Fall 2009
Dear 1955 Classmates,
Greetings, as fall not only arrived but seems to have given way to an early start of winter. At mid-October, we in Northern Minnesota have already experienced three snows, though it is still not cold enough for the snow to stay. Our weather has been more than a little unusual Up North – a cool summer, a September more like July, and now this. Well, this is what you can get when you live where there are four distinct seasons.
Speaking of October, Luther had another well-attended homecoming on the first weekend of the month. It was cool and damp, but that did not cool or dampen the spirits. The Theatre/Dance Department presented Samual Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”; people danced at the Flamingo Ball to the music of City Lights; the Sampson Hoffland Laboratories, now fully constructed, and renovated Valders Hall of Science attracted many; reunion classes held their dinners or lunches; and Luther defeated Simpson 23-13.
This year marks our classes’ 55th anniversary. Next homecoming, I have been told, there will be a noon lunch on Saturday, hosted by the College, and I am exploring the possibility of a late afternoon reception and social hour that same day. More later. You can explore Decorah-area lodging options at http://www2.luther.edu/about/decorah/lodging.
There is good news to share about our class support for Luther. Out of 79 classes, we ended the year ranked 5th in the percent of classmates making gifts; we were at 46 percent. In contributions just to the Annual Fund, we ranked 4th at 42 percent, and 3rd in the total amount contributed at $190,000. I am very proud of the way our class has responded to this need, keeping us among class leaders in support of Luther. And, I encourage each of you to continue or renew your support of Luther. (You can even make your gift online at givenow.luther.edu.) In so doing, I believe that we can achieve even a higher rank than we currently enjoy. Bear in mind that it is more important that you give than how much you give. When corporations and foundations are asked to support a college, one of the key questions asked is “What percent of your graduates support your school annually.”
In past years, alumni contributing during the fiscal year (June through the following May) have been listed in the fall class letter. This has been confusing for many who track their giving during a calendar year instead. So, the College will be shifting to calendar year results and listing contributors in the spring letter. Of course, anyone not wishing to be listed can request to be omitted.
Also, for those of you who have policies or contracts with Thrivent, you have likely heard by now that Thrivent is phasing out its current matching gift program, ending it December 31, and replacing it with another option. However, if you have not yet submitted your form to secure a match for the current year, you should do so as soon as possible.
There is a way we can support the Luther admissions effort, as well. The Admissions Office has a new program out – the Alumni Referral Scholarship. Alumni can nominate current high school juniors or seniors for admission. If a nominee enrolls, he or she will receive a one time $1,000 scholarship. Just call 1-800-4Luther and ask for the Admissions Office for information, or complete the online nomination form at https://www2.luther.edu/admissions/form/. By the way, children of alumni also receive a similar scholarship.
Also, for your information Luther is increasingly moving toward electronic communication with its alumni. This will not immediately affect our class since many alumni of our vintage do not use email, or do not have addresses on file. How this develops in the future remains to be seen. So now is the time to be sure the College has your current email address.
Some other tidbits from Luther. This fall there were 702 new students enrolled. That is about the size of the total student body when we were freshmen. Another difference from 1951 is that there are far more international and minority students today. Also, not a lot of construction has occurred after the completion of the science hall. For energy efficiency in this building, the college has received an environmental award. Some redesign of vehicle roads and pedestrian paths occurred last summer, quite a bit in front of Larsen and Loyalty halls. New signage for roads and buildings was installed. Plans continue for installing a wind turbine to produce power, consistent with the general environmental emphasis. And, Twin Cities Public Television recently received an award for the video production of Luther’s Christmas at Luther 2008, which aired on many public television stations.
Quite a few classmates took time to send personal notes in response to an email request. I am more than happy to include in future requests anyone from the class who provides me with an email address. I have addresses on about one-third of the class, but some keep on changing. Please send me your current one, and I will forward it to Luther. My email address is below.
Maren Torrison Blatchford writes that she has a granddaughter at Luther; her mother also graduated from Luther. I think this makes four generations at Luther in that family.
David Borreson reports that since retiring he has been able to travel extensively and continues to enjoy bicycling as part of it. To date he has cycled across Costa Rica, Italy, Northern France, thru Spain to Portugal, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Morocco, and New Zealand. More recently he has cycled from Vienna to Prague. And he has cycled in most states in the Northern U.S. and the Pacific Coast, including Canada. Living in the West, he regularly cycles in the Rockies and recently rode up Mt. Evans (14,585 feet). He recommends cycling as a fine way to meet people and enjoy different cultures.
Clarie Renslo Streng Broste and husband spent three weeks this summer volunteering at Holden Village in Washington. They have been there every summer since 2002, save 2008. In the summer of 2008, Clarie and Dennis visited South Africa as part of an agricultural tour. While there she spent time with Solveig Otte ‘56 whose brother, Carl, started Luther with us. Solveig works in a mission treating people afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
Jean Brown Eittreim has just published a book entitled Creating the Class You Love to Teach. Growing out of her teaching experience, the book focuses on teaching respect, responsibility, and relationships in the primary classroom.
John Enge was named a “2008 Cymatherapy Practitioner of the Year” at the 3rd Annual International Cymatics Conference in Atlanta. He and a co-recipient presented results from their pilot study, “Autism and Cymatherapy.” Cymatics is the study of how sound effects the body.
Darrel Hoff sent more sober news. In September 2008 he was in an accident that resulted in hospitalization for over half a month followed by therapy. In the process he lost appetite and with that significant weight. But, he reports that he is slowly regaining both weight and energy. He also reports, more happily, that the 11th edition of his astronomy lab book is now out, and that Jeff Wilkinson of the college physics faculty is his junior author. And, he reports that he and Ardith celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this fall, “and still like each other.”
We are sorry to report that Darrel died November 2, 2009. An obituary will be published in the spring letter.
Marvin Mundt keeps on traveling with his wife, but stateside this year. An Elderhostel in Chicago focusing on the 1893 Exposition and a visit to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield were memorable.
Ted Tweed says nothing of consequences happened this year, though he did allow that he spent a few days at the Vesterheim Museum and the Nordic Fest in Decorah, polishing his skill as a carver of things Norwegian. Wife Janet Campbell Tweed continues her long run as Conductor of the Waunakee Community Band.
And, at our age, there is always some sad news to report. Al Berg passed along that his wife of 20 years, Marilynn, died in May. She was a cancer survivor for 16 years. Al now keeps busy with walking “and other senior stuff.” And, he did complete the website for his Decorah HS class of 1948. Merlyn Satrom passed away in August, according to his wife, Arline. Merlyn had been afflicted with Parkinsons and other health issues for some years. Frances Trosin Rehborg reported that she is still adjusting to being a widow, but life goes on. She and two children enjoyed a cruise to Alaska in 2008. Then, that fall she visited Wales and attended a concert of a an Okoboji Middle School student of hers. This was followed by a trip through Ireland. Frances keeps life full with quilting, church organ, gardening, and walking.
As for Mary and me, in June we retired from the University of Dubuque after almost five years. As special assistant to the president, I handled a variety of projects, the last two being the completion of a strategic plan ending in 2008 and the crafting of the next plan for 2009-2015. This marks my 44th year in higher education. Mary completed two projects for the University – supervising the renovation, decorating, and furnishing of the University guest house and identifying, photographing, and electronically filing the 1,000 piece University art collection. This concludes more than 50 years in education. We are, as is said, busier now than before we retired.
I enjoy reading the personal notes sent in, and others have said the same after reading past letters. So, keep them coming. And, if you are too bashful to talk about yourself, tell us about another classmate or share a memory from our days on campus. And again, please confirm or reconfirm your email for future communication.
Lastly, and most importantly, may each of you enjoy not only a wonderful fall season but also a joyous holiday season and a more hopeful 2010 in and for this world.
Blessings,
C. Carlyle Haaland
1955 Class Agent
[email protected]
