Fall 2015
Dear Classmates of 2000,
This year’s Homecoming festivities were especially memorable as many of us were able to come together for fellowship and to celebrate our 15-year class reunion. What a wonderful night, full of much storytelling and laughter. I was struck by how many people attended the reunion and how conversations flowed easily from one group to another. Snippets of conversations were heard regarding families, careers, and travel, but most of the conversations were focused on “the good old days.” My particular table was laughing so hard many of us were crying. Oh…those were good times!
That evening we had the privilege of presenting, on behalf of our class, a lifetime giving check to President Paula J. Carlson. Our lifetime giving amount was $291,571.28. To say I was humbled to present that check is an understatement. I am sincerely proud to be surrounded by classmates that are generous stewards of their time, talent, and financial resources.
That evening President Carlson spoke about how many colleges (but not Luther) are moving away from class reunions, because attendance is too low and alumni don’t feel the need to return to campus. On the contrary, I felt a stronger sense of community at this reunion than at our 10-year celebration. Perhaps as we are aging we are drawn to think even more about the future. Where do we want our children, nieces, or nephews to attend school? Will they find their “spot?” Will they be loved and accepted for who they are and who they will become? I hope that you will continue to support Luther in the coming year, thus enabling current Luther students to enjoy their “home away from home.”
If you were unable to attend this year’s class reunion, please know you were thought of fondly and missed. As the L-U cheer was chanted, we were thinking of classmates not with us and holding you dear to our hearts. Until we meet again, Soli Deo Gloria!
Warmly,
Jenn (Potter) Walker
2000 Class Agent
[email protected]
Andrew Haase
2000 Class Agent
[email protected]
Your gift. Every year. Put to work, right away, where it is needed most.
Each year over 9,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $75,000. Strong support from alumni helps Luther secure additional funds from foundations and corporations, and your gift each year helps us to reach our goal of 27% alumni giving. Here’s how your class is doing so far this year:
CLASS OF 2000 TOTAL GIVING: $15,535.00 FROM 10.59% OF THE CLASS*
Have you made your 2015 gift to Luther? Only 89 more gifts are needed to reach 27% for your class. Please visit www.givenow.luther.edu to make your gift today. Thank you!
Please note: Your Spring 2016 class agent letter will include a listing of your classmates who gave to Luther during 2015. Be sure to make your gift before December 31 to be included.
*as of October 1, 2015
Class Notes
TIMOTHY BAARDSETH of Minneapolis is a licensed staff psychologist at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He is also an adjunct assistant professor in counseling and psychological services at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
SUSAN (HOEPPNER) BAUS is campus office and community education supervisor for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Sturgeon Bay.
MATT BROWN is the economic development coordinator for the City of Coon Rapids, Iowa.
MATTHEW CHADWICK is CTO for Scrimmage in Minneapolis.
BRANDON DEAN received the 2014 Swenson-Bunn Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence at Gustavus Adolphus College Honor’s Day Convocation in Spring 2014.
KATIE (BRUNNER) ELLINGSON is library service associate at the Brown County Library in Green Bay, Wis.
COLIN FARBOTKO - husband, son, brother, friend, colleague, triathlete, and humorist - died October 15, 2012, after a valiant 6-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). A team of Colin’s many Luther friends (KEVIN FRANTZ, MARNEY OLSON 99’, KIM FRANTZ, PETE SCHONEBAUM, and TIMOTHY BAARDSETH) have recently formed iColin Classic Limited, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Colin. The initial goal is to raise $15,000 that will be used to support people living with ALS, and to begin establishing an endowed memorial scholarship at Luther College in Colin’s memory. The inaugural iColin Classic event will be a golf scramble and dinner banquet at Brackett's Crossing Country Club in the Twin Cities on Monday, September 26, 2016. In order to meet the initial goal, commitments are being sought from businesses and individuals in the form of event participation, sponsorship, or donations. Please visit the website for registration, donations, and sponsorship details: http://icolinclassic.blogspot.com/ and visit the iColin Classic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/icolinclassic/.
MELISSA MORRISSEY GILKERSON and NATHAN GILKERSON live in Whitefish Bay, Wis. Melissa is senior director of marketing and corporate communications for StayWell Health Management. Nathan received the 2014 Dean’s Award for teaching from the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University, where he is assistant professor of public relations.
KATHRYN GREEN is director of advancement operations for Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
MARK HADDINGER is an admissions counselor for Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.
DARCY HENDRIKS teaches music at Concordia International School in Shanghai, China.
STEVE HESTON of Britt, Iowa, is the director of choral activities for grades 3-8 for the West Hancock CSD.
CHARLIE LEONARD was featured in an article (“Wayzata theater company helps young actors reach for the stars”) that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune for his work as founder and executive director and artistic director of the Blue Water Theatre Company. Since the theatre began in 2007, it has offered a steady diet of four main stage-type musicals a year, plus a handful of smaller productions, including a student-directed show. The theatre company caters mainly to students in grades 6 to 12 and has served more than 400 young aspiring actors and actresses since its founding.
CHINGWELL MUTOMBU is development director at Digital Divide Data in San Francisco.
KYM (WAKELAND) PARODO is partner relations consultant at Zywave, Inc., in Milwaukee.
JASON RICHARD is accounting professor and CPA at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
MISSY (JOHNSON) SERWE earned a doctor of nursing practice degree from Concordia University Wisconsin. She is on the nursing program faculty at Madison College in Reedsburg, Wis.
TIM STATON and his wife, Ryann, started the Cargo Bike Shop in Madison, Wis. They specialize in commuting bikes, work bikes and cargo bikes, and sell the Bullitt, manufactured by the Danish firm Larry vs. Harry and imported through Splendid Cycles. They also sell the Xtracycle, a long-tail style bike with an extended backend for hauling things, including kids.
Marriages
SHANA DEETS and Jonathan Inkman, July 13, 2013
STEVE HESTON and Stacy Olmstead, April 25, 2015
LUKE KLECKNER and Anna Briggs, Aug. 31, 2014
BECKI MENSING and Pete LeGrant, Nov. 1, 2014
KYM WAKELAND and Ryan Parodo, March 1, 2014
Births
Samantha and MATTHEW CHADWICK welcomed a daughter, Evey, in December 2012.
MARTHA (OLSON) and Tony Jensen welcomed a daughter, Aleia Clara Joy, in July 2014. Aleia joins sister Aurora.
Anna and LUKE KLECKNER welcomed a daughter, Lily, in March 2015.
HOLLY (RIEBE) ’01 and TRAVIS MOREHEAD welcomed a son, Eliot, in April 2012. Eliot joins brother Maxwell.
STEPHANIE (JAEGER) and Brian Paulson welcomed a daughter, Olivia, in July 2013. Olivia joins sister Sydney.
LEAH (EMBRETSON) and DAVID PIERCE '93 welcomed a daughter, Huldah Betty, in December 2014.
ELISSA (MAGEE) and Jake Richmond welcomed a daughter, Magee, in January 2015. Magee joins brothers Jonas and Andre.
MEGAN (JOHNSON) and Charles Wandag welcomed a son, Zion Kai, in January 2013. Zion joins brother Jahzen.
CRISTIN (GRANT) and Bob Waterbury welcomed a daughter, Anna Ruth, in November 2014. Anna joins sister Elizabeth.
JANE (MCDERMOTT) '02 and KENNY WHEELER welcomed a daughter, Skye Linnae, in August 2015. Skye joins sisters Maya and Brooklyn.
Are you an eligible Thrivent Financial member with Choice Dollars® to direct?
Do you know you can direct those dollars to Luther College? You can have an impact on current and future students with the click of a mouse (or a quick phone call)!
Online:
- Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.
- Scroll down and select the “Get Started” button in the “Direct Choice Dollars” section. Log in and enter your user ID and password, and answer your security question. (If you haven’t yet registered on Thrivent.com, click “Register for account access” to do so.)
- Find the number of Choice Dollars available to direct on the right side of the screen.
- Search the catalog of organizations to find Luther College.
- Click on “Direct Now” to direct designated Choice Dollars.
By phone:
- Call 800-847-4836 and when prompted, say “Thrivent Choice.”
- Press 1 to direct Choice Dollars or 2 to hear Thrivent Choice program terms
and conditions. (If prompted, say or enter your phone number and date of birth.) - A representative will work with you to direct Choice Dollars.
You may be able to DOUBLE OR TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT
WITH EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFTS
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, visit www.matchinggifts.com/luther or ask your human resources representative.
If your company is eligible, you can request a matching gift form from your employer, fill it out, and send it to Luther with your gift. We’ll do the rest!
The impact of your gift to Luther College may be doubled or possibly tripled! Some companies match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses, too.
Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-225-8664, or email [email protected]
