I was fortunate to spend nine years at Macalester! The first four were filled with wonderful friends and life changing learning experiences. I majored in Music. Three months after graduation, I married Dick Desmond, who had just graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.

From 1958 to 1963 Dick worked at Mac in the Development Office as the first coordinator of the Deferred Giving Program. We learned to know faculty and staff in a special way — as friends. I still cherish the baby blanket that Margaret Doty gave to me at the birth of our first child. Because of Dick's work, we were also privileged to learn to know and respect some very kind and generous people whose names are known today as they appear on buildings and in areas on the campus: Kagin, Leonard, Tobin and Wallace.

We have two wonderful children and six beautiful grandchildren, ages 3 to 17!

I taught art in the St. Paul schools and adult education program for a few years, took a hiatus to launch our family, and then started my commercial art career servicing local companies from my studio. Since retiring, I've enjoyed doing artwork I've wanted to do including a one-person show in 2005.

Volunteering in our church and community is a real pleasure. Since I believe education is of top importance, I am involved now at our local grade school helping children strengthen their reading skills.

Our pride is in our family. Our sons, daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren are just great people!

Armed with my Economics degree from Mac, I went into banking with the First National Bank of St. Paul (now US Bank). I spent 32 years with that firm retiring as a Senior Vice President. I then became president of the Anchor Bank of St. Paul and retired again in 1994.

Cleone and I have traveled extensively, spent many winters in Florida and gone through a full roster of boating experiences with runabouts, cruisers, houseboats and a sailboat on Lake Superior.

I am semi-retired, working with my son Michael in our office in Bloomington, Minn.

Am also spending time with my wife Mary Jo, who I married in January 2001, and our families. We have 19 grandchildren, all in the Twin Cities metro area. We love to spend time boating on Lake Minnetonka.

I have enjoyed learning how to interact with people, developing good listening skills and patience, while building my financial advisory practice begun in 1968 after 11 years at 3M Sales and Marketing.