Morningside Connect

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!”