John Greenwood/The Dispatch & The Rock Island Argus
Commencement 2007
Success—doing what is worth doing
At Augustana’s 147th annual commencement convocation
in May, President of the College Steve Bahls noted that the
Class of 2007 graduates arrived at Augustana the same year
he took office.
“During the summer of 2003, as you were getting ready
to leave home and contemplating starting college, you were
probably wondering about two things: am I going to fit in
and am I going to have a good time?” Bahls said. “During
the summer of 2003, when I was getting ready to leave my
job as a law school dean and contemplating starting at
Augustana, I should have been engrossed in thinking about
the great issues facing higher education, but I, to be honest,
was thinking the same thing—am I going to fit in and am I
going to have a good time?”
Bahls assured the 577 graduates and estimated 5,000
family members, friends and alumni gathered in The MARK
of the Quad Cities that he has had a good time but probably
not in the same way as they have, since he’s usually in bed
by 10 p.m.
“I am confident that throughout your lives you will know
many successes,” Bahls said. “But I am just as confident
you will make mistakes.” He encouraged graduates to use
the tools they’ve learned from their liberal arts education
to “recalculate” their path and continue to pursue their
dreams, albeit with a slightly altered course.
Commencement speaker the Rev. Peter Gomes,
Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister
in The Memorial Church at Harvard University, asked
graduates to take a close look at their dreams.
“Vocation, that life’s purpose of which we have been
speak­ing, is where your joy—that thing that gives
you genuine pleasure, that burns within you
and is contagious —meets some of the world’s
greatest needs, and it seems to me that the
enterprise of living is in connecting that joy with
those needs,” Gomes said. “It will protect you
from the curse of conformity, and it will allow you
to be transformed.”
Gomes shared a phrase he heard from a
sermon when he was in college: thinking hearts
and loving minds. “That is a memorable phrase
because those things ordinarily don’t go together.
We think of the heart as some big, sloppy pile
of emotional angst, and we think of the mind
as razor sharp, penetrating and sometimes devastating.
But a thinking heart is one that calculates and evaluates
its emotions and feelings, and a loving mind is one that
nourishes and nurtures ideas. Those, it would seem to me,
would be the qualities that one would hope for those whom
we call educated.”
Gomes said he wasn’t paid enough for the occasion to
predict each graduate’s success or failure, but he did offer
this definition of success. “It is not doing what you want to
do,” he explained. “It’s not even succeeding at what you try
to do or have hoped to do. Success consists of doing that
which is worth doing.”
“A thinking heart is
one that calculates
and evaluates its
emotions and
feelings, and a
loving mind is one
that nourishes and
nurtures ideas.”
Rev. Peter Gomes
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 33
2007 Alumni Awards
Annette Kuhel ’92 Seabrook
Alumna Essay
Riding the legislative roller-coaster
Carlson
Shockley
Wieneke
Commencement at Augustana coincides with
Alumni Weekend, during which the college not
only hosts reunions of four decades or more, but
also extends special recognition for outstanding
achievement and service by alumni and friends
of the college. Among those honored during the
2007 Alumni Banquet were:
Outstanding Achievement
Dr. David Carlson ’73 directs the International
Program Office, established by the International
Council for Science and the World Meteorological
Organization, for the International Polar Year
(IPY) 2007-08. The IPY International Program
office operates from within the British Antarctic
Survey in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Carlson
has a doctorate in oceanography and has devoted
more than 15 years to guiding, managing and
supporting wide-ranging international science
programs.
Terry Shockley ’62 and his wife, Sandy, are
career broadcasters. As founders of Shockley
Communications Corporation in 1985, the couple
built a regional broadcasting company that
included six network-affiliated television stations
and eight radio stations. Shockley is now presi­
dent of Shockley Group, Inc., a businessconsulting group, and was recently named chief
executive officer for Armada Media Corporation.
In 2006, he was inducted into the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to the sport.
Gary Wieneke ’62 is regarded by many as the
nation’s finest middle-distance coach. Wieneke
coached at the high-school level before moving
on to the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign in 1967. He was head coach of Illini’s
cross country team from 1967 to 2003 and head
coach of its track and field team from 1975 to
2003. Coaching achievements include numerous
Big Ten championship teams and individual
34 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Coulter
Walton
West
champions, in addition to multiple coach-of-theyear awards and hall of fame inductions.
Finest Under Forty
Outstanding Achievement
Chris Coulter ’94 is responsible for the customer
service, sales and marketing departments for the
Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) family of environ­
mental companies. Since Coulter’s arrival in
1997, PDC and its affiliates have increased its
annual revenues by $25 million through new
market opportunities and acquisitions. From
2001-06, Coulter served on Augustana’s Alumni
Association Board of Directors. He is married to
Melanie Berna ’94 Coulter.
Dr. David Walton ’98 is a senior resident in
internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston. He divides his time between
Boston and Lascahobas, Haiti. To read more
about Walton’s achievements, see page 21.
Outstanding Service
Dr. Janice Bowman’ 62 and Gerald Swanson ’59.
Bowman and Swanson are professors emeriti at
California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand
Oaks, Calif. In addition to their work at CLU,
they have been instrumental in organizing their
community around social justice and creating
spaces for that voice to be heard. They helped
set up Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat in
Washington State, regularly frequented by
members of the Augustana community. (Not
pictured because they were unable to attend the
reception.)
Dr. Joy Prowell ’81 West is chair of the depart­
ment of obstetrics and gynecology at Roseland
Community Hospital in Chicago, Ill. She has
committed herself to serving the medically
under­served communities of Chicago’s far south
Brolander
Slover
side by providing comprehensive healthcare to
women and teens who are often forgotten in
today’s healthcare environment. West frequently
speaks to teens at schools, churches and youth
organizations on the importance of preventive
healthcare, and the need for making positive
lifestyle choices.
Carolyn Ekdahl ’60 Wylie died in 2004; her
husband, Deane, and son, Adam, accepted the
Outstanding Service Award on her behalf. Wylie
dedicated her life to finding ways to help young
children and their families. She was executive
director of the Riverside County Children and
Families Commission, also known as First 5
Riverside, in Riverside, Calif. Wylie led First 5
Riverside in launching the Healthy Kids insurance
plan. She was instrumental in seeing that the
California’s 2002 Master Plan for Education
included pre-kindergarten, in addition to spear­
heading other initiatives.
Honorary Alumni
Glen Brolander served as the financial admin­
istrator at Augustana from 1953 to 1992.
Brolander has a strong interest in his own
Swedish heritage and the Swedish heritage of
Augustana. He played a key role in organizing
the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research
Center at Augustana. He also wrote An Historical
Survey of the Augustana Campus, published by
the Augustana Historical Society. Brolander is
married to Elaine Nestander ’47 Brolander.
John Slover Jr. has been a partner with Califf
& Harper, P.C., in Moline, Ill., since 1982. His
practice is primarily devoted to estate and charit­
able planning. He has served on the college’s
Planned Giving Council, which includes estate
planners and others who support Augustana’s
vision by advising the college’s development
officers and helping donors structure gifts to the
college in a mutually beneficial manner.
It began as an idea. Now here I am, weaving through the
crowd outside the chambers of Indiana’s House of Repre­
sentatives, stopping to chat with a lobbyist, nod­ding hello
to a senator, making my way to the committee hearing to
testify.
Two years ago, as the manager for the spinal cord
injury program at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana,
I started researching alternative state funding and
discovered that multiple states have trust funds based on
surcharges from moving violations. The connection made
sense. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of
traumatic spinal cord injury, and the leading cause of
traumatic brain injury in those aged 16-24 years, costing
the United States billions of dollars annually. These funds
would support research that has to occur within that
state. As a result, these states saw increases in highpaying jobs, state revenues and federal funding, as well
as increased opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The idea blossomed for an Indiana Spinal Cord and
Brain Injury Research Fund. In the summer of 2006, a
small coalition was formed, and the intricacies of finding
the right author and coauthors for a bill began.
My memory of the legislative process was limited to the
1970s after-school cartoon Schoolhouse Rock: “I’m only
a bill, and I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill….” In 12 years, I
had never been in our statehouse. Five months later, I had
rediscovered the process firsthand. I’ve been involved in
every step: drafting a bill with Legal Services, beginning a
grassroots campaign, coordinating public testimonies for
committee hear­ings, pursuing media/press coverage, and
coordinating both able-bodied and disabled advocates to
lobby during session.
While I was able to relish the friendly confines of
Indiana’s House, I experienced strong opposition while
testifying before a standing room-only Senate Committee
hearing. The Senate Chair of the Appropri­ations Com­
mittee directly challenged my facts and our proposal. It
only made us stronger, more prepared and more
determined.
I experienced the roller-coaster ride of passing a
committee unanimously, getting rolled into another
bill and getting cut out completely by the Senate. In
conference committee (to negotiate a final version), I
had my third confrontation with the same senator while
providing testimony to urge him and his colleagues to
reinsert language to create the fund.
As a biology major
and physical
therapist, my
education did not
directly prepare me
for this, and yet
everything about
Augustana did.
Annette Kuhel ’92 Seabrook
Our strength was in having an author dedicated to the
cause and endlessly working behind the scenes. With two
days left in the session, our author, Rep. Carolene Mays,
contacted us with the negotiated language. The fund
would be created with an increased fee on motorcycle
registrations, instead of surcharges from moving viola­
tions. The projected dollar amount was less than half
of what we had anticipated. But, based on terms and
voting records, we knew that we would have the same
roadblocks if we chose to stop and try again in next year’s
session. It was an arduous decision, but we decided to
move forward versus pulling the bill.
I’m proof that an average citizen can make an impact,
but I couldn’t have done it alone. I was blessed by a
supportive employer and by having the perfect groups
come together, including a former lobbyist to mentor me
every step, journalists, individuals in the life sciences/
business sectors and others in health care and disability
organizations. So many volunteered themselves and
resources to make this a success at basically no cost
other than their time.
As a biology major and physical therapist, my education
did not directly prepare me for this, and yet everything
about Augustana did. The Presidential Scholars Program
taught us to become critical thinkers and to challenge the
status quo. Most importantly, professors such as Bob
Tallitsch, Paul Olsen, Dorothy Parkander—they taught
with such passion, teaching us to live in the same manner.
They were, and are, mentors who taught us the import­
ance of making a difference. So much of who I am today is
because of their influence.
It wasn’t until after 11 o’clock on a Sunday, with less
than one hour left in the session, that our bill passed the
House 51-49, then the Senate. The new Indiana Spinal
Cord and Brain Injury Research Fund will dist­rib­ute an
estimated $1.6 million annually to support research in
Indiana.
It began as just an idea.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 35
2007 Alumni Awards
Annette Kuhel ’92 Seabrook
Alumna Essay
Riding the legislative roller-coaster
Carlson
Shockley
Wieneke
Commencement at Augustana coincides with
Alumni Weekend, during which the college not
only hosts reunions of four decades or more, but
also extends special recognition for outstanding
achievement and service by alumni and friends
of the college. Among those honored during the
2007 Alumni Banquet were:
Outstanding Achievement
Dr. David Carlson ’73 directs the International
Program Office, established by the International
Council for Science and the World Meteorological
Organization, for the International Polar Year
(IPY) 2007-08. The IPY International Program
office operates from within the British Antarctic
Survey in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Carlson
has a doctorate in oceanography and has devoted
more than 15 years to guiding, managing and
supporting wide-ranging international science
programs.
Terry Shockley ’62 and his wife, Sandy, are
career broadcasters. As founders of Shockley
Communications Corporation in 1985, the couple
built a regional broadcasting company that
included six network-affiliated television stations
and eight radio stations. Shockley is now presi­
dent of Shockley Group, Inc., a businessconsulting group, and was recently named chief
executive officer for Armada Media Corporation.
In 2006, he was inducted into the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to the sport.
Gary Wieneke ’62 is regarded by many as the
nation’s finest middle-distance coach. Wieneke
coached at the high-school level before moving
on to the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign in 1967. He was head coach of Illini’s
cross country team from 1967 to 2003 and head
coach of its track and field team from 1975 to
2003. Coaching achievements include numerous
Big Ten championship teams and individual
34 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Coulter
Walton
West
champions, in addition to multiple coach-of-theyear awards and hall of fame inductions.
Finest Under Forty
Outstanding Achievement
Chris Coulter ’94 is responsible for the customer
service, sales and marketing departments for the
Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) family of environ­
mental companies. Since Coulter’s arrival in
1997, PDC and its affiliates have increased its
annual revenues by $25 million through new
market opportunities and acquisitions. From
2001-06, Coulter served on Augustana’s Alumni
Association Board of Directors. He is married to
Melanie Berna ’94 Coulter.
Dr. David Walton ’98 is a senior resident in
internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston. He divides his time between
Boston and Lascahobas, Haiti. To read more
about Walton’s achievements, see page 21.
Outstanding Service
Dr. Janice Bowman’ 62 and Gerald Swanson ’59.
Bowman and Swanson are professors emeriti at
California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand
Oaks, Calif. In addition to their work at CLU,
they have been instrumental in organizing their
community around social justice and creating
spaces for that voice to be heard. They helped
set up Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat in
Washington State, regularly frequented by
members of the Augustana community. (Not
pictured because they were unable to attend the
reception.)
Dr. Joy Prowell ’81 West is chair of the depart­
ment of obstetrics and gynecology at Roseland
Community Hospital in Chicago, Ill. She has
committed herself to serving the medically
under­served communities of Chicago’s far south
Brolander
Slover
side by providing comprehensive healthcare to
women and teens who are often forgotten in
today’s healthcare environment. West frequently
speaks to teens at schools, churches and youth
organizations on the importance of preventive
healthcare, and the need for making positive
lifestyle choices.
Carolyn Ekdahl ’60 Wylie died in 2004; her
husband, Deane, and son, Adam, accepted the
Outstanding Service Award on her behalf. Wylie
dedicated her life to finding ways to help young
children and their families. She was executive
director of the Riverside County Children and
Families Commission, also known as First 5
Riverside, in Riverside, Calif. Wylie led First 5
Riverside in launching the Healthy Kids insurance
plan. She was instrumental in seeing that the
California’s 2002 Master Plan for Education
included pre-kindergarten, in addition to spear­
heading other initiatives.
Honorary Alumni
Glen Brolander served as the financial admin­
istrator at Augustana from 1953 to 1992.
Brolander has a strong interest in his own
Swedish heritage and the Swedish heritage of
Augustana. He played a key role in organizing
the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research
Center at Augustana. He also wrote An Historical
Survey of the Augustana Campus, published by
the Augustana Historical Society. Brolander is
married to Elaine Nestander ’47 Brolander.
John Slover Jr. has been a partner with Califf
& Harper, P.C., in Moline, Ill., since 1982. His
practice is primarily devoted to estate and charit­
able planning. He has served on the college’s
Planned Giving Council, which includes estate
planners and others who support Augustana’s
vision by advising the college’s development
officers and helping donors structure gifts to the
college in a mutually beneficial manner.
It began as an idea. Now here I am, weaving through the
crowd outside the chambers of Indiana’s House of Repre­
sentatives, stopping to chat with a lobbyist, nod­ding hello
to a senator, making my way to the committee hearing to
testify.
Two years ago, as the manager for the spinal cord
injury program at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana,
I started researching alternative state funding and
discovered that multiple states have trust funds based on
surcharges from moving violations. The connection made
sense. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of
traumatic spinal cord injury, and the leading cause of
traumatic brain injury in those aged 16-24 years, costing
the United States billions of dollars annually. These funds
would support research that has to occur within that
state. As a result, these states saw increases in highpaying jobs, state revenues and federal funding, as well
as increased opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The idea blossomed for an Indiana Spinal Cord and
Brain Injury Research Fund. In the summer of 2006, a
small coalition was formed, and the intricacies of finding
the right author and coauthors for a bill began.
My memory of the legislative process was limited to the
1970s after-school cartoon Schoolhouse Rock: “I’m only
a bill, and I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill….” In 12 years, I
had never been in our statehouse. Five months later, I had
rediscovered the process firsthand. I’ve been involved in
every step: drafting a bill with Legal Services, beginning a
grassroots campaign, coordinating public testimonies for
committee hear­ings, pursuing media/press coverage, and
coordinating both able-bodied and disabled advocates to
lobby during session.
While I was able to relish the friendly confines of
Indiana’s House, I experienced strong opposition while
testifying before a standing room-only Senate Committee
hearing. The Senate Chair of the Appropri­ations Com­
mittee directly challenged my facts and our proposal. It
only made us stronger, more prepared and more
determined.
I experienced the roller-coaster ride of passing a
committee unanimously, getting rolled into another
bill and getting cut out completely by the Senate. In
conference committee (to negotiate a final version), I
had my third confrontation with the same senator while
providing testimony to urge him and his colleagues to
reinsert language to create the fund.
As a biology major
and physical
therapist, my
education did not
directly prepare me
for this, and yet
everything about
Augustana did.
Annette Kuhel ’92 Seabrook
Our strength was in having an author dedicated to the
cause and endlessly working behind the scenes. With two
days left in the session, our author, Rep. Carolene Mays,
contacted us with the negotiated language. The fund
would be created with an increased fee on motorcycle
registrations, instead of surcharges from moving viola­
tions. The projected dollar amount was less than half
of what we had anticipated. But, based on terms and
voting records, we knew that we would have the same
roadblocks if we chose to stop and try again in next year’s
session. It was an arduous decision, but we decided to
move forward versus pulling the bill.
I’m proof that an average citizen can make an impact,
but I couldn’t have done it alone. I was blessed by a
supportive employer and by having the perfect groups
come together, including a former lobbyist to mentor me
every step, journalists, individuals in the life sciences/
business sectors and others in health care and disability
organizations. So many volunteered themselves and
resources to make this a success at basically no cost
other than their time.
As a biology major and physical therapist, my education
did not directly prepare me for this, and yet everything
about Augustana did. The Presidential Scholars Program
taught us to become critical thinkers and to challenge the
status quo. Most importantly, professors such as Bob
Tallitsch, Paul Olsen, Dorothy Parkander—they taught
with such passion, teaching us to live in the same manner.
They were, and are, mentors who taught us the import­
ance of making a difference. So much of who I am today is
because of their influence.
It wasn’t until after 11 o’clock on a Sunday, with less
than one hour left in the session, that our bill passed the
House 51-49, then the Senate. The new Indiana Spinal
Cord and Brain Injury Research Fund will dist­rib­ute an
estimated $1.6 million annually to support research in
Indiana.
It began as just an idea.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 35
Alumni Profiles
E
very so often we hear about everyday folks riding in
NASA’s C-9 microgravity plane, fondly known as the “vomit comet.” Usually one ride is enough. After Dr. Jane
Leonardson ’84 Murray flew nearly 240 parabolas (arcs)
over four half-day research sessions in the C-9, she asked
if she could do more.
“I’ve never had motion sickness so I was fine,” Murray
says.
The microgravity plane, based at Ellington Field near
Houston, flies steep parabolas over the Gulf of Mexico. In the trough of each parabola, those aboard experience
1.8 g’s (almost twice the Earth’s gravity). At the top of the
parabola and on the way down, passengers experience
weightlessness for about 25 seconds.
“I was quite nervous before the flight, and with the first
parabola’s zero gravity segment, I strapped myself down to
see how it would be,” says Murray, a prison medical director.
“I would liken the experience of weightlessness to swimming, but one cannot ‘paddle’ around to steer oneself,
which is the instinctive thing to do.” She learned to grab
onto things to avoid sticking to the ceiling and to make sure
her feet were pointing toward the floor when zero gravity
was about to end.
Murray kneeled for part of the flights, especially if she
had to be in a position to perform an experiment during the
next parabola and didn’t want to be stuck to the ceiling.
Though she would have flown solely for the experience
itself, Murray was thrilled to be a consultant and assistant
for a project designed by researchers from NASA’s Glenn
Research Center. Her duties involved mixing intravenous
fluids in the microgravity environment.
Murray and the Glenn Research Team found that IV fluids
break up into smaller bubbles and are dispersed throughout
the solution. This is in contrast to the air/fluid dynamics in
the gravitational field we are used to—namely Earth’s. Here,
one large bubble eventually forms at the top of the IV bag.
So the question becomes how much air can go in IV
tubing and still be safe to deliver to a patient? And how can
the risks be minimized? NASA’s researchers are continuing
to look at bubble dynamics. Murray will be part of their next
team to look at potentially better ways to mix fluids evenly
(the solute does not dissolve evenly as it does on Earth) and
with smaller bubbles.
“A lot of this research is in preparation for longer living
in a microgravity environment, and how to best prepare for
disasters like trauma and burns in space,” Murray says.
“The people next to us in the plane were trying to find a
better way to make sterile and potable water out of urine.
‘Vomit comet’? No problem.
Aboard NASA’s “vomit
comet,” Dr. Jane Leonardson
’84 Murray handles weightlessness with ease, while
NASA researcher John
McQuillen prefers to have
his feet strapped down.
That rather large syringe
Murray is holding is what
she used in her study of
mixing intravenous fluids
in microgravity.
36 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
So it’s a different kind of thinking, and it’s exciting to be
around that. But I was happy to be with the IV fluids group!”
In fact, Murray related the experience to her time at
Augustana, which she describes as some of her favorite
years.
“I was thinking about how Augustana may have influenced
me toward this NASA project,” Murray says. “And it seems
that a liberal arts education makes a person more prepared
to think outside the box. It was nice again to be around a
bunch of smart, enthusiastic thinkers who are excited about
learning.”
When she’s not streaking toward the Gulf of Mexico in a
C-9, Murray is the medical director for Pam Lychner State
Jail in Humble, Texas, and the Joe Kegan State Jail in downtown Houston. She has been with UTMB Correctional
Managed Care for 11 years.
“It’s a nice mix of interesting medicine, public health and
politics because so much of it is politically controversial,”
she says. “How can we do the most for the most people with
our budget, and the budget is a reality.”
Infectious disease is a constant concern within the prison
population, and is what drew Murray, a specialist in internal
medicine, to the correctional setting. But whenever she
gets a chance to do research on the “vomit comet,” she’s
ready, willing and very able.
Team Angelos
walks the talk
“You know your son has asthma.” Those six words were not
what Jim and Cathy Danegelis ’90 Angelos wanted to hear.
They heard them first when their son, Tommy, was about 3.
And then again when son George was 18 months.
In 2005, the family from Elmhurst, Ill., joined forces
with the American Lung Association (ALA) for one simple
reason: so Tommy and George can one day breathe easier.
The ALA raises money to fund education and research so
that asthma can be better controlled and eventually cured.
According to the ALA, the Angelos family’s creativity and
determination in raising funds have been inspiring.
The 41-member Team Angelos raised $7,000 in the 2006
Oak Brook Asthma Walk last fall. The boys’ lemonade stand
was featured on the front page of the local newspaper. The
family sold 1,000 BreatheEasy bracelets for $2,000 of their
total. They opened a restaurant called That Pita Place in
Naperville, Ill., where they continue to sell paper whistles
and offer a 15 percent discount to customers who participate
in the Asthma Walk.
“Some of the money raised in the Asthma Walk goes
towards Camp Superkids, which is a camp where children
learn to manage and deal with their asthma,” notes Cathy,
a school psychologist. “Someday our boys will go to Camp
Jim and Cathy Danegelis ’90
Angelos and their sons,
Tommy and George, will be featured on hundreds of thousands of posters,
Superkids, although I may have to stay at a hotel nearby. It’s
the Greek mother in me.”
On the day of the 2006 Asthma Walk, Cathy spoke from
the heart to 1,000 walkers about the difficulties of raising
two children with severe asthma, maintaining two separate
medical journals and keeping her boys safe when they have
so many environmental and food challenges.
She knows her family is not alone. An estimated 6.1 mil­
lion American children under 18 have asthma. It’s the third
leading cause of hospitalization among children under the
age of 15 in the United States.
Following the 2006 Asthma Walk, Cathy was honored
as an ALA-Illinois volunteer of the week. More recently,
her family was one of several chosen to represent “the
faces of asthma” for the 2007-08 asthma walks throughout
the United States. The Angelos family will be featured on
hundreds of thousands of posters, brochures and national
websites promoting the walks.
The 2007 Oak Brook Asthma Walk will be October 14.
Team Angelos will be there in full strength in an effort to
raise $10,000. Tommy will be in fourth grade then, and
George will be a second-grader. Both still battle the daily
challenges of asthma, but are doing fairly well as a result
of constant monitoring and medications.
“After George’s sixth birthday, he told me that he always
wishes for his asthma and milk allergy to go away; if he only
knew how much that is our wish as well,” Cathy says.
To learn more about upcoming events, programs
and initiatives of the ALA or for asthma and other lung
disease information, go to www.lungusa.org or call the
Lung HelpLine (1-800-548-8252). Chicagoland alumni
interested in joining Team Angelos may contact Cathy at
cathyangelos@sbcglobal.net.
brochures and national
websites promoting 20072008 asthma walks
throughout the United
States.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 37
Alumni Profiles
E
very so often we hear about everyday folks riding in
NASA’s C-9 microgravity plane, fondly known as the “vomit comet.” Usually one ride is enough. After Dr. Jane
Leonardson ’84 Murray flew nearly 240 parabolas (arcs)
over four half-day research sessions in the C-9, she asked
if she could do more.
“I’ve never had motion sickness so I was fine,” Murray
says.
The microgravity plane, based at Ellington Field near
Houston, flies steep parabolas over the Gulf of Mexico. In the trough of each parabola, those aboard experience
1.8 g’s (almost twice the Earth’s gravity). At the top of the
parabola and on the way down, passengers experience
weightlessness for about 25 seconds.
“I was quite nervous before the flight, and with the first
parabola’s zero gravity segment, I strapped myself down to
see how it would be,” says Murray, a prison medical director.
“I would liken the experience of weightlessness to swimming, but one cannot ‘paddle’ around to steer oneself,
which is the instinctive thing to do.” She learned to grab
onto things to avoid sticking to the ceiling and to make sure
her feet were pointing toward the floor when zero gravity
was about to end.
Murray kneeled for part of the flights, especially if she
had to be in a position to perform an experiment during the
next parabola and didn’t want to be stuck to the ceiling.
Though she would have flown solely for the experience
itself, Murray was thrilled to be a consultant and assistant
for a project designed by researchers from NASA’s Glenn
Research Center. Her duties involved mixing intravenous
fluids in the microgravity environment.
Murray and the Glenn Research Team found that IV fluids
break up into smaller bubbles and are dispersed throughout
the solution. This is in contrast to the air/fluid dynamics in
the gravitational field we are used to—namely Earth’s. Here,
one large bubble eventually forms at the top of the IV bag.
So the question becomes how much air can go in IV
tubing and still be safe to deliver to a patient? And how can
the risks be minimized? NASA’s researchers are continuing
to look at bubble dynamics. Murray will be part of their next
team to look at potentially better ways to mix fluids evenly
(the solute does not dissolve evenly as it does on Earth) and
with smaller bubbles.
“A lot of this research is in preparation for longer living
in a microgravity environment, and how to best prepare for
disasters like trauma and burns in space,” Murray says.
“The people next to us in the plane were trying to find a
better way to make sterile and potable water out of urine.
‘Vomit comet’? No problem.
Aboard NASA’s “vomit
comet,” Dr. Jane Leonardson
’84 Murray handles weightlessness with ease, while
NASA researcher John
McQuillen prefers to have
his feet strapped down.
That rather large syringe
Murray is holding is what
she used in her study of
mixing intravenous fluids
in microgravity.
36 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
So it’s a different kind of thinking, and it’s exciting to be
around that. But I was happy to be with the IV fluids group!”
In fact, Murray related the experience to her time at
Augustana, which she describes as some of her favorite
years.
“I was thinking about how Augustana may have influenced
me toward this NASA project,” Murray says. “And it seems
that a liberal arts education makes a person more prepared
to think outside the box. It was nice again to be around a
bunch of smart, enthusiastic thinkers who are excited about
learning.”
When she’s not streaking toward the Gulf of Mexico in a
C-9, Murray is the medical director for Pam Lychner State
Jail in Humble, Texas, and the Joe Kegan State Jail in downtown Houston. She has been with UTMB Correctional
Managed Care for 11 years.
“It’s a nice mix of interesting medicine, public health and
politics because so much of it is politically controversial,”
she says. “How can we do the most for the most people with
our budget, and the budget is a reality.”
Infectious disease is a constant concern within the prison
population, and is what drew Murray, a specialist in internal
medicine, to the correctional setting. But whenever she
gets a chance to do research on the “vomit comet,” she’s
ready, willing and very able.
Team Angelos
walks the talk
“You know your son has asthma.” Those six words were not
what Jim and Cathy Danegelis ’90 Angelos wanted to hear.
They heard them first when their son, Tommy, was about 3.
And then again when son George was 18 months.
In 2005, the family from Elmhurst, Ill., joined forces
with the American Lung Association (ALA) for one simple
reason: so Tommy and George can one day breathe easier.
The ALA raises money to fund education and research so
that asthma can be better controlled and eventually cured.
According to the ALA, the Angelos family’s creativity and
determination in raising funds have been inspiring.
The 41-member Team Angelos raised $7,000 in the 2006
Oak Brook Asthma Walk last fall. The boys’ lemonade stand
was featured on the front page of the local newspaper. The
family sold 1,000 BreatheEasy bracelets for $2,000 of their
total. They opened a restaurant called That Pita Place in
Naperville, Ill., where they continue to sell paper whistles
and offer a 15 percent discount to customers who participate
in the Asthma Walk.
“Some of the money raised in the Asthma Walk goes
towards Camp Superkids, which is a camp where children
learn to manage and deal with their asthma,” notes Cathy,
a school psychologist. “Someday our boys will go to Camp
Jim and Cathy Danegelis ’90
Angelos and their sons,
Tommy and George, will be featured on hundreds of thousands of posters,
Superkids, although I may have to stay at a hotel nearby. It’s
the Greek mother in me.”
On the day of the 2006 Asthma Walk, Cathy spoke from
the heart to 1,000 walkers about the difficulties of raising
two children with severe asthma, maintaining two separate
medical journals and keeping her boys safe when they have
so many environmental and food challenges.
She knows her family is not alone. An estimated 6.1 mil­
lion American children under 18 have asthma. It’s the third
leading cause of hospitalization among children under the
age of 15 in the United States.
Following the 2006 Asthma Walk, Cathy was honored
as an ALA-Illinois volunteer of the week. More recently,
her family was one of several chosen to represent “the
faces of asthma” for the 2007-08 asthma walks throughout
the United States. The Angelos family will be featured on
hundreds of thousands of posters, brochures and national
websites promoting the walks.
The 2007 Oak Brook Asthma Walk will be October 14.
Team Angelos will be there in full strength in an effort to
raise $10,000. Tommy will be in fourth grade then, and
George will be a second-grader. Both still battle the daily
challenges of asthma, but are doing fairly well as a result
of constant monitoring and medications.
“After George’s sixth birthday, he told me that he always
wishes for his asthma and milk allergy to go away; if he only
knew how much that is our wish as well,” Cathy says.
To learn more about upcoming events, programs
and initiatives of the ALA or for asthma and other lung
disease information, go to www.lungusa.org or call the
Lung HelpLine (1-800-548-8252). Chicagoland alumni
interested in joining Team Angelos may contact Cathy at
cathyangelos@sbcglobal.net.
brochures and national
websites promoting 20072008 asthma walks
throughout the United
States.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 37
Alumni News
Class Notes
(notices received as of January 31,
2007)
1950
Robert Brittenham’s book The
Garter Family of New York and
Michigan has been published.
The memoir describes pioneer
life in New York’s Mohawk
Valley in the early 19th century,
and provides a detailed account
of an overland trip to San Fran­
cisco in 1849.
1960
Lester Aungst received the
2006 distinguished professional
service award from the New
Jersey Speech-Language-
Hearing Association.
SeaWorld’s Greg Choyke ’05
signals Kyuquot to slide up a ramp inside the pool. Killer
whales have a natural ability
to slide onto land to catch
prey.
1964
Bob Fritsch is a teacher and the
assistant director of Horizon
Academy, Roeland Park, Kan.
Choyke & Kyuquot
They call him Ky for short. And whatever you want to know
about Ky, just ask Greg Choyke ’05. For the past year,
Choyke has cared for the killer whale at SeaWorld San
Antonio. He reports that at 15 years old, Ky tips the scale
at 7,900 pounds and is expected to grow to the size of his
12,000-pound father at SeaWorld Orlando.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with Ky on a daily basis,”
Choyke says, “but it takes many years to develop a ­relation­
ship with such an amazing and complex cetacean.” In
addition to Ky, Choyke works with Halyn, a young killer
whale weighing in at a mere 1,200 pounds.
For the record, SeaWorld wasn’t Chokye’s first stop after
Augustana. With a degree in biology/pre-dentistry, Choyke
was accepted to the University of New Zealand’s master’s
program in marine biology, with a focus on cephalopods.
When offered a position at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in
Chicago, he put his master’s on hold. After working at
Shedd for a couple of months, Choyke on a whim sent
résumés to all the SeaWorld parks in the United States.
“Two days later I received a call to come down to San
Antonio and take their animal trainers’ swim test,” Choyke
says. After passing the swim test with a perfect score, he
38 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
was offered a part-time job working with killer whales at
Shamu Stadium. After just three months, Choyke was hired
as a full-time associate trainer.
“I have wanted to work with animals for as long as I can
remember,” Choyke says. “It started as a youngster when I
went on diving trips with my family. So many kids want to be
a dolphin trainer when they grow up. I was exactly the same
way, and now I am living my dream every day. I couldn’t ask
for more.”
Choyke says the mentoring and education he received at
Augustana allowed him to explore and ultimately land the
job he dreamed of as a boy.
“Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey provided guidance and
encouraged me to follow my dreams,” he says. “Dr. Darrin
Good was the one who made it possible for me to study
marine science while attending Augie. He was my advisor
and academic liaison when I worked with stranded dolphins
and sea turtles at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, Fla., during
my junior year. It was there that I knew I had to do this for
the rest of my life.” 1965
Arleen Hieber Hitchcock
retired after 25 years of service
from the U.S. Navy’s Industrial
Hygiene Laboratory, San Diego,
Calif., and received the Navy
Meritorious Civilian Award.
1966
Arvid Sponberg, professor of
English, was named the first
recipient of the Philip and
Miriam Kapfer Endowed Faculty
Research Award by Valparaiso
University’s Committee on
Creative Work and Research.
1967
George Brooke is director
of music at House of Hope
Lutheran Church, New Hope,
Minn.
1968
Kenneth Cox is senior pastor
at St. James United Methodist
Church, Danville, Ill.
Richard Meier was appointed
by then-Speaker of the House
Dennis Hastert to a four-year
term with the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee at the
United States Mint.
1969
Karen Scott Ylinen is chief,
resource planning and execu­
tion, for the U.S. Army, TACOMRI, Rock Island.
1971
Rich Stodd is director of orchestra operations for the Quad
City Symphony Orchestra,
Davenport, Iowa.
1972
James Hasbargen, command­
ing general of the Army Reserve
Medical Command, has been
promoted to the rank of major
general.
Jay Newman is senior director,
programming and development,
at the National Civility Center,
Sturgis, Mich.
1973
James Holgersson is city
administrator for Arlington,
Texas.
Kris Stapleton Gill is branch
manager at Cuyahoga County
Public Library, Parma, Ohio.
Kathleen Lovelace was honored
as librarian of the year (2006)
for the North Suburban Library
System in the greater Chicago
area.
1977
Mark Boozell is a government
relations professional in the
Chicago office of Dykema law
firm.
Philip Bowden is a geoscience
supervisor for Exxon Mobil,
Houston, Texas.
Claire Felbinger is a senior
research associate at the
Japan International Transport
Institute, a Tokyo-based think
tank with an office in Washing­
ton, D.C.
Ron Lentz is chief commercial
officer of STI, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Colleen Marvin is a property
inspector for Property and
Casualty Surveys, San Dimas,
Calif.
Jim Patton has been identified
as one of the “super lawyers”
for the state of Illinois, as cho­
sen by peers and through the
independent research of Law &
Politics. He is a partner in the
law firm of Bozeman, Neigh­
bour, Patton & Noe, Moline, Ill.
1978
Sheri Sanberg Olson is clinical
supervisor at Volunteers of
America, Golden Valley, Minn.
Dianne Witte is assistant direc­
tor, principal gifts, in the Office
of Development, Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
1981
Kevin Dempsey is a clerk of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, India­
napolis, Ind.
Paul Osman is chairman of
the Flood Insurance Commit­
tee for the Association of State
Floodplain Managers, which is
charged with developing major
flood insurance reforms.
1982
Diane McCarthy is a barrista
at Mother Jones Café & Book­
store, Rock Island.
Laura Poduch is business
development manager at 3M,
St. Paul, Minn.
1983
Kimberly Schwartz Anderson
is director of finance for Batavia
(Ill.) Public Schools.
1984
Johnny Drizis married Mary
Beth Grove on September 3,
2006.
Terri Bright Hettinger is new
business development manager
at Lonza, Inc., Allendale, N.J.
Grant Koeller is a musician
with the U.S. Air Force Band of
Flight at Wright-Patterson AFB,
Ohio. He also performs with the
Johnny Mack Super Big Band,
and at Jazz Central, Dayton.
Mark Larson is with T.D. Ameri­
trade, Oak Brook, Ill.
Katy Clark is a financial execu­
tive at Robert Half International,
Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Jill Wurst Padera is courtroom
clerk department supervisor
for the DuPage County Circuit
Court Clerk, Wheaton, Ill.
Kevin Novak retired after serv­
ing 27 years with the U.S. Air
Force. He is now a Department
of the Navy civilian working at
Yokota Air Base, Japan.
De Lay ’66 remembers ‘mail riot’
1974
Editor’s Note: Bill Munson’s letter about the “meatball riot” in the last issue of Augustana
Magazine inspired Vince De Lay ’66 to share his memory of the “mail riot.”
Larry Barker is chief executive
officer of Argent Networks.
Janet Norquist González’
maps were included in
the Mapping the Bronx exhibit
at the Bronx County Historical
Society, The Bronx, N.Y.
Roger Rose is executive vice
president of global sales at
Techbooks, Falls Church, Va.
1975
Gordon Fortney teaches
middle-school science and
coaches men’s track for River­
dale Schools, Port Byron, Ill.
1976
Karla Gates Amundsen is direc­
tor of education at Huntington
Learning Center, Skokie, Ill.
I didn’t realize that Augustana students were so volatile! While I was
at Augie, we had the “mail riot.” I believe it happened in 1964 or ’65.
After Chapel, a lot of us would go to the Union to check our mail.
That day, someone had entered the Union overnight and stacked all
of the furniture, floor to ceiling, in the main lounge on the main floor
of the building.
The problem was that since the postal substation was in the Union, the break-in
was a federal offense. Rock Island police cars were parked in front of the Union (a noparking zone) with the windows open. Someone took a traffic-ticket pad out of one of the
cars and wrote parking tickets for the illegally parked police cars.
The local media showed up and went onto the roof of the Union. Since the students were
just quietly milling around in front of the building, the reporters started inciting them to riot.
“Hey, you can’t get in to check your mail! Let’s see some action down there!” Immediately,
the students started shouting and gesturing at the reporters and cameramen (yes, they
actually used cameras in those days). Of course, the media were never charged with their
crime.
Eventually, someone discovered an unlocked door to the lower level of the Union so
everyone flooded into the building and moved all of the furniture back where it belonged.
Thus ended the great mail riot of 1964.
Sincerely,
Vince De Lay, Class of ’66
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 39
Alumni News
Class Notes
(notices received as of January 31,
2007)
1950
Robert Brittenham’s book The
Garter Family of New York and
Michigan has been published.
The memoir describes pioneer
life in New York’s Mohawk
Valley in the early 19th century,
and provides a detailed account
of an overland trip to San Fran­
cisco in 1849.
1960
Lester Aungst received the
2006 distinguished professional
service award from the New
Jersey Speech-Language-
Hearing Association.
SeaWorld’s Greg Choyke ’05
signals Kyuquot to slide up a ramp inside the pool. Killer
whales have a natural ability
to slide onto land to catch
prey.
1964
Bob Fritsch is a teacher and the
assistant director of Horizon
Academy, Roeland Park, Kan.
Choyke & Kyuquot
They call him Ky for short. And whatever you want to know
about Ky, just ask Greg Choyke ’05. For the past year,
Choyke has cared for the killer whale at SeaWorld San
Antonio. He reports that at 15 years old, Ky tips the scale
at 7,900 pounds and is expected to grow to the size of his
12,000-pound father at SeaWorld Orlando.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with Ky on a daily basis,”
Choyke says, “but it takes many years to develop a ­relation­
ship with such an amazing and complex cetacean.” In
addition to Ky, Choyke works with Halyn, a young killer
whale weighing in at a mere 1,200 pounds.
For the record, SeaWorld wasn’t Chokye’s first stop after
Augustana. With a degree in biology/pre-dentistry, Choyke
was accepted to the University of New Zealand’s master’s
program in marine biology, with a focus on cephalopods.
When offered a position at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in
Chicago, he put his master’s on hold. After working at
Shedd for a couple of months, Choyke on a whim sent
résumés to all the SeaWorld parks in the United States.
“Two days later I received a call to come down to San
Antonio and take their animal trainers’ swim test,” Choyke
says. After passing the swim test with a perfect score, he
38 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
was offered a part-time job working with killer whales at
Shamu Stadium. After just three months, Choyke was hired
as a full-time associate trainer.
“I have wanted to work with animals for as long as I can
remember,” Choyke says. “It started as a youngster when I
went on diving trips with my family. So many kids want to be
a dolphin trainer when they grow up. I was exactly the same
way, and now I am living my dream every day. I couldn’t ask
for more.”
Choyke says the mentoring and education he received at
Augustana allowed him to explore and ultimately land the
job he dreamed of as a boy.
“Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey provided guidance and
encouraged me to follow my dreams,” he says. “Dr. Darrin
Good was the one who made it possible for me to study
marine science while attending Augie. He was my advisor
and academic liaison when I worked with stranded dolphins
and sea turtles at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, Fla., during
my junior year. It was there that I knew I had to do this for
the rest of my life.” 1965
Arleen Hieber Hitchcock
retired after 25 years of service
from the U.S. Navy’s Industrial
Hygiene Laboratory, San Diego,
Calif., and received the Navy
Meritorious Civilian Award.
1966
Arvid Sponberg, professor of
English, was named the first
recipient of the Philip and
Miriam Kapfer Endowed Faculty
Research Award by Valparaiso
University’s Committee on
Creative Work and Research.
1967
George Brooke is director
of music at House of Hope
Lutheran Church, New Hope,
Minn.
1968
Kenneth Cox is senior pastor
at St. James United Methodist
Church, Danville, Ill.
Richard Meier was appointed
by then-Speaker of the House
Dennis Hastert to a four-year
term with the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee at the
United States Mint.
1969
Karen Scott Ylinen is chief,
resource planning and execu­
tion, for the U.S. Army, TACOMRI, Rock Island.
1971
Rich Stodd is director of orchestra operations for the Quad
City Symphony Orchestra,
Davenport, Iowa.
1972
James Hasbargen, command­
ing general of the Army Reserve
Medical Command, has been
promoted to the rank of major
general.
Jay Newman is senior director,
programming and development,
at the National Civility Center,
Sturgis, Mich.
1973
James Holgersson is city
administrator for Arlington,
Texas.
Kris Stapleton Gill is branch
manager at Cuyahoga County
Public Library, Parma, Ohio.
Kathleen Lovelace was honored
as librarian of the year (2006)
for the North Suburban Library
System in the greater Chicago
area.
1977
Mark Boozell is a government
relations professional in the
Chicago office of Dykema law
firm.
Philip Bowden is a geoscience
supervisor for Exxon Mobil,
Houston, Texas.
Claire Felbinger is a senior
research associate at the
Japan International Transport
Institute, a Tokyo-based think
tank with an office in Washing­
ton, D.C.
Ron Lentz is chief commercial
officer of STI, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Colleen Marvin is a property
inspector for Property and
Casualty Surveys, San Dimas,
Calif.
Jim Patton has been identified
as one of the “super lawyers”
for the state of Illinois, as cho­
sen by peers and through the
independent research of Law &
Politics. He is a partner in the
law firm of Bozeman, Neigh­
bour, Patton & Noe, Moline, Ill.
1978
Sheri Sanberg Olson is clinical
supervisor at Volunteers of
America, Golden Valley, Minn.
Dianne Witte is assistant direc­
tor, principal gifts, in the Office
of Development, Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
1981
Kevin Dempsey is a clerk of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, India­
napolis, Ind.
Paul Osman is chairman of
the Flood Insurance Commit­
tee for the Association of State
Floodplain Managers, which is
charged with developing major
flood insurance reforms.
1982
Diane McCarthy is a barrista
at Mother Jones Café & Book­
store, Rock Island.
Laura Poduch is business
development manager at 3M,
St. Paul, Minn.
1983
Kimberly Schwartz Anderson
is director of finance for Batavia
(Ill.) Public Schools.
1984
Johnny Drizis married Mary
Beth Grove on September 3,
2006.
Terri Bright Hettinger is new
business development manager
at Lonza, Inc., Allendale, N.J.
Grant Koeller is a musician
with the U.S. Air Force Band of
Flight at Wright-Patterson AFB,
Ohio. He also performs with the
Johnny Mack Super Big Band,
and at Jazz Central, Dayton.
Mark Larson is with T.D. Ameri­
trade, Oak Brook, Ill.
Katy Clark is a financial execu­
tive at Robert Half International,
Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Jill Wurst Padera is courtroom
clerk department supervisor
for the DuPage County Circuit
Court Clerk, Wheaton, Ill.
Kevin Novak retired after serv­
ing 27 years with the U.S. Air
Force. He is now a Department
of the Navy civilian working at
Yokota Air Base, Japan.
De Lay ’66 remembers ‘mail riot’
1974
Editor’s Note: Bill Munson’s letter about the “meatball riot” in the last issue of Augustana
Magazine inspired Vince De Lay ’66 to share his memory of the “mail riot.”
Larry Barker is chief executive
officer of Argent Networks.
Janet Norquist González’
maps were included in
the Mapping the Bronx exhibit
at the Bronx County Historical
Society, The Bronx, N.Y.
Roger Rose is executive vice
president of global sales at
Techbooks, Falls Church, Va.
1975
Gordon Fortney teaches
middle-school science and
coaches men’s track for River­
dale Schools, Port Byron, Ill.
1976
Karla Gates Amundsen is direc­
tor of education at Huntington
Learning Center, Skokie, Ill.
I didn’t realize that Augustana students were so volatile! While I was
at Augie, we had the “mail riot.” I believe it happened in 1964 or ’65.
After Chapel, a lot of us would go to the Union to check our mail.
That day, someone had entered the Union overnight and stacked all
of the furniture, floor to ceiling, in the main lounge on the main floor
of the building.
The problem was that since the postal substation was in the Union, the break-in
was a federal offense. Rock Island police cars were parked in front of the Union (a noparking zone) with the windows open. Someone took a traffic-ticket pad out of one of the
cars and wrote parking tickets for the illegally parked police cars.
The local media showed up and went onto the roof of the Union. Since the students were
just quietly milling around in front of the building, the reporters started inciting them to riot.
“Hey, you can’t get in to check your mail! Let’s see some action down there!” Immediately,
the students started shouting and gesturing at the reporters and cameramen (yes, they
actually used cameras in those days). Of course, the media were never charged with their
crime.
Eventually, someone discovered an unlocked door to the lower level of the Union so
everyone flooded into the building and moved all of the furniture back where it belonged.
Thus ended the great mail riot of 1964.
Sincerely,
Vince De Lay, Class of ’66
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 39
John Paul was selected to
attend Naval War College, Newport, R.I. He is a pilot in the U.S.
Air Force.
1985
Rick Hintz is international sales
manager at CBC CHB, Bloom­
ingdale, Ill.
Anthony Padgett is director of
development at the University
of Illinois at Chicago.
Kenneth Peterson is vice
president, integration services,
at United Healthcare, Moline, Ill.
1986
John G. Roberts Jr. (center), chief justice of the United
States, and Robert M. Bell (left), chief judge of the Court
of Appeals of Maryland and chair of the NCSC Board of
Directors, congratulate Kim Brunner ’71.
Legal society honors Brunner ’71
In a ceremony last fall in Washington, D.C., 1971 Augustana graduate Kim Brunner, CPCU, was inducted
into the Warren E. Burger Society. Brunner is the
exec­u­tive vice president, general counsel and secretary
for State Farm Insurance Companies.
The Burger Society annually honors those who have
demonstrated the highest commitment to improving the
administration of justice through extraordinary contribu-
Ed Edens is director of client
services, portfolio manager,
with Kovitz Investment Group,
Chicago.
Lois Peterson Kent had a son,
Shane Preston Gustav, on Octo­
ber 1, 2006 (Craig; Wyatt, 1).
Steven Lund served on a panel
entitled “The Universal and
Unique Expression of Cultures
on Curricula” at the Fulbright
conference in Marrakech,
Morocco.
Michelle Morrissey-Brux is a
marketing assistant at Prescott
(Ariz.) Newspapers.
Jeffrey Tamplin is a biology
professor at the University of
Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls.
tions of service and support to the National Center for
State Courts (NCSC).
“It was a great honor to be recognized by such a prest­
igious group,” Brunner says. “Keeping the legal system
both fair and efficient is in the best interest of our custo­
mers, State Farm and society as a whole.”
The NCSC, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a non-profit court reform organization committed to
improving the administration of justice by providing
leadership and service to state courts, and courts around
the world. It was founded by the Conference of Chief
Justices and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger the same
year Brunner graduated from Augustana.
1987
Amber Ording Flynn is a regis­
tered nurse at Sky Ridge Medi­
cal Center, Lonetree, Colo.
Patricia Lupinek Havens is a
finance specialist with Travel­
ers, Hartford, Conn.
Cary Hinze started a new
company, Purple Tuna Tees,
Greenville, S.C.
William Hughes, a commander
in the U.S. Navy, has been
selected to attend the Naval
War College, Newport, R.I.
Jennifer Jaskowiak Mancha is
curator for the Rockford (Ill.) Art
Museum.
Lauren Zarada Matthes has
been promoted to regional vice
president of Arbonne Interna­
tional.
Kathleen Brown Perez is
assistant professor of law at
Hampshire College, Amherst,
Mass.
Todd Woeber is chief financial
officer at the Figge Art Museum,
Davenport, Iowa.
1988
Judy Paskvan Biboum had a
son, Carl Klebert, on August 17,
2006, and adopted a daughter
from Africa, Suzanne Pauline,
on June 6, 2006 (Philippe).
David Eiben is vice president/
account director at GSD&M
Advertising, Austin, Texas.
Jennifer Gallas is associate
director of alumni programs at
Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.
Brian Grimes had a daughter,
Tessa Brianne, on July 31, 2006
(Jeanne; Kaitlyn, 4, Nicole, 2).
Paul Knoerr is project man­
ager/environmental quality ana­
lyst at the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality, Grand
Rapids.
Timothy Temperley had a
daughter, Kaitlyn Grace, on
October 1, 2006 (Elizabeth).
1989
Behrnt Aaberg is an associate
with 4240 Architecture, Chicago.
Chris Cannonito is an attorney
with the firm of Cannonito
Associates, Tinley Park, Ill.
Melinda Barton Doerfler is
senior information technol­
ogy supervisor at Caterpillar,
Peoria, Ill.
Mirzam Perez Handal is a
graduate student at Tulane
University, New Orleans, La.
Geoffrey Szot is director,
financial planning and analysis,
for Blue Cross of California,
Newbury Park.
1990
Mitchell Edlund is a partner at
the Chicago-based law firm of
Meckler Bulger & Tilson.
Richard and Vikki Wiitanen ’91
Frank had a daughter, Kristin
Barbara, on February 12, 2005.
Debra Wegehoft Theys had
a daughter, Rachel Marie, on
November 29, 2006 (Jesse;
Benjamin, 2).
1991
Sarah Bexell received the
doctorate in science education
from Georgia State University.
She is director of conservation
education at Chengdu Research
Base of Giant Panda Breeding,
Chengdu, Sichuan Province,
China.
Richard ’90 and Vikki Wiitanen
Frank had a daughter, Kristin
Barbara, on February 12, 2005.
Amy Maloney had a daughter,
Molly Ann, on August 1, 2006
(Devon Dodson).
Eric Penhallegon is president
of Penhallegon Co., Inc., Plano,
Texas.
Kevin Ragsdale is a pediatric
clinical psychologist in Tallahassee, Fla.
Diane Mrakitsch Schwartz has
joined Community First Bank,
Chicago, as vice president—
retail banking.
Kelly Joesten Theisen had a
daughter, Rowyn Willow, on
April 19, 2006 (Matt).
1992
Kristie Carnine Deiuliis is
senior energy consultant for
KEMA, Burlington, Mass.
Jay Ferm is manager of Planet
Bike, Madison, Wis.
Lisa LaRosa Fiorenza is chief
financial officer at Chicago
Capital Funds, Elgin, Ill.
Leslee Roland Forman had
a daughter, Alyssa Rose, on
October 20, 2005 (Glenn).
Jason Goodall, lieutenant
commander with the U.S. Navy,
is a safety officer stationed at
Whidbey Island, Wash.
Suzanne Beltz Heckenlaible is community relations man­
ager for Delta Dental of Iowa,
Ankeny.
Juli Hilt Nahrgang teaches
sixth-grade English in Lauder­
dale County Schools, Florence,
Ala.
Britt Ann Peterson is a health
psychologist in Marquette, Mich.
Tanja Carlson Rasmusson was
appointed political adviser to
the Swedish minister of justice,
Stockholm, Sweden.
1993
Kirk Anderson is a network
controller at Kraft Foods, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Jason Conner is head of the
humanities department at
Western Illinois University,
Macomb.
Eric Cravens had a son, Andrew
Roy, on August 11, 2006 (Cindy;
William, 2).
Edward Hoffman is founder and
president of The Varick Group, a
marketing consultancy, in New
York, N.Y.
Reese Hubbard is sales
manager at Concentric Inc.,
Itasca, Ill.
Anne Humphrey had a son,
Aidan, on September 19, 2006
(Ian Delmenico; Fiona, 2).
Michelle King is deputy com­
missioner for operations in
the division of resources and
management information at the
Social Security Administration,
Baltimore, Md.
Pamela Foss Manzke had a son,
Peter Joseph, on June 16, 2005
(Michael).
Douglas Wiewel was promoted
to director of quality engineer­
ing at Rollprint Packaging,
Addison, Ill.
1994
Shawn Beattie married Kamy
Dearborn on October 21, 2006.
Nicholas Bennyhoff married
Elizabeth Blackson on Novem­
ber 24, 2006. He is a cataloger
for the Lewis and Clark Library
System, Edwardsville, Ill.
Brian Crowley is a creative
strategist at PMG Group,
Chicago.
Warner Cruz married Chiara
Latrofa on July 14, 2006.
40 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Marty Koehler Hampton had a
son, Matthew David, on June 24,
2005 (David). Marty was called
to serve as associate pastor of
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church,
West Salem, Wis.
Erik Johansen is an attorney
with Sandler, Travis & Rosen­
berg, Chicago.
Heidi Rolander Peterson had
a daughter, Bierte Estelle, on
June 28, 2006 (John; Soren, 3).
Log on, sign up, you’re in
Augustana’s Admissions Office now offers alumni a
quick, online way to sign up to participate in the following
recruitment activities:
• attend campus Open House events
• attend college fairs
• host or attend send-off picnics for first-year students
• contact prospective students interested in a particular
career, major or extracurricular activity
Alumni interested in volunteering may visit www.augustana.edu/
alumni/volunteer.php.
Ryan Schmidt married Christy
Kyrouac on June 23, 2006.
Kirby and Jennifer Engstrom
’95 Winn had a daughter, Emily
Opal, on October 17, 2006 (Anna,
4).
1996
1995
Dawn Johansen Brushammar
had a son, Max Gustav Michael,
on October 12, 2006 (Tobias).
Jason Ax is an administrator for
the Moreno Valley (Calif.) Uni­
fied School District.
Monte Bottens is president of
Bottens, Inc., Fresno, Calif.
Brad ’96 and Carrie Klocke
Dahlberg had a son, Jack
Hayden, on May 3, 2006 (Erik, 4).
Caryn Carstens Haberkorn had
a daughter, Kajsa Elizabeth, on
July 6, 2006 (Matthew; Silas, 4,
Carys, 3, and Lincoln, 2).
Jerry Parkinson had a daugh­
ter, Zoe Autumn, on March 12,
2006 (Kathleen).
Soren Peterson is study abroad
adviser at Berea (Ky.) College.
Katie Sapp married Stephen
Switzer on September 2, 2006.
She is a registered nurse for
the Swedish American Health
System, Rockford, Ill.
Brett Scranton is customer ser­
vice manager for the Humane
Society of Indianapolis, Ind.
Kristin Schadewaldt Terry had
a daughter, Grace Anne, on July
24, 2006 (James).
Rachel Knapp Viel had a daugh­
ter, Anna Michelle, on July 31,
2006 (Adam; Maya, 2).
Kirby ’94 and Jennifer Engstrom Winn had a daughter,
Emily Opal, on October 17, 2006
(Anna, 4).
Jessica Spicer Banaszek had
a son, Peter Emery, on May 17,
2006 (Matthew; Ava, 5, Ella, 3).
Jennifer Carnithan is director
of research for the Emerging
Markets Private Equity Associa­
tion, Washington, D.C.
James Marturano is marketing
manager for Weiss Insurance,
Wayne, Ill.
Jason and Nicole Kraus McKirahan had a daughter, Avery
Rose, on May 7, 2006 (Aidan, 3).
Julie McSweeney is a project
director at Synovate, Chicago.
Steve Mosshamer is a risk
analyst at Home Loan Bank of
Chicago.
Brad and Carrie Klocke ’95
Dahlberg had a son, Jack
Hayden, on May 3, 2006 (Erik, 4).
Erin Madden Slawikowski is a
speech-language pathologist in
Brighton, Mich.
Kim Neumann Dertinger had
a daughter, Maya Louise, on
February 22, 2006 (Kent).
Dawn Halsey Swayney is senior
information technology analyst
at Progress Energy, Raleigh,
N.C.
Lisa Grube married Douglas
Nutter on August 20, 2006. She
is an account executive with
Russell Public Affairs Group,
Tucson, Ariz.
Elizabeth Petersen Gylling had
a son, Bo Terren Bengt, on June
12, 2006 (Bjorn; Annika, 2).
Rebecca McMeekan Heick
had twins, Logan Richard and
Olivia Grace, on August 31, 2006
(Brian). Rebecca received the
doctorate in occupational and
environmental health from the
University of Iowa College of
Public Health, and is now on the
EMS faculty at Trinity College
of Nursing & Health Sciences,
Rock Island.
Brian Hendricks is an attorney
advisor for the Federal Commu­
nications Commission, Enforce­
ment Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Lisa Jech Holland had a daugh­
ter, Jenna Elizabeth, on June 15,
2006 (Eric). Lisa is a cost analyst
at Metavante Corporation,
Romeoville, Ill.
Julie Sifuentes Venisnik had
a daughter, Claire Kristine, on
April 21, 2006 (Brad; John, 2).
1997
Audrie Bretl Armes is senior
editor for health care books
and accreditation manuals at
Joint Commission Resources,
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
Angela Bauer married Justin
Williams on June 16, 2006. She
has a dental practice in Cam­
bridge, Wis.
Ryan and Kendra Nicholson
‘98 Brodin adopted a daughter,
Anna, who was born in Colum­
bia in May 2006 (Allison, 3).
Ryan Doonan received the doc­
torate in neuroscience from the
University of Illinois, Chicago.
He has a postdoctoral fellow­
ship at the University College
of London, England.
Jennifer Horwath is an assis­
tant professor of geography at
Augustana College.
Tonya Lensch is a public
relations associate at the Fox
Cities Performing Arts Center,
Appleton, Wis.
Scott Robertson is director
of YMCA Camp Gorham, Big
Moose, N.Y.
Billie Jo Haight Runkle had
twin sons, Jacob and Jared, on
June 29, 2006 (Eric; Kayla, 4).
Erik and Amber Coots ’98
Youngman had a daughter,
Anika Dawn, on May 2, 2006.
1998
Joshua Barbee is an environ­
mental/historic preservation
specialist for James Lee Witt &
Associates, Washington, D.C.
Zack and Britt Peterson ’00
Bartels had a son, William
Andrew, on December 1, 2006.
Joanna Landin Boch had a son,
Sebastian Robert, on August 15,
2006 (Ken).
Ryan ’97 and Kendra Nicholson
Brodin adopted a daughter,
Anna, who was born in Colum­
bia in May 2006 (Allison, 3).
Amy LaChance Carey had a
daughter, Caitlyn Lee, on August
17, 2006 (Ryan).
Adam and Susan Cassettari
Carter had a daughter, Abigail
Mae, on August 16, 2006.
J.B. Crouch attends Monterey
(Calif.) Institute of International
Studies.
Leah Delfinado is chief resident
at Illinois Masonic Hospital,
Chicago.
Kelly Doonan married Allen
Biala on October 13, 2006.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 41
John Paul was selected to
attend Naval War College, Newport, R.I. He is a pilot in the U.S.
Air Force.
1985
Rick Hintz is international sales
manager at CBC CHB, Bloom­
ingdale, Ill.
Anthony Padgett is director of
development at the University
of Illinois at Chicago.
Kenneth Peterson is vice
president, integration services,
at United Healthcare, Moline, Ill.
1986
John G. Roberts Jr. (center), chief justice of the United
States, and Robert M. Bell (left), chief judge of the Court
of Appeals of Maryland and chair of the NCSC Board of
Directors, congratulate Kim Brunner ’71.
Legal society honors Brunner ’71
In a ceremony last fall in Washington, D.C., 1971 Augustana graduate Kim Brunner, CPCU, was inducted
into the Warren E. Burger Society. Brunner is the
exec­u­tive vice president, general counsel and secretary
for State Farm Insurance Companies.
The Burger Society annually honors those who have
demonstrated the highest commitment to improving the
administration of justice through extraordinary contribu-
Ed Edens is director of client
services, portfolio manager,
with Kovitz Investment Group,
Chicago.
Lois Peterson Kent had a son,
Shane Preston Gustav, on Octo­
ber 1, 2006 (Craig; Wyatt, 1).
Steven Lund served on a panel
entitled “The Universal and
Unique Expression of Cultures
on Curricula” at the Fulbright
conference in Marrakech,
Morocco.
Michelle Morrissey-Brux is a
marketing assistant at Prescott
(Ariz.) Newspapers.
Jeffrey Tamplin is a biology
professor at the University of
Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls.
tions of service and support to the National Center for
State Courts (NCSC).
“It was a great honor to be recognized by such a prest­
igious group,” Brunner says. “Keeping the legal system
both fair and efficient is in the best interest of our custo­
mers, State Farm and society as a whole.”
The NCSC, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a non-profit court reform organization committed to
improving the administration of justice by providing
leadership and service to state courts, and courts around
the world. It was founded by the Conference of Chief
Justices and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger the same
year Brunner graduated from Augustana.
1987
Amber Ording Flynn is a regis­
tered nurse at Sky Ridge Medi­
cal Center, Lonetree, Colo.
Patricia Lupinek Havens is a
finance specialist with Travel­
ers, Hartford, Conn.
Cary Hinze started a new
company, Purple Tuna Tees,
Greenville, S.C.
William Hughes, a commander
in the U.S. Navy, has been
selected to attend the Naval
War College, Newport, R.I.
Jennifer Jaskowiak Mancha is
curator for the Rockford (Ill.) Art
Museum.
Lauren Zarada Matthes has
been promoted to regional vice
president of Arbonne Interna­
tional.
Kathleen Brown Perez is
assistant professor of law at
Hampshire College, Amherst,
Mass.
Todd Woeber is chief financial
officer at the Figge Art Museum,
Davenport, Iowa.
1988
Judy Paskvan Biboum had a
son, Carl Klebert, on August 17,
2006, and adopted a daughter
from Africa, Suzanne Pauline,
on June 6, 2006 (Philippe).
David Eiben is vice president/
account director at GSD&M
Advertising, Austin, Texas.
Jennifer Gallas is associate
director of alumni programs at
Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.
Brian Grimes had a daughter,
Tessa Brianne, on July 31, 2006
(Jeanne; Kaitlyn, 4, Nicole, 2).
Paul Knoerr is project man­
ager/environmental quality ana­
lyst at the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality, Grand
Rapids.
Timothy Temperley had a
daughter, Kaitlyn Grace, on
October 1, 2006 (Elizabeth).
1989
Behrnt Aaberg is an associate
with 4240 Architecture, Chicago.
Chris Cannonito is an attorney
with the firm of Cannonito
Associates, Tinley Park, Ill.
Melinda Barton Doerfler is
senior information technol­
ogy supervisor at Caterpillar,
Peoria, Ill.
Mirzam Perez Handal is a
graduate student at Tulane
University, New Orleans, La.
Geoffrey Szot is director,
financial planning and analysis,
for Blue Cross of California,
Newbury Park.
1990
Mitchell Edlund is a partner at
the Chicago-based law firm of
Meckler Bulger & Tilson.
Richard and Vikki Wiitanen ’91
Frank had a daughter, Kristin
Barbara, on February 12, 2005.
Debra Wegehoft Theys had
a daughter, Rachel Marie, on
November 29, 2006 (Jesse;
Benjamin, 2).
1991
Sarah Bexell received the
doctorate in science education
from Georgia State University.
She is director of conservation
education at Chengdu Research
Base of Giant Panda Breeding,
Chengdu, Sichuan Province,
China.
Richard ’90 and Vikki Wiitanen
Frank had a daughter, Kristin
Barbara, on February 12, 2005.
Amy Maloney had a daughter,
Molly Ann, on August 1, 2006
(Devon Dodson).
Eric Penhallegon is president
of Penhallegon Co., Inc., Plano,
Texas.
Kevin Ragsdale is a pediatric
clinical psychologist in Tallahassee, Fla.
Diane Mrakitsch Schwartz has
joined Community First Bank,
Chicago, as vice president—
retail banking.
Kelly Joesten Theisen had a
daughter, Rowyn Willow, on
April 19, 2006 (Matt).
1992
Kristie Carnine Deiuliis is
senior energy consultant for
KEMA, Burlington, Mass.
Jay Ferm is manager of Planet
Bike, Madison, Wis.
Lisa LaRosa Fiorenza is chief
financial officer at Chicago
Capital Funds, Elgin, Ill.
Leslee Roland Forman had
a daughter, Alyssa Rose, on
October 20, 2005 (Glenn).
Jason Goodall, lieutenant
commander with the U.S. Navy,
is a safety officer stationed at
Whidbey Island, Wash.
Suzanne Beltz Heckenlaible is community relations man­
ager for Delta Dental of Iowa,
Ankeny.
Juli Hilt Nahrgang teaches
sixth-grade English in Lauder­
dale County Schools, Florence,
Ala.
Britt Ann Peterson is a health
psychologist in Marquette, Mich.
Tanja Carlson Rasmusson was
appointed political adviser to
the Swedish minister of justice,
Stockholm, Sweden.
1993
Kirk Anderson is a network
controller at Kraft Foods, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Jason Conner is head of the
humanities department at
Western Illinois University,
Macomb.
Eric Cravens had a son, Andrew
Roy, on August 11, 2006 (Cindy;
William, 2).
Edward Hoffman is founder and
president of The Varick Group, a
marketing consultancy, in New
York, N.Y.
Reese Hubbard is sales
manager at Concentric Inc.,
Itasca, Ill.
Anne Humphrey had a son,
Aidan, on September 19, 2006
(Ian Delmenico; Fiona, 2).
Michelle King is deputy com­
missioner for operations in
the division of resources and
management information at the
Social Security Administration,
Baltimore, Md.
Pamela Foss Manzke had a son,
Peter Joseph, on June 16, 2005
(Michael).
Douglas Wiewel was promoted
to director of quality engineer­
ing at Rollprint Packaging,
Addison, Ill.
1994
Shawn Beattie married Kamy
Dearborn on October 21, 2006.
Nicholas Bennyhoff married
Elizabeth Blackson on Novem­
ber 24, 2006. He is a cataloger
for the Lewis and Clark Library
System, Edwardsville, Ill.
Brian Crowley is a creative
strategist at PMG Group,
Chicago.
Warner Cruz married Chiara
Latrofa on July 14, 2006.
40 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Marty Koehler Hampton had a
son, Matthew David, on June 24,
2005 (David). Marty was called
to serve as associate pastor of
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church,
West Salem, Wis.
Erik Johansen is an attorney
with Sandler, Travis & Rosen­
berg, Chicago.
Heidi Rolander Peterson had
a daughter, Bierte Estelle, on
June 28, 2006 (John; Soren, 3).
Log on, sign up, you’re in
Augustana’s Admissions Office now offers alumni a
quick, online way to sign up to participate in the following
recruitment activities:
• attend campus Open House events
• attend college fairs
• host or attend send-off picnics for first-year students
• contact prospective students interested in a particular
career, major or extracurricular activity
Alumni interested in volunteering may visit www.augustana.edu/
alumni/volunteer.php.
Ryan Schmidt married Christy
Kyrouac on June 23, 2006.
Kirby and Jennifer Engstrom
’95 Winn had a daughter, Emily
Opal, on October 17, 2006 (Anna,
4).
1996
1995
Dawn Johansen Brushammar
had a son, Max Gustav Michael,
on October 12, 2006 (Tobias).
Jason Ax is an administrator for
the Moreno Valley (Calif.) Uni­
fied School District.
Monte Bottens is president of
Bottens, Inc., Fresno, Calif.
Brad ’96 and Carrie Klocke
Dahlberg had a son, Jack
Hayden, on May 3, 2006 (Erik, 4).
Caryn Carstens Haberkorn had
a daughter, Kajsa Elizabeth, on
July 6, 2006 (Matthew; Silas, 4,
Carys, 3, and Lincoln, 2).
Jerry Parkinson had a daugh­
ter, Zoe Autumn, on March 12,
2006 (Kathleen).
Soren Peterson is study abroad
adviser at Berea (Ky.) College.
Katie Sapp married Stephen
Switzer on September 2, 2006.
She is a registered nurse for
the Swedish American Health
System, Rockford, Ill.
Brett Scranton is customer ser­
vice manager for the Humane
Society of Indianapolis, Ind.
Kristin Schadewaldt Terry had
a daughter, Grace Anne, on July
24, 2006 (James).
Rachel Knapp Viel had a daugh­
ter, Anna Michelle, on July 31,
2006 (Adam; Maya, 2).
Kirby ’94 and Jennifer Engstrom Winn had a daughter,
Emily Opal, on October 17, 2006
(Anna, 4).
Jessica Spicer Banaszek had
a son, Peter Emery, on May 17,
2006 (Matthew; Ava, 5, Ella, 3).
Jennifer Carnithan is director
of research for the Emerging
Markets Private Equity Associa­
tion, Washington, D.C.
James Marturano is marketing
manager for Weiss Insurance,
Wayne, Ill.
Jason and Nicole Kraus McKirahan had a daughter, Avery
Rose, on May 7, 2006 (Aidan, 3).
Julie McSweeney is a project
director at Synovate, Chicago.
Steve Mosshamer is a risk
analyst at Home Loan Bank of
Chicago.
Brad and Carrie Klocke ’95
Dahlberg had a son, Jack
Hayden, on May 3, 2006 (Erik, 4).
Erin Madden Slawikowski is a
speech-language pathologist in
Brighton, Mich.
Kim Neumann Dertinger had
a daughter, Maya Louise, on
February 22, 2006 (Kent).
Dawn Halsey Swayney is senior
information technology analyst
at Progress Energy, Raleigh,
N.C.
Lisa Grube married Douglas
Nutter on August 20, 2006. She
is an account executive with
Russell Public Affairs Group,
Tucson, Ariz.
Elizabeth Petersen Gylling had
a son, Bo Terren Bengt, on June
12, 2006 (Bjorn; Annika, 2).
Rebecca McMeekan Heick
had twins, Logan Richard and
Olivia Grace, on August 31, 2006
(Brian). Rebecca received the
doctorate in occupational and
environmental health from the
University of Iowa College of
Public Health, and is now on the
EMS faculty at Trinity College
of Nursing & Health Sciences,
Rock Island.
Brian Hendricks is an attorney
advisor for the Federal Commu­
nications Commission, Enforce­
ment Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Lisa Jech Holland had a daugh­
ter, Jenna Elizabeth, on June 15,
2006 (Eric). Lisa is a cost analyst
at Metavante Corporation,
Romeoville, Ill.
Julie Sifuentes Venisnik had
a daughter, Claire Kristine, on
April 21, 2006 (Brad; John, 2).
1997
Audrie Bretl Armes is senior
editor for health care books
and accreditation manuals at
Joint Commission Resources,
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
Angela Bauer married Justin
Williams on June 16, 2006. She
has a dental practice in Cam­
bridge, Wis.
Ryan and Kendra Nicholson
‘98 Brodin adopted a daughter,
Anna, who was born in Colum­
bia in May 2006 (Allison, 3).
Ryan Doonan received the doc­
torate in neuroscience from the
University of Illinois, Chicago.
He has a postdoctoral fellow­
ship at the University College
of London, England.
Jennifer Horwath is an assis­
tant professor of geography at
Augustana College.
Tonya Lensch is a public
relations associate at the Fox
Cities Performing Arts Center,
Appleton, Wis.
Scott Robertson is director
of YMCA Camp Gorham, Big
Moose, N.Y.
Billie Jo Haight Runkle had
twin sons, Jacob and Jared, on
June 29, 2006 (Eric; Kayla, 4).
Erik and Amber Coots ’98
Youngman had a daughter,
Anika Dawn, on May 2, 2006.
1998
Joshua Barbee is an environ­
mental/historic preservation
specialist for James Lee Witt &
Associates, Washington, D.C.
Zack and Britt Peterson ’00
Bartels had a son, William
Andrew, on December 1, 2006.
Joanna Landin Boch had a son,
Sebastian Robert, on August 15,
2006 (Ken).
Ryan ’97 and Kendra Nicholson
Brodin adopted a daughter,
Anna, who was born in Colum­
bia in May 2006 (Allison, 3).
Amy LaChance Carey had a
daughter, Caitlyn Lee, on August
17, 2006 (Ryan).
Adam and Susan Cassettari
Carter had a daughter, Abigail
Mae, on August 16, 2006.
J.B. Crouch attends Monterey
(Calif.) Institute of International
Studies.
Leah Delfinado is chief resident
at Illinois Masonic Hospital,
Chicago.
Kelly Doonan married Allen
Biala on October 13, 2006.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 41
Todd Evers teaches third grade
at Grace E. Hardeman Elemen­
tary School, Watauga, Texas.
Shadia Haddad Gerges is an
attorney with the Haddad Law
Offices, Peoria, Ill.
Ian Howell married Michelle
Igaravidez on February 11, 2006.
Carie “Kirby” Baughman
Kreiner had a daughter, Hanna
Mae, on January 14, 2007 (Brad;
Bennett).
Rhys Moses is an assistant
language teacher for the Abiko
City Board of Education, Abiko,
Chiba, Japan.
Amy Nelsestuen is creative
development specialist at
American Family Insurance,
Madison, Wis.
Chris Nixon is manager, inter­
national coordination, at the
Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan.
Chris Noble has been promoted
to director, mergers and acqui­
sitions, at Walgreens Health
Systems, Deerfield, Ill.
Jamie Bordner Osmanski
teaches biology at Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park,
Ill.
Emily Schoonover is national
territory manager for The
Jacobson Group, Chicago.
Matthew Tews is a doctor of
emergency medicine at Good
Samaritan Hospital, Dayton,
Ohio.
Chris and Janelle Larson ’00
Trapkus had a daughter, Kira
Rayne, on August 12, 2006
(Parker, 2).
Chris Trevor is a project man­
ager at IBM, Armonk, N.Y.
Erik ’97 and Amber Coots
Youngman had a daughter,
Anika Dawn, on May 2, 2006.
1999
Nabila Ali had a daughter, Sani­
yah Shaikh, on August 25, 2006
(Usman Shaikh).
Meaghan Guthman Bishop had
a daughter, Molly Maurine, on
May 2, 2006 (Greg).
Angela Cashmore is a technol­
ogy liaison analyst at CCH Inc.,
a Wolters Kluwer Business,
Riverwoods, Ill.
Erin Chamberlain received the
doctor of audiology degree from
the School of Audiology at the
Pennsylvania College of Optom­
etry. She is now an audiologist
at Phonak LLC, Warrenville, Ill.
Scott and Amy Zaiser Cobert
had a son, Mason Scott, on
November 26, 2006. Scott
obtained American Society
for Quality certifications for
certified quality engineer and
certified six sigma black belt.
He is now a project manager at
Hollister, Inc., Libertyville, Ill.
Heather Dowding married Matt
Tipton on July 29, 2006. She is
assistant director of the Peru
(Ill.) Ambulance Service.
Sasha Fach received the doctor­
ate in immunobiology from
Iowa State University, Ames.
She is currently enrolled at Des
Moines University College of
Osteopathic Medicine.
Kerry Flaherty received the
master’s in library and infor­ma­tion sciences from the
University of Illinois. She is
head librarian at Lake Forest
(Ill.) High School.
Stacy Fuller is senior human
resources service representa­
tive at Deere & Co., Moline, Ill.
Aina Gutierrez and Doug
Sondgeroth had a daughter, Eva
Sophia, on August 19, 2006.
Gretchen McWethy Hupke had
a son, William James, on Feb­
ruary 16, 2006 (Christopher).
Kurt and Jill Marranca
Hutchinson had a daughter,
Emma Lauren, on September
18, 2006 (Madeline, 3).
Siiri Rimpila Levy had a daugh­
ter, Laila Rose, on December 5,
2005 (Barry).
Tara Lozowski married William
Flynn on October 14, 2006.
Joe Mariano is an international
trader at Calamos Investments,
Lombard, Ill.
Bill and Lucy Anello ’00 Miller
had a son, William (Liam) Pat­
rick, on October 28, 2006.
Michelle Carlson Peterson
received the master’s in
elementary education from
Southern Utah University. She
42 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
teaches kindergarten at Reid
School, Salt Lake City.
State Public Defender’s Office,
Marshalltown, Iowa.
Carissa Rojanasumaphong
married Brandon Miller on June
18, 2006.
Craig Mawdsley received his
doctor of physical therapy
degree from the Ola Grimsby
Institute, where he also com­p­leted a clinical fellowship
program in orthopedic manual
physical therapy. He is one of
only three physical therapists in
Chicago to be named a Fellow in the American Academy of
Orthopedic Manual Physical
Therapists. Craig recently
open­­ed Flexeon Rehabilitation,
a physical therapy clinic in
downtown Chicago.
Dominic Salvati had a daughter,
Isabella Mae, on July 20, 2006
(Dawn). He is an attorney with
Costigan & Wollrab, Blooming­
ton, Ill.
Todd Schwartz married Dayna
Casady on August 12, 2006.
Sunny Scobell received the
master’s in zoology from the
University of Oklahoma. She
now attends Texas A&M Univer­
sity, College Station.
Julie Jebsen Spurgeon is a
juvenile detention officer for
Adams County, Quincy, Ill.
Kelly Stanton Summers had
a daughter, Ashelyn Ann, on
January 20, 2006 (Patrick).
Tracy Tholin is a complex
director at Western Illinois
University, Macomb.
2000
Nathan Ament is director of
conservatory admissions at
Lawrence University, Appleton,
Wis.
Zubair Ansari had a daughter,
Isra Fatima, on January 7, 2006
(Rubina).
Zack ’98 and Britt Peterson
Bartels had a son, William
Andrew, on December 1, 2006.
Jessica Catalano is a marketing
consultant for John Hancock,
Boston, Mass.
Shawna Gibson married Aaron
Grier on July 15, 2006.
Jen Harley is a financial advisor
with SmithBarney, Oakbrook
Terrace, Ill.
Rachel Hawkins married Ken
Welty on November 5, 2005.
Sadi Hernandez is a finance
compliance analyst at PepsiCo,
Chicago.
Heather Hoffman and Ryan
Kluck ’02 were married on
October 28, 2006.
Sarah Knoop married Todd
Mault on September 2, 2006.
Michael Marquess is assistant
public defender in the Iowa
Bill ’99 and Lucy Anello Miller
had a son, William (Liam) Patrick, on October 28, 2006.
Elizabeth Oehlert teaches for
the Springfield (Ill.) School
District.
Holly Yoshinari Pal is an associ­
ate with Zuckerman Spaeder
LLP, Washington, D.C.
Lindsay Patterson Pennings
had a son, Seth James, on
January 25, 2007 (Karl).
Matt Poplawski is an attorney
with Winston & Strawn, Joliet,
Ill.
Chris ’98 and Janelle Larson
Trapkus had a daughter, Kira
Rayne, on August 12, 2006
(Parker, 2).
Lisa Nadler Yunker is product
surveillance quality associate
II at Baxter Healthcare, Round
Lake, Ill.
2001
Dan Asleson married Becky
Bankoff on September 2, 2006.
Amanda Bowman is an environ­
mental scientist at Parsons, St.
Louis, Mo.
Charles Drost is a commercial
lender at Village Bank & Trust,
Arlington Heights, Ill.
Kendra Everett and Eric Moldenhauer ’04 were married on
July 29, 2006.
Emily Faivre received the
doctorate in microbiology from
the University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis.
Kathryn Fritz married David
Clotz on July 28, 2006.
Holly Fugiel and Jon Grosshans
were married on August 12,
2006. Holly attends John Mar­
shall Law School, Chicago; Jon
is a planner for Kendig Keast
Collaborative, Chicago.
Gina Gallo married Paul Allen
on September 10, 2006.
Will Gray married Julia Holmer
’03 on August 5, 2006.
Amy Hultgren Juknelis, assis­
tant actuary at Allstate Insur­
ance Co., was named a fellow of
the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Katie Malone is assistant direc­
tor of development, student
affairs, at the University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Ted Nelson had a daughter,
Emma Jane, on November 4,
2006 (Amanda).
Charlotte Peterson Nicholas is
an epidemiologist for the Henry
Ford Health System, Detroit,
Mich.
Christopher and Christina
Pearson ’02 Payton had a son,
Owen Matthew, on March 1,
2006.
Melanie Payne is a quality
assurance specialist for HQ U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island.
Stacey Payne received the
doctorate in anatomy and cell
biology from the University of
Iowa and is now an assistant
professor of biology at Elmhurst
(Ill.) College.
Maximilian Hecht had a son,
Brayden Joseph, on August 7,
2006 (Courteney). He received
the M.D. degree and a master’s
in public health from the University of Illinois and is now a resident physician in
obstetrics/gynecology with the
U.S. Army in Tacoma, Wash.
Jennifer Janek married Jeff
Emmert on June 17, 2006. She
teaches second grade for the
Forsyth County Board of Educa­
tion, Cumming, Ga.
Ryan Kluck and Heather
Hoffman ’00 were married on
October 28, 2006.
Liz Koch married Jon Reberry
on July 2, 2006.
Erin Lindsay married Kyle
Inman on September 16, 2006.
She is a financial assistant at
Modern Woodmen of America,
Rock Island.
Carrie Armentrout Lundgren
had a son, Keegan James, on
March 1, 2006 (James).
Kevin O’Rourke is assistant vice
president at Amalgamated Bank
of Chicago.
Christopher ’01 and Christina
Pearson Payton had a son,
Owen Matthew, on March 1,
2006.
Mary Schmit received the
master’s in education from St.
Xavier University, Chicago. She
now teaches English for the
Center Cass School District,
Downers Grove, Ill.
Anita Sedillo married Brandon
Webb on July 8, 2006. She is a
physical therapist with Gentiva
Healthcare, Albuquerque, N.M.
Shannon Everett Schroeder
had a son, Jensen Tobais, on
August 29, 2006 (Josef).
2002
Brad Slupianek is an upper
elementary teacher at Crystal
Lake Montessori School, Wood­
stock, Ill.
Laura Ballinger is an adjunct
faculty member in the English
department at The College of
Lake County, Grayslake, Ill.
Matthew Bunchman received
the D.D.S. degree from South­
ern Illinois University School
of Dental Medicine, and joined
Tyack Dental Group, Astoria,
Ore.
Kristin Spooner received the
master’s in English literature
from the University of Missouri,
Columbia. She now teaches
English at Carl Sandburg High
School, Orland Park, Ill.
the University of Iowa Hospitals
and Clinics, Iowa City.
Jennifer Weber and Chad
Scoggins were married on
September 3, 2006.
Martin Wietfeldt, pricing
manager at State Farm Insur­
ance Co., was named a fellow of
the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Lynn Breneman Wisong
received the D.D.S. degree from
the University of Iowa College
of Dentistry and the Dental Stu­
dent Award from the American
Academy of Implant Dentistry.
She is a dentist at Community
Health Care, Davenport, Iowa.
2003
Gregory Ball and Emily Burr
were married on December 31,
2006.
Elizabeth Benoit teaches Span­
ish at H. D. Jacobs High School,
Algonquin, Ill.
Jessi Biese teaches fourth
grade for the Harrison School
District in Colorado Springs,
Colo.
Jeremy Blair teaches art for
the Hawthorn School District,
Vernon Hills, Ill.
Andrew Boettcher and Kristy
Ritacco were married on
October 14, 2006. Andy received
the master’s in finance from
George Washington University,
Washington, D.C.
Jessica Borhart is a graduate
student at Sotheby’s Institute of
Art, London, England.
Kyle Carlson received the
master’s in public administra­
tion and the J.D. degree from
Drake University Law School,
Des Moines, Iowa. He is a staff
attorney with Planned Parent­
hood of Greater Iowa, Des
Moines.
Jason Charlton is assistant
director of financial aid at
Northwestern University,
Chicago.
Sherri Sporleder married Jon
Scorza on July 14, 2006.
Josalyn Claussen married
Brent Bitterman on July 1, 2006.
Mark Catlett is assistant to the
artistic director for Seaside
Music Theater, Orlando, Fla.
Jonathan and Sarah Cleave
Sprawka had a daughter, Abi­
gail Marie, on April 28, 2006.
Bryan Cobert had a son, David
Andrew, on January 8, 2007
(Katherine; Lillian, 2).
Kashaundra Gaston is owner of
The Gaston Firm, Chicago.
Robert Volz is a resident physi­
cian in orthopaedic surgery at
Sarah Cullen is associate web
producer at Random House,
New York, N.Y.
Mollie Denman is an account
coordinator at Demi and Cooper
Advertising, Elgin, Ill.
Robin Douglas attends Rush
University Medical College,
Chicago.
Will Dwyer and Sara Lundberg
were married on July 15, 2006.
Lucas Goucher married Nicole
Foote ’04 on September 2, 2006.
Michelle Rambo Harrison is
development events coordinator
at Naper Settlement, Naper­
ville, Ill.
Rachel Hirsch is an occupa­
tional therapist at Belle Center,
Chicago.
Julia Holmer married Will Gray
’01 on August 5, 2006. Julia is
a physical therapist with A.T.I.
Physical Therapy, Aurora, Ill.
Ami Hurd is a planning analyst
at Sharp Healthcare, San Diego,
Calif.
Leesa Jackson married Justin
Schroeder on October 28, 2006.
Matthew Jennings received
the M.B.A. from St. Ambrose
University, Davenport, Iowa. He
is an associate business analyst
at The Northern Trust Co.,
Chicago.
Ben Kleinhans married Heidi
Hallstrom ’05 on July 21, 2006.
Kelly Kuehl is a speech-lan­
guage pathologist for the Aledo
(Ill.) School District.
Elizabeth Lyon received the
master’s in geography from
the University of Illinois. She is
now a geographer with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers.
Kelly Mannick married Colin
Shea on August 11, 2006. She is
branch manager at Provident
Bank, Alexandria, Va.
Megan Panther married
Herman Wang on August 19,
2006. She received the master’s
in social sciences from the
University of Chicago.
One small piece/peace at a time
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Ghandi
Ryan Hallahan ’05 invites everyone to go to asmallpeace.
com, a website he and friend Raymond King have launched
to encourage people to do “their small piece” and thereby
make a difference in the world.
“Our main goal is to instill in our viewers a new mindset,”
Hallahan says. “We believe that the world could be a much
better place if we are continually conscious of the need to
better ourselves, our relationships with those around us,
and the planet we live on.”
Examples of the daily “pieces” featured on the website
are:
Smile when you answer the phone.
Turn your thermostat down one degree for today.
Hold open the door for someone.
Floss.
Simple stuff, yes. But Hallahan points out that if a large
group of people actually did these things, the effect would
be positively immeasurable.
“Not long ago I was driving home from work and saw a
man throw an empty pop can on the ground,” Hallahan says.
“It’s our hope that we can reach people like that and make
them think about each small decision that they make.” Individuals or organizations may sponsor a daily piece on
the website—at no charge—to promote a project or idea and
help spread the word about worthwhile causes. Advertising
space is also available to cover the cost of maintaining the
site, Hallahan says.
“I have always enjoyed doing service activities, but it really
became a bigger part of my life at Augie,” he explains. “I
was involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for
Humanity all four years, which is actually where I met my
wife [Michelle Kilberg ’05].”
The computer science/mathematics major is now a
computer programmer at STATS LLC, a sports information
and statistical analysis company, where he never hesitates
to hold open a door for someone.
Michael Passananti received
the J.D. degree from DePaul
University, Chicago, and is now
an attorney with the firm of
Handler, Thayer & Duggan.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 43
Jacob Polancich is a graduate
conducting associate at the Uni­
versity of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Jodie Daley is a technical spe­
cialist at Michael Baker Jr., Inc.,
Lakewood, Colo.
Laura Pilato Polancich is cam­
pus director at PC Pro Schools,
Milwaukee, Wis.
Aubrey Purdy is a secretary in
the student affairs office of
Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky.
Ellen Eckel married Charles
“Skip” Manning on December
26, 2006. She is a research
compliance analyst for the
Medical College of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee.
Jonathan Ponser received the
master’s in clinical counsel­
ing from the Chicago School of
Professional Psychology.
Joshua Raabe is a graduate
research assistant at North
Carolina State University,
Raleigh, N.C.
Rachel Saplis married Robert
Bergerson on October 7, 2006.
Sandra Schleicher married
Andrew Nolan on July 1, 2006.
Heather Slagell married Tony
Strong on May 20, 2006. She is
a technology operations sup­
port specialist at Illinois State
University, Normal.
Lisa Slawter received the
master’s in speech communi­
cation from the University of
Georgia, Athens.
Jeff Smith is center director
at Score Educational Centers,
Elmhurst, Ill.
Kate Stilwell married Alex Leos
on August 19, 2006.
Beth Weber married Kevin
Whitty on September 30, 2006.
2004
Tami Arntzen is an historic site
intern for the Macon County
Conservation District, Decatur,
Ill.
Anthony Barnhart is a graduate
student in cognitive psychol­
ogy at Arizona State University,
Tempe.
Michael Bartlett is a senior
consultant in the Washing­
ton, D.C., office of Booz Allen
Hamilton, a global strategy and
technology consulting firm.
Amanda Baska is marketing
coordinator at Harlem Irving
Companies, Chicago.
Jennifer Belsha married Steve
Wallace ’05 on July 2, 2006.
Jennifer teaches second grade
for the Lake in the Hills (Ill.)
School District.
Abigail Brekke Blair teaches
music for the Northbrook (Ill.)
School District.
Beth Burzynski married Kris­
tian Veit on September 9, 2006.
Liz Eckstein received the
master’s in occupational
therapy from the University of
Illinois-Chicago, and now is
an occupational therapist with
Children’s Therapy & Rehabili­
tation Specialists in Elgin and
Lake Zurich, Ill.
Laura Ferdinandt teaches first
grade for the Naperville (Ill.)
School District.
Nicole Foote married Lucas
Goucher ’03 on September 2,
2006.
Matthew Furlong teaches
history and coaches baseball
and football at Cary Grove High
School, Cary, Ill.
Kimberly Haislet married Jason
Weber on September 24, 2006.
Allison Hengesh received the
master’s in special education
from Northern Illinois Univer­
sity, DeKalb, and now teaches
at Glenbard West High School,
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Kristen Keiser married Michael
Kennedy on December 16, 2006.
Josh Kumpula is a band teacher
for the Schuyler-Industry
School District, Rushville, Ill.
Brett Lewis married Heather
Vrba on July 29, 2006. He is a
national account executive for
HSBC, Prospect Heights, Ill.
Elizabeth Martin received the
master’s in history from the
University of Illinois, Cham­
paign. She is now a law student
at Washington University, St.
Louis, Mo.
Piper Mead is events and
entertainment manager for the
Peoria Chiefs, Peoria, Ill.
Adam Miller is senior project
manager at Affiliated Computer
Services, Dallas, Texas.
Eric Moldenhauer married
Kendra Everett ’01 on July 29,
2006.
44 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Jennifer Sloggett married
Elliott Dungan ’05 on Septem­
ber 2, 2006.
Nick Stafford is a plan enroll­
ment specialist with Alliance
Benefit Group, Peoria, Ill.
Shannon Tarkowski is a sales
planner for HGTV, Chicago.
Amanda Tiffany is a gradu­
ate student in epidemiology at
U.C.L.A.
Michael Urish is the agriculture
industry specialist at Wells
Fargo Bank, Morrison, Ill.
Scott Vandermoon is coordina­
tor of intramural sports and
sport clubs at the University of
Illinois, Chicago.
Andy Ziemer is branch man­
ager of Enterprise Rent-ATruck, Milwaukee, Wis.
2005
Danielle Clarizio is a residence
director at Augustana College.
Kertrina Clark is a lab tech­
nologist at Quest Diagnostics,
Lenexa, Kan.
Alexandra Corson and Michael
Wenz were married on October
21, 2006.
Elliott Dungan married Jennifer Sloggett ’04 on September
2, 2006. Elliott teaches biology
for the McHenry (Ill.) High
School District.
Sarah Gehring is director of
family life and lay ministry at
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Orion, Ill.
Sarah Goodpaster is a graduate
student at the University of
Delaware, Newark.
Heidi Hallstrom married Ben
Kleinhans ’03 on July 21, 2006.
Cheryl Kaelin Hansen is a
benefits analyst at Hewitt Asso­
ciates, Lincolnshire, Ill.
Rebecca Hanson is an occupa­
tional therapy graduate student
at Boston (Mass.) University.
Meredith Lowe is an Ameri­
Corps Vista volunteer with
the Schools of Hope Project,
Madison, Wis.
Lindsay Maess is in Somerset
West, South Africa, caring for
primates at a sanctuary called
Monkey Town Primate Centre.
Thomas Matthews is man­
ager of MAACO Auto Painting,
Dolton, Ill.
Troy Munson is a client associ­
ate at Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith, Northbrook, Ill.
Daniel Rooney is an auditor at
Deloitte & Touche, Chicago.
Lydia Ruelas was promoted to
regional director, Northwest
U.S., for the National Hispanic
Institute, Richland, Wash.
Jane Stout is a graduate
student at the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
Sarah Todd received the mas­
ter’s in teaching from Earlham
College, Richmond, Ind. She
teaches English at ROWVA High
School, Oneida, Ill.
Johanna VanScharrel is a
senior corporate recruiter for
S.E.Weinstein Co., Rock Island.
Steve Wallace married Jennifer
Belsha ’04 on July 2, 2006.
Steve teaches history at H.D.
Jacobs High School, Algonquin,
Ill.
Patricia Weber teaches first
grade for the West Central
School District, Biggsville, Ill.
Carolyn Wiechert is customer
service coordinator at FederalMogul, St. Louis, Mo.
Emily Yanecek married Robert
Tomich on September 23, 2006.
2006
Sophia Aley works for West
Music Co., Coralville, Iowa,
in band and string sales and
as print music manager. She
is also a private instructor
and plays in the band Huge in
Canada.
Matthew Bambrick married
Laura Davis on June 30, 2006.
Matthew is a regulatory special­
ist for Kerry Ingredients, Beloit,
Wis.; Laura is a para-speech
pathologist for the Belvidere
(Ill.) School District.
Cassandra Bausman is an
adjunct professor at Black
Hawk College, Kewanee, Ill.,
and a photojournalist for the
Inside/Outside Kewanee news­
paper.
Lindsay Behrensmeyer
married Christopher Bayer on
October 7, 2006. She is a com­
munications specialist at Just
Kids Early Care and Education
Center, Milan, Ill.
Lindsey Bean is an occupational
therapy student at Washington
University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Mo.
Brandon Bieber is a sales
executive at Landmark Mer­
chant Solutions, Chicago.
Heather Blackmore is a
member of AmeriCorps
National Civilian Community
Corps, Sacramento, Calif.
Misty Blomquist is a secretary
and physical therapy aide at
Lake Forest (Ill.) Hospital.
Matthew Burris is credit man­
ager for Consolidated Electrical
Distributors, Countryside, Ill.
Karina Carson teaches
language arts at Central High
School, DeWitt, Iowa.
Michele Chao works for The
Society of Thoracic Surgeons,
Chicago, in education and mem­
ber services.
Michelle Coble is a graduate
student at Loyola University,
Chicago.
Stephanie Collins teaches
music at Century Oaks Elemen­
tary School, Elgin, Ill.
Anna Cowan teaches health/life
science at Charles Drew Middle
School, Los Angeles, Calif.
Randi Dale is an advertising
sales executive at WHBF-TV4,
Rock Island.
Eric Davis is a production coor­
dinator at KVF Quad Corp., East
Moline, Ill.
Christopher Dennis is a finan­
cial advisor at Waddell & Reed,
Davenport, Iowa.
Angela Diederich attends Trin­
ity College of Nursing & Health
Sciences, Rock Island.
Joseph Draffkorn is assistant
manager at Enterprise Rent-ACar, Woodstock, Ill.
Mary Kate Driscoll is a sales
representative for Burke Bever­
ages, McCook, Ill.
Sara Dunbar teaches grades
6-12 band for the Winchester
(Ill.) Public School District.
Jennifer Gendeman attends the
University of Chicago.
Anne Gindlesparger is bar
manager at Bier Stube Bar &
Grill, Davenport, Iowa.
Kathryn Goier teaches kinder­
garten at Westview Elementary
School, Wood Dale, Ill.
Tyler Goodbred is employed by
C.H. Robinson, Davenport, Iowa.
Patrick Graham attends Rush
University, Chicago.
Shasta Green is an actress at
Mobius Theatre and works at
Borders, Wheaton, Ill.
Ashley Hagemann is a certi­
fied nursing assistant at West
Rochelle Nursing & Rehabilita­
tion, Rochelle, Ill.
Vivienne Heyward teaches
kindergarten at Stevenson
Elementary, Lombard, Ill.
Colleen Jaycox is an English
teaching assistant at Lyceé
Joliot-Curie, Rennes, France.
Nicholas Johnson is a math­
ematics graduate student at the
University of Oregon, Eugene.
Adrijana Karahodzich teaches
math at Plainfield (Ill.) High
School Central Campus.
Laura Keene is an AmeriCorps
volunteer working with Habitat
for Humanity, Charlotte, N.C.
Betsy Knawa is an occupational
therapy graduate student at
Midwestern University, Downers
Grove, Ill.
Jason Kral is a law student at
Case Western Reserve Univer­
sity, Cleveland, Ohio.
Nicholas Lee is an adjuster
at Farmers Insurance Group,
Chicago.
Sarah Leffring is a process
associate at JP Morgan Chase,
Chicago.
Stefanie Lewis is an occupa­
tional therapy graduate student
at Washington University School
of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
Julia Lombardo teaches highschool English for the Durham
(N.C.) Public Schools.
Lauren Martin teaches English
at H.D. Jacobs High School,
Algonquin, Ill.
Christine Martinson attends
Illinois College of Optometry,
Chicago.
Colleen McCarty is a framer
and design consultant in Bet­
tendorf, Iowa.
Molly McGreevey attends
Western Illinois University,
Moline, Ill.
Thomas McIntire attends
the University of Wisconsin,
Madison.
Kelly McKendry is a physical
therapy aid at Athletico, Gray­
slake, Ill.
Whitney Menold teaches sec­
ond grade at Midwest Central
Primary School, Manito, Ill.
Stephanie Mountford attends
Northwestern University,
Chicago.
Michelle Nelson is sales man­
ager at Country Inn & Suites,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Thomas Ott attends the Univer­
sity of Iowa, Iowa City.
Sarah Palmquist is a gradu­
ate student at the University of
Colorado, Boulder.
Krista Petrie attends Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb.
Jodi Rients teaches grades 3-4
at Graymont (Ill.) Grade School.
Lauren Rivers teaches kinder­
garten at Patterson Elementary
School, Naperville, Ill.
Carlissa Roloff teaches for the
Wilmette (Ill.) School District.
Tom Schaults is a recruiter for
Aerotek, Oak Brook, Ill.
Faith Scobbie teaches music at
Aux Sable Elementary School,
Minooka, Ill.
Matthew Sherman is a gradu­
ate student in anatomy at St.
Louis (Mo.) University.
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the winter issue of the magazine. When I first
saw it, I wondered if someone had given us a Picasso. So much
interesting news about old and new friends. I appreciated the
notice regarding Jane Brissman [In memoriam, page 45]. She
was an old friend whom I remember with gratitude as my
swimming coach, dance teacher and antique expert. For years
I called on her every day at her home and then at Friendship
Manor. You wrote of what she did for the women’s athletics
program, and it sparked my interest to tell you the rest of the story. There was little time
for women to have use of the facilities of the old gym. After varsity games and men’s
intramurals and a full day of teaching, Jane had the use of the old gym, which had a
kitchen in the northeast corner. Jane would cook supper for her athletes and when the
activities were over, Jane drove her car over to their homes. Augustana women could not
stand on corners waiting for buses at night. Then she went home to cook for LeRoy and
their children and prepare for the next day. I loved funny, feisty Jane and her family and
household and miss my daily visits with my teacher and my friend.
Erica Slattery is a management
analyst for the Joint Munitions
Command at the Rock Island
Arsenal.
Cody Snell is a sales trainee
with the Mueller Company,
Decatur, Ill.
Samantha Sottos is a graduate
student at Rockhurst University,
Kansas City, Mo.
Brent Spitzer is assistant ban­
quet manager at the Sheraton,
West Des Moines, Iowa.
Janelle Stegen attends Truman
State University, Kirksville, Mo.
John Sullivan is an associate
scientist at Integral Consulting,
Berlin, Md.
Kristen Tansor teaches history
at H.D. Jacobs High School,
Algonquin, Ill.
Joran Thompson is account
manager for careerbuilder.com,
Chicago.
Angela Tongue is a teledata
representative for Automated
Data Processing, Elk Grove
Village, Ill.
Briana Tropp teaches math
at Prairie Ridge High School,
Crystal Lake, Ill.
Elizabeth Untz is a substitute
teacher for the Rock Island
School District.
Betsey Brodahl ’44
Retired faculty member and associate dean of students
Kathleen VanLanen is a veteri­
nary student at the University of
Illinois, Champaign.
Evan Weger is a graduate
student at Western Illinois
University, Macomb.
James C. Garstang ’36 on July
27, 2006.
Dorothy Malmberg ’37 Ellman
on December 17, 2006.
Evelyn Ege ’37 Sieghartner on
January 2, 2007.
Kimberly Weidner is an
admissions representative at
Hamilton College, Cedar Falls,
Iowa.
Virginia Byers, wife of Frank
Byers ’38, on December 17,
2006.
Allen F. Miller Jr. ’38 on August
6, 2006.
Amanda Wexler is the fifthgrade band director for the
Kildeer Countryside School
District, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Katherine Wilford is an administrative assistant at Raue
Center for the Arts, Crystal
Lake, Ill.
Carl Thorn ’38 on March 18,
2006. Survivors include his son,
John Thorne ’65, and daughter,
Phyllis Thorne ’69 Ahlstrand.
Melnotte Anderson ’39 Lindstrom on January 14, 2007.
Haley Wirth teaches math at
Cambridge (Ill.) High School.
Clarence M. Erickson ’40 on
December 1, 2006.
Farina Zimmerman teaches at
Lake Forest (Ill.) High School.
Lloyd E. Livingston ’40 on
December 26, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Lorraine Verme
’45 Livingston.
Deaths
(notices received as of January 31,
2007)
Howard S. Peterson ’40 on
January 15, 2006.
Miriam Sandstedt ’33 Scherer
in September 2006.
Donald E. Allison ’42 on Janu­
ary 8, 2007. Among survivors
are his wife, Jane Gustafson
’42 Allison, and brother, Marvin
Allison ’48.
Erling W. Lunde ’35 on August
14, 2006.
Clara Beilhartz ’43 Miller on
September 3, 2006.
Luella Jones ’36 Deisenroth on
January 31, 2007.
Ellis E. Eklof Jr. ’44 on Septem­
ber 26, 2006. His wife, Myrtle,
survives him.
Reinhold Carlson ’31 on July
7, 2006.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 45
Jacob Polancich is a graduate
conducting associate at the Uni­
versity of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Jodie Daley is a technical spe­
cialist at Michael Baker Jr., Inc.,
Lakewood, Colo.
Laura Pilato Polancich is cam­
pus director at PC Pro Schools,
Milwaukee, Wis.
Aubrey Purdy is a secretary in
the student affairs office of
Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky.
Ellen Eckel married Charles
“Skip” Manning on December
26, 2006. She is a research
compliance analyst for the
Medical College of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee.
Jonathan Ponser received the
master’s in clinical counsel­
ing from the Chicago School of
Professional Psychology.
Joshua Raabe is a graduate
research assistant at North
Carolina State University,
Raleigh, N.C.
Rachel Saplis married Robert
Bergerson on October 7, 2006.
Sandra Schleicher married
Andrew Nolan on July 1, 2006.
Heather Slagell married Tony
Strong on May 20, 2006. She is
a technology operations sup­
port specialist at Illinois State
University, Normal.
Lisa Slawter received the
master’s in speech communi­
cation from the University of
Georgia, Athens.
Jeff Smith is center director
at Score Educational Centers,
Elmhurst, Ill.
Kate Stilwell married Alex Leos
on August 19, 2006.
Beth Weber married Kevin
Whitty on September 30, 2006.
2004
Tami Arntzen is an historic site
intern for the Macon County
Conservation District, Decatur,
Ill.
Anthony Barnhart is a graduate
student in cognitive psychol­
ogy at Arizona State University,
Tempe.
Michael Bartlett is a senior
consultant in the Washing­
ton, D.C., office of Booz Allen
Hamilton, a global strategy and
technology consulting firm.
Amanda Baska is marketing
coordinator at Harlem Irving
Companies, Chicago.
Jennifer Belsha married Steve
Wallace ’05 on July 2, 2006.
Jennifer teaches second grade
for the Lake in the Hills (Ill.)
School District.
Abigail Brekke Blair teaches
music for the Northbrook (Ill.)
School District.
Beth Burzynski married Kris­
tian Veit on September 9, 2006.
Liz Eckstein received the
master’s in occupational
therapy from the University of
Illinois-Chicago, and now is
an occupational therapist with
Children’s Therapy & Rehabili­
tation Specialists in Elgin and
Lake Zurich, Ill.
Laura Ferdinandt teaches first
grade for the Naperville (Ill.)
School District.
Nicole Foote married Lucas
Goucher ’03 on September 2,
2006.
Matthew Furlong teaches
history and coaches baseball
and football at Cary Grove High
School, Cary, Ill.
Kimberly Haislet married Jason
Weber on September 24, 2006.
Allison Hengesh received the
master’s in special education
from Northern Illinois Univer­
sity, DeKalb, and now teaches
at Glenbard West High School,
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Kristen Keiser married Michael
Kennedy on December 16, 2006.
Josh Kumpula is a band teacher
for the Schuyler-Industry
School District, Rushville, Ill.
Brett Lewis married Heather
Vrba on July 29, 2006. He is a
national account executive for
HSBC, Prospect Heights, Ill.
Elizabeth Martin received the
master’s in history from the
University of Illinois, Cham­
paign. She is now a law student
at Washington University, St.
Louis, Mo.
Piper Mead is events and
entertainment manager for the
Peoria Chiefs, Peoria, Ill.
Adam Miller is senior project
manager at Affiliated Computer
Services, Dallas, Texas.
Eric Moldenhauer married
Kendra Everett ’01 on July 29,
2006.
44 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Jennifer Sloggett married
Elliott Dungan ’05 on Septem­
ber 2, 2006.
Nick Stafford is a plan enroll­
ment specialist with Alliance
Benefit Group, Peoria, Ill.
Shannon Tarkowski is a sales
planner for HGTV, Chicago.
Amanda Tiffany is a gradu­
ate student in epidemiology at
U.C.L.A.
Michael Urish is the agriculture
industry specialist at Wells
Fargo Bank, Morrison, Ill.
Scott Vandermoon is coordina­
tor of intramural sports and
sport clubs at the University of
Illinois, Chicago.
Andy Ziemer is branch man­
ager of Enterprise Rent-ATruck, Milwaukee, Wis.
2005
Danielle Clarizio is a residence
director at Augustana College.
Kertrina Clark is a lab tech­
nologist at Quest Diagnostics,
Lenexa, Kan.
Alexandra Corson and Michael
Wenz were married on October
21, 2006.
Elliott Dungan married Jennifer Sloggett ’04 on September
2, 2006. Elliott teaches biology
for the McHenry (Ill.) High
School District.
Sarah Gehring is director of
family life and lay ministry at
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Orion, Ill.
Sarah Goodpaster is a graduate
student at the University of
Delaware, Newark.
Heidi Hallstrom married Ben
Kleinhans ’03 on July 21, 2006.
Cheryl Kaelin Hansen is a
benefits analyst at Hewitt Asso­
ciates, Lincolnshire, Ill.
Rebecca Hanson is an occupa­
tional therapy graduate student
at Boston (Mass.) University.
Meredith Lowe is an Ameri­
Corps Vista volunteer with
the Schools of Hope Project,
Madison, Wis.
Lindsay Maess is in Somerset
West, South Africa, caring for
primates at a sanctuary called
Monkey Town Primate Centre.
Thomas Matthews is man­
ager of MAACO Auto Painting,
Dolton, Ill.
Troy Munson is a client associ­
ate at Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith, Northbrook, Ill.
Daniel Rooney is an auditor at
Deloitte & Touche, Chicago.
Lydia Ruelas was promoted to
regional director, Northwest
U.S., for the National Hispanic
Institute, Richland, Wash.
Jane Stout is a graduate
student at the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
Sarah Todd received the mas­
ter’s in teaching from Earlham
College, Richmond, Ind. She
teaches English at ROWVA High
School, Oneida, Ill.
Johanna VanScharrel is a
senior corporate recruiter for
S.E.Weinstein Co., Rock Island.
Steve Wallace married Jennifer
Belsha ’04 on July 2, 2006.
Steve teaches history at H.D.
Jacobs High School, Algonquin,
Ill.
Patricia Weber teaches first
grade for the West Central
School District, Biggsville, Ill.
Carolyn Wiechert is customer
service coordinator at FederalMogul, St. Louis, Mo.
Emily Yanecek married Robert
Tomich on September 23, 2006.
2006
Sophia Aley works for West
Music Co., Coralville, Iowa,
in band and string sales and
as print music manager. She
is also a private instructor
and plays in the band Huge in
Canada.
Matthew Bambrick married
Laura Davis on June 30, 2006.
Matthew is a regulatory special­
ist for Kerry Ingredients, Beloit,
Wis.; Laura is a para-speech
pathologist for the Belvidere
(Ill.) School District.
Cassandra Bausman is an
adjunct professor at Black
Hawk College, Kewanee, Ill.,
and a photojournalist for the
Inside/Outside Kewanee news­
paper.
Lindsay Behrensmeyer
married Christopher Bayer on
October 7, 2006. She is a com­
munications specialist at Just
Kids Early Care and Education
Center, Milan, Ill.
Lindsey Bean is an occupational
therapy student at Washington
University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Mo.
Brandon Bieber is a sales
executive at Landmark Mer­
chant Solutions, Chicago.
Heather Blackmore is a
member of AmeriCorps
National Civilian Community
Corps, Sacramento, Calif.
Misty Blomquist is a secretary
and physical therapy aide at
Lake Forest (Ill.) Hospital.
Matthew Burris is credit man­
ager for Consolidated Electrical
Distributors, Countryside, Ill.
Karina Carson teaches
language arts at Central High
School, DeWitt, Iowa.
Michele Chao works for The
Society of Thoracic Surgeons,
Chicago, in education and mem­
ber services.
Michelle Coble is a graduate
student at Loyola University,
Chicago.
Stephanie Collins teaches
music at Century Oaks Elemen­
tary School, Elgin, Ill.
Anna Cowan teaches health/life
science at Charles Drew Middle
School, Los Angeles, Calif.
Randi Dale is an advertising
sales executive at WHBF-TV4,
Rock Island.
Eric Davis is a production coor­
dinator at KVF Quad Corp., East
Moline, Ill.
Christopher Dennis is a finan­
cial advisor at Waddell & Reed,
Davenport, Iowa.
Angela Diederich attends Trin­
ity College of Nursing & Health
Sciences, Rock Island.
Joseph Draffkorn is assistant
manager at Enterprise Rent-ACar, Woodstock, Ill.
Mary Kate Driscoll is a sales
representative for Burke Bever­
ages, McCook, Ill.
Sara Dunbar teaches grades
6-12 band for the Winchester
(Ill.) Public School District.
Jennifer Gendeman attends the
University of Chicago.
Anne Gindlesparger is bar
manager at Bier Stube Bar &
Grill, Davenport, Iowa.
Kathryn Goier teaches kinder­
garten at Westview Elementary
School, Wood Dale, Ill.
Tyler Goodbred is employed by
C.H. Robinson, Davenport, Iowa.
Patrick Graham attends Rush
University, Chicago.
Shasta Green is an actress at
Mobius Theatre and works at
Borders, Wheaton, Ill.
Ashley Hagemann is a certi­
fied nursing assistant at West
Rochelle Nursing & Rehabilita­
tion, Rochelle, Ill.
Vivienne Heyward teaches
kindergarten at Stevenson
Elementary, Lombard, Ill.
Colleen Jaycox is an English
teaching assistant at Lyceé
Joliot-Curie, Rennes, France.
Nicholas Johnson is a math­
ematics graduate student at the
University of Oregon, Eugene.
Adrijana Karahodzich teaches
math at Plainfield (Ill.) High
School Central Campus.
Laura Keene is an AmeriCorps
volunteer working with Habitat
for Humanity, Charlotte, N.C.
Betsy Knawa is an occupational
therapy graduate student at
Midwestern University, Downers
Grove, Ill.
Jason Kral is a law student at
Case Western Reserve Univer­
sity, Cleveland, Ohio.
Nicholas Lee is an adjuster
at Farmers Insurance Group,
Chicago.
Sarah Leffring is a process
associate at JP Morgan Chase,
Chicago.
Stefanie Lewis is an occupa­
tional therapy graduate student
at Washington University School
of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
Julia Lombardo teaches highschool English for the Durham
(N.C.) Public Schools.
Lauren Martin teaches English
at H.D. Jacobs High School,
Algonquin, Ill.
Christine Martinson attends
Illinois College of Optometry,
Chicago.
Colleen McCarty is a framer
and design consultant in Bet­
tendorf, Iowa.
Molly McGreevey attends
Western Illinois University,
Moline, Ill.
Thomas McIntire attends
the University of Wisconsin,
Madison.
Kelly McKendry is a physical
therapy aid at Athletico, Gray­
slake, Ill.
Whitney Menold teaches sec­
ond grade at Midwest Central
Primary School, Manito, Ill.
Stephanie Mountford attends
Northwestern University,
Chicago.
Michelle Nelson is sales man­
ager at Country Inn & Suites,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Thomas Ott attends the Univer­
sity of Iowa, Iowa City.
Sarah Palmquist is a gradu­
ate student at the University of
Colorado, Boulder.
Krista Petrie attends Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb.
Jodi Rients teaches grades 3-4
at Graymont (Ill.) Grade School.
Lauren Rivers teaches kinder­
garten at Patterson Elementary
School, Naperville, Ill.
Carlissa Roloff teaches for the
Wilmette (Ill.) School District.
Tom Schaults is a recruiter for
Aerotek, Oak Brook, Ill.
Faith Scobbie teaches music at
Aux Sable Elementary School,
Minooka, Ill.
Matthew Sherman is a gradu­
ate student in anatomy at St.
Louis (Mo.) University.
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the winter issue of the magazine. When I first
saw it, I wondered if someone had given us a Picasso. So much
interesting news about old and new friends. I appreciated the
notice regarding Jane Brissman [In memoriam, page 45]. She
was an old friend whom I remember with gratitude as my
swimming coach, dance teacher and antique expert. For years
I called on her every day at her home and then at Friendship
Manor. You wrote of what she did for the women’s athletics
program, and it sparked my interest to tell you the rest of the story. There was little time
for women to have use of the facilities of the old gym. After varsity games and men’s
intramurals and a full day of teaching, Jane had the use of the old gym, which had a
kitchen in the northeast corner. Jane would cook supper for her athletes and when the
activities were over, Jane drove her car over to their homes. Augustana women could not
stand on corners waiting for buses at night. Then she went home to cook for LeRoy and
their children and prepare for the next day. I loved funny, feisty Jane and her family and
household and miss my daily visits with my teacher and my friend.
Erica Slattery is a management
analyst for the Joint Munitions
Command at the Rock Island
Arsenal.
Cody Snell is a sales trainee
with the Mueller Company,
Decatur, Ill.
Samantha Sottos is a graduate
student at Rockhurst University,
Kansas City, Mo.
Brent Spitzer is assistant ban­
quet manager at the Sheraton,
West Des Moines, Iowa.
Janelle Stegen attends Truman
State University, Kirksville, Mo.
John Sullivan is an associate
scientist at Integral Consulting,
Berlin, Md.
Kristen Tansor teaches history
at H.D. Jacobs High School,
Algonquin, Ill.
Joran Thompson is account
manager for careerbuilder.com,
Chicago.
Angela Tongue is a teledata
representative for Automated
Data Processing, Elk Grove
Village, Ill.
Briana Tropp teaches math
at Prairie Ridge High School,
Crystal Lake, Ill.
Elizabeth Untz is a substitute
teacher for the Rock Island
School District.
Betsey Brodahl ’44
Retired faculty member and associate dean of students
Kathleen VanLanen is a veteri­
nary student at the University of
Illinois, Champaign.
Evan Weger is a graduate
student at Western Illinois
University, Macomb.
James C. Garstang ’36 on July
27, 2006.
Dorothy Malmberg ’37 Ellman
on December 17, 2006.
Evelyn Ege ’37 Sieghartner on
January 2, 2007.
Kimberly Weidner is an
admissions representative at
Hamilton College, Cedar Falls,
Iowa.
Virginia Byers, wife of Frank
Byers ’38, on December 17,
2006.
Allen F. Miller Jr. ’38 on August
6, 2006.
Amanda Wexler is the fifthgrade band director for the
Kildeer Countryside School
District, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Katherine Wilford is an administrative assistant at Raue
Center for the Arts, Crystal
Lake, Ill.
Carl Thorn ’38 on March 18,
2006. Survivors include his son,
John Thorne ’65, and daughter,
Phyllis Thorne ’69 Ahlstrand.
Melnotte Anderson ’39 Lindstrom on January 14, 2007.
Haley Wirth teaches math at
Cambridge (Ill.) High School.
Clarence M. Erickson ’40 on
December 1, 2006.
Farina Zimmerman teaches at
Lake Forest (Ill.) High School.
Lloyd E. Livingston ’40 on
December 26, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Lorraine Verme
’45 Livingston.
Deaths
(notices received as of January 31,
2007)
Howard S. Peterson ’40 on
January 15, 2006.
Miriam Sandstedt ’33 Scherer
in September 2006.
Donald E. Allison ’42 on Janu­
ary 8, 2007. Among survivors
are his wife, Jane Gustafson
’42 Allison, and brother, Marvin
Allison ’48.
Erling W. Lunde ’35 on August
14, 2006.
Clara Beilhartz ’43 Miller on
September 3, 2006.
Luella Jones ’36 Deisenroth on
January 31, 2007.
Ellis E. Eklof Jr. ’44 on Septem­
ber 26, 2006. His wife, Myrtle,
survives him.
Reinhold Carlson ’31 on July
7, 2006.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 45
Alumni Calendar
In memoriam
Benedict K. Zobrist ’46
A few days after the April 19th death of Dr. Benedict K. Zobrist ’46, The Kansas City Star newspaper published a letter
from one of his former students at Augustana, which included
this excerpt:
“By January of 1963, I had
survived three professors who
taught history by iterating
mind-numbing dates, facts and
events,” Dr. Douglas Burleigh
’64 wrote. “I anticipated the
same from Dr. Zobrist, a new
addition to the faculty and an
unknown to us students. To our
delight, he began by telling us a story about a fisherman’s
wife, standing in the ‘widow’s
walk,’ searching the horizon for
the return of her seafaring husband. For the rest of that
semester, Dr. Zobrist regaled us with many stories leading us
on a trip to the 1800s.
“Today I read David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin and
other contemporary storytellers of history. But before those
popular historians, there was Ben Zobrist, the best storyteller
of the bunch.”
After earning a degree in history from Augustana, Zobrist
received his master’s and doctorate from Northwestern
University. He held positions at the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C., and the Newberry Library in Chicago in the
1950s. In 1960, he returned to Augustana to teach history and
was later named chair of the history department and an
associate dean. Zobrist was a leader in establishing inter­
national education opportunities at Augustana, including
summer schools in Spain, Germany and Japan.
In 1969, Zobrist joined the staff of the Harry S. Truman
Library in Independence, Mo. He became the Truman Library’s
director in 1971, one year before the death of the nation’s 33rd
president.
Newspaper reports following Zobrist’s death lauded his
extensive—and successful—efforts to acquire and process
Truman’s office papers while he administered the library as a high-profile cultural destination. He retired in 1994.
“Dad’s thought was ‘Let’s tell people who Harry Truman
was,’” says Zobrist’s son, Karl ’71. “He wanted to not only
stimulate traditional research, but also build on the wonderful
personality that Mr. Truman had.”
Zobrist, a recipient of Augustana’s Distinguished Alumni
Award, is survived by his wife of 58 years, Donna Anderson ’48
Zobrist, and their three sons—Karl, Mark, Erik—and their
families. He was 85.
Harold V. Faust ’44 on Decem­
ber 28, 2006. Survivors include
his wife, Louise, and son, Mark
’70.
Helena Cornay ’44 Hult on
August 31, 2006.
Ruth Slattengren, wife of
William Slattengren ’50, on
November 14, 2006.
vivors are his sisters, Barbara
Almberg ’66 Carlson and Beth
Almberg ’71.
Mary Reynolds ’63 Colburn on
January 17, 2007.
John R. Johnson ’45 on March
22, 2006.
Herbert Beuoy ’51 November
6, 2006. His wife, Marie Horvath
’52 Beuoy, survives him.
Bonnie Muhleman ’63 Leatherman on January 19, 2007. Survi­
vors include her husband, Bill.
Veryl Anderson ’45 Johnston
on April 23, 2006.
Joyce M. Carlson ’51 on January
18, 2007.
Helen Bergquist ’45 Soderstrom on September 17, 2006.
Her husband, Ken ’44, survives
her.
Calvin L. Stuhr ’51 on June 7,
2006.
Joan Stein ’64 Brower on
February 19, 2006. Her husband,
Michael, survives her.
Paul E. Beckstrand ’46 on July
22, 2006.
William H. Appier ’47 on August
27, 2006. Survivors include his
wife, Jean Soady ’48 Appier.
Marguerite “Peggy” Dahlberg
’47 Jensen on December 21,
2006. Survivors include her
son, Kurt ’78, and sister, Lois
Dahlberg ’52 Peterson.
Leonard L. Lindstone ’47 on
October 19, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Janice.
Mary Erickson ’48 Anliker on
December 9, 2005.
John O. Taylor ’51 on June 12,
2006. His wife, Estelle, survives
him.
Joan Wells ’51 Younglove on
September 25, 2006.
Kay M. Sturgeon ’52 on Sep­
tember 19, 2006.
William N. Benson ’53 on
November 11, 2006. Among sur­
vivors are his wife, Diane; sister,
Helen Benson ’49 Sakrison; and
brother, Richard ’58.
Robert “Fritz” Fredrickson
’53 on September 28, 2006. His
wife, Mary Ann, survives him.
Maynard F. Beals ’48 on Octo­
ber 31, 2006.
Verna Gail “V.G.” Applegate ’53
Johnson on October 10, 2006.
Survivors include her husband,
Niel ’53.
Audrey Larson ’48 Cumming in
the fall of 2006.
Beverly J. Malmstad ’53 on
December 17, 2006.
Betty L. Mattingly ’48 on Janu­
ary 3, 2007.
Dave Jonsson ’54 on November
24, 2005.
Philip V. Anderson ’49 on
October 2, 2006. Among survi­
vors is his wife, Joan Carlson
’52 Anderson.
Catherine Miller ’56 Howard on
August 14, 2006.
Arlene Sierk ’49 Fields on
September 18, 2006.
Clayton E. Johnston ’49 on
October 2, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Doris (former
secretary to Augustana presi­
dents Dr. Clarence Woodrow
Sorensen and Dr. Thomas Tred­
way); daughter, Cindy Johnston
’71 Teague Frerkes; and sons,
David ‘73 and Thomas ‘84.
Wayne E. Nelson ’49 on
December 17, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Marilyn.
Ruth Zetterholm ’50 McCurdy
on August 7, 2006. Her husband,
Leo, survives her.
John A. Rakus ’50 on Septem­
ber 29, 2006. Among survivors
46 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
are his wife, Leona, and daugh­
ter, Lee Ann Rakus ’74 Wille.
Ronald H. Janetzke ’56 on
September 17, 2006. His wife,
Sidney, survives him.
William R. Johnson ’56 on
January 26, 2007. His wife,
Georgann, survives him.
E.N. “Al” Feltskog ’57 on
December 21, 2006.
Harry J. Franck Jr. ’57 on
September 17, 2006.
James H. Whitefield ’59 on July
6, 2005.
Dorothy Adamson ’60 Johnson
on August 30, 2006.
Gene H. Purvis ’60 on October
29, 2006. Survivors include his
wife, Judith Reents ’60 Purvis.
John M. Almberg ’62 on
October 31, 2006. Among sur­
Maud Larson ’64 Hall on
December 18, 2006. Survivors
include her sister, Katrina
Larson ’68 Dickens.
Kristine Wallin ’65 Ruggles on
October 22, 2006.
G. Thomas Church ’66 on Janu­
ary 14, 2007.
Holly Seger ’66 Roth on July
25, 2006. Her husband, Gunther,
survives her.
Susan Anderson ’68 Nash on
January 17, 2007. Survivors
include her sister, Judith Ander­
son ’67 Weislogel.
Arthur “Chip” Sunderbruch,
husband of Gala Meinders ’69
Sunderbruch, on April 1, 2006.
Carol Quinn, wife of Richard
Quinn ’70, on August 29, 2006.
Paul T. Bahry ’72 on January
18, 2007. Survivors include his
wife, Mary.
David H. DeBaugh ’73 on Janu­
ary 18, 2007. Survivors include
his wife, Jan.
Joline Hein ’73 Hoffman on
December 27, 2006.
Deborah Fenton ’73 Martinez
on December 16, 2006. Her hus­
band, Michael, survives her.
Marlon Shelton, husband of
Elaine Hass ’73 Shelton, on
January 11, 2007.
Leslie M. Hauer ’77 on March
1, 2006.
Betsy Allison ’88 on January
8, 2006.
Elizabeth Stromquist Valentini
’01 on November 29, 2006.
Clint L. Franks ’03 on Decem­
ber 17, 2006.
Alumni connect
Oct. 27, 1 p.m., North Central
(Homecoming)
Aug. 5 • Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
Ravinia (suburban Chicago)
Nov. 3, North Park at Chicago, Ill.
Concert
On to Augie gatherings
Aug. 5 • Caledonia, Ill., Rock Cut
State Park
Aug. 12 • Peoria, Ill., Detweiler Park
Aug. 12 • Hinsdale, Ill., Katherine
Legge Memorial Park
Aug. 12 • Wilmette, Ill., Gillson Park
Sept. 1 • First-Year Move-In Alumni
Volunteer Day, Augustana College
Contact Kelly Noack, assistant director
of alumni relations, at (800) 798-8100
x7474, (309) 794-7474 or kellynoack@
augustana.edu for more details.
On the horizon
Oct. 6-7 • Family Weekend
Oct. 26-28 • Homecoming (reunions
for the classes of 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977,
1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002)
On the field
Football
Sept. 1, 1 p.m., MacMurray
Sept. 8, Baldwin-Wallace at Berea,
Ohio
Sept. 22, 1 p.m., Wisconsin-Platteville
Sept. 29, Illinois Wesleyan at
Bloomington, Ill.
Oct. 6, 1 p.m., Elmhurst (Family
Weekend)
Oct. 13, Wheaton at Wheaton, Ill.
Oct. 20, Carthage at Kenosha, Wis.
Nov. 10, 1 p.m., Millikin
On exhibit
Augustana College Art Museum
Exhibition Augustana College Faculty
Collect Overseas and Adventures in
Photography: A Century of Images in
Archeology and Anthropology from the
Penn Museum • Sept. 1-Oct. 13
Exhibition Who We Are on Paper: Augustana Time Capsule Book, part
of The Year of the Book celebration •
Ongoing exhibit of entries
Keynote speaker Dr. John Buchtel,
curator of rare books at The Johns
Hopkins University, for The Year of the
Book celebration, will consult on books
in an “Antiques Roadshow”-type format
• Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Guest speaker Jodi Folwell, Santa
Clara Pueblo ceramics artist • Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Larson Hall, followed
by Augustana College Art Museum
reception. Sponsored by OlsonBrandelle North American Indian Art
Collection.
Exhibition The Original Prints of John
Bloom, A Local American Treasure •
Oct. 20-Nov. 10
Exhibition Photographs of Beijing by Beijing News Photographers • Dec. 4-Jan. 12 (closed for holiday break
Dec. 21-Jan. 7) • Reception, Dec. 12,
7:30 p.m.
On stage
Augustana Symphony Orchestra • Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
ACT Fall Production • The Taming of
the Shrew, Oct. 26-28 and Nov. 2-4,
Potter Theatre
UNYK Multicultural Dance Ensemble •
Nov. 1, 8 p.m., Wallenberg Hall
Augustana Jazz Ensemble Concert •
Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Three Choirs Concert • Nov. 3, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Jazz Combo Soirée • Nov. 7, 8 p.m.,
Wallenberg Hall
Augustana Choir Fall Concert • Nov. 9,
8 p.m., Location TBA
Augustana Concert Band Concert •
Nov. 10, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Augustana Symphonic Band Concert •
Nov. 10, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Handel Oratorio Society and
Augustana Symphony Orchestra • G.F. Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 14-15, 8 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Augustana Chamber Singers •
Lessons and Carols, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
and 8 p.m., Ascension Chapel
Contact Christiana Altobelli ’96
Conner, manager of performance and
out­reach, at (800) 798-8100 x7833,
(309) 794-7833 or christianaconner@
augustana.edu for more details.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 47
Alumni Calendar
In memoriam
Benedict K. Zobrist ’46
A few days after the April 19th death of Dr. Benedict K. Zobrist ’46, The Kansas City Star newspaper published a letter
from one of his former students at Augustana, which included
this excerpt:
“By January of 1963, I had
survived three professors who
taught history by iterating
mind-numbing dates, facts and
events,” Dr. Douglas Burleigh
’64 wrote. “I anticipated the
same from Dr. Zobrist, a new
addition to the faculty and an
unknown to us students. To our
delight, he began by telling us a story about a fisherman’s
wife, standing in the ‘widow’s
walk,’ searching the horizon for
the return of her seafaring husband. For the rest of that
semester, Dr. Zobrist regaled us with many stories leading us
on a trip to the 1800s.
“Today I read David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin and
other contemporary storytellers of history. But before those
popular historians, there was Ben Zobrist, the best storyteller
of the bunch.”
After earning a degree in history from Augustana, Zobrist
received his master’s and doctorate from Northwestern
University. He held positions at the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C., and the Newberry Library in Chicago in the
1950s. In 1960, he returned to Augustana to teach history and
was later named chair of the history department and an
associate dean. Zobrist was a leader in establishing inter­
national education opportunities at Augustana, including
summer schools in Spain, Germany and Japan.
In 1969, Zobrist joined the staff of the Harry S. Truman
Library in Independence, Mo. He became the Truman Library’s
director in 1971, one year before the death of the nation’s 33rd
president.
Newspaper reports following Zobrist’s death lauded his
extensive—and successful—efforts to acquire and process
Truman’s office papers while he administered the library as a high-profile cultural destination. He retired in 1994.
“Dad’s thought was ‘Let’s tell people who Harry Truman
was,’” says Zobrist’s son, Karl ’71. “He wanted to not only
stimulate traditional research, but also build on the wonderful
personality that Mr. Truman had.”
Zobrist, a recipient of Augustana’s Distinguished Alumni
Award, is survived by his wife of 58 years, Donna Anderson ’48
Zobrist, and their three sons—Karl, Mark, Erik—and their
families. He was 85.
Harold V. Faust ’44 on Decem­
ber 28, 2006. Survivors include
his wife, Louise, and son, Mark
’70.
Helena Cornay ’44 Hult on
August 31, 2006.
Ruth Slattengren, wife of
William Slattengren ’50, on
November 14, 2006.
vivors are his sisters, Barbara
Almberg ’66 Carlson and Beth
Almberg ’71.
Mary Reynolds ’63 Colburn on
January 17, 2007.
John R. Johnson ’45 on March
22, 2006.
Herbert Beuoy ’51 November
6, 2006. His wife, Marie Horvath
’52 Beuoy, survives him.
Bonnie Muhleman ’63 Leatherman on January 19, 2007. Survi­
vors include her husband, Bill.
Veryl Anderson ’45 Johnston
on April 23, 2006.
Joyce M. Carlson ’51 on January
18, 2007.
Helen Bergquist ’45 Soderstrom on September 17, 2006.
Her husband, Ken ’44, survives
her.
Calvin L. Stuhr ’51 on June 7,
2006.
Joan Stein ’64 Brower on
February 19, 2006. Her husband,
Michael, survives her.
Paul E. Beckstrand ’46 on July
22, 2006.
William H. Appier ’47 on August
27, 2006. Survivors include his
wife, Jean Soady ’48 Appier.
Marguerite “Peggy” Dahlberg
’47 Jensen on December 21,
2006. Survivors include her
son, Kurt ’78, and sister, Lois
Dahlberg ’52 Peterson.
Leonard L. Lindstone ’47 on
October 19, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Janice.
Mary Erickson ’48 Anliker on
December 9, 2005.
John O. Taylor ’51 on June 12,
2006. His wife, Estelle, survives
him.
Joan Wells ’51 Younglove on
September 25, 2006.
Kay M. Sturgeon ’52 on Sep­
tember 19, 2006.
William N. Benson ’53 on
November 11, 2006. Among sur­
vivors are his wife, Diane; sister,
Helen Benson ’49 Sakrison; and
brother, Richard ’58.
Robert “Fritz” Fredrickson
’53 on September 28, 2006. His
wife, Mary Ann, survives him.
Maynard F. Beals ’48 on Octo­
ber 31, 2006.
Verna Gail “V.G.” Applegate ’53
Johnson on October 10, 2006.
Survivors include her husband,
Niel ’53.
Audrey Larson ’48 Cumming in
the fall of 2006.
Beverly J. Malmstad ’53 on
December 17, 2006.
Betty L. Mattingly ’48 on Janu­
ary 3, 2007.
Dave Jonsson ’54 on November
24, 2005.
Philip V. Anderson ’49 on
October 2, 2006. Among survi­
vors is his wife, Joan Carlson
’52 Anderson.
Catherine Miller ’56 Howard on
August 14, 2006.
Arlene Sierk ’49 Fields on
September 18, 2006.
Clayton E. Johnston ’49 on
October 2, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Doris (former
secretary to Augustana presi­
dents Dr. Clarence Woodrow
Sorensen and Dr. Thomas Tred­
way); daughter, Cindy Johnston
’71 Teague Frerkes; and sons,
David ‘73 and Thomas ‘84.
Wayne E. Nelson ’49 on
December 17, 2006. Survivors
include his wife, Marilyn.
Ruth Zetterholm ’50 McCurdy
on August 7, 2006. Her husband,
Leo, survives her.
John A. Rakus ’50 on Septem­
ber 29, 2006. Among survivors
46 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
are his wife, Leona, and daugh­
ter, Lee Ann Rakus ’74 Wille.
Ronald H. Janetzke ’56 on
September 17, 2006. His wife,
Sidney, survives him.
William R. Johnson ’56 on
January 26, 2007. His wife,
Georgann, survives him.
E.N. “Al” Feltskog ’57 on
December 21, 2006.
Harry J. Franck Jr. ’57 on
September 17, 2006.
James H. Whitefield ’59 on July
6, 2005.
Dorothy Adamson ’60 Johnson
on August 30, 2006.
Gene H. Purvis ’60 on October
29, 2006. Survivors include his
wife, Judith Reents ’60 Purvis.
John M. Almberg ’62 on
October 31, 2006. Among sur­
Maud Larson ’64 Hall on
December 18, 2006. Survivors
include her sister, Katrina
Larson ’68 Dickens.
Kristine Wallin ’65 Ruggles on
October 22, 2006.
G. Thomas Church ’66 on Janu­
ary 14, 2007.
Holly Seger ’66 Roth on July
25, 2006. Her husband, Gunther,
survives her.
Susan Anderson ’68 Nash on
January 17, 2007. Survivors
include her sister, Judith Ander­
son ’67 Weislogel.
Arthur “Chip” Sunderbruch,
husband of Gala Meinders ’69
Sunderbruch, on April 1, 2006.
Carol Quinn, wife of Richard
Quinn ’70, on August 29, 2006.
Paul T. Bahry ’72 on January
18, 2007. Survivors include his
wife, Mary.
David H. DeBaugh ’73 on Janu­
ary 18, 2007. Survivors include
his wife, Jan.
Joline Hein ’73 Hoffman on
December 27, 2006.
Deborah Fenton ’73 Martinez
on December 16, 2006. Her hus­
band, Michael, survives her.
Marlon Shelton, husband of
Elaine Hass ’73 Shelton, on
January 11, 2007.
Leslie M. Hauer ’77 on March
1, 2006.
Betsy Allison ’88 on January
8, 2006.
Elizabeth Stromquist Valentini
’01 on November 29, 2006.
Clint L. Franks ’03 on Decem­
ber 17, 2006.
Alumni connect
Oct. 27, 1 p.m., North Central
(Homecoming)
Aug. 5 • Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
Ravinia (suburban Chicago)
Nov. 3, North Park at Chicago, Ill.
Concert
On to Augie gatherings
Aug. 5 • Caledonia, Ill., Rock Cut
State Park
Aug. 12 • Peoria, Ill., Detweiler Park
Aug. 12 • Hinsdale, Ill., Katherine
Legge Memorial Park
Aug. 12 • Wilmette, Ill., Gillson Park
Sept. 1 • First-Year Move-In Alumni
Volunteer Day, Augustana College
Contact Kelly Noack, assistant director
of alumni relations, at (800) 798-8100
x7474, (309) 794-7474 or kellynoack@
augustana.edu for more details.
On the horizon
Oct. 6-7 • Family Weekend
Oct. 26-28 • Homecoming (reunions
for the classes of 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977,
1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002)
On the field
Football
Sept. 1, 1 p.m., MacMurray
Sept. 8, Baldwin-Wallace at Berea,
Ohio
Sept. 22, 1 p.m., Wisconsin-Platteville
Sept. 29, Illinois Wesleyan at
Bloomington, Ill.
Oct. 6, 1 p.m., Elmhurst (Family
Weekend)
Oct. 13, Wheaton at Wheaton, Ill.
Oct. 20, Carthage at Kenosha, Wis.
Nov. 10, 1 p.m., Millikin
On exhibit
Augustana College Art Museum
Exhibition Augustana College Faculty
Collect Overseas and Adventures in
Photography: A Century of Images in
Archeology and Anthropology from the
Penn Museum • Sept. 1-Oct. 13
Exhibition Who We Are on Paper: Augustana Time Capsule Book, part
of The Year of the Book celebration •
Ongoing exhibit of entries
Keynote speaker Dr. John Buchtel,
curator of rare books at The Johns
Hopkins University, for The Year of the
Book celebration, will consult on books
in an “Antiques Roadshow”-type format
• Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Guest speaker Jodi Folwell, Santa
Clara Pueblo ceramics artist • Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Larson Hall, followed
by Augustana College Art Museum
reception. Sponsored by OlsonBrandelle North American Indian Art
Collection.
Exhibition The Original Prints of John
Bloom, A Local American Treasure •
Oct. 20-Nov. 10
Exhibition Photographs of Beijing by Beijing News Photographers • Dec. 4-Jan. 12 (closed for holiday break
Dec. 21-Jan. 7) • Reception, Dec. 12,
7:30 p.m.
On stage
Augustana Symphony Orchestra • Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
ACT Fall Production • The Taming of
the Shrew, Oct. 26-28 and Nov. 2-4,
Potter Theatre
UNYK Multicultural Dance Ensemble •
Nov. 1, 8 p.m., Wallenberg Hall
Augustana Jazz Ensemble Concert •
Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Three Choirs Concert • Nov. 3, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Jazz Combo Soirée • Nov. 7, 8 p.m.,
Wallenberg Hall
Augustana Choir Fall Concert • Nov. 9,
8 p.m., Location TBA
Augustana Concert Band Concert •
Nov. 10, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Augustana Symphonic Band Concert •
Nov. 10, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall
Handel Oratorio Society and
Augustana Symphony Orchestra • G.F. Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 14-15, 8 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Augustana Chamber Singers •
Lessons and Carols, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
and 8 p.m., Ascension Chapel
Contact Christiana Altobelli ’96
Conner, manager of performance and
out­reach, at (800) 798-8100 x7833,
(309) 794-7833 or christianaconner@
augustana.edu for more details.
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 47
Final Shot
‘What a sight’
Ashley Biess ’09 captured top honors with her photo, “What
a sight,” in a contest sponsored by the Daily Herald, a
suburban Chicago newspaper headquartered in Arlington
Heights, Ill. The photo was
taken on a fall morning during
her first term at Augustana.
“The campus was so beautiful
that I decided to take a walk
early one morning while most
people were sleeping or in their
first class,” she remembers. “I
had always noticed the path
that goes around the opposite
side of the slough, but never
knew where it led. I decided to
find out, and good thing I did!”
The Daily Herald’s photography staff appreciated her
photo’s excellent composition—how the stairs in the fore­
ground lead the viewer into the leaves—and the fall
splendor. Nothing in the photo detracts from the overall
effect.
Another Biess photo, “You’ll breathe again,” won third
place in the contest. The image shows a child inside on a rainy day. Contest judges noted how the subtle colors and use of soft light from the window enhance the photo’s quality.
Biess, a member of the Augustana Photo Bureau, has
been studying photography and honing her craft since her
third-grade teacher organized an after-school photography
club.
“Growing up, I’ve worked with some amazing art teachers
who taught me how to see the world, and not just look at
it,” says Biess, a business major with a double minor in
art and music. “Working with Photo Bureau this year has
allowed me to learn more of the technical aspects needed
to become a better photographer.”
Biess’ two photos were selected from more than 100 entries.
48 Augustana Magazine | Summer 2007
Summer 2007 | Augustana Magazine 49