Fall 2009
Dear Classmate,
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap – but by the seeds you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
The fall season did come early in the Midwest, and there wasn’t much summer. An early frost was not welcomed! I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy as we must anticipate the upcoming winter.
Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day of the year.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
One of the perks of serving Luther College as a class agent is to attend a special luncheon and workshop on Friday noon of Homecoming Weekend. At this event we have the opportunity to visit with other agents who also have the privilege of corresponding with their classmates twice a year, making a personal contact as we convey news of Luther College and fellow classmates. Every time I attend this event, I am amazed (but not surprised) as we listen to President Torgerson and other college officials tell us how vibrant Luther continues to be! Impressive academic achievements, new projects, innovative ideas, and creative planning continues to take place. And, the facts and figures of the financial business are always encouraging.
It was good to hear that in spite of the economy, 702 new students (first-year and transfer) started this 149th academic year. The campus is bustling and impressive with new signage on buildings, new entrance signs, and posted directive maps. Some change in roadways on the greens made it confusing for us “old” alums, but the landscaping is very nice. Homecoming at Luther is always special.
Recalling a whole year ago—Homecoming 2008—and how great it was to see so many of you as we enjoyed celebrating our 50th reunion together, this year was kind of a “let down” for me. Unfortunately the weather was very rainy and cool, but the Luther spirit prevailed and alumni came “home” and gathered about renewing friendships, and fans sat under umbrellas watching the football team play in the muddy grass. The class of ’59 celebrated their 50th in good style. Some of our ’58 classmates have spouses in this reunion class so they were back for a return visit…great to see them again!
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon, and smart too late.
Mike Tyson
As you already know, our class gave a wonderful Golden Anniversary final gift of $586,684 to the college, and the best part is that it was given by 61 percent of our class! That means that almost two-thirds of our class participated and I am so pleased. Thank you so much! Since my spring letter, an additional $43,000 was sent in from the original gift…thanks for responding to my urging you to do so. Another significant fact is that this past year 45 percent of the class has donated $30,391 to the Annual Fund, and we hit the 50 percent percentage of giving to All Funds with a total of $137,755. I am a very proud class agent, and as the college thanks you, I do, too….especially in light of the fact that I have been challenging our class to reach the 50 percent mark for years, and you did it! Our class is awesome! (The average class participation of giving is 27 percent!) Now, keep this trend up, and remember that Luther depends on alumni giving to help the students and keep things going. Every gift is appreciated and makes a difference. You can even make your gift online at givenow.luther.edu, and it will be counted and used for a very good cause. Also, be sure to follow up on your pledge made through the recent Luther Phonathon call made to you by a student.
A list of donors will be published in my spring class letter, recognizing gifts made during the previous calendar year now…. January 1–December 31 (instead of the fiscal year June 1 – May 31, as in the past). If you prefer to be listed as “anonymous,” phone the Development Office at 800-225-8664 to make this request.
It’s not what you do once in awhile. It’s what you do day in and day out that makes the difference.
Jenny Craig
Class letters are posted on the Luther website now, with notice sent by email to many classes. Others will continue to receive theirs through the US mail. Obviously it saves money and conserves resources if hard copies are not sent. This would be a good time for you to be sure Luther has your email address. By the way, the Luther website has been upgraded…Be sure to check http://www2.luther.edu/ every so often for all kinds of pertinent information on your Alma Mater. For instance, Luther is preparing for its sesquicentennial in 2011. Exciting academic and social programs are planned as alumni and parents reflect on their Luther experiences and are “Transformed by the Journey.” Watch for info on this!
It was a special event when Dr. Helen Strand celebrated her 100th birthday on May 31. She was the advisor for most of our class’s elementary education majors, and some of us attended this party in her honor. She greeted a long line of guests and told everyone she was doing well, as she is still driving her little purple car and tutoring some students. I brought her a big plant of bright yellow Gerbera daisies from the class of 1958, and she thanked me with a very appreciative card.
Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless, of course, you are a bottle of wine. Joan Collins
The wonderful tradition of “Christmas at Luther 2009” will take place December 3-6 with five concerts. If you can’t attend, check the Luther website for broadcast schedules of the 2008 Regional Emmy award-winning performance worldwide on a public TV channel near you. I look forward to being there, as it always brings in the true meaning of Christmas in a way that only the music students and faculty at Luther can present.
Luther alumni play an important role in the recruitment of new students in many ways. Living and serving in our communities, we can spread the news of Luther’s influence in our lives and the possibilities for students to attend. In past years, the children of alums received a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship toward their 1st year tuition. Now, an “Alumni Connection Award” of $1,000 is available to new students if recommended by an alum. Be thinking of high school juniors or seniors who would make promising Luther students. Nominations are due for next year’s class by February 1, 2010. Contact the Admissions Office with questions, and fill out the nomination form here: https://www2.luther.edu/admissions/form/.
Classmate news:
Friends are the sunshine of life.
Sue Smith Gault wrote to me this summer. She lives in Ferndale, Wash. Her husband is gone, but she is enjoying life as a performing pianist. She still teaches piano and enjoys worshipping through music at church. Her house faces the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Baker is framed in her picture window! Her family of four children are interesting…especially a son who is the lead violinist in the Sydney (Australia) Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Sydney Opera House.
Elizabeth Fiskerbeck Bruening of Kensington, Md., wrote “It was so good to connect with everyone at the reunion after 50 years….thanks for so much fun.” She had a mini Luther reunion at her lake home in Park Rapids, Minn., this summer. I met her niece’s daughter at the Class Agent meeting …class of ’89. The Luther spirit goes on!
Marilyn Junker Pyle wrote in an email from Glendora, Calif. “I can’t tell you how many times I look back on that weekend (50th reunion) remembering all the fun interaction with classmates. Thanks to the committee for planning a fun time.” She still does some substitute teaching in Algebra for 8th graders. She talked about her two athletic granddaughters in water polo and swimming, and she has a new connection with Luther because her niece’s son is a freshman this year.
Jeane Brandt Cowin of Ledyard, Iowa, received “The Difference is You” Caring Person Award from Hawkins Chevrolet and Women Inc. Magazine. I keep in contact with her through emails, and she is working through a hopeful and faithful journey with cancer treatments. What a strong example she is!
Rod “Spider” Ellickson has a combo in the Burnsville, Minn., area and they play at a “coffee house” on a scheduled basis. We chatted at homecoming and he mentioned it would be fun to have a Luther get-together at this place some time. Call him for details: 952-890-1346
Lowell Peterson has retired as a cardiologist at the Appleton (Wis.) Heart Institute.
David Tuff of Robbinsdale, Minn., initiated “Adults Saving Kids” and “Cherish our Children Initiative” in the ELCA congregations, both designed to protect and prevent sexual exploitation of children and youth.
Gib Rossing lives in Olympia, Wash., and is the author of “Dignity, Dogmatism, and Same-Sex Relationships,” published by Resource Publications. The book addresses many of the issues raging in the current culture wars over same-sex marriage, hate crime legislation, and the legalization of gay rights.
Obituaries:
Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.
Carl Sandburg
John Henry Peterson of Bismarck, N.D., died March 10, 2009, of lung cancer at age 72. He was the sports writer for the Bismarck Tribune and Two Rivers Reporter from 1958 to 2008. John was awarded Sports Writer of the Year in 1962 and was inducted into the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1975 for excellence in sports writing. He was an avid runner, participating in several marathons. He enjoyed walking his dog and spent many hours walking dogs for the Central Dakota Humane Society. He is survived by his wife, Bethel; two children; and four grandchildren.
John Josupait, of Orland Park, Ill., died August 25, 2008, at age 79. A native of Lithuania, he went on to Concordia Theological Seminary after Luther, graduating in 1961. In 1971 John earned a master’s degree in education from Concordia Teachers College. He served as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, Ill. He is survived by his wife Erna, two children, and five grandchildren.
Finally, until my spring letter, have a wonderful holiday season and a warm winter wherever you are. Keep the sun shining in your heart. Remember, I love hearing from you!
The best way to cheer up yourself is to cheer somebody else up. Mark Twain
Sincere regards,
Leila Hestenes Gangstad
1958 Class Agent
[email protected]
