“Rural Nebraska is in a struggle for its very survival,” Path said.

what’s
inside
Keeping you connected with Northeast Community College
CLASS NOTES
Find out what’s
been going on
with your former
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PAGE 6
WINTER 2011
Northeast
receives award
for College
of Nursing
Partnership
PAGE 11
intouchALUMNI NEWSLETTER
New initiatives include rural revitalization
and international exchange program
Northeast Community College President
Dr. Bill R. Path strongly believes in the institution’s
Strategic Plan. So much so, that
he is literally willing to go to the ends of the
earth to advance it, as evidenced by a recent
trip to China.
The 2010-2015 Strategic Plan features
two new initiatives including an expanded
emphasis on rural revitalization and international
exchange programs.
Dr. Path believes one of the most important
things that the College can do is help
prepare its students to become effective
community leaders in rural Nebraska and to
compete in a global economy.
He would like to include a component on
the how-to’s of rural revitalization in Northeast’s
general curriculum.
“We have tomorrow’s leaders of rural Nebraska
in our classrooms today and I fear
Cobra Raffle
winner picks
up his prize.
PAGE 2
that we are doing them a disservice if we
just give them academic and vocational
training without teaching practical skills
on how to improve their communities,” he
said.
“Because a large number of our applied
science graduates return to their hometowns,
I would like to see each of them
equipped with a basic understanding of
community rebuilding techniques and
learn about the positive impact that a single
person can have on a local economy,”
Dr. Path said.
He noted that every year, Northeast
graduates go into the workforce of small
towns across northeast Nebraska and these
graduates have the potential of becoming
the nucleus for change and betterment
within these communities.
“Rural Nebraska is in
a struggle for its very
survival,” Path said.
“Within a generation, many of our small
towns will either be saved or lost.” Accord-
For Alumni of: Northeast Community College
Northeast Technical Community College
Northeast Nebraska Technical Community College
Northeast Nebraska Technical College
Northeastern Nebraska College
Norfolk Junior College
ing to Dr. Path, it may be
Northeast Community College
graduates who will save rural communities
in this next generation.
The international exchange program
component of the new strategic plan provides
learning experiences not available
stateside.
Invited to participate in a 10-day trip
to China by the American Association of
Community Colleges, Dr. Path attended
the International Forum on Vocational and
Technical Education in Beijing. He heard
experts in vocational education from China,
Germany, Brazil, Korea, Australia, and the
United States.
“It was very enlightening to hear about
the strong need for vocational education
worldwide,” he said. “I returned from China
very proud to be part of our American
community college system because we are
revered as the leader in workforce development
and vocational training.”
After the three-day conference, Dr. Path
and others in his 11-member delegation
CONTINUED ON PG. 3

2
Teaching tool becomes valued prize
Pictured l. to r., Alan Darnall, NECC Automotive Technology Instructor; Scott Wiebelhaus, winner of the
pictured ’67 Shelby Kit Car; and Lyle Kathol, Dean of Applied Technology Division
What started as a valuable
teaching tool for 10 automotive
technology and auto body
repair technology students at
Northeast Community College
has become a treasured prize
for a Norfolk man.
Scott Wiebelhaus won the
1967 Shelby Kit Car built by stu-
The In Touch Alumni Newsletter
is published twice a year for
Northeast Community College
alumni and friends of the College.
Northeast Community College
801 East Benjamin Avenue
P.O. Box 469
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
Phone: (402) 371-2020 or
(800) 348-9033
Fax: (402) 844-7400
Website: northeast.edu
Email: alumni@northeast.edu
dents in the two Northeast programs
with an appraised value
of $35,000.
Wiebelhaus was ecstatic the
day he claimed his car. “Wow,
this is great,” he said. “My dad
lives in Arizona and he thinks
I should bring it to Arizona to
store over the winter,” he said
Kenneth Echtenkamp, West
Point, and Jack Warrick, Meadow
Grove, chose not to file for
re-election and left their Board
positions at year’s end.
Echtenkamp
joined
the Board in
January 1978
to represent
District IV of
Burt, Cum-
Kenneth
Echtenkamp
ing, Stanton,
and Thurston
Counties in
their entirety and a portion of
Madison County.
Warrick joined the Board in
with a laugh.
“It was a great exercise for students
in both programs,” said
Alan Darnall, automotive technology
instructor. “Projects like
this help students develop their
mechanical problem-solving
skills,” he said.
“The students learned a lot
1984 to
represent
District V,
consisting of
the majority
of Madison
County.
The two
Jack Warrick
oversaw tremendous
change and growth
at the campus in Norfolk and
with the establishment of education
centers.
When Echtenkamp joined
the Board, the campus in Norfolk
had three buildings and
credit enrollment was 1,451
and noncredit enrollment was
2,010. When Warrick joined
about refinishing a custom fiberglass
body in this class,” said
Howard Meier, auto body repair
technology instructor. “They
also learned about doing a custom,
two-toned paint job while
working with a base coat, clear
coat system.”
Darnall expressed gratitude
for the support the project received
from area retailers and
service providers. “The tires
were provided by Square Tire of
Norfolk, machining was provided
by Ag and Industrial Engine
Machine of Norfolk and Brunkhorst
Engine Machine Shop of
Columbus. Yankton Automotive
built the lower end of the engine
and NAPA of Norfolk donated all
the paint and supplies.”
“We also received donated
engine parts from Northern
Auto Parts of Sioux City, more
engine parts from CarQuest of
Norfolk, an Optima battery from
Advanced Auto Parts, and parts
for the automatic transmission
from Norfolk Transmission and
Muffler,” he said.
Northeast bids farewell to two Board members
the Board, Northeast had 12
buildings and a credit enrollment
of 1,550 and non-credit
enrollment of 11,000.
Today Northeast has 24
buildings on the Norfolk campus
and leases the education centers
in West Point, O’Neill, and South
Sioux City. Fiscal year 2009-2010
saw credit enrollment at 7,390
and non-credit enrollment at
18,181.
Dr. Bill R. Path, NECC president,
stated “It is difficult to
adequately express our appreciation
to them and to let them
know how much their expertise,
history and knowledge of this
college will be missed.”

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
of community college leaders
toured five major cities in China
and visited vocational colleges.
The U.S. community college
leaders met with their Chinese
counterparts at each institution
and were taken on campus
tours and introduced to faculty
and students.
Most colleges in China are
devoted to a single discipline of
study, Path said. In Beijing, the
college offers education in agriculture
while in Xi’an, students
study aeronautics. The college
at Hangzhou is an electromechanical
engineering school
while the institute in Shanghai
is essentially a nursing college.
He found the polytechnic college
in Ningbo to be the most
similar to a comprehensive
community college in the U.S.
It offers about 35 different majors.
Dr. Path said it seemed almost
surreal to fly in to Beijing,
Northeast President Dr. Bill R.
Path recently accepted a check
for $14,400 from Nebraska Public
Power District’s Board Member
Virg Froehlich and Wells
a city of 22 million. “There are
massive skyscrapers as far as the
eye can see,” he said. “China
has many densely populated cities
that are filled with marvels of
architecture and engineering.”
He also noted that once one
drives out of the modern cities,
the countryside is filled with
rural residents who are farming
small plots of land with wooden
tools and the most primitive of
equipment. “It is quite a dichotomy
of new and old,” Dr. Path
said.
“In China, there is no underlying
expectation of individual
rights or freedoms. Citizens are
driven by a sense of duty to the
state, and that includes learning
a trade and becoming a productive
citizen,” he said.
College is considered a
privilege in China that must be
earned with an entrance exam
score. That test score also dictates
the type of training and
subsequent career that a stu-
dent will have for life. “I saw
no evidence of adults returning
to college or any practice of retraining
in China,” he said.
He also noted that the Chinese
people are intensely
proud and industrious, but at
the same time, very respectful
and kind. They value education
for their young people and
wish to collaborate more with
the United States. “Chinese
education officials are actively
pursuing exchange opportunities
for their faculty and staff
while welcoming U.S. students
and faculty at the same time,”
he said.
Always the strategic thinker,
Dr. Path felt the element of cultural
exchange fits Northeast’s
2010-2015 Strategic Plan perfectly.
“I want to encourage
more exploration into international
exchange opportunities
for students, faculty and staff
at Northeast Community College,”
he concluded.
alumni &
friends online
• Update your contact
information
• Look up classmates
• Submit news for the
Alumni Newsletter
• Provide support for
future students
Click on the Alumni link at
www.northeast.edu
to visit the Alumni &
Friends On-line website
Contact the Alumni Office
for assistance or to obtain
Login I.D. and PIN:
(402) 844-7065 or
alumni@northeast.edu
NECC receives scholarship funds from Nebraska Open
Fargo Market President Kevin
Cunningham.
The funding, which is used
for scholarships for students attending
the state’s community
Wells Fargo Market President Kevin Cunningham, left, and NPPD Board
member Virg Froehlich, right, recently presented Northeast Community
College President Dr. Bill R. Path, center, a check for $14,400
for scholarships for Northeast students.
colleges, was part of $72,000
raised by the 2010 Wells Fargo
Nebraska Open golf tournament
held last fall. In total, eleven
community college campuses
throughout Nebraska benefit
from the tournament.
NPPD coordinates the Wells
Fargo Nebraska Open that raises
money through sponsorships
and golfer registrations. Since
its start in 1991, the Open has
raised more than $940,000 for
students across Nebraska.
“What has become the second
largest golf event in the
state remains faithful to its
original purpose of supporting
the educational needs for
hundreds of Nebraska’s youth,”
said Froehlich. “NPPD is proud
to be part of the tournament’s
19-year tradition in benefiting
so many.”
The Wells Fargo Nebraska
Open is endorsed by the Nebraska
Section of the PGA and
the Nebraska Golf Association.
Find us on
www.facebook.com/northeastcc
3

Norfolk broadcaster
James “Jim” Curry
was recently honored
as one of the
Nebraska Community
College Association’s
(NCCA) Distinguished
Alumni.
Curry was honored
Jim Curry
for outstanding career
achievement. The award is given annually
to one alumnus from each of the state’s
six community colleges.
A graduate of Norfolk Catholic High
School, he has lived most of his life in Norfolk.
He earned an associate of arts degree
in 1981 from Northeast Community College,
then Northeast Technical Community
College. Before earning his degree, he be-
4
In Memory
Doug Brown of Norfolk died Oct. 22, 2010. He
served as Athletic Director for NECC from July
2006 to Mar. 2010.
Marlin Meisinger of Norfolk died Nov. 5, 2010.
He was the president and owner of Crafts, Inc.
He served on the NECC Board of Governors
from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2008.
Shirley (Kimball) Graff (’45) of Luverne,
Minn., died Aug. 18, 2010, after a battle with
MDS, a form of bone marrow cancer.
Doris (Lee) Carey (’48) of Norfolk died Jan. 5,
2011. She taught elementary school for several
years and was an accomplished pianist.
Her brother Art Lee (’55) is also a graduate
of NECC.
Bruce Otto (’54) of Lincoln died Oct. 26, 2010.
He was an avid sports fan who participated on
many levels. He had been inducted into the Nebraska
Softball Hall of Fame and the Nebraska
Wesleyan Alumni Hall of Fame. He announced
women’s softball and basketball games for the
University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan.
Alton Siecke (’55) of Vermillion, S.D., died
Aug. 9, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer. He
had worked as a funeral director and was an
owner of funeral homes.
Terry Preister (’57) of Vicksburg, Miss., died
Sept. 3, 2010. He was an instructor for AT&T for
33 years. His daughters Kim Machacek (’82)
and Suzie Leffers (’07) and his son Gary (’90)
are graduates of NECC.
Norfolk broadcaster named NCCA Distinguished Alumnus
gan working at local radio stations, WJAG/
KEXL, as a part-time disc jockey in 1980 and
began full-time employment there in 1982.
In 1989, he was promoted to news director
of the two stations. He went on to
earn a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State
College in 1998.
As news director of WJAG/KEXL/KQKX
(News Talk WJAG, Lite Rock 97.5, and 106
KIX Country), Curry has built an awardwinning
news department that has earned
recognition among radio stations in Nebraska
and several Upper Midwest states.
Under his direction, hundreds of
awards have been presented to the WJAG/
KEXL/KQKX news department from the
Nebraska Associated Press Broadcasters Association,
the Nebraska Broadcasters Association,
and the Northwest Broadcast News
Association. An Edward R. Murrow Award
from the Radio, Television News Directors
Association is among Curry’s highest honors.
He serves on the Board of Directors of
the Northwest Broadcast News Association
as of one of two Nebraska representatives.
He is also involved in community service.
“I enjoyed my time as a student at
Northeast,” Curry said. “In fact, I’m still
using the lessons I learned there 30 years
ago every day as part of my job. I continue
to marvel at the opportunities Northeast
Community College provides its students
and the communities of north central and
northeast Nebraska.”
He and his wife, Julie, have a daughter,
Gillian, an eighth grader at Norfolk Junior
High School.
Would you like to receive alumni information via email?
If you would like to receive newsletters and notices about upcoming alumni events via email, please send your email address along
with your full name (include any previous last names) to Alumni Coordinator Connie Sixta at connie@northeast.edu.
Please be sure to add this address to your contacts list if your email filters prevent emails from unidentified contacts.
To protect your privacy, we will not share your email address with any other business or organization.

John Tooley (’58) of Jones, Okla., died
Aug. 4, 2010. He was most recently employed
at Remington Park Race Track as
a paddock judge and stall manager. His
brother, Joe (’59) is also a graduate of
NECC.
Arlen Sunderman (’64) of Republic,
Mo., died Jan. 4, 2011.
Norman Lammers (’65) of Fordyce died
Aug. 1, 2010. Following his graduation
from Norfolk Junior College, he enlisted
in the US Army. He then returned home
to ranch with his two brothers. His son
Chris (’99) is also a graduate of NECC.
Northeast employees honored
for excellence
US Bank annually honors Northeast employees who have been
nominated for their outstanding contributions to the institution.
The honorees and their awards include: Donna (Buell) Andrew
(’86 & ’87), US Bank Great Performer Award-Classified Staff;
Chris McKibbon, US Bank Great Performer Award—Professional/
Managerial Staff; Catherine Beem, US Bank Award for Teaching
Excellence—Part-Time Faculty; and Lin Behmer, US Bank Award for
Teaching Excellence-Full-Time Faculty.
Andrew is an executive assistant in the Applied Technology Division
at Northeast Community College. She has worked at the
College for 15 years. McKibbon, director of budgeting/financial
reporting, has worked at Northeast since 1984.
Beem has used her knowledge and experience to help improve
Steven Henrickson (’76) of Norfolk died
Oct. 27, 2010. He worked in the insurance
industry, most recently for New York Life Insurance.
His wife, Pam (Uttecht) (’76), and
brothers Mike (’83) and Duaine (’84) are
also graduates of NECC.
Larry Follette (’78) of Norfolk died Dec. 13,
2010. After earning a degree in criminal justice,
he worked as a parole officer. Most recently
he was employed at Cottonwood Products.
Jenni Hubenthal (’93) of Lincoln died Aug.
13, 2010, after a battle with Acute Intermittent
Porphyria. She volunteered and worked as a
substitute teacher until her health declined.
Her sister Glori Trube (’95) is also a graduate
of NECC.
Scott Haselhorst (’00) of Randolph died
Aug. 8, 2010, after an electrical accident.
He owned Haselhorst Electric-HVAC in
Coleridge. His wife, Valerie (Miller) (’02),
and brother, Nick (’07), are also graduates
of NECC.
Ashley Reimers (’05) of Omaha died Sept.
12, 2010. She had worked as a physical
therapist assistant. Her sister and brother-in-law
Andrea (’01) and Josh Francis
(’01) and her sister Alexis Pedersen (’02)
are also graduates of NECC.
Clint Koenig (’10) of O’Neill died Aug. 28,
2010, following a bull riding accident. His
brothers Jason (’03) and Jeff (’06) are also
graduates of NECC.
Pictured l. to r . Chris McKibbon, Donna Andrew, Catherine Beem, and
Lin Behmer.
the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at the College
Center in South Sioux City. Behmer, a Fulbright scholar, has been
on the business division faculty at Northeast since 1982.
Nominations for Hall of Success
Nominations are being sought for the Northeast Community College Hall of Success Award. The award is presented to past graduates
and students who have achieved significant success in their professions, exhibited exemplary citizenship qualities, and/or made
significant contributions to their communities and/or community affairs. Nominees should have completed a recognized
diploma or degree from Northeast (or its predecessor colleges) or completed at least 30 credit hours at Northeast
to be applied toward a degree at another college or university.
If you would like to nominate someone for the Hall of Success
Award, please contact Connie Sixta, alumni coordinator, at
connie@northeast.edu or (402) 844-7065 for a
nomination form.
Get linked in with other
Northeast alumni by joining the
Alumni Association group on
5

6
ClAss
Notes
Ruth (Behr ) Puls (’64) married
Steve Schumacher (’65) in 2004.
Ruth retired recently after 44 years
as a professional educator serving
students and schools as a classroom
teacher, reading recovery
teacher leader, literacy coach, college
instructor, and educational
consultant. She also served on the
Nebraska State Title I Assessment
Committee and several school accreditation
visitation teams. Steve
became the successful owner of
funeral homes in Wayne, Winside,
and Laurel while serving a wide
variety of civic organizations and
church committees. They now live
in Branson West, Mo., where Steve
works as the house manager at the
Andy Williams Moon River Theater
and Ruth is enjoying making decorative
gourds and doing all of the
things she put off over the years.
Darrell Vossberg (’64) attended
Wayne State College and then
joined the US Navy following his
graduation from Norfolk Junior
College. He served in the Washington
Navy Yard in Washington D.C.
and then worked for a number of
Defense Department contractors.
He retired from Northrop Grumman
in 2005.
Linda (Hayes) Bellows (’76)
earned her bachelor’s and master’s
in nursing degrees from the
University of South Florida (USF)
following her graduation from
NECC. She is ANCC Board Certified
as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
She was presented a USF Advanced
Nursing Practice Clinical
Excellence Award-Family Concentration
in 2009.
Russ Kosch (’86) was appointed
by First Bank of Utica to vice
president and manager of the loan
processing office and manager of
the company’s proposed branch
in Friend that is pending state
approval. He and his wife, Carla,
have two children, ages 14 and 22.
Susan ( Wragge) Rinkel (’86) is
a paraprofessional in the Pierce
Public Schools in the preschool
classroom.
Kim (Hagen) Frank (’89) and
her husband, Troy, announce the
birth of their son Bentley Joseph,
born Sept. 8, 2010. He weighed 6
lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 in. long. He
was welcomed home by his sister,
Morgan (17), and brother, Maxwell
(13).
Tory (’94) and Koni (DeBlauw)
Opfer (’97) announce the birth
of their daughter, Jaden Lee, born
June 17, 2010. She was welcomed
home by her sister, Jessica (6).
Barbara (Hashberger) Wylie
(’95) was recently promoted to
Assistant Professor in the School
of Education at Ivy Tech Community
College in Indianapolis, Ind.
She was also appointed as Interim
Program Chair in the School of Education
for the 2010-2011 year. In
addition, she was accepted to Ball
State University’s Ed.D program
with a course of study in elementary
education.
Michelle (Brazda) Johnson
(’96) and her husband, Eric, announce
the birth of their son, Myles
Oliver, born Oct. 28, 2010. He
weighed 6 lbs. .5 oz. and was 19.5
in. long. He was welcomed home
by siblings Cecylia (7), Dylan (5),
and Jack (2).
Tony Kronberg (’98) and his
wife, Jessica, announce the birth
of their daughter, Sydney Rhae,
born July 2, 2009. She was welcomed
home by siblings Aubrey
(7), Casey (4), and Brock (3).
Angela (Nielsen) (Beckenhauer)
Roskeland (’98) and her
husband, Eric, announce the birth
of their son, Nathaniel Eric. He
weighed 7 lbs. and was welcomed
home by siblings Madeleine (13),
Caleb (11), Emma (10), Lydia (8),
and Hannah (5).
Michela Keeler-Strom (’99) and
her husband, Waylon, announce
the birth of their daughter Paleigh
Julia, born Sept. 29, 2010. She
weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was 19.5
in. long. She was welcomed home
by her brother, Parker (4), and sister,
Piper (2).
Luke Burtwistle (’01) and his
wife, Rachel, announce the birth
of their twins Hannah Lynne and
Ryan James, born on Dec. 18,
2010, at 12:44 and 12:45 respectively.
Hannah weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz.
Ryan weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. They
were both 20 in. long. They were
welcomed home by their brother,
Drew (5), and sister, Haley (2).
Kari (Bartels) Gall (’01) and
her husband, Toby, announce the
birth of their son, Oakley William,
born May 16, 2010. He weighed 8
lbs. 15 oz. and was 21 in. long. He
was welcomed home by his sister
Kloe Lin (7).
Batiste Haywood (’01) is the
volunteer assistant coach for the
NECC Hawks.
Elaine (Sokol) Wessendorf
(’01) and her husband, Ryan, announce
the birth of their son, Collin
Charles, born July 4, 2010. He
weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was 20
in. long. He was welcomed home
by brothers Mason (7) and Cameron
(2).
Trisha (Kathol) Grevson (’02)
and her husband, Brandon, announce
the birth of their daughter,
Alexa Rose, born Sept. 2,
2010. She weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. and
was 22 in. long.
Mary Jackson (’02) is serving in
Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Will (’02) and Mysti (Kruger)
Kucera (’03 & ’06) announce
the birth of their daughter, Calli
Janice Jean, born July 16, 2010.
She weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was
20.25 in. long.
Rachel Meier (’02) earned a master’s
degree in curriculum and
instruction and is currently a first
grade teacher at Creighton Public
Schools.

John (’02) and Erica (Sayers)
Robertson (’02) announce the
birth of their daughter Isabelle
Taina, born Sept. 17, 2010. She
weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20
in. long. She was welcomed home
by her sister, Elizabeth Joy (2).
Christina (Miller) Leffers (’03)
and her husband, Richard, announce
the birth of their daughter
Izabell Mae, born Apr. 9, 2009.
She was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 in.
long. She was welcomed home by
her sister, Emylie Marie.
David Michaelis (’04) and his
wife, Jennifer, announce the birth
of their son, Ricky, born Mar. 14,
2010.
Danessa (Nielsen) Bierman
(’05) and her husband, Derek, announce
the birth of their daughter,
Isabella Rose, born Sept. 4, 2010.
She weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was
20 in. long. She was welcomed
home by brothers Beau (14), Aidan
(9), and Jaxson (5).
Katie (Hall) (’06) and Corey
Bartunek (’07) announce the
birth of their son, Grady Joseph,
born Mar. 24, 2010. He weighed 6
lbs. and was 20.25 in. long.
Chad (’06) and Chrissy (Ebel)
Horstmann (’07) announce the
birth of their son, Haiden Paul,
born July 4, 2010. He weighed 7
lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 in. long.
Spencer (’07) and Ashley (Miller)
Burk (’08) announce the
birth of their son, Jared Ty, born
Feb. 1, 2010. He weighed 6 lbs. 13
oz. and was 21 in. long.
Megan Lubke (’08) began working
as an extension assistant in the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension Office in Holt and Boyd
counties.
Adam Venteicher (’09 & ’10)
was honored with the title of
American Star Farmer by the Future
Farmers of America (FFA) at
their national convention last fall.
He was one of four “star farmer”
finalists for the title and is one of
only five Nebraska FFA members
to ever receive the award.
SEND YOUR
PHOTOS
Photographs will now be
accepted for potential
inclusion in the class news
section of the In Touch
Alumni Newsletter. If you
have a photograph to go
along with an announcement
such as a birth or
marriage, please send an
electronic copy to
alumni@northeast.edu.
Marriages
Rachel Kerkman (’97) to Robert
Ogden, both of Atkinson
Jennifer Hausmann (’98 & ’02)
to David Wendell, both of Norfolk
Tony Kronberg (’98) to Jessica
Jeannoutot, both of Bloomfield
Kari Swenson (’98) of Irene, S.D.,
to Glen Neuharth of Freeman, S.D.
Brandon Eckmann (’99) to Brooke
Lasley (’09), both of Norfolk
Marty Ziemba (’99) to Jena Anderson,
both of Gothenburg
Tammi Dupsky (’01) to Joel
Dietz, both of Seward
Kenny Gubbels (’01) to Megan
Kneifl, both of Sioux City, Iowa
Deborah Kuhn (’01) to Toby
Konopasek (’03), both of Norfolk
Landon Grothe (’02) of Hoskins
to Malissa Titkemeier of Omaha
Peter Jardee (’02) of Stuart to
Carrie Peterson of Kearney
Rachel Meier (’02) to John Hammer,
both of Creighton
Jordan Iden (’04) to Mackenzie
Muehlhausen (’06), both of
Gilbert, Ariz.
Lindsay Stansberry (’04) to Zeth
Rager, both of Wayne
Scott Doerr (’05) of Creighton to
Debi Schulz of Osmond
Bret Kratochvil (’05) to Angela
Fuhr (’07), both of Norfolk
Megan Kumm (’05) to Matt
Kalin, both of Norfolk
Benjamin Olson (’05) of Atkinson
to Alison Wecker (’07 & ’08)
of Chambers
Andrew Rolf (’05) of West Point
to Mary Boehle of Wayne
Zachary Svoboda (’05) to Elizabeth
Mohlke, both of Norfolk
Dan Hladky (’06) of Long Pine to
Chelsea Lewis of Norfolk
Jacob Jazwick (’06) to Andrea
Stanczyk, both of Fullerton
Jason Schwarting (’06 & ’07)
to Nicole Koehler (’08), both of
Pierce
Derrick Beller (’07) to Kendra
Urban (’08), both of Leigh
Shanda Jochum (’07) to Jesse
Schindler, both of Elgin
Mike Kiepke (’07) to Whitney
Johnson (’07), both of Norfolk
Tyler Mensik (’07 & ’08) of
Morse Bluff to Courtney Nitz of
Cedar Bluffs
Mason Nelms (’07) of Indianola
to Kalli Estes of Anselmo
Brian Neville (’07 & ’08) of Holdrege
to Chelsey Cook of St. Paul
Bradley Tomjack (’07) of Chambers
to Heather Weiher of Stanton
Derek Galusha (’08) of Central
City to Hilary Huxoll of Cambridge
Taylor Hanefeldt (’08) of Center
to Megan Lubke (’08) of Foster
Skye Higgins (’08) of Naper
to Allison Engelhaupt (’08) of
Spencer
Craig Iossi (’08) of Alliance to
Tia Aguilar of Albion
Leashalea Nathan (’08) to Andrew
Wemhoff, both of Norfolk
Philip Nelson (’08) to Sasha
Hackney (’10), both of Laurel
Jesse Reiman (’08) to Jenna
Connot (’09), both of O’Neill
Bryce Stoltenberg (’08) of Sargent
to Samantha Jobman of Bayard
Zachary Wendt (’08) of Leigh to
Jennifer Olson (’08) of Madison
Kelsey Zink (’08 & ’10) of Naper
to Joe Schochenmaier of Spencer
Jessica Bahr (’09) of Norfolk to
Joshua Muhs of Marquette
Amy Falor (’09) of Atkinson to
Andrew Langan of Stuart
Jason Lutt (’09) to Catherine
Rice, both of Gregory, SD
Todd Prahl (’09) of Norfolk to
Kaitlin Garretson of Columbus
Kylie Beck (’10) of Hordville to
Zachariah High of Aurora
Ashley Kudrna (’10) to Justin
Moeller, both of Norfolk
Richard Lanman (’10) to Ashley
Johnson, both of Battle Creek
Maria Spenner (’10) of West
Point to Korey Janata of Howells
Planning a class reunion?
The Alumni Office offers assistance to those planning class
reunions. Call or email Connie Sixta, alumni coordinator, for
more information, (402) 844-7065 or connie@northeast.edu
7

Three Danish visitors,
Hans Thomas Hjorth, Lena
Sollingvraa Walters, and Mads
Sorensen, visited Northeast’s
radio and TV broadcasting department
in hopes of imple-
Broadcasting Instructor John Skogstoe, left, recently gave a tour of
Northeast’s broadcasting department to, from left, Lena Sollingvraa
Walters, Hans Thomas Hjorth, and Mads Sorensen of Aarhus
Business College in Aarhus City, Denmark.
8
Employment
Assistance from
Career Services
We invite alumni to...
•Contact our office to list jobs
and recruit qualified candidates
for job openings in
your business.
•Contact our office when you
are looking for new employment
opportunities. We offer
employment assistance to all
graduates.
Terri Heggemeyer
Director of Career Services
Northeast Community College
801 E. Benjamin Ave.
P.O. Box 469
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
(402) 844-7263
terrih@northeast.edu
www.neccjobs.com
New building dedicated
The J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh College of Nursing was officially opened during a Ribbon Cutting
ceremony held last fall. Pictured in the front row (left to right) NECC nursing student Keri
Wisnieski,; Board of Governors member Larry Poessnecker; General Campaign Chair Ron Stauffer;
Eleanor McIntosh; J. Paul McIntosh; Nebraska State Senator Mike Flood; Dr. Virginia Tilden, dean
of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing; Dr. Bill R. Path, NECC president;
and UNMC nursing student Riley Ohde. Back row (left to right): Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
Ambassadors Chris Carlson, Howard Leshovsky, Rhonda Thompson, Lynda Kassmeier, and Mechele
Grimes; and Dennis Houston, president of the Chamber of Commerce.
The facility, furnishings, and equipment were funded through an $11.9 million capital campaign.
Donors are recognized on displays in the atrium of the building.
Danish educators visit Northeast Broadcasting Department
menting a student TV station
at Aarhus Business College in
Aarhus City, Denmark. All three
teach at the business college
and Walters is also vice principal
of the college.
NECC Broadcasting instructor
John Skogstoe spent
considerable time with them
explaining Northeast’s KHWK/
Hawk TV. He said they brought
many questions with them and
were enthused about introducing
their students to multimedia
production and eventual
establishment of a campus TV
station at the Denmark college.
Skogstoe said, “They asked
a lot of questions about our
equipment and student roles
in the production of both radio
and TV programming,” he said.
Northeast faculty and staff
will continue to communicate
with the Danes. The visitors and
hosts discussed shared projects
for some classes. It was suggested
that perhaps Northeast
students and Aarhus Business
College students could share
and exchange work on class
projects via teleconferencing/
ITV/skype or any other media
for courses like international
business and entrepreneurship.
Skogstoe said he would like
to visit Aarhus Business College
in Aarhus City. “Eventually,
we would like to set up an
exchange program, where our
students can travel there and
Danish students can visit Northeast
Community College,” he
said.
“This was a great opportunity
for both our Danish visitors
and us,” Skogstoe said. “We
can all learn so much from each
other. I hope we continue to
communicate with each other
for a very long time.”

Peter Kiewit Foundation
receives Friend of
Community Colleges Award
Nominated by Northeast
Community College, the Peter
Kiewit Foundation was
honored last fall with the Nebraska
Community College Association
(NCCA) Friend of the
Community Colleges Award.
The award recognizes a strong
belief in the community college
role and mission with demonstrated
support of the colleges.
The Peter Kiewit Foundation
is a private, independent
philanthropic trust created
from the personal estate of Peter
Kiewit who developed the
Peter Kiewit & Sons’ Company,
Omaha, into national contractor
during the 20th century.
Each year, the Foundation
funds several scholarships for
students enrolled in vocational
Mary Ball (’96), Assistant Instructional
Designer
Marilyn Blunck, Residence Hall Desk
Clerk
Adam Blaylock (’07), Assistance
Men’s Basketball Coach
Sarah Brown (’05 & ’06), Library
Resource Center Assistant
Rachel Casselman (’05), Computer
Lab/Online Registration Specialist
Judy Cavanaugh, Overnight Desk
Clerk
Debra Dreher (’85), College Welcome
Center Receptionist
Dian Edwards, Knowledge Base/FAQ
Developer
New Employees
certificate or degree programs
at Nebraska’s six community
colleges. Since 2003, the Foundation
has donated a total of
$115,000 to Northeast Community
College for scholarships that
benefited 121 students.
The Peter Kiewit Foundation
was also a major contributor to
the J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh
College of Nursing, awarding a
$1 million matching grant.
“The Peter Kiewit Foundation
understands the importance of
community colleges and has
been very generous in funding
initiatives that further the development
of Nebraska’s community
colleges,” said Dr. Bill R. Path,
NECC president. “We are extremely
happy to present them
with this well-deserved award.”
Stefanie Emrich, EL Civics/ESL
Project Coordinator
Vivi Freudenburg (’80 & ’08), Accounts
Payable Specialist
Heather Gregory, Lifelong Learning
Center Assistant
Amanda Hafer, Vet Tech Instructor
Steven Hedell (’96), Custodian
Terri Heggemeyer, Director of
Career Services
Bryce Leapley, Online Technology
Support
Monique Makelin (’09), Copy/
Mailroom Center Coordinator
Northeast was site of
collaborative soybean
research project
The Northeast Community
College farm was the location
of a collaborative soybean research
project last summer by
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
(UN-L) Extension, Lower
Elkhorn Natural Resources
District, and LG Seed Technologies.
The project was partially
funded by the Nebraska Soybean
Board.
Soybeans were planted on
17 acres on the Northeast site.
Northeast was responsible for
tilling, planting, and spraying
the plot. Researchers used
growth enhancement seed and
foliar treatments to determine
if the products helped reduce
plant stress and increase yields.
According to Michael Rethwisch,
UN-L Extension Educator,
preliminary indications
showed promising results.
“It appears that growth enhancements
applied to the seed
Anna Malmberg (’09), Online
Tutoring/Help Desk Specialist
Kelly McDonald (’98), Communications
Assistant
Mary Jo Nelson, Nursing Instructor
Amanda Nipp, Director of High
School Career Academies
Kari Papousek, Educational Services
Administrative Assistant
Kathleen Pittack, Career Academy
Coordinator
Kamala Robinson, Administrative
Assistant-Medical Instructor
just before planting and foliar
treatments applied at various
stages of crop development
do help reduce plant stress,”
he said. “And, with decreased
plant stress comes larger numbers
of pods and potentially increased
yields.”
According to Chuck Pohlman,
dean of Northeast’s agriculture,
health and science
division, more collaborative
projects are planned. Northeast
and UN-L teamed up for a
Grass Fed Beef Exchange seminar
in October, and a regional
Manure Management Seminar
is planned for this coming July.
“There is much to be gained
with collaborative projects such
as this,” he said. “They are
great learning tools for our students
and staff and may lead to
promising results for our area
producers.”
Jennifer Schwede, Residence Life
Database Specalist
Terri Shafer (’82 & ’01), Payroll
Specialist
Andrea Suhr, Physical Therapist Assistant
Instructor
Trisha Thelander, Cashier/Business
Office Support Specialist
Linda White, Custodian
Kenneth Wurdinger, Computer
Support Specialist
9

The
Storyof
us.
Northeast Historic Preservation Workgroup
Northeast Community College
has a rich history of education,
and we want to preserve
this history for generations to
come.
A group has been formed
to document the history starting
with the formation of the
Norfolk Junior College in
the 1920s, it’s closing and reopening,
the formation of the
Northeast Nebraska Technical
College, the merger of the two
separate institutions, and our
institution as it is today. We
are searching for memorabilia
and photographs to be used in
displays.
If you have anything you’d
like to donate, please contact
Connie Sixta, alumni coordinator,
at connie@northeast.edu
or (402) 844-7065.
10
Northeast
Community
College
welcomed
two new
members
to the
Board of
Terry F. Nelson
Governors
in January, and one more will
be selected to be sworn in soon.
Terry F. Nelson from West
Point was elected to replace retiring
Board member Kenneth
Echtenkamp and will represent
District IV of Burt, Cuming,
Stanton, and Thurston Counties
in their entirety and a portion of
Madison County.
Peg Niewohner of Norfolk
replaces retiring Board member
Gift to be used as a training tool at O’Neill Education Center
Representatives of the Nebraska
New Car and Truck Dealers
Association visited Northeast
Community College recently to
present a gift that will enhance
CPR training at Northeast’s education
center in O’Neill.
Pat “Sully” Sullivan, vice
president of dealer relations
for the association; Darrel Novacek,
Courtesy Ford Lincoln
Mercury in Norfolk; and Al Rajaee
of Cornhusker Auto Center
in Norfolk presented a Resusci
Anne Training Unit to Northeast
President Dr. Bill Path and Mary
Marston, director of Northeast’s
Allied Health program. The unit
will be taken to O’Neill for use
at Northeast’s education center.
New members welcomed to the Northeast
Board; one vacancy remains
According to Sullivan, the
Nebraska New Car and Truck
Dealers Association gives approximately
15 Resusci Anne
Training Systems to daycare
centers, colleges, Red Cross
offices, hospitals, fire departments,
and rescue units every
year.
Marston said students from
the O’Neill area will now have
another training tool to teach
them how to help when an individual
has a heart attack. “If the
right kind of treatment is given
to a heart attack victim within
seconds after being stricken,
the chances are good that the
life can be saved,” Sullivan said.
“CPR training teaches a person
how to keep the heart beating
until professional help arrives.”
Jack Warrick of Meadow Grove.
She will represent District V
consisting of the majority of
Madison County.
Both
Nelson and
Niewohner
are alumni
of NECC.
Nelson attended
Peg Niewohner
NECC during
the
1978-1981
academic years, and Niewohner
graduated from NECC in 1974.
Applications for the other
vacant District V seat on the
Board were solicited, and a
committee consisting of current
Board of Governors members
will select
the new
member.
T h e
seat was
opened
when David
M.
David M. Fauss
Fauss (’74),
who was reelected last November,
had to resign due to the
passage of Legislative Bill 951,
which added community college
boards to the list of “high
elective offices.”
Since citizens are not allowed
to serve on two such
elective boards at the same
time, Fauss, who also serves on
the Norfolk City Council, had to
resign from one of the Boards.
Three individuals representing the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers
Association presented a Resusci Anne Training System to Northeast
for use in CPR classes at Northeast’s education center in O’Neill. Al
Rajaee of Cornhusker Auto Center in Norfolk and Mary Marston, Northeast
director of Allied Health, hold the Resusci Anne, while, back from
left, Darrel Novacek, Courtesy Ford Lincoln Mercury, Pat “Sully” Sullivan,
vice president of dealer relations for the association, and Dr. Bill
R. Path, president of Northeast, watch on.

Flagpoles rededicated
in memory of first
College administrator
A rededication for the campus flag poles was held last fall in memory of F. Don Maclay, the first
administrator for the Northeast Nebraska Technical College. Special guests at the event included
his daughter Donna Bleich ( forth from right), her husband, Ron, (to her left), and daughter Sharon
Maclay (third from right). Also pictured are Joyce Koziol (second from right) who served as Mr.
Maclay’s secretary, and Ken Echtenkamp ( far right) who served as the business manager at NNTC
and later on the NECC Board of Governors.
F. Don Maclay, the first administrator of the Northeast Nebraska Technical College
(NNTC), now Northeast Community College, was remembered last October in a rededication
ceremony for the campus flag poles that were re-located to the front of the College
Welcome Center.
Following the rededication ceremony, guests were invited to tour the F. Don Maclay
Memorial Building, which was the first building completed on campus and has recently
undergone some renovations to office spaces and updating of furnishings.
F. Don Maclay served a dual role as superintendent of the Norfolk Public Schools and
president of the Norfolk Junior College from 1960-1968. He also served as president of the
Board of Governors during the formation of the technical school and was named the first
administrator of the newly-formed NNTC in 1968.
The first classes at NNTC were held in temporary facilities in Norfolk beginning in the
fall of 1969. The College moved to its current location during the summer of 1971. Due to
his untimely death on June 25, 1971, Maclay was unable to enjoy the fruits of his labor on
the new campus. In 1973, NNTC and the Northeastern Nebraska College, formerly Norfolk
Junior College, merged to form what is now Northeast Community College.
Northeast bids farewell to retirees
Northeast recently bid farewell to two long-time employees, Rose Ann Rogers (’89)
and Lola Brockman.
Rogers began working at Northeast in 1996 for Career/Tech Prep. She then transferred
to Career Services where she became the director and helped thousands of students find
employment. Rogers also taught career planning courses for several years.
Brockman began working in the Library Resource Center in 1997. She
began as a paraprofessional, and her title was later changed to
information services clerk.
Northeast wins
Honorable Mention in
national competition
Northeast Community College has received
word that the institution will be
recognized with an Honorable Mention
from the National Council of Instructional
Administrators (NCIA) in its 2010
Exemplary Initiatives Competition.
NCIA is a professional organization affiliated
with the American Association of
Community Colleges (AACC). The awards
recognize outstanding ways to enhance
the quality of higher education provided
at two-year institutions in the United
States.
The award will be presented to Northeast
for its collaboration with the University
of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
College of Nursing Northern Division to
bring six levels of nursing education to
the Northeast campus. Students can now
take their nurse aide, practical nursing,
and associate degree nursing classes from
Northeast and bachelor’s, master’s and
doctorate-degree nursing classes from
UNMC in one location on the Northeast
campus, the J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh
College of Nursing.
Rose Ann Rogers Lola Brockman
11

Alumni Update Form
If you have moved or changed your name recently, fill out the Alumni
Update form and mail it to the address on the form or complete the form
on our website at:
www.northeast.edu/Alumni/Alumni-Update.aspx
Also, if you have any news you’d like to share, i.e., marriage, birth,
promotion, awards, etc., mail this completed form to the address below.
We will include your news in the Class Notes section of the next newsletter.
Name: ______________________________________________________
First Middle
___________________________________________________________
Last Previous Last Name(s)
Please check if this is a name change.
Address: ____________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________
Please check if this address is different from the address to which
this newsletter was mailed.
Alumni news you’d like to share: __________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Mail to: NECC Alumni Office,
P.O. Box 469, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
northeast.edu
ALUMNI OFFICE
801 East Benjamin Avenue
P.O. Box 469
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
Show Your
Hawk Spirit
The Northeast Community College Alumni Association invites
you and your family to an evening of great basketball!
Hawks vs. North Platte Community College
Women at 6 p.m.; Men at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Northeast Community College Cox Activities Center
Present this coupon to the ticket taker to
receive FREE ADMISSION for you and your
immediate family members!
Visit the hospitality room in
Room 103 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Would you like to receive an email listing
of upcoming workshops and classes
offered at Northeast each month?
Sign up by emailing your name and
email address to anna@northeast.edu
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Norfolk, NE
68702
PERMIT NO. 471