Luther MAGAZINE
SPRING 2022
Global encounters Students reengage with the transformative power of study away 8
Luther magazine Volume 55, number 3, Spring 2022 © Luther College 2022 Editor Kate Frentzel Art director/designer Michael Bartels Contributors Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82 Kelli Billstein ’07 Jessica Campos Arzate Erin Dintaman ’23 Lori Ferguson Armando Jenkins-Vazquez ’21 Ellen Modersohn Kirk Johnson ’82 Katie Schweinefus Elise Trail-Johnson ’25 Rachel (Schutte) Vsetecka ’09 Luther College Photo Bureau Luther magazine feedback, inquiries, and ideas may be sent to the Editor, Luther Magazine, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 521011045; magazine@luther.edu; phone (563) 387-1483.
22
Good stewards
Meet six alumni who keep our shared public lands accessible, healthy, and safe.
Class Notes submissions, changes of address, and alumni news may be sent to the Alumni Office, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045; alumni@luther.edu; (800) 225-8664; (800) 2 ALUMNI.
Contents
Find us online at luther.edu/magazine.
Expansive views
8
Traveling is back on the table, and Luther students are once again experiencing the transformative power of off-campus study.
Departments 2 President’s letter 3 Campus news
14
28 Alumni
Nearly two dozen emeriti professors share what they’ve been up to in their months, years, and even decades of retirement.
44 President’s Council
Emeriti updates
36 Class Notes 42 Marriages 42 Births/Adoptions 43 In Memoriam
Calendar inside back cover
Cover: biology major Sara Gehling ’23 spent J-term on the Luther course Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World. “There was a lot of diving into the unknown,” she says. “Most of us didn’t know each other very well if at all when we started the trip, but by the end of it we had formed some really great friendships.” On our cover, Steven Conradt ’23 stares up at a capuchin monkey on a suspension bridge in Gumbalimba Park. “This picture was moments before the monkey stole the Pringles in his hands,” Sara says, “one of our funniest memories.”
Luther ensembles resumed touring this spring. On March 22, Jazz Orchestra performed at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wis., during a spring tour. Photo by David J. Turner.
Samuel Schillinger ’23, who studied in Costa Rica over J-term, takes in the thriving permaculture of the Alegría Village neighborhood.
I CELEBRATE YOU AND THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH YOU REPRESENT LUTHER VALUES IN THE WIDER WORLD.”
GROUNDED AND Dear Luther Community,
global
to our town of Decorah and our
on Craig Murphy ’94—a lieutenant
legacy and heritage as a Norwe-
colonel in the Medical Specialty
Today, the sun is shining, the
gian and Lutheran college, even
Corps of the Army Reserves who
deer are leaping about, and buds
as we celebrate our increasing
spent the past few months at Fort
on the trees are starting to swell,
diversity. And we are global in our
McCoy engaged in Operation
impact and outlook.
Allies Welcome, an effort to relo-
even though it
President Jenifer K. Ward
has been unsea-
In this issue of the Luther
cate and support Afghan refugees.
sonably cold,
magazine, you will see evidence
In this time of continued and
windy, and gray
of this theme in many articles
rapid change, you are indeed the
here in the Valley.
and features. For example, on
constant “Luther blue thread”
Regardless
the grounded side, there is an
that pulls through the tapestry
of the weather,
infographic of professor Steve
of this college. I celebrate you
this is where we
Holland’s research on Luther’s
and the many ways in which you
are grounded.
economic impact on Winneshiek
represent Luther values in the
Many of you have
County as well as news about the
wider world.
heard me talk
award of a “Reframing the Insti-
about one of my
tutional Saga” grant. And on the
vision themes for
global side, we have a study-away
the future, Grounded and Global.
photo essay, showing how Luther
We will be known for how we are
students are once again experi-
grounded in the Driftless Region
encing the transformative power
of northeast Iowa, committed
of off-campus study; and a profile
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Soli Deo Gloria,
Jenifer K. Ward
NEW MAJOR AND MINOR Beginning next fall, Luther students will be able to major in law and values and minor in counseling. “These new interdisciplinary academic programs demonstrate our faculty’s innovative spirit and steadfast commitment to offering majors and minors that prepare students to meet the demands of today’s complex society,” provost Lynda Szymanski says. “These offerings are distinct among our peers and will make students more competitive when applying for graduate schools and jobs.” The law and values program will be rooted in the idea that most social problems have moral, legal, political, and economic factors. Faculty members in economics, political science, and philosophy will teach courses designed to help students understand the systems that shape society so they may effectively engage in important conversations of law, policy, and the common good. Luther’s counseling minor is designed to complement a number of majors, specifically those that lead students into helping professions, medical careers, or graduate school.
A G R A N T TO E X P LO R E LUTHER’S IDENTITY Luther has received a NetVUE
foundation as being inclusive and
Reframing the Institutional Saga
how we develop a strong story
grant of nearly $40,000 to prepare
about these identities and what
and publish a collection of essays
they mean for the college moving
that explore the college’s identity
forward while being rooted in
as a Norwegian-Lutheran liberal
history.”
arts college. The grant-funded
The anthology, which will be
project began in February and
coedited by Brad Chamberlain,
runs through January 2024, when
vice president for mission and
the anthology will be published
communication, will be integrated
and made available to the public.
into the orientation programs
Maren Johnson, associate
for new members of the campus
tion in Undergraduate Education)
professor of Nordic studies and
community and in outreach mate-
Grants for Reframing the Insti-
project lead, says, “I am energized
rials. It will also be used as part
tutional Saga are made possible
to have the conversation with
of the bicentennial celebration of
through financial support to the
students, colleagues, and commu-
Norwegian immigration to the US
Council of Independent Colleges
nity members to think about how
in 2025.
by Lilly Endowment Inc.
we see our Norwegian-Lutheran
NetVUE (Network for Voca-
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MAGAZINE
NEW VP OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT President Jenifer K. Ward appointed Karen Hunt to vice president of enrollment management. Hunt began working for the college in late 2021 as interim enrollment chief of staff and quickly proved a valuable employee and effective leader. Most of Hunt’s nearly 30-year higher-education career was spent in various high-level admissions and marketing roles at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, with two years as vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Bethany College in West Virginia. Since arriving at Luther, President Ward says, Hunt “has impressed us with her candor, empathy, strategic thinking, analytical skills, and heart for the people and programs she has found here.” “The quality of Luther’s transformational and mission-driven educational experience has inspired me from my first visit,” Hunt says, “and my conversations with students, faculty, and staff have affirmed it. I am excited to continue to share the Luther College story and provide opportunities for future students to choose this beautiful, friendly, life-changing learning environment as their college home.”
T E N U R E A N D P R O M OT I O N S At its February meeting, the Board of Regents granted tenure and promoted to associate professor the following faculty (left to right): Melanie Batoff, music; Laurie (Fritz) Bouska ’08, nursing; Mike Garcia, English; and Susan Schmidt, social work. The board also promoted to full professor: Carly Hayden Foster, political science; Rob Larson, management; Laura Peterson, environmental studies and chemistry; and Michael Smith, music.
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L O C A L I M PA C T
In June 2021, professor of economics Steve Holland released a report on the economic impact Luther has on Winneshiek County. His research looked at the last fiscal year before the pandemic (June 2018 to May 2019). Holland hopes the report “will assist and encourage further discussion by serving as a map that locates Luther’s place in the local economic ecosystem and charts the many ways that the people and businesses of our community need each other if we are to continue to thrive.” Below are some of his higher-level findings.
Summary of Luther’s Economic Impact on Winneshiek County Contribution to Contribution to economic output value added (GDP)
Jobs supported by this activity
Luther operations
$99,921,140
$55,334,206
861.17
Student spending
$3,144,574
$1,519,621
42.71
Visitor spending
$3,812,240
$2,002,121
47.48
$106,877,954
$58,855,948
951.36
Total
WELCOME, COACHES!
Early this spring, President Ward met with Norse football coaches, all but one of whom are new to Luther. Left to right: Nick Anderson, running backs/co–special teams coordinator; Erik Matth ’07, quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator; Keanon Cooper, defensive coordinator; President Ward; Caleb Barnes, recruiting coordinator/co–special teams coordinator; Joe Troche, head coach; Tim Souza, offensive coordinator.
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MAGAZINE
G E T T I N G A L O N G S W I M M I N G LY A closer partnership between Luther’s swim program and area swimmers creates a win for everyone. When Luther expanded its aquatic facilities in 2014,
it offers long-term coaching stability and founda-
a brand-new, high-quality practice space suddenly
tional coaching principles that are being taught at
became available for area swimmers. Two of the
the college level, better preparing our area’s youngest
groups that quickly rented space there were the over-
swimmers.”
18 Decorah Masters Swim Club and the Northeastern
“To be under the direct mentorship of coach
Swim Team (NST), an all-ages group that includes
Aaron Zander ensures that our developing swimmers
members from as far away as McGregor, Iowa, and
receive technically sound instruction and advice both
Preston, Minn. Beginning last September, the waters
in and out of the pool to help swimmers achieve their
between these groups grew even closer as Aaron
goals. Partnering with Luther helps our club establish
Zander ’10, Luther aquatic director and head men’s
the sustainability that we have been tirelessly work-
and women’s swimming and diving coach, negotiated
ing toward for years,” says Joie LaFrentz, vice presi-
a coaching partnership with NST.
dent of NST.
The tighter partnership provides NST athletes
Decorah Masters continues to have close Luther
with a college-level swimming experience, in part
connections, with many Luther faculty, staff, and
through offering the coaching skills of Luther assis-
alumni among its members. Kate Elliott, Decorah
tant coach Linnea Lee-Brown ’21 and five Luther
Masters coach and Luther professor of art history,
athletes as work-study assistant coaches. The part-
thinks the new Luther partnership only enhances the
nership also reshaped Luther’s coaching structure,
“lively culture of lifelong wellness both in and out
adding an additional full-time assistant coach to the
of the water” that’s a hallmark of the Luther aquatic
staff, a welcome addition as the team has swelled in
center. “One of my favorite times to coach is Monday
size to record numbers over the past three years.
mornings, when the Luther swimmers are all on
“This partnership offers benefits to both programs,” Zander says. “For the Luther coaches, it offers greater exposure and experience working with younger swimmers up to national-level high school athletes. For NST,
SPRING 2022
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deck and the music is blaring,” she says. “It’s good for Luther students to see adults taking care of their health, and good for the adults to see Luther swimmers working hard and to be reminded of what the Luther experience is.”
Luther College Book Shop 563-387-1036
lutherbookshop.com
Ben Meyer ’22 Biochemistry Waukee, Iowa
LUTHER
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MAGAZINE
INTO A L ARGER
World
Daniel Benoit ’23, who participated in a Luther J-term course, Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World, submitted this photo of himself surfacing after a dive. He says, “My friend, Steven Conradt ’23, took this picture of me because I was so happy that the sun came out. We had started the dive about 45 minutes earlier and it was raining when we entered the water, but during that time the rain had stopped and gave way to the bright blue Honduran sky. This picture really sums up the post-dive feeling when you’re happy to be back in the sun and now you can all talk about the cool things you saw underwater.”
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Isaac Woods ’22 sent us this photo of a whitewater rafting experience in Costa Rica. Pictured are Willem Hawley ’24, Rye Hawley ’22, Isaac Woods ’22, Andrew Kozelka ’22, Lars Marquardt ’23, and guide extraordinaire Cristobal. About his program, Paideia 450: Practicing Embodiment in Costa Rica, Isaac says, “One of the biggest takeaways for me was how I am going to continue practicing my spirituality and religion.” He was also “excited about the new friendships I made and the old friendships that I strengthened.”
Allied health sciences major Abigail Slininger ’24 spent J-term in Roatán. “This trip allowed me to use my Spanish skills to engage in the community and provide better care at Clinica Esperanza,” she says. “Doing a daily internship at the local clinic allowed for many new and unusual experiences including performing a pap smear, doing an ultrasound, and running triage with another nurse. Another unique experience this trip allowed me to have was the chance to get scuba certified, a dream I have always had!” In this photo, snapped by Johanna Muenkel ’24, Abigail’s enjoying a beach day on a key off of the island of Utila, Honduras.
Janet Borchardt ’24 took this group selfie on top of a Mayan temple at Lamanai during her Jterm, Communication Studies 239: Environmental Communication in Belize. What struck her most deeply about the trip, she says, is “the passion and pride Belizians have for their country and the environment. We saw time and time again just how willing many citizens were to go out of their way and make personal sacrifices to protect and restore their environment, which is what makes the country so special and beautiful.”
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MAGAZINE
Riley Taylor ’22 took this photo in Annecy during an API semester in France. “We got to dine on a bridge of the canal while admiring the old architecture and the pastel houses surrounding us,” she says. Being able to communicate in French was a highlight of her trip. It was, she says, “an extraordinary experience to be able to better understand French culture and the national pride so many French people feel for their country.” Natalie Neff ’24, a neuroscience and Spanish double major, spent J-term in the Dominican Republic for Luther’s Spanish Speaking for Medical Professionals course. On the trip, she says, “We learned anatomy and basic medical terms in Spanish, how to communicate fluently in Spanish with local people, and what culture is like in the Dominican Republic. We shared laughs, food, drinks, and made a lot of great memories on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.” Her program teamed up with students from Luther’s J-term on Dominican Republic culture to construct a giant L for Luther at a remote beach accessible only by boat (the photo was taken by drone).
Alice Odame ’22, an international studies and economics double major, participated in Luther’s Washington Semester. “This was our first group outing after our two-week quarantine,” she says. “We spent the day exploring the Adams Morgan neighborhood,” famed for its murals and street art.
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Nursing major Paige Zaruba ’23 spent J-term on Luther’s Roatán: Ethical Engagement in a Changing World course. What she valued most, she says, were the interactions with people the Luther students worked with through their internships. “We worked through language barriers and limited supplies to provide healthcare for people living in underserved villages, quite literally at the top of a mountain,” she says. “We built such strong connections with the individuals who we served, and seeing our impact in their communities to improve overall health of the population was really special!” In this photo, Luther students gather at Clinica Esperanza, a free clinic for the people of Roatán. Environmental studies major Thomas Woodford ’23 sent in this photo of a group of Holden Village students hiking to Copper Basin with Luther professor Jon Jensen ’89. Sadie Pichlemann ’23 sent in this photo (taken by associate professor Dawn Reding) of her group planting coral during J-term in Roatán. “Conservation and restoration were a big focus of our class, and we were given the opportunity to do hands-on work cleaning coral tree nurseries and planting juvenile corals out in the open reef to encourage the growth of coral populations hard-hit by stony coral tissue loss disease and climate change,” she says.
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MAGAZINE
Katilynn Swanson ’22, who studied in Norway last fall, sent us this photo of a small town along a fjord outside Bergen. “My trip to Bergen was the first I took alone while in Norway,” she says. “I was very lucky to have the opportunity to take a fjord cruise along Nærøyfjord, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.”
Thomas Woodford ’23 spent J-term at Holden Village in Washington state on Luther’s Environmental Issues in the Pacific Northwest course. “I was most impacted by the sense of community at Holden Village,” he says. “The wide variety of activities, the shared meals, and the evening Sacred Space events all brought our group of J-term students close together; we still enjoy hanging out with each other here on campus. Every event was intentional and inclusive, allowing for participation from every person at Holden, both staff and students. My most memorable daily event was going to the sauna every night with students from Luther, Augustana, and St. Olaf; I think I made some truly lifelong connections there.” Here, a group of students view the mountains on a foggy day.
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During the Washington Semester, Alice Odame ’22 interned at the Legacy Premier Foundation, a global developmental nonprofit committed to empowering underserved communities. She still found time for sightseeing, like this day when she visited the US Capitol.
Sociology major Katilynn Swanson ’22 spent last fall at the University of Agder in Norway. She sent us this photo of the wharf in the city center of Stavanger. “This was the first trip I took in Norway with my flatmates,” she says. “We got to explore the city and hike to Preikestolen, an almost 2,000-foot-tall cliff overlooking Lysefjord.”
Sara Gehling ’23, who studied in Roatán, submitted this photo of Sophie Epps ’23 enjoying the scenery, listening to music, and studying fish species with her feet propped up on their trusty dive boat, the Stingray.
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MAGAZINE
Emeriti
I SPY
When a Luther student graduates, it’s
And just like their students, the post-
easy for them to imagine their former
Luther lives of emeriti faculty are rich,
professors fixed in place, forever helming
diverse, and full of surprises.
the head of a classroom, guiding lab
To learn what some of your beloved
or field research, or anchoring favorite
former professors have been up to in
campus spots. But just like their
their months, years, and even decades of
students, faculty do eventually move on.
retirement, read on!
A liberal arts tradition Every Thursday morning for the past 30-plus years, a group of Luther emeriti has met for breakfast. Magpie is their current spot (Ruby’s, before it closed, was their former). Participants have ranged in age from 65 to 95. They discuss events of the day, including what’s happening on campus. Current attendees include (left to right): Dale Nimrod (chemistry and computer science), Uwe Rudolf (German, accounting, international business), Ruth Caldwell (French and Italian), Harland Nelson (English), Mark Muggli (English), Jim Iverson (guest emeritus of physics at Iowa State), Alan Lerstrom (communication studies), Will Bunge ’53 (classics and religion). Not pictured: Carol Gilbertson (English), Dennis Barnaal (physics), Phil Reitan (biology). Dick Ylvisaker ’50 (philosophy) and John Tjostem (biology) have recently retired from the group, which was started by John Bale (English). The liberal arts are well-represented at this table!
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Ruth Caldwell, French Luther doesn’t end with retirement! Several of us still do “study away,” now known as alumni trips. I have led two of these (Dante’s Italy; Sicily and Malta). Since 2020, the Alumni Office has offered “Paideia III” alumni book clubs, and I have led and participated in most of these. It has been so much fun to reconnect with former students and meet other alumni.
clubs and presented seminars in training and teaching methods. I enjoy showing Quasar, one of our dogs, in conformation and am currently training in performance. Quasar is a Schapendoes, Dutch sheepdog (rare breed). He has earned two championships and is a therapy dog with Alliance for Therapy Dogs. He visits Luther frequently, so you may see him with me or my husband, Erik.
J. R. Christianson, history I want to hear from Luther grads who worked with me on the letters of historian Marcus Lee Hansen (1892–1938). I am completing my book manuscript on Hansen, who was the first historian to describe America as a multicultural society. It’s been many years in the making. If you worked on the project, transcribed
James W. Eckblad, biology
some of Hansen’s letters, researched, proofread, or
I’ve been enjoying time in my woodworking shop
worked with the Hansen letters in other ways, please
recently. I make walking sticks and canes (using old
send a message to christianson@luther.edu and
golf club shafts), wood pens and bottle stoppers from
remind me of your part in the project. I would also like
branches of buckthorn, and a variety of turned and
to know what you’ve been doing recently.
carved small gnomes.
A March 17 podcast in the Renaissance Lives series from the Warburg Institute at London University focused on my richly illustrated biography Tycho Brahe and the Measure of the Heavens. It can be viewed at warburg.sas.ac.uk/renaissance-lives.
Ellen Drewes-Stoen, education; health and exercise science I may have retired from teaching at Luther, but I am still teaching! I am a professional dog trainer and teach training classes at the Good Dog Center
Ed Epperly, education
in Decorah. Let’s just say, I teach people AND often
In November 2021, I released a book, Fiend Incarnate:
remediate dogs. I have written training articles for my
Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912. Published by Fourth
national association—National Organization of Dog
Wall Press, it is available through Amazon and can
Obedience Instructors—where I hold three certifica-
be ordered through retail bookstores. This book is the
tions. I have also written training articles for breed
product of years of research I pursued as a hobby.
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MAGAZINE
Bradley Hanson, religion I have a new book out, Finding Grace in Caregiving.
Paul Gardner, political science
Searching for spiritual practices to foster patience and kindness in caregiving for my wife with Alzheimer’s, I
In 2020 I received a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach
look to St. Paul.
in Timișoara, Romania. Covid drove us home after
Photo: In March, Bradley Hanson (in the red sweater) led a Luther Lifelong Learner Seminar that featured his book.
33 days. I applied for another Fulbright and received a second award for fall 2021. I taught two groups of Romanian graduate students about American democracy with a focus on the Black freedom movement. Photo: Paul Gardner and his partner, Rebecca, hiking in the Carpathian Mountains in eastern Romania
Carol Gilbertson, English
Norma J. Hervey, history Luther has given me the opportunity to do what I
I’ve been retired for over a decade now, and I find that
always dreamed of doing, and I am grateful. The ongo-
I’ve moved into a whole new way of life—more relaxed
ing relationships with graduates and international
but always surprising. For the first few years, I was
students I hosted is also a special gift. My dreams as
wonderfully occupied with family matters—daughters’
an undergraduate were to see the world and to teach
marriages, grandchildren’s births—my baking hobby,
history. As I delayed graduate school until my children
and my continuing fitness workouts. The pandemic
were all in school, I was 35 before I earned my first
brought family health issues and my own Covid diag-
MA degree and 60 before I completed my PhD. Dreams
nosis but also the delight of our fifth grandchild, a
denied? I have now been teaching in Prague’s Charles
marvelous gift in a difficult time. I continue to write
University from 2008 until 2018.
poems about human life as I experience it and as I
Since then, I have tutored students and given
witness it in the wider world, with its joys, terrors, and
roundtable presentations and guest lectures to
griefs.
students and colleagues. After working with 30
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Perhaps the primary gift has been attending Luther students’ weddings in mulitple nations, sharing special occasions.” —Norma J. Hervey, history
students writing MA theses, I am still working with
I am serving two rural congregations as vicar near
a student focused on Black history. I have also been
Sumner, Iowa—St. Peter-Richfield and St. John-Staple-
involved with an NGO whose first purpose is to
ton. I was awarded an ELCA Fund for Leaders Schol-
provide education to Czechs on racist issues. And I
arship in honor of H. George Anderson (former bishop
have recently been one of a crew of cooks preparing
of the ELCA, who was president of Luther when I was
meals for refugees from Ukraine.
hired in 1992).
I have also been blessed with multiple opportunities to see most of the European countries as well as Russia and Ukraine, India, China, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, and Argentina. I managed to hike the Camino, the shortest route from Portugal to Santiago, Spain, and hiked around southern Ireland. Perhaps the primary gift has been attending Luther students’ weddings in multiple nations, sharing special occasions. Sometimes all of this seems surreal, but right now, with the tragedies in Ukraine and two years of a pandemic, I have also, unfortunately, experienced history happening. This has allowed me to contribute to the refugees, most of them children. As children are our primary assets, their suffering is a challenge and a grief. I still believe that education is the only means of solving the
Harv Klevar, anthropology
multiple problems to give all of them a future.
A few years ago I returned to Texas and had some success in meeting African Americans of my generation who had grown up near me but whom I had never come to know. After introducing myself, I had asked if I might hear their stories of growing up so that I might compare their experiences to mine and write them up in a book I hoped to publish as Being and Becoming: Black and Czech White in South Texas. Presently I am about four-fifths of the way through the work with hopes of completing the telling within the coming year.
Laurie Iudin-Nelson, Russian studies I have been enrolled as a full-time student at Wartburg
Photo: A few years ago, Harv Klevar (right) visited Angleton, Texas, where he interviewed William Brown (center) and Waverly Jefferson (left) for the book he’s writing.
Theological Seminary. My MDiv degree program will lead to ordainment in the ELCA. I am enrolled in the Collaborative Learning Program of the MDiv program, which means that for the four years of my graduate study, I serve concurrently at an ELCA congregation.
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MAGAZINE
Donna Kubesh, nursing
Since retiring, a variety of projects helped keep the collaborative fire burning, though during these
Busier than I ever thought I’d be! Continuing with a
past two Covid challenging years, the embers cooled
variety of hobbies. Serving on a couple of local boards.
quite a bit. Post-retirement projects included: serving
Volunteering—Pink Ribbon Mentors is one I’m particu-
on the planning committee for the 50th anniversary
larly invested in, breast cancer survivors mentoring
of Luther’s Black Student Union, including shaping
others. Also continuing to challenge my mind with
an ensemble performance piece for the celebrative
two book groups, among other things.
weekend and helping refresh a one-woman show by Julia Mann ’09, Mixed Reality, a piece developed as her senior project that remains active; devising, with students, the initial Community of Care performance for first-year orientation; collaborating with Kristen Underwood on the one-woman play Natural Shocks, part of a nationwide focus on gun violence; stage directing Amahl and the Night Visitors, produced by
William Kuhlman, music; college organist On March 13, I participated in the American Guild of Organists’s celebration of women composers at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tucson,
the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra; shaping a
Ariz. I played works by Libby Larson, Maria Thersia
Lenten series for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of
Von Paradis, Emma Lou Diemer, and Fanny Mendels-
word and dance focused on the poetry of Mary Oliver.
sohn on a 64-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ. In April, I presented a lecture for the guild entitled “Andrew Carnegie and the Organ.”
For the past three and a half years, a lively endeavor has been a joint venture with my spouse, Marilynn, as we have absorbed the rhythm, pulse, and heartbeat of the college through our granddaughter’s engagement
Bob Larson, theatre
with Luther. Witnessing Maya’s journey, listening to
After 50 years of teaching and directing (two in high
accomplishments, meeting her friends, and occasion-
school, 48 at Luther), the initial days and years
ally doing her laundry have added a true dimension of
of retirement contained a fluid of emotions and
joy to our retirement years.
thoughts. To say I missed the daily engagement with
Photo: Bob Larson and his wife, Marilynn, with granddaughter Maya Mukamuri ’22, a third-generation Luther student
students in the classroom and rehearsal hall is a major understatement. Theatre-making is a collaborative art, and working intently with gifted colleagues and engaging students in shared creative problem-solving were always gifts that I never took for granted.
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her stories, sensing her frustrations, relishing her
Nancy Maloney, nursing Since 2016 I have been involved as a volunteer with the development of the Respite Program of the First United Methodist Church of Dothan, Ala. This program has two goals: (1) to provide caregivers with
District, I am currently convening the Lansing Tran-
four hours of rest and relief (respite) from their care-
sition Group, which is an ad hoc group that has
giving tasks; (2) to care for adults with dementia (our
been formed to help the city of Lansing and others
participants) in an environment that is accepting,
in Allamakee County manage the impacts related to
enjoyable, and provides activities that they are able to
Alliant Energy’s decision to close the Lansing Gener-
perform. (And if you have never played balloon volley-
ating Station by the end of 2022. The group includes
ball, you don’t know what fun really is!!)
members of the Lansing City Council, Main Street
During our “time out” for Covid, we provided a
Lansing, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors,
monthly meal to each family, which we delivered. We
the School District, and the Allamakee County Energy
also had drive-by parades around football games,
District.
Halloween, Christmas decorations, etc. to stay in
We also bought a Peloton exercise bike, which was
contact and provide an outing. On March 2, practice
a wonderful way to work out during this long winter.
began for the spring concert. They know their hymns,
Photo: Karen and Jim Martin-Schramm, with granddaughters Anna and Caroline, who live in Des Moines
and they love to sing! Some of us become participants as we age. I have asked them not to tell me when I move from volunteer to participant—I’ll just keep coming and won’t know the difference! Photo: Nancy Maloney (left) volunteers with a respite program in Alabama.
Jim Martin-Schramm, environmental studies; religion I’ve been doing some pulpit supply at First Lutheran Church and some consulting work for the Clean
Mark Z. Muggli, English
Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI). In September, I
I indulge in some of the same experiences as many of
submitted expert witness testimony on behalf of CEDI
my retired colleagues: reading, socializing, cancer,
in the Black Hills Energy rate case before the Iowa
traveling, grandkidding, spousing, dancing, walk-
Utilities Board. I argued that the level of increase and
ing. But my most aggressive energies have gone into
new riders the company proposed would exacerbate
historic preservation. Since my retirement, our local
the energy burden for many households served by
commission, which I chair, has successfully nomi-
Black Hills. The company entered into a settlement
nated the Decorah Commercial Historic District, the
agreement with CEDI and the Office of the Consumer
Luther College historic district, and an expansion of
Advocate.
the Broadway-Phelps Park historic district and has
As a board member of the Winneshiek Energy
completed a project celebrating the work of local (and
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MAGAZINE
PBS’s Postcard program recently featured Harley Refsal, emeritus professor of art, as the subject of season 13, episode 5. “The world isn’t counting on a little whittled figure by any means, but we do need that here,” he says, tapping his heart, “and here,” he says, tapping his head. “It feeds my soul, and I am delighted when I can hook somebody else as well.” The episode is viewable on the PBS website and on YouTube.
Luther) architect Charles Altfillisch. Historic preser-
PRAYER OF AN ANCIENT BIOLOGIST
vation may not seem an obvious avocation for a life-
May your DNA properly replicate
long student of literature, writing, and theatre, but perhaps my former students will recognize that I often
and your Operons always operate. May your Feedback Loops feed back
approached those arts from a rather architectural/ structural perspective. Life is good.
and your caecum remain as a blind sac. May your friends, like your coelom, always be true and may you find a niche at a trophic level appropriate to you. May you outrun both predator and prey and ever strive for that ancient goal: TO SURVIVE FOR ONE MORE DAY! —Phil Reitan
Uwe Jens Rudolf, economics, accounting, and management My spouse, Ruth Caldwell, and I continue to be active participants in the Magpie emeriti group, Lifelong Learner seminars, and online Luther book clubs in
Phillip J. Reitan, biology
addition to extensive travels abroad. Ruth has co-led several book club discussions on Zoom. It has been
In the early years of our retirement, Ruth and I did a
a great opportunity to reconnect with many former
fair amount of travel, both in the states and abroad.
students and meet alumni we had not previously
The later years (as ARMD took away much of my
known.
vision), I have been writing poems on nature, aging,
In November, we spent two weeks exploring north-
and miscellaneous topics. I have also been writ-
ern Italy with emerita [of economics, accounting,
ing mini essays (on one or two pages) on a variety of
and management] Mona (Feller) Nelson ’75 and her
topics. Most of these provide an evolutionary explana-
husband, Cy ’76, showing them our favorite haunts.
tion of human behavior. I have a machine that magni-
This April, we are visiting former student Joyce
fies things from small to large. It allows me to write
(Krueger) Fürst ’74 in Austria, then driving to Prague
(Ruth types, but not for me to read, for I cannot read
to visit Norma Hervey (emerita professor of history),
more than one word at a time. That would be like back
among other travels in Germany and Scotland.
in first grade). But I am thankful for TV.
SPRING 2022
20
I completed the third edition of the Historical
Malta and Mediterranean Program, followed by directing the Scandinavia and the Baltic Program, while continuing January Term work for the Holocaust and for Buddhism in Japan and China. Needless to say, I learned a lot, and Lynne joined me for most of this work. One doesn’t direct a program alone. We also traveled a bit—while we were in Malta and Norway—visiting family in Europe. Later we visited our daughter and some Nottingham friends in Australia. We ventured to southern Africa and to China and Tibet with Lynne’s college friends. We are now prepared and relieved never to enter an airport again. We served three years on the board of Right Sharing Dictionary of Malta in 2018 and continue to follow
of World Resources, a Friends’ (Quaker) organization
events in Malta closely, prepared to update the work
devoted to providing small grants (microfinance) to
in the future. I hope to resume work on another
very poor and disadvantaged women, mostly in India,
long-delayed writing project, Where in the World Is
Kenya, Sierra Leone, and soon Central America. We
Luther College?! It involves compiling biographies of
learned a lot doing that work as well.
the numerous Luther alumni engaged in interesting careers abroad. There are so many with whom I have
I was pleased to play a few seasons in the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra as well as quartets.
been fortunate to remain in contact thanks to visits
We have meanwhile been stewarding some acres of
on numerous January Terms abroad, personal travels,
creek, prairie, and woods nearby and are pleased that
and the World Wide Web! Luther has a truly excep-
trout are healthy and the land much improved.
tional network of alumni who love their alma mater!
We are now tired and aged and are preparing to move
One of those alumni has recently helped me estab-
to a residence somewhere nearby that requires less
lish a scholarship fund called the Global Opportu-
footprint and less attention.
nity Fund. The purpose of this fund is to encourage
Photo by Chip Peterson
students to seek internships abroad by helping to pay for international travel. Photo: Uwe Jens Rudolf and Ruth Caldwell (to the right) traveled with Cy ’76 and Mona (Feller) Nelson ’75, professor emerita of acounting and management, to San Marino in 2021.
Jacqueline Wilkie, history; Paideia I have returned to the hamlet of Selkirk, N.Y., where
Kent Simmonds, philosophy
I’ve thrown myself into the restoration of a bungalow built in 1924—three years younger than the one I
Since retirement in 2005, I first returned to class-
had in Decorah. It’s great to be putting that historical
room work for a maternity leave, then January Term
background to a practical use.
in Egypt and in Japan, a second time directing the
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MAGAZINE
Stewards GOOD SPRING 2022
22
It’s no surprise that Luther, with sustainability as a cornerstone of its
mission, turns out graduates who care about pristine natural spaces. Some of them even commit their careers to maintaining these spaces for the enjoyment of all. During the pandemic, with outdoor recreation more valued than ever, our shared public lands have seen a huge increase in use. We check in here with some alumni who’ve dedicated their lives to stewardship of public lands, making sure these places remain accessible, healthy, and safe. Responses have been edited for length, clarity, and style. For more from these alumni, visit luther.edu/magazine.
David Schifsky ’93, deputy superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area
What makes your park special? I currently serve as the deputy superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA), which includes Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. GOGA spans three Bay Area, California, counties and was the third most visited unit of the NPS with over 13 million visitors in 2021. It’s an urban park yet home to the most threatened and endangered species (38) in the continental United States. Its coastline, beaches, old-growth redwood forests, and historic buildings are unique. What’s fulfilling about your job? Being part of the stewardship of unique landscapes, wildlife, cultural and historic sites, and American stories is humbling. These places are conserved for those not yet born.
When did you realize you wanted a career in parks?
Have you handled any dramatic situations?
When I graduated from Luther in 1993, I didn’t know
Many. I worked as a law enforcement park ranger,
how great of a fit park/public lands management
including rising to level of chief park ranger, for
would be, but I had a hunch. As part of a class project,
more than 22 years in seven different parks across the
I interviewed a park ranger at nearby Effigy Mounds
country. NPS park rangers do it all. I’ve made arrests,
National Monument and became interested in natural
rescued people, saved lives, and worked all manner
and cultural preservation. This interest, of course,
of disasters or large-scale special events. There have
was fueled by the community/public service values
been tragic and challenging incidents I’ve been part
instilled through Luther culture. When I entered the
of and some powerful saves: while working in Glen
Student Conservation Association (SCA) program as
Canyon National Recreation Area, I was part of a
a volunteer in 1994, in Canyonlands National Park, it
search for a young boy who wandered away from his
all made sense. I became a seasonal park ranger for
family’s campsite. Many of us responding rangers
the National Park Service (NPS) and made a fantastic
had seen similar incidents end tragically, so we were
career out of protecting and conserving national parks
anxious. As I turned a patrol boat into a side canyon of
across the country.
Lake Powell, there he was on top of the rock. My heart leapt: we found him!
Left: Nicole Engdahl in Redwood National Park
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MAGAZINE
If I visit your park, what should I be sure not to miss? There are so many great sites throughout GOGA: Muir Woods, Fort Point, Alcatraz, any of the beaches are inspiring. The shoreline is alive, bird watching abundant, and wildlife sightings, especially out to sea, regular. If you’re into history, the park is filled with historic military buildings, forts, and layers of the past. All of the services one would want to ensure a safe and comfortable visit are nearby: GOGA is not nearly as remote as many other units of the NPS. Any part of the park will inspire great photos! It’s a worldclass park.
Nicole Engdahl ’94, senior vice president of planned and annual giving, National Park Foundation
Nicole Engdahl in Glacier National Park
What’s your favorite park to get your nature fix? Picking a favorite park is tough. Each park leaves a
Many people assume that national parks are fully
lasting impression, and I have truly loved something
funded by the government. How and why does the
about every park I have visited. Like many people,
National Park Foundation enter the picture?
during the pandemic, I found solace in the national
The National Park Service was created in 1916. As the
parks closest to me. I am lucky I live in DC and have
number of park sites grew, Congress could foresee that
many national park sites nearby. I love running on the
the government would not be able to fully fund all the
National Mall early in the morning as the sun comes
park programs and projects without help from private
up over the monuments before the tourists arrive.
funding. In 1967, Congress created the National Park
There is something peaceful and reflective in being
Foundation to become the official nonprofit partner of
among those beautiful structures in the early morn-
the National Park Service. For more than 50 years, the
ing light. Also, I have come to cherish my walks with
foundation has raised money to fund grants used to
friends through Rock Creek National Park. It runs
support programs and projects within the parks that
through the middle of the city and is such a haven.
help protect and enhance national parks for present
Being surrounded by all that greenery in the middle
and future generations.
of a big city along with the sounds of the creek and the birds immediately soothes my soul. It has been
With the uptick in park visitors during the
my go-to almost every weekend these past two years,
pandemic, how has your work changed?
and it has done wonders for my mental and physical
Due to the uptick in visitation and appreciation of the
health.
parks, our fundraising also increased significantly. I oversee three programs at the foundation, and all three programs set new fundraising records over the past two years, so we were extremely busy. We had to constantly adapt our strategies in order to be nimble to the ever-changing news as well as the various shut-
Bob Palmer ’91, deputy regional chief ranger for the Pacific West Region of the NPS
down and supply chain issues. It was a challenge, but
What does your job entail?
it also gave the staff a renewed purpose for how vital
I’ve worked in a few parks (14 +/-) in every region
the parks are to our everyday lives.
of the country (except Alaska) and also worked for several years as a ranger in New Zealand. I’m now
SPRING 2022
24
based in a regional office in San Francisco, and I over-
deal with wildland fires, hurricanes, floods, politi-
see and serve as a staff expert for a variety of Visitor
cal protests, and public land disputes. It makes you
and Resource Protection Programs (law enforcement,
realize the importance of planning and preparing for
search and rescue, emergency medical services) for
significant human events, potentially catastrophic
the 60 NPS sites within the eight states of Califor-
natural events, and anything else under the sun.
nia, Hawai’i, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington,
There is no worse feeling of helplessness than when
portions of Arizona and Montana, and the territories
something unexpected is happening, and your confi-
of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana
dence of adequate pre-event prep work is low.
Islands. In some larger parks that have significant lodging and What’s fulfilling about your job?
camping, managing the park and public can be a bit
Over time, I’ve become a go-to person for the NPS
like running a town of 8,000–10,000 residents. The
with respect to the application of a number of laws
parks become really interesting and dynamic commu-
relating to cultural and natural resources. I feel most
nities that, in a social context, can change signifi-
fulfilled when I can help a park and its tribal partners
cantly from season to season, as well as from weekday
work through difficult issues and find a resolution
to weekend. A ranger can go from working a natural
that meets the needs of park resources and the tribal
resource protection issue to something more urban in
partners. It doesn’t always turn out great, but when it
a matter of minutes.
does, I feel like I’ve earned my pay! Have you handled any dramatic situations? Tell us about some parts of your job the public
If you stick around in any job, you’re bound to brush
wouldn’t expect.
up against some form of drama. I’ve been on some
This is a great question to which the answer would
pretty big wildfires, have done human rescues/recov-
depend on what aspect of the public is asking the
eries, as well as quite a few really interesting investi-
question. By way of example, when there’s an earth-
gations and work with endangered species, including
quake in Alaska, Japan, or somewhere on the Pacific
dealing with beached sperm whales! Without a doubt,
Rim, our phones ring and we jump into action to
the most significant incident that I was ever involved
respond to a potential tsunami that could impact one
in was an investigation and recovery of the remains of
of our Pacific parks (or the West Coast of the main-
41+ people who had been stolen from a park collec-
land). Things like this actually happen more often
tion by a park employee, and the subsequent return
than you might think, and besides tsunamis, we
of these people to their American Indian descendants. That was simultaneously the most rewarding and troubling work that I was ever a part of.
Andrew White ’11, visitor use management specialist for the central planning office of the National Park Service When did you realize you wanted a career in parks/public lands? By a stroke of luck, I interned at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming during the summer before my senior Bob Palmer sailing with his family in San Francisco Bay on the NPS-owned historic vessel Alma while assigned as the acting superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in 2019
year at Luther. I got just a taste of some of the complex challenges involved in protecting special places like that—transboundary wildlife, private lands within
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MAGAZINE
park boundaries, increasing and changing visita-
signed the Amache National Historic Site Act, making
tion patterns, human-wildlife conflict. I saw working
it the newest addition to the park system. While the
for the National Park Service as a great way to put my
law is a somewhat indirect result of our work, it’s
environmental studies degree to use!
super rewarding knowing that our study will guide early management of a new national park site, and
What does your job entail?
that this place is now preserved in perpetuity so that
I currently work as a visitor use management special-
future generations can see what remains of one of the
ist for the central planning office of the NPS, known
darker chapters in American history.
as the Denver Service Center. In this capacity, I help park managers at national parks across the country
Tell us about some parts of your job the public
to address challenges associated with visitor use. The
wouldn’t expect.
goal of my work is to develop plans that will ensure
I think most people would be surprised at the
that park visitors have meaningful and enjoyable
complexity, and oftentimes controversy, that goes
visits to their parks, while sustaining and protect-
into protecting these places and ensuring that people
ing the parks’ resources (scenery, wildlife, vegeta-
can have an enjoyable visit. I think people would be
tion, archeology, historic buildings, soundscapes,
surprised at how much time we spend wrestling with
etc.). Prior to my current role, I worked at Grand Teton
the right way to identify a visitor capacity for a trail,
National Park for six years doing interpretation (front-
debating the best way to redistribute use through an
line interaction with park visitors), administration,
area, or thinking about how to make sure our plan is
and public affairs.
legally defensible and politically palatable. Any tips to make my park visit a good one? Plan ahead! It’s a dynamic time to visit national parks. Many parks have recently implemented new reservation systems for campgrounds; specific areas, trails, or roads; or for park entrance altogether. Visit the park website before you go to make sure you aren’t caught off guard by any of these. (Despite this being directly related to my line of work, I am one of the worst perpetrators of failing to plan ahead. Don’t be like me!)
Andrew White floating on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park in 2018
What’s fulfilling about your job? Planning takes a long time—a typical project usually takes at least a few years to complete. But when you
Thawdar Zin ’21, restoration technician at Resource Environmental Solutions (Milwaukee branch), which restores public and private lands throughout the country
do it right, it can make a lasting and meaningful
What does your job entail?
impact. One recent example has been at Amache, a
Here in the Midwest, major RES projects include
place in southeast Colorado where Japanese Amer-
woodland restoration, prairie restoration, and stream-
icans were incarcerated during WWII. Since late
bank restoration through invasive species removal,
2019, I’ve been a part of a team that has been eval-
seeding, planting, and prescribed burning.
uating whether it would make a good addition to the national park system. In March, President Biden
What’s rewarding about this work? I’m reminded that I’m making a difference. Some-
SPRING 2022
26
of my childhood outside on pasture cow paths and trails through the woods. Serving as a wildland firefighter (on a hotshot crew) brought me to the western part of the US, where I fought fires from the southern border of Arizona to the Washington coastline, and I immediately fell in love with Montana. I’ve lived all over this amazing state for the past 18 years, including five years in eastern Montana working Thawdar Zin helps restore prairies, streambanks, and woodlands through prescribed burns, seeding, and invasive species removal.
as a park manager at Hell Creek and in other positions serving Montana’s extremely rural communities. This is not a lifestyle for the faint of heart—there are food deserts, no shopping or supplies, and no social
times the results of the job are very immediate.
constructs to entertain you or where you can find
Seeing a beautiful forest recently cleared of inva-
friends readily. It’s sort of like serving your time so you
sive species, mostly buckthorns and honeysuckles,
can then relate to other staff that have lived through
is quite satisfying. I have yet to see the result of the
the same hardships in our other remote locations.
prairie restoration we did last year this spring, and
I’ve worked for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for 14
I’m quite excited for it. Speaking of prairie, one of the
years, nine of which were as the state trails administra-
best things about working in prairies during spring
tor, where I worked with just about every community
and summer is that I get to see a lot of beautiful prai-
of Montana providing technical assistance for their
rie plants and animals, and knowing that my work
trails and outdoor recreation projects. I am extremely
contributes to the well-being of these native species of
passionate about outdoor recreation, especially trails
plants, insects, and animals prevails over the labori-
and public land access for all. Our parks and trail
ous nature of work I have to do.
systems play a vital role in our well-being, especially our overall health, our economy, and in our communi-
How is your work shaping how you see the larger
ties. For the past five years, I have been the Parks Divi-
world?
sion administrator, and it has been a true honor.
My job teaches me the importance of maintaining the integrity of natural places, and how fragile they are!
If I visit your parks, what should I be sure not to
It also teaches me that there aren’t enough resources
miss?
to prioritize this kind of work even though it is very
Definitely visit Wild Horse Island!
important. It teaches me that there still need to be changes in a larger political context in order to keep our fragile natural places intact because we can only do so much restoration work, and if there is no major
Beth (Ramsey) Shumate helping groom West Yellowstone for dogsledders, snowmobilers, and other winter recreation
support from lawmakers and changes in policies regarding environmental well-being, most of the job we do will only be in vain.
Beth (Ramsey) Shumate ’97, Parks Division administrator at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Tell us about your career working for Montana parks. Growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota, I spent most
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MAGAZINE
Caring
FOR CAREGIVERS
Allison (Resch) Breininger ’02 starts a nonprofit to support people in these underappreciated roles. Allison (Resch) Breininger ’02 can pinpoint the precise moment she took on the role of caregiver for her
experiencing strange health issues. A sore on his head that wouldn’t heal turned out to be skin cancer. This led to lab tests revealing a low white blood cell count. More tests showed he had 10 additional varieties of skin cancer. When he contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease on a family trip, doctors raised even more red flags.
husband Sean Breininger ’01. Unlike many caregivers who gradually take on caregiving responsibilities
After months of hospital visits, tests, and countless
for a loved one, she was handed an actual contract
conversations with experts, Sean was diagnosed with
from the hospital, which stated that she agreed to be
a rare genetic disorder, Fanconi anemia (FA), which
her husband’s caregiver 24/7 for 100 days after a bone
causes bone marrow failure and cancer at a rate of 700
marrow transplant that he received in 2010. It would
times that of the general population. Shortly after the
be the first of many medical procedures to come. Years
diagnosis, the emergency bone marrow transplant
later, Allison still thinks back to the moment she signed
happened. “The first big, hard, terrible thing,” Allison
her name to that piece of paper—the most unambiguous
recalls.
turning point in her life. Those first 100 days of contractually agreed-to caregiv-
DISCOVERING THE DISORDER Shortly after starting a family in Saint Paul, Sean started
SPRING 2022
28
ing came and went, and all the hundreds of days since have added up to a “new normal” in the Breininger household, where caregiving is simply part of daily life.
sugar-coated version that society may prefer—enables caregivers to be truly seen and advocated for. This need led Allison to create The Negative Space, a nonprofit focused on changing the narrative for both individual caregivers and systems. The work of The Negative Space is divided between direct services, like one-on-one coaching for caregivers, and systems work, where Allison gives talks, leads workshops, and provides consulting to change how organizations communicate with and support caregivers. Allison, Sean, and their daughter Maya know cancer treatment to be part of a relentless routine. Meanwhile,
Allison came up with the name Negative Space one day
in the backs of their minds is this sobering fact: the
as she was looking at the pattern in her shower curtain,
median life expectancy of someone diagnosed with FA
noticing how the darker geometric pattern was only
is 31. Sean, now 43, is well past that point, and he’s got
visible because of the negative space around it. “We
the scars to prove it.
[caregivers] are a vital part of the picture,” she says. “If we went away, the whole picture would change,
And as his primary caregiver, Allison is aware of how
yet nobody pays attention to us. Negative space is the
society sees, or rather doesn’t see, caregivers, and she
perfect example of how it is for caregivers.”
decided to do something about it.
CREATING THE NEGATIVE SPACE The Breiningers attend annual meetings for those living with FA, and it was at one of these that Allison felt the first sparks of inspiration to change the dialogue for caregivers. She was at lunch with a small group of other caregivers whose spouses had FA, and a social worker at the table asked the group how they were doing. Someone said, “It’s just a gift that I get to care for my person.”
“I put my fork down and thought, ‘OK, enough,’” Allison remembers. She cleared her throat and said, “This is a place where we should be able to say what we really think. And I think this is really hard—in every way.”
Today, Allison works on The Negative Space full-time, using her 20 years of experience coaching, training, and creating mission-driven content. Sean, who has experience in the nonprofit space, focuses on the administrative side of the business. They’re hoping to start fundraising soon, so that direct services can be provided at little to no cost to caregivers. In addition, Allison cohosts the podcast In Sickness and is writing a book about caregiving. “My goal is to continue to spread the word that caregivers are everywhere. They’re tired because they’re already fighting for other things.
To learn more about
They shouldn’t have to fight to
The Negative Space, visit
be seen and supported, too.
thenegativespace.life.
I’m working behind the
To listen to the In Sickness
scenes to change systems
podcast: insickness.care.
and to support caregivers without them having to advo-
Her words landed like a revelation. Reflecting on that
cate for themselves. That’s my
moment, Allison says that many caregivers feel they
goal.”
The Negative Space is on Instagram: @negspacelife.
must soften the reality of their roles, but she believes that surfacing the reality of being a caregiver—not the
—Kelli Billstein ’07
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MAGAZINE
DO THE
Right
THING
Craig Murphy ’94 helps Afghans resettle in the US. Early this year, Craig Murphy ’94
attacks on the US, following in the
ment, so he suggested I look into
completed what he called “the
footsteps of his father, grandfa-
it.” After graduating from Luther,
most meaningful and satisfy-
ther, and other family members
Murphy studied at the University
ing mission the army has sent
who had served in the military. In
of Iowa and earned his doctorate
me on.” Murphy is a lieutenant
that time, he has been deployed
at St. Ambrose University.
colonel in the Medical Specialty
to Kuwait, Jordan, Germany, and
Corps of the U.S. Army Reserves.
Japan. With few physical thera-
arrived at Fort McCoy, 13,000
His mission was part of Opera-
pists in the ranks, he says, “They
Afghan guests who supported US
tion Allies Welcome, supporting
tend to keep calling my name.”
forces over 20 years in Afghani-
Afghans who were evacuated in
Murphy started on the path
stan were living there. Fort McCoy
2021 to military bases across the
to becoming a physical thera-
was one of the largest temporary
US. Murphy was deployed to Fort
pist at Luther. “I’ll never forget
relocation sites, chosen because
McCoy in western Wisconsin.
the day that Dr. Russell Rulon ’58
it had the physical structures
Last November, when Murphy
For the past 25 years, Murphy
pulled me aside in biology lab and
needed to house and feed so
has worked as a physical therapist
started talking to me about phys-
many. The operation was like
in his hometown of Burlington,
ical therapy. He knew I was doing
setting up a small town almost
Iowa. He joined the Army Reserves
some work with Dr. Betty Hoff ’60
overnight, Murphy says.
shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001,
in the athletic training depart-
The army contracted with
An Afghan evacuee learning English from other evacuees who volunteered to teach at Fort McCoy. Photo credit: Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company.
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30
A US Army soldier at Fort McCoy playing tag with Afghan children last September. Photo credit: Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company.
civilian medical practitioners
the Omicron
to provide for the specific needs
variant of the
of each Afghan, and Murphy
disease whipped
ensured that Afghan guests
through the base
received general medicine,
last winter.
dental, behavioral health, pedi-
Through Operation Allies
atric, and other care. “One of the
Welcome, the US brought in more
biggest pieces was doing mass
than 76,000 Afghans. Nearly
positions, and in my opinion, this
vaccination events,” he says. “A
all have settled in communities
was just about doing the right
lot of the guests hadn’t had the
across the country, including the
thing.
same type of medical care that
Afghans from Fort McCoy, who
we receive here through their
were all relocated by February 15.
childhood. So they were getting
A few weeks later, Murphy was
vaccinations for things that we
headed home and feeling good
just take as commonplace,” such
about what he and his coworkers
as mumps, rubella, and measles.
had accomplished. “To me, this
He also managed care for the
was not a politically motivated
many who caught Covid-19 when
issue. Guests were in precarious
“As human beings, this is how we should try to help each other out.” —Ellen Modersohn
An Afghan family walking to the nearest bus stop at Fort McCoy last January. Fort McCoy provided a bus service that transported Afghan guests to essential services. Photo credit: Sgt. Robert P Wormley III, 50th Public Affairs Detachment.
LUTHER
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MAGAZINE
Healing
CRIPPLED CREEKS
Knowing a stream’s name can make people care more about it.
Luther could be seen as the head-
River between Kendallville and
Certified Public Manager Program at
waters of a career in water protec-
Decorah, developing a love for the
Drake University.
tion for Steve Hopkins ’84. As the
Driftless Area and the Upper Iowa
nonpoint source coordinator for
River.
For 15 years, Hopkins has administered EPA Section 319 grants that
the Iowa Department of Natural
Classes in anthropology and
fund watershed projects in Iowa. In
Resources, he manages the state’s
biology, especially, greatly influ-
2014 he began using some of those
plan to clean up and prevent runoff
enced the course of his academics,
funds to increase Iowans’ aware-
pollution—any runoff not being
and he put together an independent
ness of their water in an ingeniously
discharged from a pipe or other
major called human ecology. “My
simple way: by posting the names of
single-point source. One of his goals
two favorite classes at Luther were
creeks along highways. He believes
is for agriculture and clean water-
North American Indians with Clark
that if people know about their local
ways to exist side by side.
Mallam, and General Ecology with
waterways—even just the creek
Hopkins arrived at Luther in 1980
Roger Knutson,” Hopkins says. He
names—they will care more about
with a bike and a canoe. He pedaled
went on to complete an MS in land
them.
the gravel roads of Winneshiek
resources from the University of
Hopkins persuaded the Iowa
County and paddled the Upper Iowa
Wisconsin–Madison and the Iowa
Department of Transportation to put
“ SPRING 2022
32
Once they are aware, they care more about it and are willing to take action to improve the water quality,” Hopkins says.
Steve Hopkins ’84 and Sara Andreasen Hopkins ’84
up signs with creek names within
for at least one farmer, Hopkins
whether it is a drinking water
certain watershed project areas.
says. The farmer began planting
source.
He chooses which creeks to name
cover crops to prevent soil runoff
and pays for the signs from the
from his fields into his local
it would flow in a giant oxbow
Section 319 money, and the DOT
creek. Runoff carries sediment
because he and his wife, Sara
puts up 100 signs per year. Other
full of bacteria, phosphorus, and
Andreasen Hopkins ’84, will
groups around the state have
nitrates. Cover crops help hold the
return to the Luther area, moving
begun putting up signs as well,
soil in place.
north of Decorah this summer.
If Hopkins’s life were a creek,
and more than 1,200 have been
To expand the sign proj-
Their local waterway will be
posted. An Iowa State University
ect, Hopkins is starting a grant
Canoe Creek, the largest creek
study has shown the signs are
program that counties and other
that flows into the Upper Iowa
effective. In areas with signs, resi-
organizations can use to post
River.
dents are twice as likely to know
creek signs along county roads.
about their waterways.
Ideally, he says, they also would
Seeing the signs along his
post what watershed the creek
property was the tipping point
is part of, where it flows to, and
—Ellen Modersohn
Evidence of Hopkins’s creek name project dots bridges throughout Winneshiek County, including signs for Trout Run Creek, the Des Moines River, and Dry Run Creek.
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MAGAZINE
Researching HIV
Mannuku Pheko ’21 lands a dream job that may one day save lives. The statistics are grim. According
tant strains in garlic mustard,” she
relates to what I want to do, and I
to the World Population Review,
explains. “I learned transferable
did a semester-long project on the
the southern African country
skills and genetics concepts that I
development of the functional HIV
of Lesotho has an HIV rate of 25
continue to build on. Luther is the
vaccine.”
percent—the second highest in the
reason why I am at the foundation
world. It’s a reality that Mannuku
today.”
Last May, Pheko completed her degree in biology. She now spends
Pheko ’21 knows all too well. Grow-
When she arrived at Luther,
her days helping in the produc-
ing up in Lesotho, she witnessed
Pheko admits, she wasn’t entirely
tion and analysis of molecular
the destructive impact of HIV first-
clear on her path. “I knew I was
sequence data that can be trans-
hand.
interested in infectious diseases—
lated into strategies for vaccine
particularly HIV—but beyond that I
development. “I learned so much
informed Pheko’s worldview but
wasn’t sure. So I took a variety
about HIV during my four years at
also sparked a fascination that has
of classes during my four years,
Luther by working on projects with
become a profession. “I’ve always
from evolutionary biology and
professors who study things I care
been interested in infectious
microbiology to global health.”
deeply about,” she says. “Those
diseases, especially HIV, and I’d
It was a microbiology class with
experiences helped me to land this
love to have a vaccine that protects
professor Jodi Enos-Berlage,
position. I’m using all the things I
people from the virus,” she says.
however, that sealed the deal.
learned at Luther every day.”
Today, the young biologist is
“The subject matter was fasci-
putting her shoulder to the effort
nating,” she recalls. “We learned
continue doing research, and I’m
in her dream job as research assis-
the basics of vaccine development
thinking about graduate school,”
tant with the Henry M. Jackson
and studied microorganisms—for
Pheko says in a rush of enthu-
Foundation for the Advancement
example, we learned that antibiot-
siasm. “Eventually, I see myself
of Military Medicine at the Walter
ics are actually found in the soil.”
returning to southern Africa,
Reed Army Institute of Research.
The class piqued Pheko’s interests
where it all started. But for now,
Pheko says her collaborations
and bolstered her determination to
I’m focused on strengthening my
pursue research.
research skills. I want to explore
The experience not only
with professors at Luther have
As far as next steps? “I want to
paved the way for her success.
Professor Eric Baack’s course on
“While at Luther, I collaborated
evolutionary biology deepened her
“I know my path will unfold in
with professor Brian Hiester on a
interests. “I loved that class,” she
time.”
genetics project to investigate the
enthuses. “We talked more about
development of glyphosate-resis-
vaccine development, which really
SPRING 2022
34
this moment fully,” she concludes.
—Lori Ferguson
On Giving Day 2,000+ friends gave
$1,143,556 to the Luther Fund in support of students!
“
The gifts that we receive on Giving Day help expand and enhance my Luther experience. From supporting life on campus (like comfortable furniture in study areas and student groups), to scholarships and financial aid, to academics and well-equipped classrooms, the Luther Fund truly supports all students! Thank you!”
—Kaija Welter ’22 Eden Prairie, Minn.
NORSE SHORT COURSES Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12
Rosemaling (with Sally Stromseth)—painting (Rogaland style) in oils using very small brushes. Practice will begin on a posterboard with hopes of completing a Norsk Blue wooden piece before the class ends.
Sami Bracelets (with Norma Refsal)—working in the traditional materials of the Sami people, using reindeer leather, pewter thread (lead free, 4% silver), and a reindeer antler button to create the iconic bracelet familiar and beloved by so many people.
Scandinavian Sounds (with Mark Potvin ’01)—investigating the Lutheran choral tradition—its
players, style features, impact, status, and future. Participants will engage in reading, listening, discussion, and singing at a level suitable for folks of all interest and ability levels.
Sustainability and Place (with Jon Jensen ’89 and Rachel Brummel)—leaning on the
Norwegian idea of “friluftsliv” or the outdoor life, this course will combine field trips and experiential learning with discussions of the “Nordic model” of sustainability in Scandinavian countries.
To register and for more informaiton visit luther.edu/alumni/events/norsecourses/nordic. LUTHER
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MAGAZINE
Alumni moments
SPRING 2022
36
Steve “Duke” Corson ’79 of Waverly, Iowa, is retired from Kaiser-Corson Funeral Homes. Every other summer he hosts a fundraising golf tournament to benefit the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Last summer, “Dukie’s One Eye Open” raised $120,376 for the hospital.
Kari (Jacobson) Aakre ’21 and Alex Aakre ’19 found the Luther College “Reformation 500” tree while in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. They are proud to report that our tree (on the left) is significantly taller than the Wartburg College tree that neighbors it. The Luther tree in Germany has a twin on the Luther campus that was planted by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on the lawn in front of Larsen Hall.
Erin Niles ’14, a graduate student studying to be a registered nurse anesthetist at the University of Iowa, advocated for workable solutions in rural healthcare at the Iowa state capitol earlier this year. Joining her for a photo were (left to right): representative Michael Bergan ’84; Mike Anderson ’99, president of the Iowa Association of Nurse Anesthetists; and senator Mike Klimesh ’91.
Luther alumni met at the La Crosse (Wis.) Logan High School Showcase Choir Competition, where their children were performing. Left to right: Tim Joseph ’90, Sherry (Atienza) Joseph ’91, Jennifer (Munn) Saner ’89, and Ann (Monson) Schoenecker ’90.
Left to right: Ann Baltes ’90, Bill Rosholt ’90, Sarah Lawrence ’91, Linda Palmer ’76, and Kara (Cogswell) Noah ’90 performed in the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s performance of The Messiah by G. F. Handel on December 8, 2021, at First Congregational Church in Madison, Wis. Ann, Bill, Linda, and Kara sang in a small chorus, and Sarah was the soprano soloist. For this performance, they all acknowledged the continued impact of learning The Messiah with Weston Noble ’43 while at Luther. Luther band alums Linda (Bowers) Matthews ’80 and Mark Hengesh ’72 are members of the Weeki Wachee Winds Community Concert Band based in Hernando County, Fla. Linda, a retired special education and music teacher, is a member of the flute section. Mark, a retired band director, is the group’s founder and director. The band originally formed in February of 2020, but practice was suspended after only four rehearsals due to Covid-19. The 50-member ensemble resumed rehearsals in September 2021and is happily back to presenting concerts. 1985 classmates from the upper Midwest gathered to see Linda Harned perform in Little Women: The Musical at the Janesville (Wis.) Performing Arts Center in February 2022. This was Linda’s first return to the stage since Luther productions in 1981–85. Left to right: Amy (Thompson) Wild, Kari (Severson) Toft, Sheryl (Van Raden) Borcherding, Anne Lilleskov, Linda Harned, Carol (Borgschatz) Lofquist, and Sue (Dokkestul) Kohnert.
Left to right: Luther’s seventh president, H. George Anderson, celebrated with Karen (Aaker) ’65 and Larry Chellevold ’65 at a Luther gathering in Tuscon, Ariz., on March 18. George turned 90 on March 10.
Beth Ryan ’95 and Cameron Weaver ’03 work together on Hennepin Healthcare’s Integrated Opioid and Addiction Care ECHO. The project helps communities across Minnesota develop a comprehensive response to the opioid. Beth is a project coordinator and Cameron is a clinical psychologist, both at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. LUTHER
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MAGAZINE
Class Notes
by Erin Dintaman ’23
’62 Adrian Johnson is a
IRA Charitable Rollover Gift 70½ or older | Direct up to $100,000 Are you looking for a tax-wise strategy to make a difference and support Luther’s mission? If so, consider making an IRA charitable rollover gift and create your legacy today. It is easy to do—just notify your IRA custodian. •
Satisfy some or all of your annual required minimum distribution
•
Reduce taxable income, even without itemizing deductions
• •
Use the rollover to make payments on an existing pledge Avoid federal taxes on transfers up to $100,000
For more information, please contact Kelly Sorenson, assistant director of legacy and gift planning, at (800) 225-8664 or kelly.sorenson@luther.edu, or visit legacygiving.luther.edu.
museum curator at the Dahl Automotive Museum in La Crosse, Wis.
’63 Sharon (Kuehl) Stade of Garnavillo, Iowa, is an organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
’64 Samuel Platts retired
from teaching after 22 years at City of Angels school in Los Angeles. He was also pastor of Church of the Foothills for 37 years. He served in the US Naval Reserve for 28 years. His recently published a book, Platts in Vietnam, available from Amazon.
’64 David Ellingson of
Edmonds, Wash., published a book titled Paddle Pilgrim: Kayaking the Mississippi River Headwaters in a Time of Climate Change. This is the fourth Paddle Pilgrim book, with previous journeys chronicling adventures on the Erie Canal, Hudson River, and Fjords of Norway.
’72 Nola Ekern Nackerud is the project coordinator at Bend Sister City Foundation in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Paul Grabow of Richardson, Texas, retired as professor emeritus of computer science at Baylor University. Kerry Knodle is the principal percussionist for the Rockford (Ill.) Symphony Orchestra.
38
Judy Vopava of Lisbon, Iowa, is a retired academic advisor.
’73 Carl Homstad is an
award-winning artist in Decorah. An exhibition of pieces that best represent his career, An Artist’s Journey: Carl Homstad, 50 Years, was recently featured at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
’74 Shelley Smith-Fletcher
and Fred Fletcher ’72 live in Winona, Minn. Shelley has retired from Southern Minnesota Legal Services. Fred is the principal of LPL Financial.
’75 Nathan Aaseng of Eau
Claire, Wis., has published more than 170 books. His most recent is I Wonder: Mind-Freeing Encounters with God. Jon Blumhagen and his wife, Earline, set out on a 5,400-mile trip on nonmotorized recumbent ICE tricycles last year from their home in Orlando, Fla., to Alaska on their Mission Possible Tour #4. They traveled through 19 states in 143 days and climbed more than 182,500 feet along the way. Photos, videos, and more information about the trip can be found at WiFiPedalers. com. Cheryl (Boyum) Meyer of Appleton, Wis., is a retired elementary music specialist. Jeffrey Nelson is a family physician who served the Cottage Grove, Minn., area for over 38 years, retiring in 2020. He is author of a new book, What Should I Do?: A Family Physician Discusses Abortion, Religious Freedom, and Difficult Decisions.
Tom Ninnemann of Jackson, Wyo., is news director for Jackson Hole Radio.
’77 Becky White of Council
Richard Rollefson is interim pastor at Mt. Camel Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
’78 Glenn Monson is an
Todd Smith is owner of Global Assistance Resources in West Des Moines, Iowa.
SPRING 2022
Steve Sorenson of Ripon, Wis., received the Wisconsin Law Foundation’s 2021 Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award.
Bluffs, Iowa, is a retired physical education teacher. ELCA pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn. He has also published his second book, Quarantining with God: Daily Devotions from
a Pastoral Heart, a collection of devotions he wrote for his congregation in the first year of the pandemic. A second volume is in the works. Anne (Peterson) and Chuch Pietscher ’76 received the Spirit of Keokuk Award for 2022 by Main Street Keokuk and the Keokuk Chamber of Commerce. The couple were cited for significant contributions of their time and talents toward creating a positive future for the Keokuk area. Over the past 35 years, they have served the community and many groups, both individually and together, and on many boards. They have been a supportive part of the lives of several children, welcoming them into their home through foster care. They have also supported the Keokuk School District, performed in many GRP productions, sang in community choirs, and supported performers in all genres of the arts.
’79 Vickie (Grainger) Bruening retired as an administrative assistant with the Decorah Schools.
Andy Strandjord is assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Alaska–Anchorage.
’80 Tom Engle of George-
town, Texas, has retired from the US Navy and Delta Air Lines.
’82 Nancy (Hermeier)
Hershfield of Somerset, Wis., is vice president of philanthropy at PeopleForBikes. Linda Munden is senior executive director of the Bridge Home in Ames, Iowa, a nonprofit devoted to bridging the gap between homelessness and housing by providing shelter and support and inspiring a pathway forward for individuals and families experiencing or on the verge of homelessness. Julie (Meyer) Schulte of Brooklyn Park, Minn., is the senior tech project manager at Siemens. Jillellyn Storlie of Spring Grove, Minn., is a consultant and owner of Jillellyn Consulting. She is also a founding member of the board of directors of the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.
’83 Eric Davidson of San
Diego, Calif., is vice president of the Danaher Business System— Aldevron. Ray Hansen is assistant vice president and trust officer at Merchants Bank in Rochester, Minn.
’84 Gail Bolson-Magnuson
and her downtown Decorah business, Agora Arts, was recently featured in the Driftless Journal. Agora has maintained an active presence in the downtown Decorah district for 30 years, introducing shoppers to the beauty of handcrafted art. It has been in its current location, in the Hotel Winneshiek building at 104 East Water Street, since 1999.
Dorian CHORAL RE TREAT
July 8–10, 2022
’85 Denise (Boggs) Cook of
Tomball, Texas, is a retired thirdgrade teacher.
’86 Chris (Brewster)
Radentz of Jupiter, Fla., is the operations and development manager at the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Joe Sweet of Minneapolis earned an MS degree in statistics from Texas A&M University and is a portfolio manager for US Bank Home Mortgage. Mary (Sparks) Thompson of Dunlap, Ill., is president of Unity Point Health.
’90 Tim Cronin was named superintendent of the Decorah Community School District by the Decorah CSD Board of Education. He begins his duties in July 2022.
John Storsved was named dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Chris Terry is the owner and principal of BuildCore in Rochester, Minn.
’91 Erik Ommen is executive
vice president and chief compliance officer at Falcon International Bank in Laredo, Texas. Sven Schulte of Berlin, Germany, is senior director of NTT Data Business Solutions.
Connect with us:
dorian.luther.edu Luther College Dorian Summer Music Camp lcdsmc
Andrew Last, retreat director Charlie Hoekstra, coordinator (563) 387-1737 hoekch01@luther.edu
LUTHER
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MAGAZINE
’92 Kim Capel of Plym-
outh, Minn., is vice president of technical services at Fabcon Precast. She was featured in the March 2022 issue of Women in Construction. Xenia Sandstrom-McGuire of St. Paul, Minn., is a bass player, mother of two teenagers, nature lover, and president of the International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies.
’94 Troy Musel of Minneapolis is a credit review manager at American National Bank.
Jon Trouten of Iowa City, Iowa, is a general assistance specialist at Johnson County Social Services.
’95 Rob Kleinendorst of
Brooklyn, N.Y., is the coordinator of dance at Anne Arundel Community College. Kristina (Carrington) Larson of North Babylon, N.Y., works at Garvin Construction Products. Lynne (Perry) Poulton is the owner of Wholly Organized in Akron, Ohio. She also released a game called Declutter Go! in 2021. Clint Schnekloth started Queer Camp, the first church-based camp for LGBTQ youth in the South, in 2021. His congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Ark., received the Partner of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, Arkansas chapter. Steve Smith of Decorah is executive director of computer information systems at Northeast Iowa Community College.
’96 Tim Krick of Dover, N.H., is manager for congregational engagement for Lutheran World Relief.
Kendra Miller of Urbandale, Iowa, is the associate conference minister for the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ.
’97 Dave Gunnlaugsson of Hudson, Wis., is development advisor at Feed My Starving Children.
SPRING 2022
40
Kristi Jenkins is content editor for the American Board of Radiology in Tucson, Ariz. Pete Newburg is practice coordinator at North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis. Karen (Blonsky) Robey is a private therapist at Counseling Associates in La Crosse, Wis. Tiffany (Flitter) Vraa is senior operations manager at RiverSource Life Insurance Company in Minneapolis. Erika Wachholz is a financial advisor at Quest Wealth Management in Spencer, Iowa.
’98 Gayle (Dunkel) Gort
of Castle Rock, Colo., is expert services director at ServiceNow. She is responsible for customer delivery in the West region of the United States. Magnus Hellmark of Örebro, Sweden, is the head of product development at CAB Group AB.
’99 Erin (Brooks) Croll is
software engineer manager at Wells Fargo in Des Moines, Iowa. Mackenzie (Routh) McNaughton is senior attorney at Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis. Erika (Johnson) Tritle of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is assistant professor of religious studies at Coastal Carolina University. Sara Yedlik of Vinton, Iowa, is a teacher in the Cedar Rapids School District. She is also running for the Iowa legislature in House District 84.
’00 Katie (Brunner) Elling-
son is a library assistant for the Appleton (Wis.) Public Library and the access services specialist at St. Norbert College. Ben Keseley is the minister of music at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Va. Elizabeth (Kephart) Reisinger of Sartell, Minn., writes fiction under the pen name E.K. Singer. Her debut novel, Whiskey Shores, a 1920s/Prohibition historical romance set in rural Minnesota, recently won the Romance through the Ages contest, a contest for unpublished manuscripts from the Hearts through Romance Writers. She is online at eksinger.com.
’01 Tristan Cox is the
founder and president of Wealth Span Capital Management, an independent registered advisory firm in Northfield, Minn.
’02 Ann (Liebbe) Thompson earned an MS degree in nursing from Texas A&M University and is a family nurse practitioner at Generations Visiting Practitioners in San Antonio, Texas.
’03 Katy Dane received
the 2022 Music Educator of the Year Award from the Barbershop Harmony Society and the National Association for Music Education. Katy teaches music and directs the orchestra and choirs at Benold Middle School in Georgetown, Texas. Lena Johnson of Kent, Wash., is a supervisor of social work at Landmark Health. Joshua Shank is lab manager for the Public Interest Tech Lab at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Mass. He also teaches graduate courses in musicology, composition, and music theory for Eastern Washington University’s online master’s program for K–12 music educators. Arvid von Taube of South Boston, Mass., is a partner at Rich May PC.
’05 Hassan Asghar of Min-
neapolis is the chief information and security officer at Hinge Health. He was also named a 2021 40 Under 40 honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Marianne Holmer is a family nurse practitioner at PrimeCare Health in Chicago.
ration of Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.
’06 Sarah (Olson) Cutcliffe
of Flossmoor, Ill., is the director of special projects at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Jennifer (Miller Meyer) Donovan of Lisbon, Iowa, earned an MD degree from the University of Iowa and is associate medical director at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health. Marte Pohlmann of Oregon, Wis., is an administrative assistant with Agrace Hospice. Veronica (Alzalde) Wells is assistant dean for user services and programs at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. Tim Yourison is athletic development officer at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation.
’07 Megan (Schaefer)
Rothenberger is the coordinator for student success, health, and well-being at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Sarah (Putnam) Windt of Charlotte, N.C., is engagement director at CliftonLarsonAllen.
’08 Alyssa Cheadle Pear-
son is associate professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich. Ryan Fordice of Milton, Fla., is a chaplain resident at Baptist Hospital. Kylie (Toomer) Gougler of Cedar Falls, Iowa, published a book, Czech Arias for Soprano: An Anthology, the first in a series that will offer versions for baritone/ bass, tenor, and mezzo.
Kyle Knutson is a staff attorney at the Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee in Milwaukee.
Chandra (Skinner) Jennings of Ankeny, Iowa, is a prevention coordinator at the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Lauren Mayfield is a branch office administrator at Edward Jones in Chandler, Ariz.
Andrew Smeby is a project architect at Scott Edwards Architecture in Portland, Ore.
Katie and John McCormick-Deaton ’05 live in Maple Grove, Minn. Katie is a physician at Allina Health. John is a critical care surgeon and director of trauma in the University of Minnesota Physicians group.
’09 Ashley Johnson is asso-
Meghan Myron-Karels is a recruiter at the University Corpo-
ciate integrated wealth advisor at Carlson Capital Management in Bloomington, Minn. Erik Lehmann is chief operating officer at Vontas in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Phillip Livers of Minneapolis is a case manager at Sun Life Financial. Chad Nelson is director of delivery at Venn Technology in Grapevine, Texas. Matt Orth of Aurora, Ill., is a supply chain promotions planner at Martin Brower. Audrey Voorhees of Washington, DC, is a principal design strategist at FINRA. Jill (Sundby) Yordy is senior policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver.
’10 Carson Christen was
the winner of the Lava Triathlon in Taiwan with a personal best record time of 1:57:36. He is living in Taichung, Taiwan, and is a professional endurance coach. Tony Sellu of Apple Valley, Minn., is a senior data engineer at UnitedHealth Group. Eric Sievers of Sarasota, Fla., is a senior ecologist at Wildlands Conservation.
’11 Elizabeth Harrell is manag-
Allyson Batis and Aaron Schmaltz live in Minneapolis. Allyson is the listing coordinator at Cynthia Froid Group, Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes. Aaron is the onboarding specialist at HubSpot. Sara Bieber is the 6–12 vocal music and high school musical director at the Allamakee Community School District in Waukon, Iowa. Brandon Boles of Estes Park, Colo., is a sportsbook ticket writer at the Lodge Casino. Ariana Cervantes of Decorah is the store manager of Hy-Vee. Matthew Christoffersen of Altoona, Iowa, is the assistant vice president—senior execution business consultant at Wells Fargo. Katherine (Mehlhoff) Connor is a physical therapist at West Des Moines (Iowa) Physical Therapy. Chelsi (Hammon) Jahn earned an MSW degree from Minnesota State University and is clinical director at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
er of new business development at Chemonics International in Washington, DC.
Danielle Koch is an ELA teacher at Hope Community Academy in St. Paul, Minn.
Ayesha Karim and Jake Kessler ’12 live in Austin, Texas. Ayesha is a global sourcing manager at Kendra Scott. Jake is a supervisor FP&A at Abbott.
Jennifer (Winder) and Benjamin Kost live in Decorah. Jenn is a Spanish teacher and private tutor. Benj is a speech therapist at Winneshiek Medical Center.
Amanda Markowski earned an MSW degree from Augsburg College and is a psychotherapist at JLS Consulting Associates in St. Paul, Minn.
Krista Canoy Krueger of Osage, Iowa, is a processing specialist with Principal Financial Group.
Rick Westermann of Urbandale, Iowa, is the chief marketing officer at Life Care Services.
’12 Bailey Aaland of St. Paul,
Minn., is marketing manager and digital producer at Shinebox. Paige Armstrong-Hetterick of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MM degree from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. Paige is a music teacher at the Minneapolis Public Schools and artistic director and conductor for the Edina Chorale. Dan Baldwin is pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Emily Larson of Decorah is a self-employed artist and has made a graphic novel, Masquerade, that can be found on Lulu. com. Katelyn (Bottem) Marschall of Belleville, Wis., is a legal and protective services unit supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Anne (Kuttler) Martin of Davenport, Iowa, is a registered nurse with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Erik Mattson of Madison, Wis., is an operations supervisor at Tegria. Micaela Mesch of Delhi, Iowa, is a behavior technician at Balance Autism.
Kayla Norman of Salt Lake City is a corporate social responsibility manager at Cambia Health Solutions.
Micayla Irmiter of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MA degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas.
Meghan Pedersen is a performance field manager with Delta Air Lines in Minneapolis.
Callie Mabry is communications and development lead at Holden Village in Chelan, Wash.
Dan Ridenour was named sports science coordinator—assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Vikings in Eagan, Minn.
Rachel Stenhaug is cardiovascular portfolio–assistant controller at Medtronic in St. Paul, Minn.
Aaron Rosell is a buyer specialist and realtor at the Michael Kaslow Team—Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes in Minneapolis. Aimee Schreiber is a youth services librarian at the Dakota County Farmington (Minn.) Library. Miguel Secor is owner and strength and conditioning coach at Secor Strength in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Dione (Miller) Stepanek of Onalaska, Wis., is director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop for the La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA. Allan Sweet is a pediatric critical care transport nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
’15 Erik Anderson of St. Paul, Minn., earned an MD degree from the University of Iowa and is an anesthesia extern.
Caitlin (Almer) Barrett earned an MEd degree from the University of Northern Colorado and is a second-grade teacher for the Littleton (Colo.) Public Schools. Nichole Clemens earned an MS degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. She is a pediatric ICU registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Matthew Holcomb of San Diego, Calif., earned a PhD degree in chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute and is a postdoctoral researcher there.
Spencer Ward is a law clerk at Roxanne Conlin and Associates in Des Moines, Iowa.
Logan and Tyler (Carpenter) Kochendorfer live in Kansas City, Mo. Logan is assistant professor of psychology at Rockhurst University. Tyler is the team lead of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Lillian (Eldred) Wassell is a teacher at the Roseville (Minn.) Area Schools.
Kat Marlow is a corporate recruiter at Estep and Company in Columbus, Ind.
’13 Kirsten Hash is a trade-
mark attorney with Norton Rose Fulbright in Minneapolis. Rachel Miessler is volunteer services manager at Saint Luke’s North Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Anthony Smith of Ames, Iowa, is the senior educational sales consultant at Perfection Learning.
’14 Del Ciucci is director of
strength and performance at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Nathan Converse is an attorney at the Weinhardt Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa. Anthony Howard of St. Paul, Minn., is a scholar advisor at Wallin Education Partners.
’16 Paige Johnson of Denver
is a recovery project manager at the Colorado Resiliency Office. Katie Kovacovich earned MSW and MEd degrees from Boston University and is the college and career center coordinator at AchieveMpls in Minneapolis. Jacy (Mahoney) Looser of Buhwil, Switzerland, is the cofounder of Railwayhero, which focuses on traveling sustainably. Nicole Lussier of Hopkins, Minn., is public engagement program manager at the American Academy of Neurology.
’17 Catherine Karsell of
Minneapolis is a mental health therapist at Hennepin Health.
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Anna Madrigal is a performance improvement consultant at Nordic Consulting in Madison, Wis. Matthew Peterson of Tucson, Ariz., earned an MS degree from Texas A&M University and is a senior research associate at Ventana Medical Systems. Jacob Schwartz of Northfield, Minn., is a software engineer at CH Robinson.
’18 Nathan Burwell is a data
management support specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in St. Paul. Annalise Johnson is morning news anchor at KIMT-TV in Rochester, Minn.
Shannon Meehan of St. Louis is a laboratory technician at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. DeeDee (Bradshaw) Meunier earned an MEd degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and is a general music teacher for the La Crosse School District.
’20 Logan Morrison is an
exercise physiologist at Discover Strength in Minneapolis. Trent Ostby is a realtor for Kelly Real Estate in Decorah. Hallie Simon is an elementary music and band teacher for the Tri City United Public Schools in Montgomery, Minn.
’19 Race Fisher of St. Paul,
’21 Andrea Blocker of St.
Paige Yontz of West Des Moines, Iowa, is a practice manager at the Iowa Clinic.
Kyle Clough is an accountant at BH Management Services in Des Moines, Iowa.
Minn., earned an MA degree in history from Illinois State University.
Paul, Minn., is a regional fundraising specialist at Minnesota Public Radio.
Hanna (Dodd) Ferguson is a copywriter at Upshot Agency in Chicago. Taehjona Hodges of St. Paul, Minn., is a college access junior coach at College Possible–Minnesota. Elayna Kiehne is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Daniel Opdahl is a science teacher in Pueblo (Colo.) School District 60.
Marriages ’03 Amber Wilson and William Crosby III, Dec. 19, 2021 ’12 Liz Bouma and Rachel Greene, Jan. 23, 2022 ’15 Laura Peterson and Joe Meola, Dec. 11, 2021 ’16 Jacy Mahoney and Roman Looser, Dec. 17, 2021
Births & Adoptions ’98 Matthew William (left),
’15 Elowynn, Jan. 5, 2022,
’07 Marshall Aiden, Dec. 28,
Lydia Jane, Feb. 20, 2022, child of Kelsey and Paul Vanney
’09 William Erik, Jan. 2,
2022, child of Jessica (Morrill) and Joseph Andrade
Oct. 20, 2021, child of Lisa (Bieber) and Erik Hagen 2021, child of Sarah (Putnam) and Sean Windt 2022, child of Erika (Randall) and Kyle Huegel
’12 Emmajean Marie, Dec. 7,
2021, child of Anne (Kuttler) and William Martin
’13 Soren, Dec. 21, 2021, child of Sophia (Brown) and Ryan Engelman
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child of EmaLea and Reed Bowden
’17 Daniel Anthony, Jan. 31,
Ryan Michael (right), July 22, 2021, child of Stephanie (Duregger) and Reid Olson
’18 Ada Mae, Feb. 22, 2022, child of Mariah Olson Trewin and Sean Trewin
In Memoriam
Notices as of April 7, 2022. Obituaries at luther.edu/in-memoriam.
REGENT EMERITUS Dennis Flatness ’68 of St. Louis, Mo., died Jan. 7, 2022, age 75.
’48 Leonard Ambrose
Borlaug of Brainerd, Minn., died March 14, 2022, age 99.
’49 Nora (Forde) Hendrick-
’58 Marilyn Janice (Sorlien)
Skatrud of Eau Claire, Wis., formerly of Chippewa Falls, Wis., died Jan. 8, 2022, age 85.
’59 Aage Carlsen of Fosston, Minn., died Feb. 26, 2022, age 84.
Thelma (Olson) King of Pierre, S.D., died Jan. 14, 2022, age 85.
son of Decorah died March 9, 2022, age 95.
Thomas O. Lee of St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 9, 2022, age 84.
’50 Florence Caroline
Donna Mae (Ferden) Suby of Madison, Wis., died Jan. 2, 2022, age 83.
’52 Marie Elizabeth (Olson)
Lorraine Mary (Davis) Tressler of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Feb. 6, 2022, age 84.
(Heineck) Spors of Onalaska, Wis., Feb. 3, 2022, age 92. Lee of Whitmore Lake, Mich., died Dec. 30, 2021, age 89.
’53 Charles Gilbert Kom-
schlies of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., died Dec. 17, 2021, age 89. Robert K. Nelson of Honolulu, Hawaii, died April 2, 2022, age 90.
’54 Paul Nordvig of Reno,
Nev., died Jan. 24, 2022, age 89.
’55 Millie (Olson) Anderson of DeForest, Wis., died Dec. 2, 2021, age 88.
Vernon Arthur Anderson of Stewartville, Minn., died March 22, 2022, age 90. Norman Ohnstad Gunderson of Garnavillo, Iowa, died Dec. 14, 2021, age 92. Gretta Marie (Bjerke) Hahn of Decorah died Jan. 1, 2022, age 86. Richard John Landborg of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Nov. 21, 2021, age 88. Ruth Beverly (Novak) Roy of Walker, Minn., died Jan. 11, 2022, age 88.
’56 Nancy (Beggs) Oren of
Cottage Grove, Wis., died March 6, 2022, age 87.
’57 Glenn Allen Severson of
Carol Berdine (Kaasa) Turner of Mason City, Iowa, died Feb. 3, 2022, age 84.
’60 Ruth Elaine (Grotjahn)
Gilbertson of Menomonie, Wis., died Dec. 3, 2021, age 92. Richard “Dick” Lind of Green Valley Ariz., and Sarona, Wis., died March 24, 2022, age 84.
’61 Phyllis Grace Engebret-
son of St. Paul, Minn., died Nov. 21, 2021, age 86. Deanna (Blunt) Roen of Prescott, Wis., died Jan. 3, 2022, age 84.
’62 Bonnie Joy (Ring) Enke
of Wellsville, N.Y., died March 30, 2022, age 81. John Eldred Nesset of Edina, Minn., died Dec. 20, 2021, age 81. Janet Ruth (Osmundson) Schneider of Faribault, Minn., formerly of Owatonna, Minn., died Dec. 7, 2021, age 81.
’63 David Arnold Sanness of Aurora, Colo., died Nov. 19, 2021, age 81.
Lynne Lillian (Jordan) Enerson of Henderson, Nev., died Nov. 28, 2021, age 80.
’64 Ingrid Avilde (Marking)
Wynveen of Appleton, Wis., died Dec. 4, 2021, age 79.
’65 Alton Jay Flugum of
Bloomington, Minn., formerly of Albert Lea, Minn., died Dec. 20, 2021, age 78. Susan (Baker) Micklick of Albert Lea, Minn., died March 15, 2022.
’66 Jacqueline “Jackie”
(Hanson) Kuhns of Buffalo, Minn., died Feb. 12, 2022, age 75.
’67 Gerald “Jerry” D. Falck of Decorah died Dec. 23, 2021, age 76.
Phillip Robert Johnson of Oregon, Wis., died March 19, 2022, age 77.
’68 Gregory Brooks Sr. of Chicago died Feb. 4, 2022.
Gerald “Jerry” LeRoy Bubolz of Thief River Falls, Wis., died Feb. 17, 2022, age 76. Retha (Swanson) Finger of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 12, 2022, age 75.
’69 George S. Curry of Platteville, Wis., died Dec. 4, 2021, age 74. Robert “Bob” F. Hankel Jr. of Marana, Ariz., died Nov. 15, 2021, age 74. Eric Prestegaard of Akron, Ohio, died Feb. 18, 2022, age 74.
’70 Stephen Charles Rankin of Tulsa, Okla., died June 9, 2021, age 73.
’71 Roger Warren Bang of
Mason City, Iowa, died March 22, 2022, age 72. Don Farwell of San Francisco died Feb. 16, 2021, age 76.
’72 Beth M. (Nesheim) Hopkins of Independence, Mo., died on Feb. 5, 2022, age 71.
’74 Kristine Marie (Lerud) Martin of St. Paul, Minn., died Jan. 20, 2022, age 68.
’76 Steven Craig Upmeyer
of Indianapolis, formerly of Tell City, Ind., died Dec. 8, 2021, age 67.
’77 Alice E. Reuter of Yorba Linda, Calif., died Sept. 6, 2021, age 66.
’78 Sue Ellen (Mathison)
Richter of Lime Springs, Iowa, died Dec. 17, 2021, age 66.
’80 Marjorie Ann (Loupee) Branderhorst of Newton, Iowa, died Dec. 1, 2021, age 63.
Rose M. Jensen of Racine, Wis., died Jan. 10, 2022, age 75.
’81 Haldis I. Kaasa of Dec-
orah died Jan. 5, 2022, age 90. Paul Luther Peterson of Owatonna, Minn., died Jan. 30, 2022, age 62.
’83 Greg Lonning of Maplewood, N.J., died March 8, 2022, age 60.
’85 Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” (Borchert) Thompson of Decorah died Jan. 15, 2022, age 74.
’89 Jeffrey Oliver Gun-
derson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of New Hampton, Iowa, died Nov. 10, 2021, age 58.
’91 Karen Elizabeth (Voor-
hees) Shaffer of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 17, 2022, age 52. Quentin Silberstein of Slater, Iowa, died Jan. 8, 2022, age 53.
’93 Craig Arthur Livingston of Shell Lake, Wis., died Dec. 8, 2021, age 50.
’98 Peter Lisius of Stowe,
Ohio, died April 5, 2022, age 46. Elpidio “Junior” Abanilla Mariano of Oconomowoc, Wis., died Dec. 7, 2021, age 45.
’14 Alexander Joseph Kalal of Burnsville, Minn., died Dec. 19, 2021, age 29.
’75 Kristie (Almlie) Bauer
of Phoenix, Ariz., died Jan. 11, 2022, age 68.
Lewisville, Texas, died Feb. 22, 2022, age 86.
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PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Each year, the generosity of President’s Council members brings the college’s mission to life. This multigenerational donor group is the trusted base of trueblue supporters whose gifts impact all aspects of a Luther education. They are the ones we can count on to hold fast to the Luther blue thread that connects past, present, and future. It was inspiring to recognize the new Life Members, who attained this philanthropic milestone in 2021, at our event on April 2, and to celebrate their generous love of Luther College.” —President Jenifer K. Ward
A full list of 2022 membership, based on 2021 calendar year giving, is available at luther.edu/magazine.
2022 New Life Members Front row: Janis (Miller) Lovell ’80, James Lovell ’79, Kent Simmonds, Lynne Sootheran Back row: Karen (Wardell) Austad ’64, Michael Austad ’65, President Jenifer K. Ward, Jenee (Nelson) Dettmann ’72, Dave Dettmann ’71 Not pictured: Anonymous (2), Don ’53 and †Joan Bungum, †Ralph ’49 and †Ethel Colrud, Lloyd Nelson ’51, Lowell ’58 and Mary Peterson, Steven ’77 and Marcia (Hoff) Pitzenberger ’78 †Deceased
“Support Luther! It provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning at a time when many large universities are cutting back on their liberal arts offerings. Luther has provided a great base for three generations of our family—Jenee’s three aunts, who were among Luther’s first women graduates, her father and mother, her sister, Dave’s brother, our three children, their spouses, and us. We are pleased that we are able to give back to help current and future Luther students.” —Dave ’71 and Jenee (Nelson) Dettmann ’72
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A new Luther alumni happy hour series kicked off April 14 at Decorah’s Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. During this inaugural event, new head coach Joe Troche shared some thoughts on the future of Luther Football.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
COMMENCEMENT
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALUMNAE TOUR OF PERU
LUTHER BASEBALL VS. BRIAR CLIFF
Luther College
Friday, July 8–
Friday, September 16, 2022
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Field of Dreams
C L A S S O F 1970— A SUMMER WEEKEND IN DECORAH
Hosted by former coach Jane
Dyersville, Iowa
Friday, June 3—
Alcock ’82
Friday, September 16—Sunday,
ALUMNI BAND REUNION DINNER
Luther College and Decorah
Sunday, June 5, 2022 Luther College
(Greene) Hildebrand ’74 and alumni director Sherry (Braun)
C L A S S O F 2000 FA L L R E U N I O N G AT H E R I N G
September 18, 2022
C L A S S O F 1980 S U M M E R G E TA W AY— R E U N I O N WITHOUT THE CROWD
Saturday, July 23, 2022
FA M I LY W E E K E N D
Luther College
Friday, September 23–
In honor of professor emeritus of
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Friday, June 3—
music Fred Nyline
Luther College
ALL-LUTHER WRESTLING REUNION
C L A S S O F 2015 NORDICFEST WEEKEND REUNION
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TOUR OF VIETNAM AND B H U TA N
Thursday, July 28—
Friday, September 30–
Friday, June 10–
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Luther College and Decorah
Hosted by Ann Highum,
Sunday, June 5, 2022 Luther College
Luther College
NORSE SHORT COURSES— NORDIC STUDIES INSTITUTE •Rosemaling
vice president emeritus of student
DECORAH NAA BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, August 1, 2022
HOMECOMING
Oneota Golf and Country Club,
Friday, October 7–
Decorah
Sunday, October 9, 2022
•Sami Bracelets •Scandinavian Sounds •Sustainability and Place Friday, June 10– Sunday, June 12, 2022 Luther College
life, and Jerry Freund
Luther College
FRIENDS OF LUTHER COLLEGE WRESTLING GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thursday, December 1–
Friday, August 12, 2022
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Jackson Heights Golf Club
Luther College
Jackson Junction, Iowa
C H R I S T M A S AT L U T H E R
LUTHER COLLEGE 700 COLLEGE DRIVE DECORAH, IOWA 52101-1045
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT NO. 148
Singer and TikTok superstar Tai Verdes (front row center, in white) performed at Luther on April 2. He took time to pose for a photo with members of the Student Activities Council, which regularly brings big-name acts to campus.