Fall 2011
Dear Fellow Luther Alumni,
It is hard to believe that it has been five months since we graduated. Who could have imagined our four years at Luther would go by so quickly? Using the word “alumni” to describe us doesn’t feel quite right. During our years at Luther, we pictured alumni as those older people on campus with the Norwegian sweaters who tell you how Luther was “back in their day.” We are now a part of the illustrious group of Luther alumni, a group made up of over 30,000 people worldwide! In the past five months, a lot has changed for us. We are getting jobs, going to graduate school, volunteering, buying cars, buying houses, getting engaged, getting married, and traveling the world. Knowing we started our journey together at Luther―wherever we go, no matter what road we take―we leave an impact on the world.
Even though we aren’t there anymore, life at Luther still goes on. Luther welcomed 676 new students this fall, most from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. There were 40 new international students, including students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. In addition to welcoming the new students, Luther has continued its sesquicentennial celebration this fall. We welcomed Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway to Luther as a kick-start to the homecoming celebration. It was great to see so many familiar faces from our class over homecoming. For those of you who weren’t there, we missed you and hope you can join us next year!
If you were with us at homecoming or have made a trip to Decorah recently, you probably noticed there is a new landmark on the Oneota Valley skyline. Luther’s first wind turbine was installed in September and was to have begun working around the time of its dedication in November. The turbine will provide renewable energy for one-third of Luther’s total energy needs. This helps reach the college’s goal of decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions. By 2013, Luther is on schedule to cut real emission by 40 percent. The turbine is located next to campus on the west side of Highway 52 and has been proclaimed the “steeple of the earth-loving people” by some Decorah residents.
Just as Decorah and Luther have continued to change and grow in our absence, so have we! Each of us has gone our own unique way to pursue the next stage in our lives. We posted on our Facebook pages and in the Luther College group to find out what each of you are doing. If we missed you, we’re really sorry, but feel free to shoot us an email so we can include you next time! Below, you will find the “Oh, The Places You Will Go!” list of what has been happening to your fellow classmates. We hope that each of you has a great holiday season and that you continue to accomplish great things!
To Luther!
Kelsey Leppert
2011 Class Agent
[email protected]
Kelsey Wauters
2011 Class Agent
[email protected]
Alex Ulfers
2011 Class Agent
[email protected]
Don’t forget your Annual Fund giving!
Each year nearly 10,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $50,000. 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 30% alumni giving to the Annual Fund. Here’s how your class is doing so far this year:
CLASS of 2011 TOTAL GIVING: $585.00 from 4.59% of the CLASS*
Have you made your 2011 gift to Luther? Only 116 more gifts are needed to reach 30% for your class. Please visit www.givenow.luther.edu to make a difference for Luther students. Thank you!
Please note: Your Spring 2012 class agent letter will include a listing of your classmates who gave to Luther during 2011. Be sure to make your gift before December 31 to be included.
*as of October 21, 2011
Class Notes
MARRIAGES:
Hannah Jo (Wiles) and Alex Anderson, June 11, 2011
Melissa (Larson) and Ben Schori ’10, July 23, 2011
Lindsay (Pruis) and Steve Biedermann, October 7, 2011
Kelly (Ellenberger) and Mitchell Demers, August 5, 2011
Andrea (Caldwell) and Jake Jurgensen, August 20, 2011
Domonique (DeWild) and Chris Zink, November 5, 2011
CHIROPRACTIC CREW:
Hannah Jo (Wiles) Anderson, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA
Andrea (Caldwell) Jurgensen, Northwestern Health Science University, Bloomington, MN
Jake Jurgensen, Northwestern Health Science University, Bloomington, MN
Cody Kirkpatrick, Northwestern Health Science University, Bloomington, MN
DENTAL SCHOOL CREW:
Erin Daniels, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Amanda Eckhardt, University of Iowa, Iowa City
GRADUATE SCHOOL CREW:
Rachel Albert, M.A. and Ph.D in biological anthropology- University of Missouri at Columbia
Joe Carey, M.M. in music composition- University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Leah Forsberg, medicinal chemistry grad student at University of Kansas
Katrina Freund, Ph.D. in ecology, evolution, and behavior- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Susana Hansen, M.M. in opera performance - Wichita (Kans.) State University
Chris Harbaugh, in school psychology at the University of Northern Iowa
Samantha Jewell is in the doctor of physical therapy program at Des Moines University
Kelley Kussmann, M.A. in opera performance- University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Kayla LeFebvre, master’s in social work- St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
Aliyah Richling, M.M in opera performance- Wichita (Kans.) State University
Jeff Rose, M.A. in exercise science- University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Chris Schaupp, Ph.D. in toxicology- University of Washington, Seattle
Jayson Swanson, masters in health economics, policy, and management, University of Oslo, Norway
Julia Walk, Ph.D. in mathematics- University of Iowa, Iowa City
LAW SCHOOL CREW:
Alex Anderson, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Allison Dahlberg, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN
Joe Rosholt, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Bri Turner, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Becky Zierke, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN
MEDICAL SCHOOL CREW:
Britta Dosland, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Tyler Foster-Stavneak, Des Moines (Iowa) University
Kirsten Indrelie, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Luke Krystosek, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Erik Mortens, Des Moines (Iowa) University
Chris Nevala-Plagemann, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Katie Roberts, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Alex Ulfers, A. T. Still University, Kirksville, MO
Jake Wessels, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
NURSING CREW:
Rachel Abramowski, nurse residency program in Boston, MA
Sally Ahlquist, Accurate HomeCare in the Twin Cities, MN
Sarah Allyn, nursing in Haiti
Gretchen Falk, cardiac puelemetry at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, IA
Theresa Frana, dialysis at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Nicole Gerlach, nurse residency program at University of Wisconsin at Madison
Emily Koch, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Karina Koschmeder, cardiac unit, Mercy Hospital, Mason City, IA
Kelsey LaFayette, respiratory unit at Genesis, Davenport, IA
Stephanie Leinen, pediatric cardiology at University of Iowa Hosptials and Clinics, Iowa City
Laura Machemehl, respiratory step down unit at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City
Emily Sharp, Medical ICU at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City
Meritt Suchomel, orthopedic floor in Cedar Rapids, IA
Kelsey Vaaler, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT CREW:
Elise DesRoches, University of Iowa, Iowa City
VETERINARY MEDICINE CREW:
Andy Eisenberg, University of Illinois at Champaign- Urbana
Lance Serbousek, University of Missouri at Columbia
VOLUNTEERING CREW:
Blair Boehnke is with Mission of Mercy in Bangladesh.
Tim Campbell is in schools on the south and west sides of Chicago with City Year.
Erin Gilbertson is a community health Peace Corps volunteer at Portoviejo, Ecuador.
Lisa Harney is at Salud Family Health Centers in Northglenn, CO, with AmeriCorps.
Kate Trigger is volunteering at Community Technology Empowerment Project in Minneapolis with AmeriCorps.
Anders Waalen is at the Health Initiative: Georgia’s Voice for LGBTQ Health in Atlanta, GA, with Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
THE WORKING CREW:
Aaron Adami is a project manager at Epic in Verona, WI.
Kelsey Anderson joined the Admissions team at Luther College.
Kelsey Balk is a project manager for Epic Systems in Madison, WI.
Amy Bierlein is working while pursuing comedy school in Chicago.
Addison Choi is on the audit staff at Ehrhardt, Keefe, Steiner & Hoffman.
Mitch Dietz is a freelance composer, trumpeter, and private lesson teacher in Chatfield, MN.
Laura Forst is a music teacher at Central Elementary School in Norwood, MN.
Courtney Grutz is a tax consultant at Deloitte & Touche in Minneapolis.
Michael Hart is a public finance investment banker with Northland Securities.
Amie Heller is the morning co-host and music director for KQ98 in LaCrosse, WI.
Amber Hendricks is a guest English teacher in South Korea.
Sharon Heyer is a 7th grade life science Spanish immersion teacher in Lake Forest, MN.
Taylor Hjerleid is student teaching at Waukon Jr. High and High School and at North Winneshiek.
Erik Johnson is student teaching in life science at Sanford Middle School in Minneapolis.
James Lewis is teaching science in Abaarso, Somalia.
Nnamdi Okolue is an auditor working in nonprofit and government clients for LarsonAllen in Minneapolis.
Kelsey Olson is the assistant director of the Gustavus Annual Fund.
Jenna Reishus is a research assistant on health care access at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, IA.
Alyssa Ritter is the program manager of Girl Power and a visual art instructor at ArtHaus in Decorah.
Katelyn Ronneberg is student teacher in Apple Valley, MN.
Kelly Schneider is finishing her student teaching at Cedar Heights Elementary and Orchard Hill Elementary Schools in Cedar Falls, IA.
Don Stein is the North Program Manager for the Congressional Award Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Vaughn Tackmann is participating in the Professional Naturalist Fellowship at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN.
Bre Twait is a corporate trainer at Blackstone Corp., a sales and marketing firm in Minneapolis.
Michelle Voigts student taught in Brussels, Belgium, and is now student teaching in Minneapolis.
Brynne Zinnecker is an auditor with McGladrey & Pullen in Minneapolis.
