In This Issue
- U of M, Crookston Alumni Board Holds Annual Development Meeting
- Outstanding Contributions Recognized at U of M, Crookston during Torch & Shield Awards
- Veterans Day Events Sponsored by Crookston VFW, American Legion and Veterans' Support Club at U of M, Crookston
- Geochron at the U of M, Crookston Gift from Chancellor Emeritus Donald and Mary Beth Sargeant
- Horticulture Students Grab First Place at Mid-America Collegiate Horticulture Society Competition
- U of M, Crookston Hits Record Undergraduate Enrollment
- Alumni Association Scholarship Raffle Winners
- U of M, Crookston Homecoming Parade Winners
- Reconnect!
- Submit a tasty recipe!
- IRA Rollover Provision
U of M, Crookston Alumni Board Holds Annual Development Meeting
 The University of Minnesota, Crookston Alumni Association Board gathered on Wednesday, November 19 for their annual board development meeting. President Cindy Bigger, '79, led the discussion and the evening's activities.
The topic of the meeting was committees that work, based on the University of Minnesota Extension guidebook Committees That Work: Common Traps - Creative Solutions. The participants gained a deeper understanding of how to be an effective committee member.
Photo (top row): Juanita Lopez, '08, Carl Melbye, '79, Nancie Hoerner, '95, Kylene Odegaard Lehmann, '01, Michelle Ramstad, '03, and Amy Peterson Lubarski, '02.
(bottom row): Jen Novak, '06, Kari Vallager Moe, '03, Brandy Lietz Chaffee, '00, Kari Torkelson, O.D., ex. '91, and Cindy Bigger, '79.
(Not pictured: Leah Stratton Reitmeier, '93)
Outstanding Contributions Recognized at U of M, Crookston during Torch & Shield Awards
 Recognition was paid to four individuals for their outstanding contributions to the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) with the awarding of the University's highest honor – the Torch & Shield Award – on Wednesday, October 29, 2008.
This year's recipients included Joy Johnson, vice president of Planning and Ancillary Services, RiverView Health; Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics at U of M, Crookston; W. Daniel Svedarsky, Ph.D., head, UMC Natural Resources Department; and Senator Rod Skoe. Through their exceptional leadership these honorees have aided in the development of the Crookston campus, University of Minnesota Extension and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center.
Donors were also recognized for their lifetime and annual giving during the evening's festivities in the Bede Ballroom of the Sargeant Student Center at the U of M, Crookston. | more
Visit the 2008 Torch & Shield photo album.
Veterans Day Events Sponsored by Crookston VFW, American Legion and Veterans' Support Club at U of M, Crookston
 In honor of those who served, the Crookston VFW, American Legion and the Veterans' Support Club at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, recently hosted a series of events to commemorate Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.
The call to colors began at 7:55 a.m. around the flag pole on the Crookston Campus Mall. A formal ceremony was led by the color guard from the Grand Forks ROTC. A new flag was raised over the campus with wreaths placed at the base of the flag pole and on the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at the campus entrance. Veteran support groups from many agencies and organizations were on hand to provide assistance and contact information for veterans and their families.
A 9 a.m. program was held in Kiehle Auditorium which featured a welcome by Les Swenson, president of the Crookston Campus Veterans' Support Club. The UMC Choir performed; Air Force Chaplain McCarty and Chancellor Charles H. Casey talked about the significance of the day; and Dolly Youngquist, Crookston VFW Auxiliary, spoke of the history of Veterans Day. Swenson, with the assistance of ROTC members explained the significance of the folding of the flag. Guest speaker Alvin Killough, Ph.D., who is a Vietnam veteran himself, spoke on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). | more
Geochron at the U of M, Crookston Gift from Chancellor Emeritus Donald and Mary Beth Sargeant
 A recent gift to the University of Minnesota, Crookston will help create a broader understanding of our world. A geochron, a lighted map simultaneously showing time of day and displaying the extent of daylight and darkness throughout the world, donated by Chancellor Emeritus Donald and Mary Beth Sargeant, is now on permanent display in the Sargeant Student Center. An inscription on the piece says, "Learn from your visits with others and from your travels."
"The geochron is more than a map or a timepiece," says Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations." This gift from Don and Mary Beth will encourage global thinking and spark conversation. Its location in the International Lounge in the Sargeant Student Center is a focal point and a place where students, faculty, and staff can find inspiration. We thank the Sargeants for their generosity."
U of M, Crookston Horticulture Students Grab First Place at Mid-America Collegiate Horticulture Society Competition
 Five horticulture students from the University of Minnesota, Crookston took first place recently at the annual Mid-America Collegiate Horticulture Society (MACHS) Competition. Hosted by Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, the competition consisted of a written horticulture knowledge exam, judging of all types of horticulture crops, and identification of both herbaceous and woody plants.
Sophomore Kim Keunyung, Gwangju, Korea; Junior Kaarina Visness, Karlstad, Minn.; Senior Jennifer Zoch, Remer, Minn.; Junior Stepheni Tietje, Hayfield, Minn.; and Freshman Kristine Neu, Pelican Rapids, Minn., were members of the first place MACHS team representing the Crookston campus. Zoch captured highest honors at the competition when she was named first place individual overall. Coach for the U of M, Crookston team was Theresa Helgeson, lab services coordinator.
“We are so proud of our students and their work for the MACHS competition,” says Helgeson." They were up against the best in the Midwest, and they have proven they can compete with anyone. Their work ethic and determination have been rewarded by this monumental first-place finish. It was a privilege to work with them as a coach and I am extremely proud of them.” | more
Alumni Association Scholarship Raffle Winners
1st - Arlene Tucker - 32" Westinghouse HDTV
2nd - Emily Knutson - two all-event athletic passes
3rd - Paula Rockstad - one night stay at Canad Inn plus four water park passes
4th - Betty Stroot - one round of golf (18-holes) for four at Kings Walk Golf Course
5th - Mike Williams - one round of golf (9-holes) for two plus cart at Minakwa Golf Course
6th - Karen Brekken - UMC gift basket
Congratulations winners and thanks to everyone for supporting scholarships for U of M, Crookston students!
U of M, Crookston Homecoming Parade Winners
 Enjoy the photos by John Zak and Stephanie Onken, University Relations.
Congratulations to the 2008 parade entry winners, Crookston High School Band - Best Crowd Pleaser, Crookston Student Association - Best Theme, and Delta Theta Sigma - Most Creative.
Plan now to take part in the fun and mark your calendars for Homecoming 2009, October 2-3!
Reconnect!
 It's always the perfect time to visit the U of M, Crookston. And now there are two reserved alumni parking spots in Lot G next to the Kiehle Building to make your visit even more convenient! Stop by the Development & Alumni Relations office when you're in the area; we'd love to reminisce and show you around campus. David Ebertowski, '62, stopped by recently and enjoyed a campus tour and conversation with Rose Ulseth, '87, development & alumni relations executive accounts specialist. There were some noticeable changes as this was Ebertowski's first time back on campus since his graduation!
Have a tasty recipe, a family favorite or maybe a culinary masterpiece all your own?
Why not share your recipes in a cookbook that features favorites from the faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of Minnesota, Crookston? University Relations is putting together a cookbook that celebrates the maroon and gold we love! If you have a recipe or recipes (up to four) that you would like to share, send them, along with your name and grad year, to Patti Tiedemann (ptiedema@umn.edu) or you can mail them to:
Patti Tiedemann
Kiehle 119
2900 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
The deadline for submitting recipes is February 1, 2009. Watch for details about the cookbook in upcoming issues of the Torch or online at www.UMCrookston.edu/alumni.
IRA Rollover Provision
Retirees age 70 1/2 or older may again make gifts up to $100,000 to charities without a tax penalty when given from an individual retirement account (IRA). The IRA rollover legislation was extended as part of the economic "bailout bill" signed into law by President George W. Bush. For detailed information about giving or planning your gifts, contact Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer at 1-800-862-6466, ext. 8434 or 218-281-8434.
 May the good things in life be yours in abundance!
Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Do you know of others who might want to subscribe to this e-newsletter? Send their names and e-mail addresses to Sue Dwyer (sdwyer@umn.edu).
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Robert "Bob" Kresl, '53, is in his second term on the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Association Board. Growing up in Tabor, Minn., Kresl came to the Northwest School when he was only 13 years old. "At the time, once we were done with country school, the Northwest School was the first choice for high school," Kresl recalls. He also appreciated the shorter school year which accommodated the farming season. Campus life helped him adjust to living away from home. "By living in a dorm with other people, I had no problem adjusting later to military service," Kresl explains.
Amy (Peterson) Lubarski, '02, has been on the U of M, Crookston Alumni Association Board since fall 2007. Her bachelor's degree is in information technology management, and she has an associate's degree in management and marketing.