Induction Ceremony
Saturday September 30th, 2017 at the New Ulm High School
4:30pm Social Hour and Tours • 6:00pm Dinner and Program
Tickets: Tickets: Ticket sales have ended for the banquet. If you aren’t able to attend the banquet, please join us for the post-banquet reception upstairs at The Grand Center for Arts & Culture. This event is free and open to the public! 8pm-11pm.
The ISD 88 Foundation and its Alumni Committee are pleased to announce the selection of six individuals for the 2017 ISD 88 Hall of Fame. This is the Hall of Fame’s fourth year of induction. The Hall of Fame seeks to honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their lives or vocation and who have made a difference in the communities in which they live, or lived.
The ISD 88 Hall of Fame allows current students an opportunity to understand the value of their education and the possibilities to which it may lead. The Hall of Fame is a way for the school and the community to honor exceptional individuals who, through example, inspire a new generation of students and staff.
The 2017 inductees are:
Helene Fesenmaier (deceased) – A 1955 graduate of New Ulm High School where she was active in music, the arts, and many other activities. Helene was a graduate of Smith College and the Yale University School of Art and Architecture. She went on to become a world-renowned abstract painter and sculptor whose works are found in public and private collections throughout the world. Many in New Ulm recognize her sculpture “Playback” that stood for many years in the lobby of the New Ulm Public Library. Helene was also a teacher, volunteer, and mentor who was committed to exposing young people to the world of art.
Paula Johnson – A 1972 graduate of New Ulm High School where she excelled in academics, music, and other activities. Paula earned an English degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Anthropology and Folklore from the University of Texas at Austin. For the past 18 years, she has been the Curator in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History where she is responsible for the food technology and marine resources collections. Paula is also an author and has served on boards of various organizations including the Council of American Maritime Museums and the Maryland Humanities Council.
Bonnie Mohr – A 1980 graduate of New Ulm High School where she was active in a variety of activities including 4-H and the FFA. Bonnie graduated from University of Minnesota in Waseca with degrees in Ag Production and Ag Communications. In 1988 she returned to dairy farming and, at the same time, took up painting. In addition to operating a successful dairy operation, Bonnie has become a renowned painter of Rural American Art. She is most famous for her cow paintings, which are sold and displayed nationally. Bonnie is also an author, award-winner, and volunteer with the FFA, 4-H, and the Holy Family Catholic Church.
Faith Reinhart (deceased) – A 1965 graduate of New Ulm High School where she was involved in music, debate, and wrote for the school newspaper. Faith earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Mankato State and Kansas State Universities. Despite becoming a quadriplegic during the Polio epidemic, she was fiercely independent and worked to be a catalyst for change for people with disabilities. Through her work at the Disability Resource Center at the University of Reno, the State Board of Transportation for New Mexico, as Director of the State Clients Assistant Project, and many other organizations, she was instrumental in improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Graeme Phelps “Flip” Schulke (deceased) – A 1949 graduate of New Ulm High School where he was an athlete and active in the arts. Flip received his first camera at age fifteen, and went on to be one of the premier photographers of his generation. Flip served in the Army during the Korean War and received a Journalism degree from Macalester College. He pioneered underwater photography, and during his over fifty-year career, he amassed a collection of more than a half-million photographs, many considered iconic images of their era. Among Flip’s most lasting contributions to society was his work with and documentation of the Civil Rights Movement.
Jim Zetah (deceased) – A Minnesota High School Counselor of the Year and beloved High School teacher, coach, and counselor in New Ulm for 30 years (1969-1999). Jim was a tireless advocate for students who understood that academic success was dependent on a stable personal life. He was often the source of that stability for students at a time when they needed it the most. Even in retirement, Jim remained dedicated to assisting others. He was active in many organizations including the Brown County Child Protection Team, the American Cancer Society, the Crisis Support Team, and was one of the creators of New Ulm’s Life Living Series.