Fall 2019
Hey Class of 2016!
It’s that time of year again where we’ve got the deets about the college and you’re just dying to know them! The fall brings a mix of things to the table, the freshmen are getting a grasp on what this Paideia class is (maybe they never will), the trees are starting to turn fiery colors, and us alumni are wondering how it’s now been seven years since we first started!?!
The college has a lot going on this year! Luther inaugurated its eleventh president on November 2, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward. President Ward joins the Luther community with more than three decades of experience as an educator, scholar, and academic leader after serving at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, and also Gustavus Adolphus College, where she taught German. President Ward started her duties at Luther July 1.
Learn more about President Ward on Luther’s YouTube channel (youtube.com, then search “Luther College President Ward”) or in the fall issue of the Luther Magazine: luther.edu/magazine.
Check out the Luther College Alumni Facebook page as well: @facebook.com/luthercollegealumni, you never know what events might be happening near you!
Christmas at Luther takes place December 5–8. This year’s theme is Whom Angels Greet with Anthems Sweet. Luther would be happy to see you there!
Jacy Mahoney
2016 Class Agents:
Hailey Johnson
6219 E. Long Circle S.
Centennial, CO 80112
303-885-8494
[email protected]
Jacy Mahoney
13075 Bacardi Avenue
Rosemount, MN 55068-3002
612-269-7371
[email protected]
Laura Vestle
110 W. Grant Street, Apt. 32A
Minneapolis, MN 55403
319-899-4293
[email protected]
CLASS NOTES
Michael Bruins is program coordinator at College Possible in Portland, Ore.
Hannah Burmahl is treasury solutions manager at Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago.
Michael Callen is an accounts payable clerk at MBG Property Management Group in St. Louis Park, Minn.
Caroline Charles teaches kindergarten Spanish immersion at Forest View (Minn.) Elementary School.
Rachel Fyfe teaches fourth grade at Beattie Elementary School in Lincoln, Neb.
Jonathon Gednalske is a trauma sales representative at Stryker in Los Angeles.
Lindsay Getschel participated in an open debate held by the United Nations Security Council that addressed the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security. The debate took place on Jan. 25, 2019, and included over 70 countries. It was the fourth debate the Security Council has held on the topic since 2007 and the first time a young briefer was invited to speak at the Security Council on the issue of climate change and international security. Lindsay earned a master’s degree in international relations from The London School of Economics and Political Science and works as a research assistant for the environmental security program at The Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.
Justin Gibbons is senior accountant at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP in Minneapolis.
Keziah Grindeland is library reference assistant at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, Calif.
Erik Hahn earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Maya Hansen teaches fourth grade at Monroe Elementary School in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Kristy Housholder earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina and is an occupational therapist at ChildServe in Johnston, Iowa.
Anna Johnson is visitor experience and events manager at the Rochester Art Center in Rochester, Minn.
Lars Johnson teaches art at Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minn.
Nathan Johnson is a contractor – account install specialist for Prime Therapeutics in Eagan, Minn.
Ashley Kappers earned a Master of Arts degree in media studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Margaret Kienitz is grants manager at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid in Minneapolis.
Alvin Kim is the tenor section leader at St. Paul Reformation Lutheran in St. Paul, Minn.
Kate Lewis earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is an occupational therapist at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.
Jesus Lucero is policy and organizing coordinator at OutFront Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Kara Maloney is executive director at Lanesboro Arts in Lanesboro, Minn.
Abhi Mathema is a global banking trade specialist at Bankers Trust in Des Moines, Iowa.
Maryanne McNutt is a historical presenter at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.
Sylvester Mhlanga earned a Master of Science degree in business analytics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.
Hannah Mick of La Crosse, Wis., is relations specialist at Logistics Health, Inc.
Deveny Miles is a microbiology lab technician at STERIS Corporation in Brooklyn Park, Minn
Nadia Onsando of Nairobi, Kenya, is an immigration specialist at One Acre Fund.
Erik Queoff is an exercise lab technician at Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Abigail Schaber is a genetic counselor at ProHealth Care in Waukesha, Wis.
Claire Seitzinger earned a master’s degree in chemistry and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota.
Daniel Stover is a third-year medical school student at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
Eric Tiller is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Rockford, Ill.
Shayla (De Jong) Van Hal is the organist and bell director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan., and a teaching assistant at the University Of Kansas School Of Music. She earned a master’s degree in church music and is a master’s degree student in music theory and a doctoral student in organ performance at the University of Kansas. She is taking a sabbatical semester this fall to serve as visiting professor of music and college organist at Luther College while professor of music and college organist Gregory Peterson ‘83 is on sabbatical.
Katie Vorderbruggen earned a Master of Science degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Tyler Walls is an SMB sales consultant at Paychex in Kansas City.
MARRIAGES
BONGANI MASEKO and SHANTAL SCHWARTING '13, Dec. 5, 2018
JENNA DENGLER and JONATHAN OPDAHL '17, Dec. 23, 2018
ANNA JEIDE and Nathan Detweiler, Aug. 25, 2018
BRE PIERCE and COLE HOCKER '15, Aug. 18, 2018
MAGGIE HELMS and MATT KNUTSON '15, Aug. 4, 2018
BIRTHS
SYDNEY (GEHRT) and ALEX HAIN '15 welcomed a daughter, Autumn May, In October 2018.
ANNA JOHNSON and Jeremy Olson welcomed a daughter, Elliotte, in August 2018.