Spring 2018

Dear Member of the Class of 2011,

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 

Aleesa Baakko is the Allamakee County victim-witness coordinator in Waukon, Iowa.

Katie Deaver earned a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). She is associate director of admissions at LSTC. 

Emily Ellson teaches first and second grade at Riverside Central Elementary School in Rochester, Minn.

Sylvie Hall earned a master of public health degree from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, and a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She is a clinical pharmacy resident at Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Health System.

Ellie (Neubauer) Kuennen is a registered labor delivery nurse at Northfield (Minn.) Hospital.

Ufra Mir is a peace psychologist in the Kashmir region of India, and works with women and children through her non-govermental organization Paigaam: A Message for Peace, and as a counselor at a private school.