Alumni News

Black Hills State Black Hills State University Alumni Bulletin - Winter 2000

University Update

Calendar of Events

Faithful reunion Classmates Reunions Marriages Obituaries Children of alumni are eligible for legacy scholarships Enlighten one
A Faithful reunion - Top For 27 years this group of BHSU alumni from the Faith area have been getting together to remember their college years in Spearfish. According to Joel Peterson the group has only missed one year in that time which was due to inclement weather. Members of this group are front, left to right, Joel Husband Peterson, Class of ‘66, Dave Calhoun, Class of ‘68, Butch Fanning, Class of ‘71, Carolyn Nelson Elwood, Class of ‘66, and Ray Doerr, Class of ‘70. Back row, Gary Peterson, Class of ‘68, Paul Thomas, Class of ‘68, Vern Richardson, attended, Jerry Martin, Class of ‘68, Dan Elwood, Class of ‘68 and Dave Dahl, Class of ‘69.
Classmates - Top
Kathie Duxbury, Class of '68, elementary education, Rapid City, was named a 2000-2001 teacher of distinction by fellow teachers and building principals. She teaches first grade at Canyon Lake Elementary. … Pat Parks, Class of '69, elementary education, Rapid City, was named a 2000-2001 teacher of distinction by fellow teachers and building principals. She is a second-grade teacher at Black Hawk Elementary School. … Carol Perry, Class of '65, elementary education, Rapid City, won the Monarch level of the 2000 President's Circle Awards from Merry Maids head office. … Dick Termes, Class of '64, art, Spearfish, attended a workshop at Arts et Mathematiques Symposium in Maubeuge, France, this fall. Artists from around the world presented their work inspired by mathematics. Termes presented slides and lectured on his six-point perspective sphere paintings. … Julie Ward, Class of '66, physical education, Rapid City, was named a 2000-2001 Golden Apple Award Winner by fellow teachers and building principals. She coordinates the Learn and Serve program for the district's high-school academies, which offer alternative classes and schedules for students, who for various reasons leave traditional school. Nancy (Bockwoldt) Bakeberg, Class of '77, elementary education, Rapid City, completed her master's degree at the College of Saint Scholastica, Duluth, Minn., this May with a 4.0 grade-point average. She is currently teaching special education at West Middle School. … Paul Higbee, Class of '76, speech communications, Spearfish, was named South Dakota author of the year for 2000 by the South Dakota Council of Teachers of English. He has been a featured writer and columnist for South Dakota Magazine and he had two books published, Mount Rushmore's Hall of Records and Spearfish. He also writes regularly for Midwest Living and American Profile magazines. … Curt Johnson, Class of '72, business, recently won the customer service award for July at Coldwell Banker/Lewis-Kirkeby-Hall Real Estate. … Cathy (Chaney) Kosola, Class of '75, elementary education, Sturgis, was elected an officer for the Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an education honorary society for women educators. She is a teacher in the Sturgis school system. … Gary Larson, Class of '72, business administration, Rapid City, recently joined the company Midcontinent Communications as regional sales manager. He has more than 30 years of experience in sales and marketing, 15 years in the telecommunications industry. … Julie Martin, Class of '79, business administration, Rapid City, was named agent of the month of October at Prudential Insurance in Rapid City. … Josh Sand, Class of '74, education, Spearfish, was named South Dakota worker of the year by Dickies Workwear. He is owner and operator of Sand Creek Printing in Spearfish. … David Wilder, Class of '77, speech, Tampa, Fla., is creating web sites, 3D animation and image design work. He also does freelance news writing for a Bay Area monthly newsmagazine. He worked five years as lighting and sound director for the Black Hills Passion Play after graduation. Elizabeth 'Lysa' Allison, Class of '86, outdoor education and human services, Rapid City, is employed as a family services specialist through home-based Head Start with the Youth and Family Services organization in Rapid City. … Carol Bancroft, Class of 87, business administration, Rapid City, is a new member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce board of directors. She is senior vice president/center manager of ASI, Inc. … John Brewer, Class of '88, biology, Pine Ridge, has cross-trained to become technology coordinator at Red Cloud High School. He had been a science teacher. … Darla Crown, Class of '80, elementary education, Rapid City, was recently named to the board of directors of the National Association for Membership Development (NAMD). She is membership director of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. Crown received 2000 NAMD recognition with the presentation of a National Sales Contest award. … Nancy Ellwein, Class of '81, sociology, Rapid City, is the new president of the Sentinel Federal Credit Union. The credit union serves Ellsworth Air Force Base and military retirees. … Dawn Perault-Amstutz, Class of '84, elementary education, Murfreesboro, Tenn., recently received a bachelor's of fine arts degree in sculpture with an endorsement in K-12 art education. She also has a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in reading and elementary education. She plans to pursue a master's in fine arts degree (MFA) from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Timothy, an environmental engineer, now live in St. Paul, Minn. … Patty Mechling, Class of '82, sociology, Rapid City, was awarded the President's Choice award. She is director of Mainstream/IMPACT-West/Full Circle. She was honored during the Behavior Management Systems' annual staff	appreciation dinner. … Tammy Phinney, Class of '80, elementary/special education, Rapid City, was recently honored by members of the Rapid City camp of Modern Woodmen of America for her volunteer contributions. She has been a grade-school teacher for 20 years and has worked with the developmentally disabled through a church program. … Curt Shaw, Class of '86, political science, Rapid City, was named director of the Defense Economic Transition Assistance Program (DETA), a Black Hills area program for assisting military personnel hoping to start a business. … Craig Strain, Class of '83, technology, White River, earned a doctorate in education from Texas A & M University, Commerce, Texas, this past summer. He earned a master's degree in 1984 from Texas A & M, College Station, Texas. Strain did consulting and contracts for General Dynamics and Lockheed before going into business for himself. The past six years he has been working in Fort Worth, Texas, as a self-employed remodeling contractor. He is the father of Afton, 8 and Geordan, 7. Dory (Brownell) Batka, Class of 91, mathematics, Broomfield, Colo., is a power marketer for Tri-State G&T. She and her husband, Ken, are the proud parents of a son Dillon born May 18. He joins a brother Tanner, 3. … Todd Buchheim, Class of '92, business administration, Houston, Texas, recently returned from deployment in Bosnia as part of the peacekeeping mission with the Texas National Guard. He was recently promoted to the position of store manager for Discover Scuba. … Donna (Kring) Houk, Class of '93, accounting, Rapid City, recently joined the Casey Peterson and Associates accounting firm as manager of the audit department. She is a CPA and former audit supervisor for a Bloomington, Minn., firm. … Kim Johnson, Class of '97, elementary education, Rapid City, was named a 2000-2001 teacher of distinction by fellow teachers and building principals. She is a library media specialist at E. B. Bergquist School. … Brenda Jordahl, Class of '94, elementary education, Rapid City, has been awarded a Child Development Associate credential in recognition of her work with young children. She is a family development specialist with Youth and Family Services Early Head Start in Rapid City. … Mike Knuppe, Class of '93, accounting, Rapid City, was voted employee of the quarter at Ketel Thorstenson LLP's. He works in the tax department and in the accounting software department. … Debra Larson, Class of '95, elementary education, Rapid City, was named a 2000-2001 teacher of distinction by fellow teachers and building principals. She is a second-grade teacher at General Beadle Elementary School. … Shawna Michels, Class of '93, psychology, Rapid City, was honored during Behavior Management Systems' annual staff appreciation dinner. She received the Deb Yellow Robe Community Service award for volunteer work with the Guardianship Program, Rapid City Public Library, Festival of Trees and a number of other events. … Terri (Helmberger) Mitchell, Class of '96, elementary education, Guernsey, Wyo., is editor of Guernsey Gazette newspaper. She took over as editor last August following five other editors during a seven-month period. Her husband, Chris, is a BHSU graduate (1996) and coaches and teaches at Guernsey-Sunrise High School. The Nelsons have three young children. … Shelly Nedved, Class of '90, sociology, Rapid City, joined Youth and Family Services in Rapid City as a child development specialist. … Paul Nepodal, Class of '98, physical education and Denise Nepodal, Class of '95, elementary education, Oberlin, Kan., are the proud parents of twin girls Mattie and Megan, born Nov. 15, 2000. … Amber Steele, Class of '98, English, Rapid City, is a parenting specialist with Wellspring, a treatment program for adolescents and their families. … Sandra Studer, Class of '91, business administration, Rapid City, completed requirements to become a Digital Workplace Certified Specialist. She works for Regal Computer. … Tonya Triebwasser, Class of 2000, elementary education, Belle Fourche, is teaching kindergarten at Belle Fourche Christian School. She is originally from Gillette, Wyo. She and husband, Don, have a five-month-old daughter, Faith. … Bill Westberg, Class of '97, math, Belle Fourche, is a homeroom teacher at Belle Fourche Christian School where he teaches bible, math, and P.E. He taught in Guatemala at an Inter-American School before joining the teaching staff at BFCS. … Max Wetz, Class of '99, mass communications, Newell, was appointed city editor of the Black Hills Pioneer in Spearfish. Steph (Fried) Shon, Class of '00, elementary education, Rapid City, joined the Youth and Family Services organization in Rapid City as a child-care teacher.
Reunions - Top
More than 50 alumni, family and friends attended an alumni gathering at an Arizona Diamondbacks game in Phoenix on Aug. 18.
Approximately 100 alumni, family and friends attended an alumni gathering at a Colorado Rockies game in Denver Aug. 22.
Marriages - Top
Laurie Ann Anderson, Class of '95, associate's degree/administrative assistant, Spearfish, and Robert Wayne Humphrey, Rozet, Wyo., were married July 15, 2000. The bride is employed as a human resource assistant for Rehabilitation Enterprises of Northeastern Wyoming and the groom is an equipment operator for Antelope Coal. … Clint Baird, Class of '99, communications/ English, Sturgis, and Rebecca Jost, Class of '99, marketing, Hoven, were married Oct. 7. He is a field technician for Motion Picture and Events, Inc. Wilmington, N.C, and she is a loan officer for Conseco Finance in Wilmington. … Jason Brengle, Class of 2000, outdoor education, Buffalo, and Amanda Allart, will marry Jan. 6, 2001. He is employed by a Buffalo construction company and she is a student at the University of Wyoming. … Tina Brosch, Class of '99, elementary education, and Jon Johnson, both of Rapid City, were married June 30, 2000. The bride is a teacher at Rapid Valley Elementary, and he is the director of production and service at SoDak Gaming. … Cathleen Collings, Class of '99, elementary education, and Aaron Denekamp, both of Black Hawk, were married July 8, 2000. The bride is an educator at Vandenberg Elementary School, and he is a warehouse supervisor for Conlin's furniture. … Mikel Cronin, Class of '96, outdoor education, Rapid City, and Heather Heynen were married Aug. 19, 2000. He is a fire fighter with the Rapid City Fire Department. She operates a coffeehouse. … Tobie Eveland, Class of '00, tourism and hospitality management, Winner, and Jaceson Shinkle planned to marry Nov. 11, 2000. She is employed as Lawrence County deputy clerk of court. … Marisa Hendrickson, Class of '00, elementary education, Gillette, Wyo., and Tyler Hett were married Aug. 19, 2000. She is a substitute teacher and he is a meter technician for a gas company. The couple resides in Gillette. … David Jenner, Class of '99, business administration, Rapid City, and Heather Veazey, Class of '98, history, Rapid City, were married Oct. 14, 2000. He is a senior computer support specialist at BHSU and she works at Spiegel. … Todd Kvislen, Class of '00, AA degree in drafting, Pierre, and Jennifer Carlsen were married June 17, 2000. He is	employed by Gillette Fence Manufacturing. The couple lives in Belle Fourche. … Shane Lillebo, Class of '00, general studies AA degree, Garretson, and Jessica Heidelberger, Class of '00, business administration marketing, Spencer, were married July 22, 2000. He is employed at the state penitentiary and she is employed at Citibank. … Amber Lochner, Class of '00, human resources management, Spearfish and Bart Johnson, were married Oct. 7. She is employed at Family Medical Center and Family Planning. He works for American Colloid Company. … Shannon Orth, Class of '94, elementary education, Gregory, and Ryan Alcorn will marry Dec. 30, 2000. She is a special-education teacher at Brighton, Colo. He is a biology student at the University of Northern, Colo. … Brian Rafferty, Class of '96, psychology, and Leah Retzlaff, Class of '99, biology/middle school, both of Sheridan, Wyo., were married June 10, 2000. The groom is a forestry technician with the Sheridan County School District. … Jessica Schoenhard, Class of '97, human services, Huron, and Edward (Ted) Schulz, Class of '97, elementary education, Sheridan, Wyo., were married Oct. 14, 2000. The bride is employed by Midland National Life Insurance Company and the groom is a fifth-grade teacher in Brandon Valley School District. … Dean Walters, Class of '00, technology, Spearfish, and Dionne Tobar, Belle Fourche, were married Sept. 3, 2000. He is employed as a CAD technician. The couple lives in Belle Fourche. … Cindy Winjum, Class of '00, business administration, Rapid City, and Paul Riss were married Oct. 14, 2000. She is a property manager and he is a real estate agent. The couple lives in Rapid City. … Paula Wilczynski, Class of '00, business administration marketing, Lead, and O'Jay Leveque will marry Dec. 2, 2000. She is assistant manager at Office Depot. Leveque is a student at BHSU. … Jared Vasquez, Class of '97, biology, Rapid City, and Kelly Dormann were married June 3, 2000. He is a teacher at South Middle School and she a teacher at North Middle School. The couple lives in Rapid City.
Obituaries - Top
Hattie Atkinson, 78, teaching certificate, Hulett, Wyo., died Nov. 24, 2000. She taught at rural schools at Pine Ridge and Left Creek. She and her first husband, William Spangler, ranched and she delivered mail. After William's death, she married Kenneth Atkinson and they lived in Hulett. She is survived by Kenneth, two daughters, and two brothers. …Hazel (Thompson) Bruggeman, 75, Class of '70, social science, Belle Fourche, died Oct. 9, 2000. She taught at Belle Fourche Middle School for a number of years before ill health prompted her early retirement. She is survived by two sons. Her husband, Cliff, preceded her in death. …Candance LaRae Dodson, 50, Class of '72, special education, Sturgis, died Sept. 10, 2000. She devoted her life to teaching special education for Native American children. Three sisters and two brothers survive her. …Gordon Hanson, 71, attended BHSU, 1957 to 1959, English and speech, Rapid City, died in an auto accident Sept. 16, 2000. At BH, he was student body president and school newspaper editor and a track athlete. He was a Korean War veteran and later held numerous positions including newspaper editor and media director for the professional rodeo association. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, two sons and two daughters. …Lila (Alger) Hedlund, 59, Class of '76, elementary/special education, Huron, died Sept. 18, 2000. She taught school in Rapid City before moving to Oregon and Idaho with her husband, Gary. She earned two master's degrees and taught in Huron. She was state president of the South Dakota Women in Educational Leadership and the Council for Exceptional Children. She was named outstanding special education director for the state in 1991. Her husband, two sons and a daughter survive her. …Evelyn Hill, 77, teaching certificate, Spearfish, died Oct. 15, 2000. She taught school and later became owner of the Nugget Cafe in Lead. She was active in Eastern Star. She is survived by two sons and five daughters. … Jessie (Case) Litschewski, 94, Class of '59, elementary education, Spearfish, died Nov. 1, 2000. She began teaching in 1926 and taught in Belle	Fourche, Spearfish and in Montana. She retired in 1972. She was active in 4-H, scouts and her church. She is survived by two sons. … Robert 'Bob' Marsden, 85, Class of '40, history, Wall, died Oct. 3, 2000. He taught school for two years before joining the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He returned to teach and serve as principal of the school in Wasta. He later purchased his parents ranch and operated it until his retirement in 1979. He was very active in community affairs in Wall. His wife, Herma, three sons and a daughter survive him. … Paige Perry-Reeser, 34, Class of '88, business education, Spearfish, died Oct. 21, 2000, at her home following a lengthy battle with cancer. She taught in Guam, Hugo, Colo., Owyhee, Nev., Kuwait, New Stuyahok and Anchorage, Alaska. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Reeser, her parents, Howard and Elaine Perry, and two sisters. … Albert Schultz, 81, Class of '48, business administration, Lander, Wyo., died Sept. 19, 2000. He was an Army veteran of World War II before becoming a teacher, principal, and superintendent during his professional career. Schultz earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. As a superintendent, he held positions in Glenns Ferry, Idaho, Gillette, Wyo., Rawlins, Wyo., and Riverton, Wyo. Survivors include a son, a brother and a sister. … Patricia (Houlihan) Singletary, 67, Class of '54, history, State College, Pa., died Sept. 6, 2000. She had been a social worker for 30 years. She is survived by two sons. …Grace (Peckham) Sparrow, 86, Class of '63, Spearfish, elementary education, died Oct. 10, 2000. Sparrow taught for several years in Deadwood and worked at Grace Balloch Memorial Library in Spearfish. Later she and her husband, Joseph, owned and operated Sparrow's Bakery in Spearfish until they sold it to their son, Bill. She is survived by a son.
Children of alumni are eligible for legacy scholarships - Top
Sons and daughters of Black Hills State University alumni automatically qualify for a scholarship beginning with the fall term in 2001. It's true. If you hold a degree from BHSU and your child is in the top one-third of his or her class with an ACT of 21 or higher, he or she will be eligible to receive an Alumni Legacy Scholarship.	The Alumni Legacy Scholarships range from one-quarter to three-quarters tuition. All financial assistance helps and we are glad to be able to offer a scholarship to children of alumni who received their degrees from BHSU. For information about the Alumni Legacy Scholarship contact the BHSU Enrollment Center at 1-800-255-BHSU.
Enlighten one - Top We are asking all Black Hills State alumni to "Enlighten One" student about the great opportunities that await them at Black Hills State University. After an alumnus discusses BHSU with a prospective college student--family member, friend, or acquaintance--the candle is passed to the student. Have them contact the university enrollment center at 1-800 255-BHSU or visit our web page at www.bhsu.edu for more detailed information. Excellent opportunities await those who check out what we have to offer. Black Hills State University is a great place to learn.

We want to know - Top

Send your news to the Black Hills State University Alumni Office, USB 9506, 1200 University, Spearfish, SD 57799-9506. Information can also be mailed e-mailed to <TerriWells@bhsu.edu> or faxed to 605-642-6214.