Faculty and Administrative Retirements

Jun 01, 2011

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AMY KELLY, News Bureau director
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FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE RETIREMENTS
AT CONCORDIA COLLEGE

    Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., honored five faculty and administrative retirees for their years of dedicated service to the college at the Faculty and Administration Appreciation dinner in April.
    Bruce Houglum began his career at Concordia in 1973 working part time as horn instructor. Well-loved by his students over the years, Houglum retires as conductor of The Concordia Orchestra, a position he has held since 1996. A 1968 graduate of Concordia, Houglum earned a Master of Music degree in horn performance and conducting from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. As hornist he served as principal horn of several orchestras and was an active guest conductor and clinician.
    Dr. Thomas Hiestand, associate professor of economics and program director for International Business, began his career at Concordia in 1972. He was a key figure in the development of the International Business program and was also chair of business and economics from 1978-84. He profoundly impacted the lives of numerous students helping them through difficult subjects and encouraging a love for the economics/finance industry.
    Robert Kohler, hired in 1986 as an assistant men’s basketball coach during the 1986-87 season, wore many different hats during his 24 years at Concordia including selling ads for athletics programs, organizing half-time entertainment, teaching and coaching. He was also an assistant football coach and an assistant and head women’s basketball coach. He’ll continue to sell ads for the athletic programs during his retirement.
    Dr. Gerald Van Amburg joined Concordia’s biology faculty in 1969 and served as professor and chair of the department. He has led numerous biology travel seminars across the U.S. and around the world. Since 1980 he has focused on the area of watershed management and helped establish the International Water Institute in 2000. He serves as director of one of the institute’s two centers.
    Linda Swanson, joined the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library as circulation manager in 1987 and retires as the information management coordinator, a position she has held since 2005. She was on the boards of trustees for a number of years for Lake Agassiz Regional Library, Moorhead Public Library and the Northern Lights Library Network. Swanson was also a student adviser for more than six years and led a May Seminar to Tanzania in 2001.
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