Fall 2018

Dear Classmates,

Greetings from Northern Minnesota where the summer weather has been not too hot, humid, or rainy. This class letter is going out a little earlier than usual. The plan from Luther is to get it mailed before Homecoming, October 26-28. Along with the usual activities at Homecoming, two organizational milestones will be celebrated – the 50^th anniversary of the Black Student Union and the 40^th anniversary of the Nursing Department. Neither of these existed in our day, but serve to remind us that change is inevitable and essential as Luther continues to seek ways to be attractive and relevant.

I’m sure you have heard by now that Paula Carlson is retiring as college President at the end of the next academic year. By Luther standards, her tenure as 10^th president is shorter than typical, but is marked by some important gains. I note three. In the most recent fiscal year ending last May 31, the College received gift commitments of over $20 million, the fourth largest total in history. The recently started Next Steps for sophomores initiative is continuing to expand its emphasis on mentoring for success in college and thereafter. And the Strategic Plan approved by the Board in February is now being implemented. All good achievements.

In July Mary and I once again hosted the Luther Comes to the Heartland reunion in Park Rapids, Minn. This was the sixth consecutive annual event with alumni, parents, and friends from the lake region gathered to share picnic fare, stories, and memories, and hear from two members of the College’s Development Office. Sherry Alcock ’82 indicated that the College is currently assessing the ideal student body size in future years. Like many small schools faced with external threats and competition, Luther’s enrollment has drifted downward in recent years. The College has committed to setting an enrollment goal that can be achieved and sustained. Andrew Peter ’14 noted the gains made on campus to reduce reliance on carbon fuels and utilize wind and solar more rigorously.  He stated that the college has been able to shift its energy use to wind and solar by 50% with goals of 70% by 2020 and 100% by 2030. Nationally, at present Luther ranks 3^rd among small colleges in solar capacity. Impressive. Andrew, incidentally, is the son of Tim ’86 and Sandra Peter, who were music faculty members and much involved with Christmas at Luther before moving to another school. Also, we were happy to have at the event a 2018 Park Rapids High School graduate who was admitted to Luther this fall.

Three classmates sent notes to pass along. Clarie (Renslo) Streng-Broste reported that she and husband Dennis enjoyed a cruise at Japan and South Korea and were especially struck by how two nations with small land mass utilize it so effectively. She noted in particular the presence of “decked” highways. Clarie indicated that they wanted to attend the Luther picnic in Park Rapids but LaSalle Lutheran Church at Hanska Minn., where they attend when not in Texas, was observing its 100^th anniversary that same day and also holding its last service before closing. It was featured in the Minneapolis Tribune as an example of small churches, many in rural areas` that can no longer sustain themselves. Dave Borreson and Jan still live in Colorado and keep busy with church, gardening, puppy training, and trips – two RV rallies, Amtrak to Yellowstone, Maui. They plan to be in Charleston for Christmas with a trip to Galapagos in the spring. Life is good. I was happy to hear from Dave Fadness, too. He has lived in Austin Minn. since 2012; his wife, Joyce, one of the Dahl twins, passed away in 2014. He spends time writing articles for the Houston (MN) Banner, volunteering, reading, walking, and playing golf but no tennis. He remarked at how much the campus has changed since he was a student. And, he remembered that when his father, Professor Fadness, also served as Dean of Men the family lived in an apartment in the east wing of Larsen Hall.