Fall 2011

Dear Friends,

As I mentioned in the spring letter, this year, for me, has been a lot about reconnection with “long-lost” Luther acquaintances and friends. 

Jackie and I were able to make our trip to beautiful Alaska in June, including a 3-night stay in Petersburg at the bed & breakfast in the home of classmate, Grant Trask.  Grant and Lila were gracious hosts, giving us a taste of everyday life in southeast Alaska. They look forward to welcoming other visitors from the Luther family.   A few photos from our visit to Petersburg are posted at http://tinyurl.com/grantpetersburg. 

Thanks to Bob Melcher for the information that allowed me to reconnect recently with Tom Nord, my four-year LC roommate with whom I had lost contact for some 20 years.  Tom is in the Los Angeles area, teaching math at a private college prep academy, and volunteering as a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo.

This monologue about reconnections is my way to encourage you to attend the 45-year reunion of the Class of  ‘67 to be held next fall during Homecoming 2012 activities, October 5-7. With many of us retired and free to travel, I’m optimistic we will have a large turnout so more of us can reconnect with Luther and with each other.  Make your hotel reservations now!

The homecoming celebration this year focused on special events associated with the sesquicentennial of Luther College, and included a visit by King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway to honor Luther for 150 years service.  You might recall that he received an honorary degree during our time at Luther, when he visited as Crown Prince, and we all learned the Norwegian national anthem to sing for the ceremony (Ja, vi elsker dette landet . . .).

This year, for the first time, I was able to attend the class agent’s luncheon held during Homecoming.  A couple of younger alumnae sat at my table, and as I introduced myself as the class agent for LC ’67, one of them asked if I knew Dale Halverson.  I replied that Tom Nord and I had roomed with him our freshman year.  “No way!  He’s my dad!” said his daughter, Joy.  Small world!  Reconnection!

One of the themes of the luncheon was how alumni can help Luther remain strong. In addition to providing financial support―an ongoing need, an important function of alumni is in referring potential students to the admissions office, preferably before their junior year in high school.

Alumni are asked to contact the admissions office with names of potential students, and to write letters or make phone calls to those individuals suggesting they consider Luther. Contact with their parents, especially their moms, regarding the benefits of attending Luther College can be a great help.  Refer students and parents to www.luther.edu for an online introduction to Luther.

Another way to support Luther is in the creation of internships for current students.  At our stage of life, we might no longer be in a position to influence that decision in a business or organization, but some of us can still do so.  Contact the Career Center on campus for information on internships.

Be sure to visit www.luther.edu occasionally to keep in touch with Luther and freshen memories, and while there, access the alumni pages to reconnect with your class.

Please do what you can to support Luther College. The future depends on it!  This year, in honor of Luther’s 150^th, I am sending a gift of $150 beyond my usual contributions to the Annual Fund.  Please join me in doing similar if you are able.

As fall moves into the Christmas season, may your life be filled with joy and peace!  Best wishes!

Art Johnson
1967 Class Agent
[email protected]     Facebook   art46j

Check out Luther's website for more Homecoming 2011 photos.