A Family Tradition Three Generations Tell Their Story Hamline University Minneapolis
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HAMLINEFALL 2008 A Family Tradition Three generations tell their story Hamline University Minneapolis Hamline officially cut the ribbon on Hamline University center and computer lab, a student lounge, faculty and Minneapolis at a grand opening celebration in September. staff offices, and a bookstore. More than two hundred business leaders, community members, and students, faculty, and staff members “This new site broadens our ability to serve the needs of attended the debut. professional and graduate students. It is a major presence for Hamline University,” said President Linda Hanson. Located at 1600 Utica Ave in St. Louis Park, at the juncture of I-394 and Highway 100, Hamline’s space includes Master’s classes in business administration, nonprofit eleven classrooms outfitted with the latest in instructional management, and public administration are offered at the technology. It also offers a business/student services new location, as well as at Hamline’s campus in Saint Paul. 18 22 14 16 Features 14 TAKING FLIGHT Hamline’s latest Fulbright recipient soars 16 pEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Educating the next generation 18 26.2 Tagging along with marathon runner Roger Hauge ’58 20 JUSTICE AND HEALING Ahmed Sirleaf ’05 works for Liberia 22 a FamilY TRADITION Dick Klaus ’50, Kimberlee Klaus Self ’79, Natalie Self ’09 Departments 4 HAPPENINGS ON HEWitt 30 AlumNI NEWS 30 Associations of Hamline Alumni 31 Class Notes 37 In Memoriam FALL 2008 1 From the Editor Last summer I overheard a group of older men Letter to the Editor talking about kids today. “I sure don’t envy them,” one said. “Did you Since a family member just graduated from hear young people today will change careers six Hamline, I sat down to browse the new Hamline times in their lives?” magazine that came in the mail. I read the letters “Yeah, they’ve got it rough,” another agreed. from Keith Koch, Randall Schmidt, and Gary “Sure isn’t like in our day, when you could stay Bielen, all ’60s grads, and was amused to read their with a company for life.” accounts of the painted twin eagles, which I have As a liberal arts graduate qualified to pursue an endless number of noticed while driving by Hamline. It would have careers, I never imagined myself the object of pity. I’d always viewed a been a better story, however, if any of these former lifetime with one company as a sentence, not a security, and the ability frat boys had expressed any desire to compensate or to change careers as an asset, not a liability. locate the owner of the Case dealership and offer The desire to learn more about the different generations brought me apology on behalf of the fraternities involved, for to the Klaus family. I naively believed that I’d find that one generation the theft of this business property. That would have had it the easiest, and another, the hardest. But I learned it was a bit reflected better on Hamline, on fraternities, and more complicated than that. would have made a great story. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Mark Flaten Breanne Hanson Hegg MNM ’04 VOLUME 105 / NUMBER 3 / FALL 2008 ON THE COVER The Klaus/Self family pages through a scrapbook, created by Emily HAMLINE (Dollie) Mettam Klaus ’23 POSTMASTER Change service requested to: Hamline Magazine, THE MAGAZINE OF HAMLINE UNIVERSITY MS-C1916, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-1284 EDITOR Breanne Hanson Hegg MNM ’04 QUESTIONS/LETTERS Hamline Magazine MS-C1916, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-1284, 651-523-2012, [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dan Loritz ’69, Jen Thorson ’96 Hamline University first published an alumni periodical in 1904, called the Alumni CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Amici ’09, JacQui Getty, Sunni Monson ’10, Quarterly of Hamline University. Now simply titled Hamline, the magazine is published Kelly Westhoff MALS ’01 three times per year. Hamline is printed on 10 percent post-consumer recovered fiber CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS George Heinrich, Eliesa Johnson, Andy King, stock with agri-based ink. The coating is water based. Claire Harrison, Cory Ryan, Dawn Villella, Steve Woit Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, DESIGNERS Kelly Christ, Allison Long ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education 2 HAMLINE MAGAZINE or employment programs or activities. From the President Uncertainty. Developing students’ confidence to weather changing realities Frequently used in recent months by commentators, pundits, of employment opportunities and financial markets inspires and analysts, the word uncertainty has an uncanny ability to us to think innovatively about how we as a university restruc- disturb our comfort zones—about everything from who will ture our academic and administrative work; how we budget prevail in national elections, to what will be the price of gas resources; how we produce more effective energy and envi- at the pump, to how students will afford a college education. ronmental programs; and how we ensure access to a Hamline We’ve become uncertain about sources of reliable data on which education for academically qualified students. Many students to make decisions; uncertain about the outcomes of rapidly across the nation have been adversely affected by financial shifting domestic and international financial markets; uncertain uncertainty and, at times, uncertainty of the value of the degree about the long-term effects on the retirement portfolios of baby they have invested time, effort, and in many cases, loans and boomers; and families are more uncertain about how to finance personal sacrifice to achieve. their children’s education. No one knows how long this period of uncertainty may last. In times of uncertainty, Hamline’s approach will be to visibly We do know that we have confidence in our ability to continue demonstrate the verifiable value of acquiring an undergraduate, serving students—and to keep education affordable—as we graduate, or professional degree that surpasses its price, not only have for 154 years. We do know from the stories embedded in economic terms, but also in the quality of education students within Hamline University’s history that we have an enduring receive for their personal effort. Recently, the university com- legacy of making decisions that steer the university on a steady munity gathered at its annual convocation under the banner course, and today is no different. of “innovation in education” with the goal of developing new I’m often asked what it takes for students to achieve a college ideas that will position Hamline to deliver with certainty an education or advanced degree in these uncertain times, and I’ve education that is grounded in the principles of liberal arts edu- come to believe it is scholarships. Whether it is need-based or cation; that is practical and useful; and that prepares students merit-based, a scholarship is an enabling, confidence-building, for lives of leadership, scholarship, and service. This effort is and tangible sign for students that the effort of attending a appropriate for these uncertain times, but more important, university has intrinsic, lifelong value, and that the achievement imperative for achieving our vision of ourselves as a diverse, of an education inspires alumni to give scholarships so that the learning-centered university. next generation may be educated. Of this, I am certain. Linda N. Hanson President FALL 2008 3 Happenings ON HEWITT Community leaders and philanthropists Bob ’52 and Sandy Klas receive honorary doctors of humane letters “Hamline teaches people how to think,” said Robert Klas, Sr. a talented artist who frequently donates the proceeds from her ’52 in his Commencement address, after receiving an honorary paintings to these causes. doctorate from Hamline. “Very few days go by where I don’t “Be good alums,” Sandy said during her address. “The faculty think about some of the professors back here at Hamline.” will be here, the staff will be here, they will love to know how This year Hamline honored Bob Klas and his wife, Alexandra you’re doing. Every one of you here will remember one thing “Sandy” Klas, with honorary doctors of humane letters in from one special teacher or one special professor that you will recognition of their extraordinary commitment to community take with you throughout your lifetime.” engagement, philanthropy, entrepreneurial business, and to Bob and Sandy have contributed generously, and for many Hamline. decades, to important causes. Together they founded the A graduate from the class of 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in Tapemark Charity Pro-Am, a nationally recognized annual golf economics, Bob is the chairman and former CEO of Tapemark tournament that raises funds for children with disabilities. The Company, a pressure-sensitive label and medical products com- Klases’ leadership in Wabasha, Minnesota, Bob’s hometown, pany. Under Bob’s leadership Tapemark grew from a company has also made possible the St. Elizabeth Medical Center and the that pioneered a technique for printing on clear, self-wound tape National Eagle Center. into a company today that is an industry leader. In his address, Bob recounted how he came to Hamline his “You graduates have made the wisest investment you’ll make first year and lived in Drew Residence Hall, and wondered in your entire lifetime—the investment in your education, about Mr. Drew. In 2004 Bob and Sandy served as the which will bear fruits forever,” Klas said Minnesota co-chairs of Hamline’s 150th Anniversary Campaign, Sandy served as an advocate and later as a registered lobbyist and contributed the largest gift in Hamline’s history to help for people with disabilities, contributing to significant advances build the Klas Center and Klas Field. Sandy and Bob have both in the education and care of the disabled in Minnesota.