Volume XXV Edition I Summer/Fall 2020 PFor Alumni, Parents,rof and Friends of the Universityi ofle Minnesota Morris ASK THE EXPERTS: SOCIAL JUSTICE CELEBRATING 60 YEARS UMN MORRIS AND THE COVID-19 CRISIS TIMES LIKE THESE 2 THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY With one year remaining in the A model for living and learning campaign, donor generosity fuels new and existing projects. 9 ASK THE EXPERTS: SOCIAL JUSTICE 2 Assistant Professor of Education Sara Lam ’03 talks about teaching social justice and understanding social change through a liberal arts lens. 10 TIMES LIKE THESE: UMN MORRIS AND THE COVID-19 CRISIS In the midst of these extraordinary times, the important things about UMN Morris—student support, campus culture, faculty scholarship—haven’t changed. See how the campus community is throwing what it has at the fight against COVID-19. 14 60 YEARS SINCE 1960 9 This year marks our 60th anniversary. Reflect on our history and the strong foundation we have built for a long and bright future. 16 2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER An educator, community leader, and philanthropist, James “Jim” Odden ’71 has a long history of service to his alma mater and to greater Minnesota. REGULARS 10 2 GIVING NEWS 6 CAMPUS NEWS BRIEFS 16 ALUMNI NEWS 18 CLASS NOTES 21 COUGAR SPORTS NEWS ON THE COVER: Much has changed since UMN Morris opened its doors in 1960, but the campus’s beauty remains, as evidenced by this photo of John Q. Imholte Hall on a sunny summer day. Keep reading to learn more 14 about what has—and hasn’t changed—in 60 years at UMN Morris. GIVING TO MORRIS In partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation, gifts designated to UMN Morris are received by and invested in the Morris campus. The Foundation serves as the legal, charitable entity for the University system. For more information on giving to UMN Morris, contact: Susan Schmidgall, director of advancement 320-589-6160 | [email protected] Bill Robb, senior development officer 320-589-6387 | [email protected] Erin Christensen, development officer 320-589-6067 | [email protected] Jennifer Zych Herrmann, development officer 16 320-589-6048 | [email protected] March 2020 Profile Summer/Fall 2020 Volume XXV, Edition I Editorial Staff Allison Friedly ’04, director of communications and marketing Kari Adams ’03, graphic artist Jenna Reiser Ray ’10, public relations and internal communications specialist Leah Christian ’23, student photographer Funded in part by the University of Minnesota Morris Alumni Association and the Office of the Chancellor, Profile is published twice per year. Alternative formats are available upon request. Update your address at alumni.morris.umn.edu/stay-connected 320-589-6066 [email protected] The University of Minnesota Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization soliciting tax-deductible private contributions for the University of Minnesota. Financial and other information about University of Minnesota Foundation’s purpose, programs, and activities may be obtained by contacting the Chief Financial Officer at 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 624-3333, or for residents of the following states, as stated below. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, from the Secretary of State. Michigan: MICS No. 50198. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity. New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General Charities Bureau, July 2020 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of University of Minnesota Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483. The registration required by the state charitable solicitation act is on file with the Secretary of State’s office. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION BY THE STATE. Profile Mission Profile connects alumni and friends of the University of Minnesota Morris with informative, engaging, and enjoyable stories about campus life and beyond that reflect the value and success of the liberal arts education model, enabling our audience to act as Campus Public Safety has a new addition: Archie, a therapy pup proud advocates of the institution they know and love. in training. Archie will support student wellbeing, community partnerships, and more. To learn more, turn to page 5. THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY With one year remaining in the A model for living and learning campaign, donor generosity fuels new and existing projects. Imholte, late 1960s Carpenter A MODEL FOR LIFE-CHANGING A MODEL FOR FACULTY LEADERSHIP: STUDENT EXPERIENCES: JOHN Q. CHEMISTRY INSTRUMENTATION ACCOUNT IMHOLTE SCHOLARSHIP A conservative estimate by Professor of Mathematics Peh Two-hundred and thirty-nine students have Ng puts the number of students mentored or taught by been able to make the most of their UMN Morris Professor Emerita Nancy Carpenter at 7,500. That’s a lot experiences, thanks to the John Q. Imholte of undergrads. Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 1990 to mark the retirement of the now- Working with students is what Carpenter loved best late Imholte, who served as the campus’s top about her job. So, on the occasion of her retirement, administrator for 21 years. Its purpose was to she left them a gift: the Chemistry Instrumentation support UMN Morris students. Account, or CIA. Its purpose is to enhance their learning experience by supporting the repair, maintenance, and Harlo “Pete” Peterson ’64 has been supporting upgrade of instruments within the Chemistry Discipline. the scholarship fund since 1993. A member of UMN Morris’s first graduating class, Peterson “Using state-of-the-art instrumentation is crucial in the remembers Imholte as not only a great professor, work that chemists do every day: it’s how we solve but also the epitome of what UMN Morris problems, it’s how we drive forward in research,” stands for. Carpenter says. “To me this is a way of saying ‘thanks,’ of giving back to help our students get the great education “My first professor was John Q. Imholte,” they deserve.” says Peterson. “He was always an outstanding professor.” Carpenter’s gift isn’t only a gift to her students or the campus, though. It’s also a gift for the greater good. Peterson says a lot has changed since his undergraduate days—cost to attend, scholarships “Since our ‘be all end all’ is to prepare our students to offered—but one thing hasn’t: the value of a UMN become creative problem solvers who can help solve Morris education and experience. issues that face our global citizenry, doing this to help them have a better education impacts everyone,” she “Back then some classes were so small we adds. “Our students will get the excellent education met in professors’ offices. You could ask any they deserve and will be able to use it to make new question and get a good answer. To me, pharmaceuticals or make new materials for solar cells that’s a great education.” and so on.” THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY Bowman family A MODEL FOR BEAUTIFUL, SMART A MODEL FOR REGIONAL RESILIENCE: MORRIS SPACES: LAFAVE HOUSE ARTWORK COMMUNITY SOFTBALL It’s no secret the Morris campus is a thing of There’s something special about a softball game on a beauty. One of its most iconic spaces, the LaFave perfect summer day. Thanks to the generosity and vision of House, offers visitors, friends, and newcomers a community partners, the campus softball fields we know and warm welcome to the University. The house serves love will soon be bigger and better. With three new fields, as a gathering place for campus and community upgraded seating, a concession stand, press box and more, functions and is known for its friendly and the new Morris community softball facility will transform the comfortable, but also elegant, atmosphere. It’s also experience of players and fans while boosting the known for its permanent art collection, which grew local economy. this year with the addition of a new piece. UMN Morris and Morris Area Schools have a strong history Thanks to the children of Edward and Patricia of working together on facilities like Big Cat Stadium and Paul LaFave, “Metal Waterfowl Sculpture” by Silas the shared track. The new community softball complex will Seandel now hangs in the sunroom. There the provide life-changing opportunities for student-athletes of fired copper and bronze can catch the morning all ages to grow and play on one of the finest fields in west light. Commissioned in 1977 for Citizen’s Bank central Minnesota. of Morris, the work is a piece of campus and community history, illustrating the connection Robi and Ray Bowman have seen firsthand what the softball between the two. fields mean to their community: their daughter, Emma, has loved the game her entire life and has spent a lot of time on “There is a clear commitment to keeping the those fields.