The ISD 88 Foundation and its Alumni Committee are pleased to announce the selection of five individuals for the 2018 ISD 88 Hall of Fame. This is the Hall of Fame’s fifth 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 2018 inductees are:
Clifton Anderson (deceased) – A teacher, coach, athletic director and director of community education in New Ulm from 1959 to 1999, Cliff had a strong passion for education and that was evident in every aspect of his long and exceptional career. He said “all kids want to learn: it is our job as educators to fulfill that desire.” He worked tirelessly to promote gender equity in athletics. He was an educator but he also dedicated his time to various organizations in the community. From serving on the Wanda Gag board to being election judge chairman to the numerous boards he was a part of at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Cliff consistently gave of himself to help others.
James Hoffmann – A 1951 graduate of New Ulm High School, Jim participated in basketball and baseball. After high school, Jim served in the United States Army in Germany. Upon his return to New Ulm he founded his own insurance agency in 1959 and still operates that agency today. He continued his love of baseball by participating in American Legion baseball for two years then played amateur baseball for 10 years. He has been involved in numerous organizations in New Ulm including the Knights of Columbus, New Ulm Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and Community and Seniors Together. His unwavering dedication to this community led to Jim being honored as the 2017 Outstanding Senior Citizen of Brown County.
Dan Loose – A 1964 graduate of New Ulm High School, Dan was a student leader and athlete. He was named all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to play football for North Dakota State University where he was part of the national championship team. He also played baseball for NDSU where he led the team in stolen bases for two years. After graduating from NDSU he served in the army. He received an honorable discharge in 1971; he then began a long and distinguished career at Kraft Foods. His involvement in the community is extensive as he has served in many capacities from the city of New Ulm zoning board to the Alliance Bank board of directors.
James Senske – Jim was a teacher and coach at New Ulm High School from 1964 to 2003. He served as not only an outstanding educator but a no-nonsense coach that cared deeply about his players. As baseball coach, he led the eagles to over 700 wins, including a state championship. It was that success that put New Ulm on the map for baseball in the state. He also coached basketball and holds the title for most victories in that sport at NUHS. Time spent coaching and teaching was important to Jim but he continues to give back to the community through his memberships in the New Ulm Jaycees and Sertoma Club as well as serving on various boards at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and on the ISD 88 Foundation board.
David Silcox – A 1959 graduate of New Ulm High School, David excelled in the classroom and out in the playing field during his high school years. He went on the St. Olaf college where he earned his degree in chemistry, furthered his education with a masters degree in chemistry from Purdue University and a PhD in leadership administration from Arizona State University. He began his teaching career in La Crosse, Wisc. then went on to teach, coach and be become a principal in Phoenix, Ariz. His career in education is a long and illustrious one, filled with opportunity to use his leadership abilities to help shape the students in the schools he served.