Taking the time to look at the history of our families and cultural backgrounds is the first step to understanding how everyone fits together in our community. If we only hear one story from a certain background or from a particular area, we risk a critical misunderstanding. Each person’s individual and family history is not the same as another person’s and to truly understand and comprehend our community’s culture, we must take a look at the unique experiences that have an affect on who we are today.

This project reminds us that knowing who we want to be going forward means knowing who we are now, and how we all came to be here. Share your story with others by chronicling you and your family’s journey to this country, to this area and our university. How Did You Come To Be Here? is about revisiting and celebrating our roots through sharing our stories.

How Did You Come To Be Here? asks three questions of you:
1. How did you come to be here [at UMD] or in the Duluth/Superior area?
2. How did you come to be here in this country?
3. In what ways do your stories and histories impact your present life and future journey?

Take some time to think about your personal history and then submit your response as an addition to the continuing story of UMD’s culture. Read (and listen) to the stories of others to see how the differences between us connect us all here. With a community of more than 11,000 currently on campus and close to 60,000 alumni around the country and the world, there are many more stories to be heard, including yours.

“The experience has taught me a lot about myself,” said Grund. When class is over, he tries to speak Kinyarwanda, the Rwandan dialect, and finds it easiest to communicate with the five and six-year-olds. “We have the same vocabulary level,” he laughed. “You have to be free and loose – just go with it. When I speak [the Rwandan dialect], they laugh at me. You have to laugh about it,” he said. And he can empathize. In 2009, Rwanda mandated that all school classes must be taught in English. They were previously taught in French. He sees the way his students struggle to make themselves understood in English. He understands that they get a kick out of seeing their teacher struggle when the tables are turned.

Initially, Grund worried about the teaching portion of his service. “I thought that would be the hardest part, but it turned out to be the easiest thing,” he said. What has proven harder is fitting in. “The biggest thing is integration: living in a close knit village as the only white person.” The village, Cyahinda, has a population of about 600-700 people. He realizes that he is always going to stand out, as “a six-foot white guy in a Rwandan village.” Yet he doesn’t let that hinder him. He has gotten to know the other teachers at the school, and he spends time in the homes of the people around him.

He works to foster trust. “I try to convey that I am not here to show you what to do, but that I’m here to help.” He strives to let his work speak for itself. When he first arrived, the computer lab had one working computer, dozens of broken computers, and a generator, but no electricity. Over time, Grund rebuilt the computers with his basic understanding of computer engineering. “I was a computer science major for a year,” he noted. Now the lab has electricity and about 25 working computers. That still means 2-3 students per computer (there are often 50-60 kids in a class), but it’s an improvement.

Grund was matched with Rwanda because his skill set met their needs. Once he was accepted into the Peace Corps, he received training in Rwanda before being assigned to his village. In addition to learning about Rwanda and its culture, “we were given a history of the conflict and the genocide.” In 1994, it has been estimated that over 800,000 men, women, and children were murdered during tribal conflicts.

His younger students, who were born in refugee camps or in foreign countries, have only heard stories. But some of his students are in their mid-twenties. “The older students remember what happened. They can visually remember it,” he said. But he added, “They don’t generally talk about it.” He expresses concerns, shared by the World Health Organization, that these experiences and failure to treat those affected could lead to mental illness. He doesn’t, however, want to give the impression that his students are morose. He describes them as “very smart, very happy, and very outgoing.”

Grund would encourage anyone interested in the Peace Corps to really look into it. “It’s not for everyone, but it’s a very good experience.” He believes the Peace Corps has the power to transform the people who serve. “You don’t know how much you will learn about yourself, your limits, the language, and the culture until you get there,” he said.

Grund writes a blog for UMD’s Alworth Institute for International Studies about the Peace Corps, Rwanda, and living overseas.

Pictured: Shawn Grund with his host family from training prior to being assigned to the Rwandan village of Cyahinda.

The Rudolf Nissim Award was established by Dr. Rudolf Nissim, former head of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Nissim established the annual prize for an ASCAP concert composer whose work requires a conductor but that has not been performed professionally. In order to be considered for the award, composer’s work must be a new piece of musical composition that has not been published or performed; and, the written score and a recording must be submitted for review. The panel of judges is comprised of conductors who select a single composition for the annual award. The honorary title as the 2012 Rudolf Nissim recipient is combined with a monetary prize of $5,000.

Koshinski’s musical work varied from the typical submissions for the annual award. The recording that represented the piece consisted of the marimba solo played by Koshinski; percussion by Jeremy Craycraft, Jianpeng Feng, and Brett Jones; and the vocals by UMD Concert Chorale and University Singers, conducted by UMD Assistant Professor Tina Thielen-Gaffey.

About Gene Koshinski
Gene Koshinski is a current Assistant Professor of Percussion at UMD and has been a soloist and chamber musician performing in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Jordan, Slovenia, Canada, and throughout the United States. In 2002, Koshinski won the National MTNA Percussion Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio and in 2004, finished 3rd in the prestigious Universal Marimba Duo Competition in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

“So far, my favorite place to perform was in Jordan,” said Koshinski. “Western music is very new to their culture. It was told to me that I was likely the first person to have performed a solo percussion recital in their country. There is only one classical music school in Amman, but there is such a fresh interest in Western music.”

When describing what it means to be a percussionist, the range of musical options is limitless. “The percussion family is any instrument that you can strike, shake, or scrape,” Koshinski said. “Music is very important to me and teaching students about what I know is something I truly enjoy. The students in my classes have a variety of backgrounds – every day is different, and every student brings something valuable to the classroom.”

Watch Koshinski’s Live Performance of Concerto for Marimba and Choir.

There will be complimentary appetizers from 5:30 – 7:30 pm sponsored by the UMD Alumni Association and drink specials will be available for purchase. Cooper’s has the “Cutting Room” set aside for UMD alum that night.  Don’t miss this chance to connect with UMD young alumni in the Twin Cities area - stop by for great food, great drinks, and most importantly,  great people. 

When: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Time:  5:30-7:30
Where: Cooper Pub in St. Louis Park
(1607 Park Place Boulevard)

Let us know you are coming on our Facebook event page.

Alumni are the University’s most important advocates, hundreds of thousands strong and in every corner of the state, around the country, and around the world. Alumni from all the campuses have started over 10,000 Minnesota companies that employ 500,000 people and generate $100 billion in annual revenue. The University of Minnesota system is vital to the economy of Minnesota.

You can help. You have an important story to tell. Maybe it’s a about a professor who helped spawn an interest that became a passion … or a career. Maybe it was an opportunity to learn through hands-on research. Or the chance to meet and learn from other students that opened you up to a world of possibilities.

Other ways you can help:
1.Take action
View current University of Minnesota system legislative issues and contact elected officials.

2. Share your story
Your personal UMD story is compelling evidence of the value of the University.

3. Engage officials
See who represents you at the capitol in St. Paul and in Washington, D.C. and urge their support.

4. Letters to the editor
This is one of the most effective ways to educate others and influence elected officials. See some examples and find your local paper.

5. Spread the word
Help ensure the UMD’s voice is heard to demonstrate that changes effect all campuses of the University of Minnesota System. Use your presence, whether it be on social media outlets, by phone, or in person.

6. Participate
Attend “Support the U Day” or other activities that interest you.

More about UMD’s proposed American Indian Learning Resource Center:
UMD, with a 40-year commitment to American Indian studies, has become a center of American Indian learning. UMD has educated and trained more American Indian doctors than almost any other university in the United States; has produced tribal leaders, teachers, and business people for Indian reservations; and is committed to preserving American Indian languages, culture, and traditions. The AILRC building will enhance the educational foundation for all students across the entire campus and will house classrooms, a library, along with meeting and gathering spaces. Currently, UMD’s American Indian programs are scattered and squeezed into spaces across UMD’s campus. The project’s total construction cost is estimated at about $11 million, with $7.3 million being a part of the University’s bonding bill request that is currently before legislative committees. If passed, UMD will provide $3.6 million for the project and construction could begin within six weeks after the legislative and the Governor’s approval.

The “Crashed Ice” World Championship made its U.S. debut on January 12-14 in St. Paul. This was the first round of competition for “Crashed Ice,” a combination of ice hockey, downhill skating and boardercross.

Noted at the end of the music video was this message:

“We the Artists of JeRecords would like to dedicate our single “New Day” to a world filled with hopes and dreams and the struggle for equal rights across cultures.”

“This fun music video is dedicated to the students, staff, faculty, and members of the community of the University of Minnesota Duluth; as you strive to achieve your academic goals, and socio-cultural objectives when it comes to diversity, equality, and breeding a respectful community; we the artists of JeRecords would like you to know with every “New Day” comes the opportunity to make things right, never give up, reconcile the past by recognizing the challenges ahead, and face the future with hopes of a better day.”

“Let’s Go…”

- by JeRecords

A chili lunch will be hosted by the UMD Alumni Association in the Fireside Room in the top level of the chalet from 12:00 – 1:30 pm for $7/person. Call the UMD Alumni office at 866-726-7164 with a credit card to reserve for your group.

The slopes and the adventure park (featuring the alpine coaster and the new tubing park) are open from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Discounted tickets and rentals for all UMD guests are available for purchase in the Spirit Mountain Group Sales Office (218-624-8531) until 2:00 pm on event day.

Please respond for discounted tickets and/or chili lunch by Monday, February 28 to alumni@d.umn.edu or call the UMD Alumni Office at 866-726-7164.

Special UMD pricing for Saturday, March 3, 2012:
Ski & Board
Ages 19 and over: $25/Lift $15/Ski Rental $20/Board Rental
Ages 18 and under: $21/Lift $10/Ski Rental $20/Board Rental
Tubing & Coaster
All ages: $18/All Day Wristband
$12/2-Hour Pass and $3 for each additional hour
$4/Ride
Nordic Skiing (Check www.spiritmt.com for conditions.)
All ages: $5/Trail Pass $13/Rental

The Hobey Baker Award considers the following criteria: strength of character both on and off the ice, contributions to the integrity of the team, outstanding skills in all phases of the game, academic achievement, sportsmanship character traits, and full compliance with all NCAA rules.

The UMD men’s hockey team, ranked #1 in the country for 7 straight weeks (a new school record), will play a home series against the University of North Dakota at AMSOIL Arena on February 10-11. Locally, enjoy both games on My 9 (KBJR DT 6.2 and KRII DT 11.9) television or join the UMD Alumni Association on Saturday, February 11 for a pre-game pasta buffet supper at the DECC French River Room starting at 5:30 PM. Reservations can be made online and are requested by Friday February 3. Or catch all the action in the comfort of your home via the internet on a pay-per-view basis at www.b2tv.com.

For Twin Cities-area fans, the UMD Alumni Association invites you to a viewing party at Joe Sensor’s, (4217 American Blvd. West) in Bloomington, MN on Saturday, February 11 starting at 6:00 pm. Spread the word and let us know if you will be attending by visiting the event page on Facebook.

Mark your calendars for the NCAA Women’s Hockey Frozen Four being hosted in Duluth at AMSOIL Arena. Games begin on Friday, March 16 with the first semi-final game at 5:00 pm followed by the second at 8:00 pm. The championship game will be held on Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 pm. The tournament ticket package includes all three games and can be ordered at Ticketmaster. Single tickets can be purchased one hour prior to the beginning of the game, by phone through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional tournament information and to order tickets through UMD visit the UMD Athletics Ticket Office webpage.

The UMD Alumni Association Scholarship is supported by individual donations and proceeds from the license plate program. With a minimum $25 annual fee, the purchase of a collegiate license plate directly benefits the scholarship. To purchase your UMD license plate, you can either apply online or go to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and request the special license plate form PS2010.

Applicants must be full-time sophomore, junior or senior status UMD students in the fall of 2012 with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and committed to developing leadership skills. Applicants must be either children or grandchildren of UMD alumni to be considered. Along with financial support, students who receive the scholarship are provided outreach opportunities which include membership on the UMD Alumni Board of Directors and invitations to events focused on networking with alumni. They will also be invited to chair committees and assist with a variety of alumni activities in order to continue their success at UMD and after.

More information and scholarship application forms can be found on our website.

Send completed applications to Alumni Director Patty DeLano, 309 Darland Administration Building, 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812. Applications and accompanying documents must be received or postmarked by Monday, February 20, 2011 no later than 4:00 pm.

Samantha Berg and Anna Tucker are the 2011-2012 scholarship recipients. Anna, a junior Communication major, is the daughter of alumna Jeanne Tucker. She was chosen not only for her academic commitment, but also for her involvement in student organizations and service projects in the Duluth community. Senior Samantha Berg, who is majoring in teaching life sciences, is the granddaughter of alumnus Russell Berg. Samantha is a two time recipient of the UMD Alumni Scholarship due to her continued academic success and her dedication to the UMD and Duluth communities. Samantha has been very involved in the rugby sports club and was captain and interim coach for the team. Together, Anna and Samantha co-chair the UMD Alumni Association Board of Directors Bulldog Committee.