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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. If you are in the U.S., you can send your note in 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 2004.

1936

Jan Peterson, UMD Alumni Association Board Member Emeritus, was featured in the Duluth News Tribune last August for her active involvement (at age 90!) in a Pike Lake golf club.

1954

Jerome Eckrich of Aberdeen, S.D., is working part time with his son Paul, who took over his urology practice in 1993. Jerome spends his winters in California or Arizona, and continues to fly his sea plane out of Lake Vermilion.

Jean LemMon, former editor of Country Home magazine and Better Homes and Gardens, has published a new book, Putting the Heart in Your Home, (Meredith Press, 2004.) The book outlines ways to create a nurturing home that reflects who you are and how you live.

1959

William Gravelle has retired from Eikill and Schilling, after a 44 year career in accounting. He was a partner with the firm since 1986 and president since 1993. William has been very involved in the community, serving as president of the Duluth-Superior Transportation Association, Duluth Rotary #25, Lake States Construction Inc., and treasurer and president elect for Duluth-Superior Symphony Association. He plans to continue consulting with the firm Eikill and Schilling.

1960

Lloyd Ratkovich has retired this past May after serving as a Charitable Giving Consultant for 18 years to donors of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He worked in banking for 25 years prior.

1965

Carol Worthing retired last December from her post as executive director of the Texas Conference of Churches. She earned a master's degree in 1982 from the Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Paul. Carol earned a P.h.D in theological studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation in 2002, and in the same year was honored as the John Macquarrie Fellow for the superior quality of her dissertation. She was chosen by the Cathedral Council to serve as preacher at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in November of 2002. Rev. Dr. Carol M. Worthing has returned to Edina, Minn. where she currently resides.

1967

Nance Bingaman has received the 2004 Distinguished Volunteer Award from the Three Rivers Park District. She has donated more than 825 hours of her time since she began volunteering at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Dayton, Ohio, where she helps teach school children about nature, surveys wildlife, and assists in public programs.

Mike Odlaug is working for the state of Washington's Department of Health and has been there for over 25 years in radiation protection. He supervises the regulation of 5,700 x-ray facilities. After graduating from UMD Mike went on to earn his master's degree in public health from the Twin Cities campus.

1968

Edward Bersu, of Madison, has completed a term as Interim Dean of Students for the Medical School (two years) and was appointed mentor for the Medical School Class of 2008 in July. Edward is a Professor of Anatomy at UW Madison.  

Lynn Olson, recently joined the staff of Great Northern Bank, as a commercial banking officer. She will originate commercial loans and promote business development in St. Michael and surrounding communities. Lynn and her family currently live in Buffalo, Minn.

1970

Keith "Huffer" Christiansen, former UMD hockey player, was honored in Duluth last August at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. He was inducted into the DECC Athletic Hall of Fame.

John Gburzynski, '65, MIS '70, retired from the office of Inspector General, U.S. Post Service in April, after 35 years with them, and a total of 39 years of federal government service. John resides in Clear Lake, Minn.

Brent M. Haglund, Madison, Wisc. is the president of the Sand County Foundation, which develops private conservation leadership through ethics, science and incentives.

Michael Vekich, has been named acting director of the Minnesota State Lottery by Governor Pawlenty.

1972

Tom Renier, Duluth, president of the Northland foundation, was appointed to the board of trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by Governor Tim Pawlenty.  

1975

Diane Rauschenfels, '72, MA '75, of Duluth, has been selected as the new superintendent for Proctor Public Schools. She is leaving the position of high school principal in Proctor. After earning two bachelor's degrees and one master's degree from UMD, she went on to receive a doctorate of education from the Twin Cities campus.

1976

James Christensen, Duluth, was named a shareholder for Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, Ltd, an accounting firm in Duluth. Christensen has been with the firm since 1986.

1980

Sheryl Cater, of Eden Prairie, Minn. has completed her master's degree in gifted education, and is currently teaching gifted/talented elementary children, after teaching special education for school district 916 for 18 years. She is married with two daughters, 17 and 14.

Scott Weatherby, Minneapolis, was recently appointed chief audit executive for Xcel Energy.

1981

Kurt Erickson, of Edina, Minn., joined the Bloomington Law Firm of McCollum, Crowley, Moschet, and Miller, Ltd. as an attorney. He will litigate construction, personal injury, and employment cases.

1983

Dale Larson, Duluth, was named a shareholder for Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, Ltd, an accounting firm in Duluth. Larson has been with the firm since 1983.

Pauline Schwarz, Duluth, was appointed director of accounting at St. Luke's Hospital. She is a certified public accountant with "Big Four" audit experience. Pauline is formerly the director at St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System.

1984

Jenny Jackson, of Duluth, was selected for the 2004-2005 Leadership Duluth class by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. She is employed by Benedictine Health System.

1985

Sharon Prunty completed her program for a K-12 principal's license from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She is serving as an associate middle school principal for the Stewartville school district, where she has been employed for 15 years.

1986

Robert Kittay, '78, MS '86, is the environmental senior scientist for the State of South Dakota Drinking Water Program. He is also the secretary/treasurer of S.D. Water and Wastewater Association. Robert resides in Pierre, S.D., where he is also the varsity hockey coach.

1988

Lisa Bortnem-Wiser has recently purchased a majority interest in Mid States Wireless, Inc., in Fargo, N.D., where she was previously general manager. She is now acting as president and general manager for the company. Lisa was previously employed by Burlington Northern Railroad.  

Connie Carter was hired as internal auditor at Members Cooperative Union, where she will review the credit union's accounting procedures and records for regulatory compliance and accuracy.

Patricia Monaghan, MS '88, of Chicago, Ill. won the 2004 Pushcart Prize for literature for her essay, "Physics and Grief," reflecting her study of physics after the death of her husband, novelist Robert Shea (Illuminatus!, Shike). Her essay was also selected for the year's Best American Spiritual Writing collection. Patricia is a member of the interdisciplinary faculty at DePaul University in Chicago.

1989

Beverly Bennett married Richard Wuori in August, 2004 in Floodwood, Minn. Beverly is an accountant for Amsoil in Superior. Richard is a game technician at Thrillz in Duluth.

1990

Jennifer Bauernfeind, has assumed the position of president of the William L. Johander Company, after her father, Bill Johander (a 1966 UMD Grad) retired in 2001. The sales and marketing company is based in Golden Valley, Minn., and focuses primarily on retail, catalog, and mail order sales. Jennifer lives in Plymouth with her husband Tim, and three daughters.

Heather Licari has been named the director of religious education for the Mesabi Unitarian Universalist Church in Virginia, Minn. Heather lives in Biwabik with her husband Chris and three children, where she is a kitchen consultant for The Pampered Chef Company.

Cherokee Rova, of Arlee, Mont., started graduate school this fall at the University of Montana, Missoula, where she is working on her master's in pharmaceutical science.

1991

Brian Shelton was hired as vice president of commercial banking at Republic Bank in Hibbing. He was most recently vice president of commercial banking at US Bank in Duluth.

1992

Michael Graves, who is employed by Uniprise/United Health Group, was selected for the 2004-2005 Leadership Duluth class by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.

Amy Hermanek, of Blaine, Minn. received a 2004 Jay and Rose Phillips Award from the Courage Center. The Courage Center presents Phillips Awards to people with disabilities who have earned outstanding success in their chosen careers. Amy is a staff attorney at the Minneapolis office of Central Minnesota Legal Services focusing on family law matters involving abuse and government benefits law.

Paul Holt and Kristine Lee were married in January. Paul works for Minnesota Power in Duluth, Kristine is employed by the Duluth City and County Employees Credit Union.

Donald Stellmaker, BS '79 MBA '92, of Duluth, has been appointed treasurer of Allete by the Duluth based corporation's board of directors. He has been with Allete since 1980.

1993

David Croke, Duluth, was named a shareholder for Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, Ltd, an accounting firm in Duluth. Croke has been with the firm since 1994.

1994

Joe Biondi, of Duluth, was selected for the 2004-2005 Leadership Duluth class by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. He is employed by News 6.

Debora Bradt, '81, MBA '94, has been hired at Republic Bank of Duluth as vice president, managing the bank's newest service, private banking. She previously was senior relationship manager at Wells Fargo in Duluth. Debora earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in business administration.

Roberta Gray is currently teaching an introduction to speech class at Pine Technical College in Pine City, Minn. Prior to that she she worked for three non-profits before receiving a M.A in speech communication from UW-Superior, in 2002. Roberta has also taught an introduction to college learning class at UMD.

Marlee Kivens joined her family business, Minneapolis Granite & Marble Co., as vice president from 1994 - 2003. She now works only part-time in the family business so she can work as the administrative assistant to the synagogue executive director of Bet Shalom Reform Congregation in Minnetonka, Minn.

Joy Recker and Brian Recker had a child, Kate Marie, who was born in July. She joins her big brother Cole. Joy works for Banner Engineering in human resources. The family resides in Savage, Minn.

1995

Michael Huray, and Melissa Ellefson, both of Duluth were married in September. Michael is a manager at a local nonprofit organization. Melissa has a communications degree and is a weekend anchor/reporter for KDLH-TV in Duluth.

Adam Schattschneider, of Bluffton, Ohio, recently published a collection of arrangements for soprano saxophone with piano accompaniment, "Soliloquies for Soprano Saxophone." He also has released his second solo CD titled "Soliloquies." Schattschneider is employed as professor of music and woodwind specialist at Bluffton University.

Susan Schulz, of Minneapolis, recently received a master of arts degree in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is a budget analyst with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

1996

Amanda (Groff) Baggenstoss and Dan Baggenstoss have a new member of the family, Madeline Doris, born July 7. This is their first child. Amanda is a graphic designer with Yamamoto Moss in Minneapolis and Dan is a graphic designer with Capsule.

1997

Jeremy McNutt married Korinne Snyder, MSW '96, in January, 2004. Jeremy has a bachelor's degree in accounting and is a project manager for Accenture in Minneapolis. Korinne earned her master's degree in social work and is a social worker for Ramsey Nursing Home in St. Paul. The couple resides in St. Paul.

Linda Blustin, of Duluth, exhibited her wire sculpture at Pizza Luce and Coco's to Geaux in 2004.

Amy Brandli and Erik Rosvold, of St. Louis Park, announce the birth of their son, Evan Andrew Rosvold, who was born in July. Amy is employed by Definity Health as a project manager. Erik is a financial planner for American Express Financial Advisors.

1998

Maren Hansen, is acting as the administrator for a Buddhist retreat center in New Mexico. The center focuses on training for peace and non-violent conflict resolution.

1999

Paulette Copp was promoted to business manager at Uniprise in Duluth, where she will lead the flexible spending account and field services areas of the claims department. She most recently was a supervisor in the claims department and the national appeals service center.

April Furry and Chris Warner were married last March in Mexico. April is self-employed and Chris is a union painter for Swanson and Youngdale in Duluth.

Rob Jackman, Air Guard military Fighter Pilot, was featured in the Duluth News Tribune last June. Jackman is now a part-time combat mission-ready pilot, based in Duluth. Pilot training is a two and a half-year commitment and each year the Air Guard adds only about 25 fighter pilots.

Sara Klein, of St. Cloud, Minn., graduated from Northwestern Chiropractic College in Bloomington, in November of 2002. She started her own practice, Chiropractic Performance Center, in Sauk Rapids. She specializes in sports chiropractic, acupuncture, and cold laser therapy.

William Maki, '92, MBA '99, was named vice president for finance and administration at Bemidji State University after serving as the chief financial officer at Itasca Community College for nine years.

Dawn Mikkelson, of St. Paul, has finished her third documentary project, Green Green Water, which she produced and directed. The film is about the havoc U.S. utility companies create in Manitoba's aboriginal communities when they build dams to capture hydro electric power.

Megan Petra, '97, MSW '99, of Madison, Wisc., has been working at UW- Madison as a teaching assistant. She also does social research for a non-profit.

Adam Snedker and Elena Vassilieva, MBA '01 both of Rosemount, Minn., had a child, Alexander, in June.   

2000

Michael Browers, of Duluth, has been hired by Von Goertz & Van Hove, Inc. as art director.

2001

Russell Bradley, of Proctor, married Melissa Wagner in February. Melissa is a radiologic technologist at Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

Matthew Thompson, '96, MS '01, and Billie Jo Carlson, of Duluth, were married in August. Billie Jo is employed by United Healthcare in Duluth. Matthew is pursuing a medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

2002

Mark Bakk, of Duluth, was promoted to general services senior associate at McGladrey & Pullen.

Andrew Edmund, of Duluth, was promoted to general services senior associate at McGladrey & Pullen.

David Klun and Anna Dahlgren, both of Duluth, were married in April. David is a product support technician at Sinex Aviation in Duluth. Anna is a medical laboratory technician at Northland Health and Wellness in Duluth.

Kathleen Kolp, MBA '02, has joined a Grand Rapidsnonprofit as a business and development specialist where she will provide small business counseling. Kathleen has 10 years experience in finance and administration. She and her husband Al own and operate a campground/resort in the Pengilly, Minn., area.

Heather Koski, of Fridley, Minn., was sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer in March, in Nicaragua. She will be working as a community health educator for two years in a small community in the Rio San Juan region.

Megan Lea Loppnow is a production assistant at WDIO-TV in Duluth.

Wells McGiffert, '99, MBA '02, was promoted to officer in the professional banking department of Wells Fargo Bank. He is a licensed investment consultant with Wells Fargo Investment Services. Wells serves on UMD's alumni board.

Jamie Niskala and Randy TenEych, both of Eveleth, were married in September. Jamie is a tax associate for RSM McGladrey in Duluth. Randy is a sales consultant for Northstar Ford in Duluth.

Jenelle Pulford, and Mark Radermacher, '01, both of Eveleth, were married in August. Janelle is a sales manager for Herbergers in Virginia. Mark works at United Healthcare in Duluth as a senior financial analyst.

Melissa Reibel and Anton Mett, both of Duluth, were married in June. Anton teaches English at Goodhue High School. Melissa is studying to be a dental hygienist.

Andrew Reierson and Jennifer Warrick were married in July. Jennifer is currently employed at Westmorelandflint in Duluth as an account coordinator. Andrew is a professional hockey player with the American Hockey League Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

Jon Nels Sarkela is a designer with Krech Ojard & Associates, an engineering and architectural firm in Duluth.

Shodee Sawyer is a designer for WTPT-TV in Minneapolis.

2003

Josh Denton and Sarah Paaso were married in June. Josh is a counselor at Northwood Children's Services in Duluth. Sarah is employed by Keystone Bluffs Assisted Living in Duluth, and is pursuing a degree in supervisory management.

Jared Felix married Amy DeSanto in August, 2004. Jared is employed by Wells Fargo Bank in Baudette, Minn. Amy is pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education at UMD.

Erica Kuchera and Kurt Barkei, of Madison, Wisc., were married in July. Erica is attending her first year of veterinary school at UW Madison. Kurt is working as an accountant for the First Supply Group.

Carl Sandness, '94, MS '03, has returned to Hibbing, Minn., to teach physics and chemistry at Hibbing High School. He also announces the birth of his first son, Matthew John, in February.

David K. Sarvela, '95, MBA 03, of Duluth, was selected for the 2004-2005 Leadership Duluth class by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. He is employed by Ikonics Corp.

2004

Mindy Arrigoni works as a creative assistant for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Junior Lessard, former men's hockey player at UMD was awarded the title, "Best Local Performance by a Male Athlete, last June at the Duluth YATA (Youth Access to the Arts) ceremony.

Jenny Potter, former women's hockey player at UMD was awarded the title, "Best Local Performance by a Female Athlete, last June at the Duluth YATA (Youth Access to the Arts) ceremony.