TUESDAY 1/19/2021

The most recent version of the Tuesday is always available online at: http://www2.luther.edu/tuesday/

Published for faculty and staff by the Luther College Media Relations office • Copy deadline: Friday, 3 p.m., 75-word limit • Phone: (563) 387-2992 • Email: <Tuesday>

Note: All campus telephone numbers are in the 563 area code, all campus email addresses end in @luther.edu • ©2020

Submit an item for the Tuesday at: www2.luther.edu/tuesday/submit/

ANNOUNCEMENTS / COLLEGE OPERATIONS / EVENTS

COMMUNITY / ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS / UNCLASSIFIED ADS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Being Community updates

Introducing the Being Community Weekly Update
To promote more communication, greater transparency, and community participation in the goals of Being Community during the time of COVID, we are launching a weekly update for the students, faculty, and staff of Luther College. The first update was sent on Friday, Jan. 15.

The Being Community website is the hub of information and inspiration for Luther's approach to the 2020-21 academic year. We invite community questions and feedback.

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

HR update

TIAA counseling sessions
TIAA announces individual virtual counseling sessions 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Space is limited.  Register online at www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-732-8353 between 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon. – Fri.

Sign up for W-2s online
All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up to receive electronic W-2s using the link in the employee section of norsehub.luther.edu. Electronic W-2s can be accessed from anywhere and not easily lost or stolen. Those that chose the electronic option for 2019 need not do it again for 2020. More detailed instructions and additional information can be found by clicking the W-2 Options link on the HR website.

Tax withholding estimator
Luther employees are encouraged to use the Tax Withholding Estimator to review their withholding for 2021. This review is especially important for anyone who faced an unexpected tax bill or a penalty when filing a 2019 return or who experienced a major life change in 2020. Updated W-4 forms should be submitted to the payroll office. Contact <payroll> with questions.

Fall 2020 Agora now available

This issue features faculty essays by R. Christman, K. Reed, D. Faldet, R. Sullivan, B. Caton, A. Weldon, R. Tejada, and G. Peterson, as well as the first quarter Wednesday chapel series by faculty and students of Biology 151. Hard copies are limited; each department will have several to share, but if you need one, please let the Agora staff know at <agora>. 

CEPE Book Group: 'The Tyranny of Merit'

Join us in exploring how we think about "merit" in our country. College-educated Americans have more economic stability and political power than ever. Has this contributed to polarization? Does American society, particularly the Democratic Party, need to re-think "merit"? Read "The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?" by philosopher Michael Sandel, and discuss in a group facilitated by Storm Bailey and Eric Baack on Zoom, 4-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 2, 9 and 16 (if needed). Sign up to receive your free copy of the book and register for the discussion. Questions? <cepe>.

Your choice to compost makes a difference

When you compost your food waste, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ease stress on our county's landfill, and restore nutrients to the soil on our campus farm! It's easy and convenient with compost bins located in every academic and residential building on campus. Need a personal compost container (looks a lot like a 5 lb. yogurt container) for your compost efforts? Questions? Contact <sustainability>.

Campus Social Media Group meeting Jan. 19

A Campus Social Media Group has been convened to provide support and direction for administrators of Luther College institutional social media accounts, as outlined in the Luther College Social Media Policy. Our next meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. Administrators that the Marketing and Communications team are already aware of have received an email regarding this meeting. Staff and faculty who have not received an email and are managing a Luther office/department social media account should contact Megan Schwenneker <schwme04> to receive meeting details.

Reminder of employee wellness survey

The Wellness Program would like to learn more about the impact of the pandemic on Luther employees via a confidential survey, which employees received via email. Results of the survey will aid the Wellness Program in providing wellness related opportunities and resources to support campus, and provide opportunities for students to engage in research with Loren Toussaint and Chandra Jennings. The survey will remain open until Jan. 29 for those employees still wanting to participate.

Caring for God's creation

As one of the ELCA's 26 colleges and universities, Luther College is called to care for God's creation. Several members of the Luther community have joined the local chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, which is working to address climate change in a bipartisan and respectful manner. An ELCA faith action team is being formed as part of Citizens Climate Lobby. To learn more, contact Jim Martin-Schramm, 387-1251, <marschja>.

From the Risk Management and Safety Committee

Success! Luther has been able to supply each of the major buildings on campus with AED units. In an effort to identify employees who are already trained in the use of AED's, CPR and First Aid or those who are interested in being trained,  Amy Wrightsman will be reaching out on a building to building basis. Please watch for the communication coming to your location soon.

Luther College Music available for streaming and downloading

Luther College Music is now available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and iTunes. Listen to the 2019 and 2020 Christmas at Luther albums as well as some past ensemble albums featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Nordic Choir, and Symphony Orchestra. Happy listening! 

'Me and White Supremacy' working groups for faculty, staff and emeriti

CELT is sponsoring a second round of working groups for all faculty, staff, and emeriti who are willing to put in hard, self-reflective work to examine their own biases and their own complicity with white suprematism. Groups will begin Feb. 8 and end March 8. Meeting times will vary. Sign up online by Jan. 25. If you are willing to serve as a moderator/organizer for a group, please email Kate Elliott <ellika03>.

Book Shop news

Alumna book spotlight
Check out the new dazzling collection of poetry, "Planning My Escape," by the late Mary Jo Homstad '69. Take a peak in the Book Shop, and support your Norse writers.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

All chapel services will be held online and the links may be found on the Luther events calendar.

Home sporting events

For the most accurate and up-to-date information about Norse Athletics and the status of competition in the American Rivers Conference, visit luthernorse.com.

Events this week

The Office of Campus Programming maintains a Calendar of Events which includes listings for student activities, athletics, lectures, and more, with links to virtual events.

Visit the online Calendar of Events for a complete list of Luther events happening from Tuesday, Jan. 19-Monday, Jan. 25!

Did you miss a lecture?

Recorded lectures, panels, and other events can often be accessed on the luther.edu/events page! Visit the calendar listing a few days after the event to find a link to the recording. For example, ECO and CEPE's Jan. 13 Panel Discussion: Race & Environmentalism, can be found here.

'Xenophobia in America,' a conversation with scholar Erika Lee Jan. 21

In the popular imagination, the United States is conceived of as a nation that welcomes immigrants. Yet as award-winning author and historian Erika Lee demonstrates, it is also a nation with a long history of xenophobia. Join Dr. Lee in conversation with Todd Green, Evelyn Montoya '23, and Maria Leitz, co-founder of CARE (Collective Action for Racial Equity) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21. Live-stream link to this virtual event is free and open to the public at luther.edu/events. A Civic Sustainability Event, sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement.

Virtual student recital: Jacob Southerland, composition Jan. 23

Jacob Southerland '21, composer and music educator, in collaboration with Eric Head, Shana Liu, Frances Marshal, Abby Trewin, Andrew Scheller, Nolan Mancl, Tanner Olsen, Benjamin Gunsch, Harrison Greene, and Cassie Magee, will perform a senior recital at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. This program includes pieces of many different instrumentations, including a string sextet and a bowed vibraphone piece for solo voice. This event will be livestreamed. Jacob is a student of Brooke Joyce.

Chamber Orchestra Concert Jan. 24

Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Daniel Baldwin, will be performing a concert at 4 p.m. Jan. 24. The eclectic program begins with two pieces for strings alone, both by American composers: a beautiful waltz by violinist-fiddler-composer Mark O'Connor, Appalachia Waltz, and a rather austere, intense piece by Dallas-born composer Ramiro Cortés, Meditation on Christ lag in Todesbanden. The concert will conclude with Mozart's Symphony No. 38 in D major, "Prague." This event will be live-streamed.

COMMUNITY

Celebrations this week

Birthdays
Jan. 19: Chelle Meyer
Jan. 21: Jason Britton, Giles Teslow
Jan. 22: Chuck Riha
Jan. 23: Julann Sindelar, Emily Stumpf, Alexandra White
Jan. 24: Tony Guzman, Jill Leet-Otley
Jan. 25: Patti Hughes, Jana Vorvick

Retirement

Larry Sikkink, who has worked at Luther for more than 40 years has announced his retirement effective Feb. 26, 2021. We congratulate Larry and thank him for his dedicated service to the College.

Retirement card shower

Kathy Kerber, financial aid counselor, will be retiring this Friday, Jan. 22, after more than 38 years of service to Luther College. While we are unable to host an in-person event, we would like to host a card shower in her honor. Please send cards to the Financial Aid Office - Main 27 before this Friday so that we can present them to her during her final day of service.

Sympathy

To Joyce Houdek and family on the death of her mother, Marlys Marlette of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Marlys passed away on Jan. 14, funeral services will be at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

Position openings

Financial Aid Counselor: Position will be responsible for advising students and parents about financing their Luther education, preparing financial aid offers, and serving as a liaison with both the Center for Global Learning and the Luther College Education Department. B.A. or B.S. degree is required. Three years' experience in a financial aid office is desirable, along with the ability to manage multiple, detail-intensive projects simultaneously. Exceptional verbal and written communication and customer service skills are essential.

Custodial Weekend Float (.75 FTE): 30 hours per week, benefit eligible position. Typical work schedule is Thursday and Friday noon-6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m.-3:30 p.m. High school diploma or equivalent is preferred but not required. A valid driver's license is required. Must have good time management and organizational skills, basic computer knowledge, and ability to read sufficiently to follow instructions and mix appropriate chemical dilution ratios.

To view the complete job descriptions and apply for this position and all current openings, please go to the employment website at https://luthercollege.hiretouch.com.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS

Wanda Deifelt's 2019 sabbatical yielded two scholarly publications: "La Morenita: The Ambiguous Identity of Our Lady of Guadalupe." In Theologies on the Move: Religion, Migration, and Pilgrimage in the World of Neoliberal Capital, edited by Joerg Rieger, and "The Construction of Hybrid Religious Identities Resulting from Colonial Occupation." In Resisting Occupation: A Global Struggle for Liberation, edited by Miguel A. De La Torre and Mitri Raheb. Both are published by Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2020.

Loren Toussaint offered some brief reflections on forgiveness and race in America for the Decorah UU.

Ideas and Creations

In the post What Does Abolitionist Teaching Have to Do With Me?, Scott Hurley, Char Kunkel and Jill Leet-Otley reflect on Dr. Bettina Love, Luther's Martin Luther King Jr. Day speaker, and how her work challenges us all to be co-conspirators in struggle and activists for change.

Grief is commonly associated with the loss of a loved one, but it can also occur in response to drastic changes to the daily routines that bring us comfort. In the post Coping With Grief and Loss Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Luther counselor Joelle Dee Nielsen shares some ways to support each other, and ourselves, during these difficult times.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For sale: Singing Machine Karaoke machine (SML385BTBK) with two CD's (one country and one pop). In excellent condition, only used once. $40 or best offer. Contact <ryann.winings>.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

And finally...

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." -- Albert Einstein