I am originally from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. I love snow, and everything about the cold. I was adopted when I was a month old - the Bestler family adopted me - they divorced and my mother remarried - when I was 18 years old my mother gave me the graduation gift of finding my biological family. In 1987, I met them. I am blessed to have had a 5 parents, 10 grandparents (only my almost 94 biological paternal grandmother lives at this time), many aunts/uncles, a biological sister (she passed away in 2012) and her daughter, a brother (and his daughter), a stepbrother, 2 stepsisters, tons of step nieces/nephews, and one great step nephew.

Sam is my partner for the last 5 years, and his daughter Jenn is amazing. We have two dobermans - Rommel, a superior black/rust 120lb bundle of dog, and Geist - an albino rescue dog who loves us. I have two cats - to whom I adore - Cajun, a Siamese 17 year old, and Dilly Bar - a rescue 6 year old. I have had cats my whole life - and I love them a lot.

I love social justice. I love engaging students. I love delicious food. I love art. I love theatre. I love film. I love excellent music. I love Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube... I love everything about the internet...

I work at Iowa State University and have been a part of higher education since I was a student in 1987.