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Legacy Scholarship Winners Selected
The Dana College Foundation is pleased to announce its Legacy Scholarship winners for 2025!
Addyson Tupa of Center Point, Iowa, will be attending Wartburg College this fall. Both of her parents, Stephanie (Wilson) Tupa and K.C. Tupa are Dana alumni, as well as her aunt and uncle, Heather Kelly Tupa and Mike Tupa. Addyson has not chosen her major field of study yet.
Brooke Denton of Oakland, Nebraska, will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan University to study Elementary Education. Her mother, Coleen (Lenneman) Denton is a Dana alum, class of 1991.
Each winner will receive $5,000 to help them obtain a college experience similar to that of Dana. The Legacy Scholarships are awarded to descendants of Dana alumni, faculty and staff. They are made possible by the generosity of alumni and other donors.
The scholarships are designed to help students obtain a college experience similar to what they would have enjoyed attending Dana College.
Winners are selected on the basis of academic preparation, activities, honors and awards, jobs and volunteering. Students also complete an essay connecting their parents’ or grandparents’ experience at Dana with the student’s own educational goals.
Foundation Announces New Board Members
At its most recent meeting, the Dana College Foundation elected two new board members. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of Dana through scholarships, alumni connections, college traditions, and collaboration with the campus owners.
Vicki Dunkle is a 1987 graduate, and has been active with Alumni Association activities and Homecoming. She resides in Blair.
Shad Beam is a 1994 graduate, and has also been active with Alumni Association activities, especially serving on the nomination committee for alumni awards. Shad also worked at Dana as head soccer coach and sports information director.
Other board members include Bob Coffey, President; Sandra Jensen, Vice President; Richard Vierk, Secretary-Treasurer; Marilyn Abariotes; and Tyler Petersen.
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Nearly 100 Alumni Attend Homecoming Starting off the day on October 5th, the Danish American Archives and Library, formed originally by Professor (Pope) John Nielsen on the Dana campus, held its annual Kringle and Mingle event at its facility in downtown Blair. Alumni had the opportunity to view the DAAL’s collections, learn about its work in preserving the history of Danish immigration to America, and reminisce with friends and former faculty members. Visitors also had the opportunity to purchase a copy of Professor Nielsen’s memoirs, benefiting DAAL. Homecoming events continued on the Dana campus in the Cooperman Atrium between the Gardner-Hawks gym and Borup Coliseum. The Dana Bookstore was a lively attraction with alumni purchasing Dana logo wear and other gear, including clothing items, travel mugs, posters, choir albums, and more. A barbecue food truck (Smoke on Arrival) provided the Tailgate Luncheon. Following lunch, festivities included several presentations. Dana College Foundation President Bob Coffey welcomed attendees, and spoke about what the Foundation does, including providing scholarships to descendants of Dana alumni, faculty and staff; publishing the alumni newsletter; sponsoring the alumni website; partnering with Lutheran Family Services in promoting its mission on our campus; and more. Coffey also told the crowd about this past year’s accomplishment, the Dana Digital History Project. This project involved digitizing hundreds of game films and videos dating back to the 1960s, choir albums, and the only audio tape of famous Danish comedian and pianist Victor Borge receiving an honorary Dana degree. The videos and audio files can be accessed free of charge via a YouTube channel, linked through this website (click on the navigation bar on the home page.) Chris Tonniges, CEO of Lutheran Family Services, spoke to alumni about the progress that’s been made with the campus, noting that 88% of the renovated apartments (Blair and Mickelsen Halls, plus the suite style apartments) are now filled with new residents. Plans include re-acquiring Rasmussen and Holling Halls to renovate those into apartments as well. Other plans include renovations of the gymnasium and recreational facilities to make them into a community resource. Behavioral health and financial counseling services for former foster youth are also coming to the campus. With permission of the Dana College Foundation, they now call the campus Dana Village. | Venerable Vikings Welcome the Class of 1974 Fifteen members of the class of 1974 gathered at the Blair Marina on Friday, October 4, for their 50-year reunion. Following a social hour, Pastor and classmate Fred Baltz provided a blessing before class members and spouses sat down for dinner, conversation and presentations. Classmate Pat Tripp displayed dozens of cards from his postcard collection, depicting Dana College throughout its history. He also presented to the Dana College Foundation a 100-year-old mug from Argo Hall that his grandfather, Leslie Thompson, had used as a student and member of the football team in 1924 to 1926. Foundation President Bob Coffey gave a brief update on campus developments and the progress being made by Lutheran Family Services in turning the campus into low-income housing and a transitional home for young adults who age out of the foster care system. Continuing a long-standing Dana tradition, he and Alumni Association President Sandra Jensen then presented each of the 50-year class reunion attendees with their coveted Venerable Viking Medallions. |
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Special Presentations
Coffey called on LFS CEO Chris Tonniges and Ed Shada, former CEO of Angels Share, to come forward as Honorary Vikings for having rescued the Dana College campus and turning it into a place that serves our fellow human beings, especially those less fortunate. They were presented with pullovers bearing the Dana College logo, a new item provided by the Bookstore.
He also presented a special award, Shield Maiden of Dana, to Sandra Jensen, Alumni Association President and Foundation Vice President, for her tireless work in organizing Homecoming, maintaining the Alumni database, acting as association treasurer, and much more. He noted that none of this would happen without Sandra’s dedication to Dana College and its legacy.
Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to Tom Van Steenhoven and Ryan Jacobsen. Coincidentally, both were cross country runners for Dana. Tom has won national awards for advertising campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, written 12 novels, composed music and a liturgy. Ryan has won awards as a faculty member at the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy, has had numerous peer-reviewed articles published in national publications, and has been named Iowa Pharmacist of the Year. The Dana legacy lives on through the accomplishments of its alumni!
Photos courtesy of Kori Archbold
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Dana Digital History Project Announces New Additions, Including Audio Recordings! Recently the Dana Digital History Project launched its YouTube channel, providing newly digitized videos of Viking football, basketball and volleyball games dating back to the 1960s. These game films were discovered and preserved by the Dana College Foundation and a committee of former Viking athletes. This discovery of hundreds of films and videotapes inspired the creation of the Dana Digital History Project. It’s a laborious endeavor to digitize all of them, so the videos will be released in three batches over the course of 2024. The Project is pleased to announce that the second batch of videos are now available to view on the YouTube channel, free of charge! More games to view, more memories to relive! Just click on this link, or click on the button on this page to reach the channel. In addition to the sports videos, the Project has now included special audio recordings that will interest alumni from all generations. All are now available on the YouTube channel and ALSO for download to your smart phone, computer or other devices! Listen to them wherever you go! Dana Choir Albums
Victor Borge Performance! Thanks to the Dana Digital History Project, it’s now available to you on the YouTube channel AND for download to your electronic device, free of charge! Just click on the link below: |
How You Can Help The Dana Digital History Project is a costly endeavor. The final cost is estimated to be near $25,000. The Project is being underwritten by the Dana College Foundation, which is asking for your help. Committee members have already made financial commitments, and you can, too. You can be a part of this history- and memory-preserving project by supporting the Dana College Foundation with a tax-deductible donation. Please be generous, and send your check to: Dana College Foundation Go Vikings! |
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2024 Legacy Scholarship Winners Announced The Dana College Foundation Board of Directors met on April 13th to review applications and select this year’s Legacy Scholarship winners. Two applicants clearly stood out among all others to receive $5,000 each to help them achieve a college experience similar to Dana. Camille Renken Hannah Peatrowsky The Dana College Foundation Legacy Scholarships are awarded to two descendants of Dana alumni, faculty or staff. Applicants must attend a college or university similar to Dana. That is, a private, four-year liberal arts, Christian-affiliated institution. The scholarships are funded through the generosity of alumni, donors and estate gifts. The application period is announced at the beginning of each year. Students are judged on academic preparation, participation in activities, special accomplishments or honors, employment, volunteering, and an essay. |
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Alumni Attend Dana Village Ribbon-Cutting The former Dana College Campus was abuzz with activity on Friday, February 9th as people from all across the state filled the gymnasium to see a new beginning. Abundant Dana alumni were present, as well as multiple media representatives, government officials, a great number of LFS staff, and many more from the Blair community and beyond - to see the new ‘Dana Village’ officially come to life. Chris Tonniges, President and CEO of Lutheran Family Services kicked off the event, welcoming all to the “life altering” ribbon-cutting that the campus has been patiently waiting for after nearly fourteen years. He began with sobering facts surrounding the reality of foster youth and other vulnerable populations in the state, including statistics stating that many end up homeless in as little as six months after their 19th birthday, when they are legally released from the system. He went on to say, “I think you and I can agree that this is not ok—additionally too many of our elderly don’t have resources or opportunities for affordable housing either. These people are Nebraskans, and Nebraskans don’t treat Nebraskans that way. We just DON’T. That’s what makes this place special.” Ed Shada and Angels Share was given a deserving round of applause and thanked profusely, highlighting their dream and ultimate goal - support for former foster youth who have no where to go. Thankfully they were able to partner with a much more able body to carry on this grand plan. Lutheran Family Service's ten year plan includes much needed connection and benefit to the local community, including job opportunities and career development. Tenants will be able to move into any of the 61 finished units in Blair and Mickelsen halls by the end of February. Tours were available to the public to view the studio, 1 and 2 bed room units. All quarters are accessible, and have a washer and dryer in-unit. The beautifully updated apartments still share the same views as former students once enjoyed over the campus. George Achola, V.P. and General Counsel of Burlington Capital Real Estate Investment was invited to speak to the renovation of the new units and what their impact will be on the community. “When you open that door, you will know that you are not forgotten…. this day will hopefully be the genesis for a transformation of somebody’s life.” Mayor Mindy Rump, Senator Ben Hansen, and Governor Jim Pillen also spoke, marking an exciting and incredible day for the city of Blair, and the state of Nebraska. The historic past and the emotional loss of Dana were acknowledged, but not without mentioning future-forward solutions the new village will solve: preventing homelessness, workforce development, and reactivating the beautiful campus. As a last minute gesture, Rump also gifted a symbolic broom to Mr. Tonniges, thanking him and LFS for being stewards of the community — also a nod in jest to the amount of cleaning up that still needs to be done. Pastor Kip Tyler shared a homily that left no dry eye in the room as he recounted the day that Dana closed. From another pastor friend, he was reminded, “Kip - remember, our God does his best work in death and resurrection.” Those words obviously resonated with the crowd as the tissues came out of their pockets. As an alum, he quoted portions of the third and fourth verses of “Hail Dana” : …. “And when we launch our little barks on destiny’s deep sea, as Ivy to thy walls do cling, our hearts will cling to thee…Oh Hail fair Dana, hail to thee, though time thy walls may claim, thy spirit live another throng, rise up and sing our song!” Other plans moving forward will include intergenerational, community-driven spaces, physical and mental health access, outreach programs, and other sporting and arts events, thankfully revitalizing the campus once again. Eventually, the goal of the village is to be a destination location for the entire region. The launch of a solution for people in need, the city of Blair, the Dana Campus, and the entire state, ultimately was born out of the death of our beloved college. A solution that is hopeful to last for seven generations, and beyond. For more information, visit: |
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