Choosing Higher Ground

Connections Spring 2013

Choosing higher ground

Surrogate parent, mother superior, frontier sheriff

Exceeding early expectations

Lessons learned: MSU science impacts Alumni Association & award winner Development Foundation president’s welcome

University is focused on our students’ staff, students and faculty. Perry Olson success and their potential to lead and Shaun Sipma, both accomplished meaningful lives. graduates of Minot State University, Learning depends on knowing one’s worked tirelessly to help our community, sense of direction, appreciating our in spite of their personal needs. A familiar history, our people, our traditions, our name to many MSU alums is Garnet sense of purpose, and then doing some- Cox, a well-respected staff member and thing meaningful and important for the dean of women, who mentored countless good of others. In Vision 2013, MSU’s students. Roger Looyenga’s initial plans to vision for the future, one of our strategies teach business turned into notable corpo- is to know our place, not in a sense of rate successes and overtures to “As we approach our Centennial and remember those who have contributed to Minot State University, we should be proud of our great university and its traditions of learning and service.” hat’s rewarding and fun about the work we do at class or status, but in the sense of truly support his alma mater. Whether academ- Minot State University is understanding what it takes to contribute ic or athletic, stories about Penny Andrist, that we serve students with to others and the common good. Mike Leite, Neil Roberts, Scott Deibert Wmany different plans and aspirations. We witnessed this spirit every day and Jamie Council all contain wonderful We do our best to prepare them to reach during and after the devastating 2011 accounts of their notable destinations and their expected, and in many cases, their flood. The selfless way our faculty, staff successes. unexpected destinations. In the end, and students helped others was remark- As we approach our Centennial and what we are proud of is not necessarily able. This generosity was observed all remember those who have contributed the diplomas on their walls or the rewards across our city and immediate region. to Minot State University, we should they gather, but the quality of lives they The stories in this edition of Connec- be proud of our great university and its lead. Much of what we do at Minot State tions highlight many of our successful traditions of learning and service. David Fuller, president

22 contents volume 22 — number 3 Features p. 4 cover Story: Choosing higher ground

MSU alums Perry Olson and Shaun Sipma learn a hard lesson in the face of professional obligation and personal anguish.

11 ‘Above and Beyond’ brings Gellner full circle

Excellence in educaton p. 8 14 KMSU Auction … more than a fundraiser Garnet Cox Surrogate parent, mother 15 traveling troubadour teaches through music superior, frontier sheriff Athletics

16 Timing is everything Scott Diebert

p. 10 17 Atypical athlete Roger Looyenga Jamie Council Exceeding early expectations 18 dEvelopment Foundation

20 Alumni Happenings

22 Our readers reminisce p. 12 Mike Leite 24 Class Notes Lessons learned: MSU science impacts award-winner 27 In Memoriam

Connections is published three times a year by the Minot State University Alumni Association and Development Foundation. 28 Baby Beavers Send comments, articles or photo submissions to Connections, MSU Alumni Office, 500 University Ave. West, Minot, ND 58707. Telephone 701-858-3399 or 1-800-777-0750. Fax 701-858-3179. Email: [email protected]

Printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified stock. Third class postage paid at Fargo, ND 58101 3 Choosing higher ground MSU alums learn a hard lesson in the face of professional obligation and personal anguish

or every generation, Poignant memories said. “Jim (Olson) got back there is an event so “I was standing in my back- and instantly went on the air.” memorable and life- yard on Father’s Day,” Perry Shaun Sipma (’01) remem- altering that it burns Olson (’05) recalled. “My dad bers things with a little less itself into our brain like (Jim Olson, KXMC-TV news clarity. “My memory gets a Fa cattle brand. When asked, director) had driven to Canada little fuzzy those first couple of people know instantly where to interview someone with days because, basically, I didn’t they were or what they were the Saskatchewan Watershed sleep for the first 72 hours,” doing at the time and sub- Authority (renamed the Water Sipma said. “We had to be at consciously recognize that an Security Agency). My phone work 18 hours a day, and we invisible timeline will forever rang, I picked it up, and he still had houses to clean out.” mark future conversations said, ‘Get a U-Haul and get a A few days earlier, Sipma with references of “before” big one.’” had stopped moving his and “after.” During his interview, Jim furniture back into his house For our grandparents, it Olson learned that the amount after the first evacuation in was the bombing of Pearl of water soon to be released late May. Harbor. For our parents, it from Canada would be more “I was standing in my was the assassination of John than Minot’s levees could kitchen when my sister, the F. Kennedy. For the present hold. The flood was immi- acting Ward County emer- generation, it is the 9/11 nent, and the KX news team gency manager, called to tell terrorist attack on the World had a story to tell. me that they were preparing Trade Center. In Minot, our “In our family, we had four for a press conference to tell personal 9/11 is the 2011 houses to evacuate, and I wor- everyone, ‘We are going to Mouse River Flood. ried about that,” Perry Olson lose Minot.’”

44 Perry Olson (left) and Shaun Sipma in Sipma’s basement.

Meteorologist Joe Goldade else, during the height of the (’11) was at Trinity Hospital chaotic exodus, they remained visiting family when he riveted to their jobs, engrossed received a call from Sipma in the responsibility of asking him to drop by the reporting the flood to tens station on his way home. of thousands of viewers, while “About 3:30 that after- their families sought refuge on noon, we were sitting around higher ground, and their homes Trinity with the television on sat immersed in floodwater. in the background, when Jim “The worst part for me came on the air. It was from was the time at the beginning, his broadcast that I learned before it actually flooded, about the flood. Everything when I had to worry about after that is a blur and a mess of work,” Perry Olson said. “I panic and emotions,” Goldade worried about my house; my said in a telephone interview. sister’s house and her family; my brother-in-law and his A difficult decision family’s house; and my parents’ The KX news team decided house that we all had to evacu- to continuously broadcast ate. Once we got all of the live flood updates as long as stuff out, I knew I could just necessary, with Jim Olson, work. We were lucky because Perry Olson and Sipma each we had tons of help.” taking eight-hour shifts. Sipma’s move was After confirming the schedule, orchestrated by his wife, Sipma had two hours to clear father, mother, brother and things out of his house before a few friends. he reported to work. Ultimately, “A lot of our stuff ended KXMC-TV would remain up going to our second floor on air for 171 hours straight. because we didn’t have time Both Olsons and Sipma to get everything out of the shared the same fate as house,” Sipma said. “I spent a thousands on the flood plain. lot of time at work going gray They evacuated — not once, because we had to focus on

“I was standing in my kitchen when my sister, the acting Ward County emergency manager, called to tell me that they were preparing for a press conference to tell everyone, ‘We are going to lose Minot.’” but twice — heartbreakingly what we had to do, while, at watched their houses flood the same time, I worried about and returned to the filthy how my wife and family were aftermath determined to move handling things. The last day forward. Unlike everyone of the evacuation, I knew we 55 didn’t have everything out, before had social media played Even though the flood has and it was pretty bad. At that such a collaborative role in passed and memories begin to time, I’d been working non- news coverage of a major event fade, recovery — community, stop. I would go home and get in Minot. KXMC Facebook personal, physical and emo- a few hours of sleep, then if I friends had instant access to tional — continues on very had a half hour during the day, the coverage, and the opportu- distinct and unique timelines. I’d run home, do as much as nity to influence it, regardless “Going forward, many In September 2012, the I could to help haul stuff out. of where they lived. people want to put the flood Upper Midwest Chapter of The first 48 to 72 hours are “We had responses from to bed, and I think it’s impor- the National Academy of still foggy.” around the world — Hong tant that it doesn’t go to bed,” Television Arts and Sciences Kong, Japan, Russia,” Perry Olson said. “There are held its annual Emmy®Awards A community is Sipma said. “At one time, still close to 500 families living show in Minneapolis. KXMC- Tom Schrader (KX weather- in FEMA trailers, many of TV was honored for its excep- hypnotized man) and I asked, ‘Where are whom don’t know what they’re tional work and professional The KX 24-hour newscast you watching from?’ and the going to do. Many people development and outreach quickly caught viewers’ atten- list (online) exploded. It was don’t grasp how much pain with the following awards: tion and captured an entire community mesmerized by incredible.” and suffering remains.” • 2012 Upper Midwest continuous loops of video Emmy® for Interactivity: coverage, interviews, news Flood Facebook conferences, weather updates and commentary. • 2012 Upper Midwest Goldade’s responsibilities Emmy® for News Special: also included IT and computer Tale of the Mouse engineering at KXMC. He decided to use Facebook posts • Edward R. Murrow Award: to inform a larger audience Live coverage for the about flood coverage. Then Mouse River Flood he devised a plan to locate video cameras in strategic “Being honored for our neighborhoods to monitor work covering the flood was the rising water. It meant bittersweet,” Sipma said. “It’s purchasing additional laptops, a privilege to be recognized writing software, utiliz- Jim and Perry Olson discussing flood levels. for your work, but we would ing handmade mounts and gladly return the awards if it uploading the broadcasts to Retrospective “It’s great to recover, it’s meant erasing the devastation the Internet. It was a make- Contemplation great to come back, but I of the flood.” shift plan, but it worked, and a global audience was born. “I remember we would really say, ‘We have 10 years Friends and family all over the discuss if what we were doing ahead of us,’” Sipma said. earth were watching the same was right — broadcasting all “I look down my neighbor- local broadcast and could stay the time — because it kind hood, and there’s still a lot of current on events as they of became an addiction for emotional stuff going on, even unfolded. The KXMC people,” Perry Olson said. for me. Even now, things still Facebook page jumped to “But I think it was the right hit me, and it’s just starting to over 35,000 “friends” in a thing to do because it was sink in. few short days, giving viewers the biggest thing to happen “There was this great sense the opportunity to interact to this community in a long of responsibility. The job is live, sending questions, com- time. It wasn’t just Shaun, Jim more than a job; it is a piece ments and information to the and me; everybody did tons of you. If that piece of you is anchors on television. Never of work.” your town being destroyed,

6 6 you want to do everything Sherwood, and through the Perry Olson graduated with a you can to help people out. generosity of friends, stayed Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He And if that means providing at two different homes in is the early morning anchor of KX News information, by god, that’s Minot. “We were lucky,” Morning in Minot. Originally from Thief what we’re going to do.” he said, referring to having River Falls, Minn., he moved to Minot at “Minot is our home,” only six feet of water on his the age 5 when his father landed a job in Perry Olson said. “We had the main floor. television broadcasting. Grandpa Olson responsibility to try and do Sipma and his father owned a radio station in Thief River Falls, the best we could, because we continue to rebuild his home so Perry Olson grew up in communications weren’t doing it for the hun- when time permits. Earlier and began reporting weekend sports in high school. He acknowl- dreds of thousands of people this year, his basement edges that working the “family business” is in his DNA. Olson’s we didn’t know. We were plumbing collapsed, further days begin at 4 a.m. and usually end around noon. doing it for the thousands of delaying his return. Sipma Perry Olson’s wife, Melissa (Miller) Olson (‘08), is an MSU people we did know — our and his wife live with family graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting. She began her neighbors and friends.” in Minot and hope to be career at KXMC behind the scenes in the control room, working The floodwaters receded home this summer, almost up the ranks to reporter and evening news anchor. She retired in late July 2011. Perry Olson two years later. On June 26, from the business in 2007. During the flood coverage, Melissa returned to his home shortly 2011, the day of the crest, he Olson provided periodic updates about the Mouse River in the before Thanksgiving that same publicly announced he would Sherwood area, 66 miles northwest of Minot. year. Throughout the summer not shave until he returned and fall, Olson’s wife and two home. To date, Sipma has Shaun Sipma graduated with a children lived with family in kept his word. Bachelor of Arts in broadcasting. Although new to MSU, Sipma was a broadcast Mouse River Flood 2011 Timeline veteran, having worked four years as a June 1: Mandatory evacuations in the Minot river valley force radio disc jockey at KPOK-FM in his more than 11,000 residents out of their homes. This hometown of Bowman. was later lifted. “I checked out the broadcasting June 2: Evacuees begin arriving at the American Red Cross departments at U-Mary, UND and Minot. shelters at the Minot Auditorium and MSU Dome. At Around that time, Minot State was reviving its peak, the MSU Dome housed nearly 300 evacuees and served 2,400 meals per day. its baseball program, so I came to MSU for baseball and broadcasting,” Sipma said. June 22: Floodwaters top the dikes, and sirens alert residents Sipma pitched for Beaver baseball for two years and began to leave immediately. working at KXMC-TV his sophomore year. He is the 10 p.m. After 72 hours of continuous construction, crews news anchor but also works as a reporter and “anything else.” complete MSU’s dike as water crept north on Eighth Sipma’s days start at noon and often end at 11 p.m. Street. The “Beaver Dam” stood 12 feet high and battled seven feet of water along University Avenue. “Even as a sophomore, Shaun was so professional and polished,” a former professor reminisced, “we knew he was a rising star.” June 25: The State of North Dakota issued a boil order for all potable water. The boil order was lifted Aug. 11. Joe Goldade graduated from MSU June 26: At 11 p.m., the river crested at 1,561.72 feet, four feet with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, higher than the previous record set in 1881. while working full time at KXMC. He June 29: FEMA determines 4,100 structures were damaged; 805 previously completed a degree in meteorol- under more than 10 feet of water, and 2,400 under six feet. ogy from Mississippi State University in 117 MSU faculty and staff lost homes or suffered 2008. Goldade began in radio at Reiten damage; approximately 500 rental units near campus Broadcasting in 2000 and moved to televi- were devastated. sion production in 2001 on the inaugural July 16: Floodwaters began to recede to allow for the long broadcast of KX News Morning. recovery ahead. He and his wife, Lindsey (Grigas) (’08), live in Stewartville, Minn., and work at Mayo Clinic. He is a software developer and Present: The estimated damage to Minot and the surrounding valley is $1.2 billion. programmer and continues to consult for KXMC.

7 7 Cox surrogate parent • mother superior • frontier sheriff

Growing up in the bucolic village of The stratagem worked quite well. She Cox visited William and Mary, the garnetGreene in upstate New York, Garnet Cox taught at a community college outside second-oldest college in the country after might have aspired to a career with IBM cosmopolitan Boston, at a private liberal Harvard University. Its colonial archi- or one of the many defense firms located arts college in Illinois and at prestigious tecture, vast woodlands and man-made in nearby Binghamton. But no, she had a Grinnell College in Iowa. lake were appealing, but she chafed at the loftier goal. By 1963, Cox had earned a master’s requirement that staff live on campus. “I wanted to see the world,” she said. degree in guidance and counseling from Cox then turned to Minot State. Her vision gave shape to a concrete the University of Virginia. As she plotted President Casper Lura and Herb Parker, strategy. After she graduated from the her next adventure in academe, she faced a the dean of men, interviewed her by State University of New York at Brock- choice — the historic College of William phone. The two administrators weren’t port, she planned to see the country and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., or Minot disturbed by the young woman’s sojourn- through a series of teaching stints at dif- State College, a small school huddled on ing and offered her the position of dean ferent colleges. the snow-glazed Northern Plains. of women.

8 8 Since the South was embroiled in the crowd melted away. Minot State’s involve- civil rights struggle at the time, Cox ruled ment with the antiwar movement was over. Minot State out William and Mary and chose tranquil For 20 years, Cox teamed with Parker Minot State instead. She vowed to herself to police the campus and its residence halls. through the that she would stay just two years. The pair vacuumed up some uncommon She remained for 33. items over the years — a canon, raccoon, decades “I liked the people and the job,” she tree, bathtub filled with dirt, Saturday explained simply. night specials, alcohol and drugs. n 1963, each residence hall floor The three decades careened by quickly, “We would have guns periodically, had one payphone. Dakota Hall a blur of daily routine, historic change more during hunting season and with Ihad a buzzer system with each and oddball occurrences. returning older students,” she said. person having her own code. When When Cox began, Minot State Alcohol abuse on campus was a phones were installed in rooms, the tele- featured a student body of 1,600, tradi- perennial problem, and students found phone booths were converted to hold tional-age students, curfews for women, ingenious ways to imbibe. At one point, microwaves, because students were not dress codes, Greek life and freshman residents in one dorm complained that the allowed to cook in their rooms. initiation rituals. elevator tended to stop from 4 to 5 p.m. Cook Hall construction was delayed When she retired in 1996 as dean of each day. The residence hall staff investi- in 1965-66. The fifth floor was complet- students, Minot State had 3,400 students, gated and quickly solved the mystery. ed first, therefore, student occupation a large older-than-average contingent, “Students were having cocktail hour on occurred from the top down. coed residence halls, students with jobs the elevator,” Cox said. “They didn’t want The ’70s brought students increased and an extinct Greek culture. to get caught with alcohol in their rooms.” personal freedom. Many had cars. When American Women especially had more academic campuses became Through three decades, Cox was a ubiquitous and career choices. restive during the presence on campus, a thin sliver of a woman In 1980, MSC experienced an Vietnam War in the increase of 600 students from the prior late 1960s, Minot who met the world with a perpetual smile fall to hit a milestone enrollment of State President 3,000. Many students were “older than Gordon B. Olson and a hearty laugh. average.” Enrollments continued to drafted a one-page climb until 1993, when MSU’s top plan to forestall Cox experienced a spectrum of human enrollment of 4,047 was reached. student riots. He assigned Cox and Parker emotions during her tenure. She dealt Despite all the changes, Cox knows to protect two key buildings. The deans with students’ academic setbacks and tri- she made the right decision coming to decided, instead, to flank the bear-sized umphs, their personal problems and their MSU and staying in Minot. Olson if trouble broke out. family tragedies. She witnessed campus “I had so many good experiences, “If you stayed close to him, you were events as disparate as a student’s wedding so I made this my permanent home. going to be safe,” she said. and a faculty member’s funeral. It’s the people, and it’s just a good No rioting ever occurred on the politi- Her favorite time period was the 1960s place to live,” Cox said. garnet cally conservative campus. But Cox recalls and ’70s, when campus groups and Greek the time a student tried to take down an organizations created a lively environment. American flag near Busse Fountain. When “It was a fun, energetic time,” she said. Olson heard about it, he bolted from his Through three decades, Cox was a office to confront the offender. ubiquitous presence on campus, a thin “Do you have a problem with our flag?” sliver of a woman who met the world the red-faced president thundered at the with a perpetual smile and a hearty laugh. student. When Minot State took a chance on “No,” the student said weakly. the academic nomad in the early 1960s, “You’d better not,” said Olson, a it unwittingly secured a multitalented World War II veteran of the South Pacific. administrator — surrogate parent, mother The student left quickly, and a small superior and frontier sheriff — all for the price of two phone calls. 9 9 Roger Looyenga – Exceeding early expectations As a young man in Mandan, Roger Looyenga’s career goal was teaching business on the high school level. Instead, he became the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

is professional success “She got me enthusiastic young sons. derived from an artful about making presentations, That epiphany blend of hard work, which was a big part of my led to key adjustments to ness leadership, a neglected balance and timing. career for 40 years,” he said. everyone’s benefit. area in higher education. HEven in retirement, he contin- Looyenga majored in busi- “You can still have success, “We put too much ues to wear that success lightly. ness education and minored but you also need balance to emphasis on management, “I never aspired to any- in psychology at Minot State. go along with that success,” which is directing processes, thing, except to do the very He also served in student he said. versus getting people to best I could possibly do,” he government, directed Sigma He and his wife recently perform based upon their said. “It was never my goal to Tau Gamma and played celebrated their 40th wedding abilities,” he said. climb the corporate ladder. varsity tennis. anniversary, and his sons are Each student in the When I became CEO, it was When he graduated in successful businessmen. leadership program receives completely by surprise.” December 1968, teaching jobs For business majors intent a copy of Looyenga’s book, Looyenga served as CEO were already filled, so he went on reaching the top, the “Take the Stairs,” which of Auto-Owners Insurance to Minneapolis and took a job former executive warns of the stresses that success in business Group from 2004 until his re- with the Hartford Insurance unseen psychic cost. and in life derives from hard tirement in 2008. He was the Company. After a year there, “You might run into a lot work, not shortcuts. firm’s chairman of the board he transferred to Auto-Owners of frustration,” he said. “As To date, students in the from 2006 to 2009. Belying Insurance Group. He served you get closer to the top, jobs leadership course have aided its name, the Michigan-based in company offices in Indiana, become fewer. There’s only MSU students victimized firm offers a full range of Minnesota and Michigan, one CEO.” by the Mouse River Flood insurance lines in 26 states. where he met his wife, Ann. When the North Dakotan and created a handbook for Looyenga’s upward ascent The Minot State alum became CEO at Auto-Owners, incoming business majors. began when he chose to quickly discovered the path to he found that he was actually The Gordon B. Olson attend Minot State because of corporate success — volunteer first among equals. He facili- Library has established a its smaller size and proximity promptly, work tirelessly, relo- tated a 10-person team that Roger Looyenga Collection to home. A diverse group of cate readily and learn inces- made all corporate decisions. on leadership. It includes faculty members mentored santly, all while maintaining a “No one of us is as smart items from his personal library him. Pearl Stusrud guided positive attitude. as all of us put together. It’s along with books, tapes him through his business But, by his own admission, the power of team thinking,” and manuals from the John major. Ron Archer advised his he was mastering the prose he said. Maxwell library. Maxwell is an fraternity. And Helen White but missing the poetry. Laser- Looyenga presented MSU acclaimed expert on leadership stressed to him the value of focused on his career, he was with a $100,000 gift in 2010 with more than 60 books to public speaking. neglecting his wife and two to initiate a program in busi- his credit.

1010 ‘Above and Beyond’ brings Gellner full circle KFGO-AM in Fargo has hosted pre- and post-Bison football games for three years. Confident in his coverage and mindfully thorough in his stats, the host of “Bison Tailgate” and “Bison Rewind” carries a deep, dark secret: he is a Beaver at heart.

yan Gellner graduated from and networking, but Gellner relied on his Bishop Ryan High School and journalistic acumen and, over time, created R spent his first year of college in a successful statewide program. Bismarck. His sophomore year, he trans- “Looking back, the people skills I ferred to Minot State because of its strong developed through broadcasting at Broadcasting Department. Minot State pushed me to where I am “When I saw what Minot State had to now,” he said. offer in its broadcasting and communica- In 2011, Gellner became the NDACo’s tions program, I knew that was the place traffic safety outreach director, where for me,” he said. he collaborates with the North Dakota While in school, he worked full time Department of Transportation in develop- at KMOT-TV as the weekend sports ing safety messaging and training geared anchor, and soon after graduation in toward public awareness. Then, Gov. John Hoeven and Ryan Gellner. 2000 he moved to Fargo to work as the “We’re trying to figure out ways to sports anchor at FOX affiliate KVRR-TV. implement at the local level how to get increase of traffic deaths in America over For three years, Gellner maintained the everyday citizens to wear seatbelts, and the past year. These are not just numbers, hectic pace of the broadcasting dream, not to drink and drive,” he said. these are people.” but once he became a newlywed, late He effortlessly recites traffic fatalities It’s that same drive and passion Gellner nights and long hours took their toll. related to seatbelt use and alcohol con- brings to his hour-long pre- and post-game He moved into homeland security sumption. He is painfully aware that as NDSU Bison football shows. Although he’s with the North Dakota Association the population grows, so do the numbers. on air only two hours a week, preparation of Counties (NDACo), where he was “It’s become a passion of mine to get demands additional behind-the-scenes responsible for training city and county people to wear their seatbelts,” he said. research. Since he started, the Bison have departments in the nuances of national “If I can just get one person to wear a won two national championships, adding incident command, incident management seatbelt who normally doesn’t, then that’s to the excitement and workload. and disaster drills. It was a program built potentially one life that’s saved in a traf- “I learned a lot from Neil Roberts from the ground up that required research fic crash. North Dakota had the largest (MSU broadcasting professor). The department was close-knit and allowed me to be involved in many different Gellner with eager participants at a “Driving Skills for Life” workshop. things. Neil taught me that if you are going to do the job, you have to put the time in and go above and beyond. In the end, it will pay off,” he said. Ryan and his wife, Lisa, have two sons Cruz, 4, and Jager, 5 months. He continues to be active in sports as a referee in basketball and football, and as an umpire in fast pitch collegiate and high school softball.

11 spotlight on excellence

Wanting to discover deeper secrets of the earth, Leite took physical geology and found the field trips conducive to explora- tion of the earth and his newfound major: earth science. “To be able to go outdoors to learn and observe the natural world made sense,” he said. “Jack Conners taught my first two physical and environmental geology classes, and that opened up my thinking. I enjoyed being outdoors, and the camaraderie in the field really clinched it for me.” The summer of 1978, Leite got a job in the Williston Basin and stayed for six years. It turned out to be another influence in his pursuit of science. “I’d heard the Science Museum of Minnesota was excavating giant crocodiles near Roosevelt National Park, near Medora,” he said. “I took a summer off and volunteered with the museum. They gave me a tent and food, and we had a crew out there. I enjoyed that so much, I decided to return to graduate school. My specialty was going to be paleontology.” He obtained a master’s degree in vertebrate paleontology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1986 and a doctorate from the University of Wyoming in 1992. After a few years of oil con- sulting and adjunct teaching at Texas A & M University, Leite and his wife, Nancy, relocated to Chadron, Neb., in 1996, where he is a professor of physical and life sciences at Chadron State College.

Left: Leite and a student studying an artifact. Lessons learned:

cientists agree that the law of change is the most In September 2012, Leite received the Nebraska State College powerful law of nature. Yet, sometimes, the more System’s highest honor: the NSCS Teaching Excellence Award, things change, the more they stay the same. Mike for his “high-impact teaching practices.” Leite (’78) knows this to be true. “‘High-impact’ is a new buzzword in education, on how to SA self-confessed, lifelong science nerd, the Minot native get students motivated to learn,” Leite said. “But I have been always wanted to pursue a degree in science. Early explorations doing that my whole life. If I didn’t have the field experience, the at MSU included two years of physics, but he found the classes outdoors and people working together, I wouldn’t be motivated. difficult and unmotivating. However, a geography class from I teach the way I learn. Part of high-impact learning is to make it professor Dale Howard gave him a new perspective. fun, such that students don’t realize they are learning. “That was the class that really changed my thinking about “I try to teach how I was taught, but it’s hard to match the science,” Leite said. “I didn’t expect the geography class to be a mentorship I had at Minot State. Eric Clauson (professor emeri- science class, but it was. It was physical geography, and, un- tus in earth science) taught me how to make observations in the like any geography class I’d taken in high school, this class was field, connect them to what’s already been discovered and build about understanding the physical interactions of atmosphere and on knowledge. Dennis Disrud (biology professor) taught me to ocean, water and climate. It caught my interest.” get over the fear of Latin names, which is part of what helped me

1212 spotlight on excellence

get into paleontology: learning about the evolution of life and that ancient is the same as modern.” Leite’s campus involvement at CSC includes service as a co-facilitator in the faculty learning community, which made recommendations about CSC’s general education program. He is also active in a number of national, state and regional organizations. He serves on the board and leads the collection committee for the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, S.D.

Lessons learned: MSU science impacts award-winner

(From the left) Gary Bieganski, Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees, Mike Leite, Dr. Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, and Dr. Randy Rhine, president of Chadron State College. 13 13 More than a fundraiser

n fall 1998, Neil Roberts, com- fundraiser. Putting on a live event like this, Story and munication arts professor, faced a with so many tentacles to it, makes for a Roosevelt dilemma: his broadcasting program great learning experience for our students. Park. Fol- needed money. Sure, the broad- Many of them find it, in hindsight, the lowing the Icasting students could wash cars or sell best experience they had in college, 2011 Mouse donuts in Hartnett Hall, but he wanted just because of all the elements involved.” River Flood, something that would serve them in their MSU students apply their studies students future profession. Then, he remembered a of broadcast production, news writing gave all of job he had during the summer. and public relations, so that the KMSU the prof- “In 1998, QVC came through Minot Auction can raise money for broadcasting its toward on its ‘50 States 50 Days’ tour, and Pride scholarships, Media Ink and equipment recovery of Dakota businesses auditioned for show for the broadcasting program. efforts. For segments,” Roberts said. “Eight to 10 Students solicit businesses for donated the KMSU businesses were selected for 15-minute goods or services, which are grouped into Beavers Rebuild fundraiser, applicants blocks over a several-hour span, and I packages. These packages are auctioned submitted a three-to-five minute YouTube was hired to help run camera. I remember in a format similar to that of the Home video of their damaged property, along the businesses selected celebrated beyond Shopping Network, but with the exhila- with a 1,000-character essay and picture. belief, while the others were devastated. rating bidding style of eBay. During the The KMSU Auction Committee viewed So come fall, that got me thinking. When live television auction, viewers call and the submissions and determined the we were kicking around ideas for Media place their bids on air during an allotted recipients based on a needs assessment. time period. The highest So much money was raised, the students “Putting on a live event like this, with so many bid wins the package. donated to five families. Minot Automotive “The night of the auc- Center, as a corporate sponsor, added an- tentacles to it, makes for a great learning tion is a whole experience other $10,000 to the more than $18,000 in itself — answering raised by the auction. experience for our students.” phones and taking bids, While planning each year’s auction, Ink and department fundraisers, I realized running around grabbing the final pack- students network and gain invaluable we could have a QVC-style event on ages, being live on air, shouting out dollar knowledge; the broadcasting program Minot’s Channel 19.” amounts and calling package winners,” promotes its academic offerings; and Roberts initially envisioned that the said Cassie Neuharth, a 2012 broadcast- businesses market their services in a auction would run one year. To his amaze- ing graduate. distinctive way. ment, it was a huge success. Students typically contribute a portion From the first year’s $1,400 to 2011’s “Next year will be our 15th anniversary,” of the proceeds to a community member windfall of $28,355, the KMSU Auction he said. “The KMSU Auction isn’t just a or organization in need, such as Second continues to grow.

14 14 Traveling troubadour teaches through music “Music is such a powerful universal “I realized that’s why I was there,” language,” Andrist said. Andrist said. ”It was a good reminder for She felt she had found her true calling. me to do what I was supposed to do.” In 1990, she and Benson left Williston Andrist and Benson later expanded and moved to Fargo to pursue a partner- their repertoire to reach a broader ship in children’s entertainment. audience of youngsters. They now n MSU alumna seemed Their early work focused on kids with address character building, health and headed toward a special needs. fitness. The singer also conducts a youth a conventional teaching They called their program “Penny and ministry in a Fargo church. career, until her musical muse diverted Pals” because Andrist performed, while “We can use music in a variety of her into something even better. Benson remained in the background. The ways,” she said. Crosby-native Penny Andrist earned singer’s “pals” included characters such as After two decades in children’s enter- an undergraduate degree in psychology in Bernie the Bear, Rockin’ Robot and Allie tainment, Andrist has a unique perspec- 1982 but was undecided about a career. Alligator. tive on today’s kids. They have access to She found inspiration in a graduate class Andrist occasionally second-guessed more information and seem wise beyond on learning disabilities taught by Carol her decision to leave the classroom. At the their years, she says, yet they still need the Sue Butts. end of one long tour, she found herself basics — love, time, attention and safety. “I remember being mesmerized by at a small school in Circle, Mont. The “We’re in such a hurried world that every word that came out of her mouth,” distance from home, weariness from sometimes we forget that,” she said. Andrist said. “That helped me figure out traveling and disappointment with a After 20 years of entertaining, Andrist which track I wanted to go down.” subpar setup made her decidedly peevish. has built up a sizeable fan base in the After earning a master’s degree in But she soldiered on and delivered a solid Fargo-Moorhead area. Students follow learning disabilities in 1984, Andrist performance. her career, and she follows their progress worked as a learning specialist and girls’ As the audience drifted out and through school. basketball coach in the Williston Public Andrist packed up her equipment, a The traveling troubadour has achieved Schools for six years. little girl picked up an idle microphone a delightful nexus of professional achieve- While there, Andrist and Gail Benson, and began singing. The performer ment and personal satisfaction. a speech and language specialist, experi- thought little of it until an excited local “When I’m in the middle of a bunch mented with music to reach their special- teacher revealed that those were the first of kids, I know that’s where I’m supposed needs students. The results were promising. sounds the child had ever made. to be,” she said. penny andrist

15 15 athletics

Timingis everything That certainly was the case for MSU Hall of Fame football player Scott Deibert

fter starring at winning the Grey Cup,” he transition into something other “Up until this year, I Minot State, said. “The CFL is just that, than football.” worked on radio broadcasts,” Deibert felt his the Canadian Football League, That led him to Alberta he said. “I did a little sideline football playing and that’s big for someone Tubular Products where he stuff. But my two daughters Adays were behind him, and it who grew up in Canada. I works in sales. really like going to the games was time to move on to the pull that championship ring “I really think being in the now, so I want to be able to go next phase of his life. He, in out every Grey Cup Sunday.” Broadcasting Department at with them.” his words, had a plan for the Deibert’s path to Minot Minot State helps me every And he hasn’t forgotten first time in his life. State and his subsequent path day in my job,” he said. his start at Minot State. Then he got the call that he to the CFL was serendipitous. “Communication is the key “I came back for my Hall was drafted in the Canadian He was drafted at the age of to everything in life. It’s a life of Fame induction, of course, Football League. 27, having started his college skill that everyone should and came back for the Home- “For once in my life I had career at 22. He honed his know.” coming reunion for the ’91- a plan,” Deibert said. “I talked skills as the feature running He hasn’t completely for- ’94 teams,” he said. “Minot is to Neil (MSU broadcasting back for the Beavers — set- gotten his broadcasting career a pretty special place for me. I professor Neil Roberts) a lot ting a season rushing record either. He worked in both talk about it fondly. I think I and was interviewing to be the with 1,036 yards in 1994. His radio and television after his was good to people there, and second sports guy at KMOT- time in professional football playing career was over. they were good to me.” TV when I found out. I be- started on special teams before lieved the job was mine for working his way into a more the taking, and football wasn’t prominent role. even a thought.” “It was tough because I But it turned out to be was a little older, and I had no just the beginning for Deibert. idea that I would be able to After being selected in the play as long as I did,” he said. third round of the 1998 “I didn’t really know what CFL draft by the Edmonton to expect when I started out; Eskimos, he put together an it was really going into the eight-year career in the CFL unknown. Being a little older that included winning the and a little more mature might Grey Cup with the Calgary have helped me along the way Stampeders in 2001. too, and it really helped me “I think that has to be transition into what I’m doing the biggest memory for me, today. I knew I needed to Deibert (left) during his Calgary Stampeders days.

16 athletics

This past football season, she was a sideline reporter for MidCo Sports during the Beavers home football game against the University of Sioux Falls. “It was pretty neat for me because I scored a goal in the soccer game earlier that day, and they were there to film that, so they showed it on the football broadcast later,” she said. While being a student- Jamie Council athlete can be time-consuming enough, the amount of extra- curricular activities Council is involved with can be very I should talk to him,” Council But it is off the field where taxing. But she isn’t shying A typical day for said. “He said there is a spot she has excelled even more. away from opportunities while a for me here if I wanted, but As a member of the Broad- at Minot State. Minot State University he had a list of schools and casting Department, Council “The amount of things I junior Jamie Council coaches he knew who were was a key figure in this year’s have done for me is fun,” she is pretty jam-packed. interested in me.” KMSU Auction. She has said. “I am pretty stubborn, so But typical wouldn’t After one visit, Council been a reporter for the Red & if I don’t want to do some- knew she was going to be a Green for two years, worked as thing, I won’t. It’s kind of describe this student- Beaver. a sideline camera operator for tough to tell me to do some- athlete very well. “Yeah, the girls were great the KMSU basketball produc- thing. I want to be involved. Council immersedtypical herself athlete on the recruiting trip,” she tion last year and has been the I was pretty involved in high in Minot State and all its said. “I felt closer to some of host of the “Beaver Hockey school, and there are so many offerings the minute she them here in just a couple days Wire,” a weekly show devoted opportunities here. Everybody arrived on campus. But even than I had with my old team to the men’s hockey program, is so positive, and I have been that story — her journey to after a whole year. I really for two years. feeding off of that.” MSU — isn’t typical. didn’t know what to expect. After spending a season It was pretty cool that we got at California State San to play at San Bernardino in Bernardino playing soccer, a tournament, and I scored she didn’t feel like she fit with the game-winner on a header that team. against (Colorado) Mesa. That “It wasn’t like I was planning kind of solidified my decision.” on coming to North Dakota,” And she has been making she said. “I knew I needed a a difference for Minot State change, and then I got a call on and off the soccer pitch. from Jason (MSU head soccer She is second all-time in goals coach Jason Spain).” scored with 12. She helped Spain, in his second year of the Beavers win the Northern the soccer program’s existence, Sun Intercollegiate Conference was looking for experience. tournament and qualify for the “Travis (San Bernardino NCAA Division II National coach Travis Clark) and Jason Tournament in the team’s first were friends, and he told me year of full membership.

17 17 Development foundation

I strive to excel in teamwork, goal-setting and leadership, which will carry over into my future. th Excel is what our students do when they compete, when they learn 100 and when they begin their careers, using the quality education acquired at Minot State University. They excel because of an atmosphere where Centennial Homecoming Major Events excellence is an everyday expectation. — September 2013 — 21...... Community Block Party For 100 years, your university has influenced students to 26...... Alumni Association’s Golden Awards Banquet reach their greatest potential. But it requires more than 27...... Centennial Reunion Celebration dedicated faculty and staff. Our students are grateful to • ALL Greek Reunion those who helped them through gifts that support scholarships • ALL Alumni and Friends Reunion and programs. 28...... Centennial Homecoming Parade 28...... Tailgating Now is an excellent time to help deserving students. 28 ...... DII NSIC Beaver Please contact the Advancement Office at Football vs.Winona State 701-858-3399, 800-777-0750, me personally at [email protected] or online at minotstate.thankyou4caring.org. Thank you!

Vice President for Advancement Abbey Aide, Bottineau, N.D. Senior, Communication Disorders MSU pole vault record holder empower Excel Discover Create Advance 18 18 SAVE THE DATE Celebrate MSU’s th September100 21 – 28! Centennial Homecoming Major Events — September 2013 — 21...... Community Block Party 26...... Alumni Association’s Golden Awards Banquet 27...... Centennial Reunion Celebration • ALL Greek Reunion • ALL Alumni and Friends Reunion 28...... Centennial Homecoming Parade 28...... Tailgating 28 ...... DII NSIC Beaver Football vs.Winona State To Do List

3 Plan your vacation

3 Make airline/train reservations 3 Make hotel reservations* 3 Text friends to get them going 3 Watch MSU website for details www.minotstateu.edu/homecoming * Rooms reserved at Grand International (701-852-3161)and Hampton Inn Suites (701-838-1400). Both within walking distance of MSU.

Centennial information at www.minotstateu.edu/homecoming 19 19 alumni HAPPENINGS Alumni and Beaver Booster Appreciation Night

Several alumni, boosters and friends watch Beaver basketball while Roger Mergenthal and Bob Sando, retired MSU waiting to be served a delicious supper. faculty, proudly sport their MSU gear.

MSU Alumni Association intern Dani C Jalene Foisy show her MSU spirit with a tattoo. ook helped

Alumni Association board members served pulled pork sandwiches, pickles, chips and brownies to satisfy hearty appetites.

The atmosphere was festive with hundreds of folks enjoying their free meal and the conversations.

2020 alumni HAPPENINGS Alumni Treat Night

Residence Hall Students Receive Treats: The Alumni Association delivered goodies at Thanksgiving to students living on campus. Pictured from the left are: Michelle and Jeremy Holman, Linda Christianson ’72, Gloria Lokken ’72, Denise Faulkner ’72 Kristi Berg ’00, Sydney Berg and Megan Schaan.

Distinguished Alumni Visit MSU

The ability to communicate is the basis for all There’s more to a pair of JEANS than wearing them success was distinguished alum John Greenslit’s message to Amy Leonard shared with students. Leonard is former senior students in January. Greenslit is the director for the Eaton County vice president of product development and sourcing at Levi Parks Department in Grand Ledge, Mich. Strauss & Company.

21 YWCA honors Minot State women

t the Oct. 12 YWCA Women of Distinction Banquet, the honorees included Minot State University faculty and alumnae. This year’s Women of Distinction winners included JoAnn A Linrud, College of Business dean, for education-post secondary. Alumnae winners were Lisa Clute (’81) for community service; Cindy Cook (’84) for education-elementary; Susan Ewert (’09) for young woman; Bonny Kemper (’69) for business woman; Cindy Mau (’78) for education- middle school; Sherry Wagner (’92) for education-pre-kindergarten; and Elaine Zakopyko (’67) for rural-McHenry County. All the Women of Distinction winners are from Minot, except Zakopyko, Our who is from Balfour. “Receiving this recognition is truly an honor,” Linrud said. “So many women do so much for our community; it’s humbling to be considered readers among them.” Annually, this banquet honors women for their achievements and reminisce contributions to the community, as well as businesses and agencies committed to the empowerment of women. Thanks to our readers The Minot YWCA provides a safe environment for women and children in crisis. for sharing their memories of MSU. We love hearing stories (and there Linrud Clute Cook Ewert were some doozies!) of campus life over the years. Please send your thoughts to: Kemper Mau Wagner Zakopyko bonnie.trueblood@ minotstateu.edu WoYWCAmen of

Di22 22 stinction Pioneer Hall I negligently didn’t look underneath how to clean pheasants), I’m giving you the clip board and see my name. This credit for the entire 20 hours,” he said. Erling Podoll, Aberdeen, S.D. — was a no-no. We hardly missed Taps that night. My I arrived at MSTC in July 1943, As penance, I was assigned five tour in Pioneer wasn’t long, but I have which was the beginning of a contract demerits and 20 hours extra duty. fond memories of the old hall, and it was with the U.S. Navy for their V-12 pro- Swenson, Schmidt and I missed watch old back then. gram, a pre-midshipman school training muster, the mandatory gathering of endeavor. those assigned the night watch. We were Don Feller ’61, Portland, Ore. — My first two semesters were spent mustered before Chief Manuel George My memories as a freshman at Pioneer in Dakota Hall. Either the Navy or Sousa, lovingly called “Stuka man,” due Hall in 1955-56 are very specific. I shared the college was not ready for us, to some of his conduct, which we likened a third-floor room with another freshman, because for more than also from an area small a week we slept on bare town. Our furniture was springs with a Navy rather spartan: tan steel blanket for a mattress. single beds with a matching My third semester was desk. I don’t recall closets, in Pioneer. It had large but our personal wardrobes fire escapes on the ends were limited anyway. that made it convenient We had one hall-area for sneaking out at night. phone on each floor and Telford Morgan was when we wished to make my roommate the entire a “private dating” call, it 12 months. After V-12, we was far from private. The met again at Tinian Island bathroom facilities con- on July 26, 1945. He did sisted of a large common not survive the sinking of room with multiple sinks, the cruiser Indianapolis toilets and showers. In the four days later. to a German dive bomber. He took us fourth-floor attic,we had washing machine to the galley and asked if any of us knew facilities for use when students didn’t get Jim Rabideau, Pasco, Wash. — how to clean pheasants. He pointed out home for Mom to do the laundry. I just read the latest Connections a 55-gallon barrel and told us the 70 odd The hall had a proctor who lived on and chuckled at the picture of my birds in it needed to be cleaned for the site with his family. John Strohm was ancient “home” of sorts. I was assigned athletic banquet the next night. He gave us faculty in the Music Department and to the Navy V-12 unit at MSTC, two hours credit for every hour we cleaned. was responsible for keeping order. Many arriving February 1944, a week past What a deal! students smoked, but alcohol was prohib- my 18th birthday. We went at it as truly inspired Navy ited. However, when the snow melted in My most vivid recollection of Pioneer men. We skinned and gutted the birds, the spring, under certain windows empty happened due to my lack of attention to cut them up as directed and finished in quarts of beer were exposed. required duty. After entering Pioneer, on seven hours. The Chief inspected our Our greatest convenience was the the left hand side of the passageway was efforts in the nearby refrigerator. tunnel that connected us to Old Main, a bulletin board. Daily we were to read Bless his heart, we learned who really where all of our classes were. We used it the watch bill, listing the assignments for ran the Navy and awarded praise or in severe weather, though many of us did standing duty watch for the night hours. punishment at the lowest level. not wear coats as we dashed from Old On the Monday in question, I stopped “Since you did such a great job and Main to the wooden Student Union and noted I was not assigned. However, took me off the hook (he didn’t know building a few hundred feet away.

23 Send us your news: www.minotstateu.edu/alumni alumni association class notes •

1964 1979 year at PSU and is coordinator 1996 Gary Thune, an accom- Millie (Francis) LaPierre is of the Master in Criminal Justice Ken Campbell has been ap- plished author and a founding vice president for database and program at PSU Harrisburg. pointed vice president for North member of the North Dakota technology for Diversified Search American Oilseeds (softseeds). lumni lumni Council of School Attorneys, was in Philadelphia, Pa. 1992 Campbell has been responsible for inducted into the Minot High Jonn Knecht, market president merchandising and commercial- School 2012 Wall of Fame. He 1982 of American Bank Center in management roles that have taken served as a teacher and school Sherie Heine has assumed Minot, took over as chairman him from Fresno, Calif., to Frank- administrator before entering the position of vice president of the Minot Area Chamber of fort, Ind., Mankato, Minn., and the University of North Dakota for the Western North Dakota Commerce at its annual meeting Decatur, Ga. In 2010 he was named School of Law where he earned a Synod Council of the Evangelical Oct. 10. hedge manager, Canola, before being Juris Doctor in 1974. Thune is a Lutheran Church of America. appointed general manager of North partner in the Pearce and Durick Lanelia (Peterson) DeCoteau American Softseeds in 2011. Law Firm in Bismarck. 1983 is currently the superintendent of Vangie Johnson Parker was the Turtle Mountain Community 1997 1970 promoted to community reinvest- School District. DeCoteau com- Nicole Loucks-Brincks recent- Judy (Hanson) Quill was a ment act officer for American pleted her Doctorate of Education ly joined Raak & Associates P.C. in featured artist in the Souris Valley State Bank & Trust Company in in educational leadership at the Bismarck. She worked in Colorado

lass notes • A lass notes Watercolor Society’s annual Fall Williston. Parker has been with University of North Dakota. and South Dakota before returning Art Show held in October. ASB & T since 2005. In addition to North Dakota in 2006. to her responsibilities as CRA offi- 1993 David McCormack, who cer, she serves as collection officer. Darla (Verbitsky) Bakko Lois (Spletstoser) Mackey, taught mathematics at Minot was promoted to administrative First District Health Unit, was State University from 1988 to 1990 assistant/office manager in the the recipient of the Minot Area 2007, has been teaching high Beverly Sargent, a licensed Department of Plant Pathology Chamber of Commerce’s Eagle school math to missionaries’ professional counselor and at North Dakota State University. Award in November. The program children at Black Forest Academy pastoral therapist, has authored She has been in that department is sponsored by MACC to recog- in Kandern, Germany. After a two children’s books, “When My for 13 years, most recently serv- nize Minot workers who exhibit year’s furlough, he and his wife, Mommy Died” and “When My ing as Extension Plant Pathology superior customer service. Helen, will return to Black Forest Daddy Died.” An ordained clergy administrative assistant. Bakko Academy in August 2013. and founder and chief executive was also elected division secretary Daniel R. Van Ness graduated officer of a Servant’s Heart Youth for the MN-ND-SD International from Thomas Jefferson School of 1975 Ministries Inc., and Ashes Ris- Association of Administrative Law in May of 2012. He is sitting Ramona (Jenner) Arneson ing Counseling Services, LLC., Professionals. for the Nevada Bar exam in Febru- was a featured artist in the Souris Sargent’s passion is working with ary. Van Ness is currently employed Valley Watercolor Society’s an- children and integrating spiritual- 1994 with Stoecklein Law Group LLP, in nual Fall Art Show in October. ity into creative therapies, such as Lynne (Cop) Fullbrook is San Diego. play, sand and art. Sargent retired one of 10 teachers selected to 1977 from the U.S. Air Force in 2003. receive a Thomas C. Wright 1998 Maureen She and her husband have one son. Fellowship to complete her Lisa Gayzur joined Rehab

alumni association C association alumni (D’Souza) Penko master’s degree in curriculum Services Inc. as a children’s home received honors 1991 and instruction from the program coordinator. Gayzur has from the Manitoba Sally (O’Shea) Iverson has University of Idaho. Fullbrook experience in the child welfare Speech and Hearing been named the director of inter- has taught special education and child protection fields, most Association. nal auditing at MDU Resources since 1996. She is currently recently working at Ward County Group Inc. Iverson joined MDU working as a literacy instruc- Social Services as a supervisor in Gail (Johnson) Merck is Resources in 1993 and most tional coach for the Coeur d’Alene the Child Protective Services Unit. registered and certified in bone recently was controller of WBI School District #271. densitometry with the American Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of the 1999 Registry of Radiology Technicians corporation. Iverson is a Garrison Chanda (Leonard) DeCent Wendy (Bakken) Thomas 1964 – 2002 1964 and the International Society native and a certified public ac- was chosen to participate in works for Minot Public Schools’ for Clinical Densitometry. She countant. the North Dakota Center for Souris Valley Special Services as was one of 10 bone density Technology & Business Women’s their early childhood coordinator. technologists in the country who James Ruiz, Leadership Program. This program developed and wrote the national Ph.D., has been is an intense six-month program 2002 board certification exam for elected to the Penn dedicated to expanding the Teri (Lacey) Ostdahl was hired bone densitometry technologists State University personal, professional, community as pregnancy and adoption counsel- to become registered. Merck is Senate Council. He and health leadership skills for or in the Minot office of Lutheran employed by Trinity Health. is entering his 12th women of all ages in Minot. Social Services Adoption Option. Class notes: 24alumni24 association class notes • alumni associa alumni association class notes • alumni association class notes • Send us your news: www.minotstateu.edu/alumni Class notes: notes: Class Teresa (Wyze) Seright, former 2006 Amanda Volmer has been dedicated to expanding the per- nursing faculty member, teaches at Luke Turner is interning in hired as program director at the sonal, professional, community, Montana State University. Sen. John Hoeven’s Bismarck Boys and Girls Club of the Red and health leadership skills for office. As an intern, Turner will River Valley/Youth Commission. women of all ages in Minot. 2004 work with the senator and his staff Monte Yellow Bird, aka on legislative, communication and 2008 2011 Black Pinto Horse, received first administrative projects. Troy Roness graduated in Christopher Norheim has place with his ledger piece titled December with a become a residential specialist “Watch the Birdie,” which won the 2007 graduate degree in II with Centre Inc. in Mandan. category of painting and drawing Morgan Grundstad graduated education, cognitive in the art competition at the Gene from the University science from MSU. Erin Obenchain is a fourth Autry Museum in Los Angeles. of North Dakota grade teacher at “Watch the Birdie” is reminiscent Minot’s Washing-

Medical School in – Friends 2004 of the old studio portraits taken of May 2012, and 2009 ton Elementary Native peoples in the late 1800s. received the Dr. Louis Katie Berwick is working for School. She was B. and Thelma K. the City of Williston as clerk of also hired as an Jordan Keith, assistant Silverman Award. The award is municipal court. assistant coach for professor at the Illinois College given to a graduating medical the Erik Ramstad girls’ track of Optometry, was voted “Clini- degree senior who shows an Ashley (Liebel) Wedge is in team as a throwers’ coach. cal Educator of the Year” for the interest in becoming a pediatrician her third year of teaching music second consecutive year. Then, the and who possesses compassion, at Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Attended graduating class bestowed ICO’s Alaska. Her husband, Jeremy (’07), Scott Oothoudt, a financial dedication, integrity, leadership alumni association C highest teaching award, “Golden and interest in community works as a substitute teacher for representative of Northwestern Apple Award,” upon Keith. The service, as exemplified by the the district. They welcomed baby Mutual Financial Network in students named him as the faculty late Dr. Silverman. Hannah in the summer of 2012. Minot, has qualified for the member who was most influential Grundstad is currently Pacesetter First 40 Award. This on their education throughout completing a three-year pediatric Jagit Chohan is a territory honor recognizes financial their four years. The Sherwood residency at the University of sales manager for Pepsi Canada in representatives who have a total native fondly remembers his un- Iowa Children’s Hospital, Depart- Winnipeg. net of 40 lives in the first six dergraduate classes taught by Chris ment of Pediatrics, in Iowa City. months after becoming a full Beachy, biology professor, and She is the daughter of James and 2010 time financial representative. knows that Beachy’s teaching style Tammy Grundstad, Williston, Michael Vandal is a learning influences his. Keith, a biology and granddaughter of Arnold and disabilities teacher grades 10-12 at Friend major, said “Ecology” with Beachy Janice (Koenig) Schimke (’65), Bottineau High School. Andrew Maragos, customer is still the most fascinating class he Bismarck. service representative at the ever took. Justin Fisk is an account Minot Amtrak station, was Chris Jundt was promoted executive for KK Bold. recently honored by Amtrak’s 2005 to senior vice president and chief CEO for his work to save Christy Jelsing has joined lending officer for First National Clarissa Westby has been the Amtrak station when the the staff of Red Door Homes in Bank & Trust Company in Wil- chosen to participate in the Mouse River Flood hit Minot Bismarck as a selections coordina- liston. He joined the bank in 2011 North Dakota Center for Tech- in June 2011. tor/sales assistant. She previously as a commercial loan officer. Jundt nology & Business Women’s was the general manager of The serves as president of the Williston Leadership Program. This program Children’s Place. Area Chamber of Commerce. is an intense six-month program noteslass • alumni

class notes: We want to hear from you! Please share your career and family updates or address changes by sending your news to www.minotstateu.edu/alumni.

Have you received copies of these issues of Connections? With changes in postal endorsements, anyone with a change of address may not have received the copies pictured. If you wish to receive them, we will be glad to honor your request. Contact the Alumni Office at 701-858-3234 or e-mail [email protected].

Also, let us know if you would rather receive Connections electronically. alumni association class notes • alumni association class notes • alumni association class note2525 Alumni Association

30th annual

dinner & auction

The MSU Alumni Association invites you to join us for the 30th anniversary Gala dinner and auction.

Friday, April 26, 2013 Grand International, Minot, N.D. Social – 5:30 p.m. Dinner – 6:45 p.m.

To reserve your tickets for this year’s event, contact the Alumni Office at 701-858-3234 or 800-777-0750 ext. 3234. 26 In memoriam… It is with honor we dedicate this section to ’75 Rise, Joseph O.; Kent, Wash. Walsh (Schenfisch), Bernice; Bismarck recognize alumni and friends who have passed ’79 Estes, Michael; Ogdensburg, N.Y. Whitecalfe (Sundahl), Juliane; Garrison away from approximately September 2012 to ’81 Bumann, Craig; Sioux Falls, S.D. Wignes (Voxland), Luella; Minot December 2012, or as submitted. ’83 Moser (Schroeder), Patricia; Los Angeles, Calif. Friends...... Graduates...... ’88 Lawson (Person), Gayle; Mohall Bergquist, Donley “Bob;” Wilton ’36 Pederson, Thomas M.; Moorhead, Minn. ’93 Walski (Nowell), Linda; Schertz, Texas Bjorke (Wall), Velma “Lorraine;” Minot ’37 Marshall (Reinholdt), Evelyn; ’95 Schnabel, Eric J.; Minot Buchert, Richard; Underwood Jacksonville, Fla. ’05 Uhrmacher (Winston), Kelly; Minot Ege (Hammer), Olga; Bismarck ’37 McGinty (Fylken), Yva; Stonington, ’11 Kandt, Lauren; Fargo Entorf, Douglas; New Town Conn. Felski (Golly), Irma; Minot ’37 Thome (Hegge), Ann; Attended...... Field, Robert O, II; Minot ’38 Bakken (Loken), Marion; Velva Barnett (Stowe), Bernadine; Anchorage, Alaska Hakanson, Lorace “Hawk;” West Fargo ’41 Appleton (Hanson), Lily Beth; Burckhard (Axtman), Lucille; Minot Haugeberg, LeRoy; Minot San Jose, Calif. Clark (Kuster), Regina; Stanley Leiphon, Joseph; Minot ’41 Collins (Osteroos), Genevieve; Feller (Kupser), Eva; Karlsruhe Leir, Rodney; McHenry Marysville, Wash. Fjelstad (Trana), Margaret; Fargo Mathews (Haagenson), Susan; Minot ’41 Hansen (Brandt), Mary; Dunn Center Frosaker, Kevin; Bismarck Mogler, Lyle J.; Minot ’43 Bird (Minier), Martha; St. Augustine, Fla. Gafkjen (Emery), Donna; Williston Olson, Dr. Burton; Minot ’43 Thompson (Hendrickson), Mavis; Haberman (Duff), Madonna; Minot Schultz, Robert A.; Minot Grand Forks Hiller, Donald; Minot Stuck, John; Minot ’46 Haugan (Tiegs), Hattie; Watford City Hoerauf (Ketterling), Ruth; Fargo Watne (Widdel), Darlene; Minot ’50 Gotvaslee (Rollman), Lois; Voltaire Holo, Dale A.; Arnegard ’55 Fairbanks, George; St. Paul, Minn. Hoppman, LaVerne; Minot Faculty & Staff...... ’58 Campbell, William C.; Seaside, Ore. Johnson (Gallaher), Alyce; Minot Berkey, Gordon B.; professor emeritus, ’60 Hibsch, Leo L.; Hamberg Kjonaas (Gravseth), Myrtle; Minot Division of Science ’62 Spletstoser, Dennis; Burnsville, Minn. Knutson, Judy; Moorhead Erickson (Castleman), Kae; former staff ’63 Payne (Zappartino), Shirley; Lalim, Dale; Tioga member in Experimental College and Fitzgerald, Ga. Norlin (Anderson), Linda; Minot student affairs ’64 Selby, James; Bismarck Olson (Auck), Carol; Minot Johnson (Griffeth), Barb; former Business ’64 Sweeney (Freer), Virginia; Naples, Fla. Pratt, Charles; Minot Office purchasing agent ’68 Zeman (Pederson), Joan; Detroit Lakes, Ritterman (Fox), Carol; York Klug (Gilbertson); Olivia; former food services Minn. Schlieve (Anderson), Beverly; Devils Lake employee ’71 Holley, John T.; Yuba City, Calif. Trout (Olson), Lois; Minot Olson (Larson), Doris; former secretary for the ’72 Spain, James; Bismarck Van Berkom, Roger; Punta Gorda, Fla. Education and Psychology Department ’73 Hilsman, Gerald; North Augusta, S.C. Wagner (Nichols), Rita; Stanley

Bethany Keusch, Are you Connected? global education ave you gone somewhere special with your coordinator, keeps Connections? Send us a photo and a brief her Connections Hdescription about how you stay Connected to close as she sails MSU! Please submit your photo by email to: aboard the MV [email protected], or by mail to: Bonnie Trueblood Explorer. MSU Advancement Office John Girard, management professor, submitted the photo of Keusch Minot State University during the Institute for Shipboard Education’s spring 2013 Semester 500 University Ave. West at Sea. During the 106-day voyage, Girard will combine teaching and research while traveling to 12 countries with over 600 students. Minot, ND 58707 To follow Girard’s adventures, visit http://johngirard.net/sas.

27 Have you had an addition to your family within the iggest “lit b tle last 12-18 months? ” We want to know! Contact Kate Marshall, donor relations coordinator, at [email protected] to receive a free T-shirt for your new little Beaver! Please be sure to tell us your baby’s name and birth date. Also, please Beaver provide your graduation year, spouse’s name and contact information. After you have received your biggest “little” Beaver fan T-shirt, fans! email your baby’s photo to: [email protected].

Barth Danks Gane Kaliyah Annabelle Brent ’02 and Carol Paisley Alyn entered was born Dec. 30, ’93 (Satterthwaite) the world on May 16, 2011, in Minot. Proud Danks joyfully 2012, in Prince Albert, parents are Mitchell welcomed Molly Sue Saskatchewan. Proud and Toni ’00 (Miller) on March 22, 2012. parents are Micheal Barth. She was wel- She joins big brother and Kendra ’06/’08 comed into the family Gary, who is three (Sittler) Gane. through adoption on years old. Jan. 27, 2012.

Bergstrand Duchsherer Johnson Paxton entered the Holden Michael Benjamin Johnson world Dec. 18, 2010. was born Sept. 1, and Sarah ’05 Arnott Parents are Shawn 2011 to Michael and joyfully welcomed ’03 and Bree ’04 Ashley ’11 (Gendron) Kesler Eldor on April (Vollmers) Berg- Duchsherer. 16, 2011. strand.

Brisson Dupay Johnson Marc ’03 and Jancy Delaney Rae was James ’09 and ’04 (Bryant) Brisson born to Matthew Tenille ’08 (Armstrong) became proud and Kimberly ‘97 Johnson welcomed parents to Bryant Jack (Olson) Dupay on a girl, Preslee, born Sept. 10, 2012. Dec. 11, 2011, in Dec. 2, 2011. Minot. Delaney joins big brother Drake, who is 14 years old.

Carlson Engh Jones Tessa Mae was born Ashton entered the Jacob ’10 and to John (attended) world on Oct. 9, 2011. Danielle ’11 (Solberg) and Nicole Carlson Ashton was welcomed Jones welcomed Asher Jan. 6, 2011. by Adam ’03 and Jacob on August 31, Ashley ’03 (Andersen) 2012, in Bismarck. Engh, along with big brother Adler and big sister Aslyn.

28 Kitzan Makeeff Schmalz Stetson John entered Lance ’94 and Amy Terry and Britni the world on March ’00 (Semmen) ’07/’12 (DesLauriers) 27, 2012. He was Makeeff welcomed a Schmalz welcomed welcomed by proud new addition to their their first little one, parents Justun ’11 family. Kacee Gayle Stella Joy, on June 1, and Heather Kitzan, was born May 29, 2012. along with big broth- 2012. er Heston James.

Klebe Nostdahl Sherven Kory ’98 and Mari Quinn Michael was Jared and Alison ’08 Klebe joyfully born to Stu and Amy (Klabunde) Sherven welcomed Hayden (Semrau) Nostdahl welcomed baby girl Glenn to their family on Sept. 10, 2012. Quinn Ava to the on Feb. 28, 2012. Quinn is the grand- family on Oct. 12, son of Marv (MSU 2012. staff) and Barb Semrau.

Klein Roteliuk Steen Drew James was Renden Lee entered Luke ’06/’08 and born March 9, 2011, the world on Jan. 10, Rebecca ’09 in Maple Grove, 2012. Parents are (Hanson) Steen Minn., to Steve and Rusten and Lisa ’97 welcomed Leah Noel Ann ’99 (Bailey) (Anderson) Roteliuk. on June 10, 2012. Klein. Renden joins Rylan, Welcome to the who is five years old. world!

Lang Ruthven Storma Tim ’04 and Beth Emery Eric was born Andrew William was ’07 (Harley) Lang May 27, 2012. Proud born to Thomas and welcomed a new parents are Brian ’08 Rebekah ’02 (Penn) addition to their and Randi ’07/’09 Storma on July 15, family, Ari William (Biss) Ruthven. 2012, in West Bend, Harley. Ari was born Wis. He joins older April 4, 2012, in brother Martin, who Brandon, Manitoba. is two years old.

Schlag Varty LeBaron Nicholas Raymond Dallas ’05 and Carrie Thomas and Danielle entered the world on ’06 (Sandstrom) ’07 (Bourgeois) Jan. 2, 2011. Nicholas Varty, along with big LeBaron welcomed a was welcomed by sister Camdyn, wel- boy, Drake Asher, on proud parents comed Burke Daniel May 13, 2011. Matthew ’01 and on March 16, 2012. Kate ’01 (Zerr) Schlag and big brother Jacob, who is five years old.

29 MSU Alumni Association Board of Directors 2012-13 Executive Council President: Ryan Hertz ’00 President Elect: Kelsey Holt ’97 Vice President for Outreach: Linda Christianson ’72 Vice President for Events: Larry Eidsness ’76 Vice President for Promotions: Kelsey Holt ’97 Past Presidents: Linda Christianson ’72 and Deb Schultz ’73, ’89 officers Mike Anderson ’04 Rob Anderson ’83 Kristi Berg ’95/ ’00 Becky Brodell ’89 Jaimie Jundt Brunner ’00 Denise Faulkner ’72 Greg Fjeld ’81 MSU’s Centennial Celebration Kelly Hayhurst ’87 Chelsea Kirkhammer ’06 in 2013-14 promises to be magnificent! Jennifer Kissner ’93 Judi Kitzman ’92 Gloria Lokken ’72 You get partial credit: our alumni have helped Vicki Routledge ’94 Ellen Simmons ’68 shape MSU into what it is today; just as each Jennifer Thorgramson ’06 Angela Zerr ’00 one of you carries a piece of college life that Ex-Officio Members Dr. David Fuller, MSU President helped shape you. Marv Semrau, Vice President for Advancement Janna McKechnie, Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Connections Staff Managing Editor: Susan Ness Look at the photos on the opposite page Writer and Editor: Frank McCahill Writers: Michael Linnell, Linda Benson ’83, ’00 Photography Coordinator: Teresa Loftesnes ’07 and let us know what memories you have Layout and Design: Doreen Wald to share with our readers. Please contact MSU Advancement Office Vice President for Advancement: Marv Semrau Donor Relations Coordinator: Kate Marshall ’07 Bonnie Trueblood at bonnie.trueblood@ Administrative Assistant: Bonnie Trueblood Database Manager: Renae Yale ’10 minotstateu.edu or call 701-858-3399 or Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving: Janna McKechnie Director of Marketing: Teresa Loftesnes ’07 Internet Content Coordinator: Rick Heit ’07 800-777-0750 ext. 3399 to share a glimpse Director of Public Information: Susan Ness Public Information Specialist: Linda Benson ’83, ’00 of your personal history. Publications and Design Services: Doreen Wald, Amanda Francis ’02, and Becky Volk

Photographers Richard Heit ’07, Minot State University Michael Linnell, Minot State University Athletics Department We’d love to hear from you! Teresa Loftesnes ’07, Minot State University KXMC News Daniel Binkard, Chadron State College Justin Haag, Chadron State College Mandi Carroll, Mandi Carroll Photography Candace Brekke, ‘01, Minot State University Carol Thurn (Ryan Gellner’s picture with the kids) Caren Barnett, Minot State University

moving or have a temporary address? send your new address to: MSU Alumni Association 500 University Ave W Minot, ND 58707 or email: [email protected]

30 SWAIN HALL Gymnasium Garbage can lids, screaming voices and cheerleaders thrilled the Beaver teams. What’s the craziest thing you saw or did in Swain Hall’s gym?

MRS. C was a second mom to thousands of first year ladies. What’s your favorite memory?

Old Main’s McFarland Auditorium hosted numerous events. Share a piece of your personal history.

31 Non-profit org. U.S. Postage paid Fargo, ND 58102 Permit No. 1890 Alumni Association 500 University Ave W Minot, ND 58707

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“Minot State’s commitment to excellence provided me with the tools to succeed in the highly competitive global economy. I am pleased to support Minot State!”

Chris Jundt ’07 is a senior vice president and chief lending officer at First National Bank & Trust Company in Williston. He also serves as board president of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.