New President Dan Hanson - Peru State College Foundation and

Transcription

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Peru Stater Fall 2009
Fall 2009 Vol. 54, No. 2
New President Dan Hanson:
Dr. Hanson
At a glance
Passion, pride, appreciation for PSC
A strong base, plus the feeling
of family: intangible, perhaps, but
elements which are nonetheless
vitally important to new Peru State
College President Dan Hanson.
Hanson and his wife, Elaine,
enjoyed the same qualities
throughout their 30-plus-year
association with Waldorf College
in Forest City, Iowa. The Hanson’s
found those attributes and more
when they traveled 300 miles to the
southwest when Dan assumed the
presidency in August.
“It is an honor to be given the
opportunity to serve an institution
with such a rich history,” Hanson
said. “I take very seriously that I have
been entrusted with the leadership of
such a special college.
“Virtually everyone I’ve met has a
passion, a pride, and an appreciation
for Peru State College,” he said. “And
they should.”
Hanson said he had some
awareness of PSC prior to being
nominated for the presidency
about a year ago. Peru and Waldorf
athletic teams competed occasionally
through the years, so he knew of –
but not a lot about – the Campus of a
Thousand Oaks.
“I didn’t know of its long traditions
or its impressive heritage,” he said.
Once he became a candidate for the
33rd presidency of Nebraska’s first
college, Hanson began to heavily
research the institution.
It didn’t take him long to discover
some of the qualities that made PSC
appealing.
“I became aware rather quickly
of Peru’s commitment to access
to students – we provide a strong
education at affordable prices. It has
many of the attributes of a small
private institution without the cost.
“Peru is not only the oldest college
in Nebraska, but it’s one of the
fastest-growing. Our finances are
strong, and I learned of some very
innovative programs here. Clearly,
it’s a very solid, thriving institution.”
While the job posed new and
exciting challenges, the decision to
participate in the search did not come
easily. Hanson has spent most of his
career at Waldorf. He and Elaine met
there. Both of their parents live in the
area. Their daughters attend college
in Iowa. Their lifelong friends are
there. The Hanson’s were not about
to leave just for a change of scenery.
Hanson’s candidacy moved
Born: Feb. 1955, Minneapolis, Minn.
Early Years: Colorado, Wisconsin,
Iowa
High School: Titonka (Ia.)
College: Associates degree, Waldorf
(Ia.) College; Bachelors, Wartburg
(Ia.) College; Masters, Minnesota
State University-Mankato; Ph. D.,
Iowa State University
Dr. Hanson
through the process until he was
eventually named a finalist. Hanson
and the other remaining candidates
were invited to the Omaha airport
last January to meet the 24-member
search committee comprised of
students, faculty, staff, alumni and
officials from the Nebraska State
College System (NSCS).
The day before the interview, Dan
and Elaine decided to visit campus,
unannounced and unescorted, to see
the Campus of a Thousand Oaks for
themselves.
Continued on p. 4
One Rate, Any State: PSC eliminates out of state tuition
Peru State College will conduct
a groundbreaking three-year pilot
program that will allow students
who live outside of Nebraska the
opportunity to pay in-state tuition
rates beginning this fall.
The college already offers a single
tuition rate for online courses, so the
program will apply to those students
pursuing their degrees on-site.
“The reality is that high tuition costs
have put college out of reach for far
from Nebraska’s borders,” Carpenter
too many people, especially during
these difficult economic times,” noted added.
“Since Peru State already offers
Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the
some of the most affordable tuition
Nebraska State College System which
rates in the region, we anticipate
governs Peru, along with Chadron
this program will be well-received
and Wayne State Colleges.
by potential students and further
“This pilot program presents
enhance our already strong onan opportunity for students who
wouldn’t otherwise have the financial campus enrollments,” he added.
“The side benefit is that it also has the
means to get a top quality education
potential to significantly impact rural
without compounding costs just
economic development in southeast
because they may live five miles
Family: Wife Elaine, married
33 years; daughters Heather, a
graduate student at the University
of Iowa, and Abby, a senior at
Wartburg College
Career: Admissions staff, Waldorf
College; faculty, Waldorf College,
developed its two-year curriculum
in computer information systems;
later developed Waldorf’s four year
program in CIS when the institution
transitioned to a four-year college
(mid-1990s); director of academic
technology, Waldorf; academic
dean/vice president, Waldorf
(seven years); also served as
assistant football coach at Waldorf.
Appointed 33rd President of Peru
State College, Feb. 2009; assumed
presidency, Aug. 2009.
Nebraska by exposing more
individuals to this region of the state.
“Conventional wisdom is that
students who move to a state to
attend college have a higher chance of
staying in the state after graduation
or returning at some point in their
careers. Roughly 86 percent of our
graduates live and work in Nebraska
following graduation,” noted
Carpenter, who served as President of
Continued on p. 2
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A great time to be
At a great place
One rate
Continued from p. 1
PSC throughout most of the 2008-09
Dear Friends:
academic year.
The past several weeks have been
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman
a time of exciting transition for Peru
was among those lauding the effort.
State College, me and my family.
“This is the innovative and creative
I began my duties as PSC’s 33rd
thinking that we need throughout
president on Aug. 1, 2009. From the
higher education and industries all
moment I stepped foot on campus
across Nebraska,” he told an Omaha
I have been welcomed with open
World-Herald reporter this past
arms by faculty, staff, students and
summer.
community members.
Current tuition rates at the
After having worked more than 30
institution are $122.50 per credit
years at a small private college in Iowa,
hour for on-campus undergraduate
it’s comforting to already feel at home Dan Hanson
courses, $180 per credit hour for
in a new place. It has also been reassuring to know that I am surrounded by
online undergraduate courses and
trustworthy, hard-working people who are focused on doing what is best for
$210.75 per credit hour for online
the institution. I will do everything I can to encourage continuance of that kind graduate courses.
of commitment to purpose under my leadership.
The NSCS Board of Trustees will
There is very clearly a great deal of pride in the Campus of a Thousand Oaks receive annual reports regarding the
across southeast Nebraska and beyond. My goal is to continue to build upon
program and determine its future
the college’s reputation for academic excellence and position the institution to
after three years.
be successful far into the future.
For additional information, contact
Many times since the announcement of my appointment as President of Peru the PSC Admissions Office at 1-800State College I have been asked “why there?” The answers are fairly simple.
742-4412 or online at www.peru.edu.
When I interviewed for the job last January I could not have been more
impressed with what I saw: commitment by highly qualified faculty and
staff, vibrant and growing programs, and a beautiful campus that has been
revitalized with more than $40 million in infrastructure improvements.
There is a clear commitment on this campus to our mission – educating
students. The students also impressed me with their commitment to the
institution. More than 50 showed up to ask questions of me during the
interview process.
It was during the two-and-a-half-day interview process that the following
initiatives emerged as the initial focus for my administration.
We will seek to:
•Reenergize and build the on-campus experience.
•Empower the campus community around a common vision.
•Engage with the external community.
•Continue to use online programming strategically to expand the college’s
mission
The process to achieve these goals will not only involve active listening, but
also identifying and focusing on key strategies. I will begin by administering
College President
a stakeholder survey focused on learning more about the perception of core
Dr. Dan Hanson
values, distinctiveness and key initiatives for the institution.
I have also begun meeting with members of the campus community and
Editor/Foundation Executive
key external constituencies. Through this process I hope to identify strategic
Director
themes that can be used as a springboard for the strategic planning process in
Kent Propst (’81)
anticipation of the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation visit in 2011.
Assistant Editor/Alumni &
It’s an exciting time to be part of Peru State College, and I am honored to
Development Coordinator
have been chosen to lead the institution into its next chapter. I hope that the
Krystal Nolte (’04)
experience I bring having previously served in a variety of roles, from faculty
Contributing Writers
to vice president of academic affairs, allows for a trust in my vision. I see only
Sandy Fisher
good things ahead for PSC.
Kristi Nies
Sincerely,
Laura Osborne (’93)
Dan Hanson, Ph.D.
President
Photography
Angela Allgood (‘93)
Dr. Bill Clemente
Becky Johnson (‘05)
Stater Talk
We appreciate the time taken by
our readers to send in comments
about the Stater and would like
to share a few of them. Please
send your comments, suggestions and story ideas to Krystal
Nolte at the Foundation office at
PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421, email
her at knolte@peru.edu or give
her a call, 402-872-2395.
“How great it is to receive the
Peru Stater again!! …Peru holds a
special place in my heart.”
—Fran Heim Whited (’53, ’62)
“Receiving the spring edition of
the Peru Stater was like a gift
from Heaven sent. Thank you
many times over.”
—Sidney Timmons (’41)
“It’s great to be receiving the Peru
Stater again. Thank you!”
—Larry Henderson (’69)
The Peru Stater is published
twice each year by the Peru State
College Foundation. Special
thanks to the PSC Marketing and
Communications department and
the PSC Sports Information office.
Send your comments, news items
and address changes to:
The Peru Stater
PSC Foundation
PO Box 10
Peru, NE 68421-0010
You may also call us at 402-8722304 or email us at pscfoundation@
peru.edu.
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Let the good
times roll
A funny thing happened on my way
back to Peru State….
My association with PSC stretches
back to the mid-1970s, and after a slight
detour to Idaho (2003-2008) I returned
in Sept. 2008.
Familiar though I was with PSC, it’s
changed – incredible improvements
to the campus, record enrollments,
amazing technological advances, new
faces. Such a remarkable transformation.
My role changed, too. No longer a
college employee, I now work for the
Kent Propst
private, non-profit corporation the
PSC Foundation, which generates and disburses charitable gifts to assist the
college.
Year One was not a walk in Neal Park.
I was – am - a rookie learning a new trade. The Foundation needed some
reorganization. Communications with alumni and friends needed attention.
The college was seeking a new president. Many challenges faced the
Foundation, some that I had not anticipated.
Then, just days after I started, Lehman Bros. collapsed, stocks plunged and
the world economy went south. Foundation assets dropped, and fundraising
in this environment - even for a noble cause like Peru State College - is no
picnic.
So why the silly grin I’m seen sporting these days?
First of all, your college is in excellent condition; there is a good feeling on
campus.
President Dan Hanson brings new vision and energy to Nebraska’s first
college. In his first months he has already met many of you, and outreach is a
top priority. Avail yourself of any opportunity to meet Dan and his delightful
wife and partner, Elaine; you will come away inspired.
We have a great, dedicated staff in the Foundation office. The all-volunteer
Foundation Board has evolved, and has worked extremely hard as it dealt
with multiple obstacles. They work hard because PSC deserves it, in good
times or tough ones.
As most Stater readers know, the need is as great as the cause. As ever, most
Peru students require financial assistance to pay their college bills. Today,
with so many families under financial stress due to the economy, that need is
amplified.
Our growing student body, as great a thing as that is, multiplies the
need. Financial famine coupled with more mouths to feed creates a cause of
urgent proportions. It is why scholarships are now the primary focus of our
fundraising efforts.
The College is vibrant and growing even in such turbulent times. Three
factors critical to institutional health – faculty, facilities and finances – are
exemplary at today’s Peru State College.
You need to know all of this. For a time, communication with alumni and
friends was sporadic. That’s too bad, because there has been a remarkable
story to tell; it is why the Peru Stater was reconstituted.
Despite these tough times on planet earth, your Campus of A Thousand
Oaks is doing remarkably well. And there is more greatness ahead.
Please do your part to keep Peru rising. This is the time to help build Peru
State College. You hear it often at PSC these days, and it’s true: it’s a great
time to be a Bobcat!
Kent Propst ‘81
Executive Director
Peru State College Foundation
On-campus growth paces enrollment hike
President Dr. Dan Hanson
announced the college is poised for
another record for fall enrollment,
with preliminary figures reflecting a
strong 6.31 percent increase.
With time remaining to register for
online and off-campus classes, PSC’s
current total headcount stood at 2,173
students, compared to 2,044 at the
same time a year ago.
PSC officials anticipate that 200300 more students will have enrolled
by mid-October. Trends indicate that
total enrollment this fall will climb to
a record 2,400 students – the most in
the college’s 142-year history.
The most dramatic growth area
is on-campus enrollment, which
increased more than 10.5 percent
to 946 students. Online enrollment
climbed above 1,100 students, an
increase of more than six percent.
Freshman enrollment was up
nearly 6.5 percent to 231 students,
just four students shy of an all-time
record for the institution. The gains
also impacted campus housing,
increasing the use of residence halls
11 percent.
Hanson attributed the college’s
success to a redesigned scholarship
program that rewards campus
involvement and leadership, a
new pilot program that offers instate tuition rates to all out-of-state
students, continued growth in the
college’s online programs, targeted
marketing strategies and an increase
in student satisfaction.
“This is an exciting time for Peru
State College,” Hanson said. “We
have talented, energetic faculty
and staff who are committed to the
college’s mission – providing the
very best education possible to our
students and contributing to the
future of southeast Nebraska and our
entire state.
“The dramatic growth in oncampus enrollment is the result of
an intentional effort over the course
of the last year, and we could not
be happier with the vibrant campus
community that resulted,” Hanson
said.
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Dr. Hanson
students, more than 50 of them came
and asked great questions. After that
session, Elaine told me ‘I don’t know
Continued from p. 1
about you, but I’m coming here’,” he
It was a turning point.
chuckled.
Over the next 24 hours, Hanson
Within days Carpenter called and
transitioned from having a curious
offered Hanson the position, and
interest in the opportunity at Peru
on Feb. 27, 2009, the NSCS Board
State, to a genuine sense that this is
of Trustees voted to approve him
where he wanted to spend the rest of
as President of Peru State College.
his career.
Still, it was to be five months before
“We visited the campus because
his term would begin, and Hanson
we wanted to have a context for our
wasn’t about to leave unfinished
conversations with the committee.
business at Waldorf.
‘Place’ is an important part of any
“I had a sense of obligation,” he
institution. We liked the layout of
said simply.
the campus and the rolling hills
Loyalty, responsibility and
surrounding it.
dedication being attributes prized
“We discovered a beautiful setting,
greatly by Peru State, it was hard to
well-kept buildings, and a renovated,
argue with his logic.
historic campus,” Hanson said. “We
His first months on the job have
were impressed. It’s the kind of place
been a whirlwind. Hanson has
we like: a small college in a rural
immersed himself in the Peru State
setting.”
College experience, attending just
Then came the airport interview
about every meeting, ball game,
with the search committee, and
concert and art opening.
the Hanson’s knew they had found
He has been meeting, individually
something special.
or in very small groups, with every
“I could tell by their questions,
faculty and staff member at the
these people cared deeply about Peru college. “A complex institution like
State College,” Hanson said. “They
Peru State College won’t make the
were committed to Peru and to its
right changes to benefit students if its
students. That was very appealing.”
people aren’t involved in decisions,”
The next day, NSCS Chancellor
he said.
Stan Carpenter, who was himself
Hanson has also begun meeting
serving as president at Peru State at
with school superintendents, mayors,
the time, called Hanson.
economic developers,
“He wanted to know if
chambers of commerce,
I was serious about the
service clubs and other
opportunity,” Hanson
leaders from southeast
said. “Elaine and I had
Nebraska. Both he and
talked about it all the
Elaine are committed
way home from the
not only to the college
airport, and my answer
itself, but to the region
to Stan was there was
it serves and the people
very definitely a strong
who live here.
interest.
He is learning
Next came the coup
about PSC academic
de grace – the early
programs and student
February on-campus
services, hosting
interview. Hanson
student groups
described it as a
for dinner in the
Dan Hanson
pressure-packed twoPresident’s House, and
and-a-half days filled with meetings
hitting the road to meet alumni and
and interviews.
other supporters.
“The commitment of faculty and
All the while Hanson is listening
staff came through clearly,” he said.
more than talking, evaluating
“The support from people in southeast everything and formulating plans.
Nebraska, and their knowledge of
Because of the strength of PSC’s
the important role we (PSC) play,
personnel, academics, finances,
was evident. I could tell this was a
enrollment, and physical facilities
vibrant campus and college.
and resources, he has the benefit of
“When we held our forum with the
Continued on p. 10
Next up for a renovation: Jindra Fine
Arts Building
By Laura Osborne, ‘93
“Codes Upgrade Project.” The
official title is rather unimpressive –
the actual work being done, is quite
the opposite!
The Jindra Fine Arts Building on
the Campus of a Thousand Oaks
was closed last spring for massive
renovations that are expected to take
approximately two years to complete.
The project is the latest in a long
series of major upgrades of PSC
facilities.
The price tag for the renovations
is approximately $6.6 million. The
money to pay for the changes is
coming from the Nebraska Task Force
for Building Renewal created by the
309 Fund bill. The intent of that fund
is to keep state buildings maintained.
Changes will include new rooms
for choir, band, recording studios and
offices as well as a new elevator and
remodeling of the Benford Recital
Hall. When done, the building –
which opened in 1966 - will also
serve as a FEMA-certified storm
shelter.
The process began this past
summer with asbestos abatement
work. As the renovations continue, a
new third floor will be added to the
west end of the building which will
house the new choir and band rooms
as well as the recording studio spaces.
The new elevator will be added to the
northwest area as well.
The new choir and band rooms are
needed to relieve safety concerns. It
was found that the previous choir
and band rooms’ sound pressure
levels were found to be potentially
hazardous for instructors to endure
for long periods of time.
“We looked at ways to try and
soak up some of the sound with
drapes and other means, but nothing
would provide a significant enough
improvement in the space we had,”
said Bruce Batterson, Vice President
for Administration and Finance at
PSC. Batterson is in charge of the
renovation project. “The new rooms
will combine more space with drapes,
and absorbent panels.”
Since a new art gallery was created
in the A.V. Larson building during
its recent renovation, the previous
gallery in Jindra will be converted
Bruce Batterson
into new office space. The recital
hall floor will be leveled and a
flexible seating and performance
arrangement utilized for future
performances there. Doing so will
allow for the staging in the hall to be
oriented to face any desired direction.
Seating capacity in Benford will
be reduced from 213 to 100, Batterson
said.
Previously, three office spaces
existed on the second floor over
the south entrance to the building.
Those offices will be renovated
resulting in two offices rather than
three. Windows are being added
to the building as well so that more
offices and rooms will have sunlight.
New high-efficiency thermal heating
and cooling systems will be installed
as well.
The renovations are expected to
take about two years. Until then, the
classes normally held in Jindra will
be moved to the theatre, and the
CATS building (a.k.a. the Old Library
and the ARC Building). Empty
faculty apartments across the street
to the north of Jindra will be used for
music studios.
“I think this is going to be a great
boost for our performing arts
program here at Peru State,” says
Batterson.
Lund Ross Constructors of Omaha
are the construction managers for the
project.
NOTE: Laura Osborne lives in
Auburn, Neb. and is director of
Nemaha Against Drug and Alcohol
Abuse.
5
Foundation board adds three
The board governing the Peru
State College Foundation has added
three new members, including
two alumni with distinguished
records of involvement with the
college, and a longtime Nebraska
school administrator from southeast
Nebraska.
SaraBeth Donovan (’85), Mike
Guilliatt (’67) and Dennis Wittmann,
each have been elected to threeyear terms on the Foundation
board, according to PSC Foundation
President Chuck Niemeyer (’67).
“All three bring expertise,
experience and energy to the
Foundation, and we are delighted
to have them on board,” Niemeyer
said. “They make our organization
stronger, and together with the rest
of our board and our talented staff
on campus in Peru, we have high
expectations to enhance our support
for Peru State College.”
The PSC Foundation is the private,
nonprofit corporation established to
receive and disperse private support
for the college. Organized in 1955 as
the Peru Achievement Foundation,
it is governed by an independent,
volunteer board of directors
composed of alumni and friends.
Donovan, an attorney in the
Washington, D.C. area, is hardly a
stranger to the Foundation. After
leaving PSC in ’85 she taught in
Omaha – where she was active in
the local alumni chapter – and in
California before entering law school.
She also served as a Foundation
trustee for a time.
The Lincoln native practiced law
in Washington, D.C. and in Nebraska.
Then, in 2001 Donovan came back to
Peru as the Foundation’s director of
planned giving, a position she held
for two years before leaving in late
2003.
Guilliatt is the head of Guilliatt
and Associates, a financial advisory
firm based in Fremont that he
established in 1975. An Auburn
native who taught in Iowa for seven
years after graduating from PSC, he
has been a devoted alum and strong
supporter of the college.
He and his wife Janice, the
daughter of the late State Sen. R.
Wiley Remmers (‘38) and of Maxine
(Aufenkamp ‘39) Remmers of Auburn,
are parents of two sons. Mike and
Janice are active in their community,
1940s
Sidney Timmons (‘41), of Torrance,
Cal., is a retired independant
insurance agent with State Farm and
will be celebrating his 90th birthday
in October.
SaraBeth Donovan
Tom Hallstrom (’49), of Omaha, will
be honored at the Omaha Public
Schools Athletic Hall of Fame
dinner Nov. 21 as the Hall of Fame’s
Community Contributor. Tom was
a part of the school district’s athletic
activities for 30 years.
1950s
Jack Hallstrom (’50), of Omaha, will
be honored at the Omaha Public
Schools Athletic Hall of Fame dinner
Nov. 21 for his role in championing
high school athletics during his 37
years in the Omaha district.
Mike Guilliatt
Dean Thiesfeld (’52), of Lincoln, has
hit the slopes in the Rockies every
year for the last 30 years, even now at
80 years of age.
Leland Sherwood (’57), of Peru,
received the Citizen of the Year
award from the Peru Kiwanis Club.
Dennis Wittmann
and Mikes serves on the PSC
National Alumni Association board.
Wittmann is a retired school
administrator and educator. He
and his wife Joan live in Auburn
and have four children. Wittmann
spent 36 years in public education
after graduating from Midland
Lutheran College, including 21 as a
superintendent.
He is extremely active in
community and church affairs, and
is currently serving his second term
on the Auburn City Council. He is
active in area economic development
as well, and he and his son operate a
lawn care service in the Auburn area.
The three board members join
Niemeyer, Jud Douglas of Lincoln,
Larry (‘71) and Sue Green of
Westminster, Colo., Fred (‘73) and
Pam Robertson of Westlake Village,
Calif., and Rod Vandeberg of Falls
City on the current PSC Foundation
board.
Ray Ehlers (’58), of Lexington, was
inducted into the Nebraska High
School Sports Hall of Fame as
a contributor at the 16th annual
induction ceremony held Sunday,
Sept. 27 in Lincoln. Ray played
various sports at Syracuse High
School. He played football and
basketball at PSC and was a recipient
of the Bert W. Swenson athletics
award.
1960s
Lillian (Stoner) Fridell (’60), of
Hiawatha, Kan., celebrated her 100th
birthday in July. She taught for 43
years in Kansas and is now retired.
Marilyn (Glynn) Borgerding
(’61), of De Witt, retired in 2007
from Wal-Mart after working 26 ½
years. She is enjoying time with
her 15 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.
James Christ (’64), of Lincoln,
currently works in a dental lab and
volunteers at the Larsen Tractor
Museum at the University of
Nebraska - Lincoln, East Campus. He
is also involved in the choir at First
Christian Church and is enjoying the
life of the Capitol City.
Mike Guilliatt (’67), of Fremont,
qualified for the exclusive ‘Top of the
Table’ of the Million Dollar Round
Table - the Premier Association of
Financial Professionals. Top of the
Table status is the highest level of the
MDRT membership.
Sally (Kelly) Primrose (’67), of
Omaha, retired this year from 42
years of teaching fourth grade at
Peter Sarpy Elementary School in
Bellevue. A retirement ceremony,
hosted by the Bellevue Education
Association, was held in Sally’s honor
last spring.
Jerry Eickhoff (’69), of Lincoln, was
inducted into the Nebraska High
School Sports Hall of Fame. Jerry
retired from Hampton Public School
this year as Nebraska’ winningest
basketball coach with 670 wins. He
was also honored by the Nebraska
State Interscholastic Athletic
Administrators Association last
spring
Jerry Eickhoff (’69), of Lincoln, went
up against fellow PSC alum Mark
Hrabik (’82) in the Nebraska Coaches
Association boys high school all-star
game. Mark’s team won in a 78-76
thriller.
Janice (Kelly) Gardner (’69), of
Shenandoah, Iowa, retired after 39
years of teaching. Janice taught girls
physical education, second, third and
fourth grades throughout her years at
the Shenandoah Community School
District.
1970s
Becky Lynch (’70), of Auburn, retired
as the sixth grade special education
teacher at Auburn Public Schools last
spring.
Martha (Seibert) Schaffer (’70),
of Nebraska City, received the
Distinguished Educator of Reading
Award from the Nebraska State
Reading Association last spring. She
worked as the reading instructor
at Hayward Elementary School in
Continued on p. 6
6
Continued from p. 5
Nebraska City for the last five years.
Martha retired from teaching at the
end of the school year. She has been
an instructor in the Nebraska City
School District for 39 years.
Mary (Blezek) Woosley (’70), of
Sidney, Iowa, retired in 1991 from
Malvern Public School in Iowa. She
began her teaching career in 1969
and has spent the last couple of years
substitute teaching for Fremont Mills
and Sidney Community Schools in
Iowa.
Deborah (Coffelt) Mosier (’73), of
Bennington, was awarded the 2009
Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher
Award. She is a music teacher at
Catlin Elementary School. The award
is presented to teachers in the Omaha
Public School system by the Susan
Thomas Buffett Foundation. Winners
receive an engraved silver medal,
$10,000 cash and $500 in McDonald’s
gift certificates.
Karen (Workman) Milstead (’73),
of Auburn, attended the annual
Legislative Day at the State Capital in
Lincoln as a member of the General
Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)
Auburn Women’s Club. Karen met
with senators and lunched at the
Governor’s Mansion.
Terry Ratliff (’73), of Shenandoah,
Iowa, is entering his 37th year
of teaching Industrial Tech. at
Shenandoah Middle School. In 2005
he was selected as Class 2A Assistant
Football Coach of the Year. Both of
his children, Ty and Toni, are athletes
at Peru State.
Galen Kronhofman (’75), of Alma,
was honored by the Nebraska
State Interscholastic Athletic
Administrators Association as
District Athletic Administrator of the
Year for 2008-09.
Teresa (Kracke) Hahn (’77), of
Auburn, participated in the state’s
first Insurance Education Institute
in Omaha. The institute was
cosponsored by the Nebraska
Department of Education and is
designed to encourage 8-12 grade
teachers to integrate insurance
instruction into their school
curriculum.
Decorated petroleum geologists
share more than top award
Ted Harshbarger (’77), of Humboldt,
served as emcee for the “Bags
for Brighter Futures” fund raiser
sponsored by the Friends of the
Family Health Services. Ted is a
member of the organization’s Board
of Directors.
Linda (Uher) Kirkendall (’78), of
Falls City, was honored as one of
three Teachers of the Year at the local
American Legion Patriotic Awards
dinner.
Don Martindale (’78), of Spencer,
Iowa, was named the Iowa Basketball
Coaches Association and the Iowa
Girls Coaches Association Northwest
Iowa Class 3A Coach of the Year for
the second year in a row. His team,
the Spencer Tigers, made it to the
Class 3A State Tournament for the
second consecutive year.
Diane (Coover) Thomas (’78), of
Nebraska City, is now a sixth grade
teacher at Auburn Public Schools.
Diane had previously taught at
Papillion-LaVista Schools District.
Denise (Coupe) Kurpgeweit (’79),
of Falls City, was honored as one of
three Teachers of the Year at the local
dinner.
1980s
Ken Denning (’80), of Loveland,
Colo., was named Athletic Director
at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort
Collins, Colo.
Pat Haverty (attd. ’80-82, MS ’08),
of Nebraska City, is the city’s new
administrator. Pat is the former
executive director of the River
County Economic Development
Corporation.
Mark Hrabik (’82), of Syracuse,
went up against fellow PSC alum
Jerry Eickhoff (’69) in the Nebraska
Coaches Association boys high school
all-star game. Mark’s team won in a
78-76 thriller.
Stephanie (Mowery) Shrader (’84),
Continued on p. 7
Marlan Downey (‘52) and Dr. Robert Weimer (attended ‘44)
One of Peru State College’s most
celebrated and decorated alumni,
Marlan Downey (’52), recently received the highest honor bestowed by
the American Association of Petroleum Geologists: the Sidney Powers
Medal.
Yet he was not the first former Peru
student to gain the prestigious honor.
In fact, over a quarter-century earlier, Dr. Robert Weimer received the
Powers Medal, presented annually by
the world’s largest geological association. Weimer attended Peru State in
1944 as a member of the Navy V-12
training program before embarking
on a distinguished career in geology
and education.
“I have probably known Bob well
for about twenty years; he has been
a “name” in geology for 40 years or
more,” Downey said. “He has been
a model of integrity for the industry, a successful consultant to many
companies in the Rocky Mountains,
and one of the most highly regarded
professors of geological science alive.”
“As award-winning petroleum
geologists, we must be a rooting section of two for a dedicated and rather
remote college,” Weimer told Downey
in reference to their Peru connection.
Though the internationally-known
geologists’ relationship goes back
decades, they were unaware of the
college connection until about nine
years ago when Weimer reviewed
Downey’s biography.
It was published when Downey
was elected President of AAPG for
2000-2001. As was the case with the
Powers Medal, Downey discovered
that Weimer preceded him in that
role, Weimer leading the organization
in 1991-92.
“He (Weimer) was delighted to tell
me of his experience at Peru during the second World War when he
found out that we shared a Peru
background,” Downey recalled. “I
was astounded to know that another
famous geologist started at Peru;
after all, geology wasn’t even taught
at Peru!”
A Glendo, WY. native, Weimer had
actually heard of Peru while in high
school; one of his teachers was the
late Ben Sheldon (’39). Weimer spent
Continued on p. 7
7
Omaha Chapter continues to thrive
A crowd of approximately 80 loyal
Peruvians joined together last April
for the annual PSC Omaha-Area
Alumni Reunion, as the chapter
continues to thrive and to provide
support for Nebraska’s first college.
Co-Presidents Chuck (‘57) and
Elaine (Spier ‘58) Krumme hosted,
with Chuck serving as master of ceremonies. Stan Carpenter, Chancellor
of the Nebraska State College System
and who was serving as President of
PSC at the time, sent along recorded
greetings.
Jack (‘50) and Nancy (Hardy ‘51)
Hallstrom once again coordinated
the chapter auction. Scaled down
from previous years in terms of the
number of items, it proved to be just
as successful in revenue generated,
thanks to the generosity of those on
hand.
A highlight of the evening was
the announcement by PSC friends
Carl and Keran Bortol that they
were establishing a $25,000 scholarship endowment through the PSC
Foundation to honor Jack and Nancy
Hallstrom.
Kent Propst (’81) addressed the
Geologists
Continued from p. 6
of Nebraska City, was hired as the
Executive Director of River County
Economic Development Corporation
in Nebraska City.
2009 Omaha-Area Alumni Reunion
attendees, Jim (‘86) and Theresa
(Polsley, ‘85) Krajicek and Brad
(‘89) and Andrea Smith.
group on behalf of the PSC Foundation, which he had come back to Peru
a few months earlier to serve. He
was joined by Foundation Board
members SaraBeth Donovan (‘85) of
Vienna, Va., Larry Green (‘71) of Westminster, Colo., Mike Guilliatt (‘67) of
Fremont and Fred Robertson (‘73) of
Westlake Village, Calif.
The 2010 Reunion is scheduled for
Thursday, April 22 at the GermanAmerican Society Club in Omaha.
Lynn (’61) and Pauline (Kish ’59)
Osterholm are current chapter copresidents.
Continued from p. 6
two semesters at Peru in 1944. He
remembers his room number (224) in
Delzell Hall, his roommates (Californians Dick Wehner and Paul Weichert), the physical training (“brutal at
first”), the “intense rainstorms” not
common to his native Wyoming, and
hitchhiking to Omaha or Lincoln
during leave.
“I have always regarded my freshman year at Peru State as a good transition from a small rural high school
in the outback country of Wyoming
to a large university,” Weimer noted.
“I am thankful that it worked for me.”
Downey, who lives in Texas and remains active in the petroleum industry, grew up in Falls City, Neb. during
the Great Depression. After graduating from Peru and serving in the U.S.
Army, he furthered his education and
began work for Shell Oil in 1957.
In just twelve years Downey rose
to become Shell’s youngest-ever chief
geologist, then continued his ascent
through Shell, retiring in 1987 after
30 years with them. That year he
formed Roxanna Oil Co., a familybased oil exploration and production company in which he remains
actively engaged to this day.
Downey later “un-retired” and returned to the international oil industry for Arco, including president of its
international branch, before leaving
Arco in 1995.
Weimer joined the Californiabased Union Oil Co. in 1949, working
with them for five years in the Rocky
Mountains and in Texas. Later he
joined the faculty at the Colorado
School of Mines, serving from 1957
until his retirement in 1983. At present he is Professor Emeritus of Geology at CSM and remains involved
with the institution.
Weimer has been a distinguished
lecturer in the Fulbright program,
has lectured at countless universities in the U.S. and abroad, and has
authored numerous scholarly works.
The list of achievements and recognitions these two giants in geology
have received would fill pages. The
fact that both studied at the same
small college, a few years apart but
unaware of the connection for decades, before launching their brilliant
careers is remarkable.
Joe Horky (’87) was named principal
of Bacon Elementary School in Fort
Collins, Colo. Joe has been a long
time educator and coached for 19
years. He is the former principal
of Northeast Elementary School in
Kearney.
Brad Smith (’89), of Omaha, was
recently promoted to vice president
at The Harry A. Koch Co. , the largest
independently owned insurance
agency in Nebraska . Brad specializes
in the fully insured and self-funded
large and small group benefits
market.
1990s
Terri (Miller) Hogue (’90) of Falls
City, was honored as one of three
Teachers of the Year at the local
dinner. Terri also won the State VFW
National Citizenship Education
Teacher Award.
Miguel Soto (’90), of Omaha,
earned a Master’s degree from the
University of Oklahoma and retired
from the Air Force after 13 years of
service. Miguel is in private practice
as a bilingual therapist at Abundant
Life Counseling in Omaha.
Matt Hug (’92), of Auburn, was
recognized for his efforts as
chairman of the Class C 12 and
Under Softball Tournament hosted by
the City of Auburn.
Todd Gottula (’95), of Kearney, won
several writing and photography
awards in contests hosted by the
Nebraska Press Association and the
Nebraska Associated Press. He won
two first-place awards for spot news
photography and feature writing and
placed second in categories for news
writing and best specialty page. Todd
has worked at the Kearney Hub for
the past 14 years.
Todd Gottula (’95), of Kearney,
has been hired as director of
communications for the Tri-City
Storm hockey team and Viaero
Event Center. As director, Todd will
manage the Event Center media
relations and public relations
initiatives. He will also play a role in
Storm hockey communications. The
Tri-City Storm is a member of the
United States Hockey League.
Ronnie Britt (’96), of Des Moines,
Iowa, retired from extreme fighting
this year at the age of 44. His record
is 15-3.
Matt Uher (’96), of De Witt, was
named the Nebraska State
Association of Secondary Principals
2008-09 New Principal of the Year.
Matt is the Principal at Tri-County
School in De Witt.
Jennifer (Froeshl) Dunn (’97), of
Falls City, was recognized at the
Hiawatha USD 415 Teacher of the
Year by her peers at Hiawatha Public
Schools in Hiawatha Kansas.
Don Hogue (’97), of Falls City, is
the head boys basketball coach at
Falls City High School. He reached a
career win of 100 games during the
2008-09 season.
Jeff Reed (’97), of Waverly, was
featured in a special news series in
the Lincoln Journal Star for his work
as a probation officer for the state of
Nebraska.
Kara (Jenkins) Savage (’97), of
Lincoln, was names A+ Teacher of
the Week by the Lincoln Journal Star.
Kara is a first grade teacher at Norris
Elementary School.
Kory Troutman (’98), of Omaha, is
a recruiter for Midland Lutheran
College in Fremont.
Jill Morfeld (’99), of Papillion, is a
teacher at Plattsmouth Public Schools
in Plattsmouth.
Clint Williams (’99), of Terril, Iowa,
earned a Master’s in Biology from the
University of Nebraska at Kearney
in May. Clink is a professor at
Northwest Iowa Community College
in Sheldon, Iowa.
Continued on p. 8
8
Continued from p. 7
2000s
Julie (Findlay) Lambert (’00), of
Auburn, is now the media specialist
at Auburn High School. She is also
the journalism instructor and junior
class sponsor.
Jennifer Koehler (’01), of Pawnee
City, is now the head volleyball
coach at Nebraska City High School.
Jennifer was the head volleyball
coach at Pawnee City for the last
seven years and let the team to the
state tournament last year.
Tonya Volk (’01), of Elgin, Ill.,
graduated from the orthodontic
residency at the University of Illinois
at Chicago in May of 2008. She is
now teaching one day a week in the
orthodontic department at UIC, and
is in private practice four days a week
in the Chicago area.
Elizabeth (Olsen) Duncan (’03),
of Missouri Valley, Iowa, is now
Instructor of Speech at Iowa Western
Community College. She is teaching
speech classes and interpersonal
communications.
Alan Gager (’03), of Pawnee City,
received a Master of Divinity degree
at the Saint Paul School of Theology
in Leawood, Kan.
won first place in the Small Bowling
Center People’s Choice Forum
presented by Bowling Proprietors of
America in Las Vegas. Rebecca is the
co-owner and manager of Auburn
Bowling Center. She also recently
earned a Master’s of Science degree
in Organizational Management from
Peru State.
Jarad Easterwood (’06), of Dawson,
is an aviation support equipment
technician aboard the Military Sealift
Command hospital ship, the USNS
Comfort. Navy Petty Officer 2nd
Class Easterwood and more than 900
other service members aboard the
ship are traveling throughout Latin
America and the Caribbean to assist
communities in need.
Becky Holman (’06), of Humboldt,
was awarded the Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal
for professional achievement as
administrative assistant on the Africa
Partnership Station Staff deployed
to West and Central Africa in USS
Nashville from January to May 2009.
Jeremy (‘06) and Sara (Anderson
‘03) LaBrie are now living in Aurora.
Jeremy started a new company with
his father and two brothers. Precision
Applications, LLC. specializes in
custom dry fertilizer application.
Vanessa (Ward) Sherman (’04), of
Mike Weber (’06), of New Berlin,
Peru, was named to the Coalition
Wis., was named volunteer assistant
for Juvenile Justice by Nebraska
coach with the Creighton University
Governor Dave Heineman. Vanessa
Volleyball program in Omaha.
serves as coordinator of the Juvenile
Diversion and Youth as a Resource
Dale Kelly (’07), of Bradenton,
programs for People United for
Fla., completed the 2009 summer
Families. The Coalition makes
season as Location Manager at Lake
recommendations to the Crime
Yellowstone Hotel and Lake Lodge
Commission on juvenile justice issues. Cabins in Yellowstone National Park.
Mike Wiese (’04), of Lincoln, is
working as a sales representative for
Jacob North Printing in Lincoln, and
was named head volleyball coach at
Lincoln East High School.
Tammy (Walters) Blobaum (’05), of
Auburn, received the NSEA Rookie
Teacher of the Year Award in 2007.
She is serving as Johnson-Brock’s
Education Association President.
Rebecca Jobe (’05, MS ’08), of Auburn,
Connie Walter (MS ’08), of Dickinson,
N.D., is now the Director of
University Relations for Dickinson
State University in Dickinson. She
was also named an Alumni Fellow of
DSU for 2009.
Jaime (Porter) Apperson (’09), of
Hamburg, Iowa, has been hired as a
special education teacher for grades
7-12 at Johnson-Brock School in
Johnson.
Continued on p. 9
Creating memories
Heath Miller (’91), art director for KOLN-KGIN TV of Lincoln and
Grand Island, has been back on campus several times in recent
months. Miller addressed a PSC graphic arts class in April; he and
wife Judy (Truelsen ’91), pictured here, were successful bidders at
the Dr. Leland Sherwood Celebration, also in April; and he helped
coordinate a KOLN television interview of Dr. Sherwood in connection to the celebration. Miller presented a one-person art exhibit at
PSC in October, too.
Where in the World are You?
The search is on for missing
alumni. If you can provide a
current home address for any
of the people listed here, we
will be grateful—and so will
they, especially when they start
receiving the Stater again.
Send information about missing
alumni to Krystal Nolte at knolte@
peru.edu, call her at 402-872-2395,
or mail your information to the
PSC Foundation, PO Box 10, Peru,
NE 68421-0010.
Class of 1949
Bryce Adkins
Neva Zook Buchenau
Ralph Clevenger
Wesley Cornwell
Charlotte Rankin Cowden
Helen Rowell Doll
Betty Johanns Downey
Mable Gawart Elya
Jim Engh
Donna Gerdes
Anita Traub Glaze
Loren Gore
Annette Hawley
Frances Dougherty Highfield
Lela Edmonds Hron
Esther Meints Huls
Gloria Wright Jacobson
Jean Jurgens
Phyllis Langston
Mildred Lotter
Martin Nelms
Betty Hennings Noell
Lawrence Pientka
Donita Robinson
Janice Watton Rose
Beverly Edmisten Roush
Harry Sokolsky
Lavae Urbauer Wight
Thomas Womack
9
Amber Stevens Watson:
No challenge too great
Continued from p. 8
Heather Christiansen (’09), of Peru,
is a special education teacher for
Auburn Public School in Auburn.
Sara Smith (’09), of David City, is
now a K-5 Vocal Music Teacher at
Howard Elementary in the Grand
Island Public School District.
Friends
Fred Aubuchon (former volleyball
coach) was named head volleyball
coach at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Amber Stevens Watson and family
By Kristi Nies
For Amber (Stevens) Watson, 2003
was a definitive year in her life.
In May 2003, she graduated from
Peru State College with a degree in
education.
In June 2003, she married Steve
Watson and became the stepmother
to his three daughters.
In mid-December 2003, she found
out she and Steve were pregnant.
On Dec. 28, 2003, she was paralyzed from the waist down in a car
accident.
“I don’t remember much about the
accident,” Amber said in a phone
interview from her home in Kearney,
Neb. Son Braden, now five, chattered
in the background, a healthy baby
born with no complications or medical issues.
“The truck [she was driving] went
into a ditch,” she recalled. “I couldn’t
get up, so I knew something was
wrong. I prayed somebody would
come by.”
A couple did come by the accident
scene, and Amber spent two weeks
in intensive care in a Kearney hospital. She then spent two months at
Madonna Rehabilitation Center in
Lincoln.
Two of her first visitors in Lincoln
were Janet and Chuck Hawley of
Peru. Janet is an office assistant in
Campus Services at PSC, and she and
her husband served as Amber’s Peru
Parents during her time on campus.
(Peru Parents was a program that
paired PSC students with college faculty, staff and community members
in mentoring relationships.)
Janet, a longtime PSC employee,
and Chuck had served as Host and
Hostess at Amber’s wedding to Steve,
and remain good friends.
“She was always very upbeat,” Janet
said of Amber’s attitude during her
time in rehabilitation.
Amber was worried about the
eyeglasses she had lost during the
accident, so Chuck and Janet went to
the site of the accident. They found,
broken and scratched, Amber’s
glasses.
For Amber, 2007 was another definitive year in her life.
She was crowned Miss Wheelchair
Nebraska, and spent the year traveling, speaking and advocating for the
rights of those in wheelchairs.
“It was a pretty awesome year,”
Amber, a native of North Platte, said
of her year with the title. She is
now treasurer of the Miss Nebraska
Wheelchair Board, and 2009 has been
just as busy.
Thanks to a grant from the Christo-
pher Reeve Foundation, Amber spent
most of this year again traveling the
state. In the fall, she hosted a workshop in Omaha that focused on selfdefense for those with disabilities.
She also volunteers at schools, to
help children understand those who
may be differently abled and how to
view someone in a wheelchair.
“Look at [someone] not as a wheelchair, but as a person,” she said.
Physical activity has always been
very important to Amber – she came
to PSC with a scholarship to play
basketball, although she did not play
for the Bobcats. She now plays sled
hockey, which is just as the name implies – she transfers from her wheelchair to a sled with skate runners on
it, and uses the hockey stick to move
around the rink and shuttle the puck.
She’s played sled hockey in Omaha
and Chicago.
In addition to being a powerful
spokesperson for a greater understanding of those with disabilities,
Amber has another full-time job:
Braden’s mom. That means leading
pre-school field trips, organizing
birthday parties and answering the
inevitable question from Braden’s
school mates: Why is your mom in a
wheelchair?
“I tell them I was in a car accident,”
she said. “The kids usually want to
touch the tires on the wheelchair and
ask if they can push me. Then they’re
done and they move on.”
Their curiosity satisfied, Amber
goes back to being just Braden’s mom.
For Amber, 2010 will be yet another
definitive year in her life.
In January, Amber and Steve are
expecting their second child.
William Coulter (former staff), of
Auburn, presented an art exhibit
entitled, “William Coulter: Natural
Observations” at the Schoolhouse
Art Gallery & Nature Center in
Brownville. William’s exhibit
featured paintings and drawings
dating from 1967 to 2009 and focused
on still-lifes.
Aaron Evans (former men’s basketball
assistant coach, 2008), was named
Assistant Coach of the ABA North
Texas Fresh, a new Fort Worth-based
expansion basketball team.
Bohlken Regales
Dr. Robert Bohlken (’59)
returned to the Campus of A
Thousand Oaks last spring to
speak to students as part of
the PSC Creative Writers Series.
Bohlken, who taught at Peru
State from 1964-1970 and is
now retired from Northwest
Missouri State University, has
authored five children’s books.
Bohlken made presentations to
English and education classes,
and visited with colleagues from
his days on the Peru faculty
during his visit to the Campus of
A Thousand Oaks.
10
What have you been up to?
We know how much our readers care about each other and that the
first place you turn to in the Stater is Class Notes to read about your
friends. You can help make this section more interesting by sending us your own Class Note. Share with us your new job, marriage,
children, anniversary, retirement; anything you want, we would LOVE
to hear about it!
Please complete the form below and send it to:
PO Box 10
Peru, NE 68421-0010
You may also email your information to PSCFoundation@peru.edu
Your Name:________________________________________________
Class Year:________________________________________________
Maiden Name:_____________________________________________
Spouse’s Name:____________________________________________
Spouse’s Class Year:________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
Home Phone:______________________________________________
Dr. Hanson
Continued from p. 4
having as he puts it “the time to plan
properly.”
Because he’s still in the fact-finding
and learning phase, Hanson isn’t
ready to proclaim a specific agenda
or major new initiatives quite yet.
However, he does have a sense of
some of the issues he will address
early on.
Developing a strategic plan;
helping PSC prepare for its 2011
accreditation visit from North
Central; helping to market and “get
the word out about this wonderful
school” to an even wider audience,
emphasizing PSC’s groundbreaking
new “one rate-any state” tuition
program (see related story); and
getting more alumni, especially
younger ones, involved in PSC are
among his aims.
And while PSC is on solid ground
financially, Hanson knows state
funding will continue to be an issue
in the future. Fundraising will be
critical if the college is to maintain its
great momentum.
While campus facilities in general
are in superb condition, some
facilities continue to be in need of
attention. Hanson cited the residence
halls and Oak Bowl as examples
of “key pieces” still in need of
renovations.
“This will be a college working
together to resolve its challenges.
Our people – students, faculty, staff,
alumni and friends – all value
student success,” Hanson said.
Long term, Hanson would like
to see Peru State College become “a
national model for serving students
at an open enrollment institution,” he
said. I want us to set the standard
for doing the best job of anyone in
supporting the students who attend
Peru State College.”
Email:____________________________________________________
Your News:_ _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
The search is on for missing alumni. If you can provide a current home
address for any of the people listed here, we will be grateful—and so will
they, especially when they start receiving the Stater again.
Send information about missing alumni to Krystal Nolte at knolte@
peru.edu, call her at 402-872-2395, or mail your information to the PSC
Foundation, PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421-0010.
Class of 1959
Arval Bohn
Keith Boyer
Charles Brown
Janet Casey
Esther Cole
Gerald Dollen
William Duffy
Charles Fritch
Karen Remmers Gerdes
Diana Gibson
Donald Gray
Patricia Haith Whiddon
Agnes Hakel
William Hervey
Nancy Hohnroth
Elsie Hullis
Julia Kettman
William Moore
Ronald Noltensmeyer
Susan Schneider O’Harra
Alice Phillips
May Reynolds
Lavelle Schmidt
Anna Schreiner
Dorothy Shallenberger
Alma Shorb
Georgianna Quinn Udell
Kenneth Walker
Jerry Whitney
Olive Wiig
11
Veteran faculty Thomas, Lundak retire
By Laura Osborne (’93)
The fall semester of 2009 at PSC
brought about several changes in
personnel as retirements and phased
retirements occur amongst long-time
staff and faculty members.
Dr. Jim Thomas, Professor of Business, who has served as Assistant to
the President for Economic Development, Dean of Continuing Education
and Chair of the Business Division,
is taking phased retirement over the
next three years. His teaching load
will be reduced during that time.
Thomas has been at PSC since
1985, making this year his 25th with
the college. During that time, he has
seen a lot of changes occur. “I think
the most important difference is that
the college is more stable than ever
since I’ve been there,” Dr. Thomas
says. “Enrollments are now approaching the same level as Chadron
State’s.
“In the last seven to eight years,
there’s been an incredible amount of
research being done in biology, business, criminal justice, especially in
the past five years,” he says. “There
are several people at the college who
are doing good, positive things. The
administration is recognizing these
good things which is leading to an
emphasis on faculty research.”
In addition to teaching classes
at PSC, Dr. Thomas has long been
known for his work on retail theft
prevention. He consults with grocery
stores and Nebraska’s Retail Grocers
Association to help prevent theft in
their stores. He has conducted seminars on the subject across the country.
Dr. Thomas, fond memories in-
Dr. Jim Thomas
clude watching the basketball team
sit down at their computers,” he said.
make it to the NAIA final four in the “I think they open up to instructors
early ‘90’s, seeing the football team
online in a way they might not othwin the 1990 national championship,
erwise do in class, and you are told
and watching fellow faculty members things online that you would never
Ken Anderson and Dan Holtz both
be told in class in front of people,
win on national game shows.
including painful stories from their
The business professor notes that
past. These students are resilient in
PSC’s size is inequitable in relation to
overcoming that pain, and sometimes
the funding it receives, making dona- as an instructor you can help them
tions from alums crucial. “We owe
through that process.”
thanks to our alumni. Without them,
Introductory Psychology has
we wouldn’t be where we are today.
always been Lundak’s favorite course
They are dearly loved!”
to teach. “For some students, it is the
As he looks ahead to retirement,
class that just sparked an interest,” he
Dr. Thomas plans to play bridge, be
says. “I enjoyed including my Elvis
an active gardener and learn more
impersonation in that class.
about ethnic cooking – Romanian
“One of the most rewarding things
cooking in particular (an interest he
about my years at PSC is the growth
developed from time spent with his
of the psychology major,” he said.
Dr. Joel Lundak
grandmother while growing up in
“When I began, the upper divisional
program is now one of the strongest
Detroit).
classes were offered every other
at PSC.”
Another professor taking phased
year and were mainly utilized as an
As Dr. Lundak looks ahead, he
retirement is Dr. Joel Lundak, Profesendorsement for education majors.
sees
a positive future for the college.
sor of Psychology since 1989. Over
It has grown into its own major
“Peru
State’s future is secure because
the past 20 years, Dr. Lundak has also through the years.”
of
the
investment that has been made
served as Interim Dean of Education
Dr. Lundak notes the physical camin
the
building and grounds, and I
and one year as Dean in Arts and
pus has changed since 1989 as well.
think
partly
because of its (affordSciences.
“The reconstruction and remodeling
able)
cost.
That
positions PSC to do
Like Dr. Thomas, Dr. Lundak has
of several of the college’s buildings
well
in
times
of
economic
downturn.
noted many changes to the college
has been significant,” he says. “It has
PSC
also
has
a
loyal
alumni
base who
during his years at PSC.
enhanced the physical beauty of the
are
broadly
supportive
of
the
college.”
“In the 80’s, there was a concern
campus which makes you much more
Retirement
will
be
busy
for
Dr.
for having distance education using
proud to take prospective students
Lundak.
While
taking
a
decreased
the fiber optics network which had
on tours.”
workload at PSC for the next three
limited success,” Lundak says. “But
Some of Dr. Lundak’s favorite
years,
he is considering doing adjunct
it facilitated the education of more
memories include a three-year colteaching
on a limited basis after that.
students than just those who could
laboration with the Nebraska DepartHe
says
he
will enjoy having more
drive to the campus. It led to the
ment of Corrections made possible
time
to
spend
with his wife, Helen,
development of online courses we
through a Department of Education
and
more
time
for flower and vegnow have.
grant in the mid-1990’s. The program
etable
gardening.
“I really like the online classes. The took PSC students into the prison
“I am proud that three of my chilstudents are very focused when they
system as mentors and tutors.
dren
are Peru State grads, and all are
“In three and a half years,” Lundak
successful,”
he says. “They feel good
says, “we worked with over 1,000
about
the
education
they received.
prisoners of both genders resulting in
Through
that,
I
have
gained experia 58 percent reduction in incidents inence
not
only
as
a
faculty
member at
volving violence while in prison. We
the
college,
but
also
as
a
Peru
State
studied the first 125 prisoners who
parent!”
participated in the program. One
Lundak notes that during retireyear after completing their term of inment,
he will probably do some
carceration, there was no recidivism.
traveling
while also continuing work
“For that project, we won an award
as
a
bi-vocational
Episcopal priest by
for “Best Correctional Practices” from
leading
Bible
studies
and providing
the American Correctional Associapulpit
supply
to
various
denomination,” he recalled. “The project also
tions.
No
matter
what
encompasses
led to our demonstrating the interhis time, however, Lundak says his
est our students had in a criminal
interest
in PSC will always continue.
justice program at the college. That
12
1
2
3
Celebrating Sherwood
Family and friends. Former students and PSC classmates. Retired
colleagues and current faculty and staff. Just plain fans.
The one thing all of these groups had in common: Dr. Leland Sherwood (’57),
emeritus professor of art, who was honored at an event called the Sherwood
Celebration, held this past April on the PSC campus.
Conceived by PSC art professor Ken Anderson and organized by Anderson,
former Sherwood student and colleague Paul Fell (’67) and others, the
Celebration drew over 100 Sherwood fans to the PSC campus.
An auction of works by the renowned watercolorist raised over $14,000
to endow scholarships to PSC art students through the Peru State College
Foundation. The scholarships will bear the names of Dr. Sherwood and his wife,
the former Karlene Dougherty (’65).
Sherwood served on the PSC faculty from 1963 through 1993 and has
continued to serve his alma mater in a variety of ways ever since.
The Sherwood Celebration was a special night honoring a special person.
1) Dr. Sherwood and his daughter Jeanne Helms
2) Karlene Sherwood and Clay Kennedy (‘45)
3) PSC art students Logan Merz (‘10), Sam Griess (‘10) and Kellen Sailors
(‘10) receive advice from Dr. Sherwood
4) Dr. Sherwood, SaraBeth Donovan (‘85) and Karlene Sherwood
5) Kent and Becki Propst, Nebraska State College System chancellor, Stan
Carpenter, Dr. Sherwood’s daughter Joni Schmidt
4
5
13
Nor-Cal alumni
Keep it together
An intrepid band of Northern California Alumni continue to wave the
blue and white flag each spring, and
hopes are that others in the region
will join the group in 2010.
Under the continuing guidance
of Bob “Red” Wilson (‘51) and his
wife Darline, and assisted by Merry
Holliday-Hanson (‘91) and her husband Mike, the ’09 NorCal Reunion
took place on a Saturday in late April
at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield.
Old friends of all ages came together to watch video greetings from
Nebraska state college Chancellor
Stan Carpenter, and to hear from new
PSC Foundation director Kent Propst
(’81).
Raffle prizes were drawn throughout the lunch and meeting, and few if
any went home empty-handed.
The 2010 Reunion has been set
for Saturday, April 24, once again at
Travis/Fairfield. It is important to the
future of the chapter that any PSC
alumni or friends living in Northern
California make a special effort to
attend this event. New PSC President
Dr. Dan Hanson is tentatively scheduled to attend.
50-Year reunion
Honors Class of ‘60
The annual 50-year alumni reunion is moving into the ‘60s.
PSC’s “May Reunion,” which celebrates the 50-year class, has been set
for Wednesday and Thursday, May
26-27, 2010.
This year the Class of 1960 will be
honored. Invited to join the celebration will be members of the Class of
’59 and the Class of ’61.
A decision to move the Reunion
away from PSC Commencement
weekend was made after members of
the Class of ’60 favored such a move
in a poll conducted earlier this year.
All prior May Reunions had been
held at Commencement time.
Invitations will be mailed next
spring, but in the meantime, members of the Class of ’60 and their
friends should mark the date on their
calendars, and contact classmates and
encourage them to join the celebration.
For more information contact Krystal Nolte, 402-872-2395; or knolte@
peru.edu.
Alumni tour features Nebraska
History, literature; June 2010
Dan (‘95) and Jennifer (Baldwin, ‘96) Hamilton (left) and Cody (M
‘04) and Melissa (M ‘04) Hawley
By Kristi Nies
How’s this for a summer vacation
plan: no driving, good food, pleasant company, learned and engaging
tour guides, all reservations and
accommodation plans made for you,
with lessons in Nebraska history and
literature along the way?
That’s the plan for the 2010 edition
of Peru State College’s popular Trails
and Tales program. The theme for the
June 21-26 chartered bus excursion
across Nebraska is “A Journey Into
Nebraska’s Past,” and this year PSC
alumni are being given first chance
at the limited number of spots on the
tour.
Organized and hosted by Dr. Sara
Crook, professor of history, and Dr.
Dan Holtz, professor of English, the
trip is open to PSC students, alumni
and those interested in visiting historic sites such as the Mormon Winter
Quarters, Ft. Hartsuff, Ft. Robinson
and Chimney Rock.
Those with a taste for the literary
side of the Cornhusker State will find
much of interest as well, including
planned stops at the John G. Neihardt
Center, the Mari Sandoz Center and
the Willa Cather Home.
Reservations for the trip will available until Feb. 28, 2010, exclusively for
PSC alumni and their friends. After
that date, reservations will be open to
all. Undergraduate or graduate credit
hours in either history or English can
be arranged. The maximum number
of seats available is 48.
The cost of the trip – which includes the chartered bus, meals, accommodations and all entry fees for
the various sites – is $740 for double
occupancy and $875 for single occupancy. A $50 deposit is required,
fully refundable if cancelled by Feb.
28.
Former Peru State Professor of
Business Bob Lewellen calls the price
for the trip “very reasonable.” He
was on board for the 2008 trip, which
focused on the Plain Indians.
“It is both fun and educational for
those interested in life-long learning,”
Mr. Lewellen said.
Class of 1990 PSC grad Kim Vrtiska,
who earned his Master’s Degree from
PSC in 2004, also participated in the
2008 Trails and Tales trip.
“I was not disappointed as the trip
was very educational and I had a
blast at the same time,” he said. “But
most of all it is the meeting of people
across the trip, and the food.”
Gera Powers Stillwell (class of ’55)
enjoyed the Trails and Tales experience so much she went twice. Her
first experience was in 1996, and she
was also on the 2008 trip.
“This is a week of really good company and like-minded learners,” she
said.
And while planning for each Trails
and Tales trip begins over a year in
advance, Dr. Crook and Dr. Holtz
share the participant’s enthusiasm for
the out-of-classroom learning experience.
“We will certainly enjoy this opportunity to interact with PSC’s
alumni,” Dr. Crook said. “Since some
of those may, in fact, be our own former students, it will be particularly
special. However, we also expect to
have some alumni that predate our
tenure at PSC and we look forward to
developing special relationships with
them as well.”
For both Dr. Crook and Dr. Holtz,
the plan for the 2010 trip is a little of
back to the future.
“I particularly look forward to
this Trails and Tails tour because
it combines a number of highlights
from previous tours,” Dr. Holtz said.
“It features numerous stops related to
noted Nebraska writers. Additionally,
it focuses on the Overland Trails and
their contributions to the expansion
of the United States but also on the
way in which their development and
use impacted Plains Indians.”
Bobcat alumni interested in more
information on the 2010 “Trails and
Tales Tour: A Journey Into Nebraska’s
Past” or to reserve a spot should
contact Krystal Nolte, Alumni and
Development Coordinator, Peru State
College Foundation, PO Box 10, Peru
NE. 68421-0010. Call 402-872-2395, or
e-mail her at knolte@peru.edu.
Trails & Tales 2010:
A Journey into Nebraska’s past
The itinerary for PSC’s 2010 Trails
and Tales Tour has many features and
highlights.
Day 1: Monday, June 21
Old Freighters’ Museum (Nebraska
City), author Bess Streeter Aldrich
Home (Elmwood), Mormon Winter Quarters (Omaha), and John G.
Neihardt Center (Bancroft).
Day 2: Tuesday, June 22
Genoa Indian School, Ft. Hartsuff.
Day 3: Wednesday, June 23
A ride through Mari Sandoz Country;
Fur Traders Museum (Chadron); Mari
Sandoz Center (Chadron); and a steak
cookout at Ft. Robinson.
Day 4: Thursday, June 24
Tour of Ft. Robinson; the Ft. Robinson
Museum; Buffalo Stew cookout; and a
play at Ft. Robinsons’ Post Playhouse.
Day 5: Friday, June 25
Scottsbluff National Monument; Chiney
Rock; Ash Hollow/Battle of Blue Water;
Ole’s Big Game Bar (Paxton).
Day 6: Saturday, June 26
Salad luncheon in Red Cloud; tour of
Willa Cather home (Red Cloud); Rock
Creek Station (near Fairbury); an Ice
Cream Social; tour concludes in Peru.
Itinerary subject to change. For a complete itinerary contact Krystal Nolte at
the PSC Foundation (see main article
for contact information).
14
New Personnel in Key Positions
In addition to new President Dr.
Dan Hanson, five individuals have
been appointed to key roles at Peru
State College in recent months.
Bruce Batterson is vice president
for administration and finance. Batterson has been on the PSC business
faculty since 1999 and served as dean
of the PSC School of Professional
Studies since 2007.
He also served as PSC’s pre-law advisor, faculty advisor to the Student
Senate and faculty advisor to the Phi
Beta Lambda honor society. Batterson
received the PSC Teaching Excellence
Award in 2006.
Prior to his career at PSC, Batterson practiced law in Minneapolis,
Minn., for 16 years. Batterson graduated from Ripon (WI.) College and
went on to earn a law degree from
the University of Minnesota and an
MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Micheala Willis is now vice president for enrollment management and
student affairs. She has been the director of admissions and recruitment
at PSC since 2005 and joined the staff
in 2000 as an admissions counselor.
Willis graduated from Doane College with a bachelor’s degree in 2000
and a master’s in management in
2004. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Nebraska
– Lincoln.
Dr. Jeff Ehrlich will serve as Dean
of PSC’s School of Professional Studies. Ehrlich had served as director
of assessment at Midland Lutheran
College in Midland since 2007 and
was previously vice president of
institutional research and assessment
at Clarkson College in Omaha.
Ehrlich earned a bachelor’s degree
in human resource management
from Friends University in 1987 and
an MBA in 1997. His doctorate is in
healthcare education and leadership
from the College of Saint Mary in
Omaha in 2008.
Dr. Eugene (Gene) Beardslee is the
new Director of Computer Services.
Beardslee joins PSC after working for
Science Applications International
Corporation (SAIC, Inc.) since 1992
as a program manager, senior information technology manager, senior
systems analyst, and systems analyst
and software engineer. Prior to that
Mavis Glenn found this article among the memoirs of her late
mother, Neoma Wisdom Eichenberger (‘63), and wanted to share
it with the teachers of today. It is taken from the Kansas Teachers’
Hall of Fame, Boot Hill, Dodge City, Kansas..
RULES FOR TEACHERS IN 1872
1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for
the day’s session.
Bruce Batterson
3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual
taste of the pupils.
4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining
time reading the Bible or other good books.
6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will
be dismissed.
7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of
his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he
will not become a burden on society.
Micheala Willis
he was a computer programmer and
software engineer for the U.S. Air
Force at Langley Air Force Base from
1983-1992.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in
computer science from New Mexico
State University, a master’s degree in
computer resources and information
systems management from Webster
University in St. Louis, and a doctorate of philosophy in industrial
engineering from the University of
Oklahoma.
Dr. Greg Galardi is Director of PreCollegiate Programming and Community Outreach. Galardi joined PSC
in 2004 as a criminal justice instructor, a role he will continue. A former
Marine and retired Papillion (Neb.)
police lieutenant, Galardi earned numerous commendations and awards
during his law enforcement career.
Galardi earned a bachelor’s degree
in business administration from
Bellevue College, a master’s degree
in human resource administration
from Central Michigan University, a
master’s degree in business administration from Northcentral University, and a doctorate in business
administration with a focus on justice
administration from Northcentral
University.
8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool
or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good
reason to suspect his worth, intentions, integrity and honesty.
9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault
for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per
week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.
Class of 1999
Kenneth Anderson
Lisa Cook
Terrence Easter
Leah Ebeling
Robert Endorf
Karen Gibson
Kyla Hansel
Christina Houser
Kristine Hughes
Lynn Jurgens
William Kellner
Scott Lacy
Lisa Parde
Mandy Spangler-Hulsebus Price
Blake Renner
Amy Riggins
Theresa Ethington Rotherham
Stacy Schelbitzki
Jacob Schmidt
Kevin Stewart
Jill Morin Ulibarri
Kellie Vallinch
Ralph Wiemer
Julie Malolepszy Zegers
Peru tuition, fees: then & now
While Peru State has always prided itself on giving great value
– a quality education at an affordable cost – things have changed a
bit. Evelyn Boseck Brown (’51) of Manhattan, Kan. sent us a recap
of her expenses to attend Peru from 1949-51; they are listed to the
right.
Today, on-campus undergraduate tuition at PSC is $122.50 per
credit hour – with the new “One Rate Any State” program, that
cost applies to students regardless of what state they come from.
Online undergraduate tuition is $180 per credit with no oncampus fees assessed; graduate online tuition runs $225 with no
on-campus fees.
A sample of some of today’s on-campus fees: health center, $20
per semester; publications, $1.25 per credit hour; student activities,
$3.50 per credit hour; and technology, $3.50 per credit hour.
Still a great value, a bit different from 60 years ago. Thanks
to Evelyn for sharing this information!
15
16
1950’s
Phil (’59) and Nadine (’59)
Fahrlander celebrated their 50th
Wedding Anniversary on July 26.
1980s
Charles Hummel (’82) married
Emily Webb Dec. 20, 2008. Charles
is employed at ESU 4. The couple
resides in Auburn.
1990s
Diane Motto (’98) married Roland
Merwin March 7 in DuBois. Diane is
a final year law student at University
of Nebraska - Lincoln and is
employed by Fankhauser, Nelson, &
Werts Law Firm. The couple resides
near Humboldt.
Mandy Volkmer (’98) and Jeff Busch
were united in marriage on Sep. 3,
2008, in the Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
Mandy is a pediatric counselor for
Healthy Kids Omaha. The couple
resides in Omaha, Neb.
2000s
Lyndsey Adams (’07) married Matt
Harms on June 6 in Lincoln. Lyndsey
graduated from Peru with a B.A.S.
in Business Management. She is
employed with Commonwealth
Electric Co. of Midwest-Lincoln.
Bonnie J. Baumgartner (’07) and
Jeffrey C. Radatz married Aug. 15
in Falls City. Bonnie is working as
Resource Specialist at Perot Systems
in Lincoln. The couple resides in
Lincoln, Neb.
Sara Blecha (’08) and Matt Helms
were married on Aug. 8 in Auburn.
Sara graduated from Peru with a
degree in Vocal Music Performance.
Matt is a senior at Peru, pursuing a
degree in Secondary Math Education.
Melissa Bando (’07) married Gregory
Rowh Oct. 4, 2008 in Nebraska City.
Melissa is a case manager at Pawnee
Mental Health Services. The couple
resides in Beloit, Kan.
Chris Crawford (’08) and Kelsey
Rowell were married April 24 in Las
Vegas, Nev. Chris graduated from
Peru with a Bachelor’s of Science
degree in Business Management.
Kelsey runs a day care.
Nichole Creek (’09) and Scott
Feldhausen married June 27 in
Wymore, Kan. Nichole graduated
with a Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Special Education and
Preschool Disabilities degree.
Bryan Diekman (’08) and Heather
(Hurst ’08) were married on June 27
in Glenwood, Iowa.
Taylor (’09) and Crystal Ellis (’07)
Dunekacke were married May 30
in Humboldt. Taylor is a sixth grade
and special education elementary
teacher and Crystal is employed as an
Admissions Representative at Peru
State College. The couple resides in
Humboldt.
Tom Dunekacke (’06) and Jari
Wehmeier (’07) have announced
their engagement. The wedding
is scheduled for April 24, 2010 in
Nebraska City. They currently reside
in Johnson.
Tifanie Morgan (’07) and Heath Vogt
were united in marriage on June
6 in Grand Island. Tifanie earned
a B.A. in business administration
management while at Peru. Heath is
a firefighter with the Elmwood Fire
Department.
Ashley Oestmann (’09) and Nicholas
Emerson were married July 11 in
Syracuse. Ashley earned a Bachelor
of Science degree in Psychology.
Dr. Dan Holtz placed second in the adult division of the 2009 Bess
Streeter Aldrich Foundation’s Short Story contest.
His story, titled “Why’d the Chicken Cross the Road,” is drawn in part
from memories of his early teenage years in Ord, Neb. Holtz accepted the
award at the annual spring banquet of the Aldrich Foundation on April 18
in Elmwood, Neb.
The PSC Student Senate recently named English Professor Dr. Bill
Clemente as the 2008-2009 recipient of the Barb Lewellen Award.
The Barb Lewellen Award is designed to honor an outstanding faculty,
staff member, or administrator who has distinguished him/herself through
the betterment of students and student life at PSC. All part or full-time
faculty, staff and administrators are eligible for the honor.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Greg Galardi has been
reappointed associate editor of the Lambda Alpha Epsilon Journal of the
American Criminal Justice Association for 2009-2010.
Lambda Alpha Epsilon, an association of faculty and students involved
in the study of criminal justice with a primary focus on law enforcement,
produces the Journal. There are 141 Lambda Alpha Epsilon chapters and
more than 2,900 members at universities and colleges throughout the
United States.
Two PSC professors have recognized by the United States Association of
Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) during the 2009 National
Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
Dr. Mary Goebel-Lundholm and Dr. Greg Galardi, faculty in the
School of Professional Studies, were honored for providing outstanding
service in reviewing, evaluating and providing scholarly insights for
authors who submitted papers and presentations at the 2009 USASBE
conference.
Three PSC students placed nationally at the Phi Beta Lambda National
Leadership Conference in June in Anaheim CA. Jennifer Epting placed
third in Job Interview and sixth in Future Business Executive. Amanda
Knickman and Mallory Lempka teamed up to place eighth in Business
Ethics.
Overall, Nebraska PBL had its best year ever with 48 top ten places and
should be in the top three of the 30+ states represented in Anaheim. Ted
Harsbharger (’77) is the Nebraska State PBL Advisor, and Sheri Grotrian
(’02) advises the PSC chapter.
Rena Pugh (’05) and Darin Holben
were married on Oct. 3 in Nemaha.
Andy (’06) and Sherri Harrington
(’05) DeLong were married June 14
in Lincoln. Andy is employed with
Time Warner Cable and Sherri is an
instructor at Sylvan Learning Center.
The couple resides in Lincoln.
Michael Vogt (’01) married Jennifer
Meadows on Oct. 10. Michael works
as a new client consultant at TD
Ameritrade in Omaha.
Savannah Wenzl (’09) and Peter Kok
were married July 11 in Steinauer.
Savannah is currently employed in
the Distance Education Program at
Continued on p. 17
Class of 1979
Ross Baker
Anita Cole
Lisa Lloyd Guerra
Julie Hartman
Sue Higgins
Francis Howlett
Susan Dempster Howlett
Willie Johnson
Thomas Jones
J. Kent Knoll
Cynthia Smith Mahoney
Rick McCown
Patrice North
Tim Schaefer
17
Science professor Mike Barger
Earns state teaching honor
at the institution, have taught a minimum of 15 credit hours during the
previous academic year, and have an
active and positive record of service
to students as an academic, professional or personal advisor.
They must also have demonstrated
involvement in faculty development
programs, a superior level of teaching
effectiveness and a record of public
service
“Since joining the faculty of Peru
State College in 2001, Dr. Barger has
distinguished himself in his commitment and service to the institution,”
said Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the
Mike Barger
Nebraska State College System.
“From his research on stream and
Peru State College Associate Profes- landscape ecology and biology of the
sor of Biology Dr. Michael Barger was acanthocephalans to his work as dinamed the 2009 Teacher Excellence
rector of Peru State’s Honors Program,
Award Winner for the entire NebrasDr. Barger’s pursuit of excellence has
ka State College System.
never wavered,” Carpenter noted.
The honor came after Barger was
“He is a talented, dedicated, creative
named the campus Teacher Exceland inspiring teacher who has earned
lence Award winner last spring. The
the respect of students and faculty.”
award is given annually to one outBarger has published a number of
standing full-time faculty member at
scholarly works in peer-reviewed
each of the three state colleges, Peru,
publications and has been a presenter
Wayne and Chadron.
at several regional, national and
“It was a great honor to be selected
international meetings. He has also
for the PSC Teaching Excellence
served as a reviewer for nine acaAward, and a genuine surprise to be
demic journals, the National Science
awarded the NSCS award on top of
Foundation, and in leadership roles
that,” Barger said. “I am fortunate to
in a variety of scientific societies.
be surrounded by professors of the
Barger is responsible for having
highest caliber, people I admire, and
developed eight new courses at PSC
a constant supply of young, interestand for securing five research grants.
ing, and intelligent students.
Under his guidance and leadership,
“It doesn’t take much insight on my
several of Barger’s students have won
part to see that there are other faculty awards for their research presentaat PSC who genuinely deserve this
tions and have pursued graduate
award yearly, and it is gratifying and
study in the scientific field.
humbling to be considered part of
He also led the design and implethat company for even a brief time,”
mentation of the college’s new
he added. “Peru State College is a
Honors Program, including two new
great place to teach biology, and I alcourses. He is currently chair of the
ways look forward to a new year and
PSC Faculty Senate and past chair of
the students that come with it.”
the General Education Committee.
Award winners from each of the
An Arlington, Neb., native, Barger
colleges are then finalists for the Neearned his undergraduate degree in
braska State College System’s Teacher
biological sciences from the Uniof the Year Award. Barger was
versity of Nebraska - Lincoln and a
honored during PSC Commencement Master of Science degree in parasitolexercises in May.
ogy from the institution. He earned
Faculty eligible for the Teacher
his doctoral degree in ecology and
Excellence Award must have at least
parasitology in 2001 from Wake Forfour years’ consecutive employment
est University.
Continued from p. 16
Peru. Peter is pursuing a Bachelor’s in
Secondary Special Education at Peru.
Megan McVay (’08) married Jay
Beavers on May 9 in Beatrice. Megan
is pursuing a nursing degree from
Creighton University.
Katy Scheel (’04) and John Marshall
were married on Apr. 18, 2009, at the
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
Kandi Smith (’05) married Trevor
Bilslend on April 25 in Cook. Kandi
is employed with Fiserv. The couple
resides in Lincoln.
1990s
Jason (’95) and Kim (Fey) (’96)
Esser adopted Seren SuPing from
Chenzhou, China in March.
Angelia Rohwer Steiner (’90) and
husband Jason announced the arrival
of their son Jethro Arnold Steiner, on
June 12. He weighed 7 pounds 10
ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long.
Kory (‘98) and Carin (’00) Troutman
have announce the arrival of their
second child, Caden Scott. He was
born on Jan. 27.
Valerie (Vogel) Chmelka (’99) and
husband Jeff had a daughter, Delaney
Ann, on Jan. 31, 2008. Currently,
Valerie is a second grade teacher in
Grand Island, Neb.
1910s
Ruby Simpson (’13) died Apr. 1 at
Good Samaritan Assisted Living
Home in Auburn.
1930s
Elizabeth Shurtleff Snyder (’33) died
Jan. 25, 1993 in Seattle, Wash.
Marietta Goding (’34) of Hastings
passed away Dec. 21, 2008, at Mary
Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Andrew Mertens (’06) and Denise
Witt (’03) were married May 9 in
Lincoln, where the couple resides.
Friends
Carolyn Bredemeier and husband
Edgar celebrated their 50th Wedding
Anniversary on June 14. Carolyn is a
former PSC Foundation staff member.
Andrea J. Streit married David A.
Mezger in May. Andrea works in the
Student Records Office at PSC.
Lexie Turnbull married Jeff Baack on
June 20th in Hibbing, Min. Lexie is
Peru State’s head volleyball coach.
2000s
Justin Seeba (’01) and wife Heather
announced the arrival of their
daughter Claire Abigail. Weighing
6 pounds and 4 ounces, Claire was
born on Apr. 9 at Saint Elizabeth’s
Hospital in Lincoln, Neb.
Ryan Pugh (’02) and wife Amy
announced the arrival of Aubrey
June on June 25. Aubrey weighed in
at 7 pounds and 12 ounces.
Andrew Adams (‘05) and Carley
Carroll announced the arrival of their
son Lincoln Joseph Adams on July 18.
Chelsea Allgood (’08) and Justin
Keuten had a son, Jaxson Andrew
Keuten, on July 18. He weighed 7
pounds and 4 ounces.
Otto Henry Wellensiek (’34) of
Papillion died Sept. 8. He entered Air
Corp Cadet Flying Program of the
U.S. Army. After his discharge, he
and a friend bought a bank.
Bertha L. Howe (’36) of Tecumseh
died June 11. She was a teacher until
she retired in 1982, then became a
substitute for 15 years.
Elsie Jean Perry Ellington (’37) of
Garden City, Kan. Died Jan. 25.
Continued on p. 18
18
Nancy Hardy Hallstrom leaves a great legacy
Dr. Henry J. Kellogg (’37) of
Troutdale, Ore. Died Feb. 5. After
graduating from Peru, he became a
History and English teacher. In 1940
he entered the U.S. Navy, and then
went on to teach at the University of
Nebraska in Omaha.
Richard T. Sherman (’37) of Prairie
Village, Kan. died July 12. He worked
in various capacities in the airline
industries.
Geraldine S. Connolly (’38) of North
Las Vegas, Nev. died Feb. 6, 2008.
Wilma Loree Duey (’38) of
Plattsmouth died Aug. 24, 2008.
Jerome Snyder (’38) of Estes Park, Col.
died Apr. 22, 2008. He retired from
the public school system of Midland,
Texas. Jerome is survived by his wife
Doris Prichard Snyder (’38).
Dean Laverne Stuck (’38) of Auburn,
died Jan. 9.
Mary Solie (’39) of Brownville died
Mar. 21.
1940s
Ralston died May 22.
Irene Karas Le Seur (’44) of Pawnee
City died Aug. 15.
Ruth Ellen Triplett (’44) of Red Oak,
Iowa died Dec. 20, 2008. She was a
long time 4th grade teacher.
John C. Stuhr (’45) of Overland Park,
Kan. died Jan. 5, 2008. He is survived
by his wife Virginia Altaffer Stuhr
(’43).
Julius Anselm Johnson (’46) of
Cascade, ID. died May 27.
Donald Lienemann (’46) of Papillion
died Dec. 22, 2006. He served as a
navigator on a B-17 in the Army Air
Corps during World War II. Don
then spent 52 years as an agent for
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company. He is survived by his wife
Ruth Meister Lienemann (’47).
Shirley Eileen Haith (’47) of Omaha,
died Sept. 24, 2008.
Elizabeth Louise Walters (’47) of
Tecumseh died June 21.
Jack Brown (’40) of Van Nuys, Calif.
died Apr. 7.
Ralph A. Beatty (’48) of Lee’s Summit,
Mo. died June 27.
Winifred Hall Johnson (’40) of Las
Vegas, Nev. died Dec. 14, 2008. She
taught elementary school in several
states for over 30 years. Winifred is
survived by her husband W. Hubert
Johnson (’39).
Donna Mae (Gerdes) Volker (’49) of
Humboldt died July 11.
Virginia Dell Primrose (’40) of
Malvern, Iowa, died July 29. After
21 years of teaching, she retired but
continued substitute teaching.
Enid Stofferson Smith (’40) of
Rockwell City, Iowa died Jan. 6, 2007.
Eldon Leroy Clark (’41) of
Thonotosassa, Fla., died June 2.
Eldon was a former Boeing engineer
who aided in the launch of Apollo 8.
Dr. James F. Crawford (’41) of Atlanta,
Ga. died June 8.
Leonard Eugene Henning (’44) of
Rozellen Ballard Norstadt (’49) of
Fort Collins, Colo. died March 20,
2007. She is survived by her husband
Fred Norstadt (’50).
Orma Sailors Ramer (’49) of Falls
City died Sept. 30, 1999.
Robert Lee Sailors (’49) died June 5,
2003, in Houston, Texas.
Lois K. Smith (’49) of Auburn died
July 18.
1950s
Devan C. Hershey (’51) of Stratford
Iowa died on Apr. 1, 2008.
Raymond “Gene” Reichart (‘53), of
Valley Falls, Kan., died Friday, July 20,
Continued on p. 19
A very few people have the ability,
no matter what they touch, to make it
better. Nancy Hardy Hallstrom (’51)
was one of those special people.
Hallstrom passed away in April in
Omaha after a courageous battle with
cancer. She leaves behind husband
Jack (’50), five children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren,
and countless friends.
A native of Endicott, Neb., Nancy’s
roots in Peru go back to its very
beginning: she was a great-granddaugther of Peru State founder
Thomas Jefferson “T.J.” Majors. Thus
long before she ever became a student
at the college, she knew the Campus
of A Thousand Oaks well.
She and Jack met as students at
Peru, and were married for 58 years.
Throughout their life together, they
remained dedicated to the college
they both loved.
Nancy worked as a teachers assistant in Omaha for several years, and
later earned her licensed practical
nursing (LPN) degree and embarked
on a career in the nursing profession.
She was committed to health care the
rest of her life.
In addition to her family and her
profession, Nancy was extraordinarily involved in public and community
service activities. She and Jack were
known throughout the Omaha area
as tireless workers on behalf of noble
causes.
Perhaps her funeral notice said it
best: “Nancy’s kind words, her easy
laugh, and gentle grace will be dearly
missed by each of us who loved and
admired her.”
Memorial gifts can be directed to
the Peru State College Foundation,
PO Box 10, Peru, NE. 68421-0010.
All gifts will go to the PSC Omaha
Alumni Chapter, which Nancy and
Jack have supported for many, many
years.
address for any of the people listed here, we will be grateful—and so will they,
especially when they start receiving the Stater again.
Send information about missing alumni to Krystal Nolte at knolte@peru.edu,
call her at 402-872-2395, or mail your information to the PSC Foundation, PO
Box 10, Peru, NE 68421-0010.
Class of 1969
Gary Ahlin
Steven Anderson
Diane Bailey
Shirley Benson
Charlotte Overgaard Bonner
Steven Brodersen
James Brown
Marilyn Birdsley Buchheit
John Burch
Richard Carbone
Moo Choung
D. Maree Finchem
Ronald Fine
Charlotte Loving Garcia
Rafael Garcia
Mildred Hayes
Stewart Hitch
Cheryl Houseman Hoffman
Terry Hutchings
Daniel Koch
Larry Marcusson
Lynn Miller
Ronald Pendergraft
Virginia Thompson Ruge
Barbara Derrick Schoenrock
Gary Schoenrock
Sherry Schiesow Shaffer
Jimmie Shilts
Lawrence Shipman
Bill Smith
Pamela Brown Smith
Meron Solonkyha
Harold Vanarsdale
Thomas Vrabel
John Webster
George Woods
19
2007, at his home.
Mervil J. Miller (’54) of Ann Arbor,
Mich. Died Dec. 27, 2008.
Edward C. Bosworth (’56) of Ord,
died Mar. 13, 2008.
Remembering
the Good Times
Janet Vance Barlow (’77) doesn’t
hesitate when she hears the words,
“Peru State College.” A huge smile
brightens her face, her eyes twinkle,
and the dialogue begins.
A native of Omaha, Janet attended
Marian High School. She was recently
inducted into their Hall of Fame as a
member of the 1972 State Championship swim team. She didn’t have to
go far to find her niche at Peru State
College.
It is no surprise that her athletic
ability led to two years as a PSC cheerleader. She was a member of Phi Beta
Lambda business honorary, a chorus
girl in “No, No, Nannette,” and active
in the Catholic student group. Many
friendships from her days at Peru carry
on. Janet attended the PSC Hall of
Fame ceremony September 19 and enjoyed visiting with friends while taking
in Kevin “Bud” Frohling’s induction
into the Hall of Fame.
Janet’s fond memories of Peru
include the great business teachers
who really cared about each and every
student. The small town was, she said,
perfect for her.
In 1977 Janet finished her degree
in Business Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She joined
Mutual of Omaha from 1977 thru
1992, working her way to International
Marketing Specialist for Japan Operations. Traveling internationally during
these years was a highlight.
While attending graduate school at
Creighton University in International
Relations, she met her future husband
Bob; they married in 1991. They have
two children now in grades 6 and 7.
Edwin Pharaoh (’56) of Springfield
died May 18. He taught at Platteview
High School in Springfield for 27
years. Edwin is survived by his wife
Erma Cox Pharaoh (’55).
Dorothy Niday Trader (’56) of
Omaha died Feb. 9.
Janet Vance Barlow (’77)
In 1992, she began working at Oriental Trading Company part-time in
the fulfillment area (which she highly
recommends as a flexible job for
moms), and started a home based business “Little Angel Kitty Sitter Service”
for in-home pet care.
Her decision to include Peru State
College in her estate was, she said, “the
natural thing to do.” She has designated her gift toward scholarships so
others can experience PSC and have
the same opportunities that she was
offered.
It is Janet’s method of “Paying it
Forward.”
The 1867 Society is a planned giving
program which enables alumni and
friends of Peru State College to give
back to PSC by including it in their
estate plans. Planned gifts to the Peru
State College Foundation are a great
way to help the College maintain its
tradition of excellence for generations
to come. To become a member of the
1867 Society, simply include the PSC
Foundation in your estate plan, and
notify the Foundation of your actions.
For more information about planned
giving opportunities and the 1867
Society, contact:
Sandy Fisher
PO Box 10
Peru, NE. 68421-0010
402/872-2304
sfisher@peru.edu
Don L. Rist (’57) of Talent, Ore. died
May 20, 2008.
Mary E. Straw (’57) of Omaha died
Sept. 3. She was a school teacher
until 1979 when she retired.
Chet Henninger (’58) of Grapevine,
Texas died March 19.
1960s
Jerry L. Collier (’60) of Kansas City,
Kan. died May 1.
Weyman B. George (’60) of Macomb,
Ill. died Sept. 29, 2007.
Donald Dee Weeks (’60) of Fairbury,
died May 14, 2007.
Neoma Wisdom Eichenberger (’63)
of Sabetha, Kan. died April 7. She
taught at various country schools
in Nemaha County, Kan. and at
Fairview and Hiawatha schools until
her retirement in 1976.
Carol Sudik (’63) of Richfield, Minn.
died Feb. 4.
Conn. died April 19, 2007. He started
his banking career in 1972, which
led him to be Vice President of Sales
& Marketing for the Commercial
Banking Division of People’s Bank in
Bridgport, Conn. Michael is survived
by wife Lynn Rosso (‘71).
Stanley Reed Gottula (’73) of
Broken Bow died May 20. Stanley is
survived by his wife Shirley Gottula.
1980s
Kevin Recker (’89) of Omaha died
July 19, 2007 after a long battle with
cancer.
Friends of the College
James Blake (former faculty) of
Washington D.C. died April 25. He
was a history teacher at Peru State
before joining the Foreign Service
in 1947. James served as ambassador
to Iceland and as deputy assistant
secretary of state for African affairs.
Robert Breazile Jr. (former staff)
of Auburn died September 27. After
serving his country, Bob worded
at the American Meter Plant in
Nebraska City. Afterwards Bob
spent 26 years in the maintenance
department at Peru State College.
Robert is survived by his wife Debra
Breazile (PSC Staff).
Jack Reeves of Peru died fall 2009.
He was a Peru Prep school graduate.
Lou Saban (football coach ’91-’92)
died March 29 at Myrtle Beach, S.
C. He spent many years coaching
football for the NFL, AFL, and at
the college level. Lou was the first
president of the NY Yankees.
Anna Marie Albrecht (’67) of Falls
City died Aug. 29.
Robert Kelly (’69) of Lincoln died
March 27. He was a part of the
Nebraska National Guard and very
active with the Lincoln Dodgers
baseball organization. Robert is
survived by his wife Kathy Gregory
Kelly (’75).
1970s
Michael V. Rosso (‘71) of Shelton,
Check out the NAA online at
http://foundation.peru.edu
20
Academic
Resource Center
Renamed
History honorary
Turns 50
A campus honorary that celebrates
history has hit a milestone of its own
this year.
The PSC chapter of Phi Alpha
Theta national history honorary was
founded during the 1958-59 academic
year, under the sponsorship of the
late Dr. George Schottenhamel.
Bob Henry (’59) was the first
president of the chapter, with Charles
Frances (’60) its vice president and
Joan (Schneider ’59) Gabrielle secretary.
Today, Drs. Spencer Davis and Sara
Crook serve as faculty sponsors, with
current officers including Caroline
Keenan, president; Trevor Shalon,
vice president; Mike Swigert, secretary; Brad Florian, treasurer, and
Kayla Johnson, historian
Founded in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta
currently has over 350,000 members
in 860 local chapters.
Attention
Education alumni
PSC is changing the way credential files are managed for those who
earned an education degree. The
College is transitioning to a selfmanaged system in which the alum is
responsible for their own credential
file and materials. As of January 1,
2009, all PSC alumni credential files
that have not been accessed within
the last 10 years have been destroyed.
Access to PSC transcripts is still
available through Peru State College
Student Records office.
If you have a credential file currently under management by Credentials Services your file will be
maintained for a period of time not to
exceed five years after your graduation date, or the date when you
received your first education endorsement. At the five-year point or any
time before, you may elect to manage
your file yourself or utilize an online
service. Peru State College will cease
to process files on December 31, 2015.
For more information about PSC’s
credential file management system,
please visit Transition Services on
the Web at http://www.peru.edu/cats/
transition_services/credentials.htm or
contact Phyllis Dierking, CATS Center Office Assistant, at 402-872-2280.
PSC School of Education receives
Continued NCATE accreditation
Peru State College’s School of
Education has received continued
accreditation under the performanceoriented standards of the National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE), the organization
responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education.
The School of Education at PSC,
which has been accredited by NCATE
since the organization was found
in 1954, currently offers a wide array of programs that lead to teacher
certification, and a Masters program
in curriculum and instruction for
practicing teachers.
Dean of Education Dr. Jodi Kupper
said, “We are extremely pleased to
receive confirmation that the School
of Education continues to be fully
accredited by NCATE. We strongly
believe that our teacher education
candidates leave our programs wellqualified with the knowledge and
skills they need to meet the challenges and expectations of the teaching
profession.
“Having NCATE assess our programs and confirm these beliefs is a
welcome validation of what we do,”
Kupper said. “The faculty and staff
of the School of Education are very
proud of this accomplishment.”
NCATE-accredited schools must
meet rigorous standards set by the
profession and members of the
public. Teacher candidates must have
in-depth knowledge of the subject
matter they plan to teach as well as
the skills necessary to convey it so
that students learn. The college must
carefully assess this knowledge and
skill to determine that candidates
may graduate.
NCATE revises its standards every
five years to incorporate best practice
and research in order to ensure that
the standards reflect a consensus
about what is important in teacher
preparation today. In the past decade,
NCATE has moved from an accreditation system that focused on curriculum and what teacher candidates
were offered, to a data-driven performance-based system dedicated to
determining what candidates know
and are able to do.
Multiple types of performance
assessment are expected throughout
the program of study.
For more information about Peru
State College’s teacher education
programs, visit the School of Education’s Web site at http://www.peru.
edu/education/.
The ARC is now the CATS building
on the Campus of A Thousand Oaks.
Formerly the library, Peru State
College’s Academic Resource Center (ARC) opened its doors in 2004,
after library holdings were relocated
next door into what originally was a
chapel built in 1905, then the gymnasium.
The former library/ARC building was itself built in 1906, with the
second story added in 1911. Both of
these venerable facilities were remodeled in recent years into top-notch
learning facilities.
The ARC, which has provided tutoring, mentoring and other services
to help students achieve academic
goals, was renamed last spring. A
campuswide contest was held to
solicit possible names.
Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS) was chosen as
the new name for the building that
now provides even more extensive
resources to aid students in reaching
their full potential.
Currently, services provided in
the CATS include Career Services,
services assisting students with the
transition into and out of college,
graduate school preparation, Student
Success Services, academic advising, computer lab, peer tutoring and
supplemental instruction, mentoring
programs, workshops on various topics, ADA services, and probationary
advising.
Alumni also can benefit from the
CATS Career Services department
where they can search for jobs and
gets tips for networking.
Over the last few years, hundreds
of alumni and friends have supported the ARC’s mission through
the Friends of the ARC Society by
making financial contributions to
the program. The generosity of the
Friends of the ARC assisted the center in its ability to offer new services,
programming and technology to
students.
21
“ONE OF A KIND”
Peru’s basketball All-American, Omer Meeker
By Dr. Sharon Ocker, ‘56
Peru has been home to many, many
great athletes over the years – in
football, baseball, track and field, and
on and on. But one basketball player
sticks out above the rest – the only
one to be named All-American.
That was a young man with an
unlikely name – Omer Meeker from
Mitchell, about as far as you can get
from Peru and still be in Nebraska.
He was 6’2” and 180 pounds of dynamite.
How did he get here? Well, as he
tells the story, a cousin of his, Dean
Miller of North Platte, had decided
to play football for the Bobcats and
encouraged Omer to come, too.
It was a roundabout way to Peru.
“Meek” had lettered for three years at
Mitchell, but then went in the Army,
serving in a Military Police unit, and
playing hoops when he had free time.
He was on a select team in Austria
which traveled all over Europe. He
really honed his skills in that experience and came to Peru with lots of
ability and expertise.
Meek joined some really fine
players at Peru (men like Jack Hallstrom, Don Bornschegl, Bob Eilers,
just to name a few) and helped lead
them to three consecutive championships in the Nebraska College Con-
Omer Meeker
feraence (’48-’49, ‘49-’50, ’50-’51). He
made the all-conference team three
times and amassed 1653 points in his
career, which stood as the PSC school
record until Danny Shouse broke it in
1990 – almost 40 years later.
He had many great nights, but
the top performance was at Fremont
against Midland Lutheran. He was
just about unstoppable, tossing in 24
field goals and nine free throws for a
total of 57 points, still a Peru record.
At the end, when his teammates saw
that it was a “night of nights,” they
fed him even more and he responded
with precision. They appreciated
that, although he was a shooting star,
he was a good team player, too.
Meeker was a real perfectionist.
Every night at practice, he came early
and went through a regimen before
the regular workouts began that is
hard to believe. He would shoot a
hundred driving layups from the
right side of the basket, another hundred from the left hand side (with
the left hand, of course) and at least a
hundred from around the free throw
line with his patented sweet jump
shot off a fantastic foot fake.
Peru had a terrific fast break in
those days, and I never saw him miss
a setup on the fast break no matter
how fast he was going! I gave a number of motivational speeches over the years, and I
always mentioned Meeker’s
devotion to excellence along
with football All-American
Bob Lade’s fantastic football
practice habits, where he
always gave 100% no matter
what.
Meek was also a perfectionist with the guitar,
which he learned from his
father. He could play that
machine so well, and he
would often host a bunch of
the guys in his room in Delzell Hall. He played – and
he sang – and we enjoyed
it so much. We learned to
describe how he played as a
“hot lick” – fast and furious.
One of his favorite songs
was called “Shine,” and if
he didn’t play it early on,
the boys would beg him
Newt Kyle, Omer Meeker and Jack McIntire at PSC Hall of Fame
induction in 1986.
to do it that night . Another favorite
of both he and us was “The Skeik of
Araby.” The music didn’t end there,
by the way. He played in his own
four- or five-piece dance band with
the guitar for 38 years in California,
where he has lived most of the time
since finishing at Peru in 1951.
After graduating with a teaching degree in biology in 1951, Omer
played one year for the AAU team
from the Allen-Bradley Company
of Milwaukee. In those days, many
large businesses had top notch basketball teams, including Peoria, IL,
Bartlesville, OK, and others. They
played great basketball and offered
opportunities to learn about the business world at the same time.
He also played several seasons
for the Santa Maria Dukes in that
California city before settling down
to teach biology and kinesiology and
coach in elementary, high school and
community college for 32 years. He
was very successful there, too, having
a number of championship teams.
His Orcutt, CA, elementary team
once won 84 of 89 games in a fouryear stretch. Not only could he play
great basketball, he could teach others to follow his lead.
Many honors came his way. He
was inducted into Peru’s Hall of Fame
in 1986 – the year the PSC Hall was
established - along with coaches
Newt Kyle and Jack McIntire. In 1960,
he was installed in the NAIA Hall of
Fame in Kansas City.
Meek is now retired and lives in
Bakersfield, CA. His family includes
two biological and three step-children.
An article about Meeker wouldn’t
be complete without a few stories.
Meek had a technique for loosening
his shooting hand. He would shake
the wrist and his fingers would flop
like crazy. Others tried to use this
little trick with some success, but
who can argue with his shooting skill.
Another thing was his foot feint.
When he caught the ball, he would
move his left foot so quickly and you
just about had to follow in that direction. In the meantime, he shot by you
and was gone for yet another basket.
Most players feint with the head and
with the ball, but he was the first one
that I ever saw who was so skilful
with the feet.
Here are the words to Sheik of
Araby:
“I’m the sheik of Araby, Your heart
belongs to me,
At night when you’re asleep, Into
your tent I will creep,
The stars that shine above, will
light our way to love,
You rule the world with me, I’m the
Sheik of Araby.”
[Each line was followed by a fourword phrase that made it even more
fun. Too bad we can’t print it here…]
Yes, Omer Meeker was one of
a kind. Peru has been richer for all
of these years because he decided to
cast his lot with the Bobcats. It was
a real pleasure to know him and to
watch him perform. Thanks for the
memories…
NOTE: Ocker is retired from
Morningside College and lives in
Sioux City, IA.
22
Baseball team posts
30-win campaign
The Bobcat baseball squad enjoyed
a highly successful 2009 campaign
under Coach Jason Cronin. PSC finished with a 30-22 record, including
14-10 in the tough Midlands Collegiate Athletics Conference, good for a
third place finish.
The ‘Cats advanced to within a win
of the MCAC championship game
before falling to Park University.
Cronin’s ’09 squad was young, and he
returns a solid core of talented and
experienced players. Coupled with a
strong recruiting class, optimism is
high for 2010.
“The exciting thing is the fact that
we return 23 players from last year,
including our entire pitching staff,”
Despite injuries, softball
Squad finishes strong;
Nine earn honors
Cronin said as he heads into his fifth
season. “There now exists in our
program a culture of success. Each
Injuries kept the PSC softball
student-athlete understands what we
squad from ever quite hitting its
are trying to accomplish.”
stride in 2008, but they were nonetheJunior outfielder James Dawson
less a force to be reckoned with under
was named an NAIA Daktronics
veteran Coach Mark Mathews. The
national scholar-athlete, requiring
‘Cats finished 19-24 including 7-7 in
at least a 3.50 GPA. Junior outfielder
MCAC play, finishing third in the
Ryan Baroudi and sophomore pitcher/
league.
first baseman Matt Martin were
Peru State was competitive all seanamed MCAC Gold Glove team
son long but lineup changes forced by
members.
injury never allowed them to get into
Baroudi, Martin, junior Clayton
a groove. They finished the season
Brigham, senior Gary Hall, senior
strong, winning six of their final nine.
Mark Houck, and junior pitcher Yimy
They also had an outstanding year in
Rodriguez all earned MCAC honorthe classroom (see related story).
able mention all-conference honors.
“We fought through all the injuries
and put ourselves in a position to
play for the chance to go to the national tournament,” Mathews noted.
“That says a lot about their character.
“We have several holes to fill, but
the newcomers bring some very good
talent to the table,” he added. “There
are several returning players that
have opportunity to step into their
own this year, too.
The competition has been very
intense this Fall and the excitement
for this team grows every day.”
Nine members of the team earned
post-season honors, including first
team picks Jen Siedlik (senior shortstop) and Kerra Brummer (junior
second base). Other MCAC picks
included seniors Brittany Fry (first
base) and Nicole Mercer (outfield),
juniors Alexis Trujillo (outfield) and
Natalie Zabel (pitcher), sophomore
Nicole Goodrich (pitcher), and freshmen Britanny Hoock (infield) and Liz
Matulka (catcher, outfielder).
Despite the loss of five seniors,
Mathews has high expectations for
the 2010 Bobcats.
Bobcat spikers reload,
Look to finish strong
Senior Yimy Rodriguez and the entire pitching staff from last season returns as
the Bobcats look with excitement toward the 2010 season. Rodriguez posted
seven wins, threw over 84 innings and struck out 73 batters, all in the PSC single-season top five stats. He started 14 games, tying him with former Bobcats
Scott Campau and Jim Lovely for a school record.
Women’s golf on course
The fledgling Bobcat golf squad,
which competes in both a spring and
a fall schedule, is working its way up
under Coach Maurtice Ivy.
While the spring team was comprised of a short squad, five reported
for fall practice. Juniors Kendra Kratz
and Avyn Vaden will be counted on
for leadership, with freshmen Katie
Potter, Jacey Stoner and Tencie Tonniges rounding out the roster.
"We want to be competitive at every
meet,” Ivy said. “Our team goal is
to score 360-400 every time we step
on the golf course which would put
us in the mix, and that is going to
require that every golfer on the team
do their part. I believe we are good
enough to make that happen.”
While the squad aims to lower its
score on the course, it has been scoring high in the classroom (see related
story).
A slow start saw the Bobcat volleyball squad drop five of its first seven contests, but the retooled squad was coming on strong as the season approached
its midpoint, charging out to a 4-1 mark in the Midlands Collegiate Athletics
Conference.
Fourth-year Coach Lexi Baack led the 2008 squad to a 19-11 mark and third
place finish in the MCAC. Several key players graduated from that group, and
while it took the early part of the season for newcomers to blend in with her
veterans, the ‘Cats look ready for the stretch run. (This article was written in
late September).
Kaitlin Morrow and Kelcie Haug are providing the senior leadership. The
roster is a good blend of size and talent, and a strong group of juniors and
sophomores indicates the Bobcat program will be a force to reckon with well
beyond this season.
‘Cats score big…In the classroom
Five Bobcat athletic programs from 2008-09 scored big points in the
most important contest of all: the contest to achieve excellence in the
classroom.
The five were named NAIA Scholar Teams for the past year. To be
considered for the honor, the team must carry a minimum 3.0 grade point
average for all varsity athletes.
The Bobcat women’s cross country team led the way with an overall
GPA of 3.69. Volleyball posted a 3.64, softball a 3.39, women’s basketball a
3.22, and women’s golf a 3.22.
23
Football squad Women’s hoop prospects
Bounces back bright in Ivy’s third year
Pardon PSC women’s basketball
A tough schedule and its own misfans
if they are excited about the
takes kept the Bobcat football team
2009-10
season.
on the wrong side of the won-loss colLast
year,
with no seniors on the
umn early in the season. But Coach
roster,
the
Bobcats
under Coach
Terry Clark’s Bobcats posted back-toMaurtice
Ivy
shook
off a slow start
back road wins to level its record at
early
in
the
season
to
play quality
3-3 at press time.
ball
down
the
stretch.
A 12-19 record
Early losses to two nationally rated
including
7-5
in
the
MCAC
was good
teams (Hastings, Sterling Kan.) and
for
third
place.
a win over another then-rated team
With so much experience back for
(Jamestown, N.D.) demonstrated the
the
‘Cats and some key new additions
strong schedule early. But mid-seato
blend
in, prospects for the season
son road wins against Tabor (Kan.)
are
strong.
and Lincoln (Mo.) University got PSC
“We are young and athletic and will
back on track.
be
fun to watch this year,” Ivy said.
“I am encouraged by the effort the
“This
will be Chapter II of the ‘NEW
first half of the season,” Clark said.
PERU’
we have high expectation for
“We played some very good teams
our
season.”
and competed very well against them.
Last year’s MCAC Freshman of
The remaining schedule should allow us to get back on track and have
some success.”
Defense has been the PSC strength
early, with an experienced group on
When Coach Troy Katen took over
that side of the ball. The offense has
the PSC basketball program in the
had its moments, but turnovers and
summer of 2008, he knew he had a
inconsistency behind a young line
rebuilding job ahead of him and that
has limited its success.
his first squad was going to take its
The Bobcats had one of their most
lumps.
productive recruiting seasons in
The Bobcat locker room looks very
some time and had well over 100 men different from last year, when PSC
on the roster for fall camp. Many
posted a 1-28 record. The faces are
of those young players have been
new and very, very young, and while
worked into the rotation, and the
prospects for the 2009-10 season are
future looks good for PSC football.
realistic – this is a work in progress –
Clark said that alumni referrals on
Katen likes what he sees.
potential football recruits are always
“We are building a great foundawelcome; contact him at 402/872tion this season that we can expand
2216 or tclark@peru.edu or Assistant
on in the future,” Katen said. “That
Coach Dick Ramsey (’78) at 402/872includes not only wins but the type
2205 or dramsey@peru.edu
of players we recruit, their character,
the Year, center Monique McDuffie,
turned in a first-team all-conference
season while averaging 10.6 points
and 10 rebounds per game. Forward
Courtney Janecek, also a freshman
and first-team all-conference choice,
led the squad with 11.5 points per
game, and posted 7.6 rebounds.
Avyn Vaden returns for her junior season after earning honorable
mention all-league accolades at the
guard position. She averaged 10.2
points and led the squad in assists
and steals.
Coach Ivy, now in her third season,
and her squad probably won’t sneak
up on anyone this year. If the team
plays up to its potential, it may not
need to.
Bobcat coach in
Omaha Hall of Fame
The Omaha Sports Hall of Fame
has inducted Bobcat women’s basketball and golf coach Maurtice Ivy into
its Class of 2009.
Ivy, entering her third season at
PSC, was a high school basketball
star at Omaha Central. She went on
to a standout playing career at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, leading the Cornhusker program to its
first NCAA tournament appearance.
She was named All-Big 8 three
times, Big 8 Player of the Year, the
Big 8 all-decade team, and Nebraska’s
All-Century team. She played five
years in the Women’s Basketball
Association, and is in the Nebraska
High School Hall of Fame, the Nebraska Black Sports Hall of Fame, and
the Omaha Public Schools Hall of
Fame.
Congratulations Coach Ivy!
Coach pledges no shortcuts on the road back to success
what’s expected of them as individuals and as a team.
“This season is going to be exciting.
We have a small group of returners
and a large group of newcomers and
a number of freshmen that have family ties to Peru State and that helps
them take some pride in our program,” he said.
Those family ties include freshmen Jacob Schaben of Defiance, Ia.,,
whose parents Bryce (’89) and Carrie (Menges ’90) both played hoops
at PSC; Connor Smith of Lincoln,
Neb., whose father Jeff ’83 played
and coached basketball at PSC and
whose mother and Robin (Nelson
’83) played volleyball; Grant Cole of
Auburn, whose father Steve attended
in ’77-’78 and mother Cindy graduated in ’82, and earned her masters at
PSC in ‘02; Marshall Joy of Humboldt,
Neb, whose father Mark attended in
1979-80; and Joe Santo of Falls City,
Neb., whose sisters Sara (’98) and
Rachel (’07) and brother Luke (’02) all
graduated and whose brother Adam
attended.
Top returning players include
seniors Steven Burks and Adam Blaylock and sophomore Mario Fuentes.
The plan is not to build a team, but
to reestablish a program. PSC looks
to take a significant step in that direction this season.
Cross country sets fast pace on the course, in classroom
Lora Weinman
Fifth-year women’s cross
country Coach Johann
Murray started fall with
nine runners on the squad,
including returning seniors
Kimberly Brown and Lindsay Dannelly.
The other seven are new
to Bobcat cross country,
but many are not new to
PSC: just two are freshmen.
Murray, himself a collegiate
standout in track and cross
country at Rowan University
in New Jersey, saw four seniors complete their eligibility last season.
That team was not only
experienced and gifted, it
excelled in the classroom
as well. Murray noted with
pride the team GPA was 3.69,
the best of any varsity sports
at PSC.
“Not only did the cross
country team have the best
GPA at Peru State College,
but it had the best GPA of
all cross country teams in
the United States,” Murray
pointed out. “The cross
country team has always
been very competitive in
academics, a tradition I hope
will continue.
“As far as running goes,
this year’s team has shown
statistically that it is as good
as some of the top teams at
PSC in the last eight years,
and it has the potential of
becoming the best,” he said.
Inside this Peru Stater you’ll find …
New President Hanson
Page 1
One Rate, Any State
Page 1
The Peru Stater
PSC Foundation
P.O. Box 10
Peru, NE 68421-0010
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
OMAHA, NE
PERMIT #36
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
On-campus Enrollment Growth Page 3
Next up for a renovation: Jindra Page 4
Bobcat Sports Page 21
… And much, much more
about people you know!
Visit Peru State College on the Web
at www.peru.edu for information
about Nebraska’s first college.
And, check out the Peru State
College Alumni Association &
Foundation Web site at
http://foundation.peru.edu for
more photos of campus and all the
latest alumni news and events.
The Library and CATS building on Peru State College campus.

New President Dan Hanson - Peru State College Foundation and

Transcription

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