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Concordia Class of 1981 Reunion Page |
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July 2006
Dear Classmates of 1981,
On April 30, 2006, 477 students walked across the stage in Memorial Auditorium in front of a sea of family, professors and friends–officially becoming a part of this alumni family. Twenty-five years ago we walked across that very stage to receive our diplomas. This fall, October 13–15, Concordia invites us to come home for a very special weekend: Homecoming 2006. It is an opportunity for us to re-acquaint ourselves with Concordia: to reconnect with our classmates, reminisce about our Cobber experience, and celebrate our accomplishments since being sent forth into the world…25 years ago!
Your Homecoming itinerary is contained here in this mailing. Believe me, with NDSU also holding Homecoming the same weekend it is never too early to make your reservations! Stay in the 25th reunion hotel, the Ramada Plaza Suites, or choose from any other hotels in the area. A detailed schedule is provided as you plan your weekend, but here are some highlights. You won’t want to miss the Homecoming Banquet on Friday evening! The class of 1981 is gathering for a reunion breakfast at 8:00 am Saturday morning. After our class picture, we’ll head off to walk in the Homecoming parade and then celebrate together as the Cobbers beat St. Olaf in the football game (that’s my early prediction). The traditional Homecoming Concert, featuring the Cobber choir, band and orchestra will be held Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. (not on Sunday afternoon as in the past). This concert is free and advance tickets are not required. We will end the day by gathering as a class in the Overture Room at the Ramada Plaza Suites. Please use the special Class of 1981 Registration Form enclosed to sign up for this event. Our weekend comes to a close on Sunday morning following the festival worship in the Memorial Auditorium.
A large group of volunteers, headed up by Ron Lee, worked tirelessly this past year to increase the giving of the class of ’81. We set out with a goal of doubling the number of participants who donated, and decided not to worry about the size of the gift, but to focus instead on encouraging our class members to make some type of donation, no matter how small. Apparently the extra effort on the part of so many didn’t make a difference: our class came in again with just under the average percentage of all givers–28 percent. Of 539 potential participants, only 151 of our classmates made a donation. It was very discouraging to see that so few of us give back to Concordia. As committee members, we all recognize the demands each of you have to support various charities. However, even a $10.00 gift to Concordia increases the percentage of giving and puts the college into a higher level when compared with other schools. For example, when the college rankings are published in US News & World Report, one measure has to do with the percentage of giving among alumni. Please consider a gift this year in honor of our 25th year after graduation: it really does make a difference!
The Concordia family was deeply saddened this past year by several faculty deaths. I steered pretty clear of biology throughout my years at Concordia, but those of you who spent time there probably remember Robert Loeffler and Elinor Torstveit, who both died recently. Mrs. Torstveit was a biology professor for 36 years, and I do remember hearing stories about the “snake lady.” I was much more acquainted with Walther Prausnitz, who was director of liberal arts studies while we were there. His career spanned almost 50 years–from 1952 to 1999! He was an incredible man – and I used to think he lived in the library, because I said hello to him every time I set foot in the building.
I was excited to see my niece graduate from Concordia with the class of 2006 – and I know we have about 60 classmates who cheered on their own children in this graduating class (or a prior one). If you know of a talented student in your area, or you have a child considering their college choice, please submit their names to the admissions counselors. You can be certain they’ll follow up and offer tours and information, and our Cobber family will continue to grow!
Class Notes:
Although I’ve talked with so many of you this year as we’ve been planning our Homecoming weekend, there are very few class notes. Hopefully when we all get together in the fall we’ll be able to catch up on the highlights of everyone’s life! In addition, any time there is a change in your life, please go online or use the insert in the Concordia magazine to submit a class note.
Scott Ahlstrom, Wilmette, IL, is treasurer at Accenture, Ltd., in Chicago.
Nancy (Schram) Brekke, Perham, MN, is external facilitator for the Reading First Program at the University of Minnesota Reading Research Center. Nancy was named to the 2005 Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
Deanne (Smith) Sperling was named assistant to the vice president and coordinator of University Conference Programs at NDSU.
Ron Lee was named vice president of marketing & strategy for Sundog, an interactive marketing firm, which was formed by the merger of GL Ness Advertising, Sundog Interactive and Bankshot Video Productions, Fargo, ND.
Kyle Nordine is CEO at the Northfield Retirement Community, an affiliate social ministry organization of the ELCA and Lutheran Services in America. Kyle was appointed by Gov. Pawlenty to serve on the Minnesota Nursing Home Board of Examiners in April of 2005 for a four-year term. Kyle’s wife, Candy (class of 80), works for a non-profit grant program call Project Sight which provides education to middle school students on a number of issues including abstinence and chemical dependency. Both are very active in their church and the Northfield community. They have had two sons and a daughter-in-law attend Concordia. Their youngest son just graduated from Northfield High School and their daughter will be entering the eighth grade at Northfield Middle School in September.
Rev. Brian Wasmoen has accepted the call to serve Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield, SD. Brian, LeAnn (Lerum) and family moved there June 10. Friends are welcome to visit them in the Pheasant Capital of the World!
Kristin (Hull) and Mark Erickson ‘80 are on the move – as Mark recently resigned from Zion Lutheran church in Cooperstown, to pursue a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies at Concordia in St. Louis, MO, in the fall. The family will move to Fergus Falls, MN mid-June and Mark will commute back and forth. Tim will attend Hillcrest Academy, and oldest son Josh will continue at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. The Erickson’s hosted their 8th exchange student–a 16 year old from Turkey.
Births:
Ratchadaporn and Randy Steenerson were blessed with a boy, Gabriel in November 2005. They live in St. Louis Park, MN.
Before you go to bed tonight, go to your computer and locate the Cobber reunion page at this address: http://www.cord.edu/dept/alumni/classpages/1981/index.html. Mark it as one of your favorites and over the next four months check it often! If you have pictures from our days at Concordia or pictures of other reunions please submit them on this page. If you haven’t updated your college information, there is a link to do so. If you need information regarding hotels, schedules, or any other reunion information, you should be able to find it there. Who knows, you may even see your own picture there one day soon! This is also a great time to contact your former roommates and classmates to make your plans for a fun and memorable reunion!
Please, please, please – provide us with your news so we can make those important connections at Homecoming! After serving as class agent for the past 6 years I’m ready to pass the baton to a new recruit. If you’re interested in taking over, please let me know. Thanks!
Soli Deo Gloria, Laurie (Midboe) Conzemius Class Agent Class of 1981
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