BVU to Honor Five at Founders' Day Service

August 4, 2016

Buena Vista University will hold its 39th annual Founders' Day memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 10 to honor five deceased individuals who have served the institution as staff, trustees, alumni, friends and benefactors.

"As we celebrate our 125th anniversary this year, we look back at BVU's legacy and the people who make BVU so special," said BVU President Fred Moore. "Those who we will honor at this year's Founders' Day have played an important role in our legacy and serve as an inspiration to BVU and their communities."

Inaugurated in September 1978, Founders' Day has become an annual memorial service that has honored more than 200 individuals. The service, led by Rev. Ken Meissner, University chaplain, begins at 11 a.m. at Schaller Memorial Chapel and is open for the public to attend.

Those being recognized this year are:

Phillip C. Brown of Burnsville, Minn., became a BVU trustee in 2013 and served on the Student Affairs and Institutional Advancement committees. Phil earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Maryville College and completed graduate work at McCormick Theological Seminary where he earned his M.Div., S.T.M. in Christian Ethics, and D.Min in the Church Executive Track. Following ordination by the Presbytery of Chicago in 1969, he was called to serve as the associate pastor of the Wellshire Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colo. From 1975 to 1977 he served as pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Ill. Phil began middle-governing body ministry in 1978, serving as associate and then executive presbyter with the Presbytery of Great Rivers for 18 years. He served eight years as executive of the Presbytery of Milwaukee before being called to the Synod of Lakes and Prairies in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Faith; and his sons, Ian and Jess, and their families.

James W. Cravens of Spirit Lake, was a generous benefactor of BVU. He graduated from Sanborn High School in 1938 and then attended the University of Iowa before receiving a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He started his banking career with Sanborn Savings Bank and in 1973 he became associated with Dickinson County Savings Bank (now United Community Bank). He was active in both institutions until his retirement in January 2015. Community service was an important part of Jim's life. The State Banking Board, The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Camp Foster YMCA, Okoboji Yacht Club and the Dickinson County Hospital are just a few of the organizations that he was a part. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, sailing and socializing with his friends and family. He was preceded in death by son, John H. Cravens: and wife, Margaret.

Alfred Eugene "Gene" Rasmussen, Jr. of Storm Lake, served two terms as co-chair of the BVU Community Campaign and was a generous benefactor of BVU. Alfred graduated from Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School in 1961. He received the highest honor in Boy Scouts when he earned his Eagle Scouts designation in 1960. He then attended the University of Iowa for a period of time before he embarked on an adventure backpacking in Europe. He returned trip in 1964 and attended Omaha University and sold Buicks for his uncle in Council Bluffs. Gene was united in marriage on May 25, 1968 to Pamela Puolos; they had two children: Gena and Christian. In 1969, the Rasmussens purchased the Ford dealership in Storm Lake. They expanded their business to Cherokee in 1981. Automobiles were the focal point of Gene's lifetime, and he was committed to his vocation and his community. Gene served many years on the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund and he served as the Storm Lake Rotary Club president and later transferred his membership to the Cherokee Rotary Club. He also belonged to the Strom Lake Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, the Lakeside City Council, the Storm Lake Organization of Boat Sailors, and was the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association county director from 1976-1998. Gene will be remembered for his love of sailing, reading, enjoying music, painting and being an avid gardener.

Jo Ann Selleck of Storm Lake, graduated from Buena Vista College with a degree in Elementary Education. She worked as a teacher at Sulphur Springs and Odebolt, and was also employed at Siefer Consultants before returning to BVU as an employee where she stayed for 12 years. Jo Ann was a member of the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. She was very active in church activities and served on numerous boards for the church such as an elder, a deacon, Church Women United, Presbytery Resource Librarian, Presbyterian Women, Church Librarian, Stephen Minister and various others. Jo Ann was involved in multiple organizations including the American Scandinavian Foundation Chapter and the Witter Gallery Board. She treasured family and would make frequent trips to visit her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed biking and walking with her husband Jim, especially around the lake. Jo Ann was also interested in genealogy and photography. Many of her photos were included in community publications.

Norman W. Swanson of Belleair Bluffs, Fla., graduated with honors from BVU in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and gave back to his alma mater as a generous benefactor. He received his Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1962. For post-graduate studies, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls; and the International Schools at the University of Oslo in Norway and Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan in the 1960's. While at Cedar Falls, he was recognized for his interest and support of the arts and served on numerous civic boards including the symphony board, the UNI Civic Arts Association of which he was president and as a charter member of the Cedar Arts Forum of Black Hawk County. He also served on the Iowa State Board of the North Central Accrediting Association for seven years and was the first president of the Iowa Association of Middle Level Educators. Norman was known to his friends as a world traveler, visiting a total of 84 countries and all seven continents.