Driftless Bikers Share BVU Connections
BVU alumni and former faculty reconnected on two wheels, spending three days biking Minnesota’s Driftless Area while sharing memories, stories, and friendships spanning generations.
A group of Buena Vista University alumni and former faculty spent three days together in early August biking the Driftless Area of Minnesota, with a side trip to Trempealeau, Wis. Organized by former Professor of Mass Communications Paul Bowers, the ride included, from left: Prof. Bruce Ellingson, Todd Black ’86, Prof. Ken Schweller, Ronda (Harcey) Marshall ’92, Kayleen Grage ’05, Prof. Lee Thorson, Prof. Paul Bowers, Bill Marshall ’91 and Angela (Peterson) Heins ’93.
A never-before assembled group of Buena Vista University (College, too) alumni and former faculty spent three days together in early August biking the Driftless Area of Minnesota, with a side trip to Trempealeau, Wis.
Organized by former Professor of Mass Communications Paul Bowers, the ride included, from left: Prof. Bruce Ellingson, Todd Black ’86, Prof. Ken Schweller, Ronda (Harcey) Marshall ’92, Kayleen Grage ’05, Prof. Lee Thorson, Prof. Paul Bowers, Bill Marshall ’91 and Angela (Peterson) Heins ‘93
The ride was a reprise of a week-long bike tour completed in 1989 by a much younger group of Buena Vista bikers including Bowers and Ellingson as well as professors Bob Ferguson, Kline Capps and other Storm Lakers.
“After meeting up with Paul and Bruce on RAGBRAI last year, it was great to get a larger group together inspired by past rides,” Bill Marshall said. “It was great to catch up with Dr. Schweller since Ronda and I had many classes with him. Ronda and Angela were also roommates long ago and due to our proximity in Minnesota, we meet up a few times a year.”
The group spent time sharing Buena Vista tales as well as stories involving biking and traveling.
“This was a disparate group largely connected through BVU,” Ellingson said. “We had a graduate from 1986 as well as one from 2005, and folks from their 80s to their 40s sitting at a table following a ride and sharing their memories about Buena Vista.”
The group is already talking about a similar excursion in 2027.
“It’s great to renew friendships with our professors,” Bill Marshall added.
