NORTHERN TODAY 19 WINTER 2024 NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY | Alumni DR. WILMER KIRSCHENMANN, Professor Emeritus of Music at Northern State University, passed away at age 92 on June 27, 2023. He graduated from Northern State in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in music education and a Masters degree in 1956. He received a Doctorate of Education degree in 1970 from the University of Northern Colorado. Wilmer taught music for 39 years, 12 years in public schools in South Dakota and Minnesota, and 27 years at Northern State University. Dr. Kirschenmann served the South Dakota Music Association as State Student Chapter Chairman, as State Elementary Chairman, and as business manager for the state music education magazine, “The Musician.” He was a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Delta, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also served for 27 years as the MENC student chapter chairman for NSU. Wilmer was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Aberdeen for 56 years. He served on church committees and was the director of the vocal and handbell choirs there for much of that time. Two college textbooks were published by Dr. Kirschenmann, “Program Music for Listening” and “Music for the Seasons.” His compositions include choral, vocal, keyboard, and handbell music. He received the NSU Excellence in Teaching award, the Kappa Delta Pi Teacher of the Year Award, the South Dakota Music Educators Award, and the NSU Professor Emeritus of Music Award. Another fact, unknown by many, is that Wilmer won a contest for naming “Lake Pocasse,” near Pollock, SD, in August 1961. Wilmer was married to Lorraine Wittmeier for 70 years. Lorraine passed away in 2021. Their son Allan passed away in 1991. Wilmer is survived by two of his three children, Deborah Green, of Las Vegas, NV, and Jay Kirschenmann, of Aberdeen, and extended family. In lieu of memorials, please consider a donation to the Dr. Wilmer Kirschenmann Music Scholarship Fund through the NSU Foundation. IN MEMORIAM Sofia Aguirre, daughter of NSU Alum Madison (2018) and Favian Aguirre Kinslee Babcock, daughter of NSU Alum Kaylee (2019) and Jesse Babcock If you are interested in showing off your little ones in their favorite NSU gear, submit your photo to nsualumni@northern.edu or tag our account in your next social media post. Make sure to use the hashtag #NSUWolfPups to be featured in our future monthly Wolf Pups Facebook posts! Recently have a baby? As a congratulations from the NSU Alumni Association, we want to send you a free “Wolf Pup Onesie!” Share the exciting news of your growing Wolves family by submitting a photo of your Future Wolf to be included in a future issue of Northern Today! Please note: all onesies are size 6 months, and all submissions must include the Wolf Pup Onesie. Find out more at the Foundation website, northernstatefoundation.com. Clothing and Giftware Coupon code NT24 Valid Jan. 8 through Feb. 12, 2024 bookstore.northern.edu ONLINE AND IN STORE
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