Student Profiles, Graduates & Alumni
Mike Amick
Congratulations to Mike Amick. Mike graduated from the MLA Program in December of 2005. Three weeks later he was offered a job as the new Director of Online Learning at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN. His new job is right in line with what he prepared himself to do all along. His Thesis project was "High School Digital Photography Art Exhibition: Online Art Education at the Secondary Level Using Digital Photography." He did a Thesis project, and gave a public exhibition and lecture as part of it. Mike's project involved documenting the efforts his students have produced after completing his Online Digital Photography Course through NDIS (North Dakota Independent Study). Each year approximately 150 high school diplomas are issued through NDIS and student work through their high school or home-school curriculum. NDIS began creating online courses in 1996. In 1999 it became the first accredited school to offer enough courses in the required subject areas for a student to earn a fully accredited high school diploma entirely online. In 1997 Mike earned his teaching degree in art education, and in 2000 began offering the digital photography course online. He worked closely with students so that they achieved the course objectives. Each student submitted 20 completed photographs by the end of the course. In his MLA Thesis Mike discusses the context and process he followed to ensure students experienced a high level of learning as well as produced professional photographs. He organized and coordinated an exhibit of his students' photographs and these were displayed at the NDSU Reineke Visual Arts Gallery (NDSU campus).
Rose Bakke
Rose Bakke is in her 4th year in the MLA Program. She is a 1991 MSUM graduate in Mass Communications, Public Relations. Rose is the Director of Prospect Research in the MSUM Alumni Foundation. She enjoys working in the Alumni Foundation Office, as it gives her a chance to work with alumni, Foundation Board members and the community. When asked why she chose the MLA program, Rose said, "I chose to pursue my masters' degree to keep my self intellectually active. The MLA program gives me the opportunity to explore various ideas and topics of interest. Being in the MLA program has opened many new educational doors for me, learning information, and exploring new ideas. I have met many people from all walks of life and have enjoyed being in classes with them." Rose is choosing Option A and doing her MLA Thesis on "Women in Higher Education Administration." Besides work and classes Rose is active with Dragon Fire Booster Club, spending time at their lake place and also enjoys reading, family history, and photography.
Sandra Bergseid Ben-Haim
Sandra Ben-Haim is the Curator of Education at the Plains Art Museum. She chose the MLA program because she wanted to "major in everything." The interdisciplinary approach of the MLA program was a perfect fit for her profession, her interests, and her short attention span. Sandra is working on her MLA Thesis in conjunction with one of her pet projects at the Museum—the soon-to-be developed FingerPrints Interactive Gallery. FingerPrints will be a hands-on, minds-on learning space full of art and surprises for the whole family. Who said learning can't be fun? Actually, learning MUST be fun to be effective—it all has to do with the limbic system (Google it and enjoy!). Sandra lives in Fargo with her husband, Meir. Their three children have left the nest and are living in Minneapolis and California; their steadfast and loyal golden retriever, Zoe, remains at home. Sandra's dream is to win the lottery, retire, move to California, and throw pots for a living.
Kari Brady
Hello all! I am currently finishing my first year in the MLA program here. I originally graduated from MSU Moorhead in 2002 with a Bachelor's in English & Mass Communications as well as Anthropology & Archaeology. Upon completing my BA, I was accepted into the graduate school at MSU Mankato. My intentions were to study in the areas of Medical Anthropology, Forensic Osteology, and Multicultural Education. I completed four years at MSU Mankato and was completing my Master's thesis when I realized that I was not in the field that I wanted to be in. Well, it's better to find this sort of thing out now rather than later. The MLA Program is a better fit for my interests and plans. I hope to do my MLA thesis in the form of a program evaluation for the American Red Cross. I would like to evaluate the Multicultural Outreach Program at the Minneapolis Area Chapter. Ultimately, the goal I wish to achieve is obtaining my Doctorate in the fields of English and/or Multicultural Education and will enroll in a doctoral program as soon as I complete my MLA degree. So far I've found the MLA classes fascinating, the interdisciplinary approach stimulating and the professors outstanding! Dr. Coghill, who runs the program is also very helpful and fun to work with. When I'm not being an MLA student, most of my free time is spent working a full time and part time job. I work with Sodexho in the CMU on campus and have another part time job on the weekends. When I am not working, I fill my time running, reading, writing, filmmaking with my cousin, practicing yoga, dancing, teaching CRR / First Aid and Emergency Preparedness with the Red Cross, and working on my manuscripts.
Kirsti Fleming
Kirsti Fleming is in her second year in the MLA Program. Kirsti is an MSUM alumnus, graduating in December 1998 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Studies, Secondary Education and Coaching Licensure. She works as the Business Manager in the Comstock Memorial Union. She has been working at MSUM for over ten years, starting in the Physical Plant as a student in 1995. Kirsti started the MLA program because she wanted to continue her education, eventually starting a PhD program in history. Kirsti states, "My long-term goal is to teach History at the college level". Kirsti has no completion date in mind, as family and work keep her busy. When not working at the CMU or taking MLA classes, Kirsti enjoys spending time with her husband and two year old daughter, and Scrapbooking.
Betty Fraase
My name is Betty Fraase. In the late winter of 2005, I was perusing the MSUM web site in search of classes that I might take during the summer session. On the site I found information on the MLA program. It sounded like the perfect answer to a question I had had. "In what would I do my Master's degree?" The Liberal Arts program allows me to explore areas which I would otherwise not do. Since I am doing this work to please only myself, it seems to be the perfect program.
Recently, I have been surprised to realize that by the end of the spring semester 2006, I will be about half finished with the course work. The strong point in the MLA classes is the variety of classes offered, the background of the instructors and the inspiring attitudes of the students. This combination makes the course more fun than work. Of course, not having a full time job is also instrumental in my enjoyment.
It is difficult to discern which was most responsible for my choice of an MLA thesis topic: the Classical Roots class, outside reading or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The topic I have chosen flashed into my head at a time when I was not even remotely thinking about it. It came to me while I was reading the introduction to St. Rose of Lima in church. Thus, the dilemma.
Sewing is my major hobby and it keeps me busy. I do large banners for Sts. Anne and Joachim Church, participate in a prayer quilt ministry as well as making some of my own clothes. People who are avid home sewers will understand the statement, "My stash of fabrics grows faster than my ability to decrease it." Also, I enjoy doing creative work with the computer and reading.
My family includes two sons and their spouses, and one six year old grandson. In addition, I have sons and daughters who have a real mother and father but whom I claim as mine because of the mutual influence we have had on each others' lives.
Bill Gillette
Over the past few years I have gotten to know quite a few people at MSUM, both classmates and professors. Some have become good friends. My good experience at MSUM is one reason I decided on the MLA program. Because of my interest in Hispanic culture, I found the "Hispanic Studies Emphasis" option of the MLA appealing as well. While in the MLA program I have met many interesting folk (I am sure some of you consider me "interesting" as well). The diverse background of both students and professors make for an interesting program.
I am currently in the beginning stages of my thesis project as I finish with classes. It is an exiting, if not terrifying, time. It is an experience, to say the least! My area of interest is the Hispanic migrant work force in the Moorhead-Fargo community. More specifically, I am interested in the availability and accessibility of the social services (mainly healthcare) in our community.
Janet Hohenstein
Janet Hohenstein is in her second year in the MLA Program. Her hope is to have all of her course work and thesis done by spring of 2007, in order to participate in commencement. Janet is an MSUM graduate in American Studies, 2004 and works for Minnesota State University Moorhead in the Payroll Office. In Janet's words, "The MLA program has been perfect for me. I am able to go part-time and take a variety of courses that give me that multidisciplinary study which keeps me motivated and wanting more. I enjoy reading, and learning but can't seem to get enough. Who knows, maybe my next step is going for my PhD." Janet is currently working on putting together her thesis proposal and IRB looking at an oral history project. The project would include interviewing three (or more) family members who have each served in a different war from WWII to Iraq and how serving their country has influenced their outcome on life and the humanity around them.
Jill Holsen
Jill Holsen is the Director of International Programs here at MSUM. She graduated with her MLA in December 2005. For Jill, having been a part of the MLA Program has meant many things. She admits that having a Masters is important for her position as Director, but the program has meant so much more to her.
Jill picked the MLA Program because she wanted to continue with her schooling and it is more humanities driven. "It seemed to be a good fit with my background in English." Jill has found the classes offered in the MLA Program to be very intellectually stimulating. "I looked forward to the intellectual stimulation in all of the classes I took." Another feature of the program that Jill finds to be of great reward are the people involved in the program. All are interesting people, students and Professors alike. "The MLA Program just seems to attract interesting people. All have their own contributions to make. This makes for very intellectually stimulating classes." Other strengths that Jill points out are the diverse subject matter and the fact that the Professors are truly interested in what they teach. For Jill, this translates into "being pointed in directions we would not necessarily pick for ourselves."
Jill's Thesis is titled "Somebody was looking out for me" (2005). Although this was not her original idea, she is proud of the results of this biography. "Somebody was looking out for me" (2005) is about a special bond that formed over the years between two men as one man, a Vietnam veteran, dealt with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
As far as the Thesis goes, Jill's advice for fellow students is to pick a topic early.
Ryan Jackson
Ryan has been a musician for most of his life and professional audio engineer for close to 15 years. As a graduate of MSUM 1995, he has spent several years working all over the country and now he's right back at MSUM as the Instructor of Music Technology. Since starting the MLA program in the Spring of 2005, Ryan has taken full advantage of what the MSUM Master of Liberal Arts program is all about. Working steadily toward his goal of creating a logical, teachable synergy between current musical technology and the arts as a whole, Ryan has adapted his curriculum to include on campus offerings and courses taught elsewhere in the country.
When asked about the program, he says, "The MLA program at MSUM is one of the most valid graduate programs that an individual with my experience and focus could hope for! Due to its multidisciplinary nature, MLA lays the groundwork for great self-exploration. It also allows a vehicle for that exploration to be applied to all aspects of what most would consider 'the arts'. Typically, a graduate program will focus on one aspect of the arts, such as music…In my field, that narrow focus can hinder creativity. MLA does a fantastic job of stimulating intellectual and professional growth."
Ryan loves his position as an instructor here at MSUM. He also runs his own production company and performs on a regular basis around the area.
Joan Kirk
Joan Kirk has completed her course work and is currently working on her thesis project involving a critical critique of the fiction by Ian McEwan. Joan started the MLA program in 2001 as a stay-at-home mom of three children. She loved the opportunities the program offered to learn about a wide variety of topics ranging from Religion to Economics.
"Each class has broadened by horizons, challenged me intellectually, and provided a real sense of accomplishment at the end of each semester. It also set a wonderful example for my children that learning is a life long process which never ends."
Joan hopes to teach at one of the local universities upon completion of the MLA program.
Deb Marquart
A 1999 graduate of the MLA Program, Deb is Associate Professor of English, Coordinated the Creative Writing Program at Iowa State, but now teaches at Grinnell College in Iowa. Deb says: "If it wasn't for the MLA Program, I wouldn't be doing what I do today. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the MLA Program, I am where I am today." She goes on to comment: My life as a teacher would make no sense if I weren't a writing, living, artist." Deb Marquart, poet, musician, uses her experience as a performing rock artist to illuminate her teaching. And vice versa. For example, Marquart's performances with her band, The Bone People, is highly improvisational. She and the other two members of the group anticipate each other's moods and moves, and simultaneously read their audiences' responses. As a teacher of creative writing, she uses many of same skills in her classroom. "In a creative writing workshop, the students determine what we talk about. It makes for interesting dilemmas. The material is very personal, and so the teacher must be prepared to talk about it in a sensitive way, and at the same time in a critical way."
The "critical way" that Marquart discusses her students' work is grounded in a deep understanding of the process they are going through. Giving voice to the process helps her as much as it does them, she says. "The practice of writing often happens in quiet moments. For that reason, we know how to do it, but we don't know why we know how to do it. We just do it. When you teach, you have to plumb all those quiet and dark and intuitive spaces and say, 'OK, how did I do that?'" The fusing of her work as an award-winning poet and as a road musician has resulted in an exciting genre. And again, her students have benefited. In her recordings and live performances with The Bone People, Marquart combines the spoken word of her poetry with jazz. Marquart's discovery that her poetry and music need not lead separate lives has illuminated her teaching. "I began to teach my students that they could use a performance element in poetry. I tell my students that poetry really started out as a performing art." She says, the MLA Program opened up all this to me and gave me an invaluable education that informs my teaching and my own writing to this day."
Marquardt is currently writing A Horizontal Life , a memoir of her life growing up on a wheat farm in North Dakota. And once again, she is melding her experience as writer and teacher. She says: "In Horizontal Life , I'm asking painful, hard questions. It has changed my way of teaching, because now I'm going to encourage my students to enter those places that they would rather avoid."
Kathy Peil
Kathy Peil began the MLA with Hispanic Emphasis program in 2003. Kathy recently completed her coursework for the program in the fall of 2006. She hopes to finish her thesis project and graduate May 2007. Her thesis project is writing the 4th year high school Spanish course for the North Dakota Division of Independent Study where she currently teaches. It will involve both a print-based course and online course. Kathy states a plus for the program at MSUM, "The MLA program allows me to get an advanced degree without having to commute a great distance or spend time as a resident student on another campus across the state".
A veteran teacher, Kathy earned a second Bachelors Degree in 1995. She earned this degree from MSUM in Spanish. Kathy taught high school in Nebraska for 16 years before moving to Moorhead in 1990 with her husband, Tim, who is a professor in the Mathematics Department at MSUM.
In addition to teaching high school Spanish, Kathy also teaches First Aid/Health, and Middle Level Physical Education through distance education.
Beth Salvatore
Beth graduated from MSUM in 1991 with a B.A. in Humanities. She is currently in the MLA Program and is also completing the Publishing Certificate. She is finishing up classes this semester as she starts the Thesis process. Being in the MLA Program has renewed Beth's desire to keep learning. Beth states, "it is nice to be in the academic setting. I cannot imagine not learning."
For Beth, the MLA Program has opened her mind to current events. This has lead to more involvement in politics and an increased awareness of what is going on, not only locally, but nationally and internationally, as well. She feels more confident as she deals with people in her personal life and on the job.
Beth finds the strengths of the MLA Program to be many. For starters, it is not a finite program in the usual sense. The possibilities seem endless as the program incorporates such a variety of classes. She has found a new interest in reading non-fiction, something she very rarely did before. She is always excited to go to class, as the classes are full of people who participate.
Her Thesis, although not with a title as of yet, will focus on how "fear in rhetoric is used to persuade and manipulate the masses." The focus will likely be on 16th-18th century England as she looks at sermons and political speeches of the time.
Beth believes it is important to "step outside the box". She stresses the importance of "taking classes you are not necessarily familiar with." In other words, be open to new things. As far as the Thesis goes, "do something you enjoy, something you are excited about."
Bonnie Stewart
Bonnie Stewart is in her first semester in the MLA program. Bonnie began her college years at MSUM in 1968 and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1974 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs. Bonnie currently serves as Vice President of Outreach and Development at Northland Community and Technical College and oversees the NCTC Foundation and Center for Outreach and Innovation. She has a thirty year career history in non-profit management and economic development.
Bonnie has also owned retail businesses in Fosston, MN and in 1997 co-authored and published "It's So Cold in Minnesota". Bonnie started the MLA program because she was drawn to the diverse and stimulating courses that tie closely with her passions – reading, travel, and art.
Bonnie and her husband Mike have four grown children - Maggie (a 2005 MSUM graduate), Ted, Andrew and Ryan. They reside north of Fosston on her grandparents homestead.
Cassandra Thomasson
Cassandra is a middle and high school Spanish teacher in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She earned her B.S. in Education at Valley City State in 1995. For Cassandra, the MLA Program has its rewards. Being a better teacher is one of them. As Cassandra puts it, "I will be a better citizen because of the variety of intellectual discussions on various cultures and topics that the MLA Program has offered."
For Cassandra, the thesis should be a reflection of what the student has learned throughout the program, and how they plan to utilize that knowledge in the future. Cassandra's thesis will address the "standard of beauty" over the years, both physically and artistically. She intends to research and formulate a plan to help educators encourage their students to accept a more multicultural view of beauty. Her idea came to her in a class when the question was asked, "Who gets to set the standard?" In the future, she would like to "help expand that standard to fit a wide variety of cultures."
Cassandra believes it is important for students to start "brainstorming" ideas for a thesis early on. This way, students will already have some ideas to explore.
Carole Topp
This is my first year at MSUM, although, I am about half way through the degree program. After moving out of the Twin Cities Metro area, I looked for a College or University where I could finish my Masters in Liberal Studies degree. The program here at Moorhead State seemed to offer what I was looking for with a variety of course topics, small, seminar focused classes, and the flexibility to design a program of interest to me. I work as a substitute teacher, mostly Jr. High and High School, in the Pelican Rapids school district. I enjoy the interaction with the students and find that often I can use some information that I've acquired in class or in readings to enlighten the students. As a substitute, I can often add some of my own thoughts to the structured curriculum in the classroom. Since I don't have lesson prep or grading to do, I have plenty of time to pursue my own interests, one of which is furthering my education. I find the interaction with the other adult students and professor in the evening classes stimulating, informative, and thought provoking. I began this journey back to school 25 years after completing my B.A. and have enjoyed every class I've taken, every paper I've written, and (most) every book I've read. After our two older children entered college, I found I missed the student life of learning and discovery and so here I am. As of yet, I have not finalized my thesis topic. I am tentatively looking at investigating any intersection of affirmative action legislation and the feminist movement. When I'm not substitute teaching, or working on my course work, I read, paint, and enjoy time with my husband. In the spring and summer I watch my youngest son play baseball, visit our older son,his wife, and our two lovely granddaughters, and keep in touch with our daughter who is working on her PhD. at the University of Kansas.
Rebecca Vinje
Greetings! I'm Rebecca Vinje, a high school English teacher by day and a MLA graduate student by night—and that's where my superhuman qualities end.
I'm currently halfway through the MLA program and have enjoyed my studies, which have concentrated on philosophy, literature, and religion. When I started the MLA program, I considered that the course of study would deepen the conversations I have with my students every day and also enrich my understanding of myself. Looking back, though, I had no idea how useful, meaningful, and rewarding these classes would be. Education is ingrained in me and returning to the classroom as a student is rejuvenating. I enjoy the academic atmosphere, conversation and sense of fulfillment it brings to my life. Additionally, my professors' knowledge, passion, and aptitude in presenting interesting courses and information, inspire me both academically and professionally.
However, the way the program has affected me most is spiritually. The classes I have taken so far have added color and a rich perspective to the way in which I view our world and myself. As a result, a possible thesis idea might be the changing face of spirituality in the modern era—specifically religious imagery, its rhetoric, and its over-arching ties to philosophy, as presented in religious texts and pop culture—particularly the TV series Joan of Arcadia, of which I am a devoted follower, despite its cancellation after two short seasons.
I'm currently taking Autobiographical Writing and eagerly await unearthing further discoveries.
Matthew Wallace
I was born and raised on the Spirit Lake Reservation near Devils Lake, North Dakota. My parents still own the original farmstead and continue to live there. I attended the University of North Dakota and received my BA in literature in 1999. That fall I found myself in the Transylvanian region of Romania teaching ESL as a Peace Corps volunteer. Upon completion of my two-year service I moved to the East and West Coast, where I stayed for three years before moving back to North Dakota.
I entered the MLA program the fall of 2005 after accepting a job with the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks, North Dakota as the Associate Director of Education. I was looking for a masters program that would compliment my job and be flexible enough for me to work full-time and pursue a Masters degree. A friend in the arts suggested that I look at MSUM Masters of Liberal Arts program. She had just completed the program and had nothing but good to say about the program. The classes I have to choose from fit much of the programming at the North Dakota Museum of Art and give me the opportunity to explore new avenues of approaching subjects.
My hobbies include reading fiction and non-fiction. Most recently I took up beekeeping. It allows me to spend time on my parents' farm and enjoy the outdoors.
Tamara Weets
I graduated from the MLA program in May 1997. While in the program, I took a variety of classes from Folklore to Midlife Crisis to Philosophy of Religion. The combination of these classes broadened my learning horizon en force. My thesis, Let The World Beware: There's a New Girl in Town: A Jungian Analysis of the Femme Fatale as an Archetype of Destruction, was truly an enjoyable experience that allowed me to explore my interests in film, theory, and psychology. (Working with Dieter Berninger, Sheila Coghill, Ted Larsen, Sandy Pearce, and Ted Gracyk was kind of like working with the Dream Team. Make no mistake, they were challenging but incredibly invested in my learning for which I am very grateful.)
