Spring 2019
Dear Members of the Class of 2005,
Happy spring, Luther friends! I hope that life is good and full for you. Some of you are busy teaching art classes in Texas or seeing patients in your new practice out East. Some of you have been journeying with a child who is healing and some of you have relocated your life and family to Fargo or Minneapolis for new adventures. Whatever fills your day, I hope that all is well.
As I write, Luther student musicians are playing and singing at full tilt. Collegiate Chorale and Cathedral Choir just returned from tours of the Midwest, and Jazz Orchestra sets out April 12 for a tout that includes South Dakota and Minnesota (luther.edu/music/jazz-orchestra). On top of that, Nordic Choir sings with the Des Moines Symphony April 27 and 28 (dmsymphony.org/events).
This year, Luther hosted a number of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary (luther.edu/alumni/events/bsu) of the college’s Black Student Untion (luther.edu/black-student-union). The events included visits from several alumni who were invited back to campus to speak throughout the year, including Christie Owens ’16, Maggie (Steinberg) Hagen ’15, Gaone Masire ’82, Emerald-Jane (Aggrey-Appiah) Hunter ’03, Kara (Skatrud) Baylor ’92, Lorenzo Creighton '75, Barbara Fuller '72, Spruiell White ’67, and Maxie (Jones) Rockymore ’82, who will deliver the Don Kemp Memorial Lecture on April 25. The yearlong celebration of the BSU kicked off at Homecoming and will culminate in an alumni reunion April 26–28.
The Class of 2019 and their loved ones will celebrate Commencement on Sunday, May 26 (luther.edu/commencement/). It’s hard to believe, but that means we’ll soon bid a fond farewell to President Paula Carlson, who plans to retire at the end of the 2018–19 academic year.
After Commencement, Luther’s campus will start to buzz with summer visitors young and old. Each June through August, Luther hosts thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students interested in everything from music (luther.edu/music/dorian) to nature (luther.edu/environmental-outreach/discovery-camp) to sports (luther.edu/sports/camps) to science (luther.edu/diversity/programs/sumseminar). This summer, the college will also offer its third annual Dance Camp (luther.edu/dance-camp), an inclusive, empowering, fun, and inspiring week of movement and expression.
Luther has summer programming for adults, too. If you enjoy singing in fellowship, mark your calendars for the college’s second annual Dorian Choral Retreat for Adults (luther.edu/music/dorian/summer-camps/adult-dorian), June 28–30. And keep in mind that you can host your own event (luther.edu/conferences-events) on Luther’s campus. Your alma mater would love to have you!
Best wishes for a happy spring,
Sarah Clark
2005 Class Agents:
Brian & Sarah (Rouse) Clark
2005 Class Agents
2354 Chilcombe Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108-1626
612-501-9754
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jon Trullinger
2005 Class Agent
200 Lynnfield Lane
Garner, NC 27529
704-488-4072
[email protected]
CLASS NOTES
Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks teaches sixth grade writing, ninth grade English, eleventh grade speech and creative writing, and twelfth grade American literature and world literature. She is also the extracurricular drama director for the one-act and spring plays for the Mabel-Canton (Minn.) Schools.
Sarah (Gibson) Elliott is category manager for North America Nutrition at PepsiCo in Chicago.
Rachel Faust is a cardiac transplant social worker at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Tammy (Michels) Folstad is a pharmacy technician and inventory manager at Donlon Snyder Pharmacy in Decorah.
Margaret Gill is assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. This year, she received the school’s Clarence F. Dissinger Award for Junior Faculty. Gill was selected for her tireless effort to include and engage students in the research process, and for supporting students presenting and attending professional meetings and conferences.
Elise (Chesley) Hasche is office administrator and director of youth and family ministry at West Nidaros Lutheran Church in Crooks, S.D.
Elliot Jordan is a senior Mac engineer at Nordstrom in Seattle.
Kim (Williams) Michlin is a learning specialist at Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul, Minn.
Stephanie Mock is manager of the Victim Resource Center for the Wisconsin Department of Justice in Madison, Wis.
Dain TePoel earned a Ph.D. in American Studies (Sport Studies) from the University of Iowa, and is an assistant professor at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa.
Yasmin Wilkinson is director of strategic relationships and initiatives at BP Oil in Houston.
MARRIAGES
KYLE KNUTSON and Emily Donaldson, July 7, 2018
YASMIN WILKINSON and Harry Adu, June 21, 2017
BIRTHS
YASMIN WILKINSON and Harry Adu welcomed a son, Haiden, in April 2018.
JOY (STUBER) and JAKE ALSOP '06 welcomed a daughter, Annika Rose, in August 2018.
STEPHANIE MOCK and RYAN NILSESTUEN welcomed a son, Johan Rodney, in March 2018.
Laree and RUSS SCHOUWEILER welcomed a daughter, Isla Harriet, in May 2018.
| We are pleased to announce Dr. Jenifer K. Ward as the 11th president of Luther College! For more information about President-elect Ward, visit luther.edu/headlines |
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As you may remember from your Fall 2018 Class Agent letter, Luther has recently completed an extensive brand strategy research process.
As a result of our research and in collaboration with members of the Luther community, we have developed several statements that will guide future communications. We know that you, our alumni, are often asked about your alma mater. What you say to prospective students and their families about Luther College can have a huge impact on their decisions to visit campus, apply and, hopefully, enroll. You know Luther well. You matter to us and we’re interested in hearing from you. We invite you to take a few minutes to preview some of our new statements and share your thoughts. The example statements, as well as a response survey, are available online: luther.edu/alumni/brandsurvey Many thanks! If you have any questions please email Catherine Dyer, Brand and Marketing Director at [email protected] |