Restoring a Landmark... - Wayne State College

In This Issue510143 President’s Message4-5 Winter Commencement6 From Sri Lanka to WSC7 Planetarium Renovation10-11 Around Campus12-13 Willow Bowl Restoration14-16 Wildcat Athletics17-23 Alumni Notes18 - Reunions21 - Dakota Dunes Wildcat Golf20 - Jonna Huseman ‘0722 - Dr. John Schneider ‘73Wayne State Magazine ispublished semiannually foralumni and friends ofWayne State College.The magazine is funded bythe Wayne State Foundation.Comments and letters shouldbe mailed to:Wayne State Foundation,Wayne State College,1111 Main Street,Wayne, Nebraska 68787AdministrationCurt FryeInterim PresidentDr. Robert McCueVice President for Academic AffairsDr. Jeff CarstensVice President and Dean of Student LifePhyllis Conner - 402-375-7543Vice President for Developmentand Executive Directorof the Wayne State FoundationJean DaleInterim Vice Presidentfor Administration and FinanceWayne State Foundation StaffDeb Lundahl - 402-375-7209Director of Development and Alumni RelationsKevin Armstrong - 402-375-7534Director of Planned GivingBrian Lentz - 402-375-7559Accountant and Assistant DirectorCarol Stephens - 402-375-7510Foundation Office AssistantCathleen Hansen - 402-375-7526Alumni Office AssistantLori BebeeOffice AssistantEditorial StaffJay CollierDirector of College RelationsTrudy MuirGraphic Design ArtistAngie NordhuesWriter, PhotographerLois BrunnertMedia Assistant2

Campus NotesPhyllis Conner, vice president and executive director of the Wayne State Foundation, Carole Petersen, Dr. Dwain Petersen, and Curt Frye,interim president of Wayne State College.Carole and Dwain Petersen Receive Alumni Achievement AwardCarole and Dwain Petersen were therecipients of the Wayne State FoundationAlumni Achievement Award at the Decembercommencement ceremony. Interim PresidentCurt Frye and Phyllis Conner, vice presidentand executive director of the Wayne StateFoundation, presented the award to thePetersens.Dwain received a Wayne State ServiceAward and graduated cum laude with one ofthe college’s first bachelor of music educationdegrees in 1955. Carole completed herteaching credential at Wayne State in 1954and started her teaching career in nearbyPierce. Dwain and Carole were married in1955. They accepted teaching positions inTilden, Neb., where Carole was a first-gradeteacher and Dwain was band director and ledthe boys’ glee club.He joined the Naval Reserve in 1952.Upon receiving his draft notice in 1956,Dwain and Carole moved to Newport, R.I.,where he was commissioned an ensign in theNavy. After aviation training at Jacksonville,Florida Naval Air Station (NAS) andelectronics education at Glenview, Illinois4NAS, they transferred to Barbers Point,Territory of Hawaii NAS in 1957. Dwainserved for two and a half years on the DistantEarly Warning barrier, flying 100 14-hourmissions between Midway Island and Adak,Alaska NAS. Upon release from active dutyhe remained in the Naval Reserve as an airintelligence officer, serving 28 years andattaining the rank of commander.Dwain earned a doctorate at theUniversity of Nebraska in educationalpsychology. The family of five movedto Mankato, Minn., in 1964, where hebecame an assistant professor at MankatoState University. He served as director ofinstitutional research, director of the Centerfor Cultural and Behavioral Education,professor and president of the faculty,retiring in 1997. Carole completed herbachelor’s degree in 1974 and master’sdegree in 1979 in sociology at Mankato.She served as assistant director of theInternational Student Office at Mankato for20 years.Dwain and Carole have providedleadership and service to the Boy Scouts ofAmerica as den mother, den leader coach,Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and president of theTwin Valley Council. Carole also workedwith 4-H. Twenty-three Eagle Scouts werenurtured by their devotion.Carole and Dwain have been activein Kiwanis International for 42 and 20years respectively at the local, regionaland international level. They have servedas presidents, lieutenant governor andadministrators of Aktion Clubs fordevelopmentally delayed adults. Theyspearheaded acceptance of women as fullmembers of Kiwanis International.Carole and Dwain have served theUnited Methodist Church at state, regionaland world levels. They have been on threemission trips in the Caribbean assisting inrepairing damage from hurricanes. They haveassisted Dr. Ron Holt, a 1989 WSC graduate,with his work on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexualand Transgender issues at WSC. They havefunded endowed scholarships at WSC formusic education students and at MSU. ThePetersens have been trustees of the WayneState Foundation since 2005.

Wayne State College held winter commencement Dec. 17 in Rice Auditorium. A total of 236 degrees -45 masters and 191 bachelors - were conferred by Interim President Curt Frye.Skylar Osovski, daughter of Ronald and JoAnn Osovski of Nebraska City, Neb., was one of two studentswho delivered the commencement address. She majored in mass communication/journalism.Osovski’s activities at Wayne State included intramurals, Minorities in Accordance Coming Together, andmembership in Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society.While at Wayne State she served as editor in chief, photographer, copy editor, campus classifieds editorand sports editor of The Wayne Stater student newspaper; sports director and on-air personality for KWSC-FM Wayne 91.9 The Cat; assistant news editor for the Norfolk Daily News; sports and news reporter forWayne Radio stations KCTY 104.9FM and KTCH-AM 1590; news and sports writer for the NortheastNebraska News Company, which includes the Cedar County News, Coleridge Blade, Laurel Advocate,Osmond Republican, Randolph Times and Wausa Gazette; and staff writer for GateHouse Media underthe Hamburg Reporter, Nebraska City News-Press andSyracuse Journal-Democrat.Osovski earned multiple awards for her work withstudent media, including several Nebraska Collegiate MediaAssociation Golden Leaf Awards, most notably Newspaperof the Year for The Wayne Stater and Station of the Yearfor 91.9 The Cat. Individually, she took first place for BestSports Story, Newspaper Series, Remote Broadcast andPublic Service Announcement Series.Her career plans include continuing to work in themedia with the Norfolk Daily News.Brandy LaRae Hartman, daughter of Jim and Bonnie Hartman of Grand Island,Neb., delivered the invocation. She majored in speech communication with aminor in mass media communications.Hartman is originally from Milbank, S.D., and graduated from Milbank HighSchool in 2003. She graduated from Northeast Community College in Norfolk withan associate degree in music business in May 2009, and transferred to Wayne StateCollege in fall 2009. While at Wayne State she worked as a deejay on 91.9 The Catradio station and anchored for the college television station.Hartman plans to work in promotions for concerts and other entertainment.The truth is that we are at our best when we are involved — when“we were reaching out to the community, surrounding areas and evento other parts of the world. When we were attending classes, meetingsand events. When we were cheering on the Wildcats proudly whilewearing the beloved black and gold. And even when we were trudgingthrough eight feet of snow and battling the treacherous 35 mile-anhourwind between Bowen Hall and the Student Center.”Jessica Micheal Wimmer, daughter of Mark and Melissa Wimmer of Norfolk, Neb., was one of two studentswho delivered the commencement address to fellow graduates. She majored in biology and minored inenvironmental studies.Wimmer served as the vice president of the college’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, vice president of theBiology Club and president of the Wildlife Club in 2009-10. She was a member of the Wayne State HonorsProgram and the Cardinal Key Women’s National Honor Society.She was employed through a National Science Foundation grant to do research with Dr. Barbara Hayford,Wayne State associate professor of Life Sciences, in Mongolia during the summers of 2009 and 2010. She alsoserved as a research assistant for the Museum of Natural History at Wayne State College from September 2008to May 2010.Wimmer has presented findings of her research at the Nebraska Pine Ridge and Mongolia at meetings ofthe Nebraska Wildlife Society, the North American Benthological Society in New Mexico, and for her honor’sresearch and senior research projects.Her plans include obtaining a master’s degree at the University of Kansas and her Ph.D. in aquatic ecology.We developed a strong passion for learning and working hard. Some of our strong interests allowed us to be taken“under wing by our professors. For example, last summer I was given the chance to travel to Mongolia to participatein research with high ranking scientists from all over the world. I was able to work with scientists from ClemsonUniversity, Brigham Young University, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Museum of Natural History. Inaddition to learning about aquatic ecosystems, I was able to learn about the Mongolian culture and the strength oftheir people. Our institution is dedicated to learning about other cultures and the importance of making connectionsand ties with people around the world.”Wayne State Magazine 5

Campus NotesSri LankanFamily atHome withWSC FamilyDulanjalee,Anjalee andAsandhiSeneviratne.“The faculty and staffat Wayne State Collegeare amazing. Theybecame family to us.”It feels great, however it is bittersweet as wereturn to Sri Lanka and will miss Wayne StateCollege and the people here.’’Dulanjalee graduated in 2009 with abachelor’s degree in English writing andliterature. She taught Elementary Sinhalese asan adjunct professor at Wayne State College.Her writing was featured in a column forthe college newspaper, The Wayne Stater.She did her Optional Practical Training andwas able to work a year on campus as aninternational student. She credited Dr. AlanBruflat for helping to make her teachingassignment on campus a reality.“I am glad that Dr. Bruflat and otherprofessors on campus had that much trustin me to allow me to teach with them,”Dulanjalee said. “We could just walk into anyprofessor’s office at Wayne State College andtalk to them for help. They would also askus in class to talk about our country and ourexperiences. They integrated our lives intoclasses.’’Dulanjalee credited RonVick Sr. of Wayne StateCollege with helping themwith classes and collegelife.When Anjalee Seneviratne, 20,graduated from Wayne State in December,she joined her mother, Asandhi, 55, and hersister, Dulanjalee, 24, in wearing the yellowsash bearing the colors of Sri Lanka’s flag.“I plan to follow in my mother’sfootsteps to become a lawyer after graduateschool,’’ Anjalee said.”My mother is myrole model. She inspires everything Ido. My sister is my tutor. I have alwaysfollowed her example as well.”Anjalee earned a computer informationsystems/web analyst bachelor’s degree withhonorable mention honors at the Dec. 17ceremony in Rice Auditorium.Her mother, Asandhi, graduated fromWayne State College with a master’s degreein education and worked with childrenat Rainbow World preschool in Wayneafter doing her clinical work at the KiddieCollege on campus, even though she wasalready an attorney in Sri Lanka. She startedher program in 2008 and finished in May.6She said she was inspired by Ron VickSr., international student advisor at thecounseling center, to stay at Wayne StateCollege for her master’s degree.“It was a great success with helpfrom my professors. Wayne State Collegewas like home to me,” Asandhi said. “Wehave become so accustomed to the placethat we will miss it. I am so proud of bothmy daughters. I want them to do theirbest. I have hoped that they realize thisis a sacrifice, even though it has been anadventure.”Anjalee and Dulanjalee said theirexperience at Wayne State College hasbecome about personal relationships.“The faculty and staff at Wayne StateCollege are amazing,” Anjalee said.“They became family to us. Theywould notice our accents were different andask if they could help. They wanted to knowabout us, our country and our culture. I’mglad to graduate in three and a half years.“RonVickand KarenGranberg from theWayne State Collegecounseling office werelike family,” Anjaleesaid. “Getting to knowpeople at Wayne StateCollege is very easy. Youdon’t think of your professorsas advisors, rather you think ofthem as a personal friend.”“Although we had different instructors,our professors became like family to us,”Dulanjalee said. “Career Services was veryhelpful. They helped me look at graduateschools and career opportunities.”The Seneviratne family traveled togetheras a family until Dulanjalee was 5 when theysettled in Sri Lanka. Her father, Dushmantha,55, was a sea captain employed in themerchant navy. After commencement, thefamily returned to Kandy, Sri Lanka.

An Inner Space for Outer SpaceIt was a disaster that has evolved into adream-come-true for planetarium directorDr. Todd Young.A renovation mishap caused flooding inpart of the Carhart Science building in 2009.As a result, the Fred G. Dale planetarium wasseverely damaged and closed that Decemberfor renovations. Less than one year later,in early October, the planetarium wasreopened to showcase the new high-definitionprojection system that increases the wowfactor on the educational and entertainingshows. Theatre-style seating was installed toenhance the viewing experience.Young, a professor of physics andastronomy at Wayne State, is also lookingforward to the Layered Earth software hewill get this year. It projects the earth on thedome and cuts the planet in half, allowingthe audience to explore some of the planet’sinner features, such as volcanoes.Adding to the atmosphere, 2010 graduateRich (Bo) Bohacek spent a few months thispast summer planning and airbrushing amural and other art in the planetarium, lobbyarea and stairwell. He incorporated Young’sideas of space and silhouettes for the mural,a solar system in the dome room where theshows take place and a Walt Whitman poemabout an astronomer.“I just took some photos, worked offthose and did some drawings of kind of whatI wanted to do and then also made a littlescale model of the stairway. I just brought itover and showed it to them, and they’re like,‘this is awesome,’” Bohacek said.In the lobby area, the elevator’s locationand the stainless steel accents made Bohacekfeel like he was in a space station. He paintedscenes on either side of the elevator to implylooking back at the earth and the moonthrough windows, and on the opposite wallhe painted a plaque that looked like a raisedglass panel where the poem was etched.“It’s kind of an honor to be able to paint,especially at the college you go to,” Bohaceksaid. “There’s a certain level of pride thatI feel out of being able to give back, eventhough I was hired to do it. And it leavessomething behind, which not everybody getsto do when they graduate college.”Bohacek, a December 2010 graduate,is trying to start his own business and earn aliving doing projects such as this. Samplesof his work can be found on his Web site,bohacekarts.com.Dr. Todd YoungYoung has even more plans for thespace, possibly including more murals. Heis working on outreach opportunities such asan astronomy camp and afterschool activitiesfor local elementary, middle school and highschool students. He also hopes to offer morefull-dome shows in the future; however, theycost about $3,000 to $8,000 per show, whichis why donations are always appreciated.There are several shows availablethroughout the school year. Although planscould change, Young has not currentlyscheduled any public shows for this summer.He will still book special private showings.A description of each upcoming show can befound at wsc.edu/planetarium.Rich (Bo) Bohacek ‘10Wayne State Magazine 7

Faculty NotesJoe Blankenau, professor of politics, is aco-author of the journal article “Therole of Tribal Experiences in ShapingNative American Health” published inSocial Work in Public Health, 25:423-437 (2010). The article was co-authoredby Joseph Nitzke from WSC’s SocialSciences Research Center, John Comerfrom the University of Nebraska-Lincolnand Wehnona Stabler, Pawhuska I.H.S.Health Center.John Fuelberth, retired professor, and Athula Gunarwardenaand C. David Shaffer, former WSC professors, authored “Onincidence structures of nonsingular points and hyperbolic linesof ovoids in finite orthogonal spaces”, in Designs, Codes andCryptography, Volume 57, 15-33 (2010).Barbara Hayford, associate professor of life sciences,presented a paper, “The Relationship between Grazing andErosion and Adult Aquatic Insect Metrics in Streams inOuter Mongolia” at the 2010 annual meeting of the NorthAmerican Benthological Society (held jointly this year withthe American Society of Limnology and Oceanography) June6-10 in Sante Fe. Hayford’s presentation abstract will bepublished in the meeting’s proceedings and has been publishedin the Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences. Hayfordalso published a paper titled “High gamma diversity and lowbeta diversity of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae)in streams of the Gorkhi Terelj Park, Outer Mongolia” inthe Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences ofPhiladelphia in 2010. Hayford took WSC student BrentHerdlicka to Mongolia to do field research on stream ecologyduring July. Brent is the fourth WSC student to accompanyHayford to Mongolia. Each of the four students participatedin National Science Foundation funded original ecologicalfield research with an international team of scientists. JessicaWimmer, who went to Mongolia with Hayford in 2009, hasgiven three presentations based on research associated withthe Mongolia stream project, including one she gave to aninternational group of scientists.Don Hickey, professor of history, publishedhis sixth book, The War of 1812 in theChesapeake: A Reference Guide toHistoric Sites in Maryland, Virginia, andthe District of Columbia. Co-authoredwith Ralph Eshelman and Scott Sheads,this work is part of Johns Hopkins’Books on the War of 1812, for whichHickey serves as series editor. He hasanother book coming out in this series:The Rockets’ Red Glare: An IllustratedHistory of the War of 1812, which Hickeyco-authored with his wife, Connie D. Clark, and is now inpress. He also delivered a paper, “The Pro-War Riots in theSummer of 1812,” at the annual War of 1812 Symposium onOct. 2 in Baltimore."Convergence", 2010. Stainless steel and aluminum. 9' x 12' x 3'.Steve Elliott, associate professor of art and chair of theart department, completed a sculpture for the mainentry of the new Majestic Theatre in Wayne. The piece,commissioned by the city of Wayne, hangs from theceiling of the lobby of the theater. Elliott’s works havebeen exhibited in 2010 at the McCutchan Art Center, inEvansville, Ind.; the 22 nd Annual Outdoor DowntownSculpture Exhibition, Lawrence, Kan.; the 2010-2011Sculpt Siouxland Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, SiouxCity, Iowa; the 14th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition,Washburn University, Topeka, Kan.; and the FacultyExhibition, Nordstrand Visual Arts Gallery, Wayne.Kris Hinnerichs, assistant professor, and Tammy Evetovich,professor and chair of the Health, Human Performanceand Sport department, co-authored a chapter titled “ClientConsultation and Health Appraisal” in the textbook NSCA’sEssentials of Personal Training, 2nd edition. They have alsobeen invited to co-author another chapter in the next editionof the textbook Conditioning for Strength and HumanPerformance. The chapter is titled “Training Considerationsfor Females”.Ronald Lofgren, associate professor of music, was invited inlate August to become the District 2 West Representativeto the Board of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association,a state affiliate member of the American Choral DirectorsAssociation. Lofgren self-published editions of music byJacques Moderne, Claudin de Sermisy, Johann Pezel, HenryPurcell, Gottfried Reiche, Christopher Tye, John Wilbye,Giovanni Gastoldi, and an anonymous composer activeat the time of Henry VIII. Lofgren edited or arranged themusic for recorder consort. Some of it was heard at theMadrigal Dinners in December and other pieces will beperformed at the “Musica antiqua et nova” concert thisspring.8

Max McElwain, associate professor in theDepartment of Communication Arts,is teaching on sabbatical in 2010-2011at Jishou University in China’s HunanProvince. His book, Songs from OurSummer, was published by Wayne StateCollege Press in fall 2010.Marlene Mueller, professor of art, will have her charcoal drawing“Frenzy” included in the July edition of the distinguisheddrawing textbook, Drawing/Space, Form and Expression. Thebook, published by Prentice-Hall/Pearson Education, is usedprimarily to supplement the classroom teaching of foundationdrawing in American colleges, universities and art schools.John Paxton, professor of business and economics, presented apaper to the Nebraska Economics and Business Association’sannual meeting Oct. 22 in Kearney. The paper, “Mr. Taylor,Mr. Ford, and the Advent of High-volume Mass Production”,concerned the interaction of the contributions of twomanagement legends, Frederick Taylor and Henry Ford, andhow their contributions led to modern mass production. Thepaper was published in the association’s proceedings.Catherine Rudin, professor of languages and linguistics, waselected to a three-year term on the board of the internationalSociety for Slavic Linguistics at the annual meeting of thesociety held Oct. 28-31 in Chicago. Rudin will deliver the14th annual Kenneth E. Naylor Memorial Lecture in Balkanlinguistics at the Ohio State University, April 15. She was oneof four translators of the book Bai Ganyo: Tales of a ModernBulgarian, published by University of Wisconsin Press in April2010. Bai Ganyo is a classic of Bulgarian literature, written in the1990s by Aleko Konstantinov, and beloved for its satirical humor.The translation received the Bulgarian Studies Association’s JohnBell prize for best work in Bulgarian Studies for 2010.Current and former Wayne State College faculty RobertSweetland, Timothy Sharer, James Curtiss, Paul Theobald,and Christopher Sweetland, partner and executive producerof digitalmilk.tv, are involved in a new venture calledPubliusReawakened.org. This organization and its Web sitewere formed to promote the ideas of Alexander Hamilton,James Madison, and John Jay, who utilized the pseudonymPublius in their newspaper editorials, thus the phrase PubliusReawakened. Publius Reawakened.org is based on the visionof reinvigorating American democracy by restoring the publicpurpose of education, by inserting a political dimension into thelives of all Americans, and by elevating, to the point of habit, asophisticated consumer ethic. The impetus for this organizationwas drawn from Paul Theobald’s newest book EducationNow: How Rethinking America’s Past Can Change Its Futurepublished in 2009 by Paradigm Publishers. Theobald states “Theinterrelated nature of the assumptions that feed our political,economic, and educational theories means that we can’t seek tochange one realm and ignore the others.”Joseph Weixelman, assistant professor of history, moderateda panel on “Indigenous Historian Activism” at the annualconference of the Western History Association held Oct.13-17 at Lake Tahoe; presented “Building a Car, Building aNeighborhood, Building a Man: (De)constructing Gran Torino”at a conference called “Clint Eastwood: Monument of AmericanCinema” held July 22-23 at the University of Queensland inBrisbane, Australia; and presented “Potential vs. Pathologyin Young Frankenstein” on Nov. 5, at the Midwest ModernLanguage Association›s annual convention in Chicago.Ron Loggins, assistant professorof biology, took a WSCadvanced zoology class toFlorida this past summer.Seven students from Nebraskaspent two weeks on the gulfcoast near Panama City, Fla.,conducting beach mousesurveys (an endangeredmammal), aquatic invertebratesurveys, identifying coastalbirds, and enjoying theplentiful sunshine.Students learn about aquaticdiversity in St. Joseph Baynear Panama City, Fla.Wayne State Magazine 9

Around CampusWSC Hosts National Geographic Map of AsiaExplorers young and old walked across Asia without leaving WayneNov. 16. The campus and community were invited to experience thelargest map of the continent ever produced by National Geographic.The highly accurate and detailed floor map was designed as a giantgame board to introduce students to the diverse geography of Asia.“These maps teach geography in a way that nothing else does. It isa physical as well as mental experience,” said Dr. Randy Bertolas,professor of geography at Wayne State College and coordinator of theGeographic Educators of Nebraska. The brightly colored, smooth vinylsurface accurately illustrates Asia’s oceans, seas, rivers, mountains,countries and capitals.Prominent Painter Conducts Workshops at WSCNoted painter Frederick J. Brown served as an artist in residenceNov. 8-12 at Wayne State. Brown has been a passionatelyexpressive painter for more than 30 years, focusing on payingtribute to jazz musician icons such as Louis Armstrong and BillieHoliday. Brown conducted workshops in painting, drawing,watercolor and mixed media. He was hosted by the WSC StudentChapter of the National Art Education Association and theDepartment of Art and Design. The Wayne State art collectionincludes several art works by Brown. These works are onpermanent display in the Peterson Fine Arts Building.Wayne State Teacher Education Programs ReaccreditedWayne State College’s School of Education and Counselingcontinues to prove its commitment to producing qualityeducation professionals for our nation’s children by achievingrenewal of national accreditation under the performance-orientedstandards of the National Council for Accreditation of TeacherEducation (NCATE). “NCATE accreditation renewal providesassurance to constituents, candidates, and future students thatWayne State College’s traditionally strong programs meetthe most rigorous and current standards for the preparation ofeducational professionals,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor, Dean of theSchool of Education and Counseling.WSC student Katie Kasl, an intern for the College Relationsoffice, designed the poster for Frederick Brown's residence atWayne State. Kasl met with Brown and WSC Professor of ArtPearl Hansen to discuss her design.South Sioux City College Center ConstructionWork continues to progress at the College Center inSouth Sioux City. The project is a collaborative effort ofWayne State College and Northeast Community College.The center provides an opportunity for students to earnassociates and baccalaureate degrees without having torelocate or commute to the Wayne or Norfolk campuses.Customized training for businesses and industry, continuingeducation, licensing programs, and career and technicaltraining will also be available at the College Center. Thecenter is located along Highway 77 near Wal-Mart, and isslated to open in the spring of 2011.10

15 th Annual Turkey DropThe Wayne State radio station, 91.9 The Cat, held its 15thAnnual Turkey Drop on Nov. 17. The turkeys were basicallyanything as long as dropping the item from the third floor ofPile Hall was environmentally friendly. Categories includedBest Dressed, Biggest Splat, Sharp Shooter, and Longest HangTime. The event was based on an episode of the hit televisionseries WKRP in Cincinnati, noted Dr. Mike Marek, advisor to thestudent radio station. In the episode, the radio station drops liveturkeys out of a helicopter as part of a promotion, not realizingthat turkeys don’t fly well. When the campus radio station wasoriginally looking for a special event to celebrate Thanksgiving,a turkey drop seemed like a logical choice, as long as no realturkeys are harmed. Each group or individual entering the dropwas required to donate one can of food for the local food pantry.Winners in each category receive a trophy and a turkey pot pie.Winter WonderlandStudent Activities Board,Residence Life and theResidence Hall Associationsponsored the annual WinterWonderland event held Dec.2 in the Student Center. Thefestivities included caroling,Mr. and Mrs. Claus, horsedrawnsleigh rides, and games.Earn yourMBA ONLINE!Wayne State’s 30-credit-hour program incorporates training, assignments, reports,presentations, and group projects, all of which give students the necessary abilitiesto handle real-life business situations. The alliances and networks formed withclassmates are also an important part of the MBA program experience.• Ranked No. 1 nationwide for affordability by GetEducated.com• Students with multiple commitments can make steady progress toward their degree• Fully online program, no face-to-face classes to attend, can be completed in two years• Accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)• Top 10% - graduates score in the top 10% of a national test for MBA students.• MBA faculty have doctoral degrees, many years of teaching, relevant work experienceand professional certificationsContact theSchool of Business and Technology1-800-228-9972, ext. 7587 or (402) 375-7587www.wsc.edu/MBAWayne State Magazine 11

Campus NotesThe Willow Bowl: Heart and Soul of WSCMore than 70 years ago, then President Dr. J.T. Anderson, 1935-1946, with the aid of a Works in Progress Act (WPA) grant, launchedthe plan to create the Willow Bowl on the campus of Wayne State College. The Willow Bowl, completed in 1938, evolved from what wasoriginally a campus lake completed in 1922, which for two years allowed Wayne State students to ice skate in the winter and swim in thesummer. Later, a cracked cement base ended these student activities and a mess was left behind.The Willow Bowl was constructed using the broken cement from the pond and mortar to form the stage and seating of the amphitheatre.From this modest beginning, the Willow Bowl became not just a landscape feature on campus, but according to alumni, a place central to theirhearts and minds. It is an icon, a representation of the college that is unique and special.Alumni frequently share stories about the Willow Bowl: spring commencement, marriage proposals, a rendezvous with someone or justenjoying its beauty. It is one of the reasons Wayne State College was named most beautiful campus in North Central United States.A Campaign to Restore the Willow BowlFrom a distance the Willow Bowl retains its unique beauty. A closer look, though, reveals crumbling concrete, missing stones, a crackingand leaning stage wall, and uneven and loose stairs. The firm of Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects was retained by the college to develop aplan to restore the Willow Bowl. The plan is to reconstruct it for an 80 to 100 year fix using limestone and current technology to meet thefollowing goals.• Maintain original configuration• Improve existing utilities• Correct the freeze/thaw deterioration• Fully stabilize the stage wall• Address handicap accessibility12

The people, the places,and the memoriesthat you treasureall in a speciallimited-edition book.Alumnus Irv Hoffbauer ’51 provided funds to hire the architect to develop thereconstruction plan. It will take the full support of Wayne State College alumni tocome together to ensure the continued existence of our beloved Willow Bowl.If we can secure the funds needed to reconstruct the Willow Bowl by May 2011,the work can begin in June 2011 and be completed by April 2012, just in time forspring commencement.Additional information can be found on the Wayne StateFoundation Web site: http://www.wsc.edu/foundation/You may contact the foundation for more informationat (402) 375-7510 and speak withPhyllis Conner, vice president for development andexecutive director of the Wayne State Foundation;Brian Lentz, assistant director and accountant;Deb Lundahl, director of development and alumni relations;or Kevin Armstrong, director of planned giving.Through your support, the Wayne State Foundation has been a strategicpartner in the growth and development of Wayne State College.Visit www.wsc.edu/centennial_book/ foran online preview of Far From Normal. Thisbeautiful, commemorative pictorial history ofWayne State College’s first 100 years will becherished by alumni and friends for yearsto come.Wayne State College is far from normal in somany ways. From its humble beginnings as anormal school to the dynamic college it is today,the passion of its people has been the secretof its success. As Wayne State College marksits centennial this year, it is a special time toremember, to commemorate and to celebrate.The Wayne State Foundation has publisheda unique limited-edition hardcover pictorialhistory book, richly illustrated with more than200 photos. Alumni and friends of Wayne StateCollege will want to own Far from Normal. Thisspecial volume captures in words and picturesthe students, faculty, alumni, buildings,community and spirit of WSC.To order contact Carol Stephensat 402-375-7510 ore-mail her at casteph1@wsc.eduWayne State Magazine 13

Wildcat AthleticsSoccer Coach Molly Grisham Named Coach of the YearThe 2010 Wayne State College women’s soccer team had a winning record for the first time since2005, going 8-5-5 overall and 4-5-5 in the Northern Sun Conference, finishing one point shy of advancingto the NSIC Tournament. The Wildcats doubled their win total from 2009 and continued to make hugeimprovements under second year head coach Molly Grisham, who was namedthe 2010 NSIC Coach of the Year.The Wildcats finished the 2010 season strong, winning four of their lastsix contests while going unbeaten in the final four games of the year. WSCscored 13 more goals this season compared to last and allowed 23 fewergoals, lowering the team’s goals against average from 2.32 to 1.26. One of thehighlight wins for the Wildcats during the season was beating NSIC leaderBemidji State 2-1 on Oct. 16 in Wayne.WSC had two players selected to the 2010 NSIC All-Conference women’ssoccer team. Senior forward Megan Dias received Second Team All-NorthernSun Conference honors after leading the Wildcats in scoring with 10 goals and3 assists (23 points). She ranked second in the NSIC in points scored and tied14for second in goals scored. Christy Johnson, a 5-6 junior defender, was selectedNSIC honorable mention for the Wildcats.Dias became just the second player in school history to be named All-Region as the senior fromCoach GrishamRiverside, Calif., was named to the 2010 NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) All-Central Region Third Team, joining Melissa Benson (First Team All-Region in 2005 and Second TeamAll-Region in 2006) as the only other Wildcat soccer player to receive All-Region honors.Another milestone achieved by the Wildcat women’s soccer team occurred off the field as WSCreceived the 2010 NSCAA Team Academic Award with a cumulative team grade point average of 3.22.It’s the first time the Wildcat women’s soccer team has received the academic team award.Cross Country Hosts Conference andNCAA Central Regional ChampionshipsThe Wayne State College cross country teams competed in six meetsduring the fall 2010 season. The highlights of the season were hosting theNorthern Sun Conference Championships on Nov. 6 and the NCAA CentralRegional Championships on Nov. 20. It was the second straight year andfourth time in the past eight years that WSC has hosted the NCAA RegionalChampionships.The Wildcat women’s team had a season-high third-place finish at theseason-opening Concordia Invitational in Seward. WSC finished ninth at theNorthern Sun Conference Championships and 18th out of 24 teams at theCentral Regional Meet two weeks later. Sophomore Ky’Lee Engelken wasthe top runner for much of the season for WSC until suffering an injury latein the season. Senior Meghan Schneider was the top Wildcat finisher at theNCAA Central Regional Championships, placing 60th out of 140 runners.The WSC men’s team recorded a season-best third-place finish at theBriar Cliff Invitational on Oct. 9. The Wildcats came away with a fourthplace finish at the NSIC Championships in Wayne on Nov. 6 and had oneAll-Conference finisher as senior John Kern took seventh place overall toearn First Team Northern Sun Conference honors.Two weeks later, WSC hosted the NCAA Central RegionalChampionships and the Wildcat men were 11th out of 21 teams with a teamscore of 337 points. Individually, Kern was again the top finisher for WSCand was one spot away from earning a trip to the national championships ashe placed 22nd overall out of 130 runners with a time of 32:01 on the 10,000meter course, finishing just three seconds behind UNK’s Al Sanabria for thefinal qualifying spot to nationals.Megan Dias

Blackout Night at RiceJennifer HefnerDiedra ArtzVolleyball Nets Impressive SeasonIt was another recordbreaking season for the 2010Wayne State College volleyballteam. The Wildcats opened theseason with a school-record 16consecutive wins, breaking lastyear’s mark of 15 straight wins.WSC set a school recordfor single game attendance Sept.21 when 1,536 fans packed intoRice Auditorium to watch theWildcats edge No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney 3-2. Another big winduring the 16-match win streakcame Oct. 1 when No. 2 WSCbeat No. 1 Minnesota Duluth 3-1,resulting in Wayne State’s firsteverNo. 1 national ranking Oct.4. The Wildcats achieved anotherNo. 1 national ranking laterin October when the Wildcatsshared the top position withConcordia-St. Paul on Oct. 25.Wayne State finished theregular season with a 26-3record and was the No. 2 seedfor the NCAA Central RegionalTournament played in Marshall,Minn. The Wildcats were upsetby Metro State of Colorado inthe first round of the NCAATournament, resulting in anunexpected early exit in theWildcats’ sixth straight trip tothe NCAA Division II nationaltournament.The Wildcats had fiveplayers named to the 2010NSIC All-Conference VolleyballTeam. Senior middle hitterJennifer Hefner was a FirstTeam selection for the thirdstraight season while seniorsetter Diedra Artz was namedFirst Team All-NSIC for asecond straight year. Juniorlibero Leigh Connot receivedthe 2010 NSIC Libero of theYear award while being namedNSIC honorable mention alongwith juniors Tali Fredricksonand Mindy Moody.Other post season honorsfor Wildcat players included animpressive repeat selection forHefner as both Academic All-American and All-Americanon the court. The 6-1 seniormiddle hitter from Archer,Neb., (Central City HS),received ESPN Academic All-American First Team honorsfor the second straight seasonwith a 3.93 grade point averagemajoring in applied humanand sport physiology. She alsoearned Second Team AVCALeigh Connot(American Volleyball CoachesAssociation) honors on the courtfor a second straight season afteraveraging 3.38 kills and 1.13blocks per set. Hefner finishedher Wildcat career ranked fourthon the all-time kills list at WSCwith 1,540.Wayne State finished theseason setting a school recordfor attendance, averaging757 fans per home match atRice Auditorium this season.The Wildcats ranked seventhnationally in attendance last yearat 583 fans per home match.WSC also finished the seasonwith its highest ever nationalranking, ending the year ninth inthe final AVCA Division II Top25 Coaches Poll released Dec. 7.The ‘Cats are just a click away at www.wsc.edu/athletics/Wayne State Magazine 15

Wildcat AthleticsWildcat Football Notches FourthStraight Winning Season16Joe Bundy Richard Daniel Frederick Bruno Randy WeichWayne State finished the 2010 football season with a 6-5 record, the fourth straight year the Wildcatsposted a winning record. The ‘Cats opened the season with a thrilling 24-17 overtime win at No. 13Nebraska-Kearney. It was the third straight win for WSC against their in-state rival and marked just thesecond time in the history of the series that the Wildcats beat Kearney in football three straight years.Another highlight during the season came in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 6 when WSC handed then No. 7Augustana its first loss of the season, 26-14.The Wildcats spent the first part of the season ranked in the top 25, reaching as high as 18th inthe AFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, before falling out of the national rankings after a loss atMinnesota Duluth, who went on to win a second NCAA Division II national title in the past three seasons.Wayne State had 11 players named to the 2010 All-NSIC football team. Senior offensive linemanJoe Bundy was named First Team All-NSIC South Division Offense, junior defensive end Richard Danielwas selected First Team All-NSIC South Division Defense while senior kick returner Frederick Bruno andsophomore punter Randy Weich were each named First Team All-NSIC South Division Special Teams.Second Team All-NSIC South Division selections were senior offensive lineman NehemiahBlackburn and sophomore wide receiver Kevin Paulsen while senior linebacker Anthony Hale and seniordefensive lineman Mark Janssen received Second Team All-NSIC South Division Defensive honors.Three Wildcats earning NSIC South Division honorable mention honors included senior defensive tackleKirkland Grant, junior defensive tackle Michael Bazata and redshirt freshman defensive back AustanPomajzl.Bundy went on to receive Daktronics Super Region #3 First Team honors. He was joined by Bruno asDon Hansen Football Gazette All Super Region #3 First Team selections while Weich was mentioned onthe Don Hansen Football Gazette All Super Region #3 Third Team.Bundy, a 6-6, 305 pound senior from Madison, S.D., was a three-year starter at right guard forthe Wildcats, starting 34 straight games. He was a Second Team All-NSIC South Division choice as asophomore and junior before earning First Team All-NSIC honors this season. He also excelled in theclassroom, earning ESPN Academic All-District 7 Third Team honors.Bruno, a 5-8, 210 pound senior from Miami, Fla., had two kickoff returns for touchdowns this seasonand led the NSIC in kickoff return average (32.6) while ranking fourth in the league in punt returns. Healso finished this season with 41 catches for 434 yards and seven touchdowns, ending his Wildcat careerranking second all-time with 191 career receptions.Weich, a 6-2, 250 pound sophomore from Pierce, led the Northern Sun Conference in punting thisseason with an average of 43.4 yards per punt, ranking sixth in NCAA Division II. He set a school recordwith a 95-yard punt against Augustana on Nov. 6.ENEWSLETTERDid youmiss it?The sixth edition of theelectronic newsletter wassent out in October. Haveyou signed up for thisconvenient way to keepup with Wayne State?You can sign up for theelectronic newsletter atwww.wsc.edu/alumni/update_info/ and readthe latest edition at www.wsc.edu/emails/alumni/enewsletter_fall_10/.For more alumni news,visit www.wsc.edu/alumni/news/.

Alumni Notes(Towns and cities listed on thesepages are in Nebraska unlessnoted or generally understood.Efforts are made to keep ournews current.)1941Dr. Archie and Margaret “Peg”McPherran observed their65 th wedding anniversary Aug.27. They met in Virginia whenArchie reported aboard anaircraft carrier and Peg was aNavy nurse. Prior to retirement,Archie served as vice chancellorat California State CommunityCollege. The couple resides inSacramento, Calif.1944Dr. Carolyn(Malin) Fowleis living inLodi, Calif.,with husband,Henry Zbarra.She has an active practice asa clinical psychologist withan office in Lodi and anotherin Sacramento. She servesthe Sacramento SupremeCourt (criminal) as a forensicpsychologist.1951Dr. D. Paul Hartnett (MSE ’58)has been elected to his secondterm of the Learning Communityof Douglas and Sarpy County inNebraska. He previously servedas a member of the BellevuePublic School Board for 18 yearsand a member of the NebraskaLegislature for 20 years. Paul andhis wife, Marjorie (Sheahan’56), reside in Bellevue.1953Dr. Constance“Connie”(Carlson)Hoag, professoremeritus of theUniversity ofSouth Dakota,was chosen by the Delta KappaGamma Society Internationalto research and coauthor thecompendium Our HeritageVolume III, recording the historyof Delta Kappa Gamma from1970 to 2008. The society isan honorary women teacher’seducational and philanthropicorganization that was chartered in1929 and has more than 100,000members in 17 countries. Connieand her husband, Dr. DonaldPotter, reside in Sioux City, Iowa.1958Don and Carol(Rankin ‘54)Bremer, BigBear Lake,Calif.,announcethe birth of their first greatgrandchild,John Mason Bremer.He was born April 15 to Steveand Jessica Bremer, Alta Loma,Calif.1970John Lippert retired fromLindsay Mfg. Co. in 2004.After his retirement he spentfive years substitute teaching inColumbus area schools. He hasleft retirement again, and is nowemployed as a teller with FirstNational Bank, Columbus. Heand his wife, Carolyn, reside inColumbus.1972Billy R.Butler,Omaha,was inductedinto theNebraskaNationalGuard,RegionalTrainingInstituteHall ofFame. Induction is reserved forthose outstanding individualswho through their contributionsand achievements, have broughtgreat credit to the RTI andthe National Guard. In his1961Angie (Dowling) Neuharth, and her husband, Lyle, hosted the10 th annual reunion of the ‘WSC Pile Hall Gals’ at their cabin atthe Wisner Yacht Club. The group enjoyed a cream-can-dinnerprepared by Lyle. They spent the afternoon socializing andsharing photos. Jean Doerr gave each of the guests miniatureangels she crafted as a souvenir. Attending front row: Barb(Donze) Peters, Doris (Liding ’59) Kuester, Clara (Chambers’60) Heinemann, Norene (Ebel) Kuhrn, Eileen (Stueckrath ’57)Kucera, Jean (Rudenbusch ’57) Doerr; back: Lonnie (Schmid ’60)Dinslage, Emogene (Isom ’72) Andrews, Lavern (Pagels) Hoogner,Jeanette (Jaeger ’65) Vahle, Carol (Dibbert) Whipple, Pearl(Siecke) Kander, Kathy (Ott ’61) Haber, Sally (Sydow) Wolf,Angie (Dowling ’61) Neuharth.acceptance, MSG Butler notedthat thanks should be given notonly to those who have andare currently serving, but thosewho await at home for tours tobe safely completed. He alsoasked that we remember allthose MIAs, POWs and KIAsand mentioned two other WayneState members: A.D. Benson andSteven Backhaus, both of whomdied in Vietnam. Bill is employedby Omaha Public Schoolsat Morton Magnet MiddleSchool teaching middle schoolmathematics. He is the father oftwo grown children, Chris andAmy.1975Dennis Simon resides inRockwell City, Iowa, and teachesat Rabiner Treatment Center,Fort Dodge. He also owns andoperates a small publishing andrecording company. He releasedhis second CD on the QP recordlabel. He has a family rockband called Tequila Sunrise.Performing with his three sonsand daughter, they play about100-150 dates per year.1982Catherine Hain has coauthoredtwo books, Skills for Successwith Microsoft Office 2010 andSkills for Success with MicrosoftExcel 2010. These publicationswill be used in introduction tocomputer and excel courses.Catherine is an instructor atCentral New Mexico CommunityCollege in Albuquerque, N.M.1984James J. Larsen has beenassigned to the construction ofYemen’s first LNG Plant inShabwa Province. Beginning inApril through the end of Octoberhe was assigned to Paris to assistwith the project’s closingactivities. With the completion ofWayne State Magazine 17

Alumni Notesthis assignment, he will relocateto the Gorgon Project inAustralia. Prior to his Australiamove, Jim plans to spend time inLaramie, Wyo., with his wife,Susan (Blatchford ’88) and theirchildren.1985Celia Mancillas-Gonzalez andher husband, Raul Iniesta, residein Barcelona, Spain, with theirchildren, Arantxa (14) and Mikel(10). Celia says Barcelona is awonderful city and the childrenare adapting nicely. They allenjoy living in her husband’shome country and learning newthings.1993Dr. KurtBoeckenhauerand his wife,Tonya,announce thebirth of son,Grant. They reside in Papillionwhere Kurt is a chiropractor.1994Keri (Kamrath) Lazure andhusband, Joe, reside in Omahawith their four children, Caleb(9), Aleah (6), Chloe (4) andNoah (2). Keri works as aphysician assistant for BellevueFamily Practice. Keri retired asa captain after serving 20 yearsin the Army National Guard inJanuary.REUNIONSCherokee, IowaAlumni and friends gathered Oct. 7 at Danny’s Sports Spot,in Cherokee, Iowa. Front: Interim President Curt Frye,Mark Buschkamp ’83, Deb Lundahl, director of developmentand alumni relations. Middle: Patricia (Goodrich) Behrens’52, Bonnie (Berger) Ducommun ’63, Chuck ’55 and JoanneClark, Phyllis Conner, vice president for development. Back:Lil (Jorgensen ’57) and Jack Foresman ’55, Mary Jo (Barry)Carnine ’59, Pat (Lash) Veencamp ’59, Carol and HowardBorchard ’52.1988Lil (Winkel) Schroeder is atransportation security officerat Kansas City InternationalAirport, Kansas City, Mo. Sheresides in Kansas City.1992Jim Casey joined Amazon.comas the Senior HR Manager forTechnology. He will lead HRfor the Infrastructure Divisionat Amazon and will play a keyleadership role in the partnershipwith Amazon Web Services &Infrastructure Senior LeadershipTeam. Jim had spent the previous12 years at the MicrosoftCorporation in a number of HRGlobal leadership positions. Aftergraduation from WSC, he beganhis career at Gateway Computers.Jim and his partner, Davide`,reside in Seattle, Wash.Jody (Bauermeister) Maas andher husband, Chad, announce thebirth of daughter, MaggieKaylynn, on Aug. 10. She iswelcomed to their home inNorfolk by brothers, Max (6),Mason (4)and Myles(2). Jodyis atheologyinstructorat NorfolkCatholicHighSchool.1995Stacy Shumake-Henn and herhusband, Marty, reside in Elginwith their children Blake (5),Guthrie Center, IowaAlumni and friends gathered Aug. 28 at Prairie View Bed andBreakfast, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Prairie View is owned andoperated by Jim Sievers (WSC ’71) and his wife, Karen. Pictured,front: Susan (Rutherford) Holderness ’64, Karen and Jim Sievers’71, Phyllis Conner, vice president for development. Middle:Deb Lundahl, director of development and alumni relations,Sally Latta, Diane Carlson, Chris (Cook) Schreurs ’69, MikeHolderness ’64. Back: Paul Latta ’51, Susan McManigal ’85,Richard Keenan ’74, Jerry Carlson ’74, Lynn Schreurs ’70.18

Chloe (3) and Max Raymond (1).Stacy is an English teacher atElgin Public Schools.Teri (Dike) Tillman and herhusband, Douglas, announcethe birth of son, Iasac Lawsonon Aug. 12. He is welcomed totheir home in Omaha by sister,Madilyn (3).Teri is thesenior plantaccountant atConsolidatedContainerCompany, Omaha.1996Jerry Schuele and his wife,Larissa, announce the birth ofson, Adam Joseph, on July 20.He is welcomed to their home inCentral City by sister, Emma (5).Jerry is employed as a pharmacytechnician atU-SavePharmacy inCentral Cityand GrandIsland.Douglas and Greta (Bottolfsen’97) Kraemer announce thebirth of Logan on July 14. He iswelcomed totheir homein Allen byAshley (7)andGarrett (5).1997Barbara (Hashberger)Wyliehas been promoted to assistantprofessor in theSchool ofEducation at IvyTech CommunityCollege inIndianapolis, Ind.She has beenappointed asInterim Program Chair for theSchool of Education for the2010-2011 academic year.Barbara was accepted into thedoctoral program at Ball StateUniversity to study elementaryeducation. She resides inIndianapolis.1998Kenny (MSE ’09) and Audrey(Kuester ’00, MSE ’06)Loosvelt announce the birthof Eliza Lynn on July 22. Sheis welcomed to their home inMadisonby Josie(6) andBrooks(4).KennyandAudreyare both teachers at MadisonPublic Schools.1999Heather(Adamson)Tillotson andher husband,Chris,announcethe birth ofdaughter, Peyton Davey Rose,on Aug. 19. They reside in BattleCreek where Heather is a thirdgradeteacher and an assistanttrack coach. Heather earned amaster’s degree in curriculumand instruction from DoaneCollege in May 2010.Jason and Jessica (Eucker ’99)Bauer along with big sister Mya(5) welcomed Maddox Allen totheir home in Omaha on July 22.Jason is a superintendent atKiewit Construction. Jessica isemployed with West Corporationas an employment coordinator.2000Tami (Denker)Pedersen andher husband,Daniel,announce thebirth of firstchild, CalebJames, on Sept. 14, 2009. Theyreside in Hastings.2001Nicole Koch and Keith Weinholdwere united in marriage May 1.The couple resides in Omaha.Nicole is a physical therapist atOmaha Sports Physical Therapy.Tosha (Zubrod) Kumke andher husband, Paul, announcethe birth offirst child,Landon Rayon March22. Tosha isan assistantcoordinator at Boys Town-Iowa,Council Bluffs, Iowa. Theyreside in Omaha.2002Stacie (Dooley) Church andher husband,Todd,announcethe birth oftheir firstchild, EastonJames,born May 25. Stacie is anAR manager at MidwestNeurosurgery, PC, Omaha. Theyreside in Gretna.2003Abbie (Sorensen) Ray and herhusband, Russell, reside in DesMoines, Iowa, with their boysTristan (2) and Asher (bornMay 19).Abbie is inher thirdyearofresidencyat IowaMethodistMedical Center, Des Moines.She will finish her residency ininternal medicine in August.Brett and Kristen (Nestander’05) Hansen announce the birthof RileyJosephineon Nov. 3.They residein SiouxFalls, S.D.1985Greg Cruickshank (MSE ’92) shared this photo of formerWSC baseball players as they gathered to golf and celebrate BillSchwartz’s induction into the 2010 WSC Hall of Fame. Left toright: Randy Heying ’83, Alton, Iowa; Craig Ladwig ’84, Omaha;Mark Glatter, Omaha; Mike Meyer, Wayne; Bill Schwartz ’83,West Des Moines, Iowa; Jerry Goeden ’83, Windsor, Colo.; GregCruickshank.Wayne State Magazine 19

Alumni NotesPaula Christiansen owns andoperates Creations by Paula fromher home in Omaha. She createswooden clocks, picture frames,ornaments, necklaces andearrings using a scroll saw. Shealso createsjewelry usingglass andplastic beads.Paula uses thecounted crossstitchtechnique tomake infantbibs and Christmas ornaments.The past couple of years she hasentered items at the NebraskaState Fair with much success; shereceived 10 ribbons this year.2004Rachel Meier and John Hammerwere united in marriage May 28.Rachel earned a master’s degreein curriculum and instructionwith an early childhoodendorsement from Doane Collegethis spring.Rachelteaches firstgradeatCreightonPublicSchools. Thecouple residesin Creighton.Megan (Adamson) Froehlichand her husband, AJ, announceOnly $10!the birth ofLeightonMae onFeb. 20.She iswelcomedto theirhome in Gretna by sister, Kenley.Kara (Helgoth) Woehler(MSE’10) and her husband,Matt, announce the birth ofLandonWilliam onJuly 12. He iswelcomed totheir home inWayne bysiblings Karlee(10) andBrayden (3). Kara is employed atWSC as the Retention Specialistin Student Support Services.2005Jon Allemang (MSE ’08) andhis wife, Samantha, announce thebirth of daughter, Alexis Grace,on July11. Jonteaches8 th -gradeScienceatWestsideMiddleSchool, Omaha. They reside inOmaha.Joe Everingham and NicoleSchaefer (’04) were united inBecome a member of the Wayne State Alumni Association today. Memberswill become part of a special group of alumni who want to stay connected.Members can play a role in developing recommendations for alumni activities,get involved with other college initiatives or just be a member. Members willreceive a membership card for their annual membership based upon theiranniversary date. One membership covers both single and family.Your support will help with communication costs. Membership revenue will beused to underwrite the cost of alumni communications, including the WayneState Magazine and other alumni communications.Special Benefit: Receive a 10 percent discount at the on-campus bookstorelocated in the Student Center. Just show your membership card.Joining is easy! Visit the Wayne State Alumniwebsite at http://www.wsc.edu/alumni/ and click on the"Alumni Association" link or call 402-375-7510.marriage June 5. They reside inOmaha. Nicole is employed atThe Partnership for Our Kids as adevelopmentdirector. Joeteaches andserves asathleticdirector in theElkhornPublicSchools.Rob (MSE’07) andTonya (Boss’07) Runionannounce thebirth of Nolanon May 26.2006Margaret“Maggie”O’Driscollresides inDublin,Ireland. SheJonna Huseman ’07Jonna Huseman, a labor activistand 2007 WSC graduate, spoke toWayne State communications andpolitical science students Nov.22-23 about her experiences as acommunications specialist for a nonprofitorganization in Washington,D.C.As a student at WSC, Huseman majored in journalism, wasa member of the Wayne Political Union and PRIDE and heldvarious positions on the Wayne Stater staff, including photographyeditor, front-page editor, op-ed editor, columnist and staff writer.“The education I received from Wayne State College allowedme to pursue my dreams and I look forward to giving back to theinstitution that has given so much to me,” Huseman said.While on campus, Huseman also gave a presentation titled“Social Media in the Business World: How to Make FacebookWork for You.”“Facebook has become a staple in our everyday lives,but using Facebook to make the transition from student toprofessional is something we don’t talk nearly enough about,”Huseman said. “I hope to encourage students to look at Facebookand other social media with a professional mindset.”Prior to relocating to Washington, D.C., Huseman workedas a reporter for the Aurora News-Register. In 2008, she wasthe runner-up for the Nebraska Press Association’s AnnualOutstanding Young Nebraska Journalist Award.Today, she works for the International Brotherhood ofTeamsters and is a student of the ancient Hawai’ian art of hula.is an HR ECC representative forHertz.Ryan Villwok graduated with hisdoctorate degree in chiropracticfromNorthwesternHealth ScienceUniversity,Bloomington,Minn. He isworking at hisnewly acquiredpractice, Nelson Chiropractic, inOmaha. He and his wife, Nikki(Mendenhall ’05), reside inOmaha.Jennifer (Beer) Brownannounces the birth of daughterCallie Maeon July 28.Callie iswelcomed totheir Omahahome bybrotherCaden (2).20

Corissa (Thompson) Churchand her husband, Wesley,announce the birth of Shiloh Ellaon May 21. She is welcomed totheir home in Emerson by sister,Caitlyn (2). Corissa has taken abreak from her work as alaboratory technician to be homewith the girls.Jeffrey R. Nelson and MichelleWaldecker (’08) met whilestudents at WSC in 2003 andwere united in marriage in 2010.The couple resides in Lincoln.Jeffrey works for the NebraskaDepartment of Corrections,Lincoln.Michelle isa preschooleducatorwithChildren’sChoiceLearningCenter,Lincoln.2007Heather Headley graduatedin May from Emporia StateUniversity inEmporia,Kansas,with hermaster’sin LibraryScience.Hugh “Jim” and Ashley(Neibauer ’09) York announcethe birth of daughter, Jozy, onSept. 14. They reside in Thedford.Jim andAshley areemployed atThedfordPublicSchools.2008Thomas and Megan Jilg wereunited inmarriageOct. 24and residein Alton,Iowa.Thomas isemployedat Staples Promotional Productsin Orange City, Iowa.Matthew Hurt and MikaylaParr wereunited inmarriageApril 17.Theyreside inKenesaw.Nick Ell and Jacque Menckewere unitedin marriageJune 12. Thecoupleresides inBlair.Tracy Sell and Robert Heiserwere united in marriage April24. Traci is an administrativesystems programmer at WSC.Robby is working toward anelementary education degreefromWSC.Thecoupleresides inWayne.2009Travis Moore and his wifeAngella arehappy toannounce thebirth of theirfirst child,Rikki Faith,on Dec. 26.Travis isemployed asan administrative assistant bythe Nebraska Unicameral. Theyreside in Lincoln.Nicholas Bartlett and SarahSpittler ’08were unitedin marriageMay 22.They residein Pittsburgh,Pa. Both areemployed atRiversCasino inPittsburgh.Kimberly Collins and DelanReed were united in marriageJune 5. The couple resides nearSpalding.Dakota Dunes Wildcat GolfMore than 50 enthusiastic golfers began an afternoonof play with a shotgun start Aug. 25 in Dakota Dunes,S.D. Thanks to Dakota Dunes Country Club for use oftheir splendid facilities and for the buffet dinner at theconclusion of the day.Participating golfers: Dan Albrecht, Dan Allen, KevinArmstrong, Marion Arneson, Jason Becker, Bob Brand,Bill Canham, Bob Clark, Bill Dickey, Matt Eischeid, CaseyFloyd, John Fulmer, Bart Gotch, Chuck Greenway, BobHahn, Chad Hank, Kelly Hansen, Pat Hughes, AJ Johnson,Terry Karel, Tim Keller, Bill Koeber, Randy Larson, RyanLeiger, Terry Lessmann, Jim Lindau, Greg Logston, TomLowry, Gary Lubberstedt, Roger Lueth, Deb Lundahl,Bruce Lundahl, Mike Minarick, Steve Muir, Lonnie Nixon,Kyle Nixon, Tyler Nixon, Bob Oleson, Rusty Parker, DanPeed, Kevin Petersen, Doug Rose, Jeff Schroeder, ToddSebade, Bill Shaner, Mike Smidt, Nate Sovereign, TomSullivan, Roger Uecker, Gene Willmott, Travis Woockman,Reggie Yates and Marshall Zumo.Wayne State Magazine 21

Alumni NotesAlumni ProfileDr. John Schneider ‘73Dr. John Schneider ’73 says hearrived at Wayne State with “a mediocrehigh school record, justly worried that Imight not make it in college and wouldbe headed for academic humiliation andthe VietNam War.” And though he explains that people who knowhim now would not believe his fears were well-founded, he saysthat he was terrified, but determined to do better at Wayne Statethan he did in high school in York, Neb.Schneider did more than “better”. During a long academiccareer that has spanned nearly 42 years as student and scholar, hehas amassed numerous awards (including an award for best studentin the social sciences at WSC), fellowships, publications, and otherrecognition for his scholarly body of work focused mainly, hesays, on implications of Christian tradition for economic systems(capitalism) and the life of the mind (modern science).“None of this could have been possible without the years atWayne State College,” Schneider says. “Maybe it has somethingto do with what John Neihardt wrote in older age that WSC washis ‘Vision Hill,’ as in the Native American custom for boysapproaching manhood to fast and pray on a high hill, hoping for avision that would make their calling in adult life clear—or at leastclearer. WSC certainly was my ‘Vision Hill.’ I learned how to be astudent there and that I had unused academic talents.”“There was a remarkable collection of talented professorswho had come to Wayne from around the country to teach science,humanities, the arts and social sciences at the little-town prairieschool,” he continues. “Going to their classes was for me likeleaving my own small sphere and entering into entire new worldsof exposure to new thoughts and experiences.”Schneider graduated with a bachelor of science degree insocial science from Wayne State College in 1973, master’s degreein historical and systematic theology from Fuller TheologicalSeminary in 1976, and a doctorate in divinity from EmmanuelCollege, University of Cambridge, in 1987. He is currently aprofessor of religion at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.“Of all things I owe to Wayne, however, by far the best ismeeting my wife, Winona Peterson,” Schneider says. “We wereonly about 20 in 1972, dating and secretly engaged for only threemonths, and still students, when we got married. We lived first in arat-infested old farm house known as “squalor holler” and then ina room for married students in the basement of Anderson Hall. Itwill soon be 40 years, and having our college years in common hasbeen part of the lasting bond. Winona’s mother, Lucille Peterson(as secretary to the President, and privy to reliable information),wisely warned her daughter to ‘stay away from that JohnSchneider fellow.’ It’s probably good that parents are not alwaysright. We come back to Wayne every summer, and Lucille laughssheepishly about that comment now.”IN MEMORY OFDella (Seyl) Willet ‘37, (98), Woodbine, Iowa; July 10.Dorothy (Marquardt) Dolson ‘37, (96), Oshkosh; Dec. 22.Raymond F. Link ‘37, (99), Boise, Idaho; Oct. 22.Margaret (Jones) Fisher ‘38, (92), Tucson, Ariz.; Nov. 20.William S. Nelson ‘40, (93), Englewood, Colo.; Oct. 24.Darel Bright ‘42, (89), O’Neill; Dec. 29.Etta (Jenkins) Fisher ‘43, (94), Wayne; Dec. 3.Arlene (Strelow) Riege ‘45, (88), Norfolk; Dec. 10.Margaret (Macklin) Brownlee ‘47, (85), Lincoln; Jan. 15.Shirley (Randal) Fisher ‘48, (83), Fort Morgan, Colo.; Oct. 12.John P. Sherlock ‘49, (84), Champaign, Ill.; Dec. 19.Hildegarde (Buelter) Fenske ‘50, (80), Hoskins; Nov. 9.Jerry P. Lightner ‘52, (81), DeLand, Fla.; Oct. 12.Bonnie B. Weiger ‘57, (80), Laurel; Dec. 15.Allen G. “Gene” Closson ‘58, (83), North Sioux City, S.D.; Aug 25.Jo Ann (Stoltenberg) Kern ‘58, (75), Everman, Texas; Nov. 8.Mardelle (Lehman) Willson ‘59, (79), Fountain Hills, Ariz.; Nov. 24.Robert Reeder ‘60, MSE ‘62, (72), Lincoln; Aug. 31.Sharon (Dougherty) Becker ‘61, (72), Omaha; Nov. 9.William P. Haroff ‘61, (76), Hastings, Iowa; Dec. 7.John “Jack” Blake ‘62, (73), Emmetsburg, Iowa; Dec. 15.Larry E. Meyer ‘62, (71), Milford; Nov. 30.Russell W. Hoppner ‘62, (72), Hampton.; Oct. 20.Lyle J. Ruff ‘62, (69), Bristow; Oct. 19.James Winch ‘62, (69), Winside; Jan. 8.Pauline (Frerichs) Lutt ‘64, (99), Wayne; Sept. 11.Sharon L. Prescott ‘65, (67), Adams; July 31.Glendon L. Tiede ‘65, (75), LeMars, Iowa.; Aug. 3.Richard “Dick” Cruickshank ‘66, (73), Columbus; Nov. 5.Gary Busteed ‘67, (65), Columbus; Oct. 2.Richard Harter ‘68, (69), Plattsmouth; Jan. 17.Valorie C. MacDonald ‘68, (64), Des Moines, Iowa.; Jan. 4.Georgia (Dory) Evans ‘69, (63), Valley; July 7.Linda (Knoebel) Reall ‘70, Omaha; April 3.Todd W. Speece ‘70, (62), Grand Island; Sept. 26.Lorraine (Severa) Anderson ‘71, (76), Madison; Aug. 17.James “Jim” Sommerfeld ‘71, (62), Seward; Nov. 6.Janel (Hixson) Sisson ‘72, (75), O’Neill; Oct. 3.Gwen (Struthers) Mein ‘72, (62), Brady; Aug. 7.Michael P. Fayman ‘72, (60), Lincoln; Aug. 28.Marlin Meisinger ‘74, (59), Norfolk; Nov. 5.Deanna (Fey) Meier ‘77, (55), Omaha; Aug. 7.Lyle C. Blevins ‘79, MSE ‘95, (54), Bancroft; Sept 4.Mark T. Larson ‘81, (52), Emmetsburg, Iowa; Dec. 7.Janis (Fletcher) Lindsay, MSE ‘81, (69), Norfolk; Dec. 15.Lynell (Jensen) Hajek ‘83, (48), Norfolk; Oct. 8.Linda Podany-Stepanek ‘86, (60), Omaha; Nov. 20.Richard “Rick” R. Buss ‘89, (43), Lincoln; Dec. 9.Douglas C. Brown, MAE ‘90, (64), Norfolk; Oct. 22.Brenda (Peterson) Gilg, MSE ‘09, (44), Cozad; July 11.22

Dr. Kent Blaser, 61Dr. Kent Blaser, Wayne State Collegeprofessor emeritus of history, died Nov. 10. Hewas born Feb. 18, 1949, in Waterville, Kansas.A memorial service was held for Dr. Blaser onNov. 14, in Ley Theater in the BrandenburgEducation Building on the Wayne State campus.He was 61.Dr. Blaser earned his bachelor’s degreein U.S. history from Kansas State University and his Ph.D. fromUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in American History. Hepreviously taught at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill andthe University of Nebraska-Omaha.Dr. Blaser came to Wayne State in 1979. His teaching andresearch interests included historiography and the philosophy ofhistory; Nebraska and the Great Plains; and the history of Wayne StateCollege. He was head of the college’s Division of Social Sciencesfrom 1984 to 1989; director of Wayne State’s Honors Program, 1993-1994; president of Mid-America American Studies Association, 1995-1996; and editor of Midwest Review from 1983 to 1994, among manyacademic accomplishments. He was the author of Far from Normal,the history of Wayne State published in honor of the college’s 100thyear as a state college.A number of Dr. Blaser’s colleagues remembered him forencouraging others in their careers and pursuits and for his intellectualqualities, dedication to scholarship and generosity.Dr. Larry Claussen, 66Dr. Larry Claussen, former professor ofapplied sciences at Wayne State College, diedNov. 18, 2010, in Sioux Falls, S.D., after a 3 1/2year battle with multiple myeloma. He was bornAug. 12, 1944, in Luverne, Minn. He was 66.Dr. Claussen earned his bachelor of sciencedegree in industrial arts education in 1966 fromSouthern State Teachers College in South Dakota,master’s degree in industrial technology in 1982 from Universityof Northern Colorado, and his Ph.D. in education in 1991 fromUniversity of Wyoming.Dr. Claussen, who retired in 2006, began his career at WayneState in 1995 as an assistant professor of applied science. He servedas an associate professor of industrial technology at the University ofNebraska-Kearney from 1984 to 1995 and taught in public schools inSouth Dakota and Minnesota from 1966 to 1984.After retiring from Wayne State, Dr. Claussen fulfilled his dreamof working as a professional scout when he served as the facilitiesdirector at the Florida Sea Base, a high adventure Boy Scouts ofAmerica camp in the Florida Keys. He was a longtime scout, earningthe Wood Badge, District Award of Merit, and Silver Beaver.Wayne State colleagues remember Dr. Claussen as an expertcraftsman and dedicated professional who had a special interestin working with state and national organizations on behalf of theIndustrial Technology Teacher Education programs.For full-length versions of these obituaries, please visit theWayne State archives at http://www.wsc.edu/newscenter/story_archives/Ginny Seymour, 84Virginia (Ginny) Ruth Melahn Seymour,of Wayne, died Oct. 7, 2010, at ArborSprings in West Des Moines, Iowa. She was84 years old. A memorial service was heldOct. 23 at Our Savior Lutheran Church,Wayne.Ginny Seymour was born Jan. 25, 1926,in Hibbing, Minn., to Rev. Walter and ElsieMelahn. She and her beloved husband, Dr.Lyle E. Seymour, were married Oct. 12, 1945, and chose to makeWayne their home.Mrs. Seymour’s connection to Wayne State was strongduring her husband’s long association with the college. He wasinterim president from March 1973 to April 1974, and presidentfrom 1974 to 1982.Mrs. Seymour was a longtime trustee, Heritage Societyand Cornerstone Society member, and a lifetime member of thePresident’s Society of the Wayne State Foundation.“Ginny Seymour was a wonderful individual,” said CurtFrye, interim president of Wayne State College. “She was thequintessential first lady of the college and was active in thecampus community as well as the greater Wayne area. Thecollege will miss her.”FRIENDS WE WILL MISSClinton Rockne “Rock” Copple, (79), Billings, Mont; Dec. 25.Rock was a member of the undefeated 1949 WSC football team andinducted into the WSC Hall of Fame.Robert G. Johnson, (90), Ponca; Jan. 18. Emeritus Professor ofWSC, Robert served on the faculty from 1958 to 1986.Kathryn “Kathy” Sievers, (75), Wayne; Nov. 28. Kathy wasemployed as a custodian at WSC from 1970-1998.Planned Giving 101When you name the Wayne State Foundation in your will, or makeanother kind of planned gift, you become a member of our HeritageSociety. Members of this special group of donors have at least onething in common: a commitment to the future of Wayne State.As a member of the Heritage Society, you will be invited to specialevents and receptions designed especially for our forward lookingsupporters. You will also be recognized in our annual Honor Rollof Donors publication and on our Heritage Society recognition wallin the Student Center. Members who request confidentiality willremain anonymous.Would you like to learn more about the Heritage Society and thevarious planned giving options available? Please feel free to visitour Web site at www.wsc.edu/foundation/ orcontact Kevin Armstrong for more information.Kevin ArmstrongDirector of Planned GivingWayne State Foundation402-375-7534Kearmst1@wsc.eduWayne State Magazine 23