Winter 2005 - Wayne State College

Table of ContentsMessage from President Collings _____________ 3School of Business and Technology __________ 4Minks Receives Achievement Award/December Commencement _______________ 6Student Organization, Advisor EarnNational Awards/Sandlin, McElwainRecently Published _____________________ 7Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrated _____ 8‘Tie One ON for the Holidays’ CampaignSuccessful/Villarreal Earn Top Award ______ 9Klatt Funds Endowed Scholarship/Armstrong Joins Foundation Staff ________ 10Hemenway Establishes Scholarship __________ 11Around Campus _______________________ 12-13McLaughlin Named Head Football CoachAssisant Football Coaches Named ________ 14Wildcats Receive Post-Season Honors ________ 15Partnership with Northeast Announced _______ 16Alumni Notes _________________________ 17-23Joseph ‘Joe’ Wall, 2004 ________________ 18Jean Lienemann Hillyer ‘76 _____________ 19Virgil C. Smith ‘38 ____________________ 20Beata ‘Be’ Rudloff ‘83 BAE, ‘94 MSE ____ 22Denver Reunion ______________________ 23Tucson, Sun City and Dallas Reunions ____ 24ON THE COVER:With 979 current undergraduate and graduate students in programs offered by its three academic departments,the WSC School of Business and Technology has excellent relationships with businesses and organizationsthroughout the region and nation. Students have an opportunity to complete internship and cooperativeeducation experiences at many of these businesses. The Executive in Residence program and the ShirtsleeveWorkshop bring executives and business alumni to campus each year.Wayne State Magazine is a publication mailed to alumni and friends of Wayne State College. The Magazine is funded by the Wayne StateFoundation. Comments and letters should be mailed to: Wayne State Foundation, Wayne State College, 1111 Main Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787.AdministrationDr. Richard CollingsPresidentRobert McCueInterim Vice-President for Academic AffairsCarolyn MurphyVice-President for Administration and FinanceCurt FryeVice President and Dean of Student LifePhyllis ConnerVice President for Development and ExecutiveDirector of the Wayne State FoundationWayne State Foundation StaffDeborah LundahlDirector of Developmentand Alumni RelationsKevin ArmstrongDirector of Planned GivingBrian LentzAccountant and Assistant DirectorCarol MarshFoundation Office AssistantCathleen HansenAlumni Office AssistantEditorial StaffJudy JohnsonDirector of College RelationsTrudy MuirGraphic Design ArtistAngie NordhuesWriter, Photographer2

MESSAGE FROMRichard J. Collings,President“Wayne State College is notjust an educational entity:it is a community wherefriendships are formed andprofessional skills are honed.There is a protective feelingtoward Wayne Statethroughout Wayne and amongour alumni. The college is avibrant, integral part of thecommunity and region, and itssuccess is inextricably linkedto the area.”Several times each week, I walk over to the student center atnoon to have lunch with Wayne State College students. When Ifirst started this practice after I arrived on campus last summer, thestudents seemed a little nervous. They weren’t sure of mymotives, and wondered what I was doing bringing my lunch andsitting at their table. Over the course of the fall semester, I havemet many young men and women—bright, motivated students whohave helped me get to know them. I’ve learned why they chose toattend Wayne State College, what they are majoring in, and a littlebit about their backgrounds, goals and aspirations.I’ve also had several opportunities to meet and get to knowmany of our alumni and friends. Through special events likeHomecoming, alumni reunions and participation in regionalactivities, I can see a similar allegiance to Wayne State that I see inour students. Wayne State College is not just an educational entity:it is a community where friendships are formed and professionalskills are honed. There is a protective feeling toward Wayne Statethroughout Wayne and among our alumni. The college is avibrant, integral part of the community and region, and its successis inextricably linked to the area.One of the things I have been pleased with is the cooperativerelationship Wayne State College has with a number of businessesin the region and state. The Wayne State College Career Fair,sponsored by the WSC Career Services Office each spring, drawsmore than 90 employers ranging from large corporations to smallagencies. Many attend the fair because they have been pleasedwith the quality of employees they have hired in the past, and wantto keep the practice going.As you will read elsewhere in this magazine, many firms seekout Wayne State College students for internships and postgraduationemployment. The partnerships these businesses forgewith our School of Business and Technology are beneficial to boththe student and also the business. Many of our graduates excel inthe business world, thanks in large part to the excellent educationthey received as an undergraduate at Wayne State College.The longer I am at Wayne State, the more I am convinced thatthe college plays an interdependent role in the lives of our studentsand alumni, the community of Wayne, and the state of Nebraska.The success of each of us depends upon the other. It’s arelationship that has worked for many years and which I amconfident will continue to flourish into the future.WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 3

WSC School of Business and Technology:Strong, Vibrant, Innovative and ConnectedAaron Hilkemann ’80, center, president of Duncan Aviation, Inc. inLincoln, participated in the WSC School of Business and Technology’sExecutive in Residence program on campus. Presenting a plaque ofappreciation to him are, left, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Conway, associateprofessor of business, and Dr. Vaughn Benson, dean of the School ofBusiness and Technology.4As the midway point of the first decade of the new millennium approaches, the Internetand other technologies continue to make the world a more dynamic and connected place.The School of Business and Technology at Wayne State College has long valued itsconnections to this technological world and to the school’s many internal and externalstakeholders, as well. With 979 current undergraduateand graduate students in programs offered by its threeacademic departments, a host of relationships withbusinesses and organizations from throughout thenation, and a strong base of seemingly countlessalumni, the school knows the importance of theserelationships.Vaughn Benson, dean of the school since itsinception and former division head for the one of theschool’s predecessor divisions, expresses pride in theaccomplishments of the school and challenges itsfaculty and staff to continue to strive for excellence inits relationships with all of the school’s stakeholders.Blending respect for the long-standing tradition ofquality with new, innovative approaches yieldspositive results that span the school’s three departmentsand impact a wide variety of current students andvarious other stakeholders within and outside of WayneState College.Examples of relationships with externalstakeholders abound. Since 1977, WSC has served asthe host site for the Nebraska Business DevelopmentCenter, an office that provides a broad range ofbusiness consulting services to a relatively largegeographic area within Nebraska. Supported andassisted by WSC’s Career Services Office, the schoolhas been very successful in the use of CooperativeEducation and internship experiences for its students. Quite often, a student will be hiredupon graduation by the employer where the student performed the experience.The school and its students benefit from relationships with major firms and otherorganizations. The school’s Executive-in Residence program has attracted some importantparticipants such as Aaron Hilkemann ‘80, president Duncan Aviation, Inc.; Mogens Bay,chairman and CEO Valmont Industries, Inc. and Dwayne Acklie, chairman Crete Carrier Corp.These individuals share their insights with students in a day-long set of presentations andquestion-and-answer sessions.Each semester, many firms come to campus for recruiting visits and most attend theannual career fair at Wayne State. Many local and regional businesses and otherorganizations provide guest speakers for class meetings in several courses taught by theschool. Each fall, the Shirtsleeve Workshop is hosted by the school and one of the school’sexcellent student organizations. In this event, WSC alumni from a variety of professionsshare their life experiences and career advice with current students. Among the alumni whohave participated in the Shirtsleeve Workshop in recent years are Mike Riedmann ‘76, NPDodge Real Estate Sales, Omaha; Mark Waddington ‘81, First National Bank of Omaha;Terry McClain ‘70, Valmont Industries, Omaha; and Bart Gotch ‘82, Siouxland NationalBank, South Sioux City.Each of the three departments within the school also enjoys mutually beneficialrelationships with many external entities. Some of the many possible examples illustrate the

importance of these relationships. The Technology and AppliedScience (TASC) Department has worked with Lozier Corporation ofOmaha on a number of projects. Industrial Technology Educationstudents in manufacturing management have opportunities forinternships and summer employment with Lozier as well as BehlenManufacturing Co. in Columbus. Students from many firms in theWayne State College service region pursue their MBA degreesthrough the Business and Economics Department.The Business and Economics (BSEC) Department has recentlybeen notified that it has been granted accreditation by theprestigious International Assembly for Collegiate BusinessEducation. The specialized accreditation certificate will bepresented to Wayne State College in April at the IACBE’saccreditation banquet in San Antonio, Texas.Wayne State’s accreditation process began in 2004. A selfstudywas completed and forwarded to the association in Septemberand a two-member site-visit team was on campus in December. TheIACBE has indicated that the self-study was excellent and hasrequested the release of the study for use as the model for otherschools seeking accreditation.The Computer Technology and Information Systems (CTIS)Department enjoys strong support from many directions as well.First National Bank of Omaha has provided a wide range of supportto the CTIS department over the past 15 years, including activeinvolvement in the CTIS Advisory Board, donation of computingequipment, internships for CTIS students at both Omaha and Wayneoffices, providing tours of their technology center and new officetower for CTIS students, supporting CTIS awards and scholarships,and hiring many graduates of the computing academic programs.Other firms that play a very active role on the CTIS AdvisoryBoard and assist the CTIS department in many ways include Mid-American Energy, Nebraska Public Power District, Gateway,Omnium Worldwide Incorporated, Gateway, Corporate Express,Michaels Foods, and Great Dane Trailers. Great West Casualty,Mutual of Omaha, and numerous other firms provide opportunitiesfor Cooperative Education experiences and hire computinggraduates.Faculty and staff of the School of Business and Technology arewell-connected to their constituents and are involved in manyprofessional and other organizations. Examples of service toconstituents abound. Members of the TASC and CTIS departmentsare involved with the Skills USA competitions in the state and theregion. These are student competitions in a host of events. TASCfaculty also are active in the PowerDrive electric vehicledevelopment competitions in the area.The Business and Economics Department hasrecently been notified that it has been grantedaccreditation by the prestigious InternationalAssembly for Collegiate Business Education.A longtime BSEC faculty member, Gerald Conway, wasrecently elected to serve a four-year term on the NebraskaEconomic Forecasting Advisory Board. The board is responsiblefor setting official revenue figures used in the state legislature’sbudgeting process. Faculty members Laura Barelman (BSEC) andLori Nicholson (CTIS) have played instrumental roles in acquiringgrant funding, planning and installing technology, and similarprojects for a new library in a community in the Wayne StateCollege service region. Several faculty members from the Schoolof Business and Technology have been involved in servicelearningprojects for their students. These projects give students achance to apply what they have learned in the classroom to providebenefits to people and communities, then to reflect upon what waslearned from the experience.The School of Business and Technology enjoys cutting-edgetechnology provided by WSC’s Network and Technology Services(NATS) department and also makes extensive use of the capabilitiesprovided by the Administrative Systems department on campus.With fast connections to the Internet, modern hardware, and thelatest software, the school is truly connected to a bright future. Asthe examples above illustrate, the school’s connections with itsvarious stakeholders are also a vital link to a bright future.Members of the WSC chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery(ACM) are participating in a project funded by the Sunshine Lady Foundation,Inc. and coordinated by ACM member Abbey Frisch. Members of theorganization are teaching computer skills to area senior citizens and othergroups. Right: ACM members (front row l-r) Nate Vollbrecht and SamSchrant. Back row (l-r) Roger Timperly, Dan Broz and Steve Elliot. Above,group member Dan Froistad (seated) works with Mary Jean Jones, Allenand Janice Newton, Wakefield in the Wakefield Public Library.WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 5

Adrian Minks ReceivesWSC AlumniAchievement AwardAdrian Minks, center, receives the AlumniAchievement Award from PresidentRichard Collings and Vice President forDevelopment and Executive Director of theWayne State Foundation Phyllis Conner.Adrian (Johnson) Minks, vice president of corporate servicesand marketing for the Omaha Public Power District in Omaha,received the Alumni Achievement Award from Wayne StateCollege at winter commencement ceremonies.Minks received her bachelor of science degree Summa cumLaude from Wayne State in 1968, and holds a master’s degree inbusiness administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.She joined the Information Services Division of OPPD in 1988,and subsequently served as executive assistant to the presidentand division manager of Customer Sales & Service. In January2002 she was promoted to vice president; her currentresponsibilities include market research, product development andmanagement, business strategy, material procurement anddisposal, facilities management, and security.Prior to joining OPPD, Minks was employed in variousinformation technology and strategic planning positions withNorthern Natural Gas Company, Northern Border PipelineCompany, and InterNorth, Inc. She serves on the board of trusteesof the Wayne State Foundation, and on the boards of directors ofthe YWCA Omaha, the University of Nebraska-Omaha AlumniAssociation, and the Institute for Career Advancement Needs. Sheand her husband of nearly 30 years, Jon R. Minks, are members ofthe United Way Bridge Builders Society. She is a past boardmember of Family Housing Advisory Services and North AmericanTechnician Excellence. Minks, a native of Little Sioux, Iowa, is agraduate of West Harrison Public Schools.WSC Awards 238 Undergraduate, Graduate DegreesWayne State College winter commencement ceremonies were held on Dec. 17 inRice Auditorium. A total of 238 undergraduate and graduate students received degreesfrom Dr. Richard Collings, president.Ashley Petersen of Herman, graduating Summa cum Laude with Honors in MajorSpeech Communication/Corporate, Community and Public Relations, gave the invocation.Lisa Lange of Fordyce, was the student speaker for commencement ceremonies.Ashley Petersen, left, gave theinvocation at winter commencement,while Lisa Lange, right, presentedthe honor address.Lange Gives Honor Address at Wayne State CommencementLisa Jean Lange of Fordyce presented the honor address at Wayne State College wintercommencement ceremonies on Dec. 17. Lange is the daughter of Marvin and EvelynLange of Fordyce.She graduated Summa cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education withendorsements in Elementary Education K-8 and Special Education MMH K-12, and aconcentration in Mathematics.While a student at Wayne State, Lange served as president of Cardinal Key HonorSorority; president of the Catholic Newman Club; treasurer of LifeSavers; a LearningCenter peer tutor, a tutor office assistant; and a Wayne State College Ambassador. She is amember of the Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy, Wayne Student EducationAssociation of Nebraska, Student Council for Exceptional Children, Habitat forHumanity, Wayne State College Choir and Chorale, and Kappa Delta Pi (internationaleducation honor society). After graduation, she began a teaching position in the Fremont(Neb.) Public Schools.6

Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. DayCelebrated atWayne StateAbove: Raymond Gant was the keynotespeaker at the Martin Luther King, Jr. DayCelebration Dinner at WSC on Jan. 20.Upper right: Audience members wereinvited to participate in the entertainmentduring the evening. Bottom: Benin, WestAfrica native Charles Ahovissi providedentertainment for the evening.The Martin Luther King Jr. Day CelebrationDinner featured Raymond Gant of Ferris StateUniversity and entertainment was provided by CharlesAhovissi, a professional dancer originally from Benin,West Africa. The event was held on Jan. 20.Gant is director and special assistant to thepresident at Ferris State University. In 1986, Gantfounded and serves as administrator of the Office ofMinority Student Affairs at Ferris State University.This office continues to coordinate activities insupport of personal and academic programs and toassist students with their transition to campus. Gant isan alumnus of Ferris State University (BS ’84 in Business Administration) and CentralMichigan University (MA ’98 in Counseling Education).A national speaker on the topic of diversity and multiculturalism, Gant advisesthe President on matters of diversity and serves as a liaison to several local and offcampusgroups. He coordinates the campus-wide diversity plan and assists thepresident in guiding Ferris’ diversity efforts into the new millennium.Gant’s presentation preceded Ahovissi’s performance. A world tour performer andteacher of African dance, he now resides in Omaha. He shares his love and knowledgeof African culture through teaching, dancing, drumming, and singing.Alumni Achievement AwardThe Alumni Achievement Award recognizes WayneState alumni who have outstanding achievementsin their career and/or civic involvement, and haveprovided support to WSC. Please use the form tonominate someone you think deserves this award.Alumni Service AwardThe Alumni Service Award recognizes Wayne Statealumni who have enhanced the College throughdedicated service, promotion and financial support.Please use the form to nominate someone you thinkdeserves this award.Send nomination and supporting information to:Alumni Office, Wayne State College,1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787, or e-maildelunda1@wsc.edu. Thank you.Nomination Form - Circle one: Achievement Award Service AwardPlease printNominee's Name__________________________Grad Year ______________________Nominee's Occupation ___________________________________________________Nominee's Mailing Address _______________________________________________City/State/Zip __________________________________________________________Nominee's Phone Business____________________ Home ____________________On a separate sheet of paper please state the nominee's career accomplishments (citespecific achievements) and civic contributions (community, charitable organizations,schools, etc.).Nominated byName__________________________________ Grad Year ______________________Mailing Address ________________________________________________________City/State/Zip __________________________________________________________Phone Business_______________________ Home __________________________8

Villarreal EarnsTop Award atSymposiumArturo Villarreal Jr.Wayne State senior ArturoVillarreal Jr. of Norfolk earned firstplace at the Nebraska UndergraduateSociology Symposium atNebraska Wesleyan University inLincoln (NUSS), Oct. 28 and 29.Villarreal’s paper, “ParadigmShifting: Influences of OutdoorRecreation on EnvironmentalAttitudes,’’ was judged by sociologyfaculty members from DoaneCollege, Nebraska WesleyanUniversity and Creighton University.Dr. Monica Snowden servedas faculty advisor for Villarreal’ssociology paper.He is the son of ArturoVillarreal of Norfolk. Villarreal isa Pi Gamma Mu internationalhonor society member. He wasalso selected for the “OutstandingStudent in Sociology” award atWSC for 2003-04.Villarreal participating in theNebraska Semester Abroad Programin the Czech Republicduring the spring semester andwill graduate in May 2005.‘Tie One On for the Holidays’Campaign Successful at WSC”Tie One On for the Holidays,” a campaign to encourage people at Wayne StateCollege and the Wayne community not to drink and drive during the holiday seasonwas coordinatedby Norman B. Small, II.Small, a Wayne State student who is the WSC student representative on theNebraska State College System Board of Trustees, said the program receivedwidespread support on campus and throughout the community. Several campusgroups—Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Greeks Advocating MatureManagement of Alcohol (GAMMA), and the WSC Student Senate—co-sponsored theprogram, which included individuals signing a pledge not to drink and drive from Nov.24-Jan. 10. Each signee received a red ribbon to tie on the antenna of his/her vehicle toindicate participation in the program.“This program has been successful on military bases and at a county in Utah wherealcohol-related accidents decreased dramatically while the program was in effect,” hesaid. “We received a great deal of support from the college and the community ofWayne.”The Wayne Chamber of Commerce, the Wayne City Council and a number ofbusinesses in town sponsored and supported the program. A ceremonial contractsigning and red ribbon ceremony took place on Nov. 23. WSC President RichardCollings, along with representatives of campus and community organizations, signedthe contract and placed ribbons on their vehicles at that time.Following the signing ceremony, WSC President Richard Collings, center, ties a redribbon onto the antenna of his vehicle. Pictured with him are Leo Ahmann, interimexecutive director of the Wayne Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lacey Schwochow,WSC Student Senate president.WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 9

Ursula Wriedt Klatt Funds EndowedScholarship for Education MajorsUrsula Wriedt KlattUrsula Wriedt Klatt, a 1936 graduate of Wayne State College whotaught in Nebraska schools for 40 years, recently presented a $20,000contribution to endow an education scholarship fund for future students atthe college. Phyllis Conner, vice president for development and executivedirector of the Wayne State Foundation, commended Mrs. Klatt for herloyalty to and her confidence in her alma mater to continue to build uponits stellar reputation of training and developing outstanding educators forNebraska and the nation.The scholarship was established in honor of Ursula and her siblings:Frances Barrett, Inez Boekenhaurer, and Cecil Wriedt, all of whom attendedWayne State College. They are four of the six children born to the lateHerman and Meta Wriedt of rural Wakefield, Nebraska. Frances, Inez andCecil were long-time teachers in Iowa and Nebraska. Cecil was also on thefaculty of Wayne State College. Ursula taught journalism and English atthe junior high level in Grand Island, Neb. for 27 years and taught approximately6,000 students.Ursula is the widow of Stewart Klatt from Ponca, Nebraska, and iscurrently residing at the independent living apartments of Riverside Lodgein Grand Island, Nebraska.Armstrong Joins the Wayne State Foundation StaffKevin Armstrong of Omaha has begun his new position as Directorof Planned Giving for the Wayne State Foundation. In his position,Armstrong will assist alumni and friends of Wayne State College withtheir gift planning, including making them aware of different programsthat are available for long-term gift-giving.Armstrong, a 1999 graduate of Wayne State College with a bachelorof science in criminal justice, previously worked for the First NationalBank of Omaha as a credit card fraud investigator. He also worked withfinancial disputes for PayPal, a subsidiary of E-Bay. A graduate ofOmaha Central High School, he played football at Wayne State.Coming back to Wayne State was an easy decision for Armstrongwhose wife, Heidi (Reeg) is also a WSC alum and a native of Wayne.They are the parents of two children, Emily, three, and Bo, eightmonths. “We thought it was perfect timing to move here,” Armstrongsaid. “The tradition and history of Wayne State were very compellingreasons, and the community of Wayne was a close second. It justseemed ideal. Heidi, who works for First National Bank of Omaha as acredit analyst, transferred to Wayne from the Omaha office.”Armstrong is excited about the new challenges of the job. “I lookforward to the opportunity to build relationships with friends andalums of Wayne State College, and to work with them on their giftplanningneeds,” he said. “It will be fun to get out and meet people.We are so glad to get back.”Kevin Armstrong10

Hemenway Establishes Endowed Education ScholarshipDr. Myrle Hemenway ’39 has establishedthe Dr. Myrle and K. Leone HemenwayEndowed Education Scholarship. Myrle’sson, Dr. Robert Hemenway who is Chancellorof the University of Kansas encouragedhis father to establish the scholarship to helpWayne State students but to also celebrateMyrle’s career in education.After graduating from Wayne State in1939, Myrle took his first teaching positionin Massena, Iowa to teach social studies andgeneral science. After marrying K. LeoneCook, May 21, 1940, who Myrle had met atWayne State College when they were bothstudents, they moved to Edison, Nebraskawhere Myrle taught high school English,American Literature, biology and was coach.He later worked in Iowa schools in MissouriValley and then in Shenandoah where hebecame the junior high principal and coach.In 1954 he completed his MA in historyand in 1963 earned his Ed. D, in schooladministration at the University of Nebraska.He served as the principal at the junior highfor eleven years until 1966 when he took aposition at the University of Colorado atBoulder in the education department focusingon school administration with specializationin middle level education. Leone was athis side, along with their two children,Dr. Myrle and K. Leone Hemenway“Myrle and Leone’s endowedscholarship will continue in perpetuitytheir legacy of positivelyimpacting young people throughtheir commitment to education.”Bob and Pam for all of these moves. Leoneat the same time realized a successful careerof 27 years teaching in lower elementarygrades.Myrle played a key role in developingpolicies and standards for accreditation ofmiddle level schools in the North CentralAssociation. In Boulder Myrle served asinterim Colorado State Chairman of theNorth Central Association. In this positionMyrle made decisions related to the 150Colorado schools that were members of theNCA. In 1976, he was chosen by the U. S.Department of Defense to accredit schoolsoperated by the Department. He representedthe NCA in the Pacific to ensure thatdependent schools in Japan, Okinawa, andthe Philippines were equivalent to the bestNCA schools in the United States.Myrle retired in 1985 and he andLeone began retirement with an extensivetrip to Europe. He completed his autobiographyin 2000, again at the urging of son,Robert, and therein reflected that to positivelyaffect the lives of countless youngpeople is fulfilling. Myrle and Leone’sendowed scholarship will continue inperpetuity their legacy of positively impactingyoung people through their commitmentto education.FriendswithForesightOur Board of Trustees bears theresponsibility for the financial healthof the Wayne State Foundation andultimately the private funding forWayne State College. Thisresponsibility includes not onlycurrent needs, but also the financialneeds of the future. One of the waysthe board addresses this future obligation is through the WayneState Foundation Office of Planned Giving.While some planned gifts are aimed at current needs, thebulk of these gifts provide resources for tomorrow. For example,our endowment program sets in place an assortment of enduringfunds that address the ongoing needs of Wayne State.Our gift annuity program provides resources to the WayneState Foundation when the annuity payments are completed.Another example is our emphasis on bequests, whereby donorscan make gifts through their estates at death. Anyone who leavesa bequest to the Wayne State Foundation can provide theinstitution with the flexibility to use the funding as needs ariseby leaving their gift unrestricted or earmark all or a portion oftheir gifts to areas of their specific interest such as scholarships,athletics, academic departments, or campus beautification.We appreciate our friends who continually give to thefoundation year after year through annual contributions andspecial gifts. We could not exist without you. We also want tohonor those of you who look into the future and address theunseen needs that lie out there before us. You give us hope andconfidence in a brighter tomorrow. The fact is, we need all of ourfriends to support the mission of the Wayne State Foundation inevery way possibleOur director of planned giving, Kevin Armstrong, will behappy to show you how you can demonstrate your foresightthrough a planned gift. Contact him at 402-375-7534 orkearmst1@wsc.edu or complete and return the form below._____ Please send me information about the Wayne State FoundationHeritage Society._____ Please contact me personally to discuss my planned giving options._____ I have already included Wayne State Foundation in my estate plan.Name _________________________________________________________Address _______________________________________________________City, State, Zip _________________________________________________Phone (_____) _________________________________________________Year graduted from WSC (if applicable) ____________________________Please return form to: Wayne State Foundation • 1111 Main StreetWayne, Nebraska 68787 • 402-375-7510WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 11

Around CampusIn observance of Black History Month,the St. Bakhita Sudanese Women’sCommunity from Omaha presented“Song of Freedom,” personal accountsof challenging violent experiencestoward women and their families inSudan. The presentation was sponsoredby the Multicultural Center, StudentsAgainst Violence Everywhere (SAVE)and WSC Student Senate Allocations tothe Catholic Newman Center and theELCA WeLCoMe House (EvangelicalLutheran Church in America WayneLutheran Campus Ministry).A group of Wayne State administrationand faculty had the opportunity tohave lunch, receive a base tour of the185th Air Guard, and go on a refuelingmission flight over the Midwest onJan. 19. The air crew was composedprimarily of WSC alumni.A total of 300 WSC scholar-athleteswere recognized for their academicachievements at PresidentialScholar Night during the Feb. 19basketball double-header withWinona State. Of the scholarathletes,122 had a grade-pointaverage of 3.5 and above, while178 had a GPA of 3.2 and above.12

Wayne State College students, faculty and staffdonated half a dozen boxes of toys to be distributedby the Haven House shelter and crisis interventionorganization in the Wayne and Sioux City, Iowaarea. Collection sites at all the WSC residence hallswere part of a project for the Midwest Affiliation ofCollege and Universities Residence Halls. Variouscontests and promotions occurred at each residencehall to encourage participation. Gathering andboxing the toys were from left: Matthew Cade ofBlair, Kelli Chocholousek of Norfolk, Katy Burns ofPapillion, Tami Munch of Bellevue and DeannaWoldt of Sioux Falls, S.D.Ailey II, nationally-renowned dance company performed oncampus March 2 as part of the Black & Gold performing artsseries. Ailey II Dance Company, the celebrated youngperformers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, hasbecome one of the most popular dance companies in theUnited States . The company merges the spirit and energy ofthe country’s best young dance talent with the passion andcreative vision of today’s most outstanding emergingchoreographers.Marlene Mueller, professor of art at Wayne Stateexhibited paintings and drawings at the NordstrandGallery from Jan. 19-Feb. 12. The work was created infulfillment of a sabbatical she was granted during thespring semester 2004. The nine acrylic paintings reflectaerial views of the college campus, downtown Wayneand rural farmsteads. Pictured, Mueller (right) visitswith Gary and Pam Boehle of Wayne.WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 13

AthleticsMcLaughlin Named Wildcat Head Football CoachDan McLaughlinAssistant Football CoachesBrown and Cordes NamedNew Wildcat football coach DanMcLaughlin has announced the hiring of twoassistant coaches. Clint Brown will be thedefensive coordinator while Mike Cordes hasbeen hired as secondary coach.Brown comes to Wayne State after servingthe 2004 season as defensive backs coach atNew Mexico State. He also served as a graduateassistant at New Mexico State from 1997-2000.He is a 1996 graduate of the University ofNebraska-Lincoln, earning letters as a memberof the Nebraska football team in 1993 and1994. Brown is a native of Arlington, Neb.Cordes spent the past two seasons coachinglinebackers and secondary at the Universityof South Dakota. Cordes, a native of York,played college football at Nebraska-Kearneywhere he was a two-time captain and a threeyearletterwinner and starter.“I am very excited to have the opportunityto work with two young and energetic footballcoaches who are so well respected in thecoaching profession,”said McLaughlin. “Clintand Mike bring everything I desire in anassistant coach to Wayne State: Nebraska roots,experience, demonstrated recruiting successand a strong work ethic. Our program is veryfortunate to have them.”Dan McLaughlin was introduced as the 21st head football coach at WayneState College on Dec. 9, 2004. McLaughlin comes to WSC after spending oneseason as offensive coordinator at Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn., where hehelped the Mavericks to a 6-5 record after the team went 0-11 in 2003. It wasMinnesota State’s first winning season in football since 1994.In 2003, McLaughlin was a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska,working as an assistant offensive line coach and assistant special teams coach whilecoordinating Nebraska’s walk-on program.Before moving to the college ranks, McLaughlin achieved success at the highschool level in Nebraska by winning state championships at three different schools.He was the head coach at Millard West from 1995 to 2002, guiding the Wildcats tothe 2001 Class A state title. McLaughlin was the head coach at Norfolk HighSchool from 1988 to 1994, leading the Panthers to the 1994 Class A State Championship.He also coached at Broken Bow High School in 1987 and led the school tothe Class B state crown in his only season at Broken Bow.“It’s clear that Dan McLaughlin is the right choice for head football coach atWayne State,” said WSC athletic director Eric Schoh. “He brings professionalismand a track record of success. Dan is exceptionally qualified as a coach, includingan established record in our state and region. He has proven leadership that will beimportant as our football program moves ahead.”McLaughlin earned his master’s degree from Wayne State College in 1992. Heand his wife Nadine have two sons, both playing college football in the NorthCentral Conference. Sean is a junior quarterback at the University of South Dakotawhile Scott is a sophomore and plays defensive lineman at the University ofNebraska-Omaha.McLaughlin replaced Scott Hoffman, who resigned after five seasons. WSCfinished the 2004 season with a 3-8 record and has not had a winning season infootball since 1995 when the Wildcats were 6-4.Wayne State Hall of Fame Nomination FormPlease use the form below to nominate someone deserving of this award by April 15, 2005.(If you have additional information about achievements, etc., please send with the form)Please return form by April 15, 2005 to: Eric Schoh, Director of AthleticsWayne State College • 1111 Main St • Wayne, NE 68787402-375-7520 • erschoh1@wsc.eduInformation about Nominee:Name __________________________________________________________________Address ________________________________________________________________City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________Phone _________________________________________________________________Grad Year ______________________________________________________________Classification ____________________________________________________________(Student-athlete, coach, staff, team, administrator or contributor)Sport(s) ________________________________________________________________Years sport(s) was played __________________________________________________Nominated by:Name _________________________________________________________________Grad Year _____________________________________________________________Address _______________________________________________________________Phone ________________________________________________________________14

WildcatsReceivePost-SeasonHonorsAthleticsFall athletic teams at Wayne State College fared well with numerous All-Conferencehonors. The football team had eight players named to the Northern Sun Conference All-Conference Football Team. Senior defensive back Jeremy Neill, junior running back ZachMolacek and junior linebacker Aaron Rodgers were named First Team All-Conference.Junior defensive end Jeff Rathman and sophomore tight end Jake Robinson receivedSecond Team honors while junior offensive lineman Clyde Soappman, junior defensiveback Pat Stalkfleet and freshman punter Josh Armon all were named honorable mention.Neill was also selected to the Daktronics All-Northwest Region Second Team andMolacek was named to the College Division Academic All-District VII Second Team asselected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The WSC football teamfinished in a tie for sixth in the NSIC with a 2-5 league record and 3-8 overall.Three players from the Wayne State volleyball team received First Team All-NorthernSun Conference honors. They included senior outside hitter Chelse Schultz, junior setterJulie Jacobsen and junior middle hitter Jacey Kuck Schwarz. The Wildcats finished the2004 season with a 20-14 overall record and a 9-5 NSIC mark to finish in a tie for thirdplace.The Wayne State women’s soccer team had three players selected for the 2004Northern Sun Conference All-Conference Team. Sophomore midfielder Melissa Bensonand sophomore defender Sarah James were each named to the First Team while sophomoreforward Mary Anne Liebentritt was selected honorable mention. WSC finished the 2004season tied for fifth in the NSIC with a 3-4 league record, 6-14 overall.Four members of the Wayne State men’s and women’s cross country teams receivedAll-Conference honors at the NSIC Championships hosted by Wayne State on Oct. 23.Sophomore Jeremiah Herron (second), freshman Matt Schneider (third) and junior BenCrabtree (ninth) placed in the Top 10 to earn All-Conference honors while sophomoreAshley Smith was the lone women’s runner to receive All-Conference honors afterfinishing ninth at the NSIC meet. The WSC men finished third at the NSIC Championshipswith the women coming in fifth.The WSC men’s and women’s golf teams fell just short of having All-Conferenceplayers. Junior Jason Love finished in a tie for ninth at the NSIC Championships, one shotaway from earning All-Conference honors. The men’s team finished fourth overall at theconference meet. For the women’s team, senior Monica Novak placed 10th and was twoshots away from earning All-Conference recognition. The women’s team also finishedfourth at the conference meet.2005 Wildcat SpringSports SchedulesAthletic Office - 402-375-7520Home games are in boldwww.wsc.edu/athleticsOutdoor Track ScheduleDate Location3/ 26 Univ. of Nebr.-Kearney Open-Kearney, Neb.3/29 WSC Wildcat Twilight Meet-Wayne, Neb.4/2 Univ. of Sioux Falls Invite-Sioux Falls, SD4/3-4 Wildcat Multi-Wayne, Neb.4/9 Wildcat Open-Wayne, Neb.4/14-16 Division II Challenge-Emporia, Kansas4/21-23 Kansas Relays-Lawrence, Kansas4/22-23 Sioux City Relays-Sioux City, Iowa4/24-25 NSIC Multi-Event-Aberdeen, SD4/28-30 Drake Relays-Des Moines, Iowa4/29 Nebraska Wesleyan Open-Lincoln, Neb.5/6-7 NSIC Championships-Moorhead, Minn.5/13-14 Last Chance Meet-TBA5/26-28 NCAA Nationals-Abilene, TexasClip and save this WSC spring sports schedule.SoftballDate Location Time3/6-11 Tucson Invitational Games TBA3/15 Concordia University (NE) 2 p.m.3/19-20 South Dakota Dome Tourney TBA3/22 South Dakota 2 p.m.3/25 Augustana 2 p.m.3/29 Missouri Western 1 p.m.4/1 Nebraska at Omaha 3 p.m.4/2-3 UNO Invitational TBA4/5 Nebraska-Kearney 2 p.m.4/8 Winona State 2 p.m.4/9 Minnesota-Crookston 11 a.m.4/9 Bemidji State 3 p.m.4/10 Northern State 9 a.m.4/10 Moorhead 1 p.m.4/12 South Dakota State 2 p.m.4/16 Northwestern, IA 2 p.m.4/19 Southwest Minnesota State 3 p.m.4/22 Concordia-St. Paul 2 p.m.4/23 Minnesota-Crookston 9 a.m.4/23 Moorhead 1 p.m.4/24 Bemidji State 9 a.m.4/24 Northern State 1 p.m.4/26 South Dakota 4 p.m.5/1 Mount Marty Noon5/6-7 NSIC Conference Tourney TBABaseballDate Location Time3/2 MO Western 1:00 p.m.3/7-12 Spring Trip-Armstrong Atl. Univ. TBA3/18 Northwest Missouri 1:00 p.m.3/22 Univ. of Neb-Kearney 1:00 p.m.3/24-25 Concordia St. Paul Noon3/30 Mt. Marty College 1:00 p.m.4/2-3 Winona State Noon4/6 Univ. of Neb-Omaha 1:00 p.m.4/9 Southwest-Minnesota State 1:30 p.m.4/10 Southwest-Minnesota State Noon4/13 Univ. of Neb.-Omaha 1:00 p.m.4/16-17 Minnesota-Crookston 1:30 p.m.4/20 Augustana College 2:00 p.m.4/23-24 Northern State 1:30 p.m.4/26 Augustana College 2:00 p.m.4/28 Minnesota State-Mankato 2:00 p.m.5/1SU Upper Iowa University 2:00 p.m.5/7-8 Bemidji State University Noon5/12-14 NSIC Conference Tournament TBA5/19-21 Central Region Tournament TBA5/28 Division II World Series TBAWAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 15

PartnershipwithNortheastAnnouncedParticipating in the historic news conference to announce a proposed partnership inSouth Sioux City are, from left: Dr. Richard Collings, Wayne State president, StanCarpenter, executive director of the Nebraska State College System; and Dr. Bill Path,president of Northeast Community College.History was made in higher education in Nebraska on Feb. 7 with the signing of a memorandumof understanding between Northeast Community College and Wayne State College to build acommuter campus in South Sioux City. The proposed campus will be located on a 55-acre sitealong Highway #77 in South Sioux City.The agreement was signed by Dr. Richard Collings, WSC president, Dr. Bill Path, NortheastCommunity College president, and Stan Carpenter, executive director, Nebraska State CollegeSystem, at a press conference in South Sioux City. The memorandum details the proposed constructionof a campus where students can take their freshman- and sophomore-level courses fromNortheast and then take junior- and senior-level or graduate-level courses from Wayne State in thesame location in South Sioux City. Both the NSCS Board of Trustees and the NECC Board ofGovernors signed a similar resolution supporting the partnership.“We at Wayne State College look forward to this exciting collaboration with NortheastCommunity College,” said Dr. Collings. “This partnership will enable us to better serve theresidents of the region by providing the opportunity to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s and anadvanced degree in one central location.”Wayne State plans to offer degree completion courses in business as students complete theirassociate degree programs, and will expand course offerings to meet the needs of potential students.WSC will also continue to offer graduate courses in education and business in South Sioux City.Do You Know of a Prospective WSC Student?Alumni and friends of the College can help tremendously in our recruiting efforts byproviding us with names of prospective students. Our success in recruiting newstudents from your area can be enhanced with your assistance. Please take the time tocomplete this form and mail it to Wayne State. Thank you for your help and interest!Student Information (please indicate any special relationship, e.g., child or grandchild)Name______________________________________________________ Relationship ___________________________________________Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Telephone___________________________________ High School_______________________________ Grad Yr._______Your Name___________________________________ Address________________________________________ Phone ________________Please return the form to: Admissions Office, Wayne State College, 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787. E-mail: admit1@wsc.edu16

Alumni Notes(Towns and cities listed onthese pages are in Nebraskaunless noted or generallyunderstood. All events occurredin 2004 unless indicatedotherwise. Efforts are made tokeep our news current.)1941Dr. Archie McPherran haswritten and had published histhird book, The Last Good War.It presents situations in and outof combat. It opines that WWIIlikely is the last war to beuniversally supported by allAmericans, some of whom worea uniform, while other built theships, planes, and armaments,grew the food, and bore thesevere rationing of butter,coffee, meat, sugar, shoes,gasoline, cigarettes, and tireswith little complaint. Archieand his wife, Margaret, reside inSacramento, Calif. He is theretired vice chancellor of Calif.State Community Colleges.1946Marion (Kriege) Doss, YubaCity, Calif., is a credentialedteacher and enjoys tutoringchildren in northern Calif. Shealso does presentations inelementary school classrooms,fairs and festivals, where sheposes as Mother Goose with hergoose, Gertrude.1947Ione (Dirks) Werthman,Omaha, was elected to a threeyearterm on the NationalAudubon Society Board ofDirectors. She has been anactive volunteer in the Societyfor over 25years. Ionealso serves onseveral otherenvironmentalorganizationalboards in Neb.She presentsprograms on nature to childrenand to public social groups inthe area. Throughout the year,she holds six-week birding andnature classes at a local communitycollege.1950Richard and Joanne (Stevenson’ 52) Kirwan were recipients of2004 Neighborhood HeroAward for the city of Santa Ana,Calif. This annual award wasestablished to honor thoseindividuals who have showncommitment and enthusiasm inbettering the quality of life intheir neighborhoods. Theymoved from Neb. to Calif. in1959. Richard and Jo have eachretired from a career in education.He served as principal forOrange High School and shewas a kindergarten teacher for30 years.1959Vern Pinnt retired in May of ’04after 45 years in education. Hiscareer began in Iowa teachingand coaching boy’s basketball.While coaching in Iowa Falls,Iowa, he was named 1975 StateBasketball Coach of the Year.He spent the final 25 years of hiscareer teaching in Ariz. He andhis wife, Betty, reside in Yuma,Ariz.1962James Budde is on executivephased retirement. He foundedthe Research and TrainingCenter on Independent Livingat the University of Kansas in1980 and served as CenterDirector. He now serves assenior advisor for the Center ona 25% time basis until fullretirement. He and his wife,Jane, reside in Lawrence, Kan.1963Burt Echtenkamp has retiredfrom IBM after a 36-year careerwhere he held company positionsin Omaha; St. Louis, Mo.;and Dallas, Texas. Burt mostrecently was senior business areamanager of S&O e-business withIBM Global Services. Burt andhis wife, Linda, reside inRichardson, Texas.1966David Peterson, Lake View,Iowa, has retired from teachinghigh school social studies after39 years at Lake View Auburn,formerly known as Wall LakeView Auburn. He and his WSCsweetheart, Lorraine, will havebeen married 40 years in Aug.They have three children andseven grandchildren (includingtwo sets of twins).1969Galen Johnson (MSE ’70) hasbeen appointed as assistant vicepresident for the Midwest regionof ACT. This not-for-profitorganization serves people inschools, colleges, professionalassociations, businesses andgovernment agencies withprograms and services that helppeople achieve their educationand career goals. He will assumemanagement and leadershipduties for theentire Midwestregion.He and hiswife, Pamela(Seymour),reside inGrayslake, Ill.1970John Lippert, Columbus, retiredafter 30 years as a steel buyerand materials manager withLindsay Manufacturing Co.,Lindsay. He has turned to thefield of education and serves as asubstitute teacher in the Columbusarea schools.Gary L. Willett retired after 29years in education. He served asa band director for 13 years andspent 16 years as a middle andelementary school principal. Heand his wife, Barbara, reside inJefferson, Iowa.1975Bryan Stoltenberg and a longtimebusiness associate havelaunched Financial ResultsGroup, LLC, Omaha, a financialservices firm. They work withclients living in Calif., Iowa,Minn., Mont., Neb., S.D., Texasand Wis. Their specialty isretirement planning and wealthmanagement. Bryan and his wifereside in Omaha.1976Charles A. Cooper, Omaha, washired as the President and ChiefExecutive Officer of SpecialOlympics Nebraska (SONE).SONE provides year-roundtraining and competition forchildren and adults with intellectualdisabilities in over 80 communitiesthroughout Neb.1977Brian Elliott (MSE ’79) is anautomotive instructor at WillowBrook High School #88, VillaPark, Ill. Brian’s students representedIllinois at the NationalFord/AAA Contest and placed9 th in the nation.His Ford/AAA troubleshootingteam won the state championshipHands-On contest. Brian waselected into Who’s Who ofAmerica’s Teachers. He waschosen to receive his almamater’s (Lake Park HSl) 2004Wall of Honor DistinguishedAlumni Award. He and his wife,Cary, reside in Roselle, Ill.WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 17

Alumni Notes1979Mike and Janece Ann (Beck’81) KoKoruz reside in Omaha.He is the regional sales managerfor The Swanson Corp.,Omaha, and president of theInstitute of Packaging Professionals,Midlands. She is theHealth, Beauty and Cosmeticsmanager for Hy-Vee Foods,Omaha. They are parents oftwo children, Aaron, a senior atTCU in Texas and Kristina, asophomore at WSC.1985Jeri (Glesinger) Sherer,Wakefield, has changed hercareer path and has joined theemergency medical servicesfield. She serves as a volunteerEMT on the Wakefield RescueSquad. She has obtained EMT-Intermediate licenses in bothNeb. and Iowa as well as beinga National Registered EMT-Intermediate.1986Dean Jacobs spent May 2001to April 2003 traversing theglobe on a low-budget adventureto better understand andknow the world we all share.This journey is captured in hisbook: Wondrous Journey-theWorld is Waiting for You. Deanwandered from Australia andSoutheast Asia to the MiddleEast and Africa as he explored28 countries. His book capturesthe essence of the 22 ½-monthjourney with stories and 140color photographs.1987Michael L. Nissen and KathyMohlfeld announce the birth ofdaughter, Brianna Marie, bornJune 30. They reside in Wayne.Michael is the assistant warehousemanager at Producer’sHybrids, Battle Creek, andKathy is a counselor and academicadvisor at WSC.1989Mike Forsberg and his wife,Kim, announce the birth of son,Miles Eugene, born Nov. 19. Heis welcomed home by Mason(5), Makayla (3) and Megan (1).Mike farms near Laurel, wherethey reside.1991Randy Ronspies and his wife,Linda, announce the birth oftheir first child, Austin Trey,born March 5.Randy ismaterialsmanager atConnectivitySolutions,Omaha, andthey residein Gretna.Mike (MBA ’04) and Kim(Backstrom) Bentjen haverelocated to Omaha. Mike issecond VP at First National Bankand Kim is a pharmacist atSelect Specialties Hospital.They are the parents of Bailey(8), Adam (5) and Natalie (1).1993Gordon McGee and his wifeCarin, Arlington, announce thebirth of son, Ethan, born May 3and welcomed home by Macie(3). Gordon is the director ofproduct management atAmeritrade, Omaha.Teresa K. Hoffman, Columbus,accepted the position of citygovernment/general assignmentreporter for the Columbus Telegram.DaVarryl Williamson is anInternational Boxing Federationheavyweight contender andsigned a promotional agreementwith Don King Productions.King is enthusiastic aboutinking him and says thatDaVarryl has earned the right tofight for a world heavyweighttitle.1994Merrily (Kyander) Schmid andher husband, Jim, announce thebirth of son, Ethan Michael,born July 19. He is welcomedhome bysister Ivy (4)and brotherAndy (2).Merrilyenjoysbeing a stayat-homemom.Bill (MSE ’97, Eds ’04)Heimann received the 2004New Outstanding Principal ofthe Year Award for the state ofNeb. He serves as the secondaryprincipal at Wakefield CommunitySchools. He and his wife,Jenny (Brummer) reside inJoseph WallAlumni Mini-Feature: Joseph ‘Joe’ WallWSC Graduate Working for Majority Whip in U.S. CongressJoseph ‘Joe’ Wall, a 2004 Wayne State College graduate, has been appointed to the Office ofthe Majority Whip Roy Blunt’s (Mo.) staff in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington,D.C. Wall has been named Floor Assistant, acting as the Whip Office’s liaison to the rest of the GOPconference, as well as the public, for Floor-related activity. He began his new duties in earlyJanuary.Wall’s primary responsibilities are composing the Whip Notice (weekly), the Whipping Post(daily), and Floor Updates (play-by-play updates of floor action). In addition, he is the liaison tothe GOP Conference and the general public, keeping the GOP members and staff informed of theFloor schedule. “The best part of the job is being on the House floor during all votes,” he said.Originally from Omaha, Wall graduated from Wayne State with a bachelor of arts in politicalscience in May 2004. He was a four-year letter winner on the WSC baseball team.While a student at Wayne State, Wall worked as an intern at the National RepublicanCongressional Caucus (NRCC), the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Energy andCommerce Committee, and the White House. He served as a staff assistant at the NRCC during lastfall’s election campaign.“This has been a great experience, and I’m really looking forward to working with the 109thCongress and the many challenges that my new position brings,” said Wall.18

Alumni NotesAlumni Mini-Feature:Jean Lienemann HillyerJean Lienemann Hillyer‘76, graduated with degrees inlibrary science and history.Jean’s love for books and historycombined with her educationalexperience at WayneState College presented herwith opportunities that no onecould have anticipated in themid-1970s.Her first position aftergraduation was as a librarymedia specialist in the Sutton(Neb.) Public Schools, whereshe remained for seven-and-a-half years. Jean expanded herhorizons by joining IBM in 1984 as a sales specialist. Afterserving in various sales and marketing roles for IBM, Jeanrecently combined her library science and history training intotwo unique opportunities.Jean is currently using her library science skills within IBMto support software technical sales specialists to more easilylocate technical information within IBM’s world-wide intranet.Her focus is on organizing information, publishing content, anddeveloping the infrastructure that supports the business needs ofthe software technical sales specialists, enabling them to becomemore efficient and effective in their work. Her libraryscience coursework at Wayne State was a key to this opportunityto apply her skills as a technical sales cybrarian in IBM’s softwaregroup. She lives in Dallas, Texas.In mid-2002, Jean began caring for her father while workingfull-time for IBM, an opportunity that was made possible by herposition as a mobile (telecommuting) employee. During thistime, she began working with her father to take his World War IImemoir from 196 pages of typed, double-spaced manuscript intothe world of electronic publishing. The memoir was transformedinto a self-published story. Jean’s knowledge of history andeducational experience at WSC combined with her libraryscience background served as the cornerstone for this endeavor.Publication of “Miracles Do Happen” provided opportunitiesto personally engage in all phases of publication fromconversion of paper to electronic, editing, fact-checking, applicationfor copyright and trademark protection, creation of acover, Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication, printingand marketing. Efforts since the publication include provisionof copies to museums and historical libraries dedicated topreserving World War II history and memorabilia, copies tomembers of the extended families of her father’s crew, family,friends and other interested parties.“Looking back,” Jean said, “education doesn’t end with adegree. It begins with completion of a degree program. Usingthe knowledge in new ways is both challenging and refreshing.”Wakefield and she is employedat Education Service Unit I inthe media department. They arethe parents of two children,Blake (3) and Abby (2).1995Greg and Joyce (Sjuts)Wemhoff announce the birth ofson, Jackson Gregory, born Oct.4 and welcomed home by sistersBaylee (5) and Allyson (3). Gregand Joyce are both employed asteachers at the Battle CreekPublic Schools, he in history andshe as a second-grade teacher.Benjamin and Stephenie(Sparr) McBride, Norfolk,announce the adoption ofCarson Benjamin Pintu, bornJune 1, 2003 in Kolkata, India.He joins a sister, CheyenneRaine Ballavi (4 ½). Ben is inhis ninth year of employmentwith the Norfolk Police Divisionwhere he is an officer and servesas a field training officer andnegotiator. He is also a memberof the Accident InvestigationTeam at NPD. Stephenie operatesTenderTimesChildCarein herhome.Scott and Jennifer (Jacobsen’97) Kneifl announce the birthof Brooks Scott, born Oct. 15.He joinsbrother,Jacob (2)at theirhome inWayne.Scottis the assistant volleyball coachat WSC and Jennifer is theaccounting manger at TysonFoods, Inc. Dakota Dunes, S.D.1996Jody (Mercer) Soll and herhusband, Bill, announce thebirth of daughter MadysenJewel, born Sept. 23 and welcomedhome by Aubrey (3).Sokol Kongoli (MBA ’98)resides in Astoria, N.Y. He wasunited in marriage to Arlindaand theirson EneaSokol wasborn July6, 2003.Sokol is afinancialconsultantin WallStreet,New YorkCity andArlindais a setdesignerfor NBCUniversal atRockefellerCenter.1997Valerie (Jenkins) Foster and herhusband, Sandy, announce thebirth of their first child,Alexander Rees, born March 30.They reside in West Des Moines,Iowa andValerie isa consumeraffairsconsultantat MidlandNationalLifeInsurance.Tom Thompson and his wife,Chontel, announce the birth ofdaughter, Grace Emma, bornOct. 14. They reside in OmahaWAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 19

and Tomis asalesmanforModernBankingSystems,Ralston.Wanda M. Wisnieski and GregBackuswereunited inmarriageJuly 31.ThecoupleAlumni Mini-FeatureVirgil C. SmithWhen Virgil C. Smithentered Wayne StateCollege in the fall of1938, he was the firstindividual in his familyto enter and graduatefrom college. While astudent at Allen (Neb.)High School, he letteredall four years in football,basketball and track. Hecame to Wayne State asa basketball recruit, butplayed football hisfreshman year to get inshape for basketball.“With the footballseason overlapping the start of basketball, I failed to make thebasketball team,” Virgil said. He continued to play on the Wildcatfootball team. “My only claim to fame was catching a passfrom Bud Best on the first play of the Homecoming game for atouchdown against Chadron in 1941.”Virgil hitchhiked to Kansas City, Mo. in the spring of 1942to enter the Navy’s officer training program, which allowed himto finish college before entering the service. He was called intoservice in December 1942, and reported to the naval officers’school at Northwestern University. In 90 days, he was made anofficer, and was then transferred to Miami, Fla. to begin shipboardtraining. After another 60 days, he was fully trained in operatinga ship known as the “sub chaser,” a ship whose crew members’20Alumni Notesresides in Pierce and she is anagent for Farm Bureau, Pierce.Shane and Krista (Lingenfelter)Palm reside in Missouri Valley,Iowa, with their children Kyra (4)and Nathaniel (2). Shane is abodily injury claims examinerfor National Indemnity, Omaha.Krista enjoys being a stay-athomemomwhileworkingas anindependenthealthinsuranceagent.1998Chris Sobczyk and Leigh AnneButterworth were united inmarriage on Oct. 9. Chris is aterritory sales representative forDart Container Corp and thecouple resides in Louisville,Ky.Trisha Kampschneider andAustin Buckett were marriedApril 8 in Basingstoke, Hampshire,England.Darin Corder is a student atPhillips Theological Seminary,Tulsa, Okla., with aspirations ofgraduating with a Master’s ofDivinity in May, 2005.Andrew and Stacy (McIntire’99) Brown have relocated toKearney, Mo., following hispromotion with Ford Motor Co.He is field service manager forKan., Mo., Neb., Iowa and S.D.Stacy is pursuing a master’sdegree in Community Counselingand is doing her internshipat Healthy Families Counselingand Support, Kansas City, Mo.1999Aubrey (Parson) Robinson andher husband, Mike, announcethe birth of son, Peyton Michael,born Oct. 2. They reside inMoravia, Iowa and Aubrey isemployed as a chemist atCargill, Inc., Eddyville.duty was to hunt down submarines, escort convoys, and patrolsensitive waters for any underwater activity.Throughout World War II, he saw service in the Mediterranean,where, among other things, he had the opportunity to climbthe 3,000-feet high Rock of Gibraltar. He also saw duty in Bizerte,North Africa, patrolled the Mediterranean, and he and his shipmateswere designated to lead the invasion forces onto Anziobeach. After some time, he was reassigned to another sub chasersomewhere in the Adriatic Sea, headed for the Dalmatian Islandsand special duty with Marshall “Tito” and his Yugoslavian forces.During this period of time, his crew received the unusual assignmentof having to attempt to recapture Winston Churchill’snephew who was reported to be on a ship headed back to Venice.After being in the war zone for one-and-one-half years, Virgilreturned to the United States. He was assigned to another subchaser in Honolulu as captain of a ship where, for the next sixmonths, his ship patrolled the big island to make sure no Japanesesubmarines penetrated the water surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.His final assignment during the war was to proceed to ColdBay, Alaska to help train Russian navy personnel in how to operatean American ship. Virgil was assigned the task of leading threeother sub chasers through the Inland Passage to Juneau, across theBay of Alaska, and then on to Cold Bay on the Peninsula, nearDutch Harbor.Following the war, Virgil was discharged from the service inApril 1946 and returned to Allen to continue his teaching andcoaching. He returned to San Diego and began working in aninsurance office as a telephone operator at $175 per month (“Whata low blow,” Virgil writes. “I had been making $450 per month as afull lieutenant in the Navy!”).Virgil was employed as an underwriter for the New HampshireInsurance Company from 1948 until 1985, when he retired as anofficer and secretary of the company, with headquarters in SanDiego and with responsibilities for production from four branchoffices in California. He lives in La Jolla, Calif.

Alumni NotesChristinaMcClanahanand CoreySimonsonwere marriedon May 8.She is acivilianemployee forthe 488 th Intelligence Squadron.They reside in Englandwhile Corey is on active dutywith the USAF.Stefanie L. Sjuts (MSE ’01),Humphrey, has accepted theposition of health and wellnessadvisor at Affiliated FoodsMidwest, Norfolk.Jill (Klein) Colling and herhusband, Travis, announce thebirth of first child, LincolnDrew, born July 30. They residein Sioux City, Iowa. Jill is theVP of Programming for the BigBrothers/Big Sisters program inSioux City.Greg “Grady” Strohbehn wasunited in marriage to JenniferJarose on Oct. 30. The coupleresides in Omaha and he isemployed atMillenniumMarketingGroup, LLCas amarketingconsultant.Jim and Jessica (Probasco ’01)Hoss, LeMars, Iowa, announcethe birth of daughter, LydiaGrace. Jim is the logisticsmanager for Harker’s DistributionInc., LeMars, and Jessicaenjoys being a professionalstay-at-home mother.2000Sam and Kati (Chromy)Settles, Omaha, announce thebirth of daughter, Halle Jordon,born Dec. 14. Sam is a PhDstudent in pharmaceuticalsciences and works forEpplyInstitute incancerresearch attheUniversityof Neb.Medical Center. Kati is departmenthead of Special Educationand Student Council sponsor atPapillion-LaVista South HighSchool.Wes and Andrea (Lundahl)Blecke announce the birth ofson, Easton Adam, born Jan. 3and welcomed home by bigbrother, Treyton (2 ½). Theyreside in Ashland where Wesserves asthe cityadministrator.Andrea isa physicaltherapistat Excel,Omaha.2001Kim Hutchins and Kevin Wiggswere married and reside inOmaha. Sheis employedat FremontAreaMedicalCenter.Lynnette S. Phillips, ProvidenceVillage, Texas, is the communityeditor for Star CommunityNewspapers, Allen, Texas.2002Brian and Melissa Pickering,Sioux Falls, S.D. are the parentsof twin daughters, Audrey Noelleand Elizabeth Margaret, bornNov. 11, 2003. Brian is anathletic trainer at Sioux ValleyHospital.Nicole (Larson) Scholl and herhusband, Rob, announce thebirth of son, Tyler Robert, bornJune 1.Nicole isservicemanagerat WellsFargo Bank,Lincoln.They residein Lincoln.2003Sarah (Gunderson) and BrentJanzen (’04) reside in Bellevue.Sarah is a n I.S.E.C. teacher inthe SPED dept. at the BellevuePublic Schools and Brent is thefrozen foods manager at Bag-n-Save.Eric Peters and Jessica McGillwere married Oct. 23 and residein Bellevue. He is employed inclient services at Ameritrade,Omaha. She is a healthcareassociate at Heartland FamilyServices.Casey Conrad relocated to FortMorgan, Colo., where he is anaccountant for the Cargill MeatSolutions plant.Joseph J. “J.J.” Schueth andKari Brown were united inmarriage June 19. They reside inBlair where Kari is the highschool art teacher with BlairCommunitySchools.J.J. is aforeman forLarsenConcrete,CouncilBluffs, Iowa.Justin Katt is employed as anassistant manager at Scheels AllSports, Omaha and resides inFremont.Bridget Wiebelhaus, Norfolk isdirect support manager at Mosaic(formerly known as Bethphage).Bethphage was her employerwhile she was raising her sonand attending classes at WSC.She was promoted to managerfollowing her graduation.Tiffany (Crom) Olson and herhusband, Mark, Concord,announce the birth of son,Dillon Mark,born June 7.Tiffany isemployed atR-Way,Wayne, ascommunitysupport.2004Tiffany Schmitz and TomGuenther were united in marriageon June 19. The coupleresides near Randolph. She issubstitute teaching in areaschools.Jeff Hassenstab is serving as agrad asst. in intramurals/sportsclubs at Wichita State University,Wichita, Kan.In Memory OfDorothy (Gulliver) Hanks ’31,(92), Wichita, Kan.; Dec. 18.Agnes (Feyerherm) Pfeil ’32,(91), Wayne; Dec. 7.Marjorie E. (Westerand)Adams ’35, (91), Lincoln;Jan. 6, 2005.Arlene N. (Nellor) Anderson’36, (91), Fort Collings, Colo.;Aug. 29.Leo J. Finn ’38, (88), Sun CityWest, Ariz.; Dec. 10.Walter L. Lofgren ’39, (92),Bremerton, Wash.; Aug. 30.John W. Glock ’40, (89), DeerPark, Tex.; Jan. 12, 2005.Marian (McGill) Strunk ’40,(83), Crofton; Oct. 3.Catherine (Kirwan) Indra ’40,(84), Grand Island; May 5. InWAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 21

Alumni NotesBe Rudloff Leads School to National AwardBeata (Be) Rudloff, ‘83 BAE, ‘94 MSE, and thecommunity in which she lives and works have agreat deal to be proud of. Be is the elementaryprincipal at Creighton Community Schools inCreighton, Neb., which was the only school inNebraska to receive the national “No Child LeftBehind Blue Ribbon School” award in 2003.Creighton was one of only 214 schools in thenation to receive this honor.The No Child Left Behind Blue RibbonSchools program, sponsored by the United StatesDepartment of Education, recognizes schools thatmake significant progress in closing the achievementgap or whose students achieve at very highlevels. Schools must meet “Adequate YearlyProgress,” or AYP, in reading/language arts andmathematics.“No Child Left Behind is starting to generatesome amazing results, transforming the educationallandscape,” said U.S. Secretary of Education RodPaige. Creighton High School was one of only fourschools in Nebraska to receive the award in 2004.Congratulations, Be and staff!Wayne State graduates teaching in Creighton Community Schools include:front row (l-r) LaDonna Hazen, Kindergarten; Tracy Tyler, grade four; JanetNaprstek, Elementary SPED; and Deb Bloomquist, grade four. Back row (l-r)Be Rudloff, Principal; Jean Crosley, grade two; Welden Zepf, PE; Kim Lemke,grade five; and Teresa Kuhl, Elementary SPED.her memory the Indra TransitionalLearning Center wasdedicated in Grand Island onSept. 13, 2004. The Centerhelps special education studentstransition life skills from theclassroom to life. The schoolthanked Catherine for herextraordinary philanthropic giftto Grand Island Public Schools.Lois (Ankeny) Westadt ’40,(86), Schuyler; Sept. 27.Georgia G. (Severson)Humbert ’44, (81), SergeantBluff, Iowa; Aug. 28.Leona (Bloom) Dykeman ’48,(79), Fremont; Oct. 19.J. VonBergen Phillips ’50, (77),Kenai, Alaska; Sept. 11.Marilyn (Ellison) Beckman’50, (76), Elgin; Oct. 28.Viola (French) Norskov ’51,Omaha.22Sherman Philip “S.P.” Eddy’51, (74). Amherst; Aug. 31.Cleo M. Tippery ’53, (78),Mapleton, Iowa; Nov. 22.Rutha Bee (McCoy) Weatherl’54, (75), Lincoln; Nov. 24.Wilford V. “Bill” Brown ’59,(68), Cambridge; Oct. 7.Beulah (Funk) Atkins ’61, (93),Wayne; Oct. 7.Ethel (Fredrickson) Malmberg’69, (84), South Sioux City;Oct. 11.Dan Wolfe ’70, (57), Scottsdale,Ariz.; Aug. 30.Martha M. (Klein) Prochaska’79, MSE ’82, Wakefield;Oct. 4.Ilene (Munson) Hornback ’86,(75), Wisner; Oct. 12.Remembering Hilda NeihardtHilda Neihardt, 88, died on Dec. 27, 2004 in Coatesville,Ind., where she had been living with her daughter. Neihardt,the daughter of the late John G. Neihardt, was awarded anhonorary doctorate of humane letters from Wayne State lastsummer. The ceremony, held on July 24 in Indianapolis, Ind.,honored her for a lifetime of achievement. “Through yourefforts as an accomplished writer, dramatic interpreter andpassionate champion of your father’s legacy, you have been amajor force in keeping the works of John G. Neihardt alive andappreciated by a new generation,” Dr. Richard Collings, WSCpresident, told her.Neihardt, who attended Wayne State College from 1934 to1936, received a juris doctorate from the University of MissouriSchool of Law in 1963, and became the first practicingwoman attorney in central Missouri. She moved back toNebraska in the late 1980s, serving as president of the John G.Neihardt Foundation board of trustees from 1989 until 2002.She received the first ‘Word Sender’ award from the NeihardtFoundation in 2000.In addition to promoting her father’s works, Neihardt washerself a published author. She received the 1991 Mildred R.Bennett Nebraska Literature Award for editing two collectionsof her father’s short stories. A manuscript which she completedshortly before her death recounting her parents’ marriage,The Broidered Garment - the Story of John and Mona,will be published by the University of Nebraska Press in 2006.

Upcoming Events:March 12Southern California ReunionApril 2Northern CaliforniaApril 15President Collings’ InaugurationMay 7CommencementJune 3Catbacker Golf at WayneJune 25Okoboji Wildcat Golf TournamentJuly 8 & 9Chicken DaysJuly 16Omaha Golf TourneyAugust 29Dakota Dunes Golf EventSept 30/Oct 1HomecomingAlumni NotesDenver ReunionDenver reunion attendess included: front row (l-r) Jack Dale ’50, Deborah Lundahl,Juli Burney ’77. Standing (l-r) Marlene “Mickey” Mcvey(Weber ’64), Connie Dale,Libby Dale, Norriene Leeling(Olson ’59), Bill Burney, Ginny Pierpoint, PresidentRichard Collings, Jeff Ingrum ’81 and Phyllis Conner.Send us your news & photos, too!We encourage you to send photos with your alumni notes - wedding, new baby, promotion, informal gathering with other alumni, etc. Besure to identify people in the photos. Digital photos with fewer than five megapixels cannot be accepted.You can send your news via email - delunda1@wsc.edu - Please remember to update your address!Class___________________Name________________________________________________________ (Maiden Name) ___________________________________________Spouse________________________________________ (Maiden Name)___________________________________ Class __________________Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________State__________________ Zip_____________________ Home Phone_________________________ E-mail _____________________________Employer_____________________________________________________ Title ____________________________________________________Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________State_____________________________________ Zip_________________ Phone __________________________________________________Spouse’s Employer______________________________________________ Title ___________________________________________________Address______________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________State_____________________________________ Zip_________________ Phone __________________________________________________Information for alumni notes ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Send to: Alumni Office, Wayne State College, 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787WAYNE STATE MAGAZINE 23

Tucson ReunionWSC alumni and friends attending the Tucson reunion were:front row (l-r) Deb Lundahl, Becky and Greg ’72 Walker, Kristiand Chris ’94 Gabriel. Middle row (l-r) Marilyn Collings,Phyllis Conner, Wilma Kingston, Virginia Horak, Lorna(Sexton ’73) Parsley, Arlene (Nelson ’47) Jones, Lynn Kjer,Karen Lundeen, Lucille (Moseley ’43) Kuhlman. Back row(l-r) President Collings, Jim ’42 Kingston, Willis ’67 Horak,Buford ’51 Jones, Fred ’59 Kjer, Roger ’59 Lundeen.Sun City ReunionAttending the Sun City reunion were: Front row (l-r) Ken ’55 andMerna Rapp, Deb Lundahl, Marilyn (Rolfs ’58) Estrada, ElizabethBudler. Back row (l-r) Keith and Gail Hill, Elwin and Marilyn(Throckmorton ’ 55) Anson, Horace ’42 and Faye (Sandahl ’47)Purtzer, Phyllis and Jack Conner, Marilyn and President Collings,Altea (Faudel ’50) Hill, James Erbes ’70, Marge (Gnuse ’43) Krohn, EdHill ’52, Matt Carney ’78, Beth (Galloway ’71) and Norris Leamer, Ann(Thomas ’66) Carter. (Chuck Budler (not pictured).Dallas ReunionThose attending the Dallas reunion were: front row (l-r)Chris Christensen ’43, Florence (Kindler ’42) Ferrin,Arlene “Pat” (Patrick ’41) Bartlett, Margaret Bartlett.Back (l-r) Phyllis Conner, Bruce O’Neel ’96, EdwardVonder, Charronna Chambers ’96, Sheri O’Neel, Evelynand John Martens ’69, Brian Watt ’84, Renee (Klein’95)Yttredahl, Mike Beacom ’90, Marilyn Collings,President Richard Collings, Deborah Lundahl. Notpictured: Bob Yttredahl ’99 and Lynn Schluns ’84.WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION1111 MAIN STREETWAYNE NE 68787www.wsc.eduNon-ProfitOrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDPermit #227Sioux City, Iowa