State Legislature Convenes With Gustavus Flavor

The Minnesota State Legislature convened for the first time in 2009 on Tuesday, Jan. 6 with six legislators — five in the house and one in the senate — holding connections to Gustavus Adolphus College.

Alumni Mindy Greiling ’70 and Margaret Anderson Kelliher ’90 were both re-elected to their house seats, while Kory Kath ’00 and Paul Torkelson ’74 were elected to their first terms in the house. Also re-elected to his house seat was Terry Morrow, professor of communication studies at the College. In the senate, David Hann ’73 was not up for re-election this past November and is in the middle of his second term.

In addition to the six legislators, Rev. Dennis Johnson ’60, retired college administrator and the 14th President of the College, was installed as the chaplain for the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Anderson Kelliher represents district 60-A which includes the Kenwood neighborhood in western Minneapolis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Gustavus and is beginning her sixth term in the house. Anderson Kelliher also accepted a second term as speaker of the house on Jan. 6.

Greiling represents district 54-A which includes the cities of Roseville, Lauderdale, and St. Anthony Village. Greiling holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Gustavus and is beginning her ninth term in the house.

Kath will represent district 26-A which includes an area in southeastern Minnesota from Waseca to Owatonna. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and education from Gustavus and will begin his first term at the relatively young age of 31.

Torkelson will represent district 21-B which includes the cities of New Ulm, St. James, Madelia, Springfield, and Sleepy Eye among others. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Gustavus.

Morrow represents district 23-A which includes the cities of St. Peter, North Mankato, Winthrop, Gaylord, and Nicollet among others. He has taught at Gustavus since 1995 and will begin his second term in the house.

Hann represents senate district 42 which includes the western Minneapolis suburbs of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. Hann holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Gustavus.