Johnson Named President of Finlandia
 The Rev. Philip Johnson '82 was recently named the 16th president of Finlandia University in Hancock, Mich. He will begin his duties July 1.
Johnson joined Finlandia University in January 2006 as campus pastor and assistant to the president, later serving as campus pastor and associate dean of Finlandia's Suomi College of Arts and Sciences. He has 18 years of leadership experience in church-related contexts, including congregational ministry, teaching and administration.
Johnson has lived and worked in the United States, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia, including seven years teaching at the Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary and the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Concordia alumni are serving as presidents at four of the nation's 28 ELCA colleges and universities. Johnson joins the Rev. Ann Svennungsen '77 at Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Dr. Loren J. Anderson '67 at Pacific University in Tacoma, Wash., and Dr. Richard L. Torgerson '64 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
President Jolicoeur Schedules Events in Sioux Falls, Rochester
Join President Pamela Jolicoeur for an evening of fellowship and a report on the college during two special events in May. All alumni, parents and friends of the college are invited.
Rochester, Minn.
6 p.m. Monday, May 21
Radisson Plaza Hotel
Sioux Falls, S.D.
6 p.m. Tuesday, May 22
Includes hors d'oeuvres reception
C.J. Callaway's
R.S.V.P. by May 15 online or by calling 800.699.9020.
40th Anniversary Orchestra Reunion Set
This fall is the 40th anniversary of the founding of The Concordia College Orchestra in 1967 by Dr. J. Robert Hanson.
To mark the occasion, a reunion of former orchestra performers will gather during Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 6.
Orchestra alumni will rehearse at 4 p.m. and then perform at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. A reception will be held in Hvidsten Hall of Music following the concert. The selection of music to be performed will be announced later this summer.
Dr. Hanson will return to participate in the reunion along with Bruce Houglum, current conductor of the orchestra.
Alumni may query Kent Loken, manager of instrumental ensembles, about participating in this special reunion and concert. He can also be reached at 218.299.3285 ext. 338.
 Cobber Get-Together Set at Baltimore's Camden Yards
Spend an afternoon with your fellow Cobbers at Camden Yards Sunday, May 6, to cheer on the Baltimore Orioles.
We have a section of seats in the left field and would love for you to join us for the 1:35 p.m. game against the Cleveland Indians.
Tickets are $25.
Buy now...
SOLD Selected as Summer Book Read
Patricia McCormick's "SOLD," a 2006 National Book Awards finalist in young people's literature, is this year's Concordia College Summer Book Read. McCormick will speak on campus during Orientation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Memorial Auditorium.
Each summer, the college selects a book for all new students to read prior to Orientation and the rest of the Concordia community is encouraged to read it as well. Students will discuss the book in faculty mentor-led discussions during Orientation, as well as in some classes throughout the year.
"SOLD" is a series of poetic vignettes telling the story of a 13-year-old Nepali girl's account of sexual slavery. To research the book, McCormick, the author of two other novels, traveled to India and Nepal to interview the women of Calcutta's red-light district and girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. The book was selected in part due to its ties to the 2008 Peace Prize Forum at Concordia about global economics.
Each spring, the college brings two National Book Awards finalists to campus for master classes and discussions during National Book Awards at Concordia. The college partners with the National Book Foundation in the promotion of the annual awards
Take a Learning Vacation at the Language Villages
Minnesota's north woods is always a fun place to relax in the summer. Many families are taking learning vacations for the whole family at Concordia Language Villages. Summer Family Weeks are offered in nine languages and are great learning experiences for all ages.
"The family weeks are a great way to start your kids on a language at the Villages," says Concordia Language Villages Assistant Director for Year-Round Programs Allison Spenader, "A lot of parents aren't ready to send their child to the Villages alone, so this is a fun way to experience Concordia Language Villages together."
Shawn and Annika Crosby have attended the Family Week at the Villages and enjoyed their experience.
"The family week at Concordia Language Village is a fantastic way for parents and children to learn a new language and culture," says Crosby. "The location is gorgeous, and the staff is very friendly and accommodating."
The Family Weeks are similar to the youth sessions. Every person goes through customs and receives passports. Each Language Village offers different culturally authentic activities for families. The Swedish Village just opened a new weaving studio, so families will have a chance to learn weaving techniques. The Japanese Village offers martial arts such and judo, karate, and kendo. At the German Village families will get to spend time at the BioHaus, a new environmental living center based on German Passivhaus standards for efficient energy. Concordia Language Villages, located on Turtle River Lake, has a beach for every village.
"Families can enjoy great waterfront activities such as swimming and canoeing," says Spenader. "Since we're located in the woods, there are also fun nature hikes."
Spenader says children of all ages are welcome, and many families use this week-long opportunity to introduce their young children to a language.
"Parents know the earlier they start their children on a language, the easier it is for them to learn," says Spenader. "We have a lot of preschoolers in this program."
Virginia Corn Feed Scheduled
Start out the summer right with the first 2007 Cobber Corn Feed. The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Va.
Grab a plate of delicious fixings catered by Double T's Barbeque, including chicken, barbecue pork, sweet corn pudding, sweet potato casserole, Virginia sliced apple, rolls, blackberry cobbler and of course, juicy corn on the cob. After the meal, stick around for afternoon activities including horseshoes, kite flying, bocce ball, croquet, skateboarding and playing at the children's playground.
The cost for the meal is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Register Today
Eight Faculty, Administrators Retire
With 224 years of combined service to Concordia, eight faculty and administrative staff are retiring this school year. These faculty members came from all over the globe and became dedicated to Concordia. Their years of services have greatly impacted the campus in many ways.
Donald Krause
In 1951, Donald Krause, purchasing agent and transportation supervisor, enrolled at Concordia. After three years, he took a leave of absence to serve in the U.S. Army and returned to Concordia in 1957.
Krause then was hired as full-time athletic coordinator and took on many other duties. In addition to the car pool duties, he has filmed hundreds of Cobber football games.
In 1989, Krause received the Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. With his wife and longtime co-worker, Helen, also retiring after 41 years, the face of the car pool will be forever changed.
 Dr. David Moewes
Dr. David Moewes taught in the business, accounting and economics department for 38 years. A professor of economics, Moewes believes the goal of the college is to create a "culture of learning" and to him that means fostering and nurturing the love of learning.
Moewes has been active in research, receiving numerous grants, awards and honors including a Faculty Fellowship from the Bush Foundation. In 1996, he published a 622-page economics study guide used by students at 18 colleges across the nation. He also frequently led Concordia business students on May Seminars overseas.
Jeanne Dotson
For 32 years, Jeanne Dotson was a familiar face in the Business Office where she was director of student loan repayment. Dotson frequently spoke at national conferences and chaired committees to advise the U.S. Department of Education.
In 2001, she was elected president of the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations.
Because of her outstanding service, her commitment to students and her dedication to the mission of Concordia, Dotson received the Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Service Award in 2002.
 Rev. Ernie Mancini
As executive director of Alumni Relations, Ernie Mancini is a Concordia icon to many Cobbers.
Mancini dedicated 29 years to the college, as campus pastor for eight years and 21 years in alumni.
He hosted thousands of alumni at Homecomings, Corn Feeds, Family Weekends and many more events.
(See complete profile in Winter 2006-07 Concordia Magazine.)
 Dr. Mary Hallquist
Dr. Mary Hallquist taught for eight years in Minnesota and Wisconsin, taught as an assistant professor in Milwaukee and lectured at the University of Wisconsin-Madison prior to joining the Concordia faculty 24 years ago.
Hallquist served as chair of the department. Her research interests included curriculum development, technology to enhance student learning, and child rearing and parenting.
Hallquist was an EPDA Fellow and had teaching assistantships during the 1960s and 1970s. She was honored in 2004 for 50 semesters of participation in the cooperative education program at Concordia.
Dr. Rune Engebretsen
Dr. Rune Engebretsen, chair and associate professor in the Scandinavian studies/Norwegian department, has been with the college for 22 years.
Engebretsen, a native of Norway and a former senior Fulbright Research Scholar, frequently guided Concordia students and community members overseas to study in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, introducing them to prominent officials in the government, churches and universities. He previously taught at Bethel College, St. Olaf College, the University of Oslo and the University of Copenhagen.
He is an avid Kierkegaard and Ibsen scholar, having written many articles, translated pieces, written reviews and made presentations on both authors. His latest work includes serving as editor in chief of a new 33-volume set about Ibsen. He began working on the project, with a team of United States and European scholars, in 2005 and expects to be finished in 2019.
 Roger Haglund
Roger Haglund '64 has been an instructor in the mathematics and computer science department for 16 years, and will return next year part time.
Prior to teaching at Concordia, Haglund taught for 26 years at Borup (Minn.) High School and a year at North Central High School in Colfax, N.D.
During the 1980s he was a part-time teaching specialist for the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program, a highly selective and competitive program that accelerates students through high school mathematics.
Haglund is also a faculty advisor for the college's chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He took a group of students to New Orleans over spring break in February.
Dr. Harvey Stalwick
Dr. Harvey Stalwick '60 joined the faculty in 1994 after serving as professor of social work at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan.
In addition to teaching in the sociology and social work department, Stalwick has coordinated the Lilly Call to Serve Project since 2001. He also served as interim director and professor of church professions. In 2001, he and Dr. Joan Kopperud and two students examined the Lac qui Parle (Minn.) County poor farm with a Centennial Research Scholars grant. Stalwick was honored in 2000 with the Human Rights Award from the Moorhead Human Rights Commission. He was a member of TOCAR (Training Our Campuses Against Racism) and chair of the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.
Twin Cities Cobber Golf Classic is June 18
For many people, there's no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than on the golf course – except perhaps on a golf course with your friends from Concordia! The 20th annual Twin Cities Cobber Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, June 18 at the Links at Northfork in Ramsey, Minn.
Registration begins at 10:30, followed by a professional golf clinic and a noon shotgun start. The $80 cost includes greens fees, driving range, cart and the cookout that follows. Save $5 by registering by May 30.
The Office of Alumni Relations is also looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor holes for $150 each, including golf fees and recognition on the tee boxes.
Register Today
New C-400 Annual Giving Co-Chairs Announced
 |
| Mike and Kim Slette |
During the annual Founders Day banquet in April, Mike '79 and Kim '79 Slette of Moorhead literally passed the baton to Bob '82 and Kathi '82 Tunheim of Orono, Minn., to signify the change in leadership for the C-400 Annual Giving Council.
When the council was formed in 2003, the Slettes agreed to serve as
co-chairs.
"We are so grateful to the Slettes for their thoughtful leadership during the process of shaping a new annual giving program that integrated nearly 50 years of C-400 tradition into one that
emphasizes the importance of annual gifts to the college," says Lonnie Pederson, director of C-400 Annual Giving.
 |
| Bob and Kathi Tunheim |
Bob has been a member of the council since 2003 and now Kathi will join him to serve as the new co-chairs.
"Their leadership experience will help us expand on the important foundational work already in place as we seek ways to build awareness among our constituents about the importance of annual gifts to the college," Pederson says.
Kathi is president of Tunheim Leadership Group Inc., Orono, and Bob is a partner at the law firm Lindquist & Vennum PLLP, Minneapolis. They have three children – Rob, Amie and Kristie.
Vocations Task Force Seeking Advising Experiences
What can advisers do to help students make good vocational decisions?
The Advising for Vocation Task Force wants to hear about experiences from alumni detailing how their advisors helped guide them to their career or life's calling.
Such guidance may have been direct or indirect.
If you have an advising experience for the Task Force, please e-mail Linda Keup at keup@cord.edu. Please be specific about what helped you.
The Task Force will publish a selection of the responses to inspire and to assist faculty with future advising.
2008 Reunion Giving Chairs Selected, Committees Needed
Congratulations to the chairs for the 2008 Reunion Giving Team.
The following alumni are the Reunion Giving Leaders:
| 1963: Fred and Karen (Carlson) Lundstrom; Don and Carolyn (Holm) Opgrande |
| 1968: Sharon (Muir) Buhr |
| 1973: Linda (Forbord) Hanson; Larry Goetzinger |
| 1983: Cyndi (Jacobson) Meldahl; John Parkes; Dave Meldahl |
| 1988: Brad and Stephanie (Moen) Mueller; Ed Packer |
| 1993: Shellie Simonson Ulven; Jennifer Birkeland Swenson |
| 1998: Cathy (Pray) Oliver; John Staub |
| 2003: Jessie Peterson; Kate Olson |
The chairs will also need good volunteer committees as they work to make your class fundraising a success. If you are interested in volunteering to help with reunion giving, contact Kristin Bortnem at bortnem@cord.edu or 800-699-9896.
Computer Science Students Win Robotics Competition
A team of Concordia computer science students walked away grand champions of the Robotics Competition at the 2007 Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, hosted by the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, April 20 and 21. Colleges and universities from Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin participated. This year's competition was a Robot Sumo Wrestling Tournament.
The students, Alex Berg '09, Erik O'Leary '08 and Jeff Schmitz '08, with faculty adviser Dan Thureen, were required to design, build and program an autonomous robot capable of seeking out and pushing its competitor out of the ring. View some of the matches on YouTube.
The Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium is a regional conference providing higher education participants an educational experience focused on the integration of computer-based technology in the teaching and learning processes of all disciplines and the incorporation of the study of this technology in the curriculum.
Nominate a "Concordia Great"
The Concordia College Archives is creating an exhibit for Homecoming 2007 titled "Concordia Greats: An Exhibit of Celebration."
We would appreciate your input about those faculty and staff members that you found influential during your time at Concordia. To do so, please complete this brief survey. All responses will remain completely anonymous.
Thank you for your participation, and we hope you will join us for Homecoming this fall!
Student Receives Critical Language Scholarship
Junior Meredith O'Neill, a Russian, Spanish and religion major, is one of 30 applicants honored with a critical language scholarship from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC).
The U.S. Department of State and the CAORC launched a new program for the Russian Language, including Russia for 2007 Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes. More than 500 people across the United States applied for the program.
As a scholarship recipient, O'Neill will take an intensive six-week Russian Language course at St. Petersburg State University, Russia, in June-July 2007 with all expenses covered by the program. O'Neill successfully completed four semesters of Russian language, and also completed Russian Films, a new Concordia course at taught for the first time this spring.
|
