Fall 2009

Luther Classmates:

It seems like just last weekend that we were in Decorah for our five-year reunion.  Ah yes, another year passes before I know it and again so much is left undone.  Does anyone else keep mental lists of the “grand” things that you some day plan to do, only to find that time goes by and the list doesn’t ever get any shorter?  Plant a garden, learn a foreign language, volunteer more, keep in touch with friends and family better, write personalized thank-you notes to the classmates that gave to Luther last year…the list goes on and on.  I’m happy to see that so many of you have fared better and are being fulfilled in many different ways, through your personal development, careers, families, etc.  I always enjoy looking through the class updates and have especially liked reconnecting with many of you through facebook.com.   

There are a number of newsworthy items happening at Luther right now, and I’ll just highlight a couple of them that I thought were cool:

• Luther was recognized as one of 26 institutions that achieved an overall grade of “A-” or better to win recognition as an Overall College Sustainability Leader.  Three hundred thirty-two colleges and universities participated in the sustainability evaluation.  Released Oct. 7, the College Sustainability Report Card was featured in a front page article in the New York Times.
• Twin Cities Public Television won a regional Emmy award for its production of “Christmas at Luther,” which was broadcast on more than 100 public television stations in December 2008.  PBS has announced that it will broadcast the “Christmas at Luther” program nationwide again this year in December.  Check local listings for dates and times in your area.

Much has happened in the world since we met last fall, and I hope that each of you has been able to maintain happiness, hope, and stability in these unprecedented turbulent times.  If you haven’t already, please give to the Luther College Annual Fund.  Our class participation percentage increased very slightly last year, which is fantastic.  You can make your gift online at givenow.luther.edu.  Thank you. 

Leif Stoa                                                                     
1993 Class Agent
[email protected]     

Joellyn (Kilburn) Veninga
1993 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
JENNY (STIGERS) BOSKING of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the president and founder of TastesLikeRealFood.com, a website business that specializes in providing celiac-safe and gluten-free products imported from Norway.

MOLLY FOOTE of Bellingham, Wash., started a nonprofit organization called Eppard Vision, which raises money for community and youth programs that promote a sense of place and respect for others.

MICHELE (ANDERSON) GRAVES earned the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation and works as an employee benefits account executive at Christensen Group, an insurance broker in Minnetonka, Minn.

BRENT GRAY of Edina, Minn., is vice president-special markets at LSG Insurance Partners.

JILL KUHLMANN is a senior team leader at Education Sales Management in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

TOM MARTIN practices gastroenterology at the Iowa Digestive Disease Center in Clive, Iowa.

BRIAN MEINERS is a district underwriting manager at Federated Mutual Insurance Company in Owatonna, Minn.

D. RICHARD RASMUSSEN is an attorney for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.

EMILY (DAHL) SEAHOLM of Tacoma, Wash., was featured with pieces of her self-made home projects in the Tacoma newspaper, The News Tribune. Seaholm’s century-old North End Tacoma home is a showcase for her handiwork; she built the Murphy bed in the guest room, built radiator covers, and installed the concrete countertops and tile in the bathroom. Most recently, she installed two windows (which required her to both repair lath and plaster walls and put new siding on a portion of her home’s exterior). She also used a piece of oak from her family’s farm in Illinois to build a custom fireplace mantel in her living room. Her husband, Lane, mostly stays clear of the woodshop and quietly endures ribbing from buddies who like to exchange construction tips with his wife. Seaholm says she’d someday like to learn both welding and masonry.

AMY (RANDECKER) SHAPIRO was awarded an honorary doctor of education degree from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., at their commencement ceremony last May. She was nominated for the honor by a graduating Monmouth senior and former high school student of hers at Bolingbrook High School, Kyle Christensen. An art teacher, Amy was cited for the "safe space" for exploring ideas that she created in her classroom. A citation read at commencement said that Shapiro teaches her students to "always be curious -- don't be afraid to push the envelope and take artistic risk."

MELISSA TAPPER is a writer/designer – recruiting, training, and development at Fred Meyer in Portland, Ore.

JON VOLLENDORF is an assistant principal at Stevens Point (Wis.) Area Senior High School.

KRISTIN (AASMUNDSTAD) and JON WALSH live in Lombard, Ill.  Kristin works part-time as a marketing communications consultant and freelance writer; Jon is director of bands and chair of the music department at Glenbard West High School.

Births
ALYN (BECKMAN) and Chris Bedford welcomed a son, Ellis, in Nov. 2008.

KALEN (LYNDAHL) and Kelly Crane welcomed a daughter, Patricia, in Dec. 2008.  Patricia joins brother Bryan (2).

KERRI (DOEDEN) and ERIC GOERS welcomed a daughter, Chloe, in Feb. 2009.  Chloe joins brother Ethan (9) and sister Sophie (2).

Sarah and STEVE MATTSON welcomed a daughter, Claire, in Oct. 2008.           

Mari and PAUL MELIN welcomed a daughter, Britta, in Feb.  2009.

Patty and JOHN STORLIE welcomed a son, Ole, in Feb. 2009.  Ole joins sister Elyse (5).

KRISTIN (AASMUNDSTAD) and JON WALSH welcomed a son, Aidan, in July 2008.  Aidan joins sister Linaea (4).

LAURA (STEVENS) and BILL WEISS '91 welcomed a son, Thomas, in July 2008.  Thomas joins brother Stephen and sisters Naomi and Rachel.