The Gustie Community is incredible!

 Check out how many Gustie Soccer players are in this photo! We spy two alums, two seniors (who just wrapped up their final season), two coaches, and so many fans!

A casual soccer group made of Gustavus students, faculty, and members of the Saint Peter community, Noontime Boom Time has grown into something more than a lunch hour passtime.

By Frija Reinert ’25

“I always have a great big smile on my face when I get to run out of my office door at 11:45 to go down and play,” said David Tobaru Obermiller, associate professor in history, environmental studies, and Japanese studies, and a leading force in Noontime Boom Time.

A casual soccer group made of Gustavus students, faculty, and members of the Saint Peter community, Noontime Boom Time has grown into something more than a lunch hour passtime. It’s a unique example of the spontaneous community building that happens at Gustavus.

Open to players of all abilities, the group meets regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon to play soccer on Hollingsworth Field, or “the pitch.” It started several years ago as a small group of mostly staff and faculty, led by head women’s soccer coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. What began as small scrimmages with a dozen players has grown through word of mouth to games of ten or more players per team, with matches taking up half the field. Many of these players started out as novices, which reflects the welcoming atmosphere for all who want to play.

Boom Time continues as long as the turf is free of snow and the weather is “reasonable,” though below-freezing temperatures haven’t been a deterrent in the past. “Our goal is to play as long as we possibly can,” said Obermiller.

Connections made on the pitch often carry over to social get togethers, leading to friendships among people who might never have met otherwise. There’s no one way to identify a Boom Time player; they range from students in their twenties to employees in their fifties, admissions officers to chemists, international Gusties to Saint Peter locals. With such a diverse mix of players, inclusivity lies at the heart of Boom Time.

“From my perspective, Boom Time seems to be blind to the issues of discrimination we have in American society, whether it’s along race and ethinicity lines, gender, or sexuality,” said Obermiller. “Everyone is welcome at Boom Time.”

COVID-19 prevented Boom Time from meeting last year, and when they were finally given the green light to play, it was an emotional moment for everyone. “There were hugs and there were tears,” Obermiller recalled. “COVID taught us you can’t take things for granted.”

Boom Time has grown greatly over the past few years, but the group continues to welcome new players, with there even being talk of starting a community league. Now that Boom Time has played its final outdoor game of the year, Obermiller encourages anyone, no matter their identity or soccer background, to join once the warm weather returns.

“It’s really the highlight of my week. I love my students, and I love teaching, but being outside, getting a decent workout, and meeting good people, to me is a perfect combination.”

For more information on Noontime Boom Time and how to participate, contact David Tobaru Obermiller (dobermil@gustavus.edu), Martin Lang (mlang3@gustavus.edu), or Laura Burnett-Kurie (lburnett@gustavus.edu).

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin

Christmas in Christ Chapel 2021 Sends Audiences Forth Singing

 Our very own Lauren Miller '25 sang in the famed Gustavus event, Christmas in Christ Chapel. How awesome is that to have such a talented member of the program!!

Gustavus Adolphus College welcomed audiences back to campus for Christmas in Christ Chapel 2021.

Christmas in Christ Chapel returned with joyous song, as befitting the program name, We Shall Go Forth Singing. With safety precautions in place, Gustavus Adolphus College was able to welcome alumni, families and friends, and supporters of Gustavus music back to campus to share in the performance.

“You could feel the excitement in the room and you know that you are sharing something special,” says Dr. Ruth Lin, conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra.

With no live audience last year, the performers did not take having an audience for granted. “There is a kind of communication that happens on a fundamental level when we hear and see each other face-to-face, and I saw the fruits of that in interactions with the audience after the performance,” says senior member of the Gustavus Choir Eli McMahon ’22.

“Being back in-person, all the feelings came back: the irreplaceable sense of joy, togetherness, and authenticity by making music together. And that authenticity felt complete amidst a live audience,” says Alex Chou ’22, who plays violin I in the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. “Whether it was their mere presence (in-person or live-streamed online), the chapel echoing from their singing voices, or the excitement beforehand, it was an honor to play for a live audience once again.”

The performance opened with Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, performed by the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and select members of the Lucia Singers. The scenic design for the concert, by Lydia Francis ’11, echoed this theme, with projected trees on the chapel walls and a centerpiece around the cross showing the rings of an old tree. The concert was a celebration of resilience and beauty in the midst of great struggle, an image captured by the rings of a tree.

Jessica Herbrand ’24 performed an extended solo choreographed by Professor of Dance Michele Rusinko. Her dress was designed and constructed by continuing assistant professor in Theatre and Dance Larissa McConnell

“I’m proud of the fact that, as a choir, we were able to take all the obstacles we’ve faced this semester and set them aside for a few hours and share the gift of music with each other and the audience,” says Emily Haugen ’23, who performed with the Lucia Singers.

Dancers Claire Drapeau ’22 and Gabriella Schawkopf ’25 performed a duet, choreographed by visiting assistant professor of dance Jeffrey Peterson, as the Lucia Singers performed the song Gaudete from Piae Cantione.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Anna DeGraff performed O Thou That Tellest from Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by the mass choir and the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra.

“I am beyond proud of how the orchestra, choir, and handbell members came together to make this happen. Being a part of a team of such hard-working musicians; holistic conductors; and life-long friends is the aspect I will always remember from CinCC,” says Chou.

Closing the program was the traditional O Come All Ye Faithful, complete with red, green, and white lights throughout the chapel. The audience joined in with the mass choir, Symphony Orchestra, and handbell ensemble, making music together once again.

Christmas in Christ Chapel 2021: We Shall Go Forth Singing is archived on the Gustavus website and YouTube channel and is available to watch now.

RECAP: Gusties prevail in a double overtime THRILLER!

This game had it all! Fantastic Gustie Tempo, tons of shots on Goal from the Gusties, last minute saves from SR. Goalkeeper, Leah Pavlish, and an overtime goal to win it all!! Keep reading to find out how it all went down!

BOX SCORE

SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team had multiple scoring chances in Saturday’s MIAC match against Bethel and finally came through in the 106th minute as Lillian Selberg (Fy., Minneapolis) scored the golden goal in a 1-0 double overtime victory. The Gusties improve to 8-8 overall and 5-4 in the MIAC, while the Royals drop to 5-10 overall and 3-6 in the league.

The Gusties outshot the Royals 12-5 in the first half. Bethel responded with a stronger attack in the second half, outshooting the Gusties 10-7, but both goalkeepers stood strong and the match went scoreless into overtime. The first overtime period saw the Gusties with a 3-2 advantage in shots, but still no scoring.

Selberg’s game-winner came unassisted at the 105:18 mark of the contest, her second game-winning goal of the season. Leah Pavlish (Sr., Prior Lake) earned the shutout win in goal after making a career-high 12 saves.
“Incredible game today, we started out very strong and were creative in our attack,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We created numerous dangerous opportunities and were so close to hitting the back of the net. We felt we were close and went into the second half with confidence. It was a back and forth second half with our team and Leah Pavlish coming up with some crucial tackles and saves.

“The support and cheering from our bench was the deciding factor today. It helped us maintain our confidence and continue to fight until the end. With two first-years coming up big to combine for the game-winning goal in double OT. What an incredible team win, we are so proud of this program.”

Gustavus next travels to Hamline on Wednesday afternoon.

RECAP: Gustavus vs. Augsburg

 

Yesterday was a BIG day for your Gusties! Catch up on the latest action below, and see how we went after the current #1 team in the MIAC!

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

SAINT PETER, Minn. – Two first half goals gave the Gustavus women’s soccer team early momentum which it rode to a 3-1 victory over Augsburg on Tuesday afternoon. The Gusties improve to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the MIAC, while the Auggies drop to 7-4-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the league.

Katie Ashpole (Sr., Chaska) gave the Gusties an early 1-0 lead in the 14th minute as Lillian Selberg (Fy., Minneapolis) found Ashpole directly in front of the net for a tap-in shot – marking her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Nearly 10 minutes later, Brianna Monahan (Fy., Medina) had a high-arching shot from 30 yards out that deflected off the left post. The rebound went directly to Rachel Rehnelt (Sr., Albert Lea) for another tap-in goal. The Gusties carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Augsburg looked to have cut the deficit in half following a corner kick goal in the 65th minute, but the Auggies were called for obstruction and the goal was disallowed. Just 13 seconds later, the Gusties went the length of the field and Ella Carlson (So., Champlin Park) scored her first goal of the season after collecting the rebound on a header. Rehnelt had the crossing pass from the right sideline for a 3-0 advantage.

The Auggies ended the shutout in the 82nd minute but it was too little, too late as the Gusties held on for the 3-1 decision.

The Gusties outshot the visitors 10-5 as Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) made three saves – one of them a diving catch with her arms fully extended.

”The heart, courage and trust this team showed today is something we have been working towards all year,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “The last stretch hasn’t been easy, but we’ve stayed true to who we are as a team and believed in our potential. We are so proud of this team not only today, but so far this season. We committed to our game plan, communicated for 90 minutes and were brave in pivotal moments of the game. To score three great goals against a very strong competitor speaks volumes. The first half we showed our true Gustie tempo and it was fun to watch. We are celebrating this great performance, while knowing we must keep pushing to that next level.

“A big difference maker today was the heart shown from every member of our team. Our bench, for a full 90 minutes, got to a new level of support and cheering. This was an entire team performance today. Tomorrow will be another great day as we have our first reserve game at RCTC.”

Gustavus hits the road Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. matchup at St. Olaf.

Gustavus Ranked #20 Liberal Arts College by Washington Monthly

Gustavus Adolphus College focuses on allowing all students the opportunity to receive a well rounded education by supporting each student and the background they come from. Gustavus is the #1 school in Minnesota for the best bang for the buck. Gustvaus is committed to raising the funds to allow financial needs for all students to have the opportunity to pursue a world class Liberal Arts Education. Gustavus takes pride in the work they are able to commit for students and continue to show dedication in making it the best learning atmosphere.

Gustavus Adolphus College has been named the #20 liberal arts college in the country according to Washington Monthly‘s 2021 rankings, which were released on August 30, 2021.

The publication takes a novel approach to college rankings, focusing on how institutions contribute to the public good through social mobility, research, and by providing opportunities for public service rather than more traditional metrics like wealth, exclusivity, and perceived prestige.

Gustavus is also the best in Minnesota for social mobility (#8 nationally) and #1 in the state for “Best Bang for the Buck” (#10 in the Midwest), which is “ranked according to how well [colleges] help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.”

“We’re proud to be an institution that gives talented students from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue a world-class liberal arts education,” Associate Vice President for Enrollment Kirk Carlson ’95 said. “We build the foundation for lives of leadership and service in society by making Gustavus financially accessible and surrounding our students with a network of faculty, staff, and alumni who are dedicated to their success.”

One of the key metrics that Washington Monthly examines to determine “Bang for the Buck” rankings is the percentage of students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and their graduation rates compared to the overall cohort at an institution. Gustavus also tops the list of Minnesota colleges and universities with a graduation rate gap of only 1 percent between Pell and non-Pell students.

Through the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan and the Show The World comprehensive campaign, Gustavus is committed to raising the funds necessary to meet 100 percent of demonstrated student need. To learn more about the College’s commitment to diversifying and expanding the Gustavus community to be even richer in racial, ethnic, geographical, social, and economic diversity, please read the Gustavus Acts 2.0 Strategic Plan.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

Pella To Platteville RECAP!!

To kick off the season, the Gusties packed up for a five day trip to compete in their first two games of the season! The Gusties left on Tuesday, August 31st, to head down to Pella, Iowa to play their first game against Central College.

 During the bus ride, the Gusties watched movies, bonded with each other, and prepared for classes to start. With our fantastic bus driver Judy, we made it to Pella, Iowa in roughly 4 hours. Once we had made it to our hotel, we enjoyed a delicious team dinner that we were all hungry for, followed by more team building. We rested up and got ready for our first game on Wednesday against Central College. 

It was a long hard battle and the Gusties solidified the win with a score of 2-1. Senior Katie Ashpole scored the Gusties’ first goal in the 24th minute. The build up to this goal started with Junior defender Molly Waters as she connected with the midfield to find senior Page Cocchiarella. Page made a beautiful run at the top of the 18 yard box and connected a pass to her teammate Katie Ashpole. Katie, wide open on the other side of the 18 yard box, finished a nice line-drive ball in the back of the net. Well done Gusties!

Soon after, First Year Elin Swenson scored a beautiful first career goal in the 44th minute. Senior Lydia Arens made a great run which allowed Elin to drive into a pocket of space. Elin was then able to get a shot off in the upper left corner of the goal. Everyone went absolutely crazy with excitement for Elin as they all charged her with hugs and cheers. The excitement and encouragement the team created was a really great atmosphere to be a part of. While riding the high and lows of every game, Central scored a goal in the 81st minute. The Gusties continued to work hard together to ensure the 2-1 win. It was a great first game and the Gusties showed a lot of potential for the upcoming season. After the game, the team had time to explore downtown Pella, Iowa with all the shops and stores. The ice cream was definitely a team favorite along with the famous Jaarsma's Dutch bakery shop.



After all the excitement and energy of winning the first game, the Gusties began channeling this amazing energy into preparing for the next game on September 3rd against UW- Platteville. We had a fantastic practice the day before the game that helped us prepare for a great game. After practice, we had the opportunity to tour Pella Historical Village and Vermeer Windmill. On this tour, we learned a lot of new information about the windmill and the process of being a miller man. After a fantastic tour, we were able to head to the beach and enjoy some free time. The Gusties played lots of card games, competed in a sand castle building competition, and lastly were able to go paddle boarding. After a fun day in the town of Pella, Iowa, we had to shift our thinking and get dialed in for our game. 

We were able to rest and then had an early drive to Platteville, Wisconsin. Sadly, it rained the entire drive so we were unable to visit the World's Largest M. On a positive note, we had the opportunity to get extra card games in, which the team absolutely loves. As game time came around, the rain started to slow down to a constant drizzle, which made for perfect game day weather. 

The Gusties started out the game working hard but continued to grow as time went on. Their possession grew stronger as they found new pockets of space, interchanged positions, and high pressed together. Although it's not the result we wanted, we were all really proud of how we played and grew into the game. To wrap up the trip, the Gusties took the long trek back to St. Peter. 

This was a fantastic trip that really showcased the potential for this upcoming season. Can't wait to see where the season takes us this year. Excellent job Gusties!

Chemistry Research Thrives in Newly Expanded Nobel Hall

With the new renovations in the Nobel Hall of Science, It has led Gustvaus students and faculty better opportunities to conduct research. With the renovations it has allowed students to work more efficiently and allowed the freedom to take learning to a new level. Professor Stoll and his fellow students demonstrate how the new renovations of Nobel Hall of science serve them with the research they have been working on. Can't wait to see where the research takes you!

Rising sophomore Angel Obiorah has spent this summer conducting research in Dwight Stoll's lab.

With the recent expansion and renovation of Nobel Hall of Science, student research in the Stoll Laboratory, led by chemistry professor Dwight Stoll, fizzes with opportunities.

Home to the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Geology, Nobel Hall boasts new laboratories, new teaching facilities, and new equipment within a 177,300 square foot building that rivals those of top liberal arts colleges in the nation.

For Stoll and his students, the extra space means freedom to work more efficiently. Students can shuffle around scientific instruments at different stages in their research, or they can utilize nearby collaboration rooms for discussing results and running computer simulations. Combined with new instruments connected via the Internet, the laboratory is a prime space for teamwork.

“These changes might sound trivial, but they’re really valuable and have facilitated some experiments that would have been really hard to do previously,” said Stoll. “They’ve both increased the volume of experiments we were already doing, but also added some capabilities that we simply didn’t have before.”

Stoll (center) is personally invested in the work of his student researchers.

For years, the laboratory has facilitated collaboration between Gustavus researchers and institutions around the globe, as well as industry partners. In addition to funding, these partnerships provide opportunities for students at Gustavus to tackle real-world problems that connect them with experts in a range of fields. “For example, we have a project that’s focused on vaccines at the moment,” explained Stoll, “so the people that we’re working with are experts in the characterization of vaccines. They can define the problem for us, and in return, we have some expertise that moves their science along.”

For Stoll, an expert in an analytical chemistry technique called liquid chromatography, moving science along often means finding better, more efficient ways to run experiments by generating richer data in a fraction of the time or by running detailed computer simulations.

“The data from my research will be used to improve predictions we can make using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) simulation tools,” said Angel Obiorah ’24, a current student in Stoll’s lab. “The goal is to reduce time spent actually conducting experiments in research, and to improve cost effectiveness in labs where hundreds of such methods are carried out daily using expensive instrumentation.”

These projects with real-world applications often lead to internships and jobs in STEM, but Stoll believes that research at Gustavus provides valuable tools for any career path. From keeping organized notes to presenting findings at national conferences, students in his laboratory hone the skills that translate into future success.

“Professor Stoll has been very supportive and present during this summer research experience, from setting days aside to talk to each member of this lab about their future endeavors to taking us out for team lunch,” said Obiorah. “He has helped me step out of my comfort zone and given me space to grow and test out my own ideas while giving pointers on how to improve them. His genuine interest in my success has helped me to become more confident in my abilities.”

“Dr. Stoll has been an awesome professor to work with,” echoed Maria Sylvester ’24. “He is very involved in each project and is always willing to answer questions and provide guidance, yet still encourages a lot of independent work. I’ve definitely learned a lot over this summer!”

Looking toward future summers, Stoll sees potential for growth both for his students and research at Nobel Hall as a whole. “At this point in their careers, a lot of students are exploring intellectually, and these research projects provide them with an opportunity to do that while working on something that’s very meaningful, exciting, and cutting edge. I’m optimistic that going forward we will find a way to do more, and I’m excited about that because those experiences are really impactful for students.”

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

Gusties vs. UW-River Falls RECAP!

The Women's Soccer Team ended non-conference play with a fantastic 1-0 win. The gusties played UW- River Falls at home before they started conference play the following week. The atmosphere was really encouraging and powerful. Each and every individual apart of the Gustavus Women's Soccer team had taken part in this game. It's excellent to see the team chemistry and the love and support for each teammate shine though. The Gusties are headed strong into conference play. Good Luck Gusties!

 

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

SAINT PETER, Minn. – Katie Ashpole’s (Sr., Chaska) goal in the 56th minute proved to be the only score Saturday as the Gustavus women’s soccer team beat UW-River Falls 1-0 at the Gustie Soccer Field. The Gusties improve to 2-2 overall while the Falcons drop to 1-4.

“Today was a great game and a lot of fun,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We talked a lot about how we know, within ourselves, that this team has a lot potential and talent but we wanted to make sure that high level showed through on the field and for a complete game. We came out with a lot of fire, had great possession, committed numbers to the attack and played off one another like we had been playing together for years. At halftime, we could feel the energy and knew a goal was coming.”

The Gusties created some opportunities in the first half, outshooting the Falcons 8-3, but the match remained scoreless after the first 45 minutes.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tayler Grossman (Sr., Lakeville) found a penetrating pass to Ashpole, who had a quick back-and-forth with Ella Carlson (So., Champlin). Ashpole then took a one-time shot from outside the 18 to the upper-right corner.

“In the second half, we started a little slow but found our feet, played for each other and then created a fantastic team goal,” Burnett-Kurie said. “Katie Ashpole’s skillset is one to admire. After going up 1-0, we didn’t take our foot off the pedal and rode the highs and lows very well, finishing the game in control. We turned the dial once again today and are excited to continue to take steps forward on Monday as we prepare for conference to start on Tuesday. The MIAC is a different level and we believe we are up for the challenge.

Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) earned the shutout victory in goal after making seven saves.

Gustavus travels to St. Scholastica on Tuesday for its first MIAC game of the season.

Gustie Soccer 2021 Season Outlook!

Through the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic during the 2020 season the Gusties continued to grow on their strengths as a program. Although some essential players graduated, the Gusties brought in a strong talented class of incoming freshmen. Along with the strength they have from returners the Gusties are ready to embark on the new challenges of this fall season and are ready to showcase the talent and hard work they've put in.

2021 Gustavus women's soccer (photo courtesy of SPX Sports)

After missing the fall of 2020 season due to the pandemic and a shortened spring of 2021 season with mainly exhibition matches, the Gustavus women’s soccer team is set to embark on a full-slated schedule Wednesday afternoon at Central College. The Gusties are coming off a spring season where they posted a 4-3 overall record against all but one conference opponent. This fall’s schedule features seven non-conference games and 11 MIAC contests.

Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie, who is in her 10th season at the helm, is excited about the makeup of her team and the potential they possess. The Gusties lost seven seniors to graduation but gained 16 first-years with 34 total players on the roster.

“Having such a large first-year class combined with all of our talented returners, it’s super competitive and in practice we can train at a high level,” Burnett-Kurie said. “Knowing that we have so much depth on the team, and we have a lot of untapped potential that we have to build in to, that’s really exciting and I think everyone is feeding off that. It’s also pushing our upperclassmen to not become complacent. They continue to push and see what new heights they can reach.”

Katie Ashpole (Sr., Chaska) returns as the team’s top scorer. Ashpole tallied three goals and an assist for seven points during the seven spring games. She also led the team in 2019 with five goals and two assists for 12 points. Ashpole has played in all 63 games since her first year in 2016. Page Cocchiarella (Sr., Owatonna) also enters her fifth season with the program. Cocchiarella, a midfielder, posted six points on a goal and four assists during the spring. She has played in 47 career games since 2016.

In goal, Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) will lead a talented and deep group of keepers after leading the team with a 1.50 goals against average this past spring. Other seniors include Leah Pavlish (Prior Lake), Kenna West (Owatonna), Tayler Grossman (Lakeville), Lydia Arens (Princeton), and Rachel Rehnelt (Albert Lea).

“I think this senior class checks a lot of the boxes in regards to their leadership and their skill set on the field,” Burnett-Kurie said. “While last year was really tough, we also learned a lot and our perspective long term switched a little bit of being appreciative and grateful of the moments that have helped us continue to evolve our culture to a stronger standpoint. On the field, they are a great example for our younger players with their work ethic and buying in to our Gustie tempo and style of play. They’re doing a great job of taking the younger players under their wings.”

The Gusties begin the fall 2021 campaign with four non-conference games before welcoming St. Scholastica to the MIAC for the first league matchup on Sept. 14. With perennial MIAC champion St. Thomas out of the league, the conference title is up for the taking and it’s sure to be a battle all the way through the regular season.

“At a wonderful institution with great facilities and wonderful support from the top down, we should be competing at the top of our conference each year,” Burnett-Kurie said. “It’s really hard in our conference to accomplish that but that’s always one of our goals as well as winning the team community service award, doing well in the classroom, and developing our leadership skills.”

2021 Schedule | 2021 Roster

Gustavus Senior Wins National Science Foundation Fellowship

“Kaitlyn Gruber has excelled in the classroom during her years at Gustavus, and now she has won a National Science Foundation Scholarship! Congratulations to Kaitlyn on receiving this honor, way to make the Gustie community proud!”

Kaitlyn Gruber '21

Gustavus Adolphus College senior Kaitlyn Gruber has been named a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) honoree, joining past fellows including Nobel Prize winners, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Google founder Sergey Brin, and Freakonomics co-author Steven Levitt.

Gruber, a chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology double major from Eden Valley, Minnesota, will begin graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison this fall. The NSF-GRFP will support her graduate work with an annual stipend of $34,000 for three years along with a $12,000 annual allowance for tuition costs and academic expenses.

“Gustavus is a place where you have so many opportunities for research as an undergraduate,” said Gruber, who has been a member of chemistry professor Amanda Nienow’s laboratory throughout her time at Gustavus.

Kaitlyn Gruber in a Gustavus research lab.

“Kaitlyn has worked with me since she was a First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) student. It has been a wonderful experience watching her grow in skill and confidence over the years,” Nienow said. “She has produced high-quality data to help us understand the photochemistry of the herbicide dicamba, while very intentionally mentoring other Gusties in the lab, helping them to also come to a place of ownership and interest in their projects.”

“The FYRE program was really a springboard into understanding the research process and getting to know how science works in the lab,” Gruber said. “Professors are able to invest in students here, which really helps students have the opportunity to succeed.”

The research partnership with Nienow has led to Gruber co-authoring a paper that’s been submitted to the journal Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, and the opportunity to write operating procedures for numerous experiments and equipment in the laboratory so the project can continue long after she graduates.

“Although this award rightly recognizes Kaitlyn’s intelligence, hard work in the research lab and in the classroom, and her ambition and future goals, I am also very proud of the strong stance and advocacy Kaitlyn takes on social justice issues,” Nienow added, noting that Gruber has been active in Building Bridges, #ShutdownSTEM, and the Chinese Culture Club in addition to keeping faculty members and students connected as a chemistry department academic assistant.

For Gruber, the opportunity to be involved in many facets of campus life is what drew her to Gustavus in the first place.

“In addition to my work in the sciences, I’m interested in art and art history and was a member of the Lucia Singers,” said Gruber, who also completed a research internship at the University of Leipzig through the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) program. “Gustavus was a place where I could explore multiple paths without feeling boxed in.”

“I came in planning to be an ophthalmologist, but now I’m planning to pursue a PhD in chemistry,” she added. “There’s a spirit of curiosity here that I’ve been able to harness as a Gustavus student.”

In addition to Gruber’s award, recent alumna Hayley Lhotka ’19 earned an NSF-GRFP honorable mention. Lhotka, a Gustavus chemistry graduate, is currently a second-year PhD candidate at the University of Michigan who is working on a project to develop novel ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) separation methods for proteins.

More information about how the Gustavus Fellowships Office supports students is available on the Gustavus website.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

Mitch Donoughue: Reaching New Heights

“High-flying is certainly a good way to describe Mitch Donoughue, who is currently working with Boeing on his third internship! Using his love for physics, as well as an appreciation for music, Donoughue is well on his way to a career in aviation.”





by Heidi Newbauer ’06

When Gustavus senior Mitch Donoughue was trying to decide between his top three colleges—Trinity, Texas A & M, and Gustavus Adolphus College—it did not take long for him to decide after he talked with physics professor Paul Saulnier. Gustavus had initially been in Mitch’s top choices because his parents, Timothy and Katrina, were alumni. The legacy aspect of continuing at Gustavus was important, but that conversation with Saulnier sealed the deal. Donoughue says, “He told me about the physics program, and my decision was pretty much made after that.”

In high school, Donoughue had a passion for building and creating things. He built a barometer and an optical system for magnifying things. He says, “I have a curiosity for how the world works. Physics is a really good background for that.”

His curiosity continues to evolve. He is the president of the Rocket Club at Gustavus, an organization that was initially started the fall of his sophomore year. The members get to create, build, and test small rockets that actually launch. He enjoys it, too. “I get to solve problems and put together something that does a cool function.”

Every year during the spring semester, Donoughue and the other physics majors build Pinewood Derby cars and test them. There are two different tracks in one of the labs that are designed to compare car speeds. There are also prizes for the slowest and fastest cars. It’s a fun opportunity to experiment with the concepts they’ve learned in the classroom through a hands-on experience.

Mitch Donoughhue ’21

In addition to the rigorous classroom learning and lab opportunities, the Rocket Club and yearly Pinewood Derby are a part of what makes the physics program stand out for him. Other things that make the program engaging are game nights and department lock-ins. “There’s a great sense of community. The engagement with the professors and close relationships I’ve built have brought great opportunities” Donoughue says.

One of the events that Donoughue has found especially fun are Demo Days. This is an event where local elementary school students come to campus and learn the basics of physics. Many experiments are set up and the physics students simulate them for the school kids. “We get to explain basic physics to them and do lots of experiments. It’s a fun event.”


Whether at these hands-on events or in the class, Donoughue brings his passion to life. Saulnier, who is also Donoughue’s adviser, says “Mitch brings the same energy and passion to all that he does within the department. He is always a pleasure to have in class. He is attentive, thoughtful, and curious about his coursework.”

Aeronautical engineering is at the forefront of Donoughue’s interests. For the past three years, he’s done three different internships with Boeing. His first internship involved working with International Space System (ISS) Structures and Mechanisms team. “It was a lot of coding. I was part of a team that did a survey to investigate any possible structural defects or changes in the health of the ISS solar arrays,” he says. His second internship was also with the ISS, but more with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and data analysis. “We did some data analysis on anomaly reports—reports for external payloads. As part of the science mission of the ISS, many experiments are done for a variety of things,” he says.

He carried on with that data analysis work throughout his junior year and is currently working part-time on his third internship that he started with Boeing last summer. He says, “I am currently working with a team on the commercial engine replacement program for the B52. I do requirement and verification writing for the virtual system prototype (vSP), which is a set of models for the B52.” Donoughue plans to continue this internship after he graduates.

With his love of physics and engineering comes his passion to play music. Donoughue is also a music minor and plays bass in the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. He started playing bass in fifth grade and piano in second or third grade, and practices with the organ and guitar. “Another perk of Gustavus is that you can do a bunch of things. There are a lot of creative opportunities,” he says.

Ruth Lin, music professor and director of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, says that “Mitch is a dedicated member of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. He is a naturally gifted musician who always shares his love of music, and music-making in good humor. Since he is a physics major, he approaches music with another layer of understanding.”

Donoughue’s good spirit and passions are bringing him to new heights. Both professors Lin and Saulnier say that Mitch’s good sense of humor and his friendliness make him a great collaborator. When asked about his plans after graduation, Donoughue says, “I definitely want to work in the Aerospace sphere. Maybe graduate school in either mechanical or aerospace engineering.”

Either way, more rocket launches aren’t out of the question for this high-flying Gustie.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

Ja’de Lin Till Wins CLS Scholarship in Mandarin

“Congratulations to Ja’de Lin Till on winning your scholarship! As Gusties, we understand the importance of truly global knowledge and understanding, and we’re looking forward to watching Ja’de in the years to come!”

Ja’de Lin Till

Gustavus Adolphus College senior Ja’de Lin Till has been selected as a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) in Mandarin Chinese. The program offers students an immersive study abroad experience to learn languages that are important for America’s engagement with the world.

The CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers.


Till is from Minneapolis, Minn. and will be graduating this spring with a major in history and minors in geography and statistics.

“I definitely didn’t come into school thinking I was going to be a history major. I took a class on a whim and fell in love with the debate, trains of scholarship, and rethinking of what ‘standard’ history was. I think it’s so interesting to look at events through history and see what themes and broader perspectives are at play and to see how that involves our thoughts and actions now,” Till said.

Till has been studying Mandarin since her first year of high school after spending two summers at Concordia Language Villages: Sēn Lín Hú. After that, she spent three years on staff of CLV, a summer language immersion program.

Till on a previous study away trip.

“The Critical Language Scholarship is interested in promoting language and cultural fluency among Americans, specifically in languages deemed critical to US interests. Mandarin is one of those languages. For many years, [Till] has been interested in gaining more fluency in Mandarin; moreover, she possesses a keen academic and personal interest in China,” said Pamela Kittelson, Gustavus biology professor and fellowships coordinator.


The CLS study away experience is another chance at international learning for Till, who was studying in Malaysia last spring before being sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we got sent home early I went from being able to have conversations in Mandarin every day to only during my class periods. I think it’s really important to me, both for my scholarly endeavors as well as my identity as a Chinese adoptee, to learn Mandarin. I think the dream of going back to China one day and being able to communicate fluently is really one of my big driving factors,” Till said.

After graduating, Till hopes to work in development and fundraising for a non-profit organization, but that is not her only goal.

“There’s a mini personal dream of being able to work at Concordia Language Villages doing fundraising for the organization. I think looking further into the future, however, I would love to go back to school at some point and educate myself more about international relations and also work as a foreign service officer,” Till said.

“[Till] won the scholarship because she made a series of excellent arguments. She demonstrated an abiding academic interest in Chinese and China; she made a compelling case for how she will continue to use Mandarin; she independently sought out opportunities to learn the language despite major hurdles; and she illustrated how she will be an excellent cultural ambassador for the U.S.—both this summer and in her career,” Kittelson said.

As for the scholarship, Till is excited to continue studying Mandarin and hopes she can continue to grow her skills in the future, for both her career and her personal identity.

“I’m very passionate about working for and with Asian American organizations and nonprofits and I would love to be able to use my language skills that way, facilitating discussion and conversation between cultures. I’d also love to go back to China to use my language skills there in my exploration of my adoptee identity and future scholarly work there,” Till said.

More information about how the Gustavus Fellowships Office supports students is available on the Gustavus website.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510

Job Hunting in the Age of COVID-19

“We know that there is a lot of concern with the unique position of the job market this year, but with the help of the Center for Career Development, Gusties are still able to succeed! This great resource is open to all Gusties, regardless of what stage they’re at in their journey.”

by Ava Gross ’21

Less than two months from now, Gustavus Adolphus College students in the Class of 2021 will walk across the commencement platform to mark their accomplishments and receive their well-earned diplomas. It’s always a pivotal moment for seniors, but this year it will be more monumental than most. In an unprecedented year, Gusties have risen up and faced the challenges that they have been dealt with grace and dignity. However, for many seniors, there is still a lot of anxiety and fear about what the future holds.

Despite the challenges of this past year, the Center for Career Development has adapted to address the needs of Gustavus students. For Executive Director Andrew Coston, there was no choice but figure out new ways to best serve Gustie undergrads.

“The Center for Career Development has moved as much of our work online as we can, however, we know that students have many different needs so our office is still open with a limited number of staff Monday through Friday,” he said. “We are working hard to provide opportunities for students to better prepare themselves for the future with events such as the fall and spring semester career fairs, a variety of different job preparedness workshops, and even offering one-on-one appointment times with speciality advisers in the evenings and on weekends.”

Andrew Coston

Coston understands the challenges of the current job market and he reiterated what most of us at Gustavus already know: people all across the country are struggling to secure job positions.

“The overall competition, layoffs, and the number of eliminated jobs presents an increased challenge for individuals going from college into the workforce,” Coston said. “There are many experienced professionals who are searching the job market for positions as well, and that increases the difficulty for graduating seniors with significantly less experience than those who are three to five years post graduation.”

Although the job market may currently look a little bleak, many Gusties are still finding opportunities to shine.

Take for example, senior public accounting major Weston Lombard. During his sophomore year, Lombard visited Clifton Larson Allen, an accountancy firm, with the accounting club and became interested in learning more about their work. He reached out during his junior year to see if they were hiring interns for the upcoming summer. After an interview, he was offered an internship specifically created for him. Then, this past summer, Lombard accepted a position to work with them full-time after graduation.

Another success story comes from recent 2020 graduate Ashley Beckman, who secured a job with the financial consulting company Boulay. “The position I have with Boulay is in the Account Advisory Department as a 2021 busy season intern. I have had the opportunity to work on many compilations and reviews for clients, aid with general accounting assistance in Quickbooks for clients, and prepare Individual 1040s,” Beckman explained. She applied for the internship through Handshake and then went through a two-step interview process. After meeting with various people in departments across the company, she was offered a position.

When it comes to resources that students can use to aid them in their job hunting search, senior communication studies major Elsa Beise says that she heavily relied on Handshake, LinkedIn, and the Center for Career Development to find opportunities that were specific to what she was hoping for after graduation. “I used the search filters on Handshake and LinkedIn to look at opportunities that fit the career field I wanted to enter and the location I was hoping to stay in. After looking through the job descriptions and requirements, I applied for those I could see myself fitting into and enjoying,” Beise said. She also connected with Cynthia Farve, who helped her organize her job hunting plan and encouraged her to take online courses that would increase her skill sets and visibility.

When asked about the best piece of advice they had for other seniors currently looking for a job post graduation, Lombard, Beckman, and Beise had much to say. “Prioritize your experience over knowledge. You can’t get stronger by just reading about push-ups, you have to actually do them!” Lombard said. Beckman urged her fellow Gusties to visit the Center for Career Development as soon as possible. However, if for some reason you are unable to do that, she urged students to search up the Career Development page on the Gustavus website. “The website alone has tons of links and resources for students at any point in their job search or career journey,” Beckman remarked. As for Beise, she would encourage students to keep an open mind when looking for job positions. “It is so important to remember that you are looking for an opportunity that you enjoy as well as one that will offer you employment, so do not lose sight of what you want from an employer while searching for those who may want you.”

Coston urges students at any stage in their career process to schedule an appointment or drop into the Center for Career Development. “You can schedule time with us online via Handshake or you can come into our office. Even if you don’t know what questions to ask, I would encourage you to stop by and tell us your concerns and we can take you from there.”

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin

jakin@gustavus.edu

507-933-7510

Craig Nordquist ‘11: Sports researcher turns passion into Emmy Awards

“Craig Nordquist truly capitalized on every opportunity he was given at Gustavus. By displaying constant determination, curiosity, and appreciation, Nordquist has found himself winning Emmy Awards while working his dream job. We’re so proud of you, and thank you for providing a great example for all of us!”

by Dana Melius

Beginning his sports career as an usher for the Minnesota Twins, Craig Nordquist turned his love for baseball into a key role on the MLB Network research team—and five Sports Emmy Awards.

That’s Major League Baseball and the MLB Network’s signature daily studio show, MLB Tonight. And as he prepares for his 10th year as one of the network’s researchers and trivia whizzes, Nordquist—just 32—hopes there’s much more to come.

“My primary day-to-day task is to write daily, stat-driven game previews for our research packet. That packet of information is then sent out to our on-air talent and producers to be used on our shows,” Nordquist said via email as he prepared for another MLB season.

If that sounds like a person deeply dedicated to the minutiae of baseball statistics, you’re right. It’s a talent Nordquist gained while growing up in Plymouth, carried with him and honed through his Gustavus years, and continues to shape his award-winning young career.

“MLB Network has lots of viewers, so there’s certainly an attention to detail and an emphasis on accuracy with each bit of information that I pass along to our crew,” Nordquist says.

But he’s quick to say that the Emmy Awards are “completely a team effort. There are many talented people with different strengths that each contribute in their own way to create such a top-notch show. I’m just one part of that process.”

“I kind of pinch myself that I’m doing this for a living,” Nordquist adds. “It does kind of boggle my mind.”

It was actually his employment as a Twins stadium usher that indirectly caught the eye of the MLB Network recruiters. Just months after Nordquist graduated from Gustavus in 2011, the Twins invited all employees to take a written trivia test, with the winner moving on to a contest airing on MLB Network. Nordquist’s love of baseball, statistics, and obscure trivia won the local Twins competition; he then defeated Cleveland’s representative in the first round of “Baseball IQ,” winning $5,000 for the Twins Community Fund.

A second-round loss to the Director of Communications for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Craig Muder, still reaped benefits for Nordquist.

“As the youngest contestant on the show, I impressed the production team enough that I was more or less offered a job as I walked off the set that day,” he recalled. “When people ask me how I got my job, I tell them all it took was a nationally televised job interview.”

But those who watched or worked with Nordquist during his Gustavus years might disagree. He graduated Cum Laude with a major in communication studies and minors in Spanish and management.

“It was chaotic at times, but it was so rewarding in the long run,” he remembers. “Plus, balancing a schedule like that helped prepare me for the daily grind of a career in sports.”

“He’s just one of those students you’ll never forget,” says Patricia English, associate professor of communication studies. “He’s just a perfect combination of knowledge, an attention to detail, and a great communicator and listener.”


Nordquist (in yellow) with a group of fellow Gusties.

College classmate CJ Siewert ‘11, now the Sports Information Director at Gustavus, had several classes with Nordquist and both worked in that same office under the direction of Tim Kennedy ‘82, who is now the College’s Vice President for Marketing and Communication.

“I think both of us being diehard Twins fans, and baseball fans in general, gave us that initial connection,” Siewert said. “What always impressed me about Craig was his comprehensive knowledge of Major League Baseball. He certainly understands the game’s history at a higher level than anyone I know and it’s great to see him put that knowledge to use with his profession.”

Nordquist fondly recalls those Sports Information Office days at Gustavus.

“The guidance that I received from Tim Kennedy while working in the Sports Information Department played a large role in helping me launch my own career in sports,” Nordquist says. “I came to him with a vision of where I wanted to be and he helped equip me with the tools to get there.”

Of Kennedy, Nordquist says: “He’s fantastic. He’s such a great communicator. He’s such a good leader. He always challenged me but was always fair.”

Nordquist’s decision to enroll at Gustavus came quickly, as he toured the Saint Peter campus first when looking at colleges as a high school student and never veered away from wanting to attend.

“I knew I wanted to stay fairly close to home,” he said. And with Nordquist’s father commuting to work in Mankato at the time, there was a regional connection.

“The focus on community is at the heart of any Gustavus experience,” Nordquist said. “The people that I met my very first week on campus remain some of my closest friends to this day.”


Nordquist (right) was a member of the Gustavus men’s swim and dive team.

“I knew I wanted to attend a school that emphasized hands-on learning through smaller class sizes and a more personal approach. I also wanted to find a campus that had a strong community feel to it, where I could find myself contributing by being active in a number of on-campus organizations.”

“Honestly, it just felt right. The community just felt right.”

Nordquist’s Gustavus days were busy. He was on the Gusties’ swimming team, was a cellist and member of the College’s Philharmonic Orchestra, a sportswriter for the Gustavian Weekly, and interned with the Sports Information Office.

After his sophomore year, Nordquist interned in the sports department at KMSP Fox 9 News in the Twin Cities, writing copy for the newscasts and articles for the station’s website.

But it was Nordquist’s “dream internship” during the summer after his junior year that set the table for his eventual move into Major League Baseball and the MLB Network, working in the multimedia department at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Today, one of his favorite MLB Network assignments is back at Cooperstown.

“It’s still surreal for me now to go back to Cooperstown each summer to help MLB Network cover the Hall of Fame induction ceremony every year,” he said.

“I knew early on that I wanted to work in baseball. And I decided early on to focus on three areas of study, each of which, I figured, could prove useful in a career in baseball. Over my four years on campus, the faculty of the communication studies, economics, and Spanish departments came to be like family to me.”

For professors like English, it was Nordquist who brought his gifts to those departments.

“He’s just one special young man,” she says. “His way of being in the world. He’s so well-rounded in other ways, too. He just embodies really what we want to see in our students, a lifelong learner.”

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication JJ Akin
jakin@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510