The Austin School District announced its two finalists for the interim superintendent’s job this morning.

Friday, June 22, 2001

The Austin School District announced its two finalists for the interim superintendent’s job this morning.

Corrine Johnson, who is currently Superintendent of Onamia Public Schools, and Candace Raskin, who is currently the principal at Banfield Elementary School in Austin, were chosen from a pool of five applicants interviewed earlier this week.

The entire school board will interview Johnson at 3:30 p.m. and Raskin at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Both interviews will be open to the public.

Johnson has been working as superintendent in Onamia since 1998. Prior to that, she served for 10 years as director of instruction for Huron School District in Huron, SD.

Raskin has worked for the district for over 13 years, and has also served as gifted and talented coordinator and director of educational services.

Mikkelson attended St. Olaf College and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Mikkelson went on to get his masters of divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Upon coming to St. Olaf in 1983, Mikkelson became the pastor of visitation and counseling.

He explained his everyday duties.

"I coordinate pastoral care for the congregation," Mikkelson said. "This includes hospital visitation as well as visits to the homebound."

Mikkelson said he never felt a strong call to be in an administrative role.

During his sabbatical, he studied the use of computers in the larger congregation.

He explained that congregations use computers in many different ways and that ‘there not just a part of culture, they’re a way of life.’

Mikkelson has chaired St. Olaf’s computer task force and looked at ways computers can be an effective tool rather than an expensive burden.

He said that while he’s leaving St. Olaf, he does not see it as a negative experience.

"My wife and I will still be members here," Mikkelson said. "It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s a great congregation."

Many of Rev. Mikkelson’s colleagues are sad to see him leave St. Olaf, even though he’ll still be in the area.

"He’s definitely going to be missed," Jann Schroeder, coordinator of youth education, said. "He has a way with caring ministry, particularly the elderly. He’s going to be hard to replace."

Because he’s been at St. Olaf for so long, people have come to know him very well. Schroeder said it will be a big change when his replacement is found.

"It will be interesting," she said. "They’re not just working with the staff, but also the congregation. It’s a big job to fill the position."

A call committee has been searching for a replacement since March.

Speaking of both Pastor Usgaard leaving to begin Bishop duties and Rev. Mikkelson retiring, Schroeder said St. Olaf has been very fortunate.

"We’ve had two caring people that have given so much," she said. "We’ll persevere and keep growing."

Pam Apold, coordinator of shared ministries, who has been at St. Olaf for as long as Mikkelson, called him an inspiration.

"He’s been so much fun to work with," Apold said. "I’ve enjoyed the last 18 years with him. He’s done a lot to encourage lay people in the congregation; he’s done wonderful work."

Like Schroeder, Apold is sure St. Olaf will do nothing but succeed in the future.

"St. Olaf has a lot of excellent lay leaders that will make sure the ministry here continues," she said.

Mikkelson plans to relax during his retirement and spend time on his two favorite hobbies, golfing and fishing. He will also be able to spend more time with his family and grown children than he had before.

It’s something he’s looking forward to, with a bit of sadness.

"I know it’s going to be a change," Mikkelson said, "in being with people and realizing I will no longer have that pastoral relation I’ve had the privilege of having for 18 years."

However, he’s not saying good-bye, as he told the congregation in a letter published in the St. Olaf News this past March.

"Making the decision to step aside from my call to serve as pastor at St. Olaf is a big step," he said. "But it is my new calling. It’s not ‘good-bye,’ we plan to remain here at home in Austin."

Call Melissa Bregani at 434-2236 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.