Summer 2010 - Wayne State College

Transcription

Wayne State
College
Magazine for alumni and friends
Summer 2010
Wayne State
Graduation Rate
Receives National
Recognition
Published and funded by the Wayne State Foundation twice annually for alumni and friends of Wayne State College • Summer 2010 - No. 2
In This Issue
5
WSC Recognized
for Graduation Rate
14
7
3
4
6-7
8-9
10-11
12
President’s Message
Dr. Collings Farewell
Spring Commencement
Campus Notes
Centennial Reflections
Alumni Enjoy Scandinavia Trip
13
14-16
17
18-23
Students Spend Semester in Greece
Wildcat Athletics
Homecoming Schedule of Events
Alumni Notes
Omaha Golf Classic
Stan Lewis ‘75
Major William “Bill” Tallon ‘98
ON THE COVER: Kate Fitzgerald delivers the invocation at the Spring 2010 baccalaureate commencement ceremony.
Wayne State Magazine is
published semiannually for
alumni and friends of
Wayne State College.
The magazine is funded by
the Wayne State Foundation.
Comments and letters should
be mailed to:
Wayne State Foundation,
Wayne State College,
1111 Main Street,
Wayne, Nebraska 68787
2
Administration
Wayne State Foundation Staff
Editorial Staff
Dr. Richard Collings
President
Deb Lundahl - 402-375-7209
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Jay Collier
Director of College Relations
Dr. Robert McCue
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kevin Armstrong - 402-375-7534
Director of Planned Giving
Trudy Muir
Graphic Design Artist
Dr. Jeff Carstens
Vice President and Dean of Student Life
Brian Lentz - 402-375-7559
Accountant and Assistant Director
Phyllis Conner - 402-375-7543
Vice President for Development
and Executive Director
of the Wayne State Foundation
Angie Nordhues
Writer, Photographer
Carol Stephens - 402-375-7510
Foundation Office Assistant
Lois Brunnert
Media Assistant
Cathleen Hansen - 402-375-7526
Alumni Office Assistant
Jean Dale
Interim Vice President
for Administration and Finance
Lori Bebee
Office Assistant
President’s Message
Dr. Richard J. Collings
This will be my last president’s message for the Wayne State College
Magazine. I have accepted the presidency of Southwestern Community
College in Sylva, North Carolina. Marilyn and I have had six great years at
Wayne State College interacting with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and
friends of the college. We had no plans on leaving until an opportunity arose
that enabled us to go from one great college to another great college and to
be close to our children and grandchildren. We are looking forward to new
challenges, but we will miss the many friends we have made through our
association with Wayne State College.
When I began to think about being a college president, I wanted to go to
a medium-sized college that was serious about teaching and learning, serving its region, and maintaining a sense of community that
enabled the other two things to happen. I said I would rather be president at a first-rate teaching and learning college than a third-rate
research university. I found this environment at Wayne State College and did my best to support and enhance it. Faculty and staff
maintained their focus on students and “promoting a culture of student success.”
Faculty and administrators worked together to enhance international opportunities for our students in such countries as Greece,
Taiwan and Costa Rica. We have sent a steady stream of graduates to a variety of health professions at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center and to graduate programs in the sciences. Our teacher education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels
have recently renewed their national accreditation and continue their long history of excellence. Our programs in business, art and
design, and music are thriving and have also achieved national accreditations.
Wayne State has 80 majors and minors — enough to allow students to choose degrees that match their talents and interests. We
have worked together to increase our enrollment and to maintain the vitality of our undergraduate and graduate programs. WSC has
received national attention from such organizations as the American Enterprise Institute and the Southern Regional Education Board
for exemplary retention and graduation rates.
Despite tight budgets, with assistance from the state, student fees, and the Wayne State Foundation, we have maintained our
classrooms, laboratories, studios, residence halls, athletic facilities, and service buildings. Many of our students live on campus
and most of them attend classes on campus, so keeping our facilities in good shape is crucial to attracting and retaining students
and maintaining employee satisfaction. Your gifts to the Wayne State Foundation have been important in assisting the college with
renovating our science labs and athletic facilities, and with the creation of the campus commons. I hope you will be able to visit the
campus soon and see for yourself.
Our athletic teams continue to be strong competitors in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. We have excellent student
athletes, coaches, and facilities and we regularly contend for conference championships in a variety of sports. NCAA Division II
conferences have a good balance between athletics and academics and our student athletes have cumulative grade point averages that
are consistently close to a B average.
I am proud to have been a participant in celebrating WSC’s centennial year. Our Centennial Campaign and the creation of the
commemorative pictorial history of Wayne State’s first hundred years are accomplishments that will continue to have positive impacts
on WSC.
While I am proud of Wayne State’s progress in the past six years, it is important to remember that most of the work is done by the
faculty, administrators, staff and students of the college. In addition, I have had the good fortune to get to know several past presidents
of WSC; such as Lyle Seymour, Ed Elliot, Don Mash and Sheila Stearns. All presidents stand on the shoulders of their predecessors
and they have left a wonderful legacy for Wayne State College.
Ultimately, most of life is about community — about relationships with family, friends and co-workers. In a college environment
you must add students, alumni and friends of the college. Marilyn and I have been blessed with many opportunities to interact with the
Wayne State community and we are the better for it. Thank you for all you have done for us and for Wayne State College.
Wayne State Magazine
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The Legacy of Dr. Richard Collings
Farewell to Richard and
Marilyn Collings
By Phyllis Conner,
Vice President for Development and
Executive Director of the Wayne State Foundation
I
t has been an exceptional six years working with Richard and
Marilyn Collings. We have traveled together for personal visits
with alumni and friends, for alumni reunions and international
alumni trips. We have worked closely on planning and participating
in homecoming activities and the annual meeting of the Wayne State
Foundation. Whatever the occasion, they were friendly, engaged and
ready to share information about the progress of the college. Alumni
frequently share with me how much they like the Collings. Don ’71
and Diane ’71 Soukup, trustees of the Wayne State Foundation, said,
“Richard and Marilyn have become close personal friends even
staying in our home when they travel to Nevada for alumni visits.
They are gracious people who we will always count among our
friends.”
With the leadership of Dr. Collings, we launched the $20
million Centennial Campaign Remembering the Past ~ Investing
in the Future, the largest fund raising initiative in the history of the
Wayne State Foundation. The goal will be successfully reached by
the Centennial in September of this year. The impact of the campaign
on campus is visible with the development of The Commons in the
heart of campus, the renovation of Seymour Heritage Plaza and the
renovation of Carhart Science Building. And student scholarships
soared to more than $1 million in awards last year.
Dr. Collings was committed to making sure students received full
value for their investment in a Wayne State education. The Omaha
World-Herald June 28, 2010, edition wrote in its editorial page,
“Collings has rightly encouraged Wayne State not to divert itself
needlessly toward trying to copy big, research-focused universities.
Instead, the school has properly fixed its sights on maximizing the
quality of instruction and boosting the value of campus life for
students.”
Becky’62 and Dick’62 Keidel, trustees of the foundation,
confirm those comments and stated, “Dr. Collings arrived with a clear
2007 Homecoming Parade
4
understanding of Wayne State’s mission to her
students and the region. He has kept the focus clearly on teaching
and learning. His solid connection with alumni has aided the
foundation in its campaign to provide additional support to Wayne
State College through scholarships and campus development. He and
his wife, Marilyn, will be greatly missed!”
While it is difficult to see them leave Wayne State College, we
understand their commitment to family and the desire to be close
to children and grandchildren who live in North Carolina. I know
the Wayne State Foundation staff and board of trustees join me in
thanking Richard and Marilyn for everything they have done for the
college. Mike Bousquet ’70, president of the foundation said, “I have
enjoyed working with Richard on the foundation board. It is my wish
that they stay connected and come back to visit.”
2008 Chicken Show Parade
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
Wayne State Recognized for Graduation Rate
“SREB researchers found that Wayne State achieves its graduation rate through
a culture of “friendliness,” “care,” “attentiveness” and “excellent cooperation
between academic, student services and other administrative units.”
Wayne State is known regionally for
the culture of student success that drives
the college’s outstanding student graduation
rate. Now that recognition has moved onto
the national stage. A recent report published
by the Southern Regional Education Board
(SREB) profiled Wayne State among 15
public colleges and universities from across
the nation, noting that WSC’s “success in
raising graduation rates may provide other
institutions with practices and strategies
that work to help more students succeed.”
These 15 public colleges and
universities are outperforming most
similar institutions in helping students
stay on track and graduate, a major new
report from SREB shows. The report,
Promoting a Culture of Student Success:
How Colleges and Universities Are
Improving Degree Completion, profiles six
public institutions in SREB states: Murray
State and Western Kentucky universities
in Kentucky, Delta State University in
Mississippi, North Carolina Central and
Elizabeth City State universities in North
Carolina, and Sam Houston State University
in Texas.
All of the institutions in Promoting
a Culture of Student Success outperform
similar colleges and universities by having
relatively high graduation rates compared
with similar institutions, based on criteria
developed by SREB. The report also outlines
common approaches and strategies that these
institutions are using to boost student success
for other institutions, university systems and
states to use.
Wayne State was approached by SREB
to participate in the study on the basis of
the college’s success in graduating students
despite many of WSC’s students coming
from disadvantaged economic backgrounds
and having low median SAT or ACT scores.
SREB researchers found that Wayne State
achieves its graduation rate through a culture
of “friendliness,” “care,” “attentiveness” and
“excellent cooperation between academic,
student services and other administrative
units.”
comparatively high percentage of students
from low-income families and students with
average-or-below scores on standardized
achievement tests. Yet their six-year
graduation rates are near the national average
for all students.
The study team used The Education
Trust’s College Results Online database
to select colleges and universities that met
these criteria in 2006: a six-year graduation
rate of at least 45 percent; a median SAT
score no higher than 1050 (ACT average of
approximately 25); a proportion of students
receiving Pell Grants of at least 25 percent;
and Carnegie Classification as a public
baccalaureate or master’s institution. At
the time of the 2006 report, Wayne State’s
graduation rate was 52 percent; median
SAT score was 990; and 38.9 percent of the
college’s students received Pell grants.
Using the study criteria, SREB selected
“These institutions are helping many
15
institutions
for this report: California
students complete college degrees who
State
University,
Long Beach and California
otherwise often do not graduate,” said
State
University,
Stanislaus; Western Illinois
Cheryl Blanco, an SREB vice president who
University;
Murray
State University and
co-wrote and researched the report with
Western
Kentucky
University;
Delta State
consultant Paul Bradley. “The strategies
University;
Northwest
Missouri
State
they’re using can be adopted by other
University;
Wayne
State
College;
Montclair
colleges and universities, and will guide
State
University
in
New
Jersey;
Queens
state policy decisions to improve degree
College, The City University of New York
completion across the nation,” she said.
and The College of Staten Island, The
Despite rising college enrollment,
City University of New York; Elizabeth
improvement in students’ timely completion
of bachelor’s degrees in the United States has City State University and North Carolina
stalled, according to the report. Less than one- Central University; Clarion University
of Pennsylvania; and Sam Houston State
third of degree-seeking, full-time freshmen
University in Texas.
in public four-year institutions graduate in
The Southern Regional Education Board,
four years. Most students who enter college
or
SREB,
based in Atlanta, was created in
as first-time, full-time freshmen take at least
1948
by
Southern
governors and legislatures
six years to earn a bachelor’s degree — and
to
help
leaders
in
education
and government
only 55 percent graduate in that time span.
work
cooperatively
to
advance
education
And research shows that students from
and
improve
the
social
and
economic
life
disadvantaged economic backgrounds or with
of
the
region.
SREB
has
16
member
states:
low SAT/ACT scores are even less likely
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida,
to complete bachelor’s degrees than their
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
classmates.
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
The institutions profiled in the SREB
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
report are helping more students complete
and West Virginia. More information is
their degrees while also providing a quality
available online at www.sreb.org.
education. These institutions often serve a
5
Campus Notes
Wayne State Honors Retiring
Faculty O’Leary and Taber
Dr. Jay O’Leary came to Wayne State College
44 years ago in 1966, specializing in music and,
specifically, woodwind instruments. He holds
bachelor of music education and doctor of musical
arts degrees from the University of Colorado. His
master of music degree is from Boston University.
He received the Wayne State Foundation
Teaching Excellence Award in 1970. Before
coming to Wayne, he served as Associate Principal
Clarinet and Soloist of the United States Army
Field Band of Washington, D.C., during which
time he played at the funeral of President John F.
Kennedy and the later inauguration of Lyndon B.
Johnson.
O’Leary was Fine Arts division head at
Wayne State for 20 years, and was the director of
the Wayne State Summer Music Camp. He was
Principal Oboe of the Sioux City Symphony for
40 years, and currently plays in the Sioux City
Municipal Band and Siouxland All-America Band.
Shuck Receives Alumni Achievement Award
George L. Shuck was presented the Alumni Achievement Award at the Spring 2010
baccalaureate commencement ceremony. He enrolled at Wayne State in the fall of 1973
in the business school and completed his studies at Wayne State in 1976, graduating
summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a
concentration in accounting and a minor in economics.
While at Wayne State, Shuck was vice president of the Student Senate and was
a member of the tennis team. After graduating from Wayne State, he attended the
University of Kansas, graduating with a master of science degree in accounting in 1977.
Shuck began his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. as a
staff accountant in the auditing division in the company’s Kansas City office in 1980.
While at Arthur Andersen, Shuck’s audit focus was on commercial business enterprises
primarily in the manufacturing and retail sectors.
Shuck changed his career path from public accounting to private industry in
1985. He became chief financial officer for a computer hardware and software retailer
in Kansas City. Another opportunity presented itself a year later and he became a
shareholder and president of a T.J. Cinnamons franchise in Memphis, Tenn. Shuck
temporarily relocated to Memphis and was actively involved in the entire business
operations of the franchise
After spending two years away from Kansas City, Shuck returned and joined
Ferrellgas, Inc., a national propane retailer in Liberty, Mo., as manager of financial
accounting and reporting. He was promoted to director of administration services
in 1992. In this position, George’s responsibilities included the tax, audit and
administrative services departments.
Shuck left Ferrellgas and became president and sole stockholder of a custom
metal fabricating company in Kansas City in 1995. He sold the business in 2004 after
receiving an offer from a local strategic competitor. Shuck assumed the position of vice
president and chief financial officer of Clearwater Natural Resources in 2005 where he
continues his employment today. Clearwater was founded in 2005 as a private MLP to
acquire coal mining businesses in eastern Kentucky.
George and his wife, Deb, make their home in Kansas City, Mo. They enjoy golf
and supporting their alma maters (Deb is a graduate of Kansas State University). Shuck
has been a Trustee of the Wayne State Foundation since 1993 and has hosted two Kansas
City alumni reunions.
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Dr. Jay O’Leary
Dr. Linda Taber
Dr. Linda Taber began her career as a Wayne
State College professor in 1992. She earned
her bachelor’s degree in history at Penn State
University in 1964, her master’s degree in history
at Rutgers University in 1966 and her doctorate in
history at Stanford in 1983.
She served as a visiting professor of history at
the University of South Dakota and the University
of Iowa before joining the Wayne State faculty
full time. Taber taught Wayne State courses in
World History, World Civilizations, Ethics and
Values, Society and Gender, African History, the
Renaissance and the Reformation, and Slavery in a
Global Perspective.
She noted in thoughts about her retirement
that, “The college has undergone numerous
changes in campus and curriculum, but some
of the best things about teaching here have
remained the same. Every semester I have had
the opportunity to teach in fields that interest me,
even when my interest took an unexpected turn
into the history of slavery, ancient and modern. I
appreciate the program flexibility which made it
possible to develop and share new interests.”
Dr. Doug Christensen, professor of biology, was presented the
State National Bank Teaching Excellence Award at the spring 2010
baccalaureate commencement ceremony. This prestigious honor is
awarded on the basis of rigorous standards that require a superior
level of effective teaching.
President Richard Collings and Phyllis Conner, vice president for
development and executive director of the Wayne State Foundation,
presented the award. David Ley, the bank’s chief executive officer,
established the State National Bank Teaching Excellence Award in
1998 as a way of recognizing and strengthening outstanding teaching
at Wayne State. Ley and the State National Bank of Wayne support
the college in many ways, including scholarships and as a trustee of
the Wayne State Foundation Board of Trustees.
Christensen began his career at Wayne State in 1998 after
earning his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in Food
Science and Technology and his Ph.D. in biological sciences from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Christensen’s nomination materials for the award note his
contributions to the Wayne State Life Science Department, such as
challenging students to increase their critical thinking abilities and
being instrumental in bringing undergraduate research opportunities
to the college through a joint research program with the University of
Nebraska Medical Center.
Spring 2010
Commencement
Jessica Rachelle Helgren,
daughter of Randy and the late
Ava Helgren, delivered the
graduate ceremony invocation.
She graduated from NelighOakdale Public Schools in 2004.
While at Wayne State College for
her undergraduate education, she
served in several leadership roles
including president of Theta Phi
Alpha sorority, president of Greek
Council, and Student Senate
vice president. After graduating
in August 2008 with a double
major in sport management and
mass communications, Helgren
returned to WSC for her graduate
education and took on a position
as a graduate assistant. During
the past two years, she has
taught classes while working
on her master’s degree in sport
management.
Helgren is the new
operations director of the Cox
Classic golf tournament in
Omaha. She enjoys being active
and spending time with family
and friends.
Christensen Receives State National
Bank Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Doug Christensen (center) was presented the State National
Bank Teaching Excellence Award during the spring commencement
ceremony by Phyllis Conner (left) and President Richard Collings.
Wayne State held commencement for graduate students in Rice Auditorium and undergraduates
May 8 in the Willow Bowl. A total of 429 degrees – 102 graduate degrees and 327 undergraduate
degrees – were conferred at the ceremonies by Wayne State President Richard J. Collings.
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry delivered the commencement address at the baccalaureate ceremony.
Jeremy Francis, who
received his master’s degree
in curriculum and instruction,
delivered the graduate ceremony
commencement address. He
graduated from Midland
College in Fremont, Neb.,
with a bachelor’s degree in
elementary education and was
part of Wayne State’s Fremont
Learning Community. Francis
teaches second grade at Hillrise
Elementary in Elkhorn. He
serves as part of the CORE
team for developing, ordering
for, and selecting staff for West
Dodge Station Elementary in
Elkhorn, which will open in the
fall. Jeremy will be teaching
second grade at West Dodge
Station. Francis and his wife,
Jill, both of Hooper, Neb., have
two children, a son, Kayl, and
a daughter, Keegan. Jeremy is
the son of Wayne and Sharon
Francis of Fremont.
Katherine Fitzgerald,
daughter of Mark and
Jacqueline Fitzgerald of
Norfolk, Neb., delivered the
invocation at the baccalaureate
ceremony She is a double
major in Spanish and speech
communication with an
emphasis in organizational
leadership and public
relations. While at Wayne State
College, she has been involved
as president of Lambda Pi
Eta Communication Honor
Society, president of Sigma
Delta Pi Spanish Honor
Society, member of Phi Kappa
Phi, president of Navigators,
and a STRIDE tutor. She
is a Neihardt Scholar and
participated in the Honors
Program. Fitzgerald has
studied abroad in Spain, was
Homecoming queen, and has
served on Student Senate for
three years. Upon graduation,
Kate will attend law school at
the University of Nebraska.
U.S. Congressman Jeff
Fortenberry delivered the
commencement address at
Wayne State’s baccalaureate
ceremony. Fortenberry was
elected to the United States
House of Representatives to serve
Nebraska’s First Congressional
District in November 2004. Congressman Fortenberry
has an extensive background in
economics and public policy. In
Congress, Fortenberry serves
on the House Foreign Affairs
Committee with significant
responsibilities for Middle Eastern
affairs; the Agriculture Committee,
where he helped write the House
Farm Bill; and the Oversight and
Government Reform Committee,
with a focus on ensuring effective
governmental operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree
in economics at Louisiana State
University and two master’s
degrees, one in public policy at
Georgetown University, and the
other from Franciscan University
in Ohio. Wayne State Magazine
7
Campus Notes
Dalager Named
Dean at
Wayne State
Dr. Jon Dalager
Dr. Jon Dalager has been named as Dean
of the School of Natural and Social Sciences
at Wayne State College. Dalager received
his bachelor’s degree from the University of
Minnesota at Morris, his law degree from
the University of Minnesota, and his Ph.D.
in political science from the University of
Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
“I wanted to work for a school that
was committed to providing outstanding
opportunities to its students, that was
financially stable, and had an excellent
reputation as a college or university,” Dalager
said. “I also wanted to work at a smaller
liberal arts college where the students and
faculty knew each other.”
He has been a member of the faculty
at Georgetown College in Georgetown,
Ky., since 1996 and has been chair of the
Department of Political Science since 1999.
Dalager has extensive experience in campus
governance and has served as the faculty
representative to the Board of Trustees, the
chair of the Social Sciences Division, the
chair of the Curriculum Committee, the chair
of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee,
and has served on a number of other
committees and task forces.
“I was most impressed with the people
I met during my campus visit. They were all
very dedicated to Wayne State College and
I look forward to working with the faculty
and staff to continue to bring good programs
to the students and to develop new academic
programs so that Wayne State can keep its
students prepared for the global economy and
changing technologies,” Dalager said.
As an expert in higher education law,
Dalager has published articles and made
presentations on legal issues in faculty
recruitment and hiring, faculty evaluation
procedures, and the legal significance of the
faculty handbook.
Dalager said he grew up in a college
town of 5,000 residents (Morris, Minn., home
of the University of Minnesota at Morris), so
Wayne will be very much like going home.
“My wife grew up in Breckenridge,
Minn., which had a population of 3500, so
she is familiar with small towns as well,” he
said. “What makes Wayne special is that it
will provide a small town atmosphere with
the extraordinary opportunities provided by
the college, and it is still relatively close to
larger cities such as Sioux City and Omaha
(Morris was 4 hours from Minneapolis).”
“I like to do a lot of activities with my
children including skiing, camping, hiking,
fishing, and traveling,” Dalager added. “I
used to play golf when I was a lawyer and am
looking forward to returning to that activity,
and I am a huge soccer fan. I watch my
daughter play and I am a fan of Manchester
United in the English Premier League. I
am looking forward to the World Cup this
summer (Go USA!)”
Online MBA Program Ranked No. 1 for Affordability
Wayne State’s online MBA program has grown steadily in
size and reputation since being approved by the Higher Learning
Commission in 2007. The college is excited to announce that
GetEducated.com, a consumer group that reviews and ranks online
universities for cost, quality, and credibility, has ranked Wayne State
No. 1 nationwide for the affordability of its program.
The online university cost rankings of the top best values in
online MBAs are based on a comprehensive, independent survey
of 90 regionally-accredited business schools that offer 250 MBA
degrees via distance education. Wayne State College earned an “A” in
affordability for its general online MBA. Total degree cost: about $6,750. By comparison,
the average cost for an online master’s in business (regionally accredited category) is $22,924.
“Distance learning has made higher education more accessible
nationwide,” said Vicky Phillips, GetEducated.com’s founder, “but
cost remains a huge inhibiting factor. Wayne State College offers
online students nationwide a high-quality master’s degree through
distance learning for close to one-quarter the cost of the national
average. That’s an amazing value proposition.”
8
“While public universities often charge more for out-of-state
students, learners nationwide can enroll at WSC online and enjoy
one low distance-learning tuition rate, yet sacrifice nothing in terms
of quality,” Phillips said. “In return, they gain access to a business
school that carries regional accreditation, an accreditation status
considered by many to be the hallmark for residential degree granting
universities.”
“We are especially delighted to add new affordable business
programs like Wayne State College to our online university directory,”
Phillips said. “State schools often do little or no advertising online.
The distance learning research staff at GetEducated.com is dedicated
to finding and showcasing these gems of affordability for online
students.”
WSC is one of 11 new regionally-accredited business schools
GetEducated.com added to their 2010 Best Online MBA rankings.
Founded in 1989, GetEducated.com is a consumer group that reviews
and ranks online university degree programs along the dimensions
of cost, quality and credibility. The group issues report cards on
accredited online degree programs in an effort to bring transparency
to the online education selection process in terms of cost, public
perception and student satisfaction.
Curt Frye, former vice president and
Dean of Students at Wayne State College,
has been chosen to serve as interim president
of the college effective Aug. 1. Dr. Richard
Collings, current Wayne State president,
has accepted the position of president
at Southwestern Community College in
Sylva, North Carolina. Nebraska State
College System Chancellor Stan Carpenter’s
recommendation of Frye will be forwarded to
the NSCS Board of Trustees for approval in
September.
“Curt was an integral part of Wayne State
College for more than 18 years,” Carpenter
said. “He served as interim president at
Wayne State in 2003, so his leadership and
background made him the top choice to serve
as interim president again. He understands
the mission of the Nebraska State College
System, and specifically, Wayne State, from
the inside out, and he will serve the college
well during the search for a new president.”
Frye
Named
Interim
President
Frye had retired from Wayne State on
June 30, 2009. He began working at Wayne
State in 1985, serving as associate dean of
students, dean of students, and in 1993 was
named vice president and dean of students. A
native of Elk City, Frye holds a bachelor of
science in education from Midland Lutheran
College in Fremont and a master of science in
education from Chadron State College.
Prior to coming to Wayne State, Frye was
a teacher and coach at Cody/Kilgore and a
guidance counselor in Neligh and Wayne. He
and his wife, Dianne, have two children and
two grandchildren.
“I am pleased to return to Wayne
State and looking forward to renewing old
friendships and acquaintances,” Frye said.
“Wayne State has been and will continue to be
an excellent place to attend college. My plan
is to ensure Wayne State continues to move
forward as a strong, viable college.”
WSC Graduate
Returns as School
of Education and
Counseling Dean
Dr. Neal Schnoor
Dr. Neal Schnoor, a 1990 Wayne State College graduate, will have the leadership
opportunity to help others graduate from WSC as dean of the School of Education and
Counseling.
“I have a deep appreciation for the college’s commitment to a quality education and
emphasis on teaching,” Schnoor said. “My educational experience at WSC prepared me
for a successful career in P-12 and university teaching. I am excited to collaborate with
colleagues to continue and to hopefully enhance the collegiate experience at WSC.”
The School of Education and Counseling at Wayne State College is accredited by
the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The school includes the
Counseling and Special Education department and the Educational Foundations and
Leadership department.
“We have an extremely dedicated faculty. Our programs in education and counseling
are highly respected,” Schnoor said. “I look forward to enhancing an environment of
continuous improvement and to providing leadership in meeting rapidly developing
opportunities and challenges. The most important aspects of my work at WSC are the
ongoing development of our programs, the school culture of contribution and service and
the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty members committed to our mission.”
After his graduation from WSC with a BFAE in music education, Schnoor went on
to build and administrate highly successful secondary instrumental music programs early
in his career and then completed graduate studies in music education and curriculum and
instruction. Schnoor eventually held a dual appointment at the University of Nebraska
Kearney (UNK) in the College of Education and College of Fine Arts and Humanities. He
served as coordinator of K-12/Secondary Education and the director of University Bands.
His special projects included building close relationships with UNK’s P-12 Network
of Partner Schools and leading the University Band on two tours to Italy. These tours
were the first two trips abroad by any instrumental ensemble in the history of Kearney
State/UNK. Schnoor is active as a guest lecturer, conductor, adjudicator, and clinician
in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. Schnoor holds master’s and doctorate degrees from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A graduate of Pierce High School and the youngest child in a family of seven
siblings, Schnoor was the first in his family to attend college. Schnoor said he earned
his degree with necessary support and a quality education from the outstanding faculty
members at Wayne State College.
“These professors were committed to setting and maintaining high expectations but
also to providing the support needed to help me meet those expectations,” Schnoor said.
“Learning from their example, I carried this same commitment into my first classroom in
Wakefield and into every teaching interaction to this day. As a proud alumnus of WSC,
it is truly a privilege to have this opportunity to return and provide leadership to the
institution to which I owe so very much. It really is a humbling experience to return to
one’s roots and I cherish the opportunity.”
9
Centennial Reflections
Dr. Pearl Hansen, Professor of Art/Art Education
Hansen graduated from Wayne State in 1971 with bachelor of fine arts education; master’s in
sculpture and art history from Kansas State; PhD in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction
with research interest in the area of art hazards from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Wayne State pride: Teaching
at Wayne State College is a
privilege. It is a real honor
to work with the impressive
faculty and staff across
campus and collectively we
impart education and lifelong
experiences for our students.
Connections: In addition to myself being a graduate, my mother and six brothers and sisters are
graduates of Wayne State. Many of my nieces, nephews and in-laws are also graduates of
WSC. My parents believed they couldn’t leave a better legacy than to have a well-educated
family and it always was instilled in us that we would receive a degree from Wayne State
College. Teaching at Wayne State College has given me many opportunities to generate ideas
and involve the college (students, faculty and staff) in art and across disciplines in inventing
ideas and many rich experiences through art. These have included projects with the college and
the Wayne community, as well as regional, national and even international experiences.
Wayne State’s legacy: The college community and what we weave into the lives of our students.
The future of WSC: The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. The future
starts today … and I am still part of it! Students’ families have given them their roots, we as
faculty give them their wings.
Wayne State’s influence: I always wanted to be a Renaissance
woman. Wayne State helped shape my belief that culture
and art are essential to the existence and continued
development of being human.
Fondest memories: There are many, but I am always
moved by students’ accomplishments while at
Wayne State, their graduation and celebration with
family and friends, and where they go once they
have the degree in hand. I feel we have all been a
part to opening up new challenges and experiences
for them to use the rest of their lives.
Professor Pearl Hansen's domes are three-dimensional
pieces, made of steel and enamel, that "look a bit like large
ladybug shells," according to an Omaha World-Herald review
of her exhibit at Fred Simon Gallery in the Nebraska Arts Council
David Ley, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of
State National Bank, Wayne
Ley graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business in 1970. He took classes at Wayne State as have
all members of his family since the 1890s.
Ley Theatre
10
Connections: The connection of the Ley family and Wayne State
has been long and very strong. My great grandfather, Henry Ley,
the founder and president of the State National Bank of Wayne,
was a friend and confidant of James Pile, founder and president
of Nebraska Normal College. When the college needed to have
the financial support of the State of Nebraska or close, a local
delegation of four including Henry Ley, being a former state
lawmaker, went down to Lincoln and spent a year enthusiastically
supporting the college being successfully brought into the
existing state teachers college system. He then served on the
Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Normal Colleges. His son,
Rollie, graduated from Nebraska Normal College and served as
president of the Alumni Society. His grandson, Henry, served on
the Board of Trustees of Nebraska State Colleges and was one of
the founders and later president of the Wayne State Foundation. I
have served as president of the Wayne State Foundation.
Dr. Jean Blomenkamp
, professor of education, served as interim co-dean of the School of Education and Counseling, and Department Chair
Blomenkamp graduated from Wayne State with a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1968, and a master of science in elementary education in 1969; earned her Ph.D. in administration, curriculum and instruction from University of Nebraska in 1996.
Wayne State pride: I’ve been here
since 1986. I have very much
enjoyed my time at Wayne State.
I have been able to work with
some outstanding colleagues
in the School of Education and
Counseling and in the other
schools. So, it’s been a wonderful
experience to have been a
student at Wayne State College
and then a professor.
Connections: Every time I enter the Hahn
Administration building, I think back
to when I was a child growing up.
That was the college lab school, K-12
lab school, for Wayne State College
until 1962. So, that’s where I went to
school. Every time I walk through the
east door into the lobby and I see the
steps going up, I can remember and
picture myself and other Wayne Prep
students. At Christmas time the choir
would stand on the steps in our choir
robes, and we all held a candle, and
then the student body would be all
gathered around on the floor, and we
would sing Christmas carols. It’s
kind of a nice memory.
Wayne State’s legacy: Many students
come to Wayne State if they want
Hahn School
to become teachers because their
parents are teachers, they had relatives who are teachers, or their teachers at school were
Wayne State grads and recommended it. Wayne State has a top-notch reputation for our
teaching program, and we do a number of things to really help our students receive a topnotch education.
Wayne State’s future: Our teacher education program is outstanding, and I have a passion to
help see to it that level of excellence continues.
Wayne State’s legacy: Wayne State’s past and its future show an ability to adapt to the
needs of continuing education of America’s youth. Starting as a predominately teachers
college, Wayne has evolved into a highly respected business, scientific and fine arts
instruction. At the same time, the college has continued to give students experiences
that are mostly associated with larger institutions. Wayne State has been able to do this
while continuing a high enrollment to graduation level.
Fondest memories: My memories center on the Willow Bowl, chimes, grassy areas, stately
buildings, the excitement of students returning, and so many others. From my first swim
in the old college pool to exploring the heating tunnels, the college was an important
part of my youth. I am looking forward to seeing those memories and new ones created
for my grandchildren who now live in Wayne.
Wayne State’s influence: The city of Wayne has benefited
immeasurably from Wayne State College. It is one third of
Wayne’s population. My family would have moved on in the
last hundred years without the benefits of a four-year college
in our community. Our family bank has employed Wayne
State’s graduates, who have made great contributions to
our business and community. Wayne State has shaped the
community of Wayne for the better.
11
Campus Notes
WSC Alumni and Friends
Enjoy Scandinavia Trip
The Wayne State Centennial Alumni
Trip to Scandinavia began May 14 with a
flight to Stockholm, Sweden. The group
toured the city, Drottningholm Palace,
the City Hall, the Wasa Museum and
other sites in Stockholm. They traveled to
Uppsala, Sigtuna and Goteborg in Sweden,
visiting a farm in Brunnsta Gard on the
way to Goteborg. From Goteborg they
boarded a ferry to travel to Frederickshavn,
Denmark, and traveled from there to the
north tip of the country to the peninsula
known as Skagen. Then it was on to Arhus,
Denmark, to visit Den Gamle By (the
old town) and on to Odense, Denmark,
to see the Viking Museum and the Hans
Christian Andersen Museum. The final stop
was Copenhagen, Denmark, where they
saw the sights of the city and traveled to
museums, churches, palaces and castles in
nearby cities. They connected in Virum,
Denmark, with a long-time friend of
Wayne State College, Mogens Dalsgaard,
who beginning in the 1970s was a visiting
music professor. Wayne State College in
those days had institutes in Sweden and
Denmark. Mogens is a concert pianist who
performs internationally, and he invited the
group to his home for a performance. It
was an amazing experience. Former
President Dr. Ed Elliott and his wife,
Sandra, had encouraged the group to
connect with Mogens. The alumni group
left from Copenhagen to journey home May
24. Pictured on the trip: Front Row: Phyllis
Conner, vice president for development
and executive director of the Wayne State
Foundation, Judy Nissen Boelts ’72,
Robert Johnson ’75, Lyla Swanson, Deb
Lundahl, director of development and alumni
relations, Gene Mardesen; Second Row: Don
Soukup ’71, Diane Massman Soukup’71,
Marti Harrison, WSC Professor of Sociology
Jean Karlen, Sharon Justice Judson ’69;
Back Row: Ernie Swanson, Leon Anders
’62, Jerry Karlen, Marce Picha , Marilyn
Collings, wife of President Richard Collings,
Megan Mardesen ’09, Vicki McDermott, and
Dale Judson ’70.
Teacher Education Programs Reflect Commitment to Quality
The Nebraska Department of Education notified Wayne State on
June 9 that the college has successfully completed the State Teacher
Education Approval process. The notification served as the official
continuing state approval for operation of educator preparation
programs at WSC.
“The Nebraska Department of Education has been very
appreciative of the time spent in preparation for the state approval
process, the responsiveness of WSC faculty and staff to address
questions and requests for additional information, and the hospitality
received during the on-site visit. The positive comments we heard
throughout the onsite visit speak well of the commitment of WSC to
produce quality educators,” Sharon Katt, administrator for Teacher
Education Program Approval, said in the notification letter.
“We are proud to build on a proud legacy of preparing
outstanding educational professionals at Wayne State,” said Dr. Neal
Schnoor, dean of the college’s School of Education and Counseling.
“Receipt of this approval from the Nebraska Department of Education
following a rigorous review process confirms our commitment to
continuous improvement and innovation in meeting the changing
needs of educator preparation. The approval process required intense
preparation by faculty in the School of Education and Counseling
in collaboration with colleagues in each school across campus, our
administration, and our P-12 school partners. We are indebted to all
12
for their ongoing commitment to quality preparation of educational
professionals.”
Teams of reviewers examined Wayne State’s institutional report
and folios during a Nov. 19 off-site folio review. This was followed
by an April 18-20 onsite visit during which time interviews were
conducted with stakeholder groups and individuals to validate the
information provided in November and to gain additional information
about the characteristics and quality of WSC educator preparation
programs.
“It was evident to the folio review and onsite team members that
WSC is committed to producing quality educators, as evidenced by
changes implemented since the state visit and the ongoing program
evaluation used to address and guide program improvement needs and
the changing needs of educator preparation,” Katt said in the letter.
“Congratulations to you and the entire faculty at WSC. This
was a huge effort for the Teacher Education program faculty, and
represents significant work by many other faculty and staff members.
The dedication exhibited by the entire teacher education faculty to
their students, both current and past, is to be commended. The entire
campus should celebrate the accomplishments that we witnessed
through the review of your materials and the conversations with
candidates, graduates, advisory committee members and others,” Katt
concluded.
Wayne State
Students
Spend
Semester
in Greece
Visit http://blogs.wsc.edu/greece2010/
to read students' blog entries written
during their semester abroad in Greece.
Twenty-one students participated in the Wayne State Semester in Greece program
during the spring semester. The program is in its second year and is under the direction
of Professors Kathleen and Gerald Conway. Seventeen of the students were from Wayne
State this year and the other four came from University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of
Nebraska-Kearney, Peru State and Chadron State. The group was very diverse, coming from
15 majors, however eight were business majors and one was an MBA student.
Under the base program students earn 12 credit hours through Wayne State College.
Most students use the credit for general studies requirements but the credit can be tailored
to fit into majors as well. While studying in Greece, students learn about Greek culture by
living within it. Lectures, field trips, presentations and discussion groups address Greek
history, art, architecture, philosophy and religion. Students learn about contemporary Greek
culture including government, politics, economics, family, education and social issues.
While in Greece they are also introduced to the Greek language through coursework and
immersion.
The cost of the program this year was $7,750, which includes 12 credit hours and fees,
round-trip airfare from Omaha, housing in Greece, health insurance and a meal allowance.
The cost also included field trips around Greece as well as a 6-day trip to Istanbul, Turkey.
Students are only responsible for their spending money.
Most of the students were very engaged and took advantage of every opportunity to
interact with the local culture and people. They also were very active with additional travel
beyond what was included in the program. During Easter break the students took advantage
of reasonable European airfares and traveled (in small groups) to places of their choice
in Europe. Some of the places visited included Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, London,
Dublin, Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, Zurich, Prague and Barcelona.
While in Greece several of the students kept regular blogs about their experiences,
which can be read on the college’s Facebook page or at blogs.wsc.edu/greece2010/
For information for spring 2011: Gerald Conway, Associate Professor, School of
Business and Technology, 402-375-7029 or geconwa1@wsc.edu.
13
Wildcat Athletics
Wildcat Softball
Posts RecordBreaking Season
Junior pitcher
Katie Goetzinger
became Wayne
State’s first AllAmerican in
softball since
1986 when she
was named to
the Louisville
Slugger/NFCA
All-American
Third Team.
14
Spring 2010 was another record-breaking season for the Wayne State College softball
team. The Wildcats posted a stellar 43-14 record, breaking last season’s school record (41-21)
of 41 wins to give WSC softball its first-ever back-to-back 40 win seasons. Fueled by a school-record 16-game win streak at the end of the season, WSC won the
2010 NSIC Tournament, beating Augustana 2-0 in the championship game, and hosted
the NCAA Central Regional Tournament for the first time. The ‘Cats went 3-0, defeating
Augustana 2-1 in the title game, to advance to the NCAA Super Regional where WSC lost a
pair of hard-fought games to 4th-ranked national power Metro State in Denver, falling 2-1 and
6-2 in nine innings. WSC ended the season ranked 14th in the final NFCA Division II Top 25
Coaches Poll, the highest national ranking for a Wildcat softball team.
Several milestones were achieved during the season. Senior outfielder Amy Sandstrom
became the all-time hits leader at WSC, finishing her career with 257 hits. She also became
Wayne State’s all-time leader in runs scored (154), total bases (372), doubles (49) and at bats
(769). Junior first baseman Jennifer Radley became Wayne State’s career home run leader and
has 23 with one year left to play. She is also the all-time leader in career walks with 74.
WSC landed five players on the 2010 NSIC All-Conference Softball Team. Katie
Goetzinger, Jennifer Radley and Amy Sandstrom each earned First Team All-NSIC
honors while Sam Earleywine and Blaire Kuhl earned Second Team All-NSIC honors.
Goetzinger earned First Team Daktronics All-Central Region honors and was named to
the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Central Region First Team while Kassie Nurton, Jennifer
Radley and Amy Sandstrom received Second Team All-Central Region honors from Louisville
Slugger/NFCA.
Junior pitcher Katie Goetzinger became Wayne State’s first All-American in softball
since 1986 when she was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American Third Team.
The Harlan, Iowa, native posted a 32-10 record with a 1.11 ERA, finishing with a school
record 358 strikeouts in just 264 innings pitched and was named the 2010 NSIC Pitcher of
the Year. She ranked third in NCAA Division II in strikeouts, fifth in hits allowed
per seven innings (3.95), seventh in wins (32), eighth in shutouts (11) and 10th in
ERA (1.11). Goetzinger had 11 shutouts and 25 complete games while making
34 starts. She also pitched 30 less innings this season to break her single season
strikeout mark from last season. Goetzinger also excelled in the classroom and was
named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team with a
3.77 grade point average.
With just one senior on this year’s team, Amy Sandstrom, the Wildcats look to be a part of
even more records in the 2011 season.
The Wayne State College track and field
teams set six school records during the spring
2010 season and had two athletes qualify
for the NCAA Division II National Track
and Field Championships held May 27-29 in
Charlotte, N.C.
Senior sprinter Christina King competed
in the 400 meter dash while junior Paige
Pollard qualified in two events, the 400 meter
hurdles and the 800 meter run. King ran a
time of 55.38 seconds in the 400 meter dash to
finish 16th overall. Pollard’s time of 1:01.12
in the 400 meter hurdles was good for 12th
overall while she set a school record in the
800 meter run with a time of 2:11.70 to place
14th overall at nationals.
At the Northern Sun Conference
championships, the WSC women took ninth
place scoring 41 points. Pollard, a junior
from Newcastle, Neb., was the conference
champion in the 400 meter hurdles and was
second in the heptathlon with a school record
4,558 points to also earn All-NSIC honors in
Senior sprinter Christina King competed in the 400 meter dash at the NCAA Division
II National Track and Field Championships held May 27-29 in Charlotte, N.C.
Two ‘Cats Qualify for NCAA Nationals in Track and Field
the event. King also claimed All-NSIC
honors with a third place finish in the 400
meter dash in 55.67 seconds.
The Wildcat men finished ninth at the
NSIC Championships in Moorhead, Minn.,
with 49 points. Sophomore Alex Timperley
was the top finisher for WSC, placing second
in the triple jump with a top mark of 46’ 4 ¼”
to earn All-NSIC honors. Teammate Lucas
Sirek also captured All-NSIC recognition
in the triple jump finishing third at 46’ 3 ¼”
while John Kern, third in the 10,000 meter
run, and Nate Preston, third in the 3,000 meter
steeplechase, were other WSC runners to earn
All-NSIC honors.
Two WSC athletes earned academic
honors at the end of the season as Jacob
Mathieson and Sarah Thomsen were both
named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA
Academic All-District VII Second Team.
Junior Paige Pollard qualified in two events, the 400 meter hurdles and the 800 meter
run, at the NCAA Division II National Track and Field Championships.
The ‘Cats are just a click away at www.wsc.edu/athletics/
15
Wildcat Athletics
Three ‘Cats
Named to NSIC
All-Conference
Baseball Team
Joe Wendte
Wayne State College finished the 2010 baseball season with a
record of 26-23 overall, going 21-10 in the Northern Sun Conference
to finish sixth in league play. The Wildcats had three players named to the 2010 NSIC AllConference Team as senior outfielder Joe Wendte, junior second
baseman Nick Bidroski and sophomore pitcher Austen Wisroth each
received First Team All-NSIC honors. Senior catcher John Plasha and
Bidroski were also named to the NSIC Gold Glove Team.
Wendte hit .416 for the Wildcats this season with 11 homers and
41 RBI’s. He led the NSIC in walks with 40 and was second in onbase percentage (.538) while also tied for fifth in runs scored (68) and
eighth in batting average. Wendte finished his Wildcat career as the
all-time leader in walks (138), second in home runs (34), runs scored
(229), and was third in hits (261) and at bats (653).
Bidroski led WSC in batting this season with a .420 average,
accounting for seven homers and a team-high 48 RBI’s. He led the
NSIC in on-base percentage (.546) and tied for first in the league
Nick Bidroski
Austen Wisroth
in doubles with 23, the second most doubles in a single season by a
WSC player. Bidroski also had a team-high 19 game hitting streak
during the season.
Wisroth was Wayne State’s top starting pitcher, posting a 5-4
record in 11 starts with a 3.69 ERA. The Torrington, Wyoming
native had three complete games with one shutout while striking out
76 batters in just 63.1 innings of work. His 10.80 strikeouts per nine
innings ranked first in the NSIC and his two home runs allowed tied
for fewest homers allowed by an NSIC pitcher this season.
Plasha had just one error this season with a .997 fielding
percentage for the Wildcats at catcher to earn Gold Glove honors.
For the seventh time in the past eight years, Wayne State had
a player achieve All-American status as Nick Bidroski was named
Third Team All-American from Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches
Association. Wendte was a repeat selection to the Daktronics AllCentral Region First Team while Wisroth received Second Team AllCentral Region honors from Daktronics.
Wildcat Golfers Set School Records
Adam Fields
Kelsee Katsampes
16
The Wayne State men’s golf team put together impressive numbers again in the 2009-10 season. The
Wildcats set a school record for 18 holes, shooting 287 in the final round of the WSC Spring Invite on March 29
to help the team finish second, just two strokes behind St. Cloud State, an NCAA Tournament Team qualifier.
Junior Adam Fields was medalist for the meet, shooting rounds of 74 and 70 for an even par 144 and was
named the NSIC Men’s Golfer of the Week for his efforts. WSC had four other top five tournament finishes this
season, placing third in the All-Nebraska Collegiate Invitational and the Winona State Invite, fourth at the St.
Cloud State Husky Invite and fifth at the Upper Iowa Invitational.
At the NSIC Championships, WSC placed eighth over 108 holes and Adam Fields was selected First Team
All-NSIC by league coaches for the second straight season. With his success, Fields became an individual
qualifier for the second straight season at the NCAA Men’s Central Regional Golf Tournament, May 3-5 in Palm
Desert, Calif. Fields shot rounds of 76-82-74 for a 54-hole total of 232 to finish in a tie for 65th overall out of
108 players.
Another Wildcat men’s golfer excelled in the classroom as junior Jake Hirz was selected to the ESPN The
Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team with a 3.93 grade point average.
The Wildcat women’s golf team accomplished a school record scoring average this season, posting an
average tournament score of 352.38 over 18 rounds, nearly 10 strokes better than the previous school mark
(362.11) set in 2008-09. WSC shot a season-best round of 340 at the Augustana Spring Invitational on April 11
to tie the school record for best tournament score.
WSC finished ninth at the NSIC Championships held April 23-25 in Brandon, S. Dak., battling sub-par
weather conditions.
The Wildcats shot 1,066 over 54 holes. Individually, senior Kelsee Katsampes was the top finisher with
scores of 90-83-85 for a 258. Katsampes finished the season with a school record scoring average of 85.77 for 18
rounds, bettering the previous school mark of 86.4 set by Monica Novak in 2004-05.
2010 Homecoming Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, September 23, 2010
Noon
Scholarship Luncheon (by invitation) - Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
FRIDAY, September 24, 2010
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Noon - 1 p.m.
Noon - 1 p.m.
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
6 - 8 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Hospitality/Information Center - Student Center, Atrium
Trustee Workshop (by invitation), Gardner Auditorium
Trustee Luncheon (by invitation), Student Center, Niobrara Room
Alumni/Cat Club Luncheon - Upper Deck (Student Center, Lower Food Court)
Annual Trustee Meeting, Gardner Auditorium
Dedication of The Commons and Centennial Birthday Celebration, Seymour Heritage Plaza
Former WSC Football players attend practice with Coach McLaughlin, Bob Cunningham Field
Greek Olympics, Willow Bowl
Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet, Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
Bonfire & Pep Rally, Tennis Court Area (rain site-Rec Center)
SATURDAY, September 25, 2010
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Parade, Homecoming/Band Day, will travel along Main Street
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Presidents Society Brunch (by invitation), Student Center, Frey Conference Suite
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All Honored Classes Reunion Brunch, Niobrara Room, Student Center
(Classes of '50, '60, '70, '80, '85, '90 & '00)
Noon - 1 p.m. Tailgate Party, Bob Cunningham Field, under the tent (free to "Cat Club" members)
General admission: adults $8; students $5
Noon
Football Players Reunion - Tailgate Party and tour of facilities with Athletic Director
12:30 p.m.
Homecoming Royalty introduced
12:40 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Pre-game Show - WSC Marching Band, Bob Cunningham Field
Halftime show - WSC Band, and introduction of Hall of Fame Inductees
1 p.m.
Football Game - WSC vs. Northern State (General admission $10; Reserved $15)
3:30 p.m. (after game)
RHOP & MARHOP Reunion, Student Center Atrium, social, program and tour of the Carhart renovation
3:30 p.m.
SPIZZ Reunion - Humanities Building, Journalism Room (4th floor)
5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Social - Student Center, Frey Conference Suite (for banquet ticket holders)
6:15 - 8:30 p.m.
Homecoming/Hall of Fame Banquet, Student Center, Frey Conf. Suite
SUNDAY, September 26, 2010
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
RHOP & MARHOP Golf & lunch, Wayne Country Club
Alumni Softball Game - Chapman Baseball/Softball Complex
Alumni Soccer - Soccer Field
For more information contact:
Deb Lundahl • Alumni Office • Wayne State College • Wayne, NE 68787 • 402-375-7209 • delunda1@wsc.edu
For a list of registered attendees please check upcoming events at www.wsc.edu/alumni
17
Alumni Notes
(Towns and cities listed on these
pages are in Nebraska unless noted
or generally understood. Efforts are
made to keep our news current.)
1949
Rex
Johnson
and his
wife,
Margie,
celebrated
their 64th
wedding anniversary March 2.
The couple resides in Bellingham,
Wash. Prior to his retirement in
1982 from the position of athletic
director and assistant principal in
the Bellingham School District,
Rex spent his career coaching in
Nebraska and Washington. They
enjoy traveling and have toured
all 50 states, the Pacific, Central
America and Asia during their
retirement years.
1952
Wanda (Lenton) Philips, of
Akron, Iowa, appeared as a guest
performer on the “Bonnie Hunt
Show” filmed in Culver City,
Calif. Wanda writes a column for
the local newspaper in Akron and
her articles were among those
selected for humor in small-town
newspapers across the U.S. She
began writing after a 35-year
career in education.
1958
Neil Edmunds (MSE ‘60) is a
retired University of NebraskaLincoln professor and was
honored at the 2010 Nebraska
Teacher Recognition Day held
at the Governor’s Mansion. He
was a member of the faculty/
staff at Wayne State from 1969
to 1977. Neil and his wife,
Carol (Gesiriech ‘61), reside in
Lincoln.
1965
John
Tanner
(MAE ‘66)
resides in
Upland,
18
Calif. After a career in education,
John enjoys his retirement as
the owner of an antique clock
business, purchasing and
restoring antique clocks.
1966
Richard D. Jordan and his
wife, Deborah, have lived in
Australia since
1974. They
reside in the city
of Creswick.
Richard retired
from the
University of
Ballarat after
teaching in the
English department for 30 years.
1969
Barbara (Farnum) Sollheim
resides in Burlington, Iowa. She
retired from a 30-year career in
education. She was an instructor
at the Burlington School District,
most recently as a special
education teacher.
1971
Kevin Brummer has retired after
a 37-year career in education
in several Nebraska and Iowa
schools, including 23 years as a
superintendent and 10 years as an
administrator at all levels. He and
his wife, Diane (Dreesen ’73)
live in Ankeny, Iowa.
1973
Joyce (Brdicko) Dean and her
husband, Ivan, serve as co-pastors
of First Presbyterian Church,
Beaver City. Joyce taught at West
Point Schools for several years
before becoming a commissioned
lay pastor.
1974
Nancy
(Robinson)
Nish resides
in Canton,
Mo. She is
employed
with CulverStockton College, Canton,
serving as the coordinator of
Omaha Wildcat Golf Classic
The 22nd Annual Omaha Wildcat Golf Classic was held July 17
at Shoreline Golf Course. Proceeds from the golf scramble help to
fund golf scholarships at Wayne State. The winning team scored
19 under par. Team members included (l-r) Bart Emanuel ‘82,
Bill Lambrecht ‘72, Ron Boner ‘81, and Mac McKown ‘67.
Career and Internship Services.
Nancy is pictured with her
daughter, Natalie, a senior at
Canton High School.
1976
Charles Cooper has led Special
Olympics Nebraska as CEO
for the past
six years and
successfully
bid the 2010
Games at
which time he
assumed the
position of
President/CEO
for the 2010 Games. Predicted as
this year’s largest sporting event,
the games will be held in July
at the University of NebraskaLincoln campus. The games
will host the largest civilian
airlift in the world July 17 when
300 donated private jets begin
landing at Duncan Aviation,
Lincoln. The jets will land every
90 seconds for 12 consecutive
hours making it, for that day,
the busiest airport in the world.
Charles and his wife, Sandra,
live in Omaha and are the
parents of two grown children
and grandparents to two.
1979
Stephen Kleinsmith resides
in Nixa, Mo., and has served
the Nixa School District as
Superintendent
of Schools since
2000. Stephen
was selected by
the Missouri
Association
of School
Administrators
(MASA) as the
recipient of the annual Robert
L. Pearce Award for 2010. This
award includes $500 cash to the
recipient and a $500 scholarship
for a student in the district.
Stephen is a member of MASA
and has served on the Legislative
Committee since 2006. He is an
active member in his community
serving on numerous boards and
civic groups.
1984
James Larsen is living in Paris
for the closeout of the first
Yemen Government Capital
Construction
project, a $3.4
billion LNG
Liquefaction
Plant and offshore
loading jetty.
His wife, Susan
(Blatchford ’88)
and their children
reside in Laramie, Wyo.
1986
Kevin Saunders has been elected
to the Board of Directors for the
National Association of Credit
Managers. Kevin and his wife,
Cindy, reside in Olathe, Kan. He
is the district credit manager for
Crescent Electric Supply, Kansas
City, Mo.
1988
Clyde Stuhr
is a 19-year
Air Force
veteran, with
the present
commission
of lieutenant
colonel. He
marked his
200th career combat mission
in the F-15E Strike Eagle,
surpassing more than 700
combat hours, while supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom
efforts from Bagram Airfield,
Afghanistan. Upon redeploying
to Seymour Johnson Air Force
Base in Goldsboro, N.C., he
assumed duties as the 4th Fighter
Wing Inspector General.
home in Humphrey by sisters,
Madeline (11), Gabrielle (8)
and Celeste (5). Marty serves as
principal at Humphrey Public
Schools. Neely is the dean of
students for Columbus Public
Schools, Columbus.
1995
Joe
Shinstock
and his wife,
Diane, reside
in Roseville,
Calif. They
were married
Jan. 23 and
are employed
with Protandim.
Marty Moser and his wife,
Neely (Herman ’98, MSE ’09)
announce the birth of their fourth
daughter, Sophie Sue, on Dec.
14. She is welcomed to their
1996
birth of daughter, Callie, on Nov.
9. She is welcomed to their home
in Pender
by brother,
Cale (5).
Kim is
employed
at The
Pender
Times.
1999
Tallie (Cooper) Colvin and her
husband, Corey, announce the
birth of daughter, Scarlet, on
1998
Kim (Hansen) Kai and her
husband, Matt, announce the
WSC Degree Means Credibility in Iraq
Major William “Bill” Tallon ’98 has been in the U.S. Army for 21
years serving as a psychological operations officer. Stationed in Iraq,
Tallon works as an advisor to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
“My current mission is to advise and assist Iraqi police in areas
such as operations, intelligence and logistics,” Tallon said. “Our goal
is to improve Iraqi security forces capability and support the Iraqis for
long-term security and stability.”
“It’s interesting speaking with Iraqis about their perceptions
of America. Many of the Iraqis I work with were brutalized and
oppressed by Saddam Hussein’s regime and are very grateful for our
presence,’’ Tallon said. “During my pre-deployment training I learned
some basic Arabic phrases. I’m having difficulty learning more
Arabic because the Iraqis I work with want me to teach them English,
especially the slang.”
A criminal justice major from Columbus, Tallon said he chose
to study law enforcement at Wayne State College because it had a
reputable criminal justice program.
“I chose Wayne State College when I went on the Wayne State
campus tour. I was impressed with the college and community. It had a
small-town feel, a hometown feel that I liked,” Tallon said.
“Having a degree in criminal justice has been an enormous asset
while working with the Iraqi police,” Tallon said. “Everywhere in
the world police forces have common problems and issues that they
deal with. My exposure from an academic standpoint at Wayne State
College has helped me. Iraqis are impressed with my degree and
studies in law enforcement. They tell me I have ‘wasta’ because of it,
which means credibility or clout, or the ability to influence. As I work
with them, having that degree has earned me a lot of respect.”
Once described as “dangerously relaxed” by one of his soldiers in
Afghanistan during a rocket attack. Tallon said he tries not to let the
danger of what he does get to him.
Deb Lundahl, director of development and alumni relations,
U.S. Army Maj. William "Bill" Tallon '98, and Phyllis Conner,
vice president for development
“One of my favorite memories of Wayne State College will
always be Thursday nights when my friends would gather in my room
to watch the NBC lineup of ‘Friends’ and ‘Seinfeld’ before going out
on the town.”
“Any organization, college or business that has excelled for over
a century has one important component: people. Faculty, alumni,
students and anyone who is connected with the college has a part,”
Tallon said. “Every year I was at Wayne State I saw improvements.
I remember they would invest in infrastructure of the college. The
Wayne State Foundation is an investment in the college’s future by
awarding scholarships and building projects on campus. You don’t
survive and thrive unless you look ahead and say, ‘Let’s see how great
we can be.’”
“I have only been to one reunion but I had a great time. The
reunion was in Raleigh, N.C., but I couldn’t attend. Deb Lundahl and
Phyllis Conner traveled 2 hours to visit me in Fayetteville, N.C. It
meant a lot they went out of their way to visit,” Tallon said.
19
Alumni Notes
Oct. 13. She is welcomed to their
home in Papillion by twin sisters,
Ella and Isabelle. Tallie is a retail
banking officer for Great Western
Bank in the Omaha Metro.
Ruth Aschoff was united in
marriage
to Dillon
Bloedorn
on April 17.
The couple
resides near
Wisner.
Ruth is
employed
by Petersen
Ag Systems,
Inc., Norfolk and will return to
substitute teaching in the fall.
2000
Mathew and Tanya (Kleinschmit ’02) Truckenmiller reside in Brandon, S.D.,
with their
son, Garrison
Lee, born
Dec. 4. Mat
is employed
as the tool
maintenance
supervisor at Howe Heating and
Plumbing, Sioux Falls. Tanya is
a physician assistant at Pediatric
Critical Care and Hospital Services in Sioux Falls.
degree in clinical counseling
with a certificate in substance
abuse counseling from Bellevue
University. She has aspirations
of practicing integrated therapy,
focusing on mental illness and
substance abuse. She plans to
become licensed in Nebraska and
Wyoming. She and her husband,
Paul, reside in Scottsbluff.
Angie (Nichols) Jager and her
husband, Jeff, announce the birth
husband, JD, and sons, Jackson
and Jacob. Andrea is a stayat-home mother when she isn’t
substitute teaching.
Emmalee (Shafer) Westfall and
her husband, Brian, announce the
birth of Jackson Dennis on
Feb. 1. Emmalee is
an Estee
Lauder
account
coordinator
for The BonTob, Inc.,
Omaha. The
family resides
in Omaha.
August 23
Dakota Dunes Golf,
Dakota Dunes, S.D.
August 28
Des Moines Reunion,
Jim Sievers home
September 23
Scholarship Luncheon
September 24-26
Homecoming
December 12
President’s Gala Concert
2003
of daughter, Emery May, on Dec.
23. She is welcomed to their
home in Rock Rapids, Iowa, by
sister Ella (4). Angie is director
of the Rock Rapids Chamber of
Commerce.
2002
Andrea (Prokopec) Koehn
resides in Clarkson with her
Melissa (Magill) Campbell
and her husband, Jody, reside in
Belden
with their
daughters,
Jayden
Marie
(3) and
Madyson
Jo (born
Feb. 25).
Melissa is a teacher at Goldenrod
Hills Head Start, Hartington.
Daniel Rees and his wife, Tanya
(Lamoureux ’04) welcome to
their Omaha home daughter
Emma Jean, born Feb. 24.
Rebecca (Preiss) Cornish is
obtaining a master of science
Send us your news
& photos, too!
We encourage you to send photos with your alumni
notes - wedding, new baby, promotion, informal
gatherings with other alumni, etc.
Be sure to identify people in the photos.
Digital photos with fewer than five megapixels cannot
be accepted. Please remember to update your address!
Send to: Deb Lundahl, Alumni Office, Wayne State College,
1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787 or delunda1@wsc.edu
20
2010
Upcoming Events
2004
Gregra (Williamson) Derby
and her husband, Nick, announce
the birth of Zacary Jace on
March 9. They reside in Omaha.
Gregra is the
local client
relations
manager at
The Knot.
December 17
Commencement
2005
Crystal
Lutjens
and Don
Kula were
united in
marriage
Sept. 19.
She is an
infant/
toddler
teacher at Early Head Start,
Columbus. The couple resides in
Monroe.
Drew Caskey is employed as
the assistant ticket manager in
the athletic department at Rice
University
in Houston,
Texas. He
was awarded
a master of
arts degree in
administrative
dynamics
accompanied
with graduate
certificates in leadership
studies and organizational
communication in 2008 from
Western Kentucky University in
Bowling Green. Drew resides in
Houston.
2006
accepted a full tuition waiver and
assistantship at Ohio University
where he will continue his
education to obtain his Ph.D.
Lindsey (Stockwell) Mosel
received a Doctor of Medicine
degree at commencement
ceremonies at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center,
Omaha on May 8.
2007
Makala
Dostal
was united
in marriage
to Cole
Williams.
She is the
economic
development
coordinator
for Elkhorn Valley Economic
Development Council, Norfolk.
The couple resides in Norfolk.
Erik Kravig (MSE) serves as
the principal at Winside Public
Schools in Winside. Erik and his
wife, Krista, announce the birth
of son, Jarren Jens, on April 15.
human resources certificate. She
is employed at WSC, serving as
the administrative assistant to the
2009
Jarren is welcomed to their home
in Wayne by sister, Sierra.
Jeremy Fajman received a
master of arts in theatre degree
from the University of Central
Mssouri, Warrensburg, Mo.
Jeremy resides in Columbus.
2008
Timothy
McKenna,
Bloomington,
Ill., received
his master’s in
communication
degree from
Illinois State
University in
May. He has
Cody Wortmann is employed
at Sand Creek Post & Beam in
Wayne. The company recently
announced
that he was
awarded
“Best Ad in
the Issue” for
its Our Iowa
magazine.
Cody began
employment
at the Sand
Creek plant while working
toward his graphic design degree.
Cody and his wife, Mallory,
reside in Wayne with their son,
Owen.
Robin Labenz tested and
received accreditation from the
Human Resource Certification
Institute earning a professional of
president. She resides in Norfolk
with her husband, Marvin. They
are parents to Aimee (26), Kelly
(26) and Tyler (18).
2010
Brett Mills and Molly Gibson
were
united in
marriage
May
22. The
couple
resides
in Grand
Island.
Consider Adding
Wayne State In Your Will
When you name the Wayne State Foundation in your will, or make another kind
of planned gift, you become a member of our Heritage Society. Members of
this special group of donors have at least one thing in common: a commitment
to the future of Wayne State College.
As a member of the Heritage Society, you will be invited to special events and
receptions designed especially for our forward looking supporters. You will
also be recognized in our annual Honor Roll of Donors publication and on our
Heritage Society recognition wall in the Student Center. Members who request
confidentiality will remain anonymous.
Would you like to learn more about the Heritage Society and the various
planned giving options available?
Please visit our Web site at www.wsc.edu/foundation/
or contact Kevin Armstrong, Director of Planned Giving,
and he will be happy to assist you.
Kevin Armstrong
Director of Planned Giving
Wayne State Foundation
402-375-7534
Kearmst1@wsc.edu
21
Alumni Notes
Lewis Makes a Difference in Chicago
Stanley Lewis ‘75 continues
to be an innovative key player.
Although his team roles have
changed, his efforts keep him
at a high level of achievement
whether he’s contributing
on defense as a Wayne State
College football player,
professional ball player for the
Cleveland Browns or executive
director of Kelly Hall YMCA in
Chicago.
“The Y has always been a
safe place for kids, a place to
enjoy values-based programming
and a meaningful place to come
together as a community. The
Kelly Hall YMCA brings all of
this and more to West Humboldt
Park,” Lewis said.
West Humboldt Park is one
of the poorest and more violent
neighborhoods in Chicago. More than 50 percent of
families live below the poverty
line. Gangs have infiltrated the
area. Parents look for a place for
their children to go after school
where they might be kept safe
from the dangers of the streets.
Lewis began with the
YMCA program 24 years ago
and has more than 20 years
experience as YMCA director.
Lewis lives in Calumet City,
Ill. He develops and oversees
programs designed to enhance
the quality of life for youth,
teens, adults and senior citizens
in underserved communities.
Lewis implemented an
arts initiative involving five
arts organizations and five
community-based agencies. He
also developed and implemented
recreational, physical,
educational and leadership
programs with activities for
staff, young adults and children.
“Raised by a single parent, I
spent a lot of time working out at
the YMCA while I was growing
up. The guys that I met there
were my mentors,’’ Lewis said. “Now I want to do what
they did for me. Working at the
YMCA is rewarding, especially
when young people tell me that
they too want to come back and
find a way to give back the same
experiences to others.’’
Four years at Wayne State
provided the same type of
inspiring experiences for Lewis
in the 1970s.
“My football coach, Ralph
Barclay, provided discipline and
helped me focus. He made us
each stronger as a person and
helped us learn how to deal as
men with real life situations,’’
Lewis said. “I appreciate all
he taught me. We were always
challenged by him. You weren’t
just a number at Wayne State
College.”
During his first year at WSC,
Lewis was contacted by coaches
from the University of Nebraska.
He chose to stay at Wayne
State and found individualized
attention from faculty and staff
members.
“I found a close-knit campus
with people that you could rely
on when you needed them,”
Lewis said. “The small class
sizes helped me succeed. I would
not have done as well at a larger
college.’’
“My mother, Lillian Marie
Lewis, 83, is still here. She
has always helped me to stay
focused. When I went to Wayne
State College, she told me to do
my studies, don’t forget your
background and remember how
you were raised,’’ Lewis said. Stanley Lewis (center) meets with young participants in a YMCA
project in Chicago. Students created artwork to show what
makes them think about home.
“My grandma Amanda
Lewis has been the rock of the
family. Everything I did when
I went away to school kept me
within the same challenge that
was there when I was growing
up. Every day I try to find
ways to build the same type of
character in these young people
through the YMCA. It is a
challenge for these young people
surrounded by killings and
random shootings.’’
Connecting with parents
and their children, Lewis focuses
on what matters most for his
program including finding new
funding options in tight financial
times and providing a positive
alternative to becoming involved
in street and gang activities.
“I ask to see their grades.
They know I care. Some of the
young people that we serve have
never had anyone ask about their
school work or have someone
who goes to school to get grades
or information from teachers,’’
Lewis said. “I also have parents
who are very grateful for what
we provide for their families.”
Today, despite the importance
of his work, grants and funding
are becoming increasingly hard
to find. Lewis is working on
building a board to help sustain
the program.
“Wayne State Alumni and
friends have looked me up
though the YMCA and made
significant contributions to our
program,’’ Lewis said. “My goal
is to develop Kelly Hall YMCA
into a model that we can expand
on with the sustainability that’s
needed. It is vital to involve a
strong board of directors who
have the vision it will take to
build on this partnership.’’
Once drafted by the
Cleveland Browns in the 10th
round of the 1975 NFL Draft,
Lewis now drafts others to
another type of unique and
worthwhile team effort, the
YMCA.
ENEWSLETTER
Did you miss it?
The fifth edition of the electronic newsletter was
sent out last month. Have you signed up for this
convenient way to keep up with Wayne State?
22
Highlights include photo galleries of the Carhart renovation project, spring
commencement, the annual children's show, and the Freedom Calls art expo. You
can sign up for the electronic newsletter at www.wsc.edu/alumni/update_info/ and
read the latest edition at www.wsc.edu/emails/alumni/enewsletter_spring_10/.
For more alumni news, visit www.wsc.edu/alumni/news/.
IN MEMORY OF
Pauline (Murray) Elliott ‘35, (94), Ames, Iowa;
April 22.
Twila (Gildersleeve) Anderson ‘37, MSE ‘61, (93),
Hartington; May 28.
Eleanor (Severson) Clemon ‘40, (88), Sioux City,
Iowa; Jan. 1.
Lila (Brauer) Johring ‘41, (91), O’Neill;
March 31.
Delia (Welch) Miller ‘41, (88), Kansas City, Mo.;
March 3.
Lila L. Fletcher ‘47, (94), Norfolk; March 5.
Marian (Sandahl) Biermann ‘47, (83), Wisner;
Jan. 19.
Marjorie Jane (Beyerly) Richards ‘48, (85),
Lincoln; May 15.
Bonnie C. (Fleming) Feller ‘50, (81), West Point;
June 9.
Delores M. (Wuebben) Becker ‘52, (79), Wynot;
June 8.
Roger L. Higgins ‘55, (79), Omaha; June 20.
E. Lee Farber ‘57, (79), Fort Dodge, Iowa; Feb. 20.
Norman R. Ellis ‘58, (81), Santa Monica, Calif.;
June 11.
Duane H. Mackey ‘60, (71), Vermillion, S.D.;
March 11.
Paul F. McKeever ‘60, (72), Bennington; Nov. 15.
Bonnadell (Roe) Fredrickson ‘61, (88), Norfolk;
June 20.
Gail (Vasek) Otten ‘63, (67), York; March 4.
LaVeryl (Nelson) Tharpe ‘63, (66), Charlotte,
N.C.; April 19.
Eleanor “Ann” (Manning) Splittgerber ‘65, (67),
Las Vegas, Nev.; May 31.
Cathy (McGrew) Shrauger ‘66, (65), Casselberry,
Fla.; Mar. 22.
Marilyn (Haitz) Pierson ‘68, (82), Wakefield;
June 26.
Jack McRae ‘70, (63), Scottsdale, Ariz.; Feb. 18.
Joanne (Twibell) Leiding ‘71, (73), Orchard;
June 29.
Sandra (Whitehurst) Dahlkoetter ‘72, MSE ‘93,
(62), Stanton; March 6.
Jeffrey A. Gross ‘75, (58), Omaha; Jan. 4.
Joyce (Goodman) Rohlfs ‘75, (29), Osmond;
March 12.
Lloyd G. Arie ‘76, (56), Fremont; May 5.
Lavah (Poeschl) Maciejewski ‘78, (87), Tucson,
Ariz.; April 24.
Leona (Ingram) Kloepper ‘79, (80), Neligh;
Feb. 17.
Merlyn W. Weddingfeld ‘81, (83), Hartington;
March 5.
Joseph E. Dolsak ‘82, (55), Virginia Beach, Va.;
April 13.
Ronald Rosicky ‘88, (45), Renton, Wash.; April 18.
Norman Ellis, Longtime WSC Supporter, Dies
Norman Ellis ’58 passed away June 11, 2010, at St. John’s
Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. Ellis was 81.
He graduated from Wayne High School in 1946 and from
Wayne State College in January of 1958. He married Janice
Nordman in August of that year. He spent more than 32 years with
the University of California, retiring in October 1991. The years
following his retirement were busy with volunteer work at the
local elementary school, where the children called him “grandpa,”
and being active in the Methodist Church.
Ellis had been a trustee of the Wayne State Foundation since 1985, along with his
wife, Jan. They have been active trustees, returning for Homecoming and the annual
meeting of the foundation. Wayne State could always count on Norman and Jan to
attend the alumni events in California. They established the Janice E. and Norman R.
Ellis Endowed Scholarship, and they were generous in their support of the initiatives
of the college.
Ellis will be greatly missed by his friends at Wayne State College.
Lois Nuernberger, Longtime WSC Employee, Dies at 62
Lois Ann Nuernberger, 62, died March 7, 2010. She
was born April 1, 1947, in West Point, Neb., to William and
Hildegarde (Hugo) Noonan. Nuernberger was an information
resource director at Wayne State’s Conn Library for 20 years.
She attended District #77 Logan View north of Wakefield,
St. Mary’s Catholic School, graduated from Wayne High School
in 1965, and attended Wayne State College from 1965 to 1967.
Nuernberger returned to Wayne State to earn her bachelor of
science degree in 1998.
She married Jim Nuernberger on Feb. 4, 1967, at St. Mary’s
Catholic Church in Wayne. The couple farmed south of Wakefield and later southeast
of Wayne. She served as director of activities at the Wakefield Health Care Center.
Nuernberger was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a
Mass lector. She enjoyed sewing, walking, reading, line dancing, landscaping, and
most of all her family.
Professor Russ Rasmussen Dies at 71
Dr. Russell Lee Rasmussen of Wayne, Neb., died June 5. He
was 71 years old. A memorial service was held June 9, in Ramsey
Theatre.
Rasmussen was born to Sydney “Pete” Rasmussen and Clara
Halvorson Rasmussen on Sept. 5, 1938, in Allen, Neb. He earned
a bachelor of science degree and PhD in chemistry from the
University of Nebraska. He spent two years as a Fulbright Scholar
in Germany, studying in Tübigen and Berlin. He taught chemistry
at Wayne State College from 1969 until his retirement in 2001.
Rasmussen was recognized as an outstanding teacher by his students and by
local, state and national groups. He received a Loren Eiseley award for outstanding
scientist-humanists as well as the Burlington Northern and the Nebraska State College
System Teaching Excellence Awards.
He enjoyed participating in campus life including judging science fairs and
foreign language competitions, and attending International Club events.
Rasmussen was an enthusiastic botanist, an avid collector and a voracious reader
in a wide variety of disciplines. He spoke, read and sang loudly in German, and taught
himself several other languages.
23
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #227
Sioux City, Iowa
WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION
1111 MAIN STREET
WAYNE NE 68787
www.wsc.edu
The people, the places, and the memories that you
treasure all in a special limited-edition book.
Visit www.wsc.edu/centennial_book/ for an online preview of Far From Normal. This beautiful,
commemorative pictorial history of Wayne State College’s first 100 years will be cherished by
alumni and friends for years to come.
Wayne State College is far from normal in so many ways. From its humble beginnings as a
normal school to the dynamic college it is today, the passion of its people has been the secret
of its success. As Wayne State College marks its centennial this year, it is a special time to
remember, to commemorate and to celebrate.
The Wayne State Foundation has published a unique limited-edition hardcover pictorial history book, richly illustrated with more than 200
photos. Alumni and friends of Wayne State College will want to own Far from Normal. This special volume captures in words and pictures the
students, faculty, alumni, buildings, community and spirit of WSC.
To order contact Carol Stephens at 402-375-7510
or e-mail her at casteph1@wsc.edu

Summer 2010 - Wayne State College

Transcription

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