SAFEGUARD ELECTIONS and Other Good News from the World of Politics

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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FALL 2018

What U alumni and faculty are doing to SAFEGUARD ELECTIONS and other good news from the world of politics

Secretary of State Steve Simon protects against cyberattacks. OpenSecrets's Sheila Krumholz sleuths for the hidden money. U professor Chris Uggen, student Rob Stewart, and lobbyist Sarah Walker advocate for felon voting rights. The Humphrey School launches a Certificate in Election Administration program. tr-H

Plus: CAMPUS A TO Z and our 2018 HOMECOMING GUIDE, featuring Grand Marshal Alan Page MN Alumni Magazine August 2018.pdf 1 6/27/18 7:02 PM

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We accept major insurance plans; Medicaid and private pay. Call us and ask about the possibilities! 866-935-3515 • Metro 952-935-3515 SERVING PEOPLE STATEWIDE www.accracare.org Made possible by members of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association since 1901 | Volume 118, Number 1 Fall 2018 4 Editor's Note 5 Letters 8 About Campus Soaring eagles, an A to Z campus guide, a Big M Bridge goodbye, Gophers hall of fame, and Kaler’s 2019 departure 13 Discoveries Helping Alzheimer’s patients live at home By Lynette Lamb Plus: a global health training program, waiting for the cookie, cancer killers, and why thriving watersheds matter 18 18 Will Your Vote Be Hacked? Alumnus and Secretary of State Steve Simon stands 34 guard over Minnesota’s elections By Britt Robson 24 Election Academy The U’s one-of-a-kind training program By Elizabeth Foy Larsen 26 Telling Secrets Alumna Sheila Krumholz tracks the dark money By Susan Maas 28 They’ve Done Their Time Is it time for felon voting rights? By Elizabeth Foy Larsen Plus: I Married a Pundit By Julie Schumacher

34 History: On Ice Early Antarctic explorers name features after the U By Tim Brady 38 Journeys A pilgrimage to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain By Jennifer Vogel 39 Arts Spoken word artist and alumnus Guante examines modern manhood By Jim Walsh Plus: our quarterly books roundup 43 Alumni Stories An alumnus scientist grows a new grain, a deaf engineer breaks ground at NASA, and a developer leaves a U legacy 51 Stay Connected 39 The Alumni Association’s strategic plan and new board chair, plus events, benefits, and a thanks to our donors 60 The Last Word A mother contends with racial bias in public schools By Taiyon J. Coleman

Cover art by Eric Hanson • This page from top: Kristi Anderson, Thomas Bastien, Sara Rubinstein DISCOVERY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Douglas Huebsch, ’85 Chair-elect Laura Moret, ’76, ’81 Past Chair Sandra Ulsaker Wiese, ’81 Secretary Mark Jessen, ’85 Treasurer Scott Wallace, ’80 Center for Innovation and Collaboration President and CEO Lisa Lewis Eric Brotten, ’03 Xin (Sean) Chen, ’16, ’19 Carol Johnson Dean, ’80, ’97 Patrick Duncanson, ’83 NEW PRIVATE Catherine French, ’79 MEETING Chad Haldeman, ’08 Maureen Kostial, ’71 SPACE NOW Matt Kramer, ’84 AVAILABLE Peter Martin, ’00 Simran Mishra Akira Nakamura, ’92 Emilia Ndely, ’11 Peyton N. Owens, III Roshini Rajkumar, ’97 Built-in AV Jason Rohloff, ’94 & video web Kathy Schmidlkofer, ’97 conferencing Ann Sheldon, ’88, ’04 Anthony (Tony) Wagner, ’96 Myah Walker, ’10, ’16

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOVERNANCE LOCATED President Eric Kaler, ’82 ON THE 2ND Board of Regents FLOOR OF THE David McMillan, ’83, ’87, chair Kendall Powell, vice chair MCNAMARA Thomas Anderson, ’80 ALUMNI Richard Beeson, ’76 CENTER Linda Cohen, ’85, ’86 Michael Hsu, ’88 Dean Johnson Peggy Lucas, ’64, ’78 Abdul Omari, ’08, ’10 Fresh, modern Darrin Rosha, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’96 design with Randy Simonson, ’81 natural lighting Steven Sviggum

To join or renew, change your address, or get information about membership, go to CALL 612-624-8041 OR UMNAlumni.org or contact us at: EMAIL [email protected] McNamara Alumni Center TO RESERVE SPACE FOR YOUR 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55455-2040 NEXT MEETING OR EVENT! t 800-862-5867 612-624-2323 [email protected] MCNAMARA ALUMNI CENTER 200 Oak Street SE, 2nd Floor The University of Minnesota Alumni Association is Minneapolis, MN 55455 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, mac-events.org/about/discoverynexus.html handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. ~ Par:k Dental

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45 convenient Twin Cities, greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin locations. Visit us online to Early morning and evening appointments. find your dentist Preferred provider for most insurance companies. and schedule an Locally owned by dentists who care.* appointment today. *111 of our 127 dentists are University of Minnesota alumni. parkdental.com Trusted dentist for the A EDITOR'S NOTE

Why Vote? WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING, Minnesota does exceptionally well. Often, including in 2016, the state has the highest voter turnout in the nation for presidential contests. That’s partly thanks to the fact EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING that, back in 1974, when alumnus Wendell Anderson (B.A. ’54, J.D. President and CEO ’60) was governor, Minnesota was ahead of the pack in adopting Lisa Lewis Election Day voter registration. The law was supported by former Editor Secretary of State Joan Growe, who also attended the U, while Jennifer Vogel she was a state legislator. Senior Editor Minnesota is a good government state—with problems, Elizabeth Foy Larsen certainly, including dramatic racial disparities—where residents take civic engagement Copy Editor seriously and evince confidence in elected officials. Minnesotans are dutiful. We read a Susan Maas lot. We attend forums and call in to radio shows. And we are educated, with 35 percent Contributing Writers Jodi Auvin of adult residents holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. Tim Brady The University of Minnesota, by equipping and inspiring people to participate in pub- Taiyon J. Coleman lic life, owns a big part of Minnesota’s enviable reputation. The U has a habit of making Lynette Lamb good citizens and turning out political big deals who put their stamps on the culture, Susan Maas from Hubert H. Humphrey (B.A. ’39) to Walter Mondale (B.A. ’51, J.D. ’56) to Eugene Britt Robson Julie Schumacher McCarthy (M.A. ’39) to Harold Stassen (B.L. ’27, J.D. ’29). In fact, at present, there are Chris Smith 52 alumni serving in the Minnsesota Legislature—of various political stripes, religious Emily Sohn backgrounds, races, and genders—comprising a quarter of all lawmakers. Jim Walsh When we vote, we are stating our collective will. Yes, it’s hard to imagine a collective Art Director will at the moment, since society feels more divided than most of us can remember. But Kristi Anderson when we vote we are expressing confidence that each of us matters, even if by dint of Two Spruce Design addition. And so, despite attempts to undermine the elections process by nefarious Senior Director of Marketing actors, domestic and foreign, and despite schemes to make us believe our votes in fact Lisa Huber don’t count, we will line up at the polls this November to fill in the ovals. As always, the Advertising stakes will be high. As always, we will—gleefully or glumly—accept the results. Send inquiries to [email protected] Take heart in the knowledge that good citizens, who also happen to be U alumni and or call 612-626-1417 faculty, are working hard to safeguard elections everywhere. Alumna Sheila Krumholz (B.A. ’88) runs the D.C.-based Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan nonprofit Minnesota Alumni ISSN 2473-5086 (print ) is published four times yearly that tracks the hidden money behind elections. Former sociology doctoral student by the University of Minnesota Alumni Sarah Walker, U professor Chris Uggen, and Ph.D. student Rob Stewart (B.A. ’12, M.A. Association, 200 Oak St. SE Suite 200, Minneapolis MN 55455-2040 in SEPT., ’18) are working to restore voting rights to felons. The new Certificate in Election DEC., MAR., and JUN. Business, editorial, Administration program at the Humphrey School, the only program of its kind in the accounting, and circulation offices: country, is teaching administrators how to run honest, secure elections. And alumnus 200 Oak St. SE Suite 200, Minneapolis MN 55455-2040. Call (612) 624-2323 to and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (J.D. ’96), who oversees voting and subscribe. Copyright ©2017 University statewide election services, is keeping the doors wide open to voters while guarding of Minnesota Alumni Association Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, against the increasing threat of cyberattacks. You’ll find these stories and more in the Minnesota, and additional mailing offices. issue you hold in your hands. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Minnesota Alumni, McNamara So, why vote? Because voting is the only mechanism sturdy and legitimate enough to Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite determine what we think as a society and where we’ll go next. But it only works if we all 200, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2040. show up, away from the shouting, to cast our ballots. —Jennifer Vogel

Jennifer Vogel (B.A. ’92) can be reached at [email protected]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Send letters and comments to [email protected] Sher Stoneman

4 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 II LETTERS .1 It’s great to have“ a large scale

and part of something larger and grander. public planetarium Readers respond to our You are living proof of the value of a Summer 2018 issue liberal education. back in operation in Jim Hart (M.D. ’75) The Summer 2018 issue of Minnesota Stillwater, Minnesota Alumni was a delight. I especially enjoyed Minnesota! two articles [“The Bell Comes Alive” and If the cover of the Summer issue [“Going Robert Brose (B.S. ’78), St. Paul “First Mates”]. In 1969, when I was a fresh- Wild for the New Bell Museum”] has you ” man at the U, I couldn’t get back to the dorm thinking you’d like to go out and put your to eat lunch so I ate my sack lunch in front hand on an owl’s head, think twice. It’s illegal of the Bell Museum dioramas three days a to touch a wild owl in most circumstances, week. The quiet setting and beauty of the as well as potentially unsafe for you and University. I am wondering when it will be dioramas were nice antidotes to a busy class scary for the owl. Unless injured and MEN who second chair their wives. schedule. The article makes me want to visit requiring assistance, it’s best to watch owls Judge Gary Meyer (J.D. ’59) the museum in its new location very soon. and other raptors from a distance. What St. Marys Point, Minnesota Regarding the University presidents’ makes the Bell Museum’s taxidermied wives, my family attended a graduation animals such a valuable resource is that you Today, I opened my plastic-wrapped reception at Eastcliff when my daughter can touch those incredible feathers legally. magazine and thought I would recommend graduated in 2010. We were greeted Touch and see at the Bell Museum. Watch that you follow the path of other periodicals by President Bruininks’ wife, Susan and listen at the Raptor Center. Two great that have begun using paper wrapping, Hagstrum. Your article brought back partners at the University of Minnesota! National Geographic for one. memories of that and also an apprecia- Julia Ponder (D.V.M., M.P.H. ’15) Al Tappe (B.A. ’78) tion for all the “first mates.” Executive director, the Raptor Center Moraga, California Colleen Hondl Gengler (B.S. ’73) U of M St. Paul campus Iona, Minnesota Editor’s response: We heard from a num- I thought [“First Mates”] was an excellent, ber of readers regarding the polybags I enjoyed Jennifer Vogel’s recent column well-informed, and interesting article. So around our Summer issue. We share your concerning the new Bell Museum’s plan- nice to know that we have had and continue environmental concerns. Rest assured, etarium [“The Perspective Machine”] and to have such good WOMEN to second we do not plan to repeat this one-time how it will make us feel both insignificant chair their husbands as presidents of the experiment in the future.

Within sight: A healthier life for all A gift in your will fuels life-saving research in a world where the health of people, animals, and the environment is inextricably interconnected. Learn more at driven.umn.edu/waystogive or call Planned Giving at 612-624-3333. ,. r UNIVERSI11Y OF MINNESOTfi . . ~ ~ P. Driven. The'University of Minnesota Campaign ABOUT CAMPUS

6 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Freedom Each fall, the U’s Raptor Center releases rehabilitated birds into the wild. Here, an eagle takes flight. Photo by Sara Rubinstein Campus A to Z

Twenty-six reasons to love the U of M’s Twin Cities campus By Lynette Lamb

WASH STAT ION

C is for children’s literature I is for Immigration History archives, or Kerlan Collec- Research Center, part of tion, which contains more ~n the College of Liberal Arts, than 100,000 books, plus renowned for researching and original manuscripts and F is for foot-washing stations. telling stories that illuminate the A is for Aeolian-Skinner artwork from more than 1,700 Three stations with floor sinks immigrant experience. pipe organ, Northrop authors and illustrators. are scattered around campus Auditorium’s newly restored for Muslim community members instrument, which comprises to use before prayer times. nearly 7,000 pipes. It makes its official debut in a concert series in October.

J is for School of Journalism D is for the Dairy and Meat and Mass Communication, G is for Guthrie Theater Salesroom on the St. Paul which added “Hubbard” to its B.F.A. Actor Training Program, campus, open every Wednes- name in 2017, training ground which brings talented U day from 2 to 5 p.m. Try the ice for such famous journalists undergraduates to the Guthrie’s cream and the Nuworld blue as Harry Reasoner, Eric stage—and beyond. B is for Norman Borlaug, who cheese, which isn’t even blue. Sevareid, and Michele Norris. earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D., in plant pathology, from the U. He won the Nobel Prize in 1970 for innovations that increased worldwide agricultural production and alleviated hunger.

H is for Honeycrisp, the popular and tasty apple developed by the U’s Horticultural K is for Kroll Boathouse in E is for Leatherdale Equine Research Center. East River Flats Park on the Mississippi River, named for the Lynette Lamb, M.A. ’84, has earned Center, opened in 2007 on the her Gopher bona fides: She has St. Paul campus, where you can late Irene Claudia Kroll, whose been a U of M student, staff mem- learn about the health, well-being, children made the largest gift in ber, faculty member, and neighbor. and performance of horses. Gopher rowing history.

8 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 S is for the Shoe Tree perched on the Mississippi River’s West W is for Weisman Art Muse- L is for Lindsay Whalen, Bank, which holds hundreds um, designed by renowned former Gopher and pro of hurled student sneakers. It’s architect Frank Gehry. Its iconic basketball star, who recently best viewed from the Washing- shape, forged from steel, shines returned to the U to coach ton Avenue Bridge. like a beacon on the East Bank. women’s basketball. P is for pacemaker, developed in conjunction with the U of M. The first external, battery-powered model was - ~ ,~ ~ ,-- · ·-) . produced in the 1950s by ~ ·.rp •i-,.. .!..'' . 1 alumnus Earl Bakken at the behest of U heart surgeon C. , ~ ' . -1-- Walton Lillehei. is for the frostbite-fighting M is for Mississippi, the T — X is for Queer X, an educational mighty river that splits the network of campus tunnels and underground hallways and series sponsored by the Gender Minneapolis campus and skyways—collectively known as and Sexuality Center for Queer is traversed on foot via the the Gopher Way. and Trans Life, which explores Washington Avenue Bridge. important topics impacting the LGBTQIA community.

Q is for Queen Rearing Short Course, a three-day class at U is for University of the U’s Bee Lab that teaches Minnesota Advanced Careers, N is for Nutritious U Food both hobby and commercial Pantry, based in Coffman a new program helping Baby beekeepers how to raise their Boomers transition from work Union, which provides Y is for Youth Programs very own queen bees. to a new phase in which they thousands of students with Summer Camps, which annually contribute their talents to food three days a month bring thousands of schoolchil- the social good. during the school year. dren onto U campuses for classes ranging from Backyard Bugs to Lumberjack Log Rolling.

R is for Raptor Center, which annually rehabs Z is for Ziagen, one of the approximately 1,000 sick and is for vaccines. Medical world’s most effective HIV/AIDS O is for the owls adorning V injured eagles, hawks, and School scientists are currently drugs. Also known as Abacavir, Walter Library—225 at last count, other birds of prey. developing vaccines that treat it was developed by U medicinal not including the stylized owl’s- heroin and prescription opioid chemist Robert Vince and head design incorporated into abuse by blocking the drugs patented in 1988. reading room light fixtures. from reaching the brain. A: Tim Rummelhoff • C: Peggy Parish, Fritz Siebel/Courtesy Kerlan Collection • J, W: Creative Commons license • M,O,S,T,Y: Patrick O’Leary • N, O: iStock • All others: various UMN archives and departments various UMN archives • N, O: iStock All others: O’Leary Patrick Commons license • M,O,S,T,Y: W: Creative J, Kerlan Collection • Siebel/Courtesy Fritz Parish, Peggy • C: Rummelhoff A: Tim

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 9 Goodbye to the Big M Bridge

here are many pedestrian bridges on the U’s Nicknamed “the Big M Bridge” because of the pair of Minneapolis campus, but perhaps none so tall, maroon-and-gold Ms securing suspension cables at charming as Bridge #93837, which spans the its ends, the bridge is both picturesque and scary. Before 176-foot-wide railroad trench separating the it closed, pedestrians and bicyclists crossed 40 feet above KnollT area from Sanford and Wilkins Halls in Dinkytown. train tracks, a dirt service road, and a bike path on a 10-foot- Sadly, a June inspection of the nearly 70-year-old wide deck of rough wooden planks, which creaked, swayed, and bounced rather significantly. On a gray winter morning, pedestrians might wonder how they had managed to escape the troll who was supposed to ask them questions. The Big M Bridge was moved to its current location in 1995. Built in 1949, at the peak of the postwar campus boom, it originally traversed the same railroad tracks farther east, connecting pedestrians to the parking lots and athletic fields north of campus. Changes to the athletic district meant the bridge had to be removed in the mid- 1990s, which coincided with the building of Wilkins Hall. The increased foot traffic in the area justified moving the bridge to its current location. The bridge will remain standing, albeit fenced off, for several months, according to Bass, while her department determines whether a replacement is necessary and fea- The Big M Bridge, suspension bridge found deterioration that cannot be sible. For now, students will have to walk a few blocks farther in its previous repaired at a reasonable cost, according to Jacqueline to cross the tracks and enter campus, and alumni will have location, in 1958. Bass, communications manager for the U’s Parking and to be content with wistfully recalling their bouncy, charming, Transportation Services. The only course, she says, is to and sometimes unnerving jaunts across Bridge #93837.

close the bridge permanently. —Chris Smith Archives University

10 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 HIDDEN U Gopher athletics hall of fame In 2000, a shy kid from Hutchinson, Minnesota, named Lindsay Whalen—you know where this is going— made her way to the Twin Cities to attend the University of Minnesota. A high school basketball star, Whalen arrived at the U without much fanfare, but went on to have such a stellar college career that she was drafted into the WNBA. For nine seasons, she was the much-adored star of the much-adored Minnesota Lynx, and now she’s the new coach of the Gopher women’s basketball team. You can see Whalen’s Gopher bobblehead and other memorabilia from her college basketball career as (now-retired) No. 13 at the T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium. More than just an homage to the Big 10 Eric Kaler to Step football-basketball-hockey juggernaut that gets most of the headlines, the 5,000-square- Down as U President foot hall is a celebration of what it means to be a college student athlete, coach, and fan. Open to the public on a limited basis On July 13, University of Minnesota and to ticket holders on game days, this President Eric Kaler announced that little-known attraction is crammed with he would step down as of July 1, 2019. U history. There are trophies galore, Noting that he’s been in the job longer of course. But the items that hold your than the average university president, he said in a statement that, “Quite attention and really tell the stories simply, it is time. of the college sports experience are “This is an incredibly demanding more prosaic. There’s baseball coach job, essentially seven days a week, Dick Siebert’s score books from the evenings and nights included, and as five seasons when the Gophers went proud and confident of my contribu- to the College World Series and the tions and ability as I am, I also know that mustard-colored wool leggings worn the University will benefit from a fresh by wrestlers in 1946. And there are the beaten-up cleats used by quarterback Adam Weber, perspective,” said Kaler (Ph.D. ’82), who started 50 consecutive football games during his college career. There are leotards who plans to assume a faculty position and Speedos and tennis racquets and oars and deflated basketballs and footballs, each in the U’s Department of Chemical accompanied by an explanation that puts it into the greater context of Gopher sports. Engineering and Materials Science. Asked during a press conference to And there are megaphones, buttons, maroon-and-gold letter sweaters, and other list the biggest challenge facing the U mementos of cheerleading and fandom. There’s even an explanation of the U’s famous going forward, Kaler cited a growing “Rah! Rah! Rah! for Ski-U-Mah,” rouser, which was written in 1884, after a U rugby captain strain of anti-intellectualism. “I think heard fans cheering for a canoe race on Lake Pepin. “Minnesota, hats off to thee!” probably the single biggest obstacle . . . is the public attitude toward higher Adapted from Elizabeth Foy Larsen’s 111 Places in the Twin Cities That You Must Not Miss education, toward seeing the value of public higher education—being willing to invest in it,” he said. “And a growing sense of anti-intellectualism or the idea that you don’t really need to go to college to be successful. Those are She was a towering figure in journalism worrisome trends in our nation.” Board of Regents Chair David McMillan said, “I want to thank Eric for history.'' In her generation, she was one of the his remarkable and extraordinary leadership of this institution over the past top journalism historians. Her legacy lives on seven years. Under his presidency, this institution has grown in academic stature and it is a better place today not only in her work, but in her students.,, than when he arrived.” Now, the hunt for a successor begins. Kathy Roberts Forde, speaking of her former colleague, Hazel Dicken-Garcia (right), the longtime U journalism professor To keep up with the search and add your who died on May 30, as quoted in the Star Tribune. Kaler: Patrick O’Leary • Hall of fame: U Athletics fame: of • Hall O’Leary Patrick Kaler: input, visit: president-search.umn.edu f) 2018-19 SEASON DANCE SEASON MUSIC SERIES SAT-SUN, NOV 24 & 25 57th Annual U of M THU, OCT 4 FRI-SAT, OCT 12 & 13 Marching Band Ballet Hispánico Minnesota Orchestra Indoor Concert Celebrating Northrop’s SAT, NOV 3 Restored Pipe Organ TUE, DEC 4 Compagnie Käfig—CCN Nathan Laube in Concert SUN, NOV 11 THU, NOV 8 Lest We Forget U OF M ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre World War I Armistice MEMBERS SAVE $5 ON SINGLE with The Saint Paul Centenary Concert TICKETS AND UP TO 22% ON Chamber Orchestra SERIES PACKAGES. THU, FEB 7 TICKETS FOR KIDS 17 AND Ate9 YOUNGER ARE 50% OFF!

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SPECIAL EVENT THU, APR 25 & SAT, APR 27 Le Patin Libre Eccles. © Andrew Photo NORTHROP UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA northrop.umn.edu Driven to Discover'"'

12 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 DISCOVERIES

Caring for the Caregivers photo to come

usan Thompson and her husband, Health, Gaugler and his team are running University of Minnesota Mark, are caring for his father, Gary, three major research projects on people with Professor Joe Gaugler a 75-year-old former CFO who, dementia, exploring the challenges faced by develops support three years after being diagnosed caregivers and how various technological and Swith dementia in 2011, moved into their home psychosocial supports might help them. systems for families in Roseville, Minnesota. Given that both Susan One of Gaugler’s first initiatives upon tending to Alzheimer’s and Mark had full-time jobs and were raising arriving at the U in 2005 was to establish an and dementia patients. two teenagers, the addition of Gary to the annual conference called Caring for a Person household put them under a significant strain. with Memory Loss, which attracts more than By Lynette Lamb The Thompsons are not alone. Almost 6 300 everyday caregivers to a one-day sym- million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s; posium that provides them with information, as many as 14 million will be facing the disease support, and education. by 2050. While it is undeniable that each of For Susan Thompson, as for so many these people suffers, what too frequently others, that conference was her introduction Above: Joe Gaugler talks goes unnoticed is the burden on the army of to Gaugler and his research. The Thompsons with Roberta Hunt and her family caregivers backing them up. recently took part in one of Gaugler’s husband, Tim Heaney, in the couple’s kitchen. Hunt That’s where Joe Gaugler—energetic, research projects, which will ultimately follow (M.S. ‘86, Ph.D. ‘04) cares compassionate, and devoted to practical for 18 months 200 people testing a smart for Heaney (J.D. ‘72), who applications—comes in. In his role as professor sensor home system. The system, built by suffers from dementia. and Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long- the company GreatCall and installed and Term Care and Aging in the School of Public monitored by licensed vendor Lutheran Home Rob Levine Rob

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 13 0

Association, allows families to track their loved one’s “FEEDBACK Thompsons, Susan says they miss the bed monitor. motion and activity patterns via smartphone, computer, FROM FAMILIES “I can’t ask Gary how he slept or how his night or automated telephone messaging. Known as Remote behavior is changing,” she says. “With the monitor I Activity Monitoring or RAM, it employs six sensors SHOWS THEY could see if he was up 20 times the previous night.” installed throughout the home—on walls, doors, beds, Gaugler and his team are spearheading two other and toilets—to track what the person with dementia is GREATLY VALUE studies to support caregivers. The first involves regu- doing when caregivers are at work or asleep. THE SUPPORT.” lar telephone-based counseling sessions for families The Thompsons were part of an initial six-month of dementia patients who have moved into residential trial run, in which 132 families from throughout the 0 care facilities. “These families feel cut off from sup- country tested the system. Those early results, as the port and sometimes feel guilty about their relatives’ Thompsons found, were mixed. While the bed sensor living situations,” says Gaugler. His program provides helped the family monitor Gary’s sleeping and night- families with six telephone counseling sessions in four time behavior, it was difficult for Susan and Mark to months, plus the opportunity to call counselors over draw conclusions from the other data provided by the the rest of the year. Early results? “Feedback from monitoring devices, since multiple people in their fam- families shows they greatly value the support.” ily were using toilets, opening and shutting doors, etc. The second study also provides caregiver sup- “With five people living here and four bathrooms,” port, but in this case for those whose loved ones says Susan, “it was hard to pick apart what movement are in adult day services. “We speculated that if was Gary’s and what was ours. I think this technology families are supported along with relatives who use would be better for someone living on their own in day services, there could be better outcomes for the community.” everyone,” he says. Insights like this have led Gaugler and his team to With a rapidly aging population, Gaugler’s conclude that the RAM technology may work best for research has gained an added sense of urgency. Alzheimer’s patients who have problems navigating “We rely heavily on families for long-term care, but their homes and for those with milder dementia. we can’t assume we can always do so,” Gaugler “What we and the families are hoping,” he says, “is says. “We need innovative supports and services for that RAM will allow patients to live at home longer.” these families so they can benefit throughout their Although the system didn’t work perfectly for the caregiving journeys.”

Thanks to a collaborative program called One Health—funded by the United States Agency for International Training Development and led by the U of M and Tufts University—government workers the Global and students from around the world are being trained to prevent, detect, Health and respond to infectious disease threats. One Health experts in a range Workforce of disciplines have taught students to judiciously dispense antibiotics, for example, in order to stem the spread of resistant pathogens. They also helped define infectious disease workforce needs in seven countries in Africa and Asia. Pictured here, students in Thailand attend a field training course and pre- pare for outbreak response needs using the One Health approach. (H/T Frank Jossi, who wrote about this for the Sum- mer ‘18 issue of Profiles,the College of

Veterinary Medicine magazine.) Network Workforce Coutesty OneHealth

14 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 DISCOVERIES

Waiting for and other environmental challenges. A new study from the U’s that cookie College of Biological Sciences At a time when you can post provides important insights into a selfie or complete an online how organisms can survive over purchase in less time than it time in rivers and streams. takes to jot down a to-do list, Using mathematical models it would stand to reason that and 18 years of Japanese fish today’s kids are less able to population data, researchers delay gratification than other from the U and Hokkaido Uni- generations. But, according to versity in Japan looked at how new research led by Univer- river and stream life is highly sity of Minnesota professor influenced by the networks of Stephanie M. Carlson, director water that flow downstream of research for the Institute of through connecting channels. Child Development, children What they discovered is that growing up in the 2000s actu- watershed populations are more stable in complex river ally have better self-control than in self-control can be attributed to switch the nanorings off in kids in the 1960s and 1980s. systems with networks of to rising IQ scores and a nation- order to prevent the toxic side streams and branches, which Carlson and her colleagues wide commitment to preschool. effects that can occur with cell- from universities across the act as natural buffers against The two-part study was based anticancer therapies. environmental uncertainties. country measured 358 U.S. published in the June 2018 issue So far, the U team has been adults’ perceptions of self-control Maintaining the complexity in of Developmental Psychology. able to employ the technology watersheds could, researchers in kids today and compared to safely eradicate solid tumors those findings to children’s say, become an important tool in mice. Their research has in the effort to conserve the performance in the 1960s, 1980s, also showed an effectiveness and 2000s on the “marshmallow Cancer killers diversity of river and stream life. against breast cancer. The hope “Human activities often test,” a now-classic experiment Today, 1 in 8 women in the is to one day be able to use where children between the United States will develop reduce complexity of stream the PAR-T approach to target networks,” said Jacques Finlay, ages of 3 and 5 are offered one breast cancer over the course cancer stem cells to prevent treat they can eat immediately of her lifetime. Now, researchers professor in the College of cancers from recurring. Biological Sciences and or a larger treat if they wait. The at the U’s College of Pharmacy’s “With some luck, using the ability to delay gratification is Wagner Research Lab are coauthor of the study. “This tools of chemical biology and work demonstrates the critical associated with a range of posi- offering hope to these women nanotechnology, we may be able tive outcomes, including better and other cancer patients with importance of maintaining to expand the scope of cancer diverse environmental condi- relationships with peers, healthier a new treatment that uses immunotherapy for the treat- weight, and higher SAT scores. nanotechnology to transform tions throughout watersheds for ment of some of the toughest populations of river organisms.” Carlson and her colleagues immune cells into cancer killers. cancers we face,” says Wagner. found that kids growing up in Professor Carston R. Wagner The results of the study were This research was published in published in the June 2018 issue the 2000s waited an average and his team designed protein- the May 2018 issue of ACS Nano. of two minutes longer on the based nanorings—microscopic of Proceedings of the National marshmallow test than kids crystals that are shaped like Academy of Sciences. in the 1960s and one minute rings—that bind to immune longer than kids tested in the cells, specifically T cells. These Life downstream 1980s. By contrast, the adults modified T cells, which are The question of how populations they surveyed overwhelmingly called Prosthetic Antigen of living organisms maintain WHAT DO YOU THINK? assumed that today’s children Receptors (PAR-T), are then themselves has gained a sense Send letters and comments to would be less likely to control able to quickly find and destroy of urgency now that an increas- [email protected] their impulses. The researchers tumor cells. Wagner’s team ing number of species are being

iStock theorize that the improvements was also able to figure out how threatened by climate change

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 15 UMAA GUIDE TO HOMECOMING September 29–October 6, 2018 UMNALUMNI.ORG/HOMECOMING GRAND MARSHAL ALAN PAGE

TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES

U of M day of service SEPTEMBER 29

The annual day of service engages alumni and friends in volunteer activities that benefit their communities. More than 485,000 alumni have the opportunity to show their school pride while helping in a variety of ways, from planting trees to baking cookies. Confirmed locations as of press time include the Twin Cities, Denver, L.A., San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Boca Raton, and Tokyo. Alan C. Page was born in 1945 in Canton, Ohio. He graduated from Canton Central To register and see available options, go to Catholic High School and went on to earn a UMNAlumni.org/DOSregister #DayofServiceUMN B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. ALUMNI AWARDS AFFAIR OCTOBER 4 After graduating from the U, Page worked Check-in 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:15 p.m., Program 7 p.m. as an attorney for a Minneapolis law firm, then Graduate Minneapolis, 615 Washington Ave. SE served seven years as an attorney in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office. Celebrate with the Alumni Association as we honor exceptional alumni and students. Includes reception, dinner, and presentation of the Alumni He sought election to the Minnesota Supreme Association Awards, Alumni Service Awards, Distinguished Leadership Award Court in 1992 and won, becoming the first for Internationals, Donald R. Zander Alumni Award, and Mary A. McEvoy African American on the court and one of the Award for Public Engagement and Leadership. Registration required. $50. few associate justices to join the court initially Go to UMNAlumni.org/Awards18 through election, rather than gubernatorial appointment. When Justice Page was reelected in 1998, he became the biggest vote- Alumni leader summit OCTOBER 5 getter in Minnesota history. He was reelected in 2004 and 2010 and retired at age 70 in 2015. 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Johnson Room Page served as a U of M Regent from 1989 to McNamara Alumni Center 1993. In 2017, the U Law School awarded him the Polaris Lifetime Achievement Award for his Network with fellow alumni tireless work toward equity, diversity, and justice. volunteer leaders, hear from Law was Page’s second career. He was first University leadership, and known for his skills in football both in college celebrate with UMAA staff. and the NFL. At Notre Dame, Page led the Information and registration: school’s football program to a 1966 national Stephanie Klein [email protected] championship and in 1993, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Stay connected throughout Homecoming via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by tagging @UMNAlumni and using #UMNHC He was a first-round Homecoming parade OCTOBER 5 draft choice of the 6:30 p.m. Minnesota Vikings University Ave. in 1967 and played for the team until Parking available in the 4th Street ramp; limited access to 1978, spending the University Avenue ramp due to parade route. last three years of his For full schedule and details about U-wide events, visit football career with homecoming.umn.edu #UMNHC the Chicago Bears. He played in 218 consecutive games, earned All-Pro honors six times, and was voted to nine consecutive Pro SKI-U-~ Bowls. In 1971, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, the second defensive player in history to earn the honor. In 1988, Page was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sponsored by Minnesota Alumni Market Also in 1988, Justice Page and his wife Diane and U of M Bookstores founded the Page Education Foundation, OCTOBER 6 which helps Minnesota students of color 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. pursue postsecondary education. To date, the McNamara Alumni Center foundation has awarded $14 million in grants $15 for Alumni Association members to 6,750 students. $20 for nonmembers Justice Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, Celebrate Homecoming at the premier pregame party for alumni and fans. have written three children’s books: The Hear from head women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen; stay for the Invisible You (2014), Alan and His Perfectly coronation of Homecoming Royalty, an appearance by Goldy Gopher, the Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky (2013), Spirit Squads, and the alumni band. Required registration includes $15 to and Grandpa Alan’s Sugar Shack (2017). spend at event food stands, plus a swag bag (game tickets not included). Go to UMNAlumni.org/SUM18

Homecoming football game OCTOBER 6

October 6, 2:30 or 3 p.m. Gophers vs University of Iowa Hawkeyes Purchase tickets at mygophersports.com

SHOW YOUR UMAA PRIDE We’ve created a new, limited-edition Maroon Shirt™ HOMECOMING APP Download for event details, campus maps, tee, designed by U student Breanne Christian. Featur- and info on hotels, restaurants, parking, and transportation. ing Goldy through the decades, this is must-have Search app store for “UMN,” download Guidebook Inc. app, and search Homecoming attire. Available with UMAA membership. for Homecoming 18. Go to UMNAlumni.org/MaroonShirt Photo-compostie by Kristi Anderson Kristi by Photo-compostie 18 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Most any Minnesota voter would recognize the thing perched in a corner of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon’s office on the ground floor of the State Office Building adjoining the Capitol in St. Paul. It seems to be an ordinary voting booth, constructed of standard-issue blue and white plastic on metal legs, with three walls for privacy and a flat surface on which to lay your ballot. But the voting surface in this booth is disheveled, with white paper dots littered around an open booklet. “This is from Broward County,” says Simon meaningfully. Ah, yes. Broward County, Florida, will forever be known as a battleground site for recounted ballots in the notoriously contested 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The white paper dots attest to the fact that Floridians punched out serrated circles instead of darkening ovals with pens to make their choices. Except, the ones that clung to the ballot—the infamous “hanging chads”—sowed confusion about what voters actually intend- ed and thus compromised the integrity of the outcome. Simon picks up the open booklet to show that it’s actually a Florida ballot from 2000. He points out how the relatively small and dense typeset is slightly misaligned on the adjoining pages, making it easy for a voter with less than eagle-eye vision or a steely hand to physically sabotage their intellectual decision. The voting booth is a nifty conversation piece, an artifact of political history that also demonstrates that even the most mundane aspects of our great American voting tradition must be rigorously scrutinized and safeguarded. After spending a little time with Simon (J.D. ’96), you come away with two other conclusions. One is that the current threats to the sanctity of our elections are much more sinis- ter and sophisticated than the paper-dot chads and sloppy WILL YOUR typeset of 18 years ago. Another is that even if Simon were not Secretary of State, he’d likely have this voting-booth tableau set up in his home or private business to spark conversation about our participatory democracy. VOTE BE Minnesota happens to be one of the best places in the country when it comes to open and secure elections, according to reports by the Center for American Progress HACKED? and the Pew Charitable Trusts, which ranked the state second in “election performance” in 2016. It habitually tops the list when it comes to voter turnout, largely because Min- Not while alumnus and Minnesota nesota makes voting easy: The state was early to the table in allowing same-day voter registration, adopting the policy in Secretary of State Steve Simon stands 1974 following Maine, and has one of the country’s lengthi- between voters and danger. est early voting periods. In 2013 and 2014, Simon helped usher in online voter registration and no-excuses-needed By Britt Robson absentee voting while a state legislator representing the Photos by Mark Luinenburg Minneapolis suburbs of St. Louis Park and Hopkins. But, what really makes Minnesota stand out as a bastion of electoral integrity is its stubborn reliance on paper ballots. Other states, like Georgia and Pennsylvania, have gone

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 19 to touch-screen voting machines that leave no verifiable wanting to do the right thing. I actually think his mother paper trail should anything go wrong. During the 2016 might have wished he’d taken more risks and gotten into presidential election, according to a near-consensus among more trouble.” Indeed, his sister Andrea Simon, younger American intelligence officials, agents of the Russian by three years, went to a different high school rather than government conducted a coordinated effort to hack into deal with the expectations Simon’s legacy might create for the voting systems of more than a dozen states. Minnesota her with his former teachers. was among them, but paper balloting saved the day. Asked if he’d ever gone through a “wild time” in his life, “From the standpoint of election security, the fundamentals Simon repeats the question and gamely responds, “Yeah, of our system are very strong,” says Simon. “You go to the there was a period in high school where I got into a couple ballot booth in Minnesota and you are just darkening an oval of scrapes, was sort of pushing boundaries.” Asked whether with a pen. It doesn’t even have to be a special pen—it could people would laugh at any specific examples he might be a BIC pen from Walgreens. It is very hard to hack paper. provide, he concedes, “Yeah, most people would laugh.” “While it is true that you or an election judge feed that But there was one rebellious act that reverberated paper ballot into a ballot counting machine, that machine through his family. After high school, Simon chose to attend under state law shall not and must not be connected to the Tufts University instead of the University of Minnesota. “My internet, and even after that we have an encrypted system family bleeds maroon and gold,” he says, noting that his by which the results are reported and uploaded, and even paternal grandparents were both alumni. “My late grand- after that the counties do what is called a postelection mother graduated in 1924, which is pretty remarkable—you review, a postelection audit, and even afterthat , under fed- don’t see pictures of many women in the yearbooks from eral law, we have to keep the ballots for nearly two years,” back then.” He adds that his father, Ron Simon, is a “double says Simon while tucking into a scone in a coffee shop on the Gopher: He went as an undergraduate and then to law Minneapolis skyway. “So anyone with a suspicion or a hunch school.” The elder Simon’s subsequent relationship with or a worry can touch and see and feel the actual ballots.” U men’s hockey coach Glen Sonmor helped launch his successful career as a professional sports agent. He later It started with a placemat became president of the Alumni Association’s board. To understand how Simon was seemingly destined to Meanwhile, Steve Simon was earning his B.A. in political become the good shepherd of voting rights and civic science at Tufts in Medford, Massachusetts, where he was a engagement in his native Minnesota, begin with a restaurant member of the school’s College Democrats and the founder of placemat brought home by his parents in 1976. To celebrate a now-defunct political journal. But perhaps his most valuable the country’s Bicentennial, the mat arrayed all 38 presidents political experience was discovering how often his patrician up to that point, from George Washington to Gerald Ford. classmates condescended to the kid from flyover country. Six-year-old Steve memorized them all. In order. And a “I don’t pretend to be anything but a metro guy—I’m from good-government geek was born. Hopkins,” says Simon. “But I think I know how people in Before he was 10, Simon was leafing through the issues rural Minnesota feel when they say people [from the Twin of Time magazine that came in the mail, and knew the Cities] talk down to them. I remember feeling [at Tufts] like, names of all the political correspondents on television. ‘They think I’m a dipshit just because of where I’m from.’” His precocious, and voracious, appetite for current events It’s one reason why he was respected by members of both was whetted and sated by the arrival of round-the-clock parties while serving five terms in the Minnesota House, updates from Headline News and its more in-depth sister and why he has set and fulfilled a goal of visiting every one station, CNN, during the 1980s. of Minnesota’s 87 counties each year since being elected At Hopkins High School just west of Minneapolis, Simon Secretary of State in 2014. dropped tennis during his junior year to better concentrate That isn’t to say Simon didn’t engage in partisan politics. on speech and debate. He competed in national tourna- After Tufts, he proved so adept while volunteering for ments and, as a senior, was state champion in extemporane- Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign that he became a ous speaking. When he and his buddies took a couple of paid staffer, even earning a brief cameo in the 1993 docu- “epic” road trips during the succeeding two summers—one mentary The War Room, when he got up to change the to the East Coast, one to the West Coast—Simon made sure television channel. “Steve was probably the only person the routes went through as many state capitals as possible. in that movie who didn’t follow Clinton to Washington,” “Steve must have been the easiest child to raise you says his closest friend, Mitch Gordon (J.D. ’97, M.A. ’97), an could ever imagine,” says his friend since high school, associate professor at the University of St. Thomas School Adam Samaha, a professor of civil liberties at New York of Law. Nope, the prodigal son was instead returning home University. “He was honest and dependable, always to get his law degree at the U.

20 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Terrible grades during his first semester of law school, in February 1994, prompted the first real personal crisis of Simon’s life. It sounds trivial in retrospect, but up until then -- he’d burnished an image—and perhaps a self-image—as • Official B~ a Dudley Do-Right, a straight arrow. “It probably hit me I harder than it should have,” Simon acknowledges. Gordon, his roommate at the time, recalls that, “It freaked him out because he was working so hard. He got very quiet. “FROM THE He had to learn to learn a different way.” Gordon went on I to manage a number of Simon’s political campaigns, that STANDPOINT fateful day becoming an inside joke. One of them will say: Something bad happened today, but it’s not February ’94. OF ELECTION Five years later, a more profound shock rocked Simon’s This balrot card cont existence. His 54-year-old mother, Marlen, went to the doc- SECURITY, THE tor’s office with a persistent cough. Twelve days later, she I died from cancer that had spread throughout her body. Federal 0 His sister Andrea believes it motivated Steve to more seri- FUNDAMENTALS U.S. Sen ously pursue his longstanding goal of running for public I For term eJMark Ritchie stepped down in 2014. Those who know Simon aren’t surprised that he embraces I State Of the more civic-minded and less partisan nature of his duties. State Repres “One of the things I am actually quite proud of is that I was District 6 sued by my own political party,” he says, referring to the DFL I Vote tore challenge to his ruling that the Trump-Pence presidential 0 Candidate K ticket would remain on the Minnesota ballot despite bureaucratic deficiencies in their application—a decision 0 Candidate L eventually upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court. I Governor and ILieutt Indeed, he seems most at home cheerleading for voter Vote fo.r One participation, sometimes telling crowds, “Failure to vote is 0 Candidate M not an act of rebellion, it is an act of surrender.” 0 Candidate N 0 Candidate O I AttorneyG Vote for( The threat to cybersecurity and modernize our system.” Unfortunately, the request, “I want to put out an alarm without being an alarmist, if that which required the state to match only 5 percent of the is even possible,” Simon says, summing up his approach federal outlay, fell victim to politics, as Governor Dayton’s to election cybersecurity just days after testifying before veto of omnibus bills passed by the Republican-controlled the U.S. Senate on the topic. He’s sitting at a coffee shop, Legislature included the approval. honoring a request to meet out of the office, though he “There is $6.6 million specifically earmarked for [Min- doesn’t drink coffee and the place happens to be right nesota election security] sitting in a bank account and we downstairs from his former law office at Robins Kaplan LLP. can’t touch it,” Simon says. “That’s frustrating, but it doesn’t He contents himself with the scone. “I feel very good about undermine my fundamental confidence in the system.” our situation in Minnesota. I have a high level of confidence Then comes the non-alarmist alarm. “So, as I said, we that we have minimized the risk.” have minimized the risk. But I don’t think you can honestly Citing the state’s reliance on paper ballots and counters say we have eliminated it, any more than Home Depot or disconnected from the internet, he says, “My concern is Equifax or anyone else can say it. When it comes to cyber- less about the polling place than it is about some of the security it is like a race without a finish line. I can only tell centralized functions that our office operates. For example, you what the Department of Homeland Security officials we run the statewide voter registration system, which have told me time and again: Expect more incidents from is what it sounds like, and more.” The database contains more sources. And when they say that, I take it seriously.” registered voters’ names, addresses, dates of birth, Social That is the governmental side of voting security and elec- Security numbers, and voting histories. Theoretically, tion integrity. But of course there is the other threat, more hackers could remove names or other information from insidious and diffuse in our election process: the spread of the rolls. “It has been reported publicly that Minnesota was disinformation and the assault on accepted norms of truth. one of the 21 states targeted by Russian hackers,” he says. “Our citizens have to be unhackable,” says Melissa Hort- “The good news is that Minnesota passed the test. We man (J.D. ’95), minority leader in the Minnesota House, who were able to turn back and block any wrongdoers. went to law school and came to the Legislature at the same “But [in] two of those 21 states, Illinois and Arizona, time as Simon. “Yes, our systems are under stress, and there there was a breach, and in Illinois in particular it was a very is no one I would rather have in the Secretary of State’s office serious breach. Those breaches occurred in centralized than Steve. But it is also up to the voters themselves to care- systems . . . at the Secretary of State’s office. So we have fully scrutinize information, so that we are not hackable.” been very concerned about that.” In this sense, too, Simon is a solid role model. No, per- Minnesota’s voter registration database was built in 2004. haps the rest of us don’t go to Des Moines with a group of A March 2018 report from the Office of the Legislative Audi- friends the weekend before the Iowa presidential caucuses tor recommended modernizing the system to ensure that and attend every campaign event they can squeeze in (“as tourists, enjoying the process,” Simon explains), as he’s done for the past five contests. And not all of us can relate to “FAILURE TO VOTE IS NOT Simon’s agony at possessing every edition of the Almanac of AN ACT OF REBELLION, IT IS American Politics (which began publishing in 1972) but one. AN ACT OF SURRENDER.” But if you hang around Simon, the enthusiasm is infectious. “Steve is so trustworthy, honest, and dependable, and so voter eligibility information is as up to date as possible and genuinely interested in people, with no exceptions, that he so it can handle an ever-increasing number of records. draws people to him,” says friend Samaha. “I know he’s been Simon credits some of the success at safeguarding the the best man at more weddings than anyone I’ve ever met.” system against hacks to actions taken before 2016. He To that add best man for the job of fostering confidence formed an internal IT security team to beef up protections, in our electoral system. then hired an outside vendor to probe it for vulnerabilities. During the 2018 legislative session, Simon sought approval Britt Robson, once Rudy Perpich’s speechwriter, covers the Timber- to access federal money for a project to “recode, resecure, wolves and music for a variety of local and national publications.

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The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 23 MAKING SURE EVERY VOTE COUNTS

In her job as Hennepin County’s elections manager, Ginny Gelms’s days are consumed by the details that make an election run smoothly and ensure that each vote is counted accurately. She oversees a team that trains volunteers to work the polls, counts the thousands of absentee ballots that come in every election, and implements safeguards to ensure that Hennepin County ballots aren’t hacked by bad actors, a growing concern across the country. Like most election administrators, Gelms—a 2018 graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Election Academy—didn’t grow up imagining a career devoted to the intricacies of voting. “I fell into it,” admits the Iowa native with a laugh. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2005, she was working for a software firm when she spotted a job listing for the Johnson County elections office in Iowa City. Intrigued, she decided to give election administration a try, and discovered that working with voters made her feel that she was tangibly promoting the values of American democracy. As Gelms moved from running elections in Johnson County to a similar job with the City of Minneapolis and then to Hennepin County in 2011, she realized that like most election administrators, she was learning everything on the job, with few opportunities to network and share trade secrets with colleagues across the rest of the U.S. So, in 2015, she signed up Hennepin County Elections Manager Ginny Gelms is a graduate for the U’s newly minted Certificate in Election of the U’s Certificate in Election Administration program, offered by the Hubert Administration program. H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. “I was excited there was a program that fit with

my schedule where I could do professional Luinenburg Mark

24 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 development,” she says. “I know the basics of my job, others have gone fully electronic. In some states, but in the rush of the day-to-day, we don’t get the including Oregon and Colorado, voting is done chance to step back and take the long view.” entirely by mail. The 12-credit online program—designed to “There are 50 Springfields in this country, one in address the need for election officials trained in every state,” explains Chapin, who also writes the the latest technology, security issues, and legal highly regarded Election Academy blog (editions.lib. and policy challenges facing the American voting umn.edu/electionacademy/). “The election nuts and system—includes classes at the undergraduate and bolts and habits and traditions in each community graduate levels. Offerings include Elections and vary wildly. People who know about running elec- the Law and Voter Participation, with a new class on tions in Springfield, Texas, might not know anything deck focused on cybersecurity. The program is the about how to run an election in Springfield, Min- first of its kind in the U.S. nesota.” This makes it difficult to establish policies And it couldn’t have come at a better time. and procedures—not to mention expertise—that will “American democracy rests on fair elections and, yet, keep our national elections safe and credible. A one-of-a-kind there is an unsettled sense that the political parties The program aims to bring more uniformity and program at or foreign enemies can infiltrate our elections,” says agreed-upon best practices, along with prestige, to the U teaches Larry Jacobs, director of the U’s Center for the Study a field that many Americans mistakenly believe is of Politics and Governance. “The mission of our work a part-time, volunteer vocation. That appealed to students how is to create a profession of election administrators. William Cavecche, a voter services specialist with to run efficient, Our certificate program is the first certificate- King County Elections in Washington state, who open, and secure granting curriculum offered by a major university in received his certificate in 2017. “I wanted to continue the country. It is entirely nonpartisan and geared to in my career, but when I was looking at master’s elections. bringing the science of administration to elections.” programs, there weren’t any with an emphasis in The certificate program—part of the Humphrey’s elections administration,” he says. By Elizabeth Foy Larsen Program for Excellence in Election Administration—is At the U, Cavecche gained not just practical run by adjunct faculty member and Washington, knowledge but also networking opportunities. D.C.-based election expert Doug Chapin. He became “When you are looking at running elections from aware of election administrators’ appetite for profes- a nationwide level, it helps you hone your skills,” sional development while working as the director of he says. King County is in the very early stages of election initiatives for the Pew Center on the States exploring the possibility of ranked choice voting and at the Pew Charitable Trusts. “No matter what the Cavecche says it was helpful to hear from his col- subject was—whether it was military and overseas leagues, including Gelms, regarding how that option voting, the greater use of technology in helping has played out Minneapolis. voters find their polling places, modernizing voter New this fall is the certificate program’s course on registration, or increasing access to evidence-based cybersecurity. Taught by Chapin, the class examines management in the field—there was a gap between the history of cyberattacks on the American election the everyday practice of election administration and system, with special attention to the 2016 election this notion of a profession,” he says. cycle. Students will explore the types of cyberse- The online program has attracted students not curity threats that exist and strategies to protect just from Minnesota but also from Kansas, Colo- against them. They’ll also hear from key officials rado, Vermont, and Canada; they are able to remain about the issues raised by responses to election in their jurisdictions while pursuing their studies. So security threats at the federal, state, and local levels. far, dozens of students have enrolled in the program According to the U.S. Department of Homeland or taken individual classes; nine have completed Security, Russian hackers attempted to break into their certificates. the voting systems in 21 states, including Minnesota, Part of the challenge in keeping elections on the Pennsylvania, and Florida. Chapin likens most of the up-and-up in the U.S. is that every state conducts its efforts to burglars “checking doors and locks but not elections differently. Some states, like Minnesota, getting into the house.” Yet the attempted incursions, still use paper ballots, which are hard to hack, while as well as the proliferation of fake news on social

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 25 media and warnings of “rigged” election results at the highest levels of government, have challenged public confidence in the system. Losing voter confidence would be a drastic blow to our democracy, says Heather Heyer (B.A. ’07, M.P.P. ’16), voting process administrator for the Denver Elections Division in Colorado, who received her Election Administration certificate in 2017. “Voting is one of the first steps you can take to be engaged in your community.” She stresses TELLING that while the high-profile races get the most attention, voting matters at all levels. “Elections SECRETS for local county commissioners determine where our tax dollars are going. If you care about the bad Americans across the political spectrum agree: intersections in your city, it’s important to know The outsize influence of money in U.S. politics is where to go and take action.” a kind of plague. That’s borne out in numerous Election administrators stress that voting secu- surveys, including a recent bipartisan poll by the rity was a priority long before the 2016 election. Democracy Project, whose founders include former But they also agree that the attempted break-ins President George W. Bush and former Vice Presi- have made the issue a top focus for the coming dent Joe Biden. The survey found that 68 percent contest in November. The biggest challenge of voters believe democracy is growing weaker, with going forward, according to Chapin, is taking a “big money in politics” tying racism and discrimina- decentralized community of election officials and tion for top culprits. finding ways to collectively share information and University of Minnesota alumna Sheila Krumholz detect and respond to threats. (B.A. ’88), executive director of the nonpartisan Cen- It’s a process that is well underway in Hennepin ter for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C., uses County, which conducts an external postelection the same metaphor—and her organization is working audit after every federal election to make sure votes night and day to shine a light on the ever-mutating are counted correctly. Gelms says her staff has disease so journalists and policymakers can treat it. received training in how to detect email phishing The center (OpenSecrets.org) aims to provide vot- attempts and making sure all rooms that contain ers, elected officials, and media outlets with access to sensitive material are protected with key cards and clear and unbiased information about money’s role access logs. To counter disinformation, Hennepin in politics and policy. “We are scientists, tracking the County uses Facebook, Twitter, the county website, pathogens through the body politic,” Krumholz says. and press releases to provide accurate information “When you follow the money, it’s like injecting dye about elections to the public. The certificate into the bloodstream.” It’s not a simple task, she adds, program showed Gelms how to do this in a user- because the “paths keep changing. So many paths friendly way, including the use of infographics. are taken to game the system.” “I feel that the public can be confident,” Gelms Krumholz, who grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota, says. “We already had good practices, but we are was a freshly minted U grad with majors in interna- making them even better.” tional relations and Spanish and a minor in political Chapin sees an upside to the public’s increased science when she arrived in D.C. She began as asso- awareness of how elections work. “As difficult and ciate editor of the very first issue ofOpenSecrets , the divisive as it has been since 2016, there is a greater group’s flagship publication, later moving to research appreciation across the map of how important director. “When I was hired in 1989, there were four elections are,” he says. “For the longest time we’ve employees; I was the fifth,” Krumholz recalls. “We talked to people and said, ‘You should vote because now have 18 employees—and also several interns, it’s your duty.’ Today, more and more people are who are really important to our work. saying ‘If I care about Medicaid expansion or I “That’s not meteoric growth, by any means, but I’ve think immigration is out of control’—people are learned as executive director that I’d rather be nimble understanding that elections are the way we make and small than to balloon to a size that’s difficult to these decisions.” M. sustain over time.” The center is not in the business of advocating particular policy solutions, Krumholz Elizabeth Foy Larsen is a longtime Twin Cities-based writer explains. “We don’t have a horse in the race; we’re not and editor and Minnesota Alumni’s senior editor. trying to take sides. There needs to be a just-the-facts

26 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 is challenging the voters. . . . We live in the politics of big money, and OpenSecrets is the portal into that world. Without them we’d be flying blind.” Attempts to reform campaign finance over the years have invariably prompted lobbyists and political operatives to invent new and craftier workarounds, Krumholz says. “It’s kind of two steps forward, one step back. We’re always trying to play catchup to the new innovations around money in politics,” she explains. “New ways to hide the money, new ways to get around the limits on [campaign] donations, new ways to get around the limits on how the money can be used. The outrage, of course, is not what’s illegal; it’s what’s perfectly legal, perfectly allowable.” The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling—which held that, under the First Amend- ment, the government can’t restrict “independent” electioneering communications expenditures by corporations, unions, nonprofits, and other associations—increased the scope and difficulty of the center’s work. “We now have both unlimited spending and secret sources,” Krumholz says, so discovering who’s buying access and influence from Alumna Sheila organization that puts the information out there and whom is more challenging than ever. lets the chips fall where they may. Heading into the midterms in November, Krum- Krumholz tracks “The press can’t do their job, and the voters can’t holz paints a depressing—but not hopeless—picture. the big money that do theirs, if they don’t have access to the informa- “For those who care about money in politics, the bad fuels our elections. tion they need to defend their own interests. What news is there’s going to be record-setting spending we’re advocating is transparency—and we want to aimed at this election,” she says. “We say that every be a trusted source no matter what your ideologi- cycle, and it’s always true.” But she takes heart in By Susan Maas cal perspective is.” the stories of grassroots candidates who, working The organization’s research has been used and hard on the ground and earning massive numbers praised by journalists and media outlets across the of small, individual donations, manage to prevail country, from Dan Rather to George Will, from the despite a broken and Byzantine system. Economist to the Columbia Journalism Review. “People should know that however hopeless it Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study seems, in the end, who is pulling the lever on Elec- of Politics and Governance at the U’s Humphrey tion Day? Voters.” According to Krumholz, “If voters School, says the importance of OpenSecrets.org understand their power, their potential to organize, to preserving American democracy can’t be over- money can still lose.” stated. “People can think of American democracy as a battle of candidates and voters,” he says. “But the Susan Maas is a Minneapolis-based writer and editor. She is

Jonathan Thorpe Jonathan real story is of big wealthy donors. The checkbook also Minnesota Alumni’s copy editor.

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 27 U doctoral student Rob Shirley was convicted of Will is also studying the Stewart served a prison sen- credit card fraud. Currently ministry through the MnTC tence for a drug crime, fol- on probation and studying program. A decade ago, lowed by supervised release to be a chaplain through he was convicted of felony until 2015. He says that only Minnesota Adult and Teen firearm possession, receiv- when he was finally able to Challenge, a recovery group, ing a short jail sentence vote again did he begin to she believes voting helps followed by 15 years of feel normal, “like I was no former inmates and addicts probation. He occasionally longer on the outside.” feel part of their communi- volunteers for local political ties, an important aspect of candidates, but cannot vote. rehabilitation and recovery. Photo-compostie by Kristi Anderson Kristi by Photo-compostie 28 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 THEY’VE DONE THEIR TIME Now, according to a growing movement, it’s our time to restore voting rights to people with felony records.

By Elizabeth Foy Larsen Photos by Mark Luinenburg

Like many teenagers, Rob Stewart (B.A. ’12, M.A. ’18) started experimenting with marijuana and alcohol when he was in high school. Unfortunately for the Owatonna, Minnesota, native, an activity that began as a way to hang out with buddies quickly escalated to harder drug use and run-ins with the law. In 2007 he was arrested, tried, and convicted for possessing and attempting to sell methamphetamine to an informant. He was sen- tenced to 100 months of prison time and served 25 months under an early release program. After he was released in 2009, Stewart, who is now studying for his Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Minnesota, moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, to pursue an associate’s degree at the local community college. While there, a professor encouraged Stewart and his classmates to attend the precinct caucuses. Stewart knew his felony conviction meant he wouldn’t be eligible to vote until 2015, when he finished his supervised release—Minnesota’s version of parole. But, having become interested in the political process while incarcerated, Stewart figured that attending the caucus was a positive step he could take to engage with his community. Mark is an honorably dis- So it came as a humiliating shock when the charged, disabled veteran of the Marine Corps. He was con- precinct captain announced that to take part in victed of fraud while working the caucus, people needed to be eligible to vote as a counselor and received a on Election Day. “My neighbors and the professor 10-year probation sentence. who had encouraged me to participate were Currently a veterans outreach there,” he says, recalling the moment when he coordinator with MnTC, he would like to regain his right to had to publicly explain that he’d been convicted vote, considering it an aspect of a felony. “I was at a point in my life where I of his service to his country. wanted to be involved and do positive things and to be shut out of the process was very difficult.” (Read our 2015 profile of Stewart here:umnalumni.org/ UMAA-stories/unbowed-rob-stewart) In most U.S. states, people with felony convictions are denied the right to vote in elections; some states automatically restore suffrage after incarceration, others do not. Only Maine and Vermont maintain voting rights even during a prison sentence, mirror- ing standards in Canada, Israel, and some European countries. In more than 30 states, it’s illegal to vote while completing parole (the supervised period after incarceration) or probation (which occurs prior to or in lieu of prison). That means that roughly 2.5 percent of the adult U.S. population, or 6.1 million people, can’t vote because of a felony conviction, according to a 2016 report coauthored by U sociology professor Christopher Uggen for the Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit devoted to criminal justice reform. “The United States has excessively punitive laws on disenfranchisement by global standards, and also excessive numbers of people who are subject to them,” says Uggen. The policies disproportionately affect people living in poverty and black men, who are more often swept Lobbyist Sarah Walker up into the criminal justice system. A recent study from and her former laws, and is executive director of the new Minnesota the University of Georgia, also coauthored by Uggen, sociology professor Justice Research Center.) A main goal is to mitigate the estimated that while 8 percent of the overall population Christopher Uggen so-called “collateral consequences” of convictions, like have felony convictions, among African American men, think people with the loss of suffrage. “If you don’t feel vested in [society], felony records who the rate jumps to 33 percent. have completed their you’re more likely to break those rules, and the cov- “A lot of the laws grew out of the Civil War and prison terms should enant that we’re making when we vote,” Walker says. reconstruction, when African American men got the be able to vote. In fact, research done by Uggen and New York right to vote,” he says. “There were a lot of disenfran- University sociology professor Jeff Manza shows that chising measures passed, most of which, like poll taxes, being able to vote may help former felons get back have fallen by the wayside. But, voting restrictions on into the civic life of their communities, thereby possibly people with criminal records have persisted.” reducing recidivism. “We think about work and family In the U.S., there is a growing movement to restore and housing as being the key to social reintegration, felon voting rights—especially to those who have but there is this civic reintegration piece of it that served their time—championed by people like Stewart, voting comes to symbolize,” Uggen says. “Voting is Uggen, and Sarah Walker, one of Uggen’s former perhaps one of the most visible and tangible symbols of graduate students. being an adult citizen in good standing in society.” “When you vote, no matter how frustrating politics Walker, who in 2014 successfully lobbied for a Ban are these days, it’s a way for us to feel connected to and the Box law in Minnesota, prohibiting private employers invested in the decisions that govern our lives,” says from asking job applicants about their criminal histories Walker, a Twin Cities-based lobbyist who completed on initial applications, says felon voting rights are of doctoral-level work in sociology in 2013 but has yet particular concern in Minnesota—a state with some of to write her dissertation. In 2007, she founded the the highest rates of probation and supervised release in Minnesota Second Chance Coalition, which advocates the U.S. and long probation sentences. “It could be that for people involved in the criminal justice system. you took a plea bargain so you didn’t go to prison for a (Stewart serves on the organization’s board of direc- drug crime, and you never spent a day in prison, but you tors, lobbies at the Legislature for changes to voting can’t vote for 20 or 30 years,” she explains.

30 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 University of Uggen’s research shows that 68 percent of Americans believe people on supervised proba- Minnesota tion should have the right to vote. Sixty percent believe a person should be able to vote while on Bookstores parole. “The clear majority said, ‘Once you’ve done your time you should be able to vote,’” he says. Helping Minnesota Still, despite public support for the issue— recently, New York and Maryland reinstated Alumni be game day ready voting rights for those who have completed their prison sentences but remain on parole—many and #UMNProud lawmakers are reluctant to take up the cause of for over 70 years felon voting rights for fear of appearing soft on crime. (Uggen’s research also shows that restor- Alumni Association members save 20%on ing voting rights to felons would give Democratic regular priced Uof M apparel &n ovelties candidates a slight advantage and would have the instore and online at llookstores.umn.edu greatest impact in close elections in states with with current membership. the strictest disenfranchisement laws, such as Florida. Felons voting would likely have changed UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA the outcome of the 2000 U.S. presidential election between Al Gore and George W. Bush.) Bookstores Slow progress doesn’t stop advocates like www.bookstores.11mn.ed11 Walker, who says restoring suffrage for felons is one of the issues she may “die working on.” In addition to citing statistics showing the majority of Minnesotans who lose their voting rights are white and live outside the Twin Cities—many due to the opioid epidemic—she draws a connection between felons voting and high-profile police shootings of African Americans. “It’s about, who is your chief of police and who is helping decide which ordinances are enforced,” explains Walker, who serves on a Minneapolis committee addressing police- community relations. “When we talk about building trust within communities, how can you do that if those communities have no say in the political process? Yes, there’s stuff we need to do to improve relationships between cops and citizens, and the city council and citizens—but ultimately, if you can’t vote, you are ignored.” For Stewart, who says his drug addiction and incarceration made him feel like an outcast, regaining his voting rights turned out to be an emotional experience. “When I was released, I GIVE BACK TO YOUR was really enthusiastic about rejoining society, COMMUNITY AND doing positive things, and trying to make up HELP US REACH 1,000 for the harm I caused to my family and my com- VOLUNTEERS FOR U OF M munity,” he says. “When I was able to vote and actually did vote, I was overwhelmed because DAY OF SERVICE 2018. finally I started to feel ‘normal’ again—like I was SEPT 29, 2018 no longer on the outside.” UMNAlumni.org/dayofservice I MARRIED A PUNDIT He’s fairly serious on air and on camera. Does he have a sense of humor? Let me just say that, in my study at home, A spouse shares her take on political commentator I have occasionally opened a drawer or looked upon a shelf and found a realistic- Larry Jacobs. By Julie Schumacher looking rubber rat or plastic crow, neither of which could have been set in place by Lawrence R. Jacobs, the Walter F. and then his wife erupted frantically into the anyone other than my spouse. And it’s Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies room, the baby lurching along in his infant probably worth noting that, on Halloween, and director of the Center for the Study of walker like a planet recently released from during election years, he has been known Politics and Governance in the Hubert H. its orbit? That would have been us, 20 years to hold a fake microphone and preside Humphrey School, is a political scientist and ago. No one wants to see a chain of naked over a haunted voting booth (12-and-under policy analyst. He is also a pundit, appearing Barbie dolls or a food fight when they turn voters only) in our front yard. It’s amusing regularly on TPT’s Friday evening Almanac on the news. Eventually our children grew to watch concerned parents try to correct and offering commentary on NPR, MPR, and up and moved out, but the front sidewalk, the vote their 2-year-old has just cast with a CNN, to name a few examples. But who is he, by then, had become a default. The only red or blue crayon. really? As his spouse, I have an inside track and interruptions now come from leaf blowers, am willing to answer a few essential questions. dog-walkers, and (on a recent Mother’s What’s it like to live with someone Day) the sight of Jacobs’s mud-caked, who’s always on the hook for a On the news, why do I always see sunburned spouse mulching the lawn. political soundbite? Is your daily Professor Jacobs interviewed out- conversation filled with politics? doors—even in inclement weather—in Jacobs seems to be a natty dresser: Is If he were married to a person as interested what appears to be his front yard? he a formal suit-and-tie person 24/7? in politics as he is, that might be the case; Remember the BBC interview with a South Hardly. At home, he prefers clothes that but as a writer of fiction, I supply a useful Korean scholar that was so charmingly might be mistaken for unusable castoffs corrective. A typical dinner-table dialogue

interrupted when the scholar’s kids and from Goodwill. between us might look like this: Hanson Eric

32 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 LJ: “Did you see what the mayor said JS: “It’s a plan, then. Seven.” about [lengthy paragraph follows]?” LJ: “How about I try to get there by 7:30?” JS: “Um, no. By the way, there’s a poetry reading in Minneapolis tomorrow night.” What was Professor Jacobs’s training? Do you know how he came to be a pundit? LJ: “Tomorrow? Hm. I think I might have to Well, I first met him in a freshman English class be at—” in 1978. He missed class a few times and asked JS: “I checked your calendar already. It if, in order to catch up, he could borrow my looks like you’re free.” notes. I made a deal with him: He could bor- LJ: “Right. Are there more beans on the row my notes (which were handwritten and stove?” elaborately color-coded) if he did my laundry. JS: “No, we ate them. I went to your politi- I hated doing laundry. This was an important cal event last week.” precedent: He is still very skilled when it comes to laundry. I don’t know whether LJ: “Yes, but that political event was—” his experience with the washer and dryer JS: “No.” contributed to his professional success, but it LJ: “I thought it was—” couldn’t have hurt. JS: “No.” You both teach at the U. Do you ever LJ: “It might have run long, but it was get together for lunch on campus? definitely timely. The mayor—” He’s on the West Bank; I’m on the East. He JS: “Two and a quarter hours isn’t timely. studies facts; I make stuff up. (He once told The SMARTEST Do you know what William Carlos Williams me he was relieved that we have different last PLACE TO STAY said about poetry?” names.) I don’t think we’ve ever run into each LJ: “You don’t need to tell me who William other on campus. People on the West Bank, Stay in the heart of campus at Carlos Williams was.” I’ve found, are better dressed. Graduate Minneapolis, formerly The JS: “He said, ‘It is difficult/ to get the news Commons Hotel, next time you’re in The state of politics these days could stress from poems/ yet men . . .’” town to relive your Gopher glory days. almost anyone out. How does he cope? LJ: “Pass the ketchup? I read Williams in We have three very needy and very sociable Receive a special offer on room rates and high school.” cats. We keep a regular cocktail hour. And at The Beacon when you ask about The JS: “‘. . . die miserably every day/ for lack/ of there is always the catharsis associated with Alumni rate. what is found there.’” doing laundry. LJ: “I’m not going to die, miserably or Your spouse carefully cultivates otherwise, from a lack of poetry. And if a nonpartisan profile: Which way we’re keeping score, I think you owed does he really lean, politically? me at least one political evening, so after I might be headed for divorce if I answered last week’s event we should be even; now that question. you’ve caught up.” JS: “Wrong. In fact you owe me two poetry Julie Schumacher is the author of 10 works of fiction, readings—or one poetry and one fiction. including Dear Committee Members, which won the 615 Washington Ave. SE Remember that fundraiser I went to? The Thurber Prize for American Humor, and the recent Minneapolis, MN 55414 reading starts tomorrow at 7.” novel The Shakespeare Requirement. She directs the Creative Writing Program at the University of Tel: 612 379 8888 LJ: “But I—” Minnesota and is married to Lawrence R. Jacobs. graduatehotels.com In the late 1950s and early ’60s, teams of researchers from the University of Minnesota made pioneering treks to Antarctica, where they named a formation after Pillsbury Hall. By Tim Brady Allyn Baum/The New York Times/Redux York Baum/The Allyn New ONICE

34 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 The geological map of Antarctica is speckled with evidence of visitors from the University of Minnesota. Familiar names dot a pair of mountain ranges in the western part of the continent: Gopher Glacier, Minnesota Glacier, Pillsbury Tower. Alumni of the geology classes of 50 or 60 years ago will recognize the names of past professors and teaching assistants in other Antarctic landmarks in the Ellsworth and Jones ranges, like Mount Craddock, Anderson Massif, the Rutford Ice Stream, and Splettstoesser Pass—all proof that U geologists spent a good deal of time trekking at the bottom of the globe in the formative years of scientific exploration in Antarctica. Investigations of the southernmost continent flour- ished in conjunction with the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The treaty, between a dozen countries, stipulated that the continent be used for peaceful purposes, that freedom of scientific investigation continue, and that scientific observations be shared. Funding became available from Washington, D.C., for geologists to do survey work in the Antarctic. So, why not scientists from the U? University teams embarked on a series of explora- tions. The first, in 1959, included three intrepid souls, including expedition leader Campbell “Cam” Craddock, then assistant professor of geology, who conceived of the mission. The other members of the trek through this virtually uninhabited continent, where the South Pole is located, were geology graduate student John J. Anderson (B.S. ’62, M.S. ’62) and geography graduate student Robert Rutford (B.A. ’54, M.A. ’63, Ph.D. ’69). All but Rutford are deceased. Craddock had “never been south of Las Cruces, New Mexico,” says Rutford, who served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1950s, navigating the glaciers of Greenland in big, treaded trucks as part of a transportation unit. That made Rutford the most experienced polar hand in all of Pillsbury Hall—where geology was located—in 1959 and A team of U geologists a valuable asset to the journey. unloads a plane in a valley The route from Minnesota to the Antarctic that year backed by the Heritage Range, part of the Ellsworth was not exactly direct. When the research team left the Mountains, in Antarctica in snug confines of the Minneapolis campus to spend a November 1962. polar summer researching, they flew first to Washington, D.C., where they listened to cautionary lectures from Navy officers, National Science Foundation experts, and various scientists with Antarctic experience about what they might expect at America’s Antarctic base, McMurdo Station. These included real-life tales of vehicles breaking through the sea ice and the crash of at least one C-124 cargo plane into a mountain while making a supply drop at an Antarctic camp. With these sobering warnings in mind, the Minnesota ~ .... , Ill contingent left D.C. for San Francisco and then flew

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 35 to Honolulu, the Samoa Islands, and New in football, and ran track well metal arches and canvas, which Zealand. Christchurch was the staging enough at Murray High School served as frames and walls. area for all expeditions to McMurdo. to earn a scholarship to the U, “They were really quite toasty There, the three boarded one of those big, where he lettered in each sport when they got buried in snow,” slow-moving C-124s they’d just heard about twice while earning degrees in Rutford says. for the 2,000-mile, nine-and-a-half-hour geography and geology. The Minnesota group flight to the Antarctic. The plane was so While studying at the U, Explorer Robert Rutford quickly acclimated to the cumbersome, says Rutford, “we could have Rutford also coached freshman surroundings. Rutford got his walked to McMurdo as quickly.” About football and coached Hamline University’s first taste of Antarctic travel while working halfway there, they passed what was called football and track teams. This was all before on a geophysical survey to establish the the “point of no return,” beyond which he climbed aboard that lumbering cargo continental margins of the McMurdo there wasn’t enough fuel to get them back plane with Craddock and Anderson. Sound. There were no “motor toboggans” to New Zealand. The C-124 landed safely at McMurdo, yet employed at the camp, so he learned Robert Hoxie Rutford—who would at the time a three-year-old station abuzz the struggles and techniques of polar return to the Antarctic dozens of times— with personnel, scientific and military, and manhauling on the ice. Rutford was his own was the son of longtime U College of housed on the ice in a huddle of Quonset beast of burden, dragging his equipment Agriculture faculty member Skuli Rutford huts and portable structures known as on a sled behind him. (the family is of Icelandic descent). Robert Jamesways. The Jamesways were shipped Temperatures in the coastal regions grew up in St. Anthony Park next to the St. to the continent in large wooden boxes during summer approximated the weather Paul campus. He delivered newspapers that, when opened, served as floors for the at the depths of winter in Minnesota, in the neighborhood, played quarterback structures. Packed inside the boxes were according to Rutford. Gore-Tex had yet to

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36 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 be invented, so the researchers wore U.S. made an epic circumnavigation of the Ells- Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., Army gear. Traveling tents were based on worth Mountains on a sled and the ability to and served as vice chancellor for research the same design used by Robert Falcon move quickly to different sites aided in the and graduate studies back in Lincoln. In Scott in the earliest days of Antarctic explo- discovery of Permian Age plant fossils in 1982, Rutford was appointed president of ration: a center-poled, pyramid-shaped tent the range. These remnants from hundreds the University of Texas at Dallas, a position rising above an 8-foot-square floor. of millions of years ago linked Antarctic he held until 1994, when he returned to the These may sound like hardships, but mountains to ranges in corresponding faculty as a chaired professor of geology. the U team enthusiastically returned to landmasses in the Gondwanaland super- He retired in 2007. the Antarctic in 1960 with five more U continent that once comprised much of Through the years, he kept his hand in colleagues. They set up a base camp in the the dry earth. The Minnesotans were back Antarctic study and research. In 2007, he newly named Jones Mountains and begin again in ’62, ’63, and ’64. (Other U teams received yet another spot on the map when in earnest to put a Minnesota stamp on the followed in later years.) the U.S. Geological Survey named the continent by surveying the range. Rutford Rutford had no idea, on that first C-124 highest peak in the Craddock Massif of the and others in the Minnesota group saw flight to the continent, that he would pass Ellsworth Range after him: Mount Rutford. patterns of glaciation in the mountains the point of no return on more than 25 trips At age 85, Rutford still traces the geologi- that ultimately helped more accurately to Antarctica in a lifetime of research and cal map of Antarctica with his fingertips determine the age of the continent. scholarship. After earning his Ph.D. from the from his home outside of Dallas. Research by the Minnesota contingent a U, he served as chair of the Department of year after that, in 1961, was aided immensely Geology at South Dakota and chair of geol- Tim Brady is the author of five books, including His by the addition of snowmobiles, which ogy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Father’s Son: The Life of General Ted Roosevelt, Jr. afforded the group new mobility. Craddock He directed polar programs at the National He lives in St. Paul

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Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 37 JOURNEYS

F COURSE YOU’VE HEARD of Basilica de La Sagrada Família: that crazy, Antoni Gaudí-designed Catholic church that stands like a Seussian birthday cake in the center of Barcelona. I had 0 heard of it, too. I even considered skipping it when I was in the Catalan capital recently. Thankfully I didn’t, or I would have missed the most spectacular building I’ve ever seen. I was jet-lagged but attempting to shake it off by walking Barcelona’s elabo- The Most rate streets and drinking coffee at every opportunity. Then, I arrived at the front doors of La Sagrada Família (“The Holy Family”). These doors aren’t just doors, however. They are enormous, cast bronze slabs, part of the church’s Beauty “glory façade,” each imprinted with a section of the Lord’s Prayer in Catalan and 49 other languages. The doors are surrounded by exterior structural lines that tilt at odd angles, Anywhere as well as sculptures of birds and fish and people, and frosting pillars and balconies that frankly shouldn’t exist by the laws of physics. It’s as much a riot La Sagrada Família in of joy and inspiration as exists in one place anywhere. The true spectacle, however, is inside. Still more pillars reach like trees from Barcelona, Spain, amazes. the floor to the kaleidoscopic ceiling. Above the main altar, Jesus flies under a By Jennifer Vogel canopy festooned with grapes and glowing baubles, as though he’s hang gliding. Gaudí slept in his studio in the basement while he designed and built the church around him (the studio has been recre- ated for tours). He was struck and killed by a streetcar in 1926, at the age of 73. What Gaudí understood inherently is that while the church itself is dazzling and original, its true purpose is to serve as a vessel for light. On the crisp, blue morning of my visit, the sun streamed through the enormous banks of stained glass windows like searchlights from heaven. Gaudí said color is life. And standing there with yellow, orange, and red beams on my face and in my eyes, I could feel it: life and inspiration and more than a little awe.

If you go, alumnus Rahim • The best place to eat patatas bravas, Habib (M.B.A. ’02) and his a local fried potato dish, is El Tomás wife Marta Rodelas—who de Sarriá: eltomasdesarria.com met at the Carlson • If you’re looking for live jazz music and School and now live in dinner, you can’t do better than Hotel Casa Barcelona—recommend Fuster on a Thursday night: hotelcasafuster. these hidden gems: com/en/gastronomy-jazz/jazz-club/ • The most joyful summer open-air concert series is Festival Jardins de Pedralbes: festivalpedralbes.com/en/the-garden/ • Hands down, the tastiest Catalan-style tapas (pica-pica) are served at Paco Meralgo: restaurantpacomeralgo.com Jennifer Vogel Jennifer

38 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Talking the Walk ARTS Spoken word artist and alumnus Guante explores what it means to be a man in 2018 and beyond. By Jim Walsh

AST SEPTEMBER in suburban Minneapolis, at Heads bobbed in recognition and rhythm. It was the annual national conference of the violence weeks before Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s prevention group A Call to Men, Minneapolis- sexual abuse and assault of women reignited the #MeToo L based poet, rapper, storyteller, and spoken word movement, and here was Guante giving his take as a artist Guante (nee Kyle Tran Myhre) took the stage. man, poet, and feminist, though he may not be comfort- Dressed all in black, the 35-year-old Wisconsin able with that last part. Is Guante (whose wife, Uyenthi native immediately grabbed the attention of the 300 Tran Myhre, is assistant director of the Women’s Center conference-goers, who were assembled to confront at the University of Minnesota) OK with that label? issues of domestic violence and male stereotypes, with “I’m trying to write a poem about that,” says the his brilliant spoken-word piece “Handshakes.” full-time artist, taking a break at Five Watt Coffee in “Do you ever feel trapped?” Guante (M.L.S. ’16) asked Minneapolis’s Kingfield neighborhood. “If I’m in a room an invisible macho hand. “In the mornings, when you’re with a bunch of people who are anti-feminist, I’ll be like, watching Sports Center or whatever, and downing that ‘Yeah. Of course I call myself feminist, and here’s why.’ protein shake made with raw eggs and liquefied steak But I don’t put it in my Twitter bio like, ‘I’m an awesome and Axe Body Spray, do you ever crush the glass by feminist man.’ It isn’t a hat you can wear, or a button you accident? Do you ever get tired of that voice in the back can put on. It’s a lens for understanding the world. So yes, of your head, the one that sounds just like Denis Leary, I call myself a feminist—with an asterisk.” telling you to constantly reaffirm that you’re a real man He shows the same reluctance to go for the sound- by catcalling women and eating enormous hamburgers bite when asked how he identifies his race. “I’m mixed, and squeezing things really, really hard?” mostly Norwegian and Japanese, but that opens up Sara Rubinstein Sara

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 39 0 a much more complex conversation about how that “I’M INTERESTED are held over us, but also the power that people have to identity has shaped both my experience and my writing,” push back and do something.” he says. “For example, when I write about race, I tend to IN CREATING Guante’s work has appeared in a range of media, mostly write about whiteness, because even if my blood/ including MSNBC, Huffington Post, Everyday Femi- experience is mixed, people tend to see me as white, so I MORE SPACES nism, and Upworthy. He’s recorded a TEDx talk and feel a responsibility to speak on that.” FOR PEOPLE TO appeared at colleges, universities, and conferences. He’s Born in La Crosse and raised by a single mother, also the founder of the MN Activist Project and Hip-Hop Guante graduated from the University of Wisconsin and HAVE DEEPER Against Homophobia concert series. One reviewer became part of the hip-hop scene in Madison. Inspired CONVERSATIONS dubbed Guante “part Cormac McCarthy, part Woody by the work of Minneapolis hip-hop organizers and Guthrie, and part Public Enemy.” Minnesota Spoken Word Association cofounders Sha ABOUT POWER.” A two-time National Poetry Slam champion, these Cage and E.G. Bailey, he moved to Minneapolis in 2007 days Guante is busy with readings from his first book, A and quickly made a name for himself as a sharp-tongued, 0 Love Song, A Death Rattle, A Battle Cry, and hosting socially conscious artist. weekly open mic poetry slams at the Golden Thyme “When E.G. and I met Guante in Madison, he was Café in St. Paul. He regularly performs for schools and not only one of the most gifted wordsmiths but was so businesses—all of which benefit from his streetwise, committed to bringing the next generation up,” says Sha empathetic, and very much of-these-times perspective. Cage. “Part of us inviting him onto our indie label was “I almost think that because things are so bad right about continuing to provide access to artists driven to now, people are hyper-focused on survival and just growing community through the arts. It was evident that pushing through,” he says. “Whereas during the last his heart was always rooted in social justice work.” administration or whatever, I’d be doing similar work In 2016, Guante received his master’s from the U, with but we could almost have deeper conversations about a focus on spoken word poetry, critical pedagogy, and it, because it wasn’t so in-your-face all the time. Which social justice education. His final project focused on how is why I also think that 2018 and 2020 are going to be the arts can be used to make social justice education really interesting times to balance those conversations. more effective than simply, as he puts it, “here’s my How do you push back against the really obvious bad PowerPoint on how not to sound racist. things that are happening while also doing it with a “I look at all the work I do, talking about masculin- critical lens? Having nuanced conversations is not going ity, socialization, gender violence, whiteness, white to be a lot of fun over the next few years.” supremacy, capitalism, economic inequality—but I think Lucky for all of us, we’ll have Guante to make the con- at the end of the day, all those things share a common versation swing along with words, beats, and beauty. foundation in that I’m interested in creating more spaces for people to have deeper conversations about power,” Jim Walsh (B.A. ’90) is an award-winning author, journalist, writer, he says. “Power in the sense of the powers that be that and songwriter in Minneapolis.

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An Academic Skewering, Talks with Hollywood Royalty, and Ruminations on Suicide It’s Minnesota Alumni’s quarterly books roundup. By Lynette Lamb

ULIE SCHUMACHER has done it again. refuses to use and that routinely precludes the The veteran University of Minnesota possibility of enjoying face-to-face contact with creative writing professor has published his fellows in Payne. J a second darkly comic novel set among Schumacher has an uncanny ear for the the petty turf wars and interdepartmental pompous verbiage of professors and the skirmishes of the academy. insensible, pop-culture strewn conversations Her first foray into academic of undergraduates. “Will you be grading us on humor, Dear Committee Members, how we write or on our ideas?” one freshman he in 2015, was a Thurber Prize-winning dares ask Fitger on the first day of his Literature Shak speare novel told through a series of of Apocalypse class, thus making himself a ripe Requirement dyspeptic recommendation letters target for the disgruntled English professor, written by disillusioned creative who sets off on a lengthy discourse about the writing teacher Jason Fitger. inextricable coupling of lucid expression and In The Shakespeare Requirement transparency of meaning. Just before putting the (Doubleday) Fitger is back—this poor kid in his place, Fitger the narrator muses, time in the third person—and “He so enjoyed these first, early encounters with more shocked than anyone to find incoming freshmen, who were as tender and himself the newly installed depart- unsuspecting as asparagus tips.” Ju le Schumacher ment chair of the dysfunctional, Woven throughout the brilliant humor and backbiting English Department at skillful writing of The Shakespeare Requirement, Payne State University. however, are some serious messages about the The name of this “mid-sized, middlebrow” current state of higher education. The epony- university—set in an anonymous Midwestern mous battle in the book, of course, has to do with river city—provides Schumacher with an endless dropping the department’s Shakespeare classes source of laugh-out-loud wordplay. Welcome to from the curriculum because of their supposed Payne. Get Ready for Payne. Ten Years of Payne. irrelevance to today’s students. Many readers Anyone who has ever worked in higher will be reminded of the curriculum war being education will recognize the oddball characters, waged at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens philosophical battles, and bureaucratic lunacy so Point where, facing declining enrollment and Lynette Lamb (M.A. ’84) is a longtime Twin Cities perfectly detailed in this novel. Among Fitger’s devastating budget cuts initiated by Governor editor and writer and a Sisyphean struggles: a bloated and greedy Scott Walker, administrators have proposed regular book reviewer for economics department—run by a popinjay eliminating 13 humanities majors. the Star Tribune. named Roland Gladwell—with designs on the Then there’s the financial battle for the soul of English department’s last crumbling bits of real academy, with its growing reliance on corporate estate; an intimidating department secretary and private funding, coupled with the centrality who blocks his every move; and a byzantine of the university fundraising machine. Scratch online calendar called P-Cal that he steadfastly the surface of any educational institution these

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 41 days and you’ll find an army of staffers happy to Broken Heart (University of Minnesota Press). grant naming rights and even curricular influence Both young adult novels skillfully demonstrate in exchange for a new building or academic chair. the emotional devastation of suicide and the Of course, “job creating” departments such as redeeming power of friendship. McGhee’s computer science and economics are more likely (M.A. ’93) book—set in an unnamed present-day to be the recipients of this corporate largesse, town—is told episodically, following Will as he and Schumacher doesn’t miss a beat there. makes sense of his life in the wake of a great She delightfully describes the keen differences loss. St. Anthony’s (B.A. ’73) novel is more con- between the fictional Economics Department’s ventionally written; U of M alumni will enjoy its newly refurbished quarters (“state-of-the-art- Minneapolis setting and many local references. technology enhanced classrooms . . . elegant seminar and meeting rooms, faculty offices, and Speaking of Minnesota, if you’re already missing a café . . . stunning mosaic tile floors and skylights the North Star State’s summer, pick up a copy underwritten by the Morse Foundation; digital of Boathouses of Lake Minnetonka (Big Picture LCD wall displays donated by philanthropist-alum Press), with stunning photographs by Karen Mel- Bill Fixx”) and those of the English Department, vin, B.S. ’06. Here you’ll find an eclectic collection with its broken window sashes, blown fuses, net- of structures—ranging from Japanese follies to work of extension cords, and ancient computers. miniature Swiss chalets—hugging the shores of In other words, when you read The Shake- the western suburban lake. speare Requirement, get ready for a hilarious romp through the ridiculous, self-important Launched by the Minnesota Daily and a shared world of the academy, but be prepared for a few enthusiasm for old Hollywood, David Fantle, B.A. sobering reflections about higher education ’83, and Tom Johnson, B.A. ’83, have compiled a along the way. collection of interviews with an impressive range of movie and TV royalty in Hollywood Heyday: And . . . the roundup 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends (McFarland & Co. Publishers). Just 18 when they Three new novels by U authors center on the sought interviews with their first celebrities— suicides of beloved fathers. The most wrenching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly—the Daily duo went is Some Hell (Graywolf), the first major work by on to talk with dozens of luminaries, including promising writer Patrick Nathan, B.A. ’09. From Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, and Debbie Reynolds. this book’s opening sentence, which recounts the suicide of middle-schooler Colin’s father, A more contemporary take on media can be to its stunning conclusion, Some Hell is an found in The Toxic Meritocracy of Video Games: unforgettable read. Why Gaming Culture is the Worst (University of Minnesota Press) by Christopher A. Paul, Ph.D. Paternal suicides also haunt the lives of Will, ’05. Although his title makes his premise clear, it’s the constantly walking protagonist of Alison worth noting that Paul is a lifelong video game McGhee’s What I Leave Behind (Atheneum), player himself. His critique then, comes from a and Isabelle, stalwart heroine of Jane St. place of deep knowledge and enjoyment, making Anthony’s Isabelle Day Refuses to Die of a it that much more persuasive.

42 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 ALUMNI STORIES

Haven’t Heard of Kernza?

Thanks to alumnus and crop scientist Lee DeHaan, you will. By Elizabeth Foy Larsen

s a teenager growing up on a corn and An earth-friendly grain that’s getting attention from soybean farm on the outskirts of Albert Lea, climate scientists, cereal makers, and sustainable Minnesota, Lee DeHaan (M.S. ’00, Ph.D. ‘01) farmers, Kernza is a new domesticated crop bred from A remembers having plenty of opportunities an ancient strain of wheatgrass. It grows like grass, but to contemplate what he would eventually view as the tastes like wheat. Today, thanks largely to DeHaan, it’s shortcomings of traditional agriculture. “I spent hundreds the breakout star in an expanding lineup of perennial of hours on a tractor tilling fields and burning fuel,” he says grains and cover crops that plant geneticists are devel- in a wry tone that makes it clear he’s understating matters. oping to capture carbon, enrich soils, prevent erosion, “I realized what we were doing wasn’t good for the soil.” and improve both water quality and the economics of It was the 1980s—the height of the farm crisis—and farming. More Kernza is grown in Minnesota than in any many of the farmers in DeHaan’s community were los- other state in the country. ing their land. Some urged their children not to go into “A perennial crop doesn’t need to be replanted every a profession that had been passed down for genera- year and that conserves the soil’s health,” DeHaan tions. DeHaan’s father sold their farm to an investor and explains. “And when you have the potential for increased then farmed it for the rest of his career as a manager productivity with less input, that can also give farmers a under contract. greater share of the agricultural revenue, which in turn can That painful time started DeHaan on a lifelong journey help alleviate the extreme swings in the farm economy.” to make farming more environmentally and economically After studying biology and plant science at Dordt sustainable. Today, he’s the lead scientist for the Kernza College in Sioux Center, Iowa, DeHaan attended gradu- Domestication Program at the Land Institute, a Kansas- ate school at the University of Minnesota, focusing on based agriculture research organization that develops agronomy and applied plant science. For his master’s food production methods—including perennial grain and degree, DeHaan studied feed options for livestock. He seed crops—that support the land and soil. moved on to perennial grains for his doctorate, research Bill Wadman

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 43 that eventually led to a full-time job at the Land Institute and his work with Kernza. Today, DeHaan’s research is partly backed by a partnership between the Institute and the U’s Forever Green initiative, which develops new crops and high-efficiency cropping systems. DeHaan is also a member of the U’s adjunct faculty and sits on graduate student committees. With a spicy, earthy undertone that intrigues foodies—chefs and bakers insist that, like wine, the grain has its own “terroir,” which varies from soil to soil—Kernza serves up a host of environmental benefits that include a deep root system, resistance to drought, and the continuous living cover agronomists say can lower pesti- cide use, reduce soil erosion, and improve water quality. Kernza is not available yet in grocery stores; it has only recently been milled commercially and quantities are limited. But there are both large and small-scale businesses, including California-based Patagonia Provisions and Minnesota-based General Mills, which are working to incorporate it into their products. When it’s available, the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis mixes the grain into its waffles, crackers, and tortillas. Their Kernza sweet corn blueberry eclair made the StarTribune’s 2017 new food roundup when it was served at the Farmers Union coffee shop at the Minnesota State Fair. “It’s a big honor to be a part of this paradigm shift,” says Tracy Singleton (B.A. ‘94), the Birchwood’s owner, who adds that DeHaan’s humble demeanor belies his outsized contribution to sustainable agriculture. Likewise, as part of its Keep the North Cold initiative to combat climate change, Minneapolis clothing brand Askov Finlayson has partnered with Fair State Brewing Cooperative in Northeast Space Cowgirl Minneapolis to produce a beer—also called Keep the North Cold— using local ingredients, including Kernza. The company views the beer as an investment in the future of farming practices that are Alumna Johanna Lucht is easier on the environment. “Making Kernza more widely available breaking new ground as a deaf is a long-term journey,” says Adam Fetcher, Askov Finlayson’s vice engineer at NASA. By Emily Sohn president of environmental impact and policy. “Lee is on the front lines. He owns this work day in and day out.” In fact, DeHaan’s job marries hands-on science with public rela- OHANNA LUCHT sat in a control room at the tions evangelizing. He not only spends days in the field planting and NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, north collecting plant tissue for DNA samples; he also writes papers, gives of Los Angeles, on a clear day in April 2017. In the talks, and travels to international meetings, all to improve and pro- J sky, a flight crew was testing an aircraft with an mote Kernza’s chances for success. It’s a lot of work, but he and his experimental, twistable wing flap for the first time. On the colleagues at the Land Institute and the U are grounded in a practi- ground, alongside at least 10 other engineers in a quiet cal strategy for success. “We hope that once Kernza is available, room full of computer screens, Lucht’s job was to help someone shopping in the grocery store won’t notice a big change,” monitor and analyze data, with the ultimate goal of boost- DeHaan says. “We want to provide a solution for environmental ing flight efficiency. She knew it was an experience few concerns without having to revolutionize the human diet.” people get to have, and she was both excited and focused. It was only after the mission was over that Lucht, who graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2014, WHAT DO YOU THINK? discovered she was the first deaf engineer to take an Send letters and comments to [email protected] active role in a NASA control center during a crewed

research flight. “I was kind of flabbergasted because I’d NASA Courtesy

44 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 ALUMNI STORIES

You walk in and you see “the display cases and you say, ‘Wow,’ and then you see you’re in one of them. It’s flattering to say the least. You walk in and, boom, there you are. I had no idea. Alan Page (J.D. ’78), former Minnesota Supreme Court justice and star Viking, on viewing the new Vikings Museum in Eagan for the first time, according to theSt. Paul” Pioneer • Press. Page is this year’s Homecoming grand marshal. just made history without realizing it at that moment,” sometimes pushing resistant professors to provide Lucht says. “This achievement to me is a feat, validat- interpreters and video-captioning in classes. ing all my hard work and numerous people who have After graduation, Lucht landed an internship and then supported me to this day.” a job at NASA, where she has continued to overcome It was a moment that 26-year-old Lucht had, in many challenges. The Armstrong Flight Research Center is ways, been working toward for years, as she tackled one located on the Edwards Air Force Base in the remote communications obstacle after the next. Born in Germa- Mojave Desert and lacks a robust supply of interpreters. ny, where at the time there were few resources for deaf Over time, Lucht has worked with freelance interpreters people, Lucht didn’t learn American Sign Language until who drive in for meetings and off-site interpreters who she was 9. Before then, her memories are fuzzy, probably call in through video conferencing, among other strate- because of the language delay. But as a preteen and gies. But many of the words she uses on a daily basis the only deaf student at her school, she remembers the are so technical that she has to teach them to each new pain of being excluded from social groups by other kids. interpreter she works with. And sometimes, all options When she was 12, her family moved to Alaska, where she fall through. Once, she had planned to work with an was finally exposed to a deaf community that gave her interpreter from the Air Force side of the base, who was full access to a more complete social world and, she says, pulled away to another project at the last minute, leaving “your typical school drama.” her unable to participate in a meeting. Lucht arrived at the U in the fall of 2010. She had been As a deaf woman at NASA, helping control a test impressed by the interpretation services during her tour flight last spring was a triumph in more ways than one. the year before and, as a bonus, her brother lived nearby. “It proved that deaf people can do something amazing,” After working through some initial homesickness, Lucht says Lucht, who recently spoke with a 10-year-old became involved with groups like the U’s deaf and girl who was starstruck to meet her. “It’s not just deaf hard of hearing ambassador program—which taught children but also hearing girls who are inspired. It’s her about teamwork and leadership. Living on her own astonishing really.” for the first time, she learned to advocate for herself, ALUMNI STORIES

The Triumphs of a Dogged Man

N AUGUST 2017, 81-year-old Larry Laukka (B.A.’58) pedaled for miles alongside more than a thousand cyclists in Dakota County, II Minnesota, to raise money for research at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center. And while many might marvel at an octo- genarian even considering such an undertaking, to those who know Laukka’s devotion to the U, it Alumnus Larry Laukka came as no surprise. Especially since the idea for has spent his life the event was his. The seed was planted a few years prior when spearheading efforts Laukka, a prolific Twin Cities real estate devel- that will benefit the U oper, learned about an annual cycling fundraiser for decades to come. that was raising millions for cancer research at Ohio State University. Intrigued, he went to Ohio By Jodi Auvin to see the 2015 ride. “It was unreal,” he says, referring to the 7,000 cyclists at the event. He approached the Univer- sity of Minnesota Foundation about adapting the concept, with every rider-raised dollar going toward research. Two years later, Chainbreaker was born and Laukka was the first to sign up. Laying the groundwork Despite being diagnosed with Stage III esopha- One of two children, Laukka grew up in South geal cancer just days before the ride, Laukka Minneapolis. His father was a Minneapolis Gas completed the 25-mile course as the race’s oldest Light Company repairman; his mother trained rider, describing it as “fun and not too taxing. cashiers and bookkeepers for Red Owl grocery “My motivation isn’t personal,” he says. “It’s to stores. Neither attended college, but both support an important cause. By 2021, I trust we’ll encouraged higher education. So did Laukka’s hit our goal of $100 million.” high school sweetheart, whom he married in 1961. If history is any indication, that objective will “Mary wouldn’t marry a man without a college be achieved. Laukka has been a driving force degree,” says Laukka, a 1953 Roosevelt High behind buildings, monuments, and initiatives that School graduate. “That sealed the deal.” To help will serve the U and the people of Minnesota for pay for tuition, he worked for an independent generations to come. Chief among them is the grocery store throughout high school and college. 231,000-square-foot “front door” to the U at the He entered the U in 1954 and joined Theta corner of Oak and Washington: the McNamara Chi, where he met Fred Friswold (B.S. ’58). “Larry

46 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Larry Laukka at appointed the fraternity’s rushing chairman,” Pemble, who was starting a residential develop- the site of Edinbor- recalls Friswold, retired CEO of the former Dain ment company. Laukka, 26, scratched Kansas ough, a mixed-use development in Bosworth. “He more than doubled membership City and joined Pemtom Inc. as its only salesman. Edina, in 1986. during his term. He was also actively involved in “During the next 10 years, I earned a Ph.D. in campus politics and governance.” the business,” he says. This included cultivating Equally driven as a student, Laukka credits a the tenacity that enables him to deal with course that combined geography, architecture, whatever Murphy’s Law dishes out—design and sociology by legendary professor John problems, zoning issues, construction delays, Borchert with greatly influencing his career. “He and more. In 1972, he left Pemtom to form made such an impression, explaining how cities Laukka Development Company, then spent the had developed since the beginning of time.” next 45 years building and developing more After graduating with a degree in economics, than 6,000 homes and homesites in the Twin Laukka served in the U.S. Army, then worked for Cities. He also lent his expertise to an array of a mutual fund company. Just prior to taking a civic associations, including founding the Min- job at the company’s Kansas City headquarters, nesota Housing Institute and helping develop a fraternity brother introduced him to Clyde the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 47 Perseverance prevails the project done. “It belonged to the College of Since its inception in 1904 and despite repeated Veterinary Medicine and was returned after the efforts to find a permanent home on campus, the ceremony,” says Laukka. “Thank goodness!” University of Minnesota Alumni Association had Since opening in 2000, McNamara has been moved repeatedly over the years. In the late ‘80s, home to the Alumni Association and the Founda- it was forced to move again. At the same time, tion, provided office space for 25 U departments, Ken Keller’s U presidency was and served as a venue for events that generate unraveling due a controversial enough income to pay for the building’s upkeep. $1.5 million renovation of Eastcliff, Those events also funded Scholars Walk—another the official residence. “The U project that had languished until Laukka comman- was on the front pages every deered it—a pedestrian walkway on the East Bank day,” says Friswold, who served that lauds the accomplishments of U alumni. as Alumni Association president “All of that got me more involved,” says Laukka. from 1987 to ‘88. He was invited to join the Foundation’s board After writing to Friswold and lead a team of consultants to determine expressing his concerns, Laukka the best use for the University of Minnesota suddenly found himself on the Outreach, Research, and Education Park—known Alumni Association board, where as UMore—in Rosemount. Originally 12,000 acres his industry expertise made of farmland, the government used the site for a him the point person on the munitions factory during World War II, then gave development of a freestanding 8,000 acres to the U, which used it for agricultural alumni center. It soon became research. Laukka urged the U to investigate the apparent to him that there was site for gravel, leading to the discovery of more an opportunity to build a facility than 400 million tons of it. He helped negotiate a that could house a number of U-affiliated organiza- 40-year contract with a company that pays the U tions, including the Board of Regents. a royalty for every ton extracted from a 1,700-acre It took more than 10 years of “wading through portion of the site. At the end of the lease, that various U bureaucracies” to turn that idea into acreage will be returned to the U, including a lake bricks and mortar. Laukka and Friswold worked formed by the extraction. together and, with the help of Dale Olseth (B.B.A. Laukka’s drive and dedication to the U have ’52), raised the $46 million required to build the spurred other alumni forward, including Tom McNamara Alumni Center. “To succeed in real LaSalle (B.A.’72), owner of a project management estate development, you need perseverance,” company. At Laukka’s urging, the two worked says Friswold. “That’s Larry’s style and he carried it together on the Alumni Center. “I did it for Larry,” through all his work on campus.” says LaSalle. “That’s when I started to appreciate During the 1997 groundbreaking ceremony, U how important the U is to Minnesota.” LaSalle President Nils Hasselmo presented Laukka with served as president of the Alumni Association the “biggest, ugliest bulldog I’ve ever seen”—a board from 2007 to ‘08. tribute to Laukka’s dogged determination to get Today, Laukka sees the Alumni Center as one of the most rewarding undertakings of his career. And he sums up his decades of efforts in his character- istic minimalist style. “I did it out of my personal feelings for the U,” he says. “Fred asked me to My motivation isn’t lend a hand and one thing led to another. Now it’s Chainbreaker. I’m training for the 50-mile course.” Friswold has a loftier summation. “Larry’s years of “personal. It’s to support service are unique. There’s no one to replace him. an important cause. He’s committed to building excellence at the U.” Jodi Auvin is a freelance copywriter in Minneapolis who —Larry Laukka develops marketing communications for a wide variety ” of clients. 48 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Driven to end cancer

EVERY DOLLAR RAISED BY CHAINBREAKER FUELS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AT THE MASONIC CANCER CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. THANK YOU, LARRY LAUKKA, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING CHAINBREAKER TO THE U!

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UMAA ADOPTS NEW STRATEGIC PLAN WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR In June, the Alumni Association Board of Directors On July 1, incoming Alumni voted to approve a new five-year strategic plan for Association board chair Doug the UMAA. The plan was informed by alumni feed- Huebsch (B.S. ’85) took the reins. back—gathered through an all-alumni survey fielded Huebsch, who has served on the last fall—and input from University leaders. board since 2014, is a partner in In crafting the strategic plan, the UMAA sought New Life Farms, which specializes to understand what types of services or involvement in turkey and beef production, are of most interest to alumni. The top responses and president of Goose Group, were career services, opportunities to mentor Inc.—both companies are based students, and serving as ambassadors for the U. in Perham, Minnesota. “Though In addition, alumni emphasized the importance of scattered across the globe, the preserving the strength of the U and the value of UMAA connects and supports our every degree. Each of these priorities are addressed alumni to form a network of loyalty in the new plan. and pride,” he says. “The UMAA Over the next five years, the Alumni Association advocates for the University of will focus on four goals: enriching the lives of all Minnesota with a unified voice, alumni, bolstering student success, advancing the knowing that current and future interests of the University of Minnesota, and leading alumni are the economic engine of state but also across the nation and through organizational strength. Specific offerings Minnesota and the world.” globe. From health care to agricul- will include career services for alumni, opportunities Huebsch is an Otter Tail County ture, engineering to technology, to mentor students, lifelong learning resources, and commissioner and an avid Gophers we Minnesotans are better off other programs that enhance alumni well-being. In fan. All three of his adult children because of the U. It’s really a circle addition, the UMAA will continue to provide alumni are U graduates. One of his goals of life and this year, we’re focusing with timely, relevant University news and partner as chair is to increase Alumni on sharing that message of mutual with them to expand legislative advocacy that Association funding. “We need to enrichment, gratitude, and thanks.” strengthens the U. be entrepreneurial in developing a Join the UMAA if you haven’t The new plan will enable the UMAA to support financial and business model that already, he says. “Just as someone the U’s strategic priorities. We will keep alumni con- sets the standard for the future advocated for you as a student, you nected to the U through Minnesota Alumni maga- and enables us to build even more may advocate for current students, zine, the Alumni Angle weekly email, and other print upon the U’s alumni network and as an alumnus. This system only and digital communications, delivering information ability to facilitate and enrich the works with the participation of each that is both timely and personally relevant. As the lives of Minnesotans. new alumnus. Standing together, University continues to manage its enrollment and “We at the University of Min- the University and its alumni are graduation rates, the UMAA will seek to partner with nesota and the UMAA are grateful greater than standing alone.” alumni to recruit students and encourage admitted to our Minnesota residents for students to enroll. Once students arrive on campus, investing in the U,” adds Huebsch. the Alumni Association and alumni will serve as a “This year, we’re focusing on valuable source of mentoring and support. sending the love back. We’ll be To read the full strategic plan, go to UMNAlumni. showcasing alumni, businesses, and org/StrategicPlan. communities not just across the

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 51 MEMBER ADVANTAGES A SPECIAL WELCOME Thank you for being a member! Don’t forget to to our newest Life Members!* make the most of your member advantages. Here are just a few: As a Life Member, you join more than 19,000 loyal and enthusiastic alumni supporting the U’s important work. Dues are invested in a fund that provides a stable support for PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT key Alumni Association initiatives. u Take part in a quarterly roster of noncredit Arden Aaberg Adam Fulton Meghan Mohs William Stevens courses (save 10% on continuing education). Susan Abraham Shireen Gandhi Carmen Molina Lisa Stuppy u Invest in yourself with a course in the Carlson Amy Alexander David Giel Jose Molina Brett Swanson Executive Education program (save 10%). Keely Alger Sharon Giel Geraldine Mooers Peter Swanson Stephen Askew Zachary Gill James Moore Kristin Sweeney EXPLORE CAMPUS Bridget Axelson Raymond Gleason Robert Mrkonich Mei Tang Davi Axelson Sally Gleason Minelva Nanton Benjamin Thul u Visit the Weisman Art Museum, Bell William Axness Camie Goffi Sara Nelsen Jacqueline Tinberg Museum, and Minnesota Landscape Tina Baribeau Erica Gordon Daniel Nelson Manuel Torres Arboretum (discounted membership rates). Daniel Baum Connie Gorman Helen Camilla Nelson Lori Tuominen Boris Beckert Steven Gorman Andrea Newton Mark Tuominen u See the finest Northrop Dance, U of Anna Beckler Leslie Green Skip Newton Julia Ulmer M Theatre Arts, and School of Music Matthew Beckler Emily Habisch Peter Ohser William Ung performances (member ticket rates). Charles Beckmann Anne Halgerson Omoshola Olaleye Michael Vespasiano Patricia Beckmann James Halgerson Maynard Oliverius Brady West u Dine with a view from the Campus Club (local Allen Bergh Katherine Hanson Nicholas Olson David Wettergren and non-Twin Cities membership discounts). Patsy Bishop Karyne Harstad Patrick Olson Betty Carol Whealy u Tour the Raptor Center for a beak-to-nose Marie Blackburn Daniel Hauser Thomas O’Toole John Whealy Steven Block Joseph Hering Christina Ouska Jochum Wiersma educational experience (weekend program Amy Boese Roberta Hering Nina Pagel CarolAnn Winther discounts, save 20% on birthday parties). Benjamin Bowman Gail Hernz Daniel Patton Christina Wowk Amber Butcher Robert Hernz Sara Patton Victor Wowk MEMBERS-ONLY ACCESS Keith Butcher Robert Higashi Lisa Perez Hao Xu u Minnesota Alumni Market, where Jacob Calhoun Erik Hillesheim Steven Pesek Nancy Zaworski Klaudia Calhoun Karen Howe Ryan Peterson Michael Zell all products are alumni-made. If you Gary Campbell Beth Johnson Michael Petschel Timothy Zhang are a graduate of the U, a UMAA Caese Carlson Kermit Johnson Martha Pettee Alan Ziskin member, and owner of your business, Hannah Carlson- Kirby Johnson Ryan Petz we would love to discuss selling your Donohoe Michelle Johnson Scott Pickler *Reflects April 14-July goods. MNAlumniMarket.com Brian Carlton Russell Johnston Evan Pietri 14, 2018 Rebecca Cassidy David Jordheim Sean Pyper u Advance notice and special pricing of Mark Chaffin Donald Jurgens Eric Ratzlaff exclusive events. Keep an eye on your inbox! Christopher Chapman Karen Kaler Norrita Rech u Anupama Chauhan Jason Kask Moira Richards Online access to U of M Libraries Mark Classen Stacey Kaupang Roger Richardson STAY (subset of student access). Jay Colond Brandon Kiel Christina Ritter CONNECTED u Beth Cutting David Kivi Eric Roach Continue receiving this award-winning, UMNAlumni.org quarterly magazine! Membership Ernest Cutting Robert Koehler Nassir Rostambeigi Diane Darr Corey Kopacek Marianne Rother /MinnesotaAlumni includes your print subscription. Colleen Davy Donald Koski Ronald Rydell Joseph Davy Elise Krause Pamela Ryder UMAA SPECIAL SAVINGS SECTION Randolph Degerness Jayde Krauth Sanghamitra Sahu u Chocolat Celéste offers 20% off online Bruce Doe James Krueck Jack Sartell @UMNAlumni purchases with your UMAA member code. Andrew Durkot Jean Kummerow Minette Saulog Kirk Easton Amy Langemo Mark Savin /UMNAlumni u 20% savings on U of M Bookstores Martha Easton Lanny Law Mary Savin apparel and gifts in store and online. Frederick Eckfeld Joshua Lemon Susan Schendel /UMNAlumni u Mark Egan Karen Lenertz Sandra Sharp Academic pricing on select Apple® Janet Eickhoff King-Wai Leung Carl Sherman /UMNAlumni products at the U of M Bookstores. Mike Enz Katarzyna Litak Daniel Smith u 10% discount at Goldy’s Locker Pamela Enz Elizabeth Martin Durin Smith #UMNAlumni Room locations in the Twin Cities. Joel Essig Jeffrey Martin Paulette Smith UMNProud Laura Farvour Patricia McCullough Gretchen Stein # u Show your member card for alumni hotel Andrew Finsness Thomas McMorrow Richard Stein rates at Graduate Minneapolis on campus. Elizabeth Finsness Matthew Mohs David Steinbrink For details, visit: Join this list of Life Members by upgrading your membership today! UMNAlumni.org/advantages UMNAlumni.org/join | 800-862-5867

52 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 MARK YOUR CALENDARS from 4 to 8 p.m. The tour will be EVENTS WEBINARS followed by dinner, prepared with Join us on September 6 from 3 to 6 Cornercopia produce, at the Campus Join us for Foes, Fears, and p.m. for Minnesota SPARKS in Alexan- Club in Coffman Memorial Union. For Failures: Confronting the 3 dria, Minnesota. Part of our series that more information, visit: UMNAlumni. F’s to Become Your Best on brings U experts to far-flung parts of org/Events. October 25 at noon central time the state, this event’s focus will be, and discover how doing what Understanding Minnesota’s Weather To read about events related to you do best every day is key to Extremes. Featured speakers are Homecoming, from September 29 to career well-being. This interac- climatologist Mark Seeley, professor October 6, including Day of Service tive webinar, hosted by author UPDATE emeritus in the Department of Soil, and Ski-U-Mania, see our Homecom- and coach Chad Ellsworth, will YOUR INFO Water, and Climate; and Kenneth ing Guide, page 16. help you recharge, rediscover, update.umn.edu Blumenfeld, senior climatologist with and rethink who you are and the Minnesota State Climatology Don’t forget your beloved Alumni what you want from your work Office. For more information, visit: Association on Give to the Max Day and life. For more information UMNAlumni.org/Events. November 15. Contribute during this on this and all webinars, visit: 24-hour event and take advantage of UMNAlumni.org/Virtual. Learn about the food grown on the matching funds from members of our U’s Cornercopia Student Organic Board of Directors. Farm in St. Paul on September 16

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Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 53 Elaine H. Ashpole Mark T. Bierman THANK YOU, ALUMNI LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Kiros Assefaw Bruce K. Birnberg We are deeply grateful for the alumni and friends who have given Yiu W. Au John R. & Sheila A. Bjorklund Mary R. Aukerman Michael E. Bjorkman philanthropic support to the Alumni Association above and beyond David Aune Linda M. Bjornberg Angela J. Ause Marie C. Blackburn membership dues. Their generosity provides critical support Mark R. Axelrod Shannon R. Blackmer for resources that ignite personal and professional success for Ola-Lekan & Adejoke A. Michael J. Blaine Ayanwale Shaun M. Blakeman our alumni and student community. Gifts directed to the Alumni Robert G. & Katherine E. James J. Blanchard Association are annually recognized in the Alumni Leadership Circle Baarsch Jeanne M. Blaskowski Tien T. Bach & Phuong-Nga Richard T. Bleyhl and count toward total University-wide giving. THANK YOU! Phan Joseph M. Bloedoorn Pamela S. & Richard P. Jon A. Bloom NORTHERN STAR BEACON ROUSER Backstrom Amy E. Bloomquist ($1,000+) ($500-$999) (up to $499) Ann M. Bajari Patricia A. Blum Guleid Adam David C. Anderson Wendy K. Abrahamson Duane H. & Angela A. Bakke George B. & Mary Ann Bodem Milton G. Andrews Anthony J. Bauman Monte J. Ackerman Iola H. Bakken Joanne H. Boelke Marvin L. Ballard Royden A. Belcher Daniel E. Adams Dorothy L. Balch Linda A. Boelter Patrick & Shirley Campbell Peter R. Bjornberg Kent R. Adamson Leonard J. Banaszak Marjorie A. Boening Foundation Patricia A. Brown Dorothee M. Aeppli Frederick J. Banister Gary R. Bohn Cannon Family Foundation Leticia A. & Douglas N. Chard Vikas Agarwal Mary Ann Bannerman Andrew R. Bohn Courtney A. Costigan Barbara Goodwin Ronald W. & Mary K. Agerter David T. Barker Richard R. Bonczek Kristin A. Cutler John A. Haugen & Alicia R. Dennis P. Albrecht Courtney K. Barrette Denise L. & Gerald L. Bonde Ronald H. Frick Reeves Judi A. & Richard Albrecht Janet L. Bartels Peter C. & Annette H. Bondy Daniel P. Garry Mark A. Hughes Jon B. & Jean M. Albrightson Diane B. Barthel Lerdall Alison A. Bondy Dhruv Goel Lyle G. Jacobson William P. Aleman Mary L. Bassett Alan J. Bonham Daniel C. Hartnett Family Steven E. & Katherine Jenson Lynne B. Alexander Ann M. & Koen J. Bastiaens Lawrence P. Bonicatto Foundation Mark H. Jessen Katherine Allabadi Janis L. Batt Bruce H. Boody Eileen Heaser Beverly P. Johnson Andrews Allen Marvin E. Bauer Karlyn V. Boraas Kurt D. & Amanda K. Hines James P. Johnson John E. Allerson Khara L. Baumann Nicholas K. Boreen Kent R. & Elizabeth C. Sander M. Johnson Robert M. Allison Mary S. Baumgartner Linda L. Boss Horsager Maureen G. & Keith Kostial Laurence J. Altman Gerald F. Baumgartner Kristin H. Bothun Stanley S. Hubbard David P. Kuivanen & Karin Norman J. Alvares* John P. & Linda A. Beal May G. Bottke Douglas A. Huebsch Ongko Mary E. Amberg Mary L. Beale Catharine D. & Judson T. Ruban Kanapathippillai Betty G. Lall* Ronnie J. Ambriz Patricia K. Beattie Bradford David R. & Denise R. Kraft Gina V. Laughlin Paul W. & Gretchen L. Kurt J. Bechthold Marvin A. Bradford Lisa R. Lewis Jennifer M. Marrone & David Ambrosier Donald Beck Jill C. Brady Daniel & Kim McDonald H. Short Mary J. Amundson Jodi L. Becker Doris J. Brager-Rogers & James E. & Rose M. McDonald Kevin S. McGrew Barbara C. & Van O. Anderson Anna K. & Matthew L. Beckler Robert B. Rogers David W. Molumby Gary L. & Rebecca J. Messer Craig E. & Elizabeth M. Julia G. Behrenbeck John R. Brand Jane N. Mooty Foundation Violet I. Meyer Anderson Kathy P. Belgea Steve A. & Gail G. Brand John W. Mooty Foundation David L. & Linda J. Mona Dennis P. Anderson Joyce A. Bell Patrick & Cynthia M. Brankin Laura M. Moret C. Robert & Sandra Morris James A. Anderson Rebecca A. Beltz Nancy Brask Charles C. & Terryl O. Mosher Curtis D. Moses John F. Anderson Douglas T. Bengson Richard E. Bredehoft David H. & Karen B. Olson Howard M. & Mary Noack Juel E. Anderson Donna M. & Lionel C. Bening Jerry A. Brinks William A. Olson Robert A. Novy Michael C. Anderson Emily M. Benner Christian F. Brocato Jason D. Rohloff Jeffrey R. Ohe Michael E. Anderson Peter E. Bennett Robert G. Brockway Maryan S. Schall Richard E. & Florence K. Olson Michelle J. Anderson Patricia K. Benson Charlotte A. Brooker & Eugene Jon A. & Kathryn G. Jingsu Pu Neal E. Anderson Roger D. Benson G. Mammenga Schmoeckel Robert C. Ramsdell Peter D. Anderson Ashley V. Bents Mark & Jennifer A. Brooks Ann M. Sheldon Charles J. & Kathleen V. Randy N. Anderson John E. Berglund Eric Brotten Margaret Spear Rosenow Robert E. Anderson Gregg C. Bergman Melissa M. Brown Thompson Family Trust Sarah A. Selleck Roberta L. Anderson Nicholas E. & Elga O. Berkholtz Susan M. Bruley Ertugrul Tuzcu & Karen Owen Gregg S. Shadduck & Jeanette Roger C. Anderson Robert H. Berland Juanjuan Bu Tuzcu M. Sullivan Sandra J. Anderson Donald M. Berndt Robert L. Buckley Anthony D. & April L. Wagner Phyllis M. Smith Susan & Matt Anderson Diane & David A. Berrien Lisa D. Buetow John W. Wheeler Becky A. Thacher-Bell James M. Angermeyr Ann L. Berry Brian L. Buhr Gary A. & Sandra L. Wiese Gregory J. Toohey Howard J. Ansel Nancy J. Berry Stephen M. Bullard & Karen Carol A. Wimsatt Paul J. Tronsgard Peter J. Anthamatten Jane F. Bersie Gremminger Nanette S. Wittenberg Stephen J. Wernersbach Bonita K. Antonsen John C. Bertie Michelle K. Burgraff Bernie Zeruhn Paula D. & Kevin J. Ario Kermit M. Beseke Michele A. Burkard Ramses Y. Armendariz Beverly M. Bethune Brian D. & Marilyn Burnett Melinda P. Armstrong Gwen G. & Lanny R. Betterman Steven P. & Jody Buska To be included in our 2018-19 Alumni Leadership Circle, Darlene M. & Leslie C. Arndt Fazil H. Bhimani Richard S. Butryn go to UMNAlumni.org/give to donate online. Frederick D. Arny Donald F. Bibeau Ljubica Caldovic Linda L. Aronson John F. Bierbaum Bridget M. Callaghan

54 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Patricia A. Callaghan Derrick D. Dasenbrock Mauri L. & Robert J. Evans William Gingold Richard N. Harner Gretchen M. Camp Allan E. Davis Roberto J. Evaristo Jane A. Gisslen Phyllis L. Harris Melis & Oguz C. Candir Daniel W. Dawn Ronald A. Everson Kiernan J. Gladman Kent D. Harrison Bryan D. & Mary Lee D. Constance H. Dawson James W. & Anne L. Ewing Christopher D. Glasenapp Saundra P. Harrison Carlson Patrick J. Day Gary L. Falk Bernadette D. Gloeb William D. & Barbara J. Dayton C. & Gwen K. Carlson Carol L. De Vore Maram Falk Roxann R. Goertz & William Harrison John P. & Doris L. Carlson Mario F. Del Carril Kurt F. Falkman Repp Joseph J. & Virginia Hartert Lynne C. Carlson Gloria K. Delano Samuel S. Fan Lori A. Goetz Ione I. Hartley Steven A. Carlson Peter Delvigs Seija H. Farber Harold N. & Cynthia E. John Hartog Edward J. & Arlene E. Carney Nancy L. Devine Abraham K. Farkas Goldfine Fred G. Hartwig Phyllis A. Carney Charles E. Dexheimer Bruce C. Faust Andrew J. & Patricia Golfis Eileen G. Harvala Rose & Dino Carota Jacqueline L. Dexter Frederick R. Faxvog Jeffrey A. Gorski Mary L. & Paul R. Hasecuster Kimberly R. Carpenter Maxine K. Dilliard Corrine R. & Thomas D. Melissa J. & Joseph J. James E. Hassett Zachary A. Carpenter Linda L. & John S. Dinan Feinberg Gotchnik Kathleen J. Haug Peter S. Cartwright Michael W. Dixon & Lauren R. Kay L. & Nile R. Fellows Kevin J. Graebel Donald J. Haugen Craig J. Caspers Eidman Mike & Pam Fenlon Julianne M. Graham James W. & Susan K. Hecker Lorenzo A. Castanon Marc H. & Stacy K. Doepner- Jack E. & Donna S. Ferebee Gregory M. Grambusch Cameron Hedlund Louis A. Cecil Hove Richard J. & Penny A. Fick Charles M. Gramling Delphine Hedtke Joseph E. Chadwick Thomas E. & Marlene M. Richard L. Finger Cassandra W. Gray Elizabeth A. Heffernan Rodney D. & Jennifer L. Dohm Marjorie W. & Mitchell T. Fink Frank J. Greco & Marcia P. Nancy D. Hegelheimer Chaffee Lawrence J. Donovan Scott H. Fisher Cassidy Phyllis H. Hegland John W. Challas Gary R. Dorek John N. & Therese Fitch Jane N. Greenberg & Richard Harwood A. Hegna Edwin M. Chang Kaylah D. Douglas Alfred C. Fleckenstein Ganaher Pamela K. & Hugh D. Heinecke Li-Pen Chao Christine R. & Brady Doyle Tracy E. Fleischhacker Quigley Raymond L. Grefe* Russell C. Heinselman Anupama Chauhan Charles E. Drake & Lewis A. Quigley David M. Gregg Richard R. Heisler Bin Chen Tiffany R. & Jeffrey W. Dreher David P. & Beverly M. Fleming William J. Gremp Bruce A. Hella Joy A. & Duane A. Chilgren Dimitri M. Drekonja James R. Flink Jennifer A. Greseth Tryg J. Helseth Donald K. Chock James R. Driscoll Dennis L. Flom Stacey J. Grimes Jay D. Hempe Yong Wan B. Choi Lennart P. Droege Jennifer S. Flynn Mike Grimm James P. Henderson Vicky L. Christensen Rita B. Drone Dennis E. & Pamela A. Ford Catherine J. Grinney & Tami E. Henderson Bruce A. Chuchel Denise S. D’Rozario D Jonathan Forde Stephen Hunter Thomas M. Hendrickson Constance S. Churchill Barbara L. Du Fresne Janice K. & Darrell W. Forkrud Jessica J. Grolla Frederick J. Herbold Jeannine A. Churchill Sandra K. Dubbels John P. Fosness Gene D. Gross Joseph F. & Roberta J. Hering Ronald T. Clappier Margaret C. Ducharme Paul R. Fossum Amy R. Groszbach Matthew J. Herrmann John R. Clayton Sallie A. Duerr Nathan H. Fox Austin C. Grove Morgan J. Hertzfeld Lynn S. Clayton Carol M. Duff Deborah L. & Mark Franco Lynn R. Gruber Gary L. & Laurie A. Heyes Elizabeth A. Clifton Angela M. Dunn Janet L. Fransen John P. Guider Patricia T. Hickey Cathleen R. Clouse Alisa M. Duran-Nelson John E. Fredell Ronald J. Guilfoile Allan A. Hietala Mary D. Coe Mary M. Dybvig Joel D. Frederickson Randolph K. Gunn Ingrid B. Highland Cheryl D. Cohen Robert Dykstra Lois E. Freeberg-Requa Randall H. Guse Linda A. & Craig G. Hildebrant Howard S. & Patricia M. Ruth Ann W. Eaton James R. Frelich Winnifred Gustafson James R. & Donna M. Hill Cohen Michael J. & Amy Jo Ebert Mary E. Freppert Deborah A. Haake John A. & Judith C. Hill Charlotte W. Cohn Grant Ecker Joan & Brian Fritz Matthew W. Haas Rebecca N. Hill Steven E. Collin Richard B. Edgar Frederick G. Frogner Clair R. Haberman John E. Hoagberg Ann R. & Kevin J. Commers Brooks S. & Terri L. Edwards Patricia K. Fuher Steven F. Hagen Kirk M. & Anita P. Hoaglund Jill S. Constable Michele Eggenberger Christine L. Gabel LuAnn M. & John E. Hakel James E. Hobbs Kimberly E. Contag Stephen R. Eikos Shelly L. & Michael J. Gaffaney Garrison L. Hale Kristine M. Hodges Kim M. Cooke Frederick Eisenmann Teresa Garcia-Mila Margaret S. Hall Donald J. Hoffmann & Teresa Kristen M. Copham Barbara A. Elick Michele L. Gardiner Daniel P. Hallberg Hoffman Raymond A. Copt Richard D. Elliott Robert F. Garland Brian Halverson James R. & Karen R. Hoffner Steven R. Corneillier & Kath- Lynn M. Ellis William J. Garvelink Barbara C. Halvorson Karen R. Holicky-Michaels leen P. Ewer-Corneillier* Mohamed T. Elnabarawy Dorothy J. Gascoigne Gregory J. & Cynthia K. John H. Holler Cheryl L. Corneliussen Jean M. Elwell-Keir & Terry Steven Gathje Hames Carol E. Holm Thomas B. Courtice D. Keir Elizabeth A. & George V. Barbara J. Hamilton-Sustad Keith C. & Marie L. Holmquist Mary S. Cox Maureen T. Endert & Wayne Gawrys Rachel E. Hamlin Donald N. Holzmer Dan E. & Randina J. Cragg D. Weber James R. George Paul L. Hammel Virginia H. Homme Mary Beth Crowley Clifford P. & Bonnie A. Eng Michael J. Gerber Larry J. Hampel Rosemary M. & Daniel D. Patrick Cruikshank Jeffrey E. & Patricia M. Englin James J. & Josephine A. David S. Hanisch Hoolihan Michelle Curtis Mike J. & Pamela J. Enz Gerding Jo-Ida C. Hansen Stanley B. & Jane E. Hooper Mary Cyrier Steven O. & Cheryl Erdman Kristin L. German Joshua F. Hanson & Amina N. Jennifer Hootman Caroline M. Czarnecki Laurie J. Erickson Marla A. Gerths Fazlullah Bruce B. Horswell Mark E. & Sarah Czuchry Lawrence G. Erickson Jane L. Gfrerer Melissa K. Hanson Carol R. Horswill Scott D. Dahl Mark Erickson Sharon K. & David A. Giel Scott D. Hanson Janis S. Houston Bree N. Dalager Peter C. Erickson Heidi S. & Howard D. Gilbert Timothy L. Hanson Marilyn D. & Robert V. Judith A. Daleki Orrin S. Estebo Roger L. Gilles Victoria E. Hanson Hovelson Brian L. Danielson Osama M. Ettouney Lisa M. Gillette Paul O. Hardt Ruth A. Howe Judy A. Danielson G. Edward Evans Jacqueline L. Gilliard Dana J. & M. Katherine Harms Wesley V. Hromatko

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 55 Lucinda L. Hruska-Claeys Patrick J. Joyce Warren & Carol Krause Karen L. Linner & Lester S. Robert B. Marzolf Trevor C. Huang Rami D. Jubara Timothy D. & Jacelyn A. Shen John C. Mascari Daniel D. & Sandra M. Alyca J. Judge Krekelberg Bradley M. Linzie Betty A. Massie Huebener Shannon M. Juen George J. Kreutzer Richard L. Listiak Joseph Mast* Sarah Huerta Barbara A. & Marvin D. Juliar Kathleen D. Krueger Theodor J. & Brendalee John J. Matta James D. Hughart Molly K. Jungbauer David A. Kuball Litman Alexandra Matthews Margaret D. Hughes Robert A. Kadlec Mary B. Kuehneman Canto Heng Qian Liu Kenneth Mayer Bridget A. Hughes-Binstock Carla J. Kahle Monica A. & Kenneth C. Peter W. & Katherine D. Matthew W. Mayo Jeffrey V. Hulting Laurie D. Kaiser Sund Kulander Livingston Wan N. Mazli Richard A. & Donna L. Ronald E. Kaldenberg Saurabh M. Kulkarni Sharon & Jeffrey M. John E. McCall Humphrey Kenneth W. Kan James E. Kurle Livingston Catherine A. McCarty David L. Hunter Matthew G. Kane & Elizabeth Duane H. & Carol Y. Kvittem Dawn M. Llorca Rodger P. McCombs Kent H. & Linda L. Inman A. Conway Juhyun Kwon Gerald E. Lockhart John M. McCormick Kevin J. Irving Patricia S. Kane Philip A. La Porte Larry A. Lofgren Cameron E. McDaniel Ruth Isaak Deanna L. Kanne Harvey G. Laabs Kirsten E. Loiseaux-Purcell Marsha B. McDonald Scott A. & Sherilee Jackson Miles F. Kanne Stephen P. Labuz James E. London Donna Y. McDuffie Patrick E. & Diane L. Jacoby Paul L. & Alice J. Kapla Tyler A. Lacey Anita G. Long Matthew M. McElroy Dwight E. Jaeger Robert L. Kaplan Linda C. Ladley Yaohui S. Lou Brian P. McGlinch David R. Janecky Keith F. Kapphahn Arvie A. Lake Holly E. Lozada John D. McGowan David E. & Kaye M. Jankowski David L. Kaput Charles D. Lake Daniel W. Luchsinger Donald E. & June E. McGrath Kevin A. Janni Marilyn R. Karasov Dale L. Lange Sara M. Luedtke Byron C. McGregor Brian K. Janssen Hirschel Kasper Ruth W. & Larry Lange John D. Luhman Hugh E. McGuigan Peter C. Jarnberg Eldon G. & Kathleen L. Kaul Nancy L. Langness Richard C. & Juanita B. Luis Helen S. McIntyre Eugene N. Jaster Marilyn H. & Neil E. Kay Michael G. & Cheryl H. Bruce A. Lund Britta W. & Steven P. Jay V. Jayashankar Mavis E. & David S. Kelley Lanigan Jerome K. Lund McKenna Brenda K. Jenks Casey P. Kelly Viateur Larouche Kathren J. Lundquist Pamela C. & Thomas R. Mark A. Jensen Sybil Kelly Carole J. Larson Qinyan Luo McKeown Thomas P. Jensen Anna Keltner Dennis L. Larson Judith Lykins Bill & Amy J. McKinney Ryan T. Jerman Daniel P. Kennedy Harold G. Larson Jennifer D. Lynch Stuart G. McKneight Xiaoling Jin Vida S. Kent Laurie L. & Eric C. Larson Mary M. Lynch Gary W. McLeod James V. Jirousek Darren G. Kermes Ruth L. & Richard L. Larson Diane D. Lyngstad Sharon A. & Craig R. Gary G. Joachim Richard Kielty Deborah G. & James B. Tongshu Ma McNamara Allyn B. Johnson Elinor K. Kikugawa Lasher Gerald M. Maas Charles W. McPherson Bruce E. Johnson Thomas M. King Emily J. Laskin Frank T. Mabley Terrance R. McTeague David E. Johnson Frank E. & Johanne S. King Roberta M. Lauer Patrick R. & Pauline G. Thomas M. Medwig David L. Johnson Judy T. Kingsberg James B. Law Machnik Thomas A. Mee Donald W. & Deborah J. Karen J. Kingsley Judy K. Layzell Jolene W. Madden Frances K. Megarry Johnson Roger A. Kittelson Mary H. Lazarus Thomas J. Madigan Mark Meister & Carla Krivak Donovan R. Johnson Ingrid H. Kizen Richard C. Lea Edward C. Maeder John T. & Helen M. Melbourn Douglas L. & Pamela A. Michele D. Klaus Nancy J. Leathers Richard J. Magnani Marlys H. Melius Johnson Vicki I. Kleeberger James M. Lebret Mary P. & Helmut K. Maier Jeffrey P. & Lisa E. Mellas Erika L. Johnson Douglas H. Klein Bryan K. Lee Christopher P. Maier Todd Meltzer Ernest T. Johnson Nancy T. Klemek Dustin B. Lee James H. & Merilee A. Main Charles J. Mencel Gayle S. Johnson Susan M. Klicka Janet T. Lee Gregory N. Maisel Henry E. Menzel James M. & Kristin L. Johnson George C. Klima Julie Lee Leo G. & Joan C. Majerus Curtiss J. Meredyk John C. Johnson Roderick M. Klinger Marlyce I. & Donald E. Lee Ray L. Makepeace Marianne E. Merriman Lorraine A. & Warren C. Sonia E. Klukas Peter J. & Janis W. Lee Frank R. & Doreen C. Malin Charles H. Meyer Johnson Kerry J. Knakmuhs Leonard L. LeMay John A. & Judith Malmberg Gregory N. Meyers Lucille M. Johnson Scott R. Knapp Arthur G. Lemke Suzanne D. & Howard I. Robin L. Michaels Lyle H. & Denise G. Johnson Timothy J. & Lori Kneeland Paul J. Lennander Malmon John S. Mickman Mary H. Johnson Lisa A. Knoff Christopher A. Lentz Kane J. Malo Mary E. & Gary Milavetz Millicent M. Johnson Celeste & Jim Knudsen William W. Leslie Bryan E. & Angela M. Malone Robyn A. Millenacker Sharpe Nancy Johnson Earl O. Knutson Daniel R. Leth Marilyn J. Maloney & Mary E. & Michael S. Sharpe Patricia L. Johnson & Mark Mary E. Kohl Clair A. Lewis Barstad Fred P. Miller Gronlund Phillip A. & Ellen Kohl Mian Li John F. Manydeeds Lenore L. Miller Russell L. Johnson Ingrid M. Koller Yu Liao & Jie Chen Joseph H. Marcel-Saint Louis Sue R. Miller Scott C. Johnson Albin J. & Bonita F. Koniar Albert W. Libke DeMertine Thomas C. Miller Shawna D. Johnson Kelly Konietzko Shui-Chih A. & Yueh-Chuan John W. Marchant Sherry J. Miner Sheila C. & Ronald B. Johnson Brenda B. Koone C. Lien Elizabeth A. Margolis Ann M. Minnick & Wayne A. Sherri R. & Steven P. Johnson Alexander A. Kopco Tracy L. Linbo Scott A. Markel Nealis Walter D. & Jean Johnson David P. & Ann L. Koppe Mark S. Lindau Cynthia E. Marsh & C W. John P. Moe C. Robert & Merryalice M. Aaron & Krystal Kornegay David C. Lindblom Vandersluis Peter C. Moe Jones Michael J. Kosik Michael A. Lindboe Deanise Marta & Michael P. Johanna A. Mohwinkel Lisa M. Jones Robert B. Kosse Sherrie L. Lindborg & Allen Emma J. Molls Lucy R. Jones James A. Kottmeier Farzaneh Kia Magdalena Martell Moyosola F. Momah Richard C. Jones Joseph J. Kowalik Rodney M. & Mary F. Lindell Larry D. Martin Corinna R. Moncada Geri M. Joseph Ann J. Kratzer Marcia L. Lindseth Robert J. Marxen Judith R. Monson

56 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 -

I, ' • .. ••• Charles F. Montreuil Carlos M. Monzon Thomas A. Mooney Kevin D. Moorhead Marilyn M. Morem Patrick A. Morgan Cathy H. Morris Craig W. Morse Charles H. Moser James B. Mosner Greg S. Mueller Timothy C. & Betty A. Mueller T P. Mullen Angela R. & Steven J. Mund Patrick G. Munt Craig H. Muntifering Akihiko Muramatsu Save Like a Student Joseph R. Murashie Brian F. Murn Save on your Apple• purchases at the U of M Booksto res with John J. Murnane our Apple Alumni program. Shop in store or on li ne at Gregory R. Murphy & David Engen Manohar L. Muttreja bookstores.umn.edu with your cu rrent Alumn i Association Membership Karla G. Myhra-Bloom & Geoffrey M. Bloom to take advantage of low education pricing Vivek Narang and promotions available to the U of M community. Nardina L. Nash Mahendra Nath UNIVERS ITY OP MINNESOTA Jill L. Nauman Emilia E. Ndely Thomas E. Neafus Bookstores TM ard Q J018Apple ln r. Al l rig hts'""""'°· Eric E. Neff Ii Authorized C.mp Store lt'WM-'l bookstoralllHn.l!d" Kelsey L. Neigebauer Carol J. Nelson Craig A. Nelson Christine I. Nelson Daniel L. Nelson Dennis G. Nelson Muriel B. & Norwood G. Nelson Anton H. Nerad Daniel A. Ness Zachary J. Ness-Deden Janet A. Newberg & Dale J. Duthoy Karen M. Newell Short courses, seminars, and one-day immersions Tricia J. Newell Philip N. & Mary E. Newhall • Out of the Lab and into the Fire: • The Physics of Superheroes Alicia C. Nguyen Scientists and the Nobel Peace Prize Quyen T. Nguyen • The Unusual Suspects: Obscure Red Lisa L. Nicklay • The Demoted but Unforgotten Gods of Wines Linda C. Nielsen Ancient Scandinavia • Here Lies: Twin Cities Cemeteries and Sally L. Noll Curtis L. Nordgaard • Mediterranean Encounters Their Inhabitants Dan C. & Jean M. Norman • La Rondine • Fresco Painting: History and Hands-on David R. Novy Practice Robert T. Noyes • Climate Change in Our Own Backyards: Yvonne A. Ntem-Diei Evidence and Implications • The Saint Paul Stories of F. Scott Donald B. Nuckols • American Democracy in a Changing Fitzgerald Marvin D. Nuorala Kathryn H. Obrien World Timothy D. O’Brien Ethel A. Oda Kirk M. & Alice S. Odden Jack D. Odell ccaps.umn.edu/learninglife Brian J. & Sally L. O’Donnell Christofer E. Oelker 612-624-4000 Richard C. Oftedahl Jeanne A. Ojala College of Continuing Patricia M. Okeson 10% discount for & Professional Studies Esti H. Ollerman UMAA members! UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

03_LL_FY19_Fall-18-Ad-MinnesotaMag.indd 1 7/16/18 4:46 PM Eugene W. & Julie M. Ollila Renuka Paltanwale Eugene J. Peterson Anne E. Pusey David M. Rushenberg Mary A. & Stephen W. Jennifer A. Pancratz Gerald C. Peterson Yekun Qin Frank P. & Elizabeth L. Rus- Olmsted Michelle R. & Gregory J. Mary Ann & Garry F. Peterson Jane E. Quandt somanno Sara O’Loughlin Panuccio Douglas J. & Tracey A. Petesch Sam A. Quaye Jill H. Rusterholz Jeanne C. Olsen Constantine S. Papageorgiou Ryan T. Petz Terry J. Quist Robb G. Rutledge Kristin A. & Donald J. Olsen Deborah L. Parker David G. Pfarr Karla M. Rabusch Marie A. & Jon D. Ruzek Constance J. & S Duane Olson James S. Parks Peter J. Pfister Kalpana Ramakrishnan Catherine R. Ryan James J. Olson Susan V. Parsons Arthur J. Phillips Thomas W. & Cheryl T. Tracy A. Saarela James R. & Sheryl F. Olson John S. Pasowicz Scott J. & Rebecca T. Pickler Rambosek Timothy J. Sagehorn Joan M. Olson Michael F. Patrick Laura N. Pierce Seshan Rammohan James A. Salfer Linden Olson Joanne C. Patterson Jennifer L. & Chris D. Pierson Darrell W. & Cindy L. Randle Makram K. Samaan Thomas D. & Mary Louise O. Jerome T. Paulson Gordon C. Pietsch Dale R. Rapp Melanie Sanco-Gooch Olson Sidney J. & Roger A. Pauly Sheila Piippo Susan H. Rappaport Glen P. Sandness Thomas P. O’Meara Jean E. & Jeffrey J. Paurus Wayne C. Pike Constance M. & Frank H. Peter Sandvik William M. O’Neill Amy R. Pearce James D. Pirie & Linda L. Eells Rasmussen Jacinta A. Santori Ze H. Ong Lloyd E. Pearson Jerry & Nisie Pitzl Gift Fund Susan L. Rasmussen Terry R. Sater & Denise Panos Katherine K. Onken Sambath Pech Terry L. Placek Robert J. Rausch Anne M. Sause Peter C. & Heather Opichka Ann K. Peckskamp Miriam & Robert J. Pogulis Dana B. Rebelein Gail M. Sauter Sara E. Opitz David M. Pellinger Elizabeth G. Pohlman Anne Louise Redfern Lynn R. Scearcy Fane W. Opperman Carolyn V. Pemberton Catherine A. Pomeroy George L. Redman Steven L. Schadegg John W. Orf John P. Perkovich Allan R. Poncin Karen M. Reed Clinton N. Schaff Michael T. Orman Shari M. Perrault Paul E. Portz Ruth M. Reed Robin E. Schaller Ann L. Ornelas Molly A. Perry James V. Pottala Elizabeth A. Reese-Marton Paul M. & Karen G. Schanfield Margaret A. Osborne Daniel F. Perschau John C. Powell Philip C. Reid Donna B. Schiff James M. Oscarson James C. Perso Daniel J. Powsner Karl A. Reinhard Jill J. Schlofer Donald C. Oster Carley F. Pesente John A. Pringle Vern Reinhardt Su Anne Schloo Karin A. & Gary G. Ostrand Harlan D. Petersen Jonathan M. Pritchard Adam Reinhart Andrew M. & Lori L. Schmidt Eric R. Overby Barry L. Peterson John E. & Sharolyn T. Ptak Susan B. Reinhart Chad W. Schmidt David W. & Gail C. Owens Carl D. Peterson James D. Purdy Joanne B. Reisberg Maggie Schmidt Nina Pagel Craig F. Peterson Jeffrey J. Puschell Ann T. Reisdorfer Gary W. Schnaith Eva & Pim Rejhons Kurt S. Schnapp Joseph A. Reker Jeffrey H. & Patricia A. Schott James R. Renner Meredith E. Schreier Harold L. Renollet David Schroeder Amy A. Reuter Eric K. Schroeder Marjorie L. Reynolds Nancy L. & Douglas A. Royalee Rhoads Schroeppel Francis J. Rian Bobbi L. & Timothy J. Schroep- Stephanie A. Rice pel Barbara A. Richardson John R. Schroeter Teresa J. Richardson Elizabeth C. Schulz Roger J. Rider Paul D. Schulz Lawrence A. & Barbara Rivers Raymond J. Schumacher* Eric Roach Charles H. & Patricia R. Mark G. Roback Schuveiller Anne C. Robbins George A. & Janet C. Timothy J. Robblee Schwartz Lisa M. Roche Rosemary Q. & Jeffrey T. Michael C. Rodriguez Schwedes Christopher J. Roelofs Paul J. Scipioni Robert D. Roesler Andrew V. Searles Ted W. Mary H. Roessel Lawrence J. Seiberlich David L. & Sheila D. Rogers Timothy C. Sellner Gerald A. Rosdahl William K. Seng UMAA members receive a 10% discount on Robert S. Rose Jessica E. Seppala Kinowski continuing professional education courses. George A. Rosevear David F. & Kari A. Servais Paul J. Rothweiler Scott A. Setzepfandt Kristi L. & Robert L. Rousseau Michael V. Severson Bart D. Routh Morgan A. Shada Own Your Career Juli Rubin Seethalakshmi Shambashivan Robert M. & Wendy L. Rubinyi Tatyana A. Shamliyan ccaps.umn.edu Bradley A. Rud Michael J. Sheahan Joyce M. Rudenick Brenda A. Shearer College of Continuing John B. Rumsey James B. & Leah S. Sheehy & Professional Studies Jeffrey W. Rundgren Kerry L. Sheehy UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Kathleen S. & Brent D. Teka A. Siebenaler Rundquist Gene P. Siegal

03_PDP_FY19_UMAA_Fall18ad.indd 1 7/3/18 11:26 AM

58 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 William Siegel Joan O. Stickney Mark J. Trumm Mary L. & Scott E. Sieling Farrell S. & Kathleen J. Joan D. Tschida Norman L. Sieling Stiegler Jon T. & Cheryl J. Tucker Dave & Lori A. Sievers Charles A. Stockwell Trinity J. Turnbow Hugh R. Silkensen Michael R. & Beth A. Stoesz Brendan J. Turner To be included in our Jennet C. & Greg M. Silver- Phillip H. Stoltenberg Dorothy A. Ulbricht man Marybeth S. Stoltz Michelle R. Urevig Grilz 2018-19 Joyce M. Simard John B. Stone Jerry L. Utley Bruce L. Simon Patrick T. & Sandra D. Stone Robert M. Valente ALUMNI Peter A. & Serene Simon Allison R. Stoneberg Georgette W. Valle Robert M. Simonson Linda C. Stover McKenzie Van Der Hagen LEADERSHIP Kartik Singhal Stephen J. & Cecilia C. Ellen T. Van Iwaarden Roy A. & Lana S. Sjoberg Strauss Jody K. & Gary A. Vanderwerf CIRCLE, Roger J. & Julianna B. Mark E. Strohfus Margaret Vandrovec & Bruce make your gift Skluzacek Raymond L. Struck B. Jawer Craig D. Skone Arnold F. Stull Shannon C. VanPelt by visiting Timothy M. Skopec Melita Sturnieks Jason A. Varin UMNAlumni.org/give Arlene R. Skorich Joseph P. Sullivan Mary R. Vasaly Alan R. Slavik Scott G. Sundgren Robert S. Vathing Richard G. Slieter Joan M. Sunram Jeanne M. Vestal Clyde W. Smith Sunita C. & Shashi M. Suri Mary C. Vidas Craig A. & Mary A. Smith Charles T. Suss Mary S. Viking Kueck & John George W. & Patti J. Smith Daniel J. & Sonya Sustacek Kueck Gregory A. Smith Bruce N. Swanson Myrtle A. Vikla* Harry L. Smith Harold R. & Lora L. Swanson Thomas H. Vind* Susan & Gary D. Smith Joy E. Swanson Norman M. Vinnes Terry L. Smith & Linda M. Curtis L. Swenson Hema L. Viswanathan Lorenz James D. Swenson Joe Vochko Peter T. & Barbara C. Smyth Winton R. Sweum Andrew M. Volin James E. & Ellen B. Snoxell Edmond A. Sworsky Antoinette L. Volkmeier Paula M. & Jeffrey D. Soholt John A. & Lisa M. Taft Jack C. Voller Daniel W. Soiseth James S. Tait Bruce H. Voss Gayle P. Solheim Ningning Tang & Haitao Wu Mary C. Voss & Sharon K. Brady P. West Lynn M. & Alan Wyman Sandra M. Sonderegger Hong Tang Williams Jean M. West Mary E. & Brian M. Xavier Leilei Song Victor M. Tapia Christopher R. Wagner George P. Westlund Kenichi Yamaguchi Karin L. Sonneman Loren J. Taple Richard W. Wagner Howard A. & Joycelyn F. Gregory D. & Mary C. Yetzer William J. Sonsin Helder Tavarez Kyla L. & Richard J. Wahlstrom Weyker Bruce C. Young Elise A. Sorensen Tzeghereda Tekie Rebecca W. Wahlund Carol S. Weyrauch James E. Young Jeff D. Sorenson Sidney L. & Karen Teske Stephen C. & Christina David R. & Nancy J. Whitney Judith E. Young Wayne W. Sorenson Kipling Thacker & Kevyn K. Waldhoff Richard D. Wieboldt Judith Yourman Sheryl A. Sostarich Riley Scott A. & Kathleen S. Wallace Carol J. Wiegrefe T A. Yungbluth Susan B. & Gary M. Soule John E. & Janet M. Thames Christine A. Walsh Owen Wigley* Adam J. Yust Faye E. Sparks Ashley R. Thill Toni Walski William P. Wilczek William H. Zabel Robert U. Spear Cheryl P. Thompson Andrew K. Wamugi David R. Wilkowske David J. & Mary E. Zak Patricia B. & Guy Spence David M. & Lane A. Thompson Shuping Wang Patricia F. & Cletus W. Mariam T. Zamansky Michael G. Spencer Jeanette L. & Richard K. Jorgina Wangen Willems John R. Zamlen Amy E. Spiridakis Thompson Andy M. Wangstad Gloria M. Williams Wade A. & Alison A. Zander Timothy J. Splinter Robert L. Thompson Kimberly Wapola Dean M. Williamson Yi Zeng Barbara L. St. Peter & Neil B. Theeratip Thongmeearkom Eric A. Ware Patricia A. Williamson Lei Zhang St Peter Peter W. Thoreen & Janet S. David T. Warford Michelle R. Wills Fei Zheng Mark R. Stahley Marshall-Thoreen Sean M. Warner Louise M. Wilson Matthew R. Ziebarth & Jana Barbara J. Stalsberg Thomas F. Thornton Jonathan Watkins Sharon F. Wilson Stephens Jeffrey A. & Kay Stamp Jennifer H. Thue Gordon V. Watters Thomas B. Winderl Amy M. Ziegler Monica M. Stangler Mark S. Tiggas James M. Weber Sally C. Wingate Joan & Lawrence P. Zielke Gwen N. Stanley Alan K. Tingquist Michael A. Weber Kristen L. Wintheiser Leslie K. & Michael T. Zuroski Jody A. Stanton Jeff T. Titon Lanette E. Wedell Paul D. Wittmer Mary R. & Richard J. Zweber Franklin E. Star John F. Tocko Eileen Wedge William W. Wolpert Terence W. Steffen Myra L. Toconita Catherine M. Weflen Peter M. Wolter Kathleen M. Steffens & Mark A. Tomai Margaret R. Weglinski Maynard E. Wood Christine M. Imbra Steven R. Tower Curtis D. Weitnauer Robert C. Wood *deceased Michael L. Stein Patricia S. & Tokiaki Toyama William T. Welch Susan M. Wootten Robert A. Stein Binh V. Tran Patrick Weldon Victor A. & Christina M. Totals include matching gifts Earle W. & Patricia L. Dale M. Trapp Linda M. Wells Wowk and all donations made dur- Stevermer Juris E. Treibergs Craig W. & Judy K. Wendland Winifred C. Wu & Robert ing the fiscal year: July 1, 2017 Sandra F. Stewart Michael L. Trettel Donald W. Wennberg Lund to June 30, 2018. Jeffrey R. Stich Jeffrey A. Trowbridge John K. Wenner Sarah P. Wuest Loralee J. Stickel-Harris John R. Trueman Dennis H. Werling Bradley J. Wuotila

Fall 2018 MINNESOTA ALUMNI 59 THE LAST WORD

Sometimes I feel like Harriet Tubman

By Taiyon J. Coleman was invited to speak at a Twin Cities-area I told the audience about my black children school, and it wasn’t until I arrived that the who attend schools in the Twin Cities. Like administrator asked me to discuss the their momma, they have dark brown skin with immediate challenges facing parents and beautiful tightly curled hair. They are physically children in education in Minnesota. bigger than their classroom peers, and their Initially, I was hesitant because I didn’t know speech reflects a confidence and experience if I wanted to take a personal risk with the beyond their years as they hear two different topic. Sure, I could talk about literature, cul- languages at home. Natural leaders, my black ture, and creative writing, but K-12 education children are kind and charming, and like their in Minnesota is a sensitive topic freighted Tanzanian Bibi (grandmother), a lawyer work- with anger, shame, and blame on all sides. ing for the rights of women and kids, my black And with my own three kids attending Twin children are intelligent, competitive, analytical, Cities-area schools, I have skin in the game. and protective. They have a keen sense of fair- According to the New York Times, “Nation- ness and speak up if they sense inequity. ally, black students are suspended three times These unique qualities that make my black as often as their white peers; in Minnesota, children great are the very same qualities that it is eight times as often.” The recent story are perceived by some teachers and admin- points out that while black students com- istrators as aggressive, adult, disrespectful, prised 41 percent of the student population in loud, defensive, and angry. Minneapolis in 2017, they made up 76 percent I laughed and told the mother that as the of the suspensions. Even the best quests for parent of children experiencing implicit bias, solutions on this issue are mired in the fact I often feel like Harriet Tubman on the Under- that racial disparities in Minnesota are some ground Railroad, trying to help my marginal- of the starkest in the nation. ized children get free, get educated. I added A brown parent, a mother, at the back of that my husband and I feel incredible fear the room stood and asked, “Can you give an and guilt at the realization that our own edu- example of implicit bias that has affected your cational success does not protect the brown own child in school?” bodies of our children from the consequences Her question forced me out of the autopilot of implicit bias within Minnesota schools. zone that most professionals slip into when “Yes. That’s just how it feels,” she said to me. our hubris is set on high. “That’s a good ques- In that moment, with those amazing and tion,” I said, buying time. hopeful parents, I had no choice but to do what Taiyon J. Coleman (M.A. Looking at the mother, I recognized that most well-meaning professionals in education ’03, Ph.D. ’13) is a writer and her mother body, like many weary parent fail to do: validate the experiences of nonwhite assistant professor of English bodies in the room, was seemingly at ease but students and their parents, so we all know that at St. Catherine University. conditioned to brace at any moment for the we are not alone. We are not the only ones Illustration by James Heimer dreaded expected unexpected. I recognized struggling with this very real educational and my own mother body and experience inside human rights crisis. And there is strength, hope, hers. This is what it feels like to be the parent and healing in telling our stories. of a child in Minnesota schools who is the victim of implicit bias. Powerless.

60 MINNESOTA ALUMNI Fall 2018 Continue your pursuit of living well.

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