Dvergsten and Hustedt Head Buena Vista University Community Campaign

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L-R: Ben Dvergsten and Jennifer Hustedt

STORM LAKE, IA (08/13/2018) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University (BVU) has announced that Ben Dvergsten and Jennifer Hustedt will be the co-chairs for its 2018-2019 Community Campaign.

Upon graduating from BVU in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, Hustedt, originally from Newell, attended Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny where she earned a degree in mortuary science. She is now a full-time funeral director at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes and co-owner of both Buoys Bar and Grill and Smokin' Hereford in Storm Lake.

"Growing up in the Storm Lake area and graduating from Buena Vista University, I appreciate the benefits that come with having a beautiful campus and a university in our community," says Hustedt. "BVU provides well-educated individuals with friendly smiles who are ready to lead both locally and regionally. I'm proud to say that I not only graduated from BVU, but I also call this community home."

Hustedt and her husband, Chad, have three children: Paisley, 6; Presley, 4; and Grady, 2. Chad is a fourth grade teacher at Ridge View in Galva, as well as a defensive backs coach for the BVU football team. They attend St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta. Jennifer also serves as a board member of the Storm Lake Parade of Flags Foundation and volunteers for many other events throughout the community.

Dvergsten, who grew up in Storm Lake, earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1998 and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University's School of Law in 2001. After working as a judicial clerk for a federal magistrate judge and practicing law, Dvergsten and his family moved back to Storm Lake in 2004 where he currently works as President of Security Trust & Savings Bank.

"Promoting and maintaining the link between the community and BVU is vital," says Dvergsten. "Storm Lake benefits from the University's participation in community activities and from the University's top-notch facilities and first-rate educational opportunities. This partnership enhances the reputation of both BVU and Storm Lake-locally and regionally." This is Dvergsten's second time serving as co-chair for the BVU Community Campaign, of which he has volunteered for several times.

He also volunteers as a member of the Storm Lake Baseball Association, the Storm Lake Tornado Booster Club, and the Star Spangled Spectacular. He and his wife, Sarah, a fitness instructor at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Fitness Center with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from UNI, have three children: Tyler, 16; Sam, 14; and Charlie, 11.

BVU is an independent university where the primary income comes from student tuition and fees. Contributions to the Community Campaign help support the University's annual operating expenses, which provide resources for scholarships and development of innovative academic programs, internships, and undergraduate research opportunities.

The Community Campaign, which has a goal of $125,000 this year, kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. in the Buena Vista University Art Gallery in the Social Sciences and Art Hall. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

For additional information about BVU's 2018-19 Community Campaign, contact Barbara Aiona, director of annual campaigns, at 712.749.2101 or aionab@bvu.edu.