BVU National Alumni Association Presents Awards at Homecoming Game

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L-R: BVU President Josh Merchant, Randy & Jane Fehr, Clyde & Marcia Krause, Bill & Ronda Marshall, Jeff Anderson, and Alumni Board Vice Chair Michael Jacobson.

STORM LAKE, IA (10/03/2017) (readMedia)-- The Buena Vista University (BVU) National Alumni Association honored individuals and couples for their service to BVU and to their communities at a special luncheon and at half-time of the Homecoming game on Sept. 30.

Those who were honored are:

Jeff Anderson, Class of 2003, is the recipient of the 2017 Keith Briscoe Alumni Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 16th President, who led the campus from 1974 to 1995 and recognizes recent graduates for their past student achievements and present career success.

Anderson is the executive director of communications for the Minnesota Vikings, where he plays a lead role in external and strategic communications for the team, serving as a spokesman and developing communication programs on non-football initiatives, including stadium and team headquarters development, community relations, sales and marketing efforts, business affairs, and crisis communications.

A native of Adair, Anderson also worked closely with the organization's internal stadium team and Vikings ownership in the quest to build a new home for Vikings football, an effort that led to the passage of stadium legislation in 2012. He continued to collaborate with the Vikings stadium team during the four-year design and construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, which officially opened in 2016.

During his time at BVU, Anderson was a Senior of the Year finalist and a recognized Dean's Fellow before graduating with a bachelor's degree in corporate communications. He also served as a writing tutor, contributed to The Tack, and was part of BVU's Homecoming court in 2003.

Anderson was instrumental in starting the "Game Day Internship" program between regional colleges and the Minnesota Vikings Public Relations Department, which has created internship opportunities for over 20 BVU students since its establishment in 2009. He has remained closely affiliated with BVU and is a loyal Annual Fund donor. Anderson was also the keynote speaker for Scholars Day in 2015, and served as a member of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2011-2016.

Anderson and his wife, Brittany, who works as a kindergarten teacher, reside in Prior Lake, Minn. The couple wed in June.

Clyde Krause, and his wife, Marcia (Blenkarn) Krause, Class of 1964, of Storm Lake, are the recipients of the 2017 Henry Olson Distinguished Service Alumni Award. This award is the highest honor presented by the BVU National Alumni Association. The award is named in honor of the University's 13th president and recognizes former students who have made significant contributions to society and/or the University and for their exceptional effort, dedication, and self-sacrifice in service to others.

Clyde and Marcia met while attending Morningside College, where Clyde graduated with a degree in business in 1961. Marcia transferred to Buena Vista the following year when the couple moved to Storm Lake. She went on to complete a bachelor's degree in social studies and physical education.

They are loyal donors to BVU and have supported several special campaigns, including the Estelle Siebens Science Center and the Harold Walter Siebens 25th Anniversary Entrepreneur and Business Leadership Development Fund. Clyde was co-chair of the BVU Community Campaign from 1992-1993, and a campaign volunteer for many years. He also served as a director of the BVU Foundation from 1996-2014.

In 2014, Marcia played a key role in organizing the Class of 1964's 50th reunion celebration. Clyde co-chaired the Order of the Arch from 1995-1997, before he and Marcia chaired together from 2005-2007. The couple also established the Clyde & Marcia Krause Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to students who are majoring in a field within the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business.

Clyde is a retired vice president at UBS Financial Services in Storm Lake, where he worked for the company and five of its predecessors for 46 years. He is also a current member of the Board of Trustees at the State Bank of Schaller. Marcia continues to help manage the family's farming operations and was a board member for several years at the former YMCA in Storm Lake, where she also taught gymnastics.

The couple continues to be involved in the community, and are active members of the United Methodist Church. They enjoy traveling, reading, gardening, and dancing in their free time. Clyde is also an avid hunter and fisher. Clyde and Marcia have two children, Brett and Connie, and two grandchildren, Quentin and Mickaella.

William "Bill" Marshall, Class of 1991, and his wife, Ronda (Harcey) Marshall, Class of 1992, are the recipients of the 2017 John Fisher Alumni Award. Established in 1970 and named in honor of the University's 14th president, the John Fisher Award recognizes BVU graduates who possess a consistent and persevering dedication to the qualities for which the University stands.

Bill and Ronda remain active with BVU as members of the Order of the Arch and as loyal donors to various campaigns, including the Estelle Siebens Science Center. They also provide ongoing financial support for student travel, internships and research initiatives at BVU. In 1999, Bill and Ronda established the Neil Ball Service Award to honor the now late Neil Ball, BVU's beloved night watch employee. Ronda also served on the National Alumni Association Board from 2000-2003. In June 2003, the couple traveled to Europe with BVU's concert choir, where Bill assisted with photos and Ronda turned pages for the organist at various venues.

Both Bill and Ronda graduated from BVU with degrees in computer science, and Bill received a master's degree in computer science from Iowa State University in 1993. The couple moved to Rochester, Minn. in 1994 after Bill accepted a job at IBM. Ronda was also hired at the company shortly after, where they both continue to work today. Bill is an IT specialist at IBM, and Ronda is a software engineer.

Bill and Ronda each participated in numerous organizations and activities while at BVU. They

also spent many hours helping to improve BVU's telecommunications at the time, which included installing phones, developing computer networks, and advancing broadband connections across campus.

In their local community, Bill and Ronda are Ruling Elders at Community Presbyterian Church. They are also involved with Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America, and in 2014, Bill was a recipient of the coveted Silver Beaver Award, which is a council?level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America and is presented to registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth.

In their spare time, Bill and Ronda enjoy traveling, biking, and kayaking. They have two children, Peter and Heather.

Randy and Jane Fehr, of Washington, Iowa, are the recipients of the 2017 Wendell Halverson Outstanding Friend Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 15th president and recognizes individuals who, although not alumni of the University, have demonstrated a commitment to Buena Vista University and its students.

Both Randy and Jane are retired employees of BVU. Jane worked as a cataloguer in the BVU Library from 1991-2004, while Randy served as the vice president for business services for over 18 years. Following his retirement in 2007, the University named the Fehr Facilities Building in honor of Randy's tenure. Randy and Jane are also loyal donors to the institution and are members of the Z.Z. White Heritage Society and the Order of the Arch.

The couple met at Park College in Parkville, Mo., where they both graduated in 1964. Randy graduated with a degree in economics, and went on to receive his master's degree in higher education administration from Central Michigan University shortly before the family moved to Storm Lake in 1989. Jane graduated from Park College with a degree in education and received a master's degree in education and library science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1978.

Randy and Jane continue to be involved in their community and professional organizations. Randy is a member of the Central Bank Board of Directors and has served as a Rotarian for the Storm Lake Rotary Club for over thirty years. Randy and Jane are active members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are part of several classic car clubs, including the Society for the Encouragement of Restoration and Preservation of Antique Cars Incorporated (SERPACI), and the Corn Country Cruisers.

The couple has two children, Tim and Robin, and four grandchildren, Rachel, Lauren, Brandon, and Allison.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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