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A L L E N C O L L E G E8
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U S POSTAGE
PAIDWATERLOO, IA
PERMIT NO. 1521825 Logan AvenueWaterloo, Iowa 50703
This is Your NewsletterPlease send us your news. Send your updates to: Student Affairs, Allen College,1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa 50703
You can help shape the future of Allen College andAllen Hospital by donating to Allen College. Your generous donations will helpfinance special projects to enhance the quality of our education and the realm ofour services. Contact Allen College or Allen Foundation to find out how you canmake a difference.
Dr. Jerry D. Durham, Chancellor Matt Rolinger, Director of DevelopmentAllen College Allen Foundation(319) 226-2015 (319) [email protected] [email protected]
a l l e n C o l l e g e . e d u S p r i n g 2 0 0 7
A L L E N C O L L E G E
A P U B L I C A T I O N O F A L L E N C O L L E G E W A T E R L O O , I O W A 3 1 9 . 2 2 6 . 2 0 0 0
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Allen Alum Travels to Africa With Operation Smile
Allen College Launches Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
Sandra Gardner, an Allen College graduateand Digestive Diseases Center RN, hasplenty to smile about. In October, she spentthree weeks in Kenya traveling the countrywith the volunteer medical group OperationSmile. During her tour, she acted as PACUteam leader and helped treat 158 patientswith burns and cleft palates and lips.
"Teamwork and trust is crucial as 44professionals from six countries jointogether for two weeks to work intensivelyfor the patients," says Gardner.
The organization set up a temporary workarea in Nakuru at the Provincial GeneralHospital. There they screened more than300 children and adults with a variety ofcongenital deformities and injuries. Gardner's most memorable patient inKenya was a toddler who had recentlyburned his entire head and neck. The teamwas able to save the child's remaining eye.
"It will mean a lot to this child to be able tosee, and it might not have happened if wehad not been there," says Gardner.
Gardner recommends mission work toanyone who is curious about other culturesand wants to contribute.
"It is nursing at its most honest," addsGardner.
For more information about OperationSmile, or missions, donations or events,visit www.OperationSmile.org.
Allen College is offering a new area ofstudy in its Master of Science in NursingProgram. Allen’s Acute Care NursePractitioner (ACNP) track will preparegraduates to take the examination for ACNPcertification. ACNPs may work as advancedpractice nurses who manage the care ofseriously ill patients, collaborate withphysicians and work in a variety of settings.
The program is the first of its kind in Iowaand is only offered at Allen College.Qualified nurses with experience in acutecare nursing are eligible to apply foradmission to the new track.
“We are pleased to offer this course of studyto nurses as we expand our program
offerings,” says Dr. Susan Dawson, AllenCollege dean of academic affairs. “ACNPprograms have become very importantbecause demand for nurses with these skillsis high. This is a great way for nurses tobroaden their skills and career potentialthrough higher education.”
ACNP students will learn to managecomplex patient problems through clinicalhands-on experience. The curriculumincludes diagnostic reasoning, advancedtherapeutic interventions and consultation.
Classes will begin fall semester of 2007.
To enroll or to receive more information,call 319-226-2000.
ALLEN COLLEGE BOARDMARK BALDWIN, Chair
EDITH WALDSTEIN, PhD,Secretary/Treasurer
MIKE CHRISTIASON
SUSAN KOCH, EdD
JANET LARSON
GREG SCHMITZ
RICK SEIDLER, CEO
BISHOP STEVE ULLESTAD
Allen College would like to thank thefollowing Allen College Board ofTrustees members for their service toAllen College and insight they broughtto the Board.
DR. RUSSELL ADAMS – member from1993-1997 and 2002-2006
DR. STEVEN DAVIS – member from1998-2007
FRAN MUELLER – founding memberfrom 1989 – 2007
We are pleased to announce theappointment of new Allen CollegeBoard of Trustees members GregSchmitz and Bishop Steve Ullestad.
April 28
May 4
September 18
October 12
November 12-14
Allen Alumni Nurses Association Annual Banquet
Allen College Graduation Activities
9:00 Baccalaureate in McBride Auditorium on
the Allen College Campus
10:00 ASR Honors & Awards Ceremony in
McBride Auditorium on the Allen
College Campus
4:00 Commencement (including Nursing Honors
& Awards Ceremony) at Nazareth Lutheran
Church in Cedar Falls
Allen College Scholarship Banquet at Park Place
Event Centre (Pipac Centre on the Lake)
Allen Alumni Association’s Annual Craft Sale
HLC Site Visit at Allen College
2007 Calendar of Events
A L L E N C O L L E G E2
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A L L E N C O L L E G E 7
American Legion Auxiliary - Charles CityCrystal Boley
Anderson Memorial Scholarship: Linn-Mar School FoundationMelissa Hurst
Bartels Staff Nursing ScholarshipBethany McGrane
Bill Betchey Memorial Fund: White Bear Yacht ClubJulie Gysberg
Bouslog Scholarship: Linn-Mar School FoundationMelissa Hurst
Buena Vista Regional MedicalCenter Nursing ScholarshipSarah Baade
H. Buresh ScholarshipKayla ChristensenRichard JoensJanelle Offen
Mabel A. Burrow Scholarship TrustDennis BaierApril HummelHeather Lee
Community Memorial HospitalAuxiliary, SumnerBeth MeighanKyla Pagel
Friends of CMH: CommunityMemorial Hospital Foundation,SumnerKyla Pagel
Elmer Schwartz Scholarship:Community Memorial Hospital,SumnerKyla Pagel
Conklin Family Scholarship FundEmily Engstrom
Covenant Medical Center AuxiliaryScholarshipApril HummelBethany Stevens
Eldora-New Providence Dollars forScholarsMelissa DeJong
Fortnightly Club of WashingtonBrenna Johnson
Forty & Eight 6/81 - Vinton, IowaJennifer Gahring
Franklin General Hospital Auxiliary(Darling Fund) ScholarshipChrysten Dohrmann
2005 Gala Nursing Scholarship:Genesis Health ServicesFoundationMaria Linnenbrink
Greene County Medical CenterFoundation Scholarship FundNicole Jones
Iowa Grocers EducationFoundationSamantha Hahn
Iowa Hospital Education &Research FoundationApril HummelHeather Redig
Iowa Onsite Waste WaterAssociation Scholarship ProgramMaria Linnenbrink
Jesup Lions Club ScholarshipAmanda Reiter
Charles & Vivian Kelly ScholarshipMarie Kenne
Knights of Columbus Scholarship Amanda Reiter
Marion Lodge ScholarshipMelissa Hurst
Dr. Jennie McCowen Scholarship: The International Order of TheKing's Daughters and Sons-IowaBranchBethany Stevens
John P. Mentzer Scholarship FundMelissa Hurst
Miss Capital City ScholarshipHilary Clark
Miss Cedar River ScholarshipProgramHilary Clark
Miss Johnson County ScholarshipProgramHilary Clark
Ruth Parks Nursing ScholarshipTrustCourtney Schroeder
Schlichting ScholarshipAndrea Behr
The Charitable Scholarship Trust ofLillie A. SchwarckTori Vinton
St. Luke's Health Care Foundation,Cedar RapidsKatie Johnson
Sidney A. Swensrud ScholarshpFundJanice Songstad
M.J. Sylvester ScholarshipSamantha Lambert
Dr. George I. and Eunice A. TiceScholarship Fund: Mercy MedicalCenter Foundation-North IowaAndrea BehrLynzy DeVaryMarie Kenne
Waverly Community FoundationJody SathreShaunda Teisinger
Health Career Scholarship: Waverly Health Center AuxiliaryApril Hummel
Western Home CommunitiesScholarshipSarah Friedrich
Youth & Energy Scholarship: Iowa Energy CenterBreanne Hunold
Zion United Church of ChristScholarshipLane Palmer
2006-2007 Outside Scholarship RecipientsThank you to the following individuals and organizations that offered scholarship assistance to Allen College students during the 2006-2007 academic year. Allen College Institutional Scholarships were acknowledged in the fall newsletter.
Dr. Heinz S. JacobiSeptember 13, 2006
Dr. Raja JunaidSeptember 6, 2006
Debra PeytonSeptember 30, 2006
Class of 2004Allen College Asst. Professor
Ethel AbramsOctober 30, 2006
Class of 1947
Wilma ManskeNovember 4, 2006
Class of 1933
Quinter LichtyDecember 17, 2006
The Past Meets the Future at the 2007 Alumni BanquetThis year’s honor classes are any class before1957. The class of 1957 will be specially honoredin its 50th year. All Allen College nursing alumniand Allen Hospital School of Nursing alumni areinvited to join us Saturday, April 28, 2007.Activities include a lunch and tours at AllenHospital and Allen College before dinner at theFive Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Moreinformation will be mailed, or you can contactKristin Teig Torres, Student Life/Alumni AffairsCoordinator at (319) 226-2016 or [email protected].
Chancellor’s MessageAllen College has made remarkable progressin achieving eight goals in its 2003-08strategic plan (See Stategic Goals) that wasdeveloped with input from manystakeholders. While the College will beginwork on a new strategic plan shortly, I’d liketo share some of our accomplishmentsrelative to the current plan.
• Key Indicators: Allen College hasestablished and regularly monitors keyindicators of quality of education. Forexample, we closely monitor students’performance licensure and certificationexaminations. (Our students perform wellabove state and national norms.)
• Curriculum Redesign: Twenty-fourstudents will start the new BSN AcceleratedOption in May; a new Acute Care NursePractitioner Track in the MSN Program willstart in Fall 2007; and the Board of Trusteeshas given preliminary approval for three newhealth science programs. Additionalprograms are under consideration to meet theneed for more healthcare professionals in Iowa.
• Financial Self-Sufficiency: The Collegehas met its budget goals for the past threeyears and enjoys a modest profit margin.Efforts are underway to increase the College’sendowment and scholarship support.
• IHS Integration: This year the leadershiptrack of the MSN program enrolledassociates from throughout the Iowa HealthSystem. We now provide many of ourRN/BSN and MSN courses online to enablestudents from IHS and throughout Iowa tocomplete degrees in nursing.
• Technology Plan: The College’s facultyrecently recommended a best practices modelfor our online courses; wireless technology isavailable throughout the College, and allclassrooms are equipped with technology tosupport teaching and learning. All faculty andstaff have computers that are replaced on aplanned cycle.
• Faculty: The College is fully staffed withwell-qualified faculty. Several new policieshave been implemented aimed at recruitingand retaining faculty. Increasing numbers ofour faculty are enrolled in or completingdoctoral degree programs.
• Marketing Plan: Our students choose ourcampus because they see an Allen Collegeeducation as having value and meaning intheir lives. The College’s marketing planattempts to communicate our core values toall prospective students. Our recordenrollment in Fall 2006 would seem toindicate that we are successful in thisendeavor. The College’s tuition remain oneof the best values among private colleges inIowa, a factor that is attractive to manyof our students who are first generationcollege students.
I am proud to share with you only a few ofour key accomplishments that have madeAllen College successful in its mission toproduce high quality healthcare providers forthe Cedar Valley, Iowa and beyond. Thankyou for your friendship and support.
Strategic Goals 2003-2008
• Establish key indicators for ensuring thequality of the Allen College graduate.
• Create a seamless experience for ourstudents through partnerships witheducational institutions and selectedhealthcare providers and employers.
• Redesign curriculum models to meetstudent needs and the changingemployment market.
• Secure both short-term viability and long-term financial self-sufficiency.
• Organize operations to facilitate theexpansion of the College and integrationwith the Iowa Healthcare System.
• Develop and implement a technology planthat positions Allen College competitively inthe higher education market.
• Develop and implement a plan for facultyrecruitment and retention.
• Develop and implement a marketing planthat positions Allen College competitivelyamong higher education institutions.
Jerry DurhamAllen College Chancellor
Dr. Jerry DurhamChancellor
A L L E N C O L L E G E6
December Recognition
Student Awards67th Annual Meeting of the Iowa
Society of Radiologic Technologists
September 7-9, 2006The 67th Annual Meeting of the IowaSociety of Radiologic Technologists washeld in Council Bluffs, Iowa fromSeptember 7-9, 2006. The Allen CollegeAssociate of Science in Radiography Level2 students prepared and entered theirscientific posters into competition againstother student posters from Iowa.
Allen College has a history of finishing wellin this competition, and this year was nodifferent. Allen College took 1st, 2nd and3rd places. Miranda Weiss and TiffanyKillian received 1st place for their posterentitled “A Condition That Ties You Up inKnots.” Heather Murphy received 2nd placefor her poster entitled “Invasion of theBone.” Rachel Dickinson received 3rd placefor her poster entitled “A Mystery: theUnknown Mass in the Chest.”
Northeast District of Iowa Society
of Radiologic Technologists
October 17, 2006The October meeting of the NortheastDistrict of the Iowa Society of RadiologicTechnologists was held at Allen College onOctober 17, 2006. The Allen CollegeAssociate of Science in Radiography Level2 students prepared and entered theirscientific posters into competition againstother student posters from Covenant. AllenCollege ASR students swept the competitiontaking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
Heather Murphy’s “Invasion of the Bone”took first place. Second place went to KatieMarlow’s “Forensic Radiography Crackingthe Case.” And third place went to KrystalKennedy’s “Pins & Needles of HipProsthetics – Indications for Hip Pinning &Total Hip Replacement.”
Congratulations to all students whoparticipated and placed at these competitions.
2006 Iowa Nurse Practitioner
Society Scholarship Foundation
AwardStaci Lynne Johnson received the Dr. MildeScholarship award from the Iowa NursePractitioner Society Scholarship Foundationon October 19, 2006 at the Park Place EventCentre in Cedar Falls during the Iowa NursePractitioner Society Conference dinner.Staci was acknowledged for impressivecredentials and her commitment to advancepractice nursing.
Dennis Baier
Niki Baker
Jennifer Boevers
Tamara Bullock, RN
Jenifer Lynn Cooper, LPN
Julie Marie Cousin
Jennifer Rae Dahl
Beth Elaine Dalluge
Amity Renae Freerks
Jill Marie Goodman
Heidi Elizabeth Grennan
Beth Marie Groteluschen
Gregory L. Hackfort
Tawnia Heeren
Justin Hunecke
Sara Jones
Heather Rae Klein
Tennille Langner
Briana Lau
Aaron McCoy, RN
Emily Nicole McDonald
Alison Sue McFadden
Andrea Lynne McIntosh
Crystal Mersch
Andrea Moulds
Tara Lynn Mount
Kara Jean Opp
Kyla Joan Pagel
Sara Lynn Peterson
Linsey Nichole Plueger
Tricia Lyn Potter
Tracy Puchta
Erin Michelle Roberts
Alyse Simiele
Travis L. Smith
Gretchen Michelle Stille
Lisa Switzer
Cara Celeste Walsh
Tonya Sue Wilder, LPN
On December 15, 2006 Allen College recognized 39 bachelor of sciencein nursing students for completing the requirements for a Bachelor ofScience in Nursing degree. A 4:00 p.m. ceremony was held at NazarethLutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Congratulations to the following:
The following graduates were recognized withawards and honors:
Graduating with Honors
Dennis Baier Cum Laude
Jennifer Boevers Cum Laude
Heather Rae Klein Cum Laude
Tennille Langner Magna Cum Laude
Tara Lynn Mount Magna Cum Laude
Kara Jean Opp Summa Cum Laude
Kyla Joan Pagel Magna Cum Laude
Linsey Nichole Plueger Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude (3.9 or above GPA)
Magna Cum Laude (3.71-3.89 GPA)
Cum Laude (3.5-3.7 GPA)
Allen College Service Award
This award recognizes students who have displayedoutstanding service or contributions to Allen College. Recipient: Dennis Baier
Jane E. Hasek, EdD, RN Excellence in Nursing Award
Selected as a graduate from the BSN program whoexemplifies characteristics of excellence. Recipient: Kara Opp
Allen College Faculty Member
Earns National Certification
Diane Young Becomes Fourth CertifiedNurse Educator in Iowa
Allen College faculty member DianeYoung, CNE, has passed the NationalLeague for Nursing (NLN) Certified NurseEducator (CNE) Examination. Thecertification establishes Young’s specialtyarea of practice as nursing education anddemonstrates her expertise and highstandards of excellence in this role.
Young is one of only four CNEs in Iowaand 330 nurse educators across the country.
Young has served on the Allen Collegefaculty since 1980, and has worked innursing with Allen Health System for 35years. She holds a PhD in nursing from theUniversity of Iowa, a Master of Science inNursing degree from the University ofMinnesota and a Bachelor of Science inNursing degree from the University of Iowa.
The National League for Nursing offersfaculty development, networkingopportunities, testing and assessment,nursing research grants, and public policyinitiatives to nursing faculty and leaders innursing education across the country.
Susan Dawson Becomes Site
Evaluator, Nominated to Pathways
BoardDr. Susan Dawson, Dean of AcademicAffairs, became a site evaluator for theHigher Learning Commission, acommission of the North CentralAssociation of Colleges and Schools.
Dr. Dawson has also been appointed to theBoard of Pathways Behavioral Services.Pathways offers substance abuse treatmentservices, including a halfway house,residential short-term treatment, residentiallong-term treatment, outpatient, and partialhospitalization/day treatment.
Nancy Kramer Appointed to Allen
College ProfessorshipNancy Kramer, EdD, MSN, CPNP, ARNP,has been appointed an R.J.McElroyEndowed Professor by the Allen CollegeBoard of Trustees.
Her professorship includes developing and implementing a new track in AllenCollege’s master’s degree program for acutecare nurse practitioners, as well as creatingpartnerships that encourage healthcareprofessionals to become advanced practicenurses.
Resources to support these activities comefrom funds donated to Allen College fromthe R.J. McElroy Trust.
Mary Brown Has Endowed
Professorship RenewedMary Brown, MAE, MA in Nursing, RN,has had her appointment as R.J. McElroyEndowed Chair for Interdisciplinary Studiesrenewed by the Allen College Board ofTrustees.
Her responsibilities will include serving askey leader and spokesperson in developingpartnerships with community agencies that will advance service learning at AllenCollege and throughout the Cedar Valley.Resources to support these activities comefrom funds donated to Allen College fromthe R.J. McElroy Trust.
Doreen Mingo, Assistant Professor,graduated with her Master of Science inNursing degree from the University ofNebraska in December.
Peggy Fortsch, Chair of the RadiographyProgram and Associate Professor, passedCurriculum and Instruction IntensiveStudy Area’s ComprehensiveExamination, a requirement for herdoctoral degree from UNI.
Diane YoungDiane Young
Susan Dawson
Mary Brown
Nancy Kramer
Faculty and Staff Honors and Awards
A L L E N C O L L E G E 3
Doreen Mingo
Peggy Fortsch
6 A L L E N C O L L E G E 5
TranscriptsAll transcript requests may besubmitted in writing and mailed to:
Allen College Attn: Transcripts 1825 Logan Ave.Waterloo, IA 50703
Transcript fees:Immediate Service - $8.0048-Hour Business Service - $6.00Faxing Service - $13.00Student Copy - $6.00
Please include the year you graduated,your name at graduation, the addresswhere the transcript should be mailed andthe transcript fee, payable to Allen College.
For a copy of the transcript request form,please visit our web site atAllenCollege.edu. Use the page searchmenu to find the form. Direct anyquestions to enrollment management bycalling (319) 226-2000 or by [email protected].
A L L E N C O L L E G E4
More than 80 Allen College students, familymembers, faculty and staff enjoyed aSaturday afternoon on the Allen Collegecampus. Family Day was held on October28, 2006 in Barrett Forum.
After a warm welcome by faculty memberMavis TeSlaa, everyone enjoyed a grilled-outlunch of hamburgers and brats. ChancellorDr. Jerry Durham presented a program aboutthe history and current operations of Allen College.
A drawing was held following lunch, with anumber of Allen-themed prizes being givenaway. Tours were given of the Allen Collegecampus. Later that afternoon, some of thegroup took advantage of discounted UNIfootball tickets and cheered on the UNIPanthers football team at the UNI-Dome.
This event was coordinated by the StudentServices Office. ASRO and ASNArepresentatives also attended and sold Allen College merchandise.
Family DayYou won’t find it in a medical textbook.But its study is key to the Allen Collegecurriculum.
It’s service to the community. And itsimportance in a student’s educationcontinues to grow.
“Our overall mission is to provide service tothe community,” says Mary Brown, associateprofessor at Allen College. “We’re not justsaying it, we’re doing it.”
According to Brown, service activities beginin introductory nursing and radiographycourses and continue through graduation.
Each year Allen College students, staff andfaculty provide an average of 35,000 hoursof service, impacting 80 organizations in theCedar Valley.
That means free foot clinics, blood pressurescreenings, new parent education and muchmore for area residents, many who couldn’totherwise afford these services.
The college began tracking the number ofhours it donated to the community in 1997-98.The value of that time was estimated at$30,000. That figure grew to $90,000 last year.
Service learning impacts a student’s
education. “It provides the link betweencoursework and the community,” saysBrown. “It’s a way to learn civicengagement.”
It also benefits the communities the studentswill go on to serve. “Our hope is thatstudents will reflect on their learningexperiences here and participate outsidetheir work environment.”
It’s a valuable lesson that will benefit you,the students and the communities they servefor years to come.
Serve to Learn, Learn to Serve
New Members:Kelly Elizabeth AndersonBrittney BicketPeg Broadie*Sarah Anne BrownKassandra CheneyKimberly CunninghamJennifer Leigh DibbleCatherine Lynn EwersJennifer Lynn GahringJulie GysbergTamara HarlandTeresa HippenJessica HooksLisa HoschBreanne Lynn HunoldJackie Jaspers*Katie Lee JohnsonSarah Lydia JohnsonKristina Ann KingstromHeather KleinKenneth KoesterMeleah KruseAngie LeavyJennifer LensingKelly Elizabeth LestinaJamie Lynn LindellChristina Lindhart
Jessica Marie LunnKatherine R. MagennisDana Ann MartinSusan C. McConnellBethany Lynn McDermottLindsay Louise McDermottConnie MeisgeierJanelle OffenKara Jean OppPenny L. PieperLinsey PluegerAllison RingenaLynn Kristine RobertsMichelle Diane RootDeanna M. SavreZoe Anne Schaefer*Shannon SchroetterKari Lane SteegeLindsey SteegeAmy Kathryn TegelerAshley TrummJennifer R. TurnerAngela VincentLindsay Vogel*Elizabeth Marie Whalen
*Community Leader new members
Pi Kappa CeremonyStephanie Lawrence, MA, ACADC, LMHC, LMSW and KellyHassman, MSN(c), BSN, RN presented an excellent program aboutStages of Change. Fifty-two new members were inducted into the PiKappa Chapter.
The Associate Degree in Radiographyprogram reports a 100% pass rate on theircertification exam for their 2006 graduates.Once again this program has reportedsuccess in providing the best education inradiography. Peggy Fortsch, MS, chair ofthe program, credits the diverse clinicalexperiences and the exceptional classroominteraction with the faculty for this success.
Members of this class include: Kyle Buskohl, Jessica Grotewold, ShellyHahn, Ashley Heims, Kelly Luchtenburg,Sonia Muller, Kara Mundfrom, JessicaPalmer, Ashley Poppe, Lisa Potter, ChadSoyer, Jocelyn Thurston.
100% Pass Rate
The Allen College’s commencementceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 4,2007 at 4:00 at Nazareth Lutheran Church inCedar Falls. Former UNI President Dr.Robert Koob will be the commencementspeaker. Dr. Koob was the 8th president ofUNI and began in that capacity at UNI in
the fall of 2005, retiring after the 2005-2006academic year.
During the commencement ceremony, thenext generation of nurses and radiographerswill be showcased. They include 49students from the Bachelor of Science in
Nursing program, 15 from the Master ofScience in Nursing program and 15 from theAssociate of Science in Radiographyprogram. This will be the largest class tograduate from the master’s degree program.
Dr. Robert Koob to Speak at Commencement
The fall induction ceremony of Pi Kappa Chapter ofSigma Theta Tau International was held on Thursday,October 19, 2006.
Keith Clark, Administrative Assistant for Academic AffairsKeith received his BA in religion and journalism from Texas Christian University. He thenwent on to get his Master of Divinity, Pastoral Theology and Counseling from VanderbiltUniversity in Nashville, Tennessee. Keith has held several editorial positions and severalpastorates including Central Christian Church in Waterloo, and spent eight years with CedarMemorial Christian Church in Davenport. Keith does volunteer night chaplaincy at AllenHospital and PRN chaplaincy with Iowa Hospice for its Waterloo office territory. He ismarried to his wife of 16 years Susan, and has a stepdaughter, Colleen.
Dina Dowden, Education Secretary for Student ServicesDina Dowden attended the Patricia Stevens Career College in Milwaukee, WI. She workedfor over 10 years at GMT Corporation as the Accounts Receivable Clerk. She has spent thelast three years at Wayne Engineering as the Communication Coordinator. Dina lives on anacreage with five horses, three dogs, one cat and a tank full of fish. She volunteers atRiversedge Christian Church as the Children’s Coordinator Assistant.
Michele Friedman, Assistant ProfessorMichele received her BSN from Allen College in 2000, and an MSN from Allen Collegewith an FNP in 2005. Her RN experience is in skilled nursing and intensive care. She iscurrently a nurse practitioner in the ER at Allen Hospital. Michele is married to Trent, andthey have two children: Bailey (5) and Jonny (3). She appreciates time with family andfriends, and in her spare time she enjoys reading.
Michele Koehn, Admissions CounselorMichele graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in OrganizationalCommunications and a General Business Concepts minor from the University of NorthernIowa. She has worked in human resources, management and admissions since graduation in2001. Before coming to Allen College, she worked at Hamilton College in Cedar Falls in thebusiness office and in admissions. Michele is married to Keith, and they have a BostonTerrier named Tucker, their pride and joy.
Cathy Messinger, Assistant ProfessorCathy has a Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from theUniversity of Nebraska College of Nursing, an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing fromMetropolitan Community College and a BS in Business/Communications from Dana College.Before joining Allen College, Cathy was a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner with a Specialty inElectrophysiology at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics,and an Emergency RoomNurse Practitioner with the Linn County Emergency Medicine.
Kristin Teig Torres, Student Life/Alumni Affairs CoordinatorKristin, a Cedar Falls native, returned to the area in March 2004 after living in Denver,Colorado. Prior to joining the Allen College staff, Kristin was the Marketing/DevelopmentDirector at the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre. She has anextensive theatre background, and since her return to Iowa, she has performed in three localtheatre productions and has stayed busy with local commercial and voiceover work. Kristinresides in Cedar Falls with her husband Travis and children Jack and Ava.
Ruth Yan, Library AssistantRuth received her Doctor of Education from UNI, her MA from UNI and her BA fromYunnan Normal University in China. She has been a teacher with several institutions,specializing in grammar, English and TOEFL.
New Faculty and Staff