Issuu

Remembering Weston Noble ’43 1922–2016

WINTER 2017

Editor Ellen Modersohn Luther Alumni Magazine Volume 50, Number 2, Winter 2017

Managing Editor Kate Frentzel

Published by Luther College

Designer Michael Bartels Contributors Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82 Nancy K. Barry

Kelli Billstein ’07 Dave Blanchard Sue (Franzen) Drilling ’78 Lori Ferguson Sara Friedl-Putnam Annalise Johnson ’18 Kirk Johnson ’82 Aaron Lurth ’08 Emily Markee ’17 Judy Riha Julie Strom Hendrickson ’93

Luther Alumni Magazine welcomes articles and signed letters to the editor; submissions may be edited for style, clarity, or length. Inquiries and submissions may be sent to the Editor, Luther Alumni Magazine, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 521011045; magazine@luther.edu; phone (563) 387-1350. Class Notes submissions and changes of address may be sent to the Alumni Office at the address above. Alumni news may be emailed to the Alumni Office at alumni@luther.edu. Questions and concerns about the magazine may be emailed to magazine@ luther.edu.

Contents Features 18 A hand worthy of Ironman

Put a determined Luther student together with talented graduates and a prosthetics lab and you create a powerful problem-solving team and a heck of an internship.

23 A leading light of Luther College

Weston Noble ’43, who died in December, devoted his life to the music, students, and life of Luther, “the best and only place I can imagine being,” he said.

27 Having fun and honoring distinction at Homecoming

Alumni returned to beautiful Decorah last fall to refresh their favorite Luther memories and recognize the achievements of other alumni and friends.

Departments 2 President’s Letter 3 Campus 36 Alumni

ANNIKA VANDE KROL ‘19

43 Class Notes z 52 Marriages 53 Births/Adoptions z 53 In Memoriam

56 Endpage Calendar (inside back cover) Share magazine stories online

Alumni Office (800) 225-8664; (800) 2 ALUMNI

The alumni magazine is online in a mobile and shareable format. Share stories through email, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ at luther.edu/magazine.

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Left: Students share their research during an environmental sciences poster session in December 2016.

Web luther.edu luther.edu/magazine

COVER PHOTO BY JAMES J. KRIEGSMANN AND COURTESY OF LUTHER COLLEGE ARCHIVES

President’s Letter

As a new cycle of learning begins, we honor the generosity and wisdom that have shaped Luther’s legacy

“

The connections formed at and through Luther change lives.”

Luther students are excitedly beginning January Term as I write this letter. Some are diving into a focused course on campus, while others are studying abroad or exploring the world of work through an internship or practicum. Luther students intern at Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, hospitals and arts organizations, churches and nonprofits. From a digital marketing firm in California to the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, internships help students apply their learning, discern their calling, and develop professional skills. In this issue of the Luther Alumni Magazine, you’ll read about the generosity of Luther alumni who help make J-term and summer internships possible for our current students. Recent gifts from Jim ’86 and Kathy (Winter) Thomsen ’85 and Bill ’95 and Kirsten (Stumme) Bohmer ’94 help students cover the costs associated with an internship, such as travel and housing, while many other Luther grads host internships and even welcome students to stay in their homes. For J-term 2017, Luther alumni and friends offered 71 internship opportunities for Luther students. You can find a sample of our internship stories online at luther.edu/career/internships stories. The connections formed at and through Luther change lives. In recent weeks, we’ve mourned the loss of several beloved professors who influenced generations of Luther students—Lawrence Williams, Christina Moorcroft ’78, A. Thomas Kraabel ’56, Russell Rulon ’58, and Weston Noble ’43. They were teachers, scholars, advisers, mentors, and friends, and we were enlivened and transformed by our encounters with them. Their legacies will live on through the work and service of their students and colleagues. In this issue of the magazine, we include special memories of Weston Noble. It’s hard to overstate Weston’s contributions to American choral music and to the rich tradition of music at Luther College. Each time I read a profile or remembrance of Weston, or talk with his students, colleagues, family, and friends, I learn something new about his remarkable life and how widely he was known and loved. His life truly was an example of the liberating power of faith and learning. Weston had a deep love for Luther College, and he leaves behind a legacy of musical excellence and service that is an inspiration to us all. May God bless the memory of Lawrence Williams, Chris Moorcroft, Tom Kraabel, Russ Rulon, and Weston Noble. Soli Deo Gloria,

Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News GIFTS AT WORK

Internship program connects students, alumni, applied learning Physics major Caleb Anderson ’17 spent January 2016 interning at Asylum Research in Santa Barbara, Calif. He learned how the company makes atomic-force microscopes and gained familiarity with the field and its equipment. He also made valuable connections with employees that could help him in his life after Luther. Internships help Luther students apply the knowledge and skills they’ve studied in the classroom while gaining practical experience in their field of interest. Students who can show they know how to integrate their classroom learning with the work world also gain an edge when it comes to looking for work. Spending a few weeks or months in a workplace lets students polish their communication skills, try out tasks, and further explore whether a field would be a good fit for them. Dan Marlow ’88, assistant director of Luther’s Career Center, says, “Employers and graduate schools increasingly expect that students have internships and other relevant applied-learning experience on their resumes. It is vital that we support students in these endeavors.” Not all students can cover the costs associated with an internship, such as travel and a place to live. And the number of students seeking funds to support an internship is increasing. That’s why recent gifts from James ’86 and Kathy (Winter) Thomsen ’85 and Bill ’95 and Kirsten (Stumme) Bohmer ’94 allocated to students through the Luther Career Center’s Internship Funding Program have been so important. Their gifts made it financially possible for 21 students to secure an internship through the center during January Term or the summer of 2015–16. A common factor in these particular internships is that they involve Luther alumni. As they make the experiences possible for students, these gifts also give more alumni and friends of Luther a way to be part of Luther’s education process. Luther graduates and friends often volunteer to host internships, welcoming students into their workplaces and showing them the ropes. Others provide students a place to live during their internships. Anderson says that without the stipend he would not have been able to complete his internship in Santa Barbara. Lucas Kane ’18

BREANNE PIERCE ’16

Evan Seegmiller ’17, far right, interned with Evergreen Bank Group in Oak Brook, Ill., during January Term 2016 with (left to right) Jenny Voss ’07, Jill Wachholz ’89, and Kayla Hermann ’15. Wachholz is vice president and chief financial officer of the bank.

How you can participate To learn how you can contribute to Luther in a variety of ways—funding, volunteering, mentoring, and more: • Visit luther.edu/giving • Email Career Center Director Brenda Ranum at ranubr01@ luther.edu • Join LinkedIn’s Luther College Career Network

says the funding allowed him to intern with Michael Krull ’87 at Resilient Corporation, which helps companies manage digital disruptions. Kane was able to use some of the code he wrote in class on an application he worked on for the Washington, D.C., business. Wade Johnson ’87 matched international studies major Rozlyn Paradis ’18 with Vine and Branches, a nonprofit secondhand shop and ministry in Richfield, Minn. She helped refugee families supply their households and

outfitted job applicants with interview clothes. In working at Vine and Branches, Paradis says she learned how to “interact with people regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural tenets, physical or mental capabilities, or language barriers.” Management major Evan Seegmiller ’17 interned at Evergreen Bank in Oak Brook, Ill., with three Luther graduates: Jenny Voss ’07, Jill Wachholz ’89, and Kayla Hermann ’15. During January Term 2016, he rotated through several departments to get the bigpicture perspective, he says. While in the marketing department, “I helped strategize ways to bring in a new generation of customers,” he says. In 2015–16, alumni offered 68 J-term and 27 summer internships. The total number of for-credit internships reported, including those funded by Thomsen and Bohmer and those that students obtained without financial assistance through Luther, was 207. The internship program is continuing this year, and the intent is to keep it growing.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

On the power and mystery of water Chapel Sermon Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 Nancy K. Barry, professor of English and current Jones Professor in the Humanities, delivered this sermon during chapel in the Center for Faith and Life just five days after Luther student Bjorn Norderhaug went missing, and four days after his body was recovered from the Upper Iowa River. The Decorah area had also recently endured deluges of rain that caused flooding in many homes and businesses and on parts of the Luther campus.

n Monday in chapel we heard the story from a later book of Exodus, about the decision by Moses to lead the sons of Jacob out of Egypt in a “roundabout way.” Today’s scripture comes from Exodus Book 2, and takes us back in time to the story of Moses’s birth and abandonment by the river’s edge: Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. 2The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. 3When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. 5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 6When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. 10When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses,* “because,” she said, “I drew him out* of the water.”

Luther Alumni Magazine

It is not uncommon for the life of a great leader or prophet to begin with paradox. Moses was born at the time when the Egyptians enslaved the Hebrews. The Pharaoh was obsessed with his fear that the Hebrews would eventually overwhelm the Egyptian population, so he decided to order the murder of every male Hebrew infant. The mother of Moses conceived of a plan to save her son by abandoning him. She let the baby go by placing him in a vessel and setting him down among the reeds of the river to see if some stranger, someone more safe than his own mother, would rescue the child. He was rescued, and not just by anyone, but by the Pharaoh’s own daughter. You have to give it to ancients—they may not have had cell phones, but they understood the power of irony. Moses, rescued and brought up by the same people who had instigated the reason he was deserted by his family in the first place. This narrative of the lost-and-found Moses echoes another classical narrative about an infant abandoned by his parents. Oedipus, left on a mountaintop so that the terrible fate predicted for his life (that he would grow up to murder his father and marry his mother) might be forestalled. The Greeks too knew irony and loved to bite down hard upon it in their tragedies. At every turn in Oedipus’s life, whenever people hear the prophecy and resolve to prevent it, all they do is put themselves one step closer to the very thing they are trying to avoid. On Friday, when we rededicate the statue of Oedipus that graces the sidewalk along this building, you will notice he is—centuries later—still blind. In her 20th-century American novel Beloved, Toni Morrison describes a more violent version of this story. The mother, Sethe, doesn’t imagine she can spare her child from the cruel fate of slavery, so she kills the infant herself, only to find that the speechless, bodiless infant “Beloved” haunts her, as if to say, “You will not murder me; you cannot murder me.” Pastor Mike [Blair] asked me to preach on this passage because I have often deep resonance in sacred texts about water, and since our series is called “Chapel on the Move,” he wanted to hear whatever I had to say about a prophet who is abandoned in a basket by the river, and then rescued, in a very roundabout way. As it all turns out, Moses is given back to his own mother to suckle and raise, and then, because the Pharaoh’s daughter also wants the child, is actually raised in the very house that wanted him killed. Somewhere in the universe, some sacred voice is saying to the Pharaoh, just like it said to Oedipus: “Gotcha! You in your ancient and modern world, you may think you are way bigger than the universe, but no matter what efforts you take to make the universe bend to your will, there is another hand at work. Yahweh’s hand. God’s plan. Beloved’s tenacious will.” This was the sermon I was writing on Sunday morning, trying to piece together something coherent to say about the uncanny discovery of one of our greatest prophets. Great man, almost killed, grows up to live in the household of the very people who wanted him doomed. Leads his nation out of slavery, encounters the very essence of the divine, and then

Campus News

is given by that same diety the sacred laws—the covenant—the commandments—by which they proclaim themselves to be a people of God. Good news for the people of God. You will be rescued and the children will be saved. But then, at my writing desk, came the terrible news on Sunday afternoon—the worst possible news—and everything inside of me got pulled into a different kind of river, the one where the child is not saved, and the water brings not life, but incalculable loss. I recognized the chill that went through my body. I call it the “midcurrent chill,” because when I was a child and learned to swim in the Delaware River, we would make a game of swimming across its narrow breadth near our cabin. But because our swimming route was 100 yards downstream from a small set of rapids, there was always a place, right in the center of the river, where the temperature of the water dropped 10 degrees in a second. The first time I felt that chill, it moved from my toes through my lungs and up into my throat so fast, I was frozen by it. So I turned and thought, “I’ll just go back.” But then realized I was dead center in the middle of something there was no fooling around with, and the only safe move was to keep going. We all, during these past five days, have felt that jolt in a different way. A young man who could not be rescued from the water. Where is the prophecy in that? How could it happen that water—the thing that fills up as much as 65 percent of our bodies, and 71 percent of the earth’s surface—how can it happen that this most basic element could become, in the space of one short month, our nemesis? How did it happen that this life-giving water that is supposed to represent the rivers of Babylon, the fountain of our baptism, or maybe even the streams of Innisfree is now, all through August and September, bringing us nothing but grief? Whole basements washed away in minutes. Water that will not relent, spurting upward from crevices beneath our houses. Yesterday I went out very early into the damp fog and had to wipe droplets of watery spit from my arms, and could only yell out loud this frantic prayer: “Dear God, could you give us a break? Even when it’s not raining, it’s raining!” In this story from the Hebrew Bible, water brings no harm to the child. God is in Moses, resting in the shallow basket; God is in his mother, who comes up with a desperate but intuitive plan to keep her son alive; God is in the Pharaoh’s daughter, who is drawn to the infant and wants the child so much she is willing to pay another woman, a Hebrew woman, to be his nursemaid. All of this, so Moses can grow up to become Moses—a prophet recognized by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as a man who saw God, heard the word of God, and survived to tell the tale of how others might build a covenant with one God. Was Bjorn somehow not part of the tribe of Moses? Was his infant head not bathed in the waters of baptism, with all the elders promising to do all they could to keep him safe? Did the waters of grace not enter his soul and connect him to that everlasting stream that—so the scripture tells us—has neither beginning nor end? Of course not, we clamour, of course not. So why did the river not keep him safe? That question, on most days, is the real river we cross. We want to

believe there is divinity shaping our strokes. We believe that because one of the alternatives is the vision of Oedipus, a blind old man who learns too late that the gods, as omnipotent as they are small-minded, will get us in the end and prove us fools wandering the earth, wishing in vain that we are the ones in charge—the Pharaohs, the Kings, the smart ones who can solve every riddle on earth. All of us, I think, are caught dead center in that question, that puzzle. We look back to the safe shores of faith narratives and the wisdom of prophets and think, surely someone has an answer for this puzzle. Bjorn may not have been Moses, but he was a young man—still his mother and father’s child—why, why was he not rescued? That was how I felt on Sunday night, caught like a swimmer in the place where the temperature drops 10 degrees in half a second, and our feet cannot touch bottom and all we can do is just keep breathing and kicking and moving our arms like fools and hoping against hope: the water will not kill me today, please God, let me not drown in this sorrow. So I did the thing all writers do: I just kept writing. Itself, a lot like swimming. And because the words were doing their best to rescue me, very late last night, I realized: all of us are drowning in the same water that keeps us afloat. The water saves us and kills us, every breath we take. By then, it was well past 1 a.m., and after I wrote that sentence, I stared at the computer for a long time, just repeating the line, saying it like a mantra, until finally I laughed out loud and said, “That doesn’t make any sense. Who do you think you are, some lunatic 21st-century Moses?” And then, I did what every postmodern person in the digital age does when she doesn’t know what to do—I clicked on a random email sent to me by a monstrous corporation trying to sell me something. It just so happened, this email was from TIAA-CREF, the mini stock market all the adults in this room are trusting in to make our retirement safe. The email came at me with five brightly colored boxes, promising me like some prophet that all I had to do was click on the right one to feel “safe” in my retirement years. Just the voice of Moses, promising me some covenant, click after click after click. Do you know the only thing that is clicking here? Our hearts. Each one of us, and no one can know when or how or why they will stop when they do. To live in this world means we drown in the same water that keeps us alive—that is what it means to be human. We are made of nothing but water, and to be alive—to be deeply, drowningly alive—is to know that the water can swallow us up. I say this today not to fill us with despair or nihilism. We are not witless and we are not alone. That was the one steadfast rule my family never relented on when we swam in the river: never, ever, ever step foot in it alone. Whether you were eight, or 18, or 80—the river was a place for other people to be with you. That is not the answer to the riddle, but it can help us stay afloat in its mystery: Fetch me water from the east. Fetch me water from the west. Fetch me water from the houses of our prophets. Fetch us water while we live. Fetch us water when we die. (Adapted from “Water from the Houses of Our Fathers” by Pete Morgan.)

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

Luther students and alumni volunteer for Decorah flood cleanup

ADAM BOHACH '06

Right before fall semester 2016 started at Luther, a series of heavy rains drove the Upper Iowa River out of its banks, across roads and fields, and into the basements of Decorah-area homes surrounded by already saturated ground. The Luther community reached out to help area residents who had flood damage. Karl Jacobsen ’72 shared his story with the Luther Alumni Magazine, but it is just one of many.

DAVID FOLEY

Alumni flood-repair volunteers at the home of Karl Jacobsen ’72 (left to right): Flannery Cerbin Bohach ’08, Nathan McCann ’06, Seth Kelly ’06, Erin Wright Kelly, John Franzen ’07, Matt Hareldson ’06, Becca Morales, Adam Bohach ’06 (front).

Members of the Luther women’s basketball team clean and dry items recovered from the Jacobsens's basement.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Jacobsen’s Freeport home is next to a cornfield that had flooded. On Aug. 23, water pushed through the field to inundate his home’s foundation, collapsing a basement wall. Jacobsen, his wife, Jerrine, and a grandson were in the house at the time but got out safely. The Jacobsens spent the next five nights with their cat and dog in a hotel, and then moved into their RV in their driveway. Neighbors, Mennonite volunteers, and many people from the Luther community turned out to help the Jacobsens, power-spraying, handwashing, mowing the lawn, hauling items away, and more. Luther students returning to campus for several fall sports volunteered to fill and place sandbags and clear mud and debris from flooded homes. It was the women’s basketball team that gathered to help the Jacobsens. While they dug things out of his muddy basement and cleaned them, Jacobsen says, he told them stories about the items they’d found. Among the most notable finds, says Jacobsen, who has type 1 diabetes, were a glass syringe and the container he used to weigh his food when he was a student at Luther. While they needed a good rinsing, both were intact. Rains kept coming throughout September, impeding work on the Jacobsen foundation, and by Homecoming, there was still work to do. That’s when a group of alumni friends pitched in. Seth Kelly ’06 had contacted Kirk Johnson ’82, Luther associate director of alumni relations, to ask how the group could help with flood repair. Johnson connected them with Jacobsen, and early on Homecoming Saturday, after yet more rain, the alumni shoveled mud from the basement so that contractors could begin to rebrace the house, Kelly says. The bracing was completed by 1 a.m. Sunday, and on Oct. 10 contractors poured the new basement wall, good as new.

Campus News

Luther adds interdisciplinary neuroscience major Neuroscience, the fastest growing area in basic scientific research, is the newest addition to Luther’s curriculum. The interdisciplinary study of how the nervous system controls every aspect of humanness covers basic processes such as regulating body temperature as well as more complex functions such as movement, perception, behavior, emotion, desires, and memory. “The complexity of the brain is absolutely astounding, and it may well be considered as the final frontier in our understanding the essence of life. From this three-pound organ comes not only the control of body function, but also our ability to learn, to dance when joy emanates from our soul, to establish meaningful relationships, and to mourn when we sense loss,”says Scott Carlson, Luther professor of biology and neuroscience. “From the brain arises all of mankind’s progress—the philosophical principles laid out by Socrates, our finest literature and music, the exploration of the universe. This is the essence

of what it means to be human, and there is no computer that can replicate it. I never cease to be amazed at what an incredible organ the brain is!” Today neuroscience comprises a wide array of disciplines (including biology, psychology, genetics, chemistry, computer programming, physics, engineering, linguistics, medicine, ethics, law, and philosophy) that employ an arsenal of techniques to understand how the mind emerges from the complex interactions of genes, proteins, neurons, and circuits. Neuroscience seeks to provide insight for treating the more than 1,000 known medical disorders associated with the brain. “Everything psychological is simultaneously biological. If we want to fully understand human or animal behavior and thought processes, we need to know something about how the brain and nervous system function,” says Kristy Gould, Luther professor of psychology and neuroscience. “The way neurons communicate, the chemicals they use to communicate, the

areas of the brain that are active, how these areas work together . . . these things are all fundamentally linked to psychological processes, both typical and atypical.” At Luther, the neuroscience major centers on providing students with an interdisciplinary perspective. The foundational components of the major are provided through a series of courses in biology and psychology that center on neuronal function and its role in biology and behavior. Students may then pursue a deeper understanding of biological or cognitive and behavioral neuroscience as they choose supporting courses in the major. Students will also gain proficiency in research literature, scientific communication, experimental design, and evidence-based reasoning. The major is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to successfully pursue graduate studies, careers in medicine or allied health fields, or other careers that require strong quantitative and assessment skills.

Quote/Unquote “The job that we face as human beings in the world is to try to exand our sense of who is like us until it encompasses the world, until we are in fact all completely beside ourselves.” —KAREN JOY FOWLER, author of the novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, who gave the fall Opening Convocation address

President Paula Carlson welcomes 13 members of the Norwegian Parliament to Luther on Sept. 20, 2016. The visitors were in the U.S. to learn about the presidential election. While on campus they had lunch with members of Luther’s administration, faculty in the Nordic Studies Department, and six students taking a Norwegian class. Eirin Sund, a member of Norway’s Labour Party, told the Luther newspaper Chips that she was surprised to see American students learning the Norwegian language. “It is not easy. It is incredibly difficult,” she said.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

In September Luther hosted its fourth writers festival. Authors who spoke on the craft of writing were of the literary caliber for which one rolls out the red carpet. New York Times bestselling historical narrative author Erik Larson. National Book Award nominee, author, poet, and essayist Charles Baxter. Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award winning novelist Jane Hamilton. Acclaimed author Bret Anthony Johnston, who teaches creative writing at Harvard. In addition, there were a number of excellent published poets and writers of various genres. All had congregated to expose the parts of their brains that aspiring writers find so precious: those tender mechanisms that make this writing machine work. As an alumna of Luther's English program, as a freelance magazine journalist, and as a generalist writer and lover of books, I was transfixed by the keynote speeches, the panel discussions, the breakout sessions—which all took place over the course of 24 hours. Here are my top seven festival takeaways.

KIEN DAO '20

7 takeaways from the 2016 Luther College Writers Festival

Erik Larson (left), author of bestsellers such as Devil in the White City and Dead Wake, has an onstage discussion with David Faldet ’79, Luther English professor, during the Farwell Distinguished Lecture on the opening evening of the festival.

—Kelli Billstein ’07

Writers block? Look no further than the historic archives for inspiration. According to Erik Larson, “Every day [in the past] is like a detective story.” And you can be Sherlock’s Watson—translating history’s details with a storyteller’s touch, bringing old ghosts and events to life again.

Write from a place of generosity. Especially when it comes to writing about your family. Know that the truth is always more interesting than anything you could fabricate, but it’s so hard to tackle when writing from personal experience.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Strive to avoid adjectives. After you write something, go back and delete all the adjectives. See if you miss them. You might like the sparseness.

Writing is about doing a little more than you thought you could. Don’t quit after a few miles; this is a marathon.

Research publishers well. Ready to start pitching your book to publishers? Great! But make sure you do your homework and know what genre and style of books that publisher prints. Be sure your book fits there.

Sorry, but good writing just takes time. Expect writing to be a long, slow process. That’s the price of admission. Pay up.

Insulate yourself against the idea that writing is an indulgence. In the conference’s closing remarks, Bret Anthony Johnston pointed out that “the world will throw all kinds of things at you that will make it easy to give up writing. But remember that you’re giving up indulgences in order to be a writer.”

Campus News

1517–2017 the

REFORMATION of everything Exploring a movement that changed the world

Luther College begins yearlong commemoration The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which began on Oct. 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther College will spend

this year exploring the Reformation, its impact and legacy, and its continuing relevance today. The public is invited; there is no admission charge for most events.

EVENTS

• Spring Convocation, Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, speaker Feb. 2; Center for Faith and Life • Center Stage Series: Calmus, Luther’s Lieder; Feb. 4; Center for Faith and Life, tickets.luther.edu • Distinguished Lecture, Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber; March 31; Center for Faith and Life • Conference: Liberating Grace—The Power of the Reformation in the World Today March 31–April 1, Luther College Bolz-Weber and a variety of individuals will lead seminars and workshops on topics such as Luther College’s legacy— how those connected with the college have influenced the reforming world through their vocation, scholarship, volunteerism, and more. Plenary address by the Lutheran World Federation’s Ralston Deffenbaugh. The weekend will culminate with a festival worship service, April 2, Center for Faith and Life. • Mass in B-minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by Luther’s Nordic Choir, Symphony Orchestra; April 1; Center for Faith and Life; admission fee, tickets.luther.edu • Commencement, speaker John Nunes, theologian and former director of Lutheran World Relief; May 21 • All-day symposium: Luther College Examines the Reformation and Its Continuing Impact; Oct. 31. Opening convocation by professor Brad Gregory of the University of Notre Dame; workshops by Marty Haugen ’73, composer of liturgical music

Schedule details and information on related art exhibits:

luther.edu/reformation-2017

Christman joins top Humboldt scholars for six months of study in Germany Robert Christman spent six months in Germany last year, conducting research, writing, and getting to know some of the world’s top scholars. Christman, a Luther associate professor of history and a leading Robert Christman organizer of the college’s commemoration of the Reformation this year, received a Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers from the Alexander Humboldt Foundation.

From Feb. 1 through July 31, 2016, he was sponsored by the faculty of evangelical theology at the University of Münster. The goal of the foundation is to connect promising young scholars from around the world, in all fields and disciplines, with German academics and with each other. To qualify for the grant, applicants must not only propose a project, they must submit all of their scholarly work—in triplicate. Their work is then evaluated by German scholars in the same field. Also required are letters from senior scholars in their field, letters of invitation from the German institution they want to work with, and proof that they speak fluent German.

To say the least, the process is strenuous. But Christman, whose career research has focused on German reformation and late medieval and early modern Europe, provided an exceptional body of work that met the bar. While in Germany, he attended Humboldt conferences in Dusseldorf and Berlin, where he met about two hundred other grantees, all from major research universities, he says. On his return, Christman had a complete book manuscript, which he is now revising for publication. His project was titled “The Reformed Augustinians of Lower Germany and the Dynamics of the Early Reformation.”

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

Music ensemble tours 2017 Details at luther.edu/music/tours

NORDIC CHOIR MIDWEST TOUR

Saturday, January 21, 7 p.m. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Middleton, Wis. Sunday, January 22, 4 p.m. First Lutheran Church Onalaska, Wis. Friday, January 27, 7 p.m. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Rockford, Ill. Saturday, January 28, 7 p.m. Ascension Lutheran Church Green Bay, Wis. Sunday, January 29, 4:30 p.m. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Waukesha, Wis. Monday, January 30, 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove Downers Grove, Ill. Tuesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church Iowa City, Iowa Wednesday, February 1, 7 p.m. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Cedar Falls, Iowa Thursday, February 2, 7 p.m. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church West Des Moines, Iowa Friday, February 3, 7:30 p.m. First Plymouth Congregational Church Lincoln, Neb. Saturday, February 4, 7 p.m. Augustana Lutheran Church West St. Paul, Minn. Sunday, February 5, 2:30 p.m. The Church of St. John the Evangelist Rochester, Minn. Tuesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. Tour Homecoming Concert Center for Faith and Life, Luther

Luther Alumni Magazine

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MIDWEST TOUR

Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m. John Marshall High School Auditorium Rochester, Minn. Saturday, January 28, 7:30 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church Overland Park, Kan. Sunday, January 29, 4 p.m. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Manchester, Mo. Monday, January 30, 7 p.m. Lutheran Church of Hope Sanctuary West Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday, January 31, 7 p.m. Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center Bettendorf, Iowa Sunday, February 5, 4 p.m. Tour Homecoming Concert Center for Faith and Life, Luther JAZZ ORCHESTRA COLORADO TOUR

BACH MASS IN B-MINOR WITH NORDIC CHOIR AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Commemorating 500 years of the Reformation Saturday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. Center for Faith and Life, Luther Sunday, April 2, 7:30 p.m. Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minn. CATHEDRAL CHOIR

Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church Onalaska, Wis. Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. St. Stephen's Lutheran Church Cedar Rapids, Iowa Sunday, April 23, 4 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church Owatonna, Minn. Tuesday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. Tour Homecoming Concert, Luther COLLEGIATE CHORALE

Friday, March 17, 7 p.m. Zumbro Lutheran Church Rochester, Minn.

Thursday, April 20, 7 p.m. McFarland Lutheran Church McFarland, Wis.

Saturday, March 18, 6 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church Fort Collins, Colo.

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m St. Paul Lutheran Church Clinton, Iowa

Sunday, March 19, 4 p.m. Augustana Lutheran Church Denver, Colo.

Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. Hastings Art Center Hastings, Minn.

Monday, March 20, 7 p.m. Cheyenne Mountain High School Colorado Springs, Colo.

Sunday, April 23, 4 p.m. Bethesda Lutheran Church Ames, Iowa

Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Greeley, Colo. Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. Tour Homecoming Concert Center for Faith and Life, Luther

Thursday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. Tour Homecoming Concert, Luther CONCERT BAND

Monday, May 22, 7 p.m. East Aurora High School Auditorium Aurora, Ill. International Tour to Spain May 24–June 2

Campus News

AARON LURTH ' 08

Christmas at Luther The college celebrated Christmas at Luther for a 35th time the first weekend in December in the Center for Faith and Life. The five concerts featured performances by six choirs under the direction of Ann Howard Jones, Andrew Last ’97, Jennaya (Rogers) Robison ’96, and Jill Wilson; Luther Ringers, led by college organist Gregory Peterson ’83; Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Baldwin; and with audience singing.

Recordings available

For the first time, Luther staff and music faculty self-produced the Christmas at Luther concerts and compiled a video presentation that was shared with the college community and friends through a digital holiday card. The recording was also available at luther.edu through Jan.1.

The recording of Christmas at Luther 2016 is available in the CD Out of Darkness, Light! Ensembles on this album include: Aurora, Norsemen, Cathedral Choir, Cantorei, Collegiate Chorale, Nordic Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Luther Ringers. Nordic Choir’s new album, Serenity, features musical selections that were performed during the tours of the 2015–16 academic year. The title track is the dramatic choral and solo cello piece by composer Ola Gjeilo, which was also featured as part of 2015’s Christmas at Luther: Savior of the Nations, Come. Other pieces on the new album include “Wake, Awake” by F. Melius Christiansen, “Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden” by J. S. Bach, and “Alleluia” by Jake Runestad. All recordings by music ensembles at Luther may be purchased lutherbookshop.com or by calling (888) 521-5039.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

he following statement was developed by the campus organization Just Action in fall 2016. Within one day more than 200 individuals had endorsed the statement. By the time this magazine went to press, that number had risen to nearly 800 individuals and 23 organizations. The statement is online at luther.edu/just-action/black-lives-matter along with links to endorse it.

Black Lives Matter: A Declaration of the Value of All Life The American experience has entailed an ongoing systematic devaluing of black lives, including 240 years of slavery, 100 years of Jim Crow laws, and the last 55 years of racialized discrimination, profiling, and violence. Black people have resisted the devaluing of black lives by continually challenging America to live up to its founding principles that all people are created equal. The Black Lives Matter movement is one more example of black people demanding that America demonstrate that black lives have as much value as all other lives. A systemic devaluing of black lives is a denial and affront to the ideal that all lives matter. A refusal to affirm and demonstrate that “Black Lives Matter” is a refusal to affirm the ideal that all lives matter. As an academic community founded in 1861 in protest to a theological justification of slavery, Luther College is a community rooted in the belief that black lives matter. As members and friends of this community, we pledge our participation in a nearly 400-year struggle to oppose all forms of racialized violence against black people in America and to work to demonstrate that black lives matter because we believe all lives do matter. And all lives will not matter until Black Lives Matter.

Did you know? The first line in the second paragraph of the above statement refers to a controversy that moved the establishment of Luther College from “someday” to “now.” For many, the story has been lost to history. When the Norwegian Synod decided on Oct. 10, 1857, to establish an institution of learning among the Norwegian people in America, they also decided to use facilities of the Missouri Synod at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on a temporary basis. The synod members needed time to organize the college and raise money to build it, and some even left room for the idea that Concordia could serve the Northern community indefinitely. Within two years, though, Concordia temporarily suspended operations because of the Civil War. The students from the North returned home from Missouri— where slavery was legal—reporting that the Concordia teachers sympathized with the South. According to the history Luther College 1861–1961 by David T. Nelson ’12, it came out through the Norwegian-language press in Madison, Wis., and other reports that a highly respected Concordia professor harbored views sympathetic to slavery. It was thought that other Concordia professors, as well as the Missouri Synod, shared his views. Soon afterward, the Norwegian Synod held its annual convention, where the school

Luther Alumni Magazine

situation was debated. According to Richard W. Solberg’s book Lutheran Education in North America, clergy advised continuing the relationship with Concordia until funds could be raised for a college building in Decorah. But because of the slavery controversy, the lay delegates opposed continuing with Concordia. A discussion of what the Scriptures teach regarding slavery followed. A declaration drawn up by leading clergy recognized slavery as evil but, based on their strict view of the authority of the Bible, did not classify it as a sin because the Bible did not. They hoped they would win unanimous acceptance. Far from it, lay delegates issued a counterresolution, declaring slavery a sin and insisting “we look upon it as our absolute duty as Christians and good citizens to do everything in our power, by legal means, to alleviate, lessen, and if possible abolish slavery when our country’s welfare and Christian love demand this of us.” Turning their views into action, Nelson wrote, “they wasted no time in deciding to keep their sons up North and to proceed at once with the establishment of Luther College.” “In the process of creating an institution of higher learning, the laity reminded the clergy of the intimate relationship between the Christian faith and public responsibility,” Solberg wrote. Thus Luther College was born.

Paideia recognized in new AAC&U book Luther’s signature Paideia program is the subject of a chapter in a forthcoming book from the Association of American Colleges & Universities. Rising to the LEAP Challenge: Case Studies of Integrative Pathways to Student Signature Work, written by Wilon Peden, Sally Reed, and Kathy Wolfe, is due out this winter. As the chapter written by Sally Reed explains, Luther has required an interdisciplinary course for first-year students since the fall of 1964. In 1977 the program was reshaped into the two-semester Paideia, which is now team taught by an interdisciplinary faculty with a common syllabus. Students examine such common questions as “What does it mean to be human?” and “What can we know?” Rebecca (Ostermeyer) Sullivan ’84, Paideia program director, explains that the interdisciplinary nature of Paideia gives students a beginning for their signature work. “It truly is an introduction to the liberal arts that asks students to engage in critical inquiry, frequent writing, and information literacy— including a first-year project where students take the lead in inquiry-driven research, applying and demonstrating the skills they have acquired,” she says. Reed interviewed 2016 graduate Kylie Romeo about her experience as a student with the program. In addition to crediting Paideia with improving her writing skills, Romeo said, “One thing I also value about Paideia doesn't have to do with academics. . . . It is a great conversation starter between people. Even if you are not in the same class, you know they are reading the same material. They are struggling with the same things and the same questions. It is a really great way to have everyone chugging along together.” Storm Bailey, associate professor of philosophy and a former Paideia director, spoke to Reed about the impact of the program: “This common intellectual experience is a terribly important thing for a residential college. It plays a crucial role in the formation of our community as an academic community.” —The full chapter is available online at lczine.com/paideiachapter.

Campus News

Additions to Luther’s tenured faculty this year

Assistant professor of nursing Laurie (Fritz) Bouska ’08 earned a doctorate of nursing practice in nursing education/organizational leadership from Clarke University this year. She has worked as a staff RN in medical, oncology, pediatric hematology, bone marrow transplant, and surgery units at hospitals in Winfield, Ill.; Iowa City, Iowa; and Rochester, Minn. Assistant professor of education Dean Vesperman earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction—social studies from Indiana University. He was an associate instructor in education at Indiana, taught in the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth-Summer Program for the past 15 years, and taught at St. Joseph Inter-Parish Junior High and High Schools in Kenosha, Wis., and Pius XI High School in Milwaukee.

DANNY MAY '17

Cellist and assistant professor of music Philip Borter earned a doctor of musical arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, where he was concurrently awarded the prestigious performer's certificate. He was a laureate of the Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition and a winner of the Eastman School Concerto Competition and the American String Teachers Association Competition. He performs on a cello by Vincenzo Panormo, ca. 1790.

Thanks to fundraising by the Luther Student Nurses Association, campus now has a 14th automated external defibrillator, or AED. This AED was placed in Valders Hall of Science to serve people using that building and Sampson Hoffland Laboratories. The other AEDs are spread across campus. Above, President Paula Carlson does the ribbon cutting on the new machine. Senior Erika Buchholz, LSNA vice president, says the group raised about $2,000 toward the new equipment through penny wars, T-shirt sales, grilled-cheese nights, and other events over the past four years. LSNA is now working with the Luther Student Senate with the goal of eventually putting an AED in each residence hall. They are also collaborating with campus security to plan improved signage for the machines. The nursing students receive CPR and AED training, but anyone else on campus who needs to use a defibrillator is instructed by the machine itself. When opened, an alarm alerts security, and then the machine begins to talk, telling the user exactly how to operate it.

DEVELOPMENT

The class of 1966 presented their donation of $1,194,559.54 to the college during the Homecoming football game on Oct. 1, 2016, as part of Luther's Class Reunion Giving Program. You can learn more about supporting education at Luther at luther.edu/giving.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

Introducing the Parents Council Luther’s 2016–17 Parents Council held its fall meeting Sept. 17, 2016, during Family Weekend. Parents Council is the representative body of the Luther College Parents Association, to which all parents of Luther students belong. The council, a liaison between parents and the college, is a way for parents to express concerns and suggestions to the college, and to raise money for the Luther College Annual Fund through the

Roots and Wings campaign. Council representatives send parents fall and spring letters that provide college news, updates, and contact information for council members. For additional information, contact the Development Office at (800) 225-8664 or visit luther.edu/parents/parentscouncil.

Senior class representatives, with President Carlson. Front: Linda (Rosholt) Hash ’85, Michelle Wildenauer; back: Lee Hash ’84, Roberta and William Curtis, President Paula Carlson, Maria (Spieker) ’89 and Todd Mickelson, Todd Wildenauer. Absent: Robert ’86 and Peg (Ganske) Carr ’85, Jim and Terry Morrill.

Junior class representatives. Front: JoBeth Clark, Linda Floden; back: Leofwin Clark, Gayle Christmas, Peggy and Greg Miller, Thomas Floden ’82, Susanne and Michael Carney ’85. Absent: John Kleeman.

Sophomore class representatives. Front: Jody King, Dan Palmquist; back: Benjamin and Elizabeth Stewart, Ann Hayden-Finger and David Finger, Mary and Scott Peters, Naomi Palmquist. Absent: Kevin King, Peter and Paula Tiede.

First-year class representatives. Front: David Bolthouse, Dina Barron; back: Jay and Maxine Tlusty, John and Vickie Sharp, Todd Saner ’90 and Jennifer Munn Saner ’89, Larry ’87 and Connie (Foxworthy) Logeman ’88, Michael Barron, Colleen Bolthouse.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

Women’s rugby veterans start endowment to help cover league expenses Past members of the Luther women’s rugby team scored a major try—that’s rugby for goal— at Homecoming 2016 when they established an endowment for the team. The Women’s Rugby Endowment will help pay for travel, referees, dues for regional and national unions, and other expenses. Rugby teams incur more expenses than most other club sports, says Vicky Jaeger, Luther’s club sports adviser. “That’s why I’m so excited to see the alumnae do the endowment,” she adds. The men’s team has benefitted from the Callaghan Men’s Rugby Endowment, which a group of men’s rugby alumni and friends started in 1997. Former women players, including Sarah (Thimjon) Hauge ’06, thought, why not start a fund for the women’s team? “As a rugby captain and treasurer during my time on the team,” Hauge says, “I realized how important the Callaghan fund is to the men’s team and how it was able to ensure the future viability of the men’s rugby program. My first meeting with the Development Office was while I was still on campus and realized it was a lot of

ATHLETICS SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Women’s tennis: Luther captured the Iowa Conference title for the first time in six years and the 26th time in school history. Five Norse were named all-conference. Selected all-conference for singles and doubles play were Jacqueline Cychosz ’18, Britta Pressler ’19, and Lauren Welch ’17. This is the second year in a row Cychosz has been so honored. It’s Pressler’s first time on both lists, while Welch is making her first appearance in singles and second consecutive in doubles. Juniors Claire Christian and Anna Pearson were also named all-conference for the first time. Christian was recognized in singles and Pearson in doubles. Head coach Adam Strand ’04 and assistant coach Miriam Blom Skrade ’04 were selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year. Women’s golf: Luther finished third at the IIAC Championships. Individually, Madeline Petellin and Meggie Acker became the 12th and 13th Luther women’s golfers to earn allconference twice.

Katherine (Schaefer) Gerhardinger ’11, Sarah (Thimjon) Hauge ’06, Ed Johnson ’71, and Hilary Teslow’ 01 at the rugby pitch, Oct. 1, 2016. These three women along with Sarah Kuehl ‘02 established and launched funding for the endowment. Johnson co-founded Luther’s original men’s rugby team.

money to raise and would require contributions from across the rugby eras.” Hauge, Katherine (Schaefer) Gerhardinger ’11, Sarah Kuehl ’02, and Hilary Teslow ’01 launched the endowment campaign and in August 2016 sent an appeal to other former players: “We share a common experience that for many of us was a highlight of our time at Luther and the foundation of many lifelong friendships,” they wrote. By that fall, working with Luther development officer Bethany (Bierman) Krepela ’95,

they’d raised enough to start the fund and the founders signed papers creating the endowment during a celebration at Roscoe’s in Decorah. Hauge says: “Rugby was a big part of my Luther experience that extended beyond the classroom and my accounting major. Through rugby at Luther I learned freedom with responsibility through the less formal nature of club sports and how to work together to make something that was our own and also part of a bigger tradition.”

Volleyball: Luther tied for second in the Iowa Conference, its highest finish in school history. For the first time, three Norse were listed on the 15-player all-conference team in the same year. This group included Katie Shabatura ’18, Emma Veum ’19 and Jamie Sindlinger ’20. This is the second year in a row Veum has been so honored. The Luther coaching staff was named the Coaching Staff of the Year. The team finished the year 21-8 overall, 6-2 IIAC.

the national finale he became the sixth Luther runner to do so. Parker Beard ’17 also earned all-region honors.

Men’s cross country: Luther senior Isaac Jensen won the individual title of the 2016 Iowa Conference Cross Country Championships. Jensen crossed the finish line of the 8K course with a time of 25:00.1, finishing 15 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Jensen was named the league’s Most Valuable Performer. He became the first Luther runner to capture an individual title and earn MVP honors since Matt Busche ’08 in 2007. This is the third time Jensen has earned all-conference honors (top 15). Jensen went on to earn all-region and All-American honors, placing second and 10th respectively. With his top-10 finish at

Women’s cross country: Luther juniors McKenzie Carney and Anna Ryden earned all-conference honors at the Iowa Conference Championships by placing in the top 15 in the field of 135 runners. The duo also earned all-region honors with a top-35 finish at the Central Regional. Eight members of the team were named to the IIAC 2016 Fall Sports AllAcademic Team: seniors Nora Felt and Stephanie Murray, juniors Shannon Meehan and Hannah Wright; and sophomores Martel Den Hartog, Ananda Easley, Payton Knutson, and Anna Phearman. Football: The IIAC named Luther offensive lineman James Ostlie ’17 first team allconference. He was the 20th player in school history to earn all-conference three times. Second team honorees were offensive lineman Jacob Brunner ’17, defensive back Ricky Humes ’17, and running back Christian Moore ’17.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Campus News

Men’s soccer makes eighth appearance at national tournament The Luther men’s soccer team earned a spot in the NCAA Division III national tournament for an eighth time last fall. It was their third tournament appearance under the leadership of head coach Chris Garcia-Prats. The men traveled to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., where they faced St. Norbert College in the opening round on Saturday, Nov. 12. Luther defeated St. Norbert, 2-1, in double overtime. In the second round of the tournament, the University of St. Thomas defeated Luther, 0-2. Luther’s season ended with a record of 15-6-2. Luther finished the year ranked 23 in National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings. Three players were named all-north region: senior midfielder Nigel Nielsen, first team; senior midfielder Lucas Beato and senior defender Myles Norville, second team. Five players were named to the all-conference team. Norville, Nielsen, and Beato were first team. This is the second consecutive year Norville and Nielsen have been first-time

Luther men's soccer players celebrate an overtime win at Wartburg on Oct. 5, 2016.

selections. Beato is now a three-time all-conference selection, but this was his first time as a first-team honoree. Norville was also named the Iowa Conference Defensive Most Valuable Performer, the first Luther player to be so honored. Junior

defender Ahmed Osman and senior midfielder Matheus Beato were second-team honorees. This is the second time Beato has been so honored and the first for Osman. Also this season, head coach Garcia-Prats recorded his 100th win at Luther.

Women’s soccer team earns first trip to national tournament The Luther women’s soccer team, coached by Russ Schouweiler ’05, earned their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament in November. Luther advanced to the second round of the NCAA III National Soccer Tournament defeating Denison University (Ohio) 1-0 on Nov. 12 at Francis Field on the campus of Washington University–St. Louis. Madison Speer scored the game winner on a free kick from 35 yards out at 60:27. But the team’s first trip to the tournament ended with a second-round defeat by Washington University–St. Louis, 0-3. Luther’s season ended with an overall record of 13-3-3. The women had earned the Iowa Conference automatic berth to the national tournament by winning the six-team Iowa Conference Tournament. Luther finished the regular season as co-champions of the IIAC with Loras College, both schools with records of 6-0-2. Luther ended the year ranked 25 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of

Luther Alumni Magazine

The Luther women's soccer team celebrate winning the Iowa Conference Tournament.

America. Four players, all seniors, were named second-team all-north region: Ellie Bunz, Melisse Chassé, Lauren Hughes, and Gabi Meirick. All four were also named first-team all-Iowa Conference. Also named first team was senior Lauren

Thormodsgard. Second team honors went to seniors Erin Danielson and Madison Speer. Meirick was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player for the Iowa Conference, and the coaching staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

AARON LURTH '08

Campus News

Brothers on and off the field Seven sets of brothers make up a large part of the Luther soccer team over the past year The camaraderie was especially high on the Luther men’s soccer team last fall, and if the family culture of the team seemed particularly strong, you could credit the unusual number of brothers on the team. Including two of the coaches, there were five pairs of siblings on the team along with two more players whose brothers played for Luther in recent years. Head coach Chris Garcia-Prats, whose brother James Garcia-Prats ’14 is an assistant coach and former player of his, says, “I think it’s really unique that so many younger siblings have followed their older brothers. I think that happens more at Luther than at most places.” First-year student Wes McNeese started thinking about enrolling at Luther about a year after his older brother Kyle ’17 came to Luther. “It was based on instinct,” he says. “I liked it better than the other schools, liked my adviser, teammates, and the campus.” That was cool with Kyle. The McNeese brothers had played together for a year in high school too,

but they say that playing with five sets of brothers is a very different experience. They felt like they had “a little something extra,” Kyle says. Watching video of the game with his brother, he adds, was one of the best parts of celebrating a win. And they had a lot of wins, making it all the way to the second round of the NCAA Division III national tournament. For the head coach the benefits have stretched over many years. He has had not just four, but seven or eight years years to get to know his players’ families. “It’s been neat,” Garcia-Prats says. And being part of their sons’ development as players and as young men, he says, “is something that I’m super proud of.” He has recruited each brother on his own merits as a player and sees the individuality in each of them, Garcia-Prats says. Coaching them is a challenge, but also fun. “Starting out the season, you know the team culture is already going to be in a good place.”

Brothers in cleats. Front row (left to right): first-year Simon Parris (brother Josh Parris ’16 not shown), first-year Wesley McNeese, senior Kyle McNeese, senior Nathaniel Maynard, first-year Timothy Maynard, first-year Benjamin Keller (brother Dave Keller ’11 not shown). Back row (left to right): seniors Lucas Beato and Matheus Beato, head coach Chris Garcia-Prats, assistant coach James Garcia-Prats ’14, senior Ryan Crum, first-year Eric Crum.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Grads lend a hand

by Kate Frentzel When a determined Luther student with an interest in prosthetics interns with a visionary alumnus, the result is—literally—a helping hand.

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YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE

One thing to know about Rachel Stoddard ’17 is that she’s driven. She graduated with an exercise physiology major in December in only five semesters. She plans to earn a master’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics and eventually a Ph.D. in rehabilitation science. In preparation, she’s completed two internships, the first at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she observed work in traumatic brain injury, physical and occupational therapy, service-dog training, and prosthetics and orthotics. Her second internship was at Limb Lab, a boutique prosthetic and orthotic company cofounded by Brandon Sampson ’98. For her senior project at Luther, Stoddard received a $500 grant from the college’s Scholars program to build a myoelectric elbow. She wanted to learn how muscle contractions can control a prosthesis through electrodes. So she papier-mâchéd a friend’s shoulder and used a servo motor for the elbow joint. The forearm was a water bottle, the hand a gardening glove stuffed with paper towel. The whole thing was painted beige to appear more lifelike. “It was a very rough prototype,” she admits. “I just wanted it to look like an elbow that functions.” And function it did. When Stoddard flexed her bicep, the electrodes hooked up to it signaled her prototype to bend its elbow. For a 19-year-old working alone, it was no small feat. But Stoddard was about to discover what she could do with a team of specialists on her side.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

In designing the Limb Lab space, Brandson Sampson ’98 says, “We wanted people to feel like it’s okay to have different materials working together. So in the lobby there’s a lot of metal and glass and wood and leather, and you can see the connections. Because as prothetists and orthotists, that’s what we do—we connect people to parts, to improve their function, health, and quality of life.”

YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, PART II

Because they designed their 3-D printed hand for children, Rachel Stoddard ’17 and her mentor, David Coleman, gave it an Ironman twist with an ornamental light ring so that kids headed for physical therapy could feel they were going to superhero training.

Luther Alumni Magazine

When you walk into Limb Lab in Rochester, Minn., it’s hard to believe that the forebears of modern prosthetists were blacksmiths. These blacksmiths and armorers fashioned hinged iron limbs that could manage reins or hold a shield so that fighters could keep serving the crown. Likewise, it was war—the First World War—that brought about the mass production of artificial limbs, to supply all the soldiers who had lost theirs. But you don’t see those roots in the hightech Rochester Limb Lab. The prosthetics and orthotics that Limb Lab offers are not blunt instruments, nor are they mass-produced. Each is made to order, tailored to specific bodies, and designed to accomplish tasks important to the individuals who will use them. Most Limb Lab clients are directed there by physicians, often from Mayo Clinic. The first thing Sampson and his team ask is what the person wants to accomplish. Limb Lab’s clientele are boaters, hikers, sportsmen, and sportswomen. They ride bikes, work on farms, and swim in open water. They walk and run and eat and cook and do laundry and parent and grandparent. And their new limbs or orthotic braces allow them to do these things more easily. One recent patient, Zach Sievert of Deleon Springs, Fla., sustained a motorcycle accident that severed 90 percent of his arm. The injury required nerve and muscle transplants and left him with almost no use of his left arm, hand, or fingers. Limb Lab fitted him with a myoelectric orthotic device that fits over the arm. Three weeks after bringing it home, he could use it for only 20 or 30 minutes before getting fatigued, but was excited about its potential.

“I’m seeing progress with it already,” he reported. “Soon I’ll be able to grab things, pick up drinks, shut doors, turn off light switches, carry laundry baskets, fold clothes. It completely brought back the use of my left arm. I went from nothing—literally nothing, just a dead and limp arm—and now I’ll be able to get some use out of it. It gives you hope. Mentally, it really helps.” LIMB LAB LOVES LUTHER

In distinctly Luther style, Sampson has hired not one but two Luther graduates, Andrew Nelson ’13 and Trent Kerrigan ’13, both in the residency period of Century College’s prosthetics and orthotics program in White Bear Lake, Minn. Nelson and Kerrigan checked out the prosthetics field at the suggestion of their Luther academic advisers, which is also how Sampson came to it. Sampson had been seriously injured in a farm accident as a child. His hand required nine surgeries, and the experience started him thinking about a career in orthopedic surgery. At the same time, his physical therapist suggested he take up guitar to promote dexterity and healing, which led to a lifelong love of music. “I chose Luther because I could do both those things,” he explains. “I could start on a pre-med track, and I could still participate in music and sports. But as time went on, it became clear that there were those students who just have a passion for medicine, and it also became clear what that would look like in my life, where that’s kind of the thing you do.” His adviser noticed Sampson’s diverse interests and said, “You remind me of this guy who makes artificial limbs, Doug Sand ’85.” So Sampson shadowed Sand at Prosthetic

PHOTOS: FARM KID STUDIOS

Sampson and his cofounders wanted to demystify the fabrication and wearing of prosthetics, to make it feel less secretive. So they put their workroom on display, with large windows looking onto one of the busiest intersections in Rochester, a city that serves 2.3 million patients each year.

Laboratories of Rochester for two days. “And I absolutely fell in love with the work,” he says. “Because I could still help people. I could be creative and artistic, and I love building things and making stuff that never existed before, whether it’s an impeccable limb or a relationship or a song. It really fits this creative lifestyle.” After earning a degree from Century College and working his way up in the field for 15 years, Sampson and his three business partners saw an opportunity, he says, “to create a fresh approach to what it means to wear a prosthesis and what it means to re-create yourself after a life-changing event like an amputation.” So they created a space that feels like an art studio, with giant windows looking onto the workroom where the limbs are created and patients get fitted. “For years, this profession has been in the background, hidden in some dirty corner of a building, and no one knows where it is,” Sampson says. “And at the same time, there’s a staggering statistic: one out of every 200 people in the U.S. wears a prosthesis. So we decided to put it on display, to take the stigma away. We put prostheses on manne-

quins right out on Broadway, the busiest street in Rochester, and we removed the secrets. We want this to feel like an open, collaborative effort between people who need our services, their physicians, and our work team.” In the three years it’s been in operation, Limb Lab has grown from one location to four, from four employees to 22. They’ve served 3,250 patients from 44 states and 8 countries. A MATCH MADE AT LIMB LAB

As a high schooler already interested in prothestics, Stoddard made the four-and-a-halfhour trek from her home in Tower, Minn., to tour the Rochester Limb Lab. When she received one of Luther’s summer research grants last spring, she knew she wanted to use it to 3-D print a myoelectric hand—one that didn’t rely on paper towels and gardening gloves. Meanwhile, Limb Lab had just bought its first 3-D printer. It was a perfect match. Stoddard and her Limb Lab mentor, David Coleman, decided to purchase and print an Ada Hand kit from Open Bionics, an opensource bionic-hand company based in the UK.

With costs for high-tech myoelectric hands running from $100,000 to $200,000, the purpose of their project was to determine whether 3-D printing a hand, which costs about $25 in materials, would be a viable option for a below-elbow amputee.

Above: The 3-D printer at work on a palm prototype. At left (from left to right): Limb Lab cofounder Brandon Sampson ’98, intern Rachel Stoddard ’17, and employees Trent Kerrigan ’13 and Andrew Nelson ’13.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Above: Although the Ada Hand kit came with wiring schematics, the recommended parts were no longer available, so Stoddard and Coleman had to improvise, cycling through variations—both simple and complex—until they found one that worked. Below: Stoddard and Coleman printed multiple palms and back plates before perfecting the printer’s settings.

The Ironman Ada Hand, which Stoddard and Coleman built in the summer of 2016, is myoelectric and can assume six grips.

But just because they had the print schematics doesn’t mean the project was easy. The design was new, and it had a lot of errors. They had to print the palm five times and the back plate four times before they got the printer settings right. In addition, Rachel worked with the programmer through dozens of emails to smooth out kinks in the coding. And the wiring had been designed for parts that were no longer available, so—after frying the circuit board three times—Stoddard and Coleman redesigned it. Coleman is passionate about the pediatric side of prosthetics. He’s involved in e-NABLE,

ship a hand than it does to make it. In addition, Stoddard wrote 16 pages of recommendations for Open Bionics, so that other people could print the Ada Hand more easily. “This project really pushed me to see where my limits are in terms of creative thinking and determination. It was definitely worth all the hard work and frustration that went into making it,” she says. “Even though I knew it wasn’t going to be for patient use, the fact that the whole summer we’d been working toward this one goal and it worked? It was, hands down, the best feeling.”

a worldwide movement to provide 3-D printed hands to children in need. So he and Stoddard decided to put a fun spin on their Ada Hand by making it an Ironman Ada Hand, with chunky red and gold plates and a palm that glows, the idea being that kids going to physical therapy could feel they were going to superhero training instead. While the Ironman model did not become part of the e-NABLE program, it became the baseline for future projects and research, and Limb Lab has sent 3-D printed hands to children in need from New York to Ghana to Nepal. In some cases, Coleman notes, it costs more to

“What could top this ?”

by Sara Friedl-Putnam photos courtesy of Luther College Archives

Weston Noble ’43 fed his spirit through a life devoted to music, students, and Luther College

eston Noble ’43 died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, in Decorah at the age of 94. He had joined Luther’s music faculty in 1948, serving as conductor of Concert Band from 1948 to 1973 and Nordic Choir from 1948 until his retirement in 2005. But Noble went beyond his role as an educator and conductor for the thousands of students he encountered at Luther. He was also an adviser, a mentor, a supporter, a role model, and, perhaps most of all, a friend. During his 57-year tenure at Luther, Noble became, for many, the face of this college—the man most closely identified with its storied music tradition, the man who, through his long and acclaimed leadership of Nordic Choir

and his tireless devotion to the entire music community, put Luther College on the global vocal music map. Luther president Paula Carlson said: “It’s hard to overstate Weston’s contributions to American choral music and to the rich tradition of music at Luther. He had a deep love for Luther College, and he leaves behind a legacy of musical excellence and service to the college that’s an inspiration to us all.” At a gala concert held on campus in his honor in 1998 Noble remarked: “Luther College is the best, and only, place I can imagine being. I was led to this place by my father years ago, and I was kept here by God.” Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Concert Band rehearses aboard the Bergensfjord on the way to their European tour in June 1961.

Noble was born November 30, 1922—the second of seven children of Ruth (Lappin) and Merwin Noble—and raised on a 160-acre farm just west of Riceville, Iowa. There he spent days learning the “3Rs” at Pleasant Hill School, a quaint one-room schoolhouse, and early mornings helping his father milk cows on the family’s farm. His prodigious musical talent surfaced early (age five) after his mother inquired, seemingly out of the blue, if he was interested in learning how to play the piano. “I remember my mother was trying to get me to take a nap,” Noble told MPR’s Lorna Benson ’90 in 2005. “She leaned over and said, ‘Weston, would you like to take piano lessons?’” The nap never came to pass—“I was too excited,” Noble would later recall—but the piano lessons did. The slightly built youth was quick to embrace the practice and repetition that mastery of any instrument demands, rising before dawn to complete his chores outside so he could hustle back inside to practice the piano before school began. (When his enthusiasm waned in junior high, he received a little push from his Aunt Ruby and Uncle Aldy Dunton, who, noticing his talent, paid him 10 cents for each hour he practiced.) At Riceville High School, Noble expanded his musical repertoire—he sang in the choir and played clarinet in the band—while keeping

Conducting a Messiah performance in 1955 in C.K. Preus Gymnasium.

his studies front and center. He graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian and a few months later packed his bags for the hour-long drive to Decorah, where he entered the Luther class of 1943 at just 16 years of age. He had planned to attend the University of Iowa, but his father was persuaded by a Luther admissions counselor that the college would be a better fit for the musical youth, according to Warmly Weston: A Luther College Life (Luther College Press, 1998) by Wilfred Bunge ’53, Luther professor emeritus of religion and classics. At Luther, Noble continued to take his studies seriously (ultimately graduating magna cum laude); played clarinet in Concert Band under the direction of Carlo Sperati, Luther class of 1888; and sang in the all-male chorus Schola Cantorum under the direction of Theodore Hoelty-Nickel. It was Hoelty-Nickel who first spotted (and nurtured) Noble’s potential as a teacher and conductor. One day during Noble’s sophomore year, he approached his student with a simple request: Will you lead a rehearsal of the chorus in my absence? Noble never looked back. “I remember going back to my room and saying, ‘Well, that piano is done—there is nothing like waving my hands in front of a group of singers,’” he recalled during Benson’s 2005 interview.

Photos (left to right): 1. Weston Noble in his Larsen Hall room as a first-year student in 1939. 2. Bernberg, Germany, 1945, sharing rations with a German boy. 3. Conducting Handel’s Messiah at Decorah High School Gymnasium in 1961 or 1962. 4. In the Center for Faith and Life at Luther. 5. Rehearsing in Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Noble eventually earned the role of student conductor under another faculty member, Sigvart Hofland, as well as the attention of his classmates. “Our class of 1943 was small in numbers but high in quality,” recalled the late John Victor Halvorson ’43 in a letter published in Warmly Weston. “By the time Weston was a senior, we all knew the Lord had selected him for special responsibilities.” But first Noble would have to answer a different call. In February 1943, the U.S. Army notified him that he had just two weeks to report for service at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa. (With the college’s help, Noble quickly completed his degree requirements and graduated early with a major in history.) After more than a year spent training stateside, he landed in Normandy, France, with the 750th Tank Battalion in September 1944. Frequent correspondence with family and friends kept his beloved Luther College, and his future plans, in his thoughts throughout the long and emotionally exhausting months he spent overseas. “When you come back to Luther, we shall talk things over and discuss what you ought to do in order to achieve success in your chosen field,” wrote one such friend, his former teacher Sigvart Hofland, in September 1945. “In music your future is promising.”

Concert Band performs for Norway’s king in Oslo in 1961.

Noble apparently agreed. Upon discharge from the U.S. Army in early 1946, he returned home to Iowa and once again immersed himself in local music circles, teaching music lessons at Luther (up to 60 each week) and in Riceville, Iowa (his pupils included three of his younger siblings). That same year he also applied—and was accepted—to study music at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. But the closer the move to the Big Apple came, the more Noble doubted it was the path he should take. Noble trusted his gut and stayed in northeast Iowa, where he scoured the help-wanted ads in the Des Moines Register for an entry-level teaching job. As luck would have it, Lu Verne High School had a vacancy for a music and social studies teacher—and Noble fit the bill. He spent the next two years honing his teaching and conducting skills in the tiny Iowa town. By 1948, however, he was ready to move on, and the graduate program at the University of Michigan seemed like the logical next step. It was there, in the summer of 1948, that he received a fateful phone call from Orlando “Pip” Qualley ’18, Luther’s academic dean, that would change the course of his life. Sigvart Steen, director of Concert Band and founder of Nordic Cathedral Choir, had resigned abruptly to move with his

Noble conducts Nordic Choir in the late 1980s.

Noble’s official portrait in his first year of conducting at Luther, 1948–49.

wife, an opera singer, to New York, Qualley told him. Would Noble return to his alma mater to conduct band and choir for just a year while the college searched for a permanent replacement conductor? It was a remarkable offer, especially given that Noble was just 25 years old, held no advanced degrees (yet), and possessed scant teaching experience.

But Qualley knew teaching talent when he saw it, and that “temporary” appointment became permanent in 1950. Noble would go on to earn his master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan in 1951, conduct Concert Band for the next 25 years (1948–73), direct Nordic Choir for the next 57 (1948–2005), and lead the college’s annual (until 2004) performance of Handel’s Messiah for more than 50 years. He once called the oratorio—which united hundreds in the college community on stage each December— “Luther’s greatest tradition.” “Weston was popular with students from the beginning,” wrote Bunge in Warmly Weston. “And from the beginning, he engaged student hearts toward high performance goals.” Former student Michael Hovland ’72 shed even more light on the well-liked instructor’s teaching style in a tribute published in Bunge’s book: “It was all psychology,” he wrote. “When starting to work on a new piece, Weston would almost always begin with the biggest, fullest ensemble sections—the sections that sounded great from first playing. He would never start with the beginning of a piece or the difficult passages.” During his nearly six-decade tenure at Luther, Noble became, as Paul Torkelson, director of choral activities at the University of Nevada–Reno, put it to the Quad Cities Times in 2004, “the most respected choral conductor in the United States.” James Ripley, chair of the Carthage College Music Department, echoed those sentiments in 2007. “No one is more well respected and loved in the choral music world than Weston,” he said. “His legacy as a musician is almost beyond compare.”

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Noble receives an honorary degree from St. Olaf College in 1996.

Noble conducts a choir composed of alumni during the April 2005 gala in the Center for Faith and Life that marked his retirement from teaching at Luther.

In November 2015, Noble received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa High School Music Association for his more than 50 years of service as a conductor and music educator. The award was also presented on behalf of the Iowa Music Educators Association, the Iowa Choral Directors Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association, and the Iowa String Teachers Association. What exactly was it that set this man apart from other choral conductors of his time? There were myriad “firsts”—Noble conducted Nordic Choir for its first European Tour (1967), its first performance at Lincoln Center in New York (1969), its first appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (1976), and its first performance at the national convention of the American Choral Directors in Salt Lake City (1984). He founded and served as first director of the Dorian Music Festival at Luther, which, since 1950, has expanded from a one-day band festival to festivals for choral, instrumental, and orchestral members as well as summer music camps. Also in constant demand to, in the words of one former colleague, “teach here and lecture there,” Noble became the first (and only) director to lead all-state choruses and bands in all 50 states. He was the first person to be named Outstanding Music Educator of the United States by the National Federation of State High School Associations (1989), the first recipient of the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association’s Weston H. Noble Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Choral Art (1994), and the first non-Mormon to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2006). Other notable awards, though not “firsts,” include receiving the St. Olav’s Medal from King Harald V of Norway and the Robert Lawson Shaw Award from the American Choral Directors Association. Noble also held honorary degrees from

five institutions of higher learning—Augustana College (S.D.), St. Olaf College, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Carthage College, and Wartburg College. He was even the first Luther faculty member to get some ink in the newspaper USA Today for his campus cleanup efforts, frequently conducted at dawn during leisurely strolls across campus that called to mind his signature slow walks to the conductor’s podium. “When you have a beautiful campus, you want to keep it that way,” Noble once said of those efforts. “Knowing that our beautiful campus is clean, even where you can’t see it, is the same as hearing my choir strive for perfection.” “His choir.” That is unquestionably what the 72-voice Nordic Choir was during Noble’s 57 years behind the conductor’s stand—years during which he built the ensemble into one of the most respected and recognized touring college choral groups in the nation, thanks in large measure to the expertise he displayed to captivate, unite, and command the respect of its members. “From the moment Weston walked on stage, the singers were instantly engaged,” wrote Hovland in Warmly Weston. “His baton-free hands were everywhere compelling, cajoling, pointing.” In 2002 Luther formally recognized the lasting impact Noble made on the college when it renamed Jenson Hall of Music, the building where he nurtured the talent of so many young students, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music in his honor. That same year, the college opened an expansion of the building, the 325-seat Weston H. Noble Recital Hall. And in 2004 it established the Weston Noble Choral Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in the field of voice and opera. Noble officially “retired” from Luther the following year, but retirement didn’t mean for him what it means for most octogenarians. His retirement years, in fact, proved every bit as active as the 83 years that preceded them as he continued to share his energy, enthusiasm,

Luther Alumni Magazine

and conducting expertise with choirs, bands, and orchestras worldwide, whether composed of junior-high students or seasoned professionals. His career includes conducting 900 all-state bands, orchestras, choirs, and festivals across four continents. He served as artist-in-residence at Carthage College, interim conductor of the Wartburg College Choir, and guest conductor of the Augustana (S.D.) College Choir. He also served as conductor of the Weston Noble Alumni Choir each summer from 2006 through 2015. In 2009 he conducted the International Schools Festival in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, and the following year he traveled to South Korea to conduct a performance of Handel’s Messiah for the Camarata Music Company. He returned to Korea in 2013 to conduct the Korea National Choir. When not guest conducting or teaching, Noble was a frequent presence in Luther’s Development Office, where he continued his long tradition of making telephone calls and handwriting letters in support of his alma mater. Noble also worked with Admissions, recruiting students through thousands of phone calls and handwritten notes. In an interview he gave at age 90 to KLDTTV in Sioux Falls, S.D., Noble hinted that the spiritual inspiration he drew from directing is what kept him going year in and year out, decade after decade. “After a great rehearsal day, I stop and say, ‘Can you see why I can never stop? What could top this?’” he said. “Music is one of the greatest ways to feed our spirits.” —The Weston Noble Alumni Choir donated funds and memorabilia to the college in October. See page 44.

Tribute concert planned Luther will host a concert in honor of Weston Noble on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 1 p.m. The concert will be live streamed at luther.edu/weston.

HOMECOMING 2016 Luther honors alumni, students for service and achievement

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Dr. Rolf Brekken ’91

Caroline Worra ’91

Pete Espinosa ’81

A leading cancer biology researcher at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Brekken has been a principal investigator at the Hammon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research since 2002.

A world-class opera singer, Worra is also chair of the Music Department of the Stanwich School, a private co-ed school in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she teaches prekindergarten through 12th-grade music.

Espinosa has held senior executive leadership positions with IBM, Vignette, Guidewire Software, One Inc., and CSC (Computer Science Corporation).

FROM HIS AWARD CITATION:

FROM HER AWARD CITATION:

Brekken’s research seeks to deepen our understanding of the changes that occur during tumor growth, then use that knowledge to develop effective drugs that specifically target unique aspects of those cancer cells. One major focus of Rolf’s lab is the molecular mechanisms of cancer angiogenesis—the physiological process by which new blood vessels form to “feed” the tumor cells. Rolf’s team has been exploring the use of antibodies as anticancer drugs, to target tumor-specific signals to block angiogenesis, thereby crippling the tumor without doing significant damage to normal cells. Another focal point of his work is the mechanisms by which cells signal their own destruction, and how tumor cells distort those signals, seeking yet another set of targets for novel antibody development. Two drugs from Rolf’s research have already entered clinical trials, one of which is in phase III—the latest and final level of testing. Additional candidates for targeted drug use are under study. . . . Rolf has had 10 Ph.D. students, nineteen postdoctoral fellows, and numerous undergraduate researchers in his lab, and he has served on dozens of dissertation committees. He speaks warmly of the satisfaction he feels when lab members bring forward their own ideas and discoveries, progress into their careers, and pay forward to others his contribution to them. A few years ago I visited Rolf’s lab at UT-Southwestern, and the camaraderie and creativity of that space was immediately evident.

Caroline Worra has been hailed by Opera News Magazine as “one of the finest singing actresses around.” She has sung over 75 roles in opera and is listed as a performing artist with very prestigious opera companies. Perhaps equally impressive is that nearly 30 of these opera roles were in world, American, and regional premieres. This effort often requires energetic initiative, much more skilled musicianship, and certainly greater artistic creativity in order to perform something that has never been performed before. . . . Many of us who knew Caroline as a student here instantly recognized her high-caliber skills as a collaborative pianist. She, of course, was a fine singer, but she made her musical reputation at Luther because of the large amount of time she spent on the piano bench. She accompanied numerous recitals and ensembles at the keyboard. It was clear that she had a musical maturity and an extraordinary gift as an accompanist. One of her teachers, Jessica Paul, described her as a brilliant pianist, supremely gifted, musically intuitive, a fearless performer, and graciously diplomatic. Weston Noble spoke of her natural leadership, her infectious smile, and the high respect of her fellow students, especially while she was president of Nordic Choir. All of these talents, musical and otherwise, proved to serve her well as she began a career in vocal performance.

FROM HIS AWARD CITATION:

— Marian Kaehler, professor of biology

— David Judisch, professor emeritus of music

After a Homecoming visit to Decorah a few years ago, Pete and his wife Kari (Tollefson) Espinosa ’84 began to seriously consider retirement in Decorah. Though the Espinosas had been considering Cape Cod, Decorah won out due to the combination of so many great things to do, proximity to Edina, where they live, plus great schools. Family connections to Luther were an important part of this calculus. Pete’s brother Paul ’68 (deceased) and sisters Pamela (Espinosa) McFarland ’70 and Ann Espinosa ’80 are also Luther graduates. But Pete’s investment in Decorah goes beyond Luther and the home they have built here. In 2014 Pete purchased and renovated Bottle Tree laundromat on College Drive. And while owning a laundromat doesn’t always rise to the top of the list of real estate investments, it serves a highly vulnerable population in a very important way. In Pete’s words: “If you want to see the face of poverty, own a laundromat.” And while he’s not sure the purchase of the property will ever be profitable, he believes, in his words, “My return on investment is feeling like I’m part of doing something good for Decorah.” Then last year, Pete opened Pulpit Rock Brewery, which has helped Decorah become even more of a craft beer destination. Pete has found unique ways to continue to connect to the community through Pulpit Rock as well. Last Thanksgiving, he hosted the men’s basketball team for Thanksgiving lunch, and then did the same later that day for Luther international students who were not able to get home to see their families over the holiday break. . . . Pete is the kind of person that makes you think “I could do more.” —Eric Runestad, vice president for finance and administration Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

KIRK JOHNSON ’82

DSA recipients with, far left, President Paula Carlson: (left to right) Pete Espinosa ’81, Debra Wilson ’71, Peggy Brenden ’76, Caroline Worra ’91, Steven Schaver ’76, and Rolf Brekken ’91. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Steven Schaver ’76 Schaver’s long career with EchoStar Corporation, parent company of Dish Network, began in 1984, and he has held the office of president of EchoStar International since 2001, living in Madrid. FROM HIS AWARD CITATION:

In his first two years at Luther, Steve was an all-star student of Spanish, but his semester in Spain became the transformative experience of his college education. Only a year before Steve applied to study away, a scholarship fund for students of Spanish going abroad was established by alumna Patricia Gunderson ’70. Steve was the first recipient of this scholarship, a fund that continues to support January Term study abroad in Spain and Latin America. . . . In 2001 Steve established an endowed scholarship fund with three aims: to support students of Spanish undertaking study abroad to build their language skills; to provide financial aid for low-income and firstgeneration Latino students at Luther; and to develop the Spanish program on campus and internationally. Each year in the spring my colleagues and I gather to discuss scholarship applications from Spanish majors who intend to study abroad in the coming year, and we take great delight in telling the qualified applicants that a portion, often a substantial portion, of the expense will be covered by an award from the Schaver endowment. This fund not only makes life-changing experiences possible, it makes our academic program richer and more rigorous. Without scholarship funds, it would be far more difficult to require every Spanish major to study abroad for a semester, and we are proud that this requirement continues to be a cornerstone of the Luther Spanish program. In 2003 Steve accepted an appoint-

Luther Alumni Magazine

ment to the Luther Board of Regents, a role that he played for three consecutive terms, the maximum allowed, helping the college chart its future. — David Thompson, associate professor of Spanish

Debra Wilson ’71 and Peggy Brenden ’76 Wilson and Brenden both pursued careers in law, each eventually serving in the judiciary. Wilson served 29 years on the bench as an appellate judge with the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and Brenden served 30 years as a judge with Minnesota’s Office of Administrative Hearings. FROM THEIR AWARD CITATION:

There is a kind of symmetry and elegance to the personal and professional lives of Debra Wilson ’71 and Peggy Brenden ’76. That parallel symmetry and elegance have been marked by substantial achievement in sport, law, volunteer service, and social activism. Two examples help highlight the early beginnings of their shared story. As a high school senior, Peg was a plaintiff in a successful lawsuit allowing her to play on her high school tennis team, which, by state association rules, was limited to males, though there was no girls’ team. About the same time at Luther, Deb was finding ways to make her voice heard as a student-athlete leader regarding equal funding and opportunity for female athletes. Their individual streams were beginning to merge. Another element pushing them toward their eventual symmetric merging was their

shared enjoyment regarding the artful game of tennis. As players and coaches, they understood the joy that such a game generates regardless of ability, and today that passion remains even though one has moved toward the miniature court of pickle ball while the other remains active on the normal court. Though five years separated their respective Luther graduations, these beginning elements of shared interests and experiences kept drawing them together, leading to establishing their committed relationship to one another in 1977. Doing so, their parallel paths persisted as Peg earned her jurisprudence degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1979 with Deb soon following, earning hers in 1981 from William Mitchell College of Law. . . . For both, their exceptional courtroom careers were marked by clearly articulated decisions reached through balanced insight, perceptive listening, and thoughtful engagement with the arguments presented. Though retired from the judiciary, they remain clearly engaged with the court of social advocacy. Intertwined with a variety of volunteer work, civic organizations, and their church, all of which have benefited from their diverse talents, Deb and Peg continue to address issues surrounding gender equity and sexual orientation. The notion of elegance surfaces since both model through patience, firmness, grace, and openness a healthy and lively interaction with all whom they encounter. In 2013 they also celebrated the legal status of their relationship with a marriage ceremony fittingly enough held in the Minnesota Supreme Court chambers. — Robert Larson, professor emeritus of theatre

Edith Copley ’76, Weston Noble ’43, and Andrew Last ’97

Pablo Gómez Estévez ’17 and Juan Tony Guzmán ’90

Ronald Fox and Joan deAlbuquerque

NOBLE AWARD

PRESSER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

SPERATI AWARD

The Weston Noble Award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the choral arts.

The Theodore Presser Foundation provides a generous scholarship for an extraordinary senior music major each year.

In the spirit of Carlo A. Sperati, conductor of the Luther Concert Band from 1905 to 1943, Luther annually honors a graduate who has had a distinguished career as a music educator.

Edith Copley ’76 Director of choral activities, Northern Arizona University FROM HER CITATION:

Copley’s résumé and list of accomplishments are impressive. Most notably, she’s been named as a Centennial Teacher of the Year from Northern Arizona University, she’s a recipient of Arizona Music Educator of the Year, received a Distinguished Service Award from Luther College in 2004, was honored with the Arizona ACDA Outstanding Choral Director Award, and in 2012 was awarded the Regents’ Professor honor by Northern Arizona University, where she was the first and only music faculty member ever to receive this rank. Personally, I’m honored to present this award, as Dr. Copley was also one of my teachers. I will forever remember the first rehearsal that I sang under Dr. Copley’s direction. To say that I was awestruck at the efficiency of her rehearsal and her conducting gesture would be an understatement. Her ability to create musical nuance through her gesture on the very first day of a rehearsal on a piece is a memory that I proudly share with my students each and every semester of conducting I teach. — Andrew Last ’97, assistant professor of music

Pablo Gómez Estévez ’17 FROM HIS CITATION:

Pablo’s dream was to study music in Belgium, where his father lives. However, by providence, he found out about Luther College and that—to quote him—“the music faculty behaves as though this school is a conservatory, but within the boundaries of the liberal arts.” Pablo has a keen intelligence, interested in music, theatre, dance, philosophy, always pursuing the meaning and significance of his activities, searching for what could lead to self-realization. His inquiring attitude demonstrates a true intellectual character, combined with social grace and his well-known gregarious nature. He is noted for his academic and artistic achievements. Pablo’s compositions have been performed at Luther College, Berklee School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and in the Dominican Republic. He has successful collaborations with Luther’s Dance Department and College Ministries, serves as tutor of music theory, works as a tour guide in Admissions and a facilitator at the Spanish Table. He was a finalist in the Distinction in Collaborative Keyboard Scholarship Competition. Pablo received a summer research grant to write and compose the music for Lulito, an illustrated and musicalized children’s book. He presented this project at the research symposium this past May. He was a member of Norsemen, Cathedral Choir, and the Jazz Band. He is currently the pianist with the Jazz Orchestra. Pablo studies piano with John Strauss and composition with Brooke Joyce. Pablo is an example of dedication to excellence, a distinguished musician and scholar. — Juan Tony Guzmán ’90, professor of music

Ronald Fox Luther professor emeritus of music FROM HIS CITATION:

Ronald Fox’s career at Luther began in 1981. He was interviewed during that summer and was also interviewed for a similar position at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He accepted the position at Luther and never looked back. . . . Fox maintained a very relaxed attitude in his studio. Until tinnitus became a problem for him, he often played with the students. To quote one of Ron’s students from Baylor University, “Ron had a free, resonant tone and possessed a fun-loving personality. He knew I was in trouble and invested in me in significant and meaningful ways. He often played for and with me during my lessons. There is no judgment, just opportunity, healthy repetition, and time in his studio.” Ron’s students always played to their potential without fear of failure, always willing to take chances. His students had ample opportunities to hear him play. In 1986 he was the tour soloist with the Luther College Band, in 1987, tour soloist with the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, and then again in 1990, tour soloist with the Concert Band. His off-campus performances are too numerous to mention. In 2008 the year of his retirement, two of his students created a Ron Fox Trumpet Scholarship, which was first awarded in 2011. — Fred Nyline, professor emeritus of music, and Joan deAlbuquerque, associate professor of music and director of bands Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

ATHLETICS MERITORIOUS

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Vernon Spilde

Mike Lopez ’06

Retiree from Luther’s Facilities Department

Accountant for Manitou American, living in Cedarberg, Wis.

FROM HIS CITATION:

Namuun Tsend-Ayesh ’17 and Daniel Baldwin

Hemp Family Prize The Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize for Orchestral Performance is awarded to a Symphony Orchestra senior for exceptional performance, talent, musicianship, and leadership.

Namuun Tsend-Ayush ’17 FROM HER CITATION:

In 2011 Namuun was one of a handful of Mongolian students invited to enroll at the United World College in Duino, Italy, where she studied for two years. During her time at United World College, she studied with members of the Trio di Trieste. Namuun is now a senior at Luther College majoring in violin performance. Her violin professor is Dr. Igor Kalnin, visiting assistant professor of music at the college. For the third consecutive year at Luther, Namuun has been selected as winner of the Torgerson Concertmaster Chair; she has served since fall 2014 as concertmaster of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. Among her many musical achievements as a Luther undergraduate, Namuun was one of the winners of the 2015 Luther College Concerto Competition. She also earned a first-place award in the American Protégé Concerto Competition. In addition to music, Namuun studies accounting. During her free time, she enjoys dancing and participating in many sports, such as ping pong, soccer, and volleyball. In December 2016 Namuun performed in New York City at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of the American Protégé competition. — Daniel Baldwin, professor of music

Luther Alumni Magazine

On February 1, 1992, Vern retired after 35 years. During his time at Luther, Vern would go to the baseball and softball diamonds in the spring after he was done with his work and practices were concluded for the day. He would drag the fields, pick up garbage, and clean the dugouts. He knew that if it rained during the night, the fields would be a mess and it would be difficult to get them ready and safe for the student athletes the next day. He did all of this outside of his regular duties for the college. In retirement, he continued to volunteer his time for six more years, taking care of both fields, and never took a dime for the hours that he toiled. Vern and his wife, Kay, were loyal Norse fans and were at almost every home event together until her death in 2014. Vern still finds time to get to Luther sporting events and is an annual contributor to the Norse Athletic Association. . . . During the spring of 1992, Brian Solberg ’88 was coaching softball with Betty Hoff ’60 on a cool spring afternoon, and his wedding ring fell off his hand while he was coaching. Noticing it was gone, he alerted everyone to keep their eyes open. Vern, while dragging the diamond between games, suddenly stopped the tractor around the shortstop position, got out, walked across the entire diamond almost to the first base line, kicked in the dirt, and pulled out Brian’s ring. Vern had noticed a glimmer from the stone at a distance, stopped, and walked directly to it.

FROM HIS CITATION:

—Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics and head softball coach

English teacher, St. Charles (Minn.) High School

As a senior, Mike was dominant in wrestling from beginning to end. He went undefeated against Division III opponents, winning the IIAC Tournament and being named Outstanding Wrestler of the IIAC. He also placed at the UNO Open and the UNI Open and won the IIAC Conference tournament. At the NCAA Championships, he wrestled a tough wrestler from Augsburg in the finals who had transferred into Augsburg midyear. In a hard-fought match, Mike persevered in double OT to win an NCAA title and finish his career with a record of 118-40. He also led Luther to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Tournament that year. Mike loved his experience at Luther and in Decorah. His favorite parts of that experience include his time spent with teammates and the time he spent running the many great trails in the Decorah area. You see, Mike ran almost every day of his career at Luther. Rain, snow, or sun, he would go outside and run. It played an important role in his ascension to being an NCAA champion. Mike also loved the great hunting and fishing opportunities he had in Decorah, and he still comes back to the area to take advantage of those whenever he can. —David Mitchell, head wrestling coach

Ben Barclay ’01

FROM HIS CITATION:

On the mat, Ben was a four-year starter, and he helped us take a team that in 1997 had two national qualifiers and no All-Americans to one in 2001 that had five national qualifiers and four All-Americans and finished fourth in the country. In addition, I think Ben’s engaging personality and

appearance in a singlet single-handedly doubled the number of fans that came to watch us at home duals! Ben qualified for the NCAA Championships three times, earned two AllAmerican honors and two Scholar All-American honors. He developed himself to the point where he was right in the hunt to win an NCAA title as a senior. During his strong senior season, Ben placed third at the UNI Open, beating a number of Division I wrestlers in the process. He also won the rugged IIAC Championships, avenging his only nonDivision I loss of the regular season in the finals of the IIAC Tournament. Ben finished his career with a record of 122-46, which is third all-time in Luther wrestling history for wins. —David Mitchell, head wrestling coach

Shaun Meinecke ’01 Assistant track coach, University of Wyoming–Laramie FROM HIS CITATION:

Shaun’s high school career as a four-sport athlete prepared him well for his future in the decathlon—the 10-event, two-day competition that includes sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, and the 1,500-meter run. Starting his sophomore year at Luther, he decided it was time to expand his events. Perhaps foreshadowing his future as a track and field coach, Shaun became a great student of the sport as he became proficient at the 110-meter high hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, pole vault, and triple jump—eight events at which he had no previous experience! To improve his overall development, Shaun also ran three seasons of cross country for the Norse. He produced top-ten performances on our all-time track and field lists for six different events indoors and four different events outdoors. Add the honors of all-conference in the triple jump, conference champion in the 400-meter hurdles, earning All-American status as a member of the NCAA indoor national champion distance medley relay team, and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA outdoor championships in the decathlon to earn All-America in that event too. A Hall of Fame resume! —Jeff Wettach ’79, head track and field coach

Brett Stender ’01 Eden Prairie, Minn. FROM HIS CITATION:

Being a multisport athlete in college is very challenging. Brett not only met that challenge, but excelled. Brett was a four-year letter-winner in both football and wrestling. In football, Brett started his first two years at defensive tackle and his last two at offensive tackle, where he was a two-time all-conference player. On the wrestling mat, Brett earned two All-American honors at heavyweight, placing third at the NCAA Championships as a junior and fourth in the nation as a senior, amassing a career record of 90-26. Brett played a huge role in helping bring Luther wrestling back into national prominence. His fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 2001 helped lead Luther to a fourth-place team finish, giving us our first team trophy in program history. . . . I think we all thoroughly enjoyed Brett’s great sense of humor and good nature. Some of my best memories as a coach involve Brett Stender and his great sense of humor. One time during his sophomore year, he came off the mat after beating a very tough opponent in a very intense match, and I met him matside. I looked up to him, patted him on the back, and said, “Brett, that was awesome! Way to go! Whatever you did to get yourself motivated to wrestle that way, do it every time.” Breathing heavy from the match and with no hesitation, Brett immediately responded, “It was easy, Coach. I just pictured your head on that guy’s body!” —David Mitchell, head wrestling coach

Siri Thompson ’01 Director of manufacturing engineering for Boston Scientific Corporation, living in Bloomington, Ind. FROM HER CITATION:

Siri hit the ground running upon her arrival for cross country training camp at Luther. In addition, she pursued her academic interests in physics, mathematics, and art; she joined the Varsity

Band; and as soon as the cross country season ended, it was prep time for track and field. Siri followed this hectic schedule four years, and each year she just kept getting better and better, as a cross country and track runner. I will highlight some of Siri’s many academic, athletic, and professional achievements. Cross country: two-time all-conference, two-time all-region, two-time academic all-conference, member of three conference champion teams, member of two NCAA top-15 teams. Track and field: two-time all-conference (top three individuals) in the 1,500-meter run; one-time all-conference in the 800-meter run; NCAA qualifier in the outdoor 1,500-meter run, placing 11th in the nation; lead-off runner for the 2001 NCAA champion distance medley relay team, earning All-American recognition. —Jeff Wettach ’79, head track and field coach

Craig Crandall ’86 Self-employed with his own tax preparation service, living in Champlin, Minn. FROM HIS CITATION:

During his running career at Luther, Craig earned all-conference honors five times in track and two times in cross country. . . . His times in the 3,000-, 5,000-, and 1,500-meter runs still rank him third, fifth, and seventh respectively on Luther’s all-time lists. Craig’s name also appears on the top-10 lists for four different Luther relays. He was the track team’s most valuable freshman in 1983, and, as a senior, Craig was recognized for his leadership when he was chosen to serve as captain of both the cross country and track teams. During Craig’s tenure at Luther, his teams won four Iowa conference championships in track and three in cross country. Craig ran on Norse cross country teams that placed fifth in the nation in 1984 and won the NCAA Division III national title in 1985. —Kirk Neubauer ’76, senior associate director of admissions

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Denise (Wills) Thoen ’86 Homemaker, living in Bloomington, Minn. FROM HER CITATION:

Denise played volleyball all four years while at Luther College, making a real impact as a first-year student. . . . In volleyball, Denise was an all-conference selection in her sophomore and senior seasons and was selected as the team MVP in both of those seasons. She was blessed with incredible physical athletic ability and coordination that we had rarely seen at Luther up until then. She was always ready to play and in control on the court. In addition to her natural physical prowess, she would never give up— she would always go for the ball, often times diving on defense to get a touch on the ball, and that determination was the key to her success. . . . In softball, Denise was blessed to play for legendary coach Betty Hoff. I’d like to share some memories in Denise’s own words: “The 1985 team that placed fourth at the NCAA tournament thrived on phenomenal pitching by Darsi Doyle ’87 and almost perfect fielding by our defense. It was not unusual for Darsi to strike out a dozen opponents or more in each game of a double header. Errors were extremely few. If we lost it was because we didn’t

produce enough runs. The individuals on this team set high personal expectations; we were a bunch of perfectionists. But I don’t recall any big egos. As teammates, we wanted to perform well for each other. So it’s no surprise that my strongest memories were not of my own individual plays, but of how my team responded emotionally in clutch moments.” —Ellen Drewes-Stoen, assistant professor of health and physical education

Jim Scott ’61 Retired football coach, Aurora University, Aurora, Ill. FROM HIS CITATION:

Jim’s development as a player, teacher, and coach comes from a series of challenges that he managed over his distinguished Hall of Fame career. Jim moved from his small high school to one of the finest small college football programs in the nation and was coached by the legendary Edsel Schweizer. During his four years as a Norseman, Jim’s teams were 29-6-1 and won two conference championships.

Going up for two at the Rally in the Valley, which included a campus community basketball game, pep rally, dance exhibitions, speakers, and more to kick off Homecoming Weekend.

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At Luther he learned to lead from some outstanding mentors: Coach Schweizer; math professors Don Pilgrim, Herbert Rebasso, and Bob Jacobsen; Coach Kent Finanger ’54 and his close friend and confidant Dale Hoffman ’61, who, sadly, passed away the year following their graduation together. But the most important thing Jim took away from Luther was his best friend and partner for the last 54 years, Lorraine (Thompson) Scott ’63. For eight years Jim cut his teeth as a math teacher and coach at small schools where resources were limited, coaching staffs were small. Jim took the reigns at the much larger Sterling (Ill.) High School in 1969 [and his] teams went 96-49-2 with seven conference titles, five state playoff appearances. With Lorraine’s insistence and support Jim then pursued the head football job at Aurora University in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Aurora University Spartans had dropped football after the 1952 season, and Jim and Lorraine started it back up in 1985. In year seven (1992), AU went undefeated in the regular season and was selected for the NCAA Division III national playoffs, the first Chicagoland D-III team to make the playoffs, all in just seven years. This is the fourth Hall of Fame induction for Jim Scott. He is in the Illinois High School Hall of Fame, the Sterling High School Hall of Fame, and the Aurora University Hall of Fame. —Paul Hefty ’86, past football coach

The annual parade heads up Water Street.

Members of the class of 1966 gathered at Luther for their 50th reunion. They came together on the second floor of Dahl Centennial Union for this photo before their reunion luncheon in Peace Dining Room. With spouses and some emeriti faculty, their group totalled 128, not all shown here.

Ilene (Knutson) Forde ’46 returned to mark 70 years since her Luther graduation. Photos by Luther College Photo Bureau unless noted.

Members of the classes of 1951 and 1957 who gathered for reunion were (back row, left to right): Don Blockhus ’51, Kletus Rood ’51, Bob Rosholt ’51, Lew Lewison ’51, Jack Krupicka ’51, and Dean Gesme ’51. Front row (left to right): IvaNell (Mundt) Monson ’57, Marilyn (Myrah) Bunge ’51, Marilyn (Stoa) Harms ’51. Not shown: Ruth (Jensen) Bunge ’51.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

LAANN GULRUD

Members of the class of 1956 returned during Homecoming for their 60th reunion, gathering for this photo during a luncheon in the union.

PARKER DEEN

At the class of 1976 reunion were JoAnn Anderson-Wright and her husband, Bob Wright.

A lot of photographs were taken at the Luther class reunions and throughout the weekend of Homecoming 2016—at the parade, football game, alumni dinner, and more. Here, Ken Roen ’60 and Deanna (Blunt) Roen ’61 smile for the iPad at the class of 1961 reunion dinner. See all of the photographs online at: PARKER DEEN

luther.edu/homecoming/photos-2016

From the class of 1986 (left to right), Lori Hoffner, Drake Powe, Julie Johnson Pena, Joan (Anderson) Powell.

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Luther College Book Shop Phone (563) 387-1036 or (888) 521-5039 lutherbookshop.com Jacob Schwartz ’17 Mollie Mickelson ’17

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Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

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Emily Lynch Victory ’06 embedded speakers in a collaborative piece with composer and former classmate Zach Zubow ’06. Paintings from her 3P3 series (facing page, left to right) include Forward Flows, Silver Mirrored Deep, and Morning Song.

Visualizing math inspires artwork Emily Lynch Victory ’06 is a rising star in the art world, but make no mistake: math is her first love. This is evident in her stunning large-scale paintings, each of which requires hours upon hours of meticulous work in her Delano, Minn., studio. Her high-impact pieces explore mathematical concepts from probability to number bases, and in the process, they offer an explosion of mind-bending pattern. It’s all about the math Victory is uniquely situated to explore the pairing of math and art. After majoring in math at Luther, she taught in the classroom for a couple of years, but it left her too little creative time. She returned to school and earned a fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 2012, after which she began

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work with a math textbook publisher while continuing a studio practice. Victory’s position with Math Teachers Press has her teaching educators and administrators how the company’s curriculum works. “I love my job, because it’s hands-on math, which is what my life is about right now,” she says. “I get to meet math people and talk math concepts. And the textbooks, which are for students who really struggle, are about visualizing math, which feeds into my artwork perfectly.” Victory admits she’s obsessed with numbers and patterns. That’s how she navigates life, taking note of dates that are prime or calculating half birthdays as a matter of course. Rather than as an artist, she sees herself as a problem-solver. Her practice, she says, is “mainly about the math, and then the art is how I do that math.” In her sketchbooks, she doesn’t doodle as often as she solves equations or lists numbers that go on for pages.

Victory and Zubow attended an exhibit and performance of their collaborative piece in Minneapolis last January.

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Math’s personal side Grids, columns, squares, circles, and rectangles feature prominently in Victory’s work, especially in repetition, and in this way her paintings make a person think about mass and quantity. Sometimes they call to mind highrise apartment buildings in Hong Kong, those monoliths of identical windows and balconies, so expansive that they resemble sheets of wrapping paper more than places where people actually live. And that gets you thinking about anonymity. A closer look at her work, however, and you notice the ragged edges of the rectangles, where the paint has strayed, or the square that’s been rendered a bit lopsided. The lines that aren’t quite parallel. The individual brushstrokes. And these details are the opposite of anonymity—they’re distinctly handmade and highly individual marks that, just like a towel slung over the railing of a Hong Kong balcony, suggest life behind the clinical façade. This take on her work delights Victory: “I want there to be surprises up close. That is exactly what I was trying to do. To most people, math is like a machine—it’s so technical, with numbers and symbols—but it’s really not if you’re just trying to learn the concepts. Math can be drawings, and it can be very personal, how you understand it.” Choice of materials is another way that Victory tries to make math approachable. While her paintings’ high gloss and techy look lend them an expensive feel, her tools of the trade are acrylic paint and a Sharpie. Sometimes she paints on pegboard or a painter’s drop cloth, the kind you can buy for a few bucks at any hardware store. One of her paintings uses tabs of drywall tape. “Usually math is kind of high-end or exclusive,” she says, “but these materials are not, and I love that. My upbringing is more rural

Minnesota, and these are the things I’m used to. I just feel more comfortable with these materials, plus I love the contrast of these highend concepts, which are regarded as difficult or elite, on these kinds of rough and tough backgrounds.” Math meets art meets music Through her art, Victory examines everything from sectorials to rotational symmetry, but some of her recent work has had her collaborating with Zach Zubow ’06, assistant professor and director of music at Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. Prior to her partnership with Zubow, Victory had translated some of her paintings into short piano pieces, interpreting marks on the canvas as notes and spaces. But she knew that music had more to offer her work, so she reached out to her former classmate, who had already been using numeric structures in his compositions. Zubow and Victory devised a series of three paintings and musical pieces that used three different mathematical bases: base 3, base 8, and base 16. In one song, the notes were in base 3, the dynamics in base 8, and the rhythm in base 16. They switched those three elements for the next piece, and they switched them again for the third. “In each piece, the music matches the math that’s happening in the painting,” Victory says. “You could potentially follow the music within the artwork.” Zubow and Victory’s pieces were exhibited and performed on piano at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis last January. The duo also won a $5,000 grant for their work. They partnered again last fall, after Victory secured another $5,000 grant and a spot at the eighth annual ArtPrize international art competition in Grand Rapids, Mich. Again, they devised a series of three pieces, but this

Victory will return to Luther in the spring semester to conduct studio visits and talk with students in the Art Department. In addition to her studio practice, her work with Math Teachers Press, and mothering two young boys, she founded River Street Paint House in Delano, Minn., last January. Learn more about the communitycentered creative space at facebook. com/RiverStreetPaintHouse. See more of Victory’s artwork and listen to her collaboration with Zubow at mnartists.org/emvictory. Watch an award-winning PBS short film about Victory at pbs.org/filmfestival/2016/artist-day-jobs-emily-lynchvictory-paintermath-trainer/.

time they used number systems that were site-specific, including the zip code for Grand Rapids and the dimensions of their exhibition space. And because a live performance wasn’t feasible, they embedded speakers—which were triggered by motion detectors to play when someone approached—into Victory’s paintings themselves. This setup required Zubow to learn several new skill sets. “Essentially, I had to teach myself the mathematical processes, programming languages, networking, hardware components, and a bit of electrical engineering to incorporate car stereo speakers in order to successfully pull off this project,” he says. But the logistical headache was worth it, according to Victory. “It was the coolest. It made perfect sense. It was almost as if the math itself was talking.” —Kate Frentzel

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

FIRST PERSON

The complexities of race in a foreign land Akosua Frimpong ’03 writes about navigating a culture unfamiliar with her race Akosua Frimpong ’03, who majored in English, has been teaching at Royal Primary Academy in Jakarta, Indonesia, since September 2015. In October 2016, she wrote a first-person article about her experience that was published on the online site of the Atlantic magazine as part of a series on blacks living abroad in the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. The contributors to the series wrote about what the black experience looked like outside of America. This series was inspired by Ta’Nehisi Coates’s experience when he lived in Paris.

In the introduction to Akosua’s piece, reprinted here, Chris Bodenner, a senior editor at the magazine, wrote: “This detailed account from an Indonesia-based reader, Akosua F., is especially distinct because she discusses what it’s like to be perceived as African versus African American—two identities she’s worn. She also talks about how she sometimes misconstrues what she thinks are racial slights from well-meaning strangers because so many other strangers have mocked her. But overall she maintains a positive outlook.”

The series can be found at lczine.com/AkosAtlantic.

magine having to start a whole new life on the other side of the world. Well, that was me, when I had to leave the States—a place I had called home for the past 16 years— and head to Jakarta to continue my teaching career. While filled with some trepidation, as I left my family and friends, I saw this as an adventure, looking forward to what this new chapter of life would entail. I say looking forward to it because as someone who was born in Ghana, but lived, grew up, and attended school in three different countries (Botswana, South Africa, and the United States), I saw this as yet another international experience I could embrace. Little did I know what I would be getting into. Once the novelty wore off, I became painfully aware of the way people reacted whenever I stepped outside of my apartment building, as I quickly learned how “being the center of attention” could have a negative connotation. The stares, finger pointing, laughing, and double looks (sometimes more) became something that I encountered day in and day out. As a black person, while I had encountered some negative interactions due to the color of my skin, nothing had been as intense as this experience. Here in Indonesia, I have learned what it means to be both black and African (I say African because here, as in America, there’s not much differentiation). Colorism is most definitely in play here, as the darker your skin color, the more you are treated differently. There is a great preference for lighter/fairerskinned people, with skin whitening/bleaching creams littered around stores, all in plain view. Lighter/fairer-skinned people are seen in

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Akosua Frimpong ’03 with friends on a trip to Puncak, a mountain pass in West Java, Indonesia.

commercials, on T.V., on billboards, etc. However, one irony I have found is that even the darker-skinned Indonesians point, stare, and laugh. It’s not only confusing, but disappointing as well, because I would think that because we are both more or less in the same boat, we would be able to connect and even commiserate with each other. I suppose it’s that whole idea of the oppressed becoming the oppressor, in a bid to distance themselves, and hopefully, one day, find themselves being accepted as well. Thus, the idea is “while I may have it bad, at least I don’t have it as bad you do.” And so the cycle continues.

In addition to colorism, there is the stigma associated with the continent of Africa. My African background puts me at a further disadvantage than my African American counterparts, in that while they are black and may encounter the same reactions/treatment I do, there is often a change in attitude/demeanour once people find out they’re American. The American passport still has a lot of sway in many parts of the world. About three weeks ago, I went out to eat with a friend, and it turned out that there was a live band playing. My friend and I found ourselves so taken in by their performance

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As a black person, while I had encountered some negative interactions due to the color of my skin, nothing had been as intense as this experience.

(boisterously singing aloud) that once they were done, they came over to say hello. They asked where we were from, and my friend stated America (meaning himself). They immediately became so enamoured with his answer, pointing out how pleased they were to have an American present, listening to their songs, that I made the choice not to say where I was from. I know that it wasn’t right, but at the same time, I did so because I didn’t want to see a change in their overall attitude. I was enjoying their admiration, not to mention the anonymity—an anonymity that is often nonexistent due to the misconceptions many have about people from Africa. The perception of Africans, in most countries located in Southeast Asia, is that we are drug dealers or prostitutes, who are often “poor and uneducated.” The following passage from a recent AP [Associated Press] article I read regarding Africans living in India perfectly sums up the experiences of Africans due to misguided stereotypes: “But the worst kind of discrimination is reserved for the Africans. In a country obsessed with fair skin and skin lightening beauty treatments, their dark skin draws a mixture of fear and ridicule.” I’ve seen some examples of this “mixture of fear and ridicule.” One of my students (originally from China) wrote me a note for Teacher’s Day telling me how initially she was scared of me, as she had never met/seen a black person before. To have people come up to my face, just so they can get a better look, takes its toll. And as one of your readers shared, all of this slowly chips away at you. So, while having to deal with being in another country (getting used to the culture), I find myself trying to navigate through this as well. And unlike some, I struggle to see the silver lining in all this. Each time I venture out, I find myself on edge, constantly on the lookout for the stares, the laughing, etc., that I know will inevitably come. I get myself so worked up that sometimes when it doesn’t happen the way I thought it would, I find myself completely taken aback. I also find myself questioning words and actions that others may construe as innocent. For example, while riding in a cab, the driver

Frimpong with members of the band she and a friend listened to one evening.

began chatting with me in his broken English, and I attempted to respond in my very limited Bahasa-Indonesia. When we found ourselves stuck in Jakarta’s never-ending traffic, he indicated that he wanted to take my picture. My guard immediately went up, and I vehemently refused his request, time and time again. At one point he asked why, and I explained to him (now having resorted to Google translate) my experiences. He then stated that the reason why people stare is because “black is sexy.” I will admit, I laughed, as this was not a response I was expecting. However, as he continued to go on about it, I began to wonder, was he saying that because I was African? Was he associating black with being sexy because of the fallacy of “Africans being prostitutes”? Or was he merely subscribing to the delusional fantasy of the dark-skinned woman? You know, the whole “the darker the berry . . .” As I sit here typing this, I keep telling myself that it was probably harmless fun, but there’s still a nagging part of me that thinks otherwise. This is me now; this continuous questioning, second guessing, has become

second nature to me. Before I end this with you thinking that being in Indonesia has been entirely “me against the world,” I must add that I do have friends here—a number of locals that I’ve connected with at my school. I share my experiences with them, and they have certainly helped me to see why people say Indonesians are so friendly. They have been true lifesavers, as they have given me positive experiences to help counter most of the negative ones. And while I am pleased that as a professional dark-skinned African, I have helped to increase other’s exposure to not only black people, but to Africans as well by challenging the stereotypes, a part of me worries that I am not really changing their perceptions all that much. I say this because even for those who see me day in and day out, they continue to stare and sometimes laugh. This is definitely a different experience for me—an ongoing process that will hopefully prove to be benefit rather than a drawback during my last few months here.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

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Bellowing Waters Inspired by a hike to Murray Canyon in Palm Springs, Calif.

—Matteo Musso

WILL HELLER ’16

Bellowed the waterfall to the stream, Understand that we are one and the same. Different forms we take But of the same energy made. Now you flow as gently as a newborn baby sleeps, Down to the valley to nourish life itself. Will you have the power to kiss all those in need? I am here for you in strength and plenty If you will only call on me for help. I am the source of your abundance, And the way to end the thirst of the world. Annette (Niemann) Musso ’86 reads out the messages her autistic son, Matteo, spells using an alphabet board and the rapid prompting method.

Annette (Niemann) Musso ’86 and son Matteo share experience of autism Twelve-year-old Matteo Musso has a lot to say, but until 18 months ago, he had little means to communicate his thoughts, insights, and ideas. Matteo is autistic and, in his case, has difficulty communicating through speech. But now, his thoughts are spilling out of him in the form of poetry, blog posts, book chapters, and question-and-answer sessions with school classes and other groups. His mother, Annette (Niemann) Musso ’86, credits a system called rapid prompting method (RPM). Matteo points to letters on a stencil-like alphabet board held by his mother, and she becomes his voice, reading out the thoughtful, often humorous, sentences that he spells. When the Mussos, who live in Livermore, Calif., learned about RPM and Matteo began training in the system, it was slow going, Annette says. But Matteo and his mom have progressed to the point where it’s fairly easy for them to conduct Q&A sessions, and this is all-important to Matteo. His mission is to talk with as many people as possible about what it’s like to be autistic. Annette and Matteo were at Luther last fall for Homecoming, and for the second year, they spoke to Luther education students. Jill LeetOtley, assistant professor of education, thought it was a great opportunity for her general education and special education students. One thing these students focus on is how to make all students feel like they’re part of the classroom community. Matteo’s messages fit perfectly. His mission is to help create understanding between autistics and normally abled

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society, to build empathy. He challenged LeetOtley’s students not to talk for the rest of the day, to see what it is like to have his form of autism. How would they feel if, because they didn’t speak, others assumed they were less intelligent than they truly were? Matteo urged these future teachers to assume intelligence when meeting autistic children in their classes. “Society must see through the package to the gift itself,” Matteo says. Leet-Otley says having Annette in class with Matteo was especially beneficial for her students. Annette told the students what it was like for her when Matteo began communicating through RPM, how she realized that some of her own assumptions about her son were wrong. For instance, she thought he could do math at only a rudimentary level when, in fact, he was quite advanced. “I was so ashamed,” she said in class. Hearing that, Matteo smiled and patted his mom on the back, “I forgive you,” he said. “I think it’s great to see that dynamic,” Leet-Otley says. “As teachers, you have to remember that parents know their child best. So I’m always reminding students that you may have these ideas about a student, but when you go into a conference, always start by asking the parents, what are your hopes and dreams for your child, what can you share about your child that I may not know or see? . . . That’s why I think it’s a nice combination of having Matteo and Annette in our classroom.” The Mussos’ first visit made a strong

impression on Leet-Otley’s students. “It kept coming up when we had time to reflect and in evaluations, the power of him being there instead of just learning about autism through a textbook or an article or video clip,” she says. Sophomore Madeline Miller says: “Hearing Matteo debunk common misconceptions about individuals with exceptional gifts and unique communication styles was more meaningful than reading from a textbook or discussing hypothetical situations. I enjoyed Matteo’s poetry and was thankful he shared his beautiful talent with me and my peers. Matteo’s visit was a meaningful reminder for future educators to be just as intentional to seek out the unique strengths of our students as well as the unique challenges.” —Ellen Modersohn Get in touch: Annette (Niemann) Musso ’86 has a nonprofit, Creative Autism Solutions Team, which envisions “a world in which autistics are understood and where they and their talents are appreciated as special contributors to society.” She can be reached at annettemusso2@gmail.com. Matteo Musso’s blog is pedalingwithteo.com. As of last September, he says, he has spoken in person and via Skype to about 1,400 people about what it is like to be autistic.

Alumni News

Second Shot volunteers gather after a weekend adventure with Chris Gallegos Jr., who has leukemia and who traveled from Oklahoma to hunt with the team. Back row (left to right): Jordan Grimm ’11, Kelsey (Balk) Grimm ’11, Chris Gallegos, Chris Gallegos Jr., Thomas Steffen. Front row (left to right): Jeff Thoreson, Reid Wilson ’10, Kelsey (Anderson) Wilson ’11, JJ Franklin.

Luther grads help people with disabilities hunt again Reid Wilson ’10 makes it sound simple. He and wife Kelsey (Anderson) Wilson ’11 had a rescue dog with a broken leg who would want to go hunting again. They also had friends who used to hunt before becoming disabled. Why not put the two together and make everyone happy? Thus Reid and Kelsey, along with Kelsey (Balk) ’11 and Jordan Grimm ’11, Austen Smith ’13, Chris Norton ’14, and Jeff Boeke ’80—with help from Michael Crocker ’14 and Carryn (Ensrude) ’99 and Mike Anderson ’99—founded Second Shot, a nonprofit organization that helps people with traumatic or debilitating injury or illness connect with the outdoors through hunting and fishing. In early 2015, its first season, Second Shot led three outings. Last season it led four, and it’s aiming for another four this season. Its clients range from people with spinal cord injury to people with leukemia or multiple sclerosis. The Second Shot team, which is 100 percent volunteer, fundraises the costs associated with the outings, and they also raise money for client treatments and special causes. Reid has a degree in physical therapy, and Kelsey Grimm will soon finish her physician assistant degree, so the group has a helpful medical background. In addition, Chris Norton, who suffered a spinal cord injury while an undergraduate and who founded the SCI CAN project to help others with neuromuscular deficiencies, offers advice about adaptive approaches the team might use to accommodate would-be hunters. But the Second Shot team maintains that the best approach is to

let clients dictate the situation, because they equipment. John Balk ’83, Kelsey’s dad, even know best how to move their bodies. supplied the pheasant popper recipe that the In outings that involve wheelchairs, the team uses to cook a celebratory meal after a team makes an adaptive rig using a UTV (utilhunt. ity task vehicle). Often they will swing and aim The real reward of the day, according to a gun for a client, who will then pull the trigReid, comes before the pheasant poppers. ger him- or herself. In one case, when a client He recalls a client in a wheelchair who could was unable to move his fingers, they built a move his arms but not really his fingers. They prosthetic device that allowed him to pull the waited a long time for a shot, but they finally trigger after the shot was lined up. Though the outings are long, lasting 17 or 18 hours, Second Shot is never without willing volunteers (including Jerry Jaeger ’09 and Nathan Burger ’09). As Reid explains, “The hunting community is so tight and generous, and they want to be a During a pheasant hunt at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, part of this, because Iowa, Josh Sirios ’15 stands behind Chris Norton ’14, who pulls the it’s so cool when you trigger from his wheelchair after Reid Wilson ’10 swings and aims. see someone in a wheelchair hunting. got a pheasant. “We had the dogs bring it to We always get a big audience, so we’ve met a him, and he got this really touching smile on lot of people that way. We have an email list, his face,” Reid remembers. “These people and we’ll say, ‘Hey, we’re going out on this have so many days where they have to be in date, we need three or four backup shooters, care, and they’re so busy with appointments. two or three camera people, three safety peoJust to give them a day off, a break, is an amazple, and a driver.’ We’ve never had a shortage ing thing. All our volunteers remember that of responses.” moment.” Their sponsors, too, are generous, from property owners who share their land to —Kate Frentzel business owners who lend trucks and camera Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

New students in fall 2016 include 62 children of alumni CONNECTICUT

Urbandale

Kasson

Vadnais Heights

West Hartford

Robert Muller, son of Kim (Latzke) ’93 and Eric Muller ’91

Stephanie Meyer, daughter of Ann and Lee Meyer ’79

Benjamin Kottke, son of Carrie and Marty Kottke ’87

Vinton

La Crescent

Waterville

Kendra Peterson, daughter of Julie and Randy Peterson ’80

Anna Peterson, daughter of Caryn (Humble) ’87 and Brad Peterson

Aubrey Highum, daughter of Sonja (Heeler) ’93 and Andy Highum ’93

Waukee

Lake City

White Bear Lake

Meghan Anderson, daughter of Karen and Andrew Anderson ’87

Sergey Andrew Duchelle, son of Nikki (Wheeler) ’92 and Martin Duchelle

Logan Morrison, son of Tara Rypka Morrison ’90 and Marc Morrison

Lakeville

Winona

Alec Olson, son of Joan and Neil Olson ’84 Austin Reese, son of Charlotte and Bob Reese ’84

Elissa Hemker, daughter of Karen (Klagge) ’90 and Thomas Hemker Maya Upton, daughter of Erica Upton-Wurst ’96 and Anthony Wurst

Montevideo

Worthington

Carlton Jones, son of Carla (deceased) and Velicia and Tony Jones ’80

Aimee Hampton, daughter of Beth (Hawkinson) ’88 and Dan Hampton ’87

Rachel Koller, daughter of Tammy (Christianson) ’88 and John Koller

Sterling

New Hope

Evan Lobdell, son of Lisa (Schrader) ’88 and Brian Lobdell

Andrew Avila, son of Leesa (Tomlinson) ’85 and Brice Avila

Rachel Schunder, daughter of Deb (Savage) ’89 and Steve Schunder IOWA

Altoona Daniel Suhr, son of Jennifer (Lutz) ’92 and Matt Suhr ’90

Ames Emily Olson, daughter of Cathy Hines and Paul Olson ’82, Gilbert, Iowa

Cedar Rapids Jessica Carpenter, daughter of Stacie (Olson) ’90 and Kevin Carpenter ’87

Coralville Noah Tiegs, son of Carolyn Laxson and Richard Tiegs ’79

Decorah Winter Hawley-Bourcier, son of Jane Hawley ’87 and Tom Bourcier, Decorah Karoline Johnson, daughter of Constance and Joel Johnson ’78 Keaton Meyer, son of Chelle (Sullivan) ’89 and Daniel Meyer Trevor Phillips, son of Lori (Butikofer) ’90 and Bradley Phillips Jada Vanden Brink, daughter of Krista (Wogsland) ’93 and Steve Vanden Brink

Maquoketa Taylor Fishwild, daughter of Amy and Steve Fishwild ’91

Mason City Kelsey Stine, daughter of Linda (Block) ’85 and David Stine

Mount Vernon Jenna Reimann, daughter of Kristin (Jensen) ’88 and Paul Reimann ’89

North Liberty Adam West, son of Jill Johnson-West ’87 and David West

Sioux City Hannah Gross, daughter of Janet and David Gross ’85

Spillville Benjamin Klimesh, son of Kate (Spencer) ’92 and Mike Klimesh ’91

Underwood Tyler Privia, son of Christine (Bergstrom) ’90 and Jeffrey Privia

Luther Alumni Magazine

ILLINOIS

Deerfield Sara Suri, daughter of Joanne Bjerga ’82 and Mark Suri ’82

Evanston

New Prague MARYLAND

Sykesville Cosette Schneider, daughter of Stephanie (Knutson) ’83 and Mark Schneider

Emma Busch, daughter of Mary Hanson-Busch ’89 and Michael Busch

Northfield Luther Prestemon, son of Kari (Rotto) ’87 and Brad Prestemon ’84

Owatonna MINNESOTA

Luke Berkley, son of Becky (Partington) ’96 and Scot Berkley

Centerville

Richfield

Emily Toensing, daughter of Marcy (Kittelson) ’91 and Jeff Toensing ’90

Cologne Marya Haugland, daughter of Anne (Skundberg) ’89 and Dave Haugland ’88 Sophia Haugland, daughter of Anne (Skundberg) ’89 and Dave Haugland ’88

Eden Prairie Stephanie Kaare, daughter of Sharon and Steve Kaare ’86 Hannah Stenoien, daughter of Kirsten (Reigle) ’89 and Peter Stenoien ’89 Johanna Welter, daughter of Kjersten (Lund) ’93 and Scott Welter ’94

Fergus Falls Sarah Taylor, daughter of Anne (Lysne) ’88 and Sean Taylor ’84

Alexander Moe, son of Liz (Papa) ’92 and Lynn Taylor and Monica and Kris Moe ’93, Minneapolis

Rochester Meredith Gade, daughter of Marne and Chris Gade ’86

St. Charles Derek McCready, son of Ann and Scott McCready ’90

St. Cloud Isaac Logeman, son of Connie (Foxworthy) ’88 and Larry Logeman ’87

St. Paul Emily Anderson, daughter of Kathy (Eckblad) ’92 and Eric Anderson ’92 Rees Winga, son of Genevieve and Dan Winga ’88

Savage Christine Wattermann, daughter of Sally and Lyle Wattermann ’88

WISCONSIN

Green Bay Alaina Wittig, daughter of Tricia and Michael Wittig ’92

Hortonville Karina Hoff, daughter of Lisa (SchulzFincke) ’83 and Barry Hoff ’83

Madison Hannah Wollack, daughter of Jodi (Eriksson) ’93 and Jim Wollack

Onalaska Benjamin Davidson, son of Jill and Mark Davidson ’81 Abigail Saner, daughter of Jennifer (Munn) ’89 and Todd Saner ’90

Oregon Alex Breitbach, son of Kelly and John Breitbach ’92

Wauwatosa Noah Manke, son of Donna and Chris Manke ’89 WYOMING Sheridan Susan Wold, daughter of Laura (Holcomb) ’83 and Phil Wold ’82

Alumni News

CLASS NOTES Compiled by Emily Markee ’17 and Annalise Johnson ’18 Manchester, Iowa, was inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame at the group’s annual meeting in Des Moines. Kramer is the state’s longest serving mayor, with 43 years of service to the city of Manchester. Kramer’s original impetus for seeking public office in 1970 was to improve his teaching skills. “I was a social studies teacher, and everyone thought it would be a good fit,” he explains. “I figured it could help me teach my class.” A popular council member, he was encouraged to run for mayor in 1974. He won, was sworn into office Sept. 16, 1974, and has held the position ever since. In 13 elections, he has run unopposed 10 times.

PHOTO BY SARAH STRANDBERG ’87

1959 Milt Kramer of

Track and Field Meet at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis.

1963 Sandra (Sellers)

Hanson of Brooklyn, N.Y., was named the 2016 recipient of the 25th Francis Andrew March Award by the Association of Departments of English.

1964 Emily (Homstad) and

Joe Bodensteiner of Rhinelander, Wis., donated their family home in Decorah to the Winneshiek County Historical Society. The Greek Revival home at 509 W. Broadway was built in 1860 by Joe’s great-grandparents, and the only occupants have been four generations of the family and Luther faculty renters. The Historical Society is beginning plans for restoration.

Members of the Winneshiek County Historical Society accept the keys for 509 W. Broadway in Decorah from Joe ’64 and Emily (Homstad) Bodensteiner ’64. Left to right: Kim Glock, Elizabeth Lorentzen, Ed Epperly, Ferneva Brimacomb, LaVonne Sharp ’62, the Bodensteiners, and Luane Henzler. The Bodensteiners were presented with a certificate from the society.

1966 Dave Rovang of Forest

Lake, Minn., has retired as a U.S. Air Force and Northwest pilot.

1970 Lorraine (Carter)

Kramer appears with the “Iowa Nice Guy” actor, writer, and producer, Scott Seipker, who emceed the event.

Borowski is director of the Decorah (Iowa) Public Library. In recognition of her service to the association and for her work at the Decorah Library, she was named the Iowa Library Association’s Member of the Year at the organization’s statewide conference held in Dubuque. She has been at the library for more than 25 years, starting at the circulation desk and working her way up to director.

Members of the class of 1981 got together for a bike ride during Homecoming last fall. Part of the group, which ultimately numbered about 40, posed for this shot at Decorah Bicycles, where several rented their rides.

Wally Smeby of Mason City, Iowa, is adviser for the Jan Again Foundation, an organization named in honor of his late wife, which supports mental health education and outreach. The foundation awarded grants totaling $68,000 to six organizations in north Iowa in 2016.

1960 Janet (Block) and Jack

Jarmes ’61 live in Muskego, Wis. They are retired and run a civic education program called Project Citizen. Jack is the Wisconsin state coordinator. He also took first place in the 100-meter dash in the 75- to 79-year-old age group at the USA

1971 Mark Reinertson retired from UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics after 40 years of service as a pediatrician in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

1972 Joyce (Sponheim) and

Duane Baun ’71 of Detroit Lakes, Minn., are retired.

Last August, these five 1969 alumnae gathered at the home of Catherine (Turner) Boulanger ’69 near St. Louis for three days in celebration of their long friendship and in memory of their two classmates, Mina (Larson) Healy ’69 and Connie (Peterson) Sanderson ’69, who passed away last year. Pictured in Forest Park (with the Gateway Arch in the background) are: Mary (Bay) Johnson ’69, Catherine (Turner) Boulanger ’69, Connie (Adams) Georgiu ’69, Diane Hanson ’69, and Rev. Margaret Herz-Lane ’69.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

1973 Tim Christ is pastor at

Beverly Norfleet-Tumbleson and Harla Tumbleson ’70 live in Seattle. Beverly is a licensed psychologist, and Harla is the owner of Full Moon Farms and dean of Yonder Mountain Institute of Metaphysics.

Joy Lutheran Church in Richmond, Texas, and serves as the dean of the South Texas Mission District of the North American Lutheran Church. Brent Christianson is retired after 21 years as the executive director of Lutheran Campus Ministry in Madison, Wis. His poem “Reading Bly in the Waiting Room” was published in the Oct. 18 Journal of the American Medical Association, and his book My Beloved, My Friend: The Song of Songs for Couples will be released by Judson Press in January 2017. Greg Dahlberg was elected to the board of directors for Leidos Holdings Inc. in Reston, Va. Loren Esse works in pharmacy delivery for HyVee Drugstore in Des Moines, Iowa.

1974 Peg (Hall) Beatty was

recognized by the Iowa Chapter of American Board and Trial Advocates for her significant contribution to the Iowa Mock Trial Program and her vital role in teaching Iowa’s youth about the American justice system and the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution. Beatty was one of the first inductees into the Educator Coach Hall of Fame at the 2016 Iowa Mock Trial State Tournament. She is a retired teacher and volunteers as the Decorah Middle School Mock Trial Coach.

Members of the Weston Noble Alumni Choir gathered at Luther last October to donate funds and memorabilia to the college and the Luther Archives. Above are current and former choir board members and friends of the choir (left to right): Hollis “Deke” Erdman ’69, Solveig Sperati Korte ’74, Laura Behrens ’78, Catharine Johnson, Nancy GatesLee ’72, Weston Noble ’43 (now deceased), Marilyn Fritz Shardlow ’72, Barb Letourneau ’91, Jane Henderson ’71, Linda Palmer ’76, Mark Scharff ’77, and Andrew Last ’97, Luther assistant professor of music. The funds were the choir’s surplus after producing nine alumni choir events 2007–15. They were split between the Weston Noble Scholarship fund and the Friends of International Touring Scholarship fund. Among the items given to the archives were concert programs and T-shirts from each year and a DVD copy of the documentary about the group’s final year, 2015, I Will Sing to the Lord as Long as I Live: The Weston Noble Alumni Choir. The presentations took place at the end of the Board of Regents meeting Saturday, Oct. 29, at Loyalty Hall. Choir members also sang in worship in the Center for Faith and Life on Oct. 30.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Ann (Olson) Wendling of Landrum, S.C., is a self-employed public health consultant and medical director.

1977 Connie Houdek is a

licensed spiritual practitioner and coordinator of youth and family at Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago. Steve Pitzenberger of Lansdale, Pa., is retired.

1975 Laurel (Schletty) Hoff

retired as Anoka (Minn.) County’s community health and environmental services director following a 38-year career in nursing and public health. She was awarded the Jim Parker Leadership Award from the Minnesota Department of Health and State Human Health Services Committee. The award, formerly called the Community Health Services Leadership Award, was established to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to community health services at the state and local levels through their commitment and leadership. According to a state health department press release, Hoff was chosen for the award “for her commitment to public health and leadership in improving public health in Minnesota. She is a strong advocate and distinguished leader in the field of public health and is highly regarded by her colleagues as a true public health leader, mentor, and friend.” Sue (Berger) Oltrogge is manager of administrative services for Deloitte in Minneapolis.

1976 Ed Kennedy is a SVP/

Robyn (Lundquist) Sloan is retired from teaching high school biology. She instructs driver’s education part time for St. Vrain Valley Schools in Longmont, Colo. Lisa (Ask) Whannel of Estes Park, Colo., is retired.

1978 Barbara (Noe) Koch of

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is retired from Mercy Medical Center. She continues to be a volunteer musician at Faith Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa, and in the community.

1979 Brian Andreas of

Decorah had a book-signing event for two of his recent books, Bring Your Life Back to Life and Something like Magic, at the Luther College Book Shop in December. Hans Brattskar of Geneva, Switzerland, is ambassador and permanent representative of the Norwegian Mission to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations.

CFO at Peoples Bank of Commerce in Cambridge, Minn.

Bonnie (Olson) Johnston is a medical technologist at Kittitas Valley Healthcare in Ellensburg, Wash.

Rene O’Donnell-Hanlon is a seasonal park guide at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Okla.

1980 Debi (Effertz) Burns

Nancy (Hansen) and David Runningen live in Caledonia, Minn. Nancy is a district assessment coordinator. David is an elementary physical education director at Houston Public Schools.

teaches music at Perry Township Schools in Indianapolis.

Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, was named 2016 Washington Business Journal CEO of the Year. According to the Washington Business Journal, the award recognizes high performing CEOs who have demonstrated vital leadership and business

Alumni News

savvy to guide their organizations to success. The Business Journal said Sorenson was selected for his strong record of innovation at Marriott, commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and contributions to the Greater Washington, D.C., community. He is a member of the Luther Board of Regents. Curt Tryggestad was named the 2017 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. He is superintendent at Eden Prairie (Minn.) Schools.

Alumni Noel Harman ’81, Jim Whitesell ’82, and Ross Anderson ’81 got together before the University of Buffalo played Creighton University in basketball Nov. 29 in Omaha, Neb. Whitesell is associate head coach of the Bulls of Buffalo.

1982 Thom Davis is assistant 1981 Laird Edman is professor

of psychology at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He collaborated with Julie Yonker from Calvin College, James Creswell of Booth University College, and Justin Barret of Fuller Theological Seminary on a study of more than 2,500 participants. His article “Primed Analytic Thought and Religiosity: The Importance of Individual Characteristics” was published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, a top journal in the area of psychology and religion, produced by the American Psychological Association. Robert Paul is a realtor at Re/Max Results in Eden Prairie, Minn. Ellen Rockne was co-organizer of Flood-Kin, a fundraiser for Decorah flood victims.

professor of education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Michael Dougherty is the vice president of quality personal systems at HP Inc. in Houston. Scott Gomer is director of marketing communications at WIDA in Madison, Wis.

Lynne Rothrock of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is an adjunct professor in applied voice at Coe College and an instructor for Theatre Cedar Rapids, where she teaches various levels of adult classes in cabaret singing, teaches a Cabaret for Teens camp, and directs two fully produced cabaret shows in the TCR season. She also performs as a member of Divapalooza and has produced Lynne Rothrock’s Christmas Cabaret in Cedar Rapids for 14 years.

Public Service Award on behalf of the organization.

Mark Schmidt is senior manager of process and development engineering at ON Semiconductor in South Portland, Me.

1983 Earl Sides of Rock

1986 Bill Kass is senior health

Rapids, Iowa, is a driver for Regional Transit Authority/RIDES. He began directing the church choir at Rock Rapids United Methodist Church in September 2016.

Geoffrey Lauer of Iowa City, Iowa, is director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. He accepted the Iowa Association for Justice’s 2016

inspector for the City of Minneapolis Health Department. Martha (Stormo) McGrory is a pediatric nurse practitioner of craniofacial/plastic surgery at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minn. Jane (Dalen) Miller of Decorah was inducted into the St. James (Minn.) High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She is an accountant at Luther.

1987 Kris (Wolander) Trecker 1984 Erik Abrahamson is a

KEN KLOTZBACH / KKLOTZBACH@POSTBULLETIN

personal injury attorney at Abrahamson and Uiterwyk in Clearwater, Fla.

Loring Stead ’78 is a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, Minn. He was featured in a Rochester Post Bulletin article about his unusual collection of decorated casts that patients have donated over the years.

Mike Bergan of Decorah was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for District 55. Elaine Geiger is lead developer at Johnson County Information Technology in North Liberty, Iowa. Jeffrey O’Brien of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is an architect at Ament Design.

1985 Trish (Esping) Koussis

is program manager in the Office of Computational Science in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in College Park, Md.

of Plano, Texas, is educational vice president and human resources officer at Integer Holdings Corporation.

1988 Lisa (Wolfs) Farley

of Monticello, Iowa, received the Governor’s Volunteer Award from Iowa governor Terry Branstad for her 20 years of mentoring at Helping Services for Northeast Iowa. Jamie (Boyer) Gurholt is donor and volunteer engagement coordinator at Beloit (Wis.) College. Greg Larson of Brownsville, Texas, is a varsity football/softball coach at Brownsville Hanna High School.

1989 David DenHartog is chief learning officer for Athlos Academies in Boise, Idaho.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

Edward Grima Baldacchino is an intellectual property attaché at Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Shari (Julson) Seidl is senior global client liaison at the Nelson Company in Green Bay, Wis.

Paul Reimann is sales and customer service supervisor at J&P Cycles in Anamosa, Iowa.

1990 Kate Egerton is a writing coach at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.

1991 Jenny (Spickerman)

Christiason is a pediatric nursing clinical adjunct instructor at Allen College of Nursing in Waterloo, Iowa.

Ann Sorenson is professor of communication at the University of Northwestern–St. Paul in Minnesota.

Evaluation with the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Scot earned a doctoral degree in higher education and student affairs at the University of Iowa and was recently named dean of adult programs at Mount Mercy University.

Kirsten (Melby) Corrigan is regional manager of practice transformation at Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Deanna (Lindell) Drum of Anaheim, Calif., is an HR business partner at Healthcare Success. Katherine (Vertanen) Garity is coordinator of outpatient mental health services at Northwestern Medicine in St. Charles, Ill. Carrie (Nelson) and Aaron Romine live in Centennial, Colo. Carrie is a controller at Tralee Capital Partners. Aaron is regional director for the U.S. Department of Education. Tim Schmidt is finance director of the food division of QualiTech in Chaska, Minn. Clark Shah-Nelson is assistant dean of instructional design and technology at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore.

1993 Anjie Shutts of Des

Moines, Iowa, is vice chair of the Iowa Access to Justice Commission and partner at Whitfield and Eddy, PLC.

1994 Kari (Dokken) Lyle is managing director at Deloitte in Minneapolis.

Peter Strube is assistant professor at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, Ill.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Denise Seabold is a telehealth associate at the University of Iowa College of Nursing in Iowa City. Joe Segilia is general counsel at Terra Tech Corporation in Newport Beach, Calif.

Bo Nannestad is a global supply chain director at Resolux ApS in Orbaek, Denmark.

1996 Laurie Anderson is vice

Heather (Schacht) and Scot Reisinger live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Heather is associate professor with tenure at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She is also associate director for research at the Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and

Gretchen (Goltz) Conway of Peosta, Iowa, is a sector coordinator at Keystone Area Education Agency. Dave Coyle is an extension associate in forest health at Southern Regional Extension Forestry in Athens, Ga. Boyd Layton is a physician assistant at St. Alphonsus Medical Group Orthopedics Clinic in Nampa, Idaho. He received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the College of Idaho and Idaho State University in 2016. Lea (Donhowe) Lovelace of Decorah is an adjunct faculty member in the Art Department at Luther and was named the 2016–17 Outstanding Higher Education Art Educator by the Art Educators of Iowa. Nicole Plymesser Nelson is an artist and teaches art at Jacobson Elementary in Belmond, Iowa.

business development representative at Velocity Technology Solutions in Minneapolis.

Eric Merten is a fish biologist for the U.S. Forest Service in Cle Elum, Wash.

McClenagan is vice president for academic affairs at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.

Brett Robison is assistant professor of music at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. He is director of Concert Choir and 9th Street Singers.

1995 Nate Lindall is senior

president of investments at Stifel, Nicolaus and Company in Madison, Wis.

1992 Cindy Marlow

Michael Japenga ’90 and Dan Martzahn ’90 hiked to the top of Swiftcurrent Mountain in Glacier National Park, elevation 8,436 feet, last summer.

Sam Teigen is operations and finance manager for the Greenwall Foundation in New York City. He ran the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:40:52 and placed 98th among males and 111th overall.

1997 Valerie (Yelton) Baul

Greg Strunk is a pastor at Rosemount (Minn.) United Methodist Church.

Brian Billings is vice president and client operations director of Mercer in Urbandale, Iowa.

Becky (Hinrichs) Vianden is director of the Academic Advising Center and career services at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse.

Amy Boncher is an associate warden for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont, Texas.

1998 Beth Bjorlo is director

of Shawnee, Kan., is a mediator and educator at Best Case Scenario LLC.

of marketing operations at Ingersoll Rand in Davidson, N.C.

Alumni News

Amy (Hammel) Clark is community engagement leader for Thrivent Financial in Schaumburg, Ill. Jana Evelsizer Olson is associate attorney at Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay, Fretheim, Gipp and Zahasky in Decorah. She also owns Olson Tax Consulting LLC. Aaron Sheehan is a visiting voice teacher at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

1999 Stephanie Larson of

Rochelle, Ill., is a self-employed writer and teacher and provides spiritual advice in a counseling setting. She plans to publish her first book, Discover Your Master Chakra, in February 2017. Stephanie is also an Airbnb superhost, and her house is the location of three films in progress by Columbia College and Northwestern University students. Dawn (Egbert) Munce is director of management services at Realife Management Services in Apple Valley, Minn. Castine (Toote) Rhoades Williams of Orangeburg, S.C., is senior optimization executive at CampusWorks Inc. in Bradenton, Fla. Lori (Hagen) Schoenhard is software development manager at Proficient Learning in Wilmington, N.C. Aaron Swenson is division manager of privacy for John Deere Financial in Madison, Wis. He earned certification as a certified regulatory compliance manager last June.

2000 Ben Johnson is a

financial consultant for Stonebridge Group at Thrivent Financial in Bloomington, Minn.

2001 Grant Applehans is a senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Minn. Rachael Hall of Laveen, Ariz., is director of operations at Crater Group. Sue (Buckheister) Hanson was promoted to distinguished lecturer in the Department of Health and Medicine at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. She is also the course coordinator for all undergraduate anatomy and physiology courses.

Lindsay Read Feinberg is a human services research analyst at Mathematica Policy Research in Chicago.

Melody Jordahl-Iafrato is assistant professor of family and community medicine in the clinical scholar track and program director of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Aimee Sandy is a financial manager at Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties in St. Paul, Minn.

Emily (Bradbury) Knutson is a stay-at-home mom in Minot, S.D. Sara (Radke) O’Connor is band director at Woodbury (Minn.) Middle School. The Woodbury Middle School band program was awarded a $2,000 St. Croix Valley Foundation Music Education Grant that provided the opportunity for students to work with composer-in-residence Erik Sherburne ’01. Through the grant, the Woodbury Middle School band program commissioned Sherburne to compose two pieces of music, one for the jazz band and one for the eighthgrade band. “The collaboration was a great experience for students because they got to meet and work with an actual composer who used their ideas in the new pieces,” O’Connor says. “They then saw and heard their ideas come alive through music in the new compositions.” O’Connor and Sherburne played in Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra together while at Luther. Feliz Tovar is a financial services representative at MassMutual in Chesterfield, Mo.

2002 Monica (Mansholt)

Benolkin is orchestra director at Rockford (Ill.) Lutheran School. Brad Blackman of Wauwatosa, Wis., is a senior global supplier operations manager at Logitech Inc. Nicole (Ryerson) Lemke is the first-time homebuyer program manager for the Appleton (Wis.) Housing Authority.

Jenn (Smith) and Peter Hoesing ’03 live in Sioux Falls, S.D. Jenn is the executive director of the Stockyards Ag Experience at Stockyards Plaza Inc. Peter is assistant professor of ethnomusicology at Grinnell College.

Sara (Rink) Buis is intake specialist at Centralized Intake for the Iowa Department of Human Services in Newton.

Ron Robinson is chief clinical director of Premier Wellness Chiropractic in Crystal Lake, Ill.

Carrie (Schafhauser) Wittenberg is a Philips lighting specialist for Werner Electric in Cottage Grove, Minn.

2003 Jessica Aguilar is senior executive director of Women’s, Children’s, Cancer, and the Edith Sanford Breast Center Initiative at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, S.D. Nisse Christopherson is an account director at Unite Private Networks in Clive, Iowa. Karen (Meyer) Goble is vice president operations manager at American AgCredit in Greeley, Colo. Emily (Wenzel) Gutierrez works in strategic sourcing at Boston Scientific in St. Paul, Minn. Bronson Power is an operations administrator in the Surgical Services Department of Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minn. Colleen Schmitt of Iowa City, Iowa, is an ELL coordinator and instructor at Kirkwood Community College. Kurt Seamans teaches physical education at Knik Elementary School in Wasilla, Alaska. Josh Shank of Austin, Texas, received a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Texas. Jason Trost is a senior facilitator at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in West Des Moines, Iowa. He is also a certified safety judge with the U.S.

All Star Federation for Cheer and Dance Teams and judges national competitive events around the country.

2004 Brenda (Rengstorf)

Bauch is a nursing professor at Oklahoma City (Okla.) University. Sara (Goudschaal) and Terry Blessing ’05 live in Lamoni, Iowa. Sara is an instructor in music at Graceland University, and she received the Graceland University Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching for the 2015–16 academic year. Terry is a revenue cycle consultant at Prism Healthcare Partners Inc. Melissa Christopherson is a faculty associate in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She was invited to the White House last spring for the announcement of the National Microbiome Initiative because of her work with undergraduates at the university. Jen (Weier) Gipp is an optometrist with Gundersen Lutheran Clinic of Decorah. She earned a master of business administration degree in healthcare administration from Western Governors University. Mandy Henderson is dean of students at Temple Grandin School in Boulder, Colo. Katie Konrath of St. Paul, Minn., competed for the U.S. team at the 2016 Underwater Hockey World Championships in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The U.S. team was awarded sixth place. Ryan Luhrs is assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. Erick Weeg is director of investments at Ascent Private Capital in Minneapolis. Zach Wigle is activities director at Solon (Iowa) High School.

2005 Keith Becker of

Williamsburg, Iowa, is the manager of University of Iowa Employment Services.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

Libby (Nussdorfer) Chmielewski teaches at Middleton Plains Area Schools in Cross Plains, Wis. John Drilling is an electrical apprentice at Interstates Companies in Cresco, Iowa. Nicole (Warnke) and Kevin Fultz live in Winona, Minn. Nicole is a clinical manager at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Kevin is a web developer at Fastenal. Mike Gucwa is senior manager for field operations at Premium Retail Services in Ogden, Utah. Kate Ingber is a recruiting specialist at Ucare in Minneapolis. Katie (Knutson) Jacques earned a master of education degree from Hamline University. She teaches third-grade dual language for the Richfield (Minn.) Public Schools. Ashley (Sauke) Kincaid is an executive staff assistant at People’s Energy Cooperative in Oronoco, Minn. Elise (Bieri) Patzke is supervisor of cellular and molecular immunology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Becca Tumm of Minneapolis is project manager for U.S. programs (disaster response) at International Orthodox Christian Charities.

2006 Ryan Hulshizer is a

financial adviser at Farm Bureau Financial Services in Northwood, Iowa. Courtney Kupfer is programming and student affairs director at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School and Clinic in Minneapolis. Alex Lass is a controller at Service Payment Plan Inc. in Chicago. Ashley (Meyer) Sires of Parkersburg, Iowa, is a special education consultant at AEA 267. Veronica (Alzalde) Wells is associate professor, coordinator of library academic support services, and music librarian at University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Amy (Dunkle) Zafarani earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Des Moines University and completed residency training at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Michigan. She has joined the staff as an obstetrician and gynecologist at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, Wis., and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, Wis.

2007 Jenny (Silseth)

Binversie is an assurance senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Milwaukee. Matthew Busche has retired from the pro-cycling peloton after a sevenyear career. A winner of two U.S. titles (2011, 2015), Busche rode to second at the 2012 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and fifth at the 2014 USA Pro Challenge. Sam Kemp Carlin and Paul Carlin ’12 live in Des Moines, Iowa. Sam earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University and is a national certified counselor. She is a family-based services counselor for Youth and Shelter Services Inc. and a member of Chi Sigma Iota. Paul is a claims adjuster with Nationwide Insurance. Adam Frye is the head cross country and track and field coach at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. Matthew Hagen of Bedford, N.H., earned a master of psychology degree from Harvard University last May.

Sarah Schlee is a supervising resource coordinator at Youth Guidance in Chicago.

American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award.

Melissa (Biermann) Schulz is a substitute teacher for the Waseca and Waterville/Elysian/Morristown (Minn.) school districts. She also maintains a private voice and piano studio in her home. She is a pianist and singer with the Waseca Chorale and a pianist for North Waseca Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church, and she teaches a dance cardio exercise class twice a week.

Laura (Johnson) Young is lead registered nurse at the Spring Valley (Minn.) Olmsted Medical Center branch clinic.

Paul Stellmacher is assistant professor in the Department of Medicine in the Divisions of Hematology and Oncology and General Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He specializes in hospice and palliative medicine as well as hospitalist medicine.

2008 Alyssa Cheadle is

assistant professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich. Kacie (Clement) Garver is a medical, surgical, and pediatric registered nurse at Boone County (Iowa) Hospital. Tyler Hendrickson of Iowa City, Iowa, was selected to present “Enabling Community: Creating Pianists with Great Ensemble Skills” at the 16th Biennial Conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Staci Sudenga is assistant professor of medicine in the Epidemiology Division at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Hannah (Huinker) Schroeher is a licensed independent social worker at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

Joe Svendsen earned a doctorate of musical arts in choral conducting from Texas Tech University. He is assistant professor of music and assistant director of choral studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Katelin Wangberg is a news producer at KIRO 7, Cox Media Group in Seattle.

Tom Swenson is an executive resolution analyst at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in West Des Moines, Iowa. Joe Timmer is band director at Faribault (Minn.) Senior High School. Emily (Lillegard) and Soren Tryggestad ’05 live in Minneapolis. Emily teaches music at Arete Academy and provides in-home music therapy services. Soren is a lab supervisor for Cargill Inc.

Jared Wiklund is public relations manager for Pheasants Forever, an upland conservation group based in St. Paul, Minn.

2009 Hannah Armstrong

Stanke teaches choir at Southwest High School in Minneapolis.

Emily Holley is director of communications and marketing for the Iowa Environmental Council in Des Moines. Ben Knutson is senior manager at Ernst and Young in Minneapolis. Emily (Brueggen) Lilly is a registered nurse at UCHealth Cancer Center in Fort Collins, Colo.

Andrew Wannigman of Norman, Okla., was the third-place winner of the 2016 men in opera and operetta

Melissa Berg is an elementary school counselor at Shanghai Community International School in China.

Alumni News

Mischa Fleishman is a grants administrator for the Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago. David Keller earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Denver School of Nursing. He is a nurse in the Cardiac-Thoracic ICU Department at Colorado University Hospital. Meg KenKnight Burman is a public health nurse and nurse-family partner at Public Health Madison and Dane County in Madison, Wis. Megan (Reutlinger) Lyon is a physical therapist at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. She received certification in orthopedic clinical specialty. Laura (Johnson) Mallers of San Francisco is an audit manager at Deloitte. Kassandra (Malek) and Curtis Miller live in Savage, Minn. Kassandra is a stay-at-home mom. Curtis is a quality manager at PepsiCo in Burnsville, Minn. Tom Miller-Bishoff is an occupational therapist at Communications Innovations in Fitchburg, Wis. He earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Wisconsin– Madison.

and Tropical Medicine. Andrew Stoneking is director of choral activities at North High School in Sioux City, Iowa. Kate Thomson is a digital cloud librarian at Bibliotecha in Oakdale, Minn. Jeff Weston is on the music faculty at the University of Pittsburgh. Kathie Whitt is a foot and ankle specialist at Family Foot Healthcare PLC in Waterloo, Iowa.

2010 Kelsey (Mans)

Crusinberry is youth director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn. Sarah (Bousselot) Dopson earned a master’s degree in nursing from San Francisco State University and a family nurse practitioner certification. She is a nurse practitioner at VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wis. Taylor Hammrich earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Denver. She teaches science, technology, engineering, and math for the Denver Public Schools. Jocelyn (Winter) McDonnell earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Grand Canyon University. She teaches in the Inver Grove Heights (Minn.) School District. Aaron Stenhaug is accounting manager at Perforce Software Inc. in Minneapolis.

2011 Dustin Balsley is Matt Myers is conductor and musical director of Master Chorale of Flagstaff in Arizona. Siri (Dove) Mytty of Basalt, Colo., is a reception manager at Snowmass Club. Matt Orth is a level 3 engineer at SundogIT in DeKalb, Ill. Cody Ryberg is a study-abroad adviser at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. Andrea Schiefelbein is a graduate student in public health at the London (England) School of Hygiene

cofounder and COO of Performance Livestock Analytics. The company moved from Osage, Iowa, and has established itself at the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames as part of the Ag Startup Engine and ISU Startup Factory. The business helps livestock producers become more sustainable and profitable through a precision agricultural application. By combining cloudbased technology with on-farm information, the company’s software helps livestock producers efficiently measure and manage activities and inventories. Balsley and his business partner, Dane Kuper, were named one of the semifinalist teams in the American Farm Bureau’s 2017

Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. They were also awarded the top prize of $25,000 in the 2016 Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Venture Competition and the $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Ryan Bouslog is a physical therapist at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis. Alyse Carlson earned a medical doctorate from the University of Iowa. She is a pediatric resident at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md. Kate (Trigger) Duffert is a graduate student in the master of divinity program at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She was elected as a student representative to the board of trustees and the seminary council. James Feinstein of Washington, D.C., is a presidential appointee in the Obama administration serving at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. government’s Development Finance Institution. Rebekka (Willis) Harkins is camp director at the Greenway Foundation in Denver. Courtney (Grutz) Konetski is a product-costing analyst at Cargill Inc. in Wayzata, Minn. Kelsey Leppert is associate attorney at Grefe and Sidney PLC in Pella, Iowa. Aidha Majdhy is sales coordinator at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.

practitioner’s degree from Allen College. She is a nurse practitioner at Valley View Health Center in Chehalis, Wash. Mari (Henderson) and Josh Sharpe live in Minneapolis. Mari is a senior marketer at Thomson Reuters Inc. Josh is a claims representative at Western National Insurance. Vaughn Tackmann earned a graduate certificate in environmental education from Hamline University. He is assistant track and field coach at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Tobin Thomas of Tacoma, Wash., is a behavioral researcher for the U.S. Army. Alex Ulfers is an obstetrics and gynecology resident at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, N.Y. Julia Walk earned a Ph.D. degree in mathematical and computational sciences from the University of Iowa. She is assistant professor of mathematics at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Allison Wathen is service coordinator for early intervention at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Greg Woodin teaches at Westside High School in Omaha, Neb.

2012 Hannah (Bygd)

Bearinger is senior innovation fellow at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Tyler McCubbin teaches 11thgrade history at Colegio Americana de Torreon in Torreon Coahuila, Mexico. Sarah (Allyn) Mobley is a registered nurse at Allina in St. Paul, Minn. Nicole (Olson) Payne is an English language and phonics teachers at Engage Minds Learning Center in Brunei Darussalam. Winda (Rompas) Roets works at Thrivent Financial in Minneapolis. Emily Sharp earned a nurse

Bailey Cahlander is the lead communications coordinator for public art and placemaking initiatives for the Hennepin Theatre Trust. Among other activities, she manages marketing and digital content for the Made Here initiative and the WeDo Cultural District. She also led the implementation of video production at the trust and designed a mosaic

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

mural installed on Hennepin Theatre Trust’s new building in Minneapolis.

Brett Finch is a software engineer at Workiva in Ames, Iowa.

Seth Duin is senior external relations manager for College Possible in St. Paul, Minn. He also produces audio and video, records soundtracks, and edits video for short-form documentaries. He coproduced Saving Creativity, a short-length film documentary on the importance of arts programs in public schools. It won first place among student films at the Oneota Film Festival and was nominated for a 2013 Midwest Emmy Award. He also performs regularly with the Minneapolis band General B and the Wiz.

Daniel Flucke is pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene, Iowa.

Melissa Erickson is a multiplatform producer at WBIR TV-10 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Academy in Willmar, Minn.

can be found at journey4renewal.org.

Molly (Ternus) Hackman earned a master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of Iowa. She is a speech language pathologist at Heartland AEA in Johnston, Iowa.

Dione Miller was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA last May and is associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, Wis. She is also a graduate student, concentrating on global Christianity and mission studies, in the master of divinity program at the Lutheran School of Theology– Chicago.

Aaron Hoffland is a DevOps programmer at IBM Corporation in Rochester, Minn.

Meghan Pedersen is a research analyst at Delta Air Lines in Minneapolis.

William Hoffman is operations analyst at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Amy Sandager is a goldsmith at Zoe Chicco Fine Jewelry in Los Angeles.

Clara Byom of Albuquerque, N.M., earned two master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico, one in clarinet performance and the other in musicology. She performs klezmer, English country, contra dance, Scottish dance, and classical music on clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, and accordion. She is a founding member of Di Kavene Kapelye, Rusty Tap, and Duo Mozzafiato and cofounder/ codirector of the New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble. She also performs frequently with the Rebbe’s Orkestra, the Thrifters, and New Music New Mexico.

Elias Johnson is an academic adviser at DREAM Technical

Amy Wilson is a registered nurse in the neonatal ICU of Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta.

Stephen Dahle is the choir director at New Richmond (Wis.) Middle School and assistant marching band director at Hudson (Wis.) High School.

Jake Wittman is an adviser at DREAM Technical Academy in Waldorf, Minn.

Benjamin Feldkamp is a paramedic at Allina Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis.

Cassie (Molski) Wolfgram is a preschool aftercare teacher at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa.

Amanda (Wiger) Leisinger earned a master’s degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University. She teaches kindergarten for the Rochester (Minn.) Public Schools.

2013 Devan Benjamin teaches fourth grade at Willard Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mario Martinucci is consulting analyst at Cerner Corportation in Kansas City, Mo. Quinn Meyer is a school psychologist at Intermediate District 287 in Plymouth, Minn. Kelsey Moler is a child and family therapist at SummitStone Health Partners in Loveland, Colo.

Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, marked the inaugural iColin Classic, a fundraising event for the foundation set up to honor Colin Y. Farbotko ’00. Farbotko, an athlete, musician, and web designer, died in 2012 after battling ALS. The iColin Classic event was created by friends Kevin ’00 and Kim (Turner) Frantz ’00, Pete Schonebaum ’00, Timothy Baardseth ’00, and Colin’s wife, Marney Olson ’99, to be a space for friends and admirers to gather. This year, 87 golfers enjoyed the course at Brackett’s Crossing in Lakeville, Minn., and were joined by nearly 30 more for the banquet dinner. More than 36 companies and friends sponsored the event, led by top sponsor Thrivent Financial. More than 65 additional groups made donations as well, and the event altogether raised more than $27,000 for the 501c3 group, the iColin Classic. The funds will go to the ALS Association and to establish the Colin Y. Farbotko Scholarship at Luther. Visit icolinclassic. blogspot.com for more information.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Stephanie Branchaud and three friends who met as summer guides at Wilderness Canoe Base (WCB) completed a summer-long canoe trip in support of WCB, a camp in the Boundary Waters. Stephanie was first introduced to WCB while at Luther when taking Winter Biology, a January Term course. Their canoe trip, which the women dubbed “Journey 4 Renewal,” began at WCB on Seagull Lake in the Boundary Waters and finished 1,239 miles (and 66 days) later at York Factory at Hudson Bay in Manitoba. Upon their return the women found that they had raised $40,000, nearly reaching their $50,000 goal, which will be matched by a generous donor. More information and photos from the trip

David Pedrick is program manager for Earthcraft Communities in Atlanta. Regina Preston is a financial assistant for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Katie Schwartz of Stillwater, Minn., is a bank examiner for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Emily Streeper is a brand specialist at Amazon in Seattle. Erin Underdahl of Bloomington, Minn., is a registered nurse at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Alumni News

and agribusiness for Michigan State University Extension.

2015 Tiya Abdalla is a drug

Many members of the Miller family have attended Luther over the years, and in the last year, five cousins were attending Luther at the same time last year, the grandchildren of Stan and Mary Jo (Miller) Finholt ’66 and Emory and Elaine Fretheim. Gathered outside of Miller Hall are (left to right) Jacob Miller ’16, Parker Fretheim ’18, Emily Miller ’19, Nick Vande Krol ’18, and Annika Vande Krol ’19. Miller Hall was named in honor of their great-grandparents, Frank ’37 and Esther (Stephens) Miller ’37. Frank served on the Luther Board of Regents for 25 years (19 as chairman), and Esther received a Distinguished Service Award from the college. The students are the children of Brad and JoLynn Miller, Dan and Kerry Fretheim, and Scott ’91 and Kristin (Finholt) Vande Krol ’92. Not pictured but also now at Luther is another great-granddaughter, Meghan Anderson ’20, daughter of Andy ’87 and Karen Anderson.

Ashley Wright is a marketing and patron services manager at Civic Music Association in Des Moines, Iowa. Jessie Zenchak is a graduate research assistant at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. Elise (Allen) and Tyler Zinnecker ’12 live in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Elise is a senior accountant at Ernst and Young. Tyler earned a master’s degree from Des Moines University and is a podiatrist at Truman Medical Center.

Katie Gaudian earned a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Iowa. She is an administrative fellow at Hospital Sisters Health System in Springfield, Ill. Stephanie Lake is office manager for Behavior Care Specialists in Mitchell, S.D.

Ryan Barrett is staff auditor at Media Audits International in Greenwood Village, Colo.

Ben Beaupre is choir director at Independent School District 15 in St. Francis, Minn.

Christine (O’Brien) Deignan is an admissions counselor in Luther’s Des Moines Regional Office.

Ryan Bennett is an IT engineer at Optiver in Chicago.

Jessica Dorsey is a development specialist at Presence Health in Chicago. Sarah Fox is shift manager at Sencha Tea Bar in Minneapolis. Andrew Herder teaches math at Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville, Wis.

Taylor (Johnson) Ledvina is wellness coordinator at Mathy Construction Company in Onalaska, Wis.

Nils Johnson is a legal intern for the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender in Centennial.

Michona Johns is academic navigator of Minnesota Opportunity Corps in Minneapolis.

Mitchell Kennedy teaches middle school special education at Decatur (Mich.) Public Schools. Ryley Kramka teaches physical education for the Minneapolis Public Schools.

David Baxter is choir director at Newton (Iowa) High School.

Dan Blattner of Oakdale, Minn., is a corporate auditor at 3M.

Grant Barnes is a software engineer at IBM in Rochester, Minn.

Kaley Herman is a research coordinator at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth.

is a financial coach and referral administrator for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in St. Paul, Minn.

Erik Bay of Salt Lake City, Utah, is a volunteer for the ELCA.

diversion case manager at Operation de Novo in Minneapolis.

Jessica Larson earned a master’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and passed the national exam to become a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. She is the program director at Joy Ranch in Sioux Falls, S.D.

2014 Jessa Anderson-Reitz

Brita Moore of Rochester, Minn., is a reporter for Rochester Post-Bulletin’s weekly farm publication, Agri News. Chris Norton presented “Inspiring Others to Overcome Adversity” last October at the Cedar Valley Iowa Realty Auction House in Decorah. Lillianna Petsch-Horvath is the registrar at Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. Christina Scharmer is a teaching assistant for health psychology at the University at Albany in N.Y. Marissa Schuh of Adrian, Mich., is a vegetable educator in agriculture

cardiothoracic surgical/transplant registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Hannah Parker is a milieu treatment counselor at Orchard Place in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jordan Blank is a reading tutor with the Minnesota Reading Corps in St. Paul, Minn. Taryn Bolea teaches math at Northeast Metro 916 Schools in Little Canada, Minn. Shelby (Oelschlager) Bowman is a registered nurse at UnityPoint Health in Waterloo, Iowa. McKenzie Brace is a medical/ surgical unit registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Katie Brandt is manager of social media for Target Corporation in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Takudzwa Chawota is a project coordinator for IBM in Minneapolis. Bailey Devine is demand forecast analyst for Best Buy in Richfield, Minn.

Victoria Peters is a teaching assistant in music history at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts.

Cecilia Douma is a scientific applications associate at Integrated DNA Technologies Inc.

Laura Peterson teaches fifth grade at Altoona (Iowa) Elementary School.

Emily Dufford is food justice organizer at Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

Blaire Shaffer is a communications assistant for the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in Chicago.

Lisel Edberg Caldwell is an auditor at Ernst and Young in Minneapolis.

Steven Sorenson is an interface engineer for Epic Systems Inc. in Verona, Wis.

Hannah Fredrickson is a caseworker at Lutheran Services in Iowa in Ames.

2016 Krista Anderson is a Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

Tayler Jenks is assistant women’s basketball coach and hall director at Luther.

Raleigh Sims is a fellow in the Trinity Fellows Program in Charlottesville, Va.

1988 Sue Morse and Jim

Katie Campbell and Jimmy Marty ’12, Aug. 12, 2016

Anna Johnson is a visitor experience associate and event liaison at the Rochester (Minn.) Art Center.

Clare Slagel of Dubuque, Iowa, received the 2016 NCAA Women of the Year Award, honoring her excellence in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.

1993 Beth Pribbenow and John Miller, Oct. 25, 2014

Courtney Grutz and Zack Konetski, Nov. 14, 2015

1994 Jon Zimmerman and Amy

Kia Johnson and Andrew White, Sept. 10, 2016

1996 Sarah Steffl and Bradley

Peter Magnuson and Joelle Taknint, Aug. 28, 2016

1997 Brian Billings and Lori

Alicia Woodhouse and Alex DeFrance, Aug. 6, 2016

Carter Johnson was selected to participate in the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission Program in summer 2017. Carter will be in Jerusalem/West Bank assisting with English classes in an early elementary setting. Madi Johnson is a grant writer and resume writer for Ministry of Caring Inc. in Wilmington, Del. Bamwesiga Kabete is an accounts payable specialist at General Cable in Highland Heights, Ky. Paige Lobdell is a producer at WMTV-NBC 15 in Madison, Wis. Bongani Maseko is a sales coordinator at Fastenal in Winona, Minn. Hannah Mick is the afterschool program coordinator for the School District of La Crosse (Wis.).

Saydi Stewart teaches K-4 music in the Medford (Wis.) Area Public School District. Laura (Boran) Storlie is head boys swimming coach at Decorah High School. Maggie Sulentic is an actor in the National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis. Casey Tecklenburg teaches vocal music for the Hudson (Iowa) Community School District. Lenny Ulloa Silva teaches Spanish at Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake, Minn. Shayla (De Jong) Van Hal is an organist and pianist at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan. Ryan Vijums is a quality analysis lab technician at Dakota Growers Pasta Company in Minneapolis. Janele (Holt) Waterman is a university advancement services assistant at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn.

Blake Moen is director for the South Winneshiek Recreation Department in Calmar, Iowa. Katelynn Pankratz teaches Spanish at Fairbault (Minn.) Senior High School. Isabela Rosales is an activity aide in Decorah. Blaise Schaeffer is a Watson Health software and development engineer at IBM Corporation in Durham, N.C. After graduation, he spent 10 weeks biking across the U.S. Tricia Serres of Platteville, Wis., was awarded a 2016 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, a one-time, nonrenewable educational grant of $7,500 for high-achieving student athletes.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Andrew Welch is an accountant at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Anne Wermedal is consulting analyst at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Mo. Rachel Wiebke is a clinical lab technologist for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Eggerichs, June 24, 2016

Planz, Sept. 16, 2016

Grimm, March 16, 2016

Vander Zyl, Dec. 13, 2014

2000 Lukas Hoffland and Marie Kadlec, Oct. 28, 2016

2002 Laura Coste Bonetti and Jose Medina, Oct. 18, 2015

Kiersten Hanson and Christer Persson, Oct. 5, 2016 Lindsay Read and Jesse Feinberg, Aug. 29, 2015

2003 Josh Shank and Robert Ressler, June 26, 2016

2005 Elise Chesley and Ben Hasche, July 30, 2016

Kirsten Russell and Parker Koester, Aug. 16, 2016

2006 Seth Kelly and Erin Wright, July 23, 2016

2007 Melissa Biermann and Corey Schulz, June 25, 2016

Emily Brueggen and Aaron Lilly, Sept. 26, 2015 Emily Lillegard and Soren Tryggestad ’05, July 4, 2016 Sarah Schlee and Arjun Sharma, July 17, 2016 Meagan Soukup and Aditya Devalapalli, June 13, 2015

As of November 2016

1958 Al Heggen and Helen Christiansen, Oct. 29, 2016

1966 Bruce Omundson and Lois Baumer, Aug. 27, 2016

Finch, Nov. 12, 2016

Mallory Broderick and Drew Helle ’13, Oct. 29, 2016 Hannah Bygd and Kurt Bearinger ’13, Sept. 24, 2016 Alyse Eggebrecht and Curtis Simondet, Sept. 10, 2016 Emilie Hanus and Carl Lottman ’11, July 9, 2016 Aaron Hoffland and Megan Zibrowski, Oct. 29, 2016 Allan Sweet and Kalee Blair, Sept. 24, 2016 Kristi Wietecha and Michael Muston, Nov. 19, 2016

2013 Hannah Buehler and Donald Lee-Brown ’13, July 25, 2015 Emily Streeper and Shane Wilson, Sept. 3, 2016

2014 Taylor Johnson and Ryan Ledvina, May 29, 2016

Lauren Meintsma and Hans Dosland, Oct. 8, 2016 Samuel Molzahn and Rebecca Rouse, Oct. 22, 2016

2008 Spencer Knapp and

Anna Murray and Lance Schwering, July 25, 2015

2009 Andrea Schiefelbein and

Ashley Urspringer and Fañch Guillou, Aug. 20, 2016

Elizabeth Ygartua, Oct. 22, 2016 Jeffrey Totoritis, Aug. 20, 2016

MARRIAGES

2012 Kelsey Bausch and Brett

2010 Makala Johnson and John Arce, June 4, 2016

Jocelyn Winter and Josh McDonnell, June 25, 2016

2011 Kelsey Anderson and Reid Wilson ’10, Aug. 27, 2016

Hannah Berlin-Burns and Mickaël Makaya, Aug. 13, 2016

2015 Diane Byrnes-Johnson

and Daniel Stanislowski, Oct. 10, 2015 Andrew Herder and Kalyn Jacobsen, June 4, 2016 Christine O’Brien and Jimmy Deignan, Oct. 15, 2016

2016 Laura Boran and Andrew Storlie, July 9, 2016

Alumni News

Allison Dippel and Jacob Ryks, July 12, 2015 Samantha Kuipers and Devin Gilbertson ’14, Oct. 1, 2016

BIRTHS /ADOPTIONS As of November 2016

2005 Theresa (Damratowski) and Mike Gucwa, a son, Gabriel Michael, Dec. 2015

Taylor and Scott Meyer, a daughter, Ingrid Juel Mertz, July 2015

Andrea (Hoeksema) and Benjamin Tigges, a son, Eli Joseph, May 2016

2009 Liz (Hansen) and Steve

Laree and Russell Schouweiler, a son, Declan Patrick, May 2016

Erin and Tom Miller-Bishoff, a son, James Thomas, May 2015

Kaeleigh and Jon Trullinger, a daughter, Mary Lane, May 2016

Carrie (Harris) and Robin Schmitz, a daughter, Catherine Anne, Oct. 2016

son, Parker, Sept. 2015

Emily (Stinson) and Andrew Stoneking, a son, Evan Michael, Oct. 2014

Amanda and Matthew Dollinger, a daughter, Josephine Mae, Sept. 2016

Gaoxue (Her) and Alex Stoppel, a daughter, Kira, June 2016

1999 Lindsey (Smith) and

2010 Kate (Haller) and Jon

Julie (Bussman) and Chris Scherb, a daughter, Kyra Skye, Sept. 2016

2000 Liz and Ben Johnson, a daughter, Annika Rae, Sept. 2016

2001 Emily (Bradbury) and

Ailabouni, a daughter, Claire Elizabeth, Aug. 2016

2006 Crystal (Schmierer) and Jeff Hedman, a son, Henry Wallace, June 2016

Maggie (Jones) and James Stansfield ’09, a son, Phillip Neale, Aug. 2016

Kenneth Knutson, a daughter, Anna Marie, June 2016

Brie (Corfman) and Nick Taralson, a daughter, Annabelle, Aug. 2016

Jennifer (Knapp) and Joshua Severson ’06, a daughter, Sloan Elly Freyja, Nov. 2015

Amanda (Kailhofer) and Joe Timmer, a daughter, Amelia Kay, Dec. 2014

2002 Lindsay (Read) and Jesse

Marisa (Rueda) and Adam Will, a son, Jonas Alexander, Sept. 2015

Feinberg, a son, Karl, June 2016

Sarah (Clark) and Jason Huffman, a daughter, Harper Isla, July 2016

2007 Kassie (Petermann)

and Jeff Beck ’06, a daughter, Ada Grace, July 2016

Jolene (Schipp) and Nate Thompson ’00, a daughter, Isla Jeannette, July 2016

2003 Andrea (Oliver) and

Katie (Czechowicz) and Nathan Gerlach, a daughter, Alyce Marjorie, July 2015 Marcy (Ehlers) and Adam Rasmussen, a son, Everett Henry, July 2016 Melissa (Frommelt) and Jordan Weber, a daughter, Olivia Germaine, April 2016

Nicholas Eliason, a son, Isaac James, Feb. 2016

IN MEMORIAM

Sophie (Guyette) Bottema, a son, Tucker, March 2016 Emily (Looft) and Chad Nelson ’09, a daughter, Eleanor May, Sept. 2016

See full obituaries at luther.edu/ in-memoriam.

1942 Theodor “Ted” Lincoln Jacobsen of Decorah died Aug. 30, 2016, age 95.

1943 E. Lois

Three great-grandparents from the class of 1957, Marilyn (Klusmeier) Nelson, Ron Anderson, and Elaine (Wischhoff) Looft, all attended the baptism of Eleanor May Nelson.

Harkins ’10, a daughter, Kestrel Iris, Nov. 2015

Jenni (Boerger) and Chris Sewell, a daughter, Charlotte Claire, Feb. 2016 Erbach, a daughter, Grace, May 2016

2015 Stephanie Lake and

(Moe) Jacobsen of Decorah died Oct. 25, 2016, age 99.

Weston Noble of Decorah died Dec. 21, 2016, age 94.

2011 Bekky (Willis) and Ben

Michael Cammilleri, a son, Ivan, Nov. 2015

2004 Kelly (Hickey) and Karl

Amundson ’05, a son, Cason, April 2016

Cox ’08, a son, Carter Timothy, Nov. 2016

1997 Michelle and Dave Coyle, a

Anthony Munson, a daughter, Yenework, born May 2012, adopted March 2013

2013 Taylor (Spilde) and Matt

Agnes (Kvaase) Woolery of Sun City, Ariz., died July 4, 2016, age 95.

Paige (Brant) and Patrick Burzlaff ’08, a daughter, Penny, June 2016

1944 Lorna

2008 Kacie (Clement) and

Michael Garver, a daughter, Margaret Camille, April 2015 Amelia (Larson) and Zachary Harless, a daughter, Ava Lynn, Aug. 2016 Lindsay (Norland) and Aaron Johnson, a son, Ethan Thomas, Aug. 2016

Kate (Patterson) and Reid Mason ’08, a daughter, Madelyn Alyse, Sept. 2016 Melissa (Larson) and Ben Schori ’10, a daughter, Johanna Noelle, April 2016

Virginia (Hjelle) Glastra of Kenmore, Wash., died Oct. 14, 2016, age 94.

Mary (Kvasse) Stalland of Vancouver, Wash., died Jan. 30, 2016, age 91.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

Alumni News

1945

Constance (Dahl) Larson of Fargo, N.D., died Nov. 14, 2016, age 95.

Opal Marie Underbakke of Burr Oak, Iowa, died Oct. 18, 2016, age 91.

1947 Gerald

M. Mickelson of St. Louis Park, Minn., died May 17, 2016, age 93.

1948 Betty

Mae (Forde) Baccarini of Clarkston, Mich., died June 30, 2016, age 91.

Richard G. Coxson of Buffalo Center, Iowa, died Aug. 21, 2016, age 88.

Freda V. (Struxness) Jacobsen of Decorah died Sept. 14, 2016, age 94.

1949 Avis

(Gilberts) Dieseth of Urbandale, Iowa, died Nov. 27, 2016, age 88.

1950 Marilyn

J. (Trytten) Dain of Rochester, Minn., died Oct. 18, 2016, age 87.

Luther Alumni Magazine

Arlan Clarence Knutson of Janesville, Wis., died Aug. 7, 2016, age 91.

Robert H. Sanden of Hudson, Wis., died Oct. 5, 2016, age 82.

1951 J. Dean

1957 Richard

Fardal of Sun City West, Ariz., died July 1, 2016, age 90.

Robert “Bob” Olson of Albert Lea, Minn., formerly of Bemidji, Minn., died Nov. 5, 2016, age 84.

1952 Bruce

Allen Melaas of Denton, Texas, died April 28, 2016, age 85.

Chapiewsky of Bangor, Wis., died Sept. 27, 2016, age 81.

1958

Raymond A. Rovang of Decorah died Oct. 19, 2016, age 83.

1959 Joan E.

(Ehlers) Mork of St. Cloud, Minn., died Aug. 29, 2016, age 79.

1960 Marlene Emery Donald Munson of Story City, Iowa, died July 24, 2016, age 94.

M. (Soeder) Tangen of Ossian, Iowa, died Jan. 5, 2016, age 78.

1961 Ronald 1953 Helen

Joan (Rod) Heusinkveld of Kalona, Iowa, died Oct. 6, 2016, age 86.

1954 Eilene

Ione (Baalson) Busch of Maquoketa, Iowa, died Oct. 16, 2016, age 84.

Leif Flugstad of Fremont, Calif., died Sept. 5, 2016, age 83.

1956 Harvin

“Hub” Orlane Christen of Decorah died Aug. 17, 2016, age 82.

L. Fretheim of Decorah died Sept. 20, 2016, age 77.

1964 Blake

Berven of Klamath Falls, Ore., died Sept. 29, 2016, age 73.

1965 Peter A. Johnson of Albert Lea, Minn., died Aug. 5, 2016, age 73.

1966 Terry

Scott Johnson of Midland, Texas, died July 19, 2016, age 73.

1970 Cheryll

A. Braddock Brooks of Chicago, formerly of St. Paul, Minn., died Aug. 14, 2016, age 68.

Edward W. “Ed” Dosh of Parsons, Kan., died Sept. 27, 2016, age 67.

Vernon E. Huls of Chicago died July 21, 2016, age 67.

1971 Thomas William Wall Roach of Mendota Heights, Minn., formerly of Austin, Minn., died Nov. 4, 2016, age 79. Paul David Sorlien of Underwood, Iowa, died Aug. 29, 2016 age 81.

Everett Williams of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Florence, Ariz., died Jan. 4, 2015, age 65.

1975 Marion

L. Beatty of Decorah died Aug. 29, 2016, age 63.

Mary Kathryn (Hovda) Fluehr of Leland, Mich., and Naples, Fla., died July 29, 2016, age 63.

Alumni News

1976 Jane M.

(Korsrud) Nelson of Cottage Grove, Minn., died Oct. 3, 2016, age 62.

Dale S. Russell of Dubuque, Iowa, died Aug. 25, 2016, age 62.

1977 Kari Liv

Lee of Stowe, Vt., died May 24, 2013, age 60.

1978

1983 Grace A.

Christina Louise Perrin Moorcroft of Fort Collins, Colo., died Sept.19, 2016, age 72.

(Heyden) Condon of Urbandale, Iowa, died Oct. 18, 2016, age 56.

1981 Susan

Pamela J. Snell of Decorah died Nov. 8, 2016, age 55.

(Austed) Gardner of Boise, Idaho, died July 17, 2016, age 57.

1982 Kim

MacInnes-Green of Anchorage, Alaska, died June 26, 2016, age 61.

1999 Maren

Rae (Aune) Zabel of Circle Pines, Minn., died June 15, 2016, age 39.

2017 Bjorn H. Norderhaug of Chanhassen, Minn., died Sept.18, 2016, age 21.

1996 Sarah

Elizabeth Hanson Nietz of Faribault, Minn., died Aug. 24, 2016, age 42.

Russell Rulon ’58 loved the outdoor life, helping students progress

Study of classics a lifelong passion for A. Thomas Kraabel ’56

Russell Ross Rulon ’58 was born April 26, 1936, in Hamburg, and passed away Nov. 22, 2016, in Decorah. Rulon was raised on the Gurney Nursery Farm in Yankton, S.D. It was where his love of outdoor life began. At Luther, he completed a biology and chemistry double major and then earned a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Iowa in 1961. Rulon met his wife, Joan, while in Iowa City, and they were married June 8, 1963. They had three children together: Brita, Amber, and Ryan. When he returned to teach at Luther, Rulon became known for his incredibly detailed physiology handouts and his ability to intricately dissect within his physiology laboratory. For many years, Rulon was the health career adviser at Luther, where he wrote countless letters of recommendation for students heading on to graduate degree programs. In 2000, colleagues, friends, family, and former students gave $1 million to Luther to establish the Russell Rulon Endowed Chair in Biology. When not at work, Rulon loved to be outside gardening, fishing, or hunting. Rulon and Joan enjoyed spending as much time as possible at their summer cabin in northern Minnesota. Soon after retirement, Rulon was diagnosed with dementia, which steadily progressed for many years. Rulon is survived by his wife, Joan, of Decorah; his daughter, Brita (Rulon) Loynachan ’86 (Tim) and grandchildren Colin, Nathan, and Kirsten, of Marion; his daughter, Amber Myers (Eric) and grandchildren Annelise, Peter, and Anneka, of Charlottesville, Va.; and his son, Ryan Rulon ’95 (Elizabeth) and grandchildren Noah and Alexander, of Boise, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Ladds Rulon and Laurine Newman Rulon, and sister, Janet Sue (Rulon) Pipho ’60 (Armin Pipho ’60).

A. Thomas “Tom” Kraabel ’56, Qualley professor of classics emeritus, died Nov. 2, 2016, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, after a 28-year journey with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on Nov. 4, 1934, in Portland, Ore., to Rev. Alf M. Kraabel ’17 and Marie (Swenson) Kraabel. Kraabel majored in classical languages and literature at Luther. He continued the study of classics at the University of Iowa, earning a master of arts degree in 1958. Kraabel earned a bachelor of theology degree in 1961 from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In 1968, Harvard awarded him a doctor of theology degree. While working on that degree, he received a Rockefeller doctoral fellowship in religion and the Harvard Divinity School’s Pfeiffer fellowship in archeology. He also served as assistant in Greek and lecturer in New Testament at Episcopal Theological Seminary, Cambridge, Mass., from 1966 to 1967. At Harvard, Kraabel’s lifelong interest in archeology began. He served as field archeologist in 1966 for the Harvard-Cornell archeological exploration of the site of ancient Sardis in Turkey. From 1969 to 1973 he was associate director, along with Eric Myers of Duke University, of the Joint Expedition to Khirbet Shema', Israel, an archaeological project of the American Schools of Oriental Research. In 1967, Kraabel joined the Department of Classics at the University of Minnesota. From 1983 through the 1995–96 academic year, Kraabel was Luther’s vice president and dean of the college as well as a professor of religion and classics. Subsequently, he taught religion and classics at the college until his retirement in 2000. In 1988, Luther named him to the Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages. Kraabel is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Allen (Debra); son, Thomas Kraabel ’89 (Kristine); and daughter, Sarah (Kraabel) Kriewall ’87 (Dan); five grandchildren: Amanda (Charles) McCarty, Andrew Kraabel ’11 (Lindsey), Eleanor and Peter Kriewall, and Erika Kraabel; and three great-grandchildren: Maloa, Gabriel, and Alexander McCarty. He is also survived by his brother, Paul S. Kraabel ’58, and family.

Winter 2017 Luther Alumni Magazine

a snowy day in mid-December, college staff and faculty got together for an open house to celebrate the 100th year of Loyalty Hall. The building was dedicated on Dec. 20, 1916, as a dining facility for Luther students. The previous dining hall, in the basement of Main, was deemed unsuitable by the college’s Board of Trustees in January 1916, and students pushed for a new building to serve as the dining hall. Five months later, the Norwegian Lutheran Synod and the trustees met and agreed to permit the student Boarding Club to construct a new building. The cost was not to exceed $12,000, and the synod would guarantee the loan. Each student boarding at the college agreed to pay $8 toward amortizing the loan. Loyalty Hall was then named to commemorate the loyalty of those students who raised the necessary funds, ultimately totaling $18,000. Students and faculty alike enjoyed dining in the bright, attractive space. As the years passed, chemistry laboratories were installed in Loyalty’s basement since the college lacked a science building. In 1962, both Centennial Union and Valders Hall of Science were completed and Loyalty became home to the Art Department. Art faculty and students moved to the new Center for the Arts in 2002. In the spirit of the Boarding Club’s desire for pleasant gathering space, Loyalty was renovated as a place of hospitality for alumni and friends in 2003 and 2004. The building now houses the Alumni and Development Offices, a multipurpose classroom, and a spacious and comfortable meeting room.

Luther Alumni Magazine

WILL HELLER ’16

Endpage

Symphony Orchestra Receptions

Calendar

Friday, January 26 John Marshall High School Rochester, Minn. Monday, January 30 Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday, January 31 Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, Iowa

Nordic Choir Receptions

Sunday, January 29 Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Waukesha, Wis. Monday, January 30 First United Methodist Church Downer’s Grove, Ill. Tuesday, January 31 Zion Lutheran Church Iowa City, Iowa Thursday, February 2 St. Mark’s Lutheran Church West Des Moines, Iowa Saturday, February 4 Augustana Lutheran Church West St. Paul, Minn.

Community Day Men’s and Women’s Basketball vs. Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday, January 28

Des Moines Area Lunch Connection Friday, February 17 Windsor Heights Community Center Windsor Heights, Iowa

Twin Cities Lunch Connection Friday, February 24 Center for Changing Lives Minneapolis

Luther Evening Prayer Service Friday, March 3 Tuscany Falls Golf Club at Pebble Creek Goodyear, Arizona

KATE KNEPPRATH ’17

Friday, January 27 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Rockford, Ill.

Former Luther athletes get together for alumni competitions during Homecoming each year. Here, past members of the softball team took a photo when they gathered for their reunion game last October.

12th Annual Kent Finanger ’54 Golf Classic

Des Moines Area Lunch Connection

Saturday, March 4 Tuscany Falls Golf Club at Pebble Creek Goodyear, Arizona

Friday, April 21 Windsor Heights Community Center Windsor Heights, Iowa

Luther Giving Day Thursday, March 9

Twin Cities Lunch Connection

Jazz Orchestra Receptions

Friday, April 28 Center for Changing Lives Minneapolis

Sunday, March 19 Augustana Lutheran Church Denver, Colo.

Luther Commencement

Monday, March 20 Cheyenne Mountain High School Colorado Springs, Colo.

Decorah NAA Benefit Golf Tournament

J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor Saturday, April 1 Luther and Sunday, April 2 Orchestra Hall Minneapolis

Sunday, May 21

Monday, June 5 Oneota Golf and Country Club

The Boys of Fall ’85–’92 A Norse Football Reunion Friday, June 23–Sunday, June 25 Luther

Twin Cities NAA Benefit Golf Tournament

Dinner preceding J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor at Orchestra Hall

Monday, June 26 Medina Golf and Country Club Medina, Minnesota

Sunday, April 2 Hilton Hotel Minneapolis

Tuesday, July 11– Thursday, July 27 Hosted by Norma J. Hervey Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland

Holocaust Site Tour

Fourth Annual Des Moines Metro Norse Classic Golf Outing Wednesday, July 12 Tournament Club of Iowa Polk City, Iowa

Luther Comes to the Heartland Picnic Sunday, July 16 Heartland Park Park Rapids, Minnesota

Iowa State Fair Booth Thursday, August 10– Sunday, August 20 Iowa State Fairgrounds Des Moines, Iowa

New England Coastal Cruise Saturday, September 16– Tuesday, September 26 Hosted by Kent ’54 and Lois Finanger New York, N.Y., to Quebec City, Canada

Luther Family Weekend Friday, September 22– Sunday, September 24

Luther Homecoming Friday, October 6– Sunday, October 8

Luther alumni events are open to all alumni and friends of the college, including parents and other family members of graduates and students. Please note that some dates listed are tentative; specific information about upcoming events will be mailed or emailed to alumni, friends, and parents who live near the event sites. If you need more information or if you’re interested in planning an event in your area, call the Alumni Office at (800) 225-8664. We’d love to hear from you!

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Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045