Spring 2013
Dear Classmate of the Class of ’41,
I hope by the time you receive this letter your snow banks have melted and the snowbirds are thinking about coming home. I am surviving my winters away from New Zealand.
This year, I had the pleasure of spreading the word that Christmas at Luther was being televised on our local public broadcasting system. I watched, along with many others, the magnificent performance that the Luther choirs and symphony orchestra presented. My, how the music, ensembles, and directors have multiplied since my participation more than 70 years ago.
In the annual class agent report I received, I was proud to see how well we were doing. There are still 15 of our classmates alive. This year we placed 2nd in All Funds with contributions from 53 percent. We surpassed last year, and this year we were 1st in the Annual Fund, again with 53 percent. The total of both contributions was more than $26,000. It’s results like those that made it possible to grant a number of scholarships from the Class of ’41 Scholarship Fund.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the success that Luther has in being recognized by the U.S. EPA for the solar panel project. This project adds to the uniqueness of a higher learning institution that had the foresight to become self-sufficient. I think of how far we have come in this field. The founders of Luther came to work, learn, and live daily with gas-powered lights, then generations later, others came to work, learn, and study with electric lights. Now Baker Village lives, works, learns, and grows with solar panel power.
So, I ask you to consider sending in your financial support for the college. If you haven’t already spent your income tax return, send it in now. We want to continue the contributions to the Annual Fund as well as the Class of ‘41 Scholarship Fund. I want to stress how important our contributions are to the college and students. It is not the size of the amount that you send, it is the continued demonstration of support. Thank you in advance.
I received a recent notice of the death of Robert “Deacon” Reynolds, who married our classmate Beth Iverson. It made me think of a fond memory that Deacon and I shared. In the summer of 1940, the two of us decided to hitchhike to Washington, D.C., to visit Professor Henry O’Talle (and of course his two daughters). Deacon and I made it together as far as Kentucky, where we separated and agreed to meet up later in D.C. I was able to hitch a ride with someone in a coal truck, who told me he would take me straight to D.C. When we arrived, he drove down a dark alley, jumped out of the truck, went to the back and came back to me with a shovel and said, “Now, pay for your ride.” It took me a few hours to shovel all that coal out of the truck and into the manhole. Needless to say, I was a sight to see when I made it to the professor’s house. Deacon and I took in all the sights, monuments, etc., and even took a seat in Congress. After that, we got a ride to New York; our destination, the World’s Fair. Deacon and I had made it!! We rented a room for $10.00 a week, worked at White Castle, and ate 5-cent hamburgers. We shared a great summer together and shared many other special times. He will be missed by many, especially all those in California that saw his gift and talent in the entertainment and music industry.
God loves you and so do I. Be good to one another.
Vandy
Earl C Vanderwalker
e_vanderwalker@hotmail.com
Don't forget your Annual Fund giving!
Each year nearly 9,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $50,000. Strong support from alumni helps Luther secure additional funds from foundations and corporations, and your gift each year helps us reach our goal of 27% alumni giving. Here’s how your class did in 2012:
Class of 1941 total giving in 2012: $14,680 from 53% of the class
Your gift can boost the impact your class has on current students! Please use the enclosed envelope or visit www.givenow.luther.edu to show your support. Thank you!
WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE:
This list includes all gifts received January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012. Making a gift each and every year is an investment in the lives of Luther students and a show of support for the Luther College community. Thank you for your support of Luther College through your giving.
Mary Ruth (Olson) Baldus*
Evelyn (Henderson) Costley*
Earl Fritsch*
Raymond Glynn
Adrian Helgeson
John Maakestad
Kathryn (Ulvilden) Moen*
Earl Vanderwalker*
* made a gift in each of the last five consecutive years.
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 800-225-8664, or e-mail giving@luther.edu.
