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Retired Vice President for Administrative Affairs

Established in 1968.

“The purpose of the Society shall be to gather from all relevant fields of study, and to disseminate among its members, current knowledge of rhetoric, broadly construed; to identify new areas within the subject of rhetoric in which research is especially needed, and to stimulate such research; to encourage experimentation in the teaching of rhetoric; to facilitate professional cooperation among its members; to organize meetings at which members may exchange findings and ideas; and to sponsor the publication of newsletters and reports concerning all aspects of rhetoric.” Article IV, Constitution Rhetoric Society of America

Communication Studies faculty member

Retired SCSU faculty member

Masako Miywake Ryugo was one of six Japanese American students to attend St. Cloud State University during World War II. She arrived on campus in 1943 and graduated in 1944. She was released from the Tule Lake Internment Camp in northern California to complete her education at St. Cloud State.

Born in Portland, Oregon on December 5, 1921, Masako passed away on December 14, 2008. She married her husband Kay shortly after her 1944 graduation and they had five children together - Martha, David, James, Karen, and Thomas.

Don Samuelson was born on August 23, 1932 in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended the Brainerd High School and became a bricklayer. Mr. Samuelson served as the DFL Crow Wing County Chairman from 1962 to 1968, when he ran for State Representative. He has since been re-elected every term to serve in District 13A. Other positions have included the Vice-President for the Minnesota AFL-CIO for four years, Bricklayers Union, Elks Club Member, and St. Joseph Hospital Director. He has served on the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committee in the State House.

Marvin C. Schumann was born on May 19, 1906 in Rice, Minnesota. He was raised in a family of eight on a rural farm. His father was a German immigrant, who came to the United States at age seven. After the completion of eighth grade, Marvin attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota. In 1944, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners where he served for ten years. Then in 1954, he decided to file for the office of Minnesota State Representative to which he was elected and served seven terms. He served in the Minnesota House from 1955 to 1962 for District 45, 1963 to 1966 for District 27, and 1967 to 1968 for District 51B. In 1939, he married Mildred E. Nelson, from Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. They had three children: Julie Fay, Nancy Louise, and Ivan Charles.

The SCSU Survey began in 1980 by faculty member Steve Frank. He conducted surveys in conjunction with the Political Science classes he was teaching. The center grew and included other St. Cloud State faculty. The primary mission of SCSU Survey is to serve the academic community and various clients through its commitment to high quality survey research and to provide education and experientl opportunities to researchers and students.

The center conducts statewide surveys that focus on issues such as election races, currents events, and other important topics. It also conducts a yearly survey of St. Cloud State students as well as contract with entities outside of the university.

The Senior Model Debating Society was formed by members of the Senior Model School in January 1898. The purpose of the Senior Model Debating Society was the mutual improvement of its members through debate. Some of the debates were, "Women are more successful as teachers than men," "The habit of tardiness at school is more injurous to the character of a student than that of absence," and, "Manufacturing is more beneficial to a country than agriculture." The last record of the society is from March 23, 1900.

SCSU Printing Services staff member

Glen Sherwood was born May 7, 1934, in Tracy, Minnesota. He was married to Joann in 1955, they had two sons. He attended the University of North Dakota, where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy in History and Natural Science in 1956. He then attended Utah State University in 1959, where he received a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife Biology in 1966.

Glen Sherwood was an outdoor writer, realtor, lay preacher, and a Representative of District 4B. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1962-1970. He was a member of the Audubon Society, Wildlife Society, and Wilderness Society. He has received the American Motor Conservation Award in 1970 and the North Dakota Conservationist of the Year in 1969.

As a representative, he was a three-term DFLer from 1972-1976. In 1978, he switched to the Independent-Republican Party. Sherwood served as a representative from 1973-1982.  He has served on various committees: Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Government Operations, and Transportation. Later, he ran unsuccessfully for the Independent Republican Party endorsement for the gubernatorial nomination in 1982.

In March 1949, Sigma Gamma Phi sorority was established as the Aurora Society and whose purpose was to promote the cultural and social activities on the campus. In April 1951, the Aurora Society reorganized as a Greek organization, Sigma Gamma Phi. Its purpose was to promote fellowship and social experiences within the group and on campus. Ultimately, Sigma Gamma Phi wanted to be affiliated with a national sorority. In January 1966, Sigma Gamma Phi was reorganized as Delta Zeta through colonization. Delta Zeta's motto is "Enriching the Lives of Women."

Born in 1928, Don Sikkink arrived at St. Cloud State in 1963 as a faculty member in Speech. He was appointed dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and served until 1970. He returned to the classroom. Don served as the acting director of International Studies in 1983/84, acting dean, and late, the permanent dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities from 1984 to 1988. For the 1988/89 academic year, he was the acting vice president for Academic Affairs. Don retired in 1990.

He received his BA (1949), MA (1951), and Ph.D. (1954) from the University of Minnesota. From 1956 to 1963, Don was a faculty member at South Dakota State.

His family included wife Arlene Angel and four children - Jeffrey, Kathryn, Lynn, and Julie.

Don passed away on January 23, 2018 at the age of 89.

Kenneth is an 1933 and 1934 SCSU graduate.

LaVyrle Kulick Spencer was born on July 17, 1943, in Browerville, Minnesota, to Jan and Louis Kulick. After her parents divorced, LaVyrle and her sister moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, with mother Jan.

Soon after graduation from the Staples High School in Staples, Minnesota, LaVyrle married her high school sweetheart Dan Spencer on February 10, 1962. They had two children: Amy Elizabeth and Beth Adair, who passed away in 1990.

Living in the Twin Cities since just after their wedding, Spencer’s first job outside the home was as an instructional aid at the Osseo junior high school in Osseo, Minnesota. During that time, she read the romance novel The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss, a trend setting book that sold millions of copies. In an interview in 1979, Spencer said that Woodiwiss book “broke the barrier by allowing romantic novelists, most of whom were women, to write tastefully but explicitly about sex.” Spencer began her writing career in July 1976, basing her story on a dream she had about her grandmother’s life on a Minnesota farm. Spencer was assisted by Woodiwiss to get that tale published. Her first book, The Fulfillment, was made available in 1979.

Until her retirement in 1997 at the height of her career, Spencer published 24 books. Four were adapted into television movies: The Fulfillment of Mary Gray (based on her book The Fulfillment) (1989), Morning Glory (1993), Home Song (1996), and Family Blessings (1998). Well known Hollywood actors and actresses appeared in the adaptations including Cheryl Ladd, Christopher Reeve, Lynda Carter, and Pam Grier.

Spencer was elected to the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Many of Spencer’s books have been New York Times bestsellers.

Spencer’s books are:

The Fulfillment (1979)

The Endearment (1982)

Forsaking All Others (1982)

Hummingbird (1983)

A Promise to Cherish (1983)

The Hellion (1984)

Sweet Memories (1984)

Twice Loved (1984)

Separate Beds (1985)

Spring Fancy (1985)

A Heart Speaks (1986)

The Gamble (1987)

Years (1987)

Vows (1988)

Morning Glory (1989)

Bitter Sweet (1990)

Forgiving (1991)

Bygones (1992)

November of the Heart (1993)

Family Blessings (1994)

Home Song (1995)

That Camden Summer (1996)

Then Came Heaven (1997)

Small Town Girl (1997)

The St. Cloud Normal Literary Society aimed to improve skills in public speaking, reading, and to gain knowledge in parliamentary rules. The earliest record of the society appeared in 1887, while the final records date to 1903. It is likely the society disbanded in 1903.

St. Cloud State University was established by the state of Minnesota in 1869 as the Third State Normal School.

The first church service of the Episcopal Church of St. Cloud was held on February 17, 1856, at the residence of John H. Taylor. On April 12, 1856 St. John's Parish had its beginnings when ten people drew up and signed the necessary articles of conformity and agreement to the Protestant Episcopal Church. On June 11, 1858, the first church building in St. Cloud was consecrated. In 1928, St. John's Episcopal Church of St. Cloud absorbed the Grace Church of Sauk Rapids. The Grace Church of Sauk Rapids existed from 1869 to 1928. October 9, 1869, marked the incorporation meeting of the parish. In 1892, the old church building was moved to the rear of the lot of the new church building was built. In 1969, lightning struck the church destroying it. The new church building was completed in 1971. For a more detailed history of the church and its activities the reader is encouraged to read the minutes volume of the ladies societies.

Established in 1972, the unit changed its name to Student Affairs in November 2022.

John Davis “J.D.” Sullivan was born in 1862 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He was married to Elizabeth M. Schmidt in 1886, they had four children. J.D. served as a county attorney for Stearns County until his election to Minnesota District 45 in 1911. He served for twenty years in the Minnesota state senate, until 1931. John Sullivan died in 1933. Henry Holland Sullivan, the son of John D. Sullivan, was born in 1889. He married to Hazel J. Brown in 1913, until her death in 1841. By 1940, Henry was remarried to Ruth L. Henry was elected to the Minnesota state senate in 1935 and serve until 1955. Henry Sullivan died in 1959.

Jane Grey Cannon Swisshelm was born December 6, 1815, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Mary Cannon. At age 21 in 1836, Jane married James Swisshelm.

Swisshelm became involved with the abolitionist and feminist movements, founding a newspaper called Saturday Visitor in Pittsburgh in 1847. In 1857, after divorcing her husband, Swisshelm moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota and established another newspaper, St. Cloud Visiter. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River near the future site of St. Cloud State University, the newspaper became a focal point in local politics, especially local St. Cloud politician Sylvanus B. Lowery. Later, the Visiter printing press was destroyed by a mob. Soon after, Swisshelm founded another paper in St. Cloud, St. Cloud Democrat.

Despite writing articles advocating more freedom for some, Swisshelm also pushed for the complete extermination of Minnesota’s Dakota Indian population. During the Civil War, the federal government fought the Dakota in Minnesota, commonly known as the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862. Defeated, the Dakota were expelled from Minnesota the next year.

In December 1862, Swisshelm moved to Washington, D.C., leaving her nephew, William B. Mitchell, to run the Democrat.

In September 1863, Swisshelm sold the Democrat to Mitchell, and then served as a nurse for the Union army for the remainder of the Civil War. Swisshelm died in Swissvale, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1884.

In 1852, Jane and James had a daughter, Mary Henrietta, who was called Zo or Nettie.

Swisshelm's sister Elizabeth married Henry Z. Mitchell, who were the parents of William B. Mitchell.

The Synchonette Swim Club was established in 1957. Between the years of 1957 and 1986, the Synchronettes produced an annual swim show on campus that was open to the public. The main objective of the club was to demonstrate that physical activity and exercise could be both fun and entertaining.

The swim shows put on by the club had a variety of themes related to the zodiac, Broadway musicals, fairy tales, and comic strips. The club created the concept, storyline, choreography, and sets for each show, all based from the earnings from the show held the previous year.

The Synchronettes disbanded in 1988 due to lack of active members.

St. Cloud chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) was founded in 1960 and is still active on campus today in 2022. The goal of this male social fraternity is "to aid college men in mental, moral, and social development." They are currently the longest standing fraternity at St. Cloud State.

The Department of Teacher Developement was established in 1979 which combined the departments of Elementary Education (ELED), Secondary Education (SEED), and Student Teaching (EDT). Teacher Development prepares teachers who will create humane, culturally responsive and activity-centered learning environments, These environments serves the needs of all students in preparing informed productive, engaged citizens for a changing and diverse world.

This newspaper was created by leftist students of St. Cloud State College, St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict to provide an alternative viewpoint to other existing campus news sources.

Theatre L'Homme Dieu was founded in 1961 as a joint project between the city of Alexandria, Minnesota and representatives of St. Cloud State University. Members of these two communities created the Performing Arts Foundation. The goal of the foundation was to stage open-air performances by students and directors of St. Cloud State University (along with actors and actresses from outside of the college) in Alexandria, a town in Minnesota's lake country with ample tourism in the summer. The first performance at Theatre L'Homme Dieu was "See How They Run" on June 27, 1961. Budget problems caused St. Cloud State University to terminate their support for the theatre in 1985.

The presidents of the Performing Arts Foundation were either faculty or administrators at St. Cloud State University. The position was held by:

George Budd, 1961-1965

Robert H. Wick, 1966-1971

Charles J. Graham, 1972-1981

Brendan J. McDonald, 1982-1983

Harvey Paul Jurik, 1984

Brendan J. McDonald, 1985-1986

Don Sikkink, 1987-1989

Ralph Tillitt, 1990-1993

Claudia Bursch, 1993-1998

St. Cloud State University began producing plays as early as 1956; however, a drama department does not appear in the directories until the 1966/67 school year, where it is listed as Speech and Dramatic Art.

The department was part of Speech Communication, splitting off as the Department of Theatre in 1969.

Below are listed the years, name of department, and chairs, all taken from the campus directory.

1969-71: Theatre, Keith Michael

1971-72: Theatre, Dale Swanson

1972-73: Theatre, Walter Eysselinck

1973-76: Theatre, Dale Swanson

1976-82: Theatre, Ronald Perrier

1982-88: Theatre, Dale Swanson

1988-91: Theatre, Dick Cermele

1991-94: Theatre, Lin Holder

1994-97: Theatre, Brad Chisholm

1997-98: Theatre and Film Studies, Brenda Wentworth

1998-99: Theatre and Film Studies, Andrew Vorder Brugge

1999-02: Theatre, Film Studies, and Dance, Andrew Vorder Brugge

2002-06: Theatre, Film Studies, and Dance, R. Bruce Hyde

2006-08: Theatre, Film Studies, and Dance, Eva Honegger

2008-11: Theatre, Film Studies, and Dance, Jeffrey Bleam

Romauld B. Thibault was born in 1918 in Garden, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. In 1945 he married Rachael V. Kramer, together they had two sons. During his life, he worked for the Great Northern Railroad and then later the Burlington Northern Railroads as a conductor and brakeman. He was an active member of the local labor lodges and the national labor unions who competed vigorously for the right to represent railroad workers in negotiations with the Railroad. He retired in 1980. While working, Thibault served as the local chairman of the O.R.C. & B (Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen) from 1956 to 1980. He also served as the National Vice-president of the O.R.C. & B in 1958. He passed away in 2002.

Mark is a 1975 St. Cloud State graduate.

Born on July 14, 1898 to Henry E. and Rose H. Thompson, Ruth A. Thompson attended University High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated in 1916. In 1919 at the age of 22, Thompson entered St. Cloud State University (then known as the St. Cloud Normal School) after completing teachers training courses in Minneapolis. After her 1921 graduation from St. Cloud State, she taught at Northfield Public Schools. Thompson died on January 27, 1982 at age 83 and buried in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Tiffany was an Archives student assistant in 2008-2009.

Campus Laboratory School staff member

Aloys John Tschumperlin owned the largest furniture store and funeral business in St. Cloud during the early 1900s. He was born July 10, 1873 in St. Cloud to Aloys Tschumperlin and Mary Grandelmeyer. He was the oldest of eight surviving children. Other siblings included Mary, Joseph W., Martha, Raymond, Rosa, Anna, and Edward. Tschumperlin worked at his father Aloys' furniture store which opened in 1872. He purchased the business in 1904 and closed it in 1928 to focus on the funeral business. In 1930, Tschumpelin moved the funeral business to 315 West St. Germain into the Edelbrock-Zapp-Scott House. In 1949, Bernard Williams joined the business and the funeral home was renamed Tschumperlin-Williams Funeral Home and the business moved to 1900 Veterans Drive in St. Cloud in 1973.

Tshcumperlin had great interest in the Nevada gold mines and was a member of multiple organizations such as the Elks, Chamber of Commerce, and Knights of Columbus. He was chairman of the Red Cross Stearns County chapter, and won awards for his raising of tree roses and dahlias. Tschumperlin served with the Minnesota National Guard during World War I. Tschumperlin married Elizabeth McLaughlin on August 15, 1907 and they had one daughter, Margaret, who was born on November 8, 1909. Aloys and Elizabeth continued to live in St. Cloud until their deaths. Tshcumperlin passed away on November 19, 1959, while Elizabeth died on March 2, 1954. Both are buried in St. Cloud's Calvary Cemetery. Daughter Margaret, who married James W. Colliton on September 6, 1933, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 10, 1969, leaving behind her husband and three children, James (Jr.), Patricia, and Joan.

Information Services was created in 1959. Its mission was to disseminate information of generaml interest about St. Cloud State to students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and the interested public. Unit duties were expanded in 1997 to include publications and other external communication, such as marketing.

1959-7/1987: Information Services (1)

7/1987-9/1997: Public Relations and Publications (2)

9/1997-2011+: University Communications (3)

Heads of this unit include:

1959-8/1986: (Howard) Ray Rowland, Director (1)

8/1986-1/1987: Sue Mackert, Director (acting) (4)

1/1987-9/1996: Angelo Gentile, Director (5)

9/1996-2/1997: Marsha Shoemaker, Director (acting) (6)

2/1997-2/2000: E. Barry Wegener, Director of Marketing and Communications (7)

2000-2001: Greg Czerwinski, Director of Marketing and Communications (8)

2001-2003: Lisa Foss, Director of Marketing and Communications (interim) (9)

2003-2004: Lisa Foss, Director of Marketing and Communications (10)

2004-2005: Lisa Foss, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication (11)

7/2005-2011+: Loren Boone, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication (12)

Learning Resources and Technology Services was a single entity under the leadership of a single dean until July 2011. It then split into two separate units - Learning Resources Services (LRS), which is the library, and Information Technology Services (ITS). ITS is headed by a Chief Information Officer.

The name of Learning Resources Services later changed their name to University Library.