TUESDAY 12/15/2020

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

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ANNOUNCEMENTS / COLLEGE OPERATIONS / EVENTS

COMMUNITY / ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS / UNCLASSIFIED ADS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Being Community updates

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 reminder 

Wellness notice
In order to avoid the $25 additional increase in your monthly health care premium, you and your spouse (if covered by Luther’s health care plan) need to have a wellness check-up and return the completed wellness check-up form to Human Resources by January 17. A wellness check-up consists of a blood screening, online clinical health risk appraisal (CHRA), and physical exam.

COVID-19 testing
If you have, or think you might have, COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people. Contact your healthcare provider for directions on testing. You must notify your supervisor and the HR director (extension 1415) if you are being or have been tested for COVID-19. Visit the Luther College Being Community website: What to Do if You Show Symptoms. Review CDC recommendations on what to do if you are sick.

Need a book for the holidays?

Looking for something to read on cozy winter days? Check out the newest additions to Preus Library's leisure reading collection, including new releases, bestsellers and more! Visit our online guide to see the latest titles and even virtually browse the entire leisure collection. Click "Place Hold" on the books you want in the catalog, and we'll safely retrieve and hold them at the Circulation Desk for you. Learn more about safe access to library materials.

Green food container pilot effort

From Dec. 9 through holiday break, Larsen Hall residents are taking part in a pilot program using green reusable food containers. The project aims to demonstrate how reusable food containers are both easy to use and effective at reducing waste. The project is sponsored by Dining Services, Sustainability, and Facilities.

Play reading and discussion

Join the Luther Shakespeare Society and the CEPE in reading Keith Hamilton Cobb's award-winning play "American Moor" ahead of Cobb's virtual visit in February. The story of a Black actor auditioning for Shakespeare's "Othello," "American Moor" explores how narratives shape individuals and nations. Join discussions on 7-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, and 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21; come to one or both. Sign up for the reading group and a free copy of the play.

'Pakkis' book discussion

Prof. Maren Johnson will lead a discussion on "Pakkis" by Khalid Hussain on Tuesday, Feb 23 via Zoom. Written at age sixteen, Hussain draws from his own experience of negotiating his identity as a Pakistani immigrant to Norway in the 1970s. This coming of age story illuminates the struggles and challenges of confronting race and integration beyond the Anglo world. Sign up to receive your free copy and register for the discussion. A Civic Sustainability event, in collaboration with Center for Ethics and Public Engagement, Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies, and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

United Way campaign wraps up

Thank you for supporting United Way of Winneshiek County. This year our goal was to increase the number of current employees and retirees contributing from 11.8% in 2019 to 25%. As we close out the campaign, our community raised $6,421 for United Way, and 6% of our community donated. This year was very difficult on many levels, and all donations large and small were, and are, extremely appreciated. United Way accepts donations year-round which can be returned to HR or mailed to United Way at the following address: PO Box 165, Decorah, IA 52101. Thank you for your continued support!

Book Shop news

Christmas at Luther CDs
"Christmas at Luther 2020: For Everyone Born" CDs are available now in the Book Shop for $12. No CD player? Download and purchase the digital version through iTunes. 

Holiday Wish List Drawing
Take a selfie with a bookstore item you'd like to receive for the holidays and tag the Luther College Book Shop on Facebook and/or Instagram. If away from campus, tag a screenshot of the image from our website, lutherbookshop.com. Open now through 3 p.m. Dec. 17. Five winners will be randomly selected to win the item they tagged! "Shop" away.

Alumna book spotlight
Please congratulate Erika Anderson Billerbeck '97 on her new book, "Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes From an Iowa Conservation Officer." Stop in the Book Shop to take and peak and send her some congratulatory Norse vibes.

Holiday savings
All Christmas items are now 40% off and Advent calendars are only $2. Selected Luther masks are $6 for a limited time. Great time to shop for the holidays!

Available in the Book Shop
Four books, "Lynching in America," "Segregation in America," "Slavery in America," and "Reconstruction in America" are all available in the Book Shop for $5 each or the set for $15. Generously donated by a Luther College alumnus and published by Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, the books encourage our continued conversation and work on social inequity through the books gripping pictorial history. If purchase price is not feasible, any monetary amount will be accepted. It is the donor's intent to get the books in the hands of many in our Luther community.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

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

Wednesday, Dec. 16: Pastor Michael Foss
Friday, Dec. 18: Lucas Byl, senior chapel
Monday, Dec. 21: Come, Let Us Sing for Joy

Blessing and sending walk-through communion

College Ministries invites you to a walk-through communion 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the CFL. Participants will be directed to a communion station where they will receive the Sacrament with prayer and a blessing for a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year. The Sacrament will be provided in a sealed all-in-one goblet with one end containing gluten-free unleavened bread and the other end containing red wine. Our servers will be taking every precaution to serve participants in a safe manner.

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, Dec. 15-Monday, Dec. 21!

Unison Piano Duo IPR performance Dec. 16

Xiao Hu and Du Huang will perform a piano duo concert on Iowa Public Radio Classical's Steinway Cafe at noon Wednesday Dec. 16. In addition to works by Bach, Dvorak, they will present the world premiere performance of "He Hung His Head and Died, 12 variations for George Floyd," composed earlier this year by Luther composition faculty Brooke Joyce. The campus community is invited to stream the program at iowapublicradio.org.

Candlelight Service Dec. 20

Please join Luther College Ministries for our annual Candlelight Service at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. The service will be held online and the link may be found at luther.edu/events. We invite you to curl up in something comfy and enjoy live music by Luther community members, carols, and a reading of the Christmas story by President Ward. There will be a portion of the service where participants will be invited to "light a candle." If you are in a space where a lit candle is not permitted, we have battery-operated tea-lights available outside of the College Ministries office (CFL 106) you may pick up prior to the service to use.

COMMUNITY

Welcome, new hires

Michael Foss started his position as interim director of College Ministries and college pastor on Dec. 1. His office location is CFL 107, telephone 387-1042.

Celebrations this week

Birthdays
Dec. 16: Eugene Vanda
Dec. 17: Keri Bodensteiner
Dec. 18: Bruce Larson
Dec. 19: Cindy Blue, Melanie Malila
Dec. 20: Gregory Patton
Dec. 21: Christopher Krammen, Diane Tappe, Bailey Hanson

Retirements

Kathy Kerber, who has worked at Luther for more than 38 years has announced her retirement effective Jan. 23, 2021.

Jan Koenig: Celebrating over 30 years in the athletics department, Dec. 17

Please join us for a safe good-bye and congratulations to Jan Koenig, on her retirement after serving the college for more than 30 years in the athletic department! There will be to-go treats to celebrate Jan from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec.17. Please enter the athletics office suite from the north (hallway) and exit through the east doors into the SRC when leaving. This will maintain physical distancing and a safe flow of people coming down to the Regents Center.

Position openings

Student Accounts Assistant (10 months/year 0.83FTE): Assistant will reply to student account questions, receipt and enter student payments and charges, clear students for registration and release of transcripts, and invoice third parties for tuition reimbursement. High school diploma is required. Also required is two years prior AR or office experience and strong Word and Excel skills. Accounting experience is helpful.

Maintenance Mechanic/Boiler Operator (1.0 FTE): Will operate the Heating Plant and provide a constant, uninterrupted supply of steam to the Luther campus. Maintenance staff will perform water and pool tests; work with chemicals, steam, and 190+ degree water; maintain steam lines; perform preventative work; and metal fabrication from work orders generated from the facilities services work order system. High school diploma, mechanical or electrical background, and ability to read and interpret blueprints is required. Must also have or be able to obtain Boiler Operator 1 and Certified Pool Operators certificate and Private School or College Routine Specialty License (all can be obtained through Luther). Also required is a driver's license and computer skills to access web-based work order system. Experience with boilers is preferred. Position may require up to 12-hour shifts and overtime. Will need to work rotating weekends and be on call.

Maintenance Mechanic/Plumber (1.0 FTE): Will perform all types of building maintenance and repair generated from the Facilities Services work order system. Most work will be related to plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems. Staff member will interpret drawings, schematics, and blueprints, provide service on the steam distribution system and assist boiler operators and other departments as needed. Candidates must have a high school diploma and a State of Iowa plumbing license. Also required is at least four years formal working experience in installation and repair in the following areas: plumbing, heating, steam and air conditioning; computer skills for accessing the college's web-based work order system, building automation system, and email; and a valid driver's license and acceptable MVR check.

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

A study of the flora of Malanaphy Springs State Preserve, conducted by Beth Lynch, Brian Kurtz '15, and colleagues from Western New Mexico University and the Iowa State University Herbarium appears in the current issue of the peer-reviewed journal, Castanea. The authors documented more than 400 plant species in this 67 acre preserve located just north of Decorah and described the conservation challenges in this preserve. Brian contributed to the study as part of a summer collaborative student-faculty research project.

Kelly Sorenson was selected to join the IDEA Committee for the Minnesota Gift Planning Association. This committee is tasked with working alongside the board and committees to help them further the ideals of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in all they do.

Part 2 of Loren Toussaint's interview, where he discusses topics such as anger, sleep, aging, and resentment, with YouthTime magazine is now available.

Ideas and Creations

In the post, Perfecting Our Vision in a Year of Tragedy, Robert Shedinger shares what we can learn from 2020 and how it can help us create a better world for all living things.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For sale: Snow/ regular tires. Two heavy duty snow tires, Hercules Polarpreme G 78 -14 with 5-hole wheels, $30 each; 4 regular tires, Goodyear Viva 2, 215 70 15, $10 each. Call 319-427-3593.

Free: Large boxes for moving, presents or shipping. The Document Center has large boxes to give away, 24 x16 x 16 and 26 x 20 x 10. This week only. 

Wanted: Secondhand LEGOS. Have your children out grown their fascination with LEGOS and now they are collecting dust like so many other pieces of plastic? Please help us reduce our plastic consumption while still fueling our creative building. My son would be delighted to take them off your hands. Please contact <coachyarrow>.

Wanted: Looking for help with occasional weekend and holiday house, plant/garden and animal (cats, dog, fish, chickens) sitting halfway between Decorah and Waukon on paved roads. Perfect for a highschool student with a driver's license or college student. Email <chandra.jennings> if interested.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

And finally...

Rare 'Christmas Star' will appear in the sky for first time in 800 years

Four days before Christmas, the sky will offer a sight that hasn't been seen since the Middle Ages and may have inspired one of the Bible's most famous stories.

The two largest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, will be so close to one another in the sky on Dec. 21 that they will appear to be fused into a single point of light.

The last time this is believed to have been witnessed was in the year 1226... Read More.