Luther Magazine Spring 2022

Luther MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022

Global encounters Students reengage with the transformative power of study away 8

Luther magazine Volume 55, number 3, Spring 2022 © Luther College 2022 Editor Kate Frentzel Art director/designer Michael Bartels Contributors Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82 Kelli Billstein ’07 Jessica Campos Arzate Erin Dintaman ’23 Lori Ferguson Armando Jenkins-Vazquez ’21 Ellen Modersohn Kirk Johnson ’82 Katie Schweinefus Elise Trail-Johnson ’25 Rachel (Schutte) Vsetecka ’09 Luther College Photo Bureau Luther magazine feedback, inquiries, and ideas may be sent to the Editor, Luther Magazine, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 521011045; magazine@luther.edu; phone (563) 387-1483.

22

Good stewards

Meet six alumni who keep our shared public lands accessible, healthy, and safe.

Class Notes submissions, changes of address, and alumni news may be sent to the Alumni Office, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045; alumni@luther.edu; (800) 225-8664; (800) 2 ALUMNI.

Contents

Find us online at luther.edu/magazine.

Expansive views

8

Traveling is back on the table, and Luther students are once again experiencing the transformative power of off-campus study.

Departments 2 President’s letter 3 Campus news

14

28 Alumni

Nearly two dozen emeriti professors share what they’ve been up to in their months, years, and even decades of retirement.

44 President’s Council

Emeriti updates

36 42 42 43

Class Notes Marriages Births/Adoptions In Memoriam

Calendar inside back cover

Cover: biology major Sara Gehling ’23 spent J-term on the Luther course Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World. “There was a lot of diving into the unknown,” she says.

“Most of us didn’t know each other very well if at all when we started the trip, but by the end of it we had formed some really great friendships.” On our cover, Steven Conradt ’23 stares up at a capuchin monkey on a suspension bridge in Gumbalimba Park. “This picture was moments before the monkey stole the Pringles in his hands,” Sara says, “one of our funniest memories.”

Luther ensembles resumed touring this spring. On March 22, Jazz Orchestra performed at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wis., during a spring tour. Photo

by David J. Turner.

Samuel Schillinger ’23, who studied in Costa Rica over J-term, takes in the thriving permaculture of the Alegría Village neighborhood.

I CELEBRATE YOU AND THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH YOU REPRESENT LUTHER VALUES IN THE WIDER WORLD.”

GROUNDED AND Dear Luther Community,

global

to our town of Decorah and our

on Craig Murphy ’94—a lieutenant

legacy and heritage as a Norwe-

colonel in the Medical Specialty

Today, the sun is shining, the

gian and Lutheran college, even

Corps of the Army Reserves who

deer are leaping about, and buds

as we celebrate our increasing

spent the past few months at Fort

on the trees are starting to swell,

diversity. And we are global in our

McCoy engaged in Operation

impact and outlook.

Allies Welcome, an effort to relo-

even though it has been unsea-

President Jenifer K. Ward

In this issue of the Luther

cate and support Afghan refugees.

sonably cold,

magazine, you will see evidence

In this time of continued and

windy, and gray

of this theme in many articles

rapid change, you are indeed the

here in the Valley.

and features. For example, on

constant “Luther blue thread”

Regardless

the grounded side, there is an

that pulls through the tapestry

of the weather,

infographic of professor Steve

of this college. I celebrate you

this is where we

Holland’s research on Luther’s

and the many ways in which you

are grounded.

economic impact on Winneshiek

represent Luther values in the

Many of you have

County as well as news about the

wider world.

heard me talk

award of a “Reframing the Insti-

about one of my

tutional Saga” grant. And on the

vision themes for

global side, we have a study-away

the future, Grounded and Global.

photo essay, showing how Luther

We will be known for how we are

students are once again experi-

grounded in the Driftless Region

encing the transformative power

of northeast Iowa, committed

of off-campus study; and a profile

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Jenifer K. Ward

NEW MAJOR AND MINOR Beginning next fall, Luther students will be able to major in law and values and minor in counseling.

“These new interdisciplinary academic programs demonstrate our faculty’s innovative spirit and steadfast commitment to offering majors and minors that prepare students to meet the demands of today’s complex society,” provost Lynda Szymanski says. “These offerings are distinct among our peers and will make students more competitive when applying for graduate schools and jobs.”

The law and values program will be rooted in the idea that most social problems have moral, legal, political, and economic factors. Faculty members in economics, political science, and philosophy will teach courses designed to help students understand the systems that shape society so they may effectively engage in important conversations of law, policy, and the common good.

Luther’s counseling minor is designed to complement a number of majors, specifically those that lead students into helping professions, medical careers, or graduate school.

A G R A N T TO E X P LO R E LUTHER’S IDENTITY Luther has received a NetVUE

foundation as being inclusive and

Reframing the Institutional Saga

how we develop a strong story

grant of nearly $40,000 to prepare

about these identities and what

and publish a collection of essays

they mean for the college moving

that explore the college’s identity

forward while being rooted in

as a Norwegian-Lutheran liberal

history.”

arts college. The grant-funded

The anthology, which will be

project began in February and

coedited by Brad Chamberlain,

runs through January 2024, when

vice president for mission and

the anthology will be published

communication, will be integrated

and made available to the public.

into the orientation programs for new members of the campus

tion in Undergraduate Education)

professor of Nordic studies and

Maren Johnson, associate

community and in outreach mate-

Grants for Reframing the Insti-

project lead, says, “I am energized

rials. It will also be used as part

tutional Saga are made possible

to have the conversation with

of the bicentennial celebration of

through financial support to the

students, colleagues, and commu-

Norwegian immigration to the US

Council of Independent Colleges

nity members to think about how

in 2025.

by Lilly Endowment Inc.

we see our Norwegian-Lutheran

NetVUE (Network for Voca-

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MAGAZINE

NEW VP OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT President Jenifer K. Ward appointed Karen Hunt to vice president of enrollment management.

Hunt began working for the college in late 2021 as interim enrollment chief of staff and quickly proved a valuable employee and effective leader.

Most of Hunt’s nearly 30-year higher-education career was spent in various high-level admissions and marketing roles at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, with two years as vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Bethany College in West Virginia.

Since arriving at Luther, President Ward says, Hunt “has impressed us with her candor, empathy, strategic thinking, analytical skills, and heart for the people and programs she has found here.”

“The quality of Luther’s transformational and mission-driven educational experience has inspired me from my first visit,” Hunt says, “and my conversations with students, faculty, and staff have affirmed it. I am excited to continue to share the Luther College story and provide opportunities for future students to choose this beautiful, friendly, life-changing learning environment as their college home.”

T E N U R E A N D P R O M OT I O N S At its February meeting, the Board of Regents granted tenure and promoted to associate professor the following faculty (left to right): Melanie Batoff, music; Laurie (Fritz) Bouska ’08, nursing; Mike Garcia, English; and Susan Schmidt, social work.

The board also promoted to full professor: Carly Hayden Foster, political science; Rob Larson, management; Laura Peterson, environmental studies and chemistry; and Michael Smith, music.

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L O C A L I M PA C T

In June 2021, professor of economics Steve Holland released a report on the economic impact Luther has on Winneshiek County. His research looked at the last fiscal year before the pandemic (June 2018 to May 2019).

Holland hopes the report “will assist and encourage further discussion by serving as a map that locates Luther’s place in the local economic ecosystem and charts the many ways that the people and businesses of our community need each other if we are to continue to thrive.” Below are some of his higher-level findings.

Summary of Luther’s Economic Impact on Winneshiek County Contribution to Contribution to economic output value added (GDP)

Jobs supported by this activity

Luther operations

$99,921,140

$55,334,206

861.17

Student spending

$3,144,574

$1,519,621

42.71

Visitor spending

$3,812,240

$2,002,121

47.48

$106,877,954

$58,855,948

951.36

Total

WELCOME, COACHES!

Early this spring, President Ward met with Norse football coaches, all but one of whom are new to Luther. Left to right: Nick Anderson, running backs/co–special teams coordinator; Erik Matth ’07, quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator; Keanon Cooper, defensive coordinator; President Ward; Caleb Barnes, recruiting coordinator/co–special teams coordinator; Joe Troche, head coach; Tim Souza, offensive coordinator.

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G E T T I N G A L O N G S W I M M I N G LY A closer partnership between Luther’s swim program and area swimmers creates a win for everyone.

When Luther expanded its aquatic facilities in 2014,

it offers long-term coaching stability and founda-

a brand-new, high-quality practice space suddenly

tional coaching principles that are being taught at

became available for area swimmers. Two of the

the college level, better preparing our area’s youngest

groups that quickly rented space there were the over-

swimmers.”

18 Decorah Masters Swim Club and the Northeastern

“To be under the direct mentorship of coach

Swim Team (NST), an all-ages group that includes

Aaron Zander ensures that our developing swimmers

members from as far away as McGregor, Iowa, and

receive technically sound instruction and advice both

Preston, Minn. Beginning last September, the waters

in and out of the pool to help swimmers achieve their

between these groups grew even closer as Aaron

goals. Partnering with Luther helps our club establish

Zander ’10, Luther aquatic director and head men’s

the sustainability that we have been tirelessly work-

and women’s swimming and diving coach, negotiated

ing toward for years,” says Joie LaFrentz, vice presi-

a coaching partnership with NST.

dent of NST.

The tighter partnership provides NST athletes

Decorah Masters continues to have close Luther

with a college-level swimming experience, in part

connections, with many Luther faculty, staff, and

through offering the coaching skills of Luther assis-

alumni among its members. Kate Elliott, Decorah

tant coach Linnea Lee-Brown ’21 and five Luther

Masters coach and Luther professor of art history,

athletes as work-study assistant coaches. The part-

thinks the new Luther partnership only enhances the

nership also reshaped Luther’s coaching structure,

“lively culture of lifelong wellness both in and out

adding an additional full-time assistant coach to the

of the water” that’s a hallmark of the Luther aquatic

staff, a welcome addition as the team has swelled in

center. “One of my favorite times to coach is Monday

size to record numbers over the past three years.

mornings, when the Luther swimmers are all on

“This partnership offers benefits to both programs,” Zander says.

“For the Luther coaches, it offers greater exposure and experience working with younger swimmers up to national-level high school athletes. For NST,

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deck and the music is blaring,” she says. “It’s good for Luther students to see adults taking care of their health, and good for the adults to see Luther swimmers working hard and to be reminded of what the Luther experience is.”

Luther College Book Shop 563-387-1036

lutherbookshop.com

Ben Meyer ’22 Biochemistry Waukee, Iowa

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MAGAZINE

INTO A L ARGER

World

Daniel Benoit ’23, who participated in a Luther J-term course, Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World, submitted this photo of himself surfacing after a dive. He says, “My friend, Steven Conradt ’23, took this picture of me because I was so happy that the sun came out. We had started the dive about 45 minutes earlier and it was raining when we entered the water, but during that time the rain had stopped and gave way to the bright blue Honduran sky. This picture really sums up the post-dive feeling when you’re happy to be back in the sun and now you can all talk about the cool things you saw underwater.”

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Isaac Woods ’22 sent us this photo of a whitewater rafting experience in Costa Rica. Pictured are Willem Hawley ’24, Rye Hawley ’22, Isaac Woods ’22, Andrew Kozelka ’22, Lars Marquardt ’23, and guide extraordinaire Cristobal.

About his program, Paideia 450: Practicing Embodiment in Costa Rica, Isaac says, “One of the biggest takeaways for me was how I am going to continue practicing my spirituality and religion.” He was also “excited about the new friendships I made and the old friendships that I strengthened.”

Allied health sciences major Abigail Slininger ’24 spent J-term in Roatán. “This trip allowed me to use my Spanish skills to engage in the community and provide better care at Clinica Esperanza,” she says. “Doing a daily internship at the local clinic allowed for many new and unusual experiences including performing a pap smear, doing an ultrasound, and running triage with another nurse. Another unique experience this trip allowed me to have was the chance to get scuba certified, a dream I have always had!” In this photo, snapped by Johanna Muenkel ’24, Abigail’s enjoying a beach day on a key off of the island of Utila, Honduras.

Janet Borchardt ’24 took this group selfie on top of a Mayan temple at Lamanai during her Jterm, Communication Studies 239: Environmental Communication in Belize. What struck her most deeply about the trip, she says, is “the passion and pride Belizians have for their country and the environment. We saw time and time again just how willing many citizens were to go out of their way and make personal sacrifices to protect and restore their environment, which is what makes the country so special and beautiful.”

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MAGAZINE

Riley Taylor ’22 took this photo in Annecy during an API semester in France. “We got to dine on a bridge of the canal while admiring the old architecture and the pastel houses surrounding us,” she says. Being able to communicate in French was a highlight of her trip. It was, she says, “an extraordinary experience to be able to better understand French culture and the national pride so many French people feel for their country.”

Natalie Neff ’24, a neuroscience and Spanish double major, spent J-term in the Dominican Republic for Luther’s Spanish Speaking for Medical Professionals course. On the trip, she says, “We learned anatomy and basic medical terms in Spanish, how to communicate fluently in Spanish with local people, and what culture is like in the Dominican Republic. We shared laughs, food, drinks, and made a lot of great memories on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.” Her program teamed up with students from Luther’s J-term on Dominican Republic culture to construct a giant L for Luther at a remote beach accessible only by boat (the photo was taken by drone).

Alice Odame ’22, an international studies and economics double major, participated in Luther’s Washington Semester. “This was our first group outing after our two-week quarantine,” she says.

“We spent the day exploring the Adams Morgan neighborhood,” famed for its murals and street art.

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Nursing major Paige Zaruba ’23 spent J-term on Luther’s Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World course. What she valued most, she says, were the interactions with people the Luther students worked with through their internships. “We worked through language barriers and limited supplies to provide healthcare for people living in underserved villages, quite literally at the top of a mountain,” she says. “We built such strong connections with the individuals who we served, and seeing our impact in their communities to improve overall health of the population was really special!” In this photo, Luther students gather at Clinica Esperanza, a free clinic for the people of Roatán.

Environmental studies major Thomas Woodford ’23 sent in this photo of a group of Holden Village students hiking to Copper Basin with Luther professor Jon Jensen ’89.

Sadie Pichlemann ’23 sent in this photo (taken by associate professor Dawn Reding) of her group planting coral during J-term in Roatán. “Conservation and restoration were a big focus of our class, and we were given the opportunity to do hands-on work cleaning coral tree nurseries and planting juvenile corals out in the open reef to encourage the growth of coral populations hard-hit by stony coral tissue loss disease and climate change,” she says.

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MAGAZINE

Katilynn Swanson ’22, who studied in Norway last fall, sent us this photo of a small town along a fjord outside Bergen. “My trip to Bergen was the first I took alone while in Norway,” she says. “I was very lucky to have the opportunity to take a fjord cruise along Nærøyfjord, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.”

Thomas Woodford ’23 spent J-term at Holden Village in Washington state on Luther’s Environmental Issues in the Pacific Northwest course. “I was most impacted by the sense of community at Holden Village,” he says. “The wide variety of activities, the shared meals, and the evening Sacred Space events all brought our group of J-term students close together; we still enjoy hanging out with each other here on campus. Every event was intentional and inclusive, allowing for participation from every person at Holden, both staff and students. My most memorable daily event was going to the sauna every night with students from Luther, Augustana, and St. Olaf; I think I made some truly lifelong connections there.” Here, a group of students view the mountains on a foggy day.

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During the Washington Semester, Alice Odame ’22 interned at the Legacy Premier Foundation, a global developmental nonprofit committed to empowering underserved communities. She still found time for sightseeing, like this day when she visited the US Capitol.

Sociology major Katilynn Swanson ’22 spent last fall at the University of Agder in Norway. She sent us this photo of the wharf in the city center of Stavanger. “This was the first trip I took in Norway with my flatmates,” she says. “We got to explore the city and hike to Preikestolen, an almost 2,000-foot-tall cliff overlooking Lysefjord.”

Sara Gehling ’23, who studied in Roatán, submitted this photo of Sophie Epps ’23 enjoying the scenery, listening to music, and studying fish species with her feet propped up on their trusty dive boat, the Stingray.

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MAGAZINE

Emeriti

I SPY

When a Luther student graduates, it’s

And just like their students, the post-

easy for them to imagine their former

Luther lives of emeriti faculty are rich,

professors fixed in place, forever helming

diverse, and full of surprises.

the head of a classroom, guiding lab

To learn what some of your beloved

or field research, or anchoring favorite

former professors have been up to in

campus spots. But just like their

their months, years, and even decades of

students, faculty do eventually move on.

retirement, read on!

A liberal arts tradition Every Thursday morning for the past 30-plus years, a group of Luther emeriti has met for breakfast. Magpie is their current spot (Ruby’s, before it closed, was their former). Participants have ranged in age from 65 to 95. They discuss events of the day, including what’s happening on campus. Current attendees include (left to right): Dale Nimrod (chemistry and computer science), Uwe Rudolf (German, accounting, international business), Ruth Caldwell (French and Italian), Harland Nelson (English), Mark Muggli (English), Jim Iverson (guest emeritus of physics at Iowa State), Alan Lerstrom (communication studies), Will Bunge ’53 (classics and religion). Not pictured: Carol Gilbertson (English), Dennis Barnaal (physics), Phil Reitan (biology). Dick Ylvisaker ’50 (philosophy) and John Tjostem (biology) have recently retired from the group, which was started by John Bale (English). The liberal arts are well-represented at this table!

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Ruth Caldwell, French Luther doesn’t end with retirement! Several of us still do “study away,” now known as alumni trips. I have led two of these (Dante’s Italy; Sicily and Malta).

Since 2020, the Alumni Office has offered “Paideia III” alumni book clubs, and I have led and participated in most of these. It has been so much fun to reconnect with former students and meet other alumni.

clubs and presented seminars in training and teaching methods. I enjoy showing Quasar, one of our dogs, in conformation and am currently training in performance. Quasar is a Schapendoes, Dutch sheepdog (rare breed). He has earned two championships and is a therapy dog with Alliance for Therapy Dogs. He visits Luther frequently, so you may see him with me or my husband, Erik.

J. R. Christianson, history I want to hear from Luther grads who worked with me on the letters of historian Marcus Lee Hansen (1892–1938). I am completing my book manuscript on Hansen, who was the first historian to describe America as a multicultural society. It’s been many years in the making. If you worked on the project, transcribed

James W. Eckblad, biology

some of Hansen’s letters, researched, proofread, or

I’ve been enjoying time in my woodworking shop

worked with the Hansen letters in other ways, please

recently. I make walking sticks and canes (using old

send a message to christianson@luther.edu and

golf club shafts), wood pens and bottle stoppers from

remind me of your part in the project. I would also like

branches of buckthorn, and a variety of turned and

to know what you’ve been doing recently.

carved small gnomes.

A March 17 podcast in the Renaissance Lives series from the Warburg Institute at London University focused on my richly illustrated biography Tycho Brahe and the Measure of the Heavens. It can be viewed at warburg.sas.ac.uk/renaissance-lives.

Ellen Drewes-Stoen, education; health and exercise science I may have retired from teaching at Luther, but I am still teaching! I am a professional dog trainer and teach training classes at the Good Dog Center

Ed Epperly, education

in Decorah. Let’s just say, I teach people AND often

In November 2021, I released a book, Fiend Incarnate:

remediate dogs. I have written training articles for my

Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912. Published by Fourth

national association—National Organization of Dog

Wall Press, it is available through Amazon and can

Obedience Instructors—where I hold three certifica-

be ordered through retail bookstores. This book is the

tions. I have also written training articles for breed

product of years of research I pursued as a hobby.

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Bradley Hanson, religion I have a new book out, Finding Grace in Caregiving.

Paul Gardner, political science

Searching for spiritual practices to foster patience and kindness in caregiving for my wife with Alzheimer’s, I

In 2020 I received a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach

look to St. Paul.

in Timișoara, Romania. Covid drove us home after

Photo: In March, Bradley Hanson (in the red sweater) led a Luther Lifelong Learner Seminar that featured his book.

33 days. I applied for another Fulbright and received a second award for fall 2021. I taught two groups of Romanian graduate students about American democracy with a focus on the Black freedom movement.

Photo: Paul Gardner and his partner, Rebecca, hiking in the Carpathian Mountains in eastern Romania

Carol Gilbertson, English

Norma J. Hervey, history Luther has given me the opportunity to do what I

I’ve been retired for over a decade now, and I find that

always dreamed of doing, and I am grateful. The ongo-

I’ve moved into a whole new way of life—more relaxed

ing relationships with graduates and international

but always surprising. For the first few years, I was

students I hosted is also a special gift. My dreams as

wonderfully occupied with family matters—daughters’

an undergraduate were to see the world and to teach

marriages, grandchildren’s births—my baking hobby,

history. As I delayed graduate school until my children

and my continuing fitness workouts. The pandemic

were all in school, I was 35 before I earned my first

brought family health issues and my own Covid diag-

MA degree and 60 before I completed my PhD. Dreams

nosis but also the delight of our fifth grandchild, a

denied? I have now been teaching in Prague’s Charles

marvelous gift in a difficult time. I continue to write

University from 2008 until 2018.

poems about human life as I experience it and as I

Since then, I have tutored students and given

witness it in the wider world, with its joys, terrors, and

roundtable presentations and guest lectures to

griefs.

students and colleagues. After working with 30

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Perhaps the primary gift has been attending Luther students’ weddings in mulitple nations, sharing special occasions.”

—Norma J. Hervey, history

students writing MA theses, I am still working with

I am serving two rural congregations as vicar near

a student focused on Black history. I have also been

Sumner, Iowa—St. Peter-Richfield and St. John-Staple-

involved with an NGO whose first purpose is to

ton. I was awarded an ELCA Fund for Leaders Schol-

provide education to Czechs on racist issues. And I

arship in honor of H. George Anderson (former bishop

have recently been one of a crew of cooks preparing

of the ELCA, who was president of Luther when I was

meals for refugees from Ukraine.

hired in 1992).

I have also been blessed with multiple opportunities to see most of the European countries as well as Russia and Ukraine, India, China, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, and Argentina. I managed to hike the Camino, the shortest route from Portugal to Santiago, Spain, and hiked around southern Ireland. Perhaps the primary gift has been attending Luther students’ weddings in multiple nations, sharing special occasions. Sometimes all of this seems surreal, but right now, with the tragedies in Ukraine and two years of a pandemic, I have also, unfortunately, experienced history happening. This has allowed me to contribute to the refugees, most of them children. As children are our primary assets, their suffering is a challenge and a grief. I still believe that education is the only means of solving the

Harv Klevar, anthropology

multiple problems to give all of them a future.

A few years ago I returned to Texas and had some success in meeting African Americans of my generation who had grown up near me but whom I had never come to know. After introducing myself, I had asked if I might hear their stories of growing up so that I might compare their experiences to mine and write them up in a book I hoped to publish as Being and Becoming: Black and Czech White in South Texas. Presently I am about four-fifths of the way through the work with hopes of completing the telling within the coming year.

Laurie Iudin-Nelson, Russian studies I have been enrolled as a full-time student at Wartburg

Photo: A few years ago, Harv Klevar (right) visited Angleton, Texas, where he interviewed William Brown (center) and Waverly Jefferson (left) for the book he’s writing.

Theological Seminary. My MDiv degree program will lead to ordainment in the ELCA. I am enrolled in the Collaborative Learning Program of the MDiv program, which means that for the four years of my graduate study, I serve concurrently at an ELCA congregation.

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Donna Kubesh, nursing

Since retiring, a variety of projects helped keep the collaborative fire burning, though during these

Busier than I ever thought I’d be! Continuing with a

past two Covid challenging years, the embers cooled

variety of hobbies. Serving on a couple of local boards.

quite a bit. Post-retirement projects included: serving

Volunteering—Pink Ribbon Mentors is one I’m particu-

on the planning committee for the 50th anniversary

larly invested in, breast cancer survivors mentoring

of Luther’s Black Student Union, including shaping

others. Also continuing to challenge my mind with

an ensemble performance piece for the celebrative

two book groups, among other things.

weekend and helping refresh a one-woman show by Julia Mann ’09, Mixed Reality, a piece developed as her senior project that remains active; devising, with students, the initial Community of Care performance for first-year orientation; collaborating with Kristen Underwood on the one-woman play Natural Shocks, part of a nationwide focus on gun violence; stage directing Amahl and the Night Visitors, produced by

William Kuhlman, music; college organist On March 13, I participated in the American Guild of Organists’s celebration of women composers at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tucson,

the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra; shaping a

Ariz. I played works by Libby Larson, Maria Thersia

Lenten series for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of

Von Paradis, Emma Lou Diemer, and Fanny Mendels-

word and dance focused on the poetry of Mary Oliver.

sohn on a 64-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ.

In April, I presented a lecture for the guild entitled “Andrew Carnegie and the Organ.”

For the past three and a half years, a lively endeavor has been a joint venture with my spouse, Marilynn, as we have absorbed the rhythm, pulse, and heartbeat of the college through our granddaughter’s engagement

Bob Larson, theatre

with Luther. Witnessing Maya’s journey, listening to

After 50 years of teaching and directing (two in high

accomplishments, meeting her friends, and occasion-

school, 48 at Luther), the initial days and years

ally doing her laundry have added a true dimension of

of retirement contained a fluid of emotions and

joy to our retirement years.

thoughts. To say I missed the daily engagement with

Photo: Bob Larson and his wife, Marilynn, with granddaughter Maya Mukamuri ’22, a third-generation Luther student

students in the classroom and rehearsal hall is a major understatement. Theatre-making is a collaborative art, and working intently with gifted colleagues and engaging students in shared creative problem-solving were always gifts that I never took for granted.

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her stories, sensing her frustrations, relishing her

Nancy Maloney, nursing Since 2016 I have been involved as a volunteer with the development of the Respite Program of the First United Methodist Church of Dothan, Ala. This program has two goals: (1) to provide caregivers with

District, I am currently convening the Lansing Tran-

four hours of rest and relief (respite) from their care-

sition Group, which is an ad hoc group that has

giving tasks; (2) to care for adults with dementia (our

been formed to help the city of Lansing and others

participants) in an environment that is accepting,

in Allamakee County manage the impacts related to

enjoyable, and provides activities that they are able to

Alliant Energy’s decision to close the Lansing Gener-

perform. (And if you have never played balloon volley-

ating Station by the end of 2022. The group includes

ball, you don’t know what fun really is!!)

members of the Lansing City Council, Main Street

During our “time out” for Covid, we provided a

Lansing, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors,

monthly meal to each family, which we delivered. We

the School District, and the Allamakee County Energy

also had drive-by parades around football games,

District.

Halloween, Christmas decorations, etc. to stay in

We also bought a Peloton exercise bike, which was

contact and provide an outing. On March 2, practice

a wonderful way to work out during this long winter.

began for the spring concert. They know their hymns,

Photo: Karen and Jim Martin-Schramm, with granddaughters Anna and Caroline, who live in Des Moines

and they love to sing!

Some of us become participants as we age. I have asked them not to tell me when I move from volunteer to participant—I’ll just keep coming and won’t know the difference!

Photo: Nancy Maloney (left) volunteers with a respite program in Alabama.

Jim Martin-Schramm, environmental studies; religion I’ve been doing some pulpit supply at First Lutheran Church and some consulting work for the Clean

Mark Z. Muggli, English

Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI). In September, I

I indulge in some of the same experiences as many of

submitted expert witness testimony on behalf of CEDI

my retired colleagues: reading, socializing, cancer,

in the Black Hills Energy rate case before the Iowa

traveling, grandkidding, spousing, dancing, walk-

Utilities Board. I argued that the level of increase and

ing. But my most aggressive energies have gone into

new riders the company proposed would exacerbate

historic preservation. Since my retirement, our local

the energy burden for many households served by

commission, which I chair, has successfully nomi-

Black Hills. The company entered into a settlement

nated the Decorah Commercial Historic District, the

agreement with CEDI and the Office of the Consumer

Luther College historic district, and an expansion of

Advocate.

the Broadway-Phelps Park historic district and has

As a board member of the Winneshiek Energy

completed a project celebrating the work of local (and

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MAGAZINE

PBS’s Postcard program recently featured Harley Refsal, emeritus professor of art, as the subject of season 13, episode 5.

“The world isn’t counting on a little whittled figure by any means, but we do need that here,” he says, tapping his heart, “and here,” he says, tapping his head. “It feeds my soul, and I am delighted when I can hook somebody else as well.” The episode is viewable on the PBS website and on YouTube.

Luther) architect Charles Altfillisch. Historic preser-

PRAYER OF AN ANCIENT BIOLOGIST

vation may not seem an obvious avocation for a life-

May your DNA properly replicate

long student of literature, writing, and theatre, but perhaps my former students will recognize that I often

and your Operons always operate.

May your Feedback Loops feed back

approached those arts from a rather architectural/ structural perspective. Life is good.

and your caecum remain as a blind sac.

May your friends, like your coelom, always be true and may you find a niche at a trophic level appropriate to you.

May you outrun both predator and prey and ever strive for that ancient goal: TO SURVIVE FOR ONE MORE DAY! —Phil Reitan

Uwe Jens Rudolf, economics, accounting, and management My spouse, Ruth Caldwell, and I continue to be active participants in the Magpie emeriti group, Lifelong Learner seminars, and online Luther book clubs in

Phillip J. Reitan, biology

addition to extensive travels abroad. Ruth has co-led several book club discussions on Zoom. It has been

In the early years of our retirement, Ruth and I did a

a great opportunity to reconnect with many former

fair amount of travel, both in the states and abroad.

students and meet alumni we had not previously

The later years (as ARMD took away much of my

known.

vision), I have been writing poems on nature, aging,

In November, we spent two weeks exploring north-

and miscellaneous topics. I have also been writ-

ern Italy with emerita [of economics, accounting,

ing mini essays (on one or two pages) on a variety of

and management] Mona (Feller) Nelson ’75 and her

topics. Most of these provide an evolutionary explana-

husband, Cy ’76, showing them our favorite haunts.

tion of human behavior. I have a machine that magni-

This April, we are visiting former student Joyce

fies things from small to large. It allows me to write

(Krueger) Fürst ’74 in Austria, then driving to Prague

(Ruth types, but not for me to read, for I cannot read

to visit Norma Hervey (emerita professor of history),

more than one word at a time. That would be like back

among other travels in Germany and Scotland.

in first grade). But I am thankful for TV.

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20

I completed the third edition of the Historical

Malta and Mediterranean Program, followed by directing the Scandinavia and the Baltic Program, while continuing January Term work for the Holocaust and for Buddhism in Japan and China. Needless to say, I learned a lot, and Lynne joined me for most of this work. One doesn’t direct a program alone.

We also traveled a bit—while we were in Malta and Norway—visiting family in Europe. Later we visited our daughter and some Nottingham friends in Australia. We ventured to southern Africa and to China and Tibet with Lynne’s college friends. We are now prepared and relieved never to enter an airport again.

We served three years on the board of Right Sharing Dictionary of Malta in 2018 and continue to follow

of World Resources, a Friends’ (Quaker) organization

events in Malta closely, prepared to update the work

devoted to providing small grants (microfinance) to

in the future. I hope to resume work on another

very poor and disadvantaged women, mostly in India,

long-delayed writing project, Where in the World Is

Kenya, Sierra Leone, and soon Central America. We

Luther College?! It involves compiling biographies of

learned a lot doing that work as well.

the numerous Luther alumni engaged in interesting careers abroad. There are so many with whom I have been fortunate to remain in contact thanks to visits

I was pleased to play a few seasons in the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra as well as quartets.

We have meanwhile been stewarding some acres of

on numerous January Terms abroad, personal travels,

creek, prairie, and woods nearby and are pleased that

and the World Wide Web! Luther has a truly excep-

trout are healthy and the land much improved.

tional network of alumni who love their alma mater!

We are now tired and aged and are preparing to move

One of those alumni has recently helped me estab-

to a residence somewhere nearby that requires less

lish a scholarship fund called the Global Opportu-

footprint and less attention.

nity Fund. The purpose of this fund is to encourage

Photo by Chip Peterson

students to seek internships abroad by helping to pay for international travel.

Photo: Uwe Jens Rudolf and Ruth Caldwell (to the right) traveled with Cy ’76 and Mona (Feller) Nelson ’75, professor emerita of acounting and management, to San Marino in 2021.

Jacqueline Wilkie, history; Paideia I have returned to the hamlet of Selkirk, N.Y., where

Kent Simmonds, philosophy

I’ve thrown myself into the restoration of a bungalow built in 1924—three years younger than the one I

Since retirement in 2005, I first returned to class-

had in Decorah. It’s great to be putting that historical

room work for a maternity leave, then January Term

background to a practical use.

in Egypt and in Japan, a second time directing the

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MAGAZINE

Stewards GOOD SPRING 2022

22

It’s no surprise that Luther, with sustainability as a cornerstone of its

mission, turns out graduates who care about pristine natural spaces. Some of them even commit their careers to maintaining these spaces for the enjoyment of all. During the pandemic, with outdoor recreation more valued than ever, our shared public lands have seen a huge increase in use. We check in here with some alumni who’ve dedicated their lives to stewardship of public lands, making sure these places remain accessible, healthy, and safe.

Responses have been edited for length, clarity, and style. For more from these alumni, visit luther.edu/magazine.

David Schifsky ’93, deputy superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area

What makes your park special?

I currently serve as the deputy superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA), which includes Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. GOGA spans three Bay Area, California, counties and was the third most visited unit of the NPS with over 13 million visitors in 2021. It’s an urban park yet home to the most threatened and endangered species (38) in the continental United States. Its coastline, beaches, old-growth redwood forests, and historic buildings are unique.

What’s fulfilling about your job?

Being part of the stewardship of unique landscapes, wildlife, cultural and historic sites, and American stories is humbling. These places are conserved for those not yet born.

When did you realize you wanted a career in parks?

Have you handled any dramatic situations?

When I graduated from Luther in 1993, I didn’t know

Many. I worked as a law enforcement park ranger,

how great of a fit park/public lands management

including rising to level of chief park ranger, for

would be, but I had a hunch. As part of a class project,

more than 22 years in seven different parks across the

I interviewed a park ranger at nearby Effigy Mounds

country. NPS park rangers do it all. I’ve made arrests,

National Monument and became interested in natural

rescued people, saved lives, and worked all manner

and cultural preservation. This interest, of course,

of disasters or large-scale special events. There have

was fueled by the community/public service values

been tragic and challenging incidents I’ve been part

instilled through Luther culture. When I entered the

of and some powerful saves: while working in Glen

Student Conservation Association (SCA) program as

Canyon National Recreation Area, I was part of a

a volunteer in 1994, in Canyonlands National Park, it

search for a young boy who wandered away from his

all made sense. I became a seasonal park ranger for

family’s campsite. Many of us responding rangers

the National Park Service (NPS) and made a fantastic

had seen similar incidents end tragically, so we were

career out of protecting and conserving national parks

anxious. As I turned a patrol boat into a side canyon of

across the country.

Lake Powell, there he was on top of the rock. My heart leapt: we found him!

Left: Nicole Engdahl in Redwood National Park

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MAGAZINE

If I visit your park, what should I be sure not to miss?

There are so many great sites throughout GOGA: Muir Woods, Fort Point, Alcatraz, any of the beaches are inspiring. The shoreline is alive, bird watching abundant, and wildlife sightings, especially out to sea, regular. If you’re into history, the park is filled with historic military buildings, forts, and layers of the past. All of the services one would want to ensure a safe and comfortable visit are nearby: GOGA is not nearly as remote as many other units of the NPS. Any part of the park will inspire great photos! It’s a worldclass park.

Nicole Engdahl ’94, senior vice president of planned and annual giving, National Park Foundation

Nicole Engdahl in Glacier National Park

What’s your favorite park to get your nature fix?

Picking a favorite park is tough. Each park leaves a

Many people assume that national parks are fully

lasting impression, and I have truly loved something

funded by the government. How and why does the

about every park I have visited. Like many people,

National Park Foundation enter the picture?

during the pandemic, I found solace in the national

The National Park Service was created in 1916. As the

parks closest to me. I am lucky I live in DC and have

number of park sites grew, Congress could foresee that

many national park sites nearby. I love running on the

the government would not be able to fully fund all the

National Mall early in the morning as the sun comes

park programs and projects without help from private

up over the monuments before the tourists arrive.

funding. In 1967, Congress created the National Park

There is something peaceful and reflective in being

Foundation to become the official nonprofit partner of

among those beautiful structures in the early morn-

the National Park Service. For more than 50 years, the

ing light. Also, I have come to cherish my walks with

foundation has raised money to fund grants used to

friends through Rock Creek National Park. It runs

support programs and projects within the parks that

through the middle of the city and is such a haven.

help protect and enhance national parks for present

Being surrounded by all that greenery in the middle

and future generations.

of a big city along with the sounds of the creek and the birds immediately soothes my soul. It has been

With the uptick in park visitors during the

my go-to almost every weekend these past two years,

pandemic, how has your work changed?

and it has done wonders for my mental and physical

Due to the uptick in visitation and appreciation of the

health.

parks, our fundraising also increased significantly.

I oversee three programs at the foundation, and all three programs set new fundraising records over the past two years, so we were extremely busy. We had to constantly adapt our strategies in order to be nimble to the ever-changing news as well as the various shut-

Bob Palmer ’91, deputy regional chief ranger for the Pacific West Region of the NPS

down and supply chain issues. It was a challenge, but

What does your job entail?

it also gave the staff a renewed purpose for how vital

I’ve worked in a few parks (14 +/-) in every region

the parks are to our everyday lives.

of the country (except Alaska) and also worked for several years as a ranger in New Zealand. I’m now

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based in a regional office in San Francisco, and I over-

deal with wildland fires, hurricanes, floods, politi-

see and serve as a staff expert for a variety of Visitor

cal protests, and public land disputes. It makes you

and Resource Protection Programs (law enforcement,

realize the importance of planning and preparing for

search and rescue, emergency medical services) for

significant human events, potentially catastrophic

the 60 NPS sites within the eight states of Califor-

natural events, and anything else under the sun.

nia, Hawai’i, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington,

There is no worse feeling of helplessness than when

portions of Arizona and Montana, and the territories

something unexpected is happening, and your confi-

of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana

dence of adequate pre-event prep work is low.

Islands.

In some larger parks that have significant lodging and What’s fulfilling about your job?

camping, managing the park and public can be a bit

Over time, I’ve become a go-to person for the NPS

like running a town of 8,000–10,000 residents. The

with respect to the application of a number of laws

parks become really interesting and dynamic commu-

relating to cultural and natural resources. I feel most

nities that, in a social context, can change signifi-

fulfilled when I can help a park and its tribal partners

cantly from season to season, as well as from weekday

work through difficult issues and find a resolution

to weekend. A ranger can go from working a natural

that meets the needs of park resources and the tribal

resource protection issue to something more urban in

partners. It doesn’t always turn out great, but when it

a matter of minutes.

does, I feel like I’ve earned my pay!

Have you handled any dramatic situations?

Tell us about some parts of your job the public

If you stick around in any job, you’re bound to brush

wouldn’t expect.

up against some form of drama. I’ve been on some

This is a great question to which the answer would

pretty big wildfires, have done human rescues/recov-

depend on what aspect of the public is asking the

eries, as well as quite a few really interesting investi-

question. By way of example, when there’s an earth-

gations and work with endangered species, including

quake in Alaska, Japan, or somewhere on the Pacific

dealing with beached sperm whales! Without a doubt,

Rim, our phones ring and we jump into action to

the most significant incident that I was ever involved

respond to a potential tsunami that could impact one

in was an investigation and recovery of the remains of

of our Pacific parks (or the West Coast of the main-

41+ people who had been stolen from a park collec-

land). Things like this actually happen more often

tion by a park employee, and the subsequent return

than you might think, and besides tsunamis, we

of these people to their American Indian descendants.

That was simultaneously the most rewarding and troubling work that I was ever a part of.

Andrew White ’11, visitor use management specialist for the central planning office of the National Park Service When did you realize you wanted a career in parks/public lands?

By a stroke of luck, I interned at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming during the summer before my senior Bob Palmer sailing with his family in San Francisco Bay on the NPS-owned historic vessel Alma while assigned as the acting superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in 2019

year at Luther. I got just a taste of some of the complex challenges involved in protecting special places like that—transboundary wildlife, private lands within

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MAGAZINE

park boundaries, increasing and changing visita-

signed the Amache National Historic Site Act, making

tion patterns, human-wildlife conflict. I saw working

it the newest addition to the park system. While the

for the National Park Service as a great way to put my

law is a somewhat indirect result of our work, it’s

environmental studies degree to use!

super rewarding knowing that our study will guide early management of a new national park site, and

What does your job entail?

that this place is now preserved in perpetuity so that

I currently work as a visitor use management special-

future generations can see what remains of one of the

ist for the central planning office of the NPS, known

darker chapters in American history.

as the Denver Service Center. In this capacity, I help park managers at national parks across the country

Tell us about some parts of your job the public

to address challenges associated with visitor use. The

wouldn’t expect.

goal of my work is to develop plans that will ensure

I think most people would be surprised at the

that park visitors have meaningful and enjoyable

complexity, and oftentimes controversy, that goes

visits to their parks, while sustaining and protect-

into protecting these places and ensuring that people

ing the parks’ resources (scenery, wildlife, vegeta-

can have an enjoyable visit. I think people would be

tion, archeology, historic buildings, soundscapes,

surprised at how much time we spend wrestling with

etc.). Prior to my current role, I worked at Grand Teton

the right way to identify a visitor capacity for a trail,

National Park for six years doing interpretation (front-

debating the best way to redistribute use through an

line interaction with park visitors), administration,

area, or thinking about how to make sure our plan is

and public affairs.

legally defensible and politically palatable.

Any tips to make my park visit a good one?

Plan ahead! It’s a dynamic time to visit national parks.

Many parks have recently implemented new reservation systems for campgrounds; specific areas, trails, or roads; or for park entrance altogether. Visit the park website before you go to make sure you aren’t caught off guard by any of these. (Despite this being directly related to my line of work, I am one of the worst perpetrators of failing to plan ahead. Don’t be like me!)

Andrew White floating on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park in 2018

What’s fulfilling about your job?

Planning takes a long time—a typical project usually takes at least a few years to complete. But when you

Thawdar Zin ’21, restoration technician at Resource Environmental Solutions (Milwaukee branch), which restores public and private lands throughout the country

do it right, it can make a lasting and meaningful

What does your job entail?

impact. One recent example has been at Amache, a

Here in the Midwest, major RES projects include

place in southeast Colorado where Japanese Amer-

woodland restoration, prairie restoration, and stream-

icans were incarcerated during WWII. Since late

bank restoration through invasive species removal,

2019, I’ve been a part of a team that has been eval-

seeding, planting, and prescribed burning.

uating whether it would make a good addition to the national park system. In March, President Biden

What’s rewarding about this work?

I’m reminded that I’m making a difference. Some-

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26

of my childhood outside on pasture cow paths and trails through the woods. Serving as a wildland firefighter (on a hotshot crew) brought me to the western part of the US, where I fought fires from the southern border of Arizona to the Washington coastline, and I immediately fell in love with Montana.

I’ve lived all over this amazing state for the past 18 years, including five years in eastern Montana working Thawdar Zin helps restore prairies, streambanks, and woodlands through prescribed burns, seeding, and invasive species removal.

as a park manager at Hell Creek and in other positions serving Montana’s extremely rural communities.

This is not a lifestyle for the faint of heart—there are food deserts, no shopping or supplies, and no social

times the results of the job are very immediate.

constructs to entertain you or where you can find

Seeing a beautiful forest recently cleared of inva-

friends readily. It’s sort of like serving your time so you

sive species, mostly buckthorns and honeysuckles,

can then relate to other staff that have lived through

is quite satisfying. I have yet to see the result of the

the same hardships in our other remote locations.

prairie restoration we did last year this spring, and

I’ve worked for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for 14

I’m quite excited for it. Speaking of prairie, one of the

years, nine of which were as the state trails administra-

best things about working in prairies during spring

tor, where I worked with just about every community

and summer is that I get to see a lot of beautiful prai-

of Montana providing technical assistance for their

rie plants and animals, and knowing that my work

trails and outdoor recreation projects. I am extremely

contributes to the well-being of these native species of

passionate about outdoor recreation, especially trails

plants, insects, and animals prevails over the labori-

and public land access for all. Our parks and trail

ous nature of work I have to do.

systems play a vital role in our well-being, especially our overall health, our economy, and in our communi-

How is your work shaping how you see the larger

ties. For the past five years, I have been the Parks Divi-

world?

sion administrator, and it has been a true honor.

My job teaches me the importance of maintaining the integrity of natural places, and how fragile they are!

If I visit your parks, what should I be sure not to

It also teaches me that there aren’t enough resources

miss?

to prioritize this kind of work even though it is very

Definitely visit Wild Horse Island!

important. It teaches me that there still need to be changes in a larger political context in order to keep our fragile natural places intact because we can only do so much restoration work, and if there is no major

Beth (Ramsey) Shumate helping groom West Yellowstone for dogsledders, snowmobilers, and other winter recreation

support from lawmakers and changes in policies regarding environmental well-being, most of the job we do will only be in vain.

Beth (Ramsey) Shumate ’97, Parks Division administrator at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Tell us about your career working for Montana parks.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota, I spent most

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MAGAZINE

Caring

FOR CAREGIVERS

Allison (Resch) Breininger ’02 starts a nonprofit to support people in these underappreciated roles.

Allison (Resch) Breininger ’02 can pinpoint the precise moment she took on the role of caregiver for her

experiencing strange health issues. A sore on his head that wouldn’t heal turned out to be skin cancer. This led to lab tests revealing a low white blood cell count.

More tests showed he had 10 additional varieties of skin cancer. When he contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease on a family trip, doctors raised even more red flags.

husband Sean Breininger ’01. Unlike many caregivers who gradually take on caregiving responsibilities

After months of hospital visits, tests, and countless

for a loved one, she was handed an actual contract

conversations with experts, Sean was diagnosed with

from the hospital, which stated that she agreed to be

a rare genetic disorder, Fanconi anemia (FA), which

her husband’s caregiver 24/7 for 100 days after a bone

causes bone marrow failure and cancer at a rate of 700

marrow transplant that he received in 2010. It would

times that of the general population. Shortly after the

be the first of many medical procedures to come. Years

diagnosis, the emergency bone marrow transplant

later, Allison still thinks back to the moment she signed

happened. “The first big, hard, terrible thing,” Allison

her name to that piece of paper—the most unambiguous

recalls.

turning point in her life.

Those first 100 days of contractually agreed-to caregiv-

DISCOVERING THE DISORDER Shortly after starting a family in Saint Paul, Sean started

SPRING 2022

28

ing came and went, and all the hundreds of days since have added up to a “new normal” in the Breininger household, where caregiving is simply part of daily life.

sugar-coated version that society may prefer—enables caregivers to be truly seen and advocated for.

This need led Allison to create The Negative Space, a nonprofit focused on changing the narrative for both individual caregivers and systems.

The work of The Negative Space is divided between direct services, like one-on-one coaching for caregivers, and systems work, where Allison gives talks, leads workshops, and provides consulting to change how organizations communicate with and support caregivers.

Allison, Sean, and their daughter Maya know cancer treatment to be part of a relentless routine. Meanwhile,

Allison came up with the name Negative Space one day

in the backs of their minds is this sobering fact: the

as she was looking at the pattern in her shower curtain,

median life expectancy of someone diagnosed with FA

noticing how the darker geometric pattern was only

is 31. Sean, now 43, is well past that point, and he’s got

visible because of the negative space around it. “We

the scars to prove it.

[caregivers] are a vital part of the picture,” she says.

“If we went away, the whole picture would change,

And as his primary caregiver, Allison is aware of how

yet nobody pays attention to us. Negative space is the

society sees, or rather doesn’t see, caregivers, and she

perfect example of how it is for caregivers.”

decided to do something about it.

CREATING THE NEGATIVE SPACE The Breiningers attend annual meetings for those living with FA, and it was at one of these that Allison felt the first sparks of inspiration to change the dialogue for caregivers. She was at lunch with a small group of other caregivers whose spouses had FA, and a social worker at the table asked the group how they were doing.

Someone said, “It’s just a gift that I get to care for my person.”

“I put my fork down and thought, ‘OK, enough,’” Allison remembers.

She cleared her throat and said, “This is a place where we should be able to say what we really think.

And I think this is really hard—in every way.”

Today, Allison works on The Negative Space full-time, using her 20 years of experience coaching, training, and creating mission-driven content. Sean, who has experience in the nonprofit space, focuses on the administrative side of the business. They’re hoping to start fundraising soon, so that direct services can be provided at little to no cost to caregivers. In addition, Allison cohosts the podcast In Sickness and is writing a book about caregiving.

“My goal is to continue to spread the word that caregivers are everywhere.

They’re tired because they’re already fighting for other things.

They shouldn’t have to fight to be seen and supported, too.

I’m working behind the scenes to change systems and to support caregivers without them having to advo-

Her words landed like a revelation. Reflecting on that

cate for themselves. That’s my

moment, Allison says that many caregivers feel they

goal.”

To learn more about The Negative Space, visit thenegativespace.life.

To listen to the In Sickness podcast: insickness.care.

The Negative Space is on Instagram: @negspacelife.

must soften the reality of their roles, but she believes that surfacing the reality of being a caregiver—not the

—Kelli Billstein ’07

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MAGAZINE

DO THE

Right

THING

Craig Murphy ’94 helps Afghans resettle in the US. Early this year, Craig Murphy ’94

attacks on the US, following in the

ment, so he suggested I look into

completed what he called “the

footsteps of his father, grandfa-

it.” After graduating from Luther,

most meaningful and satisfy-

ther, and other family members

Murphy studied at the University

ing mission the army has sent

who had served in the military. In

of Iowa and earned his doctorate

me on.” Murphy is a lieutenant

that time, he has been deployed

at St. Ambrose University.

colonel in the Medical Specialty

to Kuwait, Jordan, Germany, and

Corps of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Japan. With few physical thera-

arrived at Fort McCoy, 13,000

His mission was part of Opera-

pists in the ranks, he says, “They

Afghan guests who supported US

tion Allies Welcome, supporting

tend to keep calling my name.”

forces over 20 years in Afghani-

Afghans who were evacuated in

Murphy started on the path

Last November, when Murphy

stan were living there. Fort McCoy

2021 to military bases across the

to becoming a physical thera-

was one of the largest temporary

US. Murphy was deployed to Fort

pist at Luther. “I’ll never forget

relocation sites, chosen because

McCoy in western Wisconsin.

the day that Dr. Russell Rulon ’58

it had the physical structures

pulled me aside in biology lab and

needed to house and feed so

has worked as a physical therapist

For the past 25 years, Murphy

started talking to me about phys-

many. The operation was like

in his hometown of Burlington,

ical therapy. He knew I was doing

setting up a small town almost

Iowa. He joined the Army Reserves

some work with Dr. Betty Hoff ’60

overnight, Murphy says.

shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001,

in the athletic training depart-

The army contracted with

An Afghan evacuee learning English from other evacuees who volunteered to teach at Fort McCoy. Photo credit: Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company.

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30

A US Army soldier at Fort McCoy playing tag with Afghan children last September. Photo credit: Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company.

civilian medical practitioners

the Omicron

to provide for the specific needs

variant of the

of each Afghan, and Murphy

disease whipped

ensured that Afghan guests

through the base

received general medicine,

last winter.

dental, behavioral health, pedi-

Through Operation Allies

atric, and other care. “One of the

Welcome, the US brought in more

biggest pieces was doing mass

than 76,000 Afghans. Nearly

positions, and in my opinion, this

vaccination events,” he says. “A

all have settled in communities

was just about doing the right

lot of the guests hadn’t had the

across the country, including the

thing.

same type of medical care that

Afghans from Fort McCoy, who

we receive here through their

were all relocated by February 15.

childhood. So they were getting

A few weeks later, Murphy was

vaccinations for things that we

headed home and feeling good

just take as commonplace,” such

about what he and his coworkers

as mumps, rubella, and measles.

had accomplished. “To me, this

He also managed care for the

was not a politically motivated

many who caught Covid-19 when

issue. Guests were in precarious

“As human beings, this is how we should try to help each other out.”

—Ellen Modersohn

An Afghan family walking to the nearest bus stop at Fort McCoy last January. Fort McCoy provided a bus service that transported Afghan guests to essential services.

Photo credit: Sgt. Robert P Wormley III, 50th Public Affairs Detachment.

LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

Healing

CRIPPLED CREEKS

Knowing a stream’s name can make people care more about it.

Luther could be seen as the head-

River between Kendallville and

Certified Public Manager Program at

waters of a career in water protec-

Decorah, developing a love for the

Drake University.

tion for Steve Hopkins ’84. As the

Driftless Area and the Upper Iowa

nonpoint source coordinator for

River.

the Iowa Department of Natural

Classes in anthropology and

For 15 years, Hopkins has administered EPA Section 319 grants that fund watershed projects in Iowa. In

Resources, he manages the state’s

biology, especially, greatly influ-

2014 he began using some of those

plan to clean up and prevent runoff

enced the course of his academics,

funds to increase Iowans’ aware-

pollution—any runoff not being

and he put together an independent

ness of their water in an ingeniously

discharged from a pipe or other

major called human ecology. “My

simple way: by posting the names of

single-point source. One of his goals

two favorite classes at Luther were

creeks along highways. He believes

is for agriculture and clean water-

North American Indians with Clark

that if people know about their local

ways to exist side by side.

Mallam, and General Ecology with

waterways—even just the creek

Hopkins arrived at Luther in 1980

Roger Knutson,” Hopkins says. He

names—they will care more about

with a bike and a canoe. He pedaled

went on to complete an MS in land

them.

the gravel roads of Winneshiek

resources from the University of

County and paddled the Upper Iowa

Wisconsin–Madison and the Iowa

“ SPRING 2022

32

Once they are aware, they care more about it and are willing to take action to improve the water quality,” Hopkins says.

Hopkins persuaded the Iowa Department of Transportation to put

Steve Hopkins ’84 and Sara Andreasen Hopkins ’84

up signs with creek names within

for at least one farmer, Hopkins

whether it is a drinking water

certain watershed project areas.

says. The farmer began planting

source.

He chooses which creeks to name

cover crops to prevent soil runoff

and pays for the signs from the

from his fields into his local

it would flow in a giant oxbow

Section 319 money, and the DOT

creek. Runoff carries sediment

because he and his wife, Sara

puts up 100 signs per year. Other

full of bacteria, phosphorus, and

Andreasen Hopkins ’84, will

groups around the state have

nitrates. Cover crops help hold the

return to the Luther area, moving

begun putting up signs as well,

soil in place.

north of Decorah this summer.

and more than 1,200 have been

To expand the sign proj-

If Hopkins’s life were a creek,

Their local waterway will be

posted. An Iowa State University

ect, Hopkins is starting a grant

Canoe Creek, the largest creek

study has shown the signs are

program that counties and other

that flows into the Upper Iowa

effective. In areas with signs, resi-

organizations can use to post

River.

dents are twice as likely to know

creek signs along county roads.

about their waterways.

Ideally, he says, they also would

Seeing the signs along his property was the tipping point

—Ellen Modersohn

post what watershed the creek is part of, where it flows to, and

Evidence of Hopkins’s creek name project dots bridges throughout Winneshiek County, including signs for Trout Run Creek, the Des Moines River, and Dry Run Creek.

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MAGAZINE

Researching HIV

Mannuku Pheko ’21 lands a dream job that may one day save lives.

The statistics are grim. According

tant strains in garlic mustard,” she

relates to what I want to do, and I

to the World Population Review,

explains. “I learned transferable

did a semester-long project on the

the southern African country

skills and genetics concepts that I

development of the functional HIV

of Lesotho has an HIV rate of 25

continue to build on. Luther is the

vaccine.”

percent—the second highest in the

reason why I am at the foundation

world. It’s a reality that Mannuku

today.”

Pheko ’21 knows all too well. Grow-

Last May, Pheko completed her degree in biology. She now spends

When she arrived at Luther,

her days helping in the produc-

ing up in Lesotho, she witnessed

Pheko admits, she wasn’t entirely

tion and analysis of molecular

the destructive impact of HIV first-

clear on her path. “I knew I was

sequence data that can be trans-

hand.

interested in infectious diseases—

lated into strategies for vaccine

particularly HIV—but beyond that I

development. “I learned so much

informed Pheko’s worldview but

wasn’t sure. So I took a variety

about HIV during my four years at

also sparked a fascination that has

of classes during my four years,

Luther by working on projects with

become a profession. “I’ve always

from evolutionary biology and

professors who study things I care

been interested in infectious

microbiology to global health.”

deeply about,” she says. “Those

diseases, especially HIV, and I’d

It was a microbiology class with

experiences helped me to land this

love to have a vaccine that protects

professor Jodi Enos-Berlage,

position. I’m using all the things I

people from the virus,” she says.

however, that sealed the deal.

learned at Luther every day.”

Today, the young biologist is

“The subject matter was fasci-

putting her shoulder to the effort

nating,” she recalls. “We learned

continue doing research, and I’m

in her dream job as research assis-

the basics of vaccine development

thinking about graduate school,”

tant with the Henry M. Jackson

and studied microorganisms—for

Pheko says in a rush of enthu-

Foundation for the Advancement

example, we learned that antibiot-

siasm. “Eventually, I see myself

of Military Medicine at the Walter

ics are actually found in the soil.”

returning to southern Africa,

Reed Army Institute of Research.

The class piqued Pheko’s interests

where it all started. But for now,

and bolstered her determination to

I’m focused on strengthening my

pursue research.

research skills. I want to explore

The experience not only

Pheko says her collaborations with professors at Luther have paved the way for her success.

Professor Eric Baack’s course on

As far as next steps? “I want to

this moment fully,” she concludes.

“While at Luther, I collaborated

evolutionary biology deepened her

“I know my path will unfold in

with professor Brian Hiester on a

interests. “I loved that class,” she

time.”

genetics project to investigate the

enthuses. “We talked more about

development of glyphosate-resis-

vaccine development, which really

SPRING 2022

34

—Lori Ferguson

On Giving Day 2,000+ friends gave

$1,143,556 to the Luther Fund in support of students!

“

The gifts that we receive on Giving Day help expand and enhance my Luther experience. From supporting life on campus (like comfortable furniture in study areas and student groups), to scholarships and financial aid, to academics and well-equipped classrooms, the Luther Fund truly supports all students! Thank you!”

—Kaija Welter ’22 Eden Prairie, Minn.

NORSE SHORT COURSES Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12

Rosemaling (with Sally Stromseth)—painting (Rogaland style) in oils using very small brushes. Practice will begin on a posterboard with hopes of completing a Norsk Blue wooden piece before the class ends.

Sami Bracelets (with Norma Refsal)—working in the traditional materials of the Sami people, using reindeer leather, pewter thread (lead free, 4% silver), and a reindeer antler button to create the iconic bracelet familiar and beloved by so many people.

Scandinavian Sounds (with Mark Potvin ’01)—investigating the Lutheran choral tradition—its

players, style features, impact, status, and future. Participants will engage in reading, listening, discussion, and singing at a level suitable for folks of all interest and ability levels.

Sustainability and Place (with Jon Jensen ’89 and Rachel Brummel)—leaning on the

Norwegian idea of “friluftsliv” or the outdoor life, this course will combine field trips and experiential learning with discussions of the “Nordic model” of sustainability in Scandinavian countries.

To register and for more informaiton visit luther.edu/alumni/events/norsecourses/nordic.

LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

Alumni moments

SPRING 2022

36

Steve “Duke” Corson ’79 of Waverly, Iowa, is retired from Kaiser-Corson Funeral Homes. Every other summer he hosts a fundraising golf tournament to benefit the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Last summer, “Dukie’s One Eye Open” raised $120,376 for the hospital.

Kari (Jacobson) Aakre ’21 and Alex Aakre ’19 found the Luther College “Reformation 500” tree while in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. They are proud to report that our tree (on the left) is significantly taller than the Wartburg College tree that neighbors it. The Luther tree in Germany has a twin on the Luther campus that was planted by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on the lawn in front of Larsen Hall.

Erin Niles ’14, a graduate student studying to be a registered nurse anesthetist at the University of Iowa, advocated for workable solutions in rural healthcare at the Iowa state capitol earlier this year. Joining her for a photo were (left to right): representative Michael Bergan ’84; Mike Anderson ’99, president of the Iowa Association of Nurse Anesthetists; and senator Mike Klimesh ’91.

Luther alumni met at the La Crosse (Wis.) Logan High School Showcase Choir Competition, where their children were performing. Left to right: Tim Joseph ’90, Sherry (Atienza) Joseph ’91, Jennifer (Munn) Saner ’89, and Ann (Monson) Schoenecker ’90.

Left to right: Ann Baltes ’90, Bill Rosholt ’90, Sarah Lawrence ’91, Linda Palmer ’76, and Kara (Cogswell) Noah ’90 performed in the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s performance of The Messiah by G. F. Handel on December 8, 2021, at First Congregational Church in Madison, Wis. Ann, Bill, Linda, and Kara sang in a small chorus, and Sarah was the soprano soloist. For this performance, they all acknowledged the continued impact of learning The Messiah with Weston Noble ’43 while at Luther.

Luther band alums Linda (Bowers) Matthews ’80 and Mark Hengesh ’72 are members of the Weeki Wachee Winds Community Concert Band based in Hernando County, Fla. Linda, a retired special education and music teacher, is a member of the flute section. Mark, a retired band director, is the group’s founder and director. The band originally formed in February of 2020, but practice was suspended after only four rehearsals due to Covid-19. The 50-member ensemble resumed rehearsals in September 2021and is happily back to presenting concerts.

1985 classmates from the upper Midwest gathered to see Linda Harned perform in Little Women: The Musical at the Janesville (Wis.) Performing Arts Center in February 2022.

This was Linda’s first return to the stage since Luther productions in 1981–85. Left to right: Amy (Thompson) Wild, Kari (Severson) Toft, Sheryl (Van Raden) Borcherding, Anne Lilleskov, Linda Harned, Carol (Borgschatz) Lofquist, and Sue (Dokkestul) Kohnert.

Left to right: Luther’s seventh president, H. George Anderson, celebrated with Karen (Aaker) ’65 and Larry Chellevold ’65 at a Luther gathering in Tuscon, Ariz., on March 18. George turned 90 on March 10.

Beth Ryan ’95 and Cameron Weaver ’03 work together on Hennepin Healthcare’s Integrated Opioid and Addiction Care ECHO. The project helps communities across Minnesota develop a comprehensive response to the opioid. Beth is a project coordinator and Cameron is a clinical psychologist, both at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis.

LUTHER

37

MAGAZINE

Class Notes

by Erin Dintaman ’23

’62 Adrian Johnson is a

IRA Charitable Rollover Gift 70½ or older | Direct up to $100,000 Are you looking for a tax-wise strategy to make a difference and support Luther’s mission? If so, consider making an IRA charitable rollover gift and create your legacy today. It is easy to do—just notify your IRA custodian.

•

Satisfy some or all of your annual required minimum distribution

•

Reduce taxable income, even without itemizing deductions

• •

Use the rollover to make payments on an existing pledge Avoid federal taxes on transfers up to $100,000

For more information, please contact Kelly Sorenson, assistant director of legacy and gift planning, at (800) 225-8664 or kelly.sorenson@luther.edu, or visit legacygiving.luther.edu.

museum curator at the Dahl Automotive Museum in La Crosse, Wis.

’63 Sharon (Kuehl) Stade of Garnavillo, Iowa, is an organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

’64 Samuel Platts retired

from teaching after 22 years at City of Angels school in Los Angeles. He was also pastor of Church of the Foothills for 37 years. He served in the US Naval Reserve for 28 years.

His recently published a book, Platts in Vietnam, available from Amazon.

’64 David Ellingson of

Edmonds, Wash., published a book titled Paddle Pilgrim: Kayaking the Mississippi River Headwaters in a Time of Climate Change. This is the fourth Paddle Pilgrim book, with previous journeys chronicling adventures on the Erie Canal, Hudson River, and Fjords of Norway.

’72 Nola Ekern Nackerud is the project coordinator at Bend Sister City Foundation in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Paul Grabow of Richardson, Texas, retired as professor emeritus of computer science at Baylor University.

Kerry Knodle is the principal percussionist for the Rockford (Ill.) Symphony Orchestra.

38

Judy Vopava of Lisbon, Iowa, is a retired academic advisor.

’73 Carl Homstad is an

award-winning artist in Decorah.

An exhibition of pieces that best represent his career, An Artist’s Journey: Carl Homstad, 50 Years, was recently featured at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

’74 Shelley Smith-Fletcher

and Fred Fletcher ’72 live in Winona, Minn. Shelley has retired from Southern Minnesota Legal Services. Fred is the principal of LPL Financial.

’75 Nathan Aaseng of Eau

Claire, Wis., has published more than 170 books. His most recent is I Wonder: Mind-Freeing Encounters with God. Jon Blumhagen and his wife, Earline, set out on a 5,400-mile trip on nonmotorized recumbent ICE tricycles last year from their home in Orlando, Fla., to Alaska on their Mission Possible Tour #4. They traveled through 19 states in 143 days and climbed more than 182,500 feet along the way. Photos, videos, and more information about the trip can be found at WiFiPedalers. com.

Cheryl (Boyum) Meyer of Appleton, Wis., is a retired elementary music specialist.

Jeffrey Nelson is a family physician who served the Cottage Grove, Minn., area for over 38 years, retiring in 2020. He is author of a new book, What Should I Do?: A Family Physician Discusses Abortion, Religious Freedom, and Difficult Decisions.

Tom Ninnemann of Jackson, Wyo., is news director for Jackson Hole Radio.

’77 Becky White of Council

Richard Rollefson is interim pastor at Mt. Camel Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

’78 Glenn Monson is an

Todd Smith is owner of Global Assistance Resources in West Des Moines, Iowa.

SPRING 2022

Steve Sorenson of Ripon, Wis., received the Wisconsin Law Foundation’s 2021 Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award.

Bluffs, Iowa, is a retired physical education teacher.

ELCA pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn. He has also published his second book, Quarantining with God: Daily Devotions from

a Pastoral Heart, a collection of devotions he wrote for his congregation in the first year of the pandemic. A second volume is in the works.

Anne (Peterson) and Chuch Pietscher ’76 received the Spirit of Keokuk Award for 2022 by Main Street Keokuk and the Keokuk Chamber of Commerce.

The couple were cited for significant contributions of their time and talents toward creating a positive future for the Keokuk area. Over the past 35 years, they have served the community and many groups, both individually and together, and on many boards. They have been a supportive part of the lives of several children, welcoming them into their home through foster care. They have also supported the Keokuk School District, performed in many GRP productions, sang in community choirs, and supported performers in all genres of the arts.

’79 Vickie (Grainger) Bruening retired as an administrative assistant with the Decorah Schools.

Andy Strandjord is assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Alaska–Anchorage.

’80 Tom Engle of George-

town, Texas, has retired from the US Navy and Delta Air Lines.

’82 Nancy (Hermeier)

Hershfield of Somerset, Wis., is vice president of philanthropy at PeopleForBikes.

Linda Munden is senior executive director of the Bridge Home in Ames, Iowa, a nonprofit devoted to bridging the gap between homelessness and housing by providing shelter and support and inspiring a pathway forward for individuals and families experiencing or on the verge of homelessness.

Julie (Meyer) Schulte of Brooklyn Park, Minn., is the senior tech project manager at Siemens.

Jillellyn Storlie of Spring Grove, Minn., is a consultant and owner of Jillellyn Consulting. She is also a founding member of the board of directors of the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.

’83 Eric Davidson of San

Diego, Calif., is vice president of the Danaher Business System— Aldevron.

Ray Hansen is assistant vice president and trust officer at Merchants Bank in Rochester, Minn.

’84 Gail Bolson-Magnuson

and her downtown Decorah business, Agora Arts, was recently featured in the Driftless Journal. Agora has maintained an active presence in the downtown Decorah district for 30 years, introducing shoppers to the beauty of handcrafted art. It has been in its current location, in the Hotel Winneshiek building at 104 East Water Street, since 1999.

Dorian CHORAL RE TREAT

July 8–10, 2022

’85 Denise (Boggs) Cook of

Tomball, Texas, is a retired thirdgrade teacher.

’86 Chris (Brewster)

Radentz of Jupiter, Fla., is the operations and development manager at the Florida Wildflower Foundation.

Joe Sweet of Minneapolis earned an MS degree in statistics from Texas A&M University and is a portfolio manager for US Bank Home Mortgage.

Mary (Sparks) Thompson of Dunlap, Ill., is president of Unity Point Health.

’90 Tim Cronin was named superintendent of the Decorah Community School District by the Decorah CSD Board of Education. He begins his duties in July 2022.

John Storsved was named dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Chris Terry is the owner and principal of BuildCore in Rochester, Minn.

’91 Erik Ommen is executive

vice president and chief compliance officer at Falcon International Bank in Laredo, Texas.

Sven Schulte of Berlin, Germany, is senior director of NTT Data Business Solutions.

Connect with us:

dorian.luther.edu Luther College Dorian Summer Music Camp lcdsmc

Andrew Last, retreat director Charlie Hoekstra, coordinator (563) 387-1737 hoekch01@luther.edu

LUTHER

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MAGAZINE

’92 Kim Capel of Plym-

outh, Minn., is vice president of technical services at Fabcon Precast. She was featured in the March 2022 issue of Women in Construction.

Xenia Sandstrom-McGuire of St. Paul, Minn., is a bass player, mother of two teenagers, nature lover, and president of the International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies.

’94 Troy Musel of Minneapolis is a credit review manager at American National Bank.

Jon Trouten of Iowa City, Iowa, is a general assistance specialist at Johnson County Social Services.

’95 Rob Kleinendorst of

Brooklyn, N.Y., is the coordinator of dance at Anne Arundel Community College.

Kristina (Carrington) Larson of North Babylon, N.Y., works at Garvin Construction Products.

Lynne (Perry) Poulton is the owner of Wholly Organized in Akron, Ohio. She also released a game called Declutter Go! in 2021.

Clint Schnekloth started Queer Camp, the first church-based camp for LGBTQ youth in the South, in 2021. His congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Ark., received the Partner of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, Arkansas chapter.

Steve Smith of Decorah is executive director of computer information systems at Northeast Iowa Community College.

’96 Tim Krick of Dover, N.H., is manager for congregational engagement for Lutheran World Relief.

Kendra Miller of Urbandale, Iowa, is the associate conference minister for the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ.

’97 Dave Gunnlaugsson of Hudson, Wis., is development advisor at Feed My Starving Children.

SPRING 2022

40

Kristi Jenkins is content editor for the American Board of Radiology in Tucson, Ariz.

Pete Newburg is practice coordinator at North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis.

Karen (Blonsky) Robey is a private therapist at Counseling Associates in La Crosse, Wis. Tiffany (Flitter) Vraa is senior operations manager at RiverSource Life Insurance Company in Minneapolis.

Erika Wachholz is a financial advisor at Quest Wealth Management in Spencer, Iowa.

’98 Gayle (Dunkel) Gort

of Castle Rock, Colo., is expert services director at ServiceNow. She is responsible for customer delivery in the West region of the United States.

Magnus Hellmark of Örebro, Sweden, is the head of product development at CAB Group AB.

’99 Erin (Brooks) Croll is

software engineer manager at Wells Fargo in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mackenzie (Routh) McNaughton is senior attorney at Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis.

Erika (Johnson) Tritle of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is assistant professor of religious studies at Coastal Carolina University.

Sara Yedlik of Vinton, Iowa, is a teacher in the Cedar Rapids School District. She is also running for the Iowa legislature in House District 84.

’00 Katie (Brunner) Elling-

son is a library assistant for the Appleton (Wis.) Public Library and the access services specialist at St. Norbert College.

Ben Keseley is the minister of music at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Va. Elizabeth (Kephart) Reisinger of Sartell, Minn., writes fiction under the pen name E.K. Singer.

Her debut novel, Whiskey Shores, a 1920s/Prohibition historical romance set in rural Minnesota, recently won the Romance through the Ages contest, a contest for unpublished manuscripts from the Hearts through Romance Writers. She is online at eksinger.com.

’01 Tristan Cox is the

founder and president of Wealth Span Capital Management, an independent registered advisory firm in Northfield, Minn.

’02 Ann (Liebbe) Thompson earned an MS degree in nursing from Texas A&M University and is a family nurse practitioner at Generations Visiting Practitioners in San Antonio, Texas.

’03 Katy Dane received

the 2022 Music Educator of the Year Award from the Barbershop Harmony Society and the National Association for Music Education. Katy teaches music and directs the orchestra and choirs at Benold Middle School in Georgetown, Texas.

Lena Johnson of Kent, Wash., is a supervisor of social work at Landmark Health.

Joshua Shank is lab manager for the Public Interest Tech Lab at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Mass. He also teaches graduate courses in musicology, composition, and music theory for Eastern Washington University’s online master’s program for K–12 music educators.

Arvid von Taube of South Boston, Mass., is a partner at Rich May PC.

’05 Hassan Asghar of Min-

neapolis is the chief information and security officer at Hinge Health. He was also named a 2021 40 Under 40 honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Marianne Holmer is a family nurse practitioner at PrimeCare Health in Chicago.

ration of Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.

’06 Sarah (Olson) Cutcliffe

of Flossmoor, Ill., is the director of special projects at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Jennifer (Miller Meyer) Donovan of Lisbon, Iowa, earned an MD degree from the University of Iowa and is associate medical director at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health.

Marte Pohlmann of Oregon, Wis., is an administrative assistant with Agrace Hospice.

Veronica (Alzalde) Wells is assistant dean for user services and programs at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

Tim Yourison is athletic development officer at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation.

’07 Megan (Schaefer)

Rothenberger is the coordinator for student success, health, and well-being at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Sarah (Putnam) Windt of Charlotte, N.C., is engagement director at CliftonLarsonAllen.

’08 Alyssa Cheadle Pear-

son is associate professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich.

Ryan Fordice of Milton, Fla., is a chaplain resident at Baptist Hospital.

Kylie (Toomer) Gougler of Cedar Falls, Iowa, published a book, Czech Arias for Soprano: An Anthology, the first in a series that will offer versions for baritone/ bass, tenor, and mezzo.

Kyle Knutson is a staff attorney at the Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee in Milwaukee.

Chandra (Skinner) Jennings of Ankeny, Iowa, is a prevention coordinator at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Lauren Mayfield is a branch office administrator at Edward Jones in Chandler, Ariz.

Andrew Smeby is a project architect at Scott Edwards Architecture in Portland, Ore.

Katie and John McCormick-Deaton ’05 live in Maple Grove, Minn. Katie is a physician at Allina Health. John is a critical care surgeon and director of trauma in the University of Minnesota Physicians group.

’09 Ashley Johnson is asso-

Meghan Myron-Karels is a recruiter at the University Corpo-

ciate integrated wealth advisor at Carlson Capital Management in Bloomington, Minn.

Erik Lehmann is chief operating officer at Vontas in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Phillip Livers of Minneapolis is a case manager at Sun Life Financial.

Chad Nelson is director of delivery at Venn Technology in Grapevine, Texas.

Matt Orth of Aurora, Ill., is a supply chain promotions planner at Martin Brower.

Audrey Voorhees of Washington, DC, is a principal design strategist at FINRA. Jill (Sundby) Yordy is senior policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver.

’10 Carson Christen was

the winner of the Lava Triathlon in Taiwan with a personal best record time of 1:57:36. He is living in Taichung, Taiwan, and is a professional endurance coach.

Tony Sellu of Apple Valley, Minn., is a senior data engineer at UnitedHealth Group.

Eric Sievers of Sarasota, Fla., is a senior ecologist at Wildlands Conservation.

’11 Elizabeth Harrell is manag-

Allyson Batis and Aaron Schmaltz live in Minneapolis.

Allyson is the listing coordinator at Cynthia Froid Group, Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes.

Aaron is the onboarding specialist at HubSpot.

Sara Bieber is the 6–12 vocal music and high school musical director at the Allamakee Community School District in Waukon, Iowa.

Brandon Boles of Estes Park, Colo., is a sportsbook ticket writer at the Lodge Casino.

Ariana Cervantes of Decorah is the store manager of Hy-Vee. Matthew Christoffersen of Altoona, Iowa, is the assistant vice president—senior execution business consultant at Wells Fargo.

Katherine (Mehlhoff) Connor is a physical therapist at West Des Moines (Iowa) Physical Therapy.

Chelsi (Hammon) Jahn earned an MSW degree from Minnesota State University and is clinical director at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

er of new business development at Chemonics International in Washington, DC.

Danielle Koch is an ELA teacher at Hope Community Academy in St. Paul, Minn.

Ayesha Karim and Jake Kessler ’12 live in Austin, Texas. Ayesha is a global sourcing manager at Kendra Scott. Jake is a supervisor FP&A at Abbott.

Jennifer (Winder) and Benjamin Kost live in Decorah. Jenn is a Spanish teacher and private tutor. Benj is a speech therapist at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Amanda Markowski earned an MSW degree from Augsburg College and is a psychotherapist at JLS Consulting Associates in St. Paul, Minn.

Krista Canoy Krueger of Osage, Iowa, is a processing specialist with Principal Financial Group.

Rick Westermann of Urbandale, Iowa, is the chief marketing officer at Life Care Services.

’12 Bailey Aaland of St. Paul,

Minn., is marketing manager and digital producer at Shinebox.

Paige Armstrong-Hetterick of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MM degree from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. Paige is a music teacher at the Minneapolis Public Schools and artistic director and conductor for the Edina Chorale.

Dan Baldwin is pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Emily Larson of Decorah is a self-employed artist and has made a graphic novel, Masquerade, that can be found on Lulu. com.

Katelyn (Bottem) Marschall of Belleville, Wis., is a legal and protective services unit supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Anne (Kuttler) Martin of Davenport, Iowa, is a registered nurse with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Erik Mattson of Madison, Wis., is an operations supervisor at Tegria.

Micaela Mesch of Delhi, Iowa, is a behavior technician at Balance Autism.

Kayla Norman of Salt Lake City is a corporate social responsibility manager at Cambia Health Solutions.

Micayla Irmiter of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MA degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas.

Meghan Pedersen is a performance field manager with Delta Air Lines in Minneapolis.

Callie Mabry is communications and development lead at Holden Village in Chelan, Wash.

Dan Ridenour was named sports science coordinator—assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Vikings in Eagan, Minn.

Rachel Stenhaug is cardiovascular portfolio–assistant controller at Medtronic in St. Paul, Minn.

Aaron Rosell is a buyer specialist and realtor at the Michael Kaslow Team—Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes in Minneapolis.

Aimee Schreiber is a youth services librarian at the Dakota County Farmington (Minn.)

Library.

Miguel Secor is owner and strength and conditioning coach at Secor Strength in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Dione (Miller) Stepanek of Onalaska, Wis., is director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop for the La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA. Allan Sweet is a pediatric critical care transport nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

’15 Erik Anderson of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MD degree from the University of Iowa and is an anesthesia extern.

Caitlin (Almer) Barrett earned an MEd degree from the University of Northern Colorado and is a second-grade teacher for the Littleton (Colo.) Public Schools.

Nichole Clemens earned an MS degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. She is a pediatric ICU registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Matthew Holcomb of San Diego, Calif., earned a PhD degree in chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute and is a postdoctoral researcher there.

Spencer Ward is a law clerk at Roxanne Conlin and Associates in Des Moines, Iowa.

Logan and Tyler (Carpenter) Kochendorfer live in Kansas City, Mo. Logan is assistant professor of psychology at Rockhurst University. Tyler is the team lead of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Lillian (Eldred) Wassell is a teacher at the Roseville (Minn.)

Area Schools.

Kat Marlow is a corporate recruiter at Estep and Company in Columbus, Ind.

’13 Kirsten Hash is a trade-

mark attorney with Norton Rose Fulbright in Minneapolis.

Rachel Miessler is volunteer services manager at Saint Luke’s North Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Anthony Smith of Ames, Iowa, is the senior educational sales consultant at Perfection Learning.

’14 Del Ciucci is director of

strength and performance at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

Nathan Converse is an attorney at the Weinhardt Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa.

Anthony Howard of St. Paul, Minn., is a scholar advisor at Wallin Education Partners.

’16 Paige Johnson of Denver

is a recovery project manager at the Colorado Resiliency Office.

Katie Kovacovich earned MSW and MEd degrees from Boston University and is the college and career center coordinator at AchieveMpls in Minneapolis.

Jacy (Mahoney) Looser of Buhwil, Switzerland, is the cofounder of Railwayhero, which focuses on traveling sustainably.

Nicole Lussier of Hopkins, Minn., is public engagement program manager at the American Academy of Neurology.

’17 Catherine Karsell of

Minneapolis is a mental health therapist at Hennepin Health.

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Anna Madrigal is a performance improvement consultant at Nordic Consulting in Madison, Wis. Matthew Peterson of Tucson, Ariz., earned an MS degree from Texas A&M University and is a senior research associate at Ventana Medical Systems.

Jacob Schwartz of Northfield, Minn., is a software engineer at CH Robinson.

’18 Nathan Burwell is a data

management support specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in St. Paul.

Annalise Johnson is morning news anchor at KIMT-TV in Rochester, Minn.

Shannon Meehan of St. Louis is a laboratory technician at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

DeeDee (Bradshaw) Meunier earned an MEd degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and is a general music teacher for the La Crosse School District.

’20 Logan Morrison is an

exercise physiologist at Discover Strength in Minneapolis.

Trent Ostby is a realtor for Kelly Real Estate in Decorah.

Hallie Simon is an elementary music and band teacher for the Tri City United Public Schools in Montgomery, Minn.

’19 Race Fisher of St. Paul,

’21 Andrea Blocker of St.

Paige Yontz of West Des Moines, Iowa, is a practice manager at the Iowa Clinic.

Kyle Clough is an accountant at BH Management Services in Des Moines, Iowa.

Minn., earned an MA degree in history from Illinois State University.

Paul, Minn., is a regional fundraising specialist at Minnesota Public Radio.

Hanna (Dodd) Ferguson is a copywriter at Upshot Agency in Chicago.

Taehjona Hodges of St. Paul, Minn., is a college access junior coach at College Possible–Minnesota.

Elayna Kiehne is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

Daniel Opdahl is a science teacher in Pueblo (Colo.) School District 60.

Marriages ’03 Amber Wilson and William Crosby III, Dec. 19, 2021 ’12 Liz Bouma and Rachel Greene, Jan. 23, 2022 ’15 Laura Peterson and Joe Meola, Dec. 11, 2021 ’16 Jacy Mahoney and Roman Looser, Dec. 17, 2021

Births & Adoptions ’98 Matthew William (left),

’15 Elowynn, Jan. 5, 2022,

’07 Marshall Aiden, Dec. 28,

Lydia Jane, Feb. 20, 2022, child of Kelsey and Paul Vanney

’09 William Erik, Jan. 2,

2022, child of Jessica (Morrill) and Joseph Andrade

Oct. 20, 2021, child of Lisa (Bieber) and Erik Hagen 2021, child of Sarah (Putnam) and Sean Windt 2022, child of Erika (Randall) and Kyle Huegel

’12 Emmajean Marie, Dec. 7,

2021, child of Anne (Kuttler) and William Martin

’13 Soren, Dec. 21, 2021, child of Sophia (Brown) and Ryan Engelman

SPRING 2022

42

child of EmaLea and Reed Bowden

’17 Daniel Anthony, Jan. 31,

Ryan Michael (right), July 22, 2021, child of Stephanie (Duregger) and Reid Olson

’18 Ada Mae, Feb. 22, 2022, child of Mariah Olson Trewin and Sean Trewin

In Memoriam

Notices as of April 7, 2022. Obituaries at luther.edu/in-memoriam.

REGENT EMERITUS Dennis Flatness ’68 of St. Louis, Mo., died Jan. 7, 2022, age 75.

’48 Leonard Ambrose

Borlaug of Brainerd, Minn., died March 14, 2022, age 99.

’49 Nora (Forde) Hendrick-

’58 Marilyn Janice (Sorlien)

Skatrud of Eau Claire, Wis., formerly of Chippewa Falls, Wis., died Jan. 8, 2022, age 85.

’59 Aage Carlsen of Fosston, Minn., died Feb. 26, 2022, age 84.

Thelma (Olson) King of Pierre, S.D., died Jan. 14, 2022, age 85.

son of Decorah died March 9, 2022, age 95.

Thomas O. Lee of St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 9, 2022, age 84.

’50 Florence Caroline

Donna Mae (Ferden) Suby of Madison, Wis., died Jan. 2, 2022, age 83.

’52 Marie Elizabeth (Olson)

Lorraine Mary (Davis) Tressler of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Feb. 6, 2022, age 84.

(Heineck) Spors of Onalaska, Wis., Feb. 3, 2022, age 92.

Lee of Whitmore Lake, Mich., died Dec. 30, 2021, age 89.

’53 Charles Gilbert Kom-

schlies of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., died Dec. 17, 2021, age 89.

Robert K. Nelson of Honolulu, Hawaii, died April 2, 2022, age 90.

’54 Paul Nordvig of Reno,

Nev., died Jan. 24, 2022, age 89.

’55 Millie (Olson) Anderson of DeForest, Wis., died Dec. 2, 2021, age 88.

Vernon Arthur Anderson of Stewartville, Minn., died March 22, 2022, age 90.

Norman Ohnstad Gunderson of Garnavillo, Iowa, died Dec. 14, 2021, age 92.

Gretta Marie (Bjerke) Hahn of Decorah died Jan. 1, 2022, age 86.

Richard John Landborg of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Nov. 21, 2021, age 88.

Ruth Beverly (Novak) Roy of Walker, Minn., died Jan. 11, 2022, age 88.

’56 Nancy (Beggs) Oren of

Cottage Grove, Wis., died March 6, 2022, age 87.

’57 Glenn Allen Severson of

Carol Berdine (Kaasa) Turner of Mason City, Iowa, died Feb. 3, 2022, age 84.

’60 Ruth Elaine (Grotjahn)

Gilbertson of Menomonie, Wis., died Dec. 3, 2021, age 92.

Richard “Dick” Lind of Green Valley Ariz., and Sarona, Wis., died March 24, 2022, age 84.

’61 Phyllis Grace Engebret-

son of St. Paul, Minn., died Nov. 21, 2021, age 86.

Deanna (Blunt) Roen of Prescott, Wis., died Jan. 3, 2022, age 84.

’62 Bonnie Joy (Ring) Enke

of Wellsville, N.Y., died March 30, 2022, age 81.

John Eldred Nesset of Edina, Minn., died Dec. 20, 2021, age 81.

Janet Ruth (Osmundson) Schneider of Faribault, Minn., formerly of Owatonna, Minn., died Dec. 7, 2021, age 81.

’63 David Arnold Sanness of Aurora, Colo., died Nov. 19, 2021, age 81.

Lynne Lillian (Jordan) Enerson of Henderson, Nev., died Nov. 28, 2021, age 80.

’64 Ingrid Avilde (Marking)

Wynveen of Appleton, Wis., died Dec. 4, 2021, age 79.

’65 Alton Jay Flugum of

Bloomington, Minn., formerly of Albert Lea, Minn., died Dec. 20, 2021, age 78.

Susan (Baker) Micklick of Albert Lea, Minn., died March 15, 2022.

’66 Jacqueline “Jackie”

(Hanson) Kuhns of Buffalo, Minn., died Feb. 12, 2022, age 75.

’67 Gerald “Jerry” D. Falck of Decorah died Dec. 23, 2021, age 76.

Phillip Robert Johnson of Oregon, Wis., died March 19, 2022, age 77.

’68 Gregory Brooks Sr. of Chicago died Feb. 4, 2022.

Gerald “Jerry” LeRoy Bubolz of Thief River Falls, Wis., died Feb. 17, 2022, age 76.

Retha (Swanson) Finger of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 12, 2022, age 75.

’69 George S. Curry of Platteville, Wis., died Dec. 4, 2021, age 74.

Robert “Bob” F. Hankel Jr. of Marana, Ariz., died Nov. 15, 2021, age 74.

Eric Prestegaard of Akron, Ohio, died Feb. 18, 2022, age 74.

’70 Stephen Charles Rankin of Tulsa, Okla., died June 9, 2021, age 73.

’71 Roger Warren Bang of

Mason City, Iowa, died March 22, 2022, age 72.

Don Farwell of San Francisco died Feb. 16, 2021, age 76.

’72 Beth M. (Nesheim) Hopkins of Independence, Mo., died on Feb. 5, 2022, age 71.

’74 Kristine Marie (Lerud) Martin of St. Paul, Minn., died Jan. 20, 2022, age 68.

’76 Steven Craig Upmeyer

of Indianapolis, formerly of Tell City, Ind., died Dec. 8, 2021, age 67.

’77 Alice E. Reuter of Yorba Linda, Calif., died Sept. 6, 2021, age 66.

’78 Sue Ellen (Mathison)

Richter of Lime Springs, Iowa, died Dec. 17, 2021, age 66.

’80 Marjorie Ann (Loupee) Branderhorst of Newton, Iowa, died Dec. 1, 2021, age 63.

Rose M. Jensen of Racine, Wis., died Jan. 10, 2022, age 75.

’81 Haldis I. Kaasa of Dec-

orah died Jan. 5, 2022, age 90.

Paul Luther Peterson of Owatonna, Minn., died Jan. 30, 2022, age 62.

’83 Greg Lonning of Maplewood, N.J., died March 8, 2022, age 60.

’85 Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” (Borchert) Thompson of Decorah died Jan. 15, 2022, age 74.

’89 Jeffrey Oliver Gun-

derson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of New Hampton, Iowa, died Nov. 10, 2021, age 58.

’91 Karen Elizabeth (Voor-

hees) Shaffer of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 17, 2022, age 52.

Quentin Silberstein of Slater, Iowa, died Jan. 8, 2022, age 53.

’93 Craig Arthur Livingston of Shell Lake, Wis., died Dec. 8, 2021, age 50.

’98 Peter Lisius of Stowe,

Ohio, died April 5, 2022, age 46.

Elpidio “Junior” Abanilla Mariano of Oconomowoc, Wis., died Dec. 7, 2021, age 45.

’14 Alexander Joseph Kalal of Burnsville, Minn., died Dec. 19, 2021, age 29.

’75 Kristie (Almlie) Bauer

of Phoenix, Ariz., died Jan. 11, 2022, age 68.

Lewisville, Texas, died Feb. 22, 2022, age 86.

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PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Each year, the generosity of President’s Council members brings the college’s mission to life. This multigenerational donor group is the trusted base of trueblue supporters whose gifts impact all aspects of a Luther education. They are the ones we can count on to hold fast to the Luther blue thread that connects past, present, and future.

It was inspiring to recognize the new Life Members, who attained this philanthropic milestone in 2021, at our event on April 2, and to celebrate their generous love of Luther College.”

—President Jenifer K. Ward

A full list of 2022 membership, based on 2021 calendar year giving, is available at luther.edu/magazine.

2022 New Life Members Front row: Janis (Miller) Lovell ’80, James Lovell ’79, Kent Simmonds, Lynne Sootheran Back row: Karen (Wardell) Austad ’64, Michael Austad ’65, President Jenifer K. Ward, Jenee (Nelson) Dettmann ’72, Dave Dettmann ’71 Not pictured: Anonymous (2), Don ’53 and †Joan Bungum, †Ralph ’49 and †Ethel Colrud, Lloyd Nelson ’51, Lowell ’58 and Mary Peterson, Steven ’77 and Marcia (Hoff) Pitzenberger ’78 †Deceased

“Support Luther! It provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning at a time when many large universities are cutting back on their liberal arts offerings. Luther has provided a great base for three generations of our family—Jenee’s three aunts, who were among Luther’s first women graduates, her father and mother, her sister, Dave’s brother, our three children, their spouses, and us.

We are pleased that we are able to give back to help current and future Luther students.”

—Dave ’71 and Jenee (Nelson) Dettmann ’72

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A new Luther alumni happy hour series kicked off April 14 at Decorah’s Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. During this inaugural event, new head coach Joe Troche shared some thoughts on the future of Luther Football.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

COMMENCEMENT

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALUMNAE TOUR OF PERU

LUTHER BASEBALL VS. BRIAR CLIFF

Luther College

Friday, July 8–

Friday, September 16, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Field of Dreams

C L A S S O F 1970— A SUMMER WEEKEND IN DECORAH

Hosted by former coach Jane

Dyersville, Iowa

Friday, June 3—

Alcock ’82

Friday, September 16—Sunday,

ALUMNI BAND REUNION DINNER

Luther College and Decorah

Sunday, June 5, 2022 Luther College

(Greene) Hildebrand ’74 and alumni director Sherry (Braun)

C L A S S O F 2000 FA L L R E U N I O N G AT H E R I N G

September 18, 2022

C L A S S O F 1980 S U M M E R G E TA W AY— R E U N I O N WITHOUT THE CROWD

Saturday, July 23, 2022

FA M I LY W E E K E N D

Luther College

Friday, September 23–

In honor of professor emeritus of

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Friday, June 3—

music Fred Nyline

Luther College

ALL-LUTHER WRESTLING REUNION

C L A S S O F 2015 NORDICFEST WEEKEND REUNION

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TOUR OF VIETNAM AND B H U TA N

Thursday, July 28—

Friday, September 30–

Friday, June 10–

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Luther College and Decorah

Hosted by Ann Highum,

Sunday, June 5, 2022 Luther College

Luther College

NORSE SHORT COURSES— NORDIC STUDIES INSTITUTE •Rosemaling

vice president emeritus of student

DECORAH NAA BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, August 1, 2022

HOMECOMING

Oneota Golf and Country Club,

Friday, October 7–

Decorah

Sunday, October 9, 2022

•Sami Bracelets •Scandinavian Sounds •Sustainability and Place Friday, June 10– Sunday, June 12, 2022 Luther College

life, and Jerry Freund

Luther College

FRIENDS OF LUTHER COLLEGE WRESTLING GOLF TOURNAMENT

Thursday, December 1–

Friday, August 12, 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Jackson Heights Golf Club

Luther College

Jackson Junction, Iowa

C H R I S T M A S AT L U T H E R

LUTHER COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE DRIVE DECORAH, IOWA 52101-1045

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT NO. 148

Singer and TikTok superstar Tai Verdes (front row center, in white) performed at Luther on April 2. He took time to pose for a photo with members of the Student Activities Council, which regularly brings big-name acts to campus.