S P R I N G
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The Winona State University Magazine
ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Inside: On A Mission
Photo by John McKeith
WSU has earned recognition as a 2014 Tree Campus USA from The National Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Campus USA is a national program that honors campuses for promoting trees and engaging students and employees in conservation efforts.
On the Cover: Tamara Berg, peer educators, Emily Homan and Mike Krug. Photo by Sarah Swanson
Contents: Spring 2015
Working Together
Page 11
DanceScape Celebrates 25 Years Dancers cultivate and form expressive voice in art form.
Page 12
Meeting the Needs: New Professional Science Master's Program Scientists receive customized training for technology, engineering, mathematics, and science majors.
Page 14
Gender-Based Violence: It's on Us Gender-based violence is prevalent, pervasive, and under-reported. WSU is doing something about it.
News & Highlights........................................4 Athletic News.............................................. 6
Page 16
Philanthropy News....................................... 7
Paying it Forward
Reaping the Benefits................................. 10 Statistically Speaking..................................13 Class Notes................................................ 19
For faculty and a group of WSU students, it is more than just a coined phrase. It’s an opportunity to truly understand the meaning of “service to others.”
In Memoriam..............................................24
The Winona State University Magazine
www.winona.edu/currents
Winona Currents is published by Winona State University’s Division of University Advancement and is distributed to more than 46,000 alumni and friends of Winona State University.
Currents is copyrighted material. Articles may be reprinted with permission. Comments on this publication should be directed to: WSU-University Advancement, PO Box 5838, Winona MN 55987-5838; by email: currents@winona.edu; online: www.alumni.winona.edu. Address changes and Class Notes should be directed by mail to the Alumni Relations Office, PO Box 5838, Winona MN 55987-5838; by email: alumni@winona.edu.
POSTMASTER: If undeliverable as addressed, please send Form 3579 to Alumni Relations PO Box 5838, Winona MN 55987-5838. Winona State University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This document can be made available in an alternative format to individuals with disabilities by contacting the magazine staff at the address above.
WSU on the web: www.winona.edu
News & Highlights Editor’s Note
Within these pages, you will find inspiration and satisfaction, knowing your alma mater is strong, focused, and centered on continual improvement. If you haven’t spent much time on campus of late, perhaps this is the year? Get reacquainted! Come home to WSU in 2015!
Mary A. Malloy, Editor
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WSU Community Service Recognition Winona State University has been named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for the sixth consecutive year. In 2012-13, more than 5,100 WSU students contributed over 200,000 community service hours.
The Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to community, servicelearning, and civic engagement. It highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement.
Carnegie Foundation Recognizes WSU Winona State University has been selected to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a national policy and research center for higher education.
live in. WSU students have contributed more than one million volunteer hours since 2007, with more than half of WSU students involved in service to the community.
“The community engagement classification reaffirms our commitment to our mission. We are truly a community of learners improving the world,” said Patricia L. Rogers, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. According to Rogers, community engagement at Winona State is about connecting students to purpose-driven work that applies their learning from the classroom to the community they
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
Photo by Becca Berg '14
This spring issue of Currents magazine brings stories about students, faculty, and alumni who choose a path of global betterment. Our cover story deals with the serious issue of gender-based violence on American college campuses, and how students and faculty are bringing about positive change. You’ll read about a student-led trip to the slums of Lima, Peru to provide medical aid to a disadvantaged people. And there definitely is “power in numbers,” as recent WSU alumni pooled their resources to endow a scholarship to support scientific research.
Photo by Ka Vang '16
There is a palpable undercurrent of excitement that permeates the WSU campus these days; a growing momentum as the Class of 2015 approaches the stage of their future, resolved to go forth and improve their world, knowing well it will take hard work, determination, and commitment. The lessons learned at WSU shall serve them well.
McVay Accepts Shingo Award
The Power Within
Gloria McVay, department chair and professor of accounting at Winona State University, received the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award for her collaboration on the workbook, Accounting in the Lean Enterprise.
Wayne Wicka ‘93, WSU Program Director in Advising Services, released his first online book, The Power of Human Potential: It's In You!
The workbook is designed to provide a clearer understanding of the fundamentals of strategic Lean
philosophy. McVay also received the Excellence in Lean Accounting Professor Award from Lean Enterprise Institute in 2007. McVay has presented her research at numerous international conferences in the U.S., Gloria McVay Mexico, and Europe.
Oness Novel Awarded Brighthorse Prize The editors of Brighthorse Books have selected Winona State University English Professor Elizabeth Oness’ novel, Leaving Milan, for the 2014 Elizabeth Oness Brighthorse Prize. Leaving Milan, published last December, is Oness’ first novel set in the Upper Midwest.
Oness’ work has appeared in The Hudson Review, Crazyhorse, Glimmer Train, The Georgia Review, The Gettysburg Review, and other literary magazines. She has received an O. Henry Prize, a Nelson Algren Award, and the Iowa Short Fiction Prize.
Wicka tells the story of struggle and triumph in his quest to overcome failure and discover success. Enduring the lessons of low self-esteem, poor self-image, academic and athletic futility in high school, Wicka shares the painful lessons of hard knocks with the life-changing lessons of success learned from his many mentors who have shaped and transformed his life for the purpose of empowering others.
Oness teaches composition, literature, and fiction writing at WSU. She is also the marketing director for a literary fine press, Sutton Hoo Press.
Accreditation Granted The Winona State Social Work Department recently received accreditation until 2021 through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The department has been accredited continuously by CSWE since 1984. Cathleen Faruque is a 1982 graduate of the WSU Social Work Department and currently serves as a Professor of Social Work and as the Department
Chair. Faruque said CSWE accreditation highlights the excellence of the program. “Our students are able to apply for state social work licensure, as well as advanced standing for Master of Social Work programs,” Faruque said. “Our program is known in the Midwest for its excellence because of our faculty and student engagement in the community and service learning.”
“My one goal in life is to teach others to believe and to achieve success by sharing my personal experiences, and unique methods and strategies to obtain higher success.” —Wayne Wicka www.thepowerofhumanpotential.com
Alumni Program Receives Honor Winona State University received a Bronze Award for Best Student Alumni Programming at the 40th Annual CASE District V Regional Conference held in December in Chicago.
Ann MacDonald, Heather Kosik and Tracy Hale
The award recognizes the merits of WSU’s “Alumni College: Professor for a Day” alumni engagement program. Twice a year, Winona State invites alumni back to campus to share professional and
personal experiences with students. The program represents an opportunity for WSU alumni to remain connected with the university and at the same time engage with students preparing for careers in similar fields. In 2014, Alumni College sponsored 40 speakers in 83 classes, sharing valuable insights with approximately 2,500 current WSU students. WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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Long Journey
to WSU By Joel Badzinski Larry Mbayu, WSU senior, is proud of where he came from, what he’s done, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future. But Mbayu doesn’t go out of his way to talk about his journey very often. He simply likes being known for who he is now. “People can’t tell the experiences I’ve been through,” Mbayu said. “I don’t really try to make it a topic.” Mbayu, 23, was born and raised in the African nation of Cameroon. Mbayu was seven years old when his parents, Lawrence and Regine, decided to begin to move their family to the United States. Regine and daughter, LaToya, made
Larry Mbayu, Winona State University senior, is proud of where he came from, what he’s done, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future.
the long journey to the U.S. first, while Lawrence remained in Africa with the boys, Larry and Lionel, who were sent to a boarding school about two hours from their hometown. Both boys have vague memories of witnessing violence during a period of civil unrest while they were at school. “It wasn’t a great situation for younger kids, but my brother was able to take care of me throughout a lot of it,” Mbayu said. It would be five years before the family was reunited, when the boys and their father immigrated to the U.S., settling in Oakdale, Minn., a Twin Cities
Mbayu graphic design project
"I created this triangular seed packet design in order to differentiate my product from the typical seed packet. The smooth sleek look was incorporated in order to fit with the calm theme associated with gardening." — Larry Mbayu, Graphic Design Major
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WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
suburb. Mbayu entered seventh grade that fall, while his older brother was in high school, so he was on his own trying to figure out a new school in a new country. “It was a pretty lonely experience at first,” Mbayu recalled. With the help of his parents and siblings, Mbayu grew from an overwhelmed newcomer to a popular and successful student-athlete. Mbayu went out for the soccer team, because it was the sport he and Lionel grew up playing in Cameroon. Then his friends talked him into trying football. “I had no idea what football was. I had never heard of it,” Mbayu said. “Then I started practicing a lot, trying to get better at it.”
Education is Key
Winona State was the first school to talk seriously to Mbayu about playing football. It was just the spark he needed. “From then on, I started hustling to get my grades up,” Mbayu said. Mbayu earned a football scholarship and was a key starter as a cornerback in both his junior and senior years. Last January he was invited to play in the post-season Dream Bowl, a pro scouting showcase for small college players in Virginia Beach, Va. He is on schedule to graduate in December 2015, with a major in graphic design. Mbayu's parents are college graduates, as are his sister and brother. He attributes his success to his close-knit family and the experiences they shared. “They are my motivation,” Mbayu said. “I see how hard they work and they’ve set the way for me.”
Zamboni Twins
Celebrate a Love for Education through Scholarships By Margaret Cox
A
t 90 years young, twins Jean ’48 and Edith Zamboni have a world of experience. Born in Owatonna, Minn. in 1924, their love of education and teaching has taken them all over the globe. But some of the happiest years of their lives were spent at Winona State University.
In 1998, as her 50-year class reunion approached, Jean was invited to contribute to a class scholarship. She offered $20,000, a sum matched by each of two fellow classmates, Tom Baab and Evelyn Stephan. “The Class of 1948 created the biggest scholarship of any class,” said Jean proudly.
When the twins entered Winona State in 1944, it was wartime, and since many young men were off fighting, most of the students were girls. Edith left WSU during her junior year to become a Franciscan nun, while Jean graduated in 1948 with a degree in education. Sister Edith served as a nun, teacher, and worked in a variety of ministries, while Jean enjoyed being an art teacher, a partner in a successful studio called OZ Press, and a rural mail carrier.
The Zamboni twins’ spirit of philanthropy did not end there, however. As a legacy for their family, Jean and Sister Edith set up the Zamboni Family scholarship. This annual scholarship recognizes talented WSU students in art, dance, music and theatre. “We’re very proud of Winona State University,” said the twins. “We’ve been to a lot of cities and a lot of schools, but none of them ever had the appeal of Winona.”
Sr. Edith Zamboni and her identical twin, Jean.
A force to reckon with: 2013 National Champions; FOUR time consecutive National Finalists; SEVEN time consecutive Minnesota Conference Champions; SEVEN time consecutive All Minnesota Champions. Statistics for last seven years: 147 wins, 31 losses. WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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Philanthropy News
Anyone who has spent even a nominal amount of time in Minnesota in the winter knows the tale of the Edmund Fitzgerald and understands singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot when he croons of the gales of November. They are powerful… Each and every day, the dance of life revolves around the use of petroleum products. It powers our vehicles, lends our immune system a helping hand (antiseptics), and puts a roof over our heads. Polymers clothe us, encapsulate our medication, paint our lips in crimson, and provide a third set of teeth. Even “the almighty dollar” pays homage to petroleum. And you can thank WSU graduates for such innovative products (philosophically speaking).
is manager of the Permian Operations Geology group drilling operations in the Spraberry and Wolfcamp intervals in the Midland Basin. Shelby Frost Plitzuweit ‘08 Samuel Plitzuweit ‘07
Carl Matzek ‘10
WSU graduates create positive impact. They are a WSU “GALE” force when they come together to make a real difference in the lives of young people. Last November, four recent WSU Geoscience alumni established the Geoscience Alumni Leadership Endowment (GALE), to inspire and support students majoring in Geoscience at WSU. GALE is designed to enhance learning by providing funding opportunities for motivated students through focused, independent research. Samuel Plitzuweit ‘07, a senior petroleum geologist at ExxonMobil, is working with the South America New Opportunities exploration team investigating crustal evolution and syndeformational deposition along the Atlantic rift margin of Brazil.
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Douglas Portis ‘07
His wife, whom he met at WSU, Shelby Frost Plitzuweit ‘08, is a petrophysicist at Apache Corporation, and works with the International New Ventures team integrating petrophysics, petrology, and geology in the Cook Inlet basin in Alaska. Carl Matzek ‘10, is also a petroleum geoscientist for ExxonMobil, working as a GIS specialist for the Geoscience Computing Company, serving as technical support for geosciences applications and workflow. Douglas Portis ‘07, a senior petroleum geoscientist at Pioneer Natural Resources,
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
All four WSU Alumni live in Texas and return to campus periodically to volunteer as speakers in classrooms of soon-to-be scientists. “Our experiences at Winona State University readied us for the challenges we encountered in graduate school and Industry,” reads the biographical motivation for the endowment. “The Geoscience department, and research conducted within, prepared us to think independently, instilled confidence in our scientific development and ability to communicate our research effectively, as well as provided the exposure to a multitude of geologic terrains and problems.” Sam, Shelby, Carl, and Doug are making a statement about the quality of the education they received at WSU by pooling their resources to establish this endowed scholarship, and with their gift they hope to inspire other alumni to think outside the box when it comes to establishing WSU scholarships. Their individual gifts, together with matching gifts from their employers, will provide future students with a research opportunity that will prepare them well for their future careers in the field of Geoscience. Their gifts are making a real difference in students’ lives. There is power in numbers.
MUSIC Gala A Showcase of Student Talent Some say that music is what feelings sound like,
and few musicians are likely to disagree. The hills (bluffs) will be alive with the sound of music April 24-26, as the WSU Department of Music presents the seventh annual Music Gala. The Gala itself is an incredible meeting of the minds, instruments, and voices that come together to produce some of the most amazing music. “In the music arts, the idea of working together pretty much permeates everything we do,” stated Dr. Rich MacDonald, Director of Jazz Studies. “We have a built-in cooperative environment in which the students, with guidance from the ensemble directors, form a bond of mutual trust and respect, requiring that they all play their parts in leading to a successful performance. I like to use the phrase with my group that we are a well-oiled machine - sort of tongue in cheek, but true!” The WSU Department of Music will present four concerts during Music Gala, featuring the four primary performing ensembles in the department: Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Rich MacDonald; Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Paul Vance; Concert Choirs, conducted by Dr. Harry Mechell; and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Donald Lovejoy. A special feature at this year’s Gala will be award-winning composer Jake Runestad ’09, who is noted for his versatility and wide range of expressive capabilities with music. Runestad is a bit of a WSU prodigy, having accomplished more in the not quite six years since his graduation than most musicians achieve in a lifetime. He has received commissions and performances from
such leading ensembles as Seraphic Fire, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, VocalEssence, the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the Drayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, Cantus (Minnesota), and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. He was named a finalist for the American Prize in Composition in 2013 and his music has been performed around the world at prestigious concert spaces such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Runestad will be working with WSU students while he is on campus – truly a rare opportunity for these young musicians. He Jake Runestad '09 will be attending rehearsals with the Jazz Ensemble, Choirs, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, providing feedback, and working together with them to provide the best possible rendition of his pieces. “As a composer, Runestad is totally dependent on a group to 'realize' his composition,” said MacDonald. “This really is a team effort. We also try to celebrate the 'arts process' of making music together, so that it is not all about the performance, but also about the journey." For more information regarding the WSU Music Gala, please visit: winona.edu/music/musiccalendar.asp or call 507-457-5250. WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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of
Longstanding Partnership
By Joel Badzinski
WSU student photographer Andrew Link
knew something big was going on when he received a call from his editor at the Winona Daily News at 7 a.m. on a Sunday in August 2007. Southeastern Minnesota was being hit by a devastating flood and Link would be joining the state and national media documenting the historic event. "I got in and it was a full staff in the newsroom,” Link recalled. “I was just taken aback.” Link ’08, spent that Sunday traveling through Winona, Minnesota City, and Goodview, and during the following days captured images of the aftermath in Rushford and Hokah. The Daily News received numerous press awards for its coverage of the flood that claimed six lives and caused an estimated $67 million in property damage. “I just went from site to site getting as many photos as I could,” Link recalled. “It kind of blew me away that this big event was happening and I was a part of it.” Link worked at the Winona Daily News for a year-anda-half before graduation. Now the newspaper’s photo editor, he frequently hires qualified WSU students looking to build their own experiences outside the classroom. That, said WSU Associate Professor of Mass Communication Tom Grier, is just what he hopes for when students join the Winona Daily News as interns or parttimers. The connection between WSU and the newspaper has been going strong for more than 20 years. “I always talk about the skills you’re introduced to in the classroom and taking them out in the real world,” Grier said. “We try to do that as much as we can here, but we tell students, ‘We can only teach you so much about interviewing, writing, photography, and you have to go out and do it.'”
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WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
Lauren Osborne '11 remembers her WSU Mass Communication courses and her "real world" experiences working for the Daily News going hand-in-hand. "I started at the Winona Daily News my sophomore year and it was a really nice companion experience to my schooling," said Osborne, who is now digital news editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It was really cool to learn in class and then sometimes immediately go to my job at the Daily News and put it into practice." “It is a great resource to have,” said Brian Voerding, Winona Daily News editor since 2011. “It is providing additional value for the students’ education. We don’t give them a chance to breathe, really. We throw them in and they learn the hard way.”
"We don’t give them a chance to breathe, really. We throw them in and they learn the hard way.” —Brian Voerding, WDN editor
Anne Jungen ’05, cops and courts reporter for the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune, cherished her experiences at the Winona Daily News. “I started working part-time on the obits desk, and the result was I had the chance to work one-on-one with a high-caliber editor, Darrell Ehrlick,” Jungen said. “I was a sophomore in college and he would sit down with me and go line-by-line and edit—‘Let’s make this sentence stronger, make this more active.’ You’re learning the importance of accuracy, how to interview people. It happened early on for me, and I realized, Yeah, I know how to do this, and I love it.”
Photo by Marcia Ratliff / Winona Daily News
Reap Benefits Students
DanceScape It
is easy to explain what DanceScape is NOT. It’s not the typical run-of-the-mill university dance show. But one has to experience WSU’s DanceScape to truly understand what it is.
Photos by Doug Sundin '07
It is the culmination of skill, effort, sweat, and perhaps even tears. It is raw talent; art in the form of a performance. It is an expression; an enactment of emotions. DanceScape is an accomplishment! Journey back to 1989 when Professor Gretchen Cohenour, dance instructor at the recently defunct College of Saint Teresa, was hired to establish a dance minor program at WSU. WSU offered dance classes as part of the physical education curriculum under Sue Ann Kuchenmeister Mullen ‘67, PE instructor from 1969-2001. She had a strong interest in dance, but no degree was offered. Mullen set the stage for the program and Cohenour wrote the curriculum “grounded in repertoire, composition, appreciation, and movement practice.” Eventually, the program merged into the Department of Theatre and Dance, with a Dance minor being offered.
S I LV E R A N N I V E R S A RY
“Students need to be practicing vibrant movement that comes from their truth,” explained Cohenour. “It isn’t just modern dance, but more of a point of view.
returning for the performance and accompanying alumni activities. One of the more unique aspects of this unusual draw of talent is that auditions are open to the public, and the response is enthusiastic.
DanceScape was the newly DanceScape is a tradition, passed on established dance program’s first through the love of the art of dance. performance under Cohenour, Director of the WSU Theatre and “Love is at the heart of this rich, Dance program. The idea behind creative process,” said Cohenour. this performance was to marry the “It’s about staying in the moment. music with the movement of dance Everyone comes together to and Earth in an ethereal manner. The cultivate and form our expressive show debuted in the spring of 1990 voice through this art form, working with 10 original pieces, and included together for weeks. It really creates four student and a guest artist community. It’s just beautiful!” original. Cohenour choreographed the remaining five sequences. Thus, the legend DANCE of DanceScape was launched. WITH YOUR FEET AND YOUR HEART Each year for the WILL FOLLOW past 25 years, dance alumni, guest artists, former stage Students benefit greatly from hands, designers and technicians this coming together of talent. return to the WSU campus to Networking opportunities expose participate in DanceScape. This year, current students to a realm of 54 cast and crew comprised the career possibilities, mentorship, DanceScape team, with 60 alumni
DanceScape: Continued on page 26
Join the DanceScape Facebook community: facebook.com/groups/WSUDance/
WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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Meeting THE Needs
OF A
By Joel Badzinski
CHANGING ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER’S PROGRAM
Sinning believed the best way to achieve that would be to earn a master’s degree from his alma mater. The question was, what type of degree? Sinning was working as a lead chemical analyst for Watkins, Inc., and his goal was to move into a management position, so he needed a wide range of skills. A well-timed meeting with Dr. Charla Miertschin, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, gave Sinning his answer. “I posed the question, ‘I’m looking for either a master’s in science or an MBA program, which one would you recommend for me?’” Sinning said. Miertschin had good news: He could have the best of both worlds in the new Professional Science Master’s program at WSU. Sinning enrolled as one of four students in the PSM’s inaugural year, 2013-14. “I decided it was perfect,” Sinning said. “For me, it was amazing to come 12
back and have classes like project management and accounting that the business world wants so much of, and to be able to go so much further with chemistry, and geochemistry. It will be perfect for me going back into my career to have all those skills.” The PSM is an alternative master'slevel degree program for students who want to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers that require training in management. Winona State is the only school in the MnSCU system to offer the degree. “It is unique and challenging,” said PSM Director Dr. Scott Segal, an Assistant Professor in Biology, Environmental, and Dr. Scott Segal Clinical Laboratory Science. “Scientists don’t often receive this type of business training—they usually have to learn it by trial and error in their careers. We want to graduate students with a wide range of skills that will allow them to become managers.” There are 10 students in the program for the 2014–15 year, including Sinning, who will be among the first
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
to graduate from the PSM program in Dec. 2015. “I am so happy with the program, and kudos to Winona State to be the first in MnSCU to have it,” Sinning said. Sinning quickly put his science and business management skills to work. He learned about the Sunbeam Boys Home in Jamaica through his wife, Meghan Sinning, an Assistant Professor in the Special Education department, who had visited the home to teach classes. Ryan traveled to Jamaica for spring break in 2014 to begin setting up a solar energy project at the home. He and a small group of undergraduates brought along a single solar panel, carefully packing it as carry-on luggage for their flights. Sinning and John Scheevel, a physics student, continue to manage the solar project from Winona. Sinning’s long-term goal is to allow the home to run completely on solar power, saving $600 a month. To learn more about the Sunbeam Boys Home and the solar energy project visit youcaring.com/nonprofits/solarenergy-to-power-the-children-s-home-injamaica/182350
Photo (top) by John McKeith
Ryan Sinning had been in the workforce for about three years after graduating from Winona State University in 2009 when he realized his career, as he said, “needed a boost.”
STAT1ST1CALLY SPEAK1NG
DATA
SCIENCE has been deemed the “sexiest job of the 21st century” by the Harvard Business Review. Such a designation is catchy, but why is this type of job appealing? A data scientist is responsible for transforming data to useable information. Data has become relevant in every company and every sector of the economy. The demand for data scientists will continue to outpace most other occupations for the foreseeable future. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the United States alone faces a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills, as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts to analyze big data and make decisions based on their findings. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Winona State University created The Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics Competition (MUDAC) three years ago to bring together students from around the Midwest to solve a data analytics problem for an industry partner. MUDAC continues to be hosted by WSU each April. MUDAC was designed to showcase the ability of undergraduates to solve a complex data analytics problem. Fastenal Corporation of Winona has been the primary corporate sponsor of the competition since its inception. Fastenal, a wholesaler and retailer of industrial and construction materials with over 2,600 locations world-wide, will provide this year’s analytics problem and student teams will spend an intense 24hour period to provide the solution. A total of 100 students participated in MUDAC 2014. These participants and their mentors represented 14 different colleges and universities from around the
Midwest. The competition begins at noon on a Saturday, and over the next 24 hours teams must complete an analysis, provide a written summary of their finding, and present their recommendations to the judges. Judges include several working professionals in the area of data science, as well as alumni who have returned to WSU specifically to serve as judges for this competition. Teams with a diverse knowledge base and the ability to digest complex problems tend to do well in this competition. Peter Guidinger, a representative from Fastenal, commented, “One of the most useful take-aways from the competition is the creativity and diversity in the solutions provided. The students help us think about our business in different ways, and we enjoy contributing to their long-term professional development at this formative stage in their training.” Chris Malone, Professor of Statistics at WSU and Director of MUDAC, said, “The competition brings together many people on so many levels. Students get to meet students from other universities. Mentors come together and share their expertise.” In addition to showcasing the analytical abilities of the undergraduate students, MUDAC offers a networking opportunity for participants with WSU Alumni and other corporate professionals from around the Midwest. Corporate representatives leave the event with resumes and a fresh pool of potential employees. MUDAC is doing its part to fill the demand for future data scientists. MUDAC 2015 is scheduled for April 11-12 on the Winona State campus. We encourage our alumni to get involved! For more information please visit MUDAC.org.
WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Photo by Maire McMahon '15
WSU now offers a peer-staffed 24/7 confidential helpline (507-457-5610) to assist any WSU or Southeast Tech student, faculty member, or staff with any aspect of GBV.
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More than a decade has passed since Tamara Berg, Professor and Director of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, began her work on gender-based violence issues. Berg has served on many boards, including the Women’s Resource Center of Winona (WRC), and she has taught many courses on gender violence and child advocacy. And that is only the beginning of one individual’s drive and determination to rally a community to address the very real effects of gender-based violence in this quietly beautiful Upper Mississippi town and University campus.
The community took notice of Berg in a big way: WSU Student Senate Faculty of the Year Award, 2005; Sister Pat Kowalski Leadership Award from Minnesota Campus Compact, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to high-quality service-learning and campus-community collaboration, 2009; Safer Community Award given by the Women’s Resource Center of Winona, 2013. But awards and recognition aren’t what motivate Berg. Gender-based violence (GBV). The term sounds a bit vague, but it encompasses a range of hostile and violent behaviors that are all too real. GBV brutalizes individuals and the community as a whole. A year ago, the White House released Not Alone, a report of the Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, which noted that, “One in five women is sexually assaulted in college. Most often, it’s by someone she knows—and also most often, she does not report what happened. Many survivors are left feeling isolated, ashamed, or to blame. Although it happens less often, men, too, are victims of these crimes.”
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
“The challenge at WSU is one that plagues colleges and universities nationwide, GBV is prevalent, pervasive, and under-reported.” —Tamara Berg WSU has made a commitment to take these statistics seriously. Berg, and the numerous partners and organizations she enlisted to help, decided to tackle the problem directly. “The challenge at WSU is one that plagues colleges and universities nationwide,” Berg explained. “GBV is prevalent, pervasive, and under-reported.” In the spring of 2013, members of WSU’s All University Sexual Violence Advisory Committee, which Berg cochairs with Connie Kamara, Director of Student Health Services, applied for one of the very competitive campus grants offered by the Department of Justice. It was an all-out community effort. Berg brought together Diana Miller, Director of the Winona Women’s Resource Center; Kalene Engel, a community lawyer; Stephanie Nuttall, Assistant Winona County Attorney; Karin Sonneman, Winona County Attorney; the Winona Police Department; and WSU departments, including Student Life, Legal Affairs, Health and Wellness, Security, Housing, and Grants & Sponsored Projects, to collaborate on the project and confront the issue of GBV head-on. “We were very excited to hear in September 2013 that we were one of only 28 of the universities in the country to be awarded the Department of Justice grant,” said Berg. (127 universities applied.) An Integrated Approach to Addressing Gender-Based Violence at WSU is a prestigious three-year $293,859 grant, renewable for up to six additional years. The grant will expand and reorganize WSU initiatives to reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus. And the grant will succeed in bringing WSU into compliance with the Federal Clery Act’s mandates for college campuses. With the support of this grant, WSU has begun to institutionalize a comprehensive set of programs that will serve to educate all members of the campus community regarding GBV. An emphasis on prevention, bystander intervention education, and engaging men is central to the initiative.
“The grant specifically funds the infrastructure to deliver a comprehensive peer advocacy and education program,” Berg said. “We have worked primarily on these initiatives, as well as on forming a Coordinated Community Response Team.” In addition, systems are being put in place to improve and establish systematic tracking of student attitudes toward violence through surveys and responses to university-sponsored classes and programs designed to decrease violence.
GBV STATISTICS
1 IN 5 WOMEN and 1 IN 16 MEN are sexually assaulted in college
40% OF SURVIVORS fear reprisal by their attacker
Only 2% OF INCAPACITATED RAPE SURVIVORS report assault
Only 13% OF RAPE SURVIVORS report assault
8 IN 10 VICTIMS knew their attacker (friend, significant other, etc.)
It is estimated that 2%–7% OF SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTS are false
Source: ITSONUS.ORG
The focus of the grant is to educate students, faculty, staff, and administrators on the WSU-Winona campus on issues of GBV. The overall goals are a safer campus community, support for survivors of violence, accountability for perpetrators, and comprehensive education on prevention, bystander intervention, GBV: Continued on page 26
WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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ON A MISSION TO IMPROVE THE WORLD talking to his friends and classmates about the possibilities.
Bolks wasn’t focused on a “travel study” to earn college credit when he decided to visit a foreign country. Rather, Bolks was seeking an opportunity to understand truly the meaning of “service to others.” Enthusiasm grew as Bolks and his friends discovered MEDLIFE Mobile Clinics, based in South America and Africa. Serving primarily Peru, Ecuador, and Tanzania, MEDLIFE relies on the generosity of volunteers in the medical field, as well as college students, to run volunteer chapters. The principal focus of the organization is to bring free primary care medical services to individuals and families who otherwise lack access to quality health care. WSU MEDLIFE chapter
Photos by John Nosek
Bolks’ first challenge? WSU did not have a MEDLIFE chapter on campus, so he started his own, with a little help from his friends. In record time, an official chapter was established and Bolks started recruiting students for a missionary trip to Lima, Peru.
Cathy and John Nosek
Paying it forward. For a group of WSU students, it is more than just a coined phrase. Josh Bolks, a senior from Prior Lake, Minn., returned to the WSU campus in late summer 2014 with two goals in mind: successfully complete his final year of pre-med studies at WSU, and engage in a real missionary experience. He knew he wanted to volunteer internationally, he just wasn’t sure where, or how to go about it. He researched opportunities that focused on student-centered trips, 16
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Lacee Primus, a junior from Swanville, Minn., recalls how she first learned about the WSU MEDLIFE opportunity. “I heard about MEDLIFE at the first meeting,” she said. “As a pre-med student, anything with the letters MED has my full attention. When the trip was first brought up, I didn’t really give it much thought. With working two jobs trying to put myself through school, I thought there was no way I’d be able to afford it, no matter how great of an experience I could have. So I forgot about it.” Primus explained how a video about MEDLIFE founder Nick Ellis changed her mind.
“It’s hard to describe the chord that thirty seconds of video struck, but I knew after that, I had to go – I NEEDED to go,” Primus stated. Since 2005, MEDLIFE Mobile Clinics have visited more than 100,000 patients, bringing improved access to MEDs: Medicine, Education and Community Development, including OB/GYN, pediatric, and dental care services, with access to preventative tests. MEDLIFE believes education is essential to effecting sustainable change in poor communities and that access to quality healthcare is a basic human right. Bolks rallied support and interest, and 24 WSU students from many academic disciplines signed up for the 10-day MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic mission trip to Peru this past December. The students invited WSU faculty Cathy and John Nosek, both experienced international travelers, to join them, even though MEDLIFE did not require chaperones to accompany the students. Cathy is a Professor of Nursing and John, an Assistant Professor of Biology. This was a self-funded trip and the students were required to pay their own way and make their own travel arrangements. MEDLIFE was paid a room and board stipend for their stay in the hostel, with weekday meals only. John, a seasoned traveler, assisted the students with their travel plans. Inviting the well-liked and respected faculty was a big hit with the students. “The Noseks were the best people to have with us on this trip. They have a lot of traveling experience and have seen poverty in other countries, so it made it more comfortable for us,” said Primus. “We were the only school with faculty. The Noseks helped keep things organized. Cathy is a nurse, so it was great to have her there when most of us were suffering from gastrointestinal issues.”
Traditional Lima homes (L). Lacee Primus treating children with fluoride swab (R).
All in a Day’s Volunteering “I had never been on a medical mission before, much less left the country (US),” said Primus. “I was nervous and anxious because this was going to be a whole lot of new things all at one time. I didn’t have any expectations – I tried not to. I left my mind completely open to allow myself to absorb everything. But nothing I could have ever imagined would have prepared me for what I was about to experience.” According to the Noseks, the students approached the trip, and each day, with great anticipation. There was no hesitation on the student’s part to get out and do the daily work. Each day, students staffed a mobile clinic that was brought directly to the poor in the slums of Lima. Students learned from working alongside medical professionals as they identified individuals in need at patient intake, triage, and pharmacy. Students also conducted the educational programs and worked building staircases into the hillside communities, all in an effort to lighten the Peruvian peoples’ daily burden, if just a little. “I expected to see a very diverse range of economic growth and financial struggles,” Bolks began. “But I have to say that my expectations were extremely underestimated in terms of the people, poverty, and vastness of problems. I never expected to see the things that I saw - miles and miles of slums built into mountains thousands of feet upwards.” Nosek knew that the experience would have a great impact on the students. “I expected that the students would have an eye-opening experience travelling to a different part of the world. What stood out most vividly was how well our students responded to the experience, and how much of an impact it had on them,” he said. Mission: Continued on page 18 WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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Mission: Continued from page 17
The students needed an outlet for their emotional reactions. “We rediscovered the fine art of conversation during frequent discussions in the evenings, and many emotions came out. Students shared their many different points of view, and their vulnerabilities,” said Nosek. “I never thought an experience like this could ever change me as a person,” began Alisha Haakenson, a sophomore from Lodi, Wis., studying Therapeutic Recreation. “I thought I had a solid understanding of the world, and because I have done lots of volunteering in the past, I assumed it wouldn’t have that big of an effect on me. I was one hundred percent wrong!”
Sheila McCarthy building a staircase.
“Cathy and I were very impressed with the students and the amount of empathy they displayed, and with their spirit of volunteerism,” Nosek continued. “The students responded particularly strongly to the little kids and to the elderly. Some of the old ladies even got to me, enduring a tough lifestyle and yet being sweet and appreciative beyond imagining.” The trip was hugely impactful for the students. Nosek explained, “Seeing deep poverty, people in need, limited resources, the spirit of the Peruvian people, a different physical environment, and so much more, made the students realize the great good fortune they have within their own lives and homes. I do believe they all returned home changed in some ways; more appreciative of what they have, their families and friends, opportunities, education, and more. I believe that the sense of volunteerism will remain strong in them.” Primus still has difficulty putting her experience into words. “I am still utterly speechless about what I saw, what I did – my experience as a whole. I had no idea that the spontaneous decision to go to Peru would change my life so drastically.” “I’m going back,” she continued. “My plan is to apply for medical school and become an obstetrician, but there is no guarantee that will happen. But I can guarantee that I will return to Lima. Maybe on our next trip we’ll go with 240 students instead of 24!” “We were very proud of the WSU students throughout the entire experience,” Nosek commented. “The WSU MEDLIFE student club is already looking ahead to their next mission trip. And so are we.” Bolks summed up his experience in one sentence: “These people are my heroes and taught me more about myself in a few short weeks than I have learned in my entire life.”
Tanya Omar plays with Perurvian children.
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Class Notes 1940s
Albert Conrad “Bill” Posz ’44 (Golden Valley, Minn.) and his wife, Marie G. Fjelstad Posz, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014. They were married Aug. 26, 1944, and celebrated at an Open House Sept. 27, 2014 at Covenant Village of Golden Valley, where they now live. Albert Conrad considers himself “an old Warrior and still a strong supporter of WSU.”
1960s
Kenneth Landro ’61 (Golden Valley, Minn.) was the 2014 recipient of the Jack Dow trophy award. The award is given annually and honors one member of the Senior Tennis Players Club in the Twin Cities whose attitude, character, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and service best exemplifies the 1,100-member club. Tom Caron ’65 (Alexandria, Minn. & Bradenton, Fla.) was chosen as one of eight outstanding Americans from Minnesota by the Minnesota chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Tom was a two-time NIC Conference runner-up and NAIA Qualifier while at Winona State, and has spent 40 years managing and founding various businesses in North America and Europe.
Rev. Dennis Cook ’68 (Fayetteville, N.C.) is the pastor of Christus Victor Lutheran Church. After graduating from Winona State, Cook completed his theological studies at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Dennis and his wife have two children and seven grandchildren, and are native Minnesotans who call North Carolina home. Dennis was the first male cheerleader at Winona State!
1970s
Rick Starzecki ’70 (Colorado Springs, Colo.), a two-sport letterman while at WSU, earned numerous accolades during his coaching career, including three-time all-conference in football and one in basketball; All-District 13 All American in football three consecutive years; and All-State status in both football and basketball during his tenure at Cotter High School, Winona. He currently teaches physical education at Rampart High School and coaches boys’ tennis. The 1987 Rampart High School Boys Basketball recently received the designation "the greatest high school team in the Pikes Peak Region.” Rick was the coach for the team. Irvin Nehring ’70 (Byron, Minn.) retired in December 2013 after 10 years as the chief financial officer of Weber and Judd Company. Irvin was previously a partner with Coffman, Nehring and Christopherson, LLP in Rochester, Minn., and began his public accounting career working for McGladrey in Rochester and Watertown, South Dakota. He has been married for 41 years and has two adult sons. Roger Runningen ’72 (Springfield, Va.) retired in December as an awardwinning reporter for Bloomberg News. Roger began working as a White House reporter in 2003. His West Wing office was located just a few floors below the Oval Office and steps away from the briefing room where U.S.
presidents have addressed the nation since 1970. Roger was asked to serve as press secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the George H. W. Bush administration in 1991. A changing of the guard took place in 1994 when Bill Clinton was elected president, and Roger returned to journalism with Bloomberg News. During his time covering the White House, Roger traveled to 38 countries on six continents and filled four passport books. Gene Pelowski ’75 (Winona) received the Elected Official of the Year award from the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers. Rep. Pelowski received the award for successfully leading the creation of the Disaster Assistance Contingency Account through this year's legislative session. Sonya (Youngbauer) Hansen ’78 (Alma, Wis.) is the new administrative coordinator for Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Sonya has 15 years of management experience as child support services coordinator and assistant director of Health and Human Services for Buffalo County.
1980s
Jeanine McShea ’80 (Chicago, Ill.) is the vice president and managing broker of Related Realty. She is a guest instructor for Roosevelt University’s real estate master’s degree program. In 2008, Winona State honored Jeanine with the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award. Kristin (Hull) Erickson ’83 (Fergus Falls, Minn.) has worked as a public health nurse for seven years and has recently co-authored two articles related to public health nursing. Victor Vieth ’84 (Lewiston, Minn.) is the recipient of the 2014 Heroes for Children Award. Victor is senior director and founder of the Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center, and gained national recognition for his work in addressing child abuse in small communities as a prosecutor in rural Minnesota. WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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Class Notes Mark White ’87 (La Crescent, Minn.) is the principal of Hintgen Elementary School in La Crosse, Wis. He also serves as president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Jason Elliott ’89 (Overland Park, Kan.) is the Director of Major Gifts for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jeff Friedman ’89 (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) is the sales engineer for Fusionio Inc. He is married with two children.
1990s
Jackie Costa ’90 (Milwaukee, Wis.) has joined the Zizzo Group of Milwaukee, an integrated marketing firm, as an account executive to its marketing team. Jackie has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications planning, community relations and development. David Boone ’92 (New Hope, Minn.) was elected to the Robbinsdale Area School Board. He currently teaches and coaches at Edina High School in Edina, Minn. Andrea (Larson) Grabrick ’92 (Welch, Minn.) has retired after working 16 years at Mayo Clinic. Laurie (Slagle) Hamen ’92 (River Forest, Ill.) has been named president of Mount Mercy University. Laurie previously served as vice president for enrollment management, athletics, and student affairs at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., for 18 years. In addition to her master’s degree from Winona State, Laurie holds a Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Ill., and has completed Ph.D. coursework in educational administration at the University of Minnesota.
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Paul Chick ’93 (Plainview, Minn.) received an award from the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership organization in Dec.
MaryLu Gerke ’95 (La Crosse, Wis.) is the new interim dean of the College of Nursing, Health and Human Behavior at Viterbo University. MaryLu earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Viterbo, master’s degree in nursing administration from Winona State, and master’s degree and Ph.D. in human and organizational development from Fielding Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Roxanne (Prinsen) Fry ’93 (Windsor, Colo.) was named a Northern Colorado Woman of Distinction by BizWest Media. The award program celebrates the achievements of Northern Colorado's most influential women, recognizing those who have made considerable contributions of Eric Wollan ’96 (Winona) was leadership, time, and philanthropy to the Northern Colorado region. Roxanne promoted to Technical Director at and her husband have an 11-year old son. PlastiComp, Inc., a global leader in long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) materials and technologies. Eric and wife Kärin Trenda Boyum-Breen ’94 have two sons. (Minneapolis, Minn.) became president of Rasmussen College in March. Trenda joined the institution in 2012 as chief academic officer. She previously served as vice president at Metropolitan State University and held leadership positions at many higher education institutions for more than 15 years. Trenda has a master’s degree from Winona State in Elementary School Counseling. Scott Mertes ’94 (Midland, Mich.) received the 2014 John Zaugra Outstanding Research Award from the Michigan College Personnel Association, a state division of the American College Personnel Association. Scott is also a member of the Winona State University Alumni Society Board of Directors. Michelle (Strunge) Mertes ’95 (Midland, Mich.) was elected to the post of Area 15 Governor of Toastmasters International. She is the current vice president of education for her local club. She previously served as vice president of membership, and has earned the Competent Leader Award.
Terry Oliphant ’96 (Forest City, Iowa) married Kristi Leonard Oct. 12, 2013. Terry works for Frito Lay as a route sales representative.
Jason Narverud ’99 (St. Paul, Minn.) has worked as an application engineer for the past four years at HealthEast Care System. He and his wife, Kristin, are expanding their photography and videography business. Their daughter, Claire, was born March 10, 2014.
Jolene Danca ’99 (Winona) is the new assistant middle school principal at Tomah Middle School. She obtained her administrative license through Winona State in ’13. Jolene is also in her fourth year as owner of Scrappin' on the Ranch, a local Winona business, located in Pickwick, Minn.
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Charlotte (Suchla) Roraff ’99 (Winona) was promoted to senior branch manager of the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Winona. Charlotte will provide leadership and guidance to branch managers in Winona, Rochester, Mankato, Faribault, and Hastings, Minn.
2000s
Jocelyn (Bevis) ’00 and Michael Braun ’00 (Madison, Wis.) welcomed their third son, Crosby Michael, March 3. Stephanie (Nilson) Edell ’00 (La Grange Highlands, Ill.) studied in India last summer. Stephanie is a librarian at La Grange Highlands School District 106 in La Grange Highlands, Ill., and traveled as part of her graduate coursework in the pursuit of her master’s degree from Miami University. Sarah (Hesse) Kieffer, ’00 (Minneapolis, Minn.) is an award-winning food blogger and has been featured in online and print publications. Her blog, The Vanilla Bean Blog, recently won Saveur magazine’s Best Food Blog of 2014 in the baking and desserts category. http:// thevanillabeanblog.com/ Kathryn Lammers ’00 (La Crosse, Wis.) received the Lillian Mood Award from the Wisconsin Nurses Association. The award is given annually to a member who demonstrates achievement in environmental health. Kathryn is Assistant Professor of Nursing at WSU.
Jennifer (Sellner) Melberg, ’00 (Elk River, Minn.) and husband Raymond welcomed their second daughter, Leah Grace, May 11. She joins big sister Alyssa age 5. Brian Semling ’00 (Fountain City, Wis.) shared his insights as a successful local entrepreneur in his presentation titled “Maximizing Potential” as part of the WSU College of Business Speakers Series. Brian highlighted how he grew Brian's Toys from a small company worth $20,000 to a $5 million business over the last 20 years.
Phil Sonnenberg ’00 (Winona) and wife, Deb, welcomed their son, Ettrick, Nov. 3. He joins big sisters Elleigh and Anna, and big brothers Ajay and Eagan. Phil is currently the Foundation Account Manager at Winona State. Emily Cassellius ’01 (Winona) was named the 2014 Winona Education Association Teacher of the Year. Emily has been teaching for 13 years, with the past 10 years in Winona. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree from Winona State, and went on to earn her master’s from Saint Mary’s University and Administrative License from Winona State. She is currently pursuing an administrative specialist degree. Emily and husband John have two children, Bryan and Molly. Casey Indra ’01 (Winona) is the new activities director for Winona Area Public Schools. Casey previously served as activities director in the Houston Public Schools in Houston, Minn., since 2008. Jamie Nutter ’01 and ’08 (Fennimore, Wis.) was selected as Wisconsin’s 2015 Superintendent of the Year. Jamie has served as the district administrator of the Fennimore Community School District since 2008. Nutter and wife Stacey have three boys, Alston, Aidan and Amryn, and one daughter, Alexa. Bryan Boysen ’02 (Spirit Lake, Iowa) is the elementary principal at Pleasantview Elementary in Lakefield, Minn., and serves as director of curriculum and instruction for Jackson County Central Schools. Bryan and wife Jennifer have two daughters. He is on track to receive his education specialist degree from Winona State in 2015. Jacquelyn (Severson) Schreiner ’02 (La Crosse, Wis.) and Ryan Schreiner were married Sept. 12.
Stefanie (Steimann) ’02 and Jeremy Schussler ’02 (Savage, Minn.) welcomed their second child, son Charlie Croy, Dec. 4, 2013. Andrea (Fredrickson) Hanson ’04 (Goodhue, Minn.) was one of 27 middle and high-school math professionals recognized nationwide as a "2014 Math Hero" for her creative and interactive techniques to make math real and relatable for students. The Raytheon Company program provides winners with a $2,500 award and a matching grant for his or her school. Andrea teaches math at Lincoln High School in Lake City, Minn. Nicholas Jaeger ’04 (Sun Prairie, Wis.) and wife, Jennifer, welcomed their daughter, Addison Jo, Aug. 19. Jessica (Odeen) Wenzel ’04 (Winona) and Jeremy Wenzel were married Oct. 9, 2010. Jessica works at Winona State as a human resources specialist. Laura DuChene ’05 (Wadena, Minn.) joined Wadena Clinic's team of physicians practicing family medicine. Laura has a special interest in obstetrics and pediatrics. Laura is a native of Big Lake, and currently lives in Wadena with her husband and three children. Kelsey (Patton) Hostetler ’05 (Madison, Wis.) married Matthew Hostetler Sept. 20. Kelsey is currently employed with Forward Dental in Madison, Wis. Stacy (Bowe) Reynolds ’05 (St. Paul, Minn.) and husband, Joseph Reynolds ’06, welcomed daughter Haley Grace Aug. 10. Michelle (Walsh) Seliga ’05 (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and husband Dan welcomed their first child, Allison Marie, April 24. Michelle teaches fourth grade and is entering her 10th year teaching in the South Washington County District.
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Class Notes Jaime (Dinsdale) Miller ’06 and Chad Miller ’07 (Rosemount, Minn.) welcomed their first child, Blake David, Aug. 4. Heather (Lindner) Roth ’06 (Chili, Wis.) and husband Brad welcomed their baby girl Anna Marie Feb. 21.
Alisha Cashman ’07 & Robbie Christiano ’12 & ’14 (Winona) welcomed their son, Reid Robert Christiano, Sept. 10. Robbie is a development director in the University Advancement Office at Winona State. Alisha and Robbie are planning a 2015 wedding.
Kate (Weber) Carlson ’07 (Winona) and husband Adam welcomed son Henry Robert Sept. 15. Kellie Jorgenson ’07 (La Crescent, Minn.) was promoted to Winona branch manager at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union after serving as a member advisor for 13 years. She will manage all direct operations, staff and, member services in her new role. Emily Lorenz ’07 (Rochester, Minn.) is engaged to Matt Krowiorz. and working as a social worker at Olmsted Medical Center. They live in Rochester with their two children, ages four and six. Rebekah (Ditthardt) Van Dalen ’07 (Rochester, Minn.) and husband Justin, along with big brother Jude, welcomed Eden Lael Sept. 16. Rebekah works part-time as a nurse in primary care internal medicine at Mayo Clinic. Nathan Fuller ’08 (Sharon, Wis.) accepted a new position as education curator of the Rock County Historical Society in Janesville, Wis. Nathan graduated with a history degree from Winona State and received a master's degree in teaching from Trinity International University. He was previously employed at the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum in Poplar Grove, Ill.
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WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
John Smith ’08 (Rochester, Minn.) returned to Winona State as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach this season. John played in the NBA D-League in Vermont, Portugal, Holland, and Austria. John returned to the Winona area in 2011 as an assistant coach for the Lewiston-Altura basketball team, and then as an assistant for the Winona Cotter basketball team. John is currently pursuing his master's degree in sports management. Rebecca (Putzier) Todd ’08 (Seattle, Wash.) was accepted into Seattle Pacific University's pilot year of their Master of Education in Digital Education Leadership graduate program. Rebecca earned her first master’s degree from University of Wisconsin. Sarah (Word) ’08 and Jonathan Roberts ’10 (Winona) were married Aug. 23 in Winona. Eileen Strube ’09 (Durham, N.C.) is a licensed physical therapist at Northwest Ohio Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, where she began work as an athletic trainer. After receiving her athletic training education from Winona State, she worked at Fort Benning Army Base and earned her master’s in education in exercise science from Auburn University and her doctorate of physical therapy from Duke University in 2014. Kathryn (McElroy) Turpin ’09 (Medford, Ore.) married Matt Turpin Oct. 25.
Kate (Pleskonko) Wilwert ’09 and Drew Wilwert ’11 (Faribault, Minn.) were married Oct. 18. Kate is employed at Rochester Lourdes High School as an art teacher and reading specialist. Drew is working with the Nature Conservatory.
2010s
Michon (Mulder) Budziszewski ’10 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) married Nathan Budziszewski Aug. 2. She currently works for Montauk Energy as an environmental specialist. Samantha (Steneman) Johnson ’10 (Winona) married Chad Johnson June 28. Ashley Kyne ’10 and Eric Hart ’09 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) were married May 31. The two met while playing Ultimate Frisbee on Winona State club teams. Ashley earned her degree in social work and is currently working in child welfare. Eric earned his degree in Mass Communications - Broadcasting and is a director for KGAN CBS 2 in Cedar Rapids. Lauren Mikula ’10 (Phoenix, Ariz.) married Kevin Staneart Oct. 4. Lauren, voted Miss Winona 2009, works as a senior contract furnishing bid representative at Best Western Headquarters.
Sarah (Dombrovski) Tomann ’10 (St. Michael, Minn.) married Alek Tomann Dec. 6, 2013. Sarah is currently working in the intensive care center at Maple Grove Hospital and is a board member of the Patient Experience Advisory Team. Katheryne Zempel ’10 (Salem, Ore.) is working for Salem Hospital after earning a clinical excellence award along with her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine in Chicago last June. Holly Bigelow ’11 (West Bend, Wis.) is the new assistant dean for student affairs at University of Wisconsin – Washington County. She is responsible for managing the Student Affairs office, which provides comprehensive assistance to both prospective and current students. She previously served as Director of Admissions and Records at Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota. Mollie (Kroehler) Cross ’11 and Steven Cross ’08 (Le Sueur, Minn.) were married in May. Mollie earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is currently working as an office manager for JBeal Real Estate Group in Mankato. Steven earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics and is working as a custom quotes specialist at Elkay. Both Mollie and Steven are grateful for their Winona State education. Their son, Declan Thomas, is now three years of age. Brandi Hagen ’11 (Twin Lakes, Minn.) recently started a business, Bragen Rights Photography. Her studio opened in September. Andrew Malovrh ’11 and Whitney (Lundeen) ’12 (Winona) were married Nov. 8. Andrew is currently working at Watlow Controls in Winona.
Heights, Ohio) married Alex Teeters Aug. 9. Kristyn is a registered nurse at the Cleveland Clinic, and Alex is a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at the Cleveland Clinic. Andrew Pethan ’12 (Rochester, Minn.) received an award through the Rochester Area Math Science Partnerships organization Dec. 10.
Jodi Misar ’14 (Winona) and Ian Nelson,
Tanna Honermann ’12 and are engaged to marry in August 2015. A Sam Slaby ’12 (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) were married drone flew above them taking pictures of Feb. 20. Tanna proposal on a rock ledge on Sugar Loaf. is a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive Andrea (Hardrath) ’13 and Bradley care unit at Sanford Hesse ’13 (Minneapolis, Minn.) were University of South Dakota married Sept. 27. Medical Center. Sam is currently operating the Sioux Falls water Lauren (Stagakis) Knight ’13 reclamation facility. (Shorewood, Minn.) married Wil Knight Aug. 16. Shannon Bolte ’13 (Rochester, Minn.) joined the KTTC News Center Team as a full-time photographer after her internship in the summer of 2014. Shannon is a Rochester native and majored in photojournalism. She studied abroad in Lismore, Australia, for a semester and spent two weeks in Tsaile, Ariz., to create a documentary about a Navajo Code Talker.
the
Ryan Corfits ’14 (Rochester, Minn.) teamed up with the students at St. Charles Elementary in St. Charles, Minn., to create a mural in the main entrance of the school. The purpose of the mural was to involve students in creating artwork, since their school no longer has an art program. The composition took more than 100 hours to complete. Ryan calls the mural “Autumn,” reflecting the beautiful autumn season that Minnesota has to offer.
We want to hear your news!
Brad Meyer ’11 and Jamie Richter ’12 (Sun Prairie, Wis.) are engaged to marry June 25, 2016.
Submit notes, photos and news online at www.winona.edu/currents.
Conor Pesci ’11 (Everett, Wash.) married Jessica Wicks Sept. 20 in Winona.
Still like to use mail? Send notes to Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 5838, Winona, MN 55987.
Jess (Giesen) Strom ’11 and Mark Strom ’08 (Eagan, Minn.) were married Oct. 18. Jess is working as a middle school earth science teacher and Mark is working for the Department of Homeland Security. Kristyn (Scholl) Teeters ’11 (University
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In Memoriam 1940s
Helene (Bailey) Spelhaug ’41 (Chatfield, Minn.) passed away Nov. 28, 2014 at the age of 93. Helene earned her teaching degree from Winona Teachers College (now known as Winona State) in 1941. Helen (Anderson) Duncanson ’43 (Crossville, Tenn.) passed away Oct. 5, 2014 at the age of 93. Helen was born and raised in Spring Grove, Minn., and graduated from Winona State Teachers College (now Winona State University) as a music educator.
1950s
Joseph R. Fennie ’50 (Northfield, Minn.) died Aug. 23, 2013 at the age of 86. After his service in the Navy, Joe attended Winona State, where he served as class president and was active in band, choir, drama and cheerleading. Afterwards, he taught music for 32 years. Lawrence Janikowski ’53 (Lansing, Mich.) passed away Dec. 22, 2014 at the age of 99. After high school, Lawrence spent four years in Civilian Conservation Corps and served in the Navy during World War II. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from Winona State and worked as an industrial arts teacher in Caledonia for 24 years.
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Richard “Dick” Wildgrube ’54 (Preston, Minn.) died Nov. 19, 2014 at the age of 82. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1954, the same year he started his teaching career at Preston High School. He was a member of the United States Naval Reserve for eight years and was active duty in the Pacific. In 1957, he returned to Preston and taught for 36 years. He earned his master’s degree in 1968. Frank Mertes Sr. ’55 (Winona) passed away Nov. 18, 2014 at the age of 82. Frank was a very successful businessman. He served in many leadership roles at the J.R. Watkins Company, founder of the Photo Art Metal Company, president of The Mertes Company, and contributor and mentor to a group of entrepreneurs, organizations and businesses. Mildred “Mitzi” (Holmquist) Ollhoff ’56 (Rochester, Minn.) died Sept. 5, 2014 at the age of 79. Mitzi worked for the Mayo Clinic in various administrative capacities for 16 years, ending her career as an editor for internal communications.
1960s
Frank Thissen ’60 (Lakeville, Minn.) passed away Nov. 6, 2014 at the age of 84. After his service in the US Army, Frank stayed active with veteran’s service organizations for the remainder of his life. He dedicated more than 30 years to the St. Paul Public Schools as teacher, counselor, and administrator. He served as president of the City of St. Paul Education Association and St. Paul School Counselors Association. Frank was
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
a founding member of the Minnesota Alcohol and Traffic Safety Association and developer of the Alcohol Safety Action Program and Minnesota Snowmobile Instructor program. Jack Martin ’68 (Madison, Wis.) died Dec. 17, 2014 at the age of 71. Jack received his bachelor’s degree from Winona State and master’s degree from the University of WisconsinWhitewater. After graduating from WSU, he moved to Janesville, Wis., where he taught business at Blackhawk Technical College. Later he moved to Madison, and made a daily commute to Rockford, Ill., where he was director of institutional compliance at Rockford Career College. Thomas Nesmith ’69 (Las Vegas, Nev.) passed away Sept. 28, 2014, at the age of 74. He was an educator and educational administrator for 40 years. Thomas Robert Sage ’69 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) died Feb. 1, 2014, at the age of 67. In high school, Tom was an all-state swimmer and an all-city football player, and was named an All-American swimmer while attending Winona State. After graduation, Tom taught in Minnesota, Iowa, and Florida. He later joined his family’s construction company and owned a landscaping business. Linda (Sebo) Ricks ’69 (Appleton, Wis.) passed away on July 31, 2014 at the age of 67. After graduating from Winona State, Linda began teaching high school English, and soon transitioned to the primary grades; where she felt she could make the biggest impact in the lives of children.
1970s
Douglas Wilson ’71 (Lanesboro, Minn.) died Oct. 1, 2014 at the age of 69. Doug served in the Air Force after high school, and then attended Bemidji State and Winona State. After graduating with a degree in secondary education, he taught high school history in Lanesboro before working for 22 years as a scouting executive with the Boy Scouts of America. Rosemary Urbanus ’73 (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) passed away Dec. 12, 2014 at the age of 77. Owen Schmidt ’74 (North Mankato, Minn.) passed away Dec. 31, 2014 at the age of 74. Owen attended Winona State after serving in Korea in the U.S. Army. After graduation, he joined Minnesota Job Service in Mankato, where he worked for more than 20 years. He co-founded the Mankato Merely Players, where he was active behind the scenes as a set designer.
1990s
Sharon Suchla ’92 (Winona) passed away Aug. 28, 2014 at the age of 62. Sharon moved to Winona in 1974, where she began her 37-year teaching career. She later earned her master’s degree from Winona State and became an administrator with the school district; first as dean of students and later as principal of Winona Middle School, before retiring in 2011. Kevin Ditch ’96 (Winona) died Oct. 6, 2014 at the age of 60. He earned his accounting degree from Winona State and was employed with Benchmark Electronics.
Ruth (Putz) Korder ’96 (Winona) passed away Aug. 3, 2014 at the age of 77. She worked at Saint Mary’s University and Hal Leonard Publishing before becoming business manager and financial planner for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Ruth enjoyed the pursuit of knowledge and continually challenged herself, earning her accounting degree from Winona State University at the age of 59.
Students
Brooke Baures (Chetek, Wis.) passed away Dec. 1, 2014 at the age of 21. Brooke was a senior majoring in social work, and was a member of the WSU Gymnastics team. “Brooke had a magnetic personality and a smile that would light up the gym,” said WSU gymnastics coach Beckie Rolbiecki. “She was a sparkplug of a competitor and an ambitious, dedicated teammate.”
Faculty/Staff
Walter Hinds Jr. (Winona) passed away Aug. 27, 2014 at the age of 93. After enlisting in the Army Air Corp, Walter was deployed to England, where he flew 12 missions before being shot down and captured outside of Frankfurt, Germany. He was taken prisoner and interned for the remainder of the war until liberated by General Patton. After the war, Walter attended Capitol University in Ohio as well as Juilliard School in New York City before earning his doctorate in music from the University of Indiana in Bloomington. Walter joined the music department at Winona State in 1964, and taught piano and voice for 25 years until his retirement in 1989.
John Martin (Winona) died Sept. 18, 2014 at the age of 81. John’s career at Winona State University began in 1963. He served as professor, HPER Department Chair, head swim coach Cody Wozney (Arcadia, Wis.) died Aug. 13, and assistant 2014 at the age of 23. football coach Cody was beginning his before retiring in 1993. He was appointed senior year at Winona to the U.S.A. Olympic Committee for State. He loved to fish two Olympiads and was selected U.S.A. and hunt with his best assistant coach during the 1973 World friend, his dad, and Student Games held in Moscow. He was going to Green Bay inducted into the Winona State, NAIA, Packers games. NSIC and Minnesota Swimming and Diving halls of fame. Shawn Afryl (Skokie, Ill.) passed July 21, 2014 at the age of 22. He joined the WSU community in the summer and was enrolled as a Social Studies Teaching major.
WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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DanceScape: Continued from page 11
“When our students are ready to graduate from the WSU dance program, our hope is that they have become more skilled and
integrated movers who are present and comfortable in their own skin — both onstage and off,” said Cohenour. “Our WSU theatre and dance graduates are effective and responsive collaborators, who play well with others in researching, creating, and producing work. Through on-going practice and mutual support, they develop confidence to move and think outside the box and into their futures: making dances, making a difference, and making lasting friendships.”
Photo by Nicole Cullinan '16
encouragement, and support. Guest artists — all whom have incorporated their WSU dance degree into their professional lives — present diverse, artistic viewpoints so that the students are challenged to test their own assumptions and range. DanceScape offers students witness to how diversely their dance degree can be integrated into their career.
GBV: Continued from page 15
access to campus and community services, and victim’s rights. Emphasis is placed on developing innovative, culturally-specific prevention and intervention strategies that meet the needs of LGBTQ and international students. Berg continued, “Working closely with the WRC, WSU now offers a peer-staffed 24/7 confidential helpline (507-4575610) to assist any Tamara Berg WSU or Southeast Tech student, faculty member, or staff with any aspect of GBV.” Since receiving the grant, WSU has hired and trained 15 students as peer educators and advocates. The university has also adapted a bystander intervention education
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program from Duke University called PACT (Prevent. Act. Challenge. Teach.) that provides students with the skills necessary to safely and effectively stand up and say, “Violence is NOT okay.” More than 2,000 students have been directly affected by the PACT program thus far.
THE PLEDGE
The impact of Berg’s efforts and those of her partners in the program are far-reaching.
To RECOGNIZE that non-
“This grant is a powerful example of what we can achieve through collaboration and mutual commitment to making our campus and community a safer place.”
To IDENTIFY situations in
The perfect example of working together to achieve the common goal of a safer community for all.
WSU Currents • currents.winonastateu.com
consensual sex is sexual assault.
which sexual assault may occur.
To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
Where’s
WAZOO?
Wazoo Visits Seattle and Alaska with Bob and Shirley Wheat. And according to Bob, “Wazoo will be with us again in Rotan, Belize, and Cozumel on the Emerald Princess!”
Judy Knapik Stevens ’65 and Cousins Karen Angst Scanlon ‘88 took Wazoo with them to the conservatory at The Bellagio Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., to enjoy the beautiful Christmas season display. Karen lives in Plainview, Minn., and was visiting Judy, who lives in Las Vegas. Nicole (Ryan) ’06 and Matthew Bechel ‘07, on the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with Wazoo, December 2014. Wazoo with Andrea (Hardrath) and Brad Hesse, both from the class of ’13, at the Minneapolis airport. The Hesses were married Sept. 27 and were heading to Cancun for their honeymoon. Wazoo was their special guest!
Goettl Befort ’07 works at the Bridget National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn.,
Download your own Wazoo image file and view more Where's Wazoo? pics: winona.edu/alumni/featured.asp
along with three other WSU graduates. The National Eagle Center houses five permanently injured eagles (four bald eagles and one golden eagle). Wazoo went to work with Bridget one day. Was’aka, who is eight years old, couldn’t wait to shake Wazoo’s hand!
Warrior Pride Times 12! When it comes to Warrior Pride, it’s hard to top the Grob and Ihrke families, who bring new meaning to the term “college sweethearts.” It all began more than 50 years ago when Gary Grob ’62, ’65 married Marilyn Schroeder ’62. Their friends and classmates, Arley Ihrke ’63 and Mary Rohr ’64, also married. And soon their families grew. The Grobs had two daughters, and the Ihrkes had three sons. All five children graduated from WSU!
Bill Ihrke ’87 married Liz Corser ’87; Brian Ihrke ’91 married Rhonda Grob ’93 (Yes! Gary and Marilyn’s daughter); and Craig Ihrke ’93 married Jennifer Johnson ’92. Wait, there’s one more: Grob’s second daughter, Karla Grob Winter, is a ’97 graduate! Keep counting… it doesn’t end there! Brian and Rhonda Ihrke’s son, Jacob, a first-year WSU red shirt football player, is following in his father’s, uncle’s and grandfather’s footsteps. (Gary and Arley are both WSU Hall of Famers!)
Three generations of Warriors, and counting! (L to R) Brian Ihrke ‘91, Gary Grob ’62, Jacob Ihrke. Seated, Arley Ihrke ’63.
WSU Currents • Spring 2015
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THE 411: Grandparents University® ÝÝ Grandparents University®, a program of Winona State University's Retiree Center, brings together grandparents and grandchildren aged 8 to 14 for a two-day dynamic intergenerational learning experience.
Photo by Maire McMahon '15
ÝÝ Select a major of study that piques your interest and stay in Winona State’s newest residence hall, attend classes taught by Winona State University professors, dine in the cafeteria and make memories that last a lifetime! ÝÝ You don’t have to be a grandparent to participate — perhaps you have a special niece or nephew, a godchild, or another young family member who would enjoy a unique educational experience. ÝÝ We also welcome trios of participants! Two grandparents (or another special adult pair) can bring one grandchild or one grandparent can bring two grandchildren.
SAVE THE DATE! Grandparents University, Thursday and Friday, June 25–26, 2015 grandparents@winona.edu 507.457.5565