2007 Fall Saint Benedict's Magazine

              M A G A Z I N E Saint Benedict’s Fall 2007
CSB Executive Chef Paul Ruszat
A Grand Opening
i phone… u pick up!
To make a gift online: http://www.csbsju.edu/csbannualgiving/
Don’t recognize the number on your caller ID? It’s just us.
Th e Annual Giving Phone-a-thon is happening, and we will be calling you.
Th e Annual Fund provides immediate scholarships for people like us and provides
fi nancial resources for our campus operations too.
We’re calling. Please pick up. We’ll let you know what’s happening, and we’d love to know how you’re doing too.
Talk to you soon!
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Food for Th ought
Food.
We think of it daily when planning our meals or adding to our next grocery list. Occasionally we count
calories as we tackle New Year’s resolutions or prepare for a big picture-taking event in our lives.
As the College of Saint Benedict celebrates the grand opening of the new Gorecki Dining and Conference
Center this month, we thought it appropriate to dish up some more food for thought.
Whether we realize it or not, food is a central part of our lives that extends well beyond mere nutritional
sustenance. Family traditions are built around food. Who among us doesn’t have favorite family recipes
handed down with a pinch of this or a dash of that? While each generation strives to serve it up right, it’s
never quite the same as Grandma’s.
In this issue, our alumnae share research that examines trends in eating habits and how those trends are
impacting the health and care of our society. And, we explore our connection to each other locally and
globally as food travels from the farm to our forks.
Finally, we showcase the latest symbol of Benedictine community and hospitality. Th e new Gorecki
Dining and Conference Center will promote healthy eating habits, off er diverse comfort foods from around
the world, and serve as a gathering place for the campus, family, friends, and the community at large.
In this issue, you’ll also get the latest news from campus, fi nd out what’s scheduled on the events calendar,
and be introduced to some inspiring alumnae.
As we celebrate the grand opening of the Gorecki Dining and Conference Center, we give thanks to the
Sisters of Saint Benedict for sharing kitchen and dining space for the last 100 years. And, we off er gratitude
to our dear friends Dorothy and Ben Gorecki for their support of this endeavor.
Next time you are in the area, please come to the table and pull up a chair for food, fellowship, and fun
conversation.
Until then, enjoy the latest from the College of Saint Benedict. Th ere’s a lot to digest, but one thing is
certain. You won’t look at food the same way again.
Bon appetit!
Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, President
2
AROUND CAMPUS
3
And the Applause Keeps Coming
Critics continue to rave about the
Benedicta Arts Center of the College
of Saint Benedict.
Th e Society for College and University
Planners (SCUP), in partnership with the
American Institute of Architects Com-mittee
on Architecture for Education,
has given the BAC an Honor Award for
Excellence in Architecture for a Building
Addition.
Th e International Interior Design
Association (IIDA) Northland Chapter
has given the BAC a Fresh, Artistic and
Brilliant Award (FAB) for brilliant interior
design created by a local design commu-nity.
“(It is) a beautifully restrained yet rich
project,” noted Shashi Caan, chair of
the Interior Design Program at Parsons
School. “Very clear architectural moves
with excellent choice of color and texture,
which reinforce the deliberate and intel-ligent
decisions. A superb project.”
Th e BAC’s $8.9 million expansion
and renovation is a component of Saint
Ben’s capital campaign, “Our Place in the
World: a Campaign to Inspire and Trans-form.”
Th e addition of performance and
rehearsal spaces allows Saint Ben’s to off er
longer extended residences with visiting
artists as well as year-round programming
in multiple theater spaces. In addition to
classes, lessons and student performances,
the BAC hosts 200 public events each year
and is the only venue outside of the Min-neapolis/
St. Paul metro area off ering an
annual Minnesota Orchestra series.
Th e two awards go along with the
Honor Award presented by the Ameri-can
Institute of Architects Minnesota in
December 2006.
Th e expansion was designed by Ham-mel,
Green and Abrahamson—the same
fi rm that designed the original BAC in the
1960s.
©Albert Vercerka/Esto
1
in this issue
Saint Benedict’s Magazine
EDITOR: Heidi Everett DESIGNERS: Greg Becker, Karen Hoffbeck
CONTACT
College of Saint Benedict Magazine
37 South College Ave.
St. Joseph, MN 56374-2099
csbmagazine@csbsju.edu
For address changes, please call 1-800-648-3468, ext . 1
Affi rmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Th e mission of the College of Saint Benedict is to provide for women the very best residential
liberal arts education in the Catholic university tradition. Th e college fosters integrated learn-ing,
exceptional leadership for change and wisdom for a lifetime.
F A L L 2 0 0 7
2 From the President
3 Around Campus
13 A Grand Opening, Five Times Over
18 Natural Beauties
21 Simple Questions, Complex Answers
22 It’s No Secret
24 We Are Bennies
26 Alumnae News & Notes
photo by Greg Becker
Great G Th e College of Saint Benedict came
alive June 22 to 24 when more than
1,000 Bennies and Johnnies came
Bennies came from near and far, including England and the Bahamas.
The class of 1957 celebrated
their golden anniversary.
Alum bands rocked the plaza.
4
Gatherings home for SaintStock and Reunion.
Th e weekend was fi lled with fellow-ship,
fun, and a little disco inferno.
Happy campers hunkered down for the night on campus.
Prioress Nancy Bauer accepts a gift from the Alumnae Association in recognition of the
Monastery’s sesquicentennial.
President Baenninger joins the fun with husband, Ron, and friends,
Gordon and JoAnn.
5
AROUND CAMPUS
When Elizabeth Donovan ’07 had the
opportunity to share her research at an
American Heart Association Conference
this spring, she had no idea of the media
storm that would follow.
Her research has been featured in over
100 media outlets throughout the country,
including Time magazine, CBS News, Th e
Washington Post, MSNBC, UPI, Reuters,
Scientifi c American, Bloomberg
News and Web MD.
A biology and nutri-
SEPTEMBER
September 19
Stewart Emery
Best-selling author
“Success Built to Last”
7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium,
Benedicta Arts Center
OCTOBER
October 3
Blazer volleyball hosts Hamline
7 p.m.
October 4
Symphony Orchestra
Directed by David Arnott
7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium,
Benedicta Arts Center
October 5 to 7
Homecoming Weekend
October 21
Celebration of Giving
Scholarship Mass and Brunch
10:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Chapel
11:30 a.m. Gorecki Dining Center
NOVEMBER
November 15
Early Application Deadline
Refer a student to CSB and SJU
Online application under the
Admission tab
DECEMBER
December 4
Wind Ensemble
directed by Dale White
7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium,
Benedicta Arts Center
For a complete calendar of Blazer
home and away games as well as other
events, log on to www.csbsju.edu and
click on Public Events Calendar.
JOIN US!
6
Student Research Gains National Attention
“As an undergraduate, she has done
something pretty amazing.”
- Amy Olson, Professor of Nutrition
tion science double major, Donovan
looked at the relationship between C-reac-tive
protein (CRP), a blood marker for
infl ammation that can increase the risk for
heart disease, and alcohol consumption in
college students. Her co-investigator was
Amy Olson, CSB/SJU professor
of nutrition.
“Diff erent ranges of CRP levels are
associated with risks for cardiovascular
disease,” Donovan said. “Anything
below one milligram per liter is
associated with low risk.
One to three is mod-erate
risk. And above
three is high risk.
Th e students who
consumed three or
more drinks in one
sitting at least two
or more days a week
had higher levels of
C-reactive protein.
-“Th ese students
may be setting
themselves up for
future cardiovascular
disease if CRP levels
during young adult-hood
are predictive
of future risk as some
believe,” she said.
For Olson,
Donovan’s adviser,
Donovan’s work is
inspiring, “As an
undergraduate,
she has done
something pretty
amazing.”
Donovan is
attending medical
school in Duluth,
Minnesota.
AROUND CAMPUS
International best-selling author
speaks at Saint Ben’s
Joal Reeves, a junior at the College of
Saint Benedict, has been named a 2007-09
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
Scholarship recipient.
Reeves was one of six students selected
from 16 eligible Minnesota private colleges
and universities to receive $14,000: a
$5,000 junior-year scholarship, a $4,000
summer award to support the develop-ment
and implementation of a self-de-signed
service project to address unmet
needs in Minnesota communities; and a
$5,000 senior-year scholarship contingent
on the successful completion of the sum-mer
project.
Reeves’ proposed project is called the
South Side Renaissance Project. Th e proj-ect
hits close to home for the Minneapolis
native (Roosevelt High School), who is a
peace studies major with a focus on gang
violence.
“My project was created in hopes of
addressing a problem very close to me that
has aff ected me, my family and the neigh-borhoods
I have lived in,” Reeves said.
Discover what successful people have in
common and learn how you can transform your
life and your career with Stewart Emery.
Emery is considered one of the fathers of
the Human Potential Movement. A visiting
professor at the John F. Kennedy School of
Management, Stewart has led executive teams
and organizations through Vision—Val-ues—
Strategy initiatives based on research
from the business classic Built to Last by Jim
Collins and Jerry Porras. He is the author
of two other best-selling books, and has
led workshops, seminars and delivered
keynotes all over the world.
Spend an evening with Emery and
learn about creating a life that matters.
Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium
Benedicta Arts Center of the
College of Saint Benedict
Free and open to the public.
Book signing and reception to follow.
7
“Growing up, I saw the harsh reality of
street gangs, and over time, I decided that
I had to do something about the problem
if there was ever to be a solution.”
Th e South Side Renaissance Project will
be based in south Minneapolis within two
prominent gang neighborhoods, Reeves
said.
“Th e aim of the project is to give young
people the motivation and the tools to
express themselves, discuss the problems
in their neighborhoods and to believe they
are capable of changing them,” Reeves
said. “After undergraduate studies (at
CSB), I plan on furthering this project and
creating a non-profi t program in south
Minneapolis.”
Reeves is also a fellow in the I-LEAD
(Intercultural Leadership, Education and
Development) Program at CSB. Started in
2005, the program aims to attract, retain
and support students currently under-represented
(culturally, geographically, fi rst
generation, racial and socio-economically)
on campus.
CSB student named Phillips Scholar
Jay Phillips was a peddler’s son who
came to the United States when he was
21/2 years old. As a child, he sold newspa-pers,
and he would use part of his earnings
to buy bread for the poor he saw on the
streets. Phillips went on to become a
prominent Minnesota businessman and
community leader.
Th e Phillips Scholarships encourage and
enable the continuation of Jay and Rose
Phillips’ commitments to helping people
become self-suffi cient. Th e Minnesota
Private College Fund, which administers
the scholarships, partners with foundations
and businesses to raise money for student
scholarships and general operating support
on behalf of member private colleges and
universities.
Reeves is the fi rst CSB student to be
a Phillips Scholar since 2000-02, when
Jessica Manthie worked with women and
youth at the Dorothy Day Center, St. Paul.
AROUND CAMPUS
Four graduates of the College of Saint
Benedict have been named to the Board of
Trustees.
Barbara Torborg Melsen ’78 works in
accounting. She also volunteers regularly
as a board member and fund raiser for
such organizations as CommonBond
Communities (Minnesota’s largest non-profi
t provider of aff ordable housing),
Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, United
Way, Junior League of Minneapolis,
Hennepin Vocational and Technical
Institute’s Advisory Board, CARE
(Children Cancer Research, and the
Minneapolis League of Catholic Women.
Melsen has served as Saint Ben’s Alumnae
Council president and chaired several
fund-raising committees for the college.
Her oldest daughter, Kristin, graduated
from Saint Ben’s in 2005, and her younger
daughter, Michelle, is a senior here.
Annette Bouta Hendrick ’71 holds a
bachelor of arts degree in mathematics,
and a master’s from the University of
Minnesota-Minneapolis. She spent 25
years in the telecommunications sector in
network and technology planning, and
new technology and markets assessment,
with responsibilities across 14 states. Bouta
Hendrick has served as vice president and
member of the board of the Las Cruces
(N.M.) Symphony Association; president
of the Butterfi eld I Neighborhood
Council; and co-chair of Jardin de los
Ninos, an annual fund-raiser.
Joyce Statz (’69) received a bachelor of
arts degree in mathematics from CSB,
and master’s and doctorate degrees in
systems and information science from
Syracuse University. Most recently,
8
New Trustees named to CSB Board
Statz has served as an independent
consultant working with corporations
to improve their capabilities in project
management, software development,
measurement, outsourcing and related
areas of focus. She was vice president of
Knowledge Management and co-founder
of TeraQuest, which she and her partners
later sold to Borland Software Corporation
(Austin, Texas); at Borland, Statz assisted
with development of overseas operations.
In addition to work with Texas
Instruments, she taught computer science
at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Michelle Bauerly Kopel (’90).majored
in math and computer science at CSB.
She also received a master’s in business
administration from the Carlson School
at the University of Minnesota; a master’s
in education from the Harvard Graduate
School of Education; and a doctorate
in educational administration from the
University of Minnesota. She currently is
the managing partner of Venture Allies,
LLC, St. Cloud. From 1992-2000, she
held various positions at the Carlson
School of Management, including
program director. She served as a math
teacher at Elk River (Minn.) High School
from 1990-92.
Each began serving a three-year term on
the board July 1. Th eir terms are renewable
every three years, and board members
can serve up to three terms (nine years).
Th ere are now 43 members of the Board of
Trustees.
Barbara
Melsen
Annette Bouta
Hendrick
Shelly Bauerly
Kopel
Joyce
Statz
Fulbrights Named
“It is exactly the sort of experience where
a person will fi nd the most cherished and
meaningful lessons,” Eve Vang ’07 said of her
appointment in Th ailand.
Vang is one of two recent Saint Ben’s
graduates to receive Fulbright Scholarships. A
political science major from St. Paul, Minn.,
she is teaching English outside Bangkok for
six months. While there, she hopes to have
time to conduct a research on Hmong stu-dents
who have traveled from their villages
to Bangkok to pursue higher education. She
also plans to volunteer with the Hmong hill
tribes.
Carliene Quist, of St. Cloud, Minn., has
been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student
scholarship to conduct research and an
internship project in Mexico. A Spanish and
peace studies double major, Quist received
funding for nine months in Ciudad Juarez,
which is located across the border from El
Paso, Texas.
Quist will combine coursework in gender,
social intervention and the U.S.-Mexico
border region with research on eff ective social
programming for gender equity and violence
prevention on the community level. She will
work directly with Casa Amiga, an organiza-tion
which off ers services to individuals and
families who experience violence as well as
programs to promote a society free of gender
violence.
Th e Fulbright Program is the largest U.S.
international exchange program, off ering
opportunities for American and foreign
students, scholars and professionals to under-take
international graduate study, advanced
research, university teaching and teaching in
elementary and secondary schools world-wide.
Saint Ben’s graduate Laura Wunsch
(Edina, Minn.) and SJU graduates Mark
Bublitz (Brainerd, Minn.), Erik Hendrickson
(St. Louis Park, Minn.) and David Lam-bert
(Blaine, Minn.) will also teach in the
Austrian Ministry of Education Teaching
Assistantship program administered by the
Fulbright Commission in Vienna.
9
Sustainability. It’s not a word found in
the Rule of Saint Benedict, yet it’s at the
heart of our heritage. More than 1,500
years of humility, stability and stewardship
underscore our belief in the sacredness of
our Earth and our responsibility to the
community of life it supports.
Recently, President MaryAnn
Baenninger joined Th e Leadership Circle
of the Presidents Climate Commitement.
Since then, over 300 college and university
presidents have commitmed to eliminate
college global warming emissions and ac-
Capital Campaign Update—as of August 1, 2007
Goal: $80 million
Raised: $72 million
celerate research and educational eff orts to
re-stabilize the Earth’s climate.
Saint Ben’s is formalizing its plans to
adopt green building standards; minimize
loss of green spaces; require ENERGY
STAR certifi cation for products purchased;
off set emissions due to travel; encourage
public transportation; purchase renewable
energy; and support climate and sustain-ability
shareholder proposals through its
endowment. Th ese eff orts build on the
school’s existing successes.
Learn more:
www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
And, to stay in touch with what is
happening at Saint Ben’s, log on to:
www.csbsju.edu/environment/default.htm
www.csbsju.edu/csbfacilitiesmanagement
and click on ‘sustainability.’
President Commits to Sustainability
Initiatives Campus
AROUND CAMPUS
10
AROUND CAMPUS
Decade Award
Ronda Weiss ’97 was the Decade Award
winner which honors a 10-year alumna
who is outstanding in her personal, profes-sional
and volunteer accomplishments.
For the last ten years, Ronda has eff ort-lessly
extended a helping hand, a helping
head, and a helping heart to her work, to
students and industry professionals, and
to non-profi ts within her passion area
of Occupational Health, Safety, and the
Environment.
As an administrator, Ronda has a repu-tation
for being an exceptional, innovative
leader. To her work, she off ers expertise
and insight in policy and program devel-opment
and cost-eff ective customer service
initiatives that comply with programs like
the Family Medical Leave Act and Ameri-can
with Disabilities Act.
As an instructor, Ronda reaches out
through curriculum and program devel-opment
for college students, health care
providers, and lay persons in the industry.
And, she has many awards and publica-tions
to her name.
Finally, she gives of her time, talent, and
treasure to such professional organizations
as the American Association of Occupa-tional
Health Nurses and the Associa-tion
for Workplace Health Promotion.
Non-profi ts organizations benefi t from her
volunteer spirit, including Saint Ben’s, the
University of Minnesota Nursing Depart-ment
and School of Public Health, Ameri-can
Cancer Society, Gillette’s Children’s
Hospital and many others.
Benedictine Service Award
Benedictine values are the cornerstone
of Mary Braun Huberty’s ’67 commitment
to service and social justice.
As an advocate, she has taught and
trained caregivers for clients with physi-cal,
emotional, and spiritual needs. She
leads an intensive recovery group for adult
victims of childhood sexual abuse; off ers
free, individual counseling for the sexually
abused, and has mentored and trained
talented young counselors along the way.
She takes an active part in the spiritual
journey of her community as a confi rma-tion
teacher, facilitator of several inter-denominational
bible study groups, and
leader of LifeKeys courses for adults to
encourage the development of spiritual
gifts, talents, and skills in their career
choices and citizenship.
Mary’s values, faith, and community
were tested and strengthened after the
birth of her third child, Maria. For seven
years, the family lived a constant search for
relief for their daughter who was unable to
eat, sleep, walk, talk and sometimes even
breathe on her own.
After Maria’s death, Mary had a compel-ling
passion to reach out to others. As she
put it, if existing programs didn’t meet
the needs of others, she was compelled to
develop one that did. What began as an
eff ort to survive and meet the remarkable
challenges of her immediate family became
a much larger calling to serve life and the
community.
Today, Mary has four grown children
and four grandchildren. Her greatest desire
is to continue to help others develop a
strong spiritual heritage and live lives with
courage, boldness, and strength to serve
God.
Distinguished Alumna Award
Equity and accountability are guiding
principles for Mary Hughes Hynes ’77.
Her engagement in the public school
system started as a family aff air. As she put
it, “With fi ve children in the public school
system, our family needed it to work well.”
As an involved parent, Mary set out to
make public school work better for her
children and their varying educational
needs. Along the way, she became an
advocate for all kinds of children with
all kinds of needs.
For eleven years, Mary served on the
school board of Arlington, Virginia. In
that time, she worked tirelessly as an advo-cate
for academic standards that exceeded
state and federal mandates. She helped
secure funding and programs to close the
achievement gap in her diverse commu-nity.
Mary was instrumental in securing
capital improvement funds for the expan-sion,
renovation, or replacement of several
Arlington public schools.
Educational options also increased
for children, with expanded off erings in
science, Spanish immersion, math, arts,
communication technology, Montessori,
leadership, preschool, and advanced place-ment
programs.
Mary also led the review of school admis-sions
processes in order to standardize them
so that all families had access to information
about their educational options.
She is a representative to the Washing-ton
D.C. Area Board of Education, helped
found the Virginia School Board Associa-tion
Limited English Profi ciency Caucus
and the Board Assembly of the Minority
Student Achievement Network.
In 2006, Mary received the Educator
Advocate of the Year Award. And, she has
several publications to her credit.
Th ree alumnae honored at CSB Reunion 2007
11
Eyes Open to the World
Petters Commits to Center for Global Education
Tom Petters believes that every success-ful
deal starts and ends with two people
sitting down and listening to what each
other has to say. And through this interac-tion,
both will have a better understanding
of themselves, each other, and the world
around them.
His beliefs fuel more than his global
business enterprise. He is a tireless advo-cate
of educational experience at home and
abroad.
In June, Petters, chairman and CEO of
Petters Group Worldwide, made a com-mitment
of $5.3 million to the College of
Saint Benedict for the Th omas J. Petters
Center for Global Education.
Th e Th omas J. Petters Center for Global
Education will be one of ten academic
centers of excellence at the College of
Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
that enhances student learning, promotes
faculty development, and raises public
awareness about pressing issues of our day.
Th e Center will build on a nationally-recognized
international study abroad
program with 17 programs on 6 conti-nents
and 25-year educational partner-ship
with Southwest University in Beibei,
Chongqing, China.
Th e Th omas J. Petters Center for Global
Education will draw on the expertise of
global leaders in business, higher education
and civic organizations as it strengthens
existing and cultivates new partner-ships.
Currently, CSB/SJU partners with
organizations that have connections to
Minnesota, including the Petters Group
Worldwide, Best Buy, and Technomic
Asia. Students and faculty also work with
hospitals, schools, research institutes and
other civic organizations.
Th ese partnerships off er site visits, ap-prenticeships,
research potential, service
learning projects and other opportunities
for students and faculty to engage, and
learn. Th rough these activities, students
deepen their knowledge and appreciation
of world cultures while performing practi-cal,
useful service.
Th e Center will invite scholars, experts,
government offi cials, diplomats, artists and
others to campus for residencies and visit-ing
professorships. Th e Center will also
promote global understanding and citizen-ship
in the classroom, on campus and
in the community through conferences,
workshops and other outreach events.
“Tom Petters has a gift for bringing
people together,” said President MaryAnn
Baenninger. “Whether supporting our
award-winning performing arts center,
off ering scholarships to students passion-ate
about international business, or giving
our interns challenging and engaging work
around the world, Tom has had a pro-found
impact in the lives of our students,
their families, faculty and staff , and our
global community.”
Initial funding for the Center will
launch a director role to defi ne the stra-tegic
vision of the center in collaboration
with administration, faculty, and global
partners and begin to manage center
activities, coordinate experiential learning
eff orts, cultivate global partnerships, and
secure funds to support global education
initiatives and research.
“The future is dependent upon our youth having a broad
understanding of other cultures,” said Tom Petters, Chairman
and CEO of Petters Group Worldwide. “It is essential to teach
them about the importance of understanding cultural differences
and exchanging ideas that can be used to enhance the lives of
all people, and encourage dialogue for a more peaceful world.”
12
13
A Grand Opening,
Five Times Over
By Glenda Isaacs Burgeson
photo by Greg Becker
Th e opening of the new Gorecki Din-ing
and Conference Center is every chef’s
dream—or nightmare.
“It’s like opening fi ve new restaurants,”
said Paul Ruszat, CSB chef and produc-tion
manager.
With several new kitchen areas to pre-pare
for opening day, Chef Paul spent the
summer working alongside staff to learn
how to operate the latest food gadgets and
equipment.
In a rare moment of calm, he took time
to describe some of the highlights of the
new center.
Each of fi ve new stations will have its
own menu and attending chef.
While the majority of foods will be
cooked to order, each station also will
feature “grab and go” selections to accom-modate
busy schedules.
Chef Paul predicted that the Mongo-lian
grill will be one of the more popular
stations. Diners can choose their protein,
vegetables and sauce for the chef to grill.
“We’ll continue our Indian bar,” he said,
“and some days we will off er prepared
Asian foods that diners can serve them-selves.”
Th e pizza/pasta station also will be a
popular stop for hungry students. Th e new
gas-fi red pizza oven will feature standard
pizza choices, plus a daily pizza special.
During slower times, the station will take
orders for small, single-serving pizzas. Th e
station also will off er pasta to order.
“Th e key word is abundance,” Chef Paul
said. He wants students and other diners
to have an abundance of choices, whether
for take-out or dining in.
In addition to the array of dining op-tions,
Chef Paul anticipates eye-popping
visual elements will accent the dining
“Th e sharing of a meal is one of the most
powerful civilizing forces in society.”
- MaryAnn Baenninger, president, College of Saint Benedict
photo by Michael Becker
photo by Michael Becker
14
15
photo by Michael Becker
experience. Elaborate food displays and
fresh, fl oral arrangements will welcome
diners, creating what he calls the “Wow!”
eff ect.
“People are going to be amazed by this
place,” he said.
Th e new facility allows Chef Paul to
fully fl ex his professional muscle in creat-ing
a total culinary experience.
When he joined the College of Saint
Benedict three years ago, his goal was to
make the level of food service equal to the
quality of education the students received.
Traditionally, college students have got-ten
a raw deal on food, he said, grimacing
at the reference to “mystery meat” com-mon
in college dining halls.
Chef Paul believes students deserve
better.
“We want to provide healthier choices
for them.”
Today’s students expect more as well,
whether it’s vegetarian entrees, or a greater
ethnic diversity.
“Th ey have a greater global awareness of
their food,” he said. “Th at keeps us on our
toes.”
Th e rural Minnesota native has always
had an interest in cooking. He jokes that
he was forced into the profession, because
“my mom was such a bad cook.”
After honing his craft at area restaurants,
Chef Paul landed his fi rst executive chef
position at the Radisson in downtown St.
Cloud
He then founded the local chapter
of the American Culinary Federation, a
professional organization for chefs and
an international leader in certifi cation for
food service professionals.
For now, however, as Chef Paul contem-plates
his future running the equivalent
of fi ve restaurants, he points out that the
kitchen the college has shared with the
Saint Benedict’s Monastery actually pre-dates
the college.
“After 113 years in the same kitchen, it’s
about time.”
photo by Michael Becker
photo by Greg Becker
16
T H E G O R E C K I D I N I N G A N
Home Grown Goodness
Most people wouldn’t imagine million-dollar deals unfold-ing
over a lunch of sloppy joes and strawberry shortcake. Yet,
that’s the type of relationship one can expect only with Ben
and Dorothy Gorecki (pronounced Goret –ski).
A quiet, unassuming couple with a penchant for party
games, home cooking, and playful banter, the Goreckis have
been long-time supporters of the College of Saint Benedict.
Since their wedding on Valentine’s Day 1952, Ben and
Dorothy have worked and played alongside each other
through many endeavors, including raising 5 children and
farming 116 acres.
Th eir home base of Milaca, Minnesota (a town of about
2,500, an hour Northeast of Saint Ben’s) has enjoyed the
hospitality and entrepreneurial spirit of this pair. Together,
they’ve owned and operated several businesses ranging from a
bus depot to Gorecki Manufacturing.
When Ben ran the projectors in their movie theater, Doro-thy
sold tickets and popcorn. When Dorothy waited tables in
their café, Ben was in the kitchen cooking – sometimes with
too much salt and pepper, Dorothy adds.
Ben is quick to point out that when they were cutting hay,
“She’d be up there driving the John Deere and just looking at
all the scenery – the deer, the creek, the woods. If the machin-ery
jammed, I’d have to jump off the hay wagon, run in front
of the tractor, and fl ag her down to get her to stop,” he said.
“We had fun making hay.”
When Ben and Dorothy teamed up to support the renova-tion
and expansion of the Benedicta Arts Center, it was over a
game of Bingo to see who would get to carry the check back
to campus. Another gift was bestowed upon the winner of
bocce ball during a cookout on the south lawn at Saint Ben’s.
“We want to donate while we are living to see the results
of our contributions,” Dorothy explains. “We want to watch
Saint Ben’s grow and thrive.”
“It’s a two-way deal, and I’m not sure who benefi ts more .
. . the sisters, the college, the students, or us,” Ben said. “We
get so much back from our contributions, including so many
friends and good times on campus.”
In July, the grill was fi red up again when Ben and Dorothy
toured the new Gorecki Dining and Conference Center – de-spite
being 90 degrees in the shade. When asked what they
thought, one thing came to their minds, “It’s beautiful.”
photo by Greg Becker
17
D C O N F E R E N C E C E N T E R
18
Bees are abuzz in the Common Ground Garden at Saint Benedict’s Monas-tery
these days, about 200,000 of them, in fact.
Sister Phyllis Plantenberg introduced them three years ago, and they are
certainly earning their keep. “Almost anything that has a blossom is visited by
a bee,” S. Phyllis said. “I can open the hive and know which ones have been
out and about. Th ey have little pollen baskets on their legs that become these
vibrant, little red and orange orbs.”
About 30 percent of the U.S. food supply is a result of bee pollination; the
same is true of the 10,000 pounds of produce harvested at the garden each
year.
At just over an acre, this community supported agriculture garden (CSA)
is one of more than 1,000 in the U.S. naturally grown without pesticides,
insecticides, or herbicides and has been since its founding in 1993. “We treat
our bugs and weeds like our vegetables the natural way—sometimes we just
pick them,” S. Phyllis said.
Th is means, the most benefi cial insects, like the ladybug, can stay because
they will eat the larvae of other bugs to keep their populations in check.
“Rather than using a broadcast pesticide that will kill all of the bugs in the
soil,” Production Gardener Jenny Kutter ’03 explains, “we encourage the
benefi cial bugs to thrive in a good environment and do the job for us.”
Th is natural way to grow isn’t without its challenges. Crop rotation for pest
control is one method used by Jenny, a graduate of chemistry and environ-mental
studies. “If the same species is planted in the same space year after
year, pests, molds, fungus and other things can build up,” she said. “Plants
like cabbage are heavy feeders and deplete nutrients in the soil. Others help
capture nitrogen in the air and rejuvenate the soil. When planning the garden
each year I think, ‘Where did I have cabbage last year?’ Th at’s where I am
By Heidi L. Everett Beauties n a t u r a l
19
planting peas.”
Garden subscribers share in the risks and
rewards of home-grown goodness. In fact,
just over $300 buys 18 weeks of fruits,
vegetables, honey, herbs and fl owers.
For Ernie Dietrich, CSB/SJU professor
of economics and environmental studies,
there are four driving motivators for his
support of CSA programs.
Food security tops the list. “Food
security is more important now than ever
before.” He cites recent scares with pet
food and outbreaks like E-coli as examples.
“People need to look more carefully where
their food comes from,” Ernie said. He be-lieves
CSA’s won’t replace mass production,
but grocery stores don’t have to be the
only food source. “If something happens
in Texas, I still need food on my table. It’s
nice to have a portfolio of options.”
Keeping dollars “bouncing around
locally” supports economic development,
Ernie said, and that is another motivator.
“Large-scale production shouldn’t push out
smaller production facilities. Th ere’s a thin-ning
out of rural America and an urbaniza-tion
of the landscape that clears out the
diversity we once enjoyed.”
Th e carbon cost of securing and moving
food is quite costly as well. Most food
travels over 1,000 miles from the farm to
your fork.
Jenny prefers an alternative look at
energy: “When buying local, the energy
becomes less abstract. It’s in the faces we
see and the stories we hear. Th at energy is
in watching kids grow up on the vegetables
from the garden”
Production gardenerJenny Kutter ’03.
Finally, the social aesthetic is an impor-tant
piece. “Th ere’s a whole lot that eco-nomics
doesn’t take into account,” Ernie
said. “When there are people you know
making your food, it’s no longer just food.
You invest more emotionally.”
Th e community building extends be-yond
the bags of natural beauties distrib-uted
each week. A newsletter shares garden
events, garden tips and recipes. Farmer’s
markets have grown out of this endeavor.
Local senior citizens are given space to
plant. And school children start pumpkin
seeds in a cup, transplant them in the
garden, and then come back in the fall to
pick a pumpkin.
Th e garden also donates 1,000 to 1,500
pounds of food to local food shelves.
Even the down-and-dirty work of weed-ing
and harvesting encourages commu-nity
“just talking across the rows,” as one
garden volunteer put it.
It’s a beautiful thing, naturally.
Get Growing:
To locate a CSA program or farmer’s market in your area or to learn more about starting a CSA (like Chris Gamm ’02, page 27):
Local Harvest http://www.localharvest.org/
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
http://attra.ncat.org/
S. Phyllis and kids planting pumpkins in 2005.
20
Diane Veale Jones has a simple ques-tion
for the students in her new course on
food sustainability: Where does food come
from?
A long-time professor of nutrition, Jones
has recently joined the CSB/SJU Environ-mental
Studies Program and also will teach
a course on sustainable agricultural.
Th e course on food sustainability focus-es
on food, gender, globalization and the
environment. Th e text she uses, Tangled
Routes, charts the path of the corporate
tomato from Mexico to Canada. Th e path
begins with the way tomatoes are pro-duced
per contractual qualities to ensure
their intact arrival at far-away destinations,
Veale Jones explained.
“Th e tomatoes have been bred to have
long shelf-life, which results in a fi rm,
uniform product, much diff erent from
the soft, fl avorful tomatoes we grow in
our garden or purchase from the farmer’s
market,” she said.
Th e text explores the gender roles of the
Mexican women who pick and pack the
tomatoes and the men who transport them
to the border. For example, female pickers
who follow the year-round tomato pro-duction
throughout Mexico are often sepa-rated
from their children. Many truckers
are on the road for 20 or more days, home
for three, and then return to the road.
“We are so unconnected to what we
eat,” Veale Jones said.
Another text, What to Eat?, explores the
grocery store aisle by aisle, and discusses
the environmental impact of food miles,
or the miles food is transported before it
is consumed. On average, in the United
States, food travels 1,600 miles while im-ported
foods may travel more than 7,000.
A third text, Hope’s Edge, examines grass-roots
eff orts for sustainable food produc-tion
worldwide.
“I just want the students to think about
what they eat and how their food choices
aff ect their health and the health of the
environment,” Veale Jones said.
In her course on sustainable agriculture,
Jones will ask another simple question:
“Where are we going with biotechnology?”
She will ask students to consider issues
associated with genetically modifi ed plants.
Th e course also will discuss fi sh farming
and its implications both for the environ-ment
and health, especially the increased
risk of cancer due to higher concentrations
of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and
the use of pesticides and herbicides in food
production, as compared with organic
farming.
“Sustainable agriculture is the key to
feeding the growing world’s population
because it maintains biodiversity of crops
and respects and protects cultural diver-sity,”
she said.
Jones continues to pursue her longtime
interest in food and culture, and she has
given numerous statewide and local pre-sentations
on the topic, working to build
understanding as state and area residents
adapt to the recent arrival of immigrant
and refugee populations, including
Hmong, Somali and Hispanic. Partici-pants
have included food service directors,
school cooks, vendors, dietitians, social
workers and high school home economics
teachers.
She begins these intercultural conversa-tions
with an exercise in self refl ection,
asking yet another simple question: What
is your cultural self introduction? When
some respond by identifying their ethnic
heritage, Jones encourages them to con-sider
culture in a broader sense, including
gender, religion, age and political affi lia-tion.
Th is helps people realize that to merely
identify someone with an ethnic label is
too narrow.
She then helps them understand,
through their personal experience, how
food— a necessary substance in the most
basic sense—is rich in cultural and reli-gious
associations.
She discusses how food is intimately tied
to spirituality and the practice of reli-gious
beliefs and rituals. Her presentation
includes a look at dietary laws and prohibi-tions
observed by Jews, Muslims, Hindus
and Buddhists. From the Christian tradi-tion,
she discusses the Catholic practice of
fasting during Lent, as well as the Protes-tants
view of food as fellowship, and food
as a moral code in terms of providing food
for others and not consuming too much.
“In Minnesota, since we are becom-ing
so much more diverse, there is a large
need for understanding and there’s a lot of
curiosity.”
Veale Jones hopes that curiosity will lead
to better understanding, one question at
a time.
From Simple Questions
to Complex Answers
By Glenda Isaacs Burgeson
21
22
“I’ve been guilty of it
myself,” confessed Stacey
Gerlach Moe ’94 of her
eat-on-the-run habits.
Stacey—who
graduated from
Saint Ben’s with a
degree in German
and went on to
get a Masters in
Public Health
with an empha-sis
in community
health education—is a
project coordinator for the Division of
Epidemiology and Community Health at
the University of Minnesota.
Th roughout her career, she has worked
on studies funded by the National Insti-tutes
of Health that analyze the impacts
of behavior and environment on health,
including the Child and Adolescent Trial
for Cardiovascular Health, Teens Eating
for Energy and Nutrition at Schools, and
the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls.
“Everybody knows obesity is a problem.
Th ere’s no secret,” Stacey said.
In fact, according to A Nation at
Risk: Obesity in the
United States. A Statistical
Sourcebook, “It’s gut-check
time.”
Statistics from the
Centers for Dis-ease
Control and
Prevention (CDC)
suggest about
16 percent of all
children and teens
in the United States
are overweight. And,
65 percent of all people
20 and older are overweight or obese.
Since 1991, this has increased by more
than 75 percent. In 2003, the surgeon
general declared obesity the leading
preventable cause of death in the U.S.
And, it’s associated insurance costs totalled
$92.6 billion.
It’s No Secret Americans Know the Skinny on Obesity
23
“If we start when kids are young
and enforce that healthy food
and physical activity can be good,
we’ll make a big diff erence.” STACEY GERLACH MOE ’94
Today’s hectic schedules and bigger
portions are part of the problem.
“Parents have to work. Th e kids are
at home. Sometimes it’s not safe to play
outside where kids live. Sometimes it’s just
easier to plunk down in front of the televi-sion
because we’re all really tired,” Stacey
said. “Today, everything moves so fast. You
think, ‘I really should cook a dinner, but
I’m tired. Let’s go to the drive through.’”
For her senior thesis, Padget E. Smith
’07 researched how the change in the cost
of food and the household family budget
may contribute to obesity.
“Over the past fi fty years, food has be-come
cheaper and easier to produce imply-ing
that people can buy more food for less
money,” Padget explains. Th ese improved
methods of food processing have intro-duced
more frozen foods and ready-to-eat
meals that off er higher calories, she said.
Her research suggest that the quantity of
“other food” (frozen entrees, canned soups,
snack items, etc.) purchased in 2005 was
1.63 times the amount purchased in 1980.
Padget also said the decrease in food
costs means people spend less of their in-come
toward household groceries, leaving
more disposable income. For every extra
dollar of income, an increase of 12 percent
is spent on food eaten away from home in
much bigger portions.
“From 1957 to 1997 the average soda
size increased from 8 to 24 ounces, a typi-cal
muffi n from 1.5 ounces to 7 ounces,
and the average movie theatre popcorn
from 3 cups to a 16-cup medium size,”
Padget said.
Schools are also in a Catch 22. While
they rely on the USDA reimbursable food
program for the number of vegetables
and fruits served, schools rely on vending
machines and a la carte revenue. “Many
schools are including additional servings
of fruit and vegetables and lower-fat snack
alternatives in their vending machines and
a la carte lines, but some kids just bypass
the healthy choices and have fi ve cookies
for lunch,” Stacey said.
During intervention studies, Stacey’s
research team tries to make a diff erence
in eating habits, food choices and activ-ity
levels for students. Th is has been done
through curriculum adjustments in health
and physical education, off ering low-fat
snacks to try, and teaching fun, hands-on
recipes that students would remember and
could do easily on their own.
“In the Trial of Activity for Adoles-cent
Girls, one school changed to block
scheduling due to budget cuts, but used
this to the school’s advantage. Th ey created
a 23-minute segment of their physical edu-cation
class devoted to increasing students’
moderate to vigorous physical activity
levels,” Stacey said. “Th is schedule is still in
place two years after the study.”
Th is same study also created an out-of-
school program that arranged for
after-school transportation and an hour
of activities twice a week at a community
center. “Th is study gave girls a taste of be-ing
fi t and having fun with friends,” Stacey
said. It also led to greater enrollment at the
community center and inspired commu-nity
partnerships.
“If we start when kids are young and
enforce that healthy food and physical
activity can be good we’ll make a big dif-ference,”
Stacey said. As for adults, “You
don’t have to cut everything out. Make
adjustments and get moving. You need
both.”
She suggests: don’t get bogged down by
schedules, unplug the TV, take the stairs,
and always walk a little bit farther. “Every
little bit helps,” Stacey said, “and there’s
lots of things you can do that don’t cost
any money.”
PADGET E. SMITH ’07
. . . specializing in forensics, fraud protecti
24
“WE ARE BENNIES.”
Describe your work:
It is my responsibility to compare bullets and cartridge
cases test fi red from fi rearms to the bullets and cartridge
cases found at a crime scene or removed from a victim’s
body. We use a sophisticated comparison microscope that
allows us to look at two items of evidence simultaneously.
I also restore obliterated serial numbers on fi rearms and
determine the distance from which victims are shot by ex-amining
the pattern of gunpowder residues found on their
clothing. I also am on-call on a rotating basis to respond to
crime scenes around the state. I’m responsible for docu-menting
the scene with notes, sketches and measurements,
performing some on-site testing of the evidence, and the
collection and packaging of the evidence for its return to
our lab for further testing.
What is commonly misunderstood about your work?
Much of the public thinks the fi eld of forensic science is
a most glamorous one, thanks to television and the movies.
And while the work is very rewarding and can be exciting
at times, glamorous is the last word I’d use to describe our
work—just check us out after 24 hours at a nasty crime
scene! It’s lots of long hours in front of a microscope, lots of
note taking, lots of report writing in front of a computer.
We don’t carry guns or wear leather skirts and high heels to
crime scenes. We also don’t always solve the case in a matter
of hours as they appear to on TV. I was testifying in a grand
jury hearing once, and in this particular case I was unable
to identify all of the bullets recovered from the crime scene
as being fi red from the suspect’s fi rearm. One juror had a
hard time believing that, and stated, “Well, I’m disappoint-ed
in you—they always fi gure it out on TV!”
JOAN KNOT H E S T E I N ’ 7 2
STEPHANIE ECKERMAN ’98
Chemistry major
Master Degree in Criminal Justice with a Specialization in Forensic Science from Michigan State University ’99
Forensic Scientist, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Describe your work:
Not that long ago, few of us were familiar with the
phrase “identity theft.” Now we shred our bills, prefer
mailboxes with locks, protect our credit card numbers,
check our bank statements carefully, and are cautious about
internet purchases. Investigators and prosecutors have had
to adapt to the changing face of crime in our country.
I specialize in economic crimes and am assigned to the
Fraud Task Force—which is made up of Secret Service
agents, police offi cers, postal inspectors and DA staff .
Mostly I see embezzlements, counterfeit currency and iden-tity
theft cases. We charge the suspects, resolve the cases,
argue for appropriate sentences and urge full restitution for
crime victims.
Alerting the public to the new risks and working with
them to react quickly is critical. Identity fraud won’t go
away, and it won’t be solved by law enforcement alone. Th e
partnership between the consumers and the responding
agencies will deter thieves and reduce dollar losses.
What is commonly misunderstood about your work?
I think the public has a pretty good idea of what the
prosecutor does from either jury service or the spate of TV
shows dealing with the criminal justice system. Th e one
stereotype I don’t like is that of the hard-hearted prosecutor
who will stop at nothing to win. While there could be a
bad apple anywhere, the professional standards of a career
prosecutor’s offi ce would not tolerate such an attitude or
behavior. Ethical standards demand a commitment to
justice and fair play.
English and Humanities Majors
Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State, 1975 and J.D. from University of San Diego, 1980
Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Diego.
Learn more about these four alums: www.csbsju.edu/cms/features/alumnae.htm
25
ion, the First Amendment, and opportunity
Describe your work:
I specialize in advising and defending governmental en-tities
on issues of constitutional law and civil rights. Much
of my work involves First Amendment claims, in particular,
freedom of speech challenges brought by adult businesses
resisting regulations imposed on them by cities. I also draft
laws to regulate adult businesses and conduct training with
local government offi cials and law enforcement agencies
on the enforcement of those regulations. Th e most exciting
aspect of my work recently has been appellate work. Th e
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears appeals from federal
district courts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, so when
we prevail at the Fifth Circuit, we set important legal prec-edent
for cities all over this region of the country.
Over the past year I’ve been working to secure support
from the Texas City Attorneys’ Association to sponsor sev-eral
nationally renowned experts and scholars in conducting
a study on the harmful secondary eff ects caused by certain
types of adult businesses. Th e study, which will be complete
by the end of this year, will serve as a valuable tool to cities
and counties across the country that are seeking to regulate
these types of businesses.
What is commonly misunderstood about your work?
Citizens regularly voice that, by regulating adult busi-nesses,
the city is approving of the messages the businesses
convey. It’s very diffi cult to explain that, although some
messages may run afoul of the citizen’s own moral or
religious beliefs, it’s still speech that is protected under
the First Amendment. It’s also very challenging to make
citizens and elected offi cials understand that if they adopt
laws that infringe on the First Amendment, the laws will be
struck down by the court, leaving their community with no
regulations.
Describe your work:
I enjoy working with individuals and families from
around the world who are seeking temporary and per-manent
status in the United States. Th is includes helping
people apply for a variety of nonimmigrant and immigrant
visas and helping seek relief from deportation.
It’s rewarding to help individuals navigate the often
complex and intimidating immigration system. It’s exciting
to help people achieve their dream of living and working
in the United States. It’s gratifying to bridge language and
cultural barriers and directly impact people’s lives by help-ing
them legalize their status in the United States.
When there are negative changes to the immigration
laws, the direct impact on families can be devastating. Simi-larly,
when positive changes occur, the impact on individu-als
and families can be life-changing.
What is commonly misunderstood about your work?
Th ere is a lot of misinformation about current immigra-tion
laws and about immigrants in general. For example,
people often erroneously believe that the law has changed
when, in fact, Congress is merely debating proposed legisla-tion.
Moreover, people often misunderstand how easy or
diffi cult it is for an individual to immigrate to the U.S. and
why people choose to come to the U.S. Th e eff ect is that it
can take a lot of time to dispel rumors and clarify misinfor-mation.
Th e immigration debate has become very heated
in recent years and especially in recent months. A positive
impact of immigration being in the news is that people get
involved in advocating for positive immigration reform.
A P R I L S O U T H W I C K ’ 9 4
BARBARA E. ERLANDSON ’87
Management and Spanish majors
JD, William Mitchell College of Law, 1999,
Immigration Attorney, solo practitioner in Minneapolis
History major
J.D. from Hamline University School of Law,
Senior Associate at Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP Fort Worth, Texas
26
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
CLASS NOTES
1947
Attending the outstandingly CSB Reunion
June 22- 24, from the Class of ’47 were Alice
Askin Pfl epson, Anne Notermann Dietz, Honor
O’Connell Hacker.
Alice brought her sister Margaret. Anne and Honor
each came with their daughters. Marge Reichling
Voelker, Marion Linnemann and Mary Lou Mamer
Williams stayed during the 3 days, enjoying many of
the activities. Benedictine Sisters Gregor Bergeson,
Ruth Nierengarten, and Paula Reiten, living at Saint.
Benedict’s Monastery, were also at some of the
events. It was especially poignant to attend the Eu-charist
Celebration with some of our classmates at
our 60th college Reunion. We’d found that incapaci-ties
of age, and the need to travel great distances,
kept many of our classmates from attending.
1949
Annella Stevens Wallen-Zekich writes, “I went
to Italy on a pilgrimage in November for 10 days,
and it was spectacular. Fr. Dave (our parish priest)
led it, and he was great with history and details. I
was in Venice, Florence, Padua, Assisi, Pisa, Sorrento
and Pompeii plus Rome and an audience with the
Pope—so quite a trip! There were 48 of us, and we
became quite close. We lost Fr. Dave on February 8,
2007, with a heart attack at 41; it was very sad for
our parish, especially those on staff and those on the
pilgrimage.
We welcomed a new grandson on July 28, 2006.
Blake Alexander turned 2 on January 2, 2007, and
another grandchild is due July 4th in the family.
They tell us it’s a girl, so she will be #12; 6 of each.
The oldest is 19 and in college. The older ones don’t
have as much time for me but the little ones take
my time.
I’m volunteering with St. Vincent’s, Repairers of
the Breach (a place where homeless can go during
the day so they have a phone number for jobs,
tutoring, lunch, gospel in groups and other benefi ts),
preparing the food and feeding the homeless every
5th Friday, lecturing, Eucharistic Minister and am
involved in other Parish programs.”
1952
Mil Padrnos Voelker writes, “We weren’t great
in number, but we did have a good time at our 55th
class reunion. Lila Korb Gregg, hometown Chico,
CA, and Kathleen Hughes Dooley of Sherman Oaks,
CA, got the prize for coming the greatest distance,
with Mary Anne Boos Noehring coming in a close
second from Palm Harbor, FL. Their prizes were the
presence (pun intended) of Betty Boyer Harthman,
Dora Dionne Diepolder, Barbara Pluth Thomes,
Mary Ladner Ulm, S. Margaret Van Kempen, and
Mil Padrnos Voelker, S. Ingrid Anderson, and
Nancy Burns Wenner who all joined us for part of
the weekend.
The two big events were the Friday night Golden
Anniversary Dinner and the Saturday evening ban-quet.
We took special time away from other activities
to meet Saturday afternoon in S. Margaret’s studio,
where the colors are vivid in so many different
artistic mediums. Her latest efforts are in painting
bright landscapes.
I had notes from Ardeth Harth Duthoy, who
summers in Park Rapids, MN and Patricia Martin
Laliberte of Cottonwood, CO. Pat wrote that she
couldn’t attend Reunion because she was busy
preparing for a solo concert in early July and a fam-ily
reunion in Minnesota shortly after that. She still
plays “quite a few” concerts each year.
At the Sunday morning Mass a beautiful homily
was preached by a recent alum. In the Mass booklet,
alums deceased since our 50th reunion were
remembered: S. Jean Marie Schreier, OSB, Doris
Kamm, Mary Jane Schmitz Cox, Pauline Bresna-han
Tinguely, and Joyce Bartell Moffat.
On a personal note, the book my husband,
Fran, and I have been working on since 2003 was
published May 15, 2007. The History of Big Birch
Lake, Todd and Stearns Counties, MN, has been
very well received. We are, above all, very thankful
that it came to publication, because we have both
had some health problems and fi nishing it seemed
doubtful at times. Barbara Pluth Thomes’s lovely
memoir, “A Little Girl at the Lake” appears in the
book.
From sharing our situations at Reunion, we know
there are all kinds of aches and pains dwelling in
our midst. May God ease the pain and brighten your
days with lively and lovely thoughts of our time
together more than 50 years ago as well as recently.
1957
. . . and a good time was had by all!
Our 50th reunion has come and gone. Classmates
were here from CA, TX, the east and of course the
Midwest bunch. We missed all of you who couldn’t
be at the Reunion but are already planning for 100%
attendance in 5 years.
Pax Christi
Mary McCullough-Novak
Sue Welch-Dachel
1961
Barbara Malecha Jelinek writes … Frank and I
both still live in Galena, OH, and both retired from our
primary jobs. He was in research management and I
was an elementary education teacher. I am currently
working as an adjunct professor at OH Dominican
University. I usually teach 1 class per semester and
supervise 5-6 student teachers.
As grandparents of 12, we have a very full
life. Our oldest just graduated from West Virginia
University and is living with us while working at
National City Bank in Columbus. We wonder how this
happened so quickly! We are in a new parish where I
am a lector and distributor of holy communion.
In April my mom, Barbara Malecha, died at age
88. I was able to spend time with her in January
and March and feel peaceful about her journey
home. Please pray for us as we are faced with the
challenge of Frank’s health. He has been diagnosed
with a dementia with Lewy bodies. It has symptoms
of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is heartbreaking to
see him diminish in his capacities and strength.
It was great reading about so many who submit-ted
notes for last year’s homecoming.
1965
Hello! As each deadline for this magazine comes
and goes and I hear from so many of you, I am
continually struck by the various paths that we each
have taken and, more importantly, the signifi cant
intellectual, social and familial contributions made
by our Class of ’65. Your notes and messages refl ect
amazing accomplishments that are coupled with
maturity and warmth and true Benedictine spirit. It is
a privilege to know you!
Jean Gores Paradis is going to an orphanage in
Haiti for 6 weeks in order to teach English to children
ages 10-13. Although there will be other volunteers,
Jean admits to some anxiety as she won’t know
anyone until she arrives. But she looks at this oppor-tunity
as a time of growth. She says, “It is a spiritual
awakening for me. I am so blessed that I have found
this place.” Jean is anxious to share information
For a list of Class Reps: www.csbsju.edu/alum/classpages/csb
27
Cultivating Community
Chris Gamm ’02 has two ways of looking at her work.
“Sometimes I say that I teach plant science to kids
and families,” she said. “Other times I say that I help
people rediscover the joy, awe and wonder of life through
plants.”
Th e awe and wonder part
fuels her fi re as the Plantmo-bile
and Day Camp Coor-dinator
for the Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum.
A graduate of peace and
environmental studies, Chris
visits elementary schools and
teaches plant science. During
the summer, she runs day
camps. “I may be leading
a hunt for fairies, catch-ing
tadpoles, cooking local
food, drawing, or exploring
a wetland or prairie,” Chris
said. “My job is to try to give
kids what I had as a child on
the farm—chances to explore
and engage with the natural
world.”
Th e 100-year-old farm she speaks of was homesteaded
by her great grandfather, Emil Reimann, a German
immigrant. It is 250 acres of woods, wetlands, and
fi elds along the Rum River, north of Minneapolis. Chris
remembers climbing on hay bales, sharing ice cream
with ‘mama kitty,’ and being towed behind the tractor
through the fi elds and along the river.
After decades of renting out the farmland, Chris
inspired her parents, Darwin and Carol, to revive it for a
community supported agriculture program. Chris says,
“I am the fourth generation of my family to steward this
place, and I hope that we are creating something that
will allow future generations to continue it.”
Today, Riverside Farm has 10 members and an open
invitation to volunteer. “A friend came to visit last
summer and actually spent the whole day hand-picking
squash bugs with me,” Chris recalled. “Now that’s friend-ship!”
and says an overview of the organization and where
she will be can be found at www.NPH.org. There are
videos about each country and two sites about Haiti
in particular.
Like many of us who are experiencing the death
of a parent, Bea Eichten wrote to say her father,
Everett Eichten, died on June 16 of heart failure.
Alert and cognizant to the end, Mr. Eichten was one
month short of 90. Bea’s mother continues to live
on the family farm, where the 15 living siblings plus
other family members gathered to remember and
celebrate Dad. Joanne Zimmerman Pirner also lost
her father in June. Mr. Ermund Zimmerman passed
away on 6-23-07 and was preceded in death by
Joanne’s mother, Helen, on Dec. 6, 2006.
Now THIS is amazing! Judi Kittleson Kearney
and her husband were back to MN this summer and
went to the 100th birthday of the town of Coleraine,
and it was there that Judi saw a very impressive
group of 70-year-old former cheerleaders doing the
splits at a pep rally! Not feeling the need to try it as
well, Judi did say that these invigorating women
had practiced 4 months in order to perform. After
“motoring” to Murphy Lake near Eveleth, Judi and
husband spent 2 days with Jeanne Filiatrault Laine
and husband Terry doing what good friends do …
eating good food, drinking good wine, talking good
oldies and playing a few good card games. Judi also
spoke of Jeanne’s lasting friendship with S. Jeremy
and how fortunate she feels to have that connection
through Jeanne. Retirement is in the offi ng for Judi.
“One more year,” she says. “It’s been great teaching,
but I’ll have no problem fi nding tons to do. May even
combine a trip to visit family in MN and attend one of
those CSB lunches in the Twin Cities.”
I am compelled to enthusiastically tell you once
again about Jeanette Blonigen Clancy’s book God
Is Not Three Guys In The Sky: Cherishing Christi-anity
Without Its Exclusive Claims. When I asked
Jeanette to give me some news for the class notes,
she laughed. She said her life is so full of her book,
especially now that it is published and available.
Marketing, of course, is time consuming, but mostly
Jeanette wants to spend her time hearing, and
responding to reactions to her book. “There’s a
powerful current of spiritual questions in the air
these days,” says Jeanette, “and in my book I try to
unite ALL the spiritualities, including those that in
the past Christians were directed to despise.” In a
recent e-mail to Jeanette, one reader wrote, “What
a book!! I sit here speechless, having been touched
by the profoundness of spirituality, psychology, our
humanity, and the holiness of it all. This chapter is
such a beautiful climax. Jesus has taken on even
more meaning for me. Thank you.” You can read
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
28
more about Jeanette’s book at her website www.
godisnot3guys.com where you can also fi nd infor-mation
on ordering.
While Jeanette has been consumed by her book,
I have been completely consumed this summer by
organizing my high school class reunion, something
that hasn’t been done for over 20 years. But that
didn’t prevent me from having lunch one hot, July
day with Louise Langenberg Smith who traveled
from her home in NY for an annual family visit.
Louise had just enjoyed another annual event …
her “girls only” get together with Mary Breiter
Nolan, Marian Zeiner Henderson and Jane Hertel
Campbell at a favorite spot in Itasca State Park. It
took Louise and me over 3 hours to have lunch and
begin the catching up process and so, agreed that
this, too, should become an annual event.
This last entry is from Judy Haberman Diemer
and is rather lengthy, but I found Judy’s words
refl ected much of what I had experienced upon
the death of my father. My thought is that perhaps
many of you are, or will be, in a similar position
and may fi nd a comfort in what Judy wrote. It is
as follows: “I’m not sure this will be of interest, but
maybe something for you to remember or expect
in your future. I now live in Hudson, WI, the place I
chose after much deliberation as to where I would
re-locate after the sale of my parents’ home. After
living there and caring for my parents and their
needs for almost 3 years, the selling of household
items was diffi cult and emotional. I am sure many
of you have gone through similar times. I found it
to be paralyzing. The plan was in place on what to
do, but to actually sort through and discard, divide,
and put up for sale, was a task like rolling a huge
boulder up a steep hill. Until my brothers and sister
came on the scene to help, I was in slow motion,
partly because of living there and building stronger
ties, plus depression of sorts because an era was
coming to an end. Every cupboard, trunk, or drawer
revealed more treasures. Photos in albums that
were a mish mash of different places, in different
time frames, made identifying them a challenge. But
the memories that were brought back, and some
that were known by perhaps only one of us, was an
enlightenment, a delight, and an education of our
family history. Finding a glamour photo of my mom
gave her a whole new dimension! Seeing her in her
teen years and in her nurse’s training meant more to
us now than it ever had before. We had to take some
of the photos to the Good Samaritan Care Center
where she lives and ask her to tell us about them. It
is always surprising how much she, as a woman in
the midst of Alzheimer’s disease, could remember
of the “good old days.” Certainly not everything, but
enough to give us a better notion of the people who
came before us and the things our mother did as
a young girl, woman, and mother. We saw our dad,
too, as a cute young boy and handsome man. He
stands with us as children, in the Black Hills, with
his felt Stetson-type hat on. The hat now rests in my
daughter, Paula’s house, along with a shadow box of
his other personal items, as a precious memory of
their special bond. My daughter Kristin, home for a
visit from Australia, spent 4 days going through slide
photographs. She learned that her mom, that’s me,
and her aunt, were “pretty classy and modern” in
high school and as college students at CSB. It was
an interesting insight for me, as to what I remember
or didn’t remember, when looking at the old slides.
We laughed and laughed as we saw a glimpse of the
past. And what was accomplished? We took a
journey of knowledge about the family from which
we had come. We experienced an added closeness
with each other that only this type of activity can
bring. This is the part we will remember and hold
dear, not the packing of the boxes or the emotions
of a household sale. Several years earlier we had,
with my son James’ suggestion, had Mom and Dad
sit with a recorder, as my son and friends asked
them to recount memories and times in their lives
that we wanted to remember them by. My brothers
and sister and I had written down these questions
for them to answer. We then had this put on CD’s for
ourselves and all the grandchildren. This was just
before we realized that Mom was in the fi rst stage
of Alzheimer’s. Now, we can hear their story, in their
own words, and remember how they interacted in
conversation. Little did we know how important it
was to get this done at that time. The trunk is in
my basement, with all the saved family photos and
memorabilia that we chose to keep. It holds a dress
for Mom that we will use when needed. It holds our
memories as well as hers and Dad’s. We all have
taken treasures from their household that we will
keep and remember them by and pass on to our
children and grandchildren. What we must do yet …
remember to tell the stories that we know to those
who follow us.”
Thank you, Judy, and God Bless you all!!
1967
What a wonderful 40th Reunion we had at Staint
Ben’s. If your ears were ringing June 22-24 it was
probably that your name was mentioned as we
reminisced about those good old college years. The
turnout of 29 was good. We did get over 40% of
participation in our contributions to the Scholar-ship
fund; thank you for helping reach our goal!
We were also thrilled and proud that our classmate
Mary Braun Huberty was awarded the Benedictine
Service Award at the Saturday banquet. What fun it
was to see everyone, share memories and photos of
children and grandchildren. Let’s see if we can get
45 for our 45th reunion … start planning now. I am
trying to get a current update of classmates email
address so we can communicate more frequently.
Please send me yours along with any news you
would like to share.
As ever, Yvette Krech ykrech@yahoo.com
1971
Mary Leeder writes, “At our class reunion last
year I volunteered to be class rep. again. So, please
send me your e-mail addresses, and keep me, as
well as this space informed.
1972
Connie Fourre was a recipient of the Na-tional
Catholic Educational Association’s Secondary
Educator’s Award. Karen Ciernia McKenzie and
David McKenzie, Jr. are proud to announce the birth
of their 10th grandchild, Mollie Evelyn, born March
27, 2007. An 11th grandchild is on the way.
1973
Dr. Kathleen Domino Ohman served as director
of the nursing Study Abroad Program August-De-cember,
2006 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She will
be returning to Sun City South Africa in August 2007.
1977
Susan Adam writes, “Hi! Since my days at CSB
I have had a number of different ministries within
education and church. I have taught all ages, spent
many years in youth and young adult ministry from
MN to AK to WA to WI and back to MN.
1978
Cathy McKenzie O’Brien returned to school at
Hamline University in 1998 where she maintained a
4.0 GPA and received her English as a Second Lan-guage
teaching licensure. She has been employed in
the Columbia Heights School District since 2001 and
was named Teacher of the Year for 2006! Cathy and
her husband Jim currently live in Mendota Heights.
She stays busy with traveling, reading and tennis.
1979
Mary Zitur Miley was named one of the Best
Doctors of Internal Medicine for Women in the May
2007 issue of Minnesota Monthly. She currently
works at Park Nicollet Clinic in Plymouth, MN.
1981
Patti Frie Mattos is the enrollment coordinator at
DCALS, an alternative high school in Dakota County.
She also teaches English and has been at DCALS for
16 years. She and husband Dave have 2 daughters;
Chelsea will be a sophomore at the U of M, and Lizzy
is a junior at Burnsville High. They live in Savage
with 5 pets. Drop ins are welcome! Linda Schrandt
is still working at the MAYO Clinic in Rochester, MN.
She has 2 girls ages 9 and 16. Linda’s husband died
in April of ALS-Lou Gehrig disease. She is keeping
busy and enjoying the summer. Patty Klein Meyer’s
son, Andrew, graduated from SJU in May and is
currently employed by Alliance. Nicholas is a junior
at CSS in Duluth and is majoring in marketing. Mat-thew
will be heading to SJU at the end of August for
his freshman year. Zachary is a sophmore at AHA in
Richfi eld. Patty is still teaching 3rd grade at Nativity
of Mary in Bloomington. Ken is at Starkey Labs in
Eden Prairie. Patty claims that at their age, they will
soon be needing the benefi ts of his hearing aid com-pany.
Sapa Carlson is now with SKY Sotheby’s In-ternational
Realty. Her new offi ce is located at 1313
Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata 55391. Same cell 612-306-
1050. email: sapa.carlson@skysothebysrealty.com
or at home, sovos@aol.com .She is still working in
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
29
all price ranges throughout MN—but now has added
international capabilities and a much improved
marketing program. She would love to hear from you
—give her a call! Diane Hovey’s daughter Jessica
graduated from CSB in 2006 and has been living in
China teaching conversational English for the past
year along with 9 other 2006 CSB & SJU grads. They
are an impressive group of young adults. Diane is
still running the Family Institute for Creative Well-Be-ing.
They are in need of new board members if you
know of anyone who might be interested www.fami-lyinstitute-
cwb.org. Jill Warner just fi nished another
Intentional Interim Ministry call in Fort Frances, ON.
She has decided to seek a long-term pastorate this
time around and continues with her music collabora-tions
and composition. She is currently serving on a
songbook committee for the United Church of Christ
and is honored to have a song being considered for
a Sunday School curriculum. (Check out the video of
“Imago Dei” from Holladay UCC on YouTube.) With
gratitude for an excellent education and continued
connections with strong women. Brenda Bergsrud
is still living in Anchorage, Alaska, and works for the
municipality of Anchorage in the public transporta-tion
department as an associate planner. She is
also involved as a music leader and cantor as well
as a member of both her parish and archdiocesan
liturgical commissions. Volunteering as an usher
at the local performing arts center and as a global
messenger speech coach for Special Olympics
keep Brenda busy. Christine Musech Geist and
her husband Ron are moving to Okinawa, Japan.
They work for the Department of Defense schools
teaching students of military and civilian personnel
working on the military bases. Catherine Spaeth
(Katie) has recently started a new job at the College
of St. Catherine. She is director of global studies and
is happy to be back at a women’s college! Theresa
Smith has been living and working in Duluth for the
past 12 years. She works for the Duluth Clinic and
St. Mary’s Hospital as a gastroenterologist (intestinal
stuff and liver disease). She occasionally gets to
work with medical students or residents and (gasp!)
has had the pleasure of seeing children of some of
our classmates come through as medical students.
Where have the years gone? Theresa has a 15
year old son, Jim, who loves to play basketball and
keeps her busy following him around from games to
camps. Theresa’s husband, Mark Danielson, works
at Wells Fargo as a trust offi cer.
1982
Diane Blaschko writes, “After living in Columbus,
OH for 20 years, I have transferred back to MN,
continuing employment with MAXIMUS where I have
worked for over 20 years. I am the vice president,
responsible for cost services in ND, SD, IA, NE, WI
and MN. I live in Chaska, MN with my two kids,
Mathew (5) and Meghan (3).
From Chance Meeting to
Lifelong Mentoring
Jana Viramontes ’02 and Mary Cullen Yeager ’82 are
trial lawyers who work together at Faegre & Benson, the
largest law fi rm in Minnesota with offi ces world wide.
Jana and Mary met at the 2001 CSB Scholarship
Brunch. Mary was there to talk about the Cindy T.
White Cameron scholarship she and classmates founded
in honor of their roommate. Jana was there as a scholar-ship
recipient. Th ey connected.
When Jana expressed an interest in law school, Mary
encouraged her and mentored her through the LSAT,
law school and her clerkship with Minnesota Supreme
Court Justice Alan Page. Mary knew that Jana would be
a very talented lawyer and encouraged her to join Faegre
& Benson. Mary’s support and mentoring helped Jana
know that she would fi nd success in a very competi-tive
profession. In addition, Mary said she successfully
recruited a “wonderfully talented lawyer who will be one
of the future leaders of the fi rm.”
Today it is easier than ever to mentor current students
through career services, the Donald McNeely Center
for Entrepreneurship, and programs through academic
departments. You never know the life-changing impact it
will have on you and Saint Ben’s students.
To learn more about mentoring opportunities, visit
the web site and click on the Volunteers link under the
Alumnae and Friends tab. Or, call Alumnae Relations at
1-800-648-3468.
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
30
’81) returned to GOD’S COUNTRY, and now live in
Minnetonka, MN. Theresa Voss is a psychologist in
St. Paul, specializing in mental health issues among
special needs individuals, as well as the Hmong
community. She and her 2 sons, Tony (14) and Cole
(10) live in Mpls. After almost 25 years, Theresa
fi nally had the opportunity to perform in her own
fl ute recital in Minneapolis … the recital she was
“supposed” to give at Saint Bens for her music ma-jor.
(I – Suzette – was there, and she was fabulous!).
Pat Lindquist Walsh has been happily living and
working in North Carolina for 20 years. She has 3
children, the oldest of whom is beginning her college
career in the fall. Any other Bennies living in NC?
Jane Sheridan Webster-Urbach lives in Frontenac,
MN, and is a dental hygienist. She has 3 children,
Cole, William and, their newest addition from Russia,
Valya. Margie Engerski Wiehoff lives in Chanhas-sen
with husband, John (SJU ’84) (C.H. Robinson).
They have three daughters: Rachel (20) is a junior at
Notre Dame, Theresa (18) is a freshwoman at Iowa
State University, and Michelle (14) is a 9th grader at
Holy Family Catholic School. Keeping busy with book
club, bible study, golf, pilates, aqua and volunteering,
Margie loves seeing all the Bennies and Johnnies
at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Chan. A big part
of her life is helping run a group of 75 women who
help care for her sister who was diagnosed with ALS
in Feb 2003. Love to bike and travel; recently took
a fun family trip to Europe including Belgium, where
Margie grew up!
Class Co-representatives: Megan Haas Adam
(adammeg@usfamily.net) and Suzette Sutherland
(sesuthrlnd@aol.com)
1990
Gina Randolph Teska works part-time as a clini-cal
dietitian for Lincoln Lutheran of Racine. She and
her husband, Michael, live in Racine, WI, and have 2
children, Emmaline, 6 and John, 3. Katie Kukar has
been promoted to the director of sales and business
development for Value Media, which produces The
Parents Handbook to the Vail Valley and Summit
County as well as The County Cable Independent
Newspaper in Vail, Colorado.
1993
Antoinette Deleveaux and Alvin Deleveaux ’88
announce their 20th wedding anniversary.
1995
Lara Grove and James Zuleger announce their
engagement. The wedding ceremony will take place
Sept. 28, 2007, in Stillwater, MN.
1996
Hello, this is Margie McCue-Enser. I saw the
most recent edition of the alumnae news and our
class is lacking news so I thought I would add some-thing.
I had a son, Frank Larson Enser, born Jan. 29,
2007. He is fabulous. Other than that, all is the same
as the last time I checked in (I think). I am an assis-tant
professor at Saginaw Valley State University in
communication studies. I live in St. Charles, MI, with
Eagan married Tim Eagan of WI in March 1989. They
have 2 sons, Brandon (16) and Christopher (12),
and enjoy living in their mountain getaway cabin in
Colorado Springs, CO. Kim retired from the Air Force
in June 2006, after serving 20 years as a medical
service corps offi cer. Sandie Buller lives in Buffalo,
MN, with her 3 children, Drew (20), Samantha (16)
and Daniel (15), horses, cats, dog and a new puppy.
She has been working in the area with a Home
Health Agency, but will soon start a new job with
Medica, as a Care Coordinator. Kate Foley Gregg’s
daughter Maggie, will be starting at Saint Ben’s this
fall! Nancy Holm is a dentist in the Twin Cities and
lives with her husband in Stillwater. She was out of
commission for a while with a broken thumb, but is
now up and “drilling” with the best of ‘em. Kassy
Kenney lives in Highland Park, St. Paul, MN, with her
husband, Mike Adam, and 3 children Maeve (12),
Liam (10) and Emmett (6). She teaches at Jean Lyle
Children’s Center. Maggie Bartek McCaslin and
her husband Marty (SJU ’84) reside in Omaha, NE,
where Maggie, after years of teaching, is now home
with her 2 boys, ages 11 and 12. Marty works for
Mutual of Omaha. Anne Nicolai asks that, to catch
up with what’s been going on with her, you visit
www.nadfm.com, or fi nd her on facebook. Nancy
Bishop Polomis very recently lost her brother, Terry
(52); he passed away on July 17, 2007. Please
include Nancy and her family in your prayers. Sue
Erlandson Rockers lives in Shorewood, MN, with
her husband Pete (SJU ’81), and children Emily, Zach
and Josh. Pam Carlson Schleif lives in Shakopee,
MN, with her husband Doug (SJU ’84) and 3 children
Sydney, Greta and Dominic. She left the workforce to
raise her family, and is now back as a social worker
in the Shakopee school district. Mary Beste Seng
lives in Highland Park, St Paul, MN with her husband,
Bob (SJU ’83) and 2 children, John (14) and Anne
(12). She is a tutor with Orten-Gillingham, helping
children with learning disabilities; especially dyslexia
and attention defi cit disorder. Karen Twohey Shee-han’s
daughter, Katherine, will be starting at Saint
Bens this fall! Suzette Sutherland is a urologist
with Metro Urology’s Center for Continence Care and
Female Urology (www.metro-urology.com), and was
recently voted to the list of TOP DOCs for Women’s
Health in the Twin Cities (Minnesota Monthly, May
2007). After spending 15 years in Cleveland, Suzette
and her husband of 18 years, Brad Neary (SJU
1984
SAINTSTOCK was a blast! There were 13 women
from our class who attended the reunion party ….
You know who you are! Looking forward to more
Reunion fun in the future! Let’s stay connected! Now,
for the news:
Mary Mallinger Ankerstjerne lives in St Paul,
MN, with her husband, Kirk, and 2children, Jack and
Anna. She has been at FUMC Riverside as a nurse
anesthetist for 17 years. Congratulations to Mary as
she celebrates her 16th cancer-free year from breast
cancer! Rhonda Gillette Annala lives in her home-town
of Oswego, Il,, where she’s been the program
coordinator for the prevention education department
of the local battered women’s shelter/sexual assault
center for nearly 13 years. She and her husband,
Jerry, have 4 children: Allison (20) is a junior at
UW-Whitewater, Gabrielle (19) is a sophomore at
Loyola University, Chicago, Jacob (16) is a junior in
high school, and Amelia (11) is in 6th grade. Patricia
Vandeberg Becker lives in St. Augusta, MN with her
husband, Arthur, and their daughter, Anne. Anne’s
graduation next spring will end Patricia’s home
schooling days and begin her back-to-work phase.
She has been very involved with home school band,
starting clarinet lessons and playing in the band
herself. Patricia also provides sewing classes for
friends and neighbors and tries to sneak in sewing
and quilting, rosary making, and reading. Dot Berg
is a physical therapist in Seattle, WA, who loves to
Heli-ski. Lisa Marek Bessette resides in Evergreen,
CO, with her husband, Matt, and 2 children. She
has been the Christ the King Catholic Church fl oral
and altar decorator for the last fi ve years. Her son,
J. Porter, is hoping to be a Johnnie in 2008; her
daughter, Meredith (Merry) a Benny in 2013! Celine
Bernard Campbell is married to Scott Campbell
(SJU ’84) and lives in Duluth, MN, with their children
Tyler (18), Katie (17), Ben (13) and Matthew (7).
Celine owns and operates a daycare center for the
last 12 years. Anne Biedsheid lives in Arlington, VA,
and works in the Arlington County’s Commissioner
of Revenue’s offi ce, as chief eputy, since 2004. Prior
to this position Anne was the business manager of a
law practice in downtown DC. Anne is very active in
her community and church. She is a graduate of the
Leadership Arlington program (http://www.leader-shiparlington.
org/) serving on several of their com-mittees;
as well as a Board Member of Greenbrier
Learning Center (http://www.gblc.org/index.htm) and
the Committee of 100 (http://www.arlingtoncommit-teeof100.
org/). Besides these activities, Anne reports
that she is “hooked on golf” and belongs to the local
Executive Women’s Golf Association. Monica Hall
Davis has been living in Charlottesville, VA, for the
past 14 years. Her husband, Joe, is a professor of
sociology at the University of Virginia. Monica is a
registered dietitian who is on hiatus from work until
her youngest of 3 children is in school. Each summer
they return to MN for many weeks to visit their large
extended family and many friends. Anna Ditter-Wil-liams
lives in Eagle, CO, with her 3 girls. Her eldest,
Celine, is hoping to be a Bennie (with Lisa Marek Be-sette’s
daughter) in 2013! Jacalyn “Kim” Pletcher
1984 alums at SaintStock
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
31
my husband, son, and dog. Michigan is beautiful
(turkeys, deer, and other wildlife are a regular in our
backyard), but we do miss the Twin Cities.
1997
Amy Fredregill and Barry Taylor announce their
engagement. The wedding ceremony will take place
on Sept. 1, 2007, in Duluth, MN.
1998
Jennifer Hafner Doom recently accepted a
position at Tech High School as a teacher. Andrea
Kadlec Donais recently accepted a position at
Catholic Charities in North Dakota as adoption
worker through the A.A.S.K. Program.
1999
Molly Dose is now working at River Valley
Massage in Shakopee, MN, as a massage therapist.
Sherelle Saunders recently accepted a position at
Faith Worship Ministries Church of God as a Pastor.
Dianne Burrows recently completed a Ph.D. in
theology from Beacon University.
2000
Sarah Delly Aldrich and Steve Aldrich ’00 are
currently living in Duluth, MN, with their daughter,
Stella. Lucinda Maycock-Rolle recently accepted a
position at Ernst & Young. Heidi Graczyk received a
masters of education in human resource develop-ment
with a certifi cate of adult education from the
University of Minnesota. Melissa Bigaouette now
works at General Mills after 7 years with Best Buy.
She can be reached at: melissabigaouette5239@ya-hoo.
com. Deirdre McCarrell Otis and her husband,
James, are expecting their SEVENTH, yes really,
their 7th child this July. They have three adopted
internationally and this is their fourth biological. They
live in the Roseville area, attend St. Peter Claver
Church and Deirdre is blessed to be able to stay
home with the Otis brood. Jessica Arnold Fricke
lives at 4103 Parker Green, Robbinsdale, MN 55422.
Jessica teaches kindergarten in the Wayzata School
District and her husband, Mark Fricke, is a pilot with
Air Wisconsin Airlines Corp.
2001
Leah Gustafson graduated from the U of M Col-lege
of Veterinary Medicine May 2007 with her DVM.
She will be practicing in Grand Rapids MN, and in-vites
anyone with a veterinary interest to contact her:
www.grvet.com. Barbara Walden recently accepted
a position in Chesapeake, VA, as an emergency
medicine physician assistant. Barbara recently was
employed at Yale Hospital as a hospitalist physician
assistant but relocated to the Virginia Beach area.
Ahna Brutlag recently accepted a position at Safety
Call International, a pet poison
Scholarship champions Mara Mohs Stelzer ’00, Sarah Roeder Amelotte
’98, and Jennifer Schweich Barta ’92 with Sisters Emmanuel Renner and
Colman O’Connell.
Alumnae at General Mills
take tagline to a new level
Nourishing lives is the driving force behind product and
program development at General Mills. And, it’s at the
heart of a new employee-sponsored General Mills Scholar-ship
Endowment.
“I wanted to do something for Saint Ben’s students but
didn’t want to do it on my own,” said Jennifer Schweich
Barta ’92, product packaging manager at the company.
With the help of fellow alumnae and co-workers Sarah
Roeder Amelotte ’98 and Mara Mohs Stelzer ’00, Jennifer
contacted more than 50 graduates, past parents, and cur-rent
parents of Saint Ben’s who work at General Mills.
Th eir majors ranged from music to management and art
to engineering. And, their careers cover customer service,
research and development, packaging, marketing, supply
chain management, human resources—even conducting
the employee choir. Although they had never met prior to
the scholarship kick-off meeting, they were instantly con-nected
by their love of Saint Ben’s.
Th rough employee contributions and the General Mills
matching program, Jennifer hopes to build the endowment
well beyond the $25,000 needed to start awarding an an-nual
scholarship.
“Someone told me once that we are all angels,” Jennifer
told the group of alumnae. She then went on to explain,
“We should pretend we are each an angel with one wing
and enlist the help of other angels to take fl ight. Th at’s what
we are doing through this scholarship … helping future
Bennies soar.”
To learn more about building an endowment or contrib-uting
to existing endowments for majors of study and other
programs, contact 1-800-648-3468, extension 7 or write
to: supportCSB@csbsju.edu
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
32
Jodi Montgomery Mayers ’98 & Paul Mayers Kathy Woods Rakowczyk ’97 and David Rakowczyk
Marriages
1997 Baumhover Charlet to Yohann Charlet,
October ’06.
1998 Laura Smith Hill to Todd Michael Hill,
September ’06.
1999 Amy Aubin Fielding to Chad Fielding,
December ’06.
2000 Andrea Terhaar Krueger to John
Krueger ’00, June ’07.
2000 Ann Josephson West to Casey West,
April ’07.
2000 Kim Sticha Lombard to Mike Lombard,
May ’07.
2000 Heidi Graczyk to Ryan Damm, June ’07.
2001 Mindi Kvaal Anderson to Benjamin
Anderson ’00, January ’07.
2001 Emily Bunce Wanning to Peter Wanning
’01, November ’06.
2001 Hiltina Adderley Scott to Daniel Scott,
April ’06.
2001 Elizabeth Meyers Ecounce to Sean
Ecounce, October ’06.
2001 Leslyn Robinson to Brian Bethel,
October ’06.
2001 Lisa Kuechle Ed to Chris Ed, May ’07.
2002 Jamie Frost Kingston to Vince Kingston,
May ’06.
2002 Jaime Peterson to Ryan Tooley ’02,
October ’06.
2002 Elizabeth Farner Ward to Joseph Ward,
September ’05.
2002 Megan McInnis Reinke to Matt Reinke,
June ’07.
2002 Katie Staples Dols to Jonathan Dols,
June ’06.
2002 Sara Egan Hassel to David Hassel ’01,
December ’06.
2003 Aanica Forbes to Gary Scarvella,
April ’07.
2005
Savannah Gruber was recently promoted to
event manager at the Hilton in Minneapolis. She
previously held the position of events administrative
assistant at the same hotel. Johanna Hatch has
been awarded the Katharine Drexel Empowerment
Scholarship, a full tuition scholarship to Washington
Theological Union in Washington, DC. She will begin
studies for a MA in pastoral studies fall 2007. Tara
Boyer recently accepted a position at the Minnesota
School of Business located in Rochester, MN, as an
associate librarian. She also received a masters in
library and information studies from the UW-Madi-son
in May 2007. Claire Spanier received a Masters
of Arts in Communication Studies from University
of Montana-Missoula in May 2007. Katie Mueller
and Eric Stinson ’06 announce their engagement.
The wedding ceremony will take place in 2008.
Tamara Yost and Eric Anderson ’05 announce their
engagement. The wedding ceremony will take place
in fall 2008.
2007
Jennifer Busse received one of the 3 Excep-tional
Woman Awards presented during the CSB
Senior Dinner on May 6, 2007. Eve Vang and Lindy
Watanaskul received one of the 3 Exceptional
Woman Awards presented during the CSB Senior
Dinner on May 6, 2007. Heather Johnson recently
accepted a position at the Schwan Food Company
located in Marshall, MN, as human resources
recruiter. Heather Johnson and Michael Kruk ‘06
announce their engagement. The wedding ceremony
will take place on May 24, 2008, at the Church of
the Holy Redeemer in Marshall, MN. Ying Xu is par-ticipating
in the Washington Summer Study Program
interning at the offi ces of Chwat and Company, a
lobbying and public affairs fi rm.
helpline, as a staff veterinarian. Jessica Lessard
and John Maslow ‘00 announce their engagement.
The wedding will take place Sept. 22, 2007, in St.
Paul, MN.
2004
Melissa Berndt Wagner recently accepted a
position at Major’s Sports Cafe located in Roseville
as manager. She recently was employed at Metro
Sales. Meghan Shepherd recently accepted a
position at Northern Arizona University located in
Flagstaff, AZ, as academic coordinator. She received
a master’s of psychology in athletic counseling
from Springfi eld College on May 13, 2006. Beth
Blonigen writes “I am returning to western Ireland
to attend the National University of Ireland. I will
move to Galway in July and begin work on my
master’s degree in September. I am looking forward
to continuing my exploration of Irish culture and
history and expanding my Irish language skills as
a resident of the country of my ancestors.” Julie
Berglund Raffi received a master of science degree
in medical physics from the UW - Madison on May
19, 2007. Stephanie Schirmers and Ben Iverson
announce their engagement. The wedding ceremony
will take place July 19, 2008, in Willmar, MN. Sara
Kolb will be attending Washington University in
St. Louis, MO, in the fall to get her master’s in
occupational therapy. Susan Matthees graduated
from Case Western Reserve University School of
Law. She will be taking a position at the law fi rm of
Hyman, Phelps, & McNamara in Washington, DC, in
August, 2007. Tara Etheridge is teaching in Taipei,
Taiwan. Jessica Davis recently accepted a position
at Northern Arizona University located in Flagstaff, AZ
as a graduate teaching assistant. She will be work-ing
towards a MA in Teaching English as a Second
Language (TESL) at Northern Arizona University
starting Fall of 2007. She has accepted a graduate
assistantship in the department of English.
Amy Sevcik Walstien ’00 and Michael Walstien are
happy to announce their marriage on September
3, 2006, in Plymouth, MN. They currently reside in
Plymouth.
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
33
1993 Michelle Holschuh Simmons & Robert
Simmons ’93, Boy, David William,
March ’07.
1994 Jody Mareck Kirchner & Todd Kirchner
’93, Girl, Ella Mareck, March ‘07.
1995 Emily Bartel Gangl & Keith Gangl ’92,
Boy, Jack Joseph, November ’06.
1995 Diana Bauler Flannery & Ryan Flannery
’95, Girl, Katherine May, February ’07.
1995 Katie Murray Johnson & Matt Johnson,
Girl, Ava Victoria, December ’06.
1996 Sarah Bennett Keller & Dan Keller ’96,
Boy, Dominic Daniel, August ‘06.
1996 Libby Pace Weimer & Matt Weimer ’95,
Girl, Lauren Evelyn, January ’07.
1996 Alison Determan Aspengren & Michael
Aspengren ’96, Girl, Ava Margaret,
January ’07.
1996 Saundra Scheidt Snobl & Scott Snobl,
Girl, Isabella Jean, March ’07.
1996 Jodee Frank Butkowski & Todd But-kowski,
Girl, Amelia Kate, March ’07.
1996 Jenny Meseraull Beach & James Beach
’97, Girl, Abigail Cherrie, May ’06.
1996 Jackie Olson Peterson & Matt Peterson
’96, Girl, Rachel Katherine, December ’06.
1996 Jen Kapsner Henry & Sean Henry, Boy,
Benjamin Patrick, May ’07.
1996 Margie McCue-Enser & Dan Enser, Boy,
Frank Larson, January ’07.
1996 Sherry Christenson Amelse & Tony
Amelse ’96, Boy, Anthony John, June ’07.
1997 Amy Tomczik Quiram & Justin Quiram,
Girl, Abigail Elizabeth, July ’06.
1997 Noelle Kuitunen Johnson & Richard
Johnson, Boy, Bennett Richard,
December ’06.
1997 Kristen Clausen Edds & Brian Edds, Boy,
Riley MacMichael, March ’07.
1997 Amy Lese Wise & Brock Wise, Boy, Ty
Robert, November ’06.
1997 Heather Winkels Collins & Patrick Col-lins,
Girl, Peyton Elizabeth, December ‘06.
2006 Molly Braun to Ryan Thelemann, May ’07.
2007 Leah Wurm to Mark Scirto ‘07,
March ’07.
Births/Adoptions
1986 Kate Wuellner Dalziel & Paul Dalziel,
Girl, Anna Kathryn, July ’06.
1987 Kay Pasquesi & Matt Walker, Girl,
Rosalina Genevieve, November ’06.
1988 Carla Dabel Krcmarik & James
Krcmarik ’88, Boy, James David,
January ’07.
1989 Ruth Ritter Primus & Daniel Primus, Boy,
Matthew Daniel, March ’07.
1989 Amy Anderson & Troy Rippentrop, Girl,
Hattie Johanna, January ’07.
1990 Michelle Stoffel McQuillen & Scott, Boy,
Rhys Daniel, June ’06.
1990 Libby McGovern Fena & Andrew Fena,
Girl, River Joy, May ’06.
1990 Ann Quinn Vance & Robert Vance, Girl,
Josephine Marie, November ’06.
1991 Terry Moosbrugger Hapka & Tim Hapka,
Boy, Joseph Robert-Octave, October ’06.
1992 Jill Kunkel Stang & Gary Stang ’91, Boy,
Jack, January ’07.
1992 Ann Mayer Mayer-Guell & David Guell,
Boy, Charlie, January ‘07.
1992 Sarah Hogan Odegard & Peter Odegard
’91, Boy, Samuel James, February ’07.
1992 Julie Rupp & Robert Berglund, Boy, Jack
Thomas, March ’07.
1992 Jona Turner Van Deun & Bryan Van
Deun, Girl, Ainsley Elizabeth, March ’07.
1992 Nicole Heisler Pelowski & Nathan
Pelowski, Boy, Mikan Daniel,
November ’06.
1992 Lucy Fischer Warren & Dan Warren, Girl,
Lillian Claire, May ’07.
1992 Susan Birmingham Brisbois & Leo
Brisbois, Girl, Gabriella Mary Kaye,
February ’06.
2003 Allison Clark Pietrzak to Edwin Pietrzak,
August ’06.
2003 Amy Moeller Shogren to Jared Shogren
’03, June ’07.
2003 Catie Scherer Brackin to James Brackin
’03, June ’07.
2003 Sarah Johnson Bot to Mark Bot ’03,
July ’07.
2004 Amanda Henning to Paul Stenberg ’04,
August ’07.
2004 Bea Egan Hellickson to Michael Hellick-son
’04, December ��06.
2004 Juliet Govern to Thomas O’Keefe ’04,
August, ’07.
2004 Maria Kraemer Schwartz to Eric
Schwartz, June ’07.
2004 Monica Hurtubise to Kevin Hartman,
June ’07.
2004 Sarah Oppegard Moylan to Jacob
Moylan, June ’06.
2004 Dominique D’Oliveira to Kenny Attai,
December ’06.
2004 Allison Grones Haws to James Haws,
June ’07.
2004 Tanya Linn Christensen to Aaron Chris-tensen,
May ’07.
2005 Melissa Engstrom Kurke to Matt Kurke
’05, February ’07.
2005 Amy Spoelhof Zhdankin and Vasa
Zhdankin, March ’07.
2005 Lindsay Fredeen Ebeling to Erik Ebeling,
August ’06.
2005 Kara Murray Poissant to Eric Poissant,
May ’07.
2005 Paelita Ramlochan Hosein to Faraz
Hosein, April ’07.
2005 Johanna Hatch to Evan Creed ’06,
June ’07.
2006 Abigail Evermann Glines to Mitch Glines,
May ’06.
2006 Alicia Simons to David Schonhardt,
January ’07.
Katie (Low) Coudron (’02) and Curt Coudron (’02) are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Ethan Roy.
He was born on April 17, 2007, and weighed 8 lb., 2 oz.
Molly (Omann) Stangler (1999) and Dan Stangler
(1998) announce the birth of a baby girl, Jane
Olivia. She was born on November 20, 2006.
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
34
2000 Heather Schmitt Johnson & Michael
Johnson ’00, Girl, Annika Mary,
February ’07.
2000 Erin Steinbach Welters & Matthew
Welters, Boy, Raymond, June ’06.
2001 Ann Hobday Graeve & Matt Graeve, Girl,
Natalie Marie, January ’07.
2001 Jenn Lowrie Feierabend & Luke
Feierabend ’02, Boy, Camden Joseph,
March ’07.
2001 Kimberly Loch & James Loch, Girl,
Maleah Rose, March ’07.
2001 Nicole Schendzielos Bisek & Aaron
Bisek, Boy, Alexander James, April ’07.
2001 Emily Haeg Saunders & John Saunders
’00, Boy, Atticus Noble, April ’07.
2001 Ann-Marie Bonach Kenna & Ross Kenna,
Boy, Riley Edward Lance, May ’07.
2001 Sarah Holker Magnuson & Eric Magnu-son,
Girl, Makayla Grace, May ’07.
2001 Sara Miller Theisen & Brian Theisen ’01,
Girl, Olivia Marie, April ’07.
2002 Jamie Laurich Omann & Andrew
Omann ‘01, Girl, Ruby Oliva, January ’07.
2002 Talia Soukup Roder & Michael Roder ’00,
Boy, Owen Patrick, March ’07.
2002 Katie Low Coudron & Curt Coudron ’02,
Boy, Ethan Roy, April ’07.
2002 Catherine Burns Graeve & Kenneth
Graeve ’01, Boy, Owen Michael,
March ’07.
2002 Jessica Kollmann Beckman & Joseph
Beckman ’01, Girl, Sophia Caroline,
March ’07.
2002 Kate Tillemans O’Hara & Travis O’Hara
’02, Boy, Thomas Cameron, February ’07.
2002 Becky Cole Ahlstrom & Justin Ahlstrom
’02, Girl, Carly Jean, April ’07.
1998 Bethany Vukson Kostolnik & Matthew
Kostolnick ’98, Boy, Joseph Douglas,
February ’07.
1998 Kadi Kutchmarek Groppoli & John
Groppoli, Girl, Elise Mary Jean, March ’07.
1998 Katie Vanselow Zuehlke & Michael
Zuehlke ’97, Boy, Griffi n Donovan,
May ’07.
1999 Christine Klecatsky Chessler & Maxwell
Chessler, Girl, Annabelle Josephine,
November ’06.
1999 Natalie Atherton Droel & Andy Droel, Girl,
Alison Elizabeth, December ’06.
1999 Sally Koering Zimney & Andy Zimney
’99, Boy, Luke James, February ’07.
1999 Jennifer Neegaard Flinn & Dugan Flinn
’99, Girl, Caitlin Cairns Flinn, March ’07.
1999 Kristie Blonigen Harren & Robert Harren,
Girl, Olivia Regina, January ’07.
1999 Michelle Williams Kramer & Norb
Kramer, Girl, Olivia, March ’07.
1999 Shannon Roers Jones & Ross Jones
’99, Girl, Kendall Mary, April ’07.
1999 Leah Huesing Anklam & Rob Anklam
’99, Girl, Madeline Isabel, May ’06.
1999 Angela Holland Hoeper & Michael
Hoeper, Girl, Delaney Rose, February ’07.
1999 Lindsay Vedder Thomas & Ryan Thomas,
Girl, Mara Elizabeth, May ’07.
2000 Angela Moline McLaird & Dominic
McLaird ’00, Boy, Finnigan James,
January ’07.
2000 Christine Lauer Sexton & James Sexton,
Boy, Camden James, June ’07.
2000 Katie Peters Johnson & Larry Johnson
���99, Boy, Samuel Kirk, February ’07.
2000 Trisha Kubes Henning & Bryce Henning,
Girl, Mackenzie Marie, December ’06.
1997 Laura Stiehm Carlon & Shawn Carlon,
Girl, Elizabeth Lynn, April ’07.
1997 Amy Dorniden Johansen & Michael
Johansen, Girl, Madeline Ann, January ’07.
1997 Kim Larson Bartels & Gary Bartels, Boy,
Benjamin Charles, January ’07.
1997 Stephanie Lauinger & Jason Pommier,
Boy, Evan Lee, February ’07.
1997 Julie Muyres McBride & Jayme McBride,
Boy, Riley Michael, January ’06.
1997 Rayette Darling Strachan & Troy
Stachan, Boy, Nicholas Patrick, October
’06.
1997 Allison Preiss Baker & Mickey Baker,
Boy, Christian William, April ’07.
1997 Stacy Opatz Ensweiler & Michel Enswei-ler,
Boy, Brody Michael, November ’06.
1997 Lisa Johnson Wolf & Michael Wolf ’96,
Boy, Nathan Charles, May ’07.
1997 Gretchen Brekke Minnick & Jason Min-nick,
Girl, Ellie Marie, February ’07.
1998 Erin Cady Macheel & Jeremy Macheel
’98, Boy, Jacob Matthew, September ’06.
1998 Michelle Regnier Anderson & Dan
Anderson, Girl, Rachel Judith Anderson,
August ’06.
1998 Kellie Kisch Perry & Ryan Perry ’98, Girl,
Miley Rose, November ’06.
1998 Jen Faber Lund & John Lund, Girl, Abigail
Ann, December ’06.
1998 Toni Malkovich Christensen & Roy
Christensen ’97, Boy, Ryan, May ’06.
1998 Erin Connell Sexton & Pat Sexton, Boy,
Timothy Patrick, July ’06.
1998 Mary Wenzel Kalla & Brian Kalla, Girl,
Elise Mary, March ’07.
1998 Kay Buytaert Bechtold & Gary Bechtold,
Girl, Sylvie Claire, May ’07.
Chris Ostman (1992) and Joanne (Hansen) Ostman
(1992) are proud to announce the birth of a baby
boy, Nathan. He was born on November 8, 2006,
and weighed 6 lb., 7 oz.
Ann-Marie (Bonach) Kenna (2001) and Ross Kenna
are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy,
Riley Edward Lance. He was born on May 13, 2007
in Sydney, Australia, and weighed 5 lb., 12 oz. We
absolutely adore him!
Jason Ramert (1998) and Tehar (Bauman) Ramert
(1998) are proud to announce the birth of a baby
girl, Torri Marie. She was born on September 25,
2006, and weighed 7 lb., 2 oz.
35
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
1967 Gilbert Mitchell, husband of Virgina
Waldoch Mitchell, February ’07.
1967 Monica Gerlach Johnson, April ’07.
1967 Leo Justen, father of Sue Justen Loftus,
April ’07.
1967 Marcella “Sally” Decker, mother of Shirley
Decker Martz, June ’07.
1967 Teresa Juenemann, mother of S. Jean
Juenemann, OSB, June ’07.
1967 Margaret Leahy, mother of Nora Leahy
Eull, June ’07.
1968 Esther Doty, sister of S. Theresa Loder-meier,
April ’07.
1968 Barbara Moebius, mother of Susan Moe-bius,
June ’07.
1968 Emmett McCue, father of Joan McCue
Gasner, May ’07.
1969 John Adrian ’57, brother of Bunny Adrian
Alexander, March ’07.
1969 Mary Knese, mother of Carol Knese Arend,
June ’07.
1969 Hanna Gertken, mother of Carol Gertken
Thompson, June ’07.
1970 Mary Hettwer, March ’07.
1971 Mary Jane Byron, mother of Jane Byron
Scheidnes, May ’07.
1971 Edwina Meyer, mother of Linda Meyer
Knox, May ’07.
1972 Terry Langager, husband of Mary Kay
Toumi Langager, February ’07.
1972 Hanna Gertken, mother of Mary Ann
Gertken Johnson, June ’07.
1973 Cecelia Donabauer, mother of Linda
Donabauer Diez, March ’07.
1973 Nina Moore, mother of Mary Moore,
February ’07.
1973 James T. Malloy, brother of Antoinette
Malloy Traynor, November ’06.
1973 William Malloy, father of Antoinette Malloy
Traynor, February ’07.
1949 Donald Nolde, brother of S. Merle Nolde,
April ’07.
1949 Mary Eileen Traxler, November ’06.
1950 Vernon Broman, brother of Teresa Bro-menshenkel
Knier, 2007.
1951 Carolynn Carlson, sister of Florence Fehr
Benson, June ’07.
1953 Anne Cullen Fandel, sister of Eileen Cullen
Gruesser, March ’07.
1956 Ralph Walter, husband of Joan Meyer
Walter, January ’07.
1960 Karen Moxness, January ’07.
1960 Edwina Meyer, mother of Marilyn Meyer
Holl, May ��07.
1961 Sylvester Silbernick, father of Carol Silber-nick
Chandler, May ’07.
1961 Barbara Malecha, mother of Barbara
Malecha Jelinek, April 2007.
1961 Anne Anselmo, sister of Patricia Gagliardi
Ridgeway, April ’07.
1962 Wilfrid Leitschuh, father of Rosemary
Leitschuh Franzese, March ’07.
1962 Linda Weidner, sister of Donna Kirchner
Klescewski, May ’07.
1963 Josephine Palermo-Witzman Bongiovanni,
sister of S. Clare Witzmann, March ’07.
1963 Donald Volkmuth, brother of Frances
Volkmuth Jacobson, April ’07.
1963 Richard Volkmuth, brother of Frances
Volkmuth Jacobson, August ’06.
1964 Esther Doty, mother of Lucille Doty,
April ’07.
1965 Joyce Barthel, mother of Ann Barthel Tyler,
January ’07.
1966 Margaret Leahy, mother of Molly Leahy
Jacobs, June ’07.
1967 Edmund Lanners, brother of S. Michon
Lanners, March ’07.
1967 Doris Waldoch, mother of Virginia Waldoch
Mitchell, January ’07.
2003 Kelly Sherman Peterson & Brian Peter-son
’03, Girl, Rebecca, August ’06.
2003 Jessica Haidet Hill & Nathan Hill, Boy,
Dominic Gregory, February ’07.
2003 Jessica Zellmer Kirschner & Nathan
Kirschner ’01, Boy, Collin Thomas Nathan,
April ’07.
2003 Erica Lindquist Rademacher & Chad
Rademacher, Girl, Kaylee Marie, April ’07.
2003 Tia Hanna, Girl, Shontaya, January ’07.
2003 Alicia Hitzler & Tim Hitzler, Girl, Amara
Rae, June ’07.
2004 Becka Wieland Aschenbeck & Erik
Aschenbeck ’03, Girl, Hailey JoAnn,
January ’07.
2004 Janel Goenner Hurtado & Ryan Hurtado
’04, Boy, Caden, March ’07.
2004 Julie Berglund Raffi & Edil Raffi , Girl,
Habiba Sokhona, June ’07.
2004 Gina Pustovar Hennen & Adam Hennen,
Boy, March ’07.
2004 Kelly Cheeley Fitch & Scott Fitch, Girl,
Vivian Rae, June ’07.
2005 Stephanie Lucht, Girl, Kennedy Krueger,
November ’06.
2004 Dayna Logering Francis & Alex Francis
’04, Girl, Jayda Alexandra, January ’07.
2006 Megan Sand Carr & Charlie Carr ’03,
Boy, Nathan, May ’07.
Deaths
1938 Mary Louise Henry Knese, June ’07.
1938 Sister Margretta Nathe, June ’07.
1941 Sister Mary Mar Dickson, February ’07.
1942 Gertrude Danavall, August ’06.
1942 Francis Eickelman, husband of Rosemary
Rajkowski Eickelman, 2007.
1942 Sylvester Silbernick, brother of Arles
Silbernick OSB, May ’07.
1943 William Malloy, brother of Kristin Malloy,
February ’07.
1943 Thomas Hunstiger ’45, brother of Harriet
Hunstiger Campbell February, ’07.
1943 Mary Jane Gabardi, April ’06.
1944 Paul Laky, husband of Philomena Zach-man
Laky, September ’06.
1945 Mary Eileen Traxler ’49, sister of Dorothy
Traxler Grant, November ’06.
1945 Doris Pfaff, August ’06.
1945 Robert “Bob” Thielman, brother of Jea-nette
Thielman Welle, July ’07.
1945 Lola Kummer Schoen, March ’07.
1946 Mildred McFadden Zachman, August ’06.
1948 Patricia Leisenheimer, sister of S. Phyllis
Plantenberg, April ’07.
1948 Leona Burns, sister of S. Judine Suter,
April ’07.
1948 Frederick J. Pusch ’48, husband of Kath-leen
Wold Pusch, May ’07.
1949 Edward Beltramini, husband of Mary Ann
Stovik Beltramini, December ’06.
1949 James Gleason ’49, husband of Irene
Ziegler Gleason, March ’07.
36
1991 Elizabeth Hope Reichert, newborn
daughter of Tracey Gels Reichert and Mark
Reichert, July ’07.
1991 Elizabeth Hope Reichert, newborn niece of
Sarah Reichert McDowell, July ’07.
1991 John Moosbrugger, father of Terry Moos-brugger
Hapka, June ’07.
1992 LeRoy Heinen, father of Cheryl Heinen
Smythe, April ’07.
1992 Thomas Kinney, father of LuAnne Kinney
Pederson, May ’07.
1992 David Esselman, father of Karen Esselman
Batt, June ’07.
1992 Carol Leach, the sister of Kelly Ratelle
Calengor, June ’07.
1993 Henry Kampa, father of Karen Kampa
Wurzer, May ’07.
1993 Elizabeth Hope Reichert, newborn niece of
Polly Reichert Ward, July ’07.
1995 Michael J. McDonough, father of Tracy
McDonough Gray, June ’07.
1997 Jonathan DeLong, husband of Sarah Fyre
DeLong, February ’07.
1997 Connie Jerabek, mother of Jennifer Jara-bek
Hasslen, January ’07.
1997 Alaina Kilibarda, daughter of Jill Kuchera
Kilibarda, April ’07.
1997 Henry Kampa, father of Wendy Kampa
Hinnenkamp, May ’07.
1998 Ross Michael Olson, the infant son of
Kristin Koos Olson and Michael Olson,
May ’07.
1998 Daniel Koch, father of Kristin Koch Terrell,
June ’07.
1999 Kenneth Shea, father of Nicole Shea
Schmitz, April ’07.
1999 David Swanson, father of Rhonda Swan-son,
January ’06.
1999 Carol Koltes, mother of Angela Koltes
Carey, June ’07.
2001 Connie Jerabek, mother of Julie Jarabeck
Jarnagin, January ’07.
2001 Daniel Koch, the father of Michelle Koch,
June ’07.
2003 Ervin Starr, father of Caroline Starr,
March ’07.
2005 Connie Jerabek, mother of Janelle Jarabek
Scherer, January ’07.
2006 Joseph Thomas (SJU ’06), fi ancée of Gina
Olson, July ’07.
2007 William Patterson, step-father of Kristen
Johnson, May ’07.
Faculty
Jack Farley, April ’07.
Sister Margretta Nathe, June ’07.
Otmas Drekonja, July ’07.
1980 Steven McDowall, brother of Mary Mc-
Dowall, February ’07.
1980 Russell Gilmer, father of Mary Gilmer
Jacques, May ’07.
1981 Betty Weigel, mother of Christine Weigel
Kessler, February ’07.
1981 Justin Malloy, father of Margaret Malloy
Baker, April ’07.
1981 Kevin Schrandt, husband of Linda Sobieck
Schrandt, April ’07.
1981 Jack Farley, husband of Barbara Edwards
Farley, April ’07.
1982 Robert Underwood, father of Jennifer
Underwood Armitage, March ’07.
1982 Tony Radosevich, father of Stacy Radosev-ich,
February ’07.
1983 Armaline Rothfork, mother of Mary Ann
Rothfork Larios, March ’07.
1983 Cathy Gregerson, June ’07.
1983 Lyle Corcoran, father of Cynthia Corcoran,
February ’07.
1983 Ronald McKenzie, father of Susan McKen-zie
Wagener, April ’07.
1983 Mary Jane Byron, mother of Dr. Colleen M.
Byron, May ’07.
1983 Mary Jane Byron, mother of Colleen Byron,
May ’07.
1984 Everett Eichten, father of Audrey Eichten
Huettl, June ’07.
1985 Richard Rieder, father of Sandra Rieder
Bahr, March ’07.
1985 Ronald McKenzie, father of Linda
McKenzie Lintz, April ’07.
1985 LeRoy Heinen, father of Michelle Heinen
Farris, April ’07.
1985 William “Bill” Blaine, father of Therese
Blaine, June ’07.
1986 Raymond Vogel, father of Julie Vogel
Gadient, February ’07.
1986 Gerald Klein, father of Michelle Klein
Peoples, March ’07.
1987 William Weston, father of Debra Weston
Sullivan, January ’07.
1987 John Palmer, father of Susan Palmer
Goblish, January ’07.
1987 Richard Kennealy, father of Molly Kennealy
Crumley, May ’07.
1987 David Esselman, father of Susan Esselman
DePrima, June ’07.
1988 William Blaine, father of Christine Blaine,
June ’07.
1989 Selina Eisenschenk, mother of Jane Frieler,
May ’07.
1990 Roger Stoffel, father of Michelle Stoffel
McQuillen, April ’07.
1990 Mildred Resch, mother of Barbara Resch
Marincel, April ’07.
1991 Mary Lynn Yount, mother of Lisa Yount
Thielke, January ’07.
1991 Daniel Lahr, father of Kathryn Lahr Allen,
April ’07.
1991 Ronald McKenzie, father of Donna McKen-zie
Zipf, April ’07.
1973 Leona Meinz, mother of Mary Meinz Penet,
April ’07.
1973 Mary Jane Byron, mother of Mary Pat
Byron Zabinski, May ’07.
1974 Joyce Barthel, mother of Judy Barthel
Lyrek, January ’07.
1974 Joyce Barthel, mother of Teri Barthel
Buschette, January ’07.
1974 Mildred McFadden Zachman ’46, mother
of Mary Zachman Price, August ’06.
1974 Bob Price, husband of Mary Rita Zachman
Price, February ’07.
1974 Don Carlini ’73, husband of Barbara
Bormann Carlini, February ’07.
1974 Blanche Dalseth, mother of Marcia Dalseth
Woell, February ’07.
1974 Alvin Miller, father of Jan Irene Miller,
April ’07.
1975 Ida Wintheiser, mother of Patricia
Wintheiser Beilke, March ’07.
1975 John Caskey, father of Nancy Caskey
Wells, February ’07.
1975 Nina Moore, step-mother of Maureen
Moore, February ’07.
1976 Nina Moore, step-mother of Kathleen
Moore, February ’07.
1976 Burt Aamodt, father of Christine Aamodt
Larkin, January ’07.
1976 Robert Underwood, father of Mary Under-wood
Kosak, March ’07.
1976 Thomas O’Fallon, father of Debra O’Fallon
McBride, May ’07.
1976 Joel Jordet, brother of Jan Jordet Lund,
April ’07.
1976 Mary Knese, mother of Mary Ruth Knese
Schmidt, June ’07.
1976 Alvin Miller, father of Linda Miller, April ’07.
1977 Marilyn Taus, mother of Corie Dumdie
Barry, February ’07.
1977 Tony Radosevich, father of Zora Radosev-ich,
February ’07.
1977 Janice Schroepfer, mother of Michele
Schroepfer Marrinan, June ’07.
1977 Alvin Miller, father of Helen Miller, April ’07.
1978 John Caskey, father of Theresa Caskey
Roberg, February ’07.
1978 Lucille Lehmann, mother of Donna
Lehmann Blanchette, February ’07.
1978 Raymond Koenig, father of Julie Koenig,
March ’07.
1978 Nancy Rahlf, sister of Joan Rahlf, April ’07.
1978 Peter Melgard, father of Jackie Melgard,
April ’07.
1979 James Gleason (1949), father of Marcia
Gleason Zrust, March ’07.
1979 Harold Paul, father of Ann Paul Brown, May
’07.
1979 Joseph Offerman, father of Patricia Offer-man
Bartholomew, June ’07.
1979 Alvina Pouliot, mother of Margaret Pouliot
Kreuser, June ’07.
1980 Alfred Emmanuel Daly, father of Jeanne
Daly McIntee, February ’07.
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
History books come alive.
Senses are sharpened. And, our
global community becomes
wide open and accessible.
Th rough international study,
students better understand
themselves, the human race,
and the impact we have on
each other.
Nearly two-thirds of Saint
Ben’s women study abroad.
Th at’s twice the rate of other
national liberal arts institu-tions.
Th at’s why CSB is #1
among 65 women’s colleges for
students who study abroad.
And, our students’ experiences
are life changing.
Whether climbing mountains
or moving them stone by
stone, most Saint Ben’s
students say they couldn’t
do it without your support.
Yearly gifts to the annual fund,
endowment gifts, and planned
gifts all provide a rock-solid
foundation for academic
programming, experiential
learning options, and
scholarships.
Contact us at:
Supportcsb@csbsju.edu
Phone: 1-800-648-3468.
Y O U R G I F T
R O C K S T H E I R W O R L D
S A I N T J O S E P H , M I N N E S O TA
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profi t Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
College of Saint Benedict
www.csbsju.edu/fi nearts
(320) 363-5777
September
23 - Minnesota Orchestra
29 - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
December
9 - Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas
15 - Nutcracker Fantasy
October
20 & 21 - Top Secret:
Th e Battle for the Pentagon Papers
27- Backstage Pass
January
18 - Th e Velveteen Rabbit
19 - Philharmonia Quartett Berlin
26 - Ron K. Brown/EVIDENCE
November
11 - Anonymous 4
“Long Time Traveling” with special
guests Darol Anger and Scott Nygaard
February
10 - Turtle Island Quartet
with Stefon Harris
16 - Seán Curran Dance Company
22 - Max and Ruby
March
2- Minnesota Orchestra
8 - Regina Carter Quintet
April
20 - Edgar Meyer
26 - Urban Bush Women
27 - Minnesota Orchestra
May
3 - BeauSoleil
avec Michael Doucet
June
15 - Four Stand Up Dads
It’ll Move You
The Fine Arts Series
Get your tickets:
Printed on recycled paper using soy ink.