HAMLINE Spring 2010 The Altitude Experience Biology professor Mike Farris summits Mount Everest Hockey Stop There are a lot of fun facts about the Hamline men’s hockey team. Sophomore Beau Christian is the son of Dave Christian who played on the famous 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team. Spencer Anderson, a junior and USCHO Honorable Mention all-American, also grew up in the game—his father is the head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers. Junior Chris Berenguer, the son of Minnesota Twins’ former star pitcher Juan Berenguer, is the only two-time all-American in the school’s history. Juniors Brett Burgau and Alex Lundbohm and sophomore Jordan VanGilder came to Hamline from the junior leagues—the first step toward going pro for many NHL players. Taylor Vichorek ’13 now plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s American Hockey League team. But the most fun fact? These guys win. Read more on page 12. 22 16 14 20 FEATURES 14 The Altitude Experience Biology Professor Mike Farris Summits Everest 16 Breaking Ground Unveiling Plans for a University Center 18 The Power of Place Carol Anderson ’46 20 From the Frontlines Journalism Students Apprentice in Mexico 22 Spring Planting Lessons from Hamline Horticulturalist Ken Dehkes DEPARTMENTS 4 Happenings on Hewitt 26 Alumni News 26 Associations of Hamline Alumni 28 Class Notes 34 In Memoriam Senior Kyle Kurr has the best hockey stop on the team. SPRING 2010 1 From the EDITOR From the PRESIDENT One unusually warm afternoon in April I found myself freezing on the red line of the Highland Park hockey rink, directing members of Hamline’s men’s hockey team to “look tough.” It was harder than I expected, given their fierce reputation on the ice. But in true Hamline form, they humbled under the spotlight. Fortunately Head Coach Scott Bell was on hand to share their accomplishments. As he should, Bell takes pride in his players—not only for how they perform together, as a top-ranked hockey team, but for how they carry themselves as individuals. Horticulturalist Ken Dehkes should take equal pride in Hamline’s campus, which he’s made a lush, natural oasis, abundant with color and life. He, too, is modest about VOLUME 107 / NUMBEr 1 / SPRING 2010 his achievements, but I happily declare on page 20 that because of his work, the Hamline campus is one of the prettiest spots in Saint Paul. With the coming of a new University Center we will have another HAMLINE reason to feel proud. Not only will the building be environmentally THE MAGAZINE OF HAMLINE UNIVERSITY When thinking about time, I’ve always conceptualized it as Some 50-plus years after Carol Anderson graduated, student sound and technologically advanced, it will bring together members an endless circle that rotates, year after year, with complete leaders of Hamline’s Undergraduate Student Congress (HUSC) of the university and the surrounding community. EDITOR Phoebe Larson reliability. In the fall, golden leaves drop to the ground and decided they, too, wanted to be a part of the effort to build a While it’s not our inclination to brag, we should all take pride in each season, in turn, arrives with its own distinctive features. new university center. Through their legislative process and COntRIBUTIng EDITORS Hamline. From the success of our students and the dedication of Tony Grundhauser, Breanne Hanson Hegg MNM ’04, Jen In a university, we arrange our teaching and learning schedules priority of budget expenditures, HUSC allocated $20,000 to our faculty and staff to the advancement and beauty of our campus, Thorson ’96 around academic terms aligned with each season and its tradi- the campaign fund for the project. When graduating President Hamline continues to shine. tions, starting with the matriculation of new classes of students David McCarthy, incoming President Joel Eaton, and Vice COntRIBUTIng WRIteRS Serri Graslie ’10, Sunni Monson ’10, Dylan Thomas, Monica Wright in the fall to commencement’s farewell in the spring and the President Katie Gelinas presented me with check #1854 (the welcome of summer. And now, of course, with many graduate year of Hamline’s founding), I was thrilled and so very proud COntRIBUTIng phOTOGRapheRS programs, the circle continues throughout the summer months that the same philanthropic values that motivated a 1946 Andy King, Cory Ryan, Ken Dehkes as well. graduate and her husband to give back to Hamline were already Phoebe Larson DesIgneRS Kelly Christ, Allison Long Two events coincided in late spring of this year that poi- present in our students today. gnantly honor Hamline’s timeless values of instilling within The phrase “pay it forward” in a continuous circle of On The COveR Biology professor Mike Farris rock-climbing in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. students a responsibility to give back to others in appreciation philanthropy through inspiring lives of leadership, scholarship, for what they have received. In August 2009, Carol ’46 and and service is a worthy, timeless mission for Hamline. Our POSTMASTER Change service requested to: Dennis Anderson of Rapid City, South Dakota, pledged a lead work here as educators is in the tradition of John Wesley’s Hamline Magazine, MS-C1916, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-1284 gift for the planned University Center, as well as an endowed admonition to “do all the good you can.” These students and chair in the social sciences. As an alumna, Carol sincerely alumna Carol Anderson and her husband, Dennis, are evidence QUestIOns/LetteRS Hamline Magazine, MS-C1916, credits Hamline with launching her career as an educated that through individual acts, perpetuated generation by 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-1284, 651-523-2755, [email protected] woman who believed in making a difference where it counts. generation, we can indeed make the world a better place. She and Dennis built lives of service and leadership in their communities through their family farms and entrepreneurial Hamline University first published an alumni periodical in enterprises. When Dennis passed away in April, Carol Sincerely, 1904, called the Alumni Quarterly of Hamline University. Now simply titled Hamline, the magazine is published emphasized that their passion for education was the inspiration periodically each year. for their gifts. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities. Linda N. Hanson President 2 HamlINE MAGAZINE SPRING 2010 3 Record Breaker Don Meyer in his early days as the Pipers head men’s basketball coach. What do the Hamline Pipers and the Northern State University (South HAPPENINGS on Hewitt Dakota) Wolves have in common? Don Meyer. Meyer is the NCAA’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach and recent recipient of ESPN’s prestigious ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards) Jimmy V Perseverance Award. The head coach at Northern State University for the past 10 years, Meyer’s first head coach position was at Hamline, where he tallied 37 wins from 1972 to 1975 and led the 1974–75 team to the NCAA quarterfinals with his second 16-win season. Olympic Glory In 2008, Meyer made national headlines when he was poised to overtake Bob Knight as the NCAA’s winningest men’s basketball coach. Just shy of the record, Meyer nearly died in a major car accident. Due to Hamline first year Ashlee Kephart never thought she’d make it to injuries sustained in the crash, his left leg was amputated below the knee. the Olympics, especially for her “sport”—volunteering. Kephart is During surgery, it also was discovered that he had carcinoid cancer in his the founder of Kids for a Better World, a nonprofit organization that liver, small intestine, and abdomen. encourages young people to make a difference by volunteering. Inspired Undeterred, Meyer returned to the court in a wheelchair for the by community service projects through the Girl Scouts as a child, 2008–09 season, breaking Knight’s record on January 10, 2009 with 903 Kephart established Kids for a Better World at age 16. In January the wins. Meyer retired from coaching at the end of the 2009–10 season, but Coca-Cola Company recognized her charitable efforts, nominating her his success and determination will provide inspiration for coaches and as one of 10 American teens to carry the Olympic torch for the 2010 players to come. Winter Olympics. Here’s what the Hamline psychology major had to say about her road to Olympic glory. Positive feedback: I’ve been volunteering throughout my entire school career. As a kid, I liked knowing that I made a difference in something, and I liked the positive reaction I received from the people I helped. Literacy on the Cutting Edge Calling kids to action: The main goal of Kids for a Better World is to get kids volunteering—locally and throughout the world. I work with school groups to set up initiatives in their communities or get “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free,” said American abolitionist them involved in one of my existing projects. I’ve sent care packages to Frederick Douglass. More than 100 years later, literacy issues are on the Hurricane Katrina victims and have partnered with several organizations forefront of public consciousness. Nationwide, school districts are focusing to send books, shoes, and other essentials to underprivileged children on literacy education to achieve large-scale school reform. Knowing that locally, nationally, and internationally. now, more than ever, society requires skilled literacy educators, Hamline School of Education launched a new degree program: the master of arts in Weight training: My Olympic torch run was in Calgary.