WINTI mmimhbmbi ^jg1' pm memf w®*mm $wm jl ■ t**^*m\ 1 ’, ' ' w,,<"' ••_ f iwweX^ - , jffBKK%ffr izqfsr: •»**fcWS<.j«<4? ***/„ .-. • . . v. , :.. HP Jfc*>^ -'v-- Communication: An insider's viewpoint The year 1 came to eastern Iowa to take a job as a one- man news department for a Waterloo radio station, R. J. McEl- roy had just launched a competing station. As an early model of a talk-show host, he also conducted a daily man-on-the- street radio show on which he gave away his sponsor’s “little loaves of bread.” In that year of 1948, just after Americans learned to depend on radio for news during World War II, “Mac” and I could not have dreamed this fledgling business we were involved with would transform the world into a global village. A little more than a half century later, as the Wartburg Communication Arts Center that bears McElroy’s name opened, the electronic media had exposed the human tribe to an incredible set of common experiences. In 1991 alone, war in the Persian Gulf and the disintegration of the communist colossus in the Soviet Onion unfolded before our eyes as the cameras rolled in real time. Mac’s untimely death came in the EXPERT OPINION — Grant Price, retired KWWL-TV mid-60s—just as the power of televised communication was news executive, brings a wealth of experience to his beginning to reverberate through human events. But tine com¬ role as Wartburg broadcasting instructor. Here, he munication company he founded was to play a major role in offers advice to junior Diane Neuzef, left, communica¬ bringing this electronic theater of the world to the people tion arts major from Charles City, Iowa, and University of Iowa. of Bonn exchange student Kerstin Karuschkat, a politi¬ Now, the world of “broadcasting” from which Mac and I cal science major and broadcasting minor. came is being shaken by a new generation of technologies. They are changing the structure of the industry but will only accelerate the forces of one-world communication. As a sur¬ vivor of this ongoing revolution, it is a great privilege for me to share my experience with Wartburg students who will carry it on. The importance of the investment made by the McElroy Trust and others in communications education at Wartburg cannot be overstated. The generation that is taking over the enormous respon¬ sibility for managing instantaneous worldwide communication needs to understand it better than we did. They need a vision of what it really is capable of accomplishing and the will to bend it toward higher purposes than it is commonly used for today. In his famous “Wires and Lights in a Box” speech of 1958, Edward R. Murrow said “There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” It has been useful. The next generation may even make it decisive. The students who will study and learn on this cam¬ pus and in this building have an opportunity to help make that happen. Grant Price Executive in- Residence Communication Arts Department 2 / WARTBURG MAGAZINE WINTER 1992 CONTENTS 4 News Briefs 6 Castle Connections 10 In Print & On the Air 13 A Lasting Legacy 16 Moving in the Write Direction 18 Students Apprentice with Visiting Poet 19 Sports 22 Knights in the News 26 Kn igh t-erran t in Nikes 31 Calendar of Events President: Dr. Robert Vogel ’56 Editor: Linda Moeller ’66 Associate Editor: Duane Schroeder ’58 Get behind the Knights Art Director/Designer: Kathy Schultz Production Coordinator: Lori Poehler ’75 This year’s basketball poster featured the teams behind the knight. The Wartburg women, nationally Director of Alumni and Parent Relations: Jan Striepe ’59 ranked for most of the season, were expected to make the Division III playoffs as this magazine went Student Photographers: Ryan Gutz ’95, Joel Becker ’95, to press. See complete results of the winter sports Krista Wentzel ’93, Nicole Bechtel ’95, Brian Conway ’95 season in the summer issue. TRANSCRIPT POLICY Alumni who wish to obtain an official college transcript ABOUT THE COVER: Students get practical should contact the Registrar’s Office, Wartburg College, 222 Ninth St. N.W., P.O. experience hosting a radio show in the new KWAR- Box 1003, Waverly, Iowa 50677-1003. Fee is $4 per transcript. Requests should FM studio. Senior Brent Matthias of Denver, Iowa, include maiden and all married names used by an alumnae/alumnus, as well as hosts an afternoon show with sophomore Nathan birth date and/or Social Security number. Enclose return address and payment Hill of Belmond, Iowa. Both are communication with the request. arts majors. Matthew Zbaracki, left, junior NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY Wartburg College does not discriminate on elementary education major from Ames, Iowa, is the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission, KWAR’s music director. employment, programs or activities. Persons having inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI, Title IX or Section 504 may contact Ronald Matthias, COVER PHOTOS: Wartburg College, 222 Ninth St. N.W., P.O. Box 1003, Waverly, Iowa 50677- Front: Ryan Gutz ’95, Storm Lake, Iowa 1003, or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, CJ.S. Department of Education. Back: Campus Pastor Larry Trachte ’66 WINTER 1992 / 3 NEWS BRIEFS Placement at 97 percent for Class of 1991 The placement rate for Wartburg’s most recent grad¬ uating class is at 97 percent, according to a survey con¬ ducted by Will Smith, director of the college’s Career Development Center. This is the fifth consecutive year placement has exceeded 95 percent, and Smith says, “This information is especially encouraging due to the poor economic con¬ ditions being experienced throughout the nation." The 1991 graduating class totaled 281 students. Of the 273 who were successfully contacted, just eight remained unemployed seven months after graduation. However, Smith notes that the recession makes its presence felt in other figures. For example, the percent¬ age of graduates who said they were satisfied with their present position dropped from 90 percent in 1990 to 80 percent this year. “Those are primarily people who have found only part-time or temporary work,” Smith said. Placement figures include those who have secured EXPLORING THE WORLD BEYOND COLLEGE—Wartburg’s employment of 20 or more hours, have elected to attend placement success begins in the Career Development Center, graduate, professional or continuing education programs where students like senior Cameron Hanson, an English major or have made a definite decision not to seek employ¬ from St. Ansgar, Iowa, get advice on job searches and gradu¬ ment or further education. ate schools from CDC Director Will Smith. In the Class of 1991, 56 percent acquired full or part-time positions in business, industry or social sci¬ “Start early,” A large number also favored networking, ence; 20 percent found jobs in education; and 18 per¬ whether it be with alumni, those already in the workplace cent elected to continue their education. or casual acquaintances. Smith said many of the graduates who returned “Use any or all connections you can,” one wrote. questionnaires had suggestions for those who will be “Even the seemingly unsubstantial lead can turn out seeking jobs. An overwhelming majority said. most favorably,” Surgeon elected to Wartburg Board of Regents Dr. Ralph E. .."l|g chemistry majors to honor the memo¬ appointment in 1977, Otto served Otto ’63 of Wii- 'S ' ry of Professor A.W. Swensen, Otto’s three years as chief of thoracic mette, 111., a car¬ Wartburg teacher and mentor. They surgery at the (i.S. Air Force Hospital diovascular and endowed the Ralph E. Otto Distin¬ in Wiesbaden, Germany. thoracic surgeon, guished Professorship In Chemistry in He earned his M.D. degree at has been elected 1989. Northwestern University Medical to the Wartburg Prior to accepting his first hospital School in 1967. Board of Regents. Otto is attend¬ ing physician at Magazine now printed on recycled paper St. Francis Hospi¬ tal in Evanston, With this issue, the Wartburg Mag- explore and implement methods of ill., Resurrection Medical Center in azine becomes more environmentally waste reduction and recycling. White Chicago and Lutheran Genera! Hospi¬ friendly by printing on recycled _ paper, newspapers and corru- tal in Park Ridge, III, and an associ¬ paper. Once deemed too poor gated cardboard are recycled ate attending physician at Northwest¬ in quality and too high in jKr throughout the campus, and ern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He price, recycled stock is now efforts continue to reduce the also is an associate in the department a cost-effective alternative amount of waste paper and of surgery at Northwestern University for magazine production. In disposables generated in the Medical School in Chicago. the many communities where Wm Service, Otto and his wife, Diane, have recycling centers now accept * Students, faculty and staff been longtime supporters of the col¬ glossy paper, the magazine can also are also involved with the Waverly lege. In 1984, they established and be recycled. Recycling Center and curbside re- endowed a scholarship for upperclass Wartburg College continues to cycling in the community. 4 / WARTBURG MAGAZINE NEWS BRIEFS Women artists in spotlight during February The world premiere of a work for symphony by composer Linda Rob¬ bins Coleman and a one-woman exhibit by muralist Tracy Montminy highlighted the arts at Wartburg dur¬ ing February. Robbins Coleman, who is from Des Moines, Iowa, was commissioned to compose a work for the Wartburg Community Symphony. She spent a weeklong residency on campus as part of Art Midwest’s Meet the Com¬ poser/Midwest program. The sym¬ phony performed the world premiere of her work, Journeys, A Symphonic Poem, on Feb. 16. Earlier that day, she discussed the role of women artists in a public WORLD PREMIERE—The Wartburg Community Symphony performed Journeys, A forum sponsored, in part, by a grant Symphonic Poem, by Linda Robbins Coleman on Feb. 16. It was one of only two world from the Iowa Humanities Board and premieres scheduled this year by Iowa college orchestras, according to Janice Wade, the National Endowment for the music director and conductor. Humanities. Montminy's exhibit of paintings, Columbia., Mo., the Gniversity of Mis¬ Wartburg's long-range plan, accord¬ drawings and poetry was on display souri, post offices in Downers Grove, ing to Doug Mason, vice president for Feb. 10-21 in the Art Gallery of the Ill., and Milton, Mass., the city hall in advancement. He noted that the col¬ Fine Arts Center. Medford, Mass., and the police build¬ lege is seeking endowment gifts to A professor of art at the Gniversity ing in Saugus, Mass. fund art acquisition and to support of Missouri, Columbia, since 1948, Arthur Frick, chair of the art campus exhibits by prominent artists. she is best known for her murals, department, said the Montminy show Mason said Wartburg also hopes to including a controversial 1941 mural is the first of a regular series of receive gifts of fine art, including in the post office at Kennehunkport, exhibits in the new Art Gallery. sculpture, painting and artifacts. The Maine. Other Montminy murals can Acquisition of fine art is one of the first gift toward this goal, a Rem¬ be seen at Stephens College in goals of the Decade of Opportunity, brandt etching, was made in 1991. Scholarship established AAL grant funds development video in memory of librarian The Wartburg College develop¬ Tim Schumacher ’69 of Venice, Family and ment office has produced a new Calif., produced the video. friends of the late Perna Lohn have video through a $17,000 grant from AAL, based in Appleton, Wis., established a Aid Association for Lutherans. The distributes more than $4 million Wartburg College video highlights significant accom¬ annually to Lutheran churches scholarship in her plishments at Wartburg over the and institutions through several memory. Lohn, past several years and illustrates the grant programs. It is the nation’s college’s mission statement. It also largest fraternal benefit society who died Feb. 1, 1990, was head outlines future projects for which the in terms of assets and ordinary librarian at Wart¬ college is seeking support. life insurance in force. burg from 1943 until her retirement in 1968. Cason heads Financial Aid on interim basis The scholarship has reached the endowed level of $10,000 and will be Casey Cason ’88 has been Cason had served as assistant awarded for the first time this spring. appointed acting director of financial director of financial aid since 1990. Persons interesting in adding to the aid at Wartburg, succeeding Tom According to Doug Mason, vice presi¬ Perna Lohn Scholarship Fund can Thomsen, director since 1986. Thom¬ dent for advancement, the search for send donations to the Wartburg sen resigned to become vice presi¬ a permanent successor to Thomsen development office or call dent for advancement at Rocky will begin later this year. (319) 352-8490 for more information. Mountain College in Billings, Mont. WINTER 1992/5 WARM & WAV seek new ties in Eisenach by Duane Schroeder in the heartland of America, and they were German reunification may bring new cultural and quick to point out that Thuringia is in the educational ties between the two Wartburgs—the castle heartland of Germany, not only geographical¬ in Germany and the college in Iowa. ly but in terms of history, art, literature and In Movember, representatives of Wartburg College culture, giving us a common bond in our dis¬ and the city of Waverly visited Eisenach and met with cussions.” Dr. Hans-Peter Brodhun, mayor of the city, church The college was seeking ways to more officials and Dr. Glrich Fickel, Minister for Science closely identify with its namesake, The Wart¬ and Art in the state of Thuringia and chair of the burg, one of the most important histori¬ Wartburg Castle Foundation. cal and culturally significant land¬ The Iowa delegation included Wartburg Presi¬ marks in Germany. More than dent Robert Vogel and his wife Sally, Campus 760,000 people, primari¬ Pastor Larry Trachte, Dr. Maynard Anderson, pro¬ ly Germans, visited fessor emeritus of music, Board of Regents mem¬ the castle last , , bers Sandra Rada and Ivan Ackerman, Acker¬ year. man’s wife Mary, Waverly Mayor Keith Schuldt and his wife Joy. “It was a timely visit,” said Vogel. “They are '. * - ' open and anxious to have contacts and relationships with the West and particularly with Americans. I mentioned to them that Wartburg is “There is more historical and cultural significance to the castle than any of us knew,” Vogel said, pointing to the poets and musicians who found inspiration at The Wartburg and who are immortalized in Richard Wagner’s 19th century opera, Tannhauser. Meistersinger Festivals founded in Eisenach in the 13th century continue today. During the Reformation, Martin Luther took refuge at The Wartburg, where he complet¬ ed a translation of the New Testament credited with unifying the WINTER 1992/7 German language. St. Elizabeth, wife ommend the foundation take some “None of their teachers of English of a ruling prince at the castle, was action to recognize the college. has ever been in an English-speaking canonized in recognition of her dedi¬ Out of discussions in Eisenach, a country,” Vogel said. “They have cated service to the sick and poor. number of possibilities emerged. been exposed only to ‘book’ English. Liszt, Goethe and scores of other his¬ Some will be explored further in late One possibility is that we offer a sum¬ torical and cultural figures have ties March, when Dr. Edith Waldstein, mer program on campus for these with this castle, which is often cited assistant dean of the faculty and reg¬ teachers." as the best example of Romanesque istrar, and Mary Ackerman, repre¬ The college is also interested in architecture in Germany. senting the Waverly Heritagefest cele¬ long-standing music programs at the The lowans learned that the Wart- bration, visit Eisenach during its castle, which might be incorporated burg Castle Foundation is considering Sommergewinn, an annual festival into the Artist Series or special col¬ copyrighting the Wartburg name to marking the end of winter and the lege events. prevent commercialization of the cas¬ promised return of summer. Waverly has invited Mayor Brod- tle. Foundation chair Fickel, who had Student and faculty exchanges hun to serve as Grand Marshal of the not previously known about Wartburg between the college and the Hoch- Heritagefest parade in September, College, suggested that he would rec¬ schules of Thuringia may be initiated. and Wartburg has invited him to be the opening convocation speaker for the 1992-93 academic year. Waverly also plans to enter a float in the 1993 Sommergewinn parade to introduce itself to the people of Eise¬ nach, and conversation about a high school student exchange program between the two cities is under way. The Wartburg Band will include its 1993 European tour concerts at schools and GERMANY SCRAPBOOK LEFT — Professor Emeritus Maynard Anderson and President Robert Vogel pause enroute to the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, where the young Martin Luther took his monastic vows. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT DIALOGUE — President Robert Vogel and Waveriy Mayor Keith Schuldt, right, engage in dialogue with Ulrich Fickel, Thuringia’s minister for Science and Art and chair of the Wartburg Castle Founda- , and his assistants at the state offices in Erfurt. LANDMARK — The Nicholas church, ilt in 1180, is adjoined by the only remaining city gate in Eisenach. MAYORS MEET — Eisenach Mayor Hans-Peter Brodhun and Waverly Mayor Schuldt hold the "Fest Glass” from which the Eisenach mayor drinks to initi¬ ate the springtime festival of Som¬ mergewinn. WARTBURG PARTNERS — Ulrich Fick¬ el and Robert Vogel discuss Wartburg partnerships at the minister’s chambers in Erfurt. 8 / WARTBURG MAGAZINE the St. George Church, where Johann Plans call for additional people-to- director of choral activities at the col¬ Sebastian Bach was baptized and people exchanges organized around lege, to conduct a clinic on contem¬ where Martin Luther sang in the choir the two city's festivals and the service porary choral music and American as a youngster. The Wartburg Choir clubs of both communities. spirituals, both important parts of the plans to visit Eisenach in 1994. Both Vogel said that sometime in the Wartburg Choir’s repertoire. groups will plan concerts in Erfurt, future Wartburg would like to extend “it is important that we find ways capital of Thuringia. Dr. Warren an invitation to the director of the to initiate our relationship as soon as Schmidt, professor emeritus of Bach Choir at St. George Church to possible,” Vogel told Brodhun follow¬ organ, likely will be invited to play an visit the college and conduct clinics in ing the initial visit, “knowing that the organ recital at St. George in the the music of Bach. In turn, Eisenach more substantial programs will take summer of 1993. might invite Dr, Paul Torkelson, longer to develop.” q WINTER 1992/9 Music is on the air instead of in the air since the reno¬ vation of the former Liemohn Ha!! of Music into the R. J. McElroy Communication Arts Center. With the opening of the new building last fa!!, facilities have caught up with Wartburg’s traditionally strong programs in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. “We finally have the space and equipment to do the type of teaching that has to be done in this automated age of print and broadcast media," says Robert Gremmels, associate professor of journalism and chair of the commu¬ nication arts department. “It makes for more efficient teaching. Everything is in one place, and it all works.” For the first time, communication arts classes, college publications, KWAR-FM and faculty offices are housed under the same roof. It's a far cry from the days when classes were scattered around the campus, when the radio station was located in Players Theatre and publications were headquartered in the old Pub House and, more recently, in Neumann House. The department has also added capabilities for televi¬ sion production. A TV studio and control room, the last projects to be completed in the new facility, are expected to be ready for use in May Term. “Any decent mass communication program now has to have at least the essentials of television,” says Gremmels. “It’s hard to prepare people for the electronic media without giving them some television experience, and public rela¬ tions majors need to be familiar with video. We also see this as a part of the public relations function of the college, and we hope we can make use of the college’s cable channel." Gremmels says 65 students are currently majoring in one of the four tracks of communication arts—print journalism, broadcasting, public relations and speech communication. A new journalism seminar room, created out of two for¬ mer music classrooms, provides 12 Macintosh computer stations, two computers with large screens, two image writ¬ ers and a laser printer. Students work on classroom assign¬ new ments in this room, and college publications utilize the same equipment. An overhead projector hooked up to a computer allows Gremmels to demonstrate editing tech¬ niques or project stories for class discussion. KWAR-FM, licensed in 1950 and one of the oldest FM stations in the state, has moved into new facilities in the former practice wing of the old music building. Grant Price, surroundings McElroy Communication Arts Center opens by Linda Moeller 10 / WARTBURG MAGAZINE