Spring 2013
Dear Luther Friends from the Class of 1952,
President Rick Torgerson and his wife, Judy, are leaving Luther at the end of the academic year, and we are going to miss their leadership. Many good things have happened over the course of their 14-year tenure: the academic program has been strengthened; the endowment has nearly tripled; and the physical campus looks more beautiful than ever. Diversity on campus has also increased, and Luther continues to attract amazing faculty and outstanding students.
Sustainability has been a main focus during the Torgerson presidency, and the college has made significant strides in this department, garnering national recognition. Luther’s 1.6-megawatt wind turbine offsets about 2.5 million pounds of coal per year and reduces the college’s greenhouse gas emissions by 14 percent. Baker Village is now carbon neutral thanks to a solar energy field, the largest solar energy production facility in Iowa. It is Luther’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, and the college is also committed to responsible food-sourcing practices, which means every effort is made to serve locally grown produce on campus. In 2010 Luther was one of only eight U.S. schools to earn an A on the College Sustainability Report Card, and in 2012 Luther received a Second Nature Climate Leadership Award.
Here at Luther, we enjoy celebrating good things, and a number of Sesquicentennial Fund celebrations and Torgerson tribute events have been happening across the country, from January to April. Perhaps you’ve attended an event in your area. The campus and Decorah-area farewell tribute to President Rick and Judy Torgerson is planned for Thursday, May 16, at 8:00 p.m., in the CFL, and all are welcome to attend. Please RSVP online at https://www.luther.edu/alumni/events/torgersons/, or call 563-387-1001.
The Sesquicentennial Fund campaign closed on December 31, 2012, having exceeded the $50 million goal with a grand total of over $57 million in gifts and pledges. Thank you to all who participated! One campaign project is still under-funded, the new aquatic center, but construction is almost complete. A delightful video about the new facility is on the athletics website, at http://www.luther.edu/sports/men/swimmingdiving/, and the dedication ceremony is scheduled for Homecoming 2013 weekend, on Friday, Oct. 4, at 5:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Have a wonderful spring season,
Sue (Franzen) Drilling ʾ78
Director of Special Programs
drillisu@luther.edu
Obituaries
Belva (Anderson) Espeseth of Edmund, Wis., died December 13, 2011, at age 82. After graduating from Highland (Wis.) High School, she enrolled at Luther and majored in elementary education. After her Luther graduation, Belva taught in the local rural schools. She was united in marriage to Marlin Espeseth in 1955, and they farmed in the area for many years. Belva later worked at Bloomfield Manor until she retired. She was a lifelong member of Otter Creek Lutheran Church and a member of the ELCA women’s group. A past member of the Bloomfield Auxiliary, Belva enjoyed working in her flower gardens, but her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her eight children: Karl, Ruth, Maria Leary, Rebecca McConnell, Nels, Nancy Ernzen, Paul, and Linda Watson; 11 grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
Belva was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin, in 2000; a brother; and a sister-in-law.
LYNN SORBO of Henderson, Nev., died Oct. 18, 2012, at age 84. Born on a farm in Worth County, Iowa, he graduated from Luther in 1952 and married Ardis Thompson that same year. They moved to Mound, Minn., in 1955, where Lynn taught science for 33 years. Lynn and Ardis were residents of Henderson for the past 14 years. He enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and singing in the church choir. Lynn is survived by his wife, Ardis; five children, Allen, Tom, Pam, Kevin, and Scott; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
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—and surrounding classes—did in 2012:
Class of 1951 total giving in 2012: $27,629 from 44% of the class
Class of 1952 total giving in 2012: $36,071 from 39% of the class
Class of 1953 total giving in 2012: $37,670 from 46% 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.
Anonymous
Gerald Anderson
Bruce Boyce
Dolores (Langum) Brevig*
Dennis Brosdahl*
Helen (Iverson) Brudvig
Paul Bungum
Erno Dahl*
Orvis Egenes
Solveig (Ausen) Eliasen*
Elton Erdahl*
Joann (Halvorson) Evans*
Robert Finneseth
Doris (Lind) Fritz
Barbara (Lee) Haak*
Vernon Haas
Norma (Olson) Hacker*
Lyle Hanson
Bill Henderson
Thora (Reque) Henderson
Sheldon Hermanson*
Helen (Peterson) Hustad*
Grace (Sorlien) Johnson*
Eileen (Jahr) Kittleson
Dolores (Willard) Knutson*
Walter Langland*
Andrew Larsen
Conrad Larson*
Bruce Melaas
Rosella (Gjere) Melaas
Milford Ofstun
Charles Olson
Howard Olson
Louise Rolfs*
Richard Rood
Marion (Bjerke) Rude*
Rena Rustad*
Shirley (Asper) Schroeder
†Lynn Sorbo*
LeRoy Storby*
Sylvia (Wisness) Storvick*
Ramona (Palmer) Swenson*
Corinne (Peterson) Thompson*
Joan (Scharberg) Thoreson
Theodore Thoreson
Phyllis (Rossing) Trytten*
Elaine (Solomonson) Westby*
Jeanne (Mossman) Wiger
Leigh Wold*
†Robert Ylvisaker
* 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.
