June 2004

 

 

Classmates of 1999:

 

Five years, can you believe it?   As my year comes to a close teaching first grade, and I am buried in work to finish up the year, it is nice to focus on something other than correcting papers and report cards.   Realizing that this is our five-year reunion year I started reflecting on all that has happened since we walked across the stage shaking Dr. Dovre's hand and receiving our diplomas.   Just take a minute to reflect on what you have done since that day.   I am so excited to reunite with all of you this fall to hear how you have been and what you've been up to the past five years.

 

Mark your calendars. Our Five-Year Class Reunion is this fall.   Here are some of the highlights for Homecoming Weekend (October 8-10, 2004) :

 

We are so fortunate to have our five-year class reunion this year for several reasons.   First, it is a great opportunity to reunite with classmates you may not have seen for five years.   Second, Marcoux Corner , will be the entertainment for both the Homecoming Banquet and the First Decade Reunion and three of the musicians from that group are classmates of ours.   Third, you will have the chance to meet our newly appointed president.   Lastly, Tanya (Eid) Streifel's father is an Alumni Achievement Award winner and will be receiving this award at the banquet Friday evening.

 

Friday night:   A new event that started last year, the First Decade Or So. Reunion invites graduates from the last ten years to the Plains Art Museum.   The Plains is a trendy warehouse space in downtown Fargo, across from the courthouse.   This event will allow Cobbers from a variety of classes to reconnect. The party begins at 9:00pm and tickets are $11.00 each (includes appetizers and entertainment by Marcoux Corner, but beverages will be extra). Tickets are available for online purchase at www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/alumni or by calling the Homecoming Hotline at 800.699.9020.

 

Saturday morning :   Every five years we have a Reunion Breakfast .   They are really informal, and a nice start to the day.   We gather together, mingle, have a muffin, some coffee and juice, and talk.   Our breakfast will be at 9:00am and the location will be announced during Homecoming weekend.   The rumor is that the Alumni Office has a "special gift" they will be giving to the attendees of the brunch, so make sure you don't miss it!   This will be a good way for us to connect before wandering over to 8 th Street to take in the parade.

 

Saturday :   Check out the schedule - Parade, football game, and other festivities.

Saturday night :   We would like to get all of our classmates together in one place to hang out and catch up in a casual setting. Saturday night, at 10:00pm until whenever, we will gather at Red Bear .   We have a room reserved for our class and we also are lucky to have Flatlands as our entertainment that evening.   There is no cost, and nothing formal - just a chance to connect with old friends.   Spread the word! We hope to see you there.

 

Sunday :   There are several great events organized by the college, including a worship service and concert in the afternoon.   Take a look at the schedule for more info. 

CAMPUS NEWS

Many of you have heard that Concordia recently hired a new president, Dr. Pamela M. Jolicoeur.   Prior to becoming the 10 th president at Concordia, Dr. Jolicoeur was provost and dean of the faculty at Califorania Lutheran University.   I have heard nothing but rave reviews and I know that faculty, staff, alum, and students that have met her are all excited that she was chosen as the next president. 

CLASS NOTES     

 

Several of our classmates were married during the past year:

 

Julianne Wells to Richard Dahlin, Rochester, Minnesota

Lisa Cuskelly to Corey Davidson, Fargo, North Dakota

Tanya Eid to Andy Streifel, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Eric Forsberg to Lisa Hanson, Moorhead, Minnesota

Beth Ganyo to Chris Jonas, Denver, Colorado

Tricia Hennen to James Mages, Alexandria, Minnesota

Sonya Nelson to Troy Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota

Meagan Stromswold to Matthew Retterath, Plymouth, Minnesota

Becky Lejcher to Nat Schmidt , Maple Grove, Minnesota

Carola Benson to Brent Thorson , Apple Valley, MN

Michele Smith to Jason Wilde, Alexandria, VA

The following classmates had babies:

 

A son, Samuel, to Ben and Molly (Nefstead) Kalow, Jordan, Minnesota

A daughter, Sophia, to Seth and Anne Muir , Lake Geneva, Minnesota

A daughter, Mallorie, to Jerene and Jason Redfield , Dilworth, Minnesota

A son, Logan, to Andrew and Heather (Symes) Samuelson , Blaine, Minnesota

A son, Isak, to Erik and Amy Sevig, Ridgeland, Wisconsin

A son, Colin, to Eric and Melony Weathermon, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

A son, Benjamin, to Brandon and Theresa (Schultz) Turner , Charleston, South Carolina.

A son, Cole, to Jonathan and Kelly Schmidt , Blaine, MN

A son, Brady, to Tricia (Hennen) and James Mages , Alexandria, MN

A son, Trygve, to Liza Anderson and Mark Schmid , Minneapolis, MN

 

Other News :

 

Jerusha (Bottjen) Brager received her Masters of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck.

 

Adam Gilbertson is working for RDO Equipment Co. as a human resources director.

 

Evan Graner received an Honors Award Program Scholarship through the National Academic Advising Association and also received his Master of Arts in Writing - Pedagogy and Theory from DePaul University in Chicago.

 

Parker Marquardt is a pathologists' assistant with MeritCare Health System in Fargo.

 

Toni Rahn received her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota School of Law in 2003.

 

Georgette Romo was awarded with the Army Commendation medal for exceptional meritorious service during combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Erik Sevig graduated with his Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Seminary.   After his ordination he began serving at Ridgeland and Hay River Lutheran Churches.

 

Kathy Skaurud is teaching high school physical education at North Broward Prep School in Florida.   She is also coaching high school volleyball and girls basketball.

 

Josh Talge received his MBA from University of Notre Dame and now is working as assistant brand manager for Folgers Coffee, Procter & Gamble.

Trina (Aasheim) Nudell is a general ledger accountant with DMS Health Group.

Greta (Hurtt) Wegner received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Terry Monson received the Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

Melvin Bolton was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research at Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Unfortunately we have had two class members pass away this past year.

 

Andy Kieley passed away in April.   He was teaching music in Northeast Minneapolis.

 

Lindsay (Ostrem) Roach passed away in November.   She was a social studies and government teacher at Roseville Area High School.

 

Please read the enclosed letter regarding the scholarship fund our class has set up to remember those classmates that have passed away.

CLASS CHALLENGE

Each year, every class is measured on participation and total dollars given.   Last year classmates gave $5,055; which brought our participation to 12.9%.    For those who haven't pledged, just give what you can: $20, $10, even $5. It's important for us to continue the tradition of giving that others provided while we were students at Concordia.   It would say a lot about our class if we could move our class participation up from 12.9% to 25%.

 

I am very excited to see you all this fall! Lots of planning is going into this gathering, and it's going to be fun. I hope you can join us for a weekend of reminiscing and catching up with old friends. Be sure to register - online at www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/alumni or using the enclosed form. See you October 8!

 

Sincerely,

Karin McKenzie