August 11, 2008
Memory of Hamline usually revolves around either Drew Hall, cheerleading or the Commuter Lounge. But one memory that really stands out was with MPIRG and getting to hear and see Garrison Kiellor speak. All the driven people with energy to change the world and make it a better place to live in. That or having my first son on the day of my Junior finals! It's a toss-up. :}

Traci Eken, CLA Class of 2004

August 8, 2006
This is a handwritten essay about Mom’s (Esther Olson Jewett, Nursing, Class of 1944) struggle to reach her goals and the kindness of one woman who helped her. The essay is difficult to date. It was found among writing from as early as 1961 and as late as 1984. Submitted by Nancy Jewett.

Edith Ackerman, Dean of Women
by Esther Olson Jewett

It was the night of my high school graduation when the speaker talked of goals. Dreams and reality. I listened with a heavy heart. My goal of entering Nurses training was not to be fulfilled I thought, my dreams were now empty wishes. The reality of the future vanished. I had wanted very much to become a nurse but two days before graduation I had gone for a personal interview at the two different hospitals and at both places the Director of Nurses who interviewed me said” you’re qualified scholastically but we can’t accept you because your unsightly skin condition.” I had very ugly case of acne. My dreams of being another Florence Nightingale vanished. The reality was, following graduation I now would have to do housework for awhile, save my money and maybe just maybe get accepted at a college somewhere.

I worked for a year and then enrolled at Hamline University in their general science course, hoping to become a lab technician.

My acne had become more severe. I found a dermatologist 3 miles away and had to walk there once a week for treatment, I had to work full time to pay my room and board. The science course was a burden because of the chemistry & math.

At the end of the first semester I doubted whether I could continue. During the break between semesters I received a form from Hamline U asking if I was going to return the following year.
I was running out of money and energy. I could see not way to continue. Sick at heart I wrote – No.
In the middle of the second semester I found a note in my P.O. box that the Dean of Women wanted to see me.

I walked into this huge quiet carpeted room. There behind a large polished tidy desk sat this calm, tiny prim and proper lady. She wore Pinz-nez spectacles; her hair was pushed into deep precise waves. She wore a high necked blouse under her navy blue tailored suit. Her hands were folded and she was waiting for me.

“Well young lady I see you are not returning to us next year.” I nodded “Yes,” that was true.
She motioned for me to sit down. She then continued the conversation by stating that the University Regents & faculty wanted to start a 5 year nursing course. Since my application stated I had wanted to become a nurse would I consider their new Program? Sadly, I lowered my head and told her of my past refusals by Directors of Nurses because of my skin condition. There was a lull. Finally she called my name – I looked up into a face that was now filled with deep and earnest caring. “

“My dear," she spoke quietly and gently, ”if I can arrange summer job for you, and see that you get a student loan, help with petitioning the faculty for 3 extra credits to meet their requirements, would you be willing to try?”

“Oh yes,” I said enthusiastically. “Yes, I would. Thank You."

She did find me a summer job where I could save all my wages. She did find a sizeable student loan for me to be paid off after I received my first job as a nurse. And I had to carry 21 credits instead of the usual 18.

Miss Ackerman would call me in periodically and in her prim & proper manner with her hands folded in front of her ask if I had any needs and was I managing the extra load of credits. I said everything was 'fine, Thank you.' With that gentle caring look in her eyes she would say, “that will be all for today.”

I loved nurses training and the five years passed quickly. I graduated from Hamline-Asbury School of Nursing with an RN and a Bachelor of Science degree.

As an added bonus this program was part of the student cadet nursing program started by the government during World War II.

Edith Ackerman, Dean of Women, came to that graduation ceremony. She congratulated me with a firm handshake then handed me an envelope and walked briskly away. Inside was a simply stated “The faculty has unanimously voted to cancel your student loan debt. “

Following graduation I entered the Army Nurse Corp. I went to the Philippines as a Field Nurse. Later I went on to become the Operating Room Supervisor of Minneapolis General Hospital. None of this would have been possible without the support of Edith Ackerman.

October 15, 2004
In January of 1995, a small group of us history majors and two professors embarked upon an adventure to the great city of Chicago. We attended an international history conference at the Hilton downtown. We were the ONLY undergraduates there. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the history department we enjoyed a delightful, learning-filled, joyous time in Chi town.

Professors' Zmora and Kagan drove the van, keeping us entertained all the way there and back. And, with Professor Kagan being the East Asian expert, of course we went out for Chinese at least once. And, I experienced my first live blues concert when three of us were able to get into Buddy Guy's club, Legends. Buddy Guy blew us away with his skill, stamina, and never-ending energized playing.

We enjoyed the luxury of the Hilton with its own soft white terry-cloth robes in each room along with the other many fine amenities of a world class hotel. The conference sessions were also very enlightening, including one that discussed the cost and time it takes to get through grad school. Overall, it was a delightful winter break that will always be one of my fondest memories of Hamline University.

Maria Edington, CLA Class of 1996

May 5, 2004
I am thinking of the new stadium now and remembering the old one. When Dick Mulkern came to Hamline the football team dressed under the bleachers in Norton Field House. Dick got some guys together and made an upstairs out at the football field and the football equipment was stored up there. It was very convenient to be so close to the field for practice. Al DeBoer was the quarterback, Denny Wendell was a tackle (going both ways) at 170 lbs. We tried to block Gary Larson (later of the Vikings) from Concordia. That was a job!! We did have a great game at St. John's when Ron Hagstrom ran back a kickoff. Roger Lipelt was our pulling guard and Roger Fertig was our free safety and could he hit!!

Fred Schmiesing, CLA Class of 1964
fschmiesing@hotmail.com

April 28, 2004
The Hamline of 1946-1950 was most unique for the campus was dominated by the war veterans who, under the GI Bill of Rights, quickly left behind what in many cases had to be haunting memories of island invasions, European battles and long years of military order so that long delayed hopes might now be realized.  It was a far older, more mature and focused grouping of freshmen who gathered together during this ill-prepared transitional time for our school to create a new era of academic and athletic proficiencies.  The summer of 1949 became somewhat of an end to this whole grand period for many had graduated through accelarated programs so in a soft last hurrah about thirty of us decided that we would spend that last summer together as a campus work crew for 75 cents an hour.

Our first chores involved the annual cleaning and painting of the Manor House rooms, the resurfacing of the floors of several Old Main classrooms, general landscaping and whatever other various projects might have existed.  Each day after work we'd all congregate at the pool in the Old Gym for skinny dipping and for outlandish stories to be exchanged.  On one such afternoon, word got out that the track at Norton Field was going to have to be reconditioned in anticipation of the conference track meet the following Spring and that four people amongst us would be assigned to that plum of a job which would consume the last two months of the Summer and basically without supervision.  The next that that we knew was that Tom Purcell, a take charge Irishman of a sardonic bent, had not only been appointed as foreman of the track undertaking but that he would choose his co-workers. 

Tom was professionally antagonistic but with a most charming manner and he made a major and taunting production in his auditioning of cohorts for the jobs that everyone wanted.  As his major cohort, I was made his partner and our unlikely accomplices would be Warren Hesselroth and Jerry Smith, two tough and extremely volatile products of Northeast Minneapolis.  Both Warren and Jerry had been outstanding running backs at Edison High and were continuing that at Hamline.  Warren was the kind of guy who would run through a wall and then come back and kick away the remaining traces while Jerry was a past sprint champion who was like a butterfly in an open field.  They both responded to things purely out of fiery instinct and Purcell saw in them perfect foils for his commanding tendencies. 

The existing track that girdled the football field had once been cinders but was now mostly dirt that had on the backstretch generously nurtured a weed growth that had reduced the lanes to one or two at best.  For two months the four of us worked together, barefoot and in shorts and without benefit of new cinders or implements beyond shovels and rakes, in reconstituting that forlorn track.  None of us had a real clue as to what we were doing but Purcell would set the pace when he barked out orders for the rest of us to dig out weeds while he would ride the 60" mower to cut the grass on the ten acres of football field and practice area.  Both Hess and Smitty would have killed to board that mower but Tom wouldn't allow it and it became frustratingly hilarious.   

When we all did work side by side it became a constant running argument about anything and everything.  We'd have word contests, Twenty Questions, whatever, with Tom and I partners against the two of them.  Purcell had this marvelous manner in setting aside their best academic thoughts and someone would have to run to the library two blocks away to validate a word or an historical event and even if we were wrong, Purcell would never admit to it.  The potential student, a Miss Hawaii, would need a welcoming guide around the campus so Tom decided that he and I should charm her while the other two would work the graveled track.  Hess and Smitty were furious so while we were gone they somehow discovered an abandoned bicycle under the grandstand.  They managed to get the tires inflated and began whipping around the 440 yard track as an alternative to working.  When we returned and saw that that old balloon tired model had real problems on the curves, I told Hess that I'd bet him $5 that I could beat him running while he rode that bike.  That was almost a day's wages so he took that proposal to the late afternoon swim and the whole consideration took on some serious betting, most of it against me. 

The next day we were on so we lined up on the 440 starting point and were off.  Hess was slow in getting started and never did catch me so they were down $5 but not without redress.  We argued that until the next day when they offered a rematch but Hess was to be given a running start and I could start running only as he was crossing the starting line going full bore.  Purcell and I pondered that a bit but decided to go with our split funds so the following day after great buildup we went at it again.  While it was closer, the curves worked against them and they again lost so now thy have neither $10 nor forgiveness.  We were now toward the end of our work months and after unending debate they, Hess and Smitty, challenged Tom and me to the Armageddon of the summer, a shuttle race where Tom and Hess would lead off for 50 yards and then handoff to Smitty and me for the last 50 yard leg.  This was apparently to determine the ultimate victory for the long summer.  No dollars, just prestige.  Bill Saari, who just happened by, was to be the starter and the finish line judge.  As it happened, Hess took an unfair false start against Tom and was four yards ahead when they touched off to Smitty and me and, as we crossed the finish line Saari declared it a dead heat so the argument never ended.  It was a ridiculous summer but the track with only six lanes on the soft backstretch was completed and no one seemed to notice.

There is a sequel to this tale.  In 1976, one of my years as president of the Sioux Falls School Board, an all weather track at our Howard Wood field was commissioned.  As we shopped for that track's surfacing, first consideration was given to 3M's Tartan Track which was the pioneer and preeminent entry in all-weather surfaces.  In contacting 3M we were told that the sales for that product were under contract to a Minneapolis outlet for bleachers and various other school equipment.  The president and owner of that company was Warren Hesselroth.  We had gone full circle in the track business.  (Jerry Smith became a long time regional manager for Buick and Tom Purcell was an eventual vice president of the Hormel Company.  I served as a South Dakota senator for 16 years).

Keith Paisley, CLA Class of '50

April 8, 2004
My memory of Bridgman Hall was giving recitials there.  All students taking voice lessons HAD to sing one song each semester at a recital in Bridgman.  It was a terrifing experience especially the first year!

I also have more fond memories, of attending senior recitals in that Hall!

Barbara Brokopp, CLA Class of 1977
bbrokopp@hamline.edu

March 1, 2004
I played my soccer at Norton Stadium, before Paterson field was build, and I remember vividly every other MIAC team complaining about how the ball would roll over the sidelines like it was falling off a table. Those were the days.

Aaron TInklenberg, CLA class of 1998
satinklen@frontiernet.net

February 12, 2004
I graduated from Hamline University in 1985. My parents were so proud of my achievement. I was the first one in my family to finish the eighth grade, let alone obtain a higher degree. Since then, I have gone on to teach middle school algebra. Although I am dyslexic, I find that hard work and perseverence will get you through any trials and tribulations. I could never have thought this way about myself without the help and encouragement of the lovely Hamline community. I know help dyslexic children learn math and reading skills. I find my job most fulfilling. Thank you, Hamline Univeristy. I could never have done it without you!

John Paul Gritton, CLA Class of 1985
jgritton@netmail.hamline.edu

January 23, 2004
As one of the last residences in Goheen Hall (freshman year) I recall setting milk cartoons on the outside ledge of our dorm room window for quick breakfast the next day only to find it frozen solid or buried in snow in the morning. Walking down Snelling to the bowling alley on University Ave. for the PE option in dead of winter was lots of fun too!

Pat (Jensen) Williams, CLA Class of 1959
plwilliams62@hotmail.com

November 13, 2003
My husband, Matthew Bunte, and I, Lisa Bunte (formerly Fabozzi), met at Hamline University in 1998. We ended up in the same Biology lab group the second semester of our Freshman year. We had many lab projects to work on that required us to spend time together outside of class. Little did we know, this was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Matt worked for Safety and Security at HU his Freshman year. One evening in the Spring, he took me on a tour through the almost-finished Walker Fieldhouse because I was on the gymnastics team and wanted to see the new gym. Matt and I went to our first movie together in the end of July 1998, simply as friends, but many would say this was our first date. We began to spend more time together after that, and we found that we had much in common. I lived in Sorin Hall my Freshman and Sophomore years, and Matt came over often to spend time with me. He became well-known to many who lived on my floor.

Over the next few years, our friendship grew into so much more, and on April 6, 2003 of our Senior year, Matt proposed to me at the place where it all started — Hamline University. Matt developed a very special Easter egg hunt that lead me all across campus and ended on the roof of the Robbins Science building with a beautiful diamond ring and a proposal for marriage. I said yes, of course, and we were married on June 21, 2003. Hamline will always have so many great memories for both of us.

Lisa Bunte, Class of 2001

October 10, 2003
Two memories stick in my mind about Norton Stadium. As an alum and as the current head football coach of the Pipers, Wednesday, October 8th was a day filled with mixed emotions. Luckily, it is also a busy day in the weekly preparation of the football. Today (Friday) is more low-key and as I drove south on Snelling this morning to work, two thoughts struck me. The first day reporting for Coach Mulkern's 1965 Pipers as a 17-year old freshman. What a neat feeling to actually dress in a real STADIUM, instead of a crowded, all-sports locker room at Osseo High School. You were in the big-time!! Freshly-laundered t-shirts, socks, etc. before every practice!! It can't be any better than this in the Big Ten!!

The most lasting memory is the celebration in the locker room after winning the 1966 MIAC title with a 28-7 victory over Gustavus at Norton. Coaches Mulkern and Stahly molded us together into a cohesive unit that gained momentum late the previous season and carried it over into a season of close wins to get the Pipers to one final game. An overflow crowd that November Saturday (extra bleachers were borrowed from the St. Paul public schools to handle the crowd and fans lined the field) saw us fall behind the Gusties 7-0 and rattle off 28 straight points to win HU's first MIAC title in 45 years. The locker room was wild!! We had a big celebration in Norton Fieldhouse (now Hutton) right after the game. Our administration must have had a lot of confidence in our team to have that setup ahead of time.

I mentioned to Coach Bob Knutson yesterday about the man-hours of work and the togetherness and life-long friendship forged in that old cement stadium. Norton was a very special place to thousands of young men and their dedicated coaches like Dick Tressel, Dick Mulkern and all the loyal assistant coaches. A lot of sweat and tears where expended in that old cement stadium. It will always have a special place in our Red and Gray hearts.

We at Hamline now will never forget Norton, but we owe it to all those before us to make the Klas Center a special place for future players, coaches, fans, students and parents. It is with deep gratitude to the Klas family that we involved in Piper football now pledge to our absolute best to make it happen. PIPER PRIDE!!

Donavon Larson, CLA Class of 1969

September 30, 2003
Some of my football teammates (David Peterson, Pete Levy, Scott Lemke, Curt Burroughs and probably some others) and I were starting our senior season in August 1977. We had just finished 3 seasons under head coach Jim Sessions.

The new head coach (for 1977 only) was Bob Sadek, who is now the baseball coach at Eagan High Scool. Coach Dick Tressel started a 23-year career at Hamline the next year. Coach Sadek had organized enough bodies over the summer to repaint all of Norton Stadium and set up the "Red Room" for the parents' cookies & coffee social at halftime. He also worked out a deal with the Pepsi-Cola bottler to install a new scoreboard and NFL-type goalposts. That was the "major renovation" during my tenure there. Then 9 years later, Mike Gruenberg installed the new track in 1986 for the next big project.

The most memorable game for me at Norton (as a player) was a 3-2 victory over Concordia-Moorhead in 1975, where Hamline "scored" all of the points. A small freshman kicker, Scott Richardson, kicked a 35-yard field goal and then our QB (Steve Mortenson, I believe) ran out of the end-zone (for a self-imposed safety) on 3rd-down-and-long at the 8-yard line. Coach Sessions told the media that he would have had a shutout if the shortstop didn't make an error.

Dennis Cummings, CLA Class of 1978
dennis.cummings1@usbank.com

September 3, 2003
Hailing from Chicago, I thought I was prepared (at least somewhat) for my first Minnesota winter.  I was completely wrong.  During my first semester of college, sometime in mid-October 1993, the temperature dropped to about 70 below.  This was one of the coldest days in history.  It was so cold that Governor Arne Carlson closed all Minnesota public schools and universities.  President Osnes closed Hamline for the day, too.  I never knew what "bone-chilling cold" meant until this day.  Nevertheless, a group of my friends from Sorin Hall braved the cold, played in the snow and then headed to Ginko's to have some hot chocolate and coffee.  After this experience, I knew I could handle any winter, Minnesota or otherwise, that ever came my way. 
 
Vanessa Vergara