Alumni Events
Colorado Springs and Denver
Fifteen Doane alumni, parents and friends attended a luncheon with President Jonathan Brand at the Colorado Springs Country Club, April 26. The event was hosted by Kathryn Miller Curry '70, Ron '85 and Vernita Roethemeyer '85 Hare, and Jami Zier '00.
Following the luncheon, the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Denver was the setting for an after-work reception with President Brand. Thirty-five Doane alumni, parents and friends were in attendance. Jessica Stewart, the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Alumni Chapter Scholarship, and her parents were introduced by chapter president Steve Starzec '90. Other hosts were Charles '43 and Alys McMunn, Frank '49 and Marion Olsen '49 Taylor, Dalyce Due '60, Jon Drogheo '94, Scott '94 and Marianne Margheim, Tim Franzen '99 and Roxane Smith '99.
Cody Vance '82, director of special projects, and Sarah Franzen Begay '96, Western Region admission counselor, represented the college at both events.
Fresno
An evening reception at the Piccadilly Inn Airport Hotel in Fresno, California, May 23, honored three Doane graduates inducted into the NAIA Track and Field Hall of Fame earlier that day. John Baumann '89, David Symonsbergen '93, Greg Ray '00, their families, and the Doane track and field coaches (who were in Fresno for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championship Meet) attended the reception, which was hosted by Cody Vance '82, director of special projects.
Washington, D.C.
The Doane Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), under the direction of Dr. Jay W. Gilbert, performed in a late morning concert at the World War II Memorial, May 27. Several hundred people were in attendance, as the concert took place Memorial Day weekend.
Following the concert, Tom Songster '62 hosted a picnic lunch for SWE members and 40 alumni, parents and friends of Doane. Karen Wisman Morris '78, director of alumni affairs, Cody Vance '82, director of special projects, and Tyson Compton '08, Student Congress president, represented the college at the concert and picnic.
On Memorial Day, SWE members were treated to lunch at the home of Bill '44 and Barbara Mallon '44 Conklin. The ensemble also performed at the Old Post Office Building, May 29, and at the Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa., June 2. Wayne '00 and Sally Bazata '04 Webster hosted the ensemble in Gettysburg.
Rocky Mountain Golf
The Rocky Mountain Alumni Chapter hosted a golf tournament at West Woods Golf Course in Arvada, June 16. The second annual tournament had 29 golfers. The winning team included: Jack Barker '61, Bill Smith, Jim Sitnik and Mark Parcheta. The second-place team was Paul Marino '85, Stephanie Marino, Joey Baumann '05 and Rich Sletvold. Donors provided pin prizes and hosted individual holes. Event proceeds went to the Rocky Mountain Chapter for scholarships and activities.
Chicago
The Doane Alumni Office organized two architectural tours in Chicago, June 23-24. June 23, some 28 alumni, parents and friends of the college took part in an Architecture River Cruise, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The 90-minute narrated lunch cruise spotlighted the more than 50 architecturally significant sites in Chicago. A special guest during the cruise was John Buenz '55, chairman emeritus of Solomon Cordwell and Buenz Architects, who has been an architect in Chicago since 1960.
On June 24, Nadine Petersen '55, a docent for several Frank Lloyd Wright structures in Chicago, gave 14 Doane alumni, parents and friends a tour of Wright's Robie House, a masterpiece of the Prairie style and an icon of modern architecture. Petersen also hosted a dessert reception at a nearby restaurant following the tour.
President Jonathan Brand; Dick '56 and Lillian (Bunny) Albrecht '55 Dudley; John Lothrop '68, vice president for advancement; and Cody Vance '82, director of special projects, represented the college at both events.
Summer Reunions
The Class of 1957 celebrated its 50-year reunion on campus last June. The three-day event let classmates and spouses share their expertise in an Elderhostel-type format. Presenters included: Beth Klosterman, wife of John Klosterman '57, on "Restoring the Historic Thorpe Opera House in David City, Nebraska"; Virgil Marshall on "Rare Coins and the Art of Coin Collecting"; Cecile Batchelor, wife of Gene Remmers '57, folk singer and guitarist who led a sing-a-long; Dick '57 and Helen Sysel '58 Vasak on "The Path from Doane to Glentek, Inc."; Gene Remmers on "Frisian Ancestry & Genealogy"; Douglas Wilson, winner of the 2007 Lincoln Prize for his book Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words shared "Writing about Lincoln." The Vasaks hosted a reception in their Crete home. Other events included sky viewing in Boswell Observatory, a concert by the Blue River Community Band and a recognition banquet. Reception entertainment included the Blue River Czechs and Doane's own "Zoot Coots."
Also celebrating reunions were the Navy V5 and V12 programs, and classes of 1952, 1947 and 1942. A memorial service was held at the Navy Circle Memorial on Osterhout Lane. Benny Hochman, a Holocaust survivor from Auschwitz prison camp, spoke during lunch. Sarah Smith Garcia '06 presented on Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the video "The Canteen Spirit" was shown. Navy scholarship recipient Katie Cosmos '07 spoke at the closing banquet along with Dean Petersen V12 and Virgil Marshall '57.
Off to the Races
The Capital Alumni Chapter was the blanket sponsor of the fifth race at the State Fair Park horse races, July 13. The winner of the fifth race was Fisher County. The black blanket with orange trim and the words "Doane Capital Alumni Chapter" was hung on the railing at the winner's circle with Doane fans and the horse's owners standing by. The group had special seating in the air-conditioned clubhouse. Over 50 alumni and friends joined in the fun at the races that evening.
Cambridge
Bill Shoemaker '68 hosted the third annual Doane Golf Tournament at Cross Creek Golf Links in Cambridge, July 21. Eleven foursomes braved the heat and humidity during the 18-hole tourney, which was won by the team of Charlie Shoemaker '97, Tom Shoemaker, Brant Heitmann, and Toby Webb. President Jonathan Brand was one of several golfers from the Crete campus.
Dick Shoemaker '72 hosted the post-tourney reception at his residence, where the meal was served by Big Mama's Eatery, owned by Kathy Shoemaker Heitmann '75.
Omaha
Forty-five Doane alumni, parents and friends attended a pre-Friday Afternoon Club at Upstream Brewing Company in west Omaha, September 20. Hosts for the event were Terry and Toni Volhein '64 Diel, Russ Andersen '79, Jim Beatty '70, Melanie Hunt Hecker '92, Jill Lukes Budler '98 and Mary Uher '00.
John Lothrop '68, vice president for Advancement, and Cody Vance '82, director of special projects, were also in attendance.
Hastings
David '72 and Nona Scribner and Marc '81 and Jacque Lubken hosted a pre-game tailgate party for Doane alumni and football parents at the OK Café, October 13. Attending from Doane were Eunice Kemper McArdle '70 and Cody Vance '82. Thirty guests enjoyed hot dogs and chili prior to the Doane-Hastings football game. Several members of the Doane volleyball team made a surprise appearance at the event.
Japan
Approximately 15 alumni and friends attended a reception at the Grand Palace Hotel in Tokyo, October 27. Alumni arrived early and stayed late to visit with Richard '56 and Lillian "Bunny" Albrecht '55 Dudley.
Kearney
Twenty-five Doane alumni, parents and friends enjoyed the Tri-City Storm versus the Lincoln Stars hockey game at the FirsTier Event Center, October 30. A reception was held prior to and during the game in one of the arena's private suites. Hosts were Chad Gillespie '00, Erin Gillespie Sandy '02, and Kevin '00 and Jackie Jakubowski '01 Witte.
Representing Doane were Lesley Ringenberg Nordhausen '98, Carol Bietz, and Cody Vance '82.
Homecoming Reunions
The Class of 1967 celebrated its 40-year reunion at Homecoming, October 6. Members of the class returned for several events throughout the weekend and finalized their tour with a dinner in the campus center. Yearbooks and photos spawned an evening of stories told and retold.
The Class of 1982 celebrated its 25-year reunion. Forty members of the class returned to campus for a night of reminiscing during a reception and dinner in Perry Campus Center. The microphone was "passed" and each attendee gave an update on his/her life, family, career, memories of Doane, etc.
The Class of 1997 met at JD's (formerly Mike's) in Crete to celebrate their 10-year reunion, rekindle friendships and catch up on family and business news. Approximately 30 alumni attended this event. The time capsule from 1997 was opened and memories were shared.
A Centennial Celebration
Phi Sigma Tau, Doane's oldest sorority, celebrated its 100-year reunion October 6 after the football game. Nearly 150 alumni attended the event in which the sorority recognized former sponsors, legacy awards, special members, actives and shared a century of memories. The inaugural Alyce Hokuf Collett Scholarship recognizing Alyce's lifelong commitment to Doane and the sorority, was awarded to sophomore Bridget Koehler and junio Cassie Steiner. Alumni who spoke at the celebration included: Ruth Ross Olsen '53 (grandmother of Cassie Steiner), Kim Opsahl Heier '87, Catherine Randall Hogan '73, Lillian "Bunny" Albrecht Dudley '55, and Chelsea Hood '98, alumni secretary.
Football Reunion
A Football Reunion Banquet honored the 1993 and 1997 Nebraska-Iowa Conference Champions in the Perry Campus Center, October 7. Approximately 90 people were in attendance. The teams were also recognized at half time of the Homecoming football game, October 6.
The special guest at the banquet was former coach Fran Schwenk (1984-2005), Doane's winningest football coach. Several players, including 1993 team captain Mark Brahmer '93 and 1997 team captains Matt Reiling '98 and Dan Thurin '98, shared thoughts about their championship seasons and Doane football in general. Head Coach Matt Franzen '94 ended the banquet by sharing his goals and aspirations for the future of Doane football.
Rocky Mountain Alumni Chapter Events
- April 24, 2008 - Northern Colorado Alumni Luncheon and Denver Alumni Event
- June 7, 2008 - 3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Golf Tournament
Find our more information on these and other alumni events.