Millennium Magazine_2ndEd

A Marquis Who's Who Magazine 469 D iane Laverne Kusler Larson graduated from high school at the age of 16 and began working as an elementary school teacher at the age of 20. Believing that her calling was to serve others and aid in children’s growth, she found that education was a means by which to rise out of poverty, much like she accomplished in her formative years. With past work experience as a reading specialist and principal at Owatonna Elementary School for 31 years, Ms. Larson holds a BS from Valley City State University; an MS from Minnesota State University, Mankato; and an EdS from the University of Minnesota. She is a certified teacher and principal in Minnesota. Among the highlights of her career, Ms. Larson cites becoming an elementary school principal as a crowning achievement. Likewise, she is also proud of being elected to the board of directors of multiple associations, through which she was presented with several accolades in the 1980s. In addition to being named Woman of the Year by Owatonna Business and Professional Women in 1990, she has been featured in multiple Who’s Who publications. EDUCATOR Owatonna Public Schools Faribault, MN DIANE LAVERNE KUSLER LARSON PROFESSOR EMERITUS Illinois State University Bloomington, IL G rowing up in Hesperange, Luxembourg, Joseph L. Laurenti, PhD, always knew he wanted to conduct research, become a teacher and pass along knowledge. In preparation for a career in academia, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Spanish, French and Italian from the University of Illinois and a PhD in Spanish and French from the University of Missouri. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he began teaching at UI as a Spanish instructor and later took on a similar position at the University of Missouri. From 1962 until his retirement in 2001, he served as a professor of Spanish, Italian and German at Illinois State University. Throughout his career Dr. Laurenti has achieved much, including writing 200 books and helping to establish the Luellen Laurenti Scholarship Fund, which recognizes Luellen’s dedication to the women’s movement in Illinois, in 2001. He is a former member of many educational organizations, including the American Association of University Professors, the Modern Language Association, the Illinois Association of Teachers of Modern Languages, the Midwest Modern Language Association, and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. JOSEPH L. LAURENTI, PHD