Morningside Connect

A little over 10 years after graduating from Morningside College, Samantha Wenger is a senior managing associate at Dentons, a global law firm with 175 locations serving 79 countries.

Wenger earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and business from Morningside College in 2008. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law.

Along with her work at Dentons in Kansas City, Wenger serves on the Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance board and is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.

Wenger said Morningside College helped prepare her for her successful law career.

 “On my first visit to Morningside, there was a palpable sense of excitement on campus that immediately drew me in,” she said. “After that single visit, I felt that Morningside would provide the best learning environment for me because the professors’ fully engaged teaching style would be able to keep my attention, and the small class sizes would not allow me to get lost in the shuffle.”

During her time on campus, Wenger participated in Mock Trial, Entrepreneurship Group, Student Ambassadors, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, and Interdepartmental Honors. 

Wenger said her favorite thing about Morningside was the professors.

“My favorite thing was each of the professors in Charles City and Lincoln Center who went out of their way to instill confidence in me and help me plan for my future after Morningside,” she said. “Also, Pam Anderson in Lincoln Center – I do not know what I would have done without her humor all of those years.”

Her advice for students was to take advantage of the expertise of their professors.

“Respect and listen to your professors,” she said. “They are there to help you find your way if you are willing to let them. I would also say that everyone should take the opportunity to tackle at least one notoriously difficult – maybe even terrifying – course while at Morningside. That class for me was Civil War with Dr. (Pat) Bass. While I can definitely see how that course could have stricken fear in the hearts of many students, I hesitantly accepted the challenge and can now proudly say that Civil War ended up being one of my favorite classes. That sense of accomplishment you get after conquering those scary courses is quite wonderful. Prove to yourself that you can do it!”

Her advice for young alumni was to stay involved in your community.

“The connections you build outside of the workplace are often just as critical, if not more so, to your personal and professional growth,” she said. “Make sure you are also taking good care of yourself – get enough sleep, stay active, eat well and do at least one thing every day that makes you happy. Doing these things will help keep you mentally and physically strong so that you are ready to handle the challenges of a new career or post-graduate program.”

Mike Cadwell earned a degree in business with a minor in business education from Morningside College, and he has used that degree in various ways throughout his career.

After graduating from Morningside College in 1969, he started his career as a high school teacher. After five years, he moved into retail business, where he spent seven years. For the last 38 years, he has worked in commercial insurance.

He said there were several reasons why he chose to attend Morningside.

“A high school classmate and good friend of mine had attended Morningside and referred me to the baseball coach,” he said. “I was very interested in the baseball program. Morningside was also affiliated with the Methodist Church and had an excellent academic reputation.”

During his time at Morningside, Cadwell played four years of baseball and one year of football. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and he played on intramural football and basketball teams.

He said his favorite thing about Morningside was the size and the people.

“The campus was easy to get around and the school was small enough so you got to know many of the students. I developed great friendships with teammates and classmates that have lasted a lifetime.”

Cadwell’s advice to current students is to enjoy their time.

“Be curious, ask questions, and develop your core values,” he said. “Overall, enjoy the experience, it goes by very quickly.”

He encouraged young alumni pursue their dreams while keeping a focus on relationships.

“Get busy with your life adventure but don’t forget where you came from or the friends, acquaintances and mentors that you have connected with along the way,” he said.

Cadwell and his wife, Linda (Johnson), who is also a 1969 Morningside College graduate, have three children and nine grandchildren. The have lived in Sioux City for 50 years – ever since their graduation. During that time, Cadwell officiated high school football for 17 years and high school and college basketball for 30 years, 20 of those being in the North Central Conference. Cadwell continues to play golf, and he and his wife enjoy traveling together to visit their children and grandchildren.

Dave Mulder came to Morningside College because he won the Band Day Scholarship in the spring of 1957. He had a wonderful experience at the college and went on to pursue a career in higher education.

Mulder majored in business education and physical education at Morningside while participating in baseball, basketball, Circle K – a service organization sponsored by the Kiwanis club – and LADS honor society.

In 1974, he was inducted into the Morningside Hall of Fame for his achievements in baseball and men’s basketball.

Mulder said his favorite thing about Morningside was the people.

“I really enjoyed my time spent at Morningside,” he said. “My favorite things included playing baseball and living in the dorms with my friends.”

The 1961 Morningside graduate was a professor at Northwestern College, a small private college in Orange City, Iowa, from 1981 until his retirement.

During his time at Northwestern College he served as both a professor and coach. He earned an M.A. and Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1966 and 1990, respectively, with further study at Oklahoma State University, University of Nebraska, and the Graduate School of Banking, University of Wisconsin.

Some accomplishments throughout his career include being named Northwestern College Professor of the Year twice and high school and college Coach of the Year in baseball and golf.

Mulder was as an Iowa senator from 2005 to 2008, serving on the agriculture, economic growth, education and human resources committees. He served as the ranking member of the education committee.

He is now retired and preaches part-time in area churches. He also sits on a few boards, such as Northwest Iowa Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Mulder and his wife, Dorthy, have two children. His advice for current Morningside students is to take interesting classes and explore your options.

“Don’t cut class, take some classes that look interesting to you, even pass/fail classes. Additionally, major in an area that will lead to a job you will enjoy doing, not based on money only because they can’t pay you enough to do a job you don’t like.”

His advice for young alumni was to have your priorities set and support your alma mater.

“Your faith, your family, then your job or other interests and finally yourself should be the order of priority. Additionally, be proud of your college and support her!”