Global Alumni Take Action

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2015

How Fouzia Saeed changed Pakistan GLOBAL ALUMNI TAKE ACTION

ALSO Thriving in Sioux Falls / The Great Bird Shower / The Brothers Grimmer Sco beat the odds as a pancreatic cancer survivor—umnhealth.org/Sco

WE PAY JUST AS MUCH ATTENTION University of Minnesota Health gives you access to expert clinicians and the TO THE BREAKTHROUGHS THAT latest discoveries in academic medicine. CHANGE PATIENTS’ LIVES AS THE From the world’s ﬁrst successful open- heart surgery to the development of stem ONES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD cell therapies for cancer, we specialize in translating innovative research into life-changing patient care. We oﬀer you more healthcare specialties than anywhere else in the Twin Cities, through our hospitals and clinics and at Heart Care and Cancer Care clinics at a variety of Fairview locations. We shape the way the world practices medicine. Discover what extraordinary healthcare can make possible for you.

Hear from our patients and learn more. Visit umnhealth.org

University of Minnesota Health represents a collaboration between University of Minnesota Physicians and University of Minnesota Medical Center. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Volume 114 • Number 3 / Spring 2015

page 34

4 Editor’s Note Features 6 Letters 8 About Campus The hand painting’s on the wall, watt goes around comes around, and bragging 12 Alumni Stories Bobby Bell proves it’s never too late, Cheryl Strayed is Wild, and more.

16 Gophers Forever page 24 We welcome our new life members. Plus, the Alumni 18 No Boundaries Association’s forecast. How Fouzia Saeed changed Pakistan and other alumni who are 38 Gopher Sports making a difference from Guatemala to Uganda. On balance, Ellis Mannon BY GREG BREINING, ERIN HINRICHS, LYNETTE LAMB, MELEAH page 14 is elite. MAYNARD, AND CYNTHIA SCOTT 40 Off the Shelf 30 The Great Bird Shower of 1904 The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers It was up to the University of Minnesota to find out why Grimm by Jack Zipes more than 750,000 birds fell from the sky one night in southwestern Minnesota. 46 Gopher Connections BY TIM BRADY Make the most of your member benefits: the University of Minnesota Opera Theater 34 Thriving in Sioux Falls and Friends of the Libraries University of Minnesota alumni are contributing mightily to Sioux Falls, a city on the rise. 48 Campus Seen BY RICK MOORE Our photo finish

ON THE COVER: Fouzia Saeed, photographed by Matthew Rakola PHOTOS THIS PAGE (clockwise from top): Belinda Shi, Harper McConnell, Jason Dailey

MinnesotaAlumni.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Jim du Bois, ’87 Chair-elect Alison Page, ’96 Vice Chair Dan McDonald, ’82, ’85 Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Ulsaker Weise, ’81 Past Chair Susan Adams Loyd, ’81 President and CEO Lisa Lewis

Judy Beniak, ’82, ’10 Wendy Williams Blackshaw, ’82 Natasha Freimark, ’95 Gayle Hallin, ’70, ’77 Randy Handel Linda Hofﬂander, ’83 Douglas Huebsch, ’85 Janice Linster, ’83 Laura Moret, ’76, ’81 Alex Oftelie, ’03, ’06 Amy Phenix, ’08 Roshini Rajkumar, ’97 Clinton Schaff, ’00 Kathy Schmidlkofer, ’97 Alfonso Sintjago, ’14, ’15 Joelle Stangler, ’16 Dave Walstad, ’88, ’91 Jean Wyman

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOVERNANCE President Eric Kaler, ’82 Board of Regents Richard Beeson, ’76, chair Dean Johnson, vice chair Clyde Allen Laura Brod, ’93 Linda Cohen, ’85, ’86 Tom Devine ’79 John Frobenius, ’69 Peggy Lucas, ’64, ’76 David McMillan, ’83, ’87 Abdul Omari, ’08, ’10 Patricia Simmons

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Biwabik, Minnesota

# 1 & # 4 Public Courses in Minnesota

CAVU, Legend Hole 17 Golf Digest 2014

TROON Spring Golf Deal! REWARDS Play the Legend or Quarry Opening Day thru May 28, 2015 $ $

Monday52 - Thursday 62Friday - Sunday

Details at GiantsRidge.com 866-409-6650 Editor’s Note MINNESOTA PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SINCE 1901

President and CEO Lisa Lewis No foreigners among us Vice President of Communication Daniel Gore he word “foreigner,” with its vaguely pejorative connotations, kept Editor Cynthia Scott coming to mind during production of this issue on alumni making a difference globally. I grew up at a time and in a place where “foreign- Managing Editor T Meleah Maynard er” was part of our lexicon. It didn’t just describe someone who came from a different country; it described someone who was fundamentally different Copy Editor Susan Maas from “us” and was part of an amorphous conglomeration called “them”— and therefore a bit suspect. Suspicion was heightened if the foreigner did Contributing Writers Greg Breining, Jennifer Benson, not speak English and/or was nonwhite or non-Christian. The rules about Pat Borzi, Tim Brady, Nicole Etter, interacting with foreigners, though largely unspoken, were clear: Be polite Erin Hinrichs, Mary Hoff, Marla Holt, but be watchful and keep your distance. Shannon Juen, Lynette Lamb, Rick Moore, Moving to Minneapolis in the late 1970s was a rude awakening. I discov- Laura Silver, Chris Smith, Claire Sykes ered how fearful I was around those I perceived as different from me, and Art Director how ill equipped that mindset had left me to navigate the big, new, multihued Kristi Anderson, Two Spruce Design world of the city. I was lucky to encounter situations and people who helped Media Partners me grow beyond the crippling parochialism I had inherited. Being a graduate Access Minnesota and Gopher Sports Update student at the University of Minnesota was one Advertising Rates and Information Ketti Histon such opportunity to grow. 612-280-5144, [email protected] The word foreigner is not used much these days, but the tendency to regard difference as a Minnesota (ISSN 0164-9450) is published four times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring, and threat is alive and well—alarmingly so. Thus I Summer) by the University of Minnesota found it poignant to comb through the list in this Alumni Association for its members. issue that begins on page 18 and ends on page 22. Copyright ©2015 by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association It is rare that something in the magazine thor- McNamara Alumni Center oughly captivates my attention all throughout the 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 200 weeks-long process of writing, editing, rewriting, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2040 612-624-2323, 800-862-5867 editing, and editing again, but such was the case fax 612-626-8167 with that list. It’s a roster of the 167 countries outside of the United States www.MinnesotaAlumni.org where University of Minnesota alumni live. Reading it is an education and a To update your address, call 612-624-2323 or meditation: Christmas Island—where is that? Tonga—how does life differ in e-mail [email protected] that Paciﬁc nation from the life in Minnesota those two alumni led when they Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, Minnesota, were students? Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Ukraine—what and additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: is happening to the 56 alumni who live in those war zones? Have they and McNamara Alumni Center their families survived? Are they living in displacement camps? Have their 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55455-2040 lives and careers been upended or have they avoided the turmoil? Twenty-six alumni live in Tunisia, and one of them is the new prime minister of that fragile and hopeful democracy (see story on page 24). Suddenly, I’m interested in following that country’s progress. At the Alumni Association we talk about being a global community. It’s not mere marketing jargon. Our connections to each other through the University we share are an invitation to continue to grow and to expand our worldview in much the same way we did as students. In connect- ing with the global community of alumni, we’re likely to discover that there are no foreigners among us. Q

Cynthia Scott (M.A. ’89) is the editor of Minnesota. 2300 Brown Avenue

She can be reached at [email protected]. SHER STONEMAN Waseca, Minnesota 56093

4 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA Midwest's #1 Volkswagen Dealer 13 Years Running! Westside

Volkswagen Das Auto.

Westside of Highway 100, l/2 Mile South of 394 in St. Louis Pork 952.377.4100 I WestsideVW.com Letters

SPRING 2014

IO I ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION YOFMINNESOTAMINN ALUMN UNIVERSITY OF R THE FO MEMBERS OF EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION I was heartbroken to read of Shelly’s death.

SUMMER 2014 EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION I was so hoping she would beat the can- WHATWHAT CCANAN cer—and, needless to say, 49 is entirely

The nenewe NorthropWE DOMADE POSSIBLE BY THEABOUT MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION too young. I respected what she did with takeses center stage | FALL 2014 ’S YOUU (HERE’S YOUR BACKSTAGECLIMATECL PASS)IMI Minnesota and enjoyed seeing her at our HACELEBRATE Big Ten and national editors’ conferences. CHANGE?CHC 100 YYEARSYEARS GOLDYGGOLDY We’d call each other or email from time to STYLEST YL E PLENTY.

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONHOMECOMINGHOMECOMIN | WINTER 2015 2014 MEMECMECCOMINC MINING2014G 20140140 4 time, to talk shop or to commiserate about evev some job-related frustration that no longer , SevenSSeSev University researchers m, ossceniceneniniuuum tottoredoredooreredreedddpr pproprprosro lollccoc TheThThee restorestresrerrestoredsto proscenium,uppeuupupperppeerr balcobalbabalcobbalc anandandnddnew newnewnneeeww opp ceiling,ceceieililiiling,ilingngng, aand new upperNoNorNortNoorrthroptht balcony vitavitaittaalizalizealiliizeeddN NorNorthNorthropNorthroN innnt tthehee rerrevitalizedevita Northrop sshshasharehhaa their action agendas matters in the scheme of things. She was

Gophers Working Stay Rappin’ with M.A.G.I.C. m BohemianBBoohohhememe Flats Tall Paul PAGE 34 a sweet, gentle, funny person and a fine ComeCCooommeme to Life PAGE 12 PAGEP 32 colleague. I miss her.

ALSO:ALA SO GreekGGrGrerkRrrereekeeek RevRevRReRevivalevviivalivavalvaaall Tina Hay, editor GenerationsGeGGenGeneratieneratioeneeneeneraneratioeratioeera of Alumni rratioraaat onsns ofoffAlffAlu Al AlAluAlAAlulluumnmmnini Golden. InInnth thetthethheheeM MMO MMMOMOOCOOOCC The Penn Stater State College, Pennsylvania

I was saddened to read of the death of

• PLUS • WINTER READING Whether an athlete page 40 Shelly Fling. I only knew her through the Editor’s Note, but I always appreciated or spectator of what she wrote. I noticed that she had the 2015 National READERS REMEMBER SHELLY been editor a fairly long time in compari- My deepest sympathies on the loss of Senior Games, come son to other magazines. I always thought Shelly Fling [Winter 2015]. Thank you that she must really like her job and that see what’s new in for your wonderful article honoring her. whoever oversaw her must have held her Bloomington – one of I share your pain. I lost my wife, Lynne in high regard. My sympathies to her fam- Sater (B.A. ’87), to bile duct cancer three ily and to the Alumni Association staff. the proud host cities years ago. I have been intending to write Colleen Gengler (B.S. ’73) of the games. Shop to Minnesota about Lynne because I’m so Iona, Minnesota very proud of her and she loved her time at ® at Mall of America the University of Minnesota. She also died You captured all that talent, compassion, and stay at one of our when she was 49 years old. She was a Hal humor, dedication, and editorial prowess Leonard choral composer whose creation, that was Shelly. Would that each of us have 38 unique hotels all “Blazing Star,” is sung by choirs during such a commentary on the beauty of who centrally located to the Christmas season. She was a proud we were and the contribution we made. Gopher who was ﬁrst an award-winning Shelly deserved nothing less, but without the event venues. reporter for KARE TV and WESH TV in you too many wouldn’t know who she was Orlando before becoming an incredible and what she did. mother of three daughters. Lynne also Mary Small (B.A. ’75) Visit Bloomington, Minnesota served in education for several years, dis- BloomingtonMN.org covering her gift with children and music I’ve been catching up on reading this in her later years. It’s important to honor or 800-346-4289 weekend and came across your Editor’s those we lose as a way of processing our Note on Shelly. I never met her, though grief and because we must celebrate life we did exchange emails a few years ago while we have it. about magazine matters. Your column Terry Sater (B.A. ’83) Oconomowoc, Wisconsin gave me and I’m sure many other readers

Submit a letter at www.MinnesotaAlumni.org/opinion or write a Letter to the Editor, Minnesota Magazine, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Letters should be fewer than 300 words and may be edited for style, length, and clarity. The number of letters published on one subject may be limited. Priority will be given to timely letters that directly relate to the content of the magazine. Publication of letters from one letter-writer will be limited in frequency.

6 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA a heartfelt glimpse of Shelly and what she meant to you and the magazine. 200 Oak Street S.E., Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55455 I’m sorry for your loss. May your own words comfort you: “Shelly isn’t finished yet.” Robert Mendelson, executive editor Carnegie Mellon Today “The Alumni Center is a spectacular Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania backdrop for a joyous celebration.” Thank you so much for your loving remembrance of dear, dear [sister-in-law] —NANCY LINDAHL, MOTHER-OF-THE-BRIDE Shelly in all her humanity and wondrous AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LIFE MEMBER complexity. And thank you for reminding me of Shelly’s wisdom. A loss of a loved one can be a “chain” but Shelly would Affordable Rental counsel to shake it off because our work Packages isn’t finished. As her brother Steve eulogized her: Stunning “Words . . . words and sisters . . . words and Architecture Shelly. What does one say when there are Adjacent 500-car no words? We try.” Lee Sheehy (J.D. ’77) Parking Ramp Minneapolis Tunnel connection Your editor’s column was a terrific tribute to The Commons to Shelly and her passion for Minnesota Hotel and the U. Margaret Sughrue Carlson (Ph.D. ’83) Award-winning Minnetonka, Minnesota D’Amico Catering

CORRECTIONS In the Winter 2015 issue, Marie Johnson (M.S. ’99, Ph.D. ’04) should have been included in the list of alumni Minnesota Cup winners for AUM Cardiovascular, Biosciences Division and Grand Prize winner, 2011. Memorial Hall Wedding reception capacity: 400 We neglected to name Mary Kosir (M.A. ’00) as an alumna and cofounder of the company WholeMe. The editors Alumni Association regret the errors. Life Members receive $100-$300 off their wedding package.

Contact the Alumni Association Call today for a tour To join or renew, change your address, or visit our website to or obtain beneﬁt information, go to check available dates, MinnesotaAlumni.org or contact us: view photos, and McNamara Alumni Center sample floorplans. 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55455-2040 800-862-5867, 612-624-2323 University Hall Wedding reception capacity: 150 [email protected] 612-624-9831

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 7 About Campus

The area in and around the University’s marily aerosol spray paint to create the The Hand West Bank is home to several eye-catch- mural. To give it a distinctly Cedar-River- ing murals, but one in particular vividly side feel, the color of the dragon matches Painting’s on combines elements of the area’s past and that of the nearby Green Line light rail and present. Designed by Sara Kelly (B.A. ’10), its tail is dotted with bus lights. The wrap- the Wall the 40-foot by 60-foot mural on the south- per on the bakery’s famous cherry nest facing wall of the Keefer Court Bakery & cake depicts the 35W bridge with the Mis- Café at Cedar Avenue and Riverside pays sissippi River swirling above and below it. homage to the Chinese immigrants who Kelly has been designing and creating once lived on the West Bank by incorpo- murals in collaboration with communities rating cultural symbols, including a cat since she graduated from the University and a dragon. with a degree in ﬁne art. After graduation Kelly worked with Somali and Oromo she started teaching hip-hop and volun-

teens from the neighborhood using pri- teering at churches to develop hip-hop HAI NGO KELLY:

8 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA DISCOVERIES

Inventing a New Magnet Permanent magnets are increasingly important—they do everything from help power electric cars to make recording devices work. But they also are a big environmental burden because they depend on mining rare earth minerals, an energy-intensive process that requires the use of toxic chemicals with potential harm to agriculture, human health, and ecosystems. That picture could be changing soon: With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, a team from the College of Science and Engineering led by professor of electrical and computer engineering Jian-Ping Wang is developing a permanent magnet made from iron and nitrogen that is not only environmentally friendlier but also twice as strong as its conventional counterparts. Ph.D. student Md A. Mehedi recently won a $10,000 award for his work on the project from the Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Award competition, a program of Dow Chemical Company and the U’s Institute on the Environment. A start-up company, Niron Magnetics, has come on board to help move the innovation to market. —Mary Hoff

curricula for youth. In 2012, Kelly formed Hip Hope, through which she teaches an Raise your hand if you think you won’t need elder care! Middle-aged array of arts, including dance, rap, draw- ing, painting, and music video making. She Americans underestimate their future health care needs for long-term loves being an artist, but she’s also keenly care services and support, according to a study by researchers at the aware of her role as a mentor. “I always tell University of Minnesota School of Public Health. The study found 60 them it’s good to have dreams and stick percent think they are unlikely to need care, while in reality only 30 with them, but the heart has to come ﬁrst, percent will not need care. Expectations around future care needs varied and then the art, and then the money part,” by respondents’ current living situation: Those who live alone were most she says. “As long as things stay in that likely to believe they will need care, whereas respondents living with minor order, you’ll be happy and have peace.” children were the least likely to expect they will need care in the future. Kelly is pictured here in front of the The study was published in the January issue of Health Affairs. mural with Salah Oromo.

ELDER CARE: ISTOCK ELDER CARE: —Meleah Maynard

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 9 About Campus

A new ﬁlm telling the story of the 40-day, 40-night continuous occu- pation of Dinkytown at the height of the anti-Vietnam War demonstra- tions in 1970 will premier at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival April 9 through 25 at St. Anthony Main Theater in Min- neapolis. The 95-minute ﬁlm, “The Dinkytown Uprising,” highlights the takeover of Dinkytown in protest against the war and the proposed Red Barn Restaurant. It was shot by alumnus Al Milgrom (B.A. ’47) and Dinkytown History on Screen is narrated by playwright and actor Peter Moore.

Watt Goes The Minneapolis campus now has 13 charging stations It’s Unseemly to Brag, but . . . for electric vehicles with the addition of a new fast- Around The U exceeded goal on five performance measures charging option that’s one of the first of its kind in the Comes set forth by the Minnesota Legislature for fiscal state. Installed in January at the corner of Washington Around year 2014—some by a long shot. As a result, the U Avenue and Harvard Street, the station typically earned 5 percent—approximately $26.5 million—in recharges a vehicle’s battery to 80 percent in about state funding that was held from its fiscal year 2015 half an hour. Other stations average four hours for a appropriation pending the achievement of at least full charge. To see where campus charging stations are three of the five goals. The results in red below are located, visit the University Parking and Transportation for 2014 increases over fiscal year 2013. Services website. GOAL: Improve overall graduation rates by 1% 4-year rate up 4.5% to 52.5% 5-year rate up 4% to 69.5% 6-year rate up 4% to 71.5%

GOAL: Improve graduation rates for low-income students by 1% 4-year rate up 8% to 47% 5-year rate up 7% to 61% 6-year rate up 6% to 63%

GOAL: Increase the total number of undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees by 3% Undergraduate STEM degrees up 10%

GOAL: Increase invention disclosures 3% Invention disclosures up nearly 4%

GOAL: Decrease administrative costs by $15 million Nearly $19 million savings through stafﬁng changes and operating reductions CAR: ERIC HANSON • DINKYTOWN: CHERYL WALSH CHERYL ERIC HANSON • DINKYTOWN: CAR:

10 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA University of Minnesota student Leah Soykan works with a student at Ramsey Middle School in Minneapolis.

Out of the Classroom and into the Schools

Minneapolis has one of the highest UHSA members who collaborated with achievement gaps in the nation, and some Minneapolis Public Schools to develop students at the University of Minnesota the program. “The project is important decided to do something about it. Under because it allows University of Minne- the leadership of the University Honors sota students to provide mentorship to stu- Students Association (UHSA), students dents, promote STEM ﬁelds, and give back at Ramsey Middle School in Minneapolis to the surrounding community,” she says. began pairing up with exceptional Uni- Currently, the plan is to expand the versity undergraduates last month as part program after this pilot year. “We are of a new tutoring partnership with Min- in a unique position,” says Ryan Olson, neapolis Public Schools. UHSA’s president. “We attend a world- About 24 tutors from the University class institution positioned in a city with Honors Program will work closely with one of the highest achievement gaps in the the middle school students using a cur- nation. This is an opportunity for college riculum focused on science, technology, students to confront a very important engineering, and math (STEM). Honors issue in their community.” student Joelle Stangler is one of many —M.M. TUTORS: SARA RUBINSTEIN TUTORS:

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 11 Alumni Stories

Good to Hear Their Voices

hen Jesse Ilhardt (B.A. ’08) a Head Start preschool in Minneapolis, VOCEL is a full-day, year-round pro- enrolled in the journalism where she observed what studies have gram with 17 students and three teachers. Wprogram at the University conﬁrmed: that by age 4, children grow- It takes a fresh approach to language acqui- of Minnesota, she intended to become a ing up in poverty have heard 30 million sition by using every minute of the day for public relations professional or a journal- fewer words than their more affluent conversation and interaction with peers ist. But two experiences during her senior peers. “Those experiences ignited in me and teachers. “We talk while we stand in year converged to change her path. Ilhardt a curiosity about how children develop line for the bathroom, while we’re reading is the cofounder and director of education language skills and really set me on a stories, and while we eat,” Ilhardt says. It at VOCEL, a language-focused preschool path to learn more about child psychol- can be noisy and a bit chaotic, she says, but on Chicago’s west side that serves some ogy and early childhood education,” it’s all in the service of language develop- of the city’s most impoverished neighbor- Ilhardt says. ment and helping children build commu- hoods. VOCEL stands for Viewing Our Teaching preschool, training other nication, social, and critical thinking skills. Children as Emerging Leaders. educators for Teach for America in her To raise the $250,000 needed to open Ilhardt credits an assignment for a native Chicago, and earning a master’s VOCEL’s pilot classroom last September, literary journalism class, along with her degree in early childhood education from Ilhardt and her founding partner, execu- part-time job as a nanny for an upper- Dominican University in suburban Chi- tive director Kelly Lambrinatos, turned income family, for opening her eyes to cago deepened Ilhardt’s desire to work to a variety of funding sources. A crowd- language development disparities in toward greater parity in the early child- funding campaign on Crowdtilt includ- children of differing backgrounds. The hood experiences of all children, regard- ed interacting with potential donors on assignment required spending time at less of family income. social media and hosting live events to

12 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA raise more than $86,000 from 275 donors in 75 days. The remainder of the $250,000 ﬁrst-year bud- get has come from more traditional sources, such as grants and large gifts raised by the preschool’s board of directors. VOCEL’s ﬁrst year is key to its success. “Once we have proven results, we hope to open additional classrooms in other neighborhoods,” Ilhardt says. “Our goal is that quality early childhood education becomes an expectation—not a lux- ury—for all children.” —Marla Holt

A Career on the Rise

It took two years and four recipes before Geoff Trenholme (B.S. ’99) was satisfied with his French baguette. His customers weren’t complaining—they often line up outside of Rocket Baby Bakery, his European-style bakery in the Mil- waukee area, before the doors even open—but Trenholme was convinced he could do better. “You want that crispy crust and that nice open crumb that is moist, and that yellowness you get is because the ingredients are mixed so gently that it preserves all the natural flavors,” explains Trenholme. Trenholme has a degree in computer science from the University of Minne- sota. He spent a few years working tech jobs, then taught high school math in the Los Angeles area before deciding that he was more interested in pie than pi. Or, to be more exact, bread. “I’ve always found food very satisfying,” Trenholme says. “It’s actually a very basic human pleasure to make food for somebody.” Trenholme trained at the San Francisco Bak- “As with anything that involves fermentation, ing Institute and interned at a few bakeries before time adds flavor,” he says. “Most commercial bakeries he and his wife, Shannon, moved to Wisconsin take shortcuts. We’re trying to do everything the hard to launch Rocket Baby, a moniker inspired by the way. We don’t cut corners. You have to be patient, and nickname of their first son. Since opening in 2012, you have to have respect for the process.” Rocket Baby’s reputation has taken off. The couple Trenholme and Rocket Baby are tasting suc- recently added a second storefront and also serve cess at a level they didn’t expect. “I expected to around a dozen Milwaukee-area restaurants. make good bread and pastries, but the quality is As chief baker, the 46-year-old Trenholme is beyond what I had thought we would achieve, [as usually at the bakery by 4 a.m. and his days can is] how well we have been received by customers,” stretch to 16 hours. He prides himself on using Trenholme says. “To be here, two-plus years into premium ingredients, locally sourced whenever the business, and know that we’ve exceeded our possible, and the best techniques in artisan baking. original expectations—it feels really great.” That means taking it slow. —Nicole Sweeney Etter

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 13 Alumni Stories

not have been more different from Shelby, Bell promised his father he would not quit. “It wasn’t just for me,” Bell says. “It was for him, for my mom, my family, all the blacks in Shelby.” He and fellow trailblaz- ing black players like Sandy Stephens and Carl Eller, who had their own families and hometowns to represent, held each other accountable. “We pledged that we would stick it out and leave as winners,” he says. They did, winning a 1960 national title and the 1962 Rose Bowl. Bell finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, an astonishing feat for a defensive player. Following a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs, he worked for General Motors and opened a string of restaurants. “I was so busy,” Bell recalls. “But I never forgot that I promised my father that I would finish.” Only three classes short of his degree, Bell arranged to take online courses from his Kansas City home. While easier logis- tically than coming to campus, it present- ed other challenges. “It all used to be in the library, but now it’s on the computer,” Bell says. “When I had to create a PowerPoint, first I had to learn to use PowerPoint. . . . It was double hard for me. But I just really Never Too Late recalls. “But my father always told me it started to enjoy it.” was possible.” Bell worked several jobs, In a lifetime of “you can do it” moments, When Bobby Bell crosses the Mariucci including mowing lawns for white cotton earning his degree is right up there, Bell Arena stage to collect his bachelor’s mill owners. “They were sending kids to says. But having his father in the stands in degree on May 14, the 74-year-old for- big colleges,” he says. “I wanted to have my Minneapolis to watch him play, he says, “is mer Gopher star defensive lineman will opportunity to go to a big school.” at the top of my list. It was the dream we complete an unlikely dream and fulfill a Football provided the opportunity. had together that he would see his son play promise he made in 1958. “I want to show Minnesota’s Murray Warmath, one of the just like everybody else. That’s why I love kids that it doesn’t matter where you come few major-college coaches then recruiting this University. Can you imagine all this from, what color you are, how old you are, black players, offered Bell a scholarship. coming from where I did? Minnesota gave you can do it, man,” he says. As he stepped onto an airplane for the me the opportunity to have all this happen.” Just making it to Minnesota at all first time, heading for a place that could —Chris Smith was “doing it” over long odds for Bell. Growing up in Shelby, North Carolina, he lived a childhood of segregated schools and businesses and limited opportunity, The Skipper Being called Skipper is taking some including for sports. Bell chose to pur- getting used to for Paul Molitor. The sue a recreation, park, and leisure studies former Gopher, who led the team to its last College World Series appearance in 1977, and seven-time Major League All- major because of the difference a few Star player is the new manager of the Minnesota Twins. He dedicated men made in his life, building kicked off his managerial career going head-to-head against a the first parks and pool for African Ameri- familiar face, Gophers manager John Anderson, as the Twins cans in Shelby and teaching him to play and Gophers met for the first time ever on March 4 in Fort team sports. Encouraged by his father, Myers, Florida, in a spring training game. Pink, Bobby set his sights on college. “Very Molitor talks about launching his career as a major league manager few blacks in Shelby went to college,” he with Matt Nelson (B.A. ’09) at GopherSportsUpdate.com.

14 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA Cheryl Strayed and Came Back Wild

Talk about wild. In 1995 Cheryl Strayed someone like me could be an author.” (B.A. ’97) trekked solo nearly half the Strayed says her world opened up 2,650-mile Pacific Coast Trail, without when she came to the University of Min- experience and lugging an overloaded nesota. “I took my first creative writing backpack. In December 2014, nearly 20 class with Michael Dennis Browne. Here years later, her adventure flashed onto was a man who wrote books that did for movie theater screens worldwide as Wild, him what books did for me—make my hair starring Reese Witherspoon as Strayed. stand on end. Paulette Bates Alden was Watching Witherspoon portray her also a huge influence. She was my most onscreen was, she says, “moving and important mentor during those years, and bizarre, not a normal experience. She she’s still a dear friend,” she says. gives a beautiful performance, and I feel Strayed is also the author of Torch, honored by it,” says Strayed, 46, who lives about a family’s grief after an unexpected in Portland, Oregon, with her filmmaker loss, and Tiny Beautiful Things, a collec- husband, Brian Lindstrom, and their two tion of her “Dear Sugar” advice columns children. for the website the Rumpus. She’s work- It wasn’t until years after her trek that ing on another memoir and a novel. She Strayed realized she had a story to tell, bluntly admits that writing can be misery. of grief and gratitude, each step of the “I struggle with it, but then I remember: trail taking her closer to healing from her I love this. And I love the feeling of liv- divorce, her recovery from addiction, and, ing inside a book, not wanting to put it especially, her mother’s death from lung down and staying up all night. I always cancer. Her literary memoir, Wild: From hope people are similarly enthralled by Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail my books.” (Vintage Books, 2013) landed at the top Certainly, millions of Wild readers are. of the New York Times bestseller list and “The writer’s job is to find what’s uni- made first pick for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0. versal, and Wild is connected to those Strayed’s mother looms large in her ancient stories of journey that have been life as a writer. “My mom always read to told throughout time. I never wrote the me. I have a distinct memory, not yet 4, of book for people to receive a message, but leaning against her pregnant belly. And I I’m glad they’re inspired, making them always loved to write, but it wasn’t until I think of their lives in a new way.” was grown up that it occurred to me that MOLITOR: UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS • BELL: JASON DAILEY • STRAYED: COURTESY CHERYL STRAYED CHERYL COURTESY • STRAYED: DAILEY • BELL: JASON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MOLITOR: —Claire Sykes

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 15 Gophers Forever

The Alumni Jonathan L. Carter Glenda L. Greene Daniel G. Kaufmann Sarah J. Marten Lawrence Que Roger W. Challman Andrew D. Greenshields Diana D. Kiffmeyer Pamela A. Mc Cabe Susan L. Rasmussen Association Susan M. Chamberlain Mary Beth S. Grefﬁn Gyung A. Kim Inez D. Mc Chesney James M. Reilly welcomes Cheng-Khee Chee John S. Gutreuter Jordan Kimball Sheryl A. Mc Curdy Ronald A. Reinhart Kathy A. Claussen Ann M. Hamann Larry L. Kinney Patrick C. McCaskey Craig E. Rethwill these new life Charlotte W. Cohn William P. Hamann Bradford E. Kinsman Harriet C. McCleary John E. Rode members Virginia S. Craig Linda D. Hancher Jerome H. Kleven Mary Beth Megarry Terry A. Rodgers William J. Craig Kay L. Hansen Michael N. Korf Richard C. Megarry David L. Rogers Uldis Adamsons Carl F. Darling Darlene K. Haskin Gail A. Korfhage Edmund M. Mellgren Michael C. Rogers Susan Allison-Hatch Stephanie J. Decker David W. Haskin Glenn H. Korfhage Rod C. Moberg Sheila D. Rogers Eric M. Alter Lia M. Dikigoropoulou Jean A. Haspeslagh Diane S. Krueger Kristin M. Mortenson Gary M. Rohrer Karen B. Alwin Jonathan P. Dorff Frank C. Hathaway Richard A. Krueger David P. Murphy Jane L. Rollins Anna E. Anderson Shanda R. Dorff Christopher H. Hawley Ruth G. Krueger Nancy L. Murphy Phillip F. Rollins Lorinda L. Austin Darol D. Duca Gina R. Hawley Stanley R. Krueger Stacey L. Ness Kelly L. Rood Lynn H. Bach Gerald S. Duffy Andrew M. Held Daniel C. Kruse Caroline E. Noble Wayne J. Rothschild Thomas M. Baumgartner Judy C. Duffy Larry D. Hellikson Sarah J. Kumagai Ann L. Norquist Chad B. Sayles Scott D. Beede Joan M. Dwyer David J. Hess Steven C. Kumagai Stanley R. Norquist Laura S. Sayles Michael J. Bell Robert T. Dwyer Kevin D. Hicok Marlene J. Lawson Matthew P. Novak Bruce A. Schelske Donald A. Berger Rebecca Egge Moos Michael E. Hill Ariane N. Laxo Nadine N. Novak Sharyn A. Schelske Donald F. Bibeau Sharon A. Engels Elfrieda H. Hintze Vadym Lepetyuk Keith H. Nuechterlein Bobbi L. Schroeppel Thomas L. Bissonett Thomas R. Engels Christine A. Hobrough Bruce C. Libby Alice S. Odden Timothy J. Schroeppel Judith W. Bond Lisa D. Erickson Carl E. Holmgren Ruth Ann Libby Kirk M. Odden Thomas B. Sedgwick Judy G. Borgen Heidi J. Eschenbacher Joel D. Jacobson Sheryl D. Lindholm David A. O’Denius Jonathan C. Sell Richard G. Borgen David G. Fellner Peter C. Jarnberg John R. Lindlan Trisha E. O’Hehir Barbara L. Shiels Charles M. Bradford Edward A. Foegeding Jonathan J. Jaroscak Ellen D. Linse Daniel J. Owen Atul K. Shroff Jerry A. Brinks Raynold O. Folland Eugene N. Jaster Thomas J. Lippi Alison H. Page Thomas D. Simpson Kristine S. Bruhn Todd E. Frank Anne L. Johnson Jianjun Liu Graydon T. Page Nancy L. Skophammer Tom A. Bruhn James R. Frelich Darryl A. Johnson Greer E. Lockhart Shelley J. Page Richard D. Slager Richard L. Buehler Uri Geberger Dave C. Johnson Mary M. Lockhart Elizabeth M. Pauly Veronica Slager Rio R. Buehler James A. Ginsburg Dennis A. Johnson Steven D. London Tony A. Pelzel Julie C. Smith Misha R. Burich Mary M. Gnatz Jeffrey S. Johnson Paul A. Lucas Thomas V. Pence Jane D. Spencer Benjamin D. Butler Lori A. Grace Jonelle C. A. Johnson Daniel D. Lunzer Nathaniel J. Peterson Michael J. Spencer Bruce F. Campbell Patt Grazzini Patrick M. Johnson Peter L. Malen Albert L. Pooler Daniel J. St Martin Cathleen Campbell Wayne T. Grazzini William S. Joynes Scott A. Markel Stephen J. Priester Kristy S. Stanton

The April Forecast Calls for Mingling

The Alumni Association’s Annual Celebration is just one of the ways we bring alumni together. This year’s celebration, A Toast to Every Season, is April 17 at 5:30 p.m. and features hazardous weather research expert Kenny Blumenfeld (B.S. ’01, M.A. ’05, Ph.D. ’08). Sip your way through the evening with four seasonally inspired cocktails followed by an entertaining conversation with Kenny. His larger-than-life personality and energetic style make chatting about the weather worthy of cocktail parties.

16 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA Robert W. Steventon Ingo S. Stolz Thomas H. Stone Michael A. Strobel Shelley D. Strobel Christopher A. Swanson Rod K. Thompson Stephany L. Thompson Diane E. Tinsley Howard Elija A. Tinsley Mary C. Trerise Robert E. Trerise Stephen F. Troutner James J. Urbanek Rita S. Urbanek Linda J. Vanderwerf Andrew E. Vano Brady R. Vant Hull Bruce A. Ver Steeg Joan A. Ver Steeg William Waddington Thomas E. Wald James A. Walz Jing Wen Lee D. West Nancy M. West Adam M. Wicklund David P. Wicklund Alumni Association life member Scott Hasbrouck of Julie H. Wicklund Thompson, North Dakota, pictured here, and thousands of Rolf M. Widstrand other Gopher fans traveled to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl Janet K. Wiig festivities and game on January 1. Though the Gophers lost Julianne C. Wood-Rethwill to Missouri, pride and spirit were unﬂagging. Thank you to Chiao Yeh the more than 500 alumni and friends who traveled with us! Edgar F. Ziegler

. . . and the Extended Outlook Brings More Mingling:

WITH OTHER RECENT GRADUATES in the Emerging Professionals Network, usually held at Twin Cities taprooms. Socialize, connect, and learn how to navigate the early career years. WITH STUDENTS through the Alumni Association’s Mentor Connection. Play a unique and vital role supporting students on their journeys to personal wholeness and professional excellence.

WITH YOUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY through our popular free Alumni Webinar Series, which features expert insight on career and lifestyle topics. Join in live or listen when you want, where you want. Upcoming conversations include: March 12, navigating the mid-career years April 10, pet wellness April 30, enhancing early career success

For more information: MinnesotaAlumni.org Members Make it All Happen. Thank you! UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 17 Afghanistan 6 Albania 1 Algeria 9 Andorra 1 Angola 1 Antigua and Barbuda 1 Argentina 45 Armenia 4 Australia 132 U alumni living Austria 186 outside of the U.S. Azerbaijan 3 Bahamas 18 Bahrain 8 Bangladesh 10 Barbados 2 Belarus 3 Belgium 38 Belize 1 Bermuda 2 Bhutan 1 Bolivia 11 Botswana 4 Brazil 98 Bulgaria 18 Burundi 1 Cambodia 3 Cameroon 11 Canada 1217 Cayman Islands 2 Chad 1 Chile 62 China 1198 Christmas Island 1 Colombia 37 Costa Rica 23 Cote D’Ivoire 3 Croatia 12 Cyprus 22 Czech Republic 13 Denmark 27 Dominican Republic 6 Ecuador 20 Egypt 82 El Salvador 5 England 10 Estonia 4 Ethiopia 12 Fiji 1 Finland 17 France 122 Georgia 3 Germany 154 Ghana 25 Greece 82 Grenada 1 Rainmaker A unique drip irrigation project promises to beneﬁt small-plot farmers in India

In 2012 Steele Lorenz (B.S.B. ’10) stepped off a plane in Bangalore, India. He had just quit a job as a retail consultant. Taking a taxi on the sweltering, teeming streets, he realized what a step he was taking. “I was starting a business to sell things to people I’d never met before in a country I had never traveled in before,” he recalls. Lorenz and his business partner, University of Minnesota graduate student Sri Latha Ganti, had been polishing their business plan for two years—as if by making more and better preparations they could put off the inevitable. But they couldn’t wait any longer. “It just seemed like this incredible opportunity and I really wanted to give it a try,” he says. “We had to actually start the business or we had to let the dream go.” The dream is MyRain, a social venture that grew out of the Acara program, an entrepreneurship program cosponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment, Carlson School of Man- agement, and College of Science and Engineering. Through Acara’s courses, workshops, and field experiences, students develop business plans for ventures that address societal and environmental challenges. MyRain designs customized drip irrigation systems and sells irrigation components to mom-and-pop farm stores in southern India. Indian agriculture is made up of a lot of small-plot farmers—approximately 41 million of them—growing crops such as onions, eggplant, bananas, jasmine, coconut, and guava on less than 10 acres, sometimes less than a single acre. Many rely on flood irrigation. But flooding stunts crops, washes away soil nutrients, and wastes water. “A smaller scale problem is that small farmers are also fairly inefficient in their use of water, which means they’re not making as much money as they could,” Lorenz says. Steele Lorenz When looking at how to make watering more in a 3-acre drip irrigated plot efficient, drip irrigation jumps to the forefront, of red banana Lorenz says. Compared to traditional flood irrigation, MyRain enhances water effi-

www.MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 19 Guam 1 Guatemala 7 Guyana 3 Haiti 3 Honduras 14 Hong Kong 211 ciency by up to 50 percent, increases crop yields by at least 30 Hungary 12 percent, improves farmers’ incomes, and creates a more efficient distribution network. Iceland 61 Despite its advantages, this well-established technology, which India 457 is common in much of the world, is used by as few as 5 percent of Indonesia 125 Indian farmers. The problem is not that drip irrigation doesn’t work Iraq 6 in India, but that small farmers are unfamiliar with the technology Ireland 35 and unsure how to set up a system and buy the necessary com- Iran 22 ponents. “If you were going to design a product that you thought Israel 78 every American should have, you have ready-made channels that can carry products to achieve mass distribution, such as Amazon, Italy 70 Home Depot, Target,” says Lorenz. “India struggles with that kind Jamaica 18 of ready-made distribution channel. The problem that we saw was Japan 437 purely a distribution challenge.” Jordan 15 Since making its first sale in early 2013, MyRain now has 30 Kazakhstan 34 employees, most of them in India. Last year, the company sold irri- Kenya 48 gation equipment for more than 1,000 acres of farmland, and is well Kuwait 18 on its way to fulfilling the goals Acara looks for from its participants. “We want to create ventures that will allow people to make a living Kyrgyzstan 3 but also address some larger sustainability challenges,” says Fred Lao 1 Rose (M.S.E.E. ’83), Acara program director. “MyRain is a good Latvia 1 example of that.” Lebanon 7 MyRain’s story began in 2010 when Lorenz, a Carlson School of Lesotho 1 Management undergraduate student with the intention of entering Liberia 2 law school, joined the Acara program. There he met Ganti, an electrical engineering graduate student from India. They were part of a Libya 5 group of five University of Minnesota students who teamed up with Lithuania 5 Steele Lorenz shows smallholder five students from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, Luxembourg 8 farmer, Mr. Subash, MyRain’s Uttarakhand, India, to take part in the Acara Challenge, a competition Macau 5 mobile application, Rainmaker. that judges participants’ business plans and awards seed money to Macedonia 1 winners. As Lorenz learned about the challenges of water conserva- Madagascar 1 tion, water security, and the promise of drip irrigation, his focus and Malawi 4 aspirations began to change away from a career in law and toward social entrepreneurism. Malaysia 320 Lorenz, Ganti, and their teammates designed a business that Mali 1 would evaluate irrigation components, most of them manufactured Malta 2 in India, and sell them through nonprofits already working in the Mauritius 4 countryside. Their idea, which they dubbed MyRain, made the finals Mexico 143 of the competition. It didn’t win, but the competition inspired Lorenz Micronesia 1 and Ganti to pursue the business even as they took jobs—Lorenz as a retail consultant and Ganti as an engineer with Seagate, a worldwide Moldova 3 data storage firm. Mongolia 4 Ganti took two trips to India, partly to gather information about Montserrat 1 drip irrigation from small farmers. As she spent time there, she con- Morocco 56 cluded that farmers and retailers wanted what she and Lorenz had to Mozambique 1 offer. “We were convinced that we were right, that we could create Myanmar 4 not just a viable business, but a business that would thrive and could Namibia 3 have substantial impact in India,” says Lorenz. Initially, Lorenz and Ganti tried reaching farmers through a Nepal 15 nongovernmental organization (NGO) in the state of Tamil Nadu Netherlands 61 that had a relationship with Acara and was already working in the New Zealand 34 countryside. “That was a disaster,” says Lorenz. The nonprofit Nicaragua 7 wanted to conduct long-term field tests. MyRain wanted to sell Niger 3 products and saw no need for testing, since drip irrigation is a Nigeria 102 widely proven technology. But in working with the NGO, Lorenz Norway 119 Oman 2 Pakistan 64 says, he and Ganti learned a lot about farmers’ habits, Last fall, MyRain was one of 17 innovations receiving a Secur- needs, and preferences. So he and Ganti decided to stay in ing Water for Food challenge award, sponsored by the U.S. Tamil Nadu and reach farmers through small agricultural Agency for International Development, the Swedish Interna- retailers. Says Lorenz, “If I can make a retailer more able tional Development Cooperation Agency, and the Ministry of to deal in drip irrigation products, that means I can likely Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The awards reach 1,000 farmers through one well-trained agricultural go to projects considered “game-changing innovations that can retailer. We believe it’s through these retailers that we can produce more food using less water.” The award guarantees make a substantial impact.” MyRain $100,000 over the next year and possibly more depend- MyRain located, evaluated, and distributed components— ing on various benchmarks. pipes, tubing, coupling, valves—as it built a network of farm In the months ahead, MyRain will rely on its retailer network stores. But a big problem remained: drip irrigation systems are to expand from irrigation equipment into other hardware and simple in concept—a system of pipes and hoses with small holes agricultural products such as small machinery, fertilizers, and to leak water. But to design a system that delivers water from the farm equipment. “When you look at what we’ve built as a distri- wellhead, usually a diesel-driven pump sucking groundwater, bution channel for drip irrigation, there are actually a number of to the farthest reaches of the system without excess pressure products across a number of categories that we can move through elsewhere requires an understanding of fluid dynamics. Each this network,” says Lorenz. The company also hopes to increase plot requires its own design, a task beyond the abilities of farmers its dealer network into the thousands and reach beyond the bor- and retailers unfamiliar with drip irrigation. ders of Tamil Nadu into southern India and beyond. Enter Ganti, who worked with an Indian company to devel- That will reap benefits not only for MyRain, but also for small op a mobile app dubbed Rainmaker. A store owner can work farmers and their communities in southern India. Greater adop- with the farmer to enter pertinent details about pump pressure, tion of drip irrigation will mean potentially greater farm income, acreage, slope, and crop. Rainmaker spits out a blueprint of an better use of valuable groundwater, and jobs along the distribu- irrigation system specific to a particular field and provides a tion network. complete list of required materials. Using the app, the store “Are we trying to do social good or are we trying to turn a profit? owner can place an order for components not in stock. Says The answer is both,” says Lorenz. “You can’t separate the two. They Ganti, “We’re bringing in the sophistication that a distribution are critically linked. We believe that they are one and the same.” company here in the U.S. would have.” —Greg Breining

“As a girl my birth was a scandal,” says former Last year Igoye received the Humphrey Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow Agnes Igoye, School’s Distinguished Leadership Award staring straight into the camera. As the third for Internationals for her leadership on baby girl in a row, her birth brought shame human rights and her efforts to improve upon her family. But, unlike many in Uganda, the lives of impoverished women and chil- her father, a teacher, believed in education for dren. She has founded many organizations, girls. “My father did not give up on me or my including Huts for Peace, which builds potential,” she says in the interview with the shelters for women in war-torn communi- Women in Public Service Project, a program ties. She also works with Coming Home, a of the Global Women’s Leadership Initiative project to help orphaned children who have at the Woodrow Wilson International Center survived abduction and violence, and has for Scholars in Washington, D.C. helped send thousands of books to Kampala Education remained a priority even when, in collaboration with Minneapolis-based in 1985, Igoye and her family ﬂed to escape Books for Africa. Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony’s advancing Igoye has maintained her connection army. After living in a displacement camp, to the University through the Global Men- the family moved to Kampala, where, in 1995, tor Program and in helping to select the Igoye earned her undergraduate degree in 2012 and 2014 Fulbright Humphrey Fel- social studies. She then joined the country’s lows. “I’ve been able to take what I’ve been immigration service and began researching through and use it to be a force for positive A Survivor the abductions that were taking place in parts change,” she says. “Because of what I’ve of Uganda. She is currently senior immi- been through I have the strength now to and Leader gration ofﬁcer and training coordinator for do anything.” Uganda’s Ministry of International Affairs. —Meleah Maynard

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 21 Panama 4 Papua New Guinea 6 Paraguay 3 Peru 36 Philippines 59 Pitcairn 1 After three years, Fouzia Saeed had had enough. It was the mid- Changing 1990s and Saeed (B.S. ’82, M.S. ’84, Ph.D. ’87) was working for the Poland 437 United Nations in Pakistan, her native country. “It was a dream job,” Portugal 12 Lives in she recalls in the documentary I Was Not Alone: A Pakistani Activist’s Puerto Rico 6 Journey for Change, created by the World Movement for Democracy Qatar 7 and released last fall. “And then I realized that in addition to all the Republic of Korea 1046 Pakistan fun parts of the job there was this streak of frustration, painful expe- Republic of Serbia 1 rience, and harassment from one of my colleagues. I got really tired. It took me about three years to Romania 7 finally speak out.” But once she Russian Federation 32 did, she gave voice to tens of Rwanda 2 thousands of women who, over Saint Lucia 2 the course of a decade, changed Samoa 1 a country. Saudi Arabia 83 “When I raised my voice in a very hush-hush manner, Senegal 5 quietly, I found out that actu- Serbia 1 ally every woman in that office Sierra Leone 2 was experiencing the same Singapore 107 thing,” she recalls. Together, Slovakia 14 the 11 women filed a complaint Slovenia 2 against the colleague for sexual harassment and won their case South Africa 36 after a two-year fight. In 2001, Spain 88 once the case ended, Saeed Sri Lanka 13 started wondering what she Sudan 6 could do so other women did Suriname 1 not have to go through what Swaziland 7 she and her colleagues had suffered. In collaboration with Sweden 49 other activists, she founded Switzerland 87 the Alliance Against Sexual Syria 2 Harassment (AASHA), a broad- Taiwan 516 based movement to end sexual Tajikistan 1 harassment in the workplace. Tanzania 32 In 2010, after nearly a decade of activism that mobi- Thailand 266 lized the Pakistani people in Togo 1 support of the movement, the Tonga 2 nation’s parliament passed Trinidad and Tobago 17 landmark legislation making sexual harassment a criminal offense. Tunisia 26 “AASHA led to the change in the law, which was a graphic and very Turkey 92 clarion warning to all males in a very male chauvinistic society,” Paki- stani Senator Aitzaz Ahsan recalls in the film (available on YouTube). Turkmenistan 1 Shahida Yasmeen, a Pakistani policewoman who joined AASHA in Uganda 18 2010, 20 years after joining the police, says, “The sort of fear in which Ukraine 15 I spent those 20 years—if this movement had started earlier, I wouldn’t United Arab Emirates 34 have spent all this time with that fear,” she says. United Kingdom 248 Saeed, who won the Humphrey School’s Distinguished Leader- Uruguay 23 ship Award in 2008 and the University’s Distinguished International Alumni Award in 1998, is currently the Pakistan Fellow at the Wood- Venezuela 39 row Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., Vietnam 36 where she is documenting and analyzing women’s exertion of power Virgin Islands (British) 1 in Pakistan. Though her research goes back to 1940, she is focusing

Yemen 2 on the last 15 years, honing in on a handful of movements in detail. “I RAKOLA MATTHEW Yugoslavia 6 Zambia 2 Zimbabwe 11 want people to know that Pakistani women are very strong and issues. Its current project is a documentary about violence against have taken organized, strategic action,” she says. women, but the center has also worked on issues related to ending Saeed holds three degrees from the University of Minnesota’s sectarian violence and strengthening democracy. She will return College of Education and Human Development. She credits the U, to Pakistan and Mehergarh at the conclusion of her fellowship particularly her adviser, Professor Emerita Jerry McClelland, with in September. helping to shape her ethics and professional standards. “Jerry was Through her work, Saeed aims to make the world aware that extremely ethical and she taught me well how to be professionally Pakistan is changing and behind the frightening headlines, there honest,” Saeed recalls. “I will always appreciate that.” are positive stories to tell. “The image of a nation really makes an While Saeed may be best known for her activism around impact on its future,” she says. “The world doesn’t see us strug- women’s issues, as well as her 2001 book, Taboo: The Hidden gling against militancy, they see us as militants. They do not Culture of a Red Light Area, an ethnographic study of prostitution realize that Malala [Yousafzai, the young Pakistani activist who in Pakistan, the scope of her work encompasses a broad range won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014] is a product of the struggle of of social issues. During her fellowship in Washington, she has a country where people are ready to sacriﬁce their lives against continued to run Mehergarh, a center for learning she founded militancy. Change takes time.” in Pakistan that focuses on gender, youth, and human rights —Meleah Maynard

As a principal scientist at Merck & Co. villages who were pregnant, or had in Philadelphia, Agam Sheth (Ph.D. just given birth, to report their expe- Giving Voice ’04) can usually be found in the lab riences. Ultimately, the goal is to hold developing innovative medicines for the healthcare system accountable to Indian the healthcare company. Recently, through peer and community report- though, he traveled to Delhi, India, to ing, thus improving health care deliv- Moms help improve maternal health. ery. “Many women in rural India don’t India is one of 30 countries where access institutions for care or child- Merck for Mothers, a 10-year, $500 birth, but even when they do, the qual- million global initiative, is working ity of care is variable,” Sheth explains. to reduce maternal mortality. Sheth “The phones give voice to the voiceless was assigned to the project after by allowing them to call a number and being accepted for Merck’s Fellow- have their experiences recorded, so ship for Global Health, which matches they can provide important feedback the expertise of a select number of about the quality of their visit.” Feed- employees with the needs of partner back from the women will be used to organizations. “It’s quite an honor to create a rating system that, once made be selected, and it’s a cause I feel pas- public, may spur health care providers sionate about, so I was really happy to to improve their practices. It will also have the opportunity to help with this help families make more informed project,” he says. choices about care. During his three-month assign- Working in Delhi helped Sheth put ment, Sheth and another Merck fellow a human face on what he does every worked closely with Delhi-based staff day. He and other members of the from the Centre for Development and team made trips to the villages and Population Activities (now the Centre talked with women one on one. “In for Catalyzing Change), a nonproﬁt the region we visited, almost every- organization dedicated to improv- one is illiterate, poverty is widespread, ing the lives of girls and women and you have to wonder what keeps in developing countries. Sheth them going,” he says. “It really made and his colleague’s mission: to me think about how important it is to help build a voice response understand what people need and to mobile phone system that continue to put patients ﬁrst.” would allow impover- —Meleah Maynard

COURTESY MERCK MERCK COURTESY ished women in remote

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 23 Mabrouk, Habib Essid!

Alumnus Habib Essid (M.S. ’75) was named the prime minister of Tunisia in December following that country’s first-ever free elections. Essid, 65, earned a degree in agricultural economics at the U. Fluent in Arabic, English, French, Italian, and Span- ish, his academic focus was on using and managing natural resources Harper McConnell, efficiently, particularly water. Min- second from right, nesota featured him in “For the Love walks with Richard Devoted to Kabala, Christine of Olives,” the cover story of the Jan- Musaidizi, and Ben uary-February 2008 issue, when he Affleck. Musaidizi was head of the technical division Congolese Farmers is the founder and director and Kabala of the International Olive Council, When Harper McConnell (B.A. ’06) met actor Ben Affleck and nonprofit a staff member a Madrid-based organization that executive Whitney Williams in 2007, she was hooked up to an IV, recov- of Children’s oversees the multimillion-dollar Voice, a partner ering from a bout of malaria inside a hospital in Goma, Democratic organization of olive industry. That article described Republic of the Congo (DRC). The two philanthropists had stopped by Eastern Congo him as “equal parts diplomat, techni- McConnell’s bed to wish her a speedy recovery. Initiative. cal adviser, and educator.” The meeting turned out to be fortuitous. A couple of years later, Affleck Tunisia is considered a model for and Williams recruited McConnell to jumpstart a nonprofit called Eastern peaceful transition to democracy. Congo Initiative (ECI) to support community-based economic and social The Economist magazine named it development initiatives—everything from small-scale coffee and cocoa its 2014 country of the year. “The ide- production to child soldier demobilization and reintegration. alism engendered by the Arab spring Many view DRC as a nation lost to war and extreme poverty, but McCo- has mostly sunk in bloodshed and nnell has spent the last eight years focusing on its potential. “I really believe extremism, with a shining excep- in building capacity in Congo,” she says. “I believe anything worth doing is tion: Tunisia,” the editors wrote. “Its going to take a long time and is going to be an arduous route.” economy is struggling and its polity McConnell’s current focus is helping smallholder farmers—those is fragile; but Tunisia’s pragmatism who support their families with a mixture of cash crops and subsistence and moderation have nurtured hope farming—become more competitive in the global marketplace by build- in a wretched region and a troubled ing relationships with buyers who will pay them a fair price. McConnell world.” helps farmers increase both the quality and quantity of their crops and —Cynthia Scott she negotiates with international buyers like Falcon Coffees, which sold 40 tons of Congolese coffee to Starbucks last year. “This is a much more sustainable way to work, rather than just giving business out in aid [funding],” McConnell says. According to the World Food Programme, the DRC currently has about 197 acres of arable land, only 1 to 3 percent of which is being utilized. In McConnell’s estimates, all the ingredients for success exist. McConnell now lives in Washington, D.C., and travels to DRC every couple of months. Visiting with the beneficiaries of her work, however, takes her back to the intensity of her first encounter with the African nation she came to love. “Every time I sit down and hear their stories, Habib Essid was it feels like I’ve come to the Congo for the first time,” she says. featured in the January- —Erin Hinrichs February 2008 issue of Minnesota MCCONNELL: BARBARA KINNEY MCCONNELL: 15 + MILLION 13.7 people worldwide receive post- MILLION exposure rabies vaccinations annually people in the world live with tuberculosis

WE’RE PUTTING A STOP TO GLOBAL EB OLA is transmitted by direct PANDEMICS BY GOING OUTSIDE THE contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected BORDERS OF TRADITIONAL THINKING. animals or people

A deadly virus that infects an animal halfway around the world could one day become a global outbreak that threatens millions of people. % 75 But no matter where the source, we’re finding a way to prevent global pandemics right here at the University of Minnesota. Bringing together experts across disciplines, politics, tribes and borders, we’re finding

of emerging infectious diseases solutions to stopping outbreaks before they start. It’s one more way come from animals the future is being Made in Minnesota.

D E A I N M

M A I N T N E S O

CrookstonDuluth Morris Rochester Twin Cities

umn.edu www.MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 25 Filling Needs Guatemalans aren’t the only ones who beneﬁt from Stephen Humbert’s dedication to them. His students do, too. By Lynette Lamb

By 8 a.m. the line of patients stretches down the dusty street of the small Mayan village of San Rafael, Guatemala. The crowd of mostly women and children, wearing the typical colorful embroidered Mayan blouses called huipil, wait patiently—sitting, standing, leaning, holding babies—for the clinic to open. Chickens and dogs run by; in the distance are the foggy outlines of volcanoes. Inside a one-story stucco building, three University of Minnesota dentists scurry to ready the tiny makeshift room that serves as their clinic. The instructor, Dr. Stephen Humbert (D.D.S. ’79), along with fourth-year students Erin Scherer and Gang Li, organize piles of toothbrushes, drill burs, ﬂoss, and dental tools onto one old plastic dental chair while hooking up a new portable dental unit—a one-piece suction, water, and power supply source. Dental patients wait outside the Clinica Dental This is Humbert’s 17th dental service trip—the ﬁfth in 2014 alone. in San Rafael, Guatemala. When he’s not in Guatemala or running his Hastings, Minnesota, LYNETTE LAMB LYNETTE Dr. Stephen Humbert

clinic, Humbert teaches part-time at the University of Min- day,” he says. “We determine the chief complaint and the top prior- nesota’s School of Dentistry. On most of his trips to Guatemala, ity and take care of that. There can be some tough calls to make.” which he does under the auspices of St. Paul-based nonproﬁt Even 3- and 4-year-olds often arrive with terrible draining Common Hope, he takes along some of his fourth-year dental infections that require their teeth to be pulled, Humbert says. San students. Founded nearly 30 years ago, Common Hope partners Rafael clinic interpreter Karen Leier, a Canadian expat who has with impoverished Guatemalan children, families, and com- worked at the remote clinic for many years, is optimistic about the munities to provide opportunities in education, health care, and future, however. “I think it’s getting better,” she says. “Some of the housing. The organization serves more than 11,000 children and teenage girls we’re seeing are taking better care of their teeth. One adults in 26 communities through three main sites near Antigua of the problems is that candies and colas are quick, cheap sources and Guatemala City. of energy. Milk is expensive here and the water is polluted.” Many impoverished Guatemalans endure the agony of what are Students often say that the week they spend in Antigua and mostly rotten and infected teeth—ruined through a combination of San Rafael, always turns out to be one of the most intense and poor diet, bad water, spotty dental hygiene, and a serious soda pop instructive of their young lives. “I was not expecting their teeth habit. The dire state of many Guatemalans’ dental health means to be so bombed out,” says Scherer, who hails from East Lansing, extractions are common, even for kids. One 7-year-old girl, for Michigan. “I was shocked it took them so long to ask for help. instance, stoically sat through three extractions, with more likely to They must be in serious pain. It’s so different from the U.S. In

RUDY GIRÓN RUDY come, says Humbert. “We can’t take care of everything on the same the States, as soon as the pain starts, people show up.” Many

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 27 Stephen Humbert, second from left, with students in Guatemala. Left to right: students Jamie William, Colleen McShane, Kirsten William Kennedy, Seth Huiras, Amber Kroke, and Nicholas Bussa

Guatemalans walk for up to five miles and wait for as long as half doing a root canal, or take impressions to have a fixed partial six hours to be treated. denture fabricated, which he will then bring along on his next trip. A woman holding a tiny kitten in a box, which she feeds with a At the Antigua clinic, inside Common Hope’s airy Familias de diminutive bottle of milk, is waiting in line at the San Rafael clinic. Esperanza center, another long line of patients wait. Christian, a Next to her a little girl, her niece, smiles shyly. Across the room a small 9-year-old boy wearing a Star Wars T-shirt and blue jeans, young woman holds a baby, a toddler clinging to her long skirts. is teary-eyed. “He’s really scared,” says Humbert. “I’m going to It’s a scene that’s familiar to Humbert, a second-generation have him come in and watch his mom get worked on so he can dentist who worked alongside his late father, Melvin Humbert get familiar with it.” (D.D.S. ’54), at their Hastings clinic. He now works there with his “Dr. Humbert is great at communicating with patients,” says older daughter, Stephanie, a dental hygienist. Humbert has been Seth Huiras, a student who traveled with him last summer. A bag a Common Hope volunteer for more than 20 years. He began his of small giveaway toys helps relax the kids, says Humbert, but connection with the nonprofit by sponsoring a child, followed just as effective are his gentle manner, warm smile, and his way of by a stint working in the organization’s St. Paul warehouse. Then kneeling down to their level, thus reducing the intimidation fac- came several trips to Antigua leading teams of volunteers in home tor of his six-foot frame. Humbert is equally gentle and effective and stove building. He led his first dental trip in 2008. with his students, they say. “He’s helpful, encouraging, and sup- Humbert and a handful of other dentists, most of whom make portive,” says previous student participant Nick Bussa. “But the annual trips, provide the only dental care the organization’s best thing about working with Steve is the level of trust he puts clients ever see. “We’re incredibly reliant on Steve,” says Rachel in us as student clinicians. He really fosters confidence in us.” Stone, Common Hope’s medical volunteer director. “His work Back in Antigua, that confidence is clear. Scherer and Li makes a huge difference in a short time. It has meant a lot to us assess their patients’ needs, then briefly consult with Humbert and our families that he keeps coming down here.” before proceeding on their own to clean, fill, or extract teeth. In her 18 months on staff, Stone has had occasion to watch Occasionally he pops over to make a suggestion: “With that Humbert on half a dozen visits. “He really sees the patients—their one you can just take a forceps and tug. Okay, now hold it lives and hopes and fears,” she says. “Not all dental or medical down and keep holding it.” Mostly, though, he just strolls team members do. He will take the harder route to avoid extrac- around refilling equipment, holding suction tubes, and tions, and that can really mean the world to the patients.” chatting with patients. Case in point: A few years ago, Humbert decided to draw the He also takes a lot of x-rays using the compact portable line at pulling front teeth, especially for young women, because unit he bought for Common Hope several years ago after

of the unsightly consequences. Instead, he’ll spend an hour and a being continually frustrated by the lack of a working x-ray HUMBERT STEPHEN COURTESTY

28 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA machine. “Trust me, you don’t want to know how much it cost,” he says, laugh- ing. That’s not the only equipment he has paid for for over the years, say his students. “I couldn’t believe the amount of equipment Dr. Humbert has purchased, donated, and taken down there,” says Bussa. Both dental chairs in the Antigua clinic are full, the drills and water and suction whir- ring away, when suddenly Scherer calls out, “I’ve got no air or high speed here! What’s going on?” Humbert, ever relaxed, walks over and takes a look. “It might have overheated,” he says, ﬁddling with the controls. Humbert isn’t easily rattled. “Steve works like we do,” says Stone, referring to Common Hope’s permanent staff. “Some volunteers get upset at the smallest things, but he rolls with the punches. If he runs out of water or can’t ﬁnd a piece of equipment, he doesn’t let it get to him. He works hard and lets the small stuff go. He sees the big picture.” Humbert’s attitude must be catching because the students, too, adjust easily to set- backs and unusual conditions, steadily working their way through the long line of patients. “They’re young and motivated and want to help,” says Humbert. “They jump right in and do what needs to be done.” The learning curve is steep in Guatemala, he says, in part because each student sees eight to ten patients a day—four times the number they’d treat back home at the U dental clinic. But sheer numbers aren’t the only reason this week in Guatemala provides such an intense education for students. Humbert’s hands-off attitude also helps. “I’m there as a resource only,” he says. “They make the decisions, draw up the diagnosis and treatment plan, and carry it out. As fourth-year students, they’re ready to make those decisions—and in a few months, when they graduate, they’ll have to anyway.” One additional result of those transforma- tive days in Guatemala: Humbert’s students are very likely to come back and help again. Bussa spoke for many of his fellow students when he said, “Most dental students never get the opportunity to have such a valuable international clinical experience. This trip opened my eyes, and I came home hoping to return soon.” Q

Lynette Lamb (M.A. ’84) is a Minneapolis writer and editor.

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 29

* THE GREAT BIRD SHOWER OF 1904 .. IT WAS UP TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIN FI ND OUT WHY MORf THAN 750, 000 B I RDS FELL FROlil THE S1

It was 11 o'clock on the evening of Morc;h I 3, 1904, when the • village watchman far the town The town electrician noted of Worthington in sou1hwe.stem the de~ty of dead birds lying gt Mlnne10ta firat noticed the birds the bases of c;ity streetlights ond dropping from the sky. A heavy, beneath eledrical lina. Others wet snow was falling thick and found birds trapped in the globes steady bu1 there waa no wind. that awered those lig hta. The Audible thumps 1c:1u nded os the morning after, many people In birds crashed into stores, streets, town noted acatteAld Iumps In the g nd yg rds. They come down freshly fallen snow. These turned thic;kest necir streetlomps o.nd ou1 to be dead or stunned birds, well-lit b11ild ings. A night tele- the lotter of wh eventually g roph operator working on Main lcn shrugged off tneir heodoches ond Street Worthington stepped out proceeded onward. side his office to look and count The courthouse lown wos ed 61 dead birds on the single littered with bird11poced no block where he stood. Another more than five or 1ix feet aport 100 birds had fallen Into the soft throug hou1 the IC! uare. Out on the snow on the ground and survived Ice the two lakes adlaaml to the c:roah, cold and stunned. The of town, the temperature wos warm telegroph mc;in took half a dozen enough to melt the an aw that had to his home to warm and dry fa lien, but not warm enough to them and send them on their way breok up the Ice. Smooth, dear the next day. sheets covered both bodies af woter. offering the sto rfc95t i moge ofthe bloc;lt birds in the oreci. ILLUSTRATION* BY KATHLEEH SCOTT From a distanc;e they looked like raisins Kattered on oaei of glass.

Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 31 The birds were all of a single species, acknowledged as the state’s most accom- the Lapland longspur, a songbird that sum- plished ornithologist, which is why the birds mers in the Arctic tundra and winters in ultimately landed on his desk. the midsection of the North American con- One of the great purposes of the nation’s tinent, where it feeds on seeds left in open state university systems in the latter half of farm fields. Lapland longspurs are known the 19th century was to provide scientific to migrate in flocks that sometimes reach answers to questions that arise in commu- into the millions. All the dead birds were nities like Worthington when, for example, apparently from the same massive flock. thousands of birds suddenly fall from the They fell in a dozen different towns and sky. In ages gone by, bird showers in distant villages. Newspaper reports of the incident, settlements, if they happened at all, were called “the great bird shower” in at least one viewed as simply one of the many myster- account, were found in towns in southwest- ies of the universe. In turn-of-the-20th- ern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and century-Minnesota, however, a doctor in southeastern South Dakota. The two towns Slayton could package up a handful of birds hardest hit by the birds were Worthington and send them via train to the University and Slayton, about 30 miles apart. of Minnesota, confident that if an answer Aside from the obvious question—what existed, it would be found there. happened?—the townspeople of south- Examining the birds at his desk at the western Minnesota soon pondered a corol- medical school, however, Roberts could lary matter: Whom do you call to answer a find no discernible reason to explain the question like that? A physician from Slay- fantastic story of the bird shower. It was ton took it upon himself to begin the pro- obvious from their battered and bruised cess. A day after the shower, he gathered bodies that they had all suffered serious seven or eight birds and sent them off to trauma. But what caused them to fall from the University of Minnesota, where they the sky was another matter. Roberts needed soon arrived at the office of Dr. Thomas more information. So he sent Dr. L.O. Dart, Sadler Roberts. a trusted assistant, to investigate. Though not yet head of the Bell Muse- Dart, another physician with a serious um of Natural History, a position he would interest in ornithology, arrived in Worthing- assume in 1915, Roberts was already a fairly ton eight days after the incident and imme- well-known figure in the state and one of diately began interviewing townspeople. its most accomplished citizens. He had Birds still lay thick around town and on the attended the young University of Min- lakes, where they remained most conspicu- nesota for a couple of years beginning in ous. Dart went out on the ice to the middle 1877 before earning a degree in medicine of both lakes and marked off a number of from the University of Pennsylvania. He 20-foot squares on each. Then he counted returned to Minneapolis after graduation the dead birds within each 400-square-foot and began a medical career that would take measure, averaged them, and extrapolated him back to the University of Minnesota, the number of dead birds. His count, in both where in 1904 he was serving on the medi- lakes combined, came to the phenomenal cal school faculty as professor of pediatrics. death toll of 750,000 Lapland longspurs For years, along with his academics and in one fell swoop—just on the lakes. Get- medical studies, Roberts had made a study ting a precise tally of how many died in the of natural history, particularly ornithol- great bird shower was impossible then and ogy. From the time he was a boy, he had remains so today. explored Minnesota wildlife with his father More birds were found living and dead and a like-minded group of Minneapolis in towns around the area, including Avoca, friends who called themselves The Young Luverne, Heron Lake, and Sibley, Iowa. Naturalists’ Society. He learned how to care- None were found in Pipestone, which sug- fully skin birds for mounting, and later, as gested the western limit of the great bird an adult, became a pioneer in the skills of shower. In all, about 40 towns and villages bird photography and wildlife filmmaking. within a 1,500-square-mile area reported With the assistance of his office secretary, dead birds in the streets. Dart conducted Mabel Densmore, he assembled notes for post mortems on about 150 of the animals a definitive book on Minnesota birds; his and found most had suffered skull frac- notes became the basis for his landmark tures, various broken bones, broken necks, work The Birds of Minnesota. Roberts was and cerebral and internal hemorrhaging—

32 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA all injuries consistent with smashing from In all, about 40 towns and a height into a solid object. By the time Roberts sat down to ponder villages within a 1,500-square all of the information Dart had gathered and write a report that would later be pub- mile area reported dead birds lished in the Auk, the premier ornithology journal of the day, the surviving Lapland in the streets. longspurs were back home in the tundra. As for his explanation of what happened to thousands of their fellow travelers on that fateful day in March 1904, Roberts’s probable that a considerable number vulnerable to massive crash landings. In conclusion was simple: became wet and snow-laden by reason of 1904, it was the warm villages of south- “It is plain enough that on that fateful the character of snow, and thus, unable to western Minnesota that invited thou- night,” he wrote in the Auk, “there was an ﬂy, were forced downward to the earth to sands of birds to their deaths on a dark immense migratory movement of Lapland be dashed to death . . . .” stormy night in March. longspurs leaving the prairies of Iowa The explanation still holds up. While —Tim Brady where they had passed the winter months rare, birds of many different feathers fall for their summer homes in the Northland, from the sky for seemingly unexplained Tim Brady is a writer living in St. Paul and a and that becoming confused in the storm reasons that turn out to be weather- regular contributor to Minnesota. His book area in the darkness and heavy falling related or related to bright lights, loud Gopher Gold: Legendary Figures, Brilliant snow they were attracted by the lights sounds, electrical currents, or disorien- Blunders, and Amazing Feats at the Univer- of the towns and congregated in great tation. Because of the large numbers in sity of Minnesota is a collection of history numbers over and about these places. In which Lapland longspurs migrate, the stories that have appeared in Minnesota. He their bewildered condition great numbers fact that they move to the far north dur- thanks Rebecca Wilson, project manager and ﬂew against various obstacles and were ing unpredictable spring weather, and the metadata specialist at the University of Min- killed or stunned while many others sank fact that they are known to be attracted to nesota Archives, for uncovering the story of to the ground exhausted. It would seem lights, Lapland longspurs are particularly the great bird shower of 1904.

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 33 Thriving in Sioux Falls U ALUMNIALUMNI CONTRIBUTE MIGHTILY TO SIOUX FALLS, A CITY ON THE RISE BY RICK MOORE

FALLS PHOTOGRAPH BY BELINDA SHI PORTRAITS BY AARON PACKARD

34 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA n the summer of 1975, Ron Moquist (B.A. ’70, M.B.A. ’75) was working at Graco Inc., just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River in Northeast Minne- apolis. He had just earned his M.B.A. at the University of Minnesota when a recruiter came calling with an intriguing, albeit stealthy, proposition. He had a job he figured Moquist would like, but the pitch came with a catch: “I’m not going to tell you what city it’s in because I know how much you love the Twin Cities,” he told Moquist. “But let me tell you a little bit about the company.” Moquist took the bait and soon found himself in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to check out Raven Industries—“a small company but with great values and products,” he says. He even commuted each week for three months because his wife, Joanne, “knew I wasn’t going to stay there.” He made it at Raven Industries, which specializes in precision agricultural technology and high-performance films, for 35 years. In 2000 he became the company’s president and CEO until his retirement in 2010. Moquist is one of several University of Minnesota alumni who have become corporate leaders in Sioux Falls in recent decades. T. Denny Sanford (B.A. ’58) is decidedly the best known; he’s the owner and founder of First Premier Bank, and the billboards and commercials for his namesake Sanford Health System stretch into much of Minnesota. Sanford is also renowned as an extremely generous benefactor in Sioux Falls and beyond. His $6 million gift put the University over the top in its private fund-raising efforts for TCF Bank Stadium. Jim Winker (B.S. ’52)—the first-ever salaried employee at Raven Industries, eventually its vice president, and a legendary figure at the vanguard of hot air balloon flight—is a U grad. So is Dan Rykhus (B.I.S. ’88), Moquist’s successor as CEO at Raven. In fact, some 1,400 U alumni live and work in the greater Sioux Falls area. So while Minnesota is still the primary beneficiary of the U’s output—two- Steve Hey, CEO of thirds of graduates remain in Minnesota—Sioux Falls has found itself School Bus, Inc. in the midst of a nice talent and brain gain, courtesy of its neighbor to the northeast.

The Big Sioux River meanders through Sioux Falls (population 164,676) much like the Mississippi weaves through Minneapolis and St. Paul. In Falls Park at the north edge of downtown, the city’s namesake falls tumble in waves over the bedrock of Sioux quartzite. A few blocks away in the art deco City Hall building, Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether kicks back in his stately, sun-drenched ofﬁce and beams about the town he’s helped guide for almost ﬁve years. “We are certainly garnering the attention of not only America but also the world

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 35 Sioux Falls ﬁnds itself the beneﬁciary of its neighbor to the northeast. Some 1,400 U alumni live and work in the area, including top corporate leaders.

right now,” says Huether. “We are growing up as a city and as a state, and some of the leaders that have come from the University of Min- nesota helped us get there.” Similar to the Twin Cities, Sioux Falls is finding its way on to more and more lists of com- pelling places to live: second best small metro for successful aging; fourth best in the nation for the 2015 job market; on the New York Times map for its “emerging food culinary scene;” and, surprisingly, a runner-up for the best place to retire. “We were the only one of the [top] five that actually has snow,” Huether laughs. “We were able to overcome the cold temperatures and all that white stuff and still make the top five list for retirees. . . . And I think it’s reflective of our city right now.” The city boasts an eye-catch- Jim Winker, retired ing unemployment rate of 2.5 percent and an increasingly diversified busi- vice president and the ness climate strong in financial services and health care. And in case you first paid employee of Raven Industries haven’t heard in the ads meant to further pilfer Minnesota talent, South Dakota has neither a corporate income tax nor a personal income tax. In the southwest corner of the city, Bobbi Schroeppel’s office at North- Western Energy overlooks a suburban neighborhood dotted with newer, sprawling homes. Like Moquist, Schroeppel (B.A. ’93, M.B.A. ’02) took “a leap of faith” by taking a job in Sioux Falls. “I had never been to South Dakota in my life,” she says. But by the time she settled in, she found a new home, personally and professionally. In 2002 she became the vice president of customer care for NorthWestern—a mid-sized utility with 1,600-plus employees—and is now the vice president of customer care, communica- tions, and human resources. “This is such a progressive, business-friendly city, and it’s starting to get the sophisticated loft apartments and wine bars and boutique stores,” Schroeppel says. “It’s kind of like a mini Minneapolis without some of the

36 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA problems of a bigger city. And I think that’s because it’s so close to Minnesota and it’s almost hard to differentiate when you cross the border.” That distinction is even blurrier for Steve Hey (B.A. ’84, J.D. ’87, M.B.A. ’01), who grew up in Jas- per, Minnesota, a small town just a few miles from South Dakota. Hey is a Gopher alumnus to the third degree, literally. He received a B.A. in political science and a J.D. from the U three years later. After practicing law for 10 years, he decided to join his father at School Bus, Inc., a motor coach and school bus operation—by far the largest in the state— in Sioux Falls. And that led him to complete the Executive M.B.A. program at the Carlson School of Management. “I’m the U through and through,” says Hey. “And I’ve been a Gopher fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I can remember as a kid tossing a football over the clothesline and hearing Ray Chris- tensen’s voice” while listening to football games. “Sioux Falls is a wonderful place to live and a wonderful place to raise a family,” Hey says. “It has a very solid and strong business community. We’ve got a business-friendly environment from a city and state perspective. It’s a great place to be.” Alumni have also brought with them to Sioux Falls a strong sense of philanthropy. Per capita it’s the second most giving city in the United States for United Way donations, says Moquist. He credits his own ideas on philanthropy to what he gleaned at Graco from David A. Koch, the company’s long- time CEO who recently passed away. “He showed me what giving is all about, and I brought some of those ideas back to Raven when I moved here.” Mayor Huether is quick to note the generous spirit of Minnesota Bobbi Schroeppel of imports. “The leaders that we’ve talked about that have come from the U NorthWestern Energy of M—not only are they good business people, but they’re very, very wonderful stewards,” he says. “They’re not only giving their own time, talent, and treasure to important causes in Sioux Falls, but they’re teaching others to do the same thing. To me, that’s just as important as creating good jobs; you’re also giving back to your community in other ways.” Despite their affection for Sioux Falls, Moquist, Schroeppel, and Hey make regular trips to the Twin Cities and have stayed close to their alma mater. “There’s no question that the Twin Cities offer advantages that you don’t have in Sioux Falls,” says Hey, who remains a devoted Gopher sports fan. “It’s easy enough to make a weekend trip. But it’s not as easy to get to as many games as I’d like to.” Schroeppel can relate. In college she and her husband were diehard, camp-out-for-season-tickets men’s basketball fans during the Clem Haskins era. Now they have season tickets for football. “We don’t make every game; we give some tickets away to family members,” she says. “And we usually just stay at The Commons, right on campus. Then [my husband] Tim usually makes poor Jackson [their 14-year-old son] get out of bed at ﬁve o’clock in the morning to go to Al’s Breakfast.” After all, Sioux Falls may be a mini Minneapolis, but it’s no Dinkytown. Q

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 37 DepartmentSports

earning can be a two-way street in economics with Thomas J. Sargent of New the chalk-caked gymnastics room York University. The next day, Mannon dis- On Balance, L on the third floor of Cooke Hall. cussed the lecture with assistant gymnastics That’s especially true when senior Ellis coach Russ Fystrom (B.S. ’73, M.Ed. ’87). As He’s Elite Mannon is in the room. The defending usual, head coach Mike Burns treasured NCAA pommel horse champion is a dual Mannon’s mastery of a complicated topic. degree candidate in chemical engineering “I’m sort of listening in on this conversa- and economics. tion and I’m like, ‘holy smokes, Ellis,’” Burns Last fall, Mannon attended a lecture on says. “He’s warming up to do pommel horse inﬂation by former University of Minnesota and he’s talking economic theory. I’m like, professor Chris Sims, now at Princeton Uni- he’s killing me here. I learn things when I

versity, who shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in talk to Ellis.” MARK LUINENBURG

38 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA Take advantage of your featured benefit discount on professional development. In gymnastics, as well as in his demanding coursework, Mannon relies on an analytical mind and creative bent. Alumni Association members receive His long arms and upper body strength a 10% discount allow him to perform skills he created with Fystrom’s help, such as his signa- on most College of Continuing Education professional development courses. ture: spinning on the horse with his legs split—the flair position—while shifting Course topics include: his hands on and off the grips. It helped • agile • communication Mannon win the first NCAA title by a U • project management • management and gymnast since Clay Strother (B.S. ’04) • business process leadership took pommel horse and floor exercise and analysis • test prep in 2002. “He does a couple of things that • and more nobody else in the world can do,” says Fystrom, the former Gopher and 1973 Big Talk to a learner representative about Ten pommel horse champion. which courses would be best for you. “I’m an engineer, and the job of an 612-624-4000 engineer is to solve problems a lot of the times,” Mannon says. “Figure out the www.cce.umn.edu/advance root of the problem, analyze it, and fix it. Same with gymnastics. Maybe some people don’t really go about that approach and they’re still successful, but that’s the approach that works for me.” That’s an understatement. Matthew The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. © 2015 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. CPE0671-20 Neurock, one of Mannon’s chemical engineering professors who was also a gymnast as an undergraduate at Michigan State, is amazed at his elite performances in and out of the classroom. “The third and fourth years of school NIKE TENNIS are very involved. He has design and lab classes and many projects. You can’t take a whole weekend off. He’s doing this with CAMPS two majors, which is incredibly difficult, and he’s competing in every event. I have SERIOUS. FUN. the utmost respect for him,” Neurock says. Heading into his final season, Mannon put aside the violin, one of his passions, to UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA pursue several goals: defend his NCAA Minneapolis, MN and Big Ten pommel horse titles; make All-American in the all-around with a Junior Overnight and Day Camps top-eight finish at the NCAA Champi- Boys & Girls | Ages 9-18 onships (he was 11th last season); and qualify for U.S. nationals this summer in All Skills | Tournament Training Indianapolis, his hometown. June 8-12 (Day Only) | June 14-18 | June 21-25 “There’s so much more to him than Directed by: Head Men’s Coach, Geoff Young athletic performance,” Burns says. “He’s a great student, a great violin player, a All camps are open to any and all, great orator. He can have a really logical and educated debate on pretty much any- limited only by age and number of campers. thing. He’s the kind of guy who is going to be successful in whatever he does.” Q —Pat Borzi USSportsCamps.com 1-800-NIKE CAMP All Rights reserved. Nike and the Swoosh design are registered trademarks of Nike, Inc. and its affiliates, and are used under license. Nike is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps. (1-800-645-3226)

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 39 Off the Shelf

Jack Zipes says he often feels like he is one of the brothers Grimm. ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK ARRASMITH

40 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA The Brothers Grimmer

een pregnancy. Self-mutilation. hunger she plans to kill and eat her own Fratricide. These sound like daughters (“The Children of Famine”). Tthemes from reality TV, but in fact The collection has become a surprise Career Counseling they run throughout The Original Folk hit after a favorable review in the Guard- and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ian piqued readers’ interest in these lurid, and Assessment the new, first-ever English translation funny, sometimes Kafkaesque tales. Zipes of all 156 tales from the earliest edition recently talked with Minnesota about all Clinic of Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Translated and things Grimm. Alumni Association members receive notated by University of Minnesota pro- a 15% discount on the: fessor emeritus of German and compara- Why wasn’t the first edition translated into Individual Career tive literature Jack Zipes, this collection English sooner? will be a fascinating, albeit grisly, revela- There’s a tendency among scholars to Counseling Package tion for those familiar with later versions revise, and the final edition is always con- s Initial Interview (one hour) of such Grimm classics as sidered authoritative. My s Testing/Assessment of work-related “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” translation [The Complete abilities, personality, values/needs, and and “Sleeping Beauty.” Fairy Tales of the Brothers interests (four hours) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Bantam, 1989] was s Three interpretive sessions Grimm, brilliant but impov- the first American transla- (one hour each) erished scholars, loved tion of the seventh edition, s Integration session (one hour) Written summary of results (mailed literature and had a deep and I had no thought at s after completion of the sessions) interest in preserving and the time that it would be a celebrating German cul- good idea to have a trans- Visit: ture. They began collecting lation of the first edition. www.careercounseling.umn.edu and recording folk tales and And then the bicentenary Email: in 1812 and 1815 published of the first edition hap- [email protected] Children’s and Household pened in 2012, and I woke The Original Folk and Fairy Call: Tales, two volumes of sto- Tales of the Brothers Grimm up! I realized that, really, 612-625-1519 ries that would make them Translated by Jack Zipes in order to understand the famous. Yet, over the next Princeton University Grimms’ intentions, in order Press, 2014 40-plus years, they radically to understand the tales that revised and edited: Out went were closer to the oral tradi- stories deemed too violent, too erotic, or tion and the history of how they collected not sufficiently Christian, resulting in a them, you had to know the first edition. seventh and final edition that, according So I said to myself, put your nose to the to Zipes, had relatively little in common grindstone and get to work! with the first. Zipes’s translation reveals a young girl How did the tales come to be altered over impregnated by her secret lover (“Rapun- time? zel”); a boy whose offhand killing of his The first edition [1812] was published in little brother sets off a murderous frenzy two volumes, with footnotes for scholars (“How Some Children Played at Slaugh- and adults and two scholarly prefaces— tering”); and a mother so deranged by there were no illustrations—and it did

To listen to Jack Zipes talk about the Grimm Brothers and his translation of their work, go to accessminnesotaonline.com

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 41 DepartmentOff the Shelf

not sell well. Even some of their closest and we’ll get people interested in our A book like this interests so many peo- friends said these are too blunt; they’re heritage”—that’s what I think he was ple because fairy tales are with us day in really not for children or families, and saying. And Jacob, who was off and run- and day out and people don’t realize the some of them are really not all that inter- ning on many different projects, basically extent to which they inform our lives. esting. The Grimms were disappointed, gave in. He probably said, “Just don’t do They’re in commercials practically every but they kept collecting. In 1823, they too much!” day: If you buy Nike sneakers you’ll fly received, to their surprise, a book called through the air; or if you use the right German Popular Stories, sent to them by You’ve said these tales were not meant shampoo it’s like a magic lotion, and Edgar Taylor, a British lawyer who, with- to be bedtime stories. Should children men will drape themselves on your body. out their knowing about it, had adapted read these early tales, given how gory and Then there are fairy tale ﬁlms and operas. about 80 tales from the second edition disturbing they are? They’re around us all the time. of 1819. This book had illustrations by Yes. I think that parents are either hypo- George Cruikshank, the most famous car- crites or ignorant [if they shield their chil- What can the tales offer us today? icaturist in England at that time, and the dren from them]. Children are exposed Metaphorically speaking, these tales tales were greatly changed, more comic to these types of tales practically from work through very common human prob- and more acceptable for a middle-class the time they’re born, in some way or lems that still exist in the world. They audience. The book took off. another. To think that we have to cen- work them out so that, somehow, social There was a difference between the sor these tales, well, we don’t. To think justice occurs. Since there is no social Grimms. Jacob was more the scholar; that children—even babies—are dumb, justice in this world—that’s my interpre- Wilhelm was a better writer in some well, they’re not. They can decide for tation—and since the world has become ways, and he really wanted to get these themselves; they will discard or pick up so perverse, we need hope; we need these tales out. He basically said, “Let me take things that appeal to them and work that tales because they give us a sense of hope. over. We’ll make the tales more popular, through in their own way. —Laura Silver

2014 // 15 NORTHROP SEASON

CCN de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne / COMPAGNIE KÄFIG Tue, Mar 10

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY Fri, Apr 10 & Sat, Apr 11

EIFMAN BALLET Tue, Apr 28 & Wed, Apr 29

U of M alumni receive $4 off all Northrop Dance Season performances.

Northrop is always buzzing with both free and ticketed events. Visit our website for a full list of events.

42 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA Excerpts from The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

By the Brothers Grimm Translated by Jack Zipes

here once was a father who slaugh- Ttered a pig, and his children saw that. In the afternoon, when they began playing, one child said to the other, “You be the little pig, and I’ll be the butcher.” He then took a shiny knife and slit his little brother’s throat. Their mother was upstairs in a room bath- ing another child, and when she heard the cries of her son, she immediately ran down- stairs. Upon seeing what had happened, she Connect with us! took the knife out of her son’s throat and was facebook.com/uofmbookstores twitter@UofMNBookstore so enraged that she stabbed the heart of the subscribe for e-mails at other boy, who had been playing the butcher. www.bookstore.umn.edu Then she quickly ran back to the room to tend to her child in the bathtub, but while she had been gone, he had drowned in the tub. Now the woman became so frightened and desper- ate that she wouldn’t allow the neighbors to *Some exclusions apply. comfort her and ﬁnally hung herself. When her husband came back from the ﬁelds and saw everything, he became so despondent that he died soon after. From “How Some Children Played at Create your Slaughtering”

o the eldest sister went into the chamber future Sand tried on the slipper. Her toe slipped inside, but her heel was too large. So, she took the knife and cut off a part of her heel until she could force her foot into the slipper. Then she went out of the chamber to the prince, and when he saw that she had the slipper on her foot, he said that she was to be his bride. View of Downtown Minneapolis from Coffman Memorial Union, Then he led her to his carriage and wanted East Bank campus to drive off. However, when he came to the Professional Master’s in Arts and Cultural Leadership gate, the pigeons were above and called out: Designed for professionals in the arts and cultural community who “Looky, look, look aspire to creatively develop and lead an organization. at the shoe that she took. There’s blood all over, the shoe’s too small. Master of Liberal Studies She’s not the bride you met at the ball.” Choose virtually any combination of subjects to create an interdisciplinary . . . so he brought the false bride back to the program of study around your personal and career goals. house. The mother said to her second daughter, “Take the slipper, and if it’s too short for www.cce.umn.edu/Leaders you, then cut off one of your toes.” From “Cinderella”

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 43 Access Minnesota … Issues that Matter to You. On the radio, television and online — Access Minnesota draws upon the expertise of the U of M faculty for deeper insight into today’s pivotal issues. www.accessminnesotaonline.com for stations and broadcast times ~ ~- ,1 I a GOPHER BASEBALL 2015 HOME SCHEDULE 3124115 VS. AUGSBURG 3:05 P.M. 4125115 VS. MICHIGAN 6:05 P.M. 3127115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 3:05 P.M. 4126115 VS. MICHIGAN 1:05 P.M. 3128115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 3:05 P.M. 4128115 VS. KANSAS STATE 6:35 P.M. 3129115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 1:05 P.M. 4129115 VS. KANSAS STATE 1:00 P.M. 4108115 VS. ST. THOMAS (MINN.) 3:05 P.M. 5101115 VS. UC /RV/NE 6:35 P.M. 4114115 VS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE 3:05 P.M. 5102115 VS. UC IRVINE 6:05 P.M. 4/ 17115 VS. PENN STATE 6:05 P.M. 5103115 VS. UC IRVINE 1:05 P.M. 4118115 VS. PENN STATE 2:05 P.M. 5114115 VS. MICHIGAN STATE 6:35 P.M. 4119115 VS. PENN STATE 7:05 P.M. 5115115 VS. MICHIGAN STATE 6:05 P.M. 4122115 VS. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 6:05 P.M. 5116115 VS. MICHIGAN STATE 1:05 P.M. 4124115 VS. MICHIGAN 6:35 P.M. GOPHER SOFTBALL 2015 HOME SCHEDULE 4103115 VS. MICHIGAN 6:00 P.M. 4/22115 VS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE 4:00 P.M. 4104115 VS. MICHIGAN 1:00 P.M. 4124115 VS. IOWA 6:00 P.M. 4105115 VS. MICHIGAN 12:00 P.M. 4125115 VS. IOWA 1:00 P.M. 4110115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 6:00 P.M. 4126115 VS. IOWA 12:00 P.M. 4111115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 1:00 P.M. 5101115 VS. PURDUE 6:00 P.M. 4112115 VS. NORTHWESTERN 12:00 P.M. 5102115 VS. PURDUE 1:00 P.M. 4115115 VS. SOUTH DAKOTA 6:00 P.M. 5103115 12:00 P.M. 4122115 VS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE 2:00 P.M.

FOR TICKETS, VISIT MYGOPHERSPORTS.COM OR CALL 612·624·8080 (SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE - FOR UP-TO-DATE INFO, VISIT GOPHERSPORTS.COM) INDULGE IN A CRAZY DAY

The University of Minnesota Opera Theatre will present W.A. Mozart’s immortal comedy, Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) April 16 through 19 at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Set in Count Almaviva’s castle in Seville, Spain, in the late 18th century, this opera takes place on a single folle journée—a crazy day. Complete with counts and countesses, scheming maids, an amorous teenager, a silly young girl, and a drunken gardener, Le Nozze di Figaro is long on memorable characters. With Mozart’s masterpiece of a score, the result is a witty yet profound tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Tickets are $20 and Alumni Association members receive two for the price of one. Learn more at MinnesotaAlumni.org/ schoolofmusic.

We’re standing by GET THE MOST OUT OF To join the Alumni Association, renew your YOUR MEMBERSHIP membership, change your address, obtain beneﬁt • Save on Gopher gear at the University information, register a Bookstores. complaint, praise us, or say hi, give us a call • Access thousands of publications on at 800-862-5867 or 612-624-2323. Or visit select U Libraries’ online databases. MinnesotaAlumni.org or • Boost your career with a professional contact us at McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. development workshop. SE, Suite 200, Minneapolis, • And much more. Explore all your MN 55455-2040 or [email protected]. member perks at MinnesotaAlumni.org/beneﬁts. PHONE: ISTOCK • OPERA: LES KOOB PHONE: ISTOCK

46 Spring 2015 MINNESOTA FRIENDS HIGHLIGHT VEGETABLE LITERACY

Noted cookbook author Deborah April 28; $48 for Friends members Madison will make her ﬁrst Twin Cities and $58 for the general public. appearance on Tuesday, May 5, at the The Friends of the University Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries play a special role in Libraries annual celebration. Known linking the University Libraries to the as an internationally acclaimed greater community and enriching proponent of vegetarian cooking, the campus and community through Madison has a long-abiding passion for thought-provoking, entertaining, and local and regional foods and those who intellectually engaging programs. produce them. Formerly the manager Membership dues help continue the of the farmers’ market in Santa Fe and Friends’ important role in supporting cofounder of the Monte del Sol Edible University Libraries outreach, creating Kitchen Garden, she has authored 14 innovative programs, and encouraging books, including Local Flavors: Cooking use and appreciation of its remarkable and Eating from America’s Farmers’ resources. Alumni Association members Markets and Vegetable Literacy. The receive a $40 savings on Friends of the program begins at 5:30 p.m. with Libraries membership. Learn more at

MADISON: LAURIE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY MADISON: LAURIE dinner to follow. Purchase tickets by MinnesotaAlumni.org/libraries.

MinnesotaAlumni.org Spring 2015 MINNESOTA 47 Campus Seen

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies observed the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 26 at the Weisman Art Museum with an unveiling of the eight Minnesotans’ portraits in the “Portraits and Conversations with Survivors of the Shoah” project by Spanish artist Félix de la Concha. In all, de la Concha painted 40 Holocaust survivors. Pictured here with his portrait is Walter Schwartz of St. Paul.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SHER STONEMAN Best in its bracket The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ credit card for University of Minnesota Alumni Association. cash back on purchases 1% everywhere, every time cash back 2% at grocery stores $100 cash back cash rewards bonus 3% on gas after qualifying purchase(s).† Grocery store and gas bonus rewards apply to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter.ɼ To apply visit: newcardonline.com Use Priority Code VAB6AX.

W For information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, go to the website listed above or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. The 2% cash back on grocery store purchases and 3% cash back on gas purchases applies to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter. After that the base 1% earn rate applies to those purchases. † You will qualify for $100 bonus cash rewards if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 (exclusive of any credits, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) bonus cash rewards offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus cash rewards offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus cash rewards to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither we nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. By opening and/or using these products from Bank of America, you’ll be providing valuable financial support to University of Minnesota Alumni Association. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. BankAmericard Cash Rewards is a trademark and Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of BankofAmerica Corporation. ©2015 Bank of America Corporation ARVBB3CK-07112014 AD-08-14-0182_CRB100 rrll UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ~ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 200 Oak St. SE'. Sulit 200 MlnnHpollt, MN 55455-2040

make

happen

Over 55 neighborhood clinics

Preventive check-ups today make for a healthier tomorrow. Visit makegoodhappen.com/clinics to make an appoint ment.

( +) HealthPartners· ( +) Park Nicollet'

\.Ye welcon1e most insurance plans.