ment positions with Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive. He is the author of more than 40 patents and publications. Theiler is on the board of trustees of La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is involved with many Scottsdale community activities and organizations. Theiler lives in Scottsdale with his wife, Jane. They are the parents of Devan Theiler Mourtos and Dana Theiler ’07. Chinyere Ukabiala is a staff attorney for Iowa Legal Aid and an adjunct professor at Drake University Law School in Des Moines. She studied law at the University of Buckingham, College of Law in Buckinghamshire, England; the Inns of Court School of Law in London; and Lagos Law School in her native Nigeria. Her focus has been on human rights and legal issues concerning women and families. After practicing in Nigeria and England, she earned a law degree from Drake in 2001. She received the Gertrude Rush
Campus News award in 2010 for her work to further human rights. The award memorializes the first AfricanAmerican woman to be admitted to the practice of law in Iowa. Ukabiala lives in Urbandale, Iowa, with her husband, Onyebuchi. They are the parents of Nawi, Chibuzor, Obi ’13, Kene ’14, and Amarachi. Lance J. Vander Linden is chairman of National Bankruptcy Services. NBS, headquartered in Dallas, provides bankruptcy solution services, including legal and compliance expertise and technology. Vander Linden served as chief executive officer of NBS from 2004 to 2011. He has also been a managing shareholder at Brice, Vander Linden & Wernick P.C. since 2000. Vander Linden has a degree in management and political science from Luther and a law degree from Drake University Law School. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Shari. They are the parents of Jack, Haley, and Owen.
LAYDEN PRODUCTIONS
Campus News
Stump ’12 wins opera performance prize Matthew Stump ’12 (center) of Goshen, Ind., received the 2011–12 Alan R. and Sally J. Brudos Family Prize for Opera Performance. He is shown here with prize patrons Sally and Alan Brudos ’55, regent emeritus, following his senior recital. A voice student of Luther professors of music David Judisch (emeritus) and Jessica Paul, Stump is the 10th recipient of the Brudos Prize, presented annually to a Luther senior. The prize includes a $5,000 award. Stump majored in music, sang in Nordic Choir, and had three leading roles in opera productions. He was also a three-time first place winner in the Iowa and Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions. The son of Courtney and Christina Stump, he plans to earn a master’s degree in vocal performance at the University of North Texas.
FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
G.V. Suos ’15
Professors retire from Luther
Retiring faculty and those with 25 years of service to Luther were honored in May at a faculty recognition dinner. Among the honorees were (left to right) Jennifer Cantine, communication studies, and Jacqueline Wilkie, professor of history, both with 25 years of service; and David Judisch, professor emeritus of music, and James Rhodes, professor emeritus of political science. Kathleen Stokker, professor emerita of Scandinavian studies, at Luther since 1978, also retired this summer but did not attend the dinner.
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Luther Alumni Magazine
Generally, it’s students we think of when we ask the question, what have you learned in your time at Luther? But they aren’t the only ones soaking up knowledge and new experiences in this educational community. Upon their retirement from Luther this summer, professors emeriti David Judisch (at Luther since 1975) and James Rhodes (at Luther since 1968) shared a bit of what they’ll take away from their years at Luther. David Judisch What did you learn? I think I have learned that students may
not remember everything that I may have told them, but they will remember how I made them feel. What’s next? I will continue teaching a music education course called Vocal Methods and private voice lessons at Luther on a part-time basis. James Rhodes What did you learn? In a world overwhelmed by rapid change, the young adults who enroll each year at Luther College still display great enthusiasm for and commitment to contributing to better communities, to better nations, and to a better world. They keep the future bright! What’s next? Ann and I will remain in Decorah to enjoy the community and the college without 8 a.m. classes.