Members of the campus and Decorah community are invited to attend a farewell reception for Keith Christensen, vice president of development, from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in Peace/Hammarsjkold. There will be a brief program at 3:45 p.m. Join us as we thank Keith for his long and distinguished service to his alma mater.

Luther College welcomes Nebraska Wesleyan to Iowa Conference

Luther College is pleased to welcome Nebraska Wesleyan to the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as the conference expands to nine member institutions. In a press conference Monday, July 20, IIAC officials announced that Nebraska Wesleyan University accepted an invitation to join the conference beginning the 2016-17 academic year.

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Cafeteria napkin holder advertising requests

Any approved campus organization, department or office may reserve advertising space in the cafeteria napkin holders for up to one week at a time. To place a request, fill out the form at www.luther.edu/dining/submit/napkinholder/. Dining Services Office will verify via email if the requested week is available for advertising. Questions or comments contact <diningservices>.

Upcoming Legends Center hours

There will be limited access to equipment upstairs in the Legends Center beginning Wednesday, July 22, due to cleaning.  

Vegetables: simple and delicious

Learn simple ways to cook fresh vegetables to let their natural deliciousness shine! The teacher will focus on fresh, local vegetables as a way to help folks figure out what to do with the veggies from their Community Supported Agriculture share. The class will be held noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, in Valders 379. Registration is required.

Faculty website work sessions

The Web Content team invites faculty with luther.edu websites to attend a website working session, held 8:30 a.m.-noon Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Nansen Room. The work session is an opportunity to expand faculty websites with new content and ask any web-related questions. Bringing a laptop and the desired content to add to websites is recommended. Laptops can be checked out from the library. No previous web experience is required to attend.

Any questions regarding the website workshops can be sent to Travis Huinker, <huintr01> or 387-1417. Please note this workshop is intended for working on luther.edu faculty websites and not external personal websites.

Caf to Community volunteer days

Interested in learning more about the Cafeteria to Community Program? Come volunteer your time packaging leftover food from Dining Services to send to the local food pantry. Packaging takes place in the Dining Services kitchen on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. and runs for approximately one hour. Available shift times and sign up can be found here.

Luther's ASIANetwork grant recipients share insights

Stratis Giannakouros, Hongmei Yu, and Luther senior Jack Rosenwinkel will present insights from their summer research on the urbanization project in Northern China from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 23, in Valders 362. The presentation will include photos, preliminary findings and Q&A about the research trip. Bring a brown bag lunch, refreshments will be provided.

Weston Noble Alumni Choir reunion concert

The Weston Noble Alumni Choir, with several combinations of parents and children, siblings and cousins, will gather in Decorah starting July 26 for its ninth and final reunion and concert. The choir, representing Luther classes 1949 to 2013, will meet for five days of intense rehearsals culminating in the final reunion concert will feature a performance by award winning tenor Eric Cutler, Luther class of 1999. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall.

COMMUNITY

Celebrations this week

Birthdays

July 22: Kris Franzen
July 23: Brian Solberg
July 24: Melissa Bothun
July 25: Elizabeth Steding, Emily Neal, Nicole Waskow, Mark Worcester
July 26: George Hamilton, Paul Savariappan
July 27: Wintlett Taylor-Browne, Kevin Kraus, Angela Kueny, Leah Benzing
July 28: Lance Huber, Angie McIntyre, Payton Haynes

Cliff English memorial

Cliff English, professor emeritus of English, passed away earlier this summer. His wife, Sue (Brown) English, class of 1982, would like to invite everyone who knew Cliff to his memorial/celebration of life at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, in Peace Dining Room. The celebration will be casual, featuring a cash bar and a performance by Cliff and Sue's favorite band, Switchback. Following the memorial, there will be a gathering of family and friends at Your Place on Water Street in downtown Decorah. There will be an opportunity for all who have a remembrance of Cliff to share a brief story, reading, poem or song. Those who are unable to be there in person, but have something to share may send it to Sue at [email protected].

Job openings

Donor records coordinator: Full-time donor records coordinator in the Development office will support fundraising efforts by creating all giving reports and assisting with the maintenance of constituent records. The donor records coordinator will also provide administrative support to the director of special programs, including word processing, organizing event details and preparing correspondence materials. This position calls for the ability to work extensively with numbers, strong attention to detail and organizational skills. High school diploma and at least one year of post-high school education required. One or more years of data entry and reporting experience required. Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Access and Excel.

Database administrator and programmer analyst: Full-time self-motivated, detail-oriented database administrator and programmer analyst to develop and integrate software, solutions and support for information systems serving students, faculty, staff and alumni. A bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent combination of education and related experience is preferred. Knowledge and experience using relational databases and procedural computer programming is required. Should have excellent communication skills and analytical skills. Technical knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server, web APIs, security, high availability and network interfaces is preferred. On-campus workplace is a mix of Windows, Linux and Mac.

Administrative assistant, Facilities Services: Full-time administrative assistant to provide support to the Facilities Services Department. Duties include performing a wide range of clerical, receptionist, and office support duties as well as assisting in administering the college fleet vehicle system. The position requires skills in keyboarding, proofreading, checking and recording information as well as strong mathematical skills and an understanding of basic accounting principles. Qualified candidates must have a high school diploma and substantial work-related experience, a valid driver’s license, strong communication skills and a high level of computer expertise.

Media coordinator

Detail-oriented and organized (.83 FTE) 10 month, benefit-eligible media coordinator. Responsibilities include supporting both Media Relations and Visual Media through writing press releases, managing social media platforms, distributing mass communication, managing schedules, supporting the creation of visual content, front desk management including interacting with clients and key constituents. Bachelor's degree is preferred, with experience in communications field a must.

Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. For full posting and application information on all current openings, please go to the employment website at https://luthercollege.hiretouch.com.

New positions

Michelle Boike started her position as coordinator of multicultural student programs on July 1. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 113D, telephone 387-1320.

Megan McLaughlin started her position as international student services intern on July 1. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 113, telephone 387-1014.

Shelby Nelson started her position as communications and marketing fellow on July 1. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 263, telephone 387-1350.

Leah Benzing started her new position as facilities coordinator on July 4. Her office is in the Facilities Services Office, telephone 387-1146.

Madeline Jungbauer started her position as admissions counselor on July 6. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 261D, telephone 387-1442.

Vanessa Wiest started her new position as housing coordinator in the Residence Life office on July 6. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 126, telephone 387-1330.

Kristin Padilla started her position as assistant director of admissions special events on July 13. Her office is Dahl Centennial Union 261B, telephone 387-1429.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS, ETC.

Elizabeth Steding was one of 15 participants selected for the 2015 Summer Academy in Leipzig for US-American Faculty in German. Funded by Fulbright and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the two-week program focused on higher education in Germany and teaching German as a foreign language.

Anna Peterson's article,"'Et skjærende misforhold mellom lovens hensikt og dens virkninger': Single Mothers and Midwives Respond to the Castberg Laws, 1916-1940," was recently published in the top Norwegian history journal, "Historisk tidsskrift."

Destiny Crider has published a commentary article, "Advocating for Liberal Arts Education, Anthropology Collections and Museum Practice" in the recent issue of "Practicing Anthropology" (Vol 37:3, Summer 2015) in the special issue on contemporary work in Museums.

Andy Hageman presented his paper "Science Fiction, Media Archaeology, Ecocinema Pedagogy" at the Biennial Conference of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE), June 24.

Jon Christy is one of 28 administrators in higher education selected in a nationwide search by the Council of Independent Colleges to participate in a year-long Senior Leadership Academy. Christy will participate in two seminars in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.; undertake a mentoring program; work with experts; participate in webinars; and engage in a series of readings and case studies during the 2015-16 academic year.

Andy Hageman published a book review of D. Harlan Wilson's critical study of the cult masterpiece film "They Live" in the journal "Extrapolation." http://online.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/extr/56/2.

Jerry Johnson, former director of public relations at Luther, will be the guest author at a book signing 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Java John's Coffee House in Decorah. Java John’s and Dragonfly Books are hosting the book signing session with Johnson for his latest book, "Old Coots Never Forget." Copies of his previous works, "Hunting Birds" and "Crazy Old Coot," will also be available. Johnson's books are also available at the Luther Book Shop.

Summer research at Luther

Erin Ellefsen, a junior from Indianapolis, Indiana, and John Doorenbos, a senior from Grinnell, Iowa, have been selected to do collaborative research over the summer to formulate a mathematical model to understand what proportion of individuals in a community need to be vaccinated in order to gain herd immunity. Their research with Kyle Fey, Luther assistant professor of mathematics, focuses on how the particular structure of the community affects the proportion of immune individuals required.

Using the method of text painting—taking literature and weaving in music that reflects the text—Pablo Gómez-Estévez, a sophomore from Santiago, Dominican Republic, is collaborating with Brooke Joyce, Luther associate professor of music and composer-in-residence, and compose a piano suite for the children's book he wrote last summer titled "Lulito." The story follows Lulito, a four-year-old boy, and his toy, Charlie Canillas, as they venture out into the world for the first time. The story has 11 scenes with corresponding musical movements.

Whether building a pyramid or designing an engine, friction has long been a prominent factor in human innovation. Investors must take into account the effects of friction on materials. Jesse Hitz Graff, a senior from Winona, Minnesota, is working with Erin Flater, Luther associate professor of physics experimenting with aluminum oxide to determine how the compound fares when friction is taken into account in certain technologies.

To create a more complete picture of Malala Yousafzai, Keziah Grindeland, Luther College senior of Salem, Oregon, is working with Todd Green, Luther assistant professor of religion, to research how western media narratives of Yousafzai compare to how she understands her own religious identity.

Sandra Cardenas, Luther senior of Coachella, California, is working with Angela Kueny, assistant professor in nursing, on the research project "Amish reported use and need for vitamins for family members with hemophilia" over the course of the summer.

Brittany Anderson, Luther College senior, and Maryna Bazylevych, Luther assistant professor of anthropology and women & gender studies, have completed fieldwork research in Ukraine sponsored by the Nena Amundson Professorship Award. They conducted focus group discussions about health and wellness ideas and practices with close to 120 students attending Khmelnytskyi National University as well as other young people. Anderson and Bazylevych are now embarking on data analysis and will prepare to present their research findings spring 2016. An article about their visit was published online in Ukraine: http://khnu.km.ua/root/page.aspx?r=8&p=10060.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For sale: Various pieces of furniture. Outdoor table and four chairs with new cushions, $125. Outdoor wood and wrought iron bench, $20. Antique upholstered rocking chair, $20. Older wall unit, $15. Oak roll-top desk, $250. Contact Ann, <highuman> or 380-9808.

For hire: Responsible and capable 18-year-old interested in picking up babysitting hours. Loves kids and is in town for the rest of the summer. Contact Victoria Christman with job offers, <chrivi02> or 382-6253.

For sale: Dog kennel featuring six 6' high chain link panels, one with door. Can be configured as 10x22ft or 20x12ft. Good condition. New $410. Selling for $200. Will deliver locally for a small fee. Call Kent Lee, 419-5681.

Volunteer drivers needed: Looking for volunteer Nordic Fest shuttle drivers Friday and Saturday, July 24-25 from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. The shuttle takes passengers from campus to downtown Decorah and back. Drivers must be at least 20 years old and approved to drive by Facilities Services. If interested in driving, please contact Leah Benzing, 387-1146 or <benzle02>.

For sale: Three used aquariums: 29-gallon tank with stand, 20 gallon long tank and 20 gallon tall tank. Planted tank substrate, enough for one tank; used filters and filter media; glass tops; CO2 equipment; large air pump; and other tools and decorations. $50. Contact Jeff, <naatje01>.

Golfers wanted: The United Way of Winneshiek County is seeking golfers for its 13th annual golf benefit. The benefit is Monday, Aug. 3, at Oneota Golf & Country Club. There will be prizes for top flight, flag events and a chance for a Cadillac if you shoot a hole in one! Please contact Kim Bohr, <bohrki01>; Peggy Lensing, <lensingpe>; or Ellen Modersohn, <modeel01>. Or visit our website at: www.unitedwaywinnco.org.

For sale: Garage. Located near Decorah. In good shape and can be moved. $500. Contact Michelle Larson, (507) 251-2616.

For sale: TV stand. Located in Decorah. $50. Contact Michelle Larson, (507) 251-2616.

For sale: Straight run of bantam-mix chicks. Hatched about June 20. Eleven chicks available. $2.50 each for choice or $20 for all of them. Photos available upon request. Contact Julie, 419-3248 or <stromjul>.

For sale: '95 Ford F150. Extended 8' Cab. XLT Grille Guard. Good motor. $900 or best offer. Call Joyce or Matt, 419-3146.

Wanted: House and cat sitter needed Aug. 25-Sept. 9 for a condo two blocks south of campus. Paid position. Contact Dennis and Carol Tack, <[email protected]> or (641) 220-4562.

For sale: Roland EM-10 electric keyboard. Due for a maintenance check. $70. Yamaha sustaining pedal, add $15. LL Bean luggage piece. 18"x10"x26". One-way rollers. Some scuffs from flight handling, but well-made and still structurally sound. $40. The Chi Machine Therapeutic Massager. Barely used. $60. Quick Kleen Sanitaire 840 watts vacuum cleaner, floor use only. Spare bags included.  $40. Contact Jessica, <pauljess> or 382-8625.

Free: Used Danby refrigerator. 18"x18"x20". Contact Jessica, <pauljess> or 382-8625.

Wanted: Free or reasonably priced child-sized car seat and child booster seat. Needed for two grandsons visiting Decorah and Upper Midwest. Contact Dennis Magnuson, 382-4423 or <magnusde>.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

And finally...

Today is the 64th birthday of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams. Although the world lost Williams last year, his many works, from "Hook" to "Dead Poets Society" to "Night at the Museum," continue to inspire and bring joy to the lives of countless people around the globe.