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Endowed Professorships and Chairs

Luther College awards endowed professorships and endowed chairs to honor Luther faculty whose teaching careers and accomplishments have:

• exemplified the philosophy and values of the liberal arts,

• enriched the intellectual life of students,

• enhanced the academic character of the institution, and

• demonstrated leadership in the teaching profession.

Nena Amundson Distinguished Professorship

The Nena Amundson Distinguished Professorship honors the late Nena Amundson, a 1956 graduate of Luther College who taught physical education and coached women’s athletics for more than 40 years, primarily at California Lutheran University.

A pioneer in collegiate women’s sports programs, Amundson provided an estate gift to fund the endowment for the Luther wellness program. The Amundson Professorship Award provides a faculty stipend, a student stipend, and funding for a research project.  The award is competitive, based on the selection committee’s evaluation of project proposals, particularly those focusing on health and wellness issues for women.

Lea Pickard, assistant professor of anthropology and women's studies, holds master's and doctoral degrees in anthropology from the State University of New York–Albany. Her Amundson research project proposes developing a better understanding of the health and wellness of Latina immigrants in Postville, Iowa. Her anthropological research assesses community women's general health and wellness, including the type of health care women use, issues about health care that concern them, and how they feel their health and wellness could be improved.

Center for Ethics and Public Life

The Center for Ethics and Public Life exists to enhance the liberal education Luther promises its students. By encouraging deep reflection about ethical matters and responsible citizenship, the center should help students learn something of what it means to live a good life. Specifically, the center promotes research, writing, and an ongoing conversation about the public choices confronting society and the role ethics ought to play in making those choices. The director of the center, appointed from the Luther faculty for a five-year term, guides both on-campus and external initiatives in keeping with its purpose.

John Moeller, professor of political science, earned a B.A. from Lawrence University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from Duke University. His research and writing has focused on the role of the Supreme Court in the American political system, political themes in the popular Western, the ideas of Alexander Bickel, and the jurisprudence of Justice John M. Harlan II. He is especially interested in making connections between political theory and political practice and often combines social science writings with imaginative literature in his classes.

Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Chair in Economics

The Dahl Chair is named in honor of Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl, business entrepreneurs who supported the college with financial gifts, including an endowment gift to establish the Dahl Chair. The award recognizes excellence in teaching economics and the relationship of international political, social and economic issues to world markets. The Dahl Professor will encourage students to develop sound analytical and critical thinking skills, become active participants in community and civic activities, and understand the importance of incorporating personal responsibility into their work and their lives.

Mark Lund, professor of economics and director of international education, holds the doctoral degree from the University of Iowa. With more than 20 years of experience in international business, travel, and education, he has facilitated study abroad programs incorporating more than 140 Luther faculty members, with special emphasis on courses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Dennis M. Jones Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities

Named in honor of Dennis M. Jones (1932-90), former Luther professor of English, the professorship is awarded to a member of the faculty 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 part of his/her professional time to a project that will enhance humanities education.

David Faldet, professor of English, is a graduate of Luther, holds the master's degree from the University of Washington, and earned the doctoral degree from the University of Iowa. His teaching areas include Victorian literature, rhetoric and writing. His scholarly interests include a series of essays about the conjunction of human history and natural history along the Upper Iowa River, and research of the Victorian period, especially the work of William Morris, an English socialist, writer and entrepreneur.

Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages

The first endowed faculty chair established at Luther, the Qualley Chair honors Orlando W. (Pip) Qualley (1897-1988), who served six decades as a Luther faculty member and administrator. Qualley held positions of vice president, dean, professor of classical languages, registrar, basketball coach and football coach. Known for his firmness, directness and drive, he encouraged high academic standards and recruited a faculty devoted to education.

Professor and classics department head Philip Freeman, a graduate of the University of Texas, holds the doctoral degree from Harvard University. An internationally recognized specialist in Greek, Roman, medieval culture and Celtic studies, he is the author of "The Philosopher and the Druids" (Simon & Schuster, 2006); "St. Patrick of Ireland" (Simon & Schuster, 2004); "War, Women, and Druids" (University of Texas Press, 2002); "The Galatian Language" (Mellen Press, 2001); and "Ireland and the Classical World" (University of Texas Press, 2001). Simon & Schuster will publish his biography of Julius Caesar in 2008. Freeman is also writing a biography of Alexander the Great .

Before joining the classics department at Luther, Freeman taught at Boston University and Washington University. He has been a visiting scholar at the Harvard Divinity School, the American Academy in Rome, and the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C.

A frequent speaker and presenter. Freeman has given talks on the ancient world at the Smithsonian Institution and interviews on National Public Radio.

Russell R. Rulon Endowed Chair in Biology

The Rulon Chair honors Russell R. Rulon, professor of biology at Luther 1963-2000, whose teaching and mentoring skills helped numerous students advance to careers in medicine and established Luther's biology/pre-med program as one of the best among liberal arts colleges. The Rulon Chair is awarded to a professor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching biology and dedication to serving as an advisor and mentor to students. Appointed for three years, each Rulon Chair devotes time and resources to a project that enhances the training of students in science.

Rulon Chair recipient Kevin Kraus is a graduate of Loras College and holds the doctoral degree from Iowa State University. He served as a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University.

As professor of biology at Luther, Kraus teaches principles of biology, cell biology, and developmental biology. His research interests include study of the control of gene expression during development. Most recently, he has served as the college's associate dean and honors program director.

 

 

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