Fall 2009
Dear Classmates:
After an uncharacteristically cool summer, we enjoyed a beautiful September in Decorah. As the calendar turned to October, the weather cooled considerably and it was time to celebrate homecoming at Luther! As we were busy celebrating our oldest son Jack’s 6th birthday I didn’t spend much time on campus, but will report that Luther defeated Simpson 23-13 on Saturday afternoon. In addition, the campus community celebrated two important anniversaries during homecoming, the 40th anniversary of Preus Library and the 45th anniversary of the Paideia program. Oh, the memories! I taught a Paideia 2 course for the first time last January term – it was actually a very enjoyable experience as a member of the faculty!
Despite the challenging economy, Luther welcomed 702 new students (first-year and transfers) this fall, exceeding our enrollment goal. The incoming class boasts an average ACT score of 26.3, and it includes 35 valedictorians and a larger cohort of international and US students of color than in recent history. In addition, while total dollar giving to the Annual Fund was down slightly from the prior year, the percentage of alumni making a gift to the Annual Fund increased 1.5 percent to 27 percent. Our class made a meaningful contribution, increasing our participation rate from 17.79 to 21.91 percent. Thank you for your continued support of the Luther College Annual Fund. No matter the size, your gift is important! You can make a gift online at givenow.luther.edu.
If you haven’t been to campus recently, I want to give you a preview of the improvements you’ll see on your next visit. During the summer of 2008, a project to renew the campus road system began. That first summer included new paving from the main entrance on College Drive to the Regents Center and from the main entrance to the Dahl Centennial Union. In addition, two roads were removed: the road from the Union to Campus House and the road from Valders/CFL to Campus House. The removal of these two roads created a much larger campus green. To see a map of the new road system, click on the campus map link!
During the summer of 2009, the road project continued with the realignment of the road in front of Olson and Larsen halls. This road now connects directly with High Street running in front of Brandt. In addition, the entrance to campus from Leif Erickson to the intersection with High Street near Koren was repaved. In addition to these improvements, new campus signage has been installed to more effectively direct visitors to their destinations.
Finally, Valders Hall of Science has been completely renovated during the past two summers. The all-new building is now home to the Environmental Studies, Nursing, Physics, and Psychology departments. The most striking change is the elimination of the ramps in the atrium. In their place is a concourse connecting the 3rd floor (formerly the 2nd floor) east and west wings and staircases to access the 2nd floor concourse. The pit survives and is now a much more enticing space for student-study! This renewal project ensures that Valders will be an important home for student-learning for future generations of students.
A campus committee continues its preparations for Luther’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2011. It will be an exciting year of events to mark 150 years of education at Luther College. Be on the lookout for information on this important celebration!
Finally, I want to bring your attention to a new scholarship program. The Alumni Connections Scholarship provides a $1,000 first-year scholarship to students recommended to Luther Admissions by an alumnus. This is your opportunity to make a difference in the life of a high school junior or senior that you think may benefit from a Luther education. To nominate a student, check out this link: https://www2.luther.edu/admissions/form/. I encourage you to share your Luther story with potential future students!
I hope this letter finds you all well. As the weather cools, be warmed by the joy of time with family and friends!
Warmest regards,
Soli Deo Gloria,
Craig A. Rabe
1992 Class Agent
[email protected]
PS. “Luther College Women and Work Study”
Luther Professor of Accounting Ramona "Mona" (Feller) Nelson ’75 is conducting a research project on the career history, leadership experiences, entrepreneurial pursuits, work/life balance experiences, and general work-related perceptions of Luther alumnae from the graduation years of 1969-94. Women from the 1969-94 grad years are invited to participate in an online survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=x_2ff8dDNR8F96f3gdck4Xfw_3d_3d
If you have already completed the survey, thank you. If you did not receive previous notice of the survey, please go to the web address and complete it before January 5, 2010. Questions can be directed to Mona Nelson at [email protected].
Class Notes
STEPHANIE AGRESTA is executive vice president and global director of digital strategy and social media for the global public relations firm Porter Novelli. An internationally recognized social media expert and industry leader, Agresta has been instrumental in developing innovative digital media strategies for Fortune 500 brands including Microsoft, Windows Mobile, and PepsiCo.
ERIC BENSON is a business risk manager at UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, Minn.
KARL BURKUM is director, business intelligence, at Novus Print Media Network in Plymouth, Minn.
MICHELE COOLEY earned a medical doctorate in pathology from the University of Iowa.
HALLE COX of St. Charles, Ill., is a member of the Illinois Library Association Board.
ANDREW GRAY is regional sales trainer at Abbott Laboratories in Woodbury, Minn.
KRISTIN (HOHNBAUM) KLEIN of Island Lake, Ill., is a marketing director for Diecast Alley and a successful consultant and trainer with Southern Living at HOME.
KARLA (STEEGE) KRUEGER is an assistant professor of school library studies at the University of Northern Iowa.
SUJAY LAMA is head tennis coach at the University of North Texas in Denton. He was named by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports as a finalist for the 2009 National STUDENT-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award in the category of coach.
ELIZABETH (FREDRICKSON) MILLER is senior financial accountant at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.
JULIE MEIRICK helped raise money for first-time mammograms with two benefit concerts held in Decorah last October. Beneficiaries included the Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation, Decorah Clinic Physicians-Mayo Health System, and Gundersen Lutheran-Decorah Clinic. Julie is a singer/songwriter in Nashville, Tenn.
ERIC MICHAEL is principal inside-systems engineer at Symantec in Beaverton, Ore.
SONJA (PARKS) SANDQUIST of Leonardville, Kan., is developing “Tree of Life Coaching and Spiritual Direction,” through which she coaches individuals over the phone.
DAN STROM earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
DAVID UPHAM of Newcastle, Wash., is the music director of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra.
SANDI (MIELKE) VAUGHN is a teacher’s aide at Christian Heritage Academy in Palestine, Texas.
Births
LEAH (SCHROEDER) '91 and ERIC DODD welcomed a son, Jordan, in July, 2008. Jordan joins brother Jakob (13) and sisters Hanna (10) and Livia (4).
Lindsey and KEVIN KIRKEBY welcomed a daughter, Siri, in Sept. 2008. Siri joins sister Kaia (3).
LEANN KISPERT welcomed a daughter, Lola, born in July 2006, adopted on Nov. 10, 2007.
KRISTIN (HOHNBAUM) and Keith Klein welcomed a son, Sebastian, in Dec. 2007.
DEB (CROWN) and Joe Kubes welcomed a son, Carter, in Jan. 2009.
RUTH SCHOLTEN-LELLBACH and Eric Lellbach welcomed a daughter, Claire, in Nov. 2007. Claire joins brother Reed (4).
Jessica and JUSTIN OLSON welcomed a daughter, Heidi, in Dec. 2008. Heidi joins brother Gustav (3).
Comments
Thanks, Craig, for putting together these class letters for us all! It is always very interesting to read about what my classmates are up to.