Foundation Notes

When I pursued my Associate of Arts degree at what was then Waldorf College, it wasn’t because I had a burning desire to pursue a higher education. Far from it, actually.

After high school graduation in May and a fun summer with friends, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go into the workforce or continue my education. My parents sat me down around mid-August and said, “You’re either going to get a job, or you’re going to college, so what’s it going to be?”

I wasn’t ready; I didn’t want to grow up. I wanted things to stay just the way they were. I wanted to spend my days working part-time and my nights with my friends having fun. My dad was an alumnus of Waldorf and offered to pay for my first year if I went there. Well, why on earth wouldn’t I accept that offer? The decision was made: I was now a Waldorf Warrior.

Within a few days, I was registered for classes. What I found over those first few months was everything I needed: helpful and knowledgeable professors, staff that could assist me with any issue that came up, and a nurturing environment that allowed me to participate in what I wanted to and then allowed me to observe from afar in other things. I also found opportunities to grow in my faith if I chose to do so, and I did. I graduated with my AA in May 1992.

I had so much confidence in my Waldorf education and experience, that I came back just a few years later in the fall of 1994 when the first bachelor degree programs were put in place. I was in my car and heard an ad on the local station for Waldorf and their new bachelor’s degree program. I was married with a six-month-old baby, but I wanted to finish my education, so why not now?

I remember going straight to Waldorf and talking to the Registrar about the new B.A. program and that I wanted to start right away that fall. It was, again, mid-August. Apparently, I didn’t like to plan ahead in those days, which if you know me now you’ll find hard to believe because I don’t typically like to do anything I haven’t planned and prepared for.

By the time I left Waldorf that day, I was set to start classes. I hadn’t even discussed it with my husband yet or talked to my employer, but two weeks later, I was on campus and working toward my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.

I was one of the first six students ever to graduate from Waldorf with a bachelor’s degree. We graduated in December 1995 and since that time, my education and diploma has served me well.

My longest tenured position was spent as the Executive Director of the two-county economic development office for Winnebago and Worth Counties known as Winn-Worth Betco (Winnebago-Worth Counties Betterment Council) for 17 years from 2001-2018. In that office I worked with various businesses, city councils, county boards of supervisors, state and federal elected officials, state and federal offices, and a variety of local organizations. I worked on community

development, housing, tourism, and business recruitment and retention, and I’m proud of the accomplishments during my 17 years there.

I left Winn-Worth Betco in June 2018 for a great opportunity to be the Vice-President of an up-and-coming company in southern Minnesota called Good Steward Consulting (GSC). GSC works primarily in the energy sector and primarily in the Midwest. I was responsible for day-to-day management activities, project management in multiple states, and working with the company owner/President on strategy to obtain new customers and grow the company. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the fantastic team, and in the 18 months I was employed with GSC, we tripled the number of clients. I wasn’t planning on doing anything different.

But Waldorf came calling to me again. There was an open position that I had been informed of via a current staff member, and when I read the job description, I couldn’t pass up throwing my hat in the ring. After the interview and formalities, I accepted the position and began working as the Director of Institutional Relations on October 9, 2019–nearly 24 years since graduation.

I’ve got some big shoes to fill. Nancy Olson served Waldorf faithfully for a very long time: over 30 years. Change is always difficult, and it will certainly be challenging to honor Nancy’s legacy while also looking to the future. I’m looking forward to meeting our alumni and donors and getting to know them, so together we can continue the great tradition and legacy that has been built here at Waldorf and with the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation.

This school has meant a lot to me. Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have in my career thus far without Waldorf being the right fit, the right place, and the right time for me when I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. My degrees from here have and continue to carry me far.

I want to help Waldorf continue to grow. I want to help alumni continue to stay connected. I want to see our alums’ children and grandchildren continue to discover this place as I did many years ago. I want to help the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation continue to grow and do great things through scholarships, campus ministry, and alumni relations. I want to give back to the institution that gave so much to me.

When I walked into Salveson Hall’s lobby for the first time as an employee on October 9th, I felt excited, happy, and proud to be back ‘home’. Sometimes things come full circle, and this is one of those times. I truly feel like I’m back home, and I can’t wait to meet all of you to hear your Waldorf stories.

Teresa Nicholson Director of Institutional Relations Waldorf University/Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation

The Waldorf Magazine—a combined effort of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation and Waldorf University—is published for alumni and friends of Waldorf University. Please help us keep our records up-to-date by notifying the Foundation if you have moved, changed your name or updated your email address. Contact Janet Berhow at berhowj@waldorf.edu or 641.585.8140.

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