Campus News
Natural heritage group recognizes efforts of Luther faculty Luther biology faculty member Beth Lynch, associate professor, and Mary Lewis, instructor emerita, received the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s 2015 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award. The two received their awards at a ceremony in Decorah on Friday, Nov. 13. The Hagie Heritage Award, endowed by the family of Lawrence and Eula Hagie, is given annually by INHF, a statewide conservation organization that works to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water, and wildlife. Lynch and Lewis were honored for their extensive conservation efforts in and out of the classroom, specifically for their dedication to the removal of the invasive plant species garlic mustard from Decorah-area public spaces.
ELCA scholarships promote growth of female leaders
Nordic Choir released fifth recording
The ELCA has partnered with Luther and other ELCA colleges to provide what is effectively a full-ride scholarship to six international women. In association with the ELCA Global Mission, the ELCA International Women Leaders Scholarship provides $22,000 per year, per student. Luther embraces the opportunity support the ELCA’s strategic initiative to support the growth of female leaders. Three of the six scholarship recipients were selected as a good fit for Luther—Sthela Gun Holly Hanitrinirina of Antsirabe, Madagascar; Melissa Neo of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Yuen Ching Lee of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, enrolled at Luther last fall. The ELCA scholarship also provides the scholars with travel expenses, a trip home, and a technology allowance, which along with the scholarship value, totals nearly $30,000. Luther covers the rest of the comprehensive fee for the three women. As part of the scholarship requirements, Holly Hanitrinirina, Neo, and Lee have made a commitment to Luther, to complete work study and a commitment to the ELCA to return to serve their home church.
Luther’s Nordic Choir has released the recording Spirit, Moving Over Chaos, featuring selections performed during tours in the 2014–15 academic year. The title track is an evocative choral piece by composer David Ashley White with text by Patricia B. Clark. The piece is considered aleatoric music, in which an element of the work is determined by the performers. Other pieces featured on the compact disc include “Psalm 50” by F. Melius Christiansen, “Grace before Sleep” by Susan LaBarr, and “Pilgrim’s Hymn” by Stephen Paulus. Spirit, Moving Over Chaos is the fifth album for Nordic Choir under the direction of Allen Hightower. All recordings by Nordic Choir and other Luther ensembles may be purchased online at lutherbookshop.com or over the phone by calling (888) 521-5039.
Christmas at Luther 2015
LUTHER COLLEGE PHOTO BUREAU
Christmas at Luther 2015: Savior of the Nations, Come honored Christmas music from around the world including the Spanish carol “Riu, Riu, Chiu,” the Ukranian “Carol of the Bells,” and the Haitian carol “Noel Asyisyen.” The performances, Dec. 3–6, showcased the talents of more than 600 student musicians. A CD of the concert is available at lutherbookshop.com or (888) 521-5039.
Winter 2016 Luther Alumni Magazine
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