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ALUMNI NOTES

The University of Minnesota Duluth Bridge publishes Alumni Notes. You can send us notes by e-mail: alumni@d.umn.edu, by fax at 218-726-6186 or by sending the form on page 22. If you are in the U.S., you can send your note to: Alumni Director, University Relations, University of Minnesota Duluth, 315 DAdB, 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812. This issue of the Bridge reflects the notes we received before December 15, 2003.

1949
Marilynn (Nelson) Basarich, who lived and taught in Hibbing, MN for many years went back to college and completed her library science certificate and she preceded to work for 26 years at the Hibbing High School Library. Marilynn has a daughter, son and two grandchildren. She currently lives in Inver Grove Heights, MN.

Barbara (Heim) Millner has been active in the choral music field since graduation. She has two children and currently lives in Edina, MN.
June (Neilsen) Johnson taught for many years in the Minneapolis public schools and now is a very active volunteer. She returned to school and received her MBA degree in 1959 and now lives in Wayzata, MN.

1950
Ione Thompson Goodman and her husband, Lowell, live in Radnor, PA where she currently works as a volunteer tutor. After UMD, she received her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. They have one son.

Priscilla (Michell) Runquist, White Bear Lake, MN, has three children and eight grandchildren and enjoys the arts and traveling.

1951
Mary (Swanstrom) Patterson has three children and four grandchildren and she splits her time between Cambridge, MN and McGregor, MN.

1962
Patricia Richard-Amato is a professor emeritus at California State University in Los Angeles. In 2003, she released the third edition of Making It Happen: From Interactive to Participatory Language Teaching: Theory and Practice.

Michael Fedo, a resident of Coon Rapids, MN, published another novel, Indians in the Arborvitae, in April of 2003. The work is Michael’s seventh book. Among his previous works is The Lynchings of Duluth.

1963
Michelle (Cunningham) Mills, who graduated from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1961, attended graduate school at the University of Chicago and later graduated with her doctor of ministry degree in 1968. She was a Unitarian parish minister from 1968 to 1970, an assistant professor for the Nursing department at Westminster College from 1970 to 1972, and then taught and practiced nursing in the United States and Canada until her retirement in 1994.

Sandra (Schwieger) Reed of Peoria, AZ, retired in March of 2002 after 19 years with American Express Financial Advisors and six years with American Express Travel Related Services in Phoenix.

1965
Peter Esala, of Tower, MN, reached mandatory retirement age as a master sergeant in the Army National Guard after 37 years of service.

1970
Jim Godsey, of Mankato, MN, became the executive director of the Traverse des Sioux library system in January of 2003. Jim was the director of the Council Bluffs, Iowa public library from 1996-2003.William Arel, ’70 and Barbara (Woitel) Arel, ’71, are living in Roxboro, NC. Barb is a coordinator for Person Company Head Start. Bill is an administrator and finance manager for the Diocese of Raleigh. Bill enjoys singing with the North Carolina Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus chorale. Barb participates in fundraising music programs, including the Red Stocking Revue.

1974
Dr. Paula Rudolph, MA ’74, was named California’s 35th assembly district “Woman of the Year” for her leadership and the significant ways in which she has contributed to her community. Paula serves as the sexual harassment and Title IX officer at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

1976
David Hough received his master’s degree in geography from York University in Toronto in 1979. He is currently the community development director in Casper, WY.

1978
Kimberlie and Dale Ignatius reside in Rochester, MN. Dale is the associate director of human resources for Olmsted County. The Minnesota Counties Human Resource Management Association recently named Dale the 2003 Human Resource Professional of the Year.
Stephanie Mattson, of Newark, OH, is an assistant professor of chemistry at Denison University in Ohio. Mattson earned her doctorate from the California Institute of Technology. She previously served as a senior scientist at Owens Corning, the Science and Technology Center in Ohio, and as an adjunct professor at the Central Ohio Technical College.

1980
Elaine S. Hansen, ’80, MBA ’03, has been appointed Director of the UMD Center for Economic Development. Hansen was most recently Director of Development for the UMD Labovitz School of Business and Economics. She served as the commissioner of Administration for the State of Minnesota, Director of Finance for the City of Duluth and as CFO for Miners Technology, Inc.

1982
Kristine Anderson, of Esko, MN, and Patrick Dwyer, of Duluth, were married in May. Kristine received her certificate of gerontology from the College of St. Scholastica. She is employed with the Lutheran Social Services and Carlson County Public Health department. Patrick received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UMD in 1986 and his master’s degree in education from the College of St. Scholastica. He is an instructor at Lake Superior College and a lieutenant colonel in the Minnesota Army National Guard.

1984
Kevin Klinkerfues, of Wheat Ridge, CO, was named Tartan High School Distinguished Alumnus for 2002. Since 1996, Kevin has been a statewide trainer and developer of curriculum for recidivism prevention for the Colorado corrections system, and has developed and facilitated a program for high-risk offenders that is a model for similar programs throughout Colorado.

1986
Thomas Smuda, of Hershey, PA, was promoted to vice president of United States field sales for Hershey Foods. Thomas has worked for Hershey Foods since 1987 when he began as a sales merchandiser in St. Paul.

1987
Dorian J. Beaulieu was invited by the People’s Republic of China to be a guest artist at the 2002 International Ceramics Exposition in Foshan, China. He and his wife, Julie, reside in Duluth. Dorian is on sabbatical from his teaching position at Lake Superior College while he works on his second master’s degree. He recently received the Maddy Simon’s Art Advocacy Award for his tireless efforts to promote the arts in the Duluth area.

Skeeter Moore has joined UMD as the Director of Development for Athletics. “I’m scoring goals for UMD again,” he said, “but this time it is off the ice, providing opportunities for UMD’s student athletes.”

1988
Eddie Yaroch, who once wrote and directed a one-act play in the Marshall Performing Arts Center, has recently released his first full length feature film, Class President. The 90-minute film premiered in South Dakota in August 2002. In April 2003 it made its Minnesota debut at the NorShor Theatre in Duluth. A portion of the proceeds made from the film’s Minnesota debut were donated to the UMD Theatre Department.

1989
Jim Armstrong of North Branch, MN, and Holly Harris of Lino Lakes, MN, were married in February in Jamaica. Both work for Wells Fargo in Roseville, MN.

Christopher Grillo is director of security at Pearson Education in Bloomington, MN. He is on the advisory board for the Computer Security Institute and the UMD LSBE Department of Accounting advisory board.

Michael Kuhns is the European sales manager for the Donaldson Company. Michael and his wife Agnes have two sons. The family resides in the Brussels, Belgium area.

Kristen (Olson) Ross and her husband, Dr. Gregory Ross, have three children, Jake, Elana, and Brice. The family lives in Lakeland, MN. Kristen is a registered dental hygienist with Southill Dental Group in Stillwater, MN.

1990
Michael Booth played the character Mr. Praed in the Guthrie Theater’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession. This is the latest in a string of roles at the Guthrie and other United States theaters. Michael received his master’s degree in fine arts from Rutgers University.

Kristin Bruss was promoted to branch manager of MinnCO Credit Union’s Cambridge, MN, office. In her new role, Kristin will be responsible for overseeing all member services, loan services and teller areas of the Cambridge MinnCO branch. Kristin and her family are longtime residents of Cambridge.

Carrie Ceryes and Kurt Bloyer, both of Los Angeles, were married in April. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in theater in 1990 from UMD, Carrie earned her master’s degree in theater from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1992. She is an actress and aquatic business owner. Kurt is a PGA golf professional.

Mark Record and Tricia Bordson, both of Duluth, were married in September. Tricia is employed by Northland Obstetrics & Gynecology. Mark is a general accounting manager at Luigino’s Inc.

1991
Vicki Sosnowski, of Duluth, and Brad Pixley, of Pine City, MN, were married in May. Vicki received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from UMD in 1991. Brad is an electrician for Integrity Electric.

1992
Cynthia Benoit, MA ’92, of Big Lake, MN, and Mark Scott, of Princeton, MN, were married in October. Mark is a programming engineer in Fridley, MN. Cynthia earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication disorders.

Troy Duncan joined the Grant Thornton Company in April as the director of business risk services. Troy had been a senior manager with PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

1993
Jeanne L. Devaney, MSW ’93, and Christopher Carroll are to be married in July. Jeanne is a medical social worker for St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic. Christopher is an associate professor in the UMD Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Barbara Kinney and Ronald Erjavec were married in October of 2001. The couple resides in Eveleth, MN with their new baby, James. Barbara is a teacher with the St. Louis County school system.

Amy Puglisi and Michael Hoyt, both of Superior, WI, were married in June of 2002. Amy is a biologist for Computer Sciences Corporation. Michael is a firefighter for the city of Superior.

Traci Saba and James Kubisiak, MS ’97, were married in October, 2002. The couple lives in Apple Valley, MN. Traci is a senior business consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Lisa Seales and Douglas Gordon, Minneapolis, were married in September, 2001. Lisa completed her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2001. She is working as a psychologist with an organizational consulting firm in Minneapolis. Doug is a lead software developer with a healthcare company in Golden Valley, MN.

1994
Kevin Wold and Jodi Carlson, of Farmington, MN, were married in October of 2000. The couple has one child, a daughter born in June of 2002. Kevin was recently promoted to senior human resources generalist at Northwestern Travel.

1995
Sara Jayson and Ray Peterson, both of Duluth, were married in October. Sara is a public relations specialist for St. Mary’s/ Duluth Clinic. Ray earned his law degree from Hamline Law School. He is an associate attorney for Maki & Overom-Chartered.

James Peterson received his master’s degree in business administration in 2000 from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He and Alessandra Galhardo Alves were marred in Brazil in 2001. The couple lives in Munster, Germany where James is employed by the BASF Corporation.

Karen White left Imation in the summer of 2002 to join North Dakota State University’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The center specializes in the miniaturization of electronics, specifically the development of microsensors. Karen and her husband, Jim, have two sons. The family resides in Barnesville, MN.

1996
Tony Dierckins, M.A. ’96, and Jerry Paulson, both of Duluth published two books of vintage postcards called Greetings from Duluth, Volumes 1 & 2, with reproductions of hand-painted postcards featuring historic scenes from the Twin Ports and Lake Superior region. Among the images are the Aerial Lift Bridge, Enger Tower, Hotel Duluth, old Central High School, the view from Skyline Parkway, ruins of the Minnesota Point Lighthouse and Split Rock Lighthouse.

Carrie Miller and Jeremy Jensen, both of Minneapolis, were married in March in Cozumel, Mexico. Carrie has taught second grade at Breck for the past six years. Jeremy is a golf apparel sales representative.

Steve Sweere, an Owatonna, MN native and UMD theater graduate, will make his Guthrie Theater debut this spring in Charles Mee’s romantic comedy, Wintertime. Steve’s previous works include positions with the Twin Cities Small Theater Mafia and the Loading Dock Theatre Company.

1997
Nathaniel Koch, of St. Louis Park, MN, and Katherine Scott, of Fridley, MN, were married in August. Katherine graduated from Gustavus Adolphus and is a kindergarten teacher in the Minneapolis public schools. Nathaniel is a financial analyst for Anderson Windows in Stillwater.

Jordan LaFleur and Michele Maciejeski, both of Duluth, were married in August. Michele is the inventory control manager at Kolar Autoworld. Jordan is a sales representative for American Bottling Company.

Thomas Nelson and Angela Lancour, both of Two Harbors, were married in April. Angela is employed by Superior Health Medical Group. Thomas is a teacher and coach for the Lake Superior school district.

Dawn Raway, of Dublin, OH, received her master’s degree in business administration in January from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She is a sales account manager for 3M and the Ohio Government Transportation Safety Representative.

1998
Karin Kongsjord, MA ’98, is pursuing her doctorate at Hamline University in St. Paul. Karin and her husband Randy were married in ’98. The couple’s son Joel was born in October of 2002. The family resides in Maplewood, MN.

Lori Kostynyk of Duluth, and Timothy Kulas of Cloquet, MN, were married in October. Lori works in the chemical dependency field at the Miller-Dwan Medical Center. Timothy is an engineer for the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Railway.

Darrell Sawyer and Jamin Darwin, both of Northfield, MN, were married in July. Jamin earned her master’s degree in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. She is a physical therapist. Darrell is a social studies teacher and a coach in Northfield.

1999
Dr. Jonathon Delf, D.D.S. graduated from the University of Minnesota with his D.D.S. degree in June of 2003. Jonathon is currently working for Lake Superior Dental Associates.

Leah Hill and Brandon Kohlts, both of Duluth, were married in March. Leah, a 1999 UMD graduate, is a communications specialist and event planner for America’s Byways Resource Center. Brandon, a 2000 UMD graduate, is a planner for Arrowhead Regional Development Commission.

Mike Hubbell of Apple Valley, MN, and Trista Quast of Buffalo, MN, were married in May. Trista received her bachelor’s degree in communication for the College of St. Benedict. She is an event planner for Job Boss Software in Edina, MN. Mike is employed by RBC Dain Rauscher in Minneapolis.

Anthony Olson and Melissa Scanlon, both of Duluth, were married in August. Melissa graduated from the College of St. Scholastica. She is a first-grade teacher at St. James School in Duluth. Anthony is a supervisor at Northwood Children’s Services in Duluth.

Dr. Teresa Venditto and Brian St. George, both of Minneapolis, were married in January. Teresa received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. She is a physician at the Duluth Family Practice Center in Duluth. Brian is a geographic information systems specialist for Scott County, MN.

Kristen Wendling and Adam Estvold, both of Woodbury, MN, were married in July. Kristen is a funds development manager for the American Red Cross in Minneapolis. Adam earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from North Dakota State University. He is an engineer for Andersen Windows in Bayport, MN.

2000
Tara Olson and Thomas Coombe, both of Ely, MN, were married in June. Tara, a 2000 UMD graduate, works for the Ely Echo newspaper and coordinates the Ely Area Foodshelf. Thomas, a 1992 UMD graduate, works for the Ely Echo newspaper and coaches high school baseball.

James Stroop III and Christine Wise, both of St. Paul, were married in September. Christine works in project management for Benchmark Learning. James is a manager at Sam’s Club. 2001

Rebecca Amos and Gregg McCall, both residents of Duluth, were married in September. Rebecca, a 2001 graduate, is a pharmaceutical representative for Johnson & Johnson. Gregg, a 2000 graduate, is a financial consultant for US Bancorp Investments.

Brenda Fowler and Josh Schomberg, both of Duluth, were married in September. Brenda is a counselor for Northwood Children’s Services. Josh is a draftsman for Billman Construction.

Ryan Homstol and Rhonda Rendulich, both of Eagan, MN, were married in August, 2002. Rhonda earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin, Superior. She is a teacher at the Peace of Mind Education Center in Woodbury, MN. Ryan is an orthopedic representative for Smith and Nephew Orthopedics in Bloomington, MN.

Robert Lietha of Bennett, MN, and Joann Schaller of Lake Nebagamon, MN, were married in August. Joann is a head cashier at the Hermantown Menards, and Robert is a carpenter.

Megan Loppnow of Duluth, is the new Promotions Assistant and PSA Director at WDIO-TV.

Rob Nurminen and Kari Hull were married in September of 2002. Kari, a graduate of the College of St. Scholastica, is an assistant supervisor and inventory coordinator at Lake Sonoma Winery in Geyserville, CA. Rob is a mortgage banker for Provident Funding in Santa Rosa, CA.

2002
Jillian Hicks of Zim, MN, and Drew Lamoureaux of Virginia, MN, were married in October. Jillian received her bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2002. She is a loan processor for First Minnesota Mortgage in Hibbing. Drew is a personal banker for Wells Fargo in Eveleth, MN.

Rachael Klein, MA ’02, and Scott Lind, both of St. Cloud, MN, were married in October. Rachael earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology from UMD in 2002. She is employed by the Central Minnesota Sexual Abuse Center. Scott is employed by INH Property Management and Granite City.

Navy Ensign Reynard K. Moore, of San Diego, received his commission as a naval officer after completing Officer Candidate School at the Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL.

Michelle Meinke of Two Harbors, MN, and Ryan Hallman, of Phoenix, were married in April. Michelle is an assistant manager for Paradise Valley Jewelers. Ryan is a security officer for Maricopa County.

2003
Miranda Edel, MA ’03, joined Lake Superior College as an instructional technologist. Miranda received her bachelor’s degree from UMD in 2001 and her master’s degree in 2003. Miranda will be assisting in the development of online courses and other computer based learning solutions.