UMD News Releases

DULUTH, MN — The College of Education and Human Service Professions (CEHSP) at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) inducted its second group of CEHSP Distinguished Alumni on Friday, October 9, 2014. The following alumni were recognized for their achievements:

Ms. Marla Halvorson, Dept. of Psychology; Dr. John Hatten, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Ms. Julia “Bunny” Jaakola, Department of Social Work; Mr. Eric Kaiser, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and Ms. Beatrice Ojakangas, Department of Education.

Last week, each of the alumni honored presented a seminar to faculty and students in their respective departments.

About CEHSP’s Distinguished Alumni

Marla Halvorson is the director of Human Resources and Counsel for Labor and Employee Relations at St. Luke’s Healthcare System. She is the most senior human resources professional in this 2400 employee healthcare system with two hospitals and more than 30 clinics. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) in 1991. She graduated with a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 1995 and was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in that same year. She operated her own law firm in Duluth from 1998 until 2001, and served as an assistant professor at UMD teaching undergraduate business law from 1998 to 2002. Ms. Halvorson is a member of the board of directors of Northwood Children’s Services and enjoys, with her family, attending UMD Hockey games, downhill skiing, and their family cabin on Rainy Lake.

John T. Hatten, Ph.D. was a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at UMD and retired in 2002. He earned his B.S. in 1959 from UMD; his M.A. from Purdue University in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1965 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He served at UMD from 1967 until his retirement. Dr. Hatten was also the assistant dean of the Graduate School from 1984-1990 and served on many committees at UMD. Prior to his career at UMD, he was a public school speech-language pathologist at Downers Grove Public Schools and was an assistant professor of Speech Pathology at Northern Michigan University. Some of the courses he taught at UMD were Phonetics, Introduction to Communication Disorders, Clinical Procedures, Diagnostic Methods, Normal Language Development, Language Disorders in Children, Language Disorders in School Age Children, and Professional Issues. He has several publications and has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Julia “Bunny” Jaakola exemplifies the commitment and dedication needed to improve the lives of American Indian children and families locally and nationally. She has been employed by the Fond du Lac Reservation since April of 1987 (27 years) where she has served in various administrative roles including as social services director for Fond du Lac. Bunny currently oversees the mental health and outpatient chemical treatment programs. In 2006, she presented at the first joint social work meeting between the U.S. and China in Beijing. In 1999, under her leadership, the Fond du Lac Foster Care Licensing and Placement Agency earned the Honoring Nations Award from Harvard University. She chaired the group that developed the first Tribal State Agreement for Indian Child Welfare that was signed by Minnesota and the eleven Tribes in 1998. She has received many honors including the Indian Health Service Area Director's Award for Managerial Excellence, a nomination for Woman of the Year by the American Business Women's Association, and the 1996 Honoring Nations Award from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. In 2011, Bunny was nominated by Social Work alumni and Masters of Social Work students to receive the Outstanding Master of Social Work Field Supervisor and Civic Engagement Award. Ms. Jaakola is an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Nation.

Eric Kaiser is a retired teacher, staff developer, and principal for Duluth Public Schools (I.S.D. 709). He earned his undergraduate degree in physical education (B.S.) in 1974 from UMD. He also completed his Master of Education (M.Ed.) from UMD in 1979. Additionally he holds certificates in Educational Administration and licensure as an Elementary Principal and Superintendent. He began his career as a physical education teacher, later serving as a Developmental/Adapted Physical Education specialist. His teaching career ranged from 1974 to 1997. He began his administrative career as an assistant principal at Lincoln Park (K-8). He subsequently served as principal of Homecroft Elementary School (1999-2004) and Lincoln Park (2005-2006). He was active in the implementation of district wide long-range facilities plan. Since his retirement in 2008, he has remained active professionally as an educational consultant to school districts developing community referenda, and school project design and project development. Mr. Kaiser remains active in community and church related activities. He and his wife Amy (UMD - B.S. 1977) reside in Duluth. Together they have three children and two grandchildren.

Beatrice Ojakangas graduated from UMD in 1956 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She has spent most of her life immersed in the culinary community through which she has made remarkable contributions to the society at a national level. Her involvement in the culinary community has earned her several awards and recognitions, some of which include an honorary doctorate by the University of Minnesota in Humane Letters, selection to the James Beard Cookbook for her body of work, and a second Grand Prize at the 1957 Pillsbury Bake Off. In addition to writing 29 cookbooks and several newspaper articles over the years, she has also been editor of the Sunset Magazine and starred in a series on holiday baking for the TV Food Network. She was a featured guest on Julia Child’s series Baking with Julia, and appeared on Martha Stewart Living Television. She has also presented on cruise ships and taught numerous cooking classes. In her earlier years, she and her husband started a popular restaurant, Somebody’s House, in Duluth. Currently Beatrice is working with WDSE/WRPT on a local-6 show documentary covering her life. She is a proud mother of three and a grandmother of eight children. She is active in our Duluth community and is a member of several professional organizations.