Outlook

Transitions

Monday, April 3, 2006

1930s

 
• ’38 Raymond Freund, Fairbault, MN, retired in 1977 as director of Fairbault VoTech College.

1940s

 
• ’49 Lois (Bradshaw) Baier, Anaheim, CA, is a retired school psychologist.

1950s

 
• ’54 Clifford Davidson, Kalamazoo, MI, has retired as professor of English and medieval studies emeritus at Western Michigan University (WMU). His most recent book is “Deliver Us From Evil: Studies in Symbolic Engagement in Early English Drama.”
      Davidson received his bachelor’s degree in English at SCSU, then earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at Wayne State University. He spent most of his career teaching in the medieval institute at WMU. He also helped organize the International Congress on Medieval Studies, the largest conference of its kind in the world.

1960s

 
• ’64 ’65 J. Roger Selin, Eau Claire, WI, professor of accounting and finance at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, received the Excellence in Teaching Award. He also received the award in 1974. Recipients are chosen by the university’s alumni.
 
• ’69 Marie (Capron) Wendt, Fort Calhoun, NE, retired from elementary school teaching in 2003.

1970s

 
• ’74 Bruce D. Bruchman, Tulsa, OK, is vice president for risk management at John Christner Trucking (JCT) Inc.
 
• ’75 Phillip Davis, St. Paul, MN, gave the 2005 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony address at SCSU in December.
 
• ’77 Deborah Boros, Coon Rapids, MN, an Anoka-Hennepin teacher at Mississippi Elementary School, was one of two recipients of the WEM Foundation’s statewide Teacher Achievement Award, awarded to educators who support, inspire and assist students to achieve despite barriers to learning.
 
• ’77 Richard Sexton, El Macero, CA, professor of agricultural economics at the University of California at Davis, received the University of Minnesota Applied Economics Department Outstanding Alumni Award for 2004-05.
 
• ’78 Sandra (Johnson) Frayseth, Worthington, MN, is a teacher of hearing-impaired students in a multi-handicapped school.
 
• ’78 Alan Musech, Eden Prairie, MN, joined Fabcon, a precast concrete wall manufacturer, as a project manager with 25 years experience in the construction industry. Previously he was employed at Shaw Construction as a project manager.
 
• ’78 Richard Russeth, Evergreen, CO, has been named vice president and general counsel of Leprino Foods Co. in Denver.
 
• ’79 Deborah Lund, Greenbank, WA, has written a children’s book that will be released by Harcourt in April 2006. This second book, “All Aboard the Dinotrain,” is a partner book to “Dinosailors.”

1980s

 
• ’80 Debra (Minick) Keiser, St. Cloud, MN, is a new officer for Central Minnesota Chapter of American Red Cross.
 
• ’80 Cynthia Seelhammer, Queen Creek, AZ, was named a McCloy Fellow by the American Council on Germany and the National League of Cities. She spent time last fall studying urban affairs in Germany as part of the McCloy Fellowship program.
      Seelhammer, currently the town manager of Queen Creek, earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She received the SCSU College of Fine Arts and Humanities Leadership Award for her professional successes. She comes from an SCSU family as her mother and all five of her siblings attended SCSU and her father was an SCSU instructor.
 
• ’80 ’86 Brian McGrath, Brooklyn Park, MN, was promoted to vice president - client risk at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. The promotion involves managing a team of professionals that are responsible for the account management of Wells Fargo’s Institutional Lending client base.
 
• ’81 Debra (Schrom) Hoyhtya, Stillwater, MN, is the administrative assistant to the superintendent and school board for the Centennial School District.
 
• ’82 Joan Alleckson, San Diego, CA, president of Profit Solutions Network, has been elected president of the San Diego chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) for 2005-06. Previously Alleckson served as the chapter’s first vice president. She also has been the chapter’s secretary.
 
• ’83 Lori Long, St. Cloud, MN, is serving her second four-year term on the St. Cloud City Council representing the city’s south side, which includes SCSU.
 
• ’84 Gregory Murray, St. Cloud, MN, of Mahowald Insurance Agency, was recognized by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors for maintaining the Certified Insurance Counselor designation for 10 years.
 
• ’85 Jack Jones, Doylestown, PA, wrote “Pioneers of Primetime,” a documentary shown nationally on PBS. The St. Cloud native spent six years making the film, which chronicles television comedy’s long-forgotten pedigree – from vaudeville through radio to the golden age of television.
 
• Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a focus on radio and television. The award-winning television news anchor and reporter has written and produced a variety of full-length documentaries.
 
• SCSU alumnus Jack Jones Jr. poses with Sid Caesar and Mickey Rooney last summer in Beverly Hills at the Television Critics Association Fall Tour. Photo provided by PBS.
 
• ’85 Steven Sperl, St. Cloud, MN, was promoted to director of the Outpatient Adult/Pediatric Rehabilitation and Rehab/Physiatry Office Support at CentraCare Health Plaza.
 
• ’86 Philip Miller, Williams, MN, Lake of the Woods County attorney, was named by Governor Tim Pawlenty as a finalist for a court bench vacancy in the Ninth Judicial District.
 
• ’86 ’04 Laura (Carriar) Pfannenstein, St. Cloud, MN, is a new officer for Central Minnesota Chapter of American Red Cross.
 
• ’87 Julie (Sauer) Mische, St. Cloud, MN, recently purchased Great Times Bistro and renamed it Jule’s Bistro.
 
• ’87 ’01 Patrick Sawatzke, Monticello, MN, plans to run for the Minnesota State Senate for District 19. He and his wife own Jade Patrick Salon in Monticello.
 
• ’87 ’92 Linda Baune, Waite Park, MN, received the Spirit Award from United Cerebral Palsy of Central MN.
 
• ’88 Brian Belski, Inver Grove Heights, MN, recently accepted a position at Merrill Lynch in New York to become the equity strategist for its wealth management division.
 
• ’88 ’92 Robert Walsh, Ortonville, MN, is an invited professor at the Office of Global Affairs at Information & Communication University in Daejeon, South Korea, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in English and communication. In campus-wide student course evaluations at the end of spring semester 2005, his classes received the highest cumulative score of any professor’s classes at the university
      Walsh graduated with a double major in English and speech and a master’s degree in speech communications. He has taught at Mitchell Community College and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
 
• ’89 Lisa (Kubinski) Saline, Minneapolis, MN, who was the SCSU cheerleading and dance coach from 1984-89, is the founder and president of United Performing Association, (UPA), a company she founded in 1988.

1990s

 
• ’90 John Eichten, Minneapolis, MN, started an IT firm, Bit Bucket Computer Services, LLC, in January 2005.
 
• ’90 Jeffrey LeGare, Murphy, TX, was promoted to senior vice president and tapped to open a new office for John B. Collins Associates, Inc. in Tampa, FL.
 
• ’90 ’00 Steven Penick, Cold Spring, MN, is a curator at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud and has become involved with the museum’s educational programs for students and adults. He also participates in the Cold Spring 20/20 Vision Team, promoting the community’s economic development and fostering historical preservation.
 
• ’91 Ronald Broekemeier, Monticello, MN, is an insurance salesperson with Liberty Mutual Group, selling auto, home, life, annuities and mutual funds. He works with companies that employ 50-1,000 people in setting up voluntary group benefits and other human resource products.
 
• ’91 Sir Harris, Chandler, AZ, accepted the director of annual giving position for Arizona State University (ASU) Foundation in November. He expects to receive a master’s degree in public administration from ASU in May. Harris, who has a background in behavioral health, has been at ASU for seven years.
 
• ’91 Reginald Perkins, Apple Valley, MN, was inducted into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in October.
 
• ’91 Robert Rodriguez, St. Paul, MN, was recently promoted from professor to chairperson of graduate programs in the School of Business at Capella University.
 
• ’92 Mary (Treinen) Bongers, Pelican Rapids, MN, has been appointed as the assistant human resource director at SCSU.
 
• ’92 Thomas Mootz, Eagan, MN, has been promoted to partner at Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis. He is an information technology audit partner with more than 13 years of experience assisting companies with business and technical issues, including internal audit and risk assessment.
 
• ’93 Barbara (Guzy) Fellows, Bryan, TX, is a kindergarten teacher.
 
• ’93 Dale McKenzie, St. Louis Park, MN, is the owner of Pitbull Foods, which produces and distributes hot sauce in the Minneapolis area.
 
• ’93 Monica (Dian) Steffer, Farmington, MN, works in the government programs claims department at HealthPartners.
 
• ’93 ’99 Robert Mathiasen, Willmar, MN, was named president of Wells Fargo Bank in Willmar.
 
• ’94 Melissa Aho, Circle Pines, MN, was recently named instructor in Metropolitan State University’s Library and Information Services. She also works for the Minnesota School of Business as a campus librarian.
 
• ’94 Chad Kunze, O Fallon, MO, CPA, has been promoted to health care principal at LarsonAllen. With more than 10 years of experience in public accounting, auditing and business consulting for health-care organizations, he focuses on serving senior health and long-term care clients.
     
    Kunze graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a Missouri- and Minnesota-licensed CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its Missouri and Minnesota chapters. He has served on various committees related to senior health care and HUD housing for the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance and Care Providers of Minnesota.
 
• ’95 Edward Fellows, Bryan, TX, is a school principal.
 
• ’95 Michelle Hallbeck, Princeton, MN, recently earned her master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University, Twin Cities Campus in Minneapolis.
 
• ’95 Kelley Kopacz, Madison, WI, graduated from Mayo School of Health Sciences in the nuclear medicine technology program in August 2005 and successfully passed her boards. She is a practicing nuclear medical technician in Wisconsin.
 
• ’95 ’00 Kelly (Schallau) Ryan, Minneapolis, MN, is a historical consultant for the film industry, evaluating historical tone and accuracy of new scripts produced by the major studios and acting as a liaison between those studios and experts in particular historical fields.
 
• ’97 Holly (Dissell) Benson, Albertville, MN, is the business services manager for TopLine Federal Credit Union in Maple Grove, MN, where she leads the business lending and business deposit account area for the credit union’s four branch locations.
 
• ’97 Derek Haug, St. Cloud, MN, was named 2003 Placement Counselor of the Year for the job placement division of the Minnesota Rehabilitation Association.
 
• ’97 Gretchen (Graber) Williamson, Richfield, MN, is a communications specialist with GMAC-RFC.
 
• ’98 Spencer Bakke, Maple Grove, MN, recently completed a six month fellowship with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. Bakke, who is a sergeant with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, worked in the Counter Terrorism Division - National Joint Terrorism Task Force.
 
• ’98 Diane Buschena-Brenna, Clear Lake, MN, is a new board member for the Central MN Chapter of American Red Cross.
 
• ’98 John Rosner, Melrose, MN, band director at Elk River High School (ERHS), was recently named director of the North Suburban Concert Band. He is earning a master’s degree in conducting at SCSU. His honors include a Fellowship to the Art of Wind Band Teaching at the University of Minnesota, student assistant conductor at SCSU and pianist for the SCSU Jazz Ensemble.
     
    The SCSU music graduate has taken the ERHS bands to Europe, Hawaii and many major festivals across the United States. He began his musical career at the piano, but specializes in brass performance with trumpet as his major instrument.
 
• ’98 Lisa (Peters) Stark, Sartell, MN, CPA, CISA, has been promoted to principal at LarsonAllen, providing audit, internal audit and consulting services for financial institutions.
 
• ’99 William Ogdahl, Glenwood, MN, has been employed with Morgan Stanley for six years. He is a portfolio manager for discretionary accounts as well as advising other clients. He started an MBA program recently and also plans to obtain a CFA.
 
• ’99 ’02 Aaron Amic, Albertville, MN, was promoted to research director at Ipsos Public Affairs in Minneapolis.

2000s

 
• ’00 Heidi (Herchenbach) Cline, East Troy, WI, is a senior consultant for Deloitte & Touche.
 
• ’00 Jessica (Staberg) Michel, Mooresville, NC, is a middle school science teacher.
 
• ’00 Shane Swanke, Lakeville, MN, became sole owner of Swanke Financial Group in Apple Valley after purchasing the remaining two-thirds equity in the company. He remains an investment advisor representative and also manages the business side of the company.
 
• ’00 Rachel Swanson, Fort Collins, CO, is an independent consultant with Creative Memories and is an international travel consultant for AAA Travel.
 
• ’00 Nancy Wurm, Lakeville, MN, is an account manager at EvaluMed in Edina.
 
• ’01 Darin Amundson, Kerkhoven, MN, joined Piper Jaffray as a financial adviser.
 
• ’01 Jennifer Champer, Chicago, IL, was promoted to group sales manager at the new Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown, Magnificent Mile.
 
• ’01 John Gerads, Minnetonka, MN, is a learning and development consultant for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Minneapolis.
 
• ’01 Eric Larson, Vero Beach, FL, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.
 
• ’01 Jennifer (Kerr) McMillin, Brecksville, OH, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cleveland, OH, is one of 1,000 students worldwide to receive a 2005-06 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. She is studying at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. She will have all of her educational expenses covered by the scholarship and will serve as an “ambassador of good will,” speaking at Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations and other forums for the Rotary Club.
     
    McMillin, originally from Litchfield, MN, graduated with a double major in cultural anthropology and Spanish and a minor in environmental studies. She has been a naturalist with an urban park system, the Cleveland Metroparks. While in Australia she will pursue a master’s degree in resources, environment and society.
 
• ’01 Jennifer (Steiskal) Stahl, Rapid City, SD, is the evening news producer for KOTA-TV in Rapid City and KDUH-TV in Scottsbluff, NE.
 
• ’02 Mathew Beyer, Lawrence, KS, appeared on Wheel of Fortune during the show’s Kansas City week. He finished second before an audience of 3,000 people, ultimately building his fortune back up to $7,500 after spinning to the bankrupt slot on the wheel and losing a bank of $8,000 and a trip to the Bahamas. The show aired last May.
     
    Beyer earned his bachelor’s degree in business economics. He recently joined Farmers Bank & Trust as a credit analyst.
 
• ’02 Mindy Elliason, Isle, MN, received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in July 2005.
 
• ’02 Patricia (Danielowski) Herman, Becker, MN, is a K-8 teacher with the Minnesota Virtual Academy.
 
• ’02 Timothy Hoheisel, Fargo, ND, is executive director of the Cass County Historical Society.
 
• ’02 Patrick Jacobson-Schulte, Sartell, MN, is a budget analyst for St. John’s University. He is also working on his master’s in business administration.
 
• ’02 Sandra Johnson, Shakopee, MN, joined the Minnesota Army National Guard and attended basic training in November.
 
• ’02 Mary Johnston, Aberdeen, SD, authored “An Experimental Test of the Crowding Out Hypothesis,” a paper published in the Journal of Public Economics this year.
 
• ’02 Michele Kolb, Big Lake, MN, recently completed the administrative clerk course at Personnel Administration School, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, Camp Lejeune, NC.
 
• ’02 Darren Luepke, St. Anthony, MN, has been promoted within Wells Fargo from service manager in Davis, Calif., to a tax accountant in Minneapolis. He started with Norwest in 1998 as a freshman at SCSU and worked with the company through the merger with Wells Fargo.
 
• ’02 Kristina McKinley, Edina, MN, is a photographer at Flash Digital Portraits.
 
• ’02 Ryan Obermoller, Becker, MN, was promoted to senior accountant by Miller, Welle, Heiser and Co.
 
• ’02 Kevin Rosen, South St. Paul, MN, has a retail shop there with his wife Sarah (Caliguire) Rosen ’01. The store is named Yellow Goat - “the place to ’goat’ to buy books, movies and more.” The shop specializes in new and used books, CDs, computer games, movies, jewelry, toys and gift items. Sarah graduated from SCSU with a degree in mass communications; Kevin pursued a teaching degree.
 
• ’03 Sandra (Jensen) Eustice, Cathedral City, CA, recently released her first book, “Arianna Baker: Portal to Yasanadi” by S.M. Jensen (Eustice). She is currently working on the second book in the series, “Arianna Baker: Curse of the Portal Keys.”
 
• ’03 Mark Metcalf, Maple Grove, MN, has been promoted to financial analyst in the grain division at General Mills.
 
• ’03 ’05 Kristin Modrow, Rockford, MN, is director of campus activities at Century College in White Bear Lake, MN. She supervises the student information desk, planning activities committee, outdoor rental center and game room, and is responsible for marketing campus activities.
     
    Modrow, who earned an undergraduate double major in mass communications and geography
 
• and a master’s degree in mass communications,
 
• was a graduate assistant for the SCSU University Program Board.
 
• ’03 Douglas Olson, Brainerd, MN, is pursuing paralegal studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
 
• ’04 Momodou Bah was promoted to corporate affairs manager, and is also secretary to the board of directors for the National Water and Electricity Company limited (NAWEC) in The Gambia.
 
• ’04 Jason Kramer, Berne, NY, is a senior research analyst with the Empire Center for New York State Policy (Manhattan Institute of Policy Research). He formerly was a principal lobbyist. He also served as a political campaign professional and a staff director in the New York State Legislature.
 
• ’04 Amanda (Chamberlin) Vagle, Clearwater, MN, recently joined The Johnson Group Marketing as an assistant account executive. She will be supporting the organization through media placement, research, campaign development and public relations.
 
• ’04 Brian Zimny, Alexandria, MN, joined Piper Jaffray as a financial adviser.
 
• ’05 Kimberly Chartier, St. Cloud, MN, teaches algebra and skills development math to seventh- and eighth-graders at South Junior High School. She also helps lead the Homework Club and is coaching the track and field team this spring.
     
    Chartier, who earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, was a substitute teacher in Cloquet, MN, before she joined South Junior High School.
 
• ’05 Weeraya Khumyim, Bangkok, Thailand, is with Siam Commercial Bank in Thailand as a data miner.
 
• ’05 Timothy Olsen, Cottage Grove, MN, is a financial adviser with Mass-Mutual Financial.
 
• ’05 Noah Tobin, Woodbury, MN, is an auditor with the Target Corporation.

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