Family Lines Cross - Bemidji State University

Horizons Page 6
Outstanding
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
Nine individuals received Outstanding
Alumni Awards during
ceremonies at this fall’s BSU
Homecoming.
The Outstanding Alumni Award
was established in 1972 to recognize
contributions BSU graduates
have made to their professions,
communities and alma mater. The
award recipients were:
Melanie Benjamin; chief executive
of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe;
Onamia.
Benjamin earned a business
administration degree from BSU
in 1988 and continued her studies
in tribal governance and natural
resources at the University of Colorado
Law School. In addition to being
elected as the chief executive by
the Mille Lacs Band, she has served
Call For Nominations
Where We Are ... What We’re Doing
Continued from page 3
employed for the past eight years as an AP biology
and chemistry teacher at Brainerd High School.
She and her husband, Bart, have two children, Cole,
6, and Camille, 4... Terri Schultz (’92) lives in Bemidji
and has one child, Wil, 7... Tracy Baird (’95)
and Marty Baird (’93) live in Sparta, WI, with their
children, Quaden, 4, and Xavier, 6. Marty is employed
as the director of fi nance for Mathew’s, Inc.
and Tracy is currently a stay-at-home mother. They
are anticipating the birth of a third child in February
…Sarah Ryan (’99) is in her fi fth year of teaching
classroom music at North Elementary in Princeton.
She also teaches extra curricular fourth- and fi fthgrade
choir and is working towards completion of a
master’s degree in education. She and her husband,
Ross, live in Mora... Jon Langhout (’91) and Suzy
Langhout (’93) of Bemidji have changed the
name of their dance studio from Top of the River to
Suzy and Hondo and are building a new web site
supporting their dance instruction business, www.
suzyandhondo.com... Bradley Kennet (’94), who
skated with the BSU hockey team from 1989 to
1992, was recently inducted into the North West
Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of
the Canadian 1989 Centennial Cup Championship
Hockey Team... Sandy Kitzman (’91) was hired
this summer as special education director with the
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District. She has
taught at Duluth, Walker and Fergus Falls and lives
in Fergus Falls with her husband and children...
Steven Wymore (’98) is the new superintendent of
Willow River Area Schools... Chad Engels (’97)
the American Indian community in
a variety of capacities.
Daniel P. DeKrey; internal medicine
specialist, MeritCare Clinic;
Bemidji.
DeKrey graduated summa cum
laude from BSU in 1980 with a
degree in chemistry and minors
in biology and psychology. He
joined MeritCare Clinic in Bemidji
in 1989 and has remained
active throughout the community
and the medical fi eld.
Mardy Karger; news director, Paul
Bunyan Broadcasting; Bemidji.
Karger graduated from BSU in
1972 with a bachelor of science
degree in biology. The news director
at Paul Bunyan Broadcasting
since 1974, he has earned many
awards, including the Minnesota
Outstanding Alumni Nominations are now being accepted for
candidates to be considered for the Bemidji State University Outstanding
Alumni Award.
The Award is presented annually during Homecoming. It is the highest
honor afforded by the Bemidji State University Alumni Association. The
recipients bring recognition to their alma mater through distinguished and
professional achievements. They are honored for exceptional service and
contributions to BSU and to their community, state and nation.
All nominees must have graduated no less than 10 years ago from the
University. Nominations will be accepted until January 31, 2005, and can
be made by anyone except an immediate family member.
Current faculty, staff and members of the Board of Directors of the
Bemidji State University Alumni Association are not eligible for consideration.
A nomination form can be obtained by calling the Alumni Offi ce at 1-877-
278-2586 (toll free) or 218-755-3989 (local); emailing alumni@bemidjistate.
edu; or going to the website http://www.bsualumni.org/awardPrograms/outstanding.html.
Receive Awards
of West Fargo, ND, has joined Moore Engineering
Inc., West Fargo. He will primarily work as a water
resource engineer... Stacey Beyer (’95) and his
wife, Tammy, own Beyer’s Auto Center in Hoffman.
In 1999, they purchased the business from Stacey’s
parents who had owned and operated it for about 30
years... Neil Aalto (’95) of Los Angeles, CA, was
recently on site in Southern California directing
a photo shoot during the fi lming of an episode of
“Monster Garage.” The show airs on the Discovery
Channel and is hosted by world-famous motorcycle
builder Jesse James... Kathy Huschle (’99) of
Thief River Falls was selected as Northland Community
and Technical College’s 2004 Faculty of
the Year. She teaches classes in environmental sciences,
microbiology, astronomy, biology and fi rstresponders.
She’s also spent six years as an assistant
coach for Pioneer volleyball, fi ve years as assistant
softball coach and the past three years as head coach
for the Pioneer Women’s softball team. She recently
celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her
husband, Gary. They have three children. Sarah,
Lacey and Cody, and a daughter-in-law, Jackie...
Dennis Weimann (’90) is employed as news director
and anchor of the Lakeland News Team with
Public Television – KAWE, Channel 9, in Bemidji.
He was hired to fi ll that position in 1998. He and his
wife, Rita ('89), have been married for 15 years and
have one daughter... Stacy Christensen (’98) has
been a weathercaster and reporter with KAWE’s
Lakeland News since 1998. She lives in Bemidji
with her husband, Jason, and their three children...
Broadcasters Association nonmetro
Outstanding Broadcast
Personality Award for 1998.
Rachel Reabe Nystrom; host and
producer of “Mainstreet,” Minnesota
Public Radio; Brainerd.
Nystrom received a bachelor
of science degree in mass communication
from BSU in 1976.
She began working for Minnesota
Public Radio in 1987 and
for the past 10 years has directed
the award-winning “Mainstreet”
show, which focuses on in-depth
coverage of timely and interesting
topics.
Alan F. Pendleton; judge, 10th
Judicial District in Sherburne
County; Ramsey.
Pendleton graduated magna cum
laude from BSU in 1977 and earned
a juris doctorate degree from Drake
University Law School. He was initially
appointed to the bench in 1999
by then-Governor Jesse Ventura and
was subsequently elected in 2002.
Barb Stofl et; teacher and assistant
administrator at Eisenhower
Elementary in Hopkins school
district; Minnetonka
Stofl et gained a degree in education
from BSU in 1984. She
went on to complete a master’s
degree at Minnesota State University,
Mankato in 1994 and her
administration licensure degree
at St. Mary’s University in 2004.
In 2001 she was selected as the
Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
Brad Bordwell (’93) is an offi cer with the Minnesota
State Patrol, assigned to Aitkin County
roads... Cory Koplin (’93) lives in Frontenac with
his wife, Kristin ('93), and their children, Brendan,
4, and Julia, 1, in a 1930s era home they relocated
and refurbished in 1997. They are about to begin
restoration of another historical building that was
moved onto their property recently. Cory serves on
the board of directors for the Goodhue Historical
Society and is chairman of the Old Frontenac
Historic Preservation Commission... Marty Torgerson
(’95) is the new manager of Savanna Portage
State Park. He assumed the duties of park manager
earlier this year, thereby continuing in the footsteps
of his father and grandfather, both of whom worked
in state parks. Both were also named Marty. This is
the fi fth park he has managed since his fi rst position
as manager of Cascade State Park... Jean Dolensek
(’95) was hired in August to the position of director
of administrative services with the Iron Range
Resources Commission. She comes to the position
on a permanent basis after having served as the
agency’s interim administrative services director
since April. Her experience includes service in
several administrative capacities at Iron Range
Resources as well as a period of service with the
accounting department at US Steel’s Minntac Minnesota
ore operations in Mountain Iron... Don Lepper
(’93) recently retired from the United States
Naval Reserve. He and his wife, Anne-Marie, have
a daughter, Rachel, 9, and live in Winona... Kristine
Schneider (’90) and her husband, Joe, live in Grand
Forks where she is employed as a copy writer... Ra-
Top row, L-R: Melanie Benjamin, Daniel P. DeKrey, Mardy Karger.
Row 2, L-R: Rachel Reabe Nystrom, Alan F. Pendleton, Barb Stofl et.
Row 3, L-R: Tom Welle, Andrew Wells, Mark Yorek.
Tom Welle; president, First National
Bank; Bemidji.
Welle is a 1972 honors graduate
with a bachelor of science degree
in business administration with a
concentration in fi nance. During
his tenure at First National Bank
of Bemidji, the institution’s assets
grew to $360 million and earned
the status of an A+ bank by the
Weis Rating Services based on
safety and soundness.
Andrew Wells; chief executive
officer and president of Wells
Technology; Bemidji.
Wells received bachelor degrees
in industrial education and physics
from BSU in 1966 as well as a
master’s in industrial technology
in 1969. In 1990, he incorporated
Wells Technology, a company that
nae Imsande (’97) and Will Seykora were married
September 4 in Walker. She teaches kindergarten
at Central Elementary School, Bemidji, and works
at Southside Restaurant. Will is employed with
Gladen’s Construction... Patty Cornelius (’91)
and Lee Cook were married June 26 in Walker...
Kelly Johnson (’99) and Aricka Mistic were
married September 18... Robb Detschman (’90)
of Bemidji won fi rst place at the PMTT Mike James
Mega Muskie Tournament held on Cass Lake this
summer. Prizes included cash and a Ranger boat
and motor... Carla Patch (’92) was among 22 staff
members from Schoolcraft Learning Community
who recently worked on a remodeling project at the
Evergreen House in Bemidji. It was part of their
community service learning component... Melissa
Vacek (’98) recently accepted the position of director
of membership services for the Bemidji Area
Chamber of Commerce. She has worked full-time
at a local Rule 36 facility, assisting adults with serious
mental illnesses. In 2001, she began working
with the Occupational Development Center, Inc.
as a mental health employment coordinator. She’s
volunteered as an ambassador with the chamber of
commerce and also with the United Way Communications
and Events Committee... Nancy Erickson
(’90) advanced to the general election for Ward 5
Bemidji City Council. She is an incumbent... Chris
DeLeone (’95) and Allison (Kaul) DeLeone (’93)
announce the April 1 birth of a daughter. The family
lives in Seattle, WA, in the summers and in Belize
in the winters.
serves the national aerospace and
electronic markets with contact
manufacturing of 9,000 different
products.
Mark Yorek; professor in the Department
of Internal Medicine
at the University of Iowa; Iowa
City, IA.
Yorek, a 1976 graduate of
BSU, went on to complete a
doctorate in biochemistry at the
University of North Dakota. In
addition to his assignment at the
University of Iowa, he is a research
health science specialist
at the Veterans Affairs Medical
Center in Iowa City, where he
has been involved in diabetes
research since 1984.
2000s
Tim Lutz (’00) is the new principal at Warren/Alvarado/Oslo
High School. He was previously technical
advisor and guidance counselor at Norman
County East in Ada. He and his wife, Karyn, have
two children, Jordan, 14, and Katharyn, 10... Jody
Wagner (’03) is teaching a fi rst year Ojibwe language
course at Rainy River Community College,
International Falls, this school year... John Merseth
(’02) was recently ordained by the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod and installed as pastor of Grace
Lutheran Church of Weston, OH. He’d previously
served a year as vicarage at the church. He and his
wife, Lorena, have four sons, John, Jeremy, Jeffery
and James... Erich Knapp (’01) directs three high
school choirs and one elementary honors choir in
Sebeka Public Schools where he’s been employed
for the past three years. He is also in his fi fth year as
the artistic director and conductor of the 50-voice
auditioned Park Rapids Classic Chorale. In July,
he was the featured organist at the organ dedication
service at First English Lutheran Church of Dorset
where he has served as organist for 11 years …Tim
Jacobson (’01) has served as a campaign aid to
Republican House District 12A candidate Paul
Gazelka in this year’s election campaign... Bethany
Gustafson (’02) received her master’s in teaching
English as a second language from Minnesota State
University, Mankato in May. This past academic
year she taught freshman composition as a teaching
assistant... Michelle Ruckdaschel (’02) works as