Monday, June 29, 2009

President Colson's reflections from last week's Outflys

As I began my week of attending Outflys in Clear Lake, the Twin Cities, and Rochester, I had what I thought was a fairly thorough understanding of the Wartburg community. I have read reams of material; I've spent significant time with the search committee, with members of the staff, and with the Regents. Moreover, I've engaged a few faculty members and a few students in what I thought were enlightening conversations that filled out my understanding of the College. But what I saw and experienced in my meetings each day with specific alumni and then again each evening at the Outflys was something altogether different. Looking back, what I now realize is that I did have a good "understanding" of Wartburg; but what my time with alumni during the past week has given me is something more valuable than "understanding." I now feel the emotional connection with the College that Wartburgers carry with them throughout their whole lives.

It's a little hard to put into words. During my first Outfly week, I met several alumni who graduated in the 1940's, several who graduated in 2009, and many who graduated in the years between. Some followed vocations in ministry, business, publishing, and farming; others are heeding the call to work in the medical professions, the law, consulting, and teaching. Indeed, the range of vocations is as wide as the range of generations. But what came home to me again and again is the devotion that all of you feel for your school. When I asked one alumna what she would like me to know about her school, she told me that the alumni are not only devoted to Wartburg College but also to each other. I saw that, too, and most important, I felt that during my week.

I came away from my first set of Outflys with an even keener appreciation of Wartburg College. I am so happy that I received and answered the call to serve as your president. And now I can hardly wait for the rest of my Outflys later in the summer.

- Darrel


President Darrel Colson

A 2009 grad's reflection

This past week I had the chance to attend both of the Twin Cities Outflys. I’ve done a lot of work with the Alumni office through Homecoming and Student Alumni Council, so I decided to act as roadie for part of their MN tour! The first night in the Twin Cities included an Outfly picnic held in Bloomington where we were all able to enjoy the delightfully warm weather we had this week by gathering at a local park. I knew many of the younger alumni at this event and it was a lot of fun to be able to catch up with them as they are finishing grad school or advancing in their careers.

The second Outfly was actually held at my home church in Circle Pines, which came to a surprise to not only me, but to our pastor, who is also an alumna of Wartburg and just got back from the first part of a sabbatical! While I didn’t know most of the alumni attending, I really enjoyed meeting the alumni in my area. I was surprised to find that there were so many living that close to me! One of the alumni I spoke with even turned out to be the parent of a former teacher I had in middle school, so the connections I find to Wartburg continue to grow, even after I’ve graduated. The two events were a lot of fun and provided me with the opportunity to connect with old friends, as well as meet some new alumni now that I have joined their ranks!

-Dani Parshall '09



Friday, June 26, 2009

Rochester, MN

Thursday we travelled north again to Rochester, MN for our fourth and final Outfly for this week. We had great weather for the evening and a nice turn out of alumni as well as current students. Check out how Sondra Roerish's first year experience went at Wartburg.


See more videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/WartburgAlumni

We had a great week and enjoyed talking with and sharing time with fellow Knights. We'll be signing off for now, but will be back on the road again July 23rd heading to Cedar Rapids. Check back next week as President Colson will be posting his thoughts of our wonderful summer Outfly tradition.

- Abbie

Abbie Smith '10
Alumni Office Summer Student Intern

Day 2 of the Twin Outflys in the Twin Cities

On Wednesday evening we had a smaller, but equally enjoyable Outfly reception at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Circle Pines. Once again there was a wide range of graduation years represented starting in 1941 all the way to an alum who graduated last month. Here is a great video of Harold Kurtz '58 talking about the long history of Wartburg alumni in his family.


At both of the Twin Cities Outflys Christine Marchik & Megan Baker talked about a project they are taking on this summer. They are raising money to participate in a 3-day 60-mile walk for Breast Cancer Awareness that is going on in the Twin Cities. In order to do this they each need to raise $2,300 prior to the walk. You can help them reach this goal by visiting their donation website. Here is a clip of Christine and Megan talking at the Twin Cities Outfly Picnic.



Remember, to see additional videos from this and other Outflys, visit the Wartburg Alumni YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/WartburgAlumni.

I will add some more about our finale to the week in Rochester a little later.

- Abbie

Abbie Smith '10
Alumni Office Summer Student Intern

Twin Outflys in the Twin Cities - June 23 & 24

We tried something different in the Twin Cities this year by having two different Outflys in different parts of the cities. Tuesday night we were at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve where we had over 100 Knights in attendance ranging from the class of 1943 to 2009. There were also several current students in attendance as well as several kids who will likely be attending Wartburg in the late 2020's. As much as things have changed at Wartburg over the years, it is always great to hear stories from different generations who show that the character of Wartburg has stayed consistent through the generations. Pres. Colson had a chance to meet a lot of alumni and also addressed the full group. Here is a small portion of what he said.


Here is a neat story from Harold '63 and Kay '63 Knopf Webster about how they met at Wartburg.



Be sure to check picture area at the top right to see some fun group shots of the attendees. To see all of the videos from the Outflys, click here.

We hope you continue to enjoy seeing pictures and videos, as well as reading about the Outflys as the summer continues!

- Jeff

Jeff Beck '01
Director of Alumni & Parent Programs

Mason City/Clear Lake Outfly - Monday, June 22

What a great week to start off the 2009 Outfly Season. We are very appreciative of the generous financial support that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has provided once again this year by sponsoring Outflys. Our new president, Dr. Darrell Colson flew up from Louisiana to spend the week getting to meet many alumni, parents, and friends of Wartburg.

We kicked off the season on Monday, June 22, with an Outfly at the Clear Lake State Park Lodge. We had a great view of the lake and were in a great facility there that kept us as cool as possible for a day in the '90s. Everyone thought it was pretty warm outside of the shelter except for Pres. Colson.


Tim '96 & Carol '96 Kentopp Dettmer celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary by hosting the Outfly.


Something new we are doing this year at each Outfly is to capture Wartburg memories, stories, testimonials, etc. from alumni on video. Here is a video by the Outfly hosts, Tim and Carol Dettmer.


There were also some future Knights in attendance...


The rest of the videos from the evening will be uploaded onto the WartburgAlumni YouTube channel which you can see here. Or you can see a sampling by clicking on the videos on the right side of the blog. You can also find pictures from the whole first week of Outflys in the photos area at the top right. For those of you who joined us, we hope you had as much fun as we did. We hope the rest of you will join us for one of the many Outflys that remain this summer. You can see the full list and register to attend here - http://www.wartburg.edu/alumni/outfly.html.
Hope your having a great summer and Be Orange!

- Jeff


Jeff Beck '01
Director of Alumni & Parent Programs

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Special Message from Pres. Colson about Outflys

"As your new president at Wartburg College I have loved learning about its many wonderful traditions, and now I will have the opportunity to experience them for myself. This summer, my wife Christy and I will be attending Outflys throughout the Midwest, and we look forward to meeting with many of you personally. I know the alumni & friends of Wartburg are a vital part and essential part of what makes it a special place. Christy and I are eager to hear the stories about your Wartburg experience, and celebrate together Being Orange."
Pres. Darrell Colson

Alumni & Parent Programs Blog Intro

The Office of Alumni and Parents Programs has created this blog where we will be able to easily post pictures and videos from events, as well as reflections from Wartburg alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff. Be sure to check back here frequently throughout the summer, as we will be adding new posts, pictures, and videos after each of the 17 Outflys.

Right now you can click on the "Photos" section on the right side to see pictures from several of last year's Outflys.

If you haven't registered yet or seen the schedule for the Outfly in your area you can find it by clicking here: www.wartburg.edu/alumni/outfly.html. We look forward to seeing you this summer and at Homecoming this fall!