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Alumni Class Notes, Fall 2024

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1950s

1956

Richard Thorud ’56 has published his 14th book, a 28-page thesis titled, “Scientific Proof that God Exists.” It is available for $5 (cash or check) from Elliot House Publishing Co.,10030 Elliot Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55420.

1957

Neal Snider ’57 is the author of “Hints, Hopes, and Promises of Life after Life,” published by Sola Publishing in 2024.

1970s

1970

James Fischer ’70 is the author of “Run, Train, Race,” offering practical distance running advice for runners of all levels, based on 50 years of running, teaching, and coaching. The book was designed by his wife, Christine.

1973

Sheldon Anderson ’73 is the author of “Schools for Scandal: The Dysfunctional Marriage of Division I Sports and Higher Education,” published by the University of Missouri Press in May 2024.

1990s

1996

Nils Dybvig ’96 MSW was featured in the January 26 MPR News story, “Brooklyn Park initiative offers alternative to police response to mental health crisis calls.”

1999

Devean George ’99, founder of George Modular Solutions, was featured in the June 20 MPR News story, “Northside Minneapolis modular housing project unveiled.”

2000s

2000

Ross Murray ’00, ’09 MBA was a keynote speaker at the July 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. He spoke about the overlap between youth ministry and advocacy for a better world for youth, with a particular lens on LGBTQIA youth. He also led a roundtable on LGBTQIA decriminalization at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

2003

Kristen Opalinski ’03 earned several 2024 DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards for her work on the Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation publications, including Best in Class, Specialty Publications; Best in Class, Design; category winner for Posters—Single Work; category winner for Publication Design: Cover or Feature—Series; and an award for Logos and Branding—Single Work, for the assembly logo, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.” The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards honor excellence in religious communications and public relations.

2006

David Nash ’06 published his second novel, “In Wells’ Time,” in February 2024 from Unsolicited Press.

2008

George Lynaugh ’08 is the proud father of seven daughters. He works as a carpenter for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.

2009

Tiffany Ramm ’09 gave a TEDx Talk in Borrowdale, Zimbabwe, on April 6. She used her personal story of surviving financial and emotional abuse to illustrate how practicing vulnerability can be a strength instead of a weakness.

2010s

2011

Elle Thoni ’11 received an MFA in dramatic writing from Carnegie Mellon University in May. Elle is the recipient of three national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Festival, receiving first place for the Rosa Parks Playwriting Award, second prize for the Mark Twain Comic Playwriting Award, and a Planet Earth Playwriting Award. Elle also received a $25,000 first place award from the CMU-Alfred P. Sloan Script Competition for the pilot of a small-town dramedy series, “Tamarack.”

2015

Ebony (Green) Eromobor ’15 MSW, founder of Village Support Therapy and Consulting, was featured in the February 2 KARE 11 News story, “Black mental health: Breaking barriers for patients and providers.”

2016

Matthew Arthur-Gray ’16 MA received an EdD from Vanderbilt University. His doctoral research explored the transformative impact of nonprofits on the educational journeys of transgender youth. Arthur-Gray serves on the board of trustees for Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School and is the founder of Raising Queer Voices, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the LGBTQIA community.

Gabriella (Hooper) Rooker ’16 MS was featured in the February 2 Star Tribune news story, “New Brighton’s Gabi Rooker goes from high-level gymnast to potential Olympic marathoner.”

2020s

2020

Nicole Nightengale ’20 was added to the new Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Minnesota franchise as a reserve defender during the team’s inaugural season.

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