Horizons - Summer 2003
8
Deer tick research conducted by Dr. Patrick Guilfoile and students at Bemidji State University may lead to a better understanding of the biology of this complicated arthropod and to better methods of prevention and treatment of the Lyme disease it transmits. At the very least, research results point to some possible causes for a significant spike in the number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease in Minnesota last year. A record number of 867 people in Minnesota developed Lyme disease in 2002, an 88 percent increase over the previous year, according to the Minnesota Health Department. The increase may be startling, but not surprising based on BSU research in which students stud- ied the migration and molecular genetics of deer ticks. What they found is that a broad area of Min- nesota, including eight counties that previously had no reports of deer ticks, now harbor ticks that cause Lyme disease as well as other tick-borne diseases. “Our biggest finding is that where there were ticks, there was Lyme disease,” said Guilfoile, chair of the BSU Department of Biology. “The ticks and disease went hand in hand. This was true in areas with newly reported popu- lations of ticks, as well as those with established populations.” The Biology Department has a strong tradition of engaging stu- dents in research projects, and BSU requires capstone experi- ences before students graduate, often an original research project for students in the sciences. Current research projects are broad and include molecular genet- ics of ticks, tests for identifying antibiotic resistance, identifying parasites in dogs, population ob- servations of owls, studies of in- vertebrates in the Mississippi River drainage, analysis of parasites that live in fish gills, experimentation to learn how different chemicals affect cancer cells, and studies of forest ecosystems. Funding for these projects comes from exter- nal grants, professional develop- ment funds and the BIO endow- Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University Alumni Association 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Box 17 Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 218-755-3989 / 1-877-BSU-ALUM [email protected] http://info.bemidjistate.edu/alumni N ON-PROFIT ORGAN. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 PERMIT NO. 9 P enalty for Private Use A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State University Vol. 18, No. 4, Summer 2003 BSU BSU BS U BSU Calendar June 20, 2003 Skaar / Wells Fargo Men’s Golf Tournament June 28, 2003 BSU Day at the Metrodome - Twins Game July 18, 2003 Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament July 24, 2003 Anchorage, AK, Alumni Reception August 8, 2003 1 st National Bank Women’s Golf Classic August 22-23, 2003 BSU Alumni Association Board Meeting / Retreat September 12, 2003 BSU Foundation Board Meeting September 26, 2003 Foundation Annual Meeting / Dinner & Dance September 27 – Oct. 4, 2003 Tentative – AIRC Grand Opening Ceremonies October 2, 2003 40-Year Reunion – Class of 1963 October 3-5, 2003 Homecoming BS U Deer Ticks Students, FacultyDig into Deer Ticks ment through the BSU Foundation. Research projects are important both to students and faculty. Stu- dent researchers are able to learn from professors and often have their work published under both names in academic journals. Also, student researchers are more likely to be accepted into gradu- ate programs of their choice and to obtain tuition scholarships with stipends for living expenses. Erich Westrich, a senior in aquatic biology and secondary education, is one student who has enjoyed the benefits of working on research with a faculty mem- ber. He spent most of this year glued to a microscope studying zooplankton under the guidance of Debbie Guelda, assistant pro- fessor of biology. He presented his work at the Mississippi River Consortium Conference in LaCrosse, WI. The experience was a confidence booster. “Students just need to feel con- fident and say, ‘I can do this stuff,’” Westrich said. “I did my best answering questions well and to the point, and now I feel more confident. This makes me very excited to do a lot more research and do a thesis for my master’s.” Deer tick research at BSU has received notice as work has been published in three journals. When it comes to deer ticks, Guilfoile and former BSU gradu- ate student Kay Sanders led the way. They first found the spread of ticks when they studied speci- mens collected from grouse hunt- ers in 17 counties in the fall of 1998 and 1999. Subsequent work by Guilfoile and graduate student David Layfield – now a research special- ist at North Dakota State Univer- sity — found that about 16 percent of the ticks collected in the first phase tested positive for the bac- terium that causes Lyme disease. Guilfoile believes booming tick populations may be attributed to a variety of factors but likely in- clude climate changes or milder winters and warmer, damper weather favorable to ticks. An- other probable factor is the boom in white tail deer populations. Both of these afford the deer tick higher rates of survival and oppor- tunities for reproduction. Lyme disease is the most com- mon arthropod-borne illness in the United States. Last year, the U.S. had 20,000 cases of Lyme disease compared with 4,156 cases of West Nile virus. While some have tracked the spread of deer tick populations in other parts of the state, BSU re- searchers are the first to do so in recent years in north-central Min- nesota. Dr. Harold Borchers, BSU professor emeritus of biology, found his first deer tick in Beltrami County in the mid-’80s. Guilfoile’s interest was piqued by Borchers’ work and his own re- search on host-pathogen interac- tions: how organisms such as the deer tick manage to outsmart im- mune systems and pass on patho- gens such as Lyme disease to their hosts, usually the white-tailed deer. Guilfoile initiated a third and fourth phase of research to begin to unravel this mystery. In the fall of 2000, he visited a deer regis- tration site and asked hunters to allow him to remove mating ticks from freshly killed deer. Guilfoile and former BSU gradu- ate student Mark Packila found one set of genes in the male ticks that had not been previously identified. These genes may be involved in a variety of things such as matura- tion of sperm or the blunting of the host immune response making a host more susceptible to being bit- ten and fed upon. “These findings are important and deserve further study,” Guilfoile said. “By understanding the genes that ticks express, there is the po- tential to develop a vaccine that might limit the ability of the tick to feed on a host, therefore limiting the transmission of disease.” Dr. Patrick Guilfoile (left) and Jake Taylor, a senior who is researching ticks and the genes they express as part of ongoing studies at BSU. “ T “ T Dr. Patrick Guilfoile hese findings are important and deserve further study. By understanding the genes that ticks express, there is the potential to develop a vaccine that might limit the ability of the tick to feed on a host, therefore limiting the transmission of disease.”
-
Upload
bemidji-state-university -
Category
Documents
-
view
228 -
download
2
description
The publication for alumni and friends of Bemidji State University.
Transcript of Horizons - Summer 2003
Deer tick research conducted byDr. Patrick Guilfoile and studentsat Bemidji State University maylead to a better understanding ofthe biology of this complicatedarthropod and to better methodsof prevention and treatment of theLyme disease it transmits.
At the very least, research resultspoint to some possible causes fora significant spike in the numberof people diagnosed with Lymedisease in Minnesota last year.
A record number of 867 people inMinnesota developed Lyme diseasein 2002, an 88 percent increase overthe previous year, according to theMinnesota Health Department.
The increase may be startling,but not surprising based on BSUresearch in which students stud-ied the migration and moleculargenetics of deer ticks. What theyfound is that a broad area of Min-nesota, including eight countiesthat previously had no reports ofdeer ticks, now harbor ticks thatcause Lyme disease as well asother tick-borne diseases.
“Our biggest finding is thatwhere there were ticks, there wasLyme disease,” said Guilfoile,chair of the BSU Department ofBiology. “The ticks and diseasewent hand in hand. This was truein areas with newly reported popu-lations of ticks, as well as thosewith established populations.”
The Biology Department has astrong tradition of engaging stu-dents in research projects, andBSU requires capstone experi-ences before students graduate,often an original research projectfor students in the sciences.
Current research projects arebroad and include molecular genet-ics of ticks, tests for identifyingantibiotic resistance, identifyingparasites in dogs, population ob-servations of owls, studies of in-vertebrates in the Mississippi Riverdrainage, analysis of parasites thatlive in fish gills, experimentationto learn how different chemicalsaffect cancer cells, and studies offorest ecosystems. Funding forthese projects comes from exter-nal grants, professional develop-ment funds and the BIO endow-
Horizons
Horizon
sBem
idji State University Alumni Association
1500 Birchmont Drive N
E, Box 17Bem
idji, MN
56601-2699218-755-3989 / 1-877-BSU-ALUMalum
ni@bem
idjistate.eduhttp://info.bem
idjistate.edu/alumni
NON
-PRO
FIT OR
GA
N.
U.S. POSTAGE
PA
ID
Bem
idji, MN
56
60
1-2
69
9PER
MIT N
O. 9
Penalty for Private Use
A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State UniversityVol. 18, No. 4, Summer 2003
BSUBSU
BSU
BSUCalendarJune 20, 2003
Skaar / Wells Fargo Men’s GolfTournament
June 28, 2003 BSU Day at the Metrodome -
Twins Game
July 18, 2003 Galen Nagle Memorial Golf
Tournament
July 24, 2003 Anchorage, AK, Alumni Reception
August 8, 2003 1st National Bank Women’s Golf
Classic
August 22-23, 2003 BSU Alumni Association Board
Meeting / Retreat
September 12, 2003 BSU Foundation Board Meeting
September 26, 2003 Foundation Annual Meeting /
Dinner & Dance
September 27 – Oct. 4, 2003 Tentative – AIRC Grand Opening
Ceremonies
October 2, 2003 40-Year Reunion – Class of 1963
October 3-5, 2003 Homecoming
BSU
Deer TicksStudents, FacultyDig into Deer Ticks
ment through the BSU Foundation.Research projects are important
both to students and faculty. Stu-dent researchers are able to learnfrom professors and often havetheir work published under bothnames in academic journals. Also,student researchers are morelikely to be accepted into gradu-ate programs of their choice andto obtain tuition scholarships withstipends for living expenses.
Erich Westrich, a senior inaquatic biology and secondaryeducation, is one student who hasenjoyed the benefits of workingon research with a faculty mem-ber. He spent most of this yearglued to a microscope studyingzooplankton under the guidanceof Debbie Guelda, assistant pro-fessor of biology. He presented hiswork at the Mississippi RiverConsortium Conference inLaCrosse, WI. The experiencewas a confidence booster.
“Students just need to feel con-fident and say, ‘I can do thisstuff,’” Westrich said. “I did mybest answering questions well andto the point, and now I feel moreconfident. This makes me veryexcited to do a lot more researchand do a thesis for my master’s.”
Deer tick research at BSU hasreceived notice as work has beenpublished in three journals.
When it comes to deer ticks,Guilfoile and former BSU gradu-ate student Kay Sanders led theway. They first found the spreadof ticks when they studied speci-mens collected from grouse hunt-ers in 17 counties in the fall of1998 and 1999.
Subsequent work by Guilfoileand graduate student DavidLayfield – now a research special-ist at North Dakota State Univer-sity — found that about 16 percentof the ticks collected in the firstphase tested positive for the bac-
terium that causes Lyme disease.Guilfoile believes booming tick
populations may be attributed toa variety of factors but likely in-clude climate changes or milderwinters and warmer, damperweather favorable to ticks. An-other probable factor is the boomin white tail deer populations.Both of these afford the deer tickhigher rates of survival and oppor-tunities for reproduction.
Lyme disease is the most com-mon arthropod-borne illness in theUnited States. Last year, the U.S.had 20,000 cases of Lyme diseasecompared with 4,156 cases ofWest Nile virus.
While some have tracked thespread of deer tick populations inother parts of the state, BSU re-searchers are the first to do so inrecent years in north-central Min-nesota. Dr. Harold Borchers, BSUprofessor emeritus of biology,found his first deer tick inBeltrami County in the mid-’80s.
Guilfoile’s interest was piqued byBorchers’ work and his own re-search on host-pathogen interac-tions: how organisms such as thedeer tick manage to outsmart im-mune systems and pass on patho-gens such as Lyme disease to theirhosts, usually the white-tailed deer.
Guilfoile initiated a third andfourth phase of research to beginto unravel this mystery. In the fallof 2000, he visited a deer regis-tration site and asked hunters toallow him to remove mating ticksfrom freshly killed deer.
Guilfoile and former BSU gradu-ate student Mark Packila found oneset of genes in the male ticks thathad not been previously identified.These genes may be involved in avariety of things such as matura-tion of sperm or the blunting of thehost immune response making ahost more susceptible to being bit-ten and fed upon.
“These findings are important anddeserve further study,” Guilfoilesaid. “By understanding the genesthat ticks express, there is the po-tential to develop a vaccine thatmight limit the ability of the tick tofeed on a host, therefore limitingthe transmission of disease.”
Dr. Patrick Guilfoile (left) and Jake Taylor, a senior who is researching ticks and the genes they express as part of ongoing studies at BSU.
“T“TDr. Patrick Guilfoile
hese findings are important and deserve furtherstudy. By understanding the genes that ticks express,
there is the potential to develop a vaccine that mightlimit the ability of the tick to feed on a host, thereforelimiting the transmission of disease.”
Horizons Page 2
Vol. 18, No. 4, Summer 2003
Produced by the News and PublicationsOffice and the Alumni Office at BemidjiState University, HORIZONS is publishedquarterly and distributed without chargeto BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff andother friends of the University.
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al NohnerDesigner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy BerglundPhotographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . John SwartzPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Jon QuistgaardAlumni Director . . . . . Marla Huss PatriasContributing Writers . . . . . . . . Jody Grau,
Cindy SerratoreEditorial Assistance . . . . . . . . Peggy Nohner
Editorial Board: Dr. Jon Quistgaard, BSUpresident; Al Nohner, director of newsservices and publications; Carl Baer, vicepresident for university advancement; MarlaHuss Patrias, director of alumni relations.
A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universitiessystem, Bemidji State University is an equal opportunity educa-tor and employer.This document is available in alternative for-mats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-800-475-2001or 218-755-3883. 03-207
Bemidji State University
HorizonsBSUBSUWhere We Are ... What We’re Doing
ALL CITIES ARE LOCATED IN MINNESOTA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
1950sJacob Boomgaarden (’52) has taught high schoolEnglish for nearly five decades and recently spoke inClearbrook on the changes in curricula, methods andmaterials in the teaching of English since the 1950sas part of the Northern Exposure to LifelongLearning series. He began teaching at Clearbrook-Gonvick in 1955 and has been in the same classroomsince 1957. The series is a new learning-in-retirement program sponsored by the MinnesotaHumanities Commission... Jim Spitzer (’53), long-time instructor, coach and athletic director at theHebron High School, has been inducted into theNorth Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administra-tors Association Hall of Fame. Spitzer retired in1990 after serving 29 years in the Hebron SchoolDistrict. He and his wife, Delores, live in Hebron andhave four daughters and seven granddaughters...Anne Stennes (’59) of Bemidji celebrated her 94thbirthday recently …Lois Ittner (’50) has beensinging in the Bemidji United Methodist ChurchChoir for 75 years. She taught school in the area formany years, teaching every elementary grade exceptthe fifth grade.
1960sRandy Nelson (’69), a woodworking teacher for 34years, loves his job at Wadena-Deer Creek HighSchool. He lives in Wadena with his wife, Vickie,who operates Our Place Daycare and a Christian andFamily Video Resource store in the basement of theirhome. They have two daughters, Shawna in Fargoand Jessie in Moorhead …Roberta Olson (’64)recently became an editor with the Melrose Beaconnewspaper in Melrose. Prior to that she and herhusband, John, had spent the past two years loggingmore than 20,000 miles on their van - doing thetraveling they never had time to do during the manyyears they owned newspapers in Osakis, WashburnCable, WI, and Fertile... Roger Licari (’60) has beenelected to the Minnesota State High School AthleticAdministrators 2003 Hall of Fame. He’s a retiredteacher and coach who spent many years of hiseducation career at Mesabi East High School inAurora... Roberta Sellon (’69) has been named2003 Friend of the Arts for her 46 years ofperforming with the Bemidji Symphony Orchestraand her many other contributions to Bemidji’s musicscene. She taught music at BSU from 1965 to 1993
and also gave private instruction to generations ofstudents and introduced the Suzuki Method toBemidji. She’s also established the Roberta SellonOrchestral Award, an annual scholarship for astudent string player at BSU... Tom Saterdalen(’64), long-time head high school coach atBloomington Jefferson High School, plans to retireat the end of this school year. Recently he receivedthe 2003 John Mariucci Award from the AmericanHockey Coaches Association. He also holds therecord for the most wins in Minnesota State HighSchool Hockey history... Joan (Erickson) Hard(’66) and her husband, Amos, are building a lakehome near Akeley and Joan is substitute teaching.They have two children, Trent, 32, and Carinna, 31...Paul Gravel (’60) of Fargo became assistantprincipal at Agassiz in 1974 and stayed until retiringin 1991. He and his wife, Nina Rose, raised fourchildren... Dan Bergan (’68) has been chosen toserve as an ambassador for Hibbing, having beencalled into action less than three months afterretirement. He’s been named this year’s Titan ofTaconite and is the 41st in a long line of community-minded men. He retired from the education field inmid-November after 34 years of teaching at HibbingHigh School and was chosen for the honor based onhis service and contributions to the community. Heand his wife, Terri, have raised two daughters,Elizabeth and Jessica... Wanda Petersen (’68),coordinator of the Fly By Night Artspace in theHeadwaters School of Music and the Arts in Bemidji,exhibited paintings and drawings from her“Hopeworks” show at the Headwaters School inFebruary... Rich Siegert (’67) owner of theEdgewater Motel in Bemidji, received a plaque from
the Minnesota Association of Innkeepers for hisyears of service to the Minnesota MotelAssociation/DBA. The MAI awarded Siegert anhonorary life membership in MAI...JeanneWilkinson (’65) is retiring, having spent the past38 years as a teacher and administrator in District279, Brooklyn Park. For the past 10 years she’sbeen the principal of the Zanewood CommunitySchool. She has a daughter and son from her firstmarriage. Her second husband, a retired magazineart director, is an instructional paraprofessional atGarden City and will also retire from that positionat the end of this school year... Bill Hoffman (’69)is completing his 26th year as principal ofWinterquist Elementary School in Esko... BonnieLou Bredenberg (’65) and Jeanne Thomas (’64)were honored as 2003-2004 Women ofAchievement by the Delta Kappa Gamma SocietyInternational... Mary Snorek (’69) was selected bythe Tau State Nomination Committee as secondvice-president and will also serve as co-chair of theState Music Program. She is a K-12 music teacherand has taught for 33 years... James Propotnick(’66) who’d served as a U.S. Marshal in Hawaii for28 years was recently appointed by newly-electedgovernor to the position of interim director of theHawaiian State Department of Public Safety. Heand his wife, Judy, live in Hawaii Kai.
1970s Kay Groff (’71) of Codova, AK, serves on thefaculty senate of the Slingerland Institute forLiteracy, an organization dedicated to helpingchildren with dyslexia. She and her husband,Richard, have one son, Gayle Groff Belgarde, 42...
Sports Wrapchampionship-game loss toWayne State. TheBeavers played inan NCAA single-season record 15overtime contests,including a school-record five in arow to open the season. Along theway, BSU set school records for ties(eight, tied for fifth-most in NCAAhistory) and overtime wins in a sea-son (four). Key to the team’s suc-cess was its play on defense. In frontof junior goaltender Grady Hunt,BSU led College Hockey Americaand tied for 16th in the nation byallowing just 2.72 goals per game.Hunt, a first-team All-CHA selec-tion, led the CHA and ranked 11thnationally in goals-against average(2.36) while also leading the leagueand finishing 12th in the nation insave percentage (.916). Offensively,senior Marty Goulet became theprogram’s first Division I-era playerto score 100 career points and be-came the first-ever repeat first-teamAll-CHA pick.
goal attempts. Royce Bryan earnedVerizon First-Team Academic All-America honors and was namedBSU Male Student-Athlete of theyear. Guiot has led BSU to 34 winsin his two-year tenure, the most bythe Beavers in back-to-back seasonssince winning 35 games from1972-74.
Women’s BasketballUnder first-year head coach MikePower, Bemidji State (9-18, 5-13NSIC) ended its 36th season with themost wins in three seasons and themost conference wins since the1999-00 season. Amber Graf setschool single-season records for freethrows (104) and free-throw at-tempts (104). The team set a schoolsingle-season record with 357 steals,surpassing the old record of 356 setduring the 1985-86 season. BSU alsoset school single-game (30) andsingle-season (492) records forthree-point field goal attempts. BSUattempted at least 10 three-point fieldgoals in every game this season and19 times attempted more than 15long-range shots.
Men’s Ice HockeyBemidji State (14-14-8/10-6-4CHA) entered the new campaignwith one goal in mind - win the Col-lege Hockey America post-seasontournament and go to NCAA Cham-pionships as the league’s first-everautomatic qualifier. BSU finished.500 for the first time as a Division Iprogram but saw a seven-game un-beaten streak snapped in a CHA
Men’s BasketballAfter a 4-7 start, men’s basketballunder second-year head coach JeffGuiot rallied for a 13-5 finish, cap-ping a 17-12 season, 12-6 in theNSIC. The Beavers advanced to thesemifinals at the NSIC tournamentbefore losing an overtime heart-breaker to Minnesota State-Moorhead in the tournament semi-finals. The long-range BSU shoot-ers led the nation in three-point fieldgoals per game (11.7) and their 338three-point field goals in 2002-03were the sixth-most in a single sea-son in NCAA history. Adam Daleywas the fourth-most accurate three-point field goal shooter in the nationlast year, shooting .465 from behindthe arc, while Stan Johnson set anNSIC Tournament record with seventhree-point field goals in one game.Jeff Lorenson set a school single-sea-son record with 160 three-point field
WrapSPORTS
Women’s Ice HockeyThe BSU women’s hockey team fin-ished the season 9-17-7 overall and5-13-6 in the Western CollegiateHockey Association under first-yearhead coach Bruce Olson. Still, therecord was good enough to advancethe Beavers into the WCHA post-season tournament for the fourthstraight season. Fifth-seeded BSUdropped a 4-3 decision to Ohio Statein the longest game in WCHA FinalFive history (79:11). The end of thecampaign brought closure to a num-ber of careers. The class of eight se-niors have been at Bemidji State for45 of the program’s 47 wins. Thatcore of veterans was headlined byAmber Fryklund, who holds BSU’sall-time records for goals (59), as-sists (63), and points (122). Lisa Pe-
ters leaves BSU as the all-time leading scoringdefenseman with 35 goalsand 53 assists for 88points. Junior goaltenderAnik Coté, capped a sea-son in which she postedthe second-best GAA inthe history of the program(3.11) and was named asthe WCHA Student of theYear at the league’s annualawards banquet.
Royce Bryan
Marty Goulet
Anik Coté
Horizons Page 3
BaseballThe Bemidji State baseball program,under first-year head coach ChrisBrown, struggled early in the seasonto find consistency with a younglineup, but gelled and eventually as-sembled a solid season. The team fin-ished 15-27 overall and an even 11-11 in NSIC play. The team’s 11 NSICwins are the second-most in schoolhistory under a first-year head coach,bettered only by Doug Smith’s 12-win NIC campaign in 1989. TheBeavers closed the season on aschool record-tying 14-gamehomestand, and became just theninth team in school history to play40 or more games in a season. Priorto the league tourney, BSU’s Al Ryanwas second in the league with 52strikeouts (including a league-high27 strikeouts looking), and BrianBeuning was second in the leaguewith six saves in a league-high 19appearances.
SoftballLed by first-year head coach AmandaWent, the softball team ended its sea-son 9-14 over-all and 8-10 in North-ern Sun Intercollegiate Conferencecompetition, marking the fifth timein the last seven seasons BSU has wonat least eight NSIC games. In theNSIC softball tournament, the squadended a seven-game losing streak ver-sus Concordia-St. Paul in the firstround before a shut out by the defend-ing champion Minnesota-Duluth anda heartbreaking loss to Wayne Statein the bottom of the final inning endedits season. The team was led by se-niors Katie Hurst and Megan Bray.Hurst leaves BSU as one of the mostprolific pitchers the program has seen,ranking second in games pitched (67)and strikeouts (287), third in careerwins (24) and innings pitched (390.2),and sixth in earned run average (3.53).Bray, an All-NSIC pick, ranked thirdin career batting average (.327),
games played (130), at bats(391), hits (128) and careerdoubles (20); she also posted acareer fielding percentage of.972—a mark good enough forthird all-time.
Men’s GolfBSU men’s golf team saw itsseason come to a conclusion af-ter sophomore Matt Gordentook 43rd at the NCAA Divi-sion II Super Regionals.Gorden, who was second on theclub in stroke average (82.1),represented the Beavers atregionals and is believed to bethe first player from the men’s
program to compete in the NCAApost-season. Junior Tim Johnson, whoowned BSU’s best stroke average lastseason at 80.1, recorded the best over-all finish of any Beaver player as hetook second at the NSIC meet.
Women’s GolfThe Bemidji State women’s golfteam wrapped up its campaign witha fifth-place finish at the NCAA Di-vision II Women’s North Regional.It was believed to be the first everteam appearance for the Beavers inNCAA postseason play. SeniorJeanne Larson led the team with a243 (84-79-80) and tied for 10thoverall. The four-time all-NSIC pickfinished with the best stroke averageon the club with an 82.8. Overall,BSU competed in only five events.After tying for fourth at the Iron-wood Classic opener, BSU won theWinona State Invite with juniorTracy Depew grabbing medalisthonors. At the BSU Invite, the teamagain took top honors as Larson fin-ished first. Leading up to regionalplay, the Beavers were second at the12-team Minnesota CollegiateWomen’s Golf State Meet.
Indoor Track & FieldThe BSU men’s and
women’s indoor track andfield squads finished theseason by taking second andsixth, respectively, at theNorthern Sun Intercolle-giate Conference Champi-onships where ninetracksters were honored onthe all-league team. Four
Beavers set program standards dur-ing the season with one athletebreaking two records. SeniorMelanie Hoheisel set marks in the60m hurdles (9.01) and the pentath-lon (3,049 points). Freshman ErinSuhonen notched a distance of 40’51/2" in the weight throw to break theschool record at the Cobber Invite.A three-time All-NSIC performerthis campaign, senior Steve Leuer seta men’s program best in the 3,000m(8:44.99). BSU track had 21 student-athletes named Academic All-NSIC,the most of any sport at the Univer-sity during the 2002-03 seasons.
Outdoor Track and FieldBemidji State juniors Steve Schreiberand Caesare Stimson wrapped up the2003 season by representing the Bea-vers at the NCAA Division II Cham-pionships. Schreiber tied for 15th (6-7) and Stimson tied for ninth (5-5) inthe high in their first appearance atnationals. Stimson won the NSICheptathlon crown with a school-record 4,533 total points, whileSchreiber won six high jump titles thisspring, including an NSIC champion-ship, while setting a BSU-record 6-10 3/4. Behind individual champi-onships from sophomore Martha
won two girls state high school hockey champion-ships and several boys’ soccer titles... DeborahAllison (’75) has been appointed as the newBeltrami County human services director. She’dpreviously served as the accounting manager for theNinth Judicial District, headquartered in Bemidji,and before that had worked for Beltrami County asthe Human Services Department business managerand as a member of the human services managementteam... Terry Mejdrich (’70), a former math/science teacher and lifelong resident of Cass County,is the author of a novel entitled “A MammothResurrection.” The setting for the novel is basedloosely in northern Minnesota, and Mejdrich drawson his science background to create a work withunique perspective... Dale Schmid (’79) is the visualand performing arts coordinator for the New JerseyDepartment of Education and a board member of theNational Dance Education Organization. He and hiswife, Karen Stone, live in Philadelphia, PA... DuaneEbbinghausen (’74) is the Beltrami Countyassessor and appeared as guest speaker at a recentmeeting of the National Association of RetiredFederal Employees. He discussed potentiallegislative cuts and their affect on current taxstructures... John Lund (’72) of Lee & Al’s Inc.,Bemidji, attended the Dynamic Homes AnnualBuilder Show held January 29 – 31 in Mahnomen...Kevin Dowty (’76), his wife, Shelby, and theirchildren, Geoff, born in 1981, and Derek in 1983, arethe subject of a multi-part series of sports storiesappearing in the Daily Journal, International Falls.Natives of Pequot Lakes, Kevin and Shelby arrivedin International Falls in 1978, after a two-year stint inBadger where Kevin had been a teacher and boys’
basketball coach. Hecoached the Falls girlsbasketball team for 19seasons, compilingthree section 7championships, threestate tourneyappearances and a246-177 mark... PaulGodlewski (’70) waselected into themembership of theAmerican Board of
Trial Advocates at its national meeting held in SanFrancisco, CA, in January. He is a partner in the firmof Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A., the largest lawfirm in Minnesota specializing exclusively inpersonal injury litigation. The American Board ofTrial Advocates is an invitation-only nationalorganization of the finest trial lawyers and judges inAmerica, with a current membership of only 120 inMinnesota... Jim Thoreen (’70) recently acceptedthe post of Stevens County coordinator for a secondtime. He headed up Stevens County administrationfrom 1988 to 1993 and left to become coordinator ofChisago County. At Stevens County, Thoreen willoversee a staff of about 125... Gordon Sirvio (’75) ofrural Deer River has written two novels and threenovelettes as S.A. Gordon. All of the books have beenpublished electronically on the Internet... ClarkBergloff (’72) of Mora was recently inducted into theMinnesota Coaches Hall of Fame. He and his wife,Gayle, have two daughters, Jenny and Katie... JoeO’Koren (’77) teaches shop classes at Lanesboro
Public School where he’s been teaching for 26years. He and his wife, Jane, have two children,Joey and Kelsey... Glen Larson (’76) has beenraising sheep on a small farm north of PelicanRapids since 1990. He has a daughter, Ellie, who’s asenior in high school... Kathy Eidsmoe (’70)teaches kindergarten for the Cass Lake-Benaschool district. She’d worked as a substitute teacherin the district for eight years until 1988 when sheaccepted her current fulltime position. She has twodaughters, Kristin and Heather... Deb Nelson (’78)teaches third- and fourth-grade music, fourth-gradechoir and two sections of sixth-grade music in DeerCreek. She’s married to Darryl, who works inresearch and development at Kern Electronics andLaser in Wadena. They have three children, Aaron,Kaisa and Shawn... Marjorie (Modin) Trembath(’71) was recently honored in the seventh edition ofWho’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2002.She’s been teaching in the East Grand Forks SchoolDistrict for 26 years. She was selected for the honorby her former students... Boyd Ferrell (’72) hasfollowed more than a dozen careers since his daysas a telegrapher with the railroads from 1954 to1967, but he recently took time out to present aprogram on the history of long-distancecommunication at the Beltrami County HistoryCenter. He’s worked as a radioman in the Navy,teaching school, wiring mobile homes and buildingVolkswagen racing engines for the Baja, CA,endurance runs... Amos Hard (’72) and his wife,Joan, are building a lake home near Akeley. Amos isretired and Joan continues to substitute teach. Theyhave two children, Trent, 32, and Carinna, 31.
1980sJeffrey Wade (’87) and his wife, Christine, ofLaporte announce the March 13 birth of a daughter.Jeff teaches fifth grade at Northern ElementarySchool in Bemidji and recently coordinated the firsthealth fair hosted by the school... ... Kelly Coffin(’86) and her husband, Rocky Coffin (’82), ofPuposky announce the February 8 birth of a son...Christopher Fettig (’86) and his wife, Tiffany, ofBemidji announce the February 7 birth of a son...Mona Carter (’82), a newly elected Bemidji SchoolBoard member, will help rewrite the state’s schoolstandards. She is one of 77 members appointed to thestate task force responsible for finding areplacement for the controversial Profile ofLearning. She was one of 2,146 applicants for theMinnesota Academic Standards Committee and is arealtor as well as a licensed Spalding instructor. Sheand husband, Bemidji attorney Darrell Carter(’82), have four school-aged children and twoyounger children still at home... Steve Sundahl(’87) designed and created displays for the “In Timesof War: Voices and Visions of Beltrami County”event at the Beltrami County History Center inBemidji... Les Plasschaert (’84), a Bemidji policeofficer for 16 years, was recently promoted tosergeant... Bruce Ponath (’88) was elected inNovember to the office of sheriff of Sibley County.He’s been employed with the sheriff’s departmentsince 1989... Scott Anderson (’86), the director ofSchoolcraft Learning Community, a K-8 charterschool near Bemidji, recently returned fromEngland where he was selected to attend the OxfordRound Table at the University of Oxford in England.
Gregg Hanson (’70) of Spicer designed,manufactured and is now marketing a new silounloader, Turbo Trax, for Hanson Silo Company. Heand his wife, Linda, have raised three children,Matthew, 26, Mary Kay, 21, and Michael, 20... SteveAdolfson (’75) lives in Center City with his wife,Denise (Martin), and their son, Alec, 7... DeborahBruflat Fadness (’75) is in her 27th year as a socialworker with Ransom County, ND. She and herhusband, Bruce, live in Lisbon, ND, and have twochildren, Sarah, 23, and Scott, 21. Deborah andBruce recently sold their farm and now own a realestate and appraisal business... Scott Baird (’77)and Mark Haluptzok (’76) of Bemidji competed inthe 2003 World Curling Competition along withthree other teammates securing the title of U.S.Senior Men’s Curling Champions of the Year... JohnRedebaugh (’70) of Pequot Lakes was inducted inFebruary into the Raider Hall of Fame at CentralLakes College. He’s been the official team physiciansince 1980, has provided more than 1,000 CLCathletes with physicals, has attended more than 300games and treated dozens of sprains, separations,bruises and breaks. A chiropractor in Nisswa, hisinvolvement stems from his interest in athletics. Hehas professional playing experience in the NationalFootball League, having been with the ClevelandBrowns and Detroit Lions. He also spent a short timein the Canadian Football League. He also servesCLC as a member of its General Advisory Council...Randy Bowen (’73) completed his administrativecertification in 1999, after teaching in the classroomfor 25 years, and became the principal of Esko HighSchool in 2001... Chuck Scanlon (’75) serves asgirls hockey coach at Apple Valley. His teams have
Miltich and Schreiber and a total of10 All-Northern Sun IntercollegiateConference honorees, the BemidjiState men finished third while thewomen took sixth at the 2003 NSICOutdoor Track Championships.Miltich set school records in the5,000m (18:55.95) and the 10,000m(38:45.00). Seniors Melanie Hoheisel(100m hurdles 14.85) and JosieMuzquiz (3,000m steeplechase,12:27.00) as well as freshmen SaraOlson (hammer throw, 117-4) andChrista Pribula (5,000m, 19:19.97)set new school standards as well.Senior Steve Leuer set a school recordin the 1,500m run with a time of3:56.27.
TennisThe BSU women’s tennis season hada rocky start, dropping its first 11matches before interim head coachand former BSU player Kari Woodtook over the reigns and guided ayoung Beaver to three wins in theirfinal five matches. BSU played withjust one junior and one senior thisseason. The Beavers snapped their 11-match losing streak with wins overMinnesota State-Moorhead and Min-nesota-Morris and closed out its regu-lar season with a 7-2 win over Min-nesota State-Mankato. Bemidji Stateculminated its roller-coaster 2003campaign with a sixth-place finish atthe NSIC Championships. AngieHarrison led the team with six singleswins, posting a 6-6 overall record. Shealso picked up four doubles wins withpartners Kuntz and Sara Gilbertson.Nikki Baird was second on the teamwith five singles wins.
Katie Hurst
Jeanne Larson
Paul Godlewski
Continued on page 6
Horizons Page 4
Brian Peterson heard the voices.They came from people who sawtheir favorite places, their comfort-able landscapes disappear in anencroaching society. They camefrom the land. They came fromwithin himself. And he listened.
A 1981 graduate of BemidjiState, he became especiallyattuned when he read a series ofessays about the land they lovein Minnesota, the fastest grow-ing state in the Midwest. From1982 to 1997, the Twin Cities ex-perienced a 25 percent increase
Alumni Authorto the VoiceADDING VISIONin population but at the sametime lost 61 percent of its unde-veloped land.
“As more and more people makeMinnesota their home, often at-tracted by the natural beauty andopen spaces that still exist, we arerapidly losing the very land thatappealed to us in the first place,”Peterson wrote.
Those essays turned into a photoseries in the Minneapolis Star Tri-bune, where Peterson worked asa photographer, chronicling someof the special places people de-
“My favorite photograph is of Jessyca Duerr. She wrote about losing her family farm to suburban growth and while we were looking atthe development that was surrounding her childhood home, she sat at the base of one of the trees in her yard and folded her armsaround her legs, thinking about what was happening and what she was losing. It was a real moment; that photograph captured herfeelings about the loss of her childhood farm.”
“Which place was most awe inspiring? I loved watching the sun rise from the edge of Buffalo Ridge in SW Minnesota with Howard Schaap.”
scribed. That series turned into abook, Voices for the Land, pub-lished this spring.
An award-winning photojour-nalist, Peterson’s photographsgive vision to the essays andbring the voices to life. Pub-lished by the Minnesota Histori-cal Society Press, the book fea-tures 52 essays and Peterson’svisual interpretations of thesespecial places.
“All of the essays in the bookappeared in the Star-Tribune se-ries. It was always my hope that
the newspaper feature would beput together as a coffee tablebook, and I received many emailsfrom readers suggesting that abook be published. I had conver-sations with 1000 Friends of Min-nesota who were also interestedin getting the project published inbook form, and together we ap-proached the Minnesota Histori-cal Society Press about that pos-sibility. The MHSP was very ex-cited about being our publisherand it was their commitment thatmade this book possible.”
Favorite places from Voices for theLand. The title of each essay isfollowed by a clarification of theplace (if needed), the writer of theessay, and the location of the place.
1. Helen Allison Savanna, Don Kaddatz,Anoka County
2. One of the Last (farm), Jessyca Duerr,St. Michael
3. Pigeon River, Joanne Hart, GrandPortage
4. The Bog, Carla Hagen, Waskish
5. Buffalo Ridge, Howard Schaap,Edgerton
6. Love With a Root System (LowerBasswood Falls, Fairy Lake), BeccaBrin Manlove, Chapel Lake
7. Paradise (tamarack swamp), LewannSotnak, Aitkin
8. Rasmussen Woods, Micaela Brown,Mankato
1 2
5
Horizons Page 5
BRIAN PETERSON worked for various pa-pers around the state since graduating fromBemidji State University in 1981 and hasbeen a staff photographer at the Star Tri-bune since 1987. Named Minnesota PressPhotographer of the Year nine times,Peterson continues to focus his camera onissues that affect his home state. His six-year documentary of a rural Minnesotafamily’s struggle with AIDS was honoredwith a Robert F. Kennedy Award for Photo-journalism, the Canon Photo Essay Awardfrom the National Press Photographers As-sociation, the National Sigma Delta Chi
“I photographed the Pigeon River for a piece by Joanne Hart about the spring break-up along the river. The day I photographed, theriver was raging and covering the surroundings with a frozen mist, coating the trees and walkways to the lookout point. I literally hadto crawl on my hands and knees to get to the edge of the river to make the photograph, trying desperately to keep myself fromslipping into the river below. This was my most difficult shot.”
Award for Photojournalism, and the Gordon Parks Photojournalism Award.His assignments outside Minnesota have resulted in images from Russiabefore and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, forestfires in Yellowstone National Park, and flooding in the Red River Valley.Sports has also been a passion for Peterson, who has covered two Minne-sota Twins World Series victories, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup playoffs,and the Winter Olympic Games. Recently, Peterson has focused his cameraon environmental issues, including a six-month study of the Minnesota Riverthat examined the source of its pollution and offered solutions to this river’sincreasing water quality problems. Voices for the Land is his first book,although he has worked for National Geographic on the book America’s Wildand Scenic Rivers. A Duluth native, Peterson has spent all but one year of hislife in Minnesota.
Voices for the Land received Minnesota Book Awards in three categories:Minnesota Subject; Photography; and Gardening, Nature, Environmental.The awards, announced on May 16, are sponsored by the MinnesotaHumanities Commission.
Brian Peterson
3
4
67
8
Horizons Page 6
Where We Are ... What We’re Doing(Continued from page 3)The program seeks to bring professionals withsimilar careers together for discussions andbrainstorming sessions... Carol Richards (’81)presented a one-woman show at BSU in Februaryduring which she wove original works together withthe poetry of Maya Angelou and Denise Levertov aswell as insightful remarks from playwright LillianHellman. Richards is an assistant professor of speechcommunication at BSU and holds a doctorate fromSouthern Illinois University... David Schnell (’83), acommander in the U.S. Navy, took command of theguided missile frigate USS Ford at Naval StationEverett, WA, on January 24. He is the 11thcommanding officer of the USS Ford. The state-of-the-art guided missile frigate has the primary missionof providing in-depth anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine protection for military and merchantshipping. His wife, Alexandra, is a native of LongIsland, NY, and the family now lives in Everett, WA...Jeff Sladky (’83) retired from the Bemidji PoliceDepartment recently, concluding 28 years of service.He became a sergeant 17 years ago and prior to thathad worked in Bemidji as a dispatcher, patrol officerand detective. He and his wife have two growndaughters... Don Collins (’80) and Pat Wickham(’80) live in Thornton, CO, and have three children,Elly, 14, Caroline, 10, and Christian, 5... LyndaTarbuck (’87) teaches art in Upsala and this wintertaught an adult ceramics class through Great RiverArts... Deborah Anderson (’81) of St. Paul recentlyfinished her second degree in Catholic elementaryschool with the addition of preprimary grades. Shedid her student teaching at Highland Catholic School,teaching fourth grade... Bruce Slinkman (’87) andhis wife, Buni (’96), received the 2003 Johnson JarviSnowjourn Award for their long-term commitmentand support of cross country skiing. The Slinkmanshave groomed and helped develop the trail system atThree Island County Park, promoted the sport forchildren and serve on many sports boards... MikeGibbons (’82) recently received the EdwardJeremiah – College Division Coach of the YearAward. It was presented by the American HockeyCoaches Association... Tim Graupmann (’86) is achiropractor with the McBride Chiropractic Clinic inGrand Rapids. He and his wife, Christie, have sixchildren ranging in age from eight to 18. He’s
president of the Grand Rapids Amateur BaseballAssociation and is an ambassador for the GrandRapids Area Chamber of Commerce …MikeAschenbrener (’82) was recently named as the newchief of police for Mendota Heights. He’dpreviously been a sergeant with the Forest LakePolice Department. He and his wife have fourchildren, ages 17 – 25... Jennifer (Longie) Vollom(’88) works with the U.S. Food & DrugAdministration in International Falls as an FDAinvestigator dealing with imports and borderprotection. Her husband, Tom (’88), teaches atInternational Falls High School. They are raisingfour children... Rick Pederson (’81) and his wife,Pam Peterson (’82) live in Red Wing with theirchildren, Danielle, 8, and Jacob, 1... Mark Hessler(’81) is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine CorpsReserves, having spent 22 years in the Corps. He isalso building manager at the St. Cloud Times...Arlene Schwerzler (’85) has been promoted to vicepresident/mortgage lender with Merchants Bank inWinona. She’s been assistant vice president/mortgage lender since being hired by theorganization in December of 1998. She and herhusband, Tom, have two children and live inGoodview... Gary Giombetti (’88) is sports editorat the Daily Tribune in Hibbing... Ernie Klimek(’88) retired from a career in law enforcementrecently, having served 20 years as chief deputy inMorrison County. He began his career in 1972 as adeputy in Little Falls. He and his wife, Gerri, havethree daughters, Jessica, Tamara and Camille, and ason, Karsten... Jerry Vanek (’82), a Bemidji areasled dog veterinarian and owner of Beltrami ShoresResort, was recently featured in the Bemidji Pioneerin an article about a 10-day canoe trip he made downthe Mississippi in 1973 with Garrison Keillor, writerand host of A Prairie Home Companion. . . TobyBatchelder (’88) and his wife, Sara, of Edinaannounce the February 25 birth of a son... RoyBooth (’89) announces that his 27th and 28th plays,both collaborations with Michael Paslawski ofWhite Bear Lake, are soon to be published by NewTheatre Publications of Croydon (London),England. The first play, “Fresh Fruit,” is a one-actcomedy about the plight of two bums trying to sellexpired produce in front of a grocery store. Thesecond play, “Do You Have Gas?” is a full-length
The Alumni Association thanks all donors who make the Alumni Relative Schol-arship program possible. Undesignated gifts to the BSU Foundation help fundthe annual scholarship program. Eligible applicants include the children, spouses,siblings, parents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and aunts or uncles of activeBSU alumni. Scholarship awards are $600 per year.
The deadline for application to the Bemidji State University Alumni RelativeScholarship is December 31 for returning or transfers students and January 31for incoming freshmen. Applications, and more information about the program,are available from the Alumni Office by calling toll free at 877-278-2586, orstopping by at 1501 Birchmont Drive NE. Applications are also available onlineat http://info. bemidjistate.edu/Alumni/scholarship/index.html.
Following is the list of scholarship recipients for the 2003–2004 academic year:
comedy set in a convenience store late at night.Booth has also been asked to be one of 1,000American celebrities to donate handwritten “smileautographs” on behalf of UNICEF and Polishchildren’s hospitals to be exhibited in the RoyalCastle in Warsaw.
1990sElizabeth Letson (’95) of Bemidji is a substituteteacher in the Bemidji School District. Herhusband, Tom, is a pilot for Northwest Airlines andthe couple has two sons, Jake, 8, and Donald, 6...Keith Cross (’92) works as a police officer inAurora, IL... Norm Gallant Jr. (’99) and Mandy(Johnson) Gallant (’99) live in Wadena whereNorm teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math andMandy teaches junior kindergarten... JaegerBellows (’97), a Bemidji police officer, recentlyparticipated in a day-long training session in how todeal with a variety of crisis situations in a schoolsetting... Daryl Fish (’96) was recently hired as adeputy with Lake of the Woods County. He’dpreviously worked with the Warroad PoliceDepartment... Jack Blanchard (’94) has beenhired as the new principal of Mesquite Elementaryin the Gilbert Unified School District in Gilbert,AZ. He’s been with the district for nine years andwill take over his new duties for the 2003-2004school year. Jack and his wife, Gayle, who has beenwith the same school district for 19 years, live inGilbert with their two children... Steve Plum (’93)is a Bemidji High School science teacher and coachof the high school’s Science Olympiad Team. Theteam took first-place in regional competition thisschool year, running away with the regional title bythe largest margin in school history... ShannonAlto (’93) and her husband, Dan, of Bemidjiannounce the March 6 birth of a son... Pete Fenson(’92) and Eric Fenson (’94), along with teammateson the Pete Fenson Rink of Bemidji includingShawn Rojeski (’95), captured the men’schampionship at the U.S. National Curling meetrecently with a 7-6 final win over Washington...Karyn O’Kane (’97) was hired mid-school year toteach senior high math at Cass Lake. She isteaching integrated math, algebra, geometry,trigonometry and pre-calculus. She has worked as atutor at Vermillion Community College and as asubstitute teacher in Ely and in Zurich,
Switzerland... Amy Lundberg (’94) is a personaltrainer employed at the newly opened HeartlandCenter of Natural Healing in Park Rapids... DaveAnderson (’93) recently applied for appointment toa vacated city council seat in Rosemount. He’semployed by the Minnesota House of Representa-tives as a committee legislative assistant for theHouse Committee on Civil Law. He is also a memberof the Rosemount Planning Commission and ran fora seat on the council in November... Nate Dybvig(’97) has been named editor of Politics in Minnesota,a political newsletter. He’ll be responsible forintegrating and editing copy produced by the threenewsletter editors of the statewide newsletter. He’dbeen doing public relations work the past three yearsas a partner with D.J. Leary in the firm MediaServices Inc. in the Twin Cities... Steven Isle (’97)was recently hired as an environmental technicianwith Widseth Smith Nolting’s environmentalservices department. He’d previously worked atPotlatch for five years as an assistant foreman in thefinishing department. As an environmentaltechnician, he is responsible for gathering field datafor environmental investigations and remedialactions. He is also responsible for oversight andmaintenance of ground water and monitoringequipment and remediation systems... RossBergerson (’90) recently accepted a new job withRochester Public Schools as an instructionaltechnology staff development specialist. In June of2000, he married Nikee Fabian and the couple has aone-year-old daughter, Lydia Nichole... JayanthyManiam (’98) works as a research and developmentcoordinator at the School of InformationTechnology, Telecommunications and Multimedia,Sunway College, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.Maniam recently completed a master’s degree ininformation technology, is married and has a 10-month-old son... Deborah (Casler) Stanoch (’99)of Columbia, MO, is the fitness manager atSalisbury Rehab and Fitness in Salisbury, MO. Herhusband, Jason (’02), is a history teacher at WestJunior high School in Columbia... Dirk Schulz (’99)and his wife, Lois, of Bemidji announce the January24 birth of a daughter... Doug Peters (’96) and hiswife, Jennifer, of Bemidji announce the February 24birth of a daughter... Susan Hudson (’90) and herhusband, David, of Bemidji announce the February
21 birth of a daughter... Helen Slayton (’90) ofSavage has started her own company and isattending the University of St. Thomas pursuing amaster of science degree in software. She has adaughter, Chaka Nikia Woods, 15... Tammie Colley(’92) is the owner of a youth-oriented consignmentclothing store, You-nique Clothing, 2504 HannahAve., in Bemidji... Mitch Rautio (’95) and his wife,Janna, of Bemidji announce the March 25 birth of ason... Rebecca Hoffman (’97) and Brodie Karger(’94) live in Milwaukee, WI, where Brodie works asthe exhibits manager for GE Medical Systems...Eric Eckman (’97) lives in Edina and works inengineering for the City of Golden Valley. Hemarried Suzanne Slanga in 2001 and the couplehoneymooned in Italy... Jennifer (West)Gilbertson (‘94) owns and operates an awardsbusiness, The Trophy Shop. She lives in Mt. Ironwith her husband, Gene, and son, Dylan, 5... AaronClusiau (’96) was promoted in January to vicepresident of the American Bank of the North inHibbing. He and his wife, Christy, live in Nashwaukwith Jacie, their 5-month-old... Caari (Schmidt)Dueffert (‘97) and her husband, Chris, live in PriorLake with their son, Ryan, 1... Nicole (Gaertner)Rasmussen (’97) lives in Rosemount and wasplanning an April wedding with Darby Rasmussen...Tim Friis (’98), a Brainerd police officer, wasselected by fellow officers as the 2003 Police Officerof the Year. He has worked with the Brainerd policeforce since June of 1999 and prior to that had workedfor the Springfield Police Department, the BeltramiCounty Sheriff’s Department, Lake of the WoodsSheriff’s Department and the Paul Bunyan DrugTask Force. He is also one of two trained bombtechnicians on the Crow Wing County BombSquad... David Georgina (’98) teaches compositionand intensive writing at MSU-Mankato... Angela(Henke) Peck (’96) is in her first year of teachingfourth grade at Red Lake Elementary. She’dpreviously taught fourth- and sixth-graders at St.Mary’s Mission in Red Lake for five years. She andher husband, Kevin, live in Puposky... LondaJohannsen (’98) and her husband, Jason, of LakeGeorge announce the February 8 birth of a son...Angie Eck (’97) and her husband, Chris Eck (’95),of Clearbrook announce the February 8 birth of adaughter... Jennifer Ulven (’97) and her husband,
2003–2004 Alumni Relative Scholarship
Matthew Niedzielski, Hoyt Lakes, MNMichael Nohner, Bemidji, MNMelissa Norgord, Pengilly, MNAmy Olson, Frazee, MNAngie Olson, Frazee, MNJoshua Peterson, Bemidji, MNAnthony Rohloff, Brainerd, MNKim Scearcy, Walker, MNMary Sweeney, Bemidji, MNLaura Wiedewitsch, Detroit Lakes, MN
Incoming FreshmenJacob Anderson, Newfolden, MNKarissa Andrews, Wadena, MNRyan Bahr, International Falls, MNAmy Borgen, Badger, MNDarren Caspers, Bemidji, MNAdam Dewenter, Bemidji, MNGrant Gartland, Bloomington, MNCharles Hofer, St. Paul, MNBreanna Holm, Middle River MNBranna Liend, Keewatin, MNNatasha Loud, Bemidji, MNLisa Myers, Orlando, FLMarsha Nelson, Backus, MNGlen Schmidt, Little Falls, MNLuke Schumacher, Sauk Centre, MNBlake Smith, Little Falls, MNSara Spann, Sheridan, NYRozann Stay, Bemidji, MNRobert Stein, Sauk Centre, MNJennifer Steinkopf, Wadena, MN
Returning and Transfer StudentsLayne Backer, Tenstrike, MNNikki Baird, Bemidji, MNMark Bessler, Lake George, MNRachael Bessler, Lake George, MNBrandon Bjerknes, Bemidji, MNMitchell Blessing, Bemidji, MNLeah Bowen, Hermantown, MNCandace Buhl, Browerville, MNEric Carlson, Bemidji, MNAmy Christenson, Thief River Falls, MNMegan Costello, Kodiak, AKPatrick Crosby, Anoka, MNKristine Engman, Bemidji, MNLuke Erickson, Thief River Falls, MNTara Erickson, Bemidji, MNJenny Forer, Hibbing, MNAngela Harrison, Virginia, MNDana Hasselberg, Staples, MNNicholas Heisserer, Detroit Lakes, MNKatherine Jedlicka, Hines, MNMonica Kemper, Mahnomen, MNMatthew Kistner, Eden Prairie, MNCameron Koenen, Hines, MNTara Krohn, Bemidji, MNStephen Lindgren, Park Rapids, MNMichael Lynch, Sartell, MNJames Mack, Bemidji, MNNatalie Moritz, Emily, MNEmily Mullranin, Bemidji, MNAshley Neujahr, Bemidji, MN
In MemoriamRoger Piehl (former faculty), Brainerd, MN
Norma J. Haugen (’41), Thief River Falls, MN
Mary H. Naegler (’82), Bemidji, MN
Grace Lewelling (’58), Merriam, Kansas
Dorothy Sloniger (’49), Bellingham, WA
Gertrude Gordon (’28), Bagley, MN
H. Wesley Balk (’54), Seattle, WA
Lois A. Spooner (’73), Bemidji, MN
Phonathon Raises $129,000The 2002-03 Alumni Phonathon has wrapped up and was a tremendous suc-cess. Thanks to the overwhelming commitment from the alumni of BemidjiState University, over $129,000 has been raised in cash and pledges in sup-port of various BSU programs and scholarships. Of that total, over $111,000was raised directly for the University Fund.Gifts to the BSU Foundation help support current and future Bemidji Statestudents. Financial contributions provide scholarship support, help studentrecruitment efforts, aid in faculty and student research, and provide addi-tional funding for special departmental programs. Some of the special pro-grams funded by gifts from alumni this year include:• Second Annual Scholarship Breakfast; new Full-Tuition and Presidential
Scholarship recipients were honored at this event.• Live Writing Series Spring 2003; author Jean Harfenist gave presenta-
tions on how to get published and a reading from her published shortstory cycle, A Brief History of the Flood.
• Major and Career Expo; faculty from all departments and staff from vari-ous campus offices were available to talk with students about steps tosuccessful career planning.
• Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference; genre writing workshops,afternoon seminars, and evening reading series will be featured duringthe summer program on campus.
• Gendron Jenson, a guest artist and lecturer presented several lectures aboutnature, his art, humanities, sciences and environmental sciences.
• Web Development; a recruitment web-site for BSU graduate programswas developed.
• 30th Annual Northern Minnesota Mathematics Contest; nearly 600 stu-dents from 21 area high school participated in the contest held at BSU.
• ACDA National Convention Performance; the Bemidji Choir was one ofonly nine collegiate ensembles selected to perform at the national con-vention of the American Choral Directors Association.
• Guest Artist for University Bands; Dr. Wesley Broadnax, assistant con-ductor of bands at Michigan State University, was the guest conductor forthe University Band spring concert.
• Social Work Program Student Field Trip; students went on a three-dayfield trip to the Twin Cities to attend the Minnesota Social Service Asso-ciation annual conference and the annual Social Work Day at the Capitol,meet with legislators, and participate in the Minnesota Social Work Stu-dent conference.
• Suit Yourself: graduating students and interns were able to access a clothingrepository to obtain professional dress to use in a job interview.
• Peggy Seeger Mini-Residency; a noted performer of folk music, Seegerparticipated in annual celebration of Women’s History Month.
• Nursing Spring 2003 Recruitment; a recruitment, direct mailing was completedand sent to all diploma and associate degree nurses in Northern Minnesota.
• New Voices; high school writers from across the state had articles ac-cepted for publication in this 22nd annual anthology.
These grants would not be possible without the gifts, generosity and supportof BSU friends and alumni.
Where There’s a Will,There’s a Way
for Bemidji StateUniversity Students
Since 1919, bequests and otherspecial gifts have provided fund-ing for student scholarships andeducational programs at BemidjiState University. The BSU Foun-dation is asking alumni and friendsto consider leaving the Universitya charitable bequest that will ben-efit future generations of BSU stu-dents. Contact the BSU Founda-tion for information relating toplanned giving which may include:
Wills and BequestsCharitable Gift PlanningRetain Life Income Gifts
A planned gift to the Bemidji StateUniversity Foundation qualifies formembership to the BSU Founda-tion Legacy Society. For additionalinformation, mail, e-mail or call:
Bemidji State University Foundation1500 Birchmont Dr NE, #17Bemidji, MN 56601-2699
755-3991 (local) or 1-888-234-5718 (toll free)[email protected]
http://info.bemidjistate.edu/Foundation/
Horizons Page 7
Mark (’98), are building a new home in Big Lake.They have one child, Tylan, 2... Kristin DahlbergBrovold (’95) and Ryan Brovold (’95) live inMinneapolis with their children. Erica, 4, and Emily,3. Ryan teaches at St. Cloud Technical College andKristin is a social worker at the Leukemia &Lymphoma Society. Ryan’s hobby is pilotingaircraft and Kristin plays trumpet in the RobbinsdaleCity Band... Jon Scherf (’94) and Jane (Johnson)Scherf (’94) of Britt announce the November birthof a son, Ryan Gabriel. Jon is in his 10th year as asocial studies teacher, while Jane is in her ninth yearas a learning disabilities teacher. They also have adaughter, Katherine, 2... Kathleen Nyberg (’93) ofCass Lake recently started a new Internet business,Bineshii, which sells Minnesota-made products atwww.bineshiiwildrice.com. She and her husband,Tony, have two sons, Patrick, 33, and Chris, 22, and agrandson, Josh, 13... Darren Olson (’97) and hiswife, Elizabeth, of Bemidji announce the February 2birth of a daughter... Angela Pinsoneault (’98) ofAnchorage, AK, attended newly elected AlaskanGovernor Frank Murkowski’s inaugural ball...Karen Stish (’93) and her husband, Scott Stish(’92) of Solway announce the January 16 birth of ason... Tami Nendick (96) and her husband, Tony, of
Hines announce the January 16 birth of twin sons...Jim Marken (’91) and his wife, Terri (’89), ofBaudette announce the January 16 birth of adaughter... Torrey Westrom (’98), an Elbow LakeRepublican representative, was selected in Januaryto serve as chairman of the Regulated IndustriesCommittee... Norma Knapp (’97) was recognizedat the 2003 Spiritual Speakout for Violence-FreeFamilies “Walk the Talk” banquet. The SpiritualSpeakout is a sermon competition that encouragesclergy and lay leaders to speak out against familyviolence. Knapp’s sermon, “Children Living inHell” received first place in the layperson category.She is a retired registered nurse, educator andbereavement facilitator. She’s active in her churchand enjoys writing, doing calligraphy and playingwith her three grandchildren... Michael Paslawski(’99) of White Bear Lake, announces that two plays,on which he collaborated with Roy Booth, are soonto be published by New Theatre Publications ofCroydon (London), England. The first play, “FreshFruit,” is a one-act comedy about the plight of twobums trying to sell expired produce in front of agrocery store. The second play, “Do You Have Gas?”is a full-length comedy set in a convenience store late
at night. The plays are the first and second to bepublished in Paslawskie’s career. . . Ron Burns(’95) is president of Northwoods DNA, anautomated DNA sequencing and genotypingcompany in Becida that has been noted as a successin a story by the National Institutes of Standardsand Technology Manufacturing ExtensionPartnership. The success story is featured on theMinnesota Technology Inc. web site and isincluded on the NIST/MEP site as an example forother MEP centers to use in their work withcompanies... Patricia Zea (’91) and her husband,Larry, of Pennington began raising registeredScottish Highland cattle 17 years ago and this yearaccompanied some of their livestock to a ranch insouthern Chile. The Zeas settled on Pimushe Lakein 1970 and their children graduated from school inBlackduck where Pat taught for 28 years... CaaraHolmstrom (’93) and her husband, Roger, ownPaul Bunyan Animal Land, located about threemiles east of Bemidji on U.S. Highway 2.Filmmakers from Australia recently featured theHolmstroms and their animals in an internationalfilm that has now been presented at the CannesFilm Festival in France. “The Beast Within” wasproduced by Grainger Television Australia...Shelby Dowty (’96), her husband, Kevin, and theirchildren, Geoff, born in 1981, and Derek in 1983,are the subject of a multi-part series of sportsstories appearing in the Daily Journal,International Falls. Natives of Pequot Lakes,Kevin and Shelby arrived in International Falls in1978, after a two-year stint in Badger... Heidi(LaBarre) Schumacher (’90) is in her 10th yearwith the Scheels All Sports’ Advertising office. Shelives in Fargo with her husband, Ken, and their son,Joseph, 1... Greg Bernard (’92) won the 2002Minnesota Monthly magazine Tamarack FictionAward for his narrative entitled “Fish Story”...Seth Knudson (’95) and his wife, Kari, of Bemidjiannounce the April 25 birth of a daughter... AaronLundblad (’94) and Julie Lundblad (’92) ofBemidji announce the birth of triplets, Raegan,Xander and Cade. They also have a two-year-olddaughter, Skyler... Buni Slinkman (’96) and herhusband, Bruce (’87), received the 2003 JohnsonJarvi Snowjourn Award for their long-termcommitment and support of cross country skiing.
The Slinkmans have groomed and helped developthe trail system at Three Island County Park,promoted the sport for children and serve on manysports boards... Joan Najbar (’92) recently openeda new therapy and counseling business, SmallCircle, in Ely. She offers traditional therapy but alsoincorporates the arts into much of her work. Thebusiness name is reflective of a holistic model ofhealing. She has two teenage sons... Steve Wymore(’98) and his wife, Carolyn, live in Warroad andhave two children, Seth, 19, and Katy, 17...Gretchen (Stark) Cundiff (’91) and Dan Cundiff(’94) live in Richfield. They were married in TroutCreek, MT, on September 7, 2002.
2000sTrish Ritchie (’00) and her husband, Troy, ofBemidji announce the March 21 birth of adaughter... Sara Ann Salonek (’01) and KeithPrevost were married in Springfield, MO, on April5. Sara is a news reporter and Keith is a sportsanchor. Both work with KSPR Springfield 33, theABC affiliate in Springfield... Scott Wherley (’01)has been hired as a Beltrami County deputyresponsible for patrolling the cities of Blackduckand Kelliher and the rural areas north of Blackduck.He previously had worked in Nebraska and alsospent some time working with the MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources fisheriesdivision. He and his wife have a two-year-old son...Katie Furlong (’01) was recently hired as a graphicdesigner with H.T. Klatzky & Associates, Duluth’slargest advertising and public relations agency. Shecomes to her new position from Out ThereAdvertising, where she was an art director... TravisGuida (’02) was recently hired as a psychologyteacher with the Blackduck School District. He andhis wife live on the east side of Lake Bemidji...Bruce Manske (’00) competed in the March 1Snowjourn Ski Race at Buena Vista... GregoryUeland (’02) of Thief River Falls teaches sixth-,seventh- and eighth-grade social studies in theschool district there. He also serves as head boysand girls cross county coach and as assistant boysbasketball and track coach... Darcy Faul (’02)married Jeffrey Fjosne on April 26 in Bemidji...Gary Krueger (’01) and his wife, Nancy, ofPuposky announce the March 12 birth of a
Kristin Dahlberg Brovold and Ryan Brovold
2003 Campus ScholarshipDrive Completed
With each spring comes the annual CampusScholarship Drive, a time when Bemidji StateUniversity faculty and staff are asked to showtheir commitment to BSU and its students bymaking a gift to the BSU Foundation.
Over the years, faculty and staff giving hasgrown and become very strong. Last year, BSUenjoyed one of the highest participation ratesof faculty and staff among MnSCU institutions.
This year was no different. All faculty and staffwere asked to participate in the 2003 CampusScholarship Drive through a donation, whichwould help to increase scholarship aid for brightand worthy students. While faculty and staffhave the option of designating their support toother scholarships, the historical priority of thedrive has been to support the Campus HonorsScholarship to attract freshmen year scholarsto BSU. These one-time, $600 scholarships areawarded to all high school graduates in the top15 percent of their class with an ACT compos-ite of 23 or higher.
This year faculty and staff helped raise $57,400and 76 percent of all faculty and staff partici-pated in the drive, an impressive affirmation ofthe commitment from the campus communityto Bemidji State and it’s students.
“The results of this year’s Campus ScholarshipDrive are very exciting! By increasing theiroverall giving by six percent to over $57, 000,our faculty and staff have shown a strong com-mitment to Bemidji State University and to ourstudents,” said Dr. Tom Richard, mathematicsprofessor and co-chair of the 2003 CampusScholarship Drive committee. “In these diffi-cult economic times, it is nice to see the facultyand staff provide this positive commitment.Obviously, there is recognition that, as employ-ees of BSU, we are dependent upon the suc-cess of our students and we recognize our stu-dents as our most valuable asset.”
Legacy BuildersIn 2001 Janet Erickson was faced with living out her life without herhusband, LeRoy, who died suddenly from complications as a result ofa genetic disease.
“It was overwhelming and I had to figure out how to move forwardalone,” said Erickson. “Soon after losing LeRoy I came to the realiza-tion that I couldn’t keep up with the maintenance of our home on myown. It had been our dream home in the country and we built it to-gether. Eventually I made the difficult decision to sell. But, I continuedto miss LeRoy and I felt terribly alone.
“After reading an article in HORIZONS about Bemidji State University’sLegacy Society, I called Sue Kringen, the director of development atthe BSU Foundation, and shared with her that, though I didn’t have
much money, I did include a small bequest in my will to the BSU Foundation. After visiting withSue, I decided to begin funding a named endowment in honor of LeRoy. LeRoy loved BSU andparticularly the physics and science departments. The endowment will provide scholarships to fu-ture students attending BSU who are majoring in science education. The endowment will providescholarships in Leroy’s and my name into perpetuity. It will be our legacy.
“After making the decision to establish this endowment, my spirits and enthusiasm went way upand I feel like I have some purpose again. It feels good to feel good again!”
LeRoy Erickson was originally from Pelican Rapids. He graduated from NDSU with a bachelor ofscience degree in electrical engineering and later earned a second bachlor’s degree from Minne-sota State University-Moorhead in physics and math. In 1982 he came to Bemidji State Universityand had completed the required coursework toward earning a master of science degree in scienceeducation. Erickson was an instructor in physical science at BSU up until the time of his death.Janet Erickson continues her career at Bemidji State University as a senior office and administra-tive specialist in the College of Social and Natural Sciences.
For information on establishing a named endowment or the LegacySociety, contact the Bemidji State University Foundation by calling755-2762 or (888-234-5718, toll free) or e-mail Sue Kringen [email protected].
Janet Erickson
New Board of DirectorMembers Elected and
Appointed
Every two years, the 16-memberAlumni Association board of direc-tors holds an election for five seats.Members serve four-year terms andare eligible to serve two consecutiveterms. This year 991 active alumnireturned marked ballots and electedthe following new members whowill begin their terms at our Augustmeeting:
Randy Bowen ’73, Hermantown, MNBoyd Bradbury ’88, Callaway, MN
Marion Christianson ’50 / ’71, Bemidji, MNCarol Richards ’81 / ’90, Bemidji, MN
Jessica Ward ’96, Bemidji, MN
In addition, the board appoints threenew members during each electioncycle. Those members appointed toserve four-year terms are:
Bob Fitzgerald ’85, Bemidji, MNRandy Fulton ’79, White Bear Lake, MN
Rochelle Johnson ‘93 / ’98, Bemidji, MN
The additional eight members whoare currently in the middle of theirterms and will continue to serve forat least another two years are:
Jeff Baumgartner ’77, Bemidji, MNJoann Gardner ’93, Bemidji, MNDon Gross ’81, Council Bluffs, IA
Delphine Jacobsen ’63, Bemidji, MNDave Ramsey ’78, Owatonna, MN
Ranae Tenold ’95, Ostego, MNAustin Wallestad ’70, Madera, CA
Jim Wheeler ’72, Bemidji, MN
The Alumni Association board of di-rectors would like to thank all thealumni who put their name for-warded as candidates for election andappreciates the many highly quali-fied people expressing interest inserving their Alumni Association.
The Legacy Society
The LakeThe LearningThe Life
daughter... Tiffany Peterson (’00) and Brad Olson,both of Bemidji, were married recently in a privateceremony at Kohl’s Resort near Bemidji... JoeFriedrichs (’00) and Angela Haider (’00) weremarried on October 18, 2002. Joe works for USBancorp in St. Paul as a network technician andAngela is employed as a special events coordinatorfor Lynblomsten in St. Paul …William Tysver(’01) and Lace Suckut were married March 15 inBowden, ND. Will is employed at Horace MayElementary in Bemidji and Lace is a nurse at NorthCountry Regional Hospital... Linda Butler (’02) isliving in Eagan... Elise Souders (’01) ofRosemount recently was hired as a communitydevelopment coordinator for the City ofMinnetonka and is working on finishing hermaster’s degree in urban studies at Minnesota StateUniversity-Mankato... Candi Walz (’02) isemployed as a writer with a newspaper inKimball... Jason Stanoch (’02) of Columbia, MO,is a history teacher at West junior High School inColumbia. His wife, Deborah (’99), is currentlythe fitness manager at Salisbury Rehab and Fitnessin Salisbury, MO... Craig Boyer (’02) has beenaccepted into the prestigious University of IowaM.F.A. in Writing program …Korey Koets (’00)of Boulder, CO, is employed as a sample makerwith Tuscarora in Longmont, CO... Todd Djonne(’02) and his wife, Jenny, of Blackduck announcethe April 9 birth of a son... Jana LeClaire (’00) andher husband, Chris, live in Rockford... KarenLaVine (’02) lives in Shevlin with her husband,Joseph, and their 3-month-old daughter, Gabriel...Rebecca Peterson (’02) was hired this fall as anLEP with the Plummer and Oklee schools. She alsoserves as the girls C-Team coach for volleyball andas assistant girls basketball... Erich Knapp (’01)performed a series of mini-recitals in April incelebration of having spent 10 years as organist atFirst English Lutheran Church in Menahga. Heteaches vocal and classroom music at SebekaPublic School and is the director of the Park RapidsClassic Chorale... Tony Wittmann (’01) of InverGrove Heights is employed as an Excel teacher inthe St. Paul Public Schools... Brian Amundson(’01) and his wife, Jessica, of Bemidji announce theApril 26 birth of a daughter.
Horizons Page 8
Com
mun
ique
sCommuniques
from the alumni directorMarla Huss Patrias
Alumni Association Says ThanksSeven members of the alumni board of directors will com-plete their official service to this organization in August.Each of them has made tremendous contributions to theboard and to the Alumni Association as a whole. As theyleave the board, I want to publicly thank them for their yearsof service and commitment. They have helped shaped avision to move this organization forward, and to create astructure of programming that focuses on the needs of ouralumni and Bemidji State University. I wish each of themthe very best as they move on to spend more time with theirfamilies and to assist their communities and other organiza-tions needing the help of dedicated volunteers.
Roger Aitken ’73 – serving from 1983 - 2003Caroline Andrican ’53 / ’62 – serving from 1984 - 2003Bruce Falk ’71 – serving from 1999 - 2003Ken Henrikson ’59 – serving from 1981 – 1998 and 2000 – 2003Debra Kellerman ’72 / ’75 – serving from 1991 – 2003Tresa King ’97 – serving from 1999 – 2003Adele Munsterman ’74 – serving from 1999 – 2003
Mass Communication Outstanding AlumAlumni and students from the Mass Communication De-partment held their annual banquet on Saturday, April 26,2003 and named Rachel Raebe Nystrom ‘76 as the 2003Mass Communication Outstanding Alum.
Rachel is employed at Minnesota Public Radio as aMainstreet Radio Program reporter and live broadcast host.Her reporting career has earned her a Gabriel Award, anO’Brien Excellence in Journalism Merit Award, and a na-tional award for education reporting. Rachel’s commitmentto her family, church, community, work and life in ruralMinnesota is to be admired and commended.
Anchorage Alumni ReceptionScheduled for July 24, 2003In response to the excellent turnout last year, we will againhost an alumni reception in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thurs-day evening, July 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event willbe held at the home of Don and Lani Kassube who live at9988 Main Tree Drive on the hillside in South Anchorage.
If you’ve always wanted to visit Alaska in the summer, here’sa good reason to do it this year. Late July finds the famousCook Inlet red salmon in the upper Kenai River, and theworld famous Alaska halibut swimming off the shores ofHomer. Call the Alumni Office at 1-877-278-2586 for moreinformation.
Homecoming 2003 Set for October 3-5Homecoming dates for next fall have been set. Homecom-ing will again be held the first weekend in October. Theannual Alumni Honors Banquet will be held on Fridayevening, October 3. Saturday’s events will include a pre-game tailgate party co-sponsored by the BSU Alumni Asso-ciation and Beaver Pride, the Homecoming football game,and a Fifth Quarter alumni reception following the game.Sunday’s activities will include the Carl O. ThompsonMemorial Concert. Mark your calendars and plan toattend. More details will be sent to active members of theBSU Alumni Association this summer. (Active member-ship requires a minimum annual $30 contribution to the BSUFoundation.)
Class of 1963, Mark Your CalendarsThe Class of 1963 will hold their 40th reunion on Thursdayevening, October 2, so mark your calendars now and plan toattend. If you are interested in participating on a planningcommittee for this event, contact the Alumni Office at 1-877-278-2586 (toll free) or via email at [email protected].
BSU President Jon Quistgaardspeaks to guests at
the luncheon.
50-Year Reunion – Class of 1953
Edgar Hetteen speaks afterreceiving the DistinguishedMinnesotan and HonoraryAlumni awards.
A 50-year reunion of the Class of1953 was held on Thursday, May15 in Bemidji. With a fantasticturnout, participating alums fromthe classes of 1952, 1953 and1954 had a great time catching upwith each other at a reception anddinner held on campus.
1953 Alumni
Pictured here are members of the Class of1953 who attended the reunion. Front RowL-R: Doug Laine, Bill Robertson, JimSpitzer, Marian (Erickson) Nelson, Marilyn(Eckberg) Hovland, Caroline (Dahl)Andrican. Back Row L-R: Carol (Johnson)Ellis, Selmer Askeland, Loran Eickhoff,Joanne (Griggs) Eickhoff, Newell Ellis, JimHarker, Bill Kirtland, Willie Stittsworth.
1952 Alumni
Pictured here are members of the Class of1952 who attended the reunion. Front RowL-R: Dick Peterson, Carol (Remick) Triden,Noreen (Mihelich) Mee, Lucy (Vlajnich)Kirtland, Don Hanson, Joan (Whalen) Trochlil.Back Row L-R: Jack Kaplan, Angie (Burke)Kalmer, Mary (Randall) Norgart, Zola(Holmes) Bleth, Harriet (Wilmar) Sanner,John Liapis
1954 AlumniPictured here are members of the Classof 1954 who attended the reunion.Front Row L-R: Joyce (Danielson) Drechsel,Bonnie (Cress) Luedtke. Back Row L-R:Eindride Karlsgodt, Neil McMurrin, OleHoward, Bob Baker.
Golden Beaver Society Adds 70 MembersThe second annual Golden Beaver Society luncheon was held in conjunction withBSU’s commencement on May 16. Before a group of approximately 140 people,70 eligible alumni were presented with bronze medallions signifying membershipin the Golden Beaver Society. Created as a means to maintain a connection be-tween the University and its most senior alumni, the Golden Beaver Society is arecognition group for alums who graduated 50 years or more ago.
The guest speaker at the luncheon was Dr. Art Lee, professor emeritus of historyfrom BSU. Lee spoke about the history and legacies of the former presidents ofBSU. Also as part of the program, Dr. Jon Quistgaard, current BSU president,presented the Distinguished Minnesotan medallion to Edgar Hetteen, recipient ofthe 2003 award. Hetteen was co-founder of Polaris Inc. and Arctic Cat Co. and isalso fondly referred to as the father of snow mobiling. In addition to the Univer-sity honor, the alumni board president Don Gross presented Hetteen with the Hon-orary Alumni Award.
The luncheon is held in conjunctionwith commencement each spring.Next year’s luncheon will be held onFriday, May 14.
