at SMSU, she interned at the Redwood County Museum in Morton, Minn. Andries realized there that a history career could include museum work. However, her path took a few turns after graduation before she began her position at the Lyon County Museum. She started working at JCPenney where she honed her skills in customer service. After completing her master’s degree in Business Administration, she moved back to Marshall when she married Bradley Andries in 2011. When the executive director position opened up at the Lyon County Historical Museum in 2012, Andries was in the right place at the right time—and with the right skills—to begin a new chapter in her career. She enjoys the unique challenges her position presents on a daily basis. As executive director Andries wears many hats, from education coordinator to grant writer to curator. “Try to take in a variety of experiences,” she told students, “because you never know how they all come together.” Andries is grateful for her history degree, but not simply because of the historical knowledge she gained. “Critical thinking, reasoning and writing skills apply to any field,” she said. Both alumni agreed it can take some time to find the perfect niche after graduation, and encouraged students to expand their horizons and add skills through diverse experiences both inside and outside the classroom. This Mustang Speaker Event took place on campus in October and was sponsored by the SMSU History Club. SMSU alumni interested in participating in the Mustang Speaker Series may contact Michael Van Drehle, SMSU Director of Alumni, at 507-537-6257 or Michael.VanDrehle@smsu.edu.
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SMSU will celebrate
50 years
during the 2017-18 academic year. We invite all alumni and friends to save the date for our
50th Homecoming Celebration
Monday, Sept. 25–Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 A few of the highlights: Monday, September 25, 2017: Founders Day Mustang Family Photo, Reception, and 50th Charter Signing Friday, September 29, 2017: Brown and Gold Spirit Day Alumni Awards Luncheon and University Gala Saturday, September 30, 2017: Homecoming Day 50th Grand Parade at 11am All-Southwest Reunion after the Mustang Football game
More details to come at
www.SMSU.edu/50 Make plans to join us in Celebrating 50 years!
All-Southwest
Reunion
The upcoming 50th anniversary is an opportune time for alumni to reconnect with classmates and friends from their years at Southwest. While numerous events are being planned for the year-long celebration, 2017-2018, we encourage you to mark your calendars for the All University get-together during Homecoming 2017. It is expected that a large number of reunions will take place during our golden anniversary homecoming. “Homecoming is a natural time of year for alumni to come back and reconnect with friends. With next year being our 50th Anniversary, it will be especially busy on campus and we want to provide a venue for everyone to re-connect in one place,” said Michael VanDrehle, Alumni Director. The new Red Baron Arena & Expo, located across Highway 23, near Marshall High School, will serve as Reunion Central on September 30, 2017. Alumni and friends are encouraged to start planning now for this big day. The reunions will begin immediately following the Homecoming football game. All sorts of get-togethers will take place, including athletic teams, residence halls, staff/ faculty members, classes, clubs/organizations, etc. If there is a group you would like to see represented at the all university reunion or if you would like to take a leadership role in organizing a reunion for a certain group, contact the Alumni Office at 507-537-6257 or Alumni@SMSU.edu.
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[ alumni connections ]
2016 Alumni Award Recipients Six individuals received Alumni Association awards at the annual Awards Luncheon at SMSU. The event was part of Homecoming 2016, “Mustangs Unleashed.” ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Jerry and Ricke (Madsen) Bly SMSU alumni Jerry and Ricke (Madsen) Bly met at SMSU, and continue to be big supporters of the University years later. Jerry is a 1971 charter class graduate who met his wife Ricke while both were RA’s at what was then Southwest Minnesota State College. Jerry transferred to SMSU after a year at Augustana and received a Business Administration degree. Ricke pursued a degree in Elementary Education, which she earned in 1973. She recently retired from her position at the RTR School in Russell. Jerry began his 37-year career serving agriculture as a sales manager with Southwest Implement. Jerry retired two years ago as a Senior Account Representative from BASF. Jerry is on the Foundation Board and has been a key advisor as the University expands its ag-related academic offerings. Both were surprised at their Alumni Award selection, and appreciative for all the university has done for them to contribute to their professional success. They have two grown children, Eric Bly, and Megan Gronewoller, and three grandchildren. Eric and his wife Erica (Yingling) are also SMSU alumni. Bill Fenske Bill Fenske is a hometown boy who didn’t have far to go when he made his college choice. Bill is a Marshall native and a 1984 alumnus with a degree in Accounting. He earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota, and his Doctorate of Business Administration from Metropolitan State University. He is the Chief Financial Officer at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, a $100 million dollar, 1,000-employee company. He’s been there 10 years. Bill remembers receiving a great education at SMSU, and really enjoyed the small student-to-teacher ratio. “The atmosphere created a wonderful learning experience, both in the classroom, and socially, in the dorms.” Bill and his wife, Anne, have three children: Edwin, 25; Jack, 23; and Charles, 21. Ann Roemen It’s a long and winding road that brought Ann Roemen to where she is today: Executive Director at Independent Healthcare Associates and Chief Executive Officer of AccoCare, both in Sioux Falls. The Dell Rapids, S.D., native graduated in 1984 with a degree in Speech Communication: Radio-TV. Ann began her career as the assignment editor at KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls. She changed career paths and accepted a marketing position with University Physicians. While there she went on to earn her MBA. Ann stayed with the company for 16 years, the last five of which she was the executive director. Ann was recruited to lead Independent Healthcare Associates, a group which provides contracting, credentialing and educational services to independent physicians and hospitals. She has been in this role for nine years. She also serves as CEO of AccoCare, an Accountable Care Organization formed by physicians at Independent Healthcare Associates. She picked what was then SSU because she wanted to be somewhere close enough, and yet far enough way, from her home in Dell Rapids. Ann is married to Dan Beacom. Ann and Dan have three children: two sons, Jordan and Jonah, and a daughter, Hannah, a sophomore at SMSU.
From left: front row: Ann Roemen, SMSU President Connie J. Gores, Ricke Bly. Back row: Bill Fenske, Marilyn Strate, Sara Jones, and Jerry Bly.
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP Marilyn Strate Teaching brings with it a deep satisfaction that drew Marilyn Strate to the profession years ago. Marilyn is an Associate Professor of Education within the PE Program, and teaches Recreation and Sports Management courses. The Nebraska native is in her 25th year at SMSU and was one of the coaches responsible for solidly establishing the softball program at the University. She became the fourth softball coach in program history, and her eight-year record is 225-138, a winning percentage of .620, second-best in program history. She has been active with Special Olympics in Marshall for over 10 years now. She was the national Special Olympics swimming coach in 2014, when the event was hosted at Princeton University. Her eight athletes brought home a total of 36 medals. She also the Physical Education teacher to home schooled students in the Marshall community. She has been active with the Boy Scouts in the past and is a merit badge counselor. Marilyn is the advisor for the American Sign Language Club, the Sports Management Club and the Ultimate Frisbee Club. She is the academic advisor for all Recreation and Sports Management majors and supervises all internships and practicums. Marilyn has a daughter, Kori, and four grandchildren and three greatchildren. Kori, who is married to Kalvin Guza, was an All-American swimmer at St. Cloud State. GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE (GOLD) AWARD Sara (Graf) Jones Volleyball runs through the veins of 2010 alumna Sara (Graf) Jones. The Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, native earned a degree in Accounting and is a financial analyst for UniPro Foodservice in Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the company in July 2010 and this is the fourth position she has held during that time. UniPro is the largest food distribution cooperative in the U.S. and has employed numerous SMSU graduates. Its former CEO sits on the Culinology Advisory Council and UniPro annually recruits top SMSU students, like Sara. Sara joined the Mustang volleyball team as a freshman in the fall of 2006 and after the Mustangs’ first tournament, they cracked into the national top25 rankings. They have not dropped out since. Sara married her husband, Robert Jones, this past July 30. For the complete bios of this year’s honorees visit: www. SouthwestAlumni.com/Awards
Nominations Accepted for 2017 Alumni Achievement Awards The SMSU Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2017 Awards to be honored at Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 30, 2017. ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD This award is presented to a graduate in recognition of professional success and the positive reflection made on the reputation of all Alumni of SMSU. HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD This award is presented to an individual or couple who are not alumni, but give their time, talents, and enthusiasm as if they were.
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GOLD (Graduate of Last Decade) AWARD This award is presented to an individual who has graduated from SMSU within the last ten years and has made an exceptional achievement and significant contribution to their profession, community, or university. JOHN & KATHY PAXTON ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD This award is presented to recipients who demonstrates outstanding service to Southwest Minnesota State University. To nominate someone, visit: www.SouthwestAlumni.com/Awards
[ alumni connections ]
Connecting Alumni, Serving Southwest 2
3 1: New York City Dinner, Manhattan, NY 2: Mustang Speaker Series, St. Louis Park. 3: Alumni night at the Rochester Honkers, Rochester. 4: Homecoming parade 2017, Marshall. 5: “Guys Weekend” annual get-together, Annandale. 6: SMSU Faculty & Staff Alumni Luncheon, Marshall. 7: SMSU Swimmers golf get-together, Stillwater. 8: University Gala 2017, Marshall. 9: GOLD on the ROAD, Scottsdale, Ariz.
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Alumni events take place all across the country throughout the year. Some are organized by the SMSU Alumni Association and some are organized by small groups of alumni who are committed to staying connected with each other. If you partake in a regular alumni reunion, we want to know about it! We encourage you to take a photo and share your story. Send your photo and story to Alumni@smsu.edu along with a description and identification of those in attendance.
*Digitally manipulated photos will not be eligible.
Dr. Rebecca Achen ’07 and Trisha Horsmann ’07 show off their Mustang Pride while attending the 4th Annual Global Sport Business Association Conference aboard Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas cruise to the Bahamas! Congratulations Rebecca and Trisha! Thanks for sharing your photo with us!
You can show your Mustang Pride in Amazing Places! 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 high resolution, clear, with “SMSU” or a Mustang logo clearly visible.
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[ athletics ]
Josh Turek Wins Gold in 2016 Paralympics Former Southwest at the London games. He was also Minnesota State University a member of the 2014 U.S. World wheelchair basketball Championship squad that won a silver standout Josh Turek, a threemedal. time Paralympian, helped The 2002 SMSU male student-athlete the U.S. men’s wheelchair of the year, Turek finished his career basketball team return to the scoring 4,024 points and grabbing top of the podium at the Rio 1,213 rebounds. He was a four-time Paralympics in September. team MVP, four-time All-American Team USA captured its and three-year team captain. He holds eighth gold medal and first school single-season records in field since 1988, by defeating Spain, goals made and points, along with 68-52 in the final. holding single-game records for points Turek, who attended SMSU scored, 3-point field goals made and Pictured is Team USA. Turek is second from the right. from 1997 to 2002 and left free throws made. the wheelchair basketball As a senior in 2001-02, he led program as the most prolific scorer in history, scored six points in the SMSU to a 27-10 record and was named MVP of the NWBA Region gold medal game victory. Tournament. The team was selected by the National Wheelchair Basketball Turek has played professionally in Europe the past 15 years, Association Men’s Player Selection Committee. including most recently for a team in Poland. He is a Council Bluffs, Turek was a member of the 2004 Paralympic team that competed Iowa native. in Athens and was a member of the 2012 team that took home bronze
SMSU Hosts 10th Annual Ag Bowl The 10th annual Ag Bowl —presented by Ralco Inc.— was held Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Schwan Regional Event Center and SREC parking lot on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University. Ag Bowl is a celebration of agriculture in Minnesota and features numerous events for both kids and adults. The sponsors of this year’s Ag Bowl include Ralco, Titan Machinery, ADM, Channel Seed, HyVee, CHS, Minnesota Corn & Soybean Growers Association, Pepsi, Syngenta, Doll Distributing, Marshall Animal Clinic, Lockwood Motors, Lyon County Corn & Soybean Growers and their check-offs, Midwest Ag Enterprises and Action Sports. New this year, the SMSU School of Agriculture offered hands-on opportunities for fans to learn more about many aspects of agriculture: apples with Holmberg Orchard, grape juice with Lac Qui Parle Valley Vineyard, soybeans with Midwest Ag Enterprises, meat with
Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI), farm safety with Southern MN Center for Agriculture, bees with Sweet Cheeks Honey, new agricultural technology with Ag Centric’s Technology Trailer, animals with Moorse Dairy and Sinclair Farm as well as many other ag topics presented by SMSU Agricultural Education students. The day was capped by the SMSU football game versus Wayne State. Proceeds generated by the Ag Bowl fund scholarships and programming for worthy student-athletes and young people who will dedicate their careers to business success in agriculture, environmental science and the food industries. SMSU’s educational programs in agriculture, environmental science and food arts & sciences develop young people who spend their careers working to grow the economic success of the agricultural industry. In acknowledgement of these efforts, the University has been the recipient of three NCAA Civic Engagement Awards for Ag Bowl.
SMSU Golf Alumna Featured in NSIC Experience Show The recent episode of The Northern Sun Experience show included an NSIC 25th Anniversary “Outstanding Alumni Feature” which highlighted Southwest Minnesota State University graduate Laura (Lundbohm) Hulsebus. Laura Hulsebus (2000-04) was a four-year letterwinner in golf and is one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history. Hulsebus, a native of Roseau, Minn., was a four-time All-NSIC honoree and led the Mustangs to four NSIC team championships from 2000-03. As a freshman in 2000, Hulsebus finished third at the NSIC championship, before winning three straight NSIC individual championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003, earning NSIC Player of the Year accolades all three seasons. In the spring of her freshman season in 2001, Hulsebus became
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the first SMSU individual to qualify for the NCAA championships, earning a 26th place finish. In the spring of 2003, Hulsebus recorded a second place finish at the NCAA region championships to earn her second trip to the NCAA championships, where she placed tied for 22nd. Following her senior season in 2003-04, Hulsebus was named the Minnesota State Collegiate Golf Association Player of the Year and became the first SMSU individual to earn National Golf Coaches Association honorable mention AllAmerican honors. Hulsebus was a six-time career medalist and finished her career holding the school record with an 82.5 stroke average. She was named the SMSU Female Student-Athlete of the Year in both 2002-03 and 2003-04. To view the show, visit www.NorthernSun.org/Experience.
[ athletics ]
SMSU Student to Compete in Deaflympics in 2017 SMSU track and field athlete Alex Weis will represent the United States at the Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey, July 18-30, 2017. Weis is a senior physical education teacher major from Luverne, Minn. He has been an advocate for the hearing impaired for quite some time, and last semester started the Sign Language Club on campus. “The purpose is to learn sign language at the basic level,” he said. “There’s been a lot of education majors attending. There’s various disabilities out there where sign language is very helpful.” Weis is hearing impaired, a condition that developed when he was two years old. “I damaged my auditory nerve when I had an ear infection,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent deaf, but I’m in that last category, ‘profound,’ before being deaf. I deal in the 10 percent area.” To compensate, he has become an excellent lip reader. “I developed it naturally over the years,” he said. “I put words and lip movement together. For some people it’s hard to read their lips, just because of the way they talk.” Sign language, like any language, has its challenges, he said. “It’s probably a little bit easier,” he said. “You’re using English with hand movements,” he said, molding one hand over his fist, with the thumb protruding, to sign a turtle, as an example. “You put things together to make it a learning experience. At the meetings, we learn the basics, the alphabet, some basic signs. I didn’t become fluent until my senior year of high school when I started getting connected with deaf coaches.” Weis is a volunteer coach for Special Olympics, working with powerlifters and track & field weight event participants. “We have athletes
from high school all the way up to 50 or 60 years old,” he said. Weis is an accomplished track & field athlete who throws the weight and shot put indoors, and the hammer, shot put and discus during the outdoor season. He holds the school record for the shot put and hammer throw outdoors, and the shot put and weight indoors. “I didn’t even know what the weight event was when I got here,” he said. “It’s 35 pounds. Outdoor, it’s the hammer. I throw it around 180 feet now, and I’d like to get over 200 this year.” His distances in the shot put, discus and hammer have qualified him for the U.S. Deaflympics team. He’s trying to raise $5,000 for the trip and those wishing to support him may do so through the USA Deaf Track & Field website at: www.usadtf.org. He’s also an outstanding student, having been named Academic AllNSIC for the outdoor and indoor seasons. He carries a GPA of 3.78. Weis will be student teaching in the fall semester 2017, and after that will be looking for a job. “I hope to stay in the southern half of Minnesota,” he said. The University’s size fits him well. “I like a smaller school, it’s best for me academically,” he said. “I like the connection with the students in the class, and the relationships with the professors.” He’s made the most out of his college experience, and urges others to become involved. “Build a network of friends. One way to do that is to try clubs you might want to be involved with, go to events sponsored by clubs. Try to burst your bubble a little bit, talk to others, you will eventually find people you want to hang out with.”
SMSU Volleyball Earns Player and Coach of the Year Honors The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced that Southwest Minnesota State University sophomore outside hitter Taylor Reiss has been named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, while head coach Terry Culhane has been named the NSIC Coach of the Year. SMSU had a total of five players named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate All-Conference teams. Joining Reiss as first-team All-NSIC honorees are senior middle blocker Eisha Oden, senior middle blocker Sarah Parker and junior setter Megan Larson, while sophomore outside hitter Kaylee Burmeister was named second team All-NSIC. Reiss, a 5-foot-10 native of Taunton, Minn., is the fourth player in program history to earn conference offensive player of the year honors, joining Char Nelson (1981), Erin Contons (2007) and Devin Diedrich (2010). Culhane, in his 13th season as head coach with a record of 334-91, earns NSIC Coach of the Year accolades for the fourth time (2005, 2007, 2012) in his tenure. Reiss leads the NSIC (conference matches only) in kills per set (4.86) and also ranks first in points per set (5.43). In 26 matches overall, she has amassed a team-high 447 kills, while hitting .307 with 256 digs and 47 blocks. The recent NCAA Division II statistics, Reiss ranks third
in kills per set (4.91), fourth in points per set (5.44) and ninth in total kills. Reiss was named first team All-NSIC in 2015 and was also named the 2015 NSIC Newcomer of the Year. Oden, a 5-foot-10 native of Marshalltown, Iowa, currently ranks second in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.416) and ranks second on SMSU with 279 kills, while hitting a team-high .407 on the season, which ranks fifth in Division II. Oden leads SMSU with 14 solo blocks and is second on the team with 82 total blocks. Oden was named NSIC Freshman of the Year in 2014 and was a second-team All-NSIC honoree. Parker, a 6-foot native of Edwardsville, Ill., is ranked fourth in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.405) and ranks second on SMSU with an overall .387 hitting percentage which ranks ninth in Division II. Parker, who ranks third on SMSU with 262 kills, has a team-leading 86 total blocks. She was named second team All-NSIC in both 2014 and 2015. Larson, a 5-foot-9 native of Minneota, Minn., has dished out 1,166 assists—ranking sixth in Division II, and ranks first nationally with 12.81 assists per set. She currently leads the conference in assists per set at 13.03. Larson, a second-team All-NSIC honoree in 2015, also has 204 digs and 37 total blocks this season. Burmeister, a 5-foot-8 native of Lakefield, Minn., ranks fourth on SMSU with 249 kills and is hitting .244. She ranks first on the squad in service aces (31) and is second in digs (278).
Complete Fall Recaps: Cross Country / Football / Golf / Soccer / Volleyball For the latest headlines, winter sports news and more, visit SMSUMustangs.com
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[ class notes ]
Snobl ’94
Ashley ’97
Cartwright ’97
1972 Muriel (Odden) Coulter and her husband, John (’71), traveled to South Africa in July 2016 for a safari, and brought school supplies and clothing for the low-income black community and schools. 1990 Todd N. Johnson was appointed the District 5 representative on the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees. He is employed at the United Community Bank in Milford, Iowa, as the vice president and chief financial officer. Todd and his wife, Kristin, have two children, Erik and Kaia.
Pohlman ’01
Deering ’02
of which are still school records. Ashley was inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 2007. Ashley lives in Sioux Falls, S.D., with his wife, Stephanie. They have two children: Shaunteva and Taylen. Tina (Walliser) Cartwright, senior vice president of information for U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, was recognized as one of the company’s three “Women Influencers of 2016.” 1999 Patti (Archterhoff) Kruger (MS) joined the Le Mars Community School District in Le Mars, Iowa as the principal for both Clark and Franklin Elementary schools.
Austin ’04
Degler ’06
2003 Michael Cumiskey (MS) is using his years of experience as Worthington Public Safety Director and chief of police in his new law enforcement teaching position at the Worthington campus of Minnesota West Technical and Community College. Mike and his wife, Leigh, have four grown children: Jillianna, Ceili, Graeme and Shannon. 2004 Atif Austin (MS) was accepted into the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship program in May 2016 to work with the Baltimore Ravens as an assistant coach this past summer. He is currently the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at North Dakota State University. Atif and his wife, Tori (’05), have three children: Djoni, Amni and AJ. Dustin Mathiowetz is the new regional branch manager for the North Branch and Isanti offices of Members Cooperative Credit Union. Sandra (Vesely) Picka and her husband, Bill, welcomed a son, Harrison Wesley, to the Mustang Family.
Boike ’09
Flatin ’10
2006 Wade Degler (MS ’10) and his wife, Christina, welcomed baby Aiden on Aug. 1, 2014. They added twins, Lukas and Madelyn, to the family on Sept. 7, 2016. Leonor May Ehuan (MS) is the new Spanish teacher at Blue Earth Area High School in Blue Earth, Andy Schlichting (MS ’08) was recently promoted to sports information director for the women’s basketball team at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He will also remain sports information director for women’s soccer.
Manthe ’13
girl, Marla Georgine, on Oct. 28, 2016. Matthew Fletcher and his wife, Aly, welcomed a baby boy, Duke Matthew, on Sept. 6, 2016. Kurtis Hedrick married Kaia Mogen on July 15, 2016 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kelli Isaacson (MS) was named the 2016 North Dakota history teacher of the year. She teaches high school at LaMoure Public School in LaMoure, N.D.
2009 Christina (Parsley) Boike and her husband, Justin, welcomed a son, Noah William, on June 13, 2016. 2007 Amy Heiderscheidt is Lucy Baker (MS) recently employed as a pharmacy retired after 25 years in the technician in the clinical 1994 2000 classroom. She spent the pharmacy at VA Regional Dr. Daniel Gregory is the Brian Knochenmus and his past several years as the Medical Center in Togus, interim provost and vice wife, Mindy, welcomed a son, grades 6-8 reading teacher in Maine, the nation’s first president for academic affairs Ozak Sieben, on Sept. 7, 2016. Akron-Westfield Community veterans’ hospital. at St. Cloud State University School District in Akron, Abby Oakland is the director for the next two years. 2001 Iowa. of basketball operations Scott Snobl has accepted a Natalie (Thoreau) Pohlman Liz (Kardell) Kluver (MBA) for the South Dakota new social science teaching was selected to perform the was named Buena Vista State University women’s position at the Barnesville National Anthem by the Iowa University Lakes Region basketball team in Brookings, Public School District in Cubs minor league baseball Adjunct Faculty Member of S.D. She spent three seasons Barnesville. Scott is also the club on May 24 in Des the Year for 2016. She is in with the SMSU Women’s new wrestling head coach for Moines, Iowa. In addition to her fifth year as careers and Basketball Program. the Trojans. running her music therapy business teacher at Spencer Katrina (Wall) Plueger and business, Friend In Deed High School in Spencer, her husband, Matt, welcomed 1995 Mobile Cheer, Natalie and Iowa, and her seventh as an a son, Reid Luverne, on June Aaron Lange was recently her husband, Jeff Beeson, are adjunct at BVU. 17, 2016. Reid joins sister, hired as the senior vice professional musicians and Rochelle (Lehman) Rank Ellie. president of technology bandmates in the Des Moines 2005 and her husband, Andy, Jacob Speer and his wife, for Marketing Architects, area. Andrea (Loosbrock) and welcomed a daughter, Stephanie (Lienemann ’13), a Minneapolis-based Ryan Gosch welcomed a Lorrigan Clara, on March 26, welcomed a daughter, Emma advertising agency. He 2002 son, Sawyer David, to the 2016. Linney, to the Mustang previously served as senior Sara Granheim (MBA ‘04) Mustang Family. Family. director of engineering and married Richard Deering Kayla (Anderson) 2008 IT at Connexions Loyalty in on May 28, 2016. The couple Reiffenberger is the new Samantha (Schrunk) Beilke 2010 Eden Prairie. welcomed a daughter, Olivia CEO of Co-op Credit Union, and her husband, Andy (’09), Erica (Spencer) Flatin Jean, on Sept. 28, 2016. based in Montevideo. welcomed a son, Arthur (MS ’12) and her husband, 1997 Matt Rosdahl is a teacher Melanie Seivert and Jacob Hayden, on Aug. 3, 2016. Bradley, welcomed a Alvin Ashley was inducted and head football coach at Westlin were married on Nicole (Schulte) Brusven daughter, Emma Rose, on into the NSIC Hall of Fame Deuel High School in Clear Aug. 4, 2012. Melanie is the and her husband, Josh (’10), Sept. 16, 2016. Emma joins a on July 12, 2016. A football Lake, S.D. director at the Minneapolis- welcomed a baby girl, Claire sister, Brooke. and basketball standout at Katie Sinksen-Derringer and Lake Street location of New Louise, on Aug. 31, 2016. Bethany Glidden married SMSU, Ashley finished his her husband, Alex, welcomed Horizon Academy. Jacob is a Claire joins a big sister, Lydia Todd Janachovsky on July football career with 252 a daughter, Emma Jane, on copy editor for Historic Sales, Joyce. 17, 2016. receptions for 4,335 yards Jan. 31, 2016. also in Minneapolis. Erich Deutsch and his wife, Sara Graf married Robert and 59 touchdowns, all three Allison, welcomed a baby Jones on July 30, 2016 at
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All cities are in Minnesota unless noted.
[ class notes ] Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Ga. Abby (Anderson) Kendrick and her husband, Cody (’11), welcomed a daughter, Kate Grace, on June 26, 2016. Daniel Krenz and his wife, Andrea, welcomed a daughter, Savannah, in May 2016. Meaghan Laetsch married Brian Mistro on June 4, 2016. Nissa Nordland married Zachary Morgan on June 16, 2016. Abygail (Williams) Switters and her husband, James, welcomed a daughter, Brielle Daisy-Elizabeth, on April 27, 2016. The family resides in Browerville. Kayla (VanKeulen) Thooft and her husband, Brad, welcomed a daughter, Kadynce Ann, on June 18, 2016. 2011 Megan (Lewis) Bonnstetter and her husband, Mike, welcomed baby Elliot Jane to the Mustang Family. Adam Henning (MS ’14) married Greta Evink (’13) on June 11, 2016. Megan (Sandgren) Jahnke and her husband, Ross, welcomed a daughter, Layla Jo, on June 27, 2016. Crystal (Hanson) Johnson was named the new Granite Falls city manager in July 2016. Crystal had served as the Dawson city manager since 2013. Heath Radke and his wife, Heather, welcomed a daughter, McKaylie Luella, on Sept. 2, 2016. Daniel Rath married Kelli Rutgers on Jan. 23, 2016. 2012 Ashley (Johnson) Becker (MS ’14) and her husband, AJ, welcomed Kuiper Jo on July 6, 2016. Craig Gartner and Makenzie Jenkins, both of Olivia, were married Aug. 27, 2016 at Gilfillan Estate in Morgan. Courtney Johnson married Cody Newgard on June 25, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sibley.
2013 Dan Carlson married Becky Arntson on July 26, 2014. Megan Gullickson married Brandon Boerboom on Sept. 24, 2016. Kiriann Lundy welcomed baby Mikiah to the Mustang Family. Molly Manthe married Tommy Linn on May 28, 2016. Corby McGlauflin is the head baseball coach at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D. Brooke (Kramer) Morris and her husband, Robert, welcomed a daughter, Brynlie, in Dec. 2014. 2014 Paula Dunn (MS) recently accepted a position with the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District in Atwater as a Title 1 teacher. Rick Karius (MBA) was named director of men’s basketball operations at the University of South Dakota. Rick was an assistant men’s basketball coach at SMSU during the 2009-10 season. Nate Meissner (MS) is the new K-12 principal at Ashby Public Schools in Ashby. He was previously a social studies teacher in Browerville for eight years. Alison Nagel has been named a women’s basketball graduate assistant at Concordia Texas in Austin, Tex. Alison was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Mustang women’s basketball team during each of her two seasons at SMSU. Kaitlyn Rabaey and Ryan Seiffert were married Oct. 8, 2016 at Stein-Boozier Barn in Wilsonville, Ore. The couple reside in Denver, Colo. Rachel Trueblood married Sean Maday (’15) on Sept. 17, 2016. 2015 Mikeal Cooper married Rebecca Sommer (’16) on May 28, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston, S.D.
Rachel Groff married Dustin Schulte on July 30, 2016. Matthew Jossart has been promoted to office manager at Gate City Bank in Alexandria. He has been with the bank since 2013 and was previously the mortgage loan officer. Brittany Stewart (MS) was recently named head softball coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Brittany recently completed her third season at Southwest Minnesota State University where she was the lead pitching and assistant hitting coach. Kayce (Brown) Olson welcomed a daughter, Olivia Noelle, to the Mustang Family. Kayla Overland married Aaron Laabs on Sept. 30, 2016. 2016 Kaitlyn Austin began her teaching career at Fillmore Central Elementary School in Preston as a first grade teacher. Hope Bonlander is the new assistant women’s basketball coach at South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, S.D. Janae (Vonk) Kazemba has taken a teaching position at Heron Lake-Okabena School, her hometown school district. Kristen Lee (MS) has been named an assistant women’s basketball coach at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. She will also serve as an admissions counselor. Jaden Rasmusson recently joined the Albert Lea branch of Farmers State Bank of Hartland as a customer service representative. Sydney Ristau has taken a position with Blue Earth Area Schools as an elementary special education teacher. She is also a graduate of Blue Earth Area High School. Davontay Stevens and Bobbie Jo Deal welcomed a daughter, Taylin Kaylee, on July 1, 2016. In November,
Several SMSU alumni are serving as tutors and coaches with Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps. Tutors pledge to one year of service in schools to help children become proficient readers by the end of third grade and proficient in math by the end of eighth grade. Pictured are, left to right: Tamara Aanenson (’07); Jessica Dibbern (’11); Kim Maag (’93, MS ’07); Jeanne Toews (’74); Jessica Chaulsett (’01); Laura Jenson (’08, MS ’13); Renee Voller (’06); and Holly Erickson (’15).
Davontay joined the SMSU Office of Admission as a counselor. He’ll be recruiting new Mustangs in Iowa and central Minnesota. IN MEMORIAM Mina J. Beck (’77) passed away Sept. 5, 2016 after a long struggle with lupus. Philip Dacey, emeritus professor of English and creative writing, died peacefully at his home in Minneapolis on July 7, 2016 after a nearly two-year battle with acute leukemia. He was 77. Dacey was a prolific poet known for what Poetry Foundation called a “dexterous use of traditional verse form.” During his teaching career at SMSU, Philip directed the creative writing program and was the founder of the Marshall Festival. Janice “Jan” Gudknecht (’76) of Roseville passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on July 2, 2016 after an extended illness. She was 61. Kyle Hahn (’14) passed away Nov. 4, 2016 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident outside of his hometown,
All cities are in Minnesota unless noted.
Waukesha, Wis. Joseph “Joey” Hollander (’07) passed away on May 31, 2016 in Sundance, Wyo., at the age of 39. Tim W. Johnson (’73) passed away Oct. 20, 2016 at the age of 69. He was a longtime swim coach and teacher at Mankato East High School in Mankato. Donald “Don” Krukow Jr. (’75), 66, of Lakeville passed away on Aug. 27, 2016. Eugene Longstrom (’73) passed away at his home in Pipestone on April 22, 2016 at the age of 64. Karen Ridlon (’96) of Little Falls passed away on May 24, 2016 at the age of 48. Steven Smith (’94) age 44 of Kerkhoven died peacefully at his home on Oct. 21, 2016. Betty Ann (Nelson) Stensgaard (’70) of Ruthton died June 11, 2016 at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She was 84. WHAT’S YOUR STORY? 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
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FOUNDATION Annual Report
Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends, I am pleased to share with you our Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors for 2015-16. The Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation board of directors and staff are very thankful for the generosity and support of our many alumni and friends who make our work possible. Our mission is to engage alumni and friends of SMSU in funding scholarships, projects and activities that benefit our students and support the strategic priorities of the University. This year, we were able to assist in supporting a number of academic programs with a matching grant program from the State to address equipment needs. Keeping current with the most advanced equipment for our programs can be a challenging task, but through partnerships with private giving and matching state funds, we are able to make significant investments in our programs. New technology for our Communication Studies program enhanced the capabilities and opportunities for our Broadcasting and Digital Media students. A new tractor and accessories opened doors for our Agronomy students to conduct research and maintain field trial plots, supporting not only their studies but research that will benefit area ag businesses. And our Exercise Science students added equipment to further enhance their ability to assist and train in the areas of wellness and human performance. All of these enhancements were made possible with private funding and gifts to support SMSU. Access and affordability will continue to be key priorities, and our ongoing scholarship fundraising is crucial to ensure opportunity for all students. SMSU offers one of the highest value and most affordable learning opportunities in the country. Private giving and support by our alumni and friends enhances that value and expands the possibilities for students to benefit from a Southwest experience. In the coming year, we will embark upon a celebration of 50 years for this great University that has given so much to so many of us. As you and your family think about your year-end giving plans, consider investing back into SMSU through the SMSU Foundation. Your gift today will ensure additional opportunities and support for our students in the years ahead. On behalf of the SMSU Foundation Board of Directors and the students, faculty and staff at SMSU, thank you for your support this past year and all that you do to make Southwest Minnesota State University a great University! Sincerely,
Bill Mulso Vice-President for Advancement Foundation Executive Director
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FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
Foundation Support for FY 2016 $3,105,504 Academic and Program Support $579,840
Fundraising $494,493
2015-2016 Foundation
Board of Directors
President Dorene Kronke-McCourt ‘73
Scholarships $711,302
1st Vice President Brian Knochenmus ‘00
University Development $1,319,869
2nd Vice President Bruce Saugstad ‘89 Secretary/Treasurer Kristi Mukomela ‘80
Net Assets & Foundation Support
Past President Diane Taylor ‘75
FY 2009–FY 2016
$5,338,918 FY 2009 $6,682,038 $3,087,727 FY 2010 $6,839,030 FY 2011
$2,578,221 $8,600,180
FY 2012
$2,704,687 $9,757,887
FY 2013
$3,068,921 $11,035,097
FY 2014
$3,394,660 $12,646,210
FY 2015
$2,993,367 $13,337,874
FY 2016
$3,105,504 $12,904,271
Foundation Support Total Net Assets
Robert Aufenthie Julie Bleyhl ‘84 Jerry Bly ‘71 Vicki Brockman ‘82 Timothy Burns ‘72 Bill DeLay ‘85 Lee French ‘72 Robert Gunther ‘77 Dick Jones ‘73 Jim Kontz Dan Koster ‘85 Jefferson Lee ‘96/’11 Mary Meaden Charles Myrbach Ken Mukomela Ashanti Payne Mike Rich Karen Sweetland Bill Toulouse ‘94 Cindy Verschaetse Brad Winkelman ‘91
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
17
Honor Roll of Donors 2015-2016 Presidential Benefactors Society $1,000,000 + cumulative Presidential Patrons Society $500,000 - $999,999 cum. Presidential Fellows Society $250,000 - $499,999 cum. Presidential Benefactors Society Alumni & Friends DC McFarland Business Aramark Corporation Bremer Bank Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation Schwan’s Shared Services, LLC The Schwan Food Company Presidential Patrons Society Alumni & Friends Deeann Griebel ’80 Business Minnesota Corn Growers Association Sather Farms Presidential Fellows Society Alumni & Friends Karen LeShufy Business Archer Daniels Midland Company CHS Foundation Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Otto Bremer Trust Ralco Nutrition, Inc. Ralph Manwarren Charitable Trust US Bancorp Cornerstone Society Alumni & Friends **David & Cecelia Danahar Mark Edelmann ’75 Brian Gruhot & Kristin Gruhot ’93 Robert Lockwood Thomas McCourt & Dorene Kronke-McCourt ’73 Dorothy McGuiggan Orian Muecke ’75 & Sue Muecke Business Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Buuck Family Foundation D & G Excavating Ecolab Inc Hy-Vee Food Store LeAnn Tolk Charitable Fund Marshall Radio R & G Construction
Cornerstone Society $100,000 - $249,999 cum. Landmark Society $50,000 - $99,999 cum. Benefactors Society $25,000 - $49,999 cum.
SMSU Booster Club Southwest Initiative Foundation UniPro Foodservice, Inc. Upper Midwest Employers Association Landmark Society Alumni & Friends **Doug & JoAnne Fraunfelder *Connie J. Gores Sheldon & Margery Haaland **William Hezlep Marilyn Kontz ’71 **Robert & Premjit Larsen Chet Lockwood & Nicole Lockwood ’10 **Kenneth & Gwen Mukomela *Bill Mulso ’93 & *Stacie Mulso ’94 Thomas & Linda Sanders **Dan Snobl & Mary Snobl ’88 Karen Sweetland Michael Thomas & Jennifer Thomas ’95 **Joseph & **Eileen VanWie Beth Weatherby & Steve Kramer Darrel Wiener ’75 & Karen Wiener ’74 Business AgStar Financial Services Annexstad Family Foundation Bank of the West - Marshall Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC Borch’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Carr Properties East River Electric Power Cooperative Edelmann Management Company First USA Bank, N.A. Great Plains Natural Gas Company Hardees Hormel Food Corporation KHC Construction, Inc. Lockwood Motors, Inc. Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative Marshall Public School District 413 McLaughlin & Schulz, Inc. Midwest United Insurance Services, Inc.
University Society $10,000 - $24,999 cum. President’s Society $5,000 - $9,999 cum.
Minnesota Pork Board Pepsi Cola Bottling Company Schwan Food Company Fund of the Bank of America Slumberland of Marshall Southwest Tour Travel/ Southwest Coaches, Inc. Southwest Marketing Advisory Council The McFarland Company US Bancorp Foundation Grants Program Wells Fargo Foundation Benefactors Society Alumni & Friends Frederick & **Debra Almer ’76 **Joseph & Cathy Amato Kevin Anundson ’82 & Karla Anundson Bradley Baune Michael Bjerkesett ’71 Diane Cohen ’72 & Jerrold Cohen *Scott & *Laura Crowell Neil Frost ’93 & *Stacy Frost ’93 David Grong ’76 & Linda Grong Barbara Habstritt **Jack & **Mary Hickerson *Christopher Hmielewski ’98 & Mary Jo Hmielewski ’04 Robert Jacobson & Jill Vroman Dave & *Sharon Kabes James Kerkaert & *Deb Kerkaert ’88 Dennis Larson ’71 & **Maren Larson ’89 Burton Magnuson ’04 & Paula Decker John (Jack) McLaughlin Tom & Liz McLaughlin James Moline *David Pichaske & Michelle Payne Pichaske ’88 Doug Pilgrim & *Jan Loft Lenny & Judy Pippin Nathan Polfliet ’00 & Angel Polfliet **Lloyd & Linnea Raymond *Michael & Arlene Rich Kim & Carolyn Runholt Thomas Sand
Bellows Club $1,000 - $4,999 annual Founders Club $500 - $999 annual Century Club $100 - $499 annual
Bruce Saugstad ’89 & Linda Saugstad ’90 **David & Marlys Simpson Michael Springman ’73 & Tracey Springman **Michael & **Karen Sterner **Mary Jane Striegel Dan & Kathy Sussner Jim & Teah Swenson David Taylor & Diane Taylor ’75 Patrick Wands ’85 Ronald & Sandra Wood **James & *Marianne Zarzana Business 212 Strategies, LLC Action Manufacturing, Inc ACMC Health Ameriprise Financial - Tom VanderHagen Aramark Basin Electric Power Cooperative Bisbee Plumbing & Heating Bremer Wealth Management Buffalo Ridge Concrete, Inc. Burger King of Marshall Cattoor Oil Company, Inc. CHS Inc. CHS Inc. - Marshall Davisco Foods International, Inc. Great River Energy Heartland Consumers Power District Helena Chemical Company - Marshall Henle Printing Company Hoffman & Brobst, PLLP ING ReliaStar Life Insurance Company K.T.’s Kitchens, Inc. Land O’Lakes Foundation Land Service Company of Wisconsin Mardag Foundation Marshall Independent Material Distributors, Inc. (MDI) Merck Foundation Midwest Ag Enterprises, Inc. Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Minnwest Bank, M.V. North Star Mutual Insurance Company
Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation, Inc. PPG Industries Foundation Quarnstrom & Doering, P.A. Rock-Tenn Company Runnings Schott Foundation Shooters Sporting Clays State Farm Companies Foundation Subway The Farm Credit System Foundation, Inc. United FCS US Bancorp Foundation US Bancorp Vendor Services Viking Coca Cola Walter L. Mann Estate Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, NA Western Print Group University Society Alumni & Friends **Randy Abbott & Jill Buitendyk ’92 *Timothy Alcorn ’89 & Bobbie Alcorn Michelle Anderson ’88 Harvey Angel ’73 Robert Archbold Robert Aufenthie & Ramona Nagel Bonnie Babcock *Daniel Baun ’83 & *Linda Baun ’85 Thomas & Gayle Birath Brian Bjella & Krista Bjella ’96 *Paul & Nancy Blanchard Jerald Bly ’71 & Ricke Bly ’73 Greg & Paula Boerboom ’91 Charles & Katherine Bonifas Tyler Bowen ’95 & Susan Bowen ’95 *Patricia Brace Carol Bragg Brian & Kathy Brandt Leland Bush ’73 & Pamela Bush ’72 **Edward & Linda Carberry Duane Carrow James Checkel Jim & Mrs. Kim Christianson *Terrence Culhane ’78 & Sandra Culhane ’78
2012-2013 July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee This Honor Roll of Donors lists annual contributors of gifts of $100 or more for the period between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016, 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 at www.SMSUFoundation.org
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FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
Donald & Phyllis Danielson **Carmen DeKoster Debbie Denbeck Rick & Linda Dennis John & Stephanie DeVos ’12 David & Carol Drown Eric Eben & Neenah Eben ’04 Terry & Roxanne Eberle **Conrad & Marcia Eckstrom Bradley Engebretson ’76 & *Jill Engebretson James & Michele Engels Dave & Pam Epperly **Ed & **Connie Evans Cameron & Joanne Fanfulik Robert & Sandra Fenske William Fenske ’84 & Anne Fenske *Sara Fier ’93 & Bryan Fier Daniel Fischer & Jan Nordin-Fischer Terrence Fogarty ’82 & Karen Fogarty *Mark Fokken Shawn Foy Joann Fredrickson ’84 Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Jim & Jan Fuhrmann *Vaughn Gehle ’82 Mitch Glover ’85 & Jane Glover ’84 Mabel Grong Robert Gunther ’77 & Jill McCartney Tom & Sue Handeland Lois Henkel ’72 Mike & Jean Henle Patrick & Sharon Hennen James & Deb Hey Tom & Fran Hill **Keigh Hubel James Hubley ’74 & Barbara Hubley ’75 *Brent Jeffers & Mary Jeffers ’02 Randy & **Deb Johnson Violet Johnson Richard Jorgensen ’72 & Barbara Jorgenson **Charles Kauffman John Kern ’75 & Lynda Kern ’77 *Jeff Kolnick & Rosa Tock **Michael Kopp & *Vicky Brockman ’82 George & Jane Korver Michael Kramer ’94 & Alecia Kramer ’94 *Ann Lanners ’08 Vincent & Anne LaPorte Therese Larsen Gregory & Rebecca Lecy Rena Lockwood Thomas & Colette Lehrke John & Kathy Loe *Kelly Loft ’97 & Kari Loft ’96 Sandy & Peggy Ludeman Joe & Kim Ludowese Susan Madsen
Irene Maertens C. Paul & Carole Martin Bill & Roz McCormack Marilyn McLaughlin **George & Rïse Mitchell Bruce & Debra Mitlyng ’85 **Roger Mohr Gordon & Jenice Molitor Ruth Mortier **Sandy Mosch ’79 Kristi Mukomela ’80 Charles Muller & *Rolly Muller ’85 **Charles Myrbach James Ness & Carole Toft-Ness ’80 Kenneth & Janice Noyes *William & Pam Pavot John Paxton ’71 & Kathy Paxton ’69 Vincent & Marcy Pellegrino Duke Pogatchnik Karl Porisch ’03 & Shirley Anderson-Porisch Warren & Ardella Quarnstrom **Thaddeus Radzilowski Leland & Norma Raske Dennis & Adele Reed David & Bette Reeder Thomas Roberts & Deanna Getschel Roberts *Don Robertson ’84 & Marci Robertson Anthony & Michelle Rossman **Alvin Rusk & **Joan Rusk ’82 Steve & Juli Sanders Matt Schnoor & Amanda Schnoor ’09 Brandon & Lauri Skewes *Tim Steinbach & Christy Steinbach ’15 Mark & Claudia Stenson Mike & *Elizabeth Struve Daniel Sumerfelt ’81 Mark Sunwall ’74 & Deborah Sunwall **Eileen Thomas *William Thomas & Candace Thomas ’08 *Gerald Toland & Mary Toland ’96 William Toulouse ’94 & Traci Toulouse Doug & Carole Treadway Pat & Karen VanKeulen ’87 Ronald VanLerberghe Robert Walker ’98 & Nancy Walker ’02 *Ross Webskowski ’02 & Heather Webskowski ’98 Mike & **Lorraine Weverka Daniel & Carleen Wiersma Scott & Terry Williams Chad & Sandy Wyffels Dale W. Youngern Business 3M Foundation AgriBank AgStar Financial Services Alden Merritt Enterprises LLC
Alltel Corporation American Insurance Administrators, Inc. American Legion Post #113 ATM Network, Inc. Breyfogle Auto Sales Burger King Corporation Buysse Roofing Systems & Sheet Metal Co. Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration Cars Limited Coca Cola Bottlers’ Foundation Cottonwood Co-op Oil Company Credit Bureau of Marshall, Inc. Dale W. Youngern Trust Domino’s Pizza Duane Anderson Chartered DuPont Hi-Bred International Dupont Pioneer-Northern Business Unit F & M Bank Minnesota Clarkfield First Independent Bank Floor to Ceiling Store General Mills Granite Falls Bank Great Plains Sports, LLC Gregory G. Lecy, D.D.S. Harvest Land Cooperative Heartland Corn Products Hitching Post of Marshall, Inc. Hubbard Foundation Jennie-O Turkey Store Jim’s Clothing & Sporting Goods John V. or Esther McLaughlin Foundation Kyle B. Petersen Farms Marco Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau McNeely Foundation MDU Resources Foundation Meier Electric, Inc. Midwest Aviation Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Minnesota Pork Producers Association Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council Minnwest Bank, M.V. National Collegiate Athletic Association National Endowment For The Humanities Nationwide Foundation NB Golf Cars, Inc. Papa John’s Pizza Perkin’s Family Restaurant Prairie Pride Cooperative Preferred One Prudential Foundation Ramada Marshall
Red Rock Rural Water System Reinhart Food Service, LLC Research Chefs Association Skewes Jewelry Smile Designers, Michael R. Thomas, DDS, PLLC Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Southwest Ophthalmology Associates, P.A. State Farm Insurance Company, Kevin Anundson State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Strategic Marketing Services, Inc. The Rosen Family Foundation Titan Machinery TPI Hospitality Traveler’s Lodge Motel 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 Brad & Monica Anderson Douglas Anderson Susan Anderson Joseph & Helen Andries Wilfredo & Alice Apostol Shirlee Bailey Lee Barrett ’83 Gregory & Mary Bartz Lawrence & Elizabeth Baun Gary & Marjory Becker David & Pam Bednar Frank Belmont ’76 & Rebecca Belmont Dale Berkner ’78 & Dianne Berkner Eli & Mary Berry James Beyer ’97 & *Noelle Beyer ’97 Steven Binder ’79 & Debbie Binder Greg Bladholm Michael Blum ’77 & Louise Blum Eric Bly ’02 & Erica Bly ’02 Todd & Jane Bock Jeff Bonstetter & *Rhonda Bonnstetter ’96 John & Margaret Bornhoft Greg Bossuyt & *Carol Bossuyt ’15 Mark Bosveld & Stacey Voit Mark Boulton & Deborah Boulton ’93 Cal & Deb Brink
Brian Bromen ’72 & *Melissa Bromen ’74 **Glen Bruns ’85 & Mary Bruns ’75 Thomas Brutscher ’85 Don & Susan Buhl Julie Caron David Caslavka ’91 Greg & Sue Cattoor John Chute ’77 & Debra Chute Stan & Katherine Claussen Edmond & Nina Conway **Verna Cornish Bruce Cox & Constance Smith-Cox Chad Crow ’72 & Marilyn Crow **Hugh & Linda Curtler Jeremy Daberkow Nathan Dahlager ’98 & *Cori Dahlager ’98 Kevin & Nancy Dahlman Fran & Syl DeBaere Tim Deutz & Jennifer Deutz ’84 Betsy & Martin Draper Harlan & Teri Dreessen John Drown & Patricia Drown ’71 Scott Dubbelde ’84 & Diane Dubbelde ’87 Tim & Marlene Dufault Faye Eckternacht Eric & Brandy Eidsness Joe & Sarah Ektanitphong **Robert & **Maryann Eliason Michael & Pamela Ellingson Curtis Enestvedt ’71 & Debra Enestvedt Kevin & Cheryl Evans Oliver & Mary Ford **Gary Frandson & Mary Frandson ’71 James & *B.C. Franson Charles Freiss & Catherine Schlagel ’76 Steve & Linda Fruechte Randy & Pamela Galbraith ’80 *Stuart Galstad ’72 Everett Garlisch ’72 Julia Gaskell ’83 & Pete Gaskell **Pat & LaVern Gawarecki David & Linnea Genereux *John & Leanna Ginocchio Jeffery Gladis ’87 & *Pam Gladis ’95 George Goblish & Jenifer Goblish ’99 **John Gochenouer & *Denise Gochenouer ’02 Thomas Good ’73 & Annette Good *Mark Goodenow Forrest Gorter ’73 & Mary Ferron Curtis & Kristy Griffin Joanne Groenewold ’76 Randy Groff ’84 & Patty Groff
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
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Jason Gruhot ’88 & Mariela Gruhot Sharon Gruhot William Hanson ’77 & Jan Hanson ’75 Jonathan Harley ’72 & Donna Harley Shane Hastings ’92 & Penny Hastings Darin & Nancy Hegland **Don Hein & **Julie Hein ’71 Marvin & Jan Hey Michael Hickman ’74 & Sharon Hickman Mark Hodder ’87 & Xunyu Qian **Sandy Hoffbeck ’74 Brian & Sandi Hoffman Daniel & Ronaele Hoffman Jason Hoffman ’99 & Pam Hoffman Ken Holm & *Cyndi Holm ’79 *Diana Holmes ’12 Michael Holmes ’85 Bryon Hotzler ’72 & Laura Hotzler ’72 **Marcia & Jerry Hubner Owen Jensen ’71 & Darlene Jensen James & **Ann John ’77 Brad Johnson ’73 & Deborah Johnson David Johnson ’72 & Lourdes Vasquez De Johnson Richard & Margaret Jolstad Lyn Kaczmarek Kienholz & Mike Kaczmarek Ralph & Mena Kaehler Randy & Susan Kamrath Paula Kelly ’89 & John Kelly Marc & Melissa Klaith Karen & Don Klinkner Carlos & Jean Knakmuhs Todd Konietzko ’85 & Kelly Konietzko ’84 Brian & Nancy Kor ’83 **Charles Kost & *Elizabeth Desy David & *Brittany Krull ’04 Robert & Donna Kruse Russ & *Debra Labat **Marilyn Leach Steven Leaf ’76 Daniel Lee ’83 & Karolee Knudson-Lee Stephen & Mary Jane Lindholm ’83 Daniel & Kim Lippert **Max & Mary Lord Jon Maker ’78 & Rhonda Maker David & Julie Marquardt Joel Mathiowetz Darlene Mattke ’74 Patrick McCoy *Susan McLean David Meier ’84 & **Nancy Gerber-Meier Thomas Meulebroeck ’73 & Veronica Meulebroeck
Perry & Lou Ann Meyer Keith Miller & Cheryl Miller ’89 Tim Moberg ’71 & Judy Moberg Dwight & Dawn Mork Larry & Michelle Muff David Musser ’81 & Tammy Musser ’81 Diane Nagel ’73 & Gregory Posch **David & Judith Nass Jan Nelson ’73 Paula Nelson ’72 & Stephen Krumpe Daniel Nesdahl ’97 Ron & Karen Obermoller James & Kelli O’Connor Thomas Odland ’72 & Pamela Odland Steven Otto ’79 & Teresa Otto **Girard Parnell ’71 & Diane Parnell **David & Marica Patterson Mary & George Peichel Craig Pellerin **Lloyd Petersen & Rennae Petersen ’86 Les & Mary Jo Plumley ’81 Lynn & Kelly Plumley MaJa Pogatchnik James Polejewski ’87 & Gail Polejewski ’93 Don & Mary Polfliet John & Kathy Pollock David Potter ’77 Anne Pryor ’82 Thomas Quarnstrom ’75 Brian Rademacher & Lisa Rademacher ’93 Daniel Reed ’76 Dawn Reed ’74 & Doug Thiesen **Roger & Karen Reede Lois Reinert ’71 Robert Reinhart ’75 **Jean Replinger Michael & Rosemary Rizzo Joe Roers ’05 & **Betty Roers ’05 Marsha Rose ’94 **James & Aileen Rowe Dolores Rysdahl ’71 Larry & Dawn Schiavo Mike Schneider Steven & Loronda Schuler *Robert Schwoch ’02 **George & Peggy Seldat Randy Serreyn ’82 & Roxanne Serreyn ’82 **Lew & Judith Shaver ’95 Richard & Mary Shearer **Sherwin Skar & Kathryn Jones James Smalley & Sara Runchey *Connie & Paul Smisek Alan Smith ’71 & Evelyn Smith Cynthia Sorenson ’80 **Richard & Carol Spencer ’97
Gary St. Aubin ’82 & Wendy St. Aubin Greg Stemen ’01 David Strom ’75 & Vicki Strom ’75 John Suedbeck Jerry & Linda Svoboda Lonnie & Jeannie Swenson Randy & Leann Tatge Alison & John Tauer Kristina Taylor ’87 Jeff Tetrick ’72 & Chris Tetrick Doug Theis David Thomas Jeff & Colleen Thompson Eric & Tamara Thorn Bruce & Ann Tiffany Kathy Tjosaas Paul & Cynthia Torkelson Thomas Vandendriessche ’77 & Janet Vandendriessche Gary & *Debbie VanOverbeke ’89 Joseph & Shirley VanOverbeke David Verkinderen ’90 & Krista Verkinderen **Gene & Brenda Verschelde Timothy & Mary Jean Waibel Mark & Michelle Wilcox Joe & Jane Willett Harmon Wilts & Gina Kelly-Wilts Brad Winkelman ’91 & Alison Winkelman ’91 Michael & Susan Wudel Terry Wynia ’87 & *Lori Wynia Hans & Shana Zahrbock Thomas & DeVonna Zeug John & Kara Zimmerman James & Emily Zwach Business 509 Design A&W Absolute Energy Ace Hardware Action Sports, Inc All My Favorites Alliance Pipeline L.P. American Hotel Foundation, Inc. AmericInn Motel & Suites Ameriprise Financial Randy Groff AP Design BENCO Electric Cooperative Beverage Wholesalers, Inc. Big Stone Therapies Marshall, LLC Bladholm Construction, Inc. Bot Appliance & Electronics Brownlee & Hayes, Inc. CACI Integrated Communications Carrow’s Marshall Cleaners
Charter Communications Company Chase Manhattan Foundation Chemical Bank Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program Communicating for Agriculture Complete Health Center Daley Farm of Lewiston, LLP Deluxe Check Printers Foundation Dental Health Center Doom & Cuypers, Inc. Edward D. Jones - Mike Snodgrass Eickhoff Enterprises, Inc. Equitable Foundation(The) Farmland Foundation First Independent Bank Fran’s Communications Gene’s Sporting Goods, Inc. of Marshall Gene’s Sporting Goods, Inc. of Minneota Great Western Bank Greta C Berry Trust Helena Chemical Company Hennen Seeds Hormel Foods Charitable Trust Horty Elving & Associates, Inc. IBM Matching Grants Program J. R. Farms, Inc. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches Johnson Family Dental Care Kruse Auto Sales Land O’Lakes, Inc. Larson’s Home Furnishings - Marshall H. W. Linder Lockheed Martin Corporation Ludowese A E Inc. Lyon County Corn and Soybean Growers Assocation Lyon County Farm Service JV Marco, Inc. Marcotte Jewelry LTD Marshall Area YMCA Marshall Pizza Partners, LLC McDonald’s of Redwood Falls Medtronic Foundation Mike’s Cafe Minnesota FFA Foundation Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Minnesota Valley Communications, Inc. Mister Cool’s Clothing Monsanto Company Moving Forward Advisory Council, Inc
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee
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FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
NE Foods, Inc. New Life Farms, LLLP Northrop Grumman Foundation Northwestern Farm Management Olson & Johnson International, Inc. On Campus Marketing, LLC. Pine Lake Wild Rice Farm Prairie’s Edge Casino Preferred Health Chiropractic Prinsco, Inc. Quality Inn R & R Imdieke Farms Randall W. Johnson, D.D.S. Renville County Farm Bureau Sandra L. Fuhr Family Trust Sanford Health Senspire LLC Sherman Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Silvercrest Charolais SMSU Accounting Club SMSU Alumni Association SMSU HRS/Culinology SMSU President’s Office SMSU Theatre Department Southwest Cattlemen’s Association Southwest MN Arts & Humanities Council Southwest Pallets Southwest Sanitation State Farm Insurance Charlie Aufenthie Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Stoneberg, Giles & Stroup, P.A. Sussner Construction, Inc. Tanner Systems, Inc. Thalmann Seeds, Inc. TRW Foundation TSP Twin Oak Acres United FCS United Southwest Bank US Bank Varsity Pub Wherley Moving & Storage Wilson O’Brien Realtors Yellow Medicine East Independent School Dist. 2190 Bellows Club Alumni & Friends Sheila Anderson ’95 & Steven Anderson *Brad Bigler ’02 & Heather Bigler ’05 David Devine Cathy DeVos ’74 Kory & Amy Grant Scott & Robbin Hilgert Benjamin & Dawn Jacobson Todd & Kimberly Jeffers
Jonathan Kubat ’07 & Sarah Kubat ’10 Mike & Michele Leary Kasey Linde ’11 & Nicholas Linde Wilfried & *Olga Reuvekamp Derek Rignell ’06 & Raftyn Rignell Shelly Schell Mitsue & Frank Shindo Steve & Deb Sjostrom Ronald Weidauer Trust Business AVERA Health Edward Jones - Neil Frost First Bank & Trust Garner Chiropractic Center P.C. Laleman Construction Liberty Mutual Marshall VFW Baseball Operations Peterson Farms Seed Plumley Farms, Inc. Schwab Charitable Fund SW Minnesota Stars LLC University of Northern Iowa Waste Management Founders Club Alumni & Friends Bruce Aamot ’76 & Lori Aamot Jason Adams ’94 & Kami Adams ’95 *Tramel Barnes ’13 Adam Bergren ’01 & Suzanne Bergren *Barb Berkenpas ’08 Thomas Boerboom ’74 & Susan Boerboom Tina Cartwright ’97 & Chad Cartwright Marvin & Charlene Chandler Paul Choudek ’82 & Julie Choudek ’84 *Kris Cleveland Robert & Kathy Condon Mary Dise Al & Mary Eggermont Jacob Fahl ’03 & Angela Fahl ’04 John Fischer ’89 & Mary Fischer *Lee French ’72 & Joann French ’75 Ann Marie Gifford ’71 & Craig Gifford ’71 Gary & Sarah Gimbel *Jennifer Graven ’03 & Kyle Graven Joy Hellie ’88 & Peter Hellie ’84 Larry & Barbara Henle Gary Johnson ’75 & Susan Johnson Richard & Pam Jueneman Linda Kimber ’83 Gary & Joleen Koch Chris Koep ’12
Wayne & Kerry Koepp Allison Kruger Brian & Bonnie Kruse Carlton Lance ’94 & Angela Lance ’92 Thomas & Sherri Landmark James Louwagie ’86 & Julie Louwagie Michael Meier ’98 & Cat Abbott ’09 *Jessica Mensink ’04 & Tony Mensink David Meulebroeck ’76 & Karen Meulebroeck **Joland & **Howard Mohr Beth & Brent Nelson *Linda Nelson ’92 & Jon Nelson *Lynn & *Barbara Okrina *Christine Olson *Raphael & Lillian Onyeaghala ’15 Bradley & Sue Peterson ’89 Sigmund Peterson ’78 & Karen Peterson Alex Pirkl Kevin & DeAnn Reese Ann Roemen ’84 & Daniel Beacom Richard Roesler Scott & Staci Saugstad *Cory & Amy Sauter Andrew Schlichting ’06 Jason Sharkey ’01 & Gretchen VollrathSharkey Laurie Shaw ’82 & Michael Qualls John Smith ’74 & Becky Smith Linda Telste ’74 Jennifer Thatcher *Sonya Vierstraete ’01 & Dustin Vierstraete ’14 John Warnert ’86 Ryan Wendland ’02 & *Marcy Olson ’93 Amy & Troy Womack Business AgStar Financial Services Aspect Ag AURI BST Marshall Inc. LLC Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation City of Benson CU Mortgage Direct, LLC Decker Concrete, Inc. Doll Distributing LLC Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Guiding Light Marketing Hayfield Activity Fund, District 203 Heartland Mechanical Illinois Tool Works Foundation Johnson Memorial Health Services Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial ISD 2071
M & B Farms, Inc. Madden Upholstery of Marshall Madison Ambulance Service, Inc. Marshall Festivals, Inc. Marshall Frame Shop Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Inc. Minnesota Cooperative Education Foundation New Vision Co-Op (Luverne) Sheldon Community School District Sheraton Maui SMSU Athletic Department Sole-Mates, LLC Swine Vet Center, PA The Baxter International Foundation The Church of The Holy Redeemer Wood Lake Lumber Century Club Alumni & Friends Brett Aasen ’89 Susan Acker Chad Adams ’96 & Ann Adams ’97 Mary Adkins ’74 & Buddie Adkins Debra Ahlers *Jorun & Alan Ahmann Tim Alger Linda Allen ’84 & Jeffrey Allen Jeff & Bonnie Allen Rod & Peggy Anderson *Peggy & Doug Anderson *Jessica Anderson ’07 & Justin Anderson *Chris Anderson Brent Anderson ’83 & Rebeca Anderson Trevor Anderson ’04 Paul Anderson ’93 & Julie Anderson Kimberly Anderson ’89 Brian Anderson ’74 & Lea Anderson A. Eric Anderson Dennis Anderson ’92 & Marjorie Anderson Allan Antony ’74 & Jeanine Full-Antony Joyce Arends ’98 & Paul Arends Lisa Armstrong **Kathleen Ashe & John Bunge Bradley Bacon ’92 & Renee Bacon Eric Baertsch ’98 & Lori Baertsch Marvin Bahn ’75 & Janet Bahn Jane Balch ’70 Debra Banks ’75 & Richard Banks Calvin Barnett
Daniel & Angela Bastian Debbi Bauer Jean Baun *Michelle Beach Kathryn Beaumaster Michael & Dianne Bechtel Gary & Teresa Becker Emily Bell Rena Benedict ’72 Charles Beranek ’96 & Heidi Beranek ’96 Michael & Katherine Berg David & Lynn Bergren Dianne & Douglas Bettin Nancy & Kevin Bitterman Kathryn Bixby John Blomme ’90 & Kristin Blomme ’89 Deb Bloom *Tyler Boddy ’14 Reuben & Judy Bode Dan Boe Dean & Jeanette Boerboom Joe & Antoinette Borgerding Kimberly Bornitz ’04 Marshall & Susan Bosworth Jon Bot ’80 & Susan Bot F Bouman **David Braaten Dale Bradtke ’85 Patrick Brady ’71 Jason Branby ’89 & Vineeta Branby Gerry & Jodie Bredlow Stan & Rebecca Brewers Donna Brooks Douglas Brooks Joe Broze Darlyne Brunsvold James Buchanon ’85 & Lois Buchanon Robert Bueltel ’84 & Sue Bueltel *Deb Buerkley Alana Bunkers ’77 & William Bunkers Karen & Robert Bunne Jeffrey Burch ’92 & Brenda Burch ’93 Faye & Gene Burgen Keith & Mary Burger Hal Burstein ’87 & Gail Burstein John Buseth ’86 & Vicki Buseth Steve Bush ’76 & Sonya Bush JoAnn Buysse ’76 Charles Buysse ’82 & Sharon Buysse Robert & Brenda Byrnes Mary Cardinal ’71 & Rodney Cardinal ’71 Brett Carlson ’92 & Loretta Carlson Mary Alice Carlson *Patricia Carmody ’80 & Sean Carmody ’81 Linda Caron ’84
Alan Carpenter ’72 & Anne Carpenter ’75 Nicholas Carrow ’03 & Kristina Carrow ’05 Marri Carrow ’08 David Carrow ’84 & Laura Carrow Elizabeth Carstens ’74 Charles Chalberg ’73 James & Judith Chittick David Christensen & Julie Anne Solberg Christensen *Amy Christensen ’00 & Carmen Christensen Gary Christianson ’84 & Jean Christianson Bruce & Joyce Clapham Brenan Clark ’01 & Laura Clark ’01 John Clark ’76 & Kristi Clark *Wendy Claussen Schoolmeester ’87 & Dean Schoolmeester ’94 Margaret Cline Tiffany Clouser Katherine Coleman ’71 & Wayne Coleman Jon & Jolene Comentino Diane & Jim Cook Gregory & Stacie Cook Yolanda Cotterall Christy Coudron ’92 & Steven Coudron Michael Cox ’73 & Cheryl Cox Matthew Crellin ’76 & Joan Cochran Kevin Crowley Patrick Culhane ’12 *Sean Culhane ’05 *Michelle Dahl Clifford Dahm ’72 & Patty Dahm Lisa Dallenbach *Mary Ellen DaniloffMerrill Rassoul Dastmozd ’83 Peter & Elizabeth Davis *Stephen & Carrie Davis Loretta Day *Stewart Day & Rebecca Day ’11 Jane DeAustin ’73 & Bob DeAustin *Emily Deaver Kevin DeBoer ’87 & Nicole Johnson-DeBoer ’90 Laura & Mike Decker Louis & Patricia Decker Sara Deering ’02 & Richard Deering Dave Deines ’93 & Kimberly Deines ’95 Alan DeLeeuw ’76 & Jane DeLeeuw **James & Marilyn Denevan David & Monica Desmet Allen Deutz ’07 & Kathleen Deutz ’06 Brian & Dorothy DeVos
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
21
Kris & Grant Dicke Mary Jo Dierickx ’84 Carolyn Dindorf ’83 Richard Dinello ’78 Todd & Brenda Dirckx Tammy Distad ’86 Joe Dittrich ’81 Michelle & Nicholas Doeling John Doherty ’79 & Kim Doherty Lon Dopp ’93 & *Jill Dopp ’93 Michael Dove Ian & Laurie Eddleston Carol Egan ’74 & Peter Egan ’74 Brian Ehlenbach ’01 & Shawna Ehlenbach Charles & Kari Ehlers ’99 Patrick Eichten ’93 & Jenny Eichten Gary Eickhoff ’73 & Joyce Eickhoff **Dianne Eis Karen & Michael Eischens Sandra Eisenbarth Mark & Sandy Enemark David Engel ’72 **Bonnie & Gordon Engesmoe Tyler Engquist ’02 & Jill Engquist ’02 Mary Erbes ’92 & Gary Erbes ’90 Sarah Ericksen ’97 Christine Erickson ’73 & James Erickson Evelyn Ernst ’71 & Carl Ernst Craig Feldman ’99 & Stacey Feldman ’98 Lyle & Shan Fellenz Aju Fenn & Ann Simpson Jaclyn Ferrier Molly Feterl ’90 Thomas Fick Corey & Kari Fiedler Ken Fiedler Monica Finley David Fischenich ’96 & Joni Fischenich ’88 Denise Fisher Quentin Fixen & Carla Fixen ’11 Leonard & Kelli Flack Steve Fleck ’90 & Cindy Fleck ’92 Michael Foutch ’82 & Shelley Foutch James Fox ’76 & Laurinne Fox ’76 *Brian & Jennifer Frana Tom & Karen Francis Dennis Frederickson & Marjorie Frederickson ’79 Michele Freye Chantelle Frie ’07 Karen Friedrichs ’71 Jayson & Sheila Fultz Jerry Fury Sandra Gaisie
George Gardner ’72 & Joann Gardner David Garman ’76 & Nancy Garman *Brett Gaul ’00 & Anita Gaul Linda Geist Richard & Kathryn Geist Robert Geist Thomas Gelhar ’78 & Lynn Gelhar Scott Gilbertson ’90 & DeAnn Gilbertson ’90 Gary & Patricia Gillin Robin Gillispie ’74 & Carol Heselton Alexandra Gillund Brent Gish ’73 & Gayle Gish **Joan Gittens Shirley Gladitsch ’75 & Miles Gladitsch Cheryl & Tom Glaeser Thomas Goblirsch ’75 & Lisa Goblirsch Richard Goehring ’94 Diane & Terry Gonnerman Kay Gonzales ’73 & Jamie Gonzales Wendy & Jeffrey Graham Thomas Grant & Francie Lacey-Grant Allen Grayson Virginia Gregg ’72 Leah Grobove ’87 & Marvin Grobove Marcella Groen ’85 & Jerry Groen ’85 Richard Groothuis ’78 & Jane Groothuis Douglas Gross ’88 & Laurie Gross Bryan & Vicky Grove Daniel Gruhn ’06 Sanford Gruhn ’76 & Joyce Gruhn Bradley Gruhot ’98 & Karen Gruhot ’99 Phyllis Grussing ’71 & Duane Grussing *Christian & *Kim Guenther Gwenda Gullickson Maureen Gustafson Cameron Guthrie ’78 & Cathy Guthrie ’79 Mary Jo Haaland Kelly Haberling ’06 Mark Hacker ’74 & Marilyn Hacker ’77 Gary & Pat Hagemeyer Bruce Hagen ’71 & Lelia Hagen Llewellyn & Janet Hagen Steven Hagen Michael Haig ’76 Terry Halverson & Terri Halvorson Dorothy Hamman ’93 Virginia Hammerschmidt Kurt Hanson ’71 Rod Hanson Brian Hanson
Jane & Michael Hardwick Jean Hartman ’76 & James Hartman Brian Healy ’92 & Terri Healy Larry Hebrink ’72 & Linda Hebrink *Shawn Hedman ’86 & Nancy Jo Hedman ’87 Lisa Hedrick ’87 & Mark Hedrick Linda Heinrich Thomas Hellmann ’81 & Diana Hellmann Jean Helm ’75 & Kurt Helm Christopher Helvig ’83 & Lisa Helvig Pepper Henkel ’91 *Adam Henning ’11 & Greta Henning ’13 Karen Henry James & Sandi Hensley *Kristine Henspeter ’74 & Kim Henspeter Shaun Herring ’81 & Paula Herring Greg Higdem ’77 Dori Hilbrands ’85 & David Hilbrands ’86 Chris & Charisse Hill Jeffrey Hill ’77 & Amy Hill Max Hinneberg ’78 & Michele Hinneberg Lisa Hochhalter ’89 & Barry Hochhalter Richard Hocking ’86 & Sherry Hocking Thomas Hoff ’87 & Cheryl Hoff ’87 Gary Hoffmann ’72 & Marie Hoffmann Kristin Holicky Sharon Hollatz ’01 & Tom Hollatz Carl Holmquist Susan Honken ’79 & Ronald Honken Dennis Hoogeveen ’85 & Brenda Hoogeveen ’88 David Horn ’78 Linda Horsager ’71 & Les Horsager Mark Hotzler ’80 & Jane Hotzler Denis Houle & Rebecca Borrud Taylor Huseby ’11 & Sarah Huseby Jason Huss ’97 & Dongi Huss Roger & Judy Imdieke Lee Isenberg Thomas Jackson, ’85 & Mona Jackson Nathan Jacobson ’87 & Karla Jacobson ’90 Shawnee Jakober ’75 Claire Jamal ’73 & Ashraf Jamal Myron Janssen ’78 Mark Jennings ’77 & Dorothy Tischer *Jeffrey & Nicolle Jennings
Dennis Jensen ’71 Kevin Jensen ’01 Neil Jensen ’71 & Karen Jensen Robert & Sharron Jensen Tom & Jackie Jensen *Denise Jesse ’98 & Paul Jesse ’98 Gayleen Jessen ’85 & Philip Jessen ’84 *Laurie Johansen Marcia Johnson ’72 & Van Johnson Thomas Johnson ’72 & Kathleen Johnson ’71 Thomas Johnson Thomas Johnson ’80 & Kristen Johnson Nancy Johnson ’73 Kris & Jill Johnson Kim Johnson ’76 Joleen Johnson ’94 & Matthew Johnson ’94 Steve Johnson Lori Johnson ’98 & Richard Johnson Darrel Johnsrud Brian Jones ’82 & *Susan Jones ’82 Steven Jones ’92 & Kristin Jones ’93 Mary Jorgensen-Haynes ’80 & Tom Haynes Robert Juen *Sang Jung Justison *Karen Kaas ’94 *Daniel & Sheryl Kaiser ’06 William Kamrath James Kanten Daryl Kanthak ’90 & Tina Kanthak ’90 Linda Karjala ’82 & Merlyn Karjala ’80 *Erin Kasmarik-Mallett & Sean Mallett Dean & Kendra Kattelmann Jared Keaveny Piper Keinroth Gary & Candy Kellen Michael Kellen ’88 & Rhonda Kellen Bowen & Amy Keller Joseph Kennedy ’05 Tiffany Kerr ’96 & Jason Kerr ’97 Laurie Kesteloot ’11 Richard Kidrowski ’94 Bob Klatt ’92 & Christy Klatt ’92 Barry & Lisa Klostermann Dallas & Gale Kluksdal Douglas Kmetz ’77 & Susan Kmetz ’79 Andrew Knauss Hermann & Ingrid Knauss Lanita & Jon Knochenmus Paul Knox Brian Kokos ’00 & Laura Kokos Thomas Kolb ’09 & Emily Kolb ’10
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee
22
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
Paul & Laurie Konrad Gary Koosmann ’73 *Jim & Janet Kor Curt & Luci Kovash Kweku Kponyoh ’13 David & Linda Kragness Mark & Joni Kragness Jessica & Bryan Kramer ’05 Dale Kreft ’95 Robert Krogman ’87 & Tamara Krogman Alison & Ken Krumm Neil Kruse ’79 Andrew Kubat ’76 & Dona Kubat ’76 Judy Ann Kuhlman ’84 & David Kuhlman ’78 Brooks & Carol Kummer Douglas Kunde ’83 & Marissa Kunde *Michael Kurowski Kevin Kurth Shane Kussatz ’96 & Heather Kussatz Gregorie Kvilhaug ’76 & Diana Kvilhaug Dick & Kathy Labat Daniel Labat ’82 Diane Ladner ’93 Bruce & Vicki Lamprecht Steven & Peg Lange **Cletus & Lorraine Lanners Kenneth & Cheryl Lanoue **Maggie & Dave Larsen Danny & Tracy Larson Rory Larson ’04 & Ericka Nieman ’05 Timothy & Jeanna Larson Deborah Launer ’77 & Russell Launer Rita Lear ’89 John & Carla Lee Robert & Betty Lee A & Marlene Lee *Jefferson Lee IV ’96 & Sarah Lee ’99 Darwin Leek ’79 & Virgean Leek David Legnani ’14 James Leichtnam *Michael Lenz ’93 & Shannon Lenz ’93 Bruce Lerohl ’74 Melissa Lies ’92 & Jeff Lies *Jim & Jeanette Lilleberg Daniel & Michelle Lodahl Brad & Margaret Louwagie ’94 Dale & Deb Louwagie **Jo & Joe Louwagie Brian Lucker ’77 & Janeen Lucker Joe Ludemann ’07 Nicholas Ludowese Brian Luke ’75 & Jane Luke ’75 Adam Lund ’05 & Chelsea Lund ’07 Barbara Lynch ’75 Sacha Mace Jolayne Madson ’87
Cherie Manderschied ’71 & Randall Manderschied Scott & Amanda Marquardt Brady & Kate Mathison Jeffery & Wendy Mathison Lorri Matthys ’87 Bruce Mattson ’73 & Susan Mattson Rick Mattson ’81 & Sharon Mattson ’81 Jeffrey Mauland ’78 & Lynn Mauland Bruce Maus ’74 David Mbonu ’80 & Emilia Mbonu Vincent McCain Jammie McCarney ’08 Ronald McDaniel Kathryn McNally-Bova ’93 & Gregory Bova Perry & Kristin McNeil ’05 *Mary & Tim Meaden LeAnn Melberg ’97 & Brad Melberg Todd Mentzer ’92 & Bev Mentzer Troy Mentzer ’94 Darrell & Kitty Mercie Laura Merrill David Meyer ’93 & Becky Meyer Tyler Mickelson ’09 Allen Miller ’74 & Christine Miller Roger & Julie Miller Blair Miller ’12 & Laura Miller ’12 Thomas Minehart ’78 & Anita Minehart ’77 Alan Miner ’84 Karen Minge ’88 & David Minge Jenifer Minor ’89 & James Minor E.J. Moberg ’98 & Shannon Moberg Chris & Mindy Moede Shane & Pam Moen Paula Mohr & Joel Springer Steven Mohwinkel ’76 & Jacki Knigge Tim Moline ’01 & Erin Moline G. Arne Monson ’73 Gaylon Moody ’75 & Stephanie Moody Lon & Robin Moon Bruce Morgan ’73 & Anne Morgan Scott Morin ’76 Julie Mortier ’91 & CJ Mortier Esmail Mostaghimi ’87 & Barbara Mostaghimi ’88 Troy Moulton James Muchlinski ’90 Jim & Mary Muchlinski Paul Muecke ’09 Kristi Muller ’89 Rodney Mulvaney *Michael Munford ’05 & Cinara Munford
*Ken Murphy ’88 & Sandra Murphy Michael Murphy Robert Murphy Scott Muth Eric Myhre ’00 & Stacey Myhre *Patricia Myrvik ’00 & Matt Myrvik Michael Nash ’75 & Elizabeth Nash Keith Nelsen ’71 & Jane Nelsen ’88 Jess & Linda Nelson LeeAnn Nelson Nathan & Suzanna Nelson *Jesse & Julie Nelson Todd Neuberger ’87 & Cheryl Neuberger ’87 Keith Newman ’88 & Tamara Newman ’90 Kerry Ney C & D Nissen Richard Noer ’73 & Nancy Noer Deanne Novotny ’82 & Larry Novotny Robert Nutsch David Nybakke ’04 & Julie Nybakke Abby Oakland ’09 Arlene Ochocki ’71 & Donald Ochocki ’74 William & Lynn O’Connor Doug & Leanna Olsem *Julia & Dean Olson Russell & Rebecca Onken Patricia Opfer Lynne & Doug Osing Michelle Ott ’91 & Robert Ott Todd Pack ’77 & Debi Pack ’89 *Wanda Paluch ’16 & Mark Paluch Peter Pappas Maria Pappas-Rajotte Becky Parker David & Kyong Ae Paskach Wanda & Charles Patsche Stacy Paulson Melanie Pedersen ’98 & Matt Pedersen Roger & Renee Penwell Douglas Peppers ’83 Gregory & Marilyn Peter Frederick Peters ’84 & Inger Trooien Sue Peters ’92 John Petersen ’03 & Jessica Petersen Svend & Maren Petersen *Kristi Petersen ’98 & Ivan Petersen Gary Peterson ’77 & Patricia Peterson Jude Peterson *Scott & Peggy Peterson Scott Petrich ’87 & Connie Petrich ’87 Julie Picht James & Vivian Pietrick Jack Pitts
Stuart Pohl Steven Polkow ’71 & Linda Polkow Michael Pominville ’84 Craig Porter ’79 Robert Porter ’80 & Helen Porter Mark & Roxanne Powell Prudence Precourt Daniel & Doretta Prochaska Peter Quinlan Warren Radel ’89 & Melissa Radel ’90 Armand Radke ’75 & Marcella Radke Dale Raschke ’75 Chris Rasmussen ’75 & Sharon Rasmussen Timothy Regner ’86 & Barbara Regner Charles Regnier ’84 & Rhonda Regnier Marcia & Paul Rehkamp Bruce Remme ’01 & Carie Remme Carol Reuvers Roger Reuvers ’81 & Linda Reuvers ’82 Mark Riebel ’85 & Kathy Riebel Dennis Rieke ’72 & Debra Arlington Dennis & Lois Ries Dean Risa ’75 & Rebecca Risa *Mary Risacher ’08 & John Risacher Tracy Roche ’90 & Timothy Roche Lisa Roden Kent Roers ’98 & Susan Roers Brendan Rokke ’04 & Gayra Ostgaard Craig Rollag ’74 & Karen Tilstra-Rollag Amanda Romaine ’03 & Tony Romaine Valerie Romberg ’78 Ruben Romero Brian & Mary Rosene Laurence Rosene Brian Rowell ’77 & Susan Rowell Russell Royce ’78 Chelsea & Dustin Russell Peter & Jackie Sames Elaine Sandager ’74 David Sanderson ’78 Russell Sanow ’76 & Deidre Sanow ’77 Linda Schaefer ’96 & Kevin Schaefer ’94 *Kathy Schaefer ’84 & Jerry Schaefer ’12 Alan Schafer ’73 & Juliane Schafer Rodney Schaffran ’74 & Debra Schaffran Daniel & Cindy Scheller Sarah Schieck Amy & Gary Schimmelpfennig
Terry Schleif ’76 & Robin Schleif James Schlenner ’79 & Joan Schlenner Kent Schmidt ’85 & Shaneen Schmidt *Nadine & Karl Schmidt Mark Schmitt ’88 Mark Schnaser ’97 & Mindi Schnaser ’96 Angie Schneiderman ’98 Lisa Schnieder ’98 & Patrick Schnieder ’98 Joshua Scholten ’05 & *Melissa Scholten ’07 Tracy Schramm ’01 Jamie Schreurs ’99 & Ryan Schreurs Wayne & Darlene Schreurs Alex Schuh ’08 Linda Schulzetenberg ’80 & Dan Schulzetenberg Todd Schweer ’74 & Jeanine Schweer Lane Schwitters Vernon & Patricia Seeman Martin Seifert ’95 & Traci Seifert Eleanor Sellman Christopher Senica Karolyn Senica Marie Setnes ’02 & Kristopher Setnes Krishna Shah ’97 Craig Shea ’80 & Barb Shea Ron Shingler Sarah & Rick Shively Sidney & Linda Shoemaker Colleen Shupe ’86 & Dean Shupe Thomas Silverberg ’75 *Douglas Simon ’94 & Molly Simon ’07 Aaron Sinclair ’99 & Michelle Sinclair ’99 Scott Sinclair ’83 & Lisa Sinclair Brian Skalbeck ’73 & Dee Skalbeck Jack Skjoldager ’72 & Marlene Skjoldager Corey & Corrine Skogrand John Skogstoe ’73 & Susan Skogstoe Karen & Jerry Slater Michael Sloan Alvin & Marilyn Smith Anita & Brett Smith Kirk Smith ’79 & LouAnn Smith ’77 Rick & Tracy Smith Selmer & Sandra Smith *Anthony Smith Matt Smude ’06 & Sara Smude Scott Snobl ’94 & Saundra Snobl John & Pam Soderholm Jean Sorenson ’89 & Bradley Sorenson Darlene Sparkman ’05 & Brian Sparkman A. Eugene Spicer
Tanya Sponholz ’02 Chad & Joy Springborg Sharon Springer ’71 & Ron Springer Steven Squibb ’92 & Kelly Squibb Daniel Stanley ’82 Jerry Stark ’72 & Kathryn Stark *Paulette Stefanick ’86 & Joseph Stefanick Nancy Steffensen *Bonnie & Byron Stelton Crystal & Preston Stensrud Stan & *Conni Stensrud John Sterner ’91 & Tracy Sterner ’90 Eliza Stevens Diane Stewart ’79 & Allen Stewart ’74 Jacob Strait ’03 Bradley Strand DuWayne Stratmoen Norma Streich ’80 Amanda Strommer ’02 & Aaron Strommer ’04 *David & Gwen Sturrock *Matthew Suby ’13 & Deanna Suby ’09 Timothy & Sarah Sullivan Jim Sullivan ’83 & Terry Sullivan April Sutor ’80 *Jennifer Swanson Valerie Swanson ’76 & Neil Sussenguth Jeffrey & Shannon Sward Chris & Jessica Swedzinski Shane Sweetland ’94 Vicki & Erik Swenson Tim & Donna Swenson Courtland & Sylvia Swenson Andrew Swenson ’01 William Swope Michael Syverson ’71 & Jane Syverson *Sheila & James Tabaka *James & Mary Tate *Jacqueline Tauer ’00 & Jim Tauer Carol Taylor Rodney Tebben ’86 & Jeanine Tebben Neal Tellijohn Andrew Thangasamy ’98 Todd & Julie Thedens Andrew Theisen ’80 & Carol Theisen Christopher Theobald ’86 & Elisa Theobald Lyle Thies ’77 & Joyce Thies Jon & Michelle Thissen Dene Thomas ’78 & Gordon Thomas Jennifer Thompson *Gloria Thompson Quinn Tierney ’73 & Gerald Huerth Megan Tietz ’13 Gary Tigges ’78 Delmar Timm ’73 & Pat Timm
* Denotes SMSU employee **Denotes Retired SMSU Employee
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
23
Terry Timm ’71 & Rebecca Timm Daryl & Angela Timmerman Constance TinklenbergHays ’71 Lana & Dave Tipka Richard Toews ’75 & Jeanne Toews ’74 Wade Tornquist ’81 & Mary Tornquist *Joan & Steve Tutt Karen Utt ’90 & Michael Utt Bruce Vaala Keith & Judy Van Dyk Denny Vandendriessche Shay & Jeff Vandendriessche Rita & Mark Vandeputte Rodney VanderZiel ’80 & Kimberly VanderZiel ’80 *Michael VanDrehle ’08 Roger VanDyke & Angie Sutherland Katie & Glen VanHecke Scott VanMoer & Maren Van Moer ’91 Jeffrey Varcoe ’94 & Lori Varcoe Diane Viehauser ’73 & Michael Viehauser Connie Visconti Stanley Vogel Allan & Becky Vogel Lindsey Voigt ’02 & David Voigt ’02 Michael Voss ’72 *Scott Voss ’08 & Kaitlyn Voss ’13 David & Sandra Wagner Margaret & Jonathan Wagner Malcolm Wahlman ’75 & Debra JohnsonWahlman Kathy Waletzko ’81 & Gerald Waletzko *Benjamin & *Julie Walker Debra Wallace ’79 & Doug Wallace ’77 Eric Wallen ’04 & Jennifer Wallen Harry Walsh Nancy Walter & Eugene Walter ’83 *Dwight Watson Brady Webb ’01 & Jennifer Webb Cynthia Weeks ’87 & Lee Streb Michael & Debra Weg Kim & Kristin Wegner Harry & Jaen Weilage
Rachelle Weinand ’93 & Michael Weinand ’94 John & Pat Weir Krista Weiszhaar ’13 MacKenzie Weller ’02 & Matt Weller John & Wanda Wells Josh Wendland ’11 & Kellie Wendland ’13 Pamela Wendland ’90 & Bradley Wendland ’89 Amber & Casey Werner Daniel Westby ’89 & Debra Westby ’83 Laurie Westerbur ’75 & John Westerbur Douglas & Stacy Westerman Amy Westermeyer Beth Westra ’74 & Dwayne Westra Pamela & John Wharton Gary Whitney ’96 & Jodi Whitney *Māra & John Wiggins Sandy Wilcox ’82 & Timothy Wilcox Jason Wilhelm ’02 Rich & Marie Wilkie Michael Williams & Marlene Willaims Vincent Williams Marlin & Beverly Winkelman Bruce Winter ’79 Ronald Woldengen ’72 & Karol Woldengen Daniel Wolf ’90 Teresa Woodworth ’79 & Mark Woodworth Susan Wyckoff Pohl Gary & Elaine Wyffels Greg Wymer ’95 & Amy Wymer Gary Wynia ’75 & Joan Wynia Kevin Wynia ’84 & Sara Lee Wynia ’89 Brian Yost ’93 & Nicole Yost Thomas & Cheryl Zager Donald Zierke ’77 & Barbara Zierke Larry & Marlys Zimmerman Business Advanced Precast Company, Inc Advantage Business Forms
AgVenture Feed & Seed, Inc. American Family Insurance - Chuck Fennell Agency Anez Consulting Inc Anytime Fitness Blue-Edge Dairy BlueGreen Flower Shop Bob Pehrson Seeds Bolden-Fischenich Enterprises Boysen Insurance Services Brothers Boneless Grill, LLC. Bruns Chiropractic Business Impact Group, LLC Carl Acker Construction LLC Caseys General Store Chanhassen Dinner Theater Channel Seed Chartwells Coco Avenue Connell Car Care, Inc. Crop Revenue Consultants, Inc. Dairyland Power Cooperative Denver Community School District Diamond Lake Tool, Inc. Donovan’s Office Building Dow Corning Matching Gifts Program Eastern Iowa Concrete Sawing Eye Time Optical Fangman & Son’s, Inc. Farm Bureau Federation Farmers Cooperative of Hanska Fuhrmann, Inc. Fuzzy’s Bar & Grill, Inc. Gislason, Inc. Golf Etc. Goods Eavespouting Great Lakes Scrip Center, LLC Greenwood Nursery Guthrie Theater Heartland Eyewear Center Hiller Commercial Floors HiRel Systems Independent School District No 2835 Inspec, Inc
Investors Choice Financial Services, Inc. Jackpot Junction Casino Jer’s Electric, Inc. Jeseritz Electric Joan Bullard Realty, Inc. Kluksdal Piano Tuning Konradi Koncrete, Inc. Listul Seeds Lockwood Motors Employees Maquoketa Community Schools Marin-Biel Insurance, Inc. Mark Stueven Seed Marshall Animal Clinic Marshall Aquatic Center Marshall Area Stage Company Marshall Floral Marshall Golf Club Maxwell Food Equipment Midwest Country Feed LLC Mike Buysse Construction Miller Charitable Gift Fund Minnesota Farmers Union Minnesota Historical Society or Museum Minnesota Zoo NAPA of Perham Network for Good Nichols Insurance Services, Inc. Nicollet Farmers Exchange Co. Nicollet Sibley Co. Corn Soybean Growers North Dakota State University Extension Service Northern Plains Construction, Inc. Northland Hardwood Floors, Inc. Osterberg Funeral Home P. J. Farms of Franklin, Inc. Patzer’s Hardware Hank PNC Foundation Poverty Point Farms Randy Dyrdahl Rentals Rebco Pork, Inc. Red Rock Central School District No. 2884 Residence Inn Bloomington by Mall of America RPM Transmission LLC Rice Lake Dental, P.A.
RLDJ Inc. Scream Town Sears Seivert, Inc. Shell Oil Company Foundation Sleep Inn and Suites SMSU English Department SMSU Planetarium South Dakota Symphony Southwest Pro Painting LLC State Farm Insurance Companies - Jack Warnemunde Studio B Swede Steel Works TCF Foundation The Hanken Family Trust The Mattress Barn Thoreson’s Photography Tyler Golf Club University of Minnesota Disbursement Services VanderZiel Tax & Accounting Service Voya Foundation Heritage Society ‡ Michelle Anderson ’88 Michael Bjerkesett ’71 John & Jean Brobst Timothy Burns ’72 & Julie Burns Marylee Dallman ’94 & Dennis Dallmann David & Cecelia Danahar Donald & Phyllis Danielson Mitch Glover ’85 & Jane Glover ’84 Deeann Griebel ’80 Chris Grosz ’82 Sheldon & Margery Haaland Jason Hoffman ’99 & Pam Hoffman Richard Jorgensen ’72 & Barbara Jorgensen Grant & Nancy Joy Marilyn Kontz ’71 Sally A. Magnuson & Burton M. Magnuson ‘04 Marilyn McLaughlin **Charles Myrbach Doris Olson Daniel Sumerfelt ’81 David and Diane ’75 Taylor Jack and Linda Tolk
‡ 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
24
FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015-16
SOUTHWEST STORIES Tom Sahlstrom ‘83:
Learn. Earn. Return
Tom ‘83 and Cindy Sahlstrom.
LEArn.
Tom Sahlstrom’s career survey results at Waseca High School in 1979 pointed to “Park Ranger.” And while those career aptitude tests often reveal potential career paths, such was not the case for Tom. Instead, he earned a Hotel Administration degree from Southwest Minnesota State. His liberal arts education, he’ll tell you, equipped him with the skills that have taken him around the country the past 30 years. Tom joined the Student Hospitality Organization (SHO) club, which provided hotel industry opportunities outside the classroom. He played football for a year under Gary Buer, and his busy schedule helped him learn the importance of time management. Tom was a Resident Assistant his junior year, first in Titan and, later, Clapper. After graduating in 1983, he headed to Dallas, Texas. When he arrived, he
stopped into the Summit Hotel along the freeway and asked about a job. He was offered a desk clerk job on the spot. Funds were low at that point in the trip, so he accepted.
earn.
With greater ambitions, he moved on. A friend’s spouse connected him with the Four Seasons in Dallas, where he landed a night manager position. Within two years, he joined the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, Calif. Tom and his wife Cindy would move nine times in the next 10 years with the company, advancing up the ladder to Executive Hotel Manager of Rooms. At the apex of his hotel career, Tom and Cindy decided to start a family. The hours associated with his position were not conducive to family life, however. With many personal skills learned over the years, and a liberal arts education from SMSU, Tom was at a crossroads. His mother shared an Edward Jones
employment brochure with him, and that proved to be his new career choice. The two moved to La Crosse, Wis., to begin a new career with Edward Jones, leaving behind Tom’s six-figure income and starting a client base from scratch. It took a lot of hard work and commitment, but as Tom will attest, it was worth all that effort. Tom and Cindy are the proud parents of two grown sons, Drew and Kyle.
Return.
Tom has chosen to generously give back to SMSU and support the next generation of students in the service industry through the creation of the Thomas Sahlstrom Culinology & Hospitality Management Annual and Endowed Scholarships. We thank Tom for his unselfish support of the next generation of hospitality leaders.
To learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of a student at SMSU, visit us online at www.SMSUFoundation.org or call SMSU Foundation at 1-800-260-0970.
NON-PROFIT 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS 2017 January 28 – Hawaiian Night February 18 – SMSU Night at the Minnesota Wild February 20 – GOLD on the ROAD (Scottsdale, AZ) March 20 – New York City Alumni Gathering at Carnegie Hall May 6 – Commencement
Hawaiian Night
September 25 – Founders Day Celebration September 30 – Homecoming 2017
For information, tickets, and more events, visit: WWW.SOUTHWESTALUMNI.COM
SMSU Night at the Minnesota Wild Gold on the Road
Commencement Homecoming
Published on Nov 30, 2016
The Fall edition of Focus, a magazine for the alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University. This edition also includes the Fou...
Published on Nov 30, 2016
The Fall edition of Focus, a magazine for the alumni and friends of Southwest Minnesota State University. This edition also includes the Fou...