Leading Leaders BSU Alumnus Equips Executives in Esteemed Program - Getting Their Heads into the Game - Bemidji ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Leading Leaders
BSU Alumnus Equips
Executives in Esteemed Program
Getting Their Heads
into the Game
Revolutionary Role-Play Games
Come to Life at BSU
Message from the President
The brilliant reds, oranges, and golds of autumn accentuated
the rhythm of campus this fall as we once again welcomed
“home” new and returning students for the start of Bemidji
State University’s 87th academic year. Also joining the BSU
family were over 30 new members of the faculty and staff. A
Community Appreciation Day and a BSU Service Week
were just two of the many new activities added to such BSU
traditions as freshman moving-in day, the all-campus picnic,
the semester play, music concerts, Honors Lectures, and, of
course, Homecoming. While the pace of fall’s rhythm seems to
have quickened, there remains a familiar constancy to its beat:
Bemidji State University is truly your university for all seasons.
Jon E. Quistgaard
Cover Story: Packing her bags and her
dreams, Heather Hurd heads to New York
City, where she lands a job with Phillips-
Van Heusen. Story on Page 12.
Contents
2 Campus Notes
5 Getting Their Heads into the Game
8 Seniors to Watch
10 Leading Leaders
12 A Dream by Design
14 Class Notes
19 BSU Foundation Annual Report
Vol. 22, No. 1, Winter 2007
Horizons is produced by the Communications and Marketing
Office, Alumni Association, and BSU Foundation at Bemidji State
University. It is published three times per year and distributed free
to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University.
Direct comments to news@bemidjistate.edu or 1-888-234-7794.
Co-Editors Rose Jones, Al Nohner
L
Alumni Director Marla Patrias
T H E l a ke , Foundation Executive Director Rob Bollinger
the l ea rning, Designer Kathy Berglund
the
ife!
Photography Director John Swartz
Contributing Photographers Grant Gartland,
Todd Williams
Contributing Writers Carrie Cramer, Jody Grau,
Al Nohner, Cindy Serratore, Karen Tolkkinen,
Editorial Assistance Scott Hondl, Peggy Nohner
Production Assistance The Johnson Group Marketing,
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Editorial Board: Joann Fredrickson, Rose Jones,
Keith Marek, Al Nohner, Marla Patrias, Rob Bollinger
A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universi-
ties system, Bemidji State University is an equal opportu-
nity educator and employer. This document is available
in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by
calling 1-800-475-2001 or 218-755-3883. BSU 06-414
Horizons Bemidji State University 
Campus
Campus Notes
Notes
Writing Program Recognized for Upcoming Events Alumni Credential Files Being
Curriculum Excellence January 20, 2007 Returned or Eliminated
The Minnesota State Colleges and Beaver Pride Winter Golf As of August 1, 2006, Career Services
Universities (MnSCU) named the Tournament - noon at Bemidji moved to Self-Managed Credential Files for
Bemidji State University bachelor of Waterfront students. At the same time, they also began
fine arts in creative and professional February 16-17, 2007 releasing inactive files to alumni so they can
writing as a recipient of an Excellence Athletic Hall of Fame create their own self-managed files.
in Curriculum Programming Award. 1:00 P.M. Induction Ceremony Documents in files created before 1975
The honor was one of seven an- at Beaux Arts Ballroom are excluded, because they were estab-
nounced by MnSCU for outstanding February 16, 2007 lished as confidential files. The only
achievements in educational programs documents within those files available to
and student services within its colleges MMEA BSU Alumni Reception alumni are student teaching evaluations.
and universities. - 5:00 P.M. at Hell’s Kitchen,
Minneapolis For a copy of your file, please complete the
The BSU creative and professional release form available on the Career Ser-
writing major, which began in 2001, March 17, 2007 vices web site at www.bemidjistate.edu/ca-
is the only such bachelor’s degree Alumni Dinner with Golf reer. If you do not request Career Services
offered in Minnesota and one of only Mesa, AZ to return your file, your credentials file will
13 programs in the United States. March 24, 2007 be eliminated beginning June 2008.
In addition to courses in fiction, Alumni Dinner with Golf For more information, please contact
poetry and creative nonfiction, the Palm Desert, CA Career Services via email at career@
program offers innovative profes- bemidjistate.edu or call 755-2038 or 1-
sional and technical writing courses, June 17-24, 2007 800-657-3726.
which are also beginning to be offered Alaskan Cruise on Sun Princess
online. Check www.bsualumni.org Thai Venture Capitalism Analyzed
for details on each event listed
and for a complete calendar Dr. Bill Scheela, professor of business ad-
Beauty Lake Development Tracked of events taking ministration, has long been fascinated
place on the BSU campus!
Bemidji State researchers are tracking by the development of the Asian venture
the ecological impacts of residential capital industry. The interest started with
development on Hubbard County’s a sabbatical at Chinese University in Hong
Beauty Lake, which until recently was ity of this lake, but enhance Kong, continued with a teaching assign-
completely undeveloped. understanding of processes ment at the National Economic University
“Beauty Lake provides a unique op- on other lakes as well.” in Vietnam, and has been kept alive on re-
portunity to monitor a lake from an cent research trips across the region.
Dr. Charlie Parson, profes-
undeveloped condition through stages sor emeriti of geography; His interests caught the attention of the
toward more intense development,” Dr. Don Cloutman, associ- Thailand government, which hopes to learn
says Dr. Patrick Welle, BSU project ate professor of biology; more about its venture capitalists as cata-
manager and professor of economics and Dr. Rick Koch, associ- lysts for job creation, particularly in small
and environmental, earth and space ate professor of biology, are and medium businesses. Scheela received
studies. “The research should not only faculty researchers also in- a grant from two Thai sources to fund the
inform efforts for protecting the qual- volved with the project. first of what Scheela hopes will be a multi-
phased research project on the topic.
“Many Asian countries believe that a key
to stable economic growth is developing
small and medium enterprises,” Scheela
says. “These governments are attempt-
ing to develop a vibrant venture capital
industry to support the high-growth en-
terprises that will provide jobs.”
Scheela is conducting the research with
Dr. Thawatchai Jittrapanun, an econom-
ics professor at Chulalongkorn Univer-
sity in Bangkok.
BSU researchers are tracking
development’s impact on Beauty Lake.
Bemidji State University Horizons
BSU Football Captures NSIC Title
Campus & Bowl Bid
Notes
The BSU Beavers celebrated the football program’s first outright championship title in school history. Also this season, BSU football coach
Jeff Tesch was named NSIC Coach of the Year. The team also garnered the program’s first bowl appearance, playing in the Mineral Water
Bowl on Dec. 2 in Excelsior Springs, Mo. The team finished the year with a 9-3 record.
Power Walking In Memoriam South Korean College, BSU Sign
Dr. Faissal Abdel-Hady is looking for a Linda Poehls Allen ’83 Fergus Falls, MN Exchange Agreement
big solution to a small energy problem, Catherine Doland Anderson ’31
Grand Rapids, MN Bemidji State University and Sunlin
and he thinks he may have found it in a College in Pohang, South Korea, have
Phyllis Anderson ’78 Batavia, IL
person’s feet. signed agreements that allow for the
Owen Bailey ’68 Wausau, WI
Abdel-Hady, a Bemidji State University Jeanette Beardsley ’69 Park Rapids, MN exchange of students and faculty.
faculty member with dual assignments Keith Benson ’87 Bemidji, MN “We’re so much closer today in real-
in physics and technological studies, Robert Berg ’50 Rancho Santa Fe, CA izing a global society,” said Dr. Jon
has received a grant to design an inno- Thomas Bohanon ’80 Las Vegas, NV Quistgaard, Bemidji State University
vative linear generator that will harvest Judy Brandwick ’74 Crookston, MN president. “When people get together
the energy from the vibration induced Diane Braun Brumwell ’70 and interact with each other, wonder-
during human walking. Red Lake Falls, MN
Wilré ‘Billie’ Chichester Jones ’39
ful things happen.”
The program’s impetus is a desire to re- Hibbing, MN
place traditional energy sources with Established in 1969, Sunlin offers un-
Rudolph DeLuca ’62 Burnsville, MN
sustainable alternatives, such as walking. dergraduate programs in nursing, pub-
Juanita Goswick Ellison ’70
Since portable electronic equipment Wildwood Township, MN lic health, fashion, computer science,
is becoming smaller while providing a Evelyn Anderson Johnson ’62 architecture, dermatology and beauty
wider range of functionality, users are
Bemidji, MN art, information and communication
becoming more reliant on the devices.
Michael Kruse ’74 Ramsey, MN and industrial engineering. As part of
William Lesnak ’72 Chisholm, MN its mission, Sunlin has become an ac-
This is especially the case in remote Neil Martin ’67 Hastings, MN tive participant in global education,
locations where batteries are not read- Mark Martinson ’92 Barnesville, MN signing study agreements with colleg-
ily available and in situations where Charles Osborn ’50 Minneapolis, MN es and universities in 13 countries.
continual use causes excess battery con- Loren Pederson ’60 Moorhead, MN
sumption. Such a system would allow Eleanor Pfau ’31 Bemidji, MN “We have a strong commitment to in-
disaster relief workers, explorers, mili- Shirley Dike Plantz ’87 Chanhassen, MN ternational education and an appre-
tary personnel or others to go into the Frank Price ’64 Colorado Springs, CO ciation for programs like the exchange
field with fewer heavy replacement bat- Gladys Hjelle Prickett ’65 agreement with Bemidji State Univer-
teries for cell phones, GPS instruments, Middle River, MN sity,” said Dr. Il-Pyong Jeon, president
night vision goggles and other portable Harold Reindal ’52 Oklee, MN of Sunlin College. “This relationship
electronics. John Schuiling ’32 Bemidji, MN will help students know and under-
Carlene Mayo Seifert ’91 Wadena, MN stand each other better. It will provide
The grant is part of a proposal written Erik Soderstrom ’05 Bemidji,MN wonderful opportunities.”
by Abdel-Hady and submitted jointly Richard Stever ’81 Pine River, MN
with Archangel Systems in Auburn, AL. Kevin Tomte ’81 Aurora, CO
The Navy Research Center funded the Eleanor Traut ’39 Crosby, MN
project. Lowell Trimble ’66 Tenstrike, MN
John Werner ’71 Ashfield, MA
Carolyn Palmer Whiting ’71 Bemidji, MN
Glenn Wills ’51 Algonquin, IL
Horizons Bemidji State University 
Campus Notes
Endangered Dialects Show Beaver Pride with Call for Nominations
Dr. Anton Treuer will closely examine the BSU Alumni Visa® Card! 2007 Outstanding Alumni
four dialects of Ojibwe to help preserve The Bemidji State University Nominations are now being accepted
the language for future generations. Alumni Association has part- for candidates to be considered for the
The National Endowment for the nered with U.S. Bank to offer Bemidji State University Outstanding
Humanities awarded a Documenting an exclusive credit card for Alumni Award.
Endangered Languages fellowship to alumni and friends of BSU.
The Outstanding Alumni Award, pre-
Treuer, an associate professor who Those who use the BSU
sented annually during Homecoming,
teaches Ojibwe. He will study four Alumni credit card are sup-
is the highest honor presented by the
different variants of the southwestern porting scholarships, athlet-
Bemidji State University Alumni Associ-
dialect of the Chippewa (Ojibwe) in ics and other vital programs
ation. The award recipients are honored
Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lan- with the card’s use. If you
for exceptional service and contribu-
guage is still spoken only by elders, and currently carry a BSU Alumni
tions to the University and to their com-
some communities have fewer than five credit card, please check for
munity, state and nation.
remaining speakers. the U.S. Bank logo on the
back because purchases made All nominees must have graduated no
The project proposes to research and with any other BSU Alumni less than 10 years ago from Bemidji
write the first pedagogical grammar of the card no longer support the State University. Current faculty, staff
Ojibwe language as spoken in Minnesota. University. and members of the Board of Directors
“It will involve hundreds of hours of of the BSU Alumni Association can not
Marla Huss Patrias, director
interviews, transcriptions and analysis be nominated. Nominations will be ac-
of BSU alumni relations, be-
to be sensitive to issues of dialect and cepted until January 31, 2007, and can
lieves that the new program
cover the complex web of grammar us- be made by anyone except an immedi-
offers superior products and
age for Ojibwe,” says Treuer. ate family member. Contact the Alumni
service to cardholders at the
Office for a nomination form at 1-877-
same time it helps students
Model Replicates Retreat 278-2586 (toll free), 218-755-3989
and alumni. “We are very
(local); via email at alumni@bemi-
for Healing and Renewal pleased to have U.S. Bank
djistate.edu; or on the web at http://
When the directors of the Lacek Foun- as a partner in our effort to
www.bsualumni.org/awardprograms/
dation embarked on an ambitious fund provide convenient, high-
outstanding.html.
raising endeavor to create a retreat for quality opportunities for
families of critically ill children or those alumni to use a product that
who experienced a loss of a child, they supports the BSU Alumni DNR Grant to BSU Studies
felt they needed something that would Association,” she says. Shrinking Walleye Population
bring substance to their dream. To find out how you can Dr. Don Cloutman, a BSU biology pro-
That substance was provided by the support the BSU Alumni As- fessor, received a two-year grant from
model makers at Bemidji State Uni- sociation through our credit the Minnesota Department of Natural
versity, who created a scale model of card program, visit www. Resources to determine whether the
Faith’s Lodge as it will appear in the bsualumni.org, or call 1-800- rusty crawfish is harming Leech Lake’s
north woods of Wisconsin. The mod- 853-5576 ext. 8616 today! walleye population through its con-
el was used during a gala event in the The creditor and issuer of sumption of their eggs.
Twin Cities that kicked off a $1.5 mil- the Visa card is U.S. Bank Believed to be native to the Ohio River
lion campaign to build the facility. National Association, ND. Basin, rusty crawfish were first spotted in
Established in 1999 by Mark and Susan Minnesota in 1967. They are an aggres-
Lacek, the Foundation focuses on sup- sive, larger species that tends to displace
porting children and families. native crawfish, compete with young
game fish for food and consume walleye
Bemidji State students John Angeli, Ross eggs.
Roetman and Mark Nordell worked with
Northwest Technical College faculty As the rusty crawfish has spread
member Lyle Meulebroeck on the mod- throughout the upper Midwest,
el, which became the centerpiece of the the walleye population has
gala and subsequent outreach efforts. dropped in several areas.
Bemidji State University Horizons
G etting
Their Heads
into the
Imagine a class where G
students become characters,
teachers become observers, and
the class itself becomes a game
ame
R e vo lu t i o n a ry R o l e - P l ay
G a m e s C o m e t o L i f e a t B SU
centered on the happenings of
another time and place. Many Bemidji State Uni- cal crises – impressing upon them the
versity students think so, criticality of the events and helping
Sound intriguing? as do students at some 30
other institutions across
them relate to somewhat intimidat-
ing and seemingly detached topics.
the nation where React- Carnes’ approach has since become a
ing to the Past courses national phenomenon.
are offered. This teaching The phenomenon reached Minne-
method uses educational sota in 2004 when Dunn and two
role-play games to explore colleagues – Dr. Marsha Driscoll, as-
historical topics, periods sistant professor of psychology, and
and events. Dann Siems, assistant professor of
“Students learn a lot about biology – began teaching a Reacting
history through the course course. Their combined areas of ex-
of these games … and also pertise reflect the transdisciplinary fo-
that history isn’t inevi- cus of Reacting classes that often draw
table,” says Dr. Elizabeth from biology, psychology, philosophy,
Dunn, Bemidji State Uni- sociology, and other disciplines.
versity history professor. Dunn contends that this transdisci-
“It’s always contingent on plinary course focus reflects the ma-
what individuals do or do trix in which life truly functions. “Stu-
not do.” dents become increasingly aware that
Initiated ten years ago at the world is complex,” Dunn says.
Barnard College in New “They are opened up to a complicat-
York, the Reacting to the ed world and ways of understanding
Past approach evolved that world. They realize there are no
when history professor easy answers, they embrace tolerance
Mark C. Carnes sought a for others’ views, and they develop
method that would sub- self-efficacy.”
merge students in histori-
Horizons Bemidji State University 
“They also become more confident These texts delve deep into ground, intervening occasionally,”
speakers, better writers, better read- subjects such as tensions in explains Dunn. “A lot of our work
ers, and they are better able to engage Puritan New England, ideas is preparation. In class, we are tak-
in creative conflict,” Dunn adds. behind the French Revolu- ing notes and giving visual responses
Former Reacting student Sam Parsons tion, and Confucianism to what’s happening. Occasionally I
agrees. “The subject matter is undeni- and politics in sixteenth- might pass a note: Did you think about
ably interdisciplinary, which yields century China. this approach?”
a multi-dimensional view of the in- Outside of class, the learning continues
formation and context,” he says. “As “Students say they as faculty and students exchange a con-
a result, you learn concepts and re- worked harder in this tinual flow of emails, engage in one-
lationships, not just simple facts in a on-one discussions and attend various
two-dimensional world.” course than they ever group meetings. “We do a lot of tutorial
With titles like The Threshold of Democ- expected to – and work on the side,” Dunn notes.
racy: Athens in 402 B.C, these games are they just did it on Teaching such an innovative course
not typical party mixers, although the comes with many challenges, Dunn
term game does attract students. “At first their own. It’s kind of says. “As a professor, there’s a chal-
we were worried students wouldn’t take remarkable.” lenge to get yourself out of the middle
it seriously,” Dunn acknowledges. “But of the classroom, when you’re used to
they seem to respond to it. We’re speak- A key aspect of the Re- being in charge,” she says. “It can be
ing a language they can understand acting experience is the hard for professors who spend their
when we’re talking about gaming.” way in which students careers at the center of knowledge.”
Reacting to the Past games are highly and teachers function dif- On the student side, the games aren’t
sophisticated, based on understand- ferently from typical class for everyone. “Students who are pro-
ing complex texts that structures. The faculty, active, passionate, and willing to en-
are at the heart of structuring the classroom gage will do well in Reacting classes,”
each game. environment so students Parsons observes. “It’s not a class for
are front and center, over- students who wish to be spoon fed.”
see the process from the
sidelines. Another challenge is getting people to
understand the educational value of the
“Students are running Reacting games. “These games are very
the class, disciplining the non-traditional,” Dunn says. “As a re-
class, and controlling the sult, a lot of critics don’t understand or
flow of the class. Mean- know the academic depth to them.”
while, instructors are
in the back- With outcomes that sometimes differ
from history, some historians also wor-
ry that history is being taught poorly.
“And now that we’re getting into
science games, some scientists
worry about teaching ‘bad’
science,” Dunn notes.
Bemidji State University Horizons
The games, however, always end with
important debriefings where the facts
are disclosed and discussed. “In fact,
students will go research and find out
what happened, and then bring that
into the game. What we find is stu-
dents do a good job of coming up with
possible outcomes and understanding
the real outcome,” she explains.
Both students and faculty feel the
impact of the Reacting experience.
“Students say they worked harder in
this course than they ever expected to
– and they just did it on their own,”
notes Dunn. “It’s kind of remarkable.”
From Game Masters to Game Creators
Beyond using Reacting to the Past games at Bemidji State, Dr. Elizabeth Dunn,
Dunn, Driscoll and Siems report that history professor, along with Assistant Biology Professor Dann Siems, Assis-
Reacting has made them more en- tant Psychology Professor Dr. Marsha Driscoll and student Kamran Swanson,
thused about teaching. “We’re all pret- have created a game that’s scheduled for publication this year. Charles Darwin,
ty passionate about it,” Dunn says. the Copley Medal and the Rise of Naturalism investigates the theories and
findings of Charles Darwin within the socio-political environment of the 19th
When she looks to the future of Re- century. | “We experimented with a class on Darwin, but it was difficult to
acting to the Past courses at BSU, cur- teach,” says Dunn. After attending a Reacting conference some three years
rently the only Minnesota university ago, it occurred to her that Reacting might be a good way to teach the course
or college offering them, Dunn says without threatening students’ core beliefs. | In its nearly finished state, the
she’d like to see Reacting classes of- game has been played in three classes and at a few conferences. “We’ve got-
fered at the freshman level as they are ten really good feedback,” Dunn says. “And things have happened that we didn’t
at other schools. She would also like expect. The experience has led to some of the most exciting conversations I’ve
to incorporate the method into other had in my career.” | Driscoll concurs. “The result is our total immersion in the
disciplines. process. We eat, sleep and drink the game - both its inherent historical issues
and its design features,” she says. “I rarely sleep well during Reacting because
“The Reacting approach has a student- my mind simply won’t shut off.” | The transdisciplinary and collaborative in-
centered pedagogy, so it fits Bemidji volvement required in creating the game is key to its impact. “Collaborating
State’s core tenant of being a student- across disciplines is highly stimulating,” Siems explains. “We each bring dif-
centered university,” Dunn explains. ferent perspectives to game development and end up seeing our own discipline
“It also fits our mission as a public in a new light.” | Looking toward the game’s release this year, the professors
university in raising civic awareness; feel confident about its reception. In fact, they aim to play the game in London
in 2009 at the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s The Origin of
it’s a parallel idea. Students have to
Species. | Still, they express some feeling of uncertainty as the game nears
become active and involved to par- release. “It’s kind of like watching your children go off to school,” Dunn explains.
ticipate in this class.” “You’re not sure what’s going to happen.” Much like the game of life.
Reacting students on p. 5 are Derek
Geller (top right); Nate Svare, Heather
Raisch, and Melissa Van Maasdam
(left, top-bottom). In deep discussions
with Savre on p. 6 are (l-r) Jacob
Haus, Sarah Opdah and Emily Pippo.
Pictured on p. 7 are student Crystal
Middendorf with Professor Elizabeth
Dunn; (bottom l-r) students Geller,
Opdahl, Svare and Audrey Preiner.
Horizons Bemidji State University 
Seniors toWatch
Seniors The Life - A Promise to Transform the Future
z
S ome people just seem to make the
most of every opportunity that comes
their way. Katherine Tieben is one of
those people.
Fully grasping the significance of the
support and inspiration provided by
faculty and fellow students, she also
possesses a clear vision of her future in
the performing arts.
“Through performance, I want to in-
T
spire people to get involved in the arts,”
says Tieben, a senior pursuing a double
major in vocal music performance and
theatre. “Through workshops and per-
formances, I want to touch people’s
odd Hillukka lives.”
To that end, she plans to move to the
Twin Cities after graduation and begin
TTodd
his year, technology education major
Hillukka can be found teaching
Today he finds his inspiration in the
auditioning. She also plans to develop
a workshop that she could bring to el-
youngsters he plans to teach. “I believe
building-trades skills to students at Sta- ementary schools to inspire children to
that lives can be made or broken when
ples-Motley High School. As he com- we are kids,” Hillukka says. “I believe get involved in the performing arts.
pletes his one-year internship, he’s also every child deserves a good chance Tieben is known for putting her perfor-
building a foundation for a future that and hope I can help some kids have a mance passion into action. As a junior
he sees as a teacher, coach, continuing better life.” at BSU, she and a high school friend
participant in the construction industry staged a benefit performance for Jordan
In addition to teaching, Hillukka says
and, eventually, business owner. High School, their alma mater. They
that coaching the Staples’ seventh-
This Sebeka High School graduate grade football team this year has made raised $3,000 for the school’s music and
and decorated National Guardsman him more focused on seeking future drama programs.
will also be adding dad to his list of job coaching opportunities.
titles when he and his wife, Amanda,
James Brouwer, professor of profession-
welcome their first child into the fam-
al education at BSU, describes Hillukka
ily in March.
as a hard worker and a great asset to his
Hillukka’s university education was in- program.
terrupted at the halfway point in 2003
“As an older-than-average student, he
when he was deployed for 14 months
brings a lot of knowledge to his intern-
as a carpenter with the National Guard,
ship and is well liked by students,” Brou-
spending a year of that time in Iraq.
wer notes. “And as a result of his military
“I learned some valuable lessons in Iraq experience and time spent in Iraq, he’s
that will remain with me the rest of my able to contribute a unique blend of life
life and throughout my career,” reflects experiences to our program.”
Hillukka. “I learned respect for authori-
K
In addition to teaching and coach-
ty, leadership and a strong work ethic.”
ing, “I hope one day to open a con-
His service caliber was recognized when struction company or cabinet shop,”
he was awarded the Army Commenda- says Hillukka of his long-term goals.
tion Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal
and two Army Achievement Medals.
atherine
Bemidji State University Horizons
Bemidji State University HorizonsShe’s far from kicking back during her
final year at BSU. Tieben is president
of both the Bemidji Choir and the stu-
dent-run theatre organization, Theatre
Unlimited. This is also the second year
that she directed the masque for the
Madrigal Dinners. She’s actively in-
volved in the Chamber Singers as well.
Tieben credits her fellow students with
B
being her greatest source of inspiration.
“Their dedication and commitments to
the departments constantly give me
something to strive for,” she says.
Praising Tieben for her range and tal-
ent, Music Department Chair Dr. Brad
Logan notes, “Through her intelli- erne Christiansen
gence, dedication and talent, Katherine
has excelled in a broad range of disci-
plines within the performance field.
B erne Christiansen credits the friends tion. In 2006, the MSUSA named him
he’s made and the experiences he’s had “MVP” and, in 2003, the BSU Student
She is one of the top students in both at Bemidji State University with making Senate honored him with its Meritori-
of her majors.” him more easygoing and spontaneous. ous Service Award.
Tieben is grateful for the range of ex- Driven is more likely the adjective an ob- “It comes down to feeling like I’ve made
periences she’s had at BSU. “The lead- server might choose to describe him. some impact, if even a small one, on the
ership roles I’ve been put into have The Arden Hills native and Mounds campus, on people.”
helped me realize what I really want to View High School graduate is pursu- Born with cerebral palsy, a condition
do,” Tieben reflects. “I couldn’t imagine ing a double major – a teaching degree that challenges his mobility, Chris-
a better place to spend my undergradu- in English and a bachelor’s degree in tiansen can be found making his way
ate years.” political science. While teaching re- around campus with the use of either a
mains in the mix, Christiansen’s BSU cane or his trusty scooter.
experience has prompted him to take a Those who work with him admire his
broader view of his future options. passion and his perseverance. “His wit
“Being involved in all that I am has also and perspective, combined with his
prompted me to consider some differ- commitment to serving students, are
ent options for life after college, such evidence of his passion for what he
as being a student affairs professional, does,” notes T. Todd Masman, director
an educational lobbyist or working of Hobson Memorial Union.
with a state student association,” says “I especially value the fact that he per-
Christiansen. severes in the midst of adversity and is
A member of the BSU Student Senate always a positive voice for student en-
since his freshman year, he has chaired gagement.”
both the student services and the aca- Christiansen’s greatest inspirations in-
demic affairs committees. In addition, he clude his many BSU friends and col-
has served as the campus representative to leagues as well as his parents, who he
the Minnesota State University Student says, “They instilled in me the belief
Association (MSUSA), where he also has that I could do anything I set my mind
been special assistant to the cabinet. to, despite any limitations I may have.”
e Tieben
His commitment to these organizations
has garnered him praise and recogni-
Horizons Bemidji State University
Horizons Bemidji State University LL
eading
eaders B SU
serving as director of master’s programs
and an adjunct management professor.
“I love what I do,” DeKrey says. “I en-
joy the variety, the autonomy and the
excitement.”
And there is much excitement
about HKUST’s EMBA pro-
gram. Just eight years old, the
program ranks third in the 2006
Financial Times EMBA global rankings, a
slight dip from its 2005 second-place
ranking, yet a marked improvement
over its sixth-place ranking in 2004 and
its ninth-place ranking in 2003 – im-
pressive slots themselves.
Established with the goal of provid-
ing the best executive education that
“ To me, leadership is one of the United States and Asia could offer,
HKUST’s EMBA program meets on
“They all have big jobs. the most honorable endeav-
extended weekends over a course of 18
ors,” says Dr. Steve DeKrey,
My challenge is to 1975 Bemidji State Univer- months.
sity graduate. “When I em- “The keys are capable and facilitative
prepare them to do their barked on this career path, faculty as well as deep discussion in the
leadership jobs even better. my goal was to make a posi- classroom,” DeKrey says. Discussions
tive impact on the develop- are rich, DeKrey observes, largely be-
To be responsible for ment of leaders.” cause of the expansive experience par-
the careers of many That career path took DeKrey ticipants bring to the program.
to the Hong Kong University “With 50 top executives in the room,
people and the destiny of Science and Technology there’s no doubt that they gain a lot
of an organization is (HKUST), where he is the from each other,” DeKrey says. “Plus,
associate dean of the business our students come from all over the
heady stuff.” school and founding direc- business environment.”
tor of the Executive Master HKUST’s EMBA program students are
of Business Administration not typical graduate students. They
Dr. Steve DeKrey
(EMBA) program, in collabo- make an average of $250,000 and some
ration with Northwestern fly from as far away as Seattle, San Fran-
University’s Kellogg School cisco and Mexico City to attend classes
of Management. At HKUST, in Hong Kong.
DeKrey oversees the program “They all have big jobs,” DeKrey says.
that caters to executives from “My challenge is to prepare them to do
all over the world, while also their leadership jobs even better. To be
responsible for the careers of many peo-
10 Bemidji State University HorizonsA l u m n u s E q u i p s E x e c u t i v e s i n E s t e e m e d P r o gr a m
ple and the destiny of an organization is Lake Bemidji, graduated When he needs a break from the hub-
heady stuff.” from BSU with a degree in bub of Hong Kong, DeKrey returns to
This, of course, makes DeKrey’s role psychology after attending Bemidji where he and his wife, Veron-
heady itself, as he strives to meet the Montana State University ica, own a summer home on Big Bass
needs of some of the most senior and for two years where he “ma- Lake. Returning to northern Minnesota
most diverse students in the world. It jored in skiing,” he jokes. is one of the ways he stays connected
appears DeKrey is doing his job well – BSU became the place where to his hometown and to BSU.
even though he went initially to Hong DeKrey settled into his stud- He also nurtures Bemidji State by con-
Kong to advance the MBA program. ies and formed a vision for tributing regularly to a scholarship
“We were not known to the business his life. “I was finally getting created in honor of his mother, Ione
community, and our alumni, small in serious about my future,” he DeKrey, who attended BSU at the same
number, were not in significant positions says. “BSU was a great place time he did. “I consider it a privilege
to help the school,” reflects DeKrey, to launch it.” and responsibility to help the schools
who saw an opportunity to fill this void DeKrey says he plunged into I’ve graduated from,” DeKrey says.
with an EMBA program. “It seemed a his career with two key traits As for his future, DeKrey sees himself
fine way to advance our school and en- he acquired at BSU: disci- at HKUST for a while. “Being part of
ter a higher-level student market.” pline and confidence. These such a dynamic school and an impres-
So DeKrey, using his experience in ini- qualities helped him realize sive team keeps me here,” he says. “We
tiating similar programs at the Universi- that anything was possible are no where near done in our quest to
ty of Florida, took his idea to HKUST’s and propelled his career. be not only the leading school in Asia,
president, dean and faculty where the Despite a frenetic work but also a leader worldwide.”
concept gained acceptance despite its pace, DeKrey finds his work As a leader who has affected many
uncharted nature. rewarding. “This is a very lives, he offers a message to current
Although new to Asia, EMBA programs dynamic region, and I am BSU students that parallels his own
were not new to the Kellogg School honored to be in a position career trajectory, “Think big. Do not
of Management at Northwestern Uni- that matters here. Manage- limit yourself. Look ahead and engage
versity, where DeKrey had been as- ment education is important yourself.”
sistant dean and assistant professor. “I to the future growth and
approached my former boss and men- professionalism of all Asia,
tor, Donald P. Jacobs, about starting a especially China.”
partnership in Hong Kong,” DeKrey
explains. “He was very interested, but
too busy to move quickly.”
DeKrey pressed the urgency of the
matter and within six months secured
a deal. The program was built on trust
and, to this day, there is no contract
other than a half-page memorandum of
agreement, DeKrey says.
Trust and loyalty are characteristics
DeKrey holds in high regard. That same
loyalty extends to BSU, one of his four
alma maters. DeKrey, who grew up onS he lives in Manhattan, rides the
subway, designs ads for major fash-
ion brands, works in an upscale of-
fice where models pop in, shares an
apartment with her Broadway-bound
sister, and even wins TV commercial
contests. It sounds more like the life
of a movie character than a hometown
Bemidji girl, but this is reality for re-
cent Bemidji State University gradu-
ate Heather Hurd, a graphic designer
at Phillips-Van Heusen in New York.
“Where I’m at now isn’t where I
thought I would be,” Hurd says. “But
it’s better than I’d ever imagined.”
D
Hurd, who graduated last May with a
bachelor of science in design technol-
A
ogy, moved to New York that same
month, joining her younger sister
ream
who was attending the American Mu-
sical Dramatic Academy. She had no
by Design
job, no leads and no contacts. But she
did have the $10,000 winnings from
a contest she entered in hopes of fi-
nancing her post-college venture to
the Big Apple.
Last winter she created a 30-second
commercial featuring herself slurp-
New Grad Moves ing Aquafina during a silly workout.
I n to C a r e e r , Three months later Hurd found out
C i t y o f Dr e a m s that she’d won. Her dream was falling
into place. “It was perfect,” Hurd says.
Hurd’s Big Apple adventure contin-
“Where I’m at now isn’t where I thought I . ued. After 10 days of job-hunting,
would be. But it’s better than I’d ever imagined.” she received a call from Phillips-Van
Heusen. The Madison-Avenue, multi-
Heather Hurd brand, fashion corporation wanted to
interview her for a position in their
marketing department. After her first
interview, she was called back to inter-
view with the marketing department’s
12 Bemidji State University Horizonspresident. She landed the job – secur- BSU also helped her get Hurd’s dreams have come true in a
ing a nice salary and benefits package. in the door at Phillips-Van New-York minute, with many thanks
The whirlwind continued as Hurd Heusen. to BSU, she says. “I learned so much
learned to adjust quickly to big city In particular, Hurd cites there; I don’t think I’d be here today
life. Within weeks of moving to New the design technology without BSU.”
York, Hurd was boarding the subway program’s portfolio pre- As for her future, Hurd has a few ideas.
at 8 a.m., working a 9-10 hour day that sentation class. “The class “I’d like to stay here and move up,” she
included lunch at her desk, and taking was all about interview- says. “But I know I’d really like to move
the train back to her apartment for a 9 ing, presenting, describing back to Minnesota, too.” For now, she’s
p.m. dinner, a little TV and bed. your work, even deciding busy living her New York designer
Some might be overwhelmed by such which pieces to use,” Hurd dream. “We’ll see what happens,” she
a jump into the working world, but explains. says. “The possibilities are endless.”
not Hurd. “In the morning, I’m actu- She also speaks highly of
ally geared up to go again,” she says. “I her senior capstone experi-
get excited to go to work.” ence, a critiqued presenta-
That excitement might be tied to the tion in front of professional From One Graduate to Another
projects she works on – everything graphic designers, design Looking for a New York photographer to help
from in-store and magazine ads, kiosk faculty and peers. “It’s the illustrate the story of BSU graduate Heather
signage, billboards and web graphics most dreaded part of the Hurd, we turned to another BSU gradu-
to clothing tags and labels, shopping design tech program,” ate for help. Todd Williams ('97) took the
bags and gift boxes for some pretty Hurd recalls. Horizons' photos of Heather. While at BSU,
high-brow brands: Calvin Klein, The critique went well for he was an NSIC champion pole-vaulter for
Kenneth Cole, Bass and Chaps, to Hurd. “I was on cloud nine the Beavers. Having graduated with a B.S.
name a few. for a long time after that. It in technical illustration and graphic design,
boosted my confidence for he, too, headed to New York and is now a
“I’ve done so much already,” she says. professional photographer. Todd travels the
“And I’ve learned so much because moving to New York and
world creating images for his clients. To see
they throw you right in there. I feel interviewing.”
more of his photographs, visit his website at
comfortable tackling projects, and I’m Interviewing, portfolio- http://www.toddwilliamsusa.com/
able to produce.” building and job skills aren’t
Hurd credits Bemidji State University the only benefits Hurd
with giving her much of this ability gained at BSU. In fact, she
to produce. “My classes were really says the relationship skills
great,” she says. “They taught me the she learned are invaluable
core skills I needed to know.” and unique. “Since it’s a
small campus, it helps shape
She also cites her work experience in relationships with people,”
BSU’s publications office as a key part she explains. “That’s some-
of her education. “Working in the pub- thing I’ve taken with me.
lications office really helped me grow I’m building relationships
and expand my skills,” she explains. with everyone now.”
“Working with clients, getting files
ready to go to press, doing actual real-
world things helped me so much.”
Todd Williams
Horizons Bemidji State University 13Class NotesClass Notes
If you want your information
included in Horizons, contact the
2006 Christa Pribula of Bemidji was a finisher in is employed as a digital designer and applications
the Grandma’s Marathon held last summer in Dulu- Alumni Association Office engineer at Trane in White Bear Lake and Megan is
th... Brian Brunelle and Bill Brunelle (’88) played on (email: alumni@bemidjistate.edu; employed as a registered nurse at the University of
the five-member Minnesota Chipps/Cass Lake Le- Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview, Minneapolis...
toll free: 1-877-BSU-ALUM).
gion pool team that took second at the 2006 Ameri- Josh Peterson of Minneapolis won first place in the
can Cue Sports Alliance National Championships at Please NOTE: Twin Cities’ Next Top Model Contest on July 8.
Las Vegas, NV... Amanda Brooks and Bradley Jewell He received a $5,000 modeling contract and a trip
were married August 12 in Yukon, OK. She’s em- Towns are located in Minnesota to Los Angeles to participate in a photo shoot with
ployed at Kandy B. Anderson Ltd., a CPA office in unless otherwise noted. world-renowned photographer Bruce Weber... Isaac
Bemidji, and he is employed as the operations assis- Smieja and Erin Mrozek were married July 22... Sara
tant at First Federal Bank, Bemidji, and as computer Zimmerman and Aaron Stodgell (’03) were married
support for BSU’s Career Services Office... Shannon July 1 in Walker. They live in Bemidji... Jennifer
Anderson of Minneapolis recently began working Nevins were married August 26 in
Bemidji where they reside... Stacy Quistgaard and Zachary Hazelton were married Au-
for the Minnesota Senate as committee administra- gust 12 in Bemidji. Both are attending the University
tor to the Health and Human Services Budget Divi- (Nutter) Nelson is a special educa-
tion teacher at Kittson Central High of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Jennifer was a volunteer
sion chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin... Rachel Becker with last summer’s Fishing Has No Boundaries event
lives in Washington, D.C., and is the meeting plan- School... Chase Jackson of Bemidji
qualified for match play in Bemidji’s held in Bemidji... Lt. Jonathan Holliday, an execu-
ner/executive assistant for the National Association tive officer with the Army National Guard, is serving
of Secretaries of State. She also works part-time for Birchmont Golf Tournament men’s
championship division, finishing at a 12-month assignment in Iraq.
the Washington Capitals pro hockey team as an
events staff member. 147 (74-73)... Desiree Jorgensen 2003 Mike Fogelson, coach of the Bemidji High
and Patrick Quinn (’03) were mar- baseball team, served as emcee at its annual awards
2005 Kameron Babin and Chad Genz were mar- ried October 7 in Bemidji. She is night program in June... Jesse Rockstead and Pame-
ried September 10 in Outing. She is employed as the employed with RSM McGladrey and la Palmer were married July 22 in Blackduck... Cyrus
juvenile diversion program coordinator for Aitken he works with the Thomson Corpo- Swann of Pine River had his artwork, “Transitions
County and he is co-owner of Genz Construction, ration. They live in the Twin Cities and Tradition,” displayed this summer at the North
LLC... Travis Amsden is an officer with the Black- area... Molly (Zimmerman) Turner Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks... Lauren
duck Police Department. He and his wife, Heidi, live and her family recently produced a Miller and Matthew Miller were married Septem-
in Wilton... Kori Hutchison worked in Hawaii for CD entitled “Waiting on Sundown” ber 9 on the North Shore of Lake Superior. She is
three months in 2005 as a volunteer with a sea tur- and performed songs from it at cof- employed as a park police officer for Three Rivers
tle project. She plans to attend graduate school for fee houses in Bemidji. Molly and her Park District and he is a police officer for the City
wildlife conservation ... Beth Haukebo of Emmaville husband, Doyle, have two children of Corcoran... Tara Selisker and Kevin Valley (’02)
served as a Hubbard County DFL delegate at the and live in Bemidji. were married August 5 in Bemidji... Jim McKeon
Minnesota DFL State Convention... Ed Heltunen of served as co-chair for this summer’s Fishing Has No
Brooklyn Center and Beth Hendrickson, a student at 2004 Dana Hasselberg of Staples Boundaries event held in Bemidji.
BSU, were married June 10 in Menahga. Ed is a math qualified for the women’s champi-
teacher at Brooklyn Center... Sally Ohman and Mat- onship field in the Birchmont Golf 2002 Zach Howard and Nicole Breitback were
thew Heier were married July 15 in Park Rapids. She Tournament held in Bemidji... Jason married October 15, 2005, at Elrosa. He is a biology
teaches at Park Rapids Elementary and he is a postal Swanson is manager of the Coun- teacher at Farmington High School and she is em-
clerk in Park Rapids... Lisa Smith and Eric Walker try View Living Estates in Walnut ployed as an x-ray technologist at the Mayo Clinic
(’04) were married July 29 in Woodbury. She is em- Grove... Dana Johnson and Andrea in Rochester. They live in Zumbrota... Tanya Flikka
ployed with the Oakdale School District and he is a Rhen were married July 1... Nicole and Peter Mattson were married June 11, 2005, in
contract analyst with Benfeld Inc. in Bloomington... Linder and Andrew Martens (’06) Crookston. She is employed as a technology educa-
George Fairbanks recently accepted the position of were married July 15 in Bemidji. She tion teacher for Fargo Public Schools and he is em-
news editor at the Roseville Review, North St. Paul... is a website designer/developer and ployed as a union heat and frost insulator for G&O
Brent Fulton was hired in May as a patrol officer graphic designer at Pinnacle Publish- Insulation, Fargo. They live near Felton... Sarah Bal-
with the Detroit Lakes Police Department. He’d pre- ing in Bemidji. He is a professional stad was a volunteer at last summer’s Fishing Has No
viously worked for the Beltrami County Sheriff’s De- hockey player with the Florida Pan- Boundaries event held in Bemidji... Sam Larson of
partment as a correctional officer... Janel Budenski thers ... Amy Tobey and Seth Eklund Bemidji participated in the Bemidji Hangfire Black-
and Eric Samuelson were married on August 26. She’s of Bemidji were married June 17 in powder Club’s 31st annual Ron-dee-voo in June...
employed as a program supervisor with Lighthouse Bemidji. She is a kindergarten teach- Sheryl Porter and her family competed in the Bemi-
Lodge in Bemidji and he is an intern architect at MJ er at Horace May Elementary and dji Jaycees Water Carnival Family Olympics during
Architectural Studios in Bemidji... Josh Overgaard he works as a mechanic at Southside the Fourth of July holiday... Lori Chap and Shawn
and Shauna McInerney were married on August 26. Towing... Candice Skramstad and Ostendorf were married July 8 in Rogers where they
Both are attending the University of Minnesota-Du- Andy Olson were married June 10 now reside. She is a senior re-insurance analyst with
luth... Sherry Kuzel and John Nanoff, Jr. were mar- in Mora. She is employed with Lakes Benfield Group of Bloomington and he is a senior
ried June 24 in East Grand Forks. She is employed as and Pines and he is employed with recruiter with the card services division of HSBC in
a substitute teacher in Bemidji and he is working as a Environmental Consultants, Inc.... Minnetonka... Janell Hjelm and Eric O’Brien were
corrections agent for the MNDOC in Bemidji... Jen- Nikki Baird and Bob Brink were married September 9 and now live in Monticello...
na Cramer and Craig Smith were married September married June 30 in Bemidji... Heather Angela Gangl and Kevin Young were married
9... Nathan Heim of Kelliher served with other mili- Eidsmoe and Bryan Anderson (’03) March 30 in Las Vegas. She is employed at Edina
tary veterans as a grand marshal for the Sullivan Lake were married June 26 in Bemidji. She Eye Physicians and Surgeons and he is a superin-
Fourth of July boat parade... Brent Finseth and Traci teaches at Northern Elementary in tendent of Rottland Homes in Minneapolis... Adam
Tolman were married August 26 at Underwood. He Bemidji and he teaches in the Cass Stewart is the new managing editor of The Hoff-
is employed as a commercial risk management spe- Lake-Bena School District... Sarah man Tribune... John Bouchard has had his book, A
cialist with Lutheran Trust Church Asset Manage- Hess of Bemidji was a finisher in the Taste of Soda, published. He and his wife, Sara, live in
ment and she is employed with Otter Tail County Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon held Kansas and have a daughter... Tom Jenkins of Plym-
Human Services... Travis Schwarz and Kristen Knut- in June at Duluth... Wayne Boerner outh took the championship title in the men’s field of
son were married June 24 in Fisher. He is employed is a park manager at the Zippel Bay the Vandersluis Memorial Golf Tournament held in
by Cretex Concrete Products North as a customer State Park located near Baudettte... Bemidji... Vicki Limbocker is the activities director
coordinator and she is a registered nurse with Tri- Nicole Schmidt and Andy Polk were at Goldpine Home in Bemidji... Scott Nichols was
Valley... Lindsay Larson and Benjamin Cournia were married July 29 in Bemidji. She is promoted to claims representative III with Federated
married on December 31 in Princeton. They live in employed by the Marquette County Insurance, Minneapolis.
Kodiak, AK, where Lindsay works as a reporter with Health Department and he is em-
the Kodiak Daily Mirror and Benjamin serves in the ployed by the Westfield School Dis- 2001 Jennifer (Sullivan) Pirkl of Bemidji works for
Coast Guard... Carl Peterson and Nicole Wiekamp trict... Justin Fink and Megan Jack- Stellher Human Services, providing mental health
were married October 7... Amanda Sachau and Eric litch were married July 29 in Walker services in Cass Lake-Bena District schools. She
and now live in Maple Grove. Justin
14 Bemidji State University HorizonsClass Notes
and her husband, Bill, have one child... Samantha dren. She works in the community a health information assistant at Grand Itasca Clinic
Stenson of Howard Lake works in a bank and sells services field... Matthew Moyle and and Hospital and is also a violinist with the Duluth
real estate near the Twin Cities... Valeri (Paskvan) his wife, Ellen, live in Chicago, IL... Superior Symphony Orchestra... Heather (Sande)
Johnson is the new owner of Roger’s Two Way Cel- Rebecca Steinhorst and Lonnie Bode Copiskey of Bemidji was honored by the Lia Sophia
lular in Bemidji... Becky (Zimmer) Larson and her were married August 5 in Alexandria. jewelry company for outstanding sales accomplish-
husband, Tony, of Duluth announce the May birth She is an elementary special educa- ments and professionalism... Henry Flocken serves
of a daughter, Madeline... Gretchen Heim, an art tion teacher with New Ulm Public on the board of the new charter school, Minnisi-
director for an advertising agency in Minneapolis, Schools and he farms and works at naakwaang Leadership Academy in East Lake.
and her mother, Rose Heim, of Kelliher, developed a Hancock Concrete... Dirk Ver Steeg
line of lotions and soaps that are sold in many stores and Stacy Peters were married July 29 1994 Sara Boettcher and Todd Joyal were mar-
throughout Minnesota... Laura Hood is employed in Chisholm. He is an internal auditor ried December 10. She is employed by Corporate
as a cook at Grandma B’s Restaurant and Coffee for Allete in Duluth and she is a sales Graphics, North Mankato, and he is employed with
Shop in Bagley... Alexander Knudson was promoted consultant at Lenscrafters in Duluth... Kraft Pizza Co.... Julie Noggle and Corey Hanson
to senior program analyst with Federated Insurance, Cpt. Daniel Lillquist is a captain were married October 29, 2005, in Mahnomen. She
Owatonna. serving with National Guard forces is employed by Mahnomen County Human Services
deployed to Iraq in September. He as a child protection social worker and he is self-em-
2000 Mike Mastin, a Bemidji police officer, was is a battalion medical officer with 15 ployed as a farmer... Corey Barke works at Star Ex-
recognized by the City of Bemidji recently for excel- years of military service and will be in hibit and Environments. He and his wife, Bethany,
lence in seat belt enforcement... Steven Loney and Iraq for a year. live in Brooklyn Park... Erik Larson of Cambridge
Willow Sedore were married July 15, 2005, at Grand is a home inspector and does residential carpentry...
Rapids where they reside. He is employed as a mental 1997 Ryan Aylesworth of Bemidji Alisa Franklin and Todd Meyer were married April
health practitioner at Northland Counseling Center was a finisher in the Garry Bjorklund 22. Both are employed by Northomes Inc.... Todd
and she is a staff writer at the Grand Rapids Herald... Half Marathon held in June at Du- Johnson has been registered as a professional land
Amy Olson and Matt Boeke, both of Detroit Lakes, luth. He is a Bemidji High School surveyor. He’s been employed with Landecker &
were married May 7, 2005, in Detroit Lakes. Amy teacher who also served as a guide to Associates Inc., Grand Rapids, for the past 10 years
is a kindergarten teacher for Detroit Lakes Public a dozen students in the BHS Outdoor and is currently a project manager in the Walker
Schools and he works at Young Life Castaway Club... Adventure Club… Heather (John- office... Lorri Mostad and Mark Holter (’83), her
Jordan Welsh and Lee Peterson were married July son) Ritchie of Bemidji was a finisher husband, own Mustard Seed Gardens & Gifts, just
1 in Pelican Rapids. They live in West Palm Beach, in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon north of Bemidji... Anita Spangler was elected to a
FL, where both are employed with the Palm Beach held in June at Duluth... John Schmitt one-year term as secretary of the Bemidji Habitat
County School District... Michael Burgess and An- and his wife, Shannon, live in Laporte for Humanity Board.
gie Ohotto were married July 15 in Bloomington. and have a son. Shannon recently
The couple lives in Shakopee... Rachel Roberts and opened Shannon’s Tax & Consulting 1993 Scott Leindecker of Bemidji was a finisher in
Jeffery Kuha were married October 7 in Hibbing. Services... Pat McNallen was head the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon held in June at
She is a special education teacher at Century Junior coach to the Bemidji 11-year-old All- Duluth... Jason Saari of Roseville is employed as an in-
High School in Forest Lake and he is the director Stars team that captured the state Cal formation delivery developer at Prime Therapeutics...
of operations and a flight instructor at Thunderbird Ripken tournament title in July. Rochelle Van Den Heuvel is the new superintendent
Aviation in Crystal... Chad Pontinen and Abigail of Greenway Schools... David Gooch is an industrial
Paavola were married August 19 at Hoyt Lakes. He 1996 Michael Malterud of Bagley technology teacher at Bemidji High School.
is employed as a manufacturing engineer with Boston was a finisher in the Garry Bjorklund
Scientific and she is in her third year of veterinary Half Marathon held in June at Dulu- 1992 Suzi Rhae Ross is the coordinator of the
school... Don Vigen is employed as a local client rep- th... Kari Opatz had a showing of her Bemidji Sculpture Walk and also a contributing art-
resentative with RCB Collections in Bemidji. artwork at The Beanery in Aitkin this ist... Gwen Bimberg and David Sturrock were mar-
summer... Brenda (Meyer) Holleman, ried February 11. She is working as an accountant
1999 Dan Jones of Cloquet recently received an agent with the Travel Chalet of Be- at Hoffman & Brobst and he is a political science
the 2006 Distinguished Person of Color of the Year midji, has earned lifetime gold-level professor at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Award at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He status in Sandals Resorts’ Certified They live in Marshall... Matthew Manz received the
is a member of the Nicickousemenecaning First Na- Sandals Specialist program. Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary on
tion from Ontario, Canada. He has taught Ojibwe May 28 in Minneapolis and plans to serve a church in
language courses at UW-Superior since 2002 and 1995 Jodie Tweed and Nels the Washington/Idaho Synod of the ELCA. He and
at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community Col- Norquist were married October 22, his wife, Anne, have two children... Gary Walworth
lege since 1997... Heidi (Heem) Kellogg, along 2005, in Pequot Lakes. She is em- has retired from a 34-year teaching career, having
with her husband, Andy, and their sons, Njorn and ployed at the Brainerd Dispatch and he spent 27 years teaching industrial arts and coaching
Leif, are moving to Nigeria to work with Wycliffe is also employed at the Dispatch and in Springfield Public Schools. He and his wife have
Bible Translators/The Seed Company doing Bible owns Maple Leaf Photography... Nick two grown sons. They now plan to build a new home
translation... Kirby Harmon is the manager of the Neeb of Northfield is the new associ- at Leech Lake... Susan Richards coached the Bemidji
new Book World Store in downtown Bemidji... Lori ate director of academic research and Junior Olympics 14-Under White volleyball team to
Mattison graduated May 6 from the University of planning at St. Olaf College. He and several wins this summer... Dan Bryant, a Bemidji
Alabama at Birmingham with a doctorate in pharma- his wife, Roz, have two children. She High School teacher, served as a guide to a dozen
cology and toxicology... Ethan Johnson and Heidi is the director of alumni and parent students in the BHS Outdoor Adventure Club... Er-
Bjerke were married August 19 in Clearbrook. He is relations at St. Olaf... Calub Shavlik nie Heifort served as assistant coach to the Bemidji
co-owner of Robson Honey in Carrington, ND, and of Nevis is a fisheries biologist for the 10-year-old All-Stars team that took third place at
she is employed with a dental clinic in New Rock- Minnesota Department of Natural Re- the Cal Ripken tournament at Waite Park in July...
ford, ND... Matthew Mattson is the new athletic di- sources in Walker... Jay Bergland and Patrick Grundmeier was recently hired by Episcopal
rector at Champlin Park High School... Bryan Dun- Toby (O’Neill) Bergland (’96) live in Community Services as campus director of the Arch-
rud and Cassie LeTourneau were married August 25 Farmington and have two children. deacon Gilfillan Center in Bemidji. He also serves as
in Ottertail. He coaches and teaches physical educa- Jay is the assistant director of student adjunct human relations instructor for Minnesota
tion, health and developmental adapted physical ed- judicial affairs and academic integrity State Community and Technical College... Greg
ucation for New York Mills Public Schools and she at the University of Minnesota and Bernard teaches English at Bemidji High School
works in regional sales for TEVA Pharmaceuticals. Toby is a school counselor at Rich- and has published his first book entitled Alpha Sum-
field Middle School... Jamie Dupuis mer. He was recently the guest speaker at the Pequot
1998 David Georgina lives in Park Rapids and is in his seventh year of teaching Eng- Lakes Library’s Garden Party Tea fundraiser. He was
is working on a Ph.D at the University of North lish in Japan through the Global Edu- also a finisher in the Garry Bjorkland Half Marathon
Dakota... Sarah Burgoyne and Justin Good were cational Opportunities Services Cor- held in June at Duluth. He and his wife live in Bemi-
married June 25, 2005, in Pequot Lakes. They live poration... Larry Wirta and Amanda dji and have two daughters... Geri Hickerson is the
in Merrifield... Raynita Houglum and her husband, Johnson were married October 7 in new executive director of the Bemidji Area Habitat
Rick, live in International Falls and have two chil- Duluth. He currently works at Full for Humanity and is currently chair of the Beltrami
Circle Image in Grand Rapids. She is
Horizons Bemidji State University 15You can also read
