1980s

Denise Baerg (1987) Celebrating a new job as Director, Global Partner Programs and MHC Software, where I will be building a new partner ecosystem and the associated channel programs for our growing company.

POSTED 08/26/2021

Kurtis Ulrich (1982) Kurtis Ulrich, 1982 MSU Urban and Regional Studies (URSI) graduate, was awarded a Doctorate in Public Administration from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN in May 2021.

POSTED 06/07/2021

Ann (Hammermeister) Williamson (1989) Ann Williamson is the Chief Privacy Officer with UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka MN.

POSTED 01/23/2021

Drew Campbell (1981) Greetings fellow Humans! Originally I obtained an Associate of Sciences from MSU Mankato, and then later in life I went back to study four years of Community Health/Gerontology. A Public Health education is very helpful in so many areas of anyone’s employment. I was employed for over 28 years at the MN Security Hospital, then was able to take an early pension at age 50. Later in 2009, I ran for a locally elected office, and served over nine years as a Blue Earth County Commissioner. I encourage everyone to serve in some capacity in your community. Join a non-profit board, volunteer, and support an effort you believe in. Governments can only do so much to support our communities, and so we all need one another to make our communities great places to grow up and to grow old. My wife Dawn was employed for 19 years as a Nursing Home Administrator, after obtaining her Administration Certificate at MNSU Mankato in about 2000. We actually connected through a Gerontology Class, Aging Policies Issues, and later were married! Please think about this; living a life of thanks, looking to God for all things, being a good neighbor and try incorporate health into all policy development, and into making decisions which impact any community. When you are faced with fear or feeling lost, refuse to lose hope, never give up hope. You are Unique and Gifted no matter how things might seem today! Ok? 😎

POSTED 09/20/2020

David Ortley (1980) After 17 years as a judge in Montana I retired in January of this year and returned to my law enforcement roots after I assumed a new position as an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. I teach criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, cultural and gender diversity and report writing to law enforcement officers, probation and parole officers, correction and detention officers, and public service communicators. I also cross train in police vehicle operations and assist in operational training.

POSTED 11/12/2019

Jon Jensen (1987) Jon Jensen (1987) was appointed to serve as a member of the North Dakota Supreme Court by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Prior to his appointment to the North Dakota Supreme Court he served as the Presiding Judge for the Northeast Central Judicial District with chambers in Grand Forks, N.D.

POSTED 11/12/2019

Gene Chamberlain (1981) Recently retired as vice president at ADM; after 42 years working for the company in several different locations.

POSTED 11/12/2019

Chris (Kip) Sieger (1986) After graduating from MSU with a B.S. in Education (Secondary Social Studies, 1986) and M.S. in Experiential Education (1989), I have spent the past 30 years in the field of education, working in Outdoor Education, Internship based education, and most recently, teaching elementary Physical Education at Brushy Creek Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas. Outside of education, my wife Barbara and I enjoy visiting our oldest daughter and first granddaughter in Houston,TX, as well as our two younger daughters in downeast Maine. Earlier this year, I published a full length novel, "A House Divided: A Saga of the Sixties," the story of a family - and country - being torn apart by the war in Vietnam and other upheavals of the 1960's.

POSTED 11/08/2019

Joseph Tougas (1986) Joe is the Director of Content Marketing at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

POSTED 11/08/2019

Tom (Glaser) Glaser (1986) Tom Glaser, who majored in Community Counseling, completed coursework in College Student Development, and served as Assistant Complex Director in H-wing at McElroy Hall, now has over 30 years of experience as a psychologist and life coach. He also has a new book out. The title is "Full Heart Living, Conversations with the Happiest People I Know." Here is some background on how it came to be. Following the unhappiest period of his adult life, Glaser set out to find how nine of the happiest people he knows got that way. These nine exceptionally happy but otherwise ordinary people shared how they honor their strengths and weaknesses, connect with their true passions, and enrich their lives and those around them. In his recently released book, Glaser uncovers what's behind the simple yet profound everyday choices these truly happy people make. Plus, he breaks down those choices into easy to follow steps. Take your first step. As Anne Frank said, "Whoever is happy will make others happy too." Since the book came out, Glaser has done numerous book signings in both Michigan and Minnesota, and been featured on Twin Cities television stations KSTP and KARE, and interviewed by the Star Tribune newspaper.

POSTED 05/16/2017

Terry Sveine (1982) After graduating in 1982 with a History and Geography double major, this New Ulm commuter-student went on to work as a travel agent and tour operator for 16 years (mainly in Rochester.) After moving back to New Ulm in 1995 with his family, he was the Tourism Manager for the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce until retiring in 2014 at age 60. He came back to Minnesota State Mankato in January of 2017 to work on a master's in History to be used toward writing local history better and more professionally. He has noticed quite a few changes on campus in 35 years, but still enjoys the environment of learning at "The Harvard of the Midwest."

POSTED 05/16/2017

Tim Wierzbicki (1989) Chief Development Officer, Equal Justice Works, Washington, D.C.

POSTED 05/16/2017

Yvonne (Cariveau) Cariveau (1982) Dr. Yvonne Cariveau is the new Director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the College of Business at Minnesota State University Mankato. She is teaching Entrepreneurship in the Management Department and continues to own and operate a web site hosting firm called Internet Connections (formerly VoyageurWeb).

POSTED 05/16/2017

Vicki Allen (1984) Vicki Allen, Executive Director of the Rochester Public Library in Rochester, MN is serving on the newly created SE MN Advisory Board for the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits.

POSTED 01/19/2017

Stephen Vonderharr (1980) Steve Vonderharr was inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame on October 16th at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. The induction celebrates a thirty year career of playing blues in Minnesota as well as across the United States. Steve's involvement in blues and the Minnesota State University - Mankato gymnastic team was the subject of a October 2013 TODAY magazine on-line article. http://today.mnsu.edu/2013/10/16/trampoline-blues/ Additionally, Steve retired from the Minnesota Department of Human Services as a supervisor of Adolescent Services in February 2016.

POSTED 01/19/2017

William Bessler (1987) I have been serving for about one year as President of the St. Dennis Conference of St. Vincent de Paul in Madison, Wisconsin.

POSTED 01/19/2017

Carl Wieman (1981) Carl Wieman, '80, '81. Owatonna, MN. Retired from Bosch/OTC after 23 years as Senior Technical Support Specialist. My wife, Denise and I have ridden our motorcycle for 15 years in the MS River Road Run, having raised over $61,379.00.

POSTED 01/19/2017

Tom Glaser (1986) just published a book, Full Heart Living: Conversations with the Happiest People I Know.

POSTED 08/31/2016

Galen Spinler (1983) Promoted to Sr. Laboratory Technician at Hormel Foods world headquaters in Austin, MN.

POSTED 08/31/2016

Dr. Joyce Thompsen (1984) I was invited by Routledge Publishing (Taylor & Francis) of London, England, to write a postgraduate textbook for students who are completing MBA or doctoral coursework. The book entitled "Diagnostics for Strategic Decision-Making: The Rapid Due Diligence Method" is scheduled for release in October 2016. It has a high degree of descriptive and instructional detail about a comprehensive, time-sensitive diagnostic process with an emphasis on practical application and results in real situations. The textbook includes my original research in three areas: tracing economic value-producing paths from strategy platforms to customer choice analytics to performance management and measurable results; identifying and applying Critical Knowledge Knowledge Areas and Return on Critical Talent; applying Employee Value Propositions; and applying an Integrated Strategic Human Capital Alignment Framework. For reference: eISBN: 978-1-315-47449-6.

POSTED 08/31/2016

Jayne (England) Stenstad (1985) Aerial Acheivement Award from USAF for flying troops during during Active Wartime in the Middle East Lutheran Social Services-MN Eunice Shriver Kennedy Award for Advocacy MNCCD Minnesota Legislative All Star Advocate NWA Critial Stress Incident Team Airline Ambassador Developed Advocacy Program for individuals with developmental disabilities

POSTED 06/03/2016

CHRISTIAN MOGHALU (1989) High School Teacher in New Jersey Public School.

POSTED 03/17/2016

Nancy Morrison (O'Malley) (1980) I graduated from Minnesota State Mankato with a double major in Business/Management and Industrial Relations. After nearly 10 years in accounting/payroll management positions, I migrated to Human Resources and currently am VP of HR. I ended up staying in Mankato and recall the years there as some of the best. Traveling to upper/lower campus on a bus was an experience and the people I met along the way have become life-long friends. I make it a point to look at MSU alumni first when filling any position!

POSTED 03/17/2016

Jon Jensen (1987) Was recently elected to serve as the Presiding Judge for the Northeast Central Judicial District in Northeast North Dakota. He is a District Judge with Chambers in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

POSTED 03/17/2016

Mike LePage (1983) MSU bowling team 1981-1983. Mike is currently the principal software test engineer / supervisor at Stratasys in Eden Prairie and lives in Orono with his wife Julie and his 2 children (Joey and Ashley). Mike still bowls competitively (200+ average) and recently took 1st place in the Minneapolis seniors team tournament and 6th place in the Minnesota senior singles tournament. I hope to see some of my old bowling teammates at the alumni bowling event at MSU on January 24th!

POSTED 01/12/2016

Douglas Wolf (1980) 2016 is an election year and I have filed for re-election as Pinal County Assessor.

POSTED 01/12/2016

Sonya (Schmidtke) Rosadio (1981) I have retired as a Continental Airlines Flight Attendant after 32 years.

POSTED 12/07/2015

Sue (Bruns) Maiers (1987) Evaluation Team Teacher at Owatonna Public Schools.

POSTED 12/07/2015

Randy Schaub (1981) Retiring on December 23, 2015 after 34.5 years of teaching. Last 29 years as Social Studies teacher at Renville County West Public Schools.

POSTED 12/07/2015

Justin Young (1985) Promoted to Sr. Field Operations Manager, Kia Motors America

POSTED 12/04/2015

Susan Janicke (1985) Susan Janicke (1981-BS, 1985-MA) received the Doctor of Nursing Practice from Walden University on November 15, 2015. A member of Sigma Theta Tau, Dr. Janicke practices at the Minneapolis VA.

POSTED 12/04/2015

Jason Amborn (1988) was recognized for 24 years of service as a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT in his community. In addition, Jason works full time for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as Safety Director.

POSTED 12/04/2015

Doug Hoffman (1983) Redwood Falls, MN Recentely retired as a police officer after 31 years of service.

POSTED 11/16/2015

Diane Jacobsen (1989) Retired and moved to Fairfax, Minnesota.

POSTED 07/18/2014

Steve Kennedy (1988) Selections from two of Steve's recent musical projects ("The Jurgens File" and "The Magnificent Ambersons") were performed at a showcase at the Playwright's Center this past February. The first 15 minutes of "The Magnificent Ambersons" was selected to be part of the New Musical Theatre Exchange's show: "Another Op'nin', Another Show." Performances will be at the Fringe Festival this August. Forthcoming is a solo piano disc commissioned by an online company.

POSTED 05/28/2014

Jayne (Reisinger) Harris (1981) Jayne Harris has been awarded the professional insurance designation Chaptered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) by the American Institute for CPCU. The American Institute for CPCU is an independent non-profit educational organization that confers the CPCU designation on persons who complete eight rigorous courses and national examination and meet its ethics and experience requirements. All CPCUs are required to improve their professional knowledge, skills, and competence through their committee to the American Institute’s Code of Professional Ethics.

POSTED 09/17/2013

Tom Jones (1984) Was selected as the Volunteer of the Year by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce for his involvement planning Albert Lea's annual 3rd of July parade. Tom lives in Albert Lea with his wife Nancy and their seven-year-old children, Spencer and Alexis.

POSTED 05/07/2013

Mark (Pytleski) Blazer (1984) is Director of Continuing Care for Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Kern County in Southern California. Prior to this was Vice President of Operations for LifeHouse Healthcare Services in Los Angeles and Director of Operations for Covenant Care for Northern California. Enjoying living 4 blocks off El Segundo beach.

POSTED 05/06/2013

Tom Glaser (1986) Tom recently joined the crew of The Wake Up Call Radio Show (thewakeupcallradioshow.com), a weekly wellness program during  which he answers questions from callers as well as Facebook inquiries, every Saturday morning on AM950. Change your mind, change your health!

POSTED 12/17/2012

Tom Glaser (1986) Appeared as guest on AM 950's The Wake Up Call talking about happiness. Click http://thewakeupcallradioshow.com/772012-happiness/ to listen in.

POSTED 08/06/2012

Siobhan (Fusillo) Bremer (1988) I am appearing in the Guthrie Theater production of The Sunshine Boys July 13-Sept 2, 2012.

POSTED 07/11/2012

Judy (Robinson) Carlson (1984) Worked at 3M in Human Resources 6 years right after graduation, stayed home to raise 2 children for 20 years, went back to work in the fall of 2010. Now work for Edina Realty front desk: 3 days a week in Coon Rapids and 2 in North Oaks.

POSTED 04/17/2012

Douglas Wolf (1980) I have filed as a GOP candidate for Pinal County Assessor in Arizona. The primary election is 8-28-12 followed by the general 11-6-12. Wish me luck

POSTED 01/19/2012

Doug Busch (1980) From New Prague and now living in Prior Lake. MSU Rugby 1977-78. Former roommate of Quam, Scratch, Krenz & the Boisners. Technical Sales Engineer & Buyer for Control Concepts, Inc. in Chanhassen.

POSTED 01/17/2012