Winter 2018 Chadron State magazine Greetings from the CSC graduate elected President Dear Chadron State College Alumni and Friends, During the dedication of the Sports Complex Sept. 12, I was overwhelmed to see the numerous governor of Minnesota alumni and their families, retired faculty, former colleagues, donors and friends of the college who gathered to share a celebration as warm as the sunny day. That weather was in stark contrast to the By Con Marshall also was presented the college’s Distinguished stadium opener two weeks earlier that included a memorable two-hour rain and lightning delay. Tim Walz recently became the first Chadron Alumni Award. The reunion of those who dedicated decades of their lives to the college was something to be- State College graduate ever elected governor During his talk, Walz said he was apprecia- hold. The camaraderie was palpable as former colleagues exchanged greetings. of one of the 50 states in November 2018. Af- tive that his alma mater had provided middle During the ceremony, football team members personally presented signed footballs to stake ter serving in the U.S. House of Representa- class families like his the opportunity to earn holders, Board of Trustees members, and dignitaries in attendance. The lives of these young tives for 12 years, Walz will be sworn in as a college education. people and many more will be enhanced by the new facilities made possible by the generosity of Minnesota’s 41st governor in early January. “The professors at this college wanted us to many like you. During the 2018 election, he received about succeed,” Walz said. “The door was always Enhancements will continue to the Sports Complex. Just recently, the Nebraska State College 54 percent of the vote, or nearly 300,000 more open for us to learn and to grow. We got a great System Board of Trustees approved our request to begin work on the second phase of the complex, votes than his challenger, Jeff Johnson, a Hen- base for future success. a $1.8 million track facility. nepin County commissioner. The 1,392,958 “A healthy and educated populace creates Students will always be at the forefront of this institution and I was proud to preside over the votes that he received are the most ever for a economic and national security. We have the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies. The winter commencements are always gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. right of self-governance which was paid for a wonderful note to end the academic year on and I was pleased to see so many familiar faces. Walz said following the election he realizes with blood. We need more critical thinkers like Dr. Randy Rhine I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season and a prosperous 2019. his plurality carries with it a special respon- the students who graduated from CSC today.” President of Chadron State College sibility. During the campaign he emphasized Two of the Walz’s siblings, Jeff, who lives Sincerely, creating “one Minnesota.” in Florida, and Sandy Dietrich of Alliance, also Throughout his political career he has been graduated from Chadron State. Tim and Gwen labeled a moderate Democrat. have two children, Hope and Gus. Dr. Randy Rhine Walz, 54, was born in West Point, Nebraska, While Walz is the first CSC alum to become President and spent most of his childhood in Valentine. governor of a state, two graduates have served He moved with his parents, Jim and Darlene as the governors of American Samoa, a U.S. Walz, to Butte, Nebraska, when he was a high territory, since 2003. school sophomore. Togiola (Tala) Tulafono, held the office for Above: Chadron State College alumnus Tim Walz is Minnesota’s governor-elect graduated from 10 years, and was succeeded by Matalasi Moli- the new governor of Minnesota. After serving in the Chadron State in 1989 and spent the following ga, the governor since 2013. They were among U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years, Walz will year teaching English and American history and the two dozen or more American Samoans who be sworn in as Minnesota’s 41st governor in early culture in southern China. Afterwards, he led attended Chadron State in the 1960s and ‘70s. January, 2019. (Courtesy photo) The Chadron State Magazine is tours, which included numerous western Ne- Tulafono graduated from CSC in 1971 and Below: Tim Walz, a native of West Point, Nebraska, braska residents, to China for several summers. Moliga in 1973. taught English and American history for a year in published twice a year by the southern China after graduating from CSC in 1989. Alumni Office. Following the year in China, Walz taught Inside global geography in Alliance for six years. During that time, he met his wife, Gwen, a na- Magazine Staff Math Science Initiative tive of Minnesota who also was teaching in the Daniel Binkard George Ledbetter Alliance Schools. In 1997, the couple moved 3 Kelsey R. Brummels Con Marshall Kaleb Center SuAn Reece to Mankato, her hometown, and he joined the Tena L. Cook Jacob Rissler faculty at West High School as a geography, Dewayne Gimeson Karen Pope history and sociology teacher. Alumni honored at Homecoming Alex Helmbrecht Ben Watson In 2002, he was one of six Minnesota teach- 7 Kris Koza ers to receive a $10,000 award recognizing their high performance and contributions to Alumni Board of Directors teaching. His award was for Ethics in Educa- Friesen’s art remains Fresh Lou Alcorn Russ Harford tion. Tammy Calamari Clayton Riesen Walz had joined the National Guard the 9 Stephanie Cogdill Vince Ryan summer after graduating from high school. Ron Grant Shane Shepherd Soon after he had been honored, his teaching Bobby Griese Loni Watson career was interrupted when the First 125th Eagles remain perfect at home Please forward address changes to: Field Artillery Battalion from Minnesota that he had joined was sent to Afghanistan during 16 CSC Alumni Office, 1000 Main St., Chadron, NE 69337 or email [email protected] the early stages of a conflict there. He had served in the National Guard 24 years when he retired with the rank of Com- On the Cover: CSC is a proud member of the Nebraska State A composite image of Memorial Hall, from conception to modern day. At right is the building in 2018; at left is College System. mand Sergeant Major. When he took office in the original façade blueprint; at lower left is the building under construction, from the 1952 Anokasan yearbook. the U.S. House, he became the highest ranking (Photo illustration by Daniel Binkard) Past issues of the Alumni Magazine can be retired enlisted soldier to ever serve in Con- found at www.csc.edu/alumni gress. Throughout his tenure in Washington, he championed enhanced veterans’ benefits. In May 2014, Walz returned to Chadron State to give the commencement address and 1 Turman is new NSCS Chancellor Major gift moves Math Science ahead By Judi Yorges, NSCS leadership qualities and commitment to the The Nebraska State College System Board state colleges’ continued success.” of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Paul Prior to becoming chancellor of the NSCS, D. Turman as the next Chancellor of the Turman was the System Vice President for Nebraska State College System October 1, Academic Affairs for the South Dakota Board 2018. of Regents. He provided leadership for the Turman succeeds Stan Carpenter, who an- academic and research functions of the South nounced his plans to retire last May. Carpen- Dakota Regental system by managing system ter’s last day is Jan. 2. initiatives targeted at improving student prep- “I am very pleased that the Board of Trust- aration, progression, and completion through ees have placed their faith in my ability to efforts to improve time to degree, increase af- guide the Nebraska State College System in fordability, and foster collaborate programs. the years to come. This January I look forward Turman led six areas in the Regental system to working with the board, college presidents, including Research and Economic Develop- and the staff to continue the great work that is ment, Institutional Research, State Scholarship underway to provide postsecondary opportu- Programs, New Program Approval, the Re- nities that can drive the workforce needs for gental Library Consortium, and Instructional Nebraska,” Turman said. “Additionally, I’m Technology. excited about working with leadership across As System Vice President for Research and the many education sectors to maintain and Economic Development, Turman provided further expand the partnerships needed to meet leadership to advance the grant, research, and Chancellor Paul D. Turman the evolving educational attainment needs for scholarly goals in the Regental system by the state.” working with state government leadership, in- Vice President for Research and Economic Gary Bieganski, Chair of the Board of Trust- cluding the governor, executive branch agen- Development in 2012; and became System ees and CSC alumnus, said he has confidence cies, and legislators, in making university Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2014. in Turman’s abilities. research efforts effective for South Dakota. Turman received his Ph.D. from the Uni- “Our goal was to find the next leader of the Turman was involved with the South Da- versity of Nebraska – Lincoln in Interpersonal State College System who could build upon kota Board of Regents since 2006. He began Communication; his M.A. from South Dakota the strong foundation Chancellor Carpenter as the director of Academic Assessment; then State University in Communication; and his put in place,” Bieganski said. “Dr. Turman is became the Associate Vice President for Aca- B.S. from South Dakota State University in that leader and I have great confidence in his demic Affairs in 2008; became the System General Studies/Art Minor.