Giving List

Spring 2013

Dear Luther Friends,

As I sit here writing our class letter on the first day of spring, the wind chill here in Rochester, Minn., is -15! I’d look for the robins, but they took off four days ago - flying back south!  I was going to call Ranae Gipp to get an update on the opening of the Whippy Dip, but figured they may still be digging out from under the snow for opening day. But it is spring and eventually we’ll get the weather to match the season. Speaking of spring, this spring brings a whole host of great Luther events to participate in. Just a few are mentioned below. Make sure to visit the Luther website or Facebook page to get the most up-to-date info.

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.

The Luther family has always enjoyed 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/.

The Sesquicentennial Fund campaign closed on December 31, 2012, having exceeded the $50 million goal with a grand total of more than $57 million in gifts and pledges. Thanks to all who participated! One campaign project—the new aquatic center—is still under-funded, but construction is almost complete. A great 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.

Speaking of Homecoming, it’s our 40^th! That can’t be right, can it? Planning has already begun, and more information will be coming your way. Mark your calendar now if you haven’t done so already (Oct. 4-6, 2013). Again, visit the Luther website or Facebook page for updated information. If you’re really savvy you can probably follow Luther Homecoming on Twitter – I’m not quite there!

Have a wonderful spring season,

Soli Deo Gloria

Craig Hall
craig.hall@coldwellbanker.com

Ranae (Keoppel) Gipp
gippr@mchsi.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:

* 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.