Thank you to all who attended Waldorf’s homecoming 2011! It was a beautiful fall weekend full of activities! In addition to the hundreds of alumni who returned to their alma mater, many former faculty and staff took part in various weekend activities as well, including: A.J. and Eleanor Johnson, Mike and Pǿtt Van Auken, Dave Rasmussen, Rev. Paul Mork, Rev. Jim Hamre, Bob Abkes, Rev. David and Donna Bolstorff, Wayne Johns, Dr. Timothy Scmidt, Steve Thompson, Rhoda Anderson, Velma Severson, Everett Shaw, Bob and Ruth Johnson, Anna Marie Mitchell, Elaine Cole-Campney, Helen Barth, Harvey Johnson, Ben Allaway, Dr. Oscar Lenning, Kelly Christensen, Susan Fitzgerald Watson, Judy Brown, Carolyn Frakes, Donna Johnson, Joanne Ronning, Joy Newcom and Rolf Anderson. Current employees also participated in many events of the weekend. All these people, together with our students and alumni, help comprise the “Face of Waldorf.”
Those who attended homecoming found the true spirit of Waldorf College to be alive and well on campus! Waldorf President, Dr. Bob Alsop, gave a brief college update at the luncheon and reiterated his commitment to the mission of the college. Dr. Alsop is serving his 14th year at Waldorf and has deep regard for our heritage and tradition. In his evening remarks at the Taste of Waldorf dinner he also articulated his vision for the college as we chart the course and right the financial ship. The Warriors won their football game on the new artificially turfed Bolstorff Field! Homecoming was the first football game played on the new field which is a product of the shared services agreement with Forest City Schools, the Hanson Foundation and the City of Forest City. The newly combined Saturday evening recognition event honoring our distinguished alumni and members of the Waldorf Society worked well, according to the comments we received, as did the combined festival worship and music concert on Sunday morning. The winner of the “Faces of Waldorf” contest was Mark Gilbertson ’79 who wrote a poem about former faculty member and coach, Wayne Johns. The other top two entries were written by Leroy Beenken ’54 (essay about former faculty member Ingeborg Coltvet ) and Jean Ann (Ottem) Banker ’48 (general poem about “The Face” of Waldorf). Thank you to all who submitted entries and to all who voted. The top three entries can be found in the Fall issue of the Waldorf Magazine (page 18). Thank you again to those who attended the weekend events. It is always great to see you! Please come home and see us often. Warmly, Rita Gilbertson Director of Alumni Relations (641) 585-8140