Fall 2019
Dear Class of 1999 Alumni,
It promises to be an exciting year for Luther. In November, the college inaugurated its eleventh president, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward. President Ward joins the Luther community with more than three decades of experience as an educator, scholar, and academic leader after serving, most recently, as provost and dean of the college at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. Prior to joining Centenary, President Ward served in several leadership roles at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, including dean of the college, interim provost, and associate provost. She was also a faculty member at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she taught German.
In a message to the Luther community, President Ward said, “Our work together must be strategic, collaborative, creative, and—most importantly—must articulate what it means to be both grounded in Decorah, Iowa with a face to the world, and set goals for how we can adapt Luther’s past and present for a sustainable future.”
A self-described extrovert and lover of art, film, and literature, President Ward started her duties at Luther July 1, and her official inauguration took place November 1–3.
Learn more about President Ward—including her thoughts on food, art, Twitter, Decorah, and higher ed—on Luther’s YouTube channel (youtube.com, then search “Luther College President Ward”) or in the fall issue of the Luther Magazine: luther.edu/magazine.
Also, while you’re at it, use this checklist to up your Luther social media game:
❏ Follow Luther College on Twitter: @LutherCollege
❏ Follow Luther College on Instagram: @LutherCollege
❏ Follow the Luther College Alumni Facebook page:
@facebook.com/luthercollegealumni
And, finally, keep in mind that Christmas at Luther takes place December 5–8. This year’s theme is Whom Angels Greet with Anthems Sweet. Luther would be happy to see you there!
Jen (Larsen) Newburg
1999 Class Agent
1961 James Avenue
Saint Paul MN 55105
651-485-9770
[email protected]
Sarah Tofte
1999 Class Agent
20 Sickles Street, Apt. 3D
New York NY 10040-1859
917-279-7651
[email protected]
CLASS NOTES
Jacci (Stauffacher) Baker is a librarian for the Mount Horeb (Wis.) Area School District.
Kate (Starz) Boonstra is an extended learning program teacher at Prairieview School in Waukee, Iowa.
Rachel (Knutson) Dahl was named partner at Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC.
Brent Ebling is finance lead at Wells Fargo in Minneapolis.
Erin Kruger Feddersen of Urbandale, Iowa, is an interior designer with Happe Home, LLC.
Matias Nengola of Windhoek, Nambia, is retired.
Lori (Hagen) Schoenhard earned a master’s degree in computer information systems from Boston University. She is senior project manager at Episerver, Inc. in Nashua, N.H.
Kari (Todnem) Wendroth is a licensed realtor at Coldwell Banker Burnet in Buffalo, Minn.
MARRIAGES
ERIN KRUGER and Paul Feddersen, Sept. 29, 2018