What do you get when you mix four Luther alumni with a love for Decorah and craft beer? Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, which officially opened its doors last August.

Pulpit Rock is not only an alumni business—it’s also a family business. Founder and chairman Pete Espinosa ’81 married Kari (Tollefson) ’84, whose twin sister is Kristi (Tollefson) Wolf ’84, one of the four founders. Their brother Jon Tollefson ’83 is also a founder, and their sister Jodi (Tollefson) ’94 married Mark Bjerke ’93, the fourth founder.

In fact, the idea of starting the brewery came up a couple of years ago on an extended-family vacation. Pete and Kari had recently bought the Decorah laundromat building on Fifth Avenue and College Drive. They’d renovated the laundromat but were brainstorming uses for the building’s other half, which at the time was an empty garage bay. Noting the growing popularity of craft beer, the group thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun if . . .”

The Espinosa-Tollefson-Wolf-Bjerke clan recruited a few local investors, including Bill and Nicole (Bullerman) Remington ’94 (side note: the brewery’s Doc Rem’s offering, described as “a real gentleman, low in alcohol but full of rich flavor,” is named after Bill). They announced their intention during Homecoming 2014, then went to work on the space, recruited master brewers Robert Slack and Justin Teff, and opened their doors to the public in less than a year.

Pulpit Rock currently has no plans to distribute beyond a few local establishments, like T-Bock’s and Rubaiyat. “We’re trying first and foremost to be good for Decorah,” Espinosa says. “We want people to come to Decorah to get it.”

And come they do. “It’s amazing what beer does,” he marvels. “We’ll say to our friends, ‘Come visit our town!’ and they’ll say, ‘Maybe.’ But when we say, ‘Come visit our brewery!’ they say, ‘Oh yeah!’”

“My dream job” is how Hoda Hersi ’06 describes her position as project manager with BBC Media Action in Hargeisa, Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia.

“I love my work because I know I am making a difference,” says Hersi, who develops programming on social issues relevant to Somalia. “There’s also no typical day, and that definitely keeps it interesting.”

Hersi grew up approximately 3,500 miles southwest of Hargeisa in Gaborone, Botswana. Her father worked for UNICEF, and she and her sisters attended Westwood International School.

Her older sister, Saharla ’04, led Hersi to Decorah in 2001. “My sister enrolled at Luther in 2000 and liked it and the town a lot,” says the globetrotting Hersi. “So the year after she moved to Iowa, I asked my dad if I could join her there.” Her father agreed, and on New Year’s Day 2001 Hersi arrived in Decorah, where she was soon taking classes, making friends, and getting acclimated to Western culture at Decorah High School.

“It took time,” she says, to adjust to living as a minority, but she found the town every bit as warm and welcoming as her sister had. “I was living in Decorah during the attacks of September 11, 2001, and people were very thoughtful and very kind,” she says. “That’s one of the main reasons I decided to stay in Decorah and enroll at Luther in 2002.”

Hersi initially thought about majoring in social work, but ultimately focused her studies on communications. “The classes were challenging, and communication studies really fit me,” she says. “I enjoy public speaking, logic, reasoning, and debate—and I really like to talk.”

After graduating, Hersi worked briefly on a UNIFEM project with the Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Work targeting violence against women in Somalia. According to the United Nations Development Programme, the East Africa country has one of the highest rates of sexual- and gender-based violence in the world. “The violence against the women (and ultimately including the children) that I worked with was so horrific I couldn’t stomach it,” she says. She resigned that job within a year.

The time was right, she decided, to return to the classroom—this time in England, where she earned a master’s degree in international communications from the University of Leeds in 2008. Shortly thereafter, she returned to Somalia when her younger sister, who had just become engaged, asked her to help plan her wedding. Weeks later she accepted a job opening an office for a local NGO (non-governmental organization) that worked with abused children.

A communications position with the American consulting firm DAI followed before Hersi landed her BBC job in November 2012. The aim of BBC Media Action—the corporation’s international development charity—is to inform, connect, and empower people around the world. For Hersi and her team, headquartered in Hargeisa, that means developing and overseeing programming that fosters a sense of Somali identity and inspires people to engage in their communities and the social issues that affect them. “The programs have to be relevant to all areas of Somalia, Somaliland, and Puntland,” Hersi says, “and they must be entertaining and well written.”

From 2012 to 2014, she worked to improve family health in Somalia by helping produce the radio show Tiraarka Qoyska (Pillars of the Family), which tackled subjects such as health maintenance and disease prevention, including the importance of sound nutrition and good hygiene. The show regularly reached more than 300,000 people in Somaliland alone. Currently Hersi helps create the entertaining, yet educational, radio drama Maalmo Dhaama Manta (Better Days than Today), which explores a variety of issues facing today’s youth, from jobs and relationships to migration.

“It’s the first interactive program in the country where the audience gets to influence the fate of the characters,” she says. “When I hear from listeners who say the program not only entertained them but also helped them improve their lives, I know that I am doing something worthwhile.”

For more on BBC Media Action’s work in Somalia, visitlczine.com/hodahersi. 

When Eric Monson ’92 formed the four-man vocal group Metro in 1998, he had no idea that a decade later he’d be singing Cantonese pop—and garnering more than a million page views for it.

Monson hails from a musical family. His grandfather was a professional trumpet player. His father is a retired choral conductor. His brother, Marty Monson ’89, is executive director of the Barbershop Harmony Society. And his sister, Ann (Monson) Shoenecker ’90, is an associate music professor at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

Monson “tried to break the mold by getting a degree in economics and accounting” at Luther, he says. But music had other plans for him. As an undergraduate, he studied voice for pure enjoyment and sang in Nordic Choir and a barbershop quartet called Water Street Junction with Jon Kohnen ’92, Travis Shaw ’92, and Brady Swenson ’92. In 1992, his quartet won an international competition. New York talent agents booked the group for a tour in Berlin, where two of the group’s members, Shaw and Swenson, still live and perform today. “That completely changed all of us,” Monson jokes. But it’s true: he was hooked.

Monson returned home to work on a music degree, but then went to work producing choir festivals at Disney theme parks. In 1998, hungry to perform again, Monson used his industry contacts to recruit a few singers and founded the four-man vocal group Metro.
Metro was booked to perform on a cruise ship before its members even met one another. They flew to Nashville for three days of intense rehearsal and then embarked on a cruise-ship performance run that would last four years.

During that time, a Disney executive happened to catch one of Metro’s shows and was so impressed that he got the group booked at Tokyo Disney—a gig that Monson and company kept for three years. After that time, says Monson, “Disney gave us with a deal we couldn’t refuse: they asked us to open up Hong Kong Disney” in 2005. It was the first international city that Monson could imagine as home.

A home in Hong Kong

After their two years with Hong Kong Disney, Metro took a break. Monson got involved in a community choir, and during a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, he met his future wife, a Hong Kong native and professional opera singer, Yuki Ip. “She was singing the requiem in the second half of the concert. I heard her voice, and I was like Wow, I need to meet this person,” he says.

He spent the next year as Yuki’s assistant, and every time they’d go to an event, people would ask whether he taught voice lessons. After some creative thinking about visas, Monson established his own company, American Vocal Studio (turns out those economics and accounting majors did come in handy). “I can use AVS as an umbrella company that offers visas for performing and also for teaching,” he says. “In the hills and valleys of performing, you like to have a consistent income.”

That hardly seems a problem for Metro, however. The group has gained incredible traction across Asia. People love their infectious, highly technical pop tunes, but what arguably launched them into fame was their arrangement of a song by the hugely popular Cantonese group Beyond, whose founder died in a tragic accident. “His music—the lyrics and everything are just incredible. His main theme was: music has no borders. We felt we had to do that piece,” he says of the song “Under a Vast Sky.”

A Cantopop sensation

The group crafted its own arrangement—in Cantonese—and posted it online. Someone copied it onto Youku (Chinese YouTube), and within the first week, the video had two million views and spades of comments like, “If you close your eyes, you can’t even tell these four singers are foreigners.”

Learning to sing fluently in Chinese languages was no small challenge, Monson admits. For example, in Cantonese, he says, the word ho has nine different meanings depending on inflection, and six of those nine inflections are used in singing. Mandarin, another dialect in which Metro sings, uses six different tones in speech and four in singing.

“There was a time when we were singing in Cantonese, and I wanted to take a lick going up, and my wife was like, ‘No, no, no, that’s a swear word—you have to go downward!’” Needless to say, Yuki has been invaluable in the group’s pronunciation. It’s also helpful that three of Metro’s singers study Mandarin and Monson studies Cantonese. While they currently have a native Chinese speaker translate their lyrics, they’d like to eventually write them in Chinese themselves.

On stage with China’s Taylor Swift

Without the right cultural touchstones at hand, it’s sometimes hard for American audiences to appreciate how big Metro is in Asia. When asked about some of Metro’s highlights, Monson has to play a game of comparisons. For example, Metro has performed twice on the Chinese equivalent of the Tonight Show. They’ve been featured guests 11 times for G.E.M., China’s Taylor Swift. In the fall, they launched a three-week tour of mainland China, Taiwan, and Korea, during which they performed on the radio show of Kim Chang-wan, Korea’s John Lennon.

Sometimes the group gets hints of its success via a third party. For example, when Monson’s wife learned that Metro would be performing at the Taipei National Concert Hall, she was incredulous: “What? I’ve always wanted to perform there!” When Metro was in Beijing for the Chinese New Year, doing a TV program for CCTV, the group was asked, “So, how does it feel to be the first Americans to perform on this historic TV program?” 

“We all looked at each other and said, ‘What?!’” Monson recalls. “We had no idea. It was quite an honor for us.”

Monson, a native Iowan who still uses “Iowa” in his Skype handle, is as down-to-earth as his home state. “We don’t always know how big a deal what we’re doing is. But it’s definitely cool when you go into a high school and you’re greeted like a rock star. Still, we know that as fast you go up, you can just as fast go down,” he says. “We just try to be humble and always enjoy what we do.”

Metro’s second album drops in 2016.

The year 2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of the first organized immigration of Norwegians to the United States. With that in mind, Decorah’s Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum is launching a process to determine what it should aspire to be, or be doing, in 10 years. At the helm will be Chris Johnson ’87, who became Vesterheim’s president and chief executive officer in June 2015.

The heart of any museum is its storytelling, and Johnson has been captivated by the tales told at museums since he was a boy. The New Hampton, Iowa, native recalls field trips to Vesterheim, where his imagination took off with the 25-foot wooden sailboat Trade Wind that has anchored the main exhibit building for decades. That ship will remain a key display, Johnson says, but he wants Vesterheim’s planners to think about how such artifacts are used. Could the stories they tell be more engaging, more interactive, or more relevant to museum visitors of the future?

“The challenge with a place like Vesterheim,” Johnson says, “is that when this museum was founded in 1877 at Luther College, we had more people who were much closer to the immigrant experience—people who still spoke the language, who were first-generation immigrants. With each passing generation, we have to think about what are the important parts of our cultural identity that we retain and what has fallen by the wayside? What are those things that people are interested in rekindling to connect to their heritage?”

Once the museum’s strategic plan is determined, Johnson aims to take it on the road to the Decorah community as well as supporters farther afield. “We have to pull in a number of different audiences to help us answer these questions.” Then, he says, “we can figure out the next steps, whether it’s renovating our existing exhibit galleries or changing some of the configuration in the Open Air Division. Those are questions we can answer when we have a better idea about what it means to our audience if we change things.”

"We’re a nation made up of all different types of immigrant groups. That’s certainly talked about in the halls of Congress and on the news—what does it mean to be an American?—and those are storylines that are just as relevant here." 

Johnson’s love of historical storytelling took root at Luther when he changed his major from biology to history. Influential professors included Jim Hippen and John Christianson, but, Johnson says, “I kind of minored in Richard Cole.”

Johnson’s first stop after graduation was an internship at Living History Farms (LHF) outside Des Moines, Iowa. He was a jack-of-all-trades, giving tours, working in the blacksmith’s shop, driving oxen, building bark lodges, and more. Eventually he was hired on full time and met his wife, Bonnie, who also worked there. Johnson spent much of his time as a site interpreter in the Ioway Indian village, an isolated spot that visitors reach via a woodland path. LHF was a good training ground for museum work, Johnson says, especially in dealing with people. He learned to explain the artifacts and his actions at the site in way that was clear and interesting to visitors from all over the world.

After a stint as the museum curator with the Dallas County (Iowa) Conservation Department, Johnson moved with Bonnie to Nebraska, where she had taken a teaching job in Unadilla, southeast of Lincoln. Johnson entered the museum studies graduate program at the University of Nebraska. Wrapping up his studies in 1997, he returned to Decorah for a summer internship at Vesterheim. He worked in the membership and development office, while Bonnie helped create a children’s exhibit.

Johnson spent the next 17 years with the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He began as a regional historic sites manager—there are 57 historic sites under the historical society’s umbrella—and in 2007 became the director for the society’s museum division. His staff managed about 63,000 objects, from thimbles to a Northern Pacific Railway locomotive.

Between 2011 and 2014, Johnson, his crew, and a consulting team took on a challenge for which storytelling seems too puny a word. The North Dakota Heritage Center expanded from 20,000 to 40,000 square feet of exhibit space. For this, they needed to relate a saga.

Much of Johnson’s job involved supervising the storyline development, figuring out which topics each gallery would examine. One gallery told an epic that began 500 million years ago when large swaths of what is now North Dakota lay under a vast inland sea. That story progressed from shark fossils to dinosaur bones to evidence of saber-toothed cats, mammoths, and mastodons.

Another gallery dealt with the end of the Ice Age to about the 1860s and focused on the first peoples of North Dakota. Johnson’s team organized community forums for potential exhibits, similar to the discussions Johnson hopes to have in planning Vesterheim’s future. “Some good ideas came out of those conversations,” he says. “The importance of language was something that was really stressed. And so when you step into that gallery today, you can hear audio recordings of people speaking in Mandan and Hidatsa and Chippewa and Lakota and Assiniboine.”

Concerned that exhibits remain relevant as time goes on, the North Dakota team chose some themes, such as conflict and war, that tell the stories not only of the past—for instance, conflict between Indian tribes—but also of the present, reminding visitors that there are still 150 Minuteman III missiles parked in silos under the North Dakota landscape.

Johnson’s experience in crafting the North Dakota stories translates to the Vesterheim project in the way he looks for that continuing relevance. “We look at the immigrant experience through the lens of Norwegians coming to America in the 1850s, ’60s, and ’70s, but a lot of those storylines are just as relevant today,” Johnson says. “We’re a nation made up of all different types of immigrant groups. That’s certainly talked about in the halls of Congress and on the news—what does it mean to be an American?—and those are storylines that are just as relevant here. These are universal stories: What cultural traditions do you retain? How important is it to retain the language or to learn the local language to become a success in life? What’s the role of education?”

These are questions the immigrants struggled with nearly 200 years ago, and they’re relevant today. Johnson hopes the Vesterheim staff and board can finish an initial 10-year plan by October and then hit the road for those community discussions about how, precisely, the stories can be told.

Amish families living with chronic disease face many hurdles to treatment, and because they come from tightknit, faith-based, low-tech communities, they often feel alienated in a clinical setting, where doctors can be inclined to disregard faith and lifestyle in favor of tried-and-true procedural medicine. This gap between Amish culture and modern healthcare is one that Angela (Oldenburg) Kueny ’02, with help from her students, is trying to bridge.

As a graduate nursing student at the University of Iowa, Kueny, who was interested in how nurses could work better with cultural communities, was invited to participate in outreach clinics for the Amish.

Her experience at those clinics encouraged her to focus on how Amish families’ beliefs shape their understanding of chronic conditions and how they interact with healthcare professionals. She could identify areas where family beliefs and the traditional healthcare system didn’t always work well together, sometimes at the expense of the family’s health.

Although the Amish don’t oppose modern healthcare, they are less likely to seek it, preferring to use home remedies when possible. Amish families’ faith in God guides their decisions about health and healing, sometimes coming into conflict with recommended medical protocols. They don’t believe in health insurance and in fact are exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to buy it. Rather, when one member of a community faces a health crisis, the community pools its money to help pay bills. Amish people can be hesitant to undergo costly medical treatment, Kueny says, especially when they don’t understand its function or necessity.

Other factors also contribute to the uneasy connection between Amish and modern healthcare. Reluctance among the Amish to use higher-tech modes of communication makes it difficult to set appointments. And the remoteness of their homes makes it difficult to keep those appointments, as do the rhythms of planting and harvesting, which the self-sufficient Amish have to respect in order to flourish. In addition, Amish people often feel uncomfortable having frank conversations in a clinical setting.

Many Amish families prefer natural treatment options, while healthcare providers rely heavily on medical protocols that Amish families may not understand or be able to afford. As one Amish father told Kueny, “Care is decided based on what people think is right.” Although many providers do cross cultural boundaries and reach out personally to their Amish patients, some healthcare providers have room to grow in sensitivity and respect for this community.

For her dissertation, Kueny worked with Amish families struggling with chronic conditions, since they were most likely to have frequent interaction with healthcare providers. She rented an apartment in an Amish community of about 1,000 and met with the community’s bishops, who were eager to increase understanding between their community and healthcare providers. She talked with families, often in front of a warm stove, sharing coffee and dessert at the end of a long day of farm chores, and learned about their lifestyle and struggles. She was taken under the wing of an Amish herbalist, who is often the first stop for families coping with illness.

Kueny started to learn which vitamins, supplements, and herbs Amish families were taking to treat themselves for certain conditions, including hemophilia, a genetic blood-clotting disorder that occurs at high rates in Amish communities. She began to see that if healthcare workers understood more about how the Amish were medicating themselves, they could provide better care.

Kueny joined the Luther nursing faculty in 2010. She continued to volunteer at the University of Iowa outreach clinics, but questions about home remedies among Amish families with hemophilia still nagged at her. Were the herbs and supplements safe? Were they effective? Did they interact with any modern medicines the Amish people might be taking? Did healthcare workers have the education they needed to guide Amish families appropriately?   

When nursing major Sandy Cardenas ’16 approached the assistant professor about interning with her last summer, Kueny took advantage of a healthcare research fellowship established by an anonymous donor and put Cardenas to work surveying Amish families with hemophilia. Cardenas sent letters, collected survey responses, and did a literature review to assess which herbs, vitamins, and supplements listed in the responses seemed to increase or decrease hemophiliac bleeding, as well as which were potentially interacting with drugs like warfarin, an anticoagulant.

This research approach appealed to Cardenas, who chose nursing over becoming a doctor because she wanted a high level of interaction with patients. “I like the idea of looking at patients holistically,” she says, “so in this case looking at these patients and saying, ‘Okay, they’re Amish—what part of their background might promote or inhibit their adherence to certain treatments?’ That really touched me—that’s where I saw the healthcare gap.”

Kueny is unequivocal about the value of this kind of undergraduate research: “Until students work on these sorts of projects, they rarely really understand what it means to start with a research question or a question about how things function, then go into the minute details of handling the procedures of data collection, then analysis, then the write-up, which often becomes a book chapter. It becomes the knowledge that they read about in their textbooks. And I think that whole cycle helps them see a bigger picture of knowledge and how you work inside your field and how your field changes and how even undergraduates can be a powerful component of what professionals learn about and how they practice.”

Cardenas and Kueny have created a brochure detailing their findings, and it has been used at hemophilia outreach clinics like one in which they and nursing major McKenzie Brace ’16 participated last fall. In addition to catering to families with hemophilia, the clinic provided dentistry, physical therapy, and various screenings. Brace observed specialists catching problems in family members early. She says, “It definitely opened my eyes to the power of preventative care—and to the power of treating a community rather than just an individual.”

2000–2009 / 2010–2015

2000

RYAN BIES is a shareholder at Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. in Apple Valley, Minn.

MATTHEW ERPELDING is the director of choral activities for Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa.

COLIN FARBOTKO passed away in 2012 after a long battle with ALS. Colin’s wife, MARNEY OLSON ’99, and his classmates KEVIN FRANTZ ’00, KIM (TURNER) FRANTZ ’00, PETE SCHONEBAUM ’00, TIMOTHY BAARDSETH ’00, and many other Luther friends are planning a memorial golf tournament called the iColin Classic at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville, Minn., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, to raise funds in his name. The group has secured 501(c)3 nonprofit status, created social media pages, and set up a website—icolinclassic.blogspot.com—for donations, sponsorships, and registration. Funds raised will be distributed to the ALS Association to support families living with the disease and to the Colin Y. Farbotko Memorial Scholarship at Luther College.

SARAH (KODET) GOEBEL is an ESE teacher for Poinciana High School in Kissimmee, Fla.

LUKAS HOFFLAND acted as Dr. Emmett Brown in the inaugural Chippewa Valley LogJam in the summer of 2015. He also cohosts the Luc & The Captain sports talk show on 790 WAYY as part of his radio work at Mid-West Family Broadcasting in Altoona, Wis.

ELISABETH (MARVIN) SANDERSFELD is assistant vice president and controller of GuideOne Insurance in West Des Moines, Iowa.

2001

AMANDA HAMP is assistant professor of dance at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

TORY HEGRENES is a lieutenant commander for the U.S. Navy in Newport, R.I.

MELODY JORDAHL-IAFRATO is assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and program director at South Campus Family Medicine Residency in Tucson.

JOE KISSNER teaches biology, anatomy, and physiology at Eagan (Minn.) High School. He was invited to testify at the Minnesota House and Senate Joint Higher Education Committees’ hearing on issues related to the Higher Learning Commission’s adopted clarification to its assumed practices regarding faculty qualifications.

ANGELA (SWEENY) LOWERY is a psychologist in home-based primary care for Roseburg VA Healthcare System and the Eugene (Ore.) Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

HEATHER (SVOBODA) MORRIS is public relations manager for Entrust Datacard in Shakopee, Minn.

HEATHER (CIERNIA) NELSON is choral director at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton, Minn. She is also an independent music instructor and performer with Heather Nelson Music and a soprano with Magnum Chorum.

JOHANNA OLSON is changing lives two years after passing away from cancer. The 2015 Tour des Chutes at High Lakes Elementary School in Bend, Ore., expected more than 1,750 participants to ride, run, or walk during the 12th annual fundraiser for cancer survivors and their families. In Olson’s honor, the Tour des Chutes offered a 5K run/walk along with five ride options for cyclists.

BEN SHOCKEY is a paramedic for Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

KATIE SOPOCI DRAKE is a visiting assistant professor of dance at the University of Maryland–College Park.

JULIE (SATRE) SHOCKEY TRYTTEN is director of media relations at Luther College.

REBEKAH (RUSCH) VOGELSBERG is director of bands at Lancaster (Wis.) Senior High School.

ARIANA (ANDERSON) WRIGHT is elementary principal for the Kasson–Mantorville (Minn.) School District.

2002

BRAD ALBERS is a pediatric anesthesiologist for Northwest Suburban Anesthesiologists Ltd. at Arlington Heights, Ill.

ERIN APPEL is a licensed professional clinical counselor at Mental Health Systems PC in Woodbury, Minn.

TRISTAN LUBINSKI earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees in biology from Boston University. He is an associate scientist of next generation sequencing informatics for AstraZeneca in Waltham, Mass.

NICK NELSON is an attorney and owner of Law Offices of Nicolas R. Nelson in Villa Park, Ill.

KATYA OUCHAKOF is a pastor at Lake Edge Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis. She is also a contributor to the book There’s a Woman in the Pulpit.

HEATHER (GUTEL) TORRES is director of children’s ministry for St. Andrew’s UMC in Omaha, Neb.

ALLISON (PRUNTY) WALLACE is special counsel in the business division for Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa.

JANE (MCDERMOTT) and KENNY WHEELER II ’00 are co-head coaches of girls’ high school track and field for the Pleasant Valley (Iowa) Community School District. The team won conference and regional meets and the school’s first state team title since 1991. They were named Iowa Track and Field and Cross-Country Association Coaches of the Year for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and State Coaches of the Year by United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association. Jane is a physical education and health teacher at Pleasant Valley High School. Kenny is an academic adviser for Western Illinois University in Moline.

RYAN ELIZABETH (MEYER) WUERTZ is a development associate for the Mayo Clinic Department of Development in Rochester, Minn.

2003

JEN (RUST) ANDERSON is a compliance officer for Group Health Cooperative in Altoona, Wis.

RACHEL (HILDEBRAND) and DAN CORRON live in Waukee, Iowa. Rachel is lead IT systems analyst for Principal Financial Group. Dan is a sales and leasing associate at Denny Elwell Company Commercial Real Estate and Development.

KRISTIN DOROW is an emergency room RN for Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems in Houston.

ABBY FROST is the director of choirs for Hamilton–Wenham (Mass.) Public Schools and the director of choirs at First Church. She conducted regional honor choruses in 2011, 2013, and 2014; is a national board certified teacher; and is the Massachusetts American Choral Directors Association Middle School Repertoire and Standards chair.

ANN (DEHNING) HINTZ is director of academic advisement for St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.

AMBER INGALSBE is associate pastor at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minn.

ANDREJ KOSTRESEVIC is the CEO of Nomads in Miami, Fla. He is also a curator for Miami Startup Digest, an organizer for Miami Lean Startup Circle, and an organizer for South Florida Android Developers. Nomads, whose clients include the NFL, DirecTV, and Cerner, was named one of the 25 fastest-growing technology companies in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal.

CONRAD KWAYU is regional manager for Hartford Healthcare Organization in Meriden, Conn.

KRISTINE (HOLLEQUE) LOWER is an MSR valuation and reporting analyst for U.S. Bancorp in Bloomington, Minn.

JOY (GRUETTNER) and NEIL MICK live in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Neil is a senior business analyst for Rockwell Collins.

NATHAN VOIGHT is a controller for Rockwell Collins in Tustin, Calif.

NICOLE (VERMETT) and NICK WOLF live in Walworth, Wis. Nicole is an accountant at Mecum Auctions. Nick is supply project leader for Pentair Inc. in Golden Valley, Minn.

2004

AARON COFFEEN is a business development director for Engineered Tax Services in Peoria, Ill.

HEIDI (JOHNSON) FELTZ of Des Moines, Iowa, is the social media manager for Casey’s General Stores Inc.

NATHAN GOSS is a tour guide for Fat Tire Bicycle Tours in Paris, France.

RACHEL (FRIEDRICH) HARKEN is a compensation and benefits generalist for NCMIC/Professional Solutions Insurance in Clive, Iowa.

MANDY HENDERSON is director of the counseling program at Temple Grandin School in Boulder, Colo.

MATT JANSSEN is senior software engineer at the Nerdery in Bloomington, Minn.

JESSICA KATH works in development and alumni research for Brunel University, London.

RYAN LUHRS earned a Ph.D. in choral conducting and music education from Florida State University. He is assistant professor of music and director of choral programs at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga.

CARRIE (MORRIS) MILLER is senior academic adviser at the University of Iowa.

MIRIAM (BLOM) and PAUL SKRADE live in Decorah. Miriam is assistant tennis coach at Luther. Paul is assistant professor of biology at Upper Iowa University in Fayette.

JIM STELLMACHER is praise service director for Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Ill.

CODY TIGGES is a pediatric intensivist at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.

ERIK ULNESS is operations manager for Ulness Health Insurance and Wellness in Minneapolis.

AARON WARD of Des Moines, Iowa, produced a series of humorous tourism television commercials for Travel Iowa featuring “Napoleon’s Folly.”

2005

HASSAN ASGHAR is director of IT risk and controls for OptumInsight in Eden Prairie, Minn.

LINDSAY BERNHAGEN is senior instructional consultant at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

CHRIS DAHL is program coordinator at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in Story City, Iowa.

JENN (SHIMAK) DELAROSA is a collaborative teacher at Carrie Lee Elementary School in Decorah.

CLARISSA (RINK) EINCK is a transitional kindergarten teacher for the Decorah Community Schools.

RACHEL FAUST is a student services assistant for the Mounds View (Minn.) School District.

RACHEL (STRANDT) and CHRIS GILMORE live in Lawrence, Kan. Rachel earned a master’s degree in elementary instruction and curriculum from Emporia University and is a member of Te Deum Chamber Choir and Theater Lawrence. She teaches second grade at Woodlawn Elementary School. Chris is the Kansas City area manager for Noodles and Company.

KIM HENRIKSEN earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Argosy University. She is a research assistant for Carl T. Hayden Medical Research Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz.

KATE INGBER is an associate recruiter for Alliance Life Financial Services in Minneapolis.

KATIE (CHAMBERS) KADUCE is the accounting manager for John Deere Commercial Products in Grovetown, Ga.

GINNY KING is suspension coordinator and basketball coach for the Hannibal (Mo.) Public Schools.

JULIE KNAPP teaches third grade for Northland Community Schools in Remer, Minn.

THADDAEUS MORELOCK is product manager for the Wedge Community Coop Inc. in Minneapolis.

TINA MUELL earned a master’s degree in special education from Simpson College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University. She is a school support data specialist for Connections Education in Baltimore.

RYAN PERSON is graduate choral teaching assistant and doctoral student in choral conducting at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

PETE RUGGIERO is a general dentist at Dental Health Partners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

MELISSA SERRES earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

DAIN TEPOEL is a graduate teaching instructor and writing consultant at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

2006

HELISSA BELL STEVENS is a K–5 music specialist for the Chippewa Falls (Wis.) School District.

MEGAN (MURPHY) and TIM BEY live in Waverly, Minn. Megan teaches music at Dassel Elementary School. Tim is a customer service representative for Proto Labs.

KRISTIN (STROM) CARMODY is a registered nurse at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

JONATHAN CURRY earned a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University School of Business and is the division supervisor at Industrial Fabrics Association International in Roseville, Minn.

SARAH (OLSON) CUTCLIFFE of Chicago Heights, Ill., is an epic analyst at LinkEHR.

NATE EVANS is a graphic designer for Winter Company in Savage, Minn.

MEGAN (SANTJER) and MATT GEERTS live in Omaha, Neb. Megan is a leadership and learning facilitator, and Matt is an international baccalaureate psychology and theory of knowledge instructor for the Millard Public Schools.

DANIEL HERMAN is a special agent for Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in Des Moines.

ALEXANDER LASS earned a master of business administration degree in finance, with distinction, from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University in Chicago.

AARON MURPHY is the owner of Spruced Up Staging in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also serves on the Theatre Cedar Rapids board of directors. In December, Aaron participated in a Christmas cabaret show with LYNNE ROTHROCK ’85.

JUSTIN PAPKA is a contracts administrator, post-award, for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute in Washington, D.C.

TONY VANDEN HEUVAL is a sales representative for Teleflex Medical Inc. in Minneapolis and a licensed real estate agent with Terra Companies.

LAURA (TONKIN) VAN VERTLOO is assistant professor of small animal internal medicine at Iowa State University’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center in Ames.

TRISH YOUNG is a certified nurse-midwife at Midwifery and Women’s Health Care in Anchorage, Alaska.

2007

CHRIS ANGELICA is senior business intelligence analyst for Allstate Insurance Company in Northbrook, Ill.

CHRISTINA (GAARD) BAUMGART is director of pharmacy for Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

KYLE BINVERSIE of Richfield, Wis., is a territory sales manager for JELD-WEN Inc.

HEMIE COLLIER is assistant football coach and academic resource center assistant at St. Cloud (Minn.) State University.

LAURA (MCNAMARA) FILIPOSKI earned a master of social work degree from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

RACHEL (APPELT) HANSELL teaches elementary music for Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, Minn.

KIMBERLY (REICHERT) and MATTHEW HOEGH live in Denver. She is a registered nurse for Sky Ridge Medical Center. He is an academic hospitalist and assistant professor for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System.

KATIE HOLMBERG of Knoxville, Tenn., is a full-time analyst for STEELE CIS.

CRAIG MYRUM is a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes on Aging Biomedical Research Center in Baltimore.

SARAH (QUICK) OLEJNICZAK is dean for student affairs at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.

EMILY PANKOW is assistant professor of sports science at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

SARAH PUTNAM is controller for Eclipse Automation in Charlotte, N.C.

BRITT (LINDQUIST) SIMONSON earned a master’s degree in education from Northeastern University.

PAUL STELLMACHER is a hospice palliative medicine fellow at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.

ANNIE (PERSHALL) STEVENSON teaches biology for the Mount Angel (Ore.) School District.

ERIC THORSEN is technology manager for Wells Fargo in West Des Moines, Iowa.

ALISSA (VANDERPOOL) VERMILLION lives in Vienna, Va., and is the author of Beyond Farewell.

2008

GREG COCHRANE earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Minnesota. He is a dentist at River Town Dental in La Crosse and Holmen, Wis.

JOEY CORBIN is senior executive officer at the University of Oslo International Summer School.

KATIE (DANIELSON) ERLANDSEN earned a master of business administration degree and certificate in human resources from the University of Kansas. She is director of nursing at Olathe (Kan.) Medical Center.

RYAN FORDICE earned a master of divinity degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is development assistant at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.

CHANDRA (SKINNER) JENNINGS is director of the Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program at Luther.

DANIEL LEE is associate development officer for the Minnesota Medical Foundation in Minneapolis.

LANA (WICKS) MCDERMOTT is a dentist at Westside Dental in Decorah and is an adjunct faculty member for the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She is working on Project SEALED in northeast Iowa.

ERIC MOHLIS earned a master’s degree in music with an emphasis in choral conducting from Western Illinois University. He is director of choral activities at Dallas Center–Grimes (Iowa) High School and artistic director of the Iowa Youth Chorus.

NORA (HAUPT) ROBINSON is tutoring partnership director for the St. Paul (Minn.) Public Schools Foundation.

JOEL SCHROCK earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He is a manager for Pfizer Consulting and Execution in New York City.

MICHAEL TANGEN is the 10th-grade football coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator for Decorah Community Schools.

ZACH WALROD is assistant strength and conditioning coach for the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

DAVE WILLIAMS is a clinical staff pharmacist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

2009

CLAIRE ADDIS is an ecologist for the United States Forest Service in Bend, Ore.

JESSI COOPER is an industrial channel specialist for 3M in St. Paul, Minn.

LAURA DELIKOWSKI is an adviser and transfer recruiter for the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

ASHLEY (BEEK) FARLEY is an associate technical analyst for Tritech Software Systems in Decorah.

MISCHA FLEISHMAN is a VISTA volunteer coordinator for LAF in Chicago.

JESSE HALWEG teaches sixth-grade mathematics for Decorah Community Schools.

KIRSTEN HANSEN teaches elementary music for Greenfield Elementary School in Baldwin, Wis.

MEGAN (HELDERMAN) and BLAKE HUMPAL live in Charlotte, N.C. Megan is a physical therapist for Lifestyle Physical Therapy LLC. Blake is global sourcing manager for JELD-WEN Inc.

LIESL KOEHNEN is a project manager at Olson in Minneapolis. She also serves on the Luther College Alumni Council.

ANNIE (DALY) and NATHAN LESCH ’07 live in Austin, Texas. Annie is an educator for the Austin Independent School District. Nate earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He is a family nurse practitioner for Carlos Campos, MD, PA.

ERIN MAKELA earned a master of fine arts degree in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier.

DARIN MONROE is head coach for the Rock Valley College softball team in Rockford, Ill. The Rock Valley Golden Eagles went 52-5 for the season and won their second straight National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III National Championship game last spring. Monroe and his assistant coaches were named 2015 NFCA NJCAA DIII National Coaching Staff of the Year.

CHAD NELSON is assistant project manager for Schwob Building Company Ltd. in Dallas.

KATE ROE is a forensic interviewer for Blank Children’s Hospital Regional Child Protection Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

MELISSA (CONIBEAR) and ROSS SCHULTZ ’10 live in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Melissa is a registered nurse for Mahaska Health Partnership. Ross earned a master’s degree in health administration from Suffolk University and is director of business development for Mahaska Health Partnership.

JULIA SCHUMACHER earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. She teaches middle school ESL for the Tucson (Ariz.) Unified School District.

CHRISTA (HOSKEY) SLAGLE earned a doctor of nursing practice degree from Creighton University. She is a D.N.P. at MercyCare in Tama, Iowa.

2010

LIZ (JORGENSON) ALVARADO is assistant principal of instruction for IDEA Public Schools in Edinburg, Texas.

ROBERT ANDERSON is a registered nurse in the medical intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He and the members of Iowa Medical and Innovations Group (IMIG) developed a “segmented stabilization system for IV catheter insertion” and secured an exclusive license with China-based Hangzhou Fushan Medical Appliances Co. Ltd. to bring the technology to the marketplace. The device uses a flexible guide wire to direct a catheter into a blood vessel in a way that protects the vessel’s interior wall from being broken. The team hopes this will limit unsuccessful IV placement attempts and decrease the number of pokes for patients. Anderson says the concept for the device arose out of his own difficulty inserting IV catheters, a difficulty shared by other nurses, both experienced and novice. Looking for a solution, he went to the IMIG, a campus-wide program that pairs UI students with medical professionals who have identified a need for a medical device. IMIG is cosponsored by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, Henry B. Tippie College of Business, Carver College of Medicine, the College of Law, and the College of Engineering. To further develop this technology and bring it to market, Anderson launched BloodWorks LLC, a small medical device development company aimed at developing real-world solutions for problems observed in practice. BloodWorks, which is currently working on the development of additional technologies, includes members of past IMIG groups, health care professionals, biomedical engineers, and attorneys.

STEPHANIE CONANT earned a master’s degree in elementary education from American University. She is a teacher for Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax, Va.

ANDREW DYRDAL is a training solution specialist for Entrada in Nashville, Tenn.

LUIS ENRIQUEZ NAVAS is president of Anderlen Partners Inc. in Alexandria, Va.

TAYLOR HAMMRICH earned a master’s degree in education, curriculum, and instruction from the University of Denver. He is a teacher resident in the Denver Public Schools.

SARA HANSSEN is a midwife’s assistant at Mamatoto Midwifery in Decorah.

JEANINE LINK is a seventh- and eighth-grade choir director and fifth- through eighth-grade music teacher at Grinnell (Iowa) Middle School.

ERIN LUNDE KEENAN is director of development and communications for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle.

KIRSTIN MANGES is a pediatric oncology nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and a doctoral student in the College of Nursing at the university. She is president of Students for Interprofessional Education and a member of the University of Iowa Interprofessional Education Steering Committee, the Association of Graduate Nursing Students, and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement Open School Chapter. Kirstin is also in the VA National Quality Scholars Predoctoral Nurse Fellowship Program at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. Her research interests include safety, team cognition, interdisciplinary teams, and patient transitions. Last August, Kirstin attended the Swiss Ph.D. Platform in Nursing Science Education Summer Symposium in Switzerland.

JENNA NESS, Loras College head volleyball coach, was named Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year.

BETHANY NICOLL is interim head swimming coach at Luther College.

PAUL SCHOLTZ is a tenor in the Cantus Vocal Ensemble in Minneapolis.

AARON STENHAUG is an audit manager for Eide Bailly LLP in Minneapolis.

GABE TWEDT teaches first grade for the Decorah Community Schools.

2011

MOLLY ANDERSEN is the communications coordinator for Affiance Financial in St. Louis Park, Minn.

HANNAH (WILES) ANDERSON earned a doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She is a chiropractor at Back In Line Family Chiropractic and Wellness in Hiawatha, Iowa, and an adjunct professor of human anatomy and physiology at Kirkwood Community College. Anderson is a board member for Feed Iowa First and is certified in Webster Prenatal Adjusting Technique by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

SEAN ANDERSON is an analyst for Kroll Associates in Washington, D.C.

KELLY BANDMAN is AmeriCorps construction crew leader for Habitat for Humanity in Chicago.

LEXY DETERMAN was named Softball Coach of the Year by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) during the SLIAC’s conference softball tournament, following a two-year stint as the head coach in Jacksonville, Ill., for the MacMurray College Highlanders. The Highlanders reversed their 6-12 record in 2014 to 12-6 in 2015 and earned a berth in the conference tournament for the first time since 1999. In July, Lexy was named head softball coach at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.

SONJA ECKLUND is a health coach for RedBrick Health in Minneapolis.

ALEX (JOHNSON) and JASON ENGELKEN ’12 live in Decorah. Alex earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2014, and Jason earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from the university last May. In 2014, Jason worked with NFL, MLB, and MLS players during an internship in Dallas with EXOS, a performance training and physical therapy center for elite athletes. Alex and Jason are both physical therapists for Winneshiek Medical Center.

MAURA GOODIN earned a master’s degree in humanities with an emphasis in music theory from the University of Chicago. She is an administrative assistant for the Santa Fe (N.M.) Symphony.

ALLISON (MOEN) and WES GREGG live in Flagstaff, Ariz. Allison works in human resources for Northern Arizona Healthcare. Wes is a doctor of chiropractic at Hypo2 Chiropractic High Performance Sports Center.

JASON HAGEMEIER is a farm technician for Urban Organics in St. Paul, Minn.

ERIK HALVORSON is an academic adviser for Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn.

REUBEN HOLLAND is an acquisition planner for Chapman Cubine Adams and Hussey in San Francisco.

AMY HOOPER is a registered nurse for Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn.

KIRSTEN INDRELIE earned a medical doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She is a resident physician at Tulane University in New Orleans.

MERITT (SUCHOMEL) KALLAUS is a registered nurse for Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colo.

KATHLEEN KORNDOERFER earned a master’s degree in counseling from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. She is a mental health therapist at Mountain Vista Psychology PLLC in Englewood, Colo.

LUKE KRYSTOSEK earned a medical doctorate from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he is a resident physician in radiology.

WILL LAYTON is a graduate student in divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary and is serving as ELCA Horizon intern and vicar for Atonement Lutheran Church in Syracuse, N.Y.

BETHANY LEHMAN is director of visitor services at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.

RACHEL LOEFFLER-KEMP earned a master’s degree in advocacy and political leadership from the University of Minnesota–Duluth and is the AFL-CIO community services director with the Head of the Lakes United Way in Duluth.

AAIDHA MAJDHY is assistant sales and marketing manager and assistant project manager of Malahini Holdings Pvt. Ltd. in Malé, Maldives.

TYLER MCCUBBIN teaches social studies and special education for Sequel Youth Services at Woodward Academy in Woodward, Iowa.

JENNY ROBERTS teaches English at Hongo Student Center in Tokyo, Japan.

KATIE ROBERTS earned a medical doctorate from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She is an OB-GYN resident at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.

HANNAH (BRANDVOLD) and JOE ROSHOLT live in Owatonna, Minn. Hannah is director of communications for St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Joe is assistant Olmsted County attorney.

ERIN (DANIELS) RUBACH is a dentist at Eric. J. Wisdom D.D.S., P.A., in Manhattan, Kan.

WYATT SANDBERG of Minneapolis was elected to the board of directors of the Ampersand Club, which fosters appreciation for the arts essential to book production, such as typography, fine printing, binding, paper making, and book design.

JULIA WALK earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

JACOB WESSELS earned a medical doctorate from the University of Minnesota and is a resident at United Family Medicine in St. Paul, Minn.

BEN WILBUR is an IT programmer analyst for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

2012

AARON BURRESON earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is the professional learning program coordinator for WIDA Consortium at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

KAT (BLOCK) DENLINGER earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She is a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

MIKAELA (BELLAND) DEVINE earned a juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School. She is a postgraduation law clerk for Wilson Law Group in Minneapolis.

MELISSA ERICKSON is a business reporter for the Daily Times in Maryville, Tenn.

ASHLEY (MATTHYS) and EAN GIBSON live in Madison, Wis. Ashley is a project manager for Epic. Ean is a business analyst for Accenture.

DANIEL GRAINGER is the community engagement leader for Thrivent Financial in Decorah.

SPENCER GREEN is a staff accountant for Dana F. Cole and Company in Marshall, Minn.

MATTHEW IMHOFF earned a master of fine arts degree in production design from Michigan State University. He is a set designer and technical director for College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, Mass. Matthew was a national finalist in the 2013 Rose Brand Scenic Design Competition and won the 2015 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s regional design award.

BEN KOFOED earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota. He is a public health planner for Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching Health Services Board in Grand Rapids, Minn.

DAVID KORT of Green Bay, Wis., is first assistant plumbing manager for Menards.

EMILY LARSON of Decorah was the featured artist in the July issue from Driftward Press. Driftward Press provides subscribers with wall-ready art prints in the mail featuring a new and vibrant artist and writer each month.

COLLIN MEYER is a senior advisory consultant for Deloitte & Touche LLP in Minneapolis.

CARRIE NIEHAUS earned a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Iowa. She is a counselor for the Eagle Grove (Iowa) Community School District.

KAELA (STUART) PARRIGON earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is a doctoral student at Kent (Ohio) State University.

ALEXA PLASS earned an associate’s degree in diagnostic sonography from St. Catherine University. She is a diagnostic sonographer for Essentia Health Clinic in Park Rapids, Minn.

ERIN RUTHERFORD teaches fourth grade at Ghana International School in Accra, Ghana, West Africa.

AIMEE SCHREIBER earned a master’s degree in library and information science from St. Catherine University. She is youth services librarian at the Sparta (Wis.) Free Library.

KALI SHAROT is a registered nurse for Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

MANDIE (MICKELSON) SIEMS is a communications associate for the Hormel Institute in Austin, Minn.

TAYLOR SKOGLUND earned a master’s degree in Old Testament from Luther Seminary. She is director of youth and family ministries for Abiding Grace Lutheran Church in Southlake, Texas.

ERIN VOELSCHOW is an osteopathic student physician at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colo.

AMY WILSON earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with honors, from Duke University. She is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City, Minn.

CASSANDRA (MOLSKI) WOLFGRAM teaches music at World of Life Lutheran School in
St. Louis.

2013

EMILY BANITT earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a primary counselor at House of Mercy in Newton, Iowa.

CHARLES BANTA is corporate operations engineer for Google in Mountain View, Calif.

MICHELLE BOIKE earned a master’s degree in student affairs with a certificate in social justice from Iowa State University. She is the coordinator of multicultural programs in the Diversity Center at Luther College.

ALEXANDER BYOM is a loan officer at State Bank of Arcadia in Whitehall, Wis.

SAM DEPAGTER is a recruiter for Experis in Chicago.

SARAH EDWARDS is a policy services technician for Barkley Risk Administrators in Minneapolis.

BECCA EVANS is an aquatic rehab tech for CHI Health in Omaha, Neb.

SARAH FREHNER is a recovery chaplain at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge in Minneapolis.

TYLER HAGY earned a master of music degree in choral studies from Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge in England.

KIMBERLY (CAVANAGH) KEENEY earned a master of music degree focusing on theory and composition from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a creative arts academy facilitator in the Davenport (Iowa) School District.

HANNAH KRYSTOSEK is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

ALYSSA LANDIN is a graduate student at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

KIRK LEHMANN earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa. He is a planner I for Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council in Sioux City, Iowa.

ANDREW MELAND is a graduate student in religious studies and a teaching assistant at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

KATRINA (HANSON) and SETH RUMAGE live in Philadelphia. Katrina is an activities assistant in the recreational therapy department of Spring Mill Presbyterian Village and a youth minister for Glenside United Church of Christ. Seth is a hospital chaplain resident at Christiana Hospital in Wilmington-Newark, Del.

EMILY SCHNEIDER earned an associate’s degree in radiology and became AART certified at Northeast Iowa Community College. She is a radiographer at Southwest Health Center in Platteville, Wis.

JENA SCHWAKE earned a master’s degree in communication studies from Colorado State University. She is a part of the sales execution team for Northwestern Mutual in Fort Collins, Colo.

ANNIKA (ELLISON) SCOTT is an IHH care coordinator for Abbe Center for Community Mental Health in Iowa City, Iowa.

HANNAH SHATZER earned a master’s degree in psychology from the Ohio State University. She is a graduate research associate in psychology at the university in Columbus.

KATELYN SPINDLER teaches elementary art for the Rochester (Minn.) Public Schools.

ANDREW TJOSSEM is a correctional services specialist for Larimer County Community Corrections in Fort Collins, Colo.

CHRISTINA (STORLIE) WECKWERTH earned a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Minnesota. She is a quality engineer for 3M in Maplewood, Minn.

CHELSEA WYMAN earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is an instruction and reference librarian at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.

2014

JAYNE COLE is a marketing assistant at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

GRACE COLETTA is executive assistant to the president and cofounder at ContextMedia Inc., a Chicago-based health information services company building digital media technologies to deliver lifestyle education to patients to improve health outcomes.

KAREN DAVISON is garden science coordinator for John Burroughs Elementary School in Washington, D.C.

SIBUSISO DLAMINI is an accountant for Waverly (Iowa) Utilities.

ALEXIS DORSCHNER teaches elementary special education for the Alexandria (Minn.) School District.

KRISTA (HERRLING) and STUART DYBDAHL live in Middleton, Wis. Krista is an associate at Crack Filling Service and Stuart is an investment specialist for Madison Investment Advisors.

MARIA ELLINGSON is a digital media coordinator for Arvig in Perham, Minn.

JAMES GARCIA-PRATS is the assistant men’s soccer coach at Luther and the head boys’ soccer coach at Decorah High School. He has been selected to participate in the prestigious National Soccer Coaches Association of America 30-Under-30 program, a yearlong education and mentorship opportunity for a select few up-and-comers who have made soccer coaching their career of choice. This program was created to support fledgling coaches and foster their growth at a crucial point in their vocation. Garcia-Prats was one of 15 men and 15 women who were selected from 500 applicants from every level of the game, from the youth game through the professional ranks.

KATHERINE (OLLMAN) GISLESON teaches kindergarten through eighth-grade music at
De Sales Catholic School in Ossian, Iowa.

KELSEY GUNDERSON is a project coordinator for CJ Advertising in Nashville, Tenn.

ASHLEY KENT is a registered nurse for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

MARITA MAY is a fiddler in the musical show Celtic Fyre for Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.

ERIC PITTMAN is account manager for CoBank in Minneapolis and the defensive back football coach at Northfield (Minn.) High School.

JAIMIE RASMUSSEN is assistant account executive for the Zimmerman Group in Excelsior, Minn.

NAOMI SANDGREN teaches second grade for New Prague (Minn.) Area Schools.

ELIZABETH SANKEY teaches kindergarten for the Clarksville (Tenn.) Montgomery County School System.

JACOB SCHNABEL is group sales and assistant box office manager for Signature Theater in Arlington, Va.

MARY (MUELLER) SCHULTZ is office manager for the Salvation Army in Minneapolis.

PETER STORVICK is an actuarial analyst for Thrivent Financial in Minneapolis.

KIERSTEN SWENSON teaches second grade at Jefferson Elementary School in New Ulm, Minn.

KATHERINE TANGEN is publicity and promotions coordinator for Allied Integrated Marketing in Minneapolis.

EMILY VANDER STEL is an accountant for John Deere Product Engineering Center in Waterloo, Iowa.

RACHEL WOOLSEY is marketing director for Early Music Guild in Seattle.

2015

CAITLIN ALMER teaches fourth grade for Lois Lenski Elementary in Littleton, Colo.

ELISABETH ATHAS is an actor, teaching artist, and props designer for Saint Croix Festival Theatre in
St. Croix Falls, Wis.

SARAH BRANDT won the “Singing with the Broadway Stars” competition, part of Luther’s Center Stage Series performance of Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway. The competition, sponsored and judged by the cast of the show, invited Luther students and local residents to audition to sing with the cast during the Sept. 18 show in Luther’s Center for Faith and Life. One winner and 12 runners-up were chosen from a pool of 30 applicants. Brandt and the runners-up joined the cast to perform “Seasons of Love” from the musical RENT. Brandt sang the lead solo parts, accompanied by the runners-up and the Broadway stars singing the chorus. She is a production director and an afternoon radio announcer at KDEC FM 100.5 in Decorah.

MALLORY BRODERICK is a physical therapist at Aegis Therapies in Austin, Minn.

CLAUDIA CALDERON is a global health policy intern with the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C. She is also a research and knowledge management consultant with Ashoka, an associate consultant for i-intelligence, and a contributing editor for Southern Pulse-Networked Intelligence.

RIGZIN DOLMA is an account associate for Wells Fargo in Minneapolis.

ERIK DOTSETH is an implementation consultant for Fast Enterprises in Olympia, Wash.

SAMI EILERS is a vocal music instructor at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

CARLY ELLEFSEN is a production artist at Design Center Inc. in St. Paul, Minn.

EMILY ENGLAND is a collections assistant for Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah.

MEGAN GELSINGER is a cafe server at Barnes and Noble in Ithaca, N.Y.

KATIE HALE is an editing intern for Familius Publishing in Sanger, Calif.

HOLLY HARRIS is a report writing specialist for Al Nasher in Amman, Jordan.

MARLON HENRIQUEZ teaches kindergarten Spanish immersion at Gage Elementary School in Rochester, Minn.

KAYLA HERMAN is a management trainee for Evergreen Bank Group in Oak Brook, Ill.

DARREN HILL is a district sales manager for the Rochester (Minn.) Post-Bulletin.

AIME KARAM is an account executive for Minnesota Premier Publications in Minneapolis.

JACQUELINE KAYEBA is on the audit staff for Ernst & Young in Minneapolis.

HANS KITTLESON works in technical services for Epic in Verona, Wis.

CODY KLIETHERMES is a pension fund accountant for Northern Trust in Chicago.

ELI KLOSTERBOER is the student coordinator of international programs for CEDEI School in Cuenca, Ecuador.

LIBBY LOGSDEN is an auditor for Deloitte & Touche LLP in Minneapolis.

CONNOR MATTISON is a junior content strategist for Media Junction in St. Paul, Minn.

HANNAH (ROWSE) and ERIC OAKLEY live in Decorah. She is a seed preservation technician for Seed Savers Exchange. He is a broadband specialist I for Mediacom Communications.

ELLEN PRITCHARD is a finance assistant for Carousel Motor Group in Minnetonka, Minn.

KELSEY ROSE is an accounting auditor for Deloitte & Touche LLP in Davenport, Iowa.

AUBREY ROSS is a vocal music instructor for MACCRAY Public Schools in Clara City, Minn.

KAIA SAND is an elementary literacy tutor at Pine Island (Minn.) Elementary School.

ALDON SEVERSON is a business development associate at Baker Tilly in Minneapolis.

PROMETHEU TYAGI was selected to be one of 100 Youth for India Fellows from an applicant pool of 15,000. The fellowship is a 13-month experience funded by the State Bank of India. Tyagi is assigned to carry out a development project in a rural area of India.

VELVET WARNE is a program coordinator for REM Iowa Community Services in Hiawatha, Iowa.

ELLE (KROGH) and ANDREW WITHERS live in West Des Moines, Iowa. Elle is an IT application analyst. Andrew teaches fifth grade for Waukee Community Schools.

1954–1959 / 1960–1969 / 1970–1979 / 1980–1989 / 1990–1999

1954

MAYNARD ANDERSON is president of the Arcadia Institute Inc. in Arlington, Va. He serves as chairman on the board of directors for Leave No Veteran Behind, on the board of directors for the National Security Institute Inc., and as chairman on the board of directors for Anderlen Partners Inc. He is also a member of the Luther College Alumni Council.

Professor emeritus of health and physical education KENT FINANGER of Mankato, Minn., was inducted into Wauwatosa (Wis.) East High School’s first class of their Athletic Hall of Fame last May. Twenty-two coaches and 42 athletes were inducted in the ceremony. Finanger won the Wauwatosa High School Athlete of the Year award for the 1949–50 school year; was a multiple letter winner in football, basketball, and track; and was honored as a first team selection of the Suburban Conference All-Conference team while a student athlete at Wauwatosa East.

1959

ARDIS FISKERBECK CHRISTEN is an English/speech teacher and librarian for the Rochester (Minn.) Public Schools.

1961

BILL BAILEY of Burlington, Iowa, was inducted into the Minnewaska Laker Athletic Hall of Fame last October. Bailey was the head football coach at Starbuck, Minn., for 20 seasons. His teams had an overall record of 124 wins and 64 losses. In addition to being successful in the Pheasant Conference, the Bucks played in four state tournaments in a span of five seasons, including a run to the state championship game in 1981, the same year Bailey was inducted into Luther’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Bailey recently retired and returned to his hometown of Burlington, Iowa. He is a member of the board of directors for the Purple and Gray Foundation, which is spearheading a multimillion-dollar project to renovate Bracewell Stadium. The foundation aims to support the Burlington Community School District’s athletics program.

1962

BILL DAVIS III of Winona, Minn., is retired.

1963

SANDY (BILDEN) HOEG of Decorah was honored as a “superhero” volunteer for the Winneshiek Medical Center at the 2015 volunteer appreciation event.

ANDREA (COWLES) NELSON and her husband, Jerry, lived in Hamar, Norway, for a year, 1997–98. During that year Andrea wrote articles biweekly for several newspapers in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Norwegian American recently posted an excerpt from one of her columns, in which she describes Christmas in Norway and the preparation days leading up to Christmas. Read it at lczine.com/nelsonnorway.

1964

DENNIS MELIN is a member and manager of Professional Education Institute LLC in Tucson, Ariz.

1966

DAVID ROSHEIM of Maquoketa, Iowa, is the author of The Four Sisters: A Narrative and Documentary History of Iowa’s State Psychiatric Hospitals.

1967

MARIANNE CHRISTIANSON of St. Paul, Minn., returned to visit Cardiff, Wales, 50 years after she helped paint the Norwegian Church’s interior while on a summer trip with students from Luther. The church used to be the place of worship for Cardiff’s Norwegian community.

MICHAELE PETERS BENN is the interim high school principal for Bridge Creek Public Schools in Blanchard, Okla.

1968

BRENT HERAMB is an attorney with Brent A. Heramb PC in San Diego.

KATHRYN HOLLEQUE is professor emerita of education at Valley City (N.D.) State University.

GEORGE KUH received the Distinguished Career Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education. He is the coprincipal investigator at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. He also serves on Luther’s Board of Regents.

DONALD MACINNIS of Tacoma, Wash., is retired.

1969

MARY (LEISTIKOW) CASTERTON of Decorah was honored as a “superhero” volunteer for the Winneshiek Medical Center at the 2015 volunteer appreciation event.

REBECCA SKAAR ’02, JOHN SMEDSTAD ’00 (director), and MYRNA PETERSEN-KONAJESKI ’69, are choir members at Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore.

DALE HOUCK traveled to Gneleka Lutheran Church in Africa last summer, where he was guest preacher and lecturer and was made an honorary chief of the village. While there he also preached to his congregation at Grace Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, Pa., via Skype.

STAN RAGNES of Plymouth, Minn., is retired and runs a piano tuning and repair business.

1970

NANCY (OSTERBUR) HINRICHS works in wellness for Quest Diagnostics in Moline, Ill.

NANCY (ROEWERT) HOKANSON of Petaluma, Calif., is retired.

TANNA (TWEET) MACKENZIE is the president of Lutheran Women of Australia and the office manager of Immanuel Woden Valley Lutheran Church in Lyons, Australia.

JAY YOUNG of Florence, Ky., is retired.

1972

PENNY ENGRAV-HOFFLAND of Eau Claire, Wis., released her first album, Notes Of Love: Recordings from the Home of Penny Lynn. Information about the CD is available at lukaslight.com.

1973

BARB (DONALDSON) CHAPIN is an accountant for Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview, Minn.

GREGORY DAHLBERG retired as senior vice president of strategic enterprise initiatives for Lockheed Martin. He is a private consultant in Washington, D.C.

JULIANNE (ZIEMANN) DAHLEN and her husband, Derick, own Villa Bellezza, a Tuscan-style winery in Pepin, Wis.

DONOVAN FRANK is a U.S. federal district judge for the United States district court in St. Paul, Minn. He recently ruled that Minnesota’s Sex Offender Civil Commitment Program is unconstitutional due to indefinite life sentences and lack of treatment, setting the stage for major changes to the program. Frank is embarking on an initiative to monitor recently released federal offenders dealing with chemical dependency and other issues.

DAVE KARK is a sales manager for Cartridges-Direct in St. Mary’s Point, Minn.

1974

WILLIAM NEUMAN is pastor at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Irmo, S.C. He is also a published author under the name W. M. Neuman. Risk is his first full-length novel and the first book in the Paul Cambridge Chronicles.

BARBARA SCHULTZ is a licensed-to-minister lay pastor for Elim Church in Nantwich, England. She is a volunteer hospital chaplain and also sings in the Nantwich Choral Society.

ANNE TEMTE retired as president of Northland Community and Technical College in Grand Forks, N.D. She works as a consultant in executive search, executive coaching, writing and editing, and organizational dynamics.

PAM (GREGG) TORRESDAL retired as director of counseling at Luther College.

1975

MIKE ADAMS of Lutherville, Md., is a project director for the Department of Defense.

MARILYN JOHNSON is a communications consultant for Wells Fargo Asset Management in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

STEVE MINECK is the manager of flight dispatch charter operations for United Airlines in Chicago.

1976

RAD DECKER is senior director of drug metabolism for Sunovion Pharmaceuticals in Marlborough, Mass.

ALLEN GREEN is the dean of equity and inclusion for Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y.

1977

GARY EDER is leading training specialist of the 100K Project for the CH2M-Hanford site in Richland, Wash.

MARK and LOIS (DUNLEAVY) FINANGER are retired in Decorah.

ANDREW HOLMAN is the cantor for Os Kyrkjelyd, a church in Os, Norway.

CORA LELAND is a certified public accountant for Messerli and Schadow PLLP in Edina, Minn.

BRAD SCHNEIDER retired from teaching band for Middleton (Wis.) High School.

1978

LAURA BLOBAUM KNOERR is administrative director for DregerLaw in Chicago.

MARILYN (WANGBERG) and HANS BRATTSKAR ’79 live in Nesbru, Norway. Marilyn is the music director and cantor for Holmen Church. Hans serves as state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. He has served as director general and special envoy for climate change at the Ministry of the Environment, as the first director of the Government of Norway’s Climate and Forest Initiative, ambassador and special adviser for conflict prevention and peace building operations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and chief negotiator for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front.

JOHN HANEWALL JR. of Janesville, Wis., is a professional clown and was named the All Around Clown of 2015 by the Midwest Clown Association. He won the award in 2008 and 2011 as well, and his clown character’s name is “Luther.” When he is not clowning around, John is the deputy director of the Rock County Development Disabilities Board.

JAN (BAKKER) KNUTSON was inducted into the Tommy Awards Hall of Fame for her career achievements in musical directing. The Tommy Awards recognize excellence in high school musical theater. Only one individual is inducted into the Hall of Fame each year. Knutson is the choral director and instructional manager of music for the Janesville (Wis.) Community School District.

KEVIN MURPHY is U.S. representative for Lohff & Pfeiffer USA LLC in Bloomington, Ind.

BOB PAULSON JR. is president and CEO of NxThera Inc. in Maple Grove, Minn., a medical device company pioneering the application of its Convective Water Vapor Energy platform technology to treat endourological conditions. He was recently appointed to Sun BioPharma’s board of directors and will chair their corporate governance committee. He also serves on Luther’s Board of Regents.

1979

ANN (WISE) MANSFIELD of Decorah was honored with the 2015 Healthy Iowa Award for her visionary leadership. The Healthy Iowa Award recognizes individuals and organizations that developed and implemented policies and practices resulting in sustainable environmental change and healthier living for Iowans. The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative has brought together people in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties to improve access to healthy, locally grown foods and to provide opportunities for physical activity in places where we live, learn, work, and play.

PAUL MOEN is SVP-chief financial officer for Bridgewater Bank in Bloomington, Minn.

JIM SACQUITNE is a physician assistant in emergency medicine for Affinity Health System in Appleton and Oshkosh, Wis. He was honored as the Preceptor of the Year by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Physician Assistant Program.

1980

GREG ANDREWS is an attorney and shareholder for Jackson Lewis P.C. in Chicago.

KRIS (SKOGLUND) and DAN TJORNEHOJ ’79 live in Hudson, Wis. Kris is the department chair of music at University of Wisconsin in River Falls (UWRF) and the conductor of the UWRF Symphony Band and the St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra, and she serves on the faculty for the International Traveling Classroom in Edinburgh, London, and Paris. She was the conductor for the 2015 American Spring Festival in Prague as well as the guest conductor for the 2015 Indiana All-State Honors Band and won the 2015–16 Professional Service Award at UWRF. Dan is an attorney and the executive director of the Minnesota Veterinarian Medical Association. He also serves on the Minnesota Agrigrowth Council and the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives.

1981

LINNY EMRICH is the clerk of court for Clayton County in Elkader, Iowa.

LINDA (HAHN) KENDALL-FIELDS is a clinical assistant professor at University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Jordan Institute for Families.

BONNIE MURRAY of Decorah was honored as a “superhero” volunteer for the Winneshiek Medical Center at the 2015 Volunteer Appreciation event.

CURT TRYGGESTAD was named the 2015 Richard Green Scholar by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. He is the superintendent of the Eden Prairie (Minn.) School District.

JEANINE VORLAND was awarded the 2015 Minnesota Conservation Partner of the Year Award by Ducks Unlimited (DU). Vorland is the Owatonna area wildlife supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Since 2004, when DU launched its Living Lakes conservation initiative in Minnesota and Iowa, Vorland has been instrumental in leading, in cooperation with DU, the enhancement of eight shallow lakes that improved nearly 6,000 acres of wetland habitat for migrating and breeding waterfowl. Vorland has also partnered with DU to restore several smaller wetlands and acquire public land and has several new shallow lake enhancement projects planned.

1982

MARTIN DORN is an independent scholar in Lübeck, Germany.

KIM GLEASON-HINK and PAUL HINK and their three daughters opened Element Six, a women’s clothing boutique filled with fair trade and ethically made clothing in Wayne, Pa. The couple chose the name Element Six because of the family’s involvement in science (the sixth element is carbon). The entire family is involved with the store through the creation of a website, trips to New York for buying, and research on suppliers/designers. The store donates 10 percent of its profits to charity and is registered as a benefit corporation with the state.

CARRIE (PHIPPS) HARNEY is an independent business owner at Agility Training Solutions in Rochester, Minn. She is also the technology training coordinator for Olmsted County.

BRENT JOHNSON is the chief manager at Pipeline Holdings LLC in Bloomington, Minn.

GAONE MASIRE provides human resource management support for the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

JULIE (KLAUSEN) and DAVE MOE ’81 live in Eagan, Minn. Julie is patient care supervisor for Fairview Clinics. Dave is director of marketing for Braun Intertec.

MARY BETH PETRAK DE AVILA is a performing arts and history instructor for Monte del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe, N.M.

JOY (TURNER) ROYSTON and her husband, Dave, own Sport Impressions sporting goods store and JustAGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. They were inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame class of 2015 as “Friends of the Game.”

1983

KEVIN HARTMAN is the manager of IT operations and application services for Rust Consulting Inc. in Minneapolis.

STEVE HAYDON is chief legal officer for the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

PAM SNELL joined the Luren Singers tour of Norway in June 2015, along with other Luther alumni, faculty, students, and spouses photographed in the fall 2015 issue of the magazine.

1984

JON CHRISTY is the Luther College director of assessment and institutional research and is one of 28 administrators in higher education selected in a nationwide search by the Council of Independent Colleges to participate in a yearlong Senior Leadership Academy. Christy will participate in two seminars in Baltimore 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.

DENAE (ERDMAN) and STEVE HARDER live in Des Moines, Iowa, where Steve joined the faculty at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

MARK KVALE is senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta, Wis.

TODD VANDENBARK is the information literacy and technology librarian for Vogel Library at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

TRACEY (HOVDEN) WALSH is sales manager for Hovden Oil in Ridgeway, Iowa.

1985

DEREK BERG is an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services in Rushford, Minn.

CHARLIE HOVEN is senior event planner for Hearty Boys Catering in Chicago.

1986

MAREE HAMPTON is a self-employed program evaluator in Minneapolis.

DALE KRUSE earned a doctor of musical arts degree in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota. He is the music director for the Minnesota Opera: Project Opera vocal training program and an assistant professor of voice and lyric theatre at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. He was the guest conductor for the 2015 Missouri MENC All-Collegiate Honors Choir.

JIM THOMSEN was named president of Thrivent Holdings for Thrivent Financial in Minneapolis. In his new role, he is responsible for delivering strong performance and continued growth for Thrivent’s existing subsidiaries, affiliates, and sponsored organizations, including Thrivent Federal Credit Union and Thrivent Mutual Funds. In addition, Thomsen and his team lead the development of new products, services, and entities outside of Thrivent’s traditional adviser-based business to give Christians wider access to the organization. Thomsen joined Thrivent in 1986 and most recently served as the organization’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. He currently serves on the Forrester Research Chief Marketing Officer Leadership Board and on the Luther Board of Regents.

1987

CHRISTINE (STEWART) GEMLO is an administrative assistant for Minnesota State University, Mankato.

1988

CALLISTA (BISEK) GINGRICH is the author of Christmas in America, the fifth volume in her New York Times best-selling children’s series featuring Ellis the Elephant.

LARRY GREAVES is vice president and owner of APT Resources in Apple Valley, Minn.

DAVID WRIGHTSMAN is pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn.

1989

TODD FOGDALL is president and CEO for the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York, Pa.

DEBRA (LACKMANN) FREEMAN is a self-employed oil/gas assets analyst in Carrollton, Texas.

TIM JACOBSEN won an Emmy Award for American Horror Story: Freak Show as a visual effects producer for outstanding visual effects in a supporting role. Tim is cofounder and executive producer at FuseFX in Burbank, Calif.

NAOMI MAHLER is interim associate pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minn.

YUKARI (PRATT) SAKAMOTO is a food writer in Japan. She was featured on the PBS show What Phil’s Having. pbs.org/wgbh/what-phils-having/tokyo/

KAREN (COLE) STOCK teaches English at Decorah High School.

1990

VALERIE (WANTOCH) CAMPBELL is a nurse manager at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

MICHELLE (MALY) and CARTER HANSON ’92 live in Valparaiso, Ind. Michelle is the resident director of the International Study Center for Valparaiso University. Carter is an English professor at the university. They are directing the university’s study-abroad program in Reutlingen, Germany, from 2015 to 2017.

JAN (STYVE) KARRMANN is a research support specialist at the Alzheimer’s Treatment and Research Center in St. Paul, Minn.

GREGG LUTHER of Aurora, Colo., is senior solutions consultant and product manager for Imanage Inc.

ANDREW NESSET is liberal arts dean at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn.

DANIELLE (KITTELSON) PETERSON earned a master’s degree in collaborative education from Fielding Graduate University. She teaches elementary physical education for the Amery (Wis.) School District.

1991

PAUL BLOM is interim CEO of the National Parkinson Foundation in Miami as well as the CEO and owner of Right at Home In-Home Care and Assistance in Bloomington, Minn.

REYNOLDS CRAMER of Ames, Iowa, is chief executive officer of Fareway Stores Inc. He was invited to join the Iowa Business Council, which consists of the top executives of the state’s largest employers, the three regent universities, and the Iowa Bankers Association.

STEPHANIE (DUNN) DEN HARTOG is a psychology instructor for Anoka (Minn.) Technical College.
JOHN FRANK is executive vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services in Eden Prairie, Minn.

BRIAN GARMAN of New York City is cofounder and artistic director of the Berkshire Opera Festival.

AMY (MICHAELSON) IGOU earned a Ph.D. in management information systems from Southern Illinois University. She is assistant professor at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

LAURA JÄNNES is head of administration for the University of the Arts Helsinki Theatre Academy in Finland.

SHERRY (ATIENZA) JOSEPH is a dentist at Joseph & Joseph Dental LLC and a licensed massage therapist and owner of Jade Healing Massage Eastern Therapeutics LLC in Plymouth, Wis.

LAURA (PAULSON) LANDAU is author of The Life Balance Playbook: Seven Steps to the Life You Deserve.

CAROLINE WORRA is an opera singer in New York City and has performed more than 75 roles, including 20 world, American, and regional premieres at more than 30 opera companies. She was added to Onalaska (Wis.) High School’s Wall of Excellence last fall.

1992

STEPHANIE AGRESTA is owner of Stephanie Agresta Consulting in Little Silver, N.J. She created the Bloggers Lounge at SXSW, co-created TechSet, and coauthored Perspectives on Social Media. She was ranked sixth among digital creators, innovators, and strategists in public relations by PRWeek, and Business Insider named her as one of the top 25 advertising executives on Twitter.

GREG IRVING is a student in conservation ecology in Bangkok, Thailand.

1993

CATHY (CHRISTIANS) BONESTROO of George, Iowa, is a project director for Rotary Club of Rock Valley Foundation Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs.

KRISTIN (ZOLNOSKY) HARNEY is assistant professor of music education at Montana State University.

ANJIE SHUTTS is a partner/attorney at Whitfield and Eddy PLC in Des Moines, Iowa. Anjie was recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers 2015 in family law and was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2016 in family law.

1994

JODI (TOLLEFSON) and MARK BJERKE ’93 live in Edina, Minn. Jodi is a stay-at-home mom, and Mark is the regional sales manager at Bromium and a cofounder of Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. in Decorah.

ROBB GARDNER earned a master of healthcare administration degree from the University of Iowa. He is the CEO of Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

JEFFREY MCKINNEY earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Bergen (Norway). He is the assistant manager of Charles River Canoe and Kayak in Allston, Mass.

1995

BECKI (GRINSTEAD) ERNST of Keizer, Ore., is a compliance specialist for the state of Oregon.

JIM LEE earned a master of public health degree from the University of Minnesota. He is a supervisory public health veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Decorah.

SUZANNE LYNDON is media coordinator in the Media Relations Office at Luther College.

ANGELA (GAWRON) NELSON is a clinical psychologist for West End Consultation Group in St. Louis Park, Minn.

MARK PETERING is associate professor of music at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. He recently wrote an octet for the Washington Island Music Festival in Door County, Wis., celebrating its 25th anniversary season in 2016.

LYNNE (PERRY) POULTON is a professional organizer and owner of Wholly Organized in Stow, Ohio.

TROY ROHNE ’95 is the vice president and director of sales for Amy’s Bread in New York City. Last summer Troy and his wife, Amy Scherber, opened their newest concept, The Pantry by Amy’s Bread (designed by Troy), which features companies based in Brooklyn and various New England locations whose products—such as jam, honey, pâté, smoked salmon, and cheese—pair perfectly with Amy’s Bread. They will also open two kiosks at the New York Public Library’s landmark Stephen A. Schwartzman building on Fifth Avenue and at its Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. 

TYLER STRAUB is the regional vice president of North American sales, partner, and investor with Firescope Inc. in Huntington Beach, Calif.

1996

JAMIE KNIGHT is the manager of consulting services at Nordic Consulting Partners in Madison, Wis.

SCOT REISINGER is the dean of adult programs at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

1997

MICHAEL ELSBERND is the director of worship and music, organist, and choir director for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.

SARAH HESSELBACHER is a reading interventionist for Galena (Ill.) Primary School.

CHRISTIAN NILSSON is senior vice president and chief financial officer for Royal DSM in the Netherlands.

GEOFFREY PESANKA is a pharmacist at Walgreens in Phoenix, Ariz.

NICOLE PLYMESSER NELSON is an illustrator, artist, and writer in Lockport, Ill. She runs nicplynel.com, a website and blog, as well as an online Etsy business. She also speaks and teaches in the Chicago area and Atlanta. She and writer Leslie Eaton created an online Bible study, Bible Stories from the Heart. Nicole is the illustrator for the study, and plans are in the works to publish a print version of the first six-week program.

ARVIND RAMNANI is senior analyst for Gordon Haskett Research Advisors in New York City.

LEAH WOEHR-GRANDE is a master’s student in divinity at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and a pastoral intern at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Red Hill, Pa.

1998

JENNA (ZALK) BERENDZEN is a family nurse practitioner at Allen Women’s Health in Waterloo, Iowa.

JESS ELLIS is the primary care sports medicine specialist at Oregon Medical Group in Eugene.

MATT EVANS is a risk management specialist for TrueNorth Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was named the 2015 Community Trustee by Leadership for Five Seasons.

BRIAN JOHNSON is vice president of finance and corporate secretary for Casey’s General Stores Inc. in Ankeny, Iowa.

TREVOR LOES earned a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting and pedagogy from the University of Iowa. He is the choir director for Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa.

1999

MARYA (SCHROTT) LEAICH earned a bachelor’s degree in education/early childhood education from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. She is an ELL specialist for the Hazelwood (Mo.) School District.

JESSE WINSELL earned a juris doctorate from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., and is a data practices and privacy official for Hennepin County, Minn.

Joyce Everson ’56 and Robert E. Lee ’50

Providential Love?

by Joyce (Everson) Lee

As a Boscobel, Wis., high school freshman, I attended the very first Dorian Music Festival in 1950. I distinctly remember the president of the Dorian Society with the famous name, Robert E. Lee, who presided at the banquet that year.

Then, as a high school senior in 1953, at our spring regional music festival, our high school band director advised us to hear the contest performance of the up-and-coming Mount Horeb High School Band. I distinctly remember the enthusiastic directing of its conductor, Robert E. Lee.

Also, it so happened that spring that there were two other Luther-related incidents that impressed me: (1) a hand written warmly Weston recruitment note suggesting that the Luther College Concert Band needed me, and (2) a personal visit from a charming Luther College recruiter who also implied the LCCB needed me. (That recruiter, Fred Thompson, turned out to be a close friend and classmate of—yes—the same Robert E. Lee!)

Upon high school graduation, I was scheduled for matriculation at Wheaton College, predestined there by parental wishes and a strong desire to follow in my idolized big brother’s footsteps. With eagerness to complete pre-med studies in three years, I immediately started at Wheaton summer school shortly after high school graduation. However, I was absolutely overwhelmed by homesickness, and by late July, I had tearfully convinced Mom and Dad that Luther really did need me—not to mention, it was conveniently so much closer to home! A quick trip to Luther to fill out an application ensued. I was accepted, and enrolled for the fall term starting within a month. Whew!!

Fast forward to 1955. It so happened that Robert E. Lee returned for his fifth college class reunion that fall. He was teaching in Madison, Wis., at the time and was directing the University Lutheran Student Choir at UW. His classmate Fred Thompson knew that I would be applying to medical school there the next fall and arranged to introduce us. I remember that occurred on the steps of Larson Hall, and Bob, eager for LSA recruits, took out his little black book and entered my name. I was honored.

In the fall of 1956, I entered the University of Wisconsin Medical School and within a few weeks received a call from Robert E. Lee. He needed me to sing in his choir. I accepted. By November, we were dating. By July 4, 1957, we were engaged, and by Thanksgiving Eve, 1957, we were married in the chapel of the LSA Student Center on the UW campus. Within three years, I finished med school and Bob had acquired his dream job as director of bands at Wartburg College. The rest of the story is history.

But I am convinced that it would have been an entirely different story had I not received that warmly Weston recruitment letter, which was very similar no doubt to those that many other musical high school seniors received that year! Thank you, Weston. 

Sue Matthews ’59 and Chuck Enge ’58

To Sue . . . A Valentine Gift

by Chuck Enge

The glorious unexpected lifetime experiences that I had at Luther College and after started late summer 1954.

I was scared to death that I could not make it after some wisdom from my older brother, John, who was starting his senior year. After seven days per week of studying and a part-time job at the old canteen, I received great grades! I couldn't believe it.

Fall of sophomore year, taking an order from a customer, I turned to place the order through the window to the kitchen. I did an instant double take! I was looking at someone magical. I knew immediately that I had to meet her—Sue Matthews '59. We started to spend time together.

On one of our walks one October evening, Sue announced to me that she had a birthday coming up in a few weeks. When I asked the date and year, I didn't believe her! She asked why. We were born on the same date and the same year! Star-crossed lovers!

The first day home as I walked in the door, my mother said I had a phone call waiting. I picked up the phone and heard one of my good friends from high school: “Be on the curb at 5:00 a.m. Pack a bag!” Suburban Seattle for the summer before the national four-lanes came about. Out there, I was able to consult with my godmother, secretary to the president of PLC in Tacoma—she asked me about my feelings toward Sue. I declared my love for her and that I wanted to marry her. I couldn't live without her!

It began to fall into place my junior year. I sensed the same feelings from Sue. We both were from smaller towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin, from ordinary families. Coincidentally, my father and Sue’s mother were full-blooded Norwegians. We were married in 1958, three days before my graduation from Luther.

Our first job was teaching and coaching in Preston, Minn., so Sue could complete her degree. We lived in a small trailer and were so happy! My first head basketball job in northern Minnesota I forgot our birthdays until two weeks later when it dawned on me! That evening I brought up my dumb forgetfulness. She said: “Yes, I know!” What a great lady I married.

And finally in our Fulbright year in Norway, long after our own children had moved out, we were taking our walk in the fall evening down at the North Sea, and I said to Sue: “Dear, do you know I am beginning to fall in love with you all over again?" And she said: "It's happening to me also!"

I lost her to lung cancer in 2003, but we still talk.

Pam Lokken ’68 and Bob Oman ’68

byPam (Lokken) Oman

I met my spouse at Luther, and it was truly “love at first sight.” Bob Oman ‘68 had transferred from Willmar Community College to Luther as a sophomore in the fall of 1965. I was also a sophomore and one day spotted a cute blond guy walking across campus. I was able to find out who he was when he came into the language lab where I worked. He had to give me his name so that I could record that he had been to the lab.

A few weeks later there was a girl-ask-boy Sadie Hawkins Dance, which gave me the chance to ask him on our first date. Soon it was time for Christmas break, but then in January he asked me to a “formal” sophomore affair called “A Night in Camelot.” After that evening I told my girlfriend that I was going to marry Bob. I also wrote a letter to my cousin Chuck Bye ‘66, who was on interim in Minneapolis, that I’d met my future husband.

Bob and I were married June 16, 1968, and were able to have a wonderful life blessed with three sons who have given us three daughters-in-law and five granddaughters. Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in December of 2007, was forced to retire from his veterinary profession, and died October 23, 2013, from complications of it. I miss him every day but will be forever happy to have had him in my life for 48 years.
 

Audrey Happel ’73 and Robert Hill ’73

byRobert Hill

Audrey Happel '73 and I met during an open house at Brandt women’s dorm in January 1970 of our freshman year. This was back when Luther was just starting to allow men on women’s dorm floors and women on men’s dorm floors. I know this is a hard concept for many to even comprehend today. I went to Brandt with a group of friends, with all of us ending up visiting in one girl’s dorm room. Audrey happened to be in the dorm room that night. We visited that evening, with this chance meeting being the start of our life together. I later proposed to her in my dorm room located in Men’s Tower [now Dieseth Hall].

We graduated from Luther in May of 1973 and were married Labor Day Weekend, May 26, 1973! We will have been happily married for 43 years in May 2016. We now have three lovely daughters, Elizabeth, Erin, and Laura, and five grandchildren. We have lived all, except for one year, of our married life in Independence, Iowa. Audrey is now retired from teaching in the Independence, Iowa, Community Schools for several years after a long career as an elementary teacher. I have been the human resources director at Wapsie Valley Creamery in Independence for the past 27 years. Audrey and I will forever be grateful to Luther College for bringing us together one cold snowy January evening in 1970!

Elaine Olsen ’81 and Gary Johnson ’82

“Was it a medical emergency” or “Did I just get engaged”?

by Elaine (Olsen) Johnson

I was a new RN grad from Luther, working my first holiday shifts at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. So that meant celebrating Christmas with my boyfriend, still at Luther, before he left to spend Christmas break with his family in Wisconsin. We were both broke, so it was agreed that gifts would be simple. He agreed to cook me a meal in his “garage apartment.” As a lovely supper was served, he disappeared to put my gift on the turntable—I soon heard my favorite album, “An Anne Murray Christmas,” playing. We had danced quite often to Anne Murray’s songs. Perfect! Such a thoughtful and meaningful gift!

But then he returned with another gift— a 4-x-4-inch bow-topped box. But we had agreed to keep it simple! What was this all about? He had heard me many times wish for a larger nurse’s watch—he must’ve decided I needed that!

As I carefully unwrapped the foiled box, he kneeled beside me. But what was going on? He was gasping for air, sweating and I could hear his heart pounding! He breathlessly said, “There’s a question that goes with that gift.”

The always aware new nurse thought, “Is he having a heart attack?” and then, “Doesn’t he think I know how to use a nurse’s watch?” So I furiously pulled off the paper and opened the box to find the most beautiful diamond solitaire ring I had ever seen. On one knee, he said, “The question is,will you marry me?”

My disappointment over the nurse’s watch waned quickly and I immediately said yes! We were married September 18, 1982! We now have three children and one grandchild. We have celebrated many more wonderful life events together!

Oh, and I bought myself a nurse’s watch.

Kristin Jensen ’88
and Paul Reimann ’89

by Paul Reimann

I met my future wife, Kristin (Jensen) Reimann ’88, at Luther in 1986. She was an athletic trainer, and I was on the football team. We endured our fair share of teasing from the other players!

This fall will be our 25th wedding anniversary. Our oldest daughter, Rachel, is a junior at Luther majoring in—you guessed it—athletic training.

Go Norse!

Hallie Hite '97 and Nate Evans '96

by Hallie (Hite) Evans

Nate and I met the fall of my junior and his senior year. We had a ton of fun and lovely times on our ice cream dates in the caf and making pots down in the old pottery studio, but one of my favorite college memories was our first spring break trip, 20 years ago this March. We'd only been dating for a few months, and it was a true test for any relationship. We'd planned on visiting Nate's sister in Holden Village, Wash., but after my car broke down in Fargo, N.D, we wouldn't have made it in time for the boat to take us there.

We made a quick change of plans, grabbed a tent and some really mismatched warm weather clothes from my parents' house, and headed south to Moab, Utah, instead. We drove 24 hours straight through and had a blast there camping and hiking and visiting Canyonlands and Arches national monuments. The CD player in my car broke on the trip, so Nate sang a thousand Neil Young songs to me on the drive. A storm was heading in as we left the desert, and by the time we hit the Rockies, we were in the middle of an ice storm, so bad that Nate once drove off the road and didn't know it, and the car stopped in the middle of the interstate—I got out and scraped the ice off the headlights as semis slowly rolled past at 15 mph. We found a motel in Golden, Colo., and left the next morning with sunny skies.  But, by Nebraska, we were caught in the middle of a white out, and again had to stop after hours of white-knuckle driving, barely able to see a thing. We managed to get back to Luther the next day, finally.

We'd only been back a short time and already I wanted to go up to his room to see him again. I figured that if I was still so excited to see him after a trip like that, we had a pretty good thing going. Since then, we've moved to North Carolina for a pottery apprenticeship and back, set up two potteries, built a house and had three kids, and yes, I'm still excited to see him every day! 

Last March we celebrated the 19th anniversary (because a baby on the way would make it impossible to take a trip this year) of that trip, by heading to the southwest again. We traveled to a place near Taos, N.M., via Colorado Springs and didn't even break down or get stranded anywhere on the trip, though at 28 weeks pregnant, I did have to stop a little more often. We did sing along to some favorite old Neil Young songs on the way, too.


Anna Grinde ’11 and John Stoltenberg ’10

by Anna (Grinde) Stoltenberg

The story of how we met started in the Legends weight room. Yes, I know what you are thinking: how cliche and corny. To give you some background, we were both athletes at Luther, so it was only natural to be training in the weight room while not in class or on the field. John played center for the football team, and I was midfielder on the soccer team. We didn’t meet until J-term of my freshman year and his sophomore year, despite having probably passed each other while coming and going in the Regents building.

Our story is truly one for the books. While lifting weights one day in Legends with my friend, teammate, and roommate Kelsey (Balk) Grimm ’11, I spotted John. To give you an exact reenactment, I was on the bench press while Kelsey was spotting me. I stopped, mid-lift, and said, “Who is that?” like I had just seen a celebrity out of nowhere. Kelsey had no idea who it was and was clearly not as interested as me. I had to find out. As a freshman, though, I wasn’t brave enough to just go right up to him in the weight room, since he obviously was lifting a lot of weights and didn’t exactly look approachable.

That next Friday I did feel brave enough to go up to him while enjoying some “social time” at Americana Grille. I walked right up to him and said, “Hi, I saw you in the weight room, and I think you're really cute.” Yes, that is literally what I said. We had a nice little awkward conversation and slowly started hanging out that next semester.

We started dating that next fall, went on J-term together in 2010 to New Zealand, got engaged at Phelps Park on July 9, 2011, got married in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 10, 2012, and now live in Minneapolis. We have so many great memories from Luther and will never forget how it all started in the weight room. Let’s just say, I get all the credit for making the first move!

Catherine Gehlsen ’14 and Garrett Hillestad ’14

Garrett Hillestad ’14 and Catherine Gehlsen ’14 met their freshman year at Luther College. Catherine is from Ankeny, Iowa, and Garrett is from Sioux Falls, S.D. Both were soccer players and met through a mutual friend. However, Garrett was not single when he came to Decorah. Catherine always had a crush on him, but since he was not single the two just remained friends. Later that year, Garrett returned to school after a break and broke the news to Catherine that he was newly single. During their second semester, they began to see each other more. Doing homework together, going to the CAF together, as well as the Whippy Dip, the two became closer. In April of 2014, the two became a couple and dated through a whirlwind of four years.

In May 2014, Catherine and Garrett graduated from Luther. The two had a special trip planned after graduation to the Black Hills. During their week out there, Garrett had a fun hike planned for the two of them. Little did Catherine know what was coming that day. During their hike at Custer State Park, Garrett took Catherine to his favorite spot from when he was a child. While overlooking the lake, Garrett pulled out a little blue box from his pocket, got down on one knee, and proposed! Of course Catherine said yes.

The two are ecstatic and cannot wait to get married. Garrett and Catherine have waited a while to get married so Catherine could figure out her career in graduate school and so Garrett could get accustomed to his new job after Luther. They will be married on September 24, 2016, in Decorah. They wanted to get married somewhere special and somewhere they both had wonderful memories.  

Today, Catherine is in graduate school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City for her master’s in healthcare administration, and Garrett works at Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn.

Jocelyn Petersen ’14 and Alexander Kalal ’14

by Alexander Joseph Kalal

On October 9th 2010, Joel Bruns ’14 and I went to the Flamingo Ball in hopes of having ourselves a good time. When we got to the gymnasium, Joel and I were surprised to see so many things going on. At this point, we had shown up an hour later than when it started. We talked with one another for a few minutes, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed this beautiful woman who was wearing an ocean blue colored dress. I could not believe how beautiful she was! I had to do a double take and make sure that I wasn't imagining something going on. At this point I knew I had to ask her to dance.

The only issue was that I had a hard time dancing to the song that the band had been playing on stage. Then, to my surprise, the Flamingo Ball band performed a cover of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, and I knew it was my chance to meet this beautiful woman. I asked Joel if he would accompany me as a “wingman” of sorts, and he agreed to come with me. I approached this beautiful woman and asked her if she wanted to dance with me. To my surprise, I got an immediate “No thank you” from the beautiful woman. I knew it was going to be a challenge.

When it came to the pre-chorus verse in “Sweet Caroline,” with the line "Reaching out, touching me, touching you," I pointed right at her and got her to shed a smile. I was determined to get this woman’s number and name, and by the end of the night, I got her name from a friend of hers, Melissa Tholen ’14, who had seen my failed attempts to get this woman’s attention at the dance. Her name was Jocelyn Petersen ’14.

Later that night, Joel, Melissa, Jocelyn, and I hung out in Jocelyn’s dorm room and played some games and watched some hilarious videos on YouTube, which were ways to help me gain her attention even more. I tried to do my best flirting possible, and it was at this point that I got her to acknowledge me, and she began laughing at my humor.

After that night, I continually ran into Jocelyn at least once every day for the next week on campus, and every time we saw each other, we would jokingly say something along the lines of "You're stalking me!" After running into Jocelyn in the Luther bookstore for about the fifth time, I asked her for her phone number and asked her if she wanted to hang out sometime.

Jocelyn and I got to know each other over the span of the next couple of weeks, and on October 22, 2010, I asked Jocelyn to be my girlfriend. We have now been together for over five years, and on Halloween of 2015, I got down on my knees at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis, Minn., and asked her to marry me after having some fellow classmates of mine perform “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. The love story continues, and I cannot wait to call her my wife! It only took a little determination!

Erika Balk ’16 studied in Luther’s Malta Program in spring 2015. She shot this photo in Santorini, Greece, during spring break. “The white buildings clashed against the bright blue sky and were like unlike anything I'd ever seen before,” she says. “It was so fun to walk the canals through all these buildings and watch the community there interact.”

Johanna Beaupre ’18 traveled to Cuba during J-term 2016 with the course Language and Culture in the Spanish-Speaking World. She says: “I took this photo one afternoon on our way home to our casas particulares (host homes). It had rained much of the trip, and this hint of sunshine after the rain was the start to our beautiful final weekend in Cuba. I like this photo because it shows a typical Havana neighborhood with its criss-crossing wires and diverse architecture, along with the classic old car that everyone expects of Cuba.”

Andrew Braun ’18 took the course Language and Culture in the Spanish-Speaking World during J-term 2016. “On a relaxing Sunday afternoon, we had the opportunity to go horseback riding in the beautiful farming region just outside of Salamanca,” he says. “As our guides helped us get saddled up, the afternoon sun made things seem almost majestic.”

Emily Holm ’17 studied in Norway during summer 2015 as a participant in the Peace Scholars program. Holm’s group stopped only briefly at this small Norwegian town, but she says this photo became one of her favorite shots from the summer.

Erin Ellefsen ’17 got this shot while with the course Art and Cultural Perspectives: European Art History, Gothic, Renaissance, and the New Media Art, traveling in Italy and France during January Term 2016. Pictured is course instructor Richard Merritt, Luther professor of art, in the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris. Ellefsen says: “I took this photo because Monet’s Water Lilies is such a famous work that we got the privilege of seeing in person. It was an exciting moment for our whole trip.”

Aaron Fargo ’16 was part of the J-term 2016 Paideia 450 class Stability and Change in Vietnam. He shot this photo when the class was in the Mekong Delta and paddled in some of the traditional boats that traverse the delta’s canals.

Ryan Goos ’16 spent spring 2015 with the Spanish Studies Abroad program in Córdoba, Argentina. He got this shot during a trip that he took with friends to Los Glaciares National Park in El Chaltén, Argentina, in the Patagonia region. They traveled in the park for a week, doing day hikes to the bases of various mountains.

Kennedy Helberg ’18 was a part of the crew for the class Tales of the Sea on the windjammer Roseway during January Term 2016 in the Virgin Islands. While swimming, she took this photo of the Roseway in the distance.

Laura Johnson ’17 studied in Cape Town, South Africa, in fall 2015 with a Marquette University service-learning trip and took this photo at a walk to celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa. She says: “The NGO that I worked for, the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI), played a major role in organizing the event. Over 8,000 people participated on this walk through downtown Cape Town in solidarity and in support of women all over the world. It was truly a surreal experience, walking hand in hand with women of all backgrounds and colors and beliefs. It was beautiful. My friends are holding the SAFFI banner on the far left, and the mountain in the back is called Devil’s Peak.”

Jacy Mahoney ’16 spent spring 2015 with the ISA (International Studies Abroad) Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic program. She took this photo at a park in the heart of Prague, where locals enjoy spending time and taking in the view of Prague Castle.

McKenna Campbell-Potter ’16 was part of the January Term 2016 class Environmental Implications of Eco-Adventure Growth in Central America. While in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, Belize, she shot this underwater photo of a green sea turtle in a bed of sea grass.

Megan Oliver ’19 spent J-term 2016 in New Mexico with the Education 185 class doing observation in area schools. While exploring Red Rock Park in Church Rock, N.M., she says, “Some of us were very intrigued by this little narrow passageway between these huge red rocks.”

Olivia Heitz ’16 participated in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest’s London and Florence: Arts in Context program in spring 2015.  She was in Venice during the Carnevale and shot this photo of a participant. “This woman’s enthusiasm and joy for the Venice Carnevale is unmistakable. The colorful flowers surrounding her perfectly emulate the sense of wonder and happiness that fills the streets (and canals) in Venice,” Heitz says. 

Vicky Torillas ’17 was on Luther’s yearlong Nottingham Program in 2015–16 and shot this photo at the University of Nottingham. Writing from England, she says, “I took this picture because the weather here is completely different than in Decorah. Fog is something that’s interesting to me, and I felt that this picture symbolized my experience here in Nottingham, first being a bit lost and confused but then comes clarity.”

Tricia Serres ’16 traveled to Hawaii in May and June of 2015 with the course Practicing Embodiment. “We lived, learned, and worked on an eco-organic farm, Hale Akua Garden Farm,” Serres says. “All of the vegetables were organically grown, and organic, free range chickens supplied them with eggs. We helped work on the farm, planting, harvesting, and making compost.” Here, students create compost piles.

Abbey Syme ’16 studied in Norway during fall 2015 through a program sponsored by Volda University College. Here, two of Syme’s classmates, from England and Luxembourg, take a last deep breath of Norway’s sea air at the end of the semester. 

Aubree Tsurusaki ’17 spent January Term 2016 volunteering in Kathmandu, Nepal, with an organization called Projects Abroad. She participated in an independent study through Luther’s Education Department and taught English to a first-grade class in Nepal. She also helped rebuild a school that was damaged in the spring 2015 earthquakes, and spent a week working in a home for children living with HIV/AIDS.  Tsurusaki shot this photo after a sunrise hike in Pokhara, Nepal. “Nepal's air is pretty polluted, so it's a rare occurrence to see the Himalayas amid all the smog/fog during this time of the year!” she says.

Ivy Truong ’16 studied in Norway in spring 2015 through the University Studies Abroad Consortium.  She is shown here at Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) in a photo taken by Australian classmate Gloria Liang. Truong says: “This breathtaking scenic point is 604 meters above the Lysefjord, and it took my friend and me about two hours of hiking to reach the place. It was really refreshing to be there and feel the closeness to nature, one of the Norwegian characteristics I learned of during my time there.” 

Olivia Heitz ’16 participated in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest’s London and Florence: Arts in Context program in spring 2015.  Traveling in Germany, she took this photo at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Oranienburg, 22 miles north of Berlin.  She says: “As I was facing the sunken doors of the gas chambers, I caught a glimpse of a ghostlike figure peering back at me. Soon after I jumped backward with a racing heart, I realized it was my own reflection in the dusty windows. The eerie sensation never left me as I finished walking the grounds of the camp.”

2000–2009 / 2010–2015

2000

Matthew Brant earned a master of theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is pastor at North Scott Baptist Church in Pardeeville, Wis.

Chris Kjonaas is the associate director of international engagement at San Diego State University.

Julie (Perrault) LaSota is a regional property manager for Lincoln Property Company in Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Becki (Mensing) LeGrant teaches science at Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano, Calif.

Adam Richards is an agriculture industry specialist for Wells Fargo in Dodge Center, Minn. He was named to the Wells Fargo Great Lakes Region Circle of Stars.

Leah Rohlfsen is associate professor of sociology at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.

Jason Soland is a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services in Decorah, and he earned the certified financial planner designation.

2001

Rebekah Gilmore is associate musician and director of the Cathedral Choir School at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle. She is the founder and artistic director of Ave Renaissance Women’s Choir and sings soprano with the Byrd Ensemble, Capella Romana, Intimate Baroque, and St. James Cathedral Cantorei.

Jessica (Turall) Stenz earned a master of business administration degree and graduate certificate of nonprofit management from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is the manager of administration for Kaztex Companies in Pewaukee, Wis.

2002

Roy Brown Sartin is director of operations and cofounder of Leave No Veteran Behind in Chicago.

Carl-Eric Gentes is the associate pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn.

Molly Goodwin is stage manager for Troika Entertainment in Gaithersburg, Md. She works on the Wizard of Oz national tour.

Michael McGregor is a realtor at Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis.

Lisa Moe Meierkort is the adult services librarian for the Frankfort (Ill.) Public Library District.

David Pendergast is assistant general counsel for Hyperloop Technologies in Los Angeles.

Kelly Shinn earned a master of social work degree from the University of Denver. She is program and garden director for Earthlinks and co-facilitates several graduate-level classes in Denver.

Laura Zamzow Lynch is associate professor of music and the director of bands at University of Jamestown (N.D.).

2003

Jessica Aguilar and Anthony Pizer live in Sioux Falls, S.D. She is the enterprise executive director of Sanford Initiatives for Sanford Health Research. He is a recruiter for Thrivent Financial.

Jon Bengtson is a client service analyst for Mercer in Iowa City, Iowa.

Narren Brown is the associate director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

Emily Dreiling earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a clinical psychologist at Clinical Psychology Services in Fairfax, Va.

Peter Eliason earned a master of science degree in predictive analytics from Northwestern University. He is a senior data scientist at Polaris Industries in Plymouth, Minn.

Tim Fink is director of research and policy analysis for the Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation in Arlington, Va.

Liz (Langkamp) Gullick is high school choir director for the South Washington County Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn.

Jana (Chmelar) Klauke is vice president of human resources and talent management for DivvyDose in Rock Island, Ill.

Kelly Shomper is a teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Joe Sievers is talent acquisition consultant for Glanbia Performance Nutrition in Downers Grove, Ill.

Joel Sommers is an estate planning, trust, and legal consultant for Fiduciary Counseling in St. Paul, Minn.

Josh Visser is a senior sales support specialist for Kronos in Bloomington, Minn.

Beth Willer earned a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from Boston University. She is assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and founder and artistic director of Lorelei Ensemble. In 2014, Willer received the prestigious Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, and Boston University’s Kahn Career Entry Award.

2004

Courtney Allensworth of Minneapolis is an attorney and adviser for the Office of the Solicitor for the Unites States Department of the Interior.

Carrie (Christiansen) Binnie is pastor at Community United Methodist Church in Monticello, Minn.

Bridget Boehmer is a therapist in the intensive outpatient program at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa.

Barry Bosacker is principal at C.P. Squires Elementary School in North Las Vegas, Nev.

Kim Christensen earned a master’s degree in oriental medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts in Minneapolis.

Cassie (Mack) Fehlen is the owner and aesthetician of Skin MPLS in Edina, Minn.

James Gregg is the owner and director of operations of Renters Warehouse in Kansas City, Mo.

Tyler Hesseltine of Bloomington, Minn., is a consulting arborist for Davey Tree Expert Company.

Annie Hibbs and Erik Ulness live in Minneapolis. She is the senior wellness coach of Optum. He is operations manager of Ulness Health Insurance and Wellness.

Kari Karsnick is the director of the Business Unit Controls Office in the Operations Division for Allianz Life Financial Services in Minneapolis.

Jessica (Jansen) Nicoletti is adjunct math instructor at Governors State University in University Park, Ill.

Anthony Nunez earned two master’s degrees from Las Vegas College: one in curriculum and instruction and the other in instructional leadership. He is principal at Jacob E. Manch Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nev.

Rachel Peterson is chief program and marketing officer for Norway House in Minneapolis and a committee member of the Norway House Minnesota Peace Initiative.

Becky (Knott) Porter is a therapy consultant for Medtronic in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Michael Toso is malaria program officer at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs in Baltimore.

Joshua Wrolstad earned a master of social work degree from Portland (Ore.) State University. He is a truancy prevention case manager for Northwest Family Services in Portland.

Salahuddin Yusuf is first officer A-310 for Pakistan International Airline in Islamabad.

2005

Bonnie (Audino) and Matt Cessna ’06 live in Coralville, Iowa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Minnesota State University and is a dental hygienist at North Liberty Dental. He earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Iowa, and an orthopedic specialist certificate from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is a physical therapist at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates in Iowa City, Iowa.

Andrea Dean is assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Houston.

2006

Liz Boehmke earned a master’s degree in early childhood special education from the University of St. Thomas. She is an early childhood family education and school readiness teacher for Pine Island (Minn.) School District.

Jess Burgstahler earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Capella University. She is a dietitian for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Brad Dickey is director and CEO of Jackson Hole Behavioral Services in Jackson, Wyo.

Jen (Miller Meyer) Donovan completed a family medicine psychiatry residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She is a faculty physician for the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Medical Education Foundation.

Nathan Evans is marketing director at Kodet Architectural Group in Minneapolis and the owner and creative director of Middle Child Ink.

Tyler Forsythe teaches music at Inver Grove Heights (Minn.) Middle School.

Amy (Hartmann) Frith is a registered nurse at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, Minn.

Jillian (Riley) Gluesenkamp is a registered nurse at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Solomon Gould of Maple Grove, Minn., earned a master of business administration degree in healthcare management from Southern New Hampshire University. He is an optometrist and director of professional relations at Vision Group Holdings in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Claire (Brenton) and Aaron Haedike live in Richfield, Minn. Claire earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University and a doctor of psychology degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas. She is a marriage and family therapist at Lakeville Behavioral Health. Aaron earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. He is a currency teller at the Federal Reserve Bank.

Kirsten Halverson is executive director of Buy Fresh Buy Local Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Va.

Christine (Paulu) Handler of Houghton, Mich., is environmental coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service.

Elizabeth Harig is a registered nurse for the University of California–Davis Medical Group in Sacramento.

Jocelyn (Jansen) Herby is a teacher for the Hopkins (Minn.) Public Schools.

Katie (Willenborg) Johnston is an instructional coach for the Dallas Center–Grimes (Iowa) Community Schools.

Katie (Striegel) Josephson is a Chinese medicine practitioner for Ventura County Acupuncture and Herbs in Westlake Village, Calif.

Jeff Kost is a special education associate for the Marion (Iowa) Independent School District.

Michelle Krantz is hemophilia nurse coordinator for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Jana Lelm is fleet vehicle manager and OneCard program coordinator at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.

Laura (Gray) Mack teaches Spanish for the Coatesville (Pa.) School District.

Elizabeth Matzen is operations manager for Alliant Employee Benefits in Seattle.

Katie (Gherty) McCabe is recruiting manager at GleasonDale Search Consultants in St. Paul, Minn.

Dan Milis is a chemist for Medtronic in St. Paul, Minn.

Michelle Monson Klisanich is partner, founder, and lead financial consultant for the West End Office of Thrivent Financial in St. Louis Park, Minn.

Seth Moucka is director of EAB performance technologies at the Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C.

Aaron Murphy is owner of Spruced Up Staging in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In January 2016 he filmed a pilot for an HGTV show about his life as a real estate stager. HGTV will continue to film the first season in May.

Andy Nelson is a financial securities planner for Foster Klima in Minneapolis.

Laura (Elliott) Nelson teaches grades 5–12 instrumental music at St. Albert Catholic High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Ben Nemec of Rochester, Minn., is a senior software engineer at Red Hat.

Kevin Oppermann owns and farms Highland Spring Farm in Oregon, Wis., which provides pasture-raised eggs and meats (chicken, pork, and signature Scottish Highland beef) direct to consumer and to Madison-area restaurants.

Justin Papka is supervisor of contracts operations for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute in Washington, D.C.

Kyle Petersen is senior consultant for Nordic Consulting Partners in Madison, Wis.

Laura Schnack is associate dean of students at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.

Tiffany Schulte is account manager for the American Red Cross in St. Paul, Minn.

John Sill is registrar and customer outreach specialist for the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.

Laura (Hanson) Spilde of Calmar, Iowa, is the author of 200 Day Biblical Classical Curriculum, available on Amazon.com. She also writes two blogs, raggedycottagegarden.blogspot.com and hens-and-chicks.blogspot.com.

Brad Stuart is the president and financial adviser at WPF Wealth Management in Clinton, Iowa.

Christina (Alderson) Vanderbeek is a crisis counselor at Summit Stone Health Partners in Fort Collins, Colo.

T.J. Webb is an environmental specialist for Michael Foods in Minnetonka, Minn.

Kirsten (Plahn) White is a hospitalist at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minn.

Elissa (Wiger) Yaw earned a master of science degree from Winona State University. She is a nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

2007

Derek Broman earned a master’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of New Hampshire. He is the carnivore and furbearer coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Salem.

Johanna Crock earned a master’s degree in nursing with specialization as an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner from the University of Colorado. She is a nurse practitioner in the Cancer Center at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver.

Bjorn Hanson earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Allison (Kruger) and Daniel Herman ’06 live in Boone, Iowa. She is an occupational therapist and OT director at 21st Century Rehab in Nevada, Iowa. He earned a master’s degree in diplomacy with an emphasis on international terrorism from Norwich University.

Jamie (Holmberg) and Steven Kain live in Maple Grove, Minn. Jamie earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a physician assistant at Twin Cities Orthopedics. Steven earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He works in business development for Medtronic.

Rachel (Giese) Kellogg is a self-employed licensed massage therapist at Ogema Massage in Ogema, Wis.

Ben Kissling is student success coach at Inver Grove Heights (Minn.) Middle School.

Daniel Le Guen-Schmidt works in human resources and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Mass.

Garrett McAllister is lead mechanic at the Cycling House in Missoula, Mont.

Anna (Amundson) Oksnevad of Crystal, Minn., is a customer team marketing manager at Duracell.

Tyler Strand is marketing coordinator for the University of Iowa Alumni Association in Iowa City.

Anna (Winter) and Adam Tlougan ’06 live in Apple Valley, Minn. She is an early childhood teacher for Hastings Public Schools. He is facility and safety manager for Werner Electric.

Sarah (Warner) Warbuck of St. Louis Park, Minn., is associate manager of digital marketing for Wiley.

Alyssa Wehr is a day treatment child and family therapist at Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis.

Allan Welter-Frost earned a master’s degree in public health from Boston University and a medical doctorate from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He is a physician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Julia Zaffarano is homeless programs coordinator for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs–Division of Housing in Denver.

2008

Kate Andersen works in the English Language Center for Koç Universitesi in Istanbul.

Jesse Angelo earned a master’s degree in acting from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is an actor in London, England.

Danielle (Stork) Bruflodt is director of strategy at the Inner Wild Creative Company in Madison, Wis.

Nina Catterall is an HR/ER specialist at Nordic Consulting Partners in Madison, Wis.

Amy Christenson is senior manager of organizational development and internal communications at KFC Thailand in Bangkok.

Hilary (Young) Dolan earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. She is a physical therapist for TRIA Orthopaedics in Minneapolis.

Luke Fier is senior financial analyst for Tennant Company NV in Berchem, Belgium.

Rebecca (Mehl) Gamble earned a master of divinity from Luther Seminary and is the pastor of outreach and care ministries at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minn.

Becky (Frederick) Jordan teaches special education for the Roseville (Minn.) Area Schools.

Kevin Kooienga earned a professional counselor license from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and is an upper elementary counselor for the International School of Beijing in China.

Kalli Ledel is a pharmacist for University of Minnesota Cancer Care in Minneapolis.

Rachel (Donahoe) and Michael Marquardt live in North Liberty, Iowa. Rachel earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. She is an associate attorney at Lynch, Michael, and Raiber. Michael earned a medical doctorate and master’s degree in public health from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He is a resident physician in radiation oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Laura (Hockley) McKain teaches English at Rock River (Wyo.) High School.

Bryan Mullen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a traveling registered nurse for Fusion Medical Staffing.

Kelsey (O’Connell) Nelson is a recruiter for U.S. Bank in Richfield, Minn.

John Schroeher is a business banker for Decorah Bank and Trust in Decorah.

Thomas Sines is an associate at Paul Hastings in New York.

Amanda Weber is a doctoral student in conducting at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She is also the founder and conductor for the Voices of Hope singers behind the walls of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, leading a group of inmates in a spirited prison outreach choir and bringing U of M student choir members there to commingle talents.

Sebrinia (Madsen) Welch is the GEAR UP grant manager for the Denver (Colo.) Public Schools.

2009

Alison Brandell-Douglas earned a juris doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in St. Paul, Minn. She is an immigration attorney for the Federal Immigration Court in Minneapolis. Last year she was a long-term volunteer at the Nature Conservancy in Lima, Peru, and returned in April 2016.

Zach Busch is director of worship and music at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis.

Kristine Dennis earned a master’s degree in public health, global epidemiology, from Emory University. She is center administrator for HERCULES: Health and Exposome Research Center: Understanding Lifetime Exposure at Emory University in Atlanta.

Emily Ewing is pastor for Trinity Fellowship (ELCA) and First Presbyterian Church in Rushford, Minn.

Jessica (Watson) Hazelton is catering sales manager for Slalom Consulting in Minneapolis.

Blake Humpal is associate product line manager for JELD-WEN Windows and Doors and the global sourcing manager at JELD-WEN in Charlotte, N.C.

Jerry Jaeger is executive resolution specialist for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cade Loven is working on two short films as part of the graduate degree program at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He is the producer of Plea, a film that follows someone who has been in foster care in Los Angeles but is put into juvenile detention after a woman files rape charges against him. He is also the screenwriter for Manners of Dying, a film based on a short story written by Yann Martel, the author of Life of Pi. Loven held a screening of several short films produced by his peers at T-Bocks Upstairs in Decorah last December.

Chad Nelson works in business development at Schwob Building Company in Dallas.

Thomas Orser earned a master’s degree in accountancy from Texas Christian University. He is a tax manager at Fitts, Roberts, and Company in Houston.

Eric Schultz is a compliance consultant for Wells Fargo Bank in Minneapolis.

Katie (Sackett) Stadheim is an HR generalist for CRST International in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Kristin Swedlund is a membership specialist for Wisconsin Public Television in Madison.

2010

Carson Christen is a team coach and sport scientist at Cycling Academy Pro Cycling Team in Lucca, Italy.

Danielle (Berg) and Josiah Collins live in Thornton, Colo. Danielle earned a master’s degree in education from Concordia University of Nebraska. She teaches third grade at the Pinnacle Charter School in Denver. Josiah is a healthcare IT consultant for Hayes Management Consulting.

Nyssa Crompton earned a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry from Princeton University and is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

Kelsey (Mans) and Michael Crusinberry live in St. Paul, Minn. She is the youth specialist at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Paul. He is a data analyst for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Brad Foresman earned a Ph.D. in crop sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He is a soybean plant breeder for Dow AgroSciences in Olivia, Minn.

Erin Green is a travel designer for Pique Travel Design in Excelsior, Minn.

Rachel Haug Root of Bloomington, Minn., earned a doctor of musical arts degree in flute performance from Ohio State University.

Mark Knowles received a paralegal certificate from Rasmussen College. He is a paralegal and executive closer at Executive Title of Minnesota in Golden Valley.

Julia (Santi) Kohls is a staffing consultant at Express Employment Professionals in Crystal Lake, Ill.

Eric Krueger is enterprise account executive at SPS Commerce in Minneapolis. He was awarded the 2015 President’s Club Outstanding Productivity Award from SPS Commerce for the third consecutive year.

Kim Lambert of Minneapolis is a physical therapist for Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis. She is also a softball performance coach for Mayo Clinic and coaches fast-pitch softball for Fastpitch Pitching Instruction.

Sarah Luloff teaches first grade at Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School in St. Paul, Minn.

Meg McCormick is a public relations specialist at Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis.

Ashley (Henderson) Miller teaches special education for the Orcutt (Calif.) Union School District.

Jeff Riddle of Waupaca, Wis., is an oncology nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He participated in a mission trip to Guatemala last January with St. Paul and Immanuel Guatemala Missions.

Alec Schumacher earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He is a physical therapist at Courage Kenny Sports and Physical Therapy in Shoreview, Minn.

Aaron Shatzer is an actuarial analyst for PacificSource Health Plans in Springfield, Ore.

Molly (Weber) and Eric St. Clair live in Ankeny, Iowa. She is a nurse for UnityPoint Health. He is a consultant for the Iowa Department of Education.

Brianne Thicke earned a master’s degree in biological studies from South Dakota State University in 2015. She is a research technologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Aaron Zander is the development assistant in alumni relations and development at the University of Chicago and the assistant men’s and women’s swimming coach at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Sara Zanussi is founder and executive programming director for ComMUSICation in St. Paul, Minn. Zanussi’s work was featured in a Chorus America article, “El Sistema for Choruses,” in the winter 2015/16 edition of The Voice. ComMUSICation’s choral programs draw more than 50 students who live in the area served by the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood initiative, a federal program that takes a community-based approach to improving outcomes for children.

2011

Hannah (Wiles) Anderson is a doctor of chiropractic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She launched Well Labs, an eastern Iowa-based wellness company, along with chiropractor Calla Kleene and nutritionist Alexa Schirm, to combat what they see as an American healthcare crisis. “Nutrition is perhaps the single most important factor in disease prevention,” says Anderson, who serves as the company’s chief product officer. Well Labs is an e-commerce business that delivers allergen-free, physician-grade nutritional supplements to their customers’ doors.

Kelsey Anderson is assistant director for prospect development at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Courtney Brown is a senior claims professional at CUNA Mutual Group in Waverly, Iowa.

Katie Campbell is education and events specialist for Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op in St. Paul, Minn.

Katie Deaver is director of music ministries at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Plaines, Ill.

Abby Herman earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. She teaches kindergarten at Independent School District 196 in Rosemount, Minn.

Kimberly Horner is the co-coordinator of Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH) at Northfield (Minn.) High School.

Amanda (Eckhardt) and Cody Hyland ’10 live in Holmen, Wis. She earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Iowa Dental College and is a dentist at River Town Dental. He works for Transamerica.

Krist Kietzmann is a self-employed real estate agent in Phoenix, Ariz.

Ryan Kitchen earned a master of fine arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art Hoffberger School of Painting in Baltimore.

Zach Kotz works for Green Iowa AmeriCorps at the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education in Cedar Falls.

Adam Kruse is a flight instructor at Hillsboro (Ore.) Aviation Academy.

Mac Latham Grundmeyer and Kyle Grundmeyer ’09 live in Ankeny, Iowa. Mac is a team leader at Sammons Financial Group. Kyle is a chiropractor and owner of the Health Clinic.

J.J. Lillibridge earned a master of science degree in recreation, sport, and tourism from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He is recreation coordinator for the city of Round Rock, Texas.

Nicole Littlejohn earned a doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Beckie Lovell Dillahunty is a buyer for Target Corporation in St. Paul, Minn.

Erik Mortens earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Des Moines University. He is a physician at UnityPoint Health in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Michael Olson is account executive at CCC Technologies in Wood Dale, Ill.

Samantha (Murry) Pilsner teaches Spanish for the Waunakee (Wis.) Community School District.

Jason Pyle earned a master of education degree in sports management from Wichita State University. He is event manager in the Athletic Department at Iowa State University in Ames.

Ryan Ruggiero earned the certified public accountant designation and is senior financial analyst for Best Buy in Richfield, Minn.

Collin Thompson is farm manager and program instructor at Michigan State University in Chatham.

Justin Tigerman is pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Caldwell, Idaho.

Rachel (Albert) Yim teaches biology and biochemistry at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo.

2012

Allyson Batis is a preschool literary tutor for the Minnesota Reading Corps in Minneapolis and an administrative team member at Whole Foods Market in St. Paul, Minn.

Derek Broin is a software developer for HomeSpotter in Minneapolis.

Matthew Christoffersen of Des Moines, Iowa, is an audit analyst for Global Atlantic Financial Group. He also announced his candidacy for the Iowa House of Representatives for District 31.

Thomas Gerber earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from University of Cincinnati. He is the music director and glee club moderator, and he teaches music history and theory at Bishop England High School in Charleston, S.C. He also sings bass-baritone in VAE of Cincinnati, Taylor Festival Choir, and is the cantor at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Erik Hageness is a senior relocation counselor at Plus Relocation Services in Minneapolis.

Carah (Claflin) Hart earned a master’s degree in teaching from Drake University. She is the elementary vocal music specialist for the Hopkins Public School in Minnetonka, Minn.

Kelly Hyland is a research historian at Musco Sports Lighting in Oskalooska, Iowa.

Chelsi (Hammon) and Cassie Jahn ’14 live in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Chelsi earned a master of social work degree from Minnesota State University–Mankato and is an outpatient therapist at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. Cassie is program director for Lutheran Lakeside Camp.

Hannah Janaky of Lafayette, Colo., is a resident adviser at Rocky Mountain Pathways Ranch.

Eric Johnson of Mendota Heights, Minn., is a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual. He also participates with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Danielle Koch is a project/program coordinator and freelance booking agent at GIGS (Gaining Insight Growing Self) in Minneapolis, and is a writing workshop coordinator intern at Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute.

Katelyn (Bottem) and Justin Marschall live in Madison, Wis. Justin earned a master’s degree in psychology and a certificate in quantitative psychology from Iowa State University. He is the customer satisfaction data analyst for D.M. Services in Monroe, Wis.

Erik Mattson is an account manager at TCS Basys Controls in Middleton, Wis.

Anna Murray is an admissions counselor for 2U in Denver.

Meghan Pedersen is a vacations sales agent for MLT Vacations in Edina, Minn., and assistant store manager at Caribou Coffee.

Amy Sandager is a bench jeweler at Spirit Lake Silver and Gold in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Haylie (Fercho) Schmit is a property and casualty support specialist for M3 Insurance in Madison, Wis.

Greg Siems earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame. He is director of Vision 2020 in Austin, Minn.

Erin (Eggum) Spanczak is a senior financial analyst at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

2013

Katie Baratto earned a master’s degree in library and information science from St. Catherine’s University. She is a library assistant at the University of Minnesota Law Library in Minneapolis.

Emma Benson teaches kindergarten for the Winona (Minn.) Area Public Schools.

Jordan Burkhart is a graduate assistant at Iowa State University in Ames.

Shannon Curtis is the grades 6–8 band director at Zimmerman (Minn.) Middle and High School.

Emily Davis earned a master’s degree in vocal performance from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. She is an adjunct voice faculty member at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wis.

Anna DiCecco earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern University. She is account executive for Camelback Ranch Baseball in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mara Dobervich of Sacramento, Calif., is a job coach at Community Integrated Work Program.

Mark Gisleson is a quality control entomologist analyst at Valent Biosciences in Osage, Iowa.

Melanie Grangaard is copy editor for the Vail Daily in Avon, Colo.

Eric Hild is a digital press operator for Sigler Printing in Ames, Iowa.

Zach Hruska is a software developer for MEDITECH in Minnetonka, Minn.

Nicole Kivo is an account associate for News America Marketing in Minneapolis.

Hannah Krystosek is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and also a competitive bodybuilder.

Jess Landgraf is an instructor at Voyageur Outward Bound School in St. Paul, Minn.

Michelle Lursen is an independent business accountant at SuperValu in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Quinn Meyer earned an Ed.S. degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a school psychologist for Hiawatha Valley Education District in Winona, Minn., and a program coordinator at Camp Knutson.

Paxton Molinari is assistant men’s basketball coach at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Thabiso Monyakane is in the graduate student program at Deloitte in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hannah Myott is a freelance writer and translator in New Zealand.

Kennedy Reed is a school psychologist at Southern Door County Schools in Brussels, Wis.

Kimmy Rooney is a teaching assistant at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Anthony Smith is a claims specialist I in MD Central Services at Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kathleen Towell teaches English at Parnassus Preparatory School in Maple Grove, Minn.

Ryan Turnacliff is a post-closing reviewer at Venture Bank in Golden Valley, Minn.

2014

Jessa Anderson-Reitz is a faith relations assistant with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in St. Paul, Minn., and an intake manager at Prepare + Prosper.

Caitlin Auer is a professional dog trainer and the training coordinator at Dogwoods Lodge in Grimes, Iowa.

Hannah Axt is library supervisor of the residence hall libraries at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

James Ayer is a market account manager at Best Buy in Richfield, Minn.

Ellen Behrens is state program administrator for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in St. Paul.

Hans Dosland is the outreach case manager for Oasis for Youth in Bloomington, Minn. He is also the Ultimate Frisbee coach for Bloomington High School.

Megan Gress is a loan processor and closer at Colorado Enterprise Fund in Denver.

Callie Mabry works for Congregational Outreach Support for Faith in Place in Chicago through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

Aubrey McElmeel is a children’s lead at Barnes and Noble in Madison, Wis.

Noelia Pereira is an environmental engineer for Timor Gap in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Evan Ruchotzke of Lowden, Iowa, is an E-4 in the U.S. Army.

Erin Schmidt is a staff nurse at the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.

Isaac Skelton is a web analytics analyst for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Katherine Stremel teaches grades 4–8 music at Glendale (Ariz.) Elementary School.

Ashley Urspringer teaches English at Ecole Saint-Corentin in Quimper, France.

Katie Van Winkle is an anatomy and pathology intern and master’s student at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, and a freelance artist and sculptor.

Sam Wettach is an operations program associate for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Madison.

Matt Yan is editor of the Northbrook (Ill.) Tower Newspaper.

2015

Corinne Benzinger is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Claudia Calderon Machicado is a research and knowledge management consultant at Ashoka, an associate consultant at i-intelligence, and a global health policy intern at Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C.

Rudie Desravines is an IT business analyst at Fastenal Company in Winona, Minn.

Jessica Dorsey is a foundation intern at Presence Health in Chicago.

Sami Eilers is director of vocal music at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Emily England is an independent collections contractor at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Zena Fantaye works with Wells Fargo Card Services in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Sarah Fox is a leasing consultant at Peak Campus in Minneapolis.

Taylor Graydon is a rehabilitation counselor for Transitional Resources in Seattle through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

Marlon Henriquez is the kindergarten Spanish immersion teacher at Gage Elementary School in Rochester, Minn. He was named the Rochester Post-Bulletin’s teacher of the month for November.

Lonn Iwashita is a personal trainer at Fitness Together in Maple Grove and Edina, Minn.

Amanda Johnson is an EBD teacher for the Rochester (Minn.) Public Schools.

Sarah King is a PR account coordinator for Broadhead and Company in Minneapolis.

Alex Kokkinen is a junior web developer at Media Junction in St. Paul, Minn.

Brandon Lafferty is a psychiatric technician at Albertina Kerr Centers in Portland, Ore.

Kaymi Lang is a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Andrea Malek is a teacher with the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Community Schools.

Victoria Peters is a graduate student in management and library and information science at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She works in technical services at the university’s Golda Meir Library.

Scott Raftshol is a technical consultant for SAP America in Newtown Square, Pa.

Emily (Stoneking) Seiler is a certified athletic trainer for Mayo Clinic in Albert Lea, Minn.

Maggie Steinberg is a program fellow for Access to Justice in the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, in Baltimore, through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

Emily Stumpf is a communication and outreach associate for the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

John Werner is a development and policy associate for the Minnesota Housing Partnership in Minneapolis through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

Holly Williams of Burnsville, Minn., is a sales and marketing assistant at CytoSport.

Margaret Yapp is a refugee resettlement case manager for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, through Lutheran Volunteer Corps. 

1943–1949 / 1950–1959 / 1960–1969 / 1970–1979 / 1980–1989 / 1990–1999

1943

Albert Nassen of Dallas celebrated 70 years of ordination last September.

1952

Harold Peterson sings in the ALC Celebration Choir and in SATB and TTBB quartets, plays in the ALC Bell Choir, and narrates the Sun City Concert Band and West Valley Pops Band. He preaches three Sundays per year at Sunflower RV Park and serves on the executive resident board at Royal Oak Life Care Community in Sun City, Ariz.

1959

Linda (Switzer) Lasota of Athens, Ala., sings with the Huntsville Community Chorus.

1961

Jake Bostrom of Menomonie, Wis., was inducted into the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions, becoming the first person from Wisconsin to receive the honor. Others in the five-member 2015 class included Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, and NBA star Bobby Jones.

Tom Haugen of Decorah was selected from nominees in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to be honored by the National Federation of State High School Associations for his distinguished service to American high school music programs. He is a music education student teacher supervisor at Luther College. Prior to his current position, he was a high school band director for 38 years in Minnesota and Iowa. His concert and jazz bands received top ratings in all state, regional, and national contests from 1968 to 1998 and made six appearances at the IBA and MMEA conventions in Iowa and Minnesota.

James Ringlien is retired in Maumee, Ohio.

Cynthia (Vasey) Smith of Steuben, Wis., writes a weekly column, “Kickapoo Ramblings,” for mwnews.net.

1963

James Ricketts retired as director of the Virginia Beach (Va.) Convention and Visitors Bureau, capping a 42-year career with the city.

1965

Thomas Kruse is retired and narrates audiobooks and commercials for Tom Kruse Voice Over in Brookfield, Wis.

Paul Olsen is professor of English and men’s cross-country and track and field head coach at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. Olsen was featured in an article in Runner’s World for coaching cross-country at Augustana for 50 years last November. In March, Olsen was the keynote speaker at the annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Norse Awards at Luther College and honored as the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Coach of the Year Award.

Gary Peer of Spring Hill, Kan., is a professional wildlife photographer. His photos can be found at westernimagesphotography.zenfolio.com.

1966

John Bodensteiner is professor of neurology and pediatrics and consultant in child and adolescent neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

1968

Richard Boyum teaches at Senior College in Asheville, N.C.

1970

Shirley (Ellingson) Schroeder of Caledonia, Minn., is retired.

1971

Tim Becker teaches at Southern Oregon University in Ashland.

Barbara (Tidball) Fonkert of Roseville, Minn., is retired.

Sheryl Hansen of Columbus, Ohio, is retired.

1972

Stan Brandt of Ridgeway, Iowa, is retired.

Gail Heffner-Charles is the president of the Columbus Damenchor, a women’s chorus in German Village, Columbus, Ohio.

Karl Jacobsen is an investment adviser for Jacobsen’s Complete in Decorah.

1973

John Holt is a pastor at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minn. He is a chairman of the National Board of Directors for the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and a member of the Good Samaritan Society’s Board of Directors.

David Morrison of Hudson, Wis., is retired.

Bill Nordmark retired after 35 years as an ELCA pastor. He is now a literacy tutor for St. Paul (Minn.) Public Schools with Experience Corps.

1974

Angie (Geilfuss) Swetland of Eagan, Minn., is retired.

1975

Beth (Thompson) Benvenuti of Palm Beach, Fla., retired as magnet programs coordinator and International Baccalaureate Programme coordinator at Suncoast High School. She and her husband, Dino, are forming Life’s Changes, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, to provide wigs and other items to cancer patients. Beth will serve as director.

Tom Dahle is the sound supervisor, designer, and member of the board of directors for the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wis., for theatrical productions and live sound reinforcement and mixing. He has directed the Phipps Festival Chorus for 25 years, including two performances at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Convention. He has directed the Phipps Choral Society for more than 20 years. He sings in the adult choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and formerly sang with the Minnesota Chorale and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Chorale.

Marilyn Johnson is senior investment writer for Wells Fargo Asset Management in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

1976

Terry (Young) Arons is a retired social worker in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Susan Anderson Arthur is an accountant at CJBS in Northbrook, Ill.

Bradford Braley is pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Kim Brunssen of Westmont, Ill., is retired from choral directing at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill.
Dan Canton is city administrator for the city of Monona, Iowa.

Anne Clotfelter is a nurse practitioner in breast oncology for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Tom Coon is vice president of agricultural programs for Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Geri (Grimm) Dirth of Ruskin, Fla., was inducted into the Minnesota High School Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame.

Dan England is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical director of Lee Memorial Behavioral Health Center in Fort Myers, Fla.

Dan Hanger is manager of applications and surveillance at Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Patricia Hauslein of St. Cloud, Minn., is retired.

Alan Henningsgaard is a self-employed consultant in Minnetonka, Minn.

Rick Ironside is executive director of Linn Mar Community Schools in Marion, Iowa.

Bill Johnson is a retired social worker in Lino Lakes, Minn.

Marilyn (Bruss) Lee is a self-employed piano and voice teacher and a receiving clerk at SSE Music in La Crosse, Wis.

Susan Linner of Lakewood, Colo., is retired.

Kurt Meyer of Edina, Minn., was elected to the board of trustees for the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center.

Julia Natvig is an occupational health nurse at Archer Daniels Midland in Clinton, Iowa.

Norma (Steadham) Ostlie is a registered nurse clinical manager at Robland Home Health Care in St. Paul, Minn.

Tina (Allen) Rasmussen is teaching pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mark Schori is a sales representative for Midwest Hardwood Corporation in Maple Grove, Minn.

Ross Sutter of Minneapolis performed in the show Julglädje at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis in December.

Randy Teymer is dean of students for Pleasant Valley School District in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Betsy (Penrod) Thompson is the owner and manager of Thompson’s Fresh Produce and Wares in Sterling City, Texas.

Andy Whitford Holey is a professor of computer science at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn.

1977

Mark and Lois (Dunleavy) Finanger of Decorah attended the 11th Annual Kent Finanger ’54 Golf Classic in Goodyear, Ariz., in March.

Jim Fowler is senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, S.D., and secretary of the board of directors for Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.

John Kalkwarf is professor of advanced English for the Global Medical English Program at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, and the chief academic officer for Global Academic Learning Environments in Seoul.

Douglas Lohafer is a health physicist at New World Environmental in Livermore, Calif.

1978

Larry Reis of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, is a naturalist for the Winneshiek County Conservation Board. He received the 2015 Aldo Leopold Award from the Iowa Association of Naturalists and the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition for his excellence and leadership in environmental education.

Deb (Olson) and Gordon Sellers’76 live in Hawarden, Iowa. She is a clinical consultant for McKesson Connected Care and Analytics/Extended Care Solutions. He is supply and distribution manager for Center Fresh.

Keith Williams is the senior vice president of human resources at WPS Health Solutions in Madison, Wis.

1979

Hans Brattskar was appointed Norway’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Amy (Waalen) Hansen of Amery, Wis., is retired from education. She works part time for Target Corporation and spent the summer of 2015 working in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Paul Morlock is the vice president of human resources at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Health System in Norfolk, Va.

1980

Tom Maakestad is the owner and artist at Maakestad Studio in Marine on St. Croix, Minn. His St. Croix River paintings are on display at the Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis.

Bill Musser was elected treasurer for the national board of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, the leading professional organization in the field of botanical and horticultural information services. He is the research librarian for Seed Savers in Decorah.

Gladys Noll Alvarez is the trauma informed care project coordinator at Orchard Place Child Guidance Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She received her master of social work degree from the University of Iowa, is an Iowa licensed independent social worker, and is involved in two yearlong learning collaboratives through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Alvarez is a member of the CAN Prevention Council, Professional Consultation Team, Steering Committee for the Regional Child Protection Center, Model Court Team in Polk County, Zero to Three Safe Babies Court Team in Polk County, and she is an active member of United Methodist Women and her church, focusing on children’s issues. She won the Al Schulte Award in 2000, the Voice for Children award in 2008, and the Michele A. Moore Award of Distinction in 2011. In 2015, she published Grandma Mary Says Things Happen, a guide to help children who experienced trauma, published by Xulon Press. She is also organizing the sixth annual Psychological Trauma and Juvenile Justice Conference for Orchard Place, and she manages the Trauma Informed Care project website.

Bill St. Angelo of Flower Mound, Texas, produced the documentary Back in Brooklyn with August Sky Films.

Joe Whitters is executive partner at Frazier Healthcare Partners in Menlo Park, Calif.

1981

Wendy (Mueller) Barton is a pediatrician for ThedaCare in Appleton, Wis.

Brian Bergum is pastor at Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church in Granby, Colo.

Beth Gardner is senior publications editor for Dictionary of American Regional English in Madison, Wis. She directs the vocal choir at Covenant Lutheran Church, is one of the directors of the Stoughton (Wis.) Festival Choir, and plays trumpet in the Stoughton City Band.

Wendy (Erickson) Gay is a registered nurse clinical research supervisor for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Jenny (Antony) Haun of Sparta, Wis., is an on-call assistant for Edward D. Jones and Co.

Gregg Hemish of Apple Valley, Minn., is the tech lead for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Laurie Heyer is senior vice president and chief operating officer of Blue Cross of Idaho in Meridian.

Scott Kramer is pastor for Lakeridge Lutheran Church in Seattle.

Sharon (Jerdee) Marker of Clive, Iowa, is retired.

Brenda (Trott) Nomeland is a registered nurse at Avera Clinic in Milbank, S.D.

Gary Nordmoe is senior purchases associate for Sunny Delight Beverages Co. in Cincinnati.

Mary (Tangen) Peterson teaches special education at West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa.

Dan Ploenzke is account executive for Precision Press, Taylor Label Division, in Savage, Minn.

Kathryn (Onda) Tart is founding dean and professor at University of Houston in Sugar Land, Texas.

Ruth (Hanson) Thom is advanced academics coordinator at DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science in Blaine, Minn.

Erik Torkelson of New Lenox, Ill., is retired.

David Vohsman of Colorado Springs, Colo., is senior staff software engineer for Blackhawk Network.

Sharon (Kugel) Zimmerman was awarded the 2013 Tennis Family of the Year by United States Tennis Association–Missouri Valley. She is retired in Towanda, Kan.

1982

Lynn Mickelsen Dwyer was named 2016 Educator Partner of the Year for New London–Spicer School to Career Opportunities Partnership Endeavor. She is the school social worker at New London–Spicer (Minn.) Schools.

Ian Mizzi is the director of Mizzi Organization in Blata, Malta. The organization has acquired 50 percent of local IT Consultancy, InFusion Solutions Ltd., making this the first venture into the IT and digital work for the Mizzi Organization.

Cindy (Vanderford) Penney earned a doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Iowa. She is vice president of nursing at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

Dick Plummer is chief financial officer for Lake Elmo Bank in Lake Elmo, Minn.

1983

Dorothy Baumgartner is director of the Student Success Center at the University of Washington in Bothell.

Gregory Hager is director of the Computational Interaction and Robotics Lab, the deputy director of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology, and the Mandell Bellmore Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Last fall, Hager testified before the congressional Research and Technology Subcommittee about a report written by a working group he co-chaired for the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Robin (Friedrichsen) and Scott Hanson ’81 live in Farmington, Minn. She is finance director for the city of Farmington, and he is a development lead and Kforce consultant for US Bank.

Kent Savre is a major general in the U.S. Army and commander of Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Morten Warland is director and CEO at Stavanger Symfoniorkester in Stavanger, Norway.

1984

Sara (Baumgardner) Vaughn teaches math at Northwest Middle School in Greensboro, N.C. She is a 2015 North Carolina state finalist for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House.

1985

Khouanlakhone Phouthakesone is a sales associate for Home Depot in San Diego.

Ronnie Raju is counsel for Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP in Washington, D.C.

1986

Mari Danielson was inducted into the 2015–16 NAPW VIP Woman of the Year Circle by the National Association of Professional Women. She was recognized for her leadership in agriculture and food production. Danielson is sales manager for J&J Family of Farms in Nogales, Ariz.

Michael Dorner earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Minnesota. He is vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.

Karen (Schmidt) Schlindwein of Waukesha, Wis., is executive director of Chosen Inc. and is coauthor, with her daughter, Amalie Bowling, of Dear Lois: Our Adoption Journey. The book takes a unique perspective on adoption through letters written to the birth mother that chronicle the life of the daughter as she grows up, taking readers on an emotional journey from the heartache of infertility and miscarriage to the joy of a family created through adoption.

Polly (Anderson) Wiebke is administrative assistant at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minn.

1987

Darren Anderson is commercial credit manager for Wells Fargo Bank in St. Paul, Minn.

Juli (Villesvik) Baecker is dean of aligned learning at Hill–Murray School in Maplewood, Minn.

Jean Daywitt earned certification in special education from Upper Iowa University. She is a special education instructor for Howard–Winneshiek Schools in Cresco, Iowa.

Christopher Hansen is technical lead for GreatAmerica Leasing Corp. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was the recipient of GreatAmerica’s Outstanding Achiever Award.

Jill (Gandrud) and Mark Peterson ’88 live in Bothell, Wash. Mark is a wealth manager for Thrivent Financial.

Mark Ries of Andover, Minn., is a software engineer for Infor in New York.

1988

DeeAnne (Schultz) Marlow is senior vice president of human resources for Grief Inc. in Delaware, Ohio.

Alessandro Raniolo is representative director for Ralph Lauren Corporation Japan in Tokyo.

Anne (Hendryx) Scafuri is a human resources business partner for ARAG in Des Moines, Iowa.

Beth Ylvisaker is a piano teacher and accompanist for Ivanhoe (Australia) Grammar School.

1989

Amy (Schroeder) Fisher teaches biology and is assistant athletic director at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. She also coaches girls’ volleyball and was named the Nevada State Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Her teams have gone 125-46 overall and 48-0 in conference play the last four years.

Paul Reimann is a business development consultant for Sun and Fun Motorsports in Iowa City, Iowa.

1990

Bergetta (Berkland) Beardsley is director of development for Mercy Medical Center Foundation Office in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lynda (Rothe) Eckheart teaches middle school art for Glenwood (Iowa) Community Schools.

Lisa (Lensing) Hart is quality control reviewer for the state of Iowa in Des Moines.

Bradley Kadel is assistant professor of history at Fayetteville (N.C.) State University. He is the author of Drink and Culture in Nineteenth-Century Ireland: The Alcohol Trade and the Politics of the Irish Public House.

Sara (Eckheart) Morton is director of development at Genesis Development Employment Services of Central Iowa in Boone.

Cheri (Koenig) and Thomas Satre live in Sauk Rapids, Minn. Cheri does display work for local organizations and sells artwork on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/Cjksatre. Thomas is program director of the University of Minnesota St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency. He is also editor in chief of the Help Desk Answer Project for Family Physicians Inquiries Network.

Sara White earned an administrative license from the University of St. Thomas and an education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Capella University. She is director of teacher development for the Minnetonka (Minn.) School District.

1991

Jorgen Andersson of Loddekopinge, Sweden, is CEO of Solera Group, a large Nordic drinks distributor.

Cynthia Bane is professor of psychology at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Matt Evenson is sales representative for Henry Schein Dental in Winona, Minn.

Kristie (Fjelstad) Falk is a family and consumer science educator at Rio Community School District in Rio, Wis.

Derrik Gagliardi of Minneapolis had an exhibition of his paintings in Java John’s Coffeehouse in Decorah through February.

Ellaina Gordon is a marketing manager at Elcon Associates in Portland, Ore.

Kristin Gosselink is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas–El Paso.

Jon-David Hague is director of client services and partnerships for Cerego in San Francisco.

Lora (Lorenzen) Hefty is a perioperative surgical nurse at Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Wendy (Lohmann) Holsapple is the owner and artist of Laughing Mule Press in Hamilton, Mont.

Laura (Paulson) Landau is founder of Excellence Through Balance Group in Bellevue, Wash.

Kathy (Butterbrodt) Metcalf is a home educator and co-op teacher in Hudson, Wis.

Mavis (Gizzi) Palmer is a patient educator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio.

Rob Pietz is a civil engineering technician at ISG in Mankato, Minn.

Catherine Preus is copy editor for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company. Her article about her family trip to India, “Seeing India through Children’s Eyes,” was featured in the Nov. 1, 2015, edition of the Star Tribune.

Michael White is an education training specialist at Tierney Brothers in Minneapolis.

Steven Yates is a tax, audit, and quality control manager at Cukierski and Kowal in Schaumburg, Ill.

1992

Scott Bemus is a physician at OB-GYN Associates in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Wendy (Jaycox) Davidson is president of U.S. Special Channels at Kellogg Company in Elmhurst, Ill., and was named the board chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum.

Suzanne Greene of Plymouth, Minn., is enterprise account executive at VMTurbo.

Kristin (Hohnbaum) Klein earned a master’s degree in teaching from National Louis University. She teaches science at Matthews Middle School in Island Lake, Ill.

Kirsten (Rydeen) Lewis earned a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University. She is operations coordinator at ChildServe in Johnston, Iowa.

Jodi (Sisson) Picou of Wasilla, Alaska, works for Matanuska–Susitna Borough School District.

Jennifer Weuve is associate professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health.

1993

Michele Davis of Eatontown, N.J., is the owner of HUE Design and Marketing and vice president of communications for the American Marketing Association of New Jersey.

Kelly (McGrew) Irlmeier is a controller at Albaugh in Ankeny, Iowa.

Chad Ketcher of Red Wing, Minn., is a freelance writer and media developer for Ketcher Communications and Generation Bridge Media. Ketcher Communications helps small businesses develop a mixed-media marketing strategy, and Generation Bridge Media interviews elderly persons and captures their life stories in print and video as an heirloom for their families to enjoy.

Peter Olson is the president, owner, and operator of Change Your View in Dubuque, Iowa.

Scot Schwark teaches elementary music K–5 and middle school band 6–8 for Lincoln K–8 Choice School in Rochester, Minn.

Marc Wallman is vice president for information technology at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

1994

Neil Blackmore is assistant director of new issue strategic information for Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee.

Heather Clefisch is vice president and division general counsel for Spectrum Brands in Madison, Wis. She is also on the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association-Madison Go Red.

Laurie Lower is a braille transcriber for National Braille Press in Boston.

Matt Rebro is vice president of business development at HKS in Chicago.

Susan (Kreager) Wallager is pastor for spiritual care at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, Minn.

Astri Wee of Reston, Va., is event coordinator for SOAR Train-the-Trainer program.

1995

Doug Grimm is vice president and general manager at Collabrance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Amy Raddatz is emergency services dispatch supervisor for Fort Collins (Colo.) 9-1-1.

Jodi Schlender Dabrowski is the director of special programs for the YMCA at Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Carol (Ihde) Vande Velden is an accountant for Patrick A. Kvitek CPA Accounting and Tax Services in Denmark, Wis.

Rebecca (Williams) Welch of Summerville, S.C., earned a master of science degree in health informatics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a registered nurse and clinical analyst at the Medical University of South Carolina.

1996

Dee Brown is the head cross-country coach at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. The men’s cross-country team won back-to-back national titles, and the women’s team was national runner-up. Brown was named the USTFCCA men’s and women’s Regional Coach of the Year and the men’s National Coach of the Year.

Tony Rogers of Topsfield, Mass., is a supervisory special agent for the FBI.

Monica (Peterson) Rotsaert is a family practice physician at Cedarloo UnityPoint Clinic in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Eric Schubert is pastor at Greenfield (Iowa) United Methodist Church.

Joe Segilia is an attorney and partner at Robinson Brog in New York City.

Andrea (Levin) Wackerfuss teaches preschool at Christ Victorious Early Childhood Center in Chaska, Minn.

1997

Alina (Sabatke) Bailey earned a master of science degree in nursing from Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill. She is a clinical care improvement manager for the Hospital Care Ring at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, and a Minnesota section leader for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses.

Sarah (Smith) Bauer is a dental hygienist at Dr. Swett: Family, Cosmetic, Implant, and Laser Dentistry in Johnston, Iowa.

Karen (Olson) Crews is an analytical chemistry scientist at Aerie Pharmaceuticals in Durham, N.C.

Karin (Robeck) Mayo is a pediatric cardiac ICU nurse at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. She is a medical volunteer with Children’s Heartlink to First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in Kunming, China, and a PICU nurse consultant with Minnesota International Medicine at King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Amie (Schroeder) and Chris Mitchell live in Brooklyn, Wis. She earned school social work licensure from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and is the school social worker for the Mount Horeb (Wis.) Area School District. He teaches science and is the head boys’ soccer coach for Sun Prairie (Wis.) High School.

Emily O’Banion is senior vice president of integrated health care delivery at Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health.

Susan (Dennison) Patist is a business systems analyst for Millennium Health in San Diego.

Ella Rothgangel is associate registrar and TMS administrator at the St. Louis Art Museum
in St. Louis.

Peter Zamborsky is a senior lecturer in international business at University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand. He published the e-book International Business and Global Strategy.

1998

Jason Habeck of Hayden, Idaho, is field trainer for the Toro Company.

Mary (Weis) and Magnus Hellmark live in White Bear Lake, Minn. She earned a master’s degree of computer information systems in technology management from Regis University and teaches Spanish at South Washington County (Minn.) Schools. He is an information systems supervisor for the 3M Medical Department.

Jessica (Hudson) McAndrews is vice president of programs, services, and operations at USO of Metropolitan New York.

Doug Nalean-Carlson is store director at the Depot Outlet in Decorah.

Brandon Sampson was awarded the 2015 Mayor’s Medal of Honor for innovation in industry with his company Limb Lab in Rochester, Minn. He was also named Rochester’s Arts Person of the Year for his accomplishments with his musical group, Six Mile Grove.

Sarah (Pohlson) Smith is program and communications manager in the Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

Jarrad Walter of Decorah is senior manager of Inside Sales for MarketShare at Neustar in Sterling, Va.

1999

J.D. Burton is an attorney and director of state relations for the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Aaron Judisch of Heidelberg, Germany, is a freelance opera singer.

Jami Severson teaches Spanish for the Rochester (Minn.) Public Schools. 

When she visited missionary friends in Kenya in 2013, Megan Elmore ’09 felt called. She was working at a mortgage bankruptcy law firm at the time. “The day I returned to America,” she says, “we were having a huge meeting about getting so many proofs of claim done. And in my head I’m going, I need to make sure I’m getting 15 claims done to kick people out of their houses when I just got back from Africa where people don’t even have houses. That was a turning point for me. I submitted my two-week notice a week later.”

With a business management major, Elmore turned to Google and searched: “African mission opportunities microloan.” Through Bright Hope International out of Chicago, she secured a yearlong internship in Zambia, helping give microloans to churches. On her days off, she helped distribute cans of baby formula to mothers with HIV. She had not been particularly interested in children, but it wasn’t long before she was playing with the babies. Then, when she began checking up on churches in rural villages, she began playing with those kids. Before long, whenever someone asked, “Where’s Megan?” the answer was “Just find the kids, and she’ll be in the middle of them.”

When her year of service was up, she started looking for opportunities to stay in Zambia. By then she knew she wanted to work with vulnerable children, and so when Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML) asked her to partner with them to found an orphan care center, she jumped at the chance.

Elmore is now stationed in Mansa, just an hour away from where she had been serving in Samfya, but the difference is night and day. Elmore had been a microloan intern with minimal responsibilities. She’d lived on a safe college campus where everyone spoke English. She’d had running water and a flush toilet and reliable electricity.

In her new position, Elmore directs Mansa Fountain of Blessings orphan care center, which opened in September 2015. She runs board meetings with CMML leadership. She’s responsible for seven staff members and the feeding, clothing, and education of 47 orphans. She lives in a higher-crime area (her pet German shepherd patrols outside at night) in a house without running water and with daily electricity outages that last eight to 12 hours. And fewer people in her new life speak English, so she’s started learning Bemba, the local language.

But it’s clear she finds the tradeoff well worth it. Children served by Mansa Fountain of Blessings live with guardians, usually aunts or grandparents who’ve taken them in after their parents have died, often of AIDS or malaria. They visit the organization three days per week for a Zambian meal and Bible studies. The center also pays for their public school tuition and uniforms and provides two sets of new clothes and shoes twice a year. In addition to her director responsibilities, Elmore, like most missionaries, fund-raises to support her own presence in the country. Unlike most missionaries, she (with help from her dad, mom, and sister in Texas) also fund-raises to support the entire operation of the center.

Mansa Fountain of Blessings is in its infancy, with no kitchen, no stove, no fridge, no running water, no bathroom, and only one classroom in which to teach children, who range from grades one through seven. But in spite of the growing pains ahead, Elmore says, “What keeps me going is that kids here don’t take education for granted. We recently got some books donated to us, and the kids were just ecstatic.”

Mansa Fountain of Blessings offers an opportunity to sponsor one of the children at the center in Mansa, Zambia. To learn more about Elmore serving in Zambia, Mansa Fountain of Blessings, or sponsoring a child, visitfortheloveoforphans.org. 

In 1996 John Hanewall Jr. ’78 and his wife, Luan, were looking for something to do as a couple. Instead of turning to traditional partner hobbies like cooking or ballroom dance, they donned colored wigs and red noses and started clowning.

While it might sound like they chose clowning on a whim, Hanewall’s parents were also clowns. “That was the impetus,” John Jr. says. “We saw them as mentors and saw how fun it was. As we say, it’s a lot more fun being in the parade than watching it.”

In addition to parades, Hanewall and his wife perform as Luther (yes, Luther!) and Lu-Cee at a range of community events and programs, from YWCA Family Fun Nights to corporate picnics to nursing homes.

Hanewall has delighted thousands of spectators through his clowning and has racked up scores of awards, including the 2015 Midwest Clown Association award for All Around Clown (he also won the title in 2008 and 2011). According to Hanewall, judging for the top honor includes three categories: makeup; single skit, in which a clown performs a solo prepared bit; and paradeability, in which clowns take turns traveling down a 200-yard “parade route” lined with people.

In addition to his funny business, Hanewall is director of the Rock County (Wis.) Development Disabilities Board, where he oversees contracted services with 50 agencies and a $32 million budget. “It certainly is a different frame of mind when you’re clowning versus sitting as an administrator,” he says. But sometimes the two worlds collide, for example when Hanewall trots Luther out for a day-services program.

Hanewall also teaches psychology courses at Upper Iowa University, where Luther occasionally guest lectures. “When I’m teaching counseling techniques, an eight-week course, Luther goes in for a night as Professor Luther Von Fritzeneric and teaches about dealing with stress management,” he explains.

Stress management indeed—just try saying “Professor Luther Von Fritzeneric” with a straight face.

A message from the president

I’d like to extend my deeply felt thanks to all of the leadership donors in this President’s Council roster, who contribute in so many ways to Luther College. Through their generosity Luther is able to provide not only a stellar education for our students, but a foundation on which they can plan lives of consequence and meaning.

One way to understand the importance of the college’s role in a student’s life is to look at it through the eyes of a parent. At the Parents Council meeting last fall, I asked council members to share thoughts with me on this question: What is your hope for your child’s experience at Luther College? The 40 or so parents gathered on campus for the council meeting each wrote for some minutes about the hopes they have for their son or daughter during their college years at Luther. The parents wrote moving statements about the learning and maturing they wish for their children.

Parents hope Luther will “cultivate both wisdom and savvy . . . a rolled-up-sleeve practicality, a wise-as-a-serpent savvy about the workings of the world: how to survive, thrive, and help others to do the same.” They wish for their children “lifelong friendships,” “to grow in faith,” “faculty who model opportunities,” “mentors,” and “fun.”

For 155 years, students have come to Luther College with their dreams and their families’ hopes. Together with their fellow students, they form a living and learning community that engages, challenges, and supports them in their studies, their friendships, and their aspirations. In classrooms, labs, worship spaces, rehearsal rooms, gyms, offices, studios, and residence halls, Luther faculty and staff serve as teachers, coaches, mentors, and guides for Luther students as they learn, grow, and make decisions about their futures.

The President’s Council helps make all of this possible. I extend my heartfelt thanks to these generous donors and the many alumni, parents, and friends for all you do to support and advance the college. You are key members of the Luther community, and we recognize here—and every day—the value of all you do for the college and its students. Thank you all.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Paula J. Carlson
President

The following pages list individuals and organizations that have provided financial support to Luther College of $1,500 or more—or $750 or more for alumni in their first decade after graduation—in the past calendar year, January 1–December 31, 2015, and those who have provided $100,000 or more to the college cumulatively through December 31, 2015. In recognition of their leadership in giving, these donors qualify as members of the LutherCollege President’s Council.

Gifts at all levels are vital in providing scholarship assistance for students, ensuring the success of academic and cocurricular programs, and meeting needs for technology, equipment, and facility maintenance and replacement.

President’s Council Life Members

This is a permanent record of recognition of those whose cumulative outright gifts total $100,000 or more, those who have established irrevocable planned gifts with remainder interest present values of $100,000 or more, those who have made irrevocable gifts of life insurance policies with cash values of $100,000 or more, or those who have contributed combinations thereof, as of December 31, 2015.

The President’s Circle commemorates these pioneer presidents of Luther College: Peter Laurentius (Laur.) Larsen, served 1861–1902; Christian Keyser Preus, 1902–21; Oscar Ludvig Olson, 1921–32; Ove J. H. Preus, 1932–48; and J.Wilhelm Ylvisaker, 1948–62.

* Attained Life Membership and President’s Circle membership during the 2015 calendar year
◊ President’s Council Life member(s) whose cumulative giving increase from last year resulted in a move to a new President’s Circle level
† Deceased 

THE LARSEN CIRCLE

Recognizes those who cumulative gifts given as of December 31, 2015, total $1,000,000 or more.

INDIVIDUALS
Bruce ’68 and Janis (Zube) Altorfer ’70
†E.E. “Ray” ’59 and Shirley (Klingsheim) Bentdahl ’59
◊Dennis ’64 and Suzanne Birkestrand
David ’63 and Brenda (Landsgard) Carlson ’73
David Carlson ’85
R. Eric ’61 and Cynthia (Aal) Carlson ’63
†Bert and †Bernice Cross
†Bert and †Mildred Dahl
†Edward Dahly
Shelby and Gale Davis
†Ervin and †Phyllis Johnson
Orville and Kathleen Johnson
Douglas ’82 and Shelly Kintzinger
†John Kintzinger
Jewel Kintzinger Day and †Burtwin Day
†Leon and †Helen Koebrick
David ’64 and Camille Kundert
Bradley ’86 and Jane (Dalen) Miller ’86
◊Weston Noble ’43
Neal ’59 and Gerry (Mosby) Nottleson ’59
Curtis Reiso ’54
†Milton and †Dorothy Roelfs
Steven Schaver ’76 and Asunta Eizaguirre
†Edgar ’38 and †Gerda Sersland
Rebecca (Linnevold) ’71 and Robert Shaw
Arne ’80 and Ruth Sorenson
O. Jay and Patricia Tomson

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Nena Amundson ’56
Estate of Malcolm ’30 and Maybelle Estrem

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
American Lutheran Church
◊The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
Gardner & Florence Call Cowles Foundation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Iowa College Foundation
The Kresge Foundation
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
F.W. Olin Foundation Inc.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
Thrivent Financial

THE PREUS CIRCLE

Recognizes those whose cumulative gifts given as of December 31, 2015, total $500,000 to $999,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous (2)
†E.J. and †Betty Altorfer
Rich ’74 and Candace (Grimm) Altorfer ’73
†Arthur and †Helen Austin
†Arthur ’30 and †Mary Louise Bergee
†John ’33 and †Mildred Breiland
Ronald ’59 and Gene (Flom) Calgaard ’58
†Roy ’26 and †Helen Carlson
†Lillian Ellerman
Daryl ’61 and Audrey (Pederson) Erdman ’61
John and Marilyn Gilbert
Richard ’64 and Joann (Harr) Hemp ’65
†Thomas and †Frances James
†Herbert ’32 and Kay Johnson
Sandy and Mick Lee ’57
Ellen (Hanson) Lindop ’46
David ’64 and Pat Miller
†Tilmar Moilien ’34
Donald Nelson
Marti (Tomson) ’84 and William Rodamaker
†Sterling ’50 and †Vila (Kiel) Thompson ’51
†C. Harvey ’49 and Charleen Wilkins

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Patricia Gunderson ’70
Estate of Leo Schafee

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Associated Colleges of the Midwest
Bank of the West (formerly Community First National Bank)
◊Bruening Rock Products Inc.
Decorah Bank and Trust
IBM Corporation
Fred Carlson Company Inc.
R.J. McElroy Trust
Teagle Foundation Incorporated

THE OLSON CIRCLE

Recognizes those whose cumulative gifts given as of December 31, 2015, total $250,000 to $499,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous (3)
◊Richard ’64 and Barbara (Moen) Amundson ’65
Jutta F. Anderson
†Glenn ’39 and †Delia Bergland
†Harald ’25 and †Helen Bestul
Alan ’55 and Sally Brudos
Russell Bruemmer ’74
Wilfred ’53 and Ruth (Jensen) Bunge ’51
John and Carole Lea Cotton
†Kathryn Engebretson ’77
E.D. and Helen Farwell
◊Helene (Rowe) ’48 and †Edward Furst
†Kermit ’38 and †Jane (Haugen) Hanson ’39
†Lucille Heintz
Betty Hoff ’60
Helen (Peterson) ’52 and Jack Hustad
Dennis and Carole Johnson
†Darlene (Peterson) ’55 and Robert Jones
Douglas ’73 and Sandra Kratz
David ’69 and Julie Larson
†Paul ’49 and Justine (Holum) Lionberger ’50
David Lubben ’74 and Nancy Kwam
Paula (Hermeier) ’76 and Kurtis Meyer ’76
Victoria (Dahly) ’73 and Randal Miller ’73
Glenn Nelson and Mary Jane Borelli
†Walter ’50 and Virginia Nelson
Alan ’61 and Linda Nordhem
†Carleton ’49 and Barbara (Orwoll) Nordschow ’49
Donald ’48 and Dorie Olson
†Jeanne (Preus) Rost ’41
Marilyn (Haugen) ’66 and Jeff Roverud ’66
Walter ’59 and Amelia Rugland
†Vernon Serfling
John ’58 and Donna (Ferden) Suby ’59
Robert ’58 and Janet (Purmort) Tollund ’73
Joan (Catlin) ’63 and David Totten
†Ollie ’49 and Pipka Ulvilden
Michael Voltmer ’74
◊Joseph ’80 and Greer Whitters
†Russell and †Margaret Wicks
Michael and Barbara Wigley
†Robert and †Jean Wigley
Enwei Xie ’94 and Lynn Tonglao

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Robert Amunrud
Estate of Wilbur Dosland
Estate of Evelyn Evenson
Estate of David Knudson ’61
Estate of Gordon Luce ’49
Estate of Duane Monette ’69
Estate of Ronald Olson ’65
Estate of William Seabold
Estate of Halberta Steensland
Estate of Ruth Steinmetz
Estate of Laura Stoin

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Bush Foundation
Carlson Materials Company Inc.
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Davis United World College Scholars
ExxonMobil Foundation
The Jessie F. Hallett Charitable Trust
Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation Inc.
Luther College Woman’s Club
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Foundation
Norswing Foundation
Northwest Area Foundation
The Presser Foundation
Thanks to Scandinavia, an Institute of the American Jewish Committee
Voltmer Electric

THE YLVISAKER CIRCLE

Recognizes those whose cumulative gifts given as of December 31, 2015, total $100,000 to $249,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous
†Maynard ’39 and †Minerva Aaker
H. George and Christine Anderson
Jeffrey ’84 and MaryEllen (Palmquist) Anderson ’84
Lloyd and Kathy Anderson
M.C. Anderson ’54
John and †Mabel Bale
Steven ’74 and Paulette (Engel) Barnes ’74
†Sissel Berdal
Alvin ’55 and †Marilynn Berg
Roger and Carol Berg
Jon and Stephanie Bergquist
Susan (Maclay) ’64 and Paul Blackman
Donald ’51 and †Wanda Blockhus
Marilyn Bohl ’56
Alvin ’54 and Marion Brekken
Gregory ’78 and Karen Bruening
†Harley and Joyce Carlson
†Alan ’62 and Rebecca Carpenter
Keith Christensen ’80 and Dawn Deines-Christensen ’82
*Jonathan ’90 and Dawn Doering
†Lois (Brandt) Drews ’49
Dennis and Jolene Elmore
James Field ’54
Dennis ’68 and Jean Flatness
Timothy ’67 and †Janet (Strube) Fleming ’67
Luther ’49 and Ilene (Knutson) Forde ’46
Callista (Bisek) ’88 and Newt Gingrich
Ingeborg (Bader) Goessl ’60
J Bruce ’62 and Cosette (Cross) Goetsch ’63
Jan (Engle) ’62 and John Gray
Leon and Linda Gregg
George and Joann Hagen
William ’61 and Dianne Halling
†Henry and †Janet Halvorson
Gene ’63 and Suzanne Haugland
Ronald and †Lisa Have
Adrian ’41 and †Evelyne Helgeson
Sheldon ’52 and Renee (Aust) Hermanson ’54
†James ’49 and †Elizabeth Holey
Robert and Arlene Houlihan
David ’66 and Carole Hoyem
†Reuben ’28 and †May Jacobson
†Erling ’31 and †Geneva Johnson
Glen ’70 and Kathy (Selzer) Johnson ’71
Timothy Jones and Annie Cardelus
Marvin and Mary Klocke
Stephen ’63 and Susan Kraabel
*George Kuh ’68
Wendell ’58 and Judith (Davidson) Larsen ’60
O. Dale ’61 and †Patricia Larson
†Percy ’45 and Constance (Dahl) Larson ’45
David Lietz ’88 and Suzette Westlyn Derrevere
†Willard ’37 and Yvonne Linnevold
†Walter Magnuson
Ronald ’57 and Marilyn (Lokensgard) Martinson ’57
Paul ’81 and Miri (Peterson) Mattson ’81
*Dick Meade
David and Patricia Meyer
†Frank ’37 and †Esther (Stephens) Miller ’37
Martin Mohr and Mary Lou Hull Mohr
Bjorn ’64 and Margot Monson
†David Nelson ’49 and †Betty Rikansrud Nelson ’57
Corinne and Harland Nelson
Millard and LaVonne Nelson
Roald ’54 and Ruth Nelson
Joan (Gunther) ’64 and Dick Niemiec
Stephen ’81 and Kari Noltner
Franklin Norman and Lynn Winger
†Hildred (Kronlokken) Norman ’54
Timothy ’87 and Molly Oitzman
Marsha (Weckwerth) ’82 and Lee Olch
†F. Milo ’58 and Carole Olson
†Edwin and Thelma Overholt
Steven ’68 and Connie (Marlow) Overholt ’71
J. Robert ’78 and Barbara Paulson
*Cheryl and Drew Pellett
Steven ’78 and Solveig (Storvick) Pollei ’79
†Esther Porter
†Herman ’16 and †Florence Preus
†Lucile Brickner Brown Price
*Brett Reese ’81
*Michele (Wylder) Reese ’81
†Mary Margaret Roberts ’44
Janet Robertson ’60
†Esther Rodda
Robert ’51 and Lucille Rosholt
†Dale ’62 and Catherine Ruosch
J. Stephen ’68 and Lin (Mathieu) Schmidt ’70
†Mary Lou (Schmitt) ’68 and †Floyd Sollien
*Susan Sorlien ’73 and Thomas Jones
Jon and Rebecca Stellmacher
Steven ’81 and Carmen (Hansen) Stenhaug ’82
Karen (Mathews) ’65 and Mark Stuart
Richard ’72 and Jane Theiler
Brad ’81 and Meg Thompson
James ’86 and Kathy (Winter) Thomsen ’85
†Henry Tollefson
Paul ’73 and Rebecca (Larson) Torgerson ’73
Richard and Judith Torgerson
Terry Trimpe ’70 and Nancy Hill Cobb
Jerry ’57 and Barbara Twedt
Thomas ’62 and Juanita Vaaler
John ’57 and Carol Witt
†Margaret (Barth) Wold ’41
†Arlo ’43 and Agnes (Kvaase) Woolery ’43
†Paul ’39 and Mary Anne Wulfsberg
†James Ylvisaker ’60
*James ’81 and Jodi (Palma) Young ’81

ESTATE GIFTS
Anonymous
Estate of Margaret Baker
Estate of Ruth Benson
Estate of Karen Berg ’65
Estate of Clara Bonthron
Estate of David Borders ’73
Estate of Michael ’38 and Betty Borge
Estate of Edwin Bottolfson ’22
Estate of O.L. Enstad
Estate of Harlan Flatjord
Estate of Marie Gunther
Estate of O.M. Haaland
Estate of Alvida Hale
Estate of Lucille Hamilton
Estate of Carole Hanson ’60
Estate of Dorothy Haugen
Estate of Harry and Selma Hougan
Estate of Herbert Jacobson ’33
Estate of Martin ’19 and Avis Jenson
Estate of Betty Juhasz
Estate of Linka Kempf
Estate of Delores Kudej
Estate of Affry Lerol
Estate of Elizabeth Nasvik
Estate of Leo Naughton
Estate of Inga Nelson
Estate of Justin ’41 and Milly (Meyer) Nelson ’44
*Estate of Klareen Nottestad ’56
Estate of Alice Paulson
Estate of Melvin Rasmussen
Estate of Walter ’29 and Nora Rugland
Estate of Maynord Steensgard ’52
Estate of Genevieve Stelberg
Estate of Josephine Thostenson
Estate of Gertrude Tingelstad ’41
Estate of Henrietta Torgerson ’39
Estate of Theodore Vagts
Estate of G. Norman Wigeland

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
The American Scandinavian Foundation
Col. L.C. Christensen Charitable and Religious Foundation
Deco Products Company
John Deere Foundation
First Lutheran Church, Decorah
Homer and Martha Gudelsky Family Foundation
Ernest W. Hallett Charitable Trust
Hawkeye Stages Inc.
The Hearst Foundation Inc.
Hormel Foods Corporation
Interstate Power Company
S.C. Johnson Wax Fund Inc.
The Joyce Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
The William Penn Foundation
Research Corporation
Dr. J.E. Salsbury Foundation
Spahn & Rose Lumber Company
Wells Fargo

PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE CABINET

Recognizes those whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $50,000 or more.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous
Richard ’64 and Barbara (Moen) Amundson ’65
Dennis ’64 and Suzanne Birkestrand
Russell Bruemmer ’74
Helene (Rowe) Furst ’48
Robert Jones
David ’64 and Camille Kundert
Dick Meade
Weston Noble ’43
Neal ’59 and Gerry (Mosby) Nottleson ’59
Arne ’80 and Ruth Sorenson
†Lynn ’61 and Mary (Frost) Steen ’62
Joseph ’80 and Greer Whitters

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Klareen Nottestad ’56
Estate of Sterling Thompson ’50

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund Inc.
Decorah Bank and Trust
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Iowa College Foundation
Sodexo Inc.
Telligen Community Initiative
Thrivent Financial

PRESIDENT’S ASSOCIATES

Recognizes those whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $25,000 to $49,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous
Alvin Berg ’55
William ’95 and Kirsten (Stumme) Bohmer ’94
Wilfred ’53 and Ruth (Jensen) Bunge ’51
R. Eric ’61 and Cynthia (Aal) Carlson ’63
John and Carole Lea Cotton
Ingeborg (Bader) Goessl ’60
James ’66 and Nancy (Lofthus) Hill ’68
Ardith Hubbard
Michael ’78 and Amy (Kiesler) Kust ’78
Anne (Mattson) ’84 and Mitch McAnallen
Erik and Lori Paulsen
Lynn ’76 and Ruth (Hanna) Paulson ’78
Marilyn (Haugen) ’66 and Jeff Roverud ’66
James ’86 and Kathy (Winter) Thomsen ’85
Joan (Catlin) ’63 and David Totten

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of T. Louise Ambuel ’43
Estate of Carl Nelson
Estate of Dolores Sande ’65

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
ASIANetwork
Wells Fargo

PRESIDENT’S ACADEMY

Recognizes those whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $10,000 to $24,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous
Jutta F. Anderson
Marion ’75 and Peggy (Hall) Beatty ’74
Ann Bentdahl ’85 and Roger Smith
Carol Birkland ’67 and Thomas Woxland
Susan (Maclay) ’64 and Paul Blackman
Ronald ’59 and Gene (Flom) Calgaard ’58
Paula Carlson and Thomas Schattauer
Evelyn (Henderson) Costley ’41
Shelby and Gale Davis
Jonathan ’90 and Dawn Doering
Randa Duvick ’78 and Dave Grosnick
Sara Ericksen
James Field ’54
Dennis ’68 and Jean Flatness
Richard ’64 and Joann (Harr) Hemp ’65
†Kermit ’48 and Nora (Forde) ’49 Hendrickson
David ’66 and Carole Hoyem
Helen (Peterson) ’52 and Jack Hustad
Jewel Kintzinger Day and †Burtwin Day
Timothy and Sarah Krumm
David ’69 and Julie Larson
Sandy and Mick Lee ’57
James ’79 and Janis (Miller) Lovell ’80
David Lubben ’74 and Nancy Kwam
Paul ’81 and Miri (Peterson) Mattson ’81
Bradley ’86 and Jane (Dalen) Miller ’86
Victoria (Dahly) ’73 and Randal Miller ’73
Bjorn ’64 and Margot Monson
Steven ’68 and Connie (Marlow) Overholt ’71
Barbara Palombi ’71 and Jonathan Vawter
J. Robert ’78 and Barbara Paulson
Cheryl and Drew Pellett
Connie Plaehn ’75
John Quello
Brett Reese ’81
Michele (Wylder) Reese ’81
Marti (Tomson) ’84 and William Rodamaker
Walter ’59 and Amelia Rugland
Rebecca (Linnevold) ’71 and Robert Shaw
Andor Skotnes and Teresa Meade
Susan Sorlien ’73 and Thomas Jones
Steven ’81 and Carmen (Hansen) Stenhaug ’82
Phillip and Jessica Stoltenberg
Karen (Mathews) ’65 and Mark Stuart
Richard ’72 and Jane Theiler
Diane (Baum) ’72 and Gaylord Thormodsgard
Lance ’79 and Shari Vander Linden
Cassandra Warner ’85
Melissa Willenborg ’02

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Lorraine Roberg

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Bruening Rock Products Inc.
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
Council of Independent Colleges
Davis United World College Scholars
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Google Matching Gifts Program
IBM Corporation
Violet and Harold Jaeke Foundation Inc.
Luther College Woman’s Club
The Medtronic Foundation

PRESIDENT’S AFFILIATES

Recognizes those whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $5,000 to $9,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Rich ’74 and Candace (Grimm) Altorfer ’73
Michael ’99 and Carryn (Ensrude) Anderson ’99
Barbara (Kleene) ’72 and Daniel Babine
Charles Banta ’13
Charles ’73 and Ann (Christensen) Beatty ’75
Matthew Birkenholz ’03 and Kelly Woods Birkenholz ’03
†Ronald and Ann Bolinger
Quentin and Inez Boyken
Karen (Wilken) Braun ’85
Alvin ’54 and Marion Brekken
Alan ’55 and Sally Brudos
John ’53 and †M. Jean Bruemmer
John ’59 and Dorothy Brugge
Brenda Case ’94 and Richard Vonder Embse
Rocklon ’73 and Barb (Donaldson) Chapin ’73
Keith Christensen ’80 and Dawn
Deines-Christensen ’82
Holger Christiansen ’50
Craig Cornelius ’74 and Ann Hadden-Cornelius
Donald ’68 and Joanne Davidson
J. Kent ’62 and Carol Dougherty
Charles Enge ’58
Charles ’73 and Janice (Knutson) Engebretson ’74
Peter Espinosa ’81 and Kari Tollefson Espinosa ’84
James ’64 and Judith (Larson) Fogdall ’65
Luther ’49 and Ilene (Knutson) Forde ’46
Craig Fox ’83
J Bruce ’62 and Cosette (Cross) Goetsch ’63
Leon and Linda Gregg
Richard ’50 and Eileen Grindeland
Ben and Megan Grommes
Gretta (Bjerke) ’55 and †Donald Hahn
Korey and Sam Hake
Suzanne (Knoll) ’65 and John Hales
Richard Simon Hanson ’53
Ronald and †Lisa Have
Fay Henning-Bryant ’64
Barry ’83 and Lisa (Schulz-Fincke) Hoff ’83
Robert ’65 and Siv Hovey
Katherine Johnson-Becklin
Sandra (Neitzel) ’87 and Jonathan Joppa ’85
Stephen ’63 and Susan Kraabel
George Kuh ’68
Mary Kust
O. Dale Larson ’61
Ronald ’61 and Jean Lee
David Lietz ’88 and Suzette Westlyn Derrevere
Ellen (Hanson) Lindop ’46
Lorri Jo Lobeck ’80 and David Shelstad
James ’85 and Martha (Anderson) Looft ’83
Joel ’88 and Laurence Ludvigsen
David and Patricia Meyer
David ’64 and Pat Miller
Pauline (Amundson) ’72 and Les Miller
Suzanne (Roverud) ’96 and Corey Mineck
Paula (Bedford) ’68 and Paul Moucka
Jan Nelson ’70
Roald ’54 and Ruth Nelson
Luther ’64 and Marilyn Nervig
Stephen ’81 and Kari Noltner
Franklin Norman and Lynn Winger
Michael Osterholm ’75
Norman Overland
June Paar
Jeffrey ’81 and Nancy Paulson
Martha (Hovde) Paulson Bergsrud ’64 and Fred Bergsrud
Bradley Paulsrud ’05 and Kirsten (Sparks) Paulsrud ’04
Hamlet ’54 and Suzanne Peterson
Lowell ’58 and Mary Peterson
Terry (Thiele) Rasmussen ’67
Sara (Wooster) Richardson ’69
Janet Robertson ’60
Louise Rolfs ’52
Curtis ’60 and Ann (Knutson) Rotto ’61
Robert ’68 and Dell Ann (Kappus) Sathe ’68
Britt Sather ’78
Steven Schaver ’76 and Asunta Eizaguirre
Corey ’98 and Tonya (Schwers) Schmidt ’97
Paul ’98 and Jody (Daubendiek) Schulte ’98
Gerald and Sue Schwalbach
Joel Spoonheim ’92 and Lani Willis ’94
Scott ’89 and Laura (Anderson) Stevens ’92
Eric ’85 and Diane (Reque) Storvick ’85
Susan Tjornehoj ’76 and David Wangaard
Paul ’73 and Rebecca (Larson) Torgerson ’73
Grant ’67 and Lila Trask
Terry Trimpe ’70 and Nancy Hill Cobb
Todd ’97 and Emily (Foster) Velnosky ’98
Jody Wettach ’86
Enwei Xie ’94 and Lynn Tonglao
James ’81 and Jodi (Palma) Young ’81

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Gene Groth ’55
Estate of Grace Olson

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Col. L.C. Christensen Charitable and Religious Foundation
Deco Products Company
Eaton Corporation
EY Foundation
Fjelstul Funeral Home
Gundersen Health System Inc.
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest
Microsoft Corporation
Winneshiek Medical Center

PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY

Recognizes those whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $1,500 to $4,999.

INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous (8)
Scott Addington ’69
Darrin ’90 and Amy Ahrens
Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82
Bruce ’68 and Janis (Zube) Altorfer ’70
Terry Anderson ’62
Calvin and Betty Anderson
Dennis and Corinne Anderson
Jeffrey ’84 and MaryEllen (Palmquist) Anderson ’84
M.C. Anderson ’54
Karen Angell ’80
Jack Anundsen
Jeffrey ’89 and Angela (Carlson) Arndt ’88
Sharon (Zumdahl) ’70 and Stanley Asp
Roger ’63 and Eleanor (Roe) Ault ’64
Glenn ’62 and Karen (Swain) Austad ’62
Michael ’65 and Karen (Wardell) Austad ’64
Sally Swab Austin ’70 and Bradford Austin
Russell ’63 and Sandra (Edgren) Ayers ’64
Kelly and Allison Bachelder
Ruth Bachman ’75 and Thomas Gallagher
Vernon ’50 and Donna (Haugen) Bahr ’53
Shirley Baker
John Bale
John ’83 and Karla (Nelson) Balk ’83
Roger ’71 and Peggy Bang
Nancy K. Barry
Steven ’74 and Nancy Barry
Eugene and Aneila Barth
Ann (Birdsall) ’71 and Byron Beasley
Matthew ’92 and Kristine Beatty
Lori Beckman ’83
Loren ’59 and Betty (Eide) Behm ’57
Kristyn (Edwards) ’96 and David Benson
Donald ’56 and Barbara Berg
Ann (Gulsvig) ’67 and John Bergstad
Steven ’74 and Linda (Kennedy) Berry ’74
Steven ’84 and Marsha Birchard
Richard ’71 and Louann (Peterson) Bjorlo ’67
Stephen ’69 and Gracia (Kraabel) Blanchard ’69
Donald Blockhus ’51
Warren ’60 and Maryellen (Amundson) Boe ’61
Trisha (Hanson) ’94 and Kyle Boese
Larry Bonney ’85
Eric Bookmeyer ’96 and Erin Peterson ’97
Glenn ’66 and Mary (Jorgenson) Borreson ’66
Jake ’61 and Shirley Bostrom
Casey ’07 and Laura (Fritz) Bouska ’08
Jeff ’81 and Shawn Bouslog
James ’64 and Sharon Boyce
David ’80 and Kathy (Haugland) Brandt ’82
Rolf ’91 and Deirdre Brekken
Renee (Anderson) ’72 and Charles Brown
Duane and Eileen Bruening
Keith ’80 and Amy (Carlson) Bruening ’92
Brian ’80 and Judy (Farwell) Bumpus ’80
Marilyn (Myrah) Bunge ’51
Mary Bunge Docken ’79 and Don Lucas
Don ’53 and Joan Bungum
†David Bunt ’78
John ’87 and Susan Bunz
Adam ’06 and Molly (Sheppard) Burk ’07
Jonathan ’04 and Miranda Butler
Lori Koch Cannestra ’82 and Paul Cannestra
David ’63 and Brenda (Landsgard) Carlson ’73
Jean (Flom) Carlson ’58
Joyce Carlson
Michael ’85 and Susanne Carney
Larry ’65 and Karen (Aaker) Chellevold ’65
Walter ’68 and Aleta (Reckling) Chossek ’69
Dennis ’63 and Ann (Henningsgaard) Christ ’66
Rodney ’79 and Deborah Christensen
Ronald ’61 and Judith Christian
Birgitte (Povelsen) ’73 and John Christianson
Anne (Marking) ’62 and Myrvin Christopherson
Jon ’84 and Janeen (Fowler) Christy ’93
Kristine Cleary ’78 and Peter Coffey
Heather Clefisch ’94 and Nate Zolik
David ’80 and Wendy (Hillesland) Coe ’80
Martin ’91 and Michele Cole
Richard and JoAnn Cole
Phyllis (Zylstra) ’79 and Paul Comstock
Christopher ’96 and Susan (Cihak) Considine ’96
Michele Cooley ’92 and John Gluesing
John ’60 and Diane Crawford
Becky (Wieck) ’75 and Gary Curtis
Erno ’52 and Suzanne (Preus) Dahl ’53
James ’72 and Jeanne (Tormoen) Daubendiek ’72
William ’62 and Judith (Ream) Davis ’62
David ’71 and Jenee (Nelson) Dettmann ’72
Jean Dickson ’89
Rodney ’80 and Lisa Dir
Mark ’70 and Vicki (Mohlis) Donhowe ’70
Michael Dorner ’86
Edward Dosh ’70
Gregory ’61 and Carol Dotseth
Laura Dotseth ’86 and David Larsen
Louise Dovre Bjorkman ’82 and John Bjorkman
Alice (Ranum) ’49 and Leonard Drake
Ruth Drews ’76 and Dean Peckham
Sue (Franzen) ’78 and Jack Drilling
Douglas Duin ’77 and Ann Hill Duin ’77
Shannon (Miller) ’95 and DeLane Duval
Richard ’64 and Patricia (McCullough) Edwards ’63
Tami Ehlers ’01
Peter ’68 and Terryl (Bruins) Eikren ’70
Ruth (Huebner) ’84 and Michael Eisler
Gary ’59 and Janell Embretson
Henrik ’57 and Marcia (Borreson) Engebretson ’58
Edgar and Joyce Epperly
Daryl ’61 and Audrey (Pederson) Erdman ’61
Karla (Luzum) ’89 and Lindsay Erdman
Nathan ’98 and Anne Ersig
Peggy and Bryan Ettestad
Joann (Halvorson) Evans ’52
Jodene Evans ’84
David ’79 and Rachel (Andersen) Faldet ’78
Patrick ’00 and Katrin (Aarestad) Fergus ’00
Kenton ’54 and Lois Finanger
Nancy Fincham ’85
Elizabeth Fiskerbeck Bruening ’58
Ardis Fiskerbeck Christen ’59
Bob ’66 and Lynne Fjelstul
Timothy Fleming ’67
Larry ’62 and Marilyn Fogdall
Gene Frank ’69
Kevin ’00 and Kimberly (Turner) Frantz ’00
Laura (Charlson) ’89 and David Frazier
Ronald ’61 and Karen (Paulson) Fretheim ’63
Terence ’56 and Faith (Luzum) Fretheim ’56
Ann Highum and Jerry Freund
James and Elizabeth Fritz
Marilyn Fritz Shardlow ’72 and John Shardlow
DeLyle ’61 and Carolyn Fure
Wilmer ’48 and Margaret (Nelson) Fure ’48
Gary ’74 and Sandra Gilderhus
Callista (Bisek) ’88 and Newt Gingrich
Kenneth and Sheila Goins
Nancy Gossell ’74
Steven ’76 and Julie (Huntting) Grandgeorge ’77
Jan (Engle) ’62 and John Gray
Kristopher ’82 and Kathryn (Willi) Gregersen ’81
Maryln (Johnson) Grimm ’50
Ben and Padrin Grimstad
Joseph ’98 and Ann Grimstad
Larry and Diane Grimstad
David ’85 and Janet Gross
C. Carlyle ’55 and Mary (Kittelsland) Haaland ’56
James ’72 and Susan (Hammond) Haemker ’74
Wayne ’62 and Barbara Halverson
James and Anne Hancock
Douglas and Bonnie Hanggi
Ryan Hanke ’06 and Heidi Christian ’99
Larry ’68 and Jane (Hoplin) Hansen ’68
Thomas ’77 and Joyce Hansen
Bradley and Marion Hanson
Eugene ’59 and Naomi (Borreson) Hanson ’61
Lori Happel-Jarratt ’89 and Al Jarratt
Ronald ’65 and Carol Harder
Steven ’84 and Denae (Erdman) Harder ’87
Brian and Julie Hart
Jon and Mary Hart
Lee ’84 and Linda (Rosholt) Hash ’85
Brian ’96 and Amy (Vollmer) Hatlevig ’96
John ’00 and Jennifer (Cords) Hatlevig ’00
Corey ’94 and Carla (Paulsen) Haugen ’93
Dean ’91 and Pamela (Brown) Haugen ’89
Gerald ’62 and Sally Haugen
Irene (Schulz) ’53 and Chester Hausken
Alan Hecht ’80 and Kristin Swanson ’80
Adrian Helgeson ’41
Mark ’71 and Lois (Lebakken) Helland ’71
Thomas Hellie ’75 and Julie Olds
David ’76 and Sue Henderson
Dayton ’79 and Amy Henderson
Kristine (Hahn) ’85 and David Henderson
Steven ’73 and Virginia (Fixsen) Hendrickson ’72
Darrell Henning ’62 and Terry Sparkes
Sheldon ’52 and Renee (Aust) Hermanson ’54
Gene ’53 and Ruby (Totman) Hermeier ’53
Norma Hervey
Michael ’81 and Rhonda Hicks
Edward ’63 and Sharon (Madson) Hill ’63
Elaine Ottmers Hill ’77 and Paul Hill
Lavern ’49 and Jean Hillesland
Betty Hoff ’60
David and Linda Hoffman
Donald and Mavis Hoffman
Timothy and Amy Hohulin
Pat Holman ’72 and Philip Wangberg ’70
Corey ’99 and Sarah Hoodjer
Janice (Anderson) ’57 and Roger Horn
Marguerite (Agena) ’64 and Max Horn
Robert and Arlene Houlihan
Louise (Naeseth) Hubbard ’39
Christopher ’89 and Jennifer (Jenkins) Hubbs ’95
Philip ’87 and Sarah (Henning) Iversen ’87
Lawrence and Mildred Jensen
Arthur ’67 and Jacqueline Johnson
Charles and Doris Johnson
Glen ’70 and Kathy (Selzer) Johnson ’71
Kent ’83 and Lee (Knoernschild) Johnson ’85
Kirk ’82 and Kerry (Kramer) Johnson ’83
Orville and Kathleen Johnson
Scott Johnson ’80 and Naomi Nowland ’80
Terry ’81 and Jone (McDonald) Johnson ’82
David ’92 and Holly Jorde
Shirley (Stark) ’61 and Travis Jorde
Daniel Jordet ’78
Brian Jorgensen ’80 and Richard Pietz
Karen Julesberg ’60
Curtis and Edith Julson
Michael ’98 and Heidi (Hingeveld) Jung ’00
David ’68 and Rayna Kaasa
Ruth Kath
Scott ’87 and Ruth (Berschet) Kauls ’88
Eric ’87 and Laura (Doorenbos) Kehrberg ’91
Mark ’01 and Kate (Brothen) Keiper ’00
Jane Kemp
Alice (Hogenson) Kienberger-Iverson ’54
Michael ’89 and Julie Kinsel
Douglas ’82 and Shelly Kintzinger
Lawrence ’54 and Mary (Buchholz) Kipfer ’55
Helen (Erickson) Kissel ’56
Joy Hovick Kissel ’93 and Kevin Kissel
Wayne ’61 and Alyce Kivell
Helen (Legler) ’59 and Hans Kneubuhler
Harriet Knudson
Norlie Knudson ’64
William ’70 and Carolyn (Peterson) Kobler ’70
Lesley (Dressen) ’00 and Jonathan Kochel
Jessica (Wrobel) ’03 and Preston Koenig
Joanne (Gray) Kolstad ’53
Walter ’49 and Helen Korsrud
Roger ’68 and Laurie Krahn
Douglas ’73 and Sandra Kratz
Bethany (Bierman) ’95 and James Krepela
Mark and Sara Kronholm
Lyle Kruegel ’63
Dennis and Holly Kruger
Michael ’87 and Amy (Larsen) Krull ’89
Jon Kucera ’74 and Susan Graham
Sarah Kuehl ’02
Lynn Kvalness ’64
Meredith Kvalness ’69
Donna Lager ’79 and Steven Jacobsen
Eric ’00 and Jennifer (Filteau) Lahaie ’99
Charles ’70 and Christine (Lindgren) Lane ’70
Walter ’52 and Adeline (Lovstuen) Langland ’50
April Ulring Larson ’72 and Judd Larson ’74
Brian ’00 and Rachel (Forde) Larson ’99
Marcy (Petersen) ’96 and Eric Larson
Robert and Marilynn Larson
Rob and Sandra Larson
John Laughlin ’89 and Julie Suhr ’88
Reginald and Jerilyn Laursen
Dale ’95 and Amanda (Neal) Lawrence ’95
Lisa Laxson ’91 and Curt Clifton
James and Catherine Lee
Jon ’62 and Stefani (Monson) Lee ’62
Ronald Lee ’62 and Marie Bender-Lee
Chris ’75 and Sylvia Lee-Thompson
Ann Leon ’75
Truman ’56 and Delores Lewis
Dennis ’71 and Barbara Linderbaum
†Willard ’37 and Yvonne Linnevold
Justine (Holum) Lionberger ’50
Douglas Lohafer ’77
Jerrold ’62 and Elizabeth Lokensgard
William ’67 and Karen (Porter) Long ’67
Elaine (Wischhoff) Looft ’57 and Bill Schulz
William ’56 and Maxine Losen
Russell ’58 and Juanita (Zeman) Loven ’56
Warren Luckner ’68 and Mary Carr Luckner
Jon Lund
Richard ’72 and Marcia Lund
Ross Lund ’97
Gregg ’90 and Jennifer Luther
LaRoy ’60 and Lila Luther
Thomas ’00 and Michelle (Feldmann) Lutz ’00
Debora Madsen ’73 and John Cznadel
Christine Magnuson ’74
Cecelia (Nybro) ’78 and Brian Manlove
Lisa Manzey Adelmann ’87 and Steve Adelmann
James and Karen Martin-Schramm
†Ronald ’57 and Marilyn (Lokensgard) Martinson ’57
John and Rebecca Mason
Stephen ’68 and Margeen (Bolson) Mau ’69
James ’91 and Wendy McCreight
James and Helen Meehan
Bruce ’52 and Rosella (Gjere) Melaas ’52
John and Marcia Metzger
Sonja (Smith) ’85 and Joe Meyer
Todd ’93 and Nicole Michaels
David and Bridgette Mitchell
Kathryn Ulvilden Moen ’41
Martin Mohr and Mary Lou Hull Mohr
IvaNell (Mundt) Monson ’51
Katherine Moody ’01
Michael ’74 and Janice (Gjesvold) Mostrom ’74
Carolyn Mottley
Kimberly (Gass) ’92 and John Mueller
Mark Muggli and Carol Gilbertson
Paul ’79 and Catherine Elise (Barton) Mullen ’80
Eric ’91 and Kimberly (Latzke) Muller ’93
Dale ’64 and Helen Mundahl
Michael Musgrave ’86
Richard and Charlene Myklebust
James and Ramona Myott
Robert ’65 and Ann (Aaker) Naslund ’66
A.P. ’43 and Borghild (Teigland) Nassen ’43
Carolyn (Nuttall) ’62 and James Nelson
Connie (Jolstad) Nelson ’60
Cy ’76 and Ramona (Feller) Nelson ’75
Dean ’69 and Barbara Nelson
Doug Nelson ’82
Gerald ’62 and Andrea (Cowles) Nelson ’63
Glenn Nelson and Mary Jane Borelli
Corinne and Harland Nelson
Lloyd Nelson ’51
Millard and LaVonne Nelson
Peter ’97 and Jennifer (Larsen) Newburg ’99
David ’77 and Mary Kay Nichols
Jared Nichols ’02
Robert ’64 and Ann Niedringhaus
Bradley and Laura Nielsen
Dale and Sunny Nimrod
Riddell Noble ’57
Alan ’61 and Linda Nordhem
Deborah Norland ’75 and James Bovee
Sylvia (Schey) Norland ’47
Chip ’82 and Jari Norris
Andrew Nottleson ’90 and Lizabeth Diekema ’90
Jonathan Nowland ’83 and Christi Munson Nowland ’80
Ronald ’54 and Frieda (Mindrum) Nowland ’54
Nancy Nygaard Johnson ’85 and James Johnson
Susan Oberman Smith ’83 and Douglas Smith
Eileen O’Brien Denner ’84 and Keith Denner
Francis ’59 and Miriam (Strum) Odden ’62
Paul ’97 and Melissa Odenbach
Ordean and Carol Oen
Angela (Spartz) ’00 and Patrick O’Keefe
Marsha (Weckwerth) ’82 and Lee Olch
Patrick O’Leary and Amaria Najem O’Leary
Kristen (Kollmorgen) ’88 and Lon Olejniczak
Jeffrey Olinger ’85 and Heidi Miller-Olinger
Christine Olsen ’78 and Tom Rothengass
Jeremy Olsen ’02 and Katie Murphy-Olsen
Paul ’65 and Jeanne Olsen
A. Richard ’59 and Martha (Smith) Olson ’59
Dale ’74 and Anne (Kruse) Olson ’74
David ’79 and Siobhan Olson
Donald ’48 and Dorie Olson
Eric ’85 and Virginie Olson
Helen (Stuepfert) ’69 and John Olson
Karen Olson ’88 and Darlene Petit
Marney Olson ’99
O. Rolf ’53 and Gertrude (Kolstad) Olson ’54
Richard ’59 and Vicki Olson
James ’77 and Mary (Stoneman) Oppermann ’77
Kevin ’06 and Keely Oppermann
George ’67 and Carole (Rust) Orness ’69
Thelma Overholt
Dan ’89 and Theresa (Anderson) Owens ’89
John ’88 and Sherry (Schmidt) Paulson ’88
Allen ’69 and Karen (Anderson) Peckham ’69
Mark ’82 and Catherine (Eichmann) Penning ’83
Dale and Judy Peter
Roger Petersen and Susan Sandholm-Petersen
Gregory Peterson ’83 and Ann Sponberg Peterson
Karen (Nilsestuen) Peterson ’65
Steven ’77 and Marcia (Hoff) Pitzenberger ’78
Alexander Platt
Virginia (Heitbrink) ’83 and Kent Porter
James ’78 and Sandra Potter
Penelope (Smith) ’77 and David Pratt
Jonathan ’61 and Mary Preus ’63
Mark ’81 and Mary Pribbenow
Paul Pribbenow ’78 and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow
Vance Prigge ’93
Marit (Running) ’58 and M. Franklin Pudas
Scott ’97 and Jennifer (Ponik) Purpus ’96
David ’83 and Karen Quinby
Craig ’92 and Renee (Lysne) Rabe ’95
Brian ’64 and Gloria (Evans) Rainer ’65
Janice Rambow Beatty ’77
Judith (Miller) ’62 and David Ranheim
Ann Rathe ’87
Richard and Jill Reed
J.W. ’48 and †Beverly Reinertson
Scot Reisinger ’96 and Heather Schacht Reisinger ’96
Curtis Reiso ’54
Phillip and Ruth Reitan
Brian ’98 and April (Johnson) Remfrey ’98
Sharon (Rose) ’71 and †James Rendack
Mary Lynn (Swenson) ’79 and David Rettig
Curtis ’67 and Linda (Aaker) Ritland ’68
Gladys (Fenner) ’65 and David Roberts
Mike ’82 and Sue (Moyna) Robinson ’82
Waldron ’58 and Arlene (Riegel) Rosheim ’59
L. Darlene Rosholt
Robert ’51 and Lucille Rosholt
Bernie and Kim Rost
Linus Rothmeyer
Sue Rothmeyer ’81
Kathryn (Hermanson) Rotto ’57
Richard ’61 and Julaine Rud
Uwe Rudolf and Ruth Caldwell
Steven Runde ’97
Harlan ’82 and Sonja Satrom
Paul ’73 and Nancy (Fredrickson) Savre ’73
Russell Savre ’68
Marlin ’58 and Ann Scheib
Lauri (Schmidt) ’85 and Jeffrey Schloz
Sylvia (Nervig) ’66 and Donald Schmid
Darrell Schmidt ’80 and Julie Mall
Brad Schmugge ’93
Mark Schneider ’90
Susan (Riley) Schneider ’90
Peter and Diane Scholl
Paul ’43 and Camille Schroeder
Jill (Monis) ’97 and Thomas Schwanz
David ’77 and Dawn (Hovden) Schweizer ’78
Helen Schweizer
Scott Searl ’94
Robert Seaver ’57
Newton and Ann Seitzinger
Julie Serra Lund ’80 and Philip Lund
Thomas ’67 and Mary Severson
Stephen ’71 and Katie (Kvale) Sheppard ’71
Anjela Shutts ’93 and Peter Kitundu
Mark Smeby ’70 and Joanie Sheahan
Steven ’95 and Maria (Bringer) Smith ’95
Eugene ’58 and Wanda Soland
Arlen ’58 and Carole Solie
Allan ’60 and LaVonne (Leng) Solomonson ’61
Larry ’63 and Aniko Solomonson
Allen ’63 and Judith Soltow
Ryan Sommers ’04
Steve ’72 and Susan Sorenson
Nyle Spalding
C. Robert ’66 and Sondra Sperati
Richard Staff ’69
John Stalbaum ’67
David ’77 and Lori (Van Gerpen) Stanley ’80
Richard ’74 and Mary (Edwards) Steinberg ’76
Jon and Rebecca Stellmacher
Carter ’83 and Michele (Mertens) Stevens ’83
Wendy (Tessman) ’69 and James Stevens
Carol (Barth) ’75 and Timothy Stoddard
John ’83 and Jane Stoneman
Olin Storvick ’49
Paul ’66 and Linda (Knutson) Strand ’66
Jonathan ’74 and Jeanette (Bialas) Strandjord ’74
Clarie (Renslo) Streng ’55 and Dennis Broste
Ryan Stroschein ’99
Adam Syverson ’02
Eugene ’66 and Miriam (Nelson) Takle ’66
Aaron ’00 and Heidi Thiese
Robert Thomson
Ronald ’73 and Chris Throndsen
Daniel ’66 and Mary Ann (Skifton) Thurmer ’68
Charles ’72 and Noreen Thurston
David and Martha Tiede
Daniel ’79 and Kristin (Skoglund) Tjornehoj ’80
John and Karen Tjostem
Paul ’69 and Elizabeth (Tenold) Tokheim ’70
Dean ’57 and Jo Marie Tollefson
Robert ’58 and Janet (Purmort) Tollund ’73
Richard and Judith Torgerson
Peter ’80 and Linda Traeger
Daniel ’97 and Stephanie Tresemer
Geoffrey ’94 and Dalia Trullinger
Anita (Buss) Turck ’61
Jerry ’57 and Barbara Twedt
Ted ’55 and Janet (Campbell) Tweed ’55
Chinyere and Onyebuchi Ukabiala
Harold ’69 and Lynette (Ellingson) Usgaard ’70
Sara Uthe Holm ’99 and Eric Holm
Thomas ’62 and Juanita Vaaler
Lee ’78 and Maggie Valenta
Rachel (Schutte) ’09 and Rod Vsetecka
Norris Waalen ’72 and Hollis Krug Waalen
Jill (Voss) Wachholz ’89
Marilyn Wahlberg
Harold ’62 and Jane (Baker) Wallestad ’61
Solveig (Johnson) Walstrom ’70
Ruth Ward Schraeder ’88 and Neil Schraeder
Mark Wardell ’68
Donna (Wangsness) ’64 and James Weigle
Caroline (Hjerleid) ’62 and James Weis
Pamela (Hansen) Wenndt ’75
Lucas ’07 and Sarah (Nesheim) Westby ’07
Roger ’79 and Mary (Devoe) Wetlaufer ’79
Jeffrey ’79 and Barb Wettach
John Wetzel
Marjorie (Running) ’66 and George Wharton
James ’70 and Irene Whittington
Kyle ’92 and Kristine (Hukey) Wiese ’91
Genevieve (Fosdahl) Wilberg ’56
Debra Wilson ’71 and Peggy Brenden ’76
Robert Wilson ’75
Rolland ’60 and Sharon (Jacobson) Wilson ’60
Warren Wind ’58
Larry ’83 and Jane Winter
Paula Wisness ’78 and Mark Cochran
Vincent ’66 and Patty Wixon
James ’80 and Karen Wold
Kristi Wold ’81 and Jean DeRidder
Amy (Mueller) Wrightsman ’01
Phyllis (Dankers) Yes ’63
Richard ’50 and Joanne Ylvisaker
Jamison Young ’99
Robert ’67 and Jeanne (Engler) Zaske ’67
Judy (Henriksen) Zetterberg ’72

ESTATE GIFTS
Estate of Irma (Orth) Hopkins ’59
Estate of Bernice Rise

CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
A&J Petersburg Agency
American Legion of Iowa Foundation
Ameriprise Financial Gift Matching Program
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators Inc.
Bank of America
Bank of the West
Bean Masters Inc.
Best Buy Co. Inc.
Cargill Inc.
Deere & Company
Deloitte & Touche Foundation
Arlin C. Falck Foundation
First Lutheran Church, Decorah
General Mills Foundation
Hacker Nelson & Company P.C.
Hormel Foods Corporation
Hotel Winneshiek
Kimberly Clark Foundation
Kissel Family Optometry
KPMG
Madison Community Foundation
The Merck Company Foundation
Meredith Corporation
Midwest Group Benefits
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Foundation
The Presser Foundation
Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc.
Rockwell Collins
Schneider Electric North America Foundation
Subway
Thomson West
Winneshiek County Community Foundation

FIRST DECADE SOCIETY

Recognizes alumni in their first decade after graduation whose gifts given from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, total $750 or more.

Anonymous
Charles Banta ’13
Casey ’07 and Laura (Fritz) Bouska ’08
Alison Buck ’05
Adam ’06 and Molly (Sheppard) Burk ’07
Addison Choi ’11
Brian ’05 and Sarah (Rouse) Clark ’05
Joshua ’10 and Kathryn (Dolan) Gerber ’10
Douglas Hamilton ’11
Ryan Hanke ’06 and Heidi Christian ’99
Emily (Walk) ’09 and Brett Harris
Daniel ’06 and Allison (Kruger) Herman ’07
Aaron Hoffland ’12
Kirsten Hoyme ’09
Matthew ’05 and Ashley (Wirtz) Johnson ’07
Matthew Kinney ’05 and Marit Pollei ’06
Benjamin ’07 and Rebecca (Ballandby) Knutson ’07
Carl Lottman ’11
Kelsey (Hake) ’10 and Jacob Miksell
Michelle Monson Klisanich ’06 and Michael Klisanich
Chantel Olufsen-Lepa ’07 and Jesse Lepa
Kevin ’06 and Keely Oppermann
Thomas Orser ’09
Bradley Paulsrud ’05 and Kirsten (Sparks) Paulsrud ’04
Katherine Schaefer ’11
Robert ’07 and Keshar (Nadkarni) Sheridan ’07
Karl ’06 and Sarah (Murrell) Swenson ’07
Nathan ’09 and Brittany (Buczek) Todd ’10
Rachel (Schutte) ’09 and Rod Vsetecka
Lucas ’07 and Sarah (Nesheim) Westby ’07
Maria Woo Ching ’10

PRESIDENT’S VISIONARIES

Recognizes those who have established planned gifts from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015.

Anonymous (3)
Michael ’65 and Karen (Wardell) Austad ’64
Kristyn (Edwards) ’96 and David Benson
Russell Bruemmer ’74
Jason Burgart ’03 and Melissa Stull ’03
Jonathan ’90 and Dawn Doering
Stuart ’65 and Diana Eickelberg
Joann (Halvorson) Evans ’52
Daniel Gjelten ’74 and Lisa Burke ’85
Phyllis Gray ’73
Rosalie (Grangaard) ’59 and Kenneth Grosch
Becky (Essmann) ’78 and David Hamilos
Amy (Michaelson) ’91 and Patrick Igou
Scott Johnson ’80 and Naomi Nowland ’80
Sandra (Neitzel) ’87 and Jonathan Joppa ’85
Haldis (Solem) Kaasa ’81
Rachel (Kibler-Melby) ’06 and Carl Kibler
Kerry Knodle ’72
Jill Kuennen ’90 and Chris Schwarz
George Kuh ’68
Ann Leon ’75
Richard ’60 and Dorothea (Nybroten) Lind ’62
Lorri Jo Lobeck ’80 and David Shelstad
Carl Lottman ’11
Robert ’65 and Julie Masche
Dick Meade
Carolyn Mottley
Weston Noble ’43
Jonathan Nowland ’83 and Christi Munson Nowland ’80
Chantel Olufsen-Lepa ’07 and Jesse Lepa
Thomas Orser ’09
David ’75 and Kristin (Silseth)
Peterson ’75
Connie Plaehn ’75
David ’43 and Ann Preus
Craig ’92 and Renee (Lysne) Rabe ’95
Hillary (Foster) ’05 and Doug Ramaker
Curtis Reiso ’54
John Runningen ’75 and Jane
Calvert-Runningen
Steven Schaver ’76 and Asunta Eizaguirre
Robert ’70 and Mary Schneider
Margaret Sherve ’73
Wendy (Tessman) ’69 and James Stevens
Carol (Barth) ’75 and Timothy Stoddard
Patrick ’92 and Karen (Titus) Trewin ’92
Christopher ’92 and Charity Tyler
Konrad Urberg ’94
Lisa (Newcomer) ’81 and Mark Vail
George ’63 and Joyce (Behrens) Wallman ’65
Cheryl Westrum Bressler ’79 and Richard Bressler
James ’66 and Laurel (Luzum) Womeldorf ’66

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If an error has been made, please accept our apology and contact the Luther Development Office at 800-2 ALUMNI or email giving@luther.edu so we may correct our records.

While vacationing in England last fall, my wife, Donna, and I returned to 
Hothorpe Hall, where I was honored to have spent a year (1966–67) as a Luther
 volunteer. Hothorpe is an English manor house in central England first built in 960. During the Second World War, the hall was used as a children’s home
 for youngsters evacuated from London.
Ten years later, when Central European refugees—some of whom had been persecuted for their faith—fled to England, the Lutheran Council of Great Britain was formed to give some unity to this influx of Lutherans. The council purchased Hothorpe, which by this time was in considerable disrepair, to be used as a retreat and conference center for spiritual growth and renewal, particularly among young people.


Rev. Jerry Moe ’49, who died in October 2015, was the first Hothorpe director. He arranged for Luther to send two volunteers to work at the hall for a year, cementing a close relationship between Luther and Hothorpe that spanned a quarter century. Hothorpe’s special relationship with Luther was further strengthened in 1966 when Rev. Marlyn Sundheim ’60, himself a Luther volunteer, returned to Hothorpe as director. 
It is said that one cannot go back because the past is in the past. So it was
 not surprising that so much has changed at Hothorpe over these 50 years, and yet, at its core Hothorpe remains very much intact. The gate houses that flanked the entrance to Hothorpe for centuries are still there and occupied, but the entrance has been moved a quarter mile down the road from the hall’s home village of Theddingworth. As you drive up, the hall looks exactly the same on the exterior, as does the adjacent chapel. Inside the hall, the green, blue, and round rooms are still known as such and continue to be
used for meetings, special gatherings, and afternoon tea.


The view from the green and blue rooms of green, rolling English countryside
is still so peaceful. The kitchen, with its large wood-burning stove and ovens where many volunteers toiled daily, is gone. It has been replaced 
by a modern, much larger facility in an annex. The large, walled-in garden and greenhouse that fed Hothorpe’s visitors and where I spent much of my time is gone, built over with a new complex of suites and bedrooms.
 The stables are no longer recognizable, as they have been extended to provide a spacious dining room. The sauna, our favorite gathering place on Saturday evening, is gone too. Rose gardens grown by the gardener, Oscar, in the
front and side of the hall, which were special, are also gone.


Perhaps the biggest change is Hothorpe’s staffing. When I was there, five permanent staff ran Hothorpe—a director, a housekeeper, a secretary, John (the Polish cook), and Oscar (the Latvian gardener)—supported by two 
Luther volunteers and up to 15 or 20 university volunteers from the continent during the summer. Today Hothorpe, which hosts retreats for church groups and others, has up to 40 full-time staff and 60-plus part-time staff. 
Of course, Hothorpe now has about 23,000 guests each year. While it is truly a business now, at its core Hothorpe is still a Christian conference center, where visitors come to experience spiritual refreshment and fellowship.
 Reflecting back on Hothorpe’s purpose and the opportunity it provided Luther volunteers to learn through service to understand and value diverse cultures, customs, and beliefs, I can’t help wondering if Luther will find new opportunities for its present generation of students to serve and support our 21st-century refugees.

At 10 years old, Amir became the resident bee expert in his low-income neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa. The fifth-grader could tell his friends and neighbors what bees do and how they pollinate and relate to sources of food. He worked alongside beekeepers and explained to people in the community why local hives should be left alone.

Amir was able to do all this because someone made a connection with him on his terms. Someone thought to ask him what his interests were and helped him develop them. Being an ambassador for bees contributed to his sense of self-worth, the feeling that he could make a difference. Creating connections like this is at the heart of what three Luther alumni are doing in the Des Moines area: helping wounded children get on their feet, learn to trust, and find a successful path in life.

Amy (Ostrander) Croll ’97 is cofounder and executive director of Community Youth Concepts, which brings service learning and career-based mentoring to kids in grades 4–12 across 19 schools. Gladys Noll Alvarez ’80 is the trauma informed care project coordinator at  Child Guidance Center, the children’s mental health center branch of Orchard Place, which provides inpatient, outpatient, and community programs for more than 10,000 children. Alvarez specializes in trauma and works with children from newborn to age eight. Toby O’Berry ’97 is the director of Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, giving homeless youth ages 16 to 22 a safe and free place to live for up to two years while they pursue education and jobs. The centers work with about 500 youths a year.

Suzanne (Roverud) Mineck ’96, president and CEO of the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, brought the group together for a Luther-sponsored Lunch Connection last February called “Giving Hope and Fostering Resilience.” Many of us are lucky to live in cities, like Des Moines, that rate highly as places to live and raise families, but Mineck says there are still thousands of children in Iowa alone who live in poverty and have no idea where they are going to get their next meal. Mid-Iowa Health helps support organizations like the ones at which Croll, Alvarez, and O’Berry work, and Mineck gets a firsthand look at how they build supportive connections to counter the adversity in children’s lives.

Lunch Connections happen several times a year in the Des Moines, Iowa, area and in Minneapolis. Join with other Luther alumni for a catered lunch and intriguing speakers. Visit the Alumni Office events calendar for upcoming events in the series.

Alvarez is a trauma informed care coordinator at Orchard Place. Knowing that a child has been through some kind of trauma, whether physical or mental, helps caregivers provide better care. And having a connection with someone who really cares about them is crucial for all children, Alvarez says: “We all need at least one person who cares whether we show up or not. Ideally that’s our family, but for some kids it’s not. It could be a neighbor, a Sunday school teacher, a coach, or just a kind person. If you are kind to someone, that releases the endorphins in their brain and helps them be more positive.”

Toby O’Berry, at Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, says he sees homeless teens and young adults whose experiences have caused them to lose trust in adults. They can’t make the connections they need to build stable lives. “It used to be that when those kids came in it was, Okay, we have to get you a job, how do we figure that out? But you can’t do that successfully until you treat the underlying issues,” O’Berry says. “You can’t even talk to them until they have the basics they need to survive. . . . When they have that food-and-shelter thing solved, then they really open up and start thinking about how to better themselves and start to trust.” The renewed ability to trust makes these teens more receptive to connections that can set them on paths to education, jobs, and continued stability.

Croll made a connection with bee expert Amir through Community Youth Concepts. She saw it as a way to help him develop confidence in himself. When he felt like he mattered, he developed responsibility. “We find when we engage youth and we come alongside them, we don’t experience the major behavioral issues,” she says. Rather than simply insisting a child do something or act a certain way, Croll and her staff seek out the child’s interests. “Let’s tap into what you’re interested in first, then it’s our job as facilitators and adults to build lessons around what the kids are interested in,” Croll says.

She attended a beekeeping class with Amir and brought beehives to the CYC offices—“not something I ever anticipated we would have,” she says. But because she paid attention to a little boy who had no one else to listen to him, he is now a valued expert in his neighborhood. He knows he matters, and that helps the whole community.

Ben Harney ’15, Jon Williams ’15, and Kai Ashland ’14 became violently ill in Mexico, biked in seemingly endless triple-digit heat in Guatemala, and battled freezing temperatures in the mountains of Peru.

But, Ashland says, overcoming those challenges was all part of the experience of spending six months (to the day!) cycling 5,000 miles through nine countries, from the northern border of Mexico to the “end of the earth” in Ushuaia, Argentina.

“Sometimes home sounded really good, but instead of making excuses, we continued on,” he says. “I think Jon and Ben would agree that completing this trip is among the greatest accomplishments of our lives.”

Williams, an experienced white-water rafting guide, and Harney, an avid backpacker, had tossed around the idea of doing an adventure trip together as early as their first year at Luther. But it wasn’t until September 2014—the start of their senior year—that the two settled on cycling together through Central America and South America. “Jon was the instigator,” Harney says. “But it didn’t take much to convince me.” Ashland, a salmon fisherman and Boundary Waters enthusiast, soon signed on as well.

All three quickly agreed to use the trip to raise funds for a cause in which they believed. Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity fit the bill. “We raised about $9,600 total, including just shy of $6,000 for the local Habitat chapter,” says Ashland, an active member of Luther Habitat for Humanity while on campus. “The Luther and Decorah communities were both very generous.”

The remaining donations helped defray the cost of the trio’s adventure, including the purchase of an MSR international stove, an extensive first aid kit, and rugged Surly Troll mountain bikes able to carry up to 50 pounds of gear. “Those bikes are like the Land Rover of bicycles,” Williams says, noting they averaged between four and six hours a day in the saddle. “They were able to get us anywhere we wanted to go.”

Read more about the trio’s cycling adventures on their blog. 

Their route took them along muddy gravel river beds, desolate backcountry roads, high mountain passes, and busy city thoroughfares, while at the same time showing them some of the most stunning scenery in the world—from the coasts of Mexico and the rain forests of southern Ecuador to the glaciers of Patagonia. “No matter where we were, the scenery was engaging,” Harney says. “And because terrain changed so often, it was also very challenging.”

The English-Spanish language barrier also posed challenges. “Every country speaks a different dialect of Spanish, so it was always changing,” Williams says. “Still, our Spanish skills were good enough that we were able to get to where we wanted to go.”

They made connections they will never forget. In northern Mexico a family saw that the men were struggling and offered them food and a place to sleep for the night. In southern Mexico a man gave them keys to his apartment so they could rest up while coming and going as they pleased. And in Guatemala a boy and his mother spotted the three exhausted cyclists resting under a tree and brought out bananas, oranges, and loaves of fresh-baked cornbread. “The food just kept coming and coming,” Harney recalls. “They shared what little they had with us, three American strangers, because they thought we needed it.”

Appreciation of such sincere hospitality, Williams says, was just one of many life lessons the trio took from spending half a year so far away from the comforts of home. He is thankful for the opportunity to have seen so much of the world with two of his closest friends, as well as for the role their Luther education played in shaping the experience. “Luther was at the very root of this trip,” he says. “It was our Luther experience that challenged us to not only act upon this dream but also learn as much as we could while staying true to our core values along the way.”  

There is laughter, and there are tears. But mostly there is gratitude as Karen Martin-Schramm reflects on two decades of service as executive assistant to three Luther presidents: Jeffrey Baker, Richard Torgerson, and Paula Carlson.

“I really feel like it has been a  calling—that all my gifts have been used in this job,” says Martin-Schramm, who stepped down in March. “I am so thankful to have had this opportunity, to have been able to contribute to the college in so many different ways.”

Martin-Schramm joined Luther’s staff in 1996, three years after her husband, Jim Martin-Schramm, joined the college’s religion faculty. She had just wrapped up a yearlong stint organizing the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, hosted by Luther, when the college’s newly elected president, Jeffrey Baker, hired her as his assistant. Though she already had a decade of administrative experience—including two “fascinating” years with the National Council of Churches in New York City, during which she met Billy Graham, Desmond Tutu, and many other prominent faith leaders— Martin-Schramm says she still had much to learn as she settled into the college’s executive suite.

“The suite in the Union was new, I was new, and Jeff was new,” she says. “It was the two of us, armed with some boxes of materials, and together we had to figure out how to run the President’s Office.”

Figure it out they did, but their productive partnership came to an abrupt and painful end when Baker was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998. “Jeff made such an impact here in such a short time,” she says. “The outpouring of support was incredible, as was his strength, once he became ill.”

Richard Torgerson, Baker’s successor, was quick to spot—and employ—Martin-Schramm’s project-management and organizational  talents when he arrived in 1999. Over the next 15 years, she helped coordinate two multiple-year strategic planning processes, orchestrated numerous special events (including a visit by the king and queen of Norway in 2011 and the years-in-the-works  sesquicentennial celebration that same year), helped develop the college’s first integrated communications and marketing plan, oversaw numerous executive searches, directed a campus signage redesign, planned three more Nobel Peace Prize Forums (NPPF), and worked  directly with the Luther Board of Regents.

Closest to her heart, Martin-Schramm says, was her work with the NPPFs and the Luther regents, whom she describes as “down-to-earth, dedicated, and exceptionally giving.” For 20 years, she prepared meeting agendas and background materials, attended those meetings, and served as campus liaison with the college’s governing board. “The best boards are the ones that reflect the character of  the institution, and our regents really do reflect Luther’s student-centered spirit of community,” she says. “Working with the board has  been one of the most fun, inspiring, and rewarding parts of my job.”

Equally rewarding was her work with the four Nobel Peace Prize Forums hosted by Luther. As forum organizer, Martin-Schramm was instrumental in bringing Nobel Peace Prize laureates such as Kenyan environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai (2006) and Iranian attorney and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi (2011) to campus. “I firmly believe that the forum changed students’ lives,” she says. “It’s a big, big deal just to be in a room in Decorah, Iowa, with a Nobel laureate.”

While she says an administrative career in Lutheran higher education has felt like destiny—“One of my grandfathers served as president of Texas Lutheran College, the other received an honorary doctorate from Luther, so it’s in my DNA”—it’s time, Martin-Schramm says, to take on new challenges. This summer she and her husband will accompany a dozen Luther students to England, where the couple will serve as codirectors of the college’s Nottingham program for the coming year.

“I didn’t have a lot of interaction with students on campus, so I’m really looking forward to getting to know several of them during our time in England,” says Martin-Schramm, flashing her trademark smile. “And when we return to Decorah, who knows what’s next?”

English professor Lise Kildegaard has fostered a celebration of great art in small packages through her Dennis M. Jones Distinguished Teaching Professorship in the Humanities. Two of the projects engaged students in creating their own works of art in partnership with poet and video artist Todd Boss and with printmaker and book artist David Esslemont.

Boss grew up on a cattle farm in Wisconsin and now lives in Minneapolis. He has been publishing poetry since 2008, and he also expresses his poems through films called Motionpoems. Kildegaard says Boss writes beautiful, interesting, rich poems that are short lyrics. “Then he wears a different hat as the executive artistic director of what he calls the world’s only film poetry company. He is part of an artistic endeavor that is making films that are connected to contemporary poems,” she told Chips, the Luther student newspaper.

The films—each two or three minutes long—have been screened at festivals, cinemas, libraries, museums, bookstores, and schools worldwide. How they turn out is influenced not only by the poet, but by animators, filmmakers, and composers. Motionpoems.org, which Boss cofounded with filmmaker Angella Kassube, regularly releases new videos.

Kildegaard arranged for Boss to teach a 2016 January Term class about Motionpoems, the poet’s first collaboration with college students, she says. “They’re recording the videos, they’re developing original scores, they’re putting that all together in a month’s time,” Boss says in a video about the class created by Luther’s Video Bureau. The students learned firsthand from poets in addition to Boss, and he brought in professionals working in music composition and production, voice over, sound design, filming, editing, and more.

A Motionpoem by sophomore Isaiah Cammon, junior Elizabeth Daly, and senior Nick Arnold, based on the poem “The Plastic Saint” by Athena Kildegaard, was shown at the March 4 launch party for Athena’s book of poems and prose poems, Ventriloquy. Students from the J-term class drove up to St. Paul for the event.

Another visiting artist, British printmaker, designer, bookbinder, and publisher David Esslemont, spent several days in residence during spring semester. Esslemont, who lives north of Decorah, worked with six students to create a chapbook based on six of the Square Stories of Danish author Louis Jensen.

Five students created linoleum-cut prints to illustrate the Square Stories: seniors Tessa Kraus and Lars Johnson, and juniors Maxwell Green, Savannah Horn, and Jake Porter. Riley Samuelson, a senior, assisted Esslemont in binding the book.

The pages were printed on a cylinder press designed by Orville Running, who headed Luther’s Art Department for 30 years, beginning in 1946. Not all of the student illustrators had made a print before, and Esslemont taught each step along the way. He demonstrated how to roll the ink—listening to the roller’s sh-sh-sh to determine when the ink was spread thinly enough. Then he showed how to apply just the right amount of pressure through the press—not so much that the print block dented the paper.

Esslemont and his team of students aimed to create 30 copies of the approximately 8½-by-5½-inch books. One copy may find a home in the Rare Book Room of Preus Library.

Every two years, the Jones Professorship is awarded to a Luther faculty member who honors the values and traditions of the humanities, enriches the intellectual life of students, and provides academic leadership in the humanities. The Jones Professor devotes time to a project that will enhance humanities education.

Slagel credits balance, team support for success in the pool

Clare Slagel ’16, a biology major and champion swimmer from Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa, is a 10-time All-American with two national championships. She has also collected a long list of additional honors over her four years at Luther that reflects her ability to balance hard work in both academics and athletics. 

“I think a big part of being able to manage your time is communication,” Slagel says. “But I also think that it’s coming into the season knowing that you have to sacrifice certain things to be able to have your main focuses be on swimming and academics.”

As much at home in the water as she is studying in Valders or Sampson-Hoffland, Slagel has dedicated herself to swimming five to six months of the year, including two-a-day practices four times per week for most of the swim season. That dedication has paid off. In March, she qualified for the NCAA Division III national championships for the fourth year in a row.

Slagel qualified in the 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, and 200 backstroke events. She finished the championship meet as national runner-up in the 100 backstroke, becoming a four-time All-American in that event. She finished fourth in 2013, third in 2014, and was the national champion in 2015.

Slagel finished ninth in the 200 backstroke and won the consolation final. She was the national champion in 2014 and finished third in 2013 and 2015. This year, her 500 freestyle preliminary time put her in 12th position, and she chose not to swim the consolation final. Slagel also earned All-America honors as a member of the 200 medley relay team with Erin Connolly ’14, Lexi Scharmer ’16, and Emily Anderson ’17 that placed seventh in 2014.

In February 2016, Slagel was named the Liberal Arts Championships Swimmer of the Year, becoming the first athlete in the history of the championships to earn the title four times.

She says her teammates and coaches contributed in a big way to her individual success. “I’ve had this experience at Luther that I’ve never had with any other team before,” Slagel says. “And I think it’s because of the environment [of the team]. I feel like this year we’re closer as a team than we have ever been.”

She continues, “It’s hard sometimes because you get so tired. And that’s the culture of swimming: you’re always going to be swimming exhausted. But it’s hard not to be motivated and it’s hard not to be dedicated when you have such a strong team behind you.”

With a strong academic record as well, Slagel is also a three-time Iowa Conference Winter Sports All-Academic Team honoree, a three-time CSCAA (College Coaches Swimming Association of America) Scholar All-American, and has twice been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team.

Reflecting on her collegiate career, Slagel says, “It is difficult to be done with college swimming,” Slagel says. “But I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I have had. I loved competing at [nationals], and having the chance to race so many remarkable athletes will always be a highlight.”

She says she’ll continue swimming, but mostly for pure enjoyment. “I love the sport of swimming, and I love the culture of swimming, but I also love the idea of swimming,” Slagel says. “I think I’ll always continue swimming—more for the enjoyment of the sport.”

Slagel’s next step will be to attend graduate school for veterinary medicine at Iowa State University.

For Serres, every meet celebrates recovery from injury

Tricia Serres ’16 is always on the run. The biology major and star cross country and track runner packs classes, work study, and a rigorous training plan into each day—a routine that has brought her major success. Between cross country and track, the Platteville, Wis., native has a national title and 10 All-American honors to her name. Most recently, Serres placed fourth in the mile at the NCAA Division III National Championships, her third All-American honor in that event.   “[Being an All-American] is definitely really special,” Serres says. “It’s a work in progress, and I’ve just tried to enjoy the process of it all. I feel very blessed.” Despite her dedication, Serres’s passion for running and her blooming career saw a major slowdown in the late winter/early spring of 2015, when a serious iliotibial band injury sidelined her for several months, threatening to jeopardize her entire track season. “It was definitely challenging, not only physically, but emotionally,” Serres says. “When your teammates are training and you’re not, that’s tough.” She says it took a lot of patience and persistence, but the experience helped her be a stronger runner and athlete overall. Serres eventually overcame the injury and captured the national title in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA III National Championships in May 2015. Coming back from the injury, every meet was a celebration of being able to run, Serres says. “Going into the national meet, I just looked at it as, Wow, this is crazy that I’m here. Whatever happens, happens—I’m just going to be a tough competitor. It was very special.” Serres says she was drawn to Luther by its welcoming community and also because of some incentive from her father, Rob Serres ’82. “I always felt very welcomed,” Serres says. “[There’s] a great community here, and that was something that I really wanted to be a part of. . . . I knew there would be lots of opportunities to pursue other passions and interests, and I think it’s been a great fit for me.” Postgraduation, Serres will pursue physical therapy by enrolling in graduate school at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. “I’ve always loved how the body moves, and physical activity, and helping people,” she says. “And I feel like [physical therapy] is a great career avenue for that.” As for running, Serres plans to continue the competitive training and running that have become essential to who she is.

Transfer to Luther brings the fun back to wrestling

Drew Van Anrooy ’16 needed a change in his life. The star wrestler transferred to Luther from Division I Oregon State University after his redshirt sophomore year, looking to revamp both his academics and his athletics. It paid off.

After finishing runner-up in the 141-pound weight class at the 2015 NCAA Division III National Championships, Van Anrooy captured the national title in the same weight class in 2016. He is now a two-time All-American in addition to his national title, with a career record at Luther of 50-3.

“I couldn’t have ended my competitive collegiate career in a better fashion,” Van Anrooy says. “I feel incredibly blessed to call myself a national champion for the rest of my life.”

Drew and his brother Reed Van Anrooy ’17 accompanied one another in their move to Luther, where they were joined this year by younger brother Cole Van Anrooy ’19. Three years of Division I wrestling had left Drew feeling unbalanced and single-minded.

“I wanted to have a little bit better balance [in my life],” Drew says. “I felt like wrestling was my whole life—[it was] everything I focused on. I wasn’t able to get involved in anything else, really. I wanted a better education as well as a social life, and I thought that I could achieve that at the Division III level.”

Drew explained that his father, Mike, was a wrestler at a Division III liberal arts college, which helped sway Drew to pursue a similar path. Drew was drawn to Luther, specifically, by its combination of excellence in academics and in wrestling.

Drew says that he, his father, and Reed looked at where teams had finished at the national tournament the previous year as well as how the school rated academically. “Luther was up there,” Drew says. “We went on some visits and liked Luther the best.”

Transferring to Luther, Drew says, has made wrestling fun again. “We have a lot of fun as a team,” he says. “I just felt like I could trust the whole coaching staff, and that was a big part to letting me just focus on my wrestling.”

As he closes out his time at Luther, the biology major, who hails from Roseburg, Ore., plans to take a year off from schooling before attending medical school. He would also like to coach wrestling at some level. “I’d like to stay involved with the sport,” Drew says.