USF Magazine Spring 2014

Finding where their

Hearts beat MANY ALUMNI CHOOSE CAREERS SERVING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

02 SPRING 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[ features ]

10 // A SENSE OF CALLING

(ON OUR COVER)

CAREERS HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED BRING FULFILLMENT TO ALUMNI

30 // WHAT IT TAKES TO

FEATURING DR. BETH JERNBERG AND VEDA IVERSON

[ departments ]

02 // CAMPUS BUZZ 06 // OUR FACULTY 16 // OUR MISSION

The Saint John’s Bible Visits USF Campus pg. 02

18 // COUGAR ATHLETICS 22 // CLASS NOTES

Creation, Donald Jackson with contributions by Chris Tomlin, 2003, The Saint John’s Bible and the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.

A Sense of Calling pg. 10

What It Takes To: Build USF’s Online Programs pg. 30

VISIT US: usiouxfalls.edu FOLLOW US:

HEADSTAND After the football team lost 28 consecutive games in four years, Coach Phillip Tinsworth vowed that he would stand on his head at the corner of 10th and Phillips Avenue if his team won a game. Finally, on Tepee Day in 1953, the Braves beat the Trojans of General Beadle College (now Dakota State) 13-0, and Coach Tinsworth kept his promise.

PURPLE FEATHER Purple Feather tradition begins in 1921 and continues today, recognizing students for outstanding contributions of scholarship, character, leadership and service.

COUGAR RIDE The “Cougar Ride,” a homecoming tradition, starts in 1987 when sculptor Douglas Baer ’67 creates the larger-than-life mascot. Following coronation, students ride the cougar the week leading up to the football game.

THE MADRIGAL TRADITION Madrigal Dinners celebrates 50 years of music, dancing, drama and fine dining in 2013.

THE FIRST MASCOT

GREEN BEANIE HAT Freshmen are required to wear green beanies to signify that they are “green behind the ears,” having had little exposure to the world.

The first sports team in 1923 is named ‘The Dakota Braves’ after a homecoming contest is held.

STARS 1996 CEREAL BOX USF Cougars win their first NAIA National Football Championship in 1996.

HOMECOMING PARADE/TEPEE DAY Homecoming tradition of Tepee Day begins in 1923 and continues for 53 years.

GLEE CLUBS SOO FOO COO THEATRICAL REVUE

The first men’s and women’s glee clubs are established in 1917.

The Coo Revue hits the road in 1984 with a series of songs, dances and messages put together to share at youth camps and churches.

Sioux Falls College is featured in Time magazine.

1967

The caption reads: “Seven Buildings in Seven Years.”

1885

Name changes to Sioux Falls University and campus’s first

A letterman’s sweater is worn in the 1930s by members of the Varsity Club to represent school and team pride as well as to display personal awards earned in athletics, academics or activities.

1890

1900

USF School of Nursing 2009

founded.

Pearl Irene Odell is the first four-year college graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Then Sioux Falls University acquires four Baptist 1929

schools that had ceased to operate: Cedar Valley

Seminary (Iowa), Des Moines University (Iowa), -1931

Grand Island College (Neb.) and Parker College

Under the name Dakota Collegiate Institute, secondary and collegiate 1883

programs begin in the basement of the Sioux Falls First Baptist Church.

1880

The University of Sioux Falls community 2013

celebrates 130 years of mission and motto.

LETTERMAN’S SWEATER

building, Dakota Hall (renamed Meredith Hall in 1929), is built.

1904

The subtitle adds: “But our stature comes from people.”

1910

1920

Braves mascot is 1979

changed to Cougars.

(Minn.) to form a new corporation: Sioux Falls College.

1930

1940

Sioux Falls College becomes the 1995

University of Sioux Falls.

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

The University of Sioux Falls has come far since 1883 and continues to remain faithful to the vision of its founders. The University affirms its heritage as a distinctively Christian college in the liberal arts tradition, fostering academic excellence and the development of mature Christian persons for service to God and humankind in the world.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 1

2

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS MAGAZINE // Vice President of Marketing and USF Magazine Editor Megan Fischer megan.fischer@usiouxfalls.edu // Director of Alumni Relations Amy Uttecht amy.uttecht@usiouxfalls.edu // Graphic Design Bobbi Gaukel, art director Brooke Hiemstra // Staff Writers Larissa Hargens USF Athletics

campus

// Contributor Darcie Bontje // Administration Dr. Mark Benedetto, president; Dr. Brett Bradfield, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Bill Bartell ’85, vice president for information technology; Marsha Denniston, vice president for business and finance; Megan Fischer, vice president of marketing; Julie Gednalske, vice president for human resources; Jon Hiatt ’97, vice president for institutional advancement; Billie Streufert, vice president for student development and success; and Jeff Veltkamp ’97, executive director of the USF Foundation // Address Changes, Correspondence and Class Notes Email: USFmagazine@usiouxfalls.edu Phone: 605-331-6793 Mail: University of Sioux Falls Magazine

1101 W 22nd St

Sioux Falls, SD 57105 // Mission The University of Sioux Falls, a Christian University in the liberal arts tradition, educates students in the humanities, sciences and professions. The traditional motto of the University is Culture for Service, that is, we seek to foster academic excellence and the development of mature Christian persons for service to God and humankind in the world.

Opinions expressed in the University of Sioux Falls Magazine do not necessarily reflect the University’s official position.

Unless otherwise credited, photos are the property of the University of Sioux Falls or are used with permission.

The University of Sioux Falls encourages and provides a learning and working environment free of prohibited discrimination. In the administration of the University programs and activities, the University bans discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability, color, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or age. The University adheres to all federal and state laws regulating its provision of programs and activities.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 2

5

American College of Greece - Study Abroad

3

1 WORLD-RENOWNED BIBLE AT USF

1

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Described by Smithsonian Magazine as “one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time,” The Saint John’s Bible is the first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey in over 500 years. The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition—one of 299 copies of the original Bible—was unveiled at USF’s Christmas Chapel and will be on display in the campus library for one year.

Image shown above: Gospel of John Frontispiece and Incipit, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.

2

SENIORS’ PERSPECTIVES BROADENED IN GREECE

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –––––––––––––––––

Communication Studies and Theatre majors Anna Thvedt (Beresford, S.D.) and Debbi Jones (Chamberlain, S.D.) studied abroad during fall 2013 through one of USF’s partner institutions, American College of Greece, DEREE.

4 SERVICE IN ARTS COURSE ADDS ‘COLORFUL SPLASH’ TO ELEMENTARY LIBRARY

5

2013 Employee Award Winners

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

3

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Vice President for Student Development and Success Billie Streufert and Web Programmer and Analyst David Cone ’03 received the 2013 Board of Trustee Employee Awards.

Streufert came to USF in 2009 and has served in a variety of roles related to academic success, admissions, advising and retention, career services, learning accessibility services and student life. Since 2008, Cone has built and maintained USF’s websites and applications, making life easier for offices by connecting their data with online systems.

4

ART MAJOR WINS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– – – –

Elaine Alpers’ (Sioux Falls) artwork, inspired by Matthew 10:29-31, “God’s love for those who feel insignificant and unworthy,” received the People’s Choice Award at the Avera McKennan Employee and Family Art Show. Alpers volunteers with the Avera Cancer Institute’s Artist in Residence program.

Juniors Denise Ferguson (Worland, Wyo.) and Cassandra Swenson (South Sioux City, Neb.) painted a mural at Hawthorne Elementary that features storybook characters and sparks students’ imaginations, encouraging them to find joy in books.

“Being able to get plugged into our community and to serve in this way has been nothing short of amazing,” said Swenson. “Denise and I have said countless times that it doesn’t feel like a class; it’s just a fun project!”

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 3

6

DISPATCH PROJECT: CREATING A SPIRIT OF SERVICE FOR USF EMPLOYEES

7

Dispatch Project exists as a means for Sioux Falls businesses and organizations to empower their employees to serve internationally. Degree Completion Program Director LuAnn Grossman and Director of Online Education Veda Iverson visited the Dominican Republic to build a house for a pastor in the village of Batey 203.

“I enjoyed working side by side with the local people,” said Grossman. “I loved their spirit and happiness, and I loved all the hugs and enthusiasm from the children. It was sad to say goodbye to our new friends, and our motto became ‘we will be friends forever.’”

8 Academic Service Project

Learn more about Dispatch Project at www.dispatchproject.com.

ACCOUNTING STUDENTS BRING CHRISTMAS TO AVERA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

6

– –– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Assistant Professor of Accounting Brad Van Kalsbeek’s auditing and tax students collected more than 30 bags filled with art supplies for their Christmas fundraiser to benefit Avera McKennan Children’s Hospital.

USF RANKS AT THE TOP FOR TEACHER EDUCATION According to the Online College Database, the University of Sioux Falls is the top-ranking private college in South Dakota for teacher education and shaping the next generation.

“Although our numbers are impressive, we are even more pleased with the quality of students who choose USF for their teacher training,” said Julie McAreavey, chair of the Fredrikson School of Education. “We’ve found them to be passionate about the field of education and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.”

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 4 25

7

SCULPTUREWALK ENRICHES CAMPUS

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

This spring marks USF’s fourth year of SculptureWalk, an exciting exhibit of 13 outdoor sculptures displayed throughout campus. USF recently purchased Leaf Lady, winner of the 2013 USF People’s Choice Award, and Tranquil, which was donated by artist Shohini Ghosh, is also a new permanent campus feature.

“Having these great works of art from all over the world, with new ones coming to us each spring, gives a fresh approach to how we learn, live and lead at USF,” said Ceca Cooper, associate professor of art and USF SculptureWalk director.

Employees serve in Dominican Republic

ALUMNUS’S MEMOIR INSPIRES TEENS HE TEACHES

10

9

8

11

– – – – – – – – – – – – –––––––––––––––––

In his book, Under the Influence, Phil Hamman ’82 chronicles his rough upbringing in Sioux Falls, giving firsthand accounts of violence, death, bullies and street fights. Fate propelled him from the streets of a harsh, impoverished neighborhood and put him face-to-face with troubled teenagers and the challenge to be their positive influence. Today, his story inspires the teens he teaches at East High School in Sioux City, Iowa. Under the Influence is available at Barnes and Noble and other national book retailers.

LILLIBRIDGE LEGACY INSPIRES ALUMNI ENTREPRENEURS

9

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

As printed in South Dakota Magazine, January 2014 Eva L. Lillibridge, who graduated USF in 1893, left behind a legacy of entrepreneurship at the University of Sioux Falls and is partly responsible for making today’s USF students’ dreams a reality. Her great-nephew Tom ’67 and his wife, Cindy, were instrumental in starting the Tom and Cindy Lillibridge Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation in 2008 to prepare students to compete in today’s marketplace.

Tom and Cindy Lillibridge

#SFSHOWDOWN

11

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY HONORS JUNIOR’S EXCELLENCE

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The center, headed by Dr. Ryan Van Zee, has had several successes. USF alumni Josh DeWitt ’12 and Donnie Mann ’12 started WinGive, a nonprofit that gives backpacks to poor students in foreign countries. Another grad, Shane Hyronimus ’14, started a Sioux Falls entertainment business on wheels called Innovation Party Buses. Nolan ’10 and Megan (Aanenson ’12) Wiese met at USF and launched Backyard Salsa, also in Sioux Falls. Jordan Johnson, a December 2013 grad, is the proprietor of Roadway 44, a convenience store in his hometown of Platte, S.D. Those are just the types of enterprises imagined by the Lillibridges, who are second-generation bankers in south central South Dakota.

FEEDING 10 BENEFITS SOUTH DAKOTA

FOOD DRIVE

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– – –

Leveraging the University’s crosstown rivalry with Augustana College, USF’s student senate partnered with Augie’s to collect at Hy-Vee stores a total of 696 lbs. of nonperishable food items for Feeding South Dakota. USF students, employees and alumni donated 395 lbs. Way to go Cougars!

Out of 50 contestants, junior biology and chemistry double major Mykhaylo Snizhko (Harrisburg, S.D.) received the Outstanding Undergraduate Poster Presenter Award at the American Chemical Society’s regional conference in Springfield, Mo. Snizhko and sophomore biology major Grant Schindler (Chippewa Falls, Wis.), working under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Chemistry George Mwangi, undertook research in developing molecularly imprinted polymers that can be applied for detoxification, chemical sensing of physiologically important molecules and the administration of certain drugs.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 5

// CECA COOPER

OUR FACULTY /////////////////////////////////////////////////// Remembering Blake by Ceca Cooper Above (L-R): Austin Hogie, Dr. Joy Lind, Chad Birger, Dr. Jason Douma, Billy Brockmueller, Dr. Shawn Chiappetta and Bobby Brockmueller

– KATIE BLOOM

– CECA COOPER

Katie Bloom, assistant professor

Dr. Martha Helland, assistant

Dr. Stephen Jackson, assistant

of social work, is a member of LifeCircle South Dakota, a statewide collaboration of institutions, organizations and people committed to improving end-of-life care. Begun in 1999, the organization is governed by an advisory committee and is based in the Sanford School of Medicine. Bloom co-wrote a $7,000 grant proposal to the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control – Department of Health – for a pilot project to expand educational efforts from students to professionals in rural areas.

professor of business administration, wrote the essay Bring Your Life Up: Think Trot!, published in the Member Connector Newsletter of the International Leadership Association.

professor of history, presented The Place of Religious Education in the Schools of Ontario and Victoria in the Late 1960s at the North American Conference of British Studies Annual Conference.

Jackson was also accepted to the National History Center’s Ninth International Seminar on Decolonization.

– CECA COOPER

Dr. John Hiigel, professor of biblical studies, recently added a video and discussion materials to support groups using his book Partnering with the King for discipleship training. USF’s Media Studies Department participated in the filming and editing of the video.

English, received a $5,000 grant from the South Dakota Arts Council for his poetry manuscript.

– DR. KEVIN COLE

– CECA COOPER

Cooper is also Chair of the Artists’ Task Force, a mayoral-appointed position on the Sioux Falls Cultural Plan Steering Committee that is tasked with creating the city’s Cultural Plan for the next decade.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 6

– DR. CHERI KOVALENKO

of mathematics, presented a poster on STEM Real World Applications of Mathematics at the Joint Mathematics Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America and American Mathematical Society in Baltimore, Md.

Dr. Gretchen Hoffman, associate professor of psychology, joined an elite group of scholars in the field of psychology. Her recent publication Nonclinical Correlates of the MMPI-2 Supplementary Scales using the Adjective Check List is listed in the Psychology Progress series.

professor of family and pediatric nursing, presented her Doctor of Nursing project Evaluating the Implementation of a Nitrous Oxide Protocol at Avera McKennan Children’s Hospital and at the Mayo Advanced Practice Nursing Conference in Rochester, Minn.

Dr. Joy Lind, associate professor

– DR. JOHN HIIGEL

Ceca Cooper, associate professor of art, has been commissioned by Raven Industries to create three large paintings for the executive conference room on the top floor of their newly renovated building that overlooks the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls. The company also purchased several of Cooper’s paintings for its office spaces.

Dr. Cheri Kovalenko, assistant

– DR. MARTHA HELLAND

Dr. Kevin Cole, professor of

“The working title of the manuscript is East River Poems, which says something about the subjects that inspire the poems: geography, landscape, wildlife, native prairie, the degradation that humankind has exacted on the landscape and nature’s ability and inability to recover,” said Cole.

– DR. STEPHEN JACKSON

– DR. JOY LIND

– DR. GRETCHEN HOFFMAN

Dr. Lind and her husband, Ron Lind, an adjunct instructor in USF’s computer science department and CIO and president of The Computer Connectors LLC, recently published an eBooks series titled (Un)Common Books, available from Amazon.

The series includes titles for Microsoft Windows 8, MS Word 2013, MS Excel 2013, MS Outlook 2013, MS PowerPoint 2013 and Computing Foundations (hardware and software). He is the primary author, and she is a contributor and editor.

STUDENTS SHINE AT REGIONAL MATH COMPETITION Juniors Billy and Bobby Brockmueller (Brandon, S.D.) and sophomore Austin Hogie (Brandon, S.D.) placed 20th out of 83 teams at the annual Mathematical Association of America (MAA) North Central Section Team Competition.

According to Dr. Jason Douma, associate professor of mathematics, 26 colleges and universities from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba participated in the competition.

“In this contest, teams collaborate in an attempt to solve 10 challenging problems in three hours,” said Douma. “The top quartile finish was the best ever for a USF team, and earned them the highest ranking of any team from the state of South Dakota.”

Joe Obermueller, assistant professor and director of theatre, was invited to lead a Playback Theatre workshop at George Fox University in Oregon for its student touring ensemble, the George Fox University Players.

– JOE OBERMUELLER

Obermueller and a colleague from Palm Beach Atlantic University also presented a workshop titled Rehearsing the Future: Augusto Boal’s Image Theatre at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the largest theatre conference in the nation with more than 4,000 professionals and students in attendance.

– RON LIND USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 7

Dr. Willie Suarez, assistant

– DR. CAROL DEN OTTER

– DR. RACHELLE LOVEN

– DR. WILLIE SUAREZ

professor of Spanish, presented papers at the Latin American Studies Association, the European Studies Conference and Conferencia Annual Four Corners de la Globalizacion. Suarez also helped organize the 2nd Spanish Undergraduate Research Conference with Briar Cliff University and the University of South Dakota, and he serves as an organizer for the Fiesta del Cinco de Mayo.

NEW FACULTY Dr. James Foster, assistant professor of philosophy and theology, was a Visiting Fulbright Scholar at the Research Institution of Irish and Scottish Studies, University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland. He received a B.S. from Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity, Master of Theology and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Dr. Ryan Van Zee, director and assistant professor of the Tom and Cindy Lillibridge Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, is president of Rotary West in Sioux Falls.

TRIAL PROCESS CLASS PRESENTS CASES AT MINNEHAHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

– DR. MICHELLE HANSON

Dr. Carol Den Otter, Dr. Michelle Hanson, Dr. Rachelle Loven and Suzanne Maxwell, Fredrikson School of – MIKE THOMPSON

“There is no better critical-thinking venue than a criminal trial,” said Thompson. “The students had to apply the facts of the cases to actual South Dakota criminal statutes and arrive at charges that they believed they could prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Then, they had to work within the rules of evidence to get the story to the jury.”

of business administration, presented Discovering the Antecedents of Individual Innovative Behaviors at the invitation-only Autonomous Learning World Caucus in Oxford, England.

professor of biology, has been elected chair of the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum Society Board of Directors.

– BRUCE WATLEY

Dr. Stephen Jackson, assistant professor of history, spent the last six years at The George Washington University (GWU) working on his dissertation related to the history of the British Empire. In May 2013, he graduated from GWU with a Ph.D. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Florida where he earned a B.A. in history and political science.

– DR. STEPHEN JACKSON

Watley and Van Zee presented Experiential Learning Entrepreneurship Education at the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education in San Diego.

Bryan Wermers, assistant

– KEITH PERKINS

professor of nursing, serves on the board of the Nurse Practitioner Association of South Dakota.

He also led two nursing student capstone trips to Rosebud, S.D.

Dr. Rebecca Schultz, associate professor of exercise science, had her research article Metabolic Adaptations of Skeletal Muscle to Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise in Hypertensive Heart Failure Rats published in the journal of Physiological Research.

– DR. REBECCA SCHULTZ

Van Zee attended The Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Gurgaon India Tour in New Delhi, India. This international conference is designed to help attendees better understand Indian legal, social, economic and global environments of business.

Bruce Watley, assistant professor

Keith Perkins, associate

The cases were based upon actual criminal cases tried in South Dakota, in which Thompson was counsel for the defendants. In the mock trials, USF faculty and staff members acted as jurors by listening to the evidence and arguments presented by the students and then deliberating on the cases to reach a verdict.

“I am so proud of how well my students did,” said Thompson. “Also, I can’t thank Judge Srstka enough. He runs a no-nonsense courtroom, which made the experience all the more real.”

– DR. RYAN VAN ZEE

Education faculty, led a student delegation to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference in Los Angeles. Hanson and Loven also presented Innovation in Preservice Elementary Teacher Preparation.

Mike Thompson, assistant professor of criminal justice, teaches Trial Process, and his students presented two criminal cases for trial at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in front of former Second Circuit Court Judge William J. Srstka.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 8

– SUZANNE MAXWELL

– DR. JAMES FOSTER

– JOE OBERMUELLER

– BRYAN WERMERS

Joe Obermueller, assistant professor and director of theatre, most recently completed his M.F.A. in theatre pedagogy and taught at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. He has worked as an actor, director and teaching artist nationally and internationally. Obermueller received his undergraduate degree in theatre arts from Pepperdine University.

Dr. Adam Sturlaugson, assistant professor of chemistry, completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sioux Falls in 2007 and obtained a B.S. in chemistry and biology. In 2013, he graduated from Stanford University with a Ph.D. in chemistry.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// – DR. ADAM STURLAUGSON USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 9

A sense of

Calling

University’s missional framework encompasses all disciplines and puts alumni on path to serve those in need.

USF embodies a model that is strengthened by society’s weakness.

Many segments of the world’s population endure inequities—encompassing social, economic, cultural or political exclusion.

Erin Srstka, a 2006 graduate in psychology and social science, illuminates what USF teaches, “It is not our job as Christians to ignore and punish but to extend a helping hand and not judge them, to offer them tools and work toward benefiting humankind.”

For many alumni charged with USF’s Culture for Service mission, children are that segment that tugs at their hearts.

// ERIN SRSTKA ’06

“Children are one of the more vulnerable populations that we have in our society. It’s important that we do our best for them,” says Srstka, who received her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Today the alumna is coordinator of Minnehaha County’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, which has reduced the county’s secure detention population by 70 percent.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 10 11

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 11

Mission: Behavior facilitator in a social skills classroom in which we attempt to love on the students in ways that many don’t receive from anywhere else Quotable: I do it because God calls me to this place. I do it because God has so uniquely gifted me and given me passions that fit this job and the students therein.

USF impact: I think that USF provides a very real look at people. The school doesn’t try to box people in or limit them. … USF and the professors I had in the Theology, English and Sociology departments constantly sought to have us look at our preconceived ideas, values and views of what it means to be a Christian in the midst of the world.

// ANDREW CARMANY ’13

“We have to make a concerted and united effort to get out of our comfort zones to obey the call Jesus has given all of his children to go to the least and the lost, to enter into the lives of the marginalized that are in our communities.”

– ANDREW CARMANY

From the outset, USF provides an overarching rationale for alumni who pursue a career based on servant leadership.

“The Theology Department teaches that God himself is missional and that the call of Jesus is a call to service,” says Dr. John Hiigel, professor of biblical studies. “Jesus saw his mission as a fulfillment to bring well-being to a hurting world. His call to discipleship was a call to follow him in that kind of work.”

Mission: Ensures reading teachers are providing best possible education for students

Theology and Philosophy major Andrew Carmany graduated in 2013 and works with at-risk youths as the behavior facilitator in the Roosevelt Tier Two program.

Quotable: I have been challenged to know that this is a longterm process. At the end of the day, I know that I did my best and tomorrow I get to do it again. It’s a marathon not a sprint.

“We have to make a concerted and united effort to get out of our comfort zones to obey the call Jesus has given all of his children to go to the least and the lost, to enter into the lives of the marginalized that are in our communities,” Carmany says.

The Roosevelt program is a social-skills class that, as Carmany explains, “helps students to understand who they are as a person, what their gifts are, what their passions are, and what they struggle with.”

USF Dean of Chapel Dennis Thum, who oversees Campus Ministries, says the many arms of the school’s service-learning environment—from chapel and residence life to faculty and the interim experience—add to the strength of the USF program.

However, challenges to the approach do exist, he says.

“We strive to be a grace-based ministry. It would be easy to dump a lot of ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’ on people, but that is not healthy discipleship,” he says. “We want to introduce you to the Gospel and the call to a life of Jesus.”

As Hiigel explains, “Campus Ministries and theological studies fit hand in glove. We give students a chance to see what real needs there are in the world and incorporate a sense of calling.”

Lindsey Dolge is a 2008 theology and philosophy graduate working in Kansas City, Mo. “I had this view that people were all treated equally today. But once you are informed and actually put names and stories to statistics, then you find where your heart beats and where you’re called to do work,” says Dolge, who is a reading instructional coach at a Kansas City public charter middle school where most fifth-graders begin the school year reading at a second-grade level.

“I am so confident that I am right in the middle of what I should be doing in my life,” Dolge says.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 12

// LINDSEY DOLGE ’08

USF impact: I was forced to flex my mental muscle to work through questions, allowing me to be successful today.

USF child welfare specialist Katie Bloom says the USF model is “like a book. There’s an introduction, middle and ending. When students start, we introduce them to the most basic ways of helping. Then they get to the middle of the book and they see more of what they can do. And by the time they get to the end, it is incorporated into how they live. Students find that it gives meaning to their life and the lives of others.”

The immersion spans all disciplines. As Thum shares, “The service ethic doesn’t work well when delegated only to Campus Ministries. I am often greatly inspired by my colleagues and how they are integrating service learning into everything they do.”

Within the Fredrikson School of Education, Dr. Beth Jernberg says part of the school’s focus is to build servant leaders. “Students have lots of practicum experiences where they see skilled and motivated teachers who are in the school district and private schools, and I think that’s an important part of their modeling.”

Beth O’Toole in the Criminal Justice Department says, “I think it’s a core value for the school but it’s also a core value that our faculty impress upon students. When they come into the criminal justice program, we have opportunities for them to serve while they are in school. Students view their careers as callings.”

A career among a vulnerable population such as at-risk children also requires some key tools for alumni to persevere. “Our hearts hurt for kids in trouble,” says USF’s Dr. Bill Loewen, but the environment can be thankless.

// HEATHER (VAN AARTSEN) DEWIT ’03 Mission: Director of child care and education services for Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, overseeing five locations Quotable: I am passionate about afterschool programs and how they impact children. I believe those hours after school can be a resource for kids. We offer them really good choices and a safe place to try things that they may not try otherwise.

USF impact: Certainly the school nurtured in me the culture for service and the faith background, but also impacted me in the academic parts of my day, such as educational techniques.

USF gave me the courage to make connections and the confidence to know that I really knew my stuff.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 13

O’Toole notes the importance of faith and perspective.

“Once our students start to see their career with a Christian perspective and accept the challenges and embrace the challenges, they make such a difference in the world,” she says.

// JACQUELINE (EMANUEL) JOHNSON ’10 Mission: Directing group social skills, anger management, behavior management and testing for social services Quotable: I think it’s just trying to show through your actions that you care and make sure that you are living your life the way you would want your students to live—showing them Christ’s love through your actions.

USF impact: I had a great mentor in Gretchen Hoffman (Psychology Department).

// JUDY TIESZEN ZIMBELMAN ’86 Mission: Working with families going through divorce, couples that need assistance with parenting issues, and families pursuing adoptions Quotable: USF gives its students a view of Christianity that is realistic. It did not have a strict view of how Christians should act but had an underlying understanding that all are loved in the lord.

USF impact: Attending USF impacted my career by giving me the direction I needed to make decisions about my career.

I enjoyed my professors and knew I was not lost there. My professors knew me as an individual.

// BETHANY (JONES) RAAB ’05 Mission: Focus is on teens and families dealing with behavioral/mental health problems, and an adolescent program for kids who have committed sexual offenses Quotable: More than anything the piece of Christianity that I identify with is loving your neighbor, treating them with humane love, kindness and respect regardless of their situation. Leaving judgment to God is a big part of my work.

Bloom explains how empathy, tolerance and understanding come into play.

“When alumni step outside and walk beside people and see that many people don’t have basic necessities, they do one of two things. Either they turn around and go back to their comfort zone or they go forward and walk next to them and see their struggles,” she says.

Jacqueline (Emanuel) Johnson, a 2010 USF graduate and a psychologist at a Title 1 elementary school in Sandy, Utah, loves interacting with the 70 students on her caseload every week.

“My goal through my career is to make an impact on a child’s life,” she says. But every day isn’t about great achievements.

“Those little successes—when you have a child who used to melt down for 45 minutes now do it for only 20—make it worthwhile,” says Johnson, who earned her education specialist degree from the University of South Dakota.

Bethany (Jones) Raab graduated from USF in 2005 with a degree in social work and criminal justice and received her master’s degree from the University of Denver. She splits her time between Progressive Therapy Systems and her private therapy practice.

“USF teaches and embodies relationships,” Raab says. “And the relationships that I build in my jobs with kids, parents and colleagues can be really rewarding.”

God-anointing time I have ever had. How I have been molded and shaped as an individual. God has poured out through me in ways I never would have imagined in my coming out here.”

– GORDON STEWART

Another alumnus who chooses to walk beside those in need is Tony Benedetto, a 2012 biology/secondary education major who teaches ninth-grade biology and coaches football and basketball at Spruce High School in Dallas.

“Yes, teaching is important,” he says, “but making their day a little bit better is really important.”

Benedetto is effusive about USF and his studentteaching experience with USF alumnus Brent Eliason.

“USF transformed me. When I came there, I was more selfish in my thoughts and in my performance,” he explains. “The biggest thing is servant leadership—that is what I took out of USF. Everything had that community feel to it.”

While conversations about faith are not overt in the career environments of many alumni, a Christian compassionate outlook remains at the core of their work.

MICAH SCHILLER

BETHANY (JONES) RAAB

JUDY TIESZEN ZIMBELMAN

// GORDON STEWART ’12 Mission: Teaching sixth- and seventh-grade social studies at Little Wound School in Kyle, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Reservation USF impact: USF gave me the education that I needed for a place like Pine Ridge, to be confident enough to go to, what most people say, is a hard place. … USF didn’t give me God, but USF was the tool used by God to help me know that God is alive.

// MICAH SCHILLER ’11

USF impact: USF gave me a place to explore and people who were safe and professional to explore what I believed and how that fit into the world.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 14

“It has been the most

Judy Tieszen Zimbelman, a 1986 graduate in social work who operates Zimbelman Evaluations, shares, “The base of the Christian faith is to love others. I believe listening to people’s stories is the first step in having a genuine concern for others.

Validating who they are, how they think, and what they are concerned about is crucial in the social work profession and at the heart of Christianity.”

Mission: Introducing adolescents to Jesus and helping them grow in their faith through Young Life ministry in Sioux Falls Quotable: Greeting a kid with a smile and remembering his name can be so huge.

USF impact: There is an element of faith in every aspect of learning at USF. Being able to ask difficult questions in a safe environment and being encouraged to think outside the box.

// TONY BENEDETTO ’12 Mission: Teaching ninth-grade biology at an inner-city school in Dallas, Texas Quotable: I would say I try to attack every day with positivity. … I have a purpose. God has put me here to help others have success and I enjoy that.

USF impact: Having that USF background and experience has helped me be a success. I was all molded at USF.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 15

We seek to foster academic excellence and the development of

OUR MISSION:

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

mature Christian persons

BRET GIESE ’13: Media Studies Major, Video Board Intern Sioux Falls Skyforce

42500 positions are posted each year in Cougar Careers, USF’s job and internship database.

for service to God and humankind

ETHAN BATSCHELET ’12: Missionary in Honduras

in the world.

///////////////////////////////////////////

BRADY VELGERSDYK ’13: Tax Associate at McGladrey – Assurance, Tax and Consulting

JADEN MILLER ’14: Media

Studies Major, Intern Reporter South Dakota Public Broadcasting

487% of graduates start their careers in Sioux Falls.

MORGAN CASELLI ’10: Kindergarten Teacher at Doulos Discovery, a Christian, college-preparatory, expeditionary learning, English-immersion school in the Dominican Republic.

AUBRI FREY ’13: Theology and Youth Ministry and Psychology Double Major, 2013 Honors Scholar

4 500 academic scholarships awarded annually.

EMMA MOGEN ’13: Registered Nurse at Sanford Children’s Hospital

4100% placement rates in more than half of USF’s majors.

ANTHONY HOLLAND ’13: Nike – Skill Development Trainer and Coach

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 16

DAVID NOUR ’11 (M.Ed.): Named ‘Hood Magazine 2014 Teacher of the Year

497% of USF grads find employment in their major or chosen field within six months of graduation.

Photo by Kristi Shanks Photography

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 17

GROSS: brigitte

4Pole Vault • • • • •

3-time national champion 6-time All-American Indoor conference record holder Personal best: 13’7.5” School record holder in • 60m hurdles • Outdoor and indoor pole vault Photos by Cheryl Elbers Epic Multimedia

THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION

USF’S FIRST NCAA DII CHAMP SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS Blessed. That’s the word fifth-year senior and music education major Brigitte Gross (Alexandria, S.D.) uses to describe her emotions after vaulting 12-11.5 (3.95m) and winning her first, and USF’s first, NCAA Division II national championship at Winston-Salem, N.C., on March 14.

“I was injured for most of the indoor season and only jumped in two meets before nationals,” Gross explains. “My goals are to stay healthy and do whatever my coaches ask me to do.”

With Gross’s self-proclaimed “crazy, thrilling goal” of making the Olympic trials, she’ll continue to rely on her coaches.

“Brigitte is a long way from peaking,” says Head Track and Field Coach Reid Ehrisman. “She has some technical things wrong in her vault that are keeping her from jumping higher. In terms of making the Olympic trials, I think it’s something she could do, but it would take an even higher commitment from Brigitte.”

Dr. David DeHoogh-Kliewer, associate professor of music and director of choral activities, praises Gross for her leadership in Concert Chorale and in the K-12 classroom as a student teacher, noting her passionate, organized and inspiring approach with students, whether age six or 16.

Trained in classical dance for 12 years, Brigitte has “enhanced the grace and beauty of our music with her lyrical interpretation of the works performed,” DeHoogh-Kliewer says. “The approach of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, a celebrated musical pedagogue of the early-20th century, particularly resonates with Brigitte, as he believed the foundation of musical vibrancy was established as a physical outlet, using the body as a device of expression.”

Others who Gross relies on for strength include her church family, parents, siblings, professors and friends.

Feeling blessed, as she experienced at nationals, and being supported throughout her USF experience, strengthens Gross’s conviction to train for the Olympic trials.

“My parents are there with love, whatever the results,” Gross says. “My siblings have pushed me through tough workouts and have even told me things they’ve noticed in my vault, and my music professors have worked with my schedule to encourage my pole vaulting and music goals.”

But it’s not Gross’s winning vault that she says she’ll remember about USF 50 years from now.

“It will be the people,” she says, “and the community of the campus.”

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 18

Head Track and Field Coach Reid Ehrisman says becoming a champ isn’t luck, isn’t just hard work nor is it due to natural talent. For a college athlete to achieve Brigitte Gross’s level of success, here’s what it takes according to Ehrisman.

BE COMMITED TO HARD WORK – “Brigitte has taken her training seriously,” Ehrisman says. “Plus, I can’t remember a time when she’s had a bad attitude about a practice. Brigitte is positive and light hearted about everything…even in the midst of injury, she remains optimistic about the future.”

BE A VERY GOOD ATHLETE – “Brigitte was blessed with a lot of natural speed and strength,” Ehrisman says. “She has the ideal body type for a female pole vaulter.”

BE EXPERIENCED – “Brigitte has been put in high pressure, high stress situations and has dealt with them positively,” Ehrisman says. “So to her, nationals is just another meet, so to speak.”

BE ABLE TO SHAKE OFF DISAPPOINTMENT – “Brigitte handles setbacks well and uses them as motivation to get better,” Ehrisman says.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 19

After a two-month, nationwide search, President Mark Benedetto announced at a press conference on March 21 that Josh Snyder will lead Cougar athletics as the director of intercollegiate athletics, effective May 1.

“From my first conversation with Dr. Benedetto through my interview and eventual hiring, I had a feeling this was the place my family was meant to be,” said Snyder. “USF is a place to call home, and I’m excited to work with the USF community to continue building an athletics program of the highest caliber.”

– JOSH SNYDER AND FAMILY

Snyder most recently served as senior associate athletics director for compliance and development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He came to UMKC from Boise State University, where he served as executive director for NCAA compliance after serving at Iowa State University in three senior athletic leadership positions. From 2001-2003 Snyder was an associate and assistant athletics director at the University of South Dakota and an assistant in compliance at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

He received a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports sciences from ISU and earned his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law. “USF athletics is filled with potential, only some of which has been realized,” Snyder said. “My goal is to tap the energies, passions and resources of the Sioux Falls community to build a program of national prominence.”

USF WILL HOST 2018 NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP The University of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Sports Authority will co-host the 2018 NCAA DII men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships at Lillibridge Track at the USF Sports Complex.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Lillibridge family, we built one of the finest track facilities in the nation five years ago,” said Reid Ehrisman, USF head track and field coach, “and we’re looking forward to hosting teams from around the country with a first-class championship in a first-class facility.”

Top college athletes have already utilized Lillibridge Track. USF hosted the Summit League’s track and field championships in 2011 and the USF Relays in 2012.

Men’s Cross Country became the first USF team to qualify for an NCAA DII

COUGAR HIGHLIGHTS

JOSH SNYDER IS NEW INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

national tournament where they finished 18th overall. The team’s academic prowess ranked them with the second highest GPA among DII teams and the second highest GPA out of all NCAA teams (DI, DII and DIII) with a 3.80.

Volleyball finished 7th in the NSIC (13th in 2012), including an upset victory over nationally ranked No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University. The Cougars also downed crosstown rival Augustana College in a five-set thriller (25-27, 25-27, 25-23, 28-26,15-13). This early season victory, the first for USF over Augie in 30 years, set the team’s winning trajectory for their season.

Football notched its 20th straight winning season with their convincing 35-10 victory at Wayne State College.

Tennis (finished 8-9, 6-6 NSIC) was the No. 8 seed in the 2013 NSIC tournament, thereby becoming the first USF team to receive a nonautomatic postseason berth in the school’s NCAA DII era. Junior Morgan DeLange (Watertown, S.D.) led the Cougars with 10 singles victories, went 9-2 against conference opponents and ended the regular season with nine NSIC wins in a row.

– MORGAN DELANGE

Women’s Basketball postseason action culminated in a semifinals loss to eventual

– BAILEY BOUMAN

Women’s Basketball senior forward Laura Johnson (Cedar Falls, Iowa) became the first USF basketball player to earn back-to-back First-Team All-NSIC honors. She also joined the 1,000-point club, set the single-season free throw percentage record and broke the career three-pointers made record with 259. Johnson is No. 5 on the USF career scoring charts with 1,402 points.

– LAURA JOHNSON

“I’m confident that USF will go all out to provide the best atmosphere for competition,” said Ehrisman. “We’re very excited for the opportunity our student-athletes have to compete in front of our hometown fans and their families. We will be prepared to compete to the best of our ability come May 2018.”

Indoor Track and Field red shirt junior Billy Brockmueller (Brandon, S.D.) was

– BILLY BROCKMUELLER

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 20

champion Concordia-St. Paul during the NSIC tournament. Throughout their run, the Cougars defeated St. Cloud State on the road and then upset Wayne State College, the No. 1 conference team and the No. 9 team in DII. This victory included a 3-point shot by senior Bailey Bouman (Pipestone, Minn.) with less than 4 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

honored for the second time by the NCAA for winning the Elite 89 Award. This honor is bestowed upon the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA championships.

Brockmueller previously won the award during the 2012 cross country season. He is only the second NSIC student-athlete to receive the award twice.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 21

Celebrating 50 years!

Members of the Class of 1963 spent homecoming weekend reminiscing and rekindling past friendships from their days at Sioux Falls College.

Three decades later, a teacher’s impact honored Thirty-three years after leaving Hendricks, Minn., Will Muller ’63 was recognized for his innovation in the classroom, his commitment to his students and athletes and dedication to Hendricks High School. He was named the 2013 Hendricks Hall of Fame Outstanding School Contributor.

CLASS NOTES // NEWS ////////////////////////////////////////////

1970s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Dennis Hoffman ’72 interim chief executive officer at Volunteers of America since December 2012, was appointed to a full time position as president and CEO. Eugene Cauvin ’75 spent 20 years serving with the US Air Force, retiring in the grade of captain.

Upon the completion of his military service he returned to school to fulfill his aspiration of becoming a family nurse practitioner, graduating from Columbia in 2005.

Subsequently, he reached the doctoral level in May of 2012, earning a doctorate in nursing practice from Pace University in New York City. Today, Eugene works as a nurse practitioner in pain and medicine palliative care at the New York University Medical Center.

Hutchinson ’02 is Teacher of the Year

Joel ’87 and Laura ’96 Clark opened their Silver Creek Apple Orchard to customers for the first time in the fall of 2013. The Clarks planted their apple orchard in spring 2010 and plan to expand next year.

Rod Reed ’89 recently completed his Ph.D. in theology, while focusing his research on the ways Christian universities influence student spiritual formation. He also recently published his first book, based in part on his doctoral work, entitled Building a Culture of Faith: University-wide Partnerships for Spiritual Formation. Rod lives with his wife and four kids in northwest Arkansas. ////////////////////////////////////////////

1990s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Chad Stadem ’95 was named the 2013-2014 head football coach at Washington High School in Sioux Falls.

////////////////////////////////////////////

1980s

////////////////////////////////////////////

////////////////////////////////////////////

2000s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Brian Hansen ’84, director of the South Dakota Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has been named ambassador for Heads Up Football, an NFL initiative aimed at promoting safety in youth football.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 22

Allison (Becker ’02) Hutchinson, a biomedical science teacher at the Career and Technical Education Academy, received the 2013 Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the Year award for the Sioux Falls School District.

Christine (Arshem ’00) Thom has joined Beck and Hofer Construction as its controller.

Out of 1,625 teachers in Sioux Falls, 34 were nominated for Teacher of the Year. Hutchinson was selected from five finalists.

According to Hutchinson, USF’s Christian, liberal arts identity helped her grow in her faith and develop versatile learning skills. In addition, science professors like Dr. Bill Soeffing, Dr. Cliff Lewis and Keith Perkins enriched her learning experience.

“One year after graduating, I was teaching AP biology,” said Hutchinson. “There were times I stood at the board wondering where to go next, and I would think, ‘What would Keith Perkins do?’ Then, I would start in on some story about spiders mating or throw in an interesting fact about mollusks and the lesson would practically teach itself!”

Jessica (DeVries ’01) Arend joined the Ronald McDonald House of South Dakota as the event manager. She spent several years in management at Wells Fargo Bank in the Denver area and most recently served as the finance director for the Kristi for Congress campaign.

Meegan (Reed ’02) Vellek is an intake coordinator at the Child Saving Institute in Omaha, Neb. She responds to all inquiries to families interested in becoming a licensed foster home and also matches area foster children to licensed families within the agency.

Jami (Beck ’03) Gates joined Big Brothers Big Sisters as the executive director.

Justin Reilly ’03 has been promoted to senior manager at Eide Bailly in Sioux Falls.

Jaren (Johnson ’05) Guetter received her M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri in 2009 and is the theater manager for the Harrisburg School District.

Russell “RJ” Robinson ’08 received his M.A. in christian ministry and is a youth minister at First United Methodist in Manhattan, Kan. Cami Veire ’08 (MBA) joined the Ronald McDonald House of South Dakota as director of donor relations. She spent the last seven years working for South Dakota State University as an instructor, internship coordinator and professional academic advisor.

Julie (Elder ’09) Robinson received her M.A. in christian ministry at Truett Seminary at Baylor University and is now an admissions counselor at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kan. ////////////////////////////////////////////

2010s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Tracie Erdmann ’10 received her M.A. in clinical mental health counseling in 2013.

Nolan Wiese ’10 and business partner Tyler Honke were one of 12 business finalists named for the annual Governor’s Giant Vision competition with their company Backyard Specialty Foods Manufacturing.

Corey ’12 and Naida (Hertel ’12) Boadwine are the new co-owners of Kaladi’s in Sioux Falls.

Kathy Schuler ’13 (MBA) was promoted to a vice president at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls.

Xavier Pastrano ’13 (M.Ed.) was named the 2013 Most Successful Instructor at Killian Community College in Sioux Falls.

Jake Versteeg ’13 is currently teaching vocal music grades 4-12 in the Tri-Valley School District.

Kraig Pomrenke ’13 is the director of business development for Ovations Food Services in Lutz, Fla., specializing in professional commercial food and beverage services for convention centers, arenas, stadiums, ballparks, performing arts centers, zoos, aquariums and museums. He is responsible for developing new business units.

// BIRTHS ////////////////////////////////////////////

1990s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Shane Sandersfeld ’96 and wife Elisabeth welcomed son, Quinlan Charles, on August 9, 2013, Hopkins, Minn.

Crystal (Nesheim ’99) Johnson and husband Chad welcomed daughter, Lillian Rose, on March 14, 2013, Lennox, S.D. Andy ’99 and ’10 (MBA) and Sara (Lund ’00) Patterson welcomed daughter, Lydia Suzanne, on August 7, 2013, Harrisburg, S.D. Melanie (Lee ’99) Wagner and husband Brett welcomed son, Calen Alan, on September 22, 2013, Sioux Falls. ////////////////////////////////////////////

2000s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Seth Miller ’00 and wife Jessie welcomed daughter, Gabriella Johanna, on October 29, 2012, Sioux Falls.

Matt ’01 and Sarah (Rollinger ’01) Alley welcomed son, Jack David, on July 17, 2013, Hartford, S.D. Kari (Gauer ’01 M.Ed.) Bultje and husband Terry welcomed son, Trevor John, on October 18, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Todd Schlekeway ’01 and ’07 (M.Ed.) and wife Jill welcomed son, Grant Jackson, on March 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jenny (Volkert ’02) Grant and husband Jerrod welcomed daughter, Sophia Faye, on August 8, 2013, Rockwell, Iowa.

Meegan (Reed ’02) Vellek and husband Matt welcomed son, Camden Lee, on April 15, 2013, Omaha, Neb. Tara (Ammann ’03) Anderson and husband David welcomed son, Bryce David, on May 17, 2013, Wilmot, S.D.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 23

Travis ’08 and Kristen (Klaassen ’07) Hardie welcomed son, Treyton Randall, on June 28, 2013, Parker, S.D.

Robyn Ernster ’11 (M.Ed.) and husband Chris welcomed son, Joseph William, on September 20, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Sherry (Hotchkiss ’07 M.Ed.) Olson and husband Cory welcomed daughter, Taya Renae, on January 9, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jennifer Hight ’11 and husband Michael welcomed daughter, Nalani JoNell, July 29, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Angela (DeJager ’08 MBA) DeBoer and husband Andon welcomed son, Vaughn Allen, on March 15, 2013, Harrisburg, S.D.

Chelsa (Baxa ’11) Jons and husband Dan welcomed son, Jase Daniel, on April 24, 2013, Bonesteel, S.D.

Karine (Schrader ’04 and ’10 M.Ed.) Paulson and husband Matthew welcomed son, Micah Harold, on September 5, 2012, Sioux Falls.

Ben ’09 and Maggie (Egstad ’08) Nebelsick welcomed daughter, Brynlie Kay, on April 24, 2013, Le Mars, Iowa.

Jennifer (Goeden ’11) Sandman and husband Nate welcomed daughter, Brecklynn Elizabeth, September 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Paul ’05 and Amy (Murren ’05) Heinert welcomed son, Miles Gary, on May 22, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Charles Ward ’08 and wife Paige welcomed daughter, Caylin Christine, on August 20, 2013, Garretson, S.D.

Craig Boyens ’12 (M.Ed.) and wife Rachel welcomed daughter, Clara Catherine, on October 21, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jenna (Goedtke ’09) Ahlers and husband Mike welcomed daughter, Stella Margaret, on January 10, 2013, Worthington, Minn.

Nathan Elg ’12 and wife Cassy welcomed daughter, Eloise Carole, on March 2, 2013, Sioux Falls.

// BIRTHS CONT. Gwen (Fouberg ’03) Skar and husband Scott welcomed daughter, Lennon Mary Charlotte, on April 8, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Josh ’04 and Marcy (Edwardson ’06 and ’10 M.Ed.) Colwell welcomed daughter, Hope Micheal, on January 11, 2013, Harrisburg, S.D.

Dana (Sherrill ’05) Irvine and husband Ryan welcomed daughter, Elizabeth Geraldine, on June 20, 2013, Renner, S.D. Adam ’05 and Jena (Christianson ’05) Smith welcomed son, Gavyn Marshall, on May 13, 2013, Kailua, Hawaii.

John Boe ’06 and wife Allison welcomed son, Jackson John, on March 10, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Chris ’06 and ’12 (M.Ed.) and Heidi (Dannenbring ’06) Haugan welcomed son, Lincoln Joseph, on July 23, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Emily (Knutson ’06) Paulsen and husband Jon welcomed son, William Stephen, on April 23, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Billie (Evans ’06 and ’10 M.Ed.) Rothenberger and husband Ryan welcomed daughter, Alexa Jo, on January 19, 2013, Dell Rapids, S.D. Michael Comfort ’07 and wife Jennifer welcomed son, Ryan Michael, on February 27, 2013, Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Lindsey (Koster ’07) Drewes and husband Shane welcomed daughter, Hailey Marie, on September 14, 2013, Sioux Falls.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 24

Ashley (Christensen ’09) Statema and husband Ben welcomed son, Arrow Ross, on July 29, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jamie (Coffman ’09) Van Voorst and husband Keaton welcomed daughter, Addison Rose, June 10, 2013, Boyden, Iowa.

Jordan ’09 and Kelsey (Ihnen ’09) Veurink welcomed daughter, Madelyn Grace, on July 29, 2013, Sioux Falls. ////////////////////////////////////////////

2010s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Dustin ’10 and Liz (Boden ’11) Boyle welcomed son, Walker, on September 24, 2013, Hartford, S.D. Andrew “AJ” ’10 and ’12 (M.Ed.) and Jamey (Hofer ’12) Jenkins welcomed son, Hunter James, on April 16, 2013, Hartford, S.D. Nolan ’10 and Megan (Aanenson ’12) Wiese welcomed daughter, London, on October 31, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jamie Hesser ’12 and husband Kevin welcomed daughter, Charlie Sue, on July 15, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Ryan ’12 (MBA) and Pamela (Kogel ’12 MBA) Konz welcomed son, Miles Daniel, on January 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jill (Vinzant ’12) Waggoner and husband Justin welcomed daughter, Alliana Joy, on August 23, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Taylor Klein ’13 and wife Shelbi welcomed son, Holden James, on July 21, 2013, Murrieta, Calif. ////////////////////////////////////////////

FACULTY & STAFF

Chad ’02 (Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science) and Jerri ’08 and ’12 (M.Ed.) Birger welcomed son, Lucas Christopher, on February 12, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jolene (Financial Aid Counselor) and husband Garrett Halvorsen ’14 (MBA) welcomed daughter, Leila Mai, on February 27, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Katy (Education Administrative Assistant) and Vince ’11 Lahren welcome daughter, Madelynn Ann, on August 28, 2013, Brandon, S.D. Billie Streufert (Vice President for Student Development and Success) and husband Dan welcomed daughter, Briella Lynn, on May 17, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Ben ’02 (Admissions Operations and Data Coordinator) and wife Leah (Gruber ’03) Weins welcomed daughter, Miriam Mitchell, April 10, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Bryan Wermers (Assistant Professor of Nursing) and wife Lisa welcomed daughter, Alexa Brynn, on June 13, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Cole Shawd ’06, founder of Mixed, a fast, casual, green restaurant that specializes in made-to-order salads and healthy foods, says the concept and experience of his restaurant is 100 percent unique. From the great-tasting, healthy menu to the colors and atmosphere in the restaurant, Mixed offers a fresh approach to dining.

Shawd created his own 10-point green standard by which the restaurant operates. The sustainable efforts include compostable cups, lids, straws and plastic ware, 100 percent recycled paper towels and napkins, reusable bowls, recycled flooring and Energy Star-rated light bulbs.

“Taking care of our customers and the world our customers live in is a top priority,” said Shawd. “That is why every day we stay true to these words and follow strict practices that keep our operation green.”

The success of Shawd’s unique concept and the growing popularity of healthier lifestyles has allowed others to join the team on a franchise level. Shawd recently opened two new franchise locations in Omaha, Neb., and Rapid City, S.D.

A manly scent generates profit?

Adam Anderson ’08, a business administration major, started ManHands Soap Company in his hometown of Lincoln, Neb. Since the company’s inception, Anderson has made 8,000 bars of soap in 26 different scents ranging from bacon to fresh-cut grass.

His products are sold in multiple stores in the Lincoln area and online at manhandssoap.com. A chain of stores called IT’SUGAR also carries his line of soap in 24 locations, including Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.

// MARRIAGES ////////////////////////////////////////////

2000s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Brent Fjeldheim ’06 married Ashley Holiday on June 22, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Kelly Quamen ’06 (M.Ed.) married Tad Eggleston on October 12, 2013, Johnsburg, Ill.

//////////////////////////////////////////// Mekonnen Afa ’09 (MBA) (Head Soccer Coach) and wife Jessica welcomed son, Yikem Naamin, on May 5, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Mixed restaurant promotes healthy lifestyle, green environment

Sarah Haynes ’08 married Nathan Timmer on June 1, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Ashley Heikes ’08 married Matthew Rigge on September 28, 2013, Parker, S.D. Lori Kallandar ’08 married Calen Maningas on May 25, 2013, Keystone, S.D.

One school, one classroom, one teacher Sports Illustrated for Kids visited Priscilla Fox’s ’11 school to document daily life in one of the last oneroom schoolhouses in the United States. When Fox received her elementary education degree, she didn’t plan on teaching in such a small school setting.

“Today I definitely count my blessings and can’t see myself being anywhere else,” said Fox. “This year I have three students; in Kindergarten, first grade and fourth grade. Each day, I teach anywhere from 20-25 lessons, including P.E. and art. My teaching consists of rotating every 15 minutes through my students to allow time to do a mini-lesson with each one.”

According to Fox, she would not be where she is today without the support and guidance of professors in the Fredrikson School of Education, especially Dr. Michelle Hanson, associate professor of education, and Dr. Rachelle Loven, professor of education.

“Still to this day, they answer any questions I have and always encourage my success as an educator,” said Fox. “I have never felt as though I was unprepared to teach. They shared their successes and failures with me, and, because of that, they turned me into the best possible teacher. I will be eternally grateful to USF and its caring staff.”

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 25

Chase Koskovich ’12 married Nicole Plendl on June 15, 2013, Kingsley, Iowa.

Jacob Goossen ’14 married Tayla Edgar ’14 on August 3, 2013, Adrian, Minn.

Jordan Mueller ’13 married Jacklyn Jones ’12 on August 31, 2013, Spicer, Minn.

Kolby Kyle ’14 married Paige Antrim on August 24, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jesse Ratzsch ’12 married Kayla Vigness ’14 on July 13, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jaden Miller ’14 married Matt Beukelman on October 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

////////////////////////////////////////////

Mollie Rice ’12 married Alex Loes on July 19, 2013, Mitchell, S.D.

Joe Moen ’10 married Kelsey Tiede ’10 and ’11 (Accelerated Nursing) on August 24, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Steven Slaubaugh ’14 married Samantha Koch ’14 on June 9, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Gordon Stewart ’12 married Ellen Sundstrom on July 13, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Nicole Snook ’10 married Jason Mielke on March 9, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Jake Versteeg ’12 married Esther Nissen ’13 on June 7, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Danielle Bacon ’15 married Rylan Pearson on August 23, 2013.

Tommy Torok ’10 married Jourdan Aanenson ’12 on April 23, 2013, Napa, Calif.

Derek Wieman ’12 married Michelle Levi on June 22, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Kayla McMahon ’15 married Jim Wynia on May 25, 2013, Flandreau, S.D.

Zach Warne ’10 married Janni Brylla ’13 on June 12, 2013, Carlsbad, Calif.

Katie Andresen ’13 married James Kanefke on March 9, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Elisabeth Farnsworth ’16 married Nicholas Anderson on May 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Alex Anderson ’11 married Paige Wetering on July 20, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Steven Ballard ’14 married Crista Vande Pol ’13 on October 5, 2013, Sioux Falls.

////////////////////////////////////////////

Doyle Burnside ’12 married Abby Deinert ’11 on June 22, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Megan Boomgarden ’13 married Nathan Alexander on July 6, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Andrew Buschena ’11 married Amelia Lepping on August 17, 2013, Princeton, N.J.

Lee Glanzer ’13 married Lisa Rupp on May 19, 2013, Sioux Falls.

// MARRIAGES CONT. Michael Meier ’08 married Danielle Johnson on June 21, 2013, Sioux Falls. ////////////////////////////////////////////

2010s

Eric Fjeldheim ’11 married Jessie Waltner ’11 on July 19, 2013, Sioux Falls.

David Maxwell ’14 married Haylee Wagner ’11 on July 20, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Lauren Strasser ’11 married Justin Dick on March 16, 2013, Omaha, Neb. Kristina Aesoph ’12 married Kyle Oakley on June 14, 2013, Orient, S.D. Cassandra Green ’12 married David Stern on June 15, 2013, Delano, Minn.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 26

Alexandra LaBrie ’13 married Garret Meier on January 12, 2013, Clark, S.D. Rachel Olsen ’13 married Travis Halsey on July 6, 2013, Huron, S.D. Jason Rypkema ’14 married Olivia Zantow ’13 on June 1, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Christopher Simmons ’13 married Anna Walker on February 10, 2013, Minneapolis, Minn.

Brady Velgersdyk ’13 married Kara Maas ’13 on June 15, 2013, Wentworth, S.D. Ethan Graham ’14 married Stephanie Graham on August 11, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Benjamin Whitley ’14 married Sara Watt ’15 on June 8, 2013, Yankton, S.D.

FACULTY & STAFF //////////////////////////////////////////// Zach Mathers (Head Athletic Trainer and Director of the USF Sports Complex) married Lisa Ellis on May 24, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Larissa Thune (Grants and Information Specialist) married Scott Hargens on August 16, 2013, Sioux Falls.

// DEATHS

Leta (Ritchie ’31) McCune, June 10, 2013, Kearney, Neb. Elaine (Pagel ’37) Paden, February 19, 2013, Urbana, Ill. Gayle “Peggy” (Humphrey ’39) Crane, October 9, 2013, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Olen (Steen ’39) McCulloch, February 12, 2013, Kalispell, Mont.

Beatrice (Whitwer ’39) Petsche, April 20, 2013, Tilden, Neb. ////////////////////////////////////////////

1940s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Florence (Pearson ’40) Dana, April 30, 2013, Saint Paul, Minn.

Nelle (Erickson ’40) Tanquist, January 8, 2013, Alhambra, Calif.

King Thoelke ’41, September 7, 2013, Cavalier, N.D. Ruth (Tschetter ’43) Hanssen, July 31, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Marjorie (Phillips ’46) Jordan, August 29, 2013, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Juna (Voog ’48) Carlson, June 8, 2013, Beresford, S.D. Marlys (Lodde ’49) Deming, May 19, 2013, Beresford, S.D. Judson “Palmer” Watson ’49, March 5, 2013, San Pablo, Calif. ////////////////////////////////////////////

1950s

//////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////

1930s

Kenneth Boehm ’50, February 15, 2013, Urbandale, Iowa.

////////////////////////////////////////////

Carol (Oestreich ’50) Bombeck, February 3, 2013, Saint Paul, Minn.

Mary (Martini ’30) Cirksena, January 26, 2013, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Iris (Schmidt ’51) Sandau, April 8, 2013, Baton Rouge, La.

Family vacation destination: Africa When most people hear about an unforgettable family vacation, they may think of Hawaii or Disney World. The vacation that stands out most for Chad Lofing ’97, his wife, Crissy, and their two oldest children is a mission trip to Kenya, Africa.

The family assisted in running a Vacation Bible School targeting hundreds of kids from several different schools in Kibera, the largest slum area in Nairobi. The people of Kibera have many circumstances that make their lives more challenging than most Americans, such as no electricity or running water.

Despite these conditions, many of these individuals are some of the happiest people the Lofings have ever met.

“This made me realize how much importance my family and I have put in material items,” Lofing acknowledged.

“I try to teach my children that we should not feel guilty about our circumstances but thank God daily and look for ways to help those around us.”

During the mission trip Lofing and his wife were blessed to experience their children embracing the kids of Kibera, prayers being answered and, most importantly, children giving their lives to Jesus.

“I encourage you to look at the possibilities, not the limitations, in a mission opportunity,” said Lofing. “Also, you do not need to go half way around the world for a mission trip. You can do it in the U.S., your state or even your neighborhood. God wants us to serve those people around us and pass that onto the next generation, our children.”

A ‘Swift’ recovery for Lolo It all began with a video about young Lauren Hacker (Lolo), an 11-year-old suffering from leukemia, and her dream to meet Taylor Swift. Adam Sieff ’08 and his brother Zach launched a social media campaign that made Lolo’s dream a reality when Swift visited her at Omaha’s Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in March last year.

“Lolo is best friends with my niece,” said Sieff. “That’s how it all began. Zach and I decided to use our gifts in any way we could. We are always motivated by love and a constant desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Floyd Farrand ’52, April 28, 2013, Sioux Falls.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 27

// DEATHS CONT. Gordon Folkerts ’52, February 11, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Paul Seashore ’52, January 17, 2013, Tucson, Ariz.

Rosemary (Bright ’54) Colwell, May 6, 2013, Omaha, Neb. John “Jack” Roberts ’56, September 23, 2013, Norfolk, Neb. June (Brockel ’58) Haram, September 22, 2013, Spring Lake Park, Minn.

Miriam (Shaw ’58) Sorensen, September 30, 2013, Omaha, Neb. ////////////////////////////////////////////

1960s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Janice (Bibelheimer ’60) Shepherd, May 23, 2013, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Johanna Soodsma ’60, July 5, 2013, Phillipsburg, Kan. Doris (Button ’61) Henneker, September 1, 2013, Oroville, Calif.

Ruth (Edland ’61) Van Veldhuizen, April 16, 2013, Aberdeen, S.D. Vivian Geiken ’62, May 3, 2013, Lennox, S.D. Norman Probert ’62, March 1, 2013, Petoskey, Mich.

Elaine (Ramsey ’66) Terveen, November 17, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Carla Clay ’81, March 14, 2013, Whitesboro, Texas.

Gary VanGerpen ’66, February 3, 2013, Helena, Mont.

Grace Devitt ’81, July 14, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Beulah French ’67, March 23, 2013, Canton, S.D.

Ronald McConahie ’82, February 11, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Marilyn (Larson ’68) Henry, July 20, 2013, New Prague, Minn.

Anthony Hansen ’87, August 6, 2013, Austin, Texas.

Frances DeVries ’69, April 6, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Terry Thoms ’87, September 1, 2013, Joplin, Mo.

Gladys (Johnson ’69) Giere, July 29, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Mary (Whitcomb ’89) Steensland, March 14, 2013, Nixa, Mo.

Margurite Moen ’69, January 31, 2013, Inwood, Iowa.

////////////////////////////////////////////

Leila “Lee” Wulf ’69, March 11, 2013, Citra, Calif. ////////////////////////////////////////////

1970s

//////////////////////////////////////////// Jack MacDonald ’90, July 12, 2013, Greeley, Colo.

FRIENDS Margaret “Peggy” Chapman, friend of USF, June 10, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Rose Christensen, friend of USF, March 15, 2013, Loveland, Colo.

Elizabeth “Betty” Farrell, friend of USF, February 8, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Kristin Loudermilk, friend of USF, March 14, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Bernice Mettler, friend of USF, February 22, 2013, Wessington Springs, S.D.

Vickie Tuttle ’74, July 22, 2013, Bella Vista, Ark.

Kevin Turnblad ’99 (MBA), April 3, 2013, Eden Prairie, Minn.

Vivian Finley Nolte, friend of USF, April 21, 2013, Hiawatha, Kan.

Beverly (Hendricks ’75) Skiles, March 10, 2013, Sioux Falls.

////////////////////////////////////////////

James Pentico, friend of USF, September 13, 2013, Sioux Falls.

1980s

Jackie Limmer ’00, October 3, 2013, Wentworth, S.D. Todd Monson ’08 (MBA), November 19, 2013, Sioux Falls.

by Robert Veninga ’63, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and former Chair of the USF Board of Trustees

Professor Nickel was a master teacher, and I have modeled my own teaching career after his. He taught me every student has immeasurable worth, you can be a person of faith, and rational thought and faith are perfect allies.

William Ryan ’97, May 10, 2013, Greensburg, Pa.

////////////////////////////////////////////

A tribute to Professor Walter Nickel

Walter Nickel was a much-loved professor who had the unique gift of bringing out the best in his students. He was present when students became discouraged. He was there when students were perplexed. He was the one students turned to when they needed someone to lean on.

Archie Gilbert ’74, August 18, 2013, Federal Way, Wash.

////////////////////////////////////////////

- Robert Veninga ’63

Harold “Glenn” Muetzel, friend of USF, March 20, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Walter Nickel, former philosophy professor and debate coach, March 5, 2013, Columbia, Mo.

2000s

John Linney, friend of USF, June 8, 2013, Houston, Texas.

Mary (Dinsmore ’95) Thill, October 25, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Maren Simpson ’77, October 27, 2013, Sioux Falls.

“I owe much to “Walt,” as I was able to call him later in life. Walt taught me the joy of learning. When he lectured he radiated joy. When he walked through the campus of Sioux Falls College, he had an armful of books.

Books were his friend.”

////////////////////////////////////////////

////////////////////////////////////////////

//////////////////////////////////////////// Jane (Power ’62) Wiles, February 11, 2013, Seward, Neb.

1990s

////////////////////////////////////////////

I will miss this gentle man, but I have a strong hunch that he is walking the streets in heaven looking for the nearest library! I also have a feeling that he is starting a heavenly debate team. If there is such a need, the good Lord will name him the coach. And what a coach he will be!

I know one thing with certainty, when Walter Nickel came to the gates of heaven, the Lord said, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Covert operation

Margaret “Solveig” Steen, former music instructor, April 12, 2013, Sioux Falls.

Elaine (Ramsey ’66) Terveen worked for the CIA in Washington, D.C., for two years before returning to Sioux Falls. While attending First Baptist Church in D.C. it was rumored that President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson would be in attendance. Terveen set out on a mission to meet the president and first lady and seized her opportunity while serving at the post-service reception.

Joanne Stugart, friend of USF, August 14, 2013, Greeley, Colo.

Ashley Tofteland, friend of USF, July 10, 2013, Watertown, S.D.

Noticing Lady Bird had finished her punch and was looking for a place to discard her cup and napkin, Terveen swooped in and offered to take them for her. Terveen’s intentions weren’t entirely pure when she left the church with the cup and napkin in hand.

Orin Striegler ’80, July 24, 2013, Kenosha, Wis.

Diana (Schmidt ’65) Hoogestraat, July 5, 2013, Sioux Falls.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR HOMECOMING 2014 October 3-5

The next day, Terveen called the church to report her actions and informed them she had no intention of returning the items, but she did offer to pay to replace the cup. To this day, Lady Bird’s napkin and cup are displayed proudly in the Terveen family china cabinet.

Elaine Terveen (lower right) enjoyed reminiscing with husband Lyle ’63 and close friends Clarice (Henning ’63) and Truman ’64 Dalton at the Class of 1963’s 50th Reunion in October.

Terveen passed away on November 17, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Lyle, ’63; sons, Kevin, Scott and Mark (Heidi); and daughter, Melissa (Terveen ’02) Anawski.

4 Football game and tailgate 4 Class of 1964’s 50th anniversary

4 evue, 198

R First Coo USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 28

Class of

4 Coo Revue and Committments reunion

HAVE NEWS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO SHARE? Email your information to usfalumniandfriends@usiouxfalls.edu.

1964 USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 29

– DR. BETH JERNBERG

A

// DR. BETH JERNBERG // VEDA IVERSON

“Education cannot exist in a vacuum; you have to be able to learn together.

Student-faculty interaction is the most important crossover piece.”

s work began in 2011 for USF to keep pace with technology and pedagogical shifts toward online learning, change didn’t happen simply for change’s sake, as the saying goes.

Veda Iverson, director of online education, and Dr. Beth Jernberg, professor of education, led the USF initiative to build an online program. And the longtime colleagues share that from the outset, every decision had the school’s Christian commitment at its core.

“Meeting the needs—especially the needs of our adult learners—required that we make our programs available online,” Iverson says.

However, in doing so, she adds that it was important to preserve the school’s academic standards, integrity of mission, accessibility to school resources and valuable student-faculty connections. In addition, the evolution of how Iverson and Jernberg came to team up on the project is a quintessential example of the spirit of community that exists at USF.

WHAT IT TAKES TO: BUILD USF’S ONLINE PROGRAMS

The school received Higher Learning Commission approval for its online program in the spring of 2012—about the same time Iverson was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jernberg helped spearhead the project and became Iverson’s “bridge” to USF and her career during her illness.

“The funny thing is, the school was following Christ in all of this and in the end, I think it is a better program. Beth brings vast experience in instructional design, accreditation and organizational skills, while I am more technical-minded. Together, we had all the skills needed to make this work and work well,” Iverson says. “I think this program reflects the entire college and how it can be both Christ-centered and quality-centered at the same time.”

The pair’s complementary expertise is evidenced in the point-counterpoint of their responses:

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 30

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 31

Fredrikson School of Education Kathleen Cook Dr. Carol Den Otter Dr. Michelle Hanson Dr. Beth Jernberg Dr. Rachelle Loven Bill Mack Dr. Becky Thurman Humanities Dr. Jenny Bangsund Dr. Greg Dyer Dave Gallagher Nancy Olive Brenda Paulsen Library Rachel Crowley Natural Science Chad Birger Dr. Shawn Chiappetta Veda Iverson Dr. Joy Lind Brian Lowery Joy Scholten Dr. Shane Scholten Dr. Rebecca Schultz School of Nursing Dr. Jessica Cherenegar Ashley Holen Dr. Cheri Kovalenko Linda Kriech Lynde Rabine Andrea Rasmussen Bryan Wermers Social Science Dr. Mike Grevlos Dr. Stephen Jackson Brent Lerseth Vucurevich School of Business Shelly Baker Rod Battleson Corey Denevan Jeff Frohwein LuAnn Grossman Lorri Halverson Dr. Martha Helland Steve Horan Jim Sturdevant Brad Van Kalsbeek Dr. Ryan Van Zee Dr. Bruce Watley Jill Whitley

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 32

What does it take?

It takes a village. More than 40 faculty members have completed training and are certified to teach online.

// WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD ONLINE PROGRAMS? Iverson: It takes a lot of faith and hard work. Basically to be a reputable online program, the most important thing is to have a strong on-campus program. … Offering students an option to complete their degree online involves more than just taking a course on the computer. We needed to make sure everything that our on-campus students had access to, our online students also could access. This meant making changes to our support departments; putting validation online; offering library services online; and putting all the other support services online. We want our online students to have all the backing and institutional opportunities our students here on campus have.

Jernberg: I’ll just respond from the perspective of an instructor. The strength of student relationships with professors is part of our hallmark. When I’m teaching online, my goal is to maintain a relationship to make sure the interaction takes place between students and between students and the instructor. Education cannot exist in a vacuum; you have to be able to learn together. Student-faculty interaction is the most important crossover piece.

// WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR THE PROGRAMS? Iverson: My goal was to make our school and our education available to everyone—to reach a wider audience. If you put the same class side by side, you could find the same quality, the same richness of the faculty, the same objectives. The same integrity is there.

Jernberg: I don’t think it would have happened very well if we wouldn’t have had the technical support. … For example, my class is meeting today in Rapid City. I’m going to be there via WebEx. They project my image onscreen. I can hear them, they can talk to me and we go from there. The combination of the availability of the technology and the individual pursuit of that commitment to teaching is key.

// WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES? Iverson: A lot had to happen to make sure it was done correctly. And we had to make sure everything we did was a quality program. We wanted to give faculty the resources in software and hardware that gave them the tools to be able to make that leap from the on-ground to online genre.

// WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT THE PROCESS? Iverson: How closely it relates to our faculty and our school as a whole, and how well Beth’s strengths and my strengths worked together. We had some good quality things come out of this program.

Jernberg: The camaraderie that we achieved among faculty. We thought we were talking about online, but what we really were talking about was teaching.

// WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE? Iverson: I’m probably most excited to see where it goes and how it intermixes with the on-ground program. There are a lot of future possibilities for using the online technology in the on-ground environment.

Jernberg: We have such an incredible base of talented and accomplished alumni who could record and give short lectures or testimonies to our students. There is a collection of information videos that could be developed.

// WHAT WOULD YOU TELL ALUMNI ABOUT USF’S ONLINE PROGRAMS?

“We needed to make sure everything that our on-campus students had access to, our online students also could access.”

– VEDA IVERSON

Iverson: Our alumni are our greatest source for getting the word out. I hope that they’ll pass the news along. Also, this program is geared toward our adult learners who have finished school and want to do graduate work. Anywhere along the line they can become involved.

Jernberg: The work that we were able to accomplish together came out of our professional gifts, but mainly it came out of our friendship. The deep friendships we have with each other are part of who we are at USF, and those friendships really tie people to the university.

Jernberg: When we received the approval from accreditation, it seemed like everything had to happen all at once. Part of my commitment was a personal commitment to helping Veda, as well as a larger view of moving the university forward. We had to start with faculty because that’s the heart.

USF MAGAZINE // PAGE 33

1101 W 22nd St Sioux Falls, SD 57105

USF ONLINE PROGRAMS Our accredited, online programs provide convenient and affordable accelerated courses taught by dedicated USF faculty who are certified to teach online.

4 Center for Professional Development Enroll in online courses to meet your continuing education needs anywhere and at a place that fits your schedule.

4 Degree Completion Program • Management (online) • Accounting, Entrepreneurial Studies, Project Management and Social Work (on campus) • $330 per credit, no hidden fees • Proven success since 1987

4 Master of Business Administration • Management (online) • Entrepreneurial Studies, Healthcare Management and Marketing (on campus) • $370 per credit, no hidden fees • Proven success since 1993

Gina Peterson, DCP Manager of Creative Services Daktronics, Inc.

4Master of Education • Educational Administration—Adult and Higher Education (online) • M.Ed. in Reading, Educational Leadership, Technology and Teaching—initial teaching certification—(on campus) • $295 per credit, no hidden fees • Proven success since 1980

4 RN-to-BSN • $330 per credit • Online only • Take one or several courses each semester

usiouxfalls.edu/online