COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Christmas at Luther ticket notice

Current faculty, staff, emeriti and non-performing students may secure tickets online for Christmas at Luther 2019: Whom Angels Greet with Anthems Sweet starting Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. For detailed information, please check out the Christmas at Luther ticketing webpage. Tickets may also be secured in person at the Ticket Office. Faculty, staff and emeriti will receive an email message on Friday, Sept. 27 with the promotional code that will unlock the buying option online. Students will need to sign in to their Audience View account to claim their ticket. Priority status exists until Oct. 8, when ticket sales will open to alumni and parents of students not performing.

Directory notice

Preparation for the print version of the 2019–20 Luther College faculty-staff directory has begun. Faculty and staff should review their current information in the online directory and report any changes to title, office address, office phone number or Luther email to HR, <hr>.

Requesting suggestions for Summer Read

The Paideia Planning Committee invites your suggestions for the 2020 Summer Read. The book should be no longer than 300 pages, be accessible to incoming college students and offer rich discussion possibilities on topics that matter. Email your suggestions to [email protected].

Last call for the 2019–20 season of Lifelong Learner Seminars

Our seminars offer people the opportunity to enjoy the academic programs at the college and engage in meaningful scholarly dialogue and study. Each seminar lasts for one month (four Wednesday sessions from 9 a.m. to noon) during October, November, February and March. Total cost for each seminar is $30. The program includes morning refreshments, coffee and tea. Class size is limited. Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 27.

New York Times online and mobile subscription

Preus Library and the Student Senate continue to provide all students, faculty and staff complimentary access to NYTimes.com and NYT mobile apps. Visit the registration page to create an account or recertify an existing account. Contact Freeda Brook <fbrook> with questions.

Aquatic Center hours beginning Sept. 23

Monday: 6–9 a.m.*, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:15–9 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesday: 6–9 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Thursday: 6–9 a.m.*, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Friday: 7:15–9 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

*There will be limited lane space on Monday and Thursday mornings from 6 to 7:15 a.m.

Be considerate of those with fragrance sensitivities

Please help us to accommodate our co-workers who have sensitivities to various chemical-based or scented products. Human Resources asks for everyone’s cooperation in our efforts to accommodate their health concerns. Scented products such as hair spray, perfume, cologne, body sprays, air fresheners and diffused essential oils can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress, nausea, headaches and migraines. Faculty and staff are asked to refrain from use of these products in campus spaces. Questions? Contact Marsha Wenthold at 387-1415.

Fall Wellness chair massages

Wellness is hosting a massage therapist on campus for $20/15-minute chair massages, paid by cash, check or card at appointment or booking, from 1 to 5 p.m. every Monday afternoon! Chair massages can help reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow/circulation, increase energy-improving productivity, decrease anxiety and enhance immune system function. Visit the Wellness event calendar for more information and to sign up.

Phi Beta Kappa meeting at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in Hovde Lounge

Are you a member of Phi Beta Kappa? Join us for the first meeting of the semester at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in Hovde Lounge. We welcome all faculty, staff, emeriti and alumni Phi Beta Kappa members to gather with us as we set out on a new year of programming. Contact Marie Drews <drewsmar> with any questions.

ITS Tip of the Month: Google Calendar "working hours"

Google Calendar recently turned on the “working hours” feature for everyone. Take a moment to review the working hours setting in your calendar and either disable it or manually set new hours. If you didn’t have specific working hours set in the past, Google tries to guess, and that guess might be wrong. Get directions online. Contact the Technology Help Desk if you have questions.

Luther College Community Music School Registration

Youth choir (Soda Club): community choir for youth in grades K–8. Soda Club meets on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Decorah Lutheran from Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. The group is led by Luther professors. Group classes meet on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. at Decorah Lutheran Church for youth in grades 1–6. (Bus transportation is available for 1st-2nd graders). Fall session runs Oct. 9–Dec. 11. The classes are led by Luther music education students. Register online. Claire Thompson, LCCMS coordinator, <lccms>.

Calling all world travelers!

Join students from the International Studies program for our open house, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement, Olin 214. Students will share stories from their recent study abroad adventures, and answer questions about Luther's International Studies program, a major or minor that allows students to explore their interests in any corner of the world.

Bishop emeritus of Jordan and the Holy Land to spend a week at Luther College

Bishop Munib Younan, bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, will be on campus for a weeklong residency with Luther College and the Decorah community, Sept. 26–Oct. 1. Younan will give a lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the CFL Recital Hall, open to the public with no charge for admission. More info about additional opportunities to meet Bishop Younan available on the College Ministries website.

Book Shop News

Homecoming Hours
Saturday, Oct. 5
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, October 6th
9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Lectures

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Valders 206, Linda LeGarde Grover, professor of American Indian studies at UMD will give a lecture on, "Sweetgrass and Storytellers: Creative Narratives of Ojibwe Women's Lives." Copies of her books will be sold at the Book Shop and at the event.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in Olin 102, David Faldet, professor of English, will be speaking on his new book, "King: A Mystery." A book signing will follow the lecture. Books will be sold before and after the event and are currently available in the Book Shop.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in Olin 102, Robert Shedinger, professor of religion, will be delivering a lecture on his new book, "The Mystery of Evolutionary Mechanisms: Darwinian Biology's Grand Narrative of Triumph and the Subversion of Religion." A book signing will follow the lecture. Books will be sold before and after the event and are currently available in the Book Shop.

Homecoming Book Signings

Saturday, Oct. 5
9–11 a.m.: Dave Ellingson '69
11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Ellen Wonderlin '84
11 a.m.–1p.m.: Amy Weldon, associate professor of English
1–3 p.m.: David Faldet 79', professor of English

Sept. 24 and Oct. 1
1–3 p.m.: Eric Hustvedt ’69 will be signing (as publisher) the book "Zen Slaps from a Cancer Warrior" by the late James Hockings ’69.

Bleed Blue Fridays

Start twinning with the turf, matching the mats and blending with the banners. Make every Friday a #BleedBlueFriday by joining fellow staff, faculty, students and alumni in wearing blue to show off your Luther pride!