ANNOUNCEMENTS

Message from the President: Derek Hartl named vice president for enrollment management at Luther College

I am pleased to announce that Derek Hartl has been named Vice President for Enrollment Management. Derek has served Luther since 2002 and in that time has demonstrated his commitment to the college, as well as the desire to lead the recruitment strategy for the institution. Please join me in congratulating Derek on his new role!

—President Jenifer K. Ward

Sarah Crose selected as Career Center director

Sarah Crose will join the Luther staff on Jan. 27 as the Career Center director. Sarah comes to Luther from the Wheaton College Center for Vocation and Career in Wheaton, Illinois, where she has worked since 2015, most recently as their senior career coach. From 2013 to 2015, Sarah worked as a children and family counselor at Family Shelter Service in Wheaton, in 2012 she served as a group facilitator and counselor-in-training, and from 2008 to 2011 she worked as the associate director for young alumni programs at Wheaton College.

Sarah received her M.S.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling in 2013 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. She holds an M.A. in educational ministries and spiritual formation from Wheaton College Graduate School and a B.A. in political science and music from Wheaton College.

Sarah will work collaboratively with key departments and programs to ensure students are set up for success in their transition from Luther into life and career. She will provide leadership for the Career Center office that includes strategic planning, budget management, program development and developing partnerships with external employers, alumni, parents and graduate/professional schools.

Laura Barlament selected as executive director of strategic marketing and communications

Laura Barlament will join the Luther staff on Feb. 24 as the executive director of strategic marketing and communications. Laura comes to Luther from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, where she has worked since 2007, most recently as their director of communications and marketing. Prior to working at Wagner College, Laura served as the director of publications at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where she was the editor of "Sewanee" magazine from 2002 to 2006. From 1999 to 2002, Laura worked at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, in their marketing and communications department.

Laura holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Emory University in Atlanta and a B.A. in English and German from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.

Laura will serve as Luther's chief communication officer, leading the marketing and communications efforts and will have a place on the president's extended cabinet. She will work across all divisions of the college and lead her team to drive home Luther's brand strategy.

Please give a warm welcome to Sarah and Laura when they arrive on campus.

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

HR updates

Cologuard and colonoscopy screenings
Both Cologuard screenings and the regular routine colonoscopies are covered under the UMR health plan at 100 percent if it is billed as routine. If the Cologuard screening report comes back as something abnormal, the next colonoscopy may be billed as medical in nature and would be subject to the member's deductible and coinsurance. If both screenings are billed as routine, the plan would cover both at 100 percent, but this is rarely the scenario. Please call human resources, 387-1415, with questions.

TIAA individual counseling sessions Jan. 22–24
TIAA announces individual counseling sessions 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, and 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Space is limited. Register online at www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-732-8353 between 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday. Sessions will be held in the Financial Aid Conference Room, Main 27.

New healthcare cards
All employees that are participating in the 2020 UMR health care plan should have received new health care cards. UMR mailed the cards on Dec. 9. They were sent to residential addresses on file with UMR. Watch for the "plain white envelope" with a return address of UMR, PO Box 30643, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0543.

January staff meetings 

The monthly staff meetings will be held 2–3 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 8, and 9–10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. Both meetings are in Peace Dining Room. Departments are asked to coordinate attendance between the Wednesday and Thursday sessions so that everyone is able to attend. For further information, please contact Marsha Wenthold, director of human resources, at 387-1415.

Sign up for Jan. wellness screening

During 2020, employees and spouses covered by the Luther College Health Care Plan have additional wellness benefits and requirements. Sign up for the Tuesday, Jan. 14, blood screenings with Gundersen Health Systems here on campus by contacting <wellness>.

Singing with the Broadway Stars

Area singers are invited to submit a 1–2 minute video audition to win a chance to perform in the Center Stage Series production, "Neil Berg's 101 Years of Broadway," on Feb. 14. Visit www.singingwiththebroadwaystars.com for full audition details, or contact Kristen Underwood <undekr01> with questions. Auditions must be submitted by Feb. 7.

Emeriti Colloquium Jan. 9

All members of the Luther community are invited to attend the Emeriti Colloquium at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in Baker Village Commons. Jerry Johnson will speak on the topic of "Writing for (much) fun and (little) profit."

Dorian Vocal Festival Jan. 12-13

The Dorian Vocal Festival will be held on campus Sunday and Monday, January 12–13. Festival participants will be eating lunch Monday from 12:30–1:30 p.m., so please plan accordingly. Our latest data shows us that 12.3% of our current first-year class at Luther attended a Dorian Music Festival (academic-year festivals) while in high school. Thank you for welcoming these 1,000 high schools juniors and seniors to our campus!

Dining Dollars deal

Did you know Luther faculty and staff can put dining dollars on their account? Dining dollars can be used anywhere food can be purchased on campus: Marty's, Oneota Market, Sunnyside Cafe, C-Store, Nordic Brew, Grab-N-Go, Peace Brunch and the cafeteria. Right now, buy $50 dining dollars for only $40! Fill out the online form. Act now, this offer is only good through Sunday, Jan. 12.

Not Quite Free Lunch Jan. 14

Join colleagues at the Not Quite Free Lunch 11:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in Peace Dining Room, sponsored by Wellness. Boost social and emotional wellness by getting away from the typical work space and mingling with folks from across campus. The menu is pasta, marinara sauce, alfredo, sliced roasted chicken breast, roasted seasonal vegetables, market salad, breadsticks and dessert. The charge is $5, payable by cash, check or Luther ID. Contact <wellness> with questions.

CEPE January Book Groups

Visit the CEPE website to sign up for one of two J-term book groups. Both groups include a free copy of the book and are open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Tara Westover's "Educated" is an autobiographical memoir of a young girl born to survivalists in Idaho who leaves her family and gets a PhD from Cambridge. Or, "A Witness: The Haiti Earthquake, a Song, Death, and Resurrection," a moving account of the earthquake in Haiti 10 years ago, in which thousands lost their lives, including Luther alumnus Ben Splichal Larson. Written by Larson's widow, Renee, this book documents her experience in the earthquake and its aftermath.  

Luther employee fitness classes

Sign up today for the January classes of wellness subsidized employee yoga and Zumba classes. Details and registration form are available on the fitness class site. Classes are open to current employees and spouses. Email <wellness> with questions.

Admissions listening sessions

The admissions staff would like to hear from faculty and staff who are currently, or have recently, gone through the college search process with a child. Please join us to share your experiences of campus tours, publications and communication with colleges. Please join us 10:30–11 a.m. or 3:30–4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the Union Nobel Room or 2:30–3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in Valders 262. We will bring the coffee.

Luther's landscape architect inducted into Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame

The landscape of Luther College was carefully crafted by Jens Jensen and his commitment to "awaken people to the beauties around them and to reconnect them to the biological heritage" at their doorstep. His vision for the landscape of Luther College began in 1909 with a commitment to highlighting natural spaces, land conservation and individual interaction with the land. Now Jensen is being honored for his work and will be inducted to the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame during their 2020 ceremony.

Register for Luther College Community Music School

Youth Choir (Soda Club) begins Jan. 27, and meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays at Decorah Lutheran for eight weeks, $60. Private Lessons begin Feb. 8 and are scheduled individually, $150 for 12 lessons. Group classes begin March 4 and meet 8-8:45 a.m. Wednesday mornings at Decorah Lutheran for eight weeks, $40. Visit the LCCMS website for more information and to register. online. Contact Claire Thompson <LCCMS>.