June 2004

 

 

Dear Class of 1984:

 

Hello, mates - I'm a day away from leaving on a nearly-three week vacation, so my spirits are buoyant and there's no telling what kind of sass will emerge as I wrap up this letter and a million other details at work before leaving town..   This year our adventures are taking us into the Rockies and Sierra Nevada Mountains on a family camping trip.   Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada:   here we come.   It's all part of the grand plan for spending some quality family time out in the wild, wild West.   Considering we now have a four year old in our midst, quality time is "fleeting."   Frankly, Tommy's attention span and ability to focus on anything could be described as "fleeting."   I ran into Dave Roen (class of '83) at a Mound baseball field this past week, watching future major leaguers hone their skills, and he reminded me that life begins at four.   He didn't mean still life.

 

You'd be amazed how often my thoughts have drifted to you classmates over the past year.   I suppose it started when Ernie Mancini and Kristin Bortnem reminded me last year at this time that we have a reunion to plan.   With that much advanced notice, you'd think I'd have this celebration all laid out, right?   Oh, but procrastination rules!   Nothing motivates quite like deadlines.   Anyway, I've been pulling my hair out trying to think of fun and creative ways to lure you back on campus this fall.   So save me from hair plugs or hats by sending ideas or suggestions, or even volunteering your former roommates and their families to ride with you and your family on the float (read: flatbed truck.)   Perhaps it is your child's dream -- or yours? -- to ride in a parade on an exotic vehicle and pelt everyone along the parade route with candy.. Now is your chance.   Drop me a line if you're harboring such longings.   Parade longings only.   Other longings, please keep to yourself.

 

Wanted to share the annual financial update to confirm that your gifts and pledges are going to worthy causes.   Gifts to Concordia were once again on the rise in 2003 - overall participation notched up to 29.6% (just shy of the 30% goal).   And the class of '84 did me proud by achieving a 30.1% participation, raising a total of $16,957.53.   I can't say it enough -- thank you, fellow classmates!!   I learned recently that Concordia has maintained the lowest tuition among 4-year private colleges in Minnesota, largely due to the generosity of alumni.   Tuition at Concordia is now around $16,000, and the comprehensive package is around $23,000.   (That delta covers a lot of cinammon rolls, eh?)   Wow.   Quite a difference from the early 80's.   Certainly we all have many other priorities in our lives that also need our resources - both time and money.   So it is all the more appreciated that a third of you chose to share your resources with Concordia to help other students get access to what we had.

 

I assume you've all heard the historical news that emerged from campus this spring: of all the "Big 7" colleges, who incidentally have a combined ministry of over 800 years, Concordia College is the first to name a woman president.   Wow!   Again:   Wow!   The search committee made a bold decision.   I think it's terrific.   My sister, Kathi ('82) and her hubby, Bob Tunheim ('82) have crossed paths with the new president, Dr. Pam Jolicoeur, and both say she's outstanding.   (Of course, like any dutiful younger sister, I always listen to my older sister's advice.)   Not only is Dr. Jolicoeur bright and she has great vision for the college, but she's also got a genuine warmth and charm about her.    I hope some of you can participate in various events throughout the year to meet her and hear her speak.   She'll certainly be out front and center at Homecoming this October.

 

Another celebrity to see and be seen this Homecoming is Garrison Keillor.   Talk about a coupe, getting him and "A Prairie Home Companion" in lieu of the Homecoming Show!   Hey, the Homecoming Show singing and dancing is great - I know from experience and previously rooming with Lynell (Larson) Knatterud that there's lots of fantastic talent on campus to showcase, right?   But it's hard to compete with Guy Noir, Radio Private Eye, and all the strong women, good looking men and above-average children from Lake Wobegon.    If you didn't respond to the email announcing that reunion classes have first dibs on tickets, then you'll have another shot at some seats drawn by lottery.  

 

It is no coincidence that the show fits nicely into our 20 th year reunion schedule, which is:

 

Saturday, October 9:

  9 am                    Class of 1984 - 20 th   Year Reunion Breakfast*

11 am                    Parade (details for the candy pelters will be forthcoming)

1 pm                      Football Game - Cobbers vs. Hamline

4:45 pm               "A Prairie Home Companion"

7 pm to ??          Class of 1984 Reunion Social Hour(s)** at the Red Bear Grill and Tavern , located at 700 1 st Ave. N., downtown Moorhead

 

Sunday, October 10:

10:30 am             Worship Service

 

*Reunion breakfast - Last chance for sending me fun photos of your classmates so we can decorate the walls, or sending the name of a prof whom you'd like to invite for breakfast to swap stories.   Also, be sure to register for this and other Homecoming events (see enclosed form or online at www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/alumni ).

 

**Social hours - We've got the Gazebo reserved at the Red Bear Grill and Tavern, and they tell me it's heated..   Hot munchies and cold beverages will be available.   Am hoping Julie (Zukoski) Ewert remembers her infamous toasts so we can truly honor the occasion.

 

After 20 years, there are lots of things to catch up on!   Most recent newsworthy events are.

CLASS NOTES

 

Rev. Lisa Ahlness made the news in April - the Bismarck Tribune , to be exact.   Lisa is the associate pastor for Lord of Life Lutheran Church, and turned down the senior pastor position to remain as associate pastor so she could spend more time with her three children.   She supported the candidacy of Nadine Lehr, a fellow Cobber, and now Rev. Lehr and Rev. Ahlness serve the Lord of Life congregation - which may be the only ELCA congregation that has a woman both as a senior and an associate pastor.   Cool!   More terrific historical news.

 

Mark Beenken has a new position as Area Business Manager for Biogen, Inc.   Mark and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Fort Collins, CO.   Elizabeth is a teacher in Gifted Education in the Poudre School District.   Congratulations, Mark.

 

Jana (Dick) Diggs also has a new job - she is a paralegal with the law firm of Kessel, Splitt & Narum.   Janna lives in Lamoure, ND.   Congrats!

 

This fall at Homecoming, Concordia will induct one of our own to the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame.   Roger Lindahl , a Football All American, will be honored as one of five inductees at the Athletic Banquet on Saturday night.   Roger, this is outstanding news!   Very well deserved.   Do they retire jersey #60? Stop on by the Reunion Social Hour so we can celebrate with you.   Sounds like a great excuse for a football reunion within a reunion.   I'll bring the pom poms.   I can still sing "Stand Up and Cheer" but don't expect any cartwheels.

 

Last fall, Karen Lybeck accepted a one-year position as Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay.   She is an ESL teacher in education/linguistics.   Karen and her husband, Rick, relocated to Green Bay.   But we're all hoping their hearts remain true to the men in purple rather than those guys who wear green.

 

Jan Mattson married Douglas Morris on Aug., 23, 2003.   Jan and Douglas live in Burnsville, MN, where Jan is a Training Consultant for Met Life.   Best wishes to the newlyweds.

 

Mary (Peterson) Miller got to participate in a special event last year when her father's Tracy (MN) Community Band was invited to represent Minnesota in the National Festival of States Concert Series held in Washington, DC.   Mary's dad directs the Community Band, as well as the Tracy High School Band.   Mary got to play her oboe in the band; her Mom, Margaret ('53) and husband, David got to go along and help on the trip.   Sounds like a terrific family outing.

 

That's all the news for now, but I'm sure we'll have a lot more to talk about in October.   Have a great summer !   Enjoy your family vacations and adventures.   I look forward to seeing you this fall.

 

Best wishes,

Kristi (Winegar) Wieser

635 North Shore Drive

Minnetrista, MN   55364

612-397-5352 (w)

952-495-0122 (h)

kwieser@us.ibm.com