Spring 2018

Dear Member of the Class of 2003,

Even though it may seem at times as though the Midwest is still in the middle of winter, we know spring is just around the corner. If this season has you daydreaming about taking a trip, you might get your fix by reading Luther students’ J-term blogs at luther.edu/jtermblogs2018. This January, 286 students participated in one of Luther’s 17 programs around the globe, studying everything from choral singing in Namibia and South Africa, to religion and corporate culture in Japan, to entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.

These experiences have profound impacts on students. As Izzy Michaud ’19, who studied environmental issues at Holden Village in the Pacific Northwest, writes, “My time at Holden has . . . renewed my faith in people and in God. It has allowed me to find parts of myself that I believed to be lost, and it has given me good courage for the journey ahead.” Experiences like Izzy’s are hallmarks in a Luther College student’s journey.

If a trip abroad or to Holden Village isn’t in your near future, remember, Decorah is also a great place to visit, especially in the spring/summer. Consider making plans to attend these upcoming events:  the Oneota Film Festival, April 19-22 (oneotafilmfestival.org) and Nordic Fest, July 26-28 (nordicfest.com). Also, did you know there are two breweries in Decorah? Toppling Goliath (tgbrews.com) and Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. (pulpitrockbrewing.net) have made Decorah a beer tourism destination! If you haven’t been to Decorah recently, be sure to check out visitdecorah.com for area hotels, B&Bs, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping. 

Also, as many of you know, Thursday, March 8, was Luther's third annual Giving Day! Thousands tuned in to an all-day livestream from Marty's and joined the fun through social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more). Overall, a whopping $478,193 was raised for the Luther Fund - WOW! If you'd like to relive the fun (and see the 12-hour livestream), visit luther.edu/giving-day. THANK YOU to all who donated and made this day such a success!

Finally, Luther’s Board of Regents voted in February to approve a new strategic plan: “Inspired. Empowered. Engaged.” The new five-year plan is designed to make Luther more dynamic and innovative in its support of the 21st-century liberal arts student. Expect to hear more about the exciting changes ahead as we begin implementing the plan.

CLASS NOTES 

Amber (Rislow) Harder is a communications specialist at enCompass Church in St. Paul, Minn.

Angie (Demmer) Hietala is an instructional support coordinator with the Department of Instruction for Learning for the Kodiak (Alaska) Island Borough School District.

Lena Johnson is a social worker at CHI Franciscan in Tacoma, Wash.

Ed Martin of Denver completed the level 4 WSET Diploma through the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust. It is among the most sought after qualifications in the global wine trade, and is universally accepted as the pre-requisite to the Master of Wine.

Carrie (Walling) and Jake Nimrod ’01 live in Decorah. Carrie is an associate at West Side Early Childhood Center and Jake is associate principal and activities director at Decorah Middle School.