A Magazine for Alumni & Friends of theUniversity of Minnesota, Crookston

Vol. 42, No. 1 Spring 2010

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From the Chancellor

Over the past year, our campus hascelebrated record enrollment, thededication of a new residence hall, andthe many accomplishments of ourstudents, faculty, and staff. Thosehighlights are what this annual reportissue of the Torch is all about. At a timeof year when it is still a bit cold, I hopethis issue will warm your heart andremind you of what a special place thisis.

Reflecting on the past year is a goodway for us to mark progress. As westrategize and plan for the best ways toserve our students and this region, amoment of reflection is inspiring. Wehave students like Senior Les Swenson,who served our country in the CoastGuard and returned to find a degree incriminal justice available to him not farfrom his home in Fertile, Minn. Alongwith him, we feature our study abroadprogram in a story about Senior IrmaDe La Guardia, who traveled to Chinalast summer. Students also find time toserve in local communities. Junior RoryHeld volunteered countless hours as amentor to a high school robotics teamfrom Hatton and Northwood, N.D.These three students represent countlessothers, and they all make us proud to bea part of this great institution.

It isn’t just about students though,our faculty members work hard to givestudents the kinds of experiences thatwill help them grow. Business instructorRachel Lundbohm has used servicelearning in her classroom to give herstudents a taste of marketing in the realworld. Not only do they problem solve,but they learn what it takes to addressthe needs of their clients. Instructorsfrom the Agriculture and NaturalResources Department Eric Castle and

Kent Freberg took their students into thecommunity and built projects thatbenefit the people who live and work inCrookston. These projects strengthenrelationships between the campus andthe community, and they become asource of pride and give our students avaluable hands-on learning experience.

We continue to build relationshipsabroad. Senior Vice Chancellor TomBaldwin traveled to a conference inTaiwan where he had the opportunity torenew our agreement with Nan KaiUniversity of Technology, and I wasdeeply honored to speak at the 30-yearanniversary of the Zhejiang Economicand Trade Polytechnic (ZJETP) inHangzhou, China. While I was there, Ialso joined U of M Senior VicePresident Robert Jones and Director ofInternational Programs MeredithMcQuaid for the official opening of theUniversity of Minnesota China Centeroffice in Beijing.

Writing this letter has given me avery memorable look back over the pastyear. I hope you will enjoy readingmore about these people, places, andevents as you look back with us in thisissue of the magazine.

While budget concerns are alwayswith us, this issue is really aboutcelebrating who we are as a Universityof Minnesota campus and what we areaccomplishing together. Take a momentto savor these highlights and share themwith others. Along with me, take pridein the University of Minnesota,Crookston, and together, we willprepare for tomorrow.

Sincerely,Charles H. Casey, D.V.M.Chancellor

Director of Development& Alumni Relations........4

Jill Lucas ........................4

Les Swenson ..................6

Rory Held ........................7

Sixth Street Park............8

Bradley Kappes............10

Chancellor Casey ........11

Senior Vice ChancellorBaldwin..........................11

Irma De La Guardia ....12

Invest in Your Valley ....14

Marketing Research ..16

Media Services ............17

Evergreen Hall..............18

Donor Report ................20

On the cover: starting at the topleft and going across: JosephHarren, sophomore, EagleBend, Minn.; Corby Kemmer,Rose Ulseth, Bill Tyrrell, andSue Dwyer, Office ofDevelopment & AlumniRelations; Chelsea Swenson,freshman, Fertile, Minn. andErin Fowle, freshman, Winnipeg,MB, Canada; Rae French,coordinator for study abroad;Rachel Lundbohm, instructor,business; Lexi Kolden,freshman, Mound, Minn.; ScottSteuck, sophomore, Dassel,Minn.; Xiaowei Zhou, ESLstudent, Chongqing, China;Jamal Jihad, senior, WarnerRobins, GA; Celeste Hockings,sophomore, Land O’Lakes, Wis.;Dan Svedarsky, director, Centerfor Sustainability; Amber Evans-Dailey, director of admissions;Elizabeth Tollefson, UniversityRelations, Stephanie Onken,senior, Round Lake, MN;Elizabeth Kern, senior,Owatonna, Minn.

CONTENTS

I am pleased to present the summarized financialmaterial from fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 – June 30,2009) and offer my sincere thanks for your philanthropicgenerosity.

During fiscal year 2009 more than $530,000 wasgenerated in commitments and over $780,000 in giftsfrom you, our generous benefactors and constituents.Yes, these are unprecedented economic times, and I askfor your assistance in working with us to solve thesechallenges.

Your financial support shapes the future of thisinstitution and provides enhanced educationalexperiences. Please consider your giving opportunitiesand thank you for your support.

Sincerely,Corby Kemmer, directorDevelopment & Alumni Relations

4 www.umcrookston.edu

The University of Minnesota isdefinitely “old school.” Founded in1851, the University was inexistence seven years before theterritory of Minnesota became astate. Dedicated to theadvancement of learning, theUniversity of Minnesota is attentiveto the changing needs of itsstudents. Online learning is one ofthe ways the University is meetingthose needs.

The University’s Crookstoncampus was the first to offer aUniversity of Minnesota degreeonline. That was 14 years ago.Today, online learning comprises10 percent of the overall credit

hours delivered.When Senior Jill Lucas, Dodge

Center, Minn., began her onlinedegree, she already had a two-yeardegree in radiology from RiverlandCommunity College in Austin,Minn. Following her graduationfrom Riverland, she went to workfor Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospitalin Mankato, Minn., and a year latermoved to a new position in theradiology department at MayoClinic in Rochester, Minn., whereshe has worked for the past 13years.

A mother of 8-year-old twins,Lucas had planned for some time toearn a bachelor’s degree. She even

worked on classes two nights aweek offered locally throughAugsburg College, Minneapolis,Minn. But, she found thatphysically being away from heryoung children, who were onlytoddlers at the time, was just toodifficult.

“Any upward movement in myfield requires a bachelor’s degree,”

“Old School” Online If you are interestedin online learning,visit the Center forAdult Learning atwww.umcrookston.edu/academics/online. The U of M,Crookston offers degrees in AppliedHealth Applied Studies, Business,Manufacturing Management, as well asnon-degree online courses.

From the Director ofDevelopment & AlumniRelations

A.A.S. – associate of applied science;a degree which focuses more oncourse work within the majorA.S. – associate in science; a degreethat focuses on course work in theliberal arts and is geared fortransferring. In 2008, the associate inscience degree programs werediscontinued.Adv. – advanced designates theadditional or fourth year of instructionat the NWSAAlumna – refers to female, singularAlumnus – refers to male, singular

Alumni – refers to unisex, plural(originally, male plural)Alumnae – refers to female, pluralApplied studies – degree optiondesigned to meet individual needs andeducational objectives that cannot bemet through traditional degreeprogramsCampus kid – the child of an NWSAfaculty or staff member who lived onthe campusC.S.A. – Crookston StudentAssociation, the governingorganization of the student bodyD.A. – doctor of arts

D.V.M. – designates a doctor ofveterinary medicine, i.e., ChancellorCharles H. Casey, D.V.M.Ed.D. – a doctorate focused onacademic and administrative positionsin educationEmeritus – a title honoring the role ofa retired professional, i.e. ProfessorEmeritus, Chancellor EmeritusEx. (exited) – designates the last yearregistered at the U of M, Crookston byan alumna/alumnus who has notcompleted a degree.B.A. – bachelor of arts

B.S. – bachelor of science; theU of M, Crookston confers bachelor ofscience degrees.M.A. – master of artsM.S. – master of scienceNWSA – Northwest School ofAgriculture, the agricultural highschool located on what is now the Uof M, Crookston campusPh.D. – designates PhilosophiaeDoctor (Doctor of Philosophy)U of M – University of Minnesota

Abbreviations and Definitions Used in the Torch

Lucas explains. “I began searchingthe Internet for a program thatmight work for me, and that’s whenI came across the bachelor ofapplied health from the Universityof Minnesota. I contacted MichelleChristopherson, and the staff in theCenter for Adult Learninganswered my questions and helpedme with transferring the credits Ihad already earned.”

In 2005, Lucas took her firstonline class through the Universityof Minnesota, Crookston Online.Working toward a bachelor ofapplied health (BAH), Lucas hastaken one or maybe two classes asemester. “I took a class if itworked, if I felt I couldn’t handleit, I would take a break, but then, Iwould get right back at it,” Lucassays.

For Lucas, a University ofMinnesota degree was veryappealing. “When I found out Icould get my online degree fromthe University of Minnesota, Iknew it was the route I wanted togo,” Lucas smiles. “I grew up inMinnesota, and I already loved theUniversity.”

What Lucas enjoys most about

learning online is the opportunity towork at a pace right for her andaround her schedule. “I can put mychildren to bed and then sit downand work on my assignments,” shereflects. “If I feel like it, I wear mypajamas, and I make it work withmy life and around my husbandand children too.”

If there are challenges withonline learning, Lucas says the factthat you are not face to face withthe instructor andyour classmatesmight be one, but shereadily adds, “Iinteract with classmates from allover the world. I have theopportunity for such diversity andlearn from my peers who have sucha variety of professionalexperiences. I would recommendonline learning to anyone. In fact, Ihave a couple of friends who aretaking classes because myexperience has been so positive.”

Lucas says the course work hasbeen pertinent to what she wants todo. The BAH degree was designedto meet the needs of workingprofessionals in the health industrylike Lucas.

Michelle Christophersondescribes online learning as“Flexible and personal; two themesthat connect our great University toan ever growing audience of adultlearners. Students like Jill, valuethe U of M brand and have come toexpect the quality services andacademics in a non-traditionallearning environment.”

“I have taken something fromevery class I have had online and

made use of it in my career and inmy personal life,” Lucas remarks.“I have a richer foundation forliving and working through myonline experience, and inDecember 2010, I will achieve mygoal of earning a bachelor’sdegree.”

Learning online is one exampleof the way education is changing tohelp students of all kinds achievetheir goals. Offering the best ineducation is something the state,region, and world have come toexpect from the University ofMinnesota system.

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Jill Lucas and her husband,Russell, with their 8-year old twins.

“When I found out I could get my online degree fromthe University of Minnesota, I knew it was the route Iwanted to go…”

6 www.umcrookston.edu

Six months after he graduated from high school,Senior Les Swenson was in boot camp at Cape May,N.J. A member of the U.S. Coast Guard for 14 years,Swenson has been in 39 countries including Kosovo,several countries in South America and CentralAmerica, and just about every island in theCaribbean.

“The Coast Guard is really all emergency servicesrolled into one on the water,” Swenson explains, “andhas the same law enforcement and powers of theFBI.”

When he returned to his home in Fertile, Minn.,following his years in the service, he knew he wantedto work in law enforcement. For this criminal justicemajor, an interest in law enforcement began longbefore his enlistment. “My father is a retired deputysheriff and chief of police in Fertile, and my motherworks in the correctional center in Crookston,” hesays.

Swenson chose to attend the University ofMinnesota, Crookston because it offered a four-yeardegree in criminal justice and also the opportunity tominor in psychology. “I hadn’t anticipated a minor inpsychology until I started working with AssistantProfessor Alvin Killough,” says Swenson. “I thinkthat I have found a great combination of a major incriminal justice with a minor in psychology.

“Many times in order to keep a situation fromescalating as a law enforcement officer you have to beable to act as a counselor or mentor, or strategizeusing the skills that psychology teaches you. Often,the ability to listen can prove to be most valuable in ajob as a law enforcement officer.”

On campus, Swenson is involved in the VeteransSupport Club; in fact, he was a founding member ofthis re-organized club and its first president. He hasplayed a central role in organizing Veterans Dayrecognition events. In fall 2009, he served as thekeynote speaker and master of ceremonies. During theholiday season, Swenson organized “Every ChildDeserves a Christmas” with members of the VeteransSupport Club to collect donations and money to helpprovide children at the local homeless shelter with

gifts.Coaching wrestling and football for grade school

children in Fertile and working on his father’s farmfill up any free time that Swenson might have. He alsohas been on the National Registry of EmergencyMedical Technicians (NREMT) for 15 yearsvolunteering for County EMS, and working as a tutorin the Academic Assistance Center as well.

How does Swenson fit all this in with his life as astudent? It isn’t easy, but he enjoys it. “I love my lawenforcement classes as well as the ones inpsychology,” Swenson affirms. “I have found theinstructors here to be very personable. In fact, I havenever once felt that I couldn’t talk to my instructorsabout anything.”

The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus,meaning “Always Ready.” When Swenson leaves theU of M, Crookston when he graduates in December2010, he will be ready to move forward into a career.He has already thought about what his next stepsshould be. “I want to work in law enforcement andeventually earn my doctorate in criminal justice andmaster’s in psychology,” he says. “My goal is to oneday teach at the U of M, Crookston.”

Swenson is preparing himself for the future andwill be equipped to apply his education andexperience to the career he is seeking. His motto, likethe Coast Guard’s, means he will be always ready forwhatever lies ahead.

Learn more about the criminal justice degree at theU of M, Crookston by visitingwww.umcrookston.edu/academics.

Always Ready

Swenson stands at attention as a wreath is placed at the Soldiers andSailors Memorial on the Crookston campus. He specialized in lawenforcement and was a machinist’s mate in the U.S. Coast Guard.

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For six weeks in January andFebruary 2010, Rory Held could bedescribed as “crazy busy.” Thejunior from Cold Spring, Minn.,spent every free moment duringthat time mentoring high schoolstudents from Hatton andNorthwood, N.D., on a roboticsproject. The robotics team is part ofFor Inspiration and Recognition ofScience and Technology, morecommonly known by its acronym,FIRST. Being a mentor for theteam kept Held busy and involvedin technology, one of his passions.

Held originally came to the U ofM, Crookston to major in golf andturf management and intended tominor in technology. After twoclasses his sophomore year withAssociate Professor MartinLundell, Held changed his major to

information technologymanagement and has never lookedback.

“I always liked computers, and Ibegan working at the Help Deskwhen I was a freshman,” Heldexplains. “I just knew after I tookthose two classes that it was whereI wanted to spend my time.”

As a senior in high school, Heldbegan attending the U of M,Crookston as a Post SecondaryEnrollment Option (PSEO) student.The PSEO program is offered bythe state of Minnesota to highschool juniors and seniors as anopportunity to earn college creditas a high school student enrolled inan institution of higher education.“I lived on campus as a senior inhigh school,” Held says. “It was agreat experience, and I enjoyed it.”

PSEO served Held well,he was able to complete anumber of his generaleducation courses andadjust to campus living. Hecontinues to work at theHelp Desk and finds itrewarding. “I enjoyworking with the staff atthe Help Desk,” Heldcontinues. “And, I also liketo help set up andtroubleshoot computers.”

He joined theAssociation for ComputerTechnology, a student clubon campus, and also workssecurity when it is needed.But, it was his love fortechnology that led to anundergraduate researchproject on robotics for Heldwhere he and two other

students worked on programming arobot to complete a given task.

Eventually, Held would find hisway to his current role as a mentorfor FIRST. “Last year, I watched.This year, I get to be involved and Iam applying a lot of what I learnedin my collegiate career to help withthe work on the robotics team,”Held says. “We spend a lot of timebrainstorming, designing, building,programming, and learningtogether.”

FIRST focuses its mentors andcoaches on inspiring and guidingtheir students. The program alsoemphasizes graciousprofessionalism and sportsmanship.These are things Held foundattractive about the program. Healso enjoyed the enthusiasm andenergy so abundant at thecompetitions and looks forward toexperiencing it firsthand.

Held savors the idea ofcompeting, “The atmosphere iselectric during the roboticscompetitions, and I want to be apart of helping students experiencethat excitement and encourage aninterest in the field of computertechnology.”

FIRST’s mission is to inspireyoung people to be science andtechnology leaders, by engagingthem in exciting mentor-basedprograms that build science,engineering and technology skills,that inspire innovation, and thatfoster well-rounded life capabilitiesincluding self-confidence,communication, and leadership.You can learn more by visitingwww.usfirst.org.

Brainstorming, Designing,Building, and Learning Together

Rory Held is a junior majoring in information technologymanagement. His passion for computer technology has himmentoring high school students as they work on a roboticsproject for a competition to be held over three days in earlyApril at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

8 www.umcrookston.edu

A great recipe needs all the right ingredients: Takea dose of student enthusiasm for service, partner itwith with community interest, and combine with areal-life need. To this mixture, apply a generousmeasure of learning and your effort should yield aresult that benefits everyone involved.

For Assistant Professor Kent Freberg’s facilitymaintenance and safety class in the Agriculture andNatural Resources Department at the University ofMinnesota, Crookston, it began in the fall of 2008when they prepared, poured, and finished thefoundation slab for a park shelter adjacent to the VillaSt. Vincent in Walsh Park.

Fast forward to fall 2009, another class constructedthe park shelter on the concrete slab. The hip-roofedshelter is 22' x 18' x 8' with a 20" roof overhang and

open sides. The shelter is a place for tenants of theVilla St. Vincent and The Summit Assisted Livingfacilities and their families to enjoy.

A natural disaster along the bank of the Red LakeRiver in the Crookston community in 2003 broughtabout an opportunity for several of Assistant ProfessorEric Castle’s classes. It began when Castle’s land-useplanning class investigated how other communitiesdeveloped park areas. The students presented theirfindings at a charrette involving community membersand students. Next, the landscape design class tookthe outcome of that brainstorming session and cameup with three different design scenarios to present tothe city.

In its final form, the design includes a gazebo, afishing pier, benches, and a path for walking to the

It’s Tried and True

river. In fall 2009, his landscapeinstallation and maintenance classinstalled a seating wall and pavers,planted trees, shrubs, and otherperennials. An area that was oncean eye sore has taken on a newappearance that welcomes visitors.

When faculty membersincorporate meaningful communityservice into their academicclassroom curriculum, it is knownas service learning. An importantpart of the classroom experience at

the U of M, Crookston, servicelearning is defined as a method ofteaching, learning, and reflectingwhere participants learn anddevelop through activeparticipation.

The service-learning projects arecoordinated by Lisa Loegering,who serves as the assistant directorof service learning. Her effortsmatch faculty interest andclassroom curriculum tocommunity need. It is a win-win

recipe for students and communitymembers, and a powerful recipe forlearning and for life.

At left: Eric Castle discusses details of the 6thStreet Park entrance area with Senior TeddyGutman, Burlington, Iowa.

Below: Aerial photo shows 6th Street Park areaalong bank of the Red Lake River in Crookston.

Below, top inset: Students working on the parkshelter were part of Assistant Professor KentFreberg’s facility maintenance and safety class infall 2009.

Below, bottom inset: Cement work took place infall 2008 and the shelter was completed in fall2009.

Installation of brick pavers as part of the 6th Street Park project are Senior Teddy Gutman, Burlington, Iowa; Senior Jennifer Zoch, Reimer, Minn., AssistantProfessor Eric Castle; Senior Jada Ellenberg, Perham, Minn.; Senior Jordan Jacobson (dark coat) Thief River Falls, Minn.; Senior Matt Anderson (light coat),Nashwauk, Minn.

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Like many students, Bradley Kappes is quick topoint out the value of having a laptop computer. Thesenior who grew up on a farm near Borup, Minn.,knows the importance of the right tools for the job.

“Students gain a great deal by using the computerevery day,” Kappes explains. “We graduate with skillswe wouldn’t have without this constant exposure.”

Kappes, an accounting and agricultural businessdouble major, knows that the computer will be a partof any future career he might have.

Associate Professor Lyle Westrom recognizes theskills that Kappes has. “It doesn’t matter what I askBradley to do, I can depend on him to come throughfor me,” Westrom says. “I am also in awe of hiscomputer skills and the way he can make thetechnology work. It has proven beneficial time andagain.”

His computer skills served Kappes well aspresident of theParliamentary Teamwhich competedthrough Alpha TauAlpha (ATA), thenational professionalhonorary

agriculture education organization. The competitionheld in Indianapolis, Ind., in October 2009, includescontests in debate, essay writing, as well asparliamentary procedure.

Melanie Meyer, ’09, secretary for the team, tookfirst place in the contest. “The contest is prettyintense,” explains Kappes. “Five teams are on stage atone time. One team presides and the other four act asan assembly. You don’t know what is going to takeplace and Melanie had to take notes efficiently. At theend of the competition, she had one minute to do finaltouches on the notes she took and hand them in forjudging.”

Kappes served as second-student vice president forATA, he was selected by Westrom who served assecond vice president for the organization. “I was apart of agricultural education for a semester,” Kappessaid. “I wanted to see if it was a good fit for me, and Iwas honored to be chosen by Lyle as second studentvice president. It was a great experience.”

A member of Collegiate FFA on the Crookstoncampus, Kappes serves as the group’s currentpresident. “I enjoyed FFA in high school, competed inAg and Natural Resources Activities Day on thiscampus, and am excited to be a part of the onlycampus in Minnesota to have a Collegiate FFAprogram.”

He also works at the Agricultural UtilizationResearch Institute (AURI) as a student projectaccountant for 20 hours a week and is president ofAlpha Lambda Delta (ALD) First Year HonorSociety, participates in Ag Arama, and competes inNorth American Colleges and Teachers ofAgriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference.

“My background and experience in agricultureand my interest in accounting are blended nicely inmy double major,” Kappes states. “I came herebecause I found the major I wanted and because ofmy scholarships and experience on the campuswith Ag and Natural Resources Day.

“I feel a personal connection to faculty andstaff, and I enjoy the interaction with classmates.It is an easy place to get to know people and tomake friends. I found exactly what I wanted atthe U of M, Crookston, and I never lookedanywhere else.”

A Perfect Blend

www.umcrookston.edu

Bradley Kappes is a seniorfrom Borup, Minn. He plansto graduate with a doublemajor in accounting andagricultural business inDecember 2010.

Students at the U of M, Crookston gain experience with computers by usingthem every day. Kappes (left) visits with a fellow student in the Library.

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Chancellor Charles H. Casey addresses the guests gathered tocelebrate the 30th anniversary of Zhejiang Economic and Trade

Polytechnic in Hangzhou, China.

Chancellor Casey Travels toChina for U of M China Center Opening and ZJETP AnniversaryIn October 2009, Chancellor Charles H. Casey, his wife, Barbara, and Assistant Professor Jingpeng Tangtraveled to China. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate the opening of the University of Minnesota ChinaCenter office in Beijing and the 30-year anniversary of the Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic (ZJETP)in Hangzhou.

The trip took them first to Beijing, where they joined U of M Senior Vice President Robert Jones and Directorof International Programs Meredith McQuaid for the official opening of the China Center office. While inBeijing, they also visited with the vice president of academic affairs of Beijing Jiatong University HaibinCollege about a potential relationship.

After Beijing, they traveled to Hangzhou for the anniversary celebration. ZJETP President Li Shuming askedChancellor Casey to extend congratulations on behalf of the U.S. and German universities they are workingwith.

While at ZJETP, meetings were held with students who are preparing to enroll at the U of M, Crookston forfall 2010. Over the past three years, faculty and staff from the U of M, Crookston have developed curriculumand taught classes that are having a significant impact on the preparation of these students.

The group then joined U.S. and German colleagues and representatives from ZJETP for a cross-cultural tourand to experience more of the Chinese culture and environment.

Senior Vice Chancellor Baldwin Presents at InternationalConference in Taiwan

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Thomas Baldwin, attended an internationalconference in Taiwan, where he presented a paper entitled “Relevance for Life ‘Our Curriculum’” andparticipated in a number of panel discussions. In addition to his participation in the international conference,another goal of the trip was to develop collaborative opportunities and discuss possible exchange programs forstudents and faculty.

While in Taiwan he visited seven different universities. A “2+2” agreement—where students complete twoyears at their university before attending the U of M, Crookstonfor two years to earn their bachelor’s degree—was renewed withNan Kai University of Technology, and new 2+2 agreementswere signed with National Taipei College of Business and ChinaUniversity of Science and Technology. Memorandums ofunderstanding were signed with Overseas Chinese Universityand Vanun University of Technology.

Baldwin also presented a session on redefining the curriculumto faculty and staff at Lung-Hwa University of Science andTechnology and discussed international study options at theU of M, Crookston with students attending the Chinese CultureUniversity.

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student AffairsTom Baldwin and Vice President Tsong Shin Sheu of Nan KaiUniversity of Technology in Nan Tou County, Taiwan, renew a2+2 agreement established in 2007.

12 www.umcrookston.edu

Located at the spot where North and SouthAmerica join together is the tropical isthmus knownas Panama. A country famous for its canal, Panama isalso known for its beauty. Bordered by the CaribbeanSea on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the south,Panama, a bustling international business center, ishome to University of Minnesota, Crookston SeniorIrma De La Guardia.

Fearing she would need surgery at birth due to acongenital heart condition, De La Guardia was born insouthern California but grew up in her parents’ homein Panama. As it turned out, the surgery was able towait until De La Guardia was three years old, and shecredits help from Rotary International and the Gift ofLife Foundation for the successful operationperformed by her physicians in Panama.

So, how does a California girl who grew up inCentral America find her way to the University ofMinnesota’s northernmost campus? The route isn’t ascomplicated as it may sound. De La Guardia hadconnections to Crookston where her grandmother hadlived for a decade.

When her grandmother moved to East GrandForks, Minn., her mom and dad determined it wouldbe best if De La Guardia’s mother went to help hergrandmother for a summer, and they sent De LaGuardia along. What started out as summer staydeveloped into something longer, and as a result,

De La Guardia decided to repeat hersenior year of high school at East GrandForks Senior High School takingadvanced placement courses.

“If I was staying in Minnesota, Iwanted to enter college with some of thesame knowledge my peers from theUnited States would have,” De La Guardiaexplains. “During that year, I met SaraKaiser, a campus representative, when shevisited my high school. That visit led tomy decision to attend the U of M,Crookston. I thought Crookston would bea great place for me to start, but it turnedout to be a great place for me to stay.”

A business management major,De La Guardia has been an active member

of the campus community during her collegiate career.“I became a residential advisor my second semesterand was very involved in the activities going on inResidential Life,” shereflects. “I also am amember of the StudyAbroad Club and tutorSpanish. I alsoserved as aninternationalstudentambassador for asemester.”

As soon asDe La Guardialearned about

The UnderstandingThat Comes with Understanding

De La Guardiawill continueat the U of M,Crookston forone moreyear tocompletea minor inorganizationalpsychology andcommunicationsbefore heading tograduate school.

As a senior, De La Guardia enjoys studying in the Prairie Room in the Sargeant StudentCenter.

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the opportunity to study abroad, herinterest was piqued. At first, shewanted to study for a semester inItaly, but circumstances influencedher decision to go to another part ofthe world altogether. A chance toattend a summer global seminar inChina seemed to match her desireto study abroad and fit her programof study in business.

“I was familiar with the peopleof China growing up in Panama,”De La Guardia says. “We havemany Chinese run businesses athome, and when I heard aboutglobal seminar there, I knew Iwanted to learn more about theircountry and culture.”

The group of ten heading toChina was led by Soo-Yin Lim-Thompson, Ph.D., an associateprofessor in the Arts, Humanities,and Social Sciences Department atthe U of M, Crookston. “I foundmyself mesmerized by where Iwas when I was in China,”De La Guardia smiles. “I knew Iwas standing in one of the earliestcenters of civilization, and at times,I was completely captivated by thewonder of the place and itspeople.”

Learning abroad proved avery powerful experience forDe La Guardia. “There is a big

difference between the learningfrom books and the learning thattakes place when you are reallythere,” she affirms.

“I believe that tolerance is notenough, we can tolerate thingswithout understanding them, andwhen you are open to experiencesomething, you gain greater

understanding, and it changes you.I think it is only then, that you canturn around and share what youlearned with someone else. Thoseconnections help create a chain ofunderstanding.”

And understanding is certainlythe best way for us to “link”together.

Irma De La Guardia found that language was less of a barrier than she thought it would be when shewent to China. Her trip helped her understand what it was like to be an international student to a muchgreater degree.

UMC Alumni Golf Tournament - June 14, 2010Location: Alexandria Golf Club Texas Scramble team format

Look for registration information online at www.umcrookston.edu.Register by June 7, 2010, limited to first 90 golfers

Funds from the tournament will be used to support UMC alumni scholarships.

Last fall, the U of M, Crookston participated in an advertising campaign called “Invest in Your Valley” for KVLY and KX4 inFargo, N.D. Faculty, students, administration, and staff gathered for the video shoot outside Hill Hall on the Crookston campusand the center spread photograph by John Zak was taken that day. The video is now part of a collection of videos availableon YouTube located at www.youtube.com/UofMCrookston.

16 www.umcrookston.edu

Learning through service was acritical part of several marketingclasses at the University ofMinnesota, Crookston in fall 2009.

Classes in marketing researchand integrated marketingcommunication had the opportunityto synthesize current research anddevelop plans to address thespecific needs for severalbusinesses and organizations in theregion under the guidance ofbusiness instructor RachelLundbohm.

The marketing research class, asenior level course, worked withthe Northwest Minnesota AreaHealth Education Center (AHEC)on some research that addressedhigh school students’ perceptions ofcareer choices in general alongwith healthcare related careers. Theclass conducted focus groups inhigh schools, in-depth interviewswith guidance counselors, anddeveloped surveys that were sent toevery high school covered by theNorthwest Minnesota AHEC.

In the integrated marketingcommunications class, studentswere divided into two groups. Oneof the groups worked with ShawnnBalstad from Pembina TrailResource Conservation andDevelopment Council (RC&D) tohelp raise awareness andknowledge about RC&D. Thestudents worked on a campaignthat covered all marketing channelsto develop one cohesive messagefor the RC&D.

These two groups of students,both engaged in projects for a not-for-profit business, were involvedin what is known as service-learning. Service Learning, amethod of teaching, learning, andreflecting where participants learnand develop through activeparticipation, is an important partof the classroom experience at theU of M, Crookston. It combines theacademic classroom curriculumwith meaningful communityservice.

The other group of students inLundbohm’s integrated marketingcommunications class met withPaul Blomquist from C & M FordSales in Hallock, Minn., to create amarketing campaign that integratestraditional print and broadcastmedia with Internet, directmarketing, and personal selling.The students developed a plan thataddressed marketing needs for thedealership located in Hallock aswell as Roseau County Fordlocated in the Roseau, Minn.

Lundbohm knows theexperience will benefit her studentsin the classroom as well as theworkplace.

“The students enjoyed thehands-on learning opportunity inmarketing provided by theseprojects,” she explains. “I set thestandards high in the class becausethey were working for real-worldclients and I wanted them to get themost from this experience.

“The students took different

approaches and used differentstrategies to meet the needs of theclients and they were able toprovide service to businesses andorganizations in the region whichhas given the projects moremeaning.”

More meaning that adds up tomore learning and equals the bestfor everyone involved.

Pictured above, class members include:Seated (l to r):Cynthia Weber a senior fromCrookston, Minn.; Marketing Instructor RachelLundbohm; Northwest Minnesota Area HealthEducation Center Executive Director JoanTronson; Thomas Melhorn, a senior from WhiteBear Lake, Minn. Standing: Kyu Tae Kim, a juniorfrom Seoul, South Korea; Jessica DeBoer, asenior from Crookston, Minn.; Matthew Heier, ajunior; from Ray, N.D. Brett Wright, a senior fromCortland, N.Y.; Alyssa Jensen, a senior fromCameron, Wis.; David Bawdon, a senior fromHarrisburg, S.D.; Abbie Tosh, a senior fromClimax, Minn.; Stephanie Onken, a senior fromRound Lake, Minn.; Chansouda Rattanavong, asenior from Warroad, Minn.; Jared Hendricks, asenior from Owatonna, Minn.; Adeboye Adeyeye,a junior from London, England; Treasure Clemons,a junior from Minneapolis, Minn.; Wilfred Kooser,a junior from Omaha, Neb.; Jacob Karras, asenior from Janesville, Wis.; and BenjaminWelch (not pictured), a senior from Edina, Minn.

Learning That Lasts

Did you know the U of M, Crookstonbegan offering two new bachelor’sdegree programs in business in spring2010? The Bachelor of Science inMarketing and the Bachelor ofManufacturing Management in QualityManagement were recently approvedby the University of Minnesota Board ofRegents and both of the degreeprograms will be available online aswell as on site. To learn moreabout the programs, visitwww.umcrookston.edu/academics.

Members of the marketingresearch class presented their

research findings on the perceptionsof high school students about

healthcare careers to a representativefrom the Northwest Minnesota Area

Health Education Center in December.

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For some of us, programmingthe digital video recorder ordownloading music to your newmp3 player can prove challengingif not altogether exasperating. ForSenior Media Services ProducerTom Sondreal, the changing worldof technology is part of theeveryday.

Sondreal started working at theUniversity of Minnesota,Crookston in 1998, focusing onvideo production related topromotion and marketing for boththe campus and Extension, andassisting faculty and staff withdeveloping media needed to teach,present, and conduct research. Overthe past twelve years his title mayhave remained the same, but as the

campus hasevolved, sohave his jobduties, to nowinclude; managingthe integration oftechnology intoclassrooms as well as providingaudio-visual technology support toall campus conference and meetingcenters.

His interest in video andmultimedia production goes back along way. When Sondreal enteredcollege at the University of SouthDakota in Vermillion, he was apsychology major, but part waythrough, he discovered an interestin video production and switchedhis major to mass communications.

Today, Sondreal says, “I doabout 20 percent of the videoproduction I did in the past.My focus has changed todesigning, planning andinstalling classroomtechnology along with itsoperation; special venuetechnology, like theinstallation of the newsound system in thegym; entertainmenthubs, like the one in theEvergreen Hall gatheringspace; and Smart Boardinstallation, etc.” That listgoes on and on because acampus that has usedlaptops for more than 15years has adapted technology

as a way of life. For Sondreal thatmeans he has to be ready to teachfaculty how to use the technologyto enhance their teaching as well astraining students who assist him inhis work.

In his office in Kiehle, Sondrealworks with a lot of students, andfor six years, he also taught a classin video production. Otherresponsiblities include: theproduction of Insight Radio, aweekly broadcast from the U of M,Crookston that airs locally onSaturday mornings; Internet mediastreaming of University lecturesand campus events; and theconfiguring of all Live StreamedU of M, Crookston athletic eventsfor Penn Atlantic, which streams allNCAA athletic events atwww.pennatlantic.com.

Sondreal also works at his ownindependent business,DirectionSign.com. The businessencompasses video production,multimedia distribution, corporatecommunications, and innovative e-services. Together, with his campuswork, Sondreal is truly immersedin media technology all the time.

One of the productions Sondrealhas been proud of is the work hedoes with students on Eagle 1

In Focus

Senior Media Services Producer Tom Sondreal worked closely withAssociate Professor Brian Dingmann on the classroom in Evergreen Hall,the new residence facility. The lecture hall was specifically designed tofacilitate a teamwork environment with a multi-projection system for laptopand media connections.

Continued on page 19

Seniors Alyssa Jensen (left) and Athena Mussenden (right) have both been soccer players since highschool. The two are responsible for producing Eagle 1 News and also take part in the CrookstonStudent Association, Students in Free Enterprise and other campus organizations. Eagle 1 News issponsored by the Black Student Association (BSA); Mussenden is the BSA president.

With the final development of itsclimate neutrality plan in January2010, the University of Minnesota,Crookston embarked on a futurethat includes greater energyefficiency and a heightenedawareness of how each of us canapply measures to reduce ourindividual energy consumption.

One of the greatestdemonstrations of student concernfor saving resources andconserving energy was realized lastfall when Evergreen Hall opened.This Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED)certified residence hall adds bothbeauty and functionality to thecampus, and the push forenvironmentally conscious designcame through this student-ledinitiative. The facility hasincorporated both energyconservation measures andrecycled materials to create a livingspace that is both energy saving

and attractive.Two studio apartments located

on the second floor of the residencehall provide a place for guest

lecturers orother specialguests to stay.A new Mentorin Residenceprogram,under thedirection ofGary Willhite,director ofresidential life,has scheduledseveral guestspeakers ontopics relatingto some of ourdegree programs.

A state-of-the-art classroom inEvergreen creates a dynamiclearning environment. Seven roundtables fill the room with a mobileteaching station located in thecenter. With screens on the walls,four projectors are available toproject teaching material on allwalls for viewing ease. Google®

docs, a virtualenvironment for sharingwork online, is used bystudents to craft activelychanging documents.

“The focus is on peerlearning,” says BrianDingmann, Ph.D., anassistant professor inthe Math, Science, andTechnology Departmentwho teaches generalbiology in theEvergreen classroom.“Students listen to class

lecture notes outside of theclassroom, and then, when we aretogether in the classroom we usecase studies to learn and apply

problem-solving skills. Casestudies bring the learning alive.”

Evergreen Hall joins a numberof exciting developments involvingsustainability on the Crookstoncampus over the past year. In earlyOctober 2009, Otter Tail PowerCompany formally announced theselection of the U of M, Crookstonas the site of the first CampusEnergy Challenge. The aim of theOtter Tail Power Company’sCampus Energy Challenge is toinspire students to lead an effort toreduce electric energy consumptionon the entire campus by as much as15 percent and to sustain that levelof savings for five years.

The Campus Energy Challengeis a pilot project and part of OtterTail Power Company’s MinnesotaConservation ImprovementProgram, approved by theMinnesota Office of EnergySecurity. In 2010, the U of M,Crookston will implementstrategies to nurture and developenergy-efficient habits and tomodel these habits to thecommunity, other campuses, and

Campus Scene “Greens”

An aerial view shows Evergreen Hall in the foreground and Centennial Hall onthe upper left side with their maroon roofs.

On one end of Evergreen Hall is a coffee shop and grill and aplace for students to gather for study or socializing.

www.umcrookston.edu18

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the country. A kickoff event was heldon January 26, and students areinvolved in all aspects of a campusinitiative to change behavior andsave precious energy resources.

Adding to the momentum of theCampus Energy Challenge was theappointment of Alumnus Chris Waltz, ’09, as the localgovernment energy conservation specialist with theMinnesota GreenCorps. Based on the Crookstoncampus, Waltz works closely with the City ofCrookston and the U of M, Crookston Center forSustainability. He will also assist local entities (city,county, school district, campus) in the conservation ofenergy involving the operations of their buildings andvehicles. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency(MPCA) coordinates the Minnesota GreenCorps,which is an environmental AmeriCorps program.

The U of M, Crookston Web site is a greatplace to learn more about sustainability; visitwww.umcrookston.edu/sustainability to findeverything from the campus Carbon Neutrality Plan tothe latest information on events and informationregarding sustainability issues. The goal is to learnmore about our influence on the environment, and

how each of us as individuals, and collectively as acommunity, can make decisions everyday that willlessen our impact on our planet.

The lounge on the main floor of Evergreen Hall.

RECYCLED CONTENT IN EVERGREEN HALLProduct Location PercentFLOORINGCarpet Apartments & hallways ................................................60%Carpet Common spaces stairwells ..........................................19%Vinyl flooring Common spaces and apartment kitchens ................18%Ceramic Tile Common spaces ............................................................54%Linoleum Apartment bathrooms and laundry rooms ................23%Rubber Exercise room ................................................................16%WALLSCeramic tile Common bathrooms ......................................................21%Glass tile Common bathrooms and fireplace ............................27%Wallcovering Lounges and classroom ..............................................25%SURFACESCountertop Apartments ....................................................................21%Countertop Studio apartments and print stations ......................100%Countertop Common bathrooms ......................................................79%Upholstery Lounge furniture ..........................................................100%

News, a student-produced newsprogram using video interviews andhighlights. Sondreal serves as anadvisor to the students and assiststhem with the production.

“Eagle 1 News is anotheropportunity for me to work closelywith students, and I really enjoyencouraging their creativity andgiving them experience in videoproduction,” Sondreal explains.

This year, the effort on Eagle 1News is being led by AthenaMussenden, Kenosha, Wis., andAlyssa Jensen, Cameron, Wis.

These two seniors, both majoringin business, are actively involved incampus government and innumerous clubs and activitiesacross campus and that piqued theirinterest in the need for Eagle 1News.

“As part of student government,I recognized that students areuninformed about things oncampus,” Jensen states. “Eagle 1News provides a unique way for usto share with them what ishappening, and it is personalizedby interviews with coaches and

advisors. I appreciate theeducational element as well.”

Mussenden believes Eagle 1News fills an important niche onthe campus. “I think Eagle 1 Newsis a good way for clubs, sportsteams, and organizations to educatemore students about what they aredoing,” she says. “It also helps mewith my communication skills, andit has taught me to balance schooland playing soccer while workingon Eagle 1 News. I have gainedvaluable time management skills bybeing a part of it.”

In Focus, continued...

Alumni News1 2

This alumni news reflects submissionsreceived by February 19, 2010. News receivedafter that date will be in the next issue of theTorch.

E-mail forwarding: If you are interested inreconnecting with a former classmate oracquaintance, the Alumni Office can help!Although we cannot release e-mail addressesdue to privacy issues, we will be happy to for-ward a message to the person if he or she canbe located in our database.

Members of past and present Collegiate CropsJudging teams attending Habstritt’s retirementreception are pictured. Back row (l to r): JohnThorson, ’78; Kevin Sharp, ’82; Scott Tollefson, ’82;Mark Riepe, member of the 2009 crops team; TonyBrateng, ’07; Chuck Lariviere, ’82, ’83, and ’02; PaulMc Nelly, ’81; Mark Magnusson, ’79; RichardMagnusson, ’81; David Genereux, ’80. Front row: RobProulx, ’06; Martin Hochhalter, ’01; Amy Schwartz,’08; Associate Professor Chuck Habstritt; TheresaHamel, member of the 2009 crops team; BrentBenike, ex. ’92; and Mark Christianson, ’74.

A career spanning 40 years was honored dur-ing a retirement reception for AssociateProfessor Charles “Chuck” Habstritt at theUniversity of Minnesota, Crookston onDecember 9, 2009. Habstritt began his teachingcareer in 1969 at the U of M, Crookston wherehe specialized in agronomy and soils. He wasnamed outstanding educator by students threetimes and in 1999, he was selected to receivethe distinguished teaching award by his col-leagues. In 2007-08, Habstritt was honoredwith the University of Minnesota’s John TateAward for Excellence in UndergraduateAdvising. For more than 35 years, Habstrittserved as a coach to the highly successfulCollegiate Crops Judging Team on theCrookston campus. He has coached his teamsto top-three finishes more than 25 times.

(l to r): Charles Davids; Gerhard Ross; Peter Shirrick,Jr.; Mr. Raymond Dunham; Alfred J. Wiger; ArnoldEgtvet

In 1945, the crops judging team consisted ofthree men and an alternate selected from thegroup of seven students registered in thisextra-curricular pursuit. The team representedthe Northwest School of Agriculture at theannual Red River Valley Winter Shows andwas coached by Mr. Dunham. Prior to the con-test, the team studied weed seeds and plants,small grains, diseases, grasses, legumes andpotatoes for identification and appraisal. Theteam also judged six classes of crops, distin-guishing the good from the bad, and ratedthem according to relative merit.

1940s

Norma and Gerhard Ross, ’45, Crookston,Minn., were recently celebrated asExperienced Americans in Crookston with areception in their honor at the Golden LinkSenior Center. Withcountless hours ofvolunteer effortsfor numerous clubsand organizations,and running a suc-cessful farm operation for many years,Gerhard and Norma have left indelible markson both the Crookston and Fisher, Minn., com-munities they’ve lived in throughout their 54-year marriage. Enjoy the entire article fromthe Crookston Daily Times online at www.crookstontimes.com/lifestyle/x2023992824/Rosses-have-left-their-mark-here-and-in-Fisher.

Ruth (Baird) Harker, ’47, Fairfield, Calif., cel-ebrated her 80th birthday in February 2009 atthe Riverside Hotel/Casino’s Riverside Room inLaughlin, Nev. Forty people, including familyand friends, were in attendance. Ruth was thefifth Baird sibling to graduate from theNorthwest School of Agriculture.

Elizabeth “Beth” Lapp, ’49 Adv., SaintVincent, Minn., stopped by the alumni officerecently. She donated copies of the AggieRouser from 1945-1949 that she had saved andenjoyed over the years. The Aggie Rouser wasa weekly newsletter published by NorthwestSchool of Agriculture journalism students. Shealso shared a paperback book,WyomingGunsmoke, written by classmate RobertKammen, ’48. Beth enjoyed a visit with CorbyKemmer, director of development & alumnirelations, and reminiscing in the HeritageRoom.

1950s

Robert “Bob” Kuznia, ’55, Casper, Wyo., andhis wife, Marge, celebrated their 50th weddinganniversary in November 2009 at the home oftheir daughter and son-in-law, Shelley andGreg Cook. Three of their four children were inattendance, along with grandchildren andother family, many friends and neighbors, andNWSA classmate, Herman “Ed” Grove, ’55. In1998, they moved from Thief River Falls, Minn.,to Casper, following Bob’s retirement from his32 year career with UPS. They are active inseveral charitable organizations, delight inspending time with their children and grand-children, and enjoy traveling.

1960s

Harvey L. Gabbert, ’64, Buckeye, Ariz., retiredin January 2007 from Minnkota PowerCooperative, Inc., Grand Forks, N.D., afternearly 34 years as a property and right-of-waymanager. He’s now living in Arizona year roundand loving it.

1970s

Nancy (Tish) Leyh, ’70, Robbinsdale, Minn.After almost 27 years of employment atGeneral Mills, 18 ofthose years in theBetty CrockerKitchens, Nancytransitioned intothe education field.She’s worked as aspecial educationEA at Lakeview Elementary School inRobbinsdale for the past nine years, andenjoys walking to work every day. Nancy andhusband, Wayne, have been married 12 years.

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Alumni News

They love outdoor activities, reading, beingactive in their church, and traveling. Some ofthe favorite places they’ve visited includeSweden, Alaska, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, andthe North Shore.

Terrance Ogorek, ’76, Hallock, Minn., has beena teacher, football coach, athletic administra-tor, and dean of students for 30 years atHallock and Kittson Central High School. Hisfamily includes his wife, Roxanne; sons, David(Kalie) and Eric; daughter, Staci; and grandson,Aiden.

1980s

James Ellingson, ’83, Litchfield, Minn., hasbeen an investment representative forInvestment Centers of America at CenterNational Bank in Litchfield for the past fiveyears.

Herman Roerick, ’84, Saint Augusta, Minn.,founder and president of Central LandscapeSupply in Saint Cloud, Minn., has been electedto a position on the Board ofDirectors for the MinnesotaNursery and LandscapeAssociation (MNLA). He is cur-rently a member of the MNLALandscape ContractorsCommittee and the MNLAHardscapes Committee. Hehas been active in the Minnesota BuildersAssociation for ten years and has served onseveral committees. Roerick is a member ofthe U of M, Crookston’s Horticulture ProgramImprovement Audit Committee, which aids inthe implementation, evaluation, and continuousimprovement of the academic program. He andhis wife, Pauli (Lill) Roerick, ’84, were namedU of M, Crookston Outstanding Alumni in 2005.

Pete Myszkowski, ex. ’87, Rochester, Minn.,has written a book entitled, The Golden Era inPony Basketball History. It’s the history ofWarren, Minn., basketball coach Gary Schulerfrom 1973 to 1997. The book details thechanges Schuler made in the Warren basket-ball program and his methods of how the gameshould be played. Schuler provided informationand gave his consent for the writing and publi-cation of the book. The book can be purchasedat several Warren businesses.

Yvette (Jacquez) Kroeze, ’88, Glendora, Calif.,married Paul Kroeze in July 1988. They have a12 year old daughter, Marissa, and now live inthe Los Angeles, Calif., area. Yvette works as ahuman resource manager for World VisionInternational.

Beth (Harmoning) Butcher, ex. ’89, Franklin,Minn., would like to reconnect with friends shemade in 1989.

2000s

Jeff and Amy (Hedman) Crowe, ’02 & ’02,Duluth, Minn. Jeff recently accepted a positionwith Saint Mary’s Duluth Clinic as an applica-tion systems analyst II. He’s responsible for allthe inpatient pharmacy applications as well assome other ancillary systems running in SaintMary’s hospitals and clinics.

Gina (Richter) DeJarnette, ’02, ColoradoSprings, Colo., enlisted in the U.S. Army as anintelligence analyst (M.I.) for three years. Shewill be leaving for basic training at FortJackson, S.C. in April.

JaJonelle DeJarnette, ex. ’02, is currently afinancial representative for New EnglandFinancial and plays professional football in theIndoor Football League (IFL).

Marc and Samantha Lemieux, ’02 & ’07, SanDiego, Calif. Samantha, CCAM, formerly ofGrand Forks, N.D., was recently selected byher peers as Manager of the Year at MenasRealty Company in Pacific Beach, Calif. Shehas been employed with Menas RealtyCompany for the past two years and has beena community manager for the last 13 months.Samantha recently accepted a promotion as asenior community manager. Marc, RCIS, for-merly of Grand Forks, is employed with the SanDiego Heart Institute, San Diego, Calif., in theCardiac Catheterization Lab. He assists thecardiologists while performing diagnostic andinterventional heart catheterizations as well as

pacemaker and intra aortic balloon pumpimplantations and, if needed, angioplasty andstent deployment of the coronary arteries.

Staci (Slykerman) Kenny, ’03, and Leo Kenny,’04, moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada inMay 2009 and are enjoying their new jobs. Leois currently working for Central VeterinaryServices in Oak Bluff, Man., just outside ofWinnipeg, as a veterinarian. Staci is workingfor TrueNorth Specialty Products, a UnivarCompany, doing customer service for all ofCanada.

Jaime (Schaunaman) Rindels, ’03, Saint Peter,Minn., and Luke Rindels were marriedSeptember 26, 2009, at Grace Lutheran Churchin Sisseton, S.D. Jaime is the district conserva-tionist for the Natural Resources ConservationService in Nicollet County, Minn., and Luke is acarpenter.

Jean (Korkowski) Pfeifer, ’04, and Seth Pfeifer,ex. ’05, Moorhead, Minn., have two daughters,Mya and Emma. Seth is employed by the ClayCounty Highway Department and Jean is aprogram manager at Microsoft.

Adam Grunzke, ’05, Hastings, Minn., has beenworking for Kraft Foods in Eden Prairie, Minn.,since July 2006. He began as a customer cate-gory manager coordinator; made a lateralmove to the retail side as a senior merchandis-er; was promoted to a sales representative inApril 2008; and recently was promoted to salesanalyst working with the Oscar Mayer catego-ry, again in the Eden Prairie office. Adam hasbeen married for two years.

Jessica (Sagert) Johnson, ’05, Grand Forks,N.D., has been married for 71⁄2 years and isteaching first grade in Grand Forks.

Melissa Martin, ’05, Maple Grove, Minn.,recently celebrated her one year anniversaryat SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) as anexecutive consultant and is now VicePresident of USA Development. Melissa andher fiancé, Nic, plan to be married this fall inChaska, Minn.

Anthony and Tiffany (Anderson) Betcher, ’07& ’06, Lake City, Minn., were married June 13,2009, at St. Peter’s Church in Belvidere, Minn.A reception at Mount Frontenae Golf Coursefollowed the ceremony. Tiffany is employed inthe Enrollment Services Office at Rochester

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Alumni News6 7

Community and Technical College; Tony is thefarm manager for Betcher Family Farms.

Matt Hiller, ’06, Crookston,Minn., recently accepted aposition as international stu-dent advisor with theUniversity of North Dakota’sOffice of InternationalPrograms.

Ryan Melsa, ex. ’07, Crookston, Minn., andAshley Persson were married October 24, 2009,at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conceptionin Crookston. Ashley is employed with Aurorain Grand Forks, N.D., and the Villa St. Vincent inCrookston as an LPN and is continuing hereducation to be a registered nurse. Ryan iscurrently employed with Polk County as an ITanalyst.

Kyle and Kristi (Santerre) Nyquist, ’07 & ’07,Fisher, Minn., announce the birth of their son.Jackson Kyle was born May 21, 2009, weighed6 lbs. 14 oz., and was 19.5 inches long. Kristi iscurrently working as a paraprofessional andsubstitute teacher at Fisher School, and is anassistant coach for the U of M, CrookstonEquestrian Team. Kyle is pursing a Doctor ofPhysical Therapy degree at the University ofNorth Dakota, Grand Forks, and will graduatein May 2010.

Vanessa Armstrong, ’08, Grand Forks, N.D., is asecond year Ph.D. candidate in Pharmacology,Physiology, and Therapeutics at the University

of North Dakota. Along with primary investiga-tor, L. Keith Henry, Ph.D., she’s doing researchon the invisible levers, called neurotransmittertransporters, that actually affect mood disor-ders like depression, obsessive-compulsivedisorder, and post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Jacob Hindberg, ’08, Danvers, Minn., recentlycompleted the U.S.Border Patrol Academyprogram in Artesia, N.M.,and will be initiallyassigned to a trainingofficer position in Texas.When he completes hisField Training Officerprogram, he will beassigned to a NorthDakota border post as his first permanentassignment. Hindberg plans to continue build-ing flight time, and to apply to the Aviation andMarine Division of Customs and BorderProtection when he meets the flight timerequirements.

Craig and Sarah (Christensen) Roerick, ’08& ’08, Upsala, Minn., were married December5, 2009. Craig is currently working with theUniversity of Minnesota Extension and alsowith the family dairy farm. Sarah, originallyfrom Appleton, Wis., is employed at the HubSupper Club in Upsala.

Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Elhad Ben, ’08,Fargo, N.D., originally from Comoros Islands,East Africa, is the founder and president ofTrade Tropics, an international business anddevelopment company based in Fargo-Moorhead. Focusing on Africa and other partsof the world, Trade Tropics assists local busi-nesses to identify potential new markets;develop market entry strategies; and locatepossible distributors and representatives forproducts, goods, equipment, technology orservices. Mohamed is in his last year of theMBA program at North Dakota StateUniversity, Fargo, and can be reached at hisblog at www.tradetropics.com/blog.

Kristi (Zumbaum) Sponholtz, ’08, BentonCity, Wash., and Kyle Sponholtz were marriedJuly 25, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church inAnoka, Minn. Kyle is a project engineer andconstruction estimator at Energy Northwest.Kristi trains horses and gives lessons for theTri-cities area in Washington State.

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Let’s Be SocialVisit the U ofM, Crookstonon Facebook

at www.Facebook.com. If youdon’t have your own account,create one, and keep in touch.Look for the University ofMinnesota, Crookston—it’s theofficial page for all graduates ofthe Crookston campus.

You can also follow us on Twitterat www.twitter.com. Search for

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Crookston photostream atwww.flickr.com/photos/umcrookston.

While you are at it, sign up to getthe U of M, Crookston AlumnieNews. Send an e-mail toSue Dwyer at sdwyer@umn.eduto get your name added to themailing list.

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We Want toHear From You!To submit an item for the Alumni NewsSection, complete this form and send it toUMC Alumni Relations, 115 KiehleBuilding, 2900 University Avenue,Crookston, MN 56716, e-mail:sdwyer@umn.edu or complete the form online at: www.umcrookston.edu/people/alumni/info-form.htm.

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone

E-mail

Year of Graduation

or years of attendance

Information or news you wish to share (newjob, career, or family achievements, etc.)

In Memory

Dr. Raymond (Sonny) DunhamMinneapolis, Minn.March 4, 2009Raymond (Sonny) was the son ofNWSA faculty member, Raymond S.Dunham, and a Campus Kid.

Ruth (Pilkey) FaleideMarietta, Ga.September 19, 2009Ruth was the daughter of NWSAfaculty member, Alvey M. Pilkey,and a Campus Kid.

Loren KiserLittleton, Mass.September 16, 2009Loren was the son of NWSA facultymember, Orville M. Kiser, and aCampus Kid.

Everett KroppCrookston, Minn.November 15, 2009Everett was an electrician for theUniversity of Minnesota, Crookston,retiring in 1987.

Clarence Amundson, ex. ’33East Grand Forks, Minn.January 1, 2010

Leonard Bengtson, ex. ’34Hallock, Minn.October 16, 2009

Osmund Thorson, ex. ’34Grand Forks, N.D.August 3, 2009

Byron Hanson, ’37Hallock, Minn.December 23, 2009

Verne Dahlgren, ex. ’38Plymouth, Minn.,formerly of Hallock, Minn.November 28, 2009

Norma (Morgan) Hoerner, ’38Detroit Lakes, Minn.January 12, 2010

Harry W. Christiansen, ’41Crookston, Minn.July 17, 2009

Jay Bergh, ’42 Adv.Hallock, Minn.January 30, 2010

William “Slim” Omdahl, ex. ’42Warren, Minn.November 28, 2009

Bert Tollefson, ’42Crookston, Minn.December 30, 2009

Ordean (O.B.) Christianson, ex. ’43Crookston, Minn.August 4, 2009

Walter Morgan, Jr., ’43Crookston, Minn.January 13, 2010

Rapheal “Ray” Drellack, ’45Crookston, Minn.January 2, 2010

Russell Tollefson, ’45 Adv.Crookston, Minn.October 17, 2009

Harold Younggren, ’45Hallock, Minn.August 16, 2009

Paul Proulx, ’46Crookston, Minn.November 27, 2009

George Stewart, ex. ’46Drayton, N.D.August 14, 2009

Harris Johnson, ’49Drayton, N.D.September 25, 2009

Wilfred Taus, ’49 Adv.Strathcona, Minn.August 2, 2009

Roger Herberg, ex. ’50Crookston, Minn.December 17, 2009

Gordon “Gordy” Love, ’51Grand Forks, N.D.,formerly of Euclid, Minn.December 11, 2009

Lyle Tollerud, ’51 Adv.Moorhead, Minn.November 11, 2009

Pete Cerkowniak, ’53Fertile, Minn.October 15, 2009

Clarence Gruhot, ’57Argyle, Minn.October 24, 2009

Eugene Billing, ex. ’58Beltrami, Minn.September 7, 2009

Earl Sondrol, ’58Loomis, Calif.October 23, 2009

Ralph Weiland, Jr., ’64Maplewood, Minn.,formerly of Euclid, Minn.December 2, 2009

Steven Johnson, ex. ’84Fosston, Minn.December 9, 2009

Daniel Unke, ex. ’00East Grand Forks, Minn.January 11, 2010

Neil Williams, ex. ’00Edgerton, Wis.January 2, 2010

In Memory of Norman Landby, ’55These special Alumni Newspages are dedicated to thememory of NormanLandby, ’55, who passedaway on February 22, 2010.Norm was a valued memberof the Northwest School ofAgriculture AlumniAssociation Board of Directors. He touchedthe lives of everyone he came in contact withand his presence will be missed on the boardand in the community. We are deeply sad-dened by his passing.

Read the Torch OnlineYou can read the Torch, thealumni magazine for theNorthwest School ofAgriculture and theUniversity of Minnesota,Crookston online by visiting:http://issuu.com/umcrookstonor on the U of M, CrookstonWeb site atwww.umcrookston.edu/alumni/torch

If you would prefer toreceive your Torch onlineonly, contact ElizabethTollefson at 218-281-8432(ltollefs@umn.edu).

Past and present crops judging team members: Back Row (l to r): John Thorson, '78; Kevin Sharp, '82;Scott Tollefson, '82; Mark Riepe, member of the 2009 crops team; Tony Brateng, '07; Chuck Lariviere,'82,'83, and '02; Paul McNelly, '81; Mark Magnusson, '79; RIchard Magnusson, '81; David Genereux,'80. Front Row: Rob Proulx, '06; Martin Hochhalter, '01; Amy Schwartz, '08; Associate Professor ChuckHabstritt; Theresa Hamel, member of the 2009 crops team; Brent Benike, ex.'92; and MarkChristianson, '74.

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2900 University AvenueCrookston, MN 56716-5001

Change Service RequestedOffice of Admissions218-281-85691-800-862-6466UMCinfo@umn.eduwww.UMCrookston.edu/visit

Office of Development & Alumni Relations218-281-84341-800-862-6466www.UMCrookston.edu/alumni

Golden Eagle Athletics218-281-8423www.goldeneagleathletics.com

Upcoming EventsMay 7 Grad Dance

May 8 Commencement

June 14 Alumni Golf TournamentAlexandria, Minn.

June 25-26 Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni ReunionHonored classes include:’25, ’30, ’35, ’40, ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, and ’65

Sept. 24-25 Homecoming Weekend