Alumni Blog

Year: 2011

  • Jonathan Swenson ’88

    Jonathan Swenson ’88

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    Erin Wilken

    Rev. Jonathan Swenson, ’88, is answering a new calling. Swenson, who split his time at Gustavus between the Psychology, Theater and Music departments is now traveling to churches, colleges, conferences and retreats throughout the country performing WITNESSES –, a one-man, 8-character dramatic presentation on the life of Jesus. After nearly 20 years in parish ministry,…

  • Valarie Hughes Hanson ’84, Carmen Kluever Daszy ’84 and Brenda Clayton McConnell ’84

    Valarie Hughes Hanson ’84, Carmen Kluever Daszy ’84 and Brenda Clayton McConnell ’84

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    by

    Erin Wilken

    In April of 2011, Brenda Clayton McConnell ’84 and her husband Mike, along with Valarie Hughes Hanson ’84 and her husband Tom, visited Carmen Kluever Daszy ’84 and her husband Walter who live in Charleston, SC. The ladies, (l-r)Val, Carmen and Brenda, are shown in front of the coffee shop owned by the Daszys. Carmen…

  • MaryAnne Hoekstra-Shekar ’98

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    Erin Wilken

    MaryAnne Hoekstra-Shekar ’98 wanted to pass on the exciting news that she recently started her own artisan chocolates and confections company: H.S. Chocolate Co.! They handcraft classic confections like candy bars, filled chocolates and chocomels (chocolate-covered caramels) using fresh, local ingredients to create exciting flavor profiles. Visit their website at http://hschocolateco.com/.

  • Annie Berger ’09

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    Erin Wilken

    Annie Berger ’09 graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. Annie will be serving as a National Health Service Corps Scholar in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at SouthEast Lancaster Health Services, as a Primary Care Physician Assistant.

  • Nate ’02 and Lauren Swanstrom Mitchell ’03

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    Erin Wilken

    Lauren (Swanstrom) Mitchell ’03 married Nate Mitchell ’02 on June 25, 2011 in Duluth, MN. They now live in Minneapolis. Lauren just started a job working in ESL at Learning for Leadership Charter School in Minneapolis. Nate works for Terra Firma Building and Remodeling in Saint Paul.

  • Bret and Laura Walz Vander Streek ’10

    Bret and Laura Walz Vander Streek ’10

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    by

    Erin Wilken

    Laura Walz ’10 married Bret Vander Streek ’10 on September 24, 2011 at Hope Community Church in Minneapolis, MN.

  • Whitney Peterson ’08

    Whitney Peterson ’08

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    Erin Wilken

    Whitney Peterson ’08 has been deployed since May and is currently serving in Iraq/Kuwait as a Platoon Leader in charge of 40 Soldiers and $6.5 million worth of equipment. They are part of the main effort protecting convoys as they bring supplies out of Iraq.

  • Lane Nelson ’10 and Julia Lawant ’12

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    Erin Wilken

    Lane Nelson ’10 and Julia Lawant ’12 are getting married in Minneapolis, MN on June 2nd 2012.

  • Rebecca Smith ’01

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    by

    Erin Wilken

    Becky Smith ’01 married Alex Lipka on Dec. 3rd, 2011 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ithaca, NY

  • Christine Dornbusch ’09

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    by

    Erin Wilken

    Christine Dornbusch ’09 is in her second year as a graduate student at Minnesota State University, Mankato working on a Master’s degree in Counseling and Student Personnel with an emphasis in College Student Affairs. She works at both the Career Development Center and International Programs Office on campus and is excited to start her professional career in international education upon her…