dana college  ALUMNI and Friends ASSOCIATION

News

Wrestling Takes Center Stage: Dana Digital History Project

The Dana College Foundation announces that a trove of videos featuring the Dana wrestling team has been added to its Dana Digital History Project. The videos represent mainly the years 2001 through 2005, including the team’s National Championship in 2005. 

Dana alum and former wrestler Wynn Fangmeier brought the collection of videos to the Foundation’s attention. Thanks to him, the Foundation was able to add another chapter to the Project, having the nearly 150 compact videotapes digitized and uploaded to its YouTube channel.

The wrestling videos are added to hundreds of other Dana sports videos, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball; plus audio recordings of Dana choir albums and the only recording of Danish comedian and musical artist Victor Borge receiving an honorary Dana degree.

“We know of no other institution that has done this, much less a college that is closed,” said Dana College Foundation president Bob Coffey. “These are treasured memories of campus life and Dana’s legacy that are now preserved for alumni to relive and share for decades to come.”

News

Dana Homecoming 2025

Class of ’75 Honored at Homecoming
The Class of 1975 became the latest Venerable Vikings, celebrating 50 years since graduation.

The much-treasured VV medallions were presented to each alum during the Saturday afternoon program in front of 120 alumni and family. Classmates had come from across the nation, Phoenix to Massachusetts, Wisconsin to Texas, to reunite and reminisce about their Dana experiences.

Following the program on campus, the 50-year class retired to the Blair Marina for cocktails and dinner. Smiles and laughter abounded as they brought up memories and caught up on life after graduation.

For many, it was the first time they had returned to the Dana campus since graduation. Much of the conversation centered on the newer buildings, and what was going to happen to the ones they knew so well.

It was a celebration of shared experiences, gratitude for the opportunity to meet again, and gratitude for what their alma mater had given them.

New Homecoming Date: October 17, 2026
The Alumni Committee has announced that instead of the first Saturday of October, next year’s Homecoming will take place on October 17, 2026.

The reason for the change is to give Committee members more time to prepare for the event. The first Saturday of October was simply too close to Labor Day, creating few opportunities to meet, coordinate and accomplish the work necessary.

Alumni are urged to let their classmates and other Dana friends know about the change. Activities will still be on the Dana campus.

Foundation Presents $50,000 Check to LFS
During Homecoming ceremonies, the Dana College Foundation made a gift of $50,000 to Lutheran Family Services to help it meet a challenge grant for renovations to the gymnasium complex on campus. The renovations are planned to refurbish the HVAC system, restrooms, pool area and more in order to make the building a greater resource for the Blair community.

The idea is to hold events, accommodate youth sports teams and other activities such as art classes and public meetings.

The challenge grant enables LFS to acquire matching funds up to $2 million for the project, to be accomplished in three stages. The Foundation’s check has helped LFS reach its first goal which would provide $500,000 in matching funds.

The swimming pool, plagued by perpetual leaks, seeping water from below, and extremely high maintenance costs, will be filled in. The area will be rebuilt for other purposes such as indoor pickleball courts, according to LFS.