Double Class Reunions Bring Alumni From Across the Nation

The classes of 1970 and 1971 celebrated their 50th reunions together at the Blair Marina on Friday, October 1, the day before Homecoming. Covid issues forced a delay of the 1970 reunion, making the double reunion even more fun. Alumni came from across the country to gather, reminisce, and enjoy a meal together before receiving their treasured Venerable Vikings medallions.

Alumni viewed a video created by Ron Hulsebus shortly after the college closed, drawing a few tears and broken hearts. Bob Coffey, president of the Dana College Foundation gave an update of how the campus is being repurposed to help people at risk for homelessness and provide opportunities for youth sports and activities. Former Professor Dorothy Kundel Olson and Coach Dale Lemon were also invited to reconnect with many of their former students.

Hosts for the evening were Rod and Diane Christenson and Steve and Kathy Cook.

Dana Homecoming Class of 1970

First Row
Paul Dietrich, Janet (Bates) Anderson, Ruth (Schur) Peterson, Carol (Hansen) Fickenscher, Beth (Ahrens) Jensen, Rhonda (Marquette) Martz, Linda Valen , Karen (Lausterer) Riddle, Donna (Suss) Sime, Kathy (Ryan) Cook, Fred Meyer, Steve Cook

Second Row
Kenneth Olson, Barbara (Lauritson) Sievers, Rikki (Forney) Hulsebus, Lanny Rulla, Ron Hulsebus, Rod Christenson, Robert Hess , Jim Brehm , Art Beckman

Dana College Homecoming Class of 1971

Center Front Row
Ed Ezekian, Connie Derry

Second Row
Betty (Jorth) Neben, Judy (Duncan) Dietrich, Gloria Drake, Diane (Schmidt) Christenson, Jean (Brehm) Shelstad, Betty (Holdorth) Beckman, Debbie (Lane, Knox) McQuigg

Back Row
Larry Meints, Diann (Lauritsen) Olson, Ralph Glock, Mike Jones, Judy (Zimmerman) Mathiesson, John Magnuson, Ruth (Schweer) Edelman

Alumni Award Winners: "Wish the World Was Like Dana"

The Dana College Foundation and Alumni Association honored three alumni on Saturday, October 2, 2021 with traditional awards given at Homecoming...Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame. James Cloyd, Mark Esser, and Jason Isaacson were this year’s honorees. Click here to learn more.

Scholarship Winners Announced

The Dana College Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 Legacy Scholarship recipients! Each will receive $5,000.00 to further their education at a Christian-affiliated, liberal arts institution in the tradition of the Dana experience. The scholarships are available to descendants of Dana alumni, faculty and staff. Selections are made by the Dana College Foundation board of directors.

This year’s recipients include:
Caitlin Orton of Mills, Nebraska, a graduate of Rock County High School, is the daughter of Jason and Chana Orton, both of whom are Dana grads. Caitlin will be attending Hastings College to study elementary education.

Katheryn Stapel of Leicester, Massachusetts, is a graduate of Leicester High School. She is a granddaughter of Dana alumni Marc and Ruth Petersen. Several other relatives on both sides of the family are also Dana alumni. Katheryn will attend Stonehill College in Easton, MA, to study elementary education and sociology.

Once again we had terrific candidates for our scholarships! We had many that were very close in their academic preparation, volunteerism, achievements and other qualities. But the two young ladies, without question, stood out to the Board as the best overall. Many, many thanks to the donors who made our scholarship fund possible, to carry on the legacy of Dana College.