Giving List

Spring 2013 

Dear Classmate, 

It is difficult for me to believe this, but it has been 5 decades, plus 5, (yes, 55 years) since our class at Luther College was preparing to graduate and take our place out in the “real world.”  WOW! 

“Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, and difficulty.”        Dictionary 

Yes, it took courage for each of us that spring of 1958 when we were interviewing for jobs, or signing contracts for teaching positions, or arranging for graduate schools, or getting married, or being drafted into military service, or finding a job somewhere to pay off the debt as a graduate with a liberal arts education from the college of our choice...Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  Those were exciting days!  Does it seem that long ago? And, when you think back to that time and all the many things that have happened in your life since then, it is overwhelming....right? We each have a story to tell, but the one thing we all have in common is that together we were the class of 1958 and still are! We are the 1958 family. Our 55th “family” reunion is being planned at Homecoming 2013 in October and YOU need to be there to celebrate, revisit the campus, renew friendships, reminisce, and reconnect.  Do not hesitate, make plans now! 

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing.”
      Muhammad Ali 

After you read this letter, how about going to find your 1958 Pioneer yearbook? As you go through the pages, I guarantee you will be amazed as memories are recalled.  Also, reread the pages of the 40th Anniversary booklet “Life After Luther” and the 50th Golden Anniversary booklet put together for us 5 years ago. I hope these will help you realize that it is important for YOU to return.  I'm counting on you to be there!  Watch for another letter in the summer with all the info. 

For three weeks this winter, Lowell and I were in California for our usual sunshine break.  It was great being warm in 75-80 degree weather awhile.  One of the best times was when we were able to visit with our grandson briefly in San Diego at the US Naval Base, where he is training to become a SEAL. We are even more impressed with the fact that to do what he is doing requires a courage beyond human reasoning!  We consider him extraordinarily brave.  He told us that this is true: 

“The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next.”                                 M. McLaughlin 

Since our time with Alex, I have been obsessed with the word courage and what it means: “strength in the face of danger, pain, or grief, or anything difficult” or “a state of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear” or “the state of mind that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with confidence, resolution, and bravery.”  We are so proud of our Alex, and when you really think about it, in our daily lives we are aware of the God- given gift of courage. Courage, faith, and trust every day. It takes courage to choose a mate and be married; it takes courage to be a parent.  It takes courage to serve in the military and face war.  It takes courage to age and grow old gracefully, to suffer grief/loss of a loved one, to endure serious illness and pain, to face surgery, to look head into the future. This is our life now during these “golden” years.  We know God is with us.  

“Courage isn't the absence of fear as much as it is God's presence with us
in the midst of our fear.”               Karen Bates-Olson, Christ in our Home

Think about what courage it takes for a college to assume that prayer and monetary support is always there so its work will continue!  Thus, please know that the LC alumni have been giving so the future of Luther, and its students, is “up and going.”  Forty-two percent of our class contributed with small and large gifts last year, as the list included in this letter indicates.  Thank YOU!

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into the giving.”     Mother Teresa 

Special attention regarding the winter LUTHER Alumni Magazine: 

President Rick Torgerson, Luther's 9th president, has energized Luther for the past 14 years. I know you have read the article in the latest LUTHER magazine expressing his vitality and positive influence on page 17. He is retiring, and will be missed for so many reasons....but.....the Presidential Search Committee has almost made its choice for the next president....details being worked out as I write this letter. 

The new Aquatic Center is being constructed at this time...ready for use this summer, its dedication will be held in October at Homecoming. Read p. 8 in the LUTHER about the special Myrtha pool! 

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use”  Ruth Gordon 

Check out the back page of LUTHER...maybe you can still attend a Luther event near you to celebrate the Sesquicenntenial Fund completion and honor President Torgerson. 

Please note the Homecoming pictures and summary, the amazing “Voyage to the bottom of the Black Sea” article p. 21, and the “Christmas at Luther” pages 10 and 11...(did you see it on Public TV?) Fabulous! 

Interesting Rhodes Scholar article p. 3, there have been 8 from Luther....see the list: our Anthony Preus '58 was one of them!  Yeah, Tony! 

Luther's innovative work toward solar energy, “green power,” and carbon neutrality is pointed out on pp. 2-3.  Makes us proud that Luther is on top of it all! 

“Courage is having faith to take the first step when you don't see the whole staircase.”                                                  Martin Luther King, Jr. 

In our world of technology and opportunities to stay informed, be sure you connect online with Luther. There you will find day-to-day news in every department of the college―sports, music, alumni, etc. By the way, are you on Facebook?  Do you Tweet?  Sorry, I just am cooling it on those fronts as yet!! 

This will be my last class letter to you as the '58 Class Agent.  After Homecoming and our 55th reunion, I'll retire after 20 years (40 letters)!  My first letter was in the fall of 1993.  Someone in our class will continue this opportunity. It has been a wonderful privilege for me to serve my college in this way, to be in touch with and know so many wonderful staff and administration personnel at Luther, to be able to come to you and our classmates through these letters to keep connected and informed about our alma mater, and to nudge you to support the college we all love.  Thank you for your encouragement, and I know I will miss every aspect of being your Class Agent.

My wish and hope for you is that in all the aspects of your life, when courage must be summoned up, remember it is a gift from God, who promises to be with you always.

“Let your heart take courage.”  Psalm 27, v. 14 

Classmate news:   We send our belated congratulations and best wishes to John Beaver on his marriage to Virginia Thompson on October 1, 2011! 

Dan Cherwein retired officially from various professorships in March 2012.  Since 1958, he had been teaching in the math and computer science field on the college level in New Jersey.  He says he is doing some mentoring yet...“to keep me from getting brain dead.” 

Remember, you'll hear from me again this summer with information regarding Homecoming, October 4-6, 2013.  Mark this weekend on your calendar and plan to come. Stay as healthy as you can, think happy thoughts, and be courageous as we all try to age gracefully. 

Finally:   “Courage is being scared, but saddling up anyway.”   John Wayne 

Sincere regards,

Leila (Hestenes) Gangstad
norskie2@msn.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—and surrounding classes—did in 2012: