Class Notes
Giving List

Spring 2013 

Dear Class of 1987 Classmates, 

I am finishing up my 23rd year of working in higher education, all of which have been incredibly rewarding. During this time, I've noticed a few changes at colleges and universities, most of which have evolved over quite some time. 

More recently, the higher education landscape seems to be changing dramatically. The number of for-profit educational institutions has increased, and many have not served students well. Philanthropy rates have slowed since 2008, and there's been an 8 percent reduction in family income, along with a corresponding increase in demand for student loans. The need to respond to external pressures is tremendous. 

Other innovations invite us to think about how and where people learn. Massive open online courses (MOOCs), by companies such as Coursera, Udacity, and EdX, have entered the realm of higher education, and while many believe these and other online courses won't replace traditional classroom learning, they will become an important complement to what most of us experienced in college. Changes like these are what keep my work interesting! 

Today, only 15 percent of all higher education students attend four-year institutions full-time and live on campus; Luther students are among this 15 percent. Yet, if there is one thing I've come to appreciate during my 23 years in higher education, it’s that the world needs colleges like Luther. Luther has and will continue to exist because it knows who it is and what it values. And the college is deeply committed to offering an excellent education to those students who need Luther, who learn best in the type of supportive environment that Luther provides. It was that for me and for you. 

Luther still needs us. The college and its students face some of the same pressures and challenges listed above. Luther continues to improve its facilities, offer generous financial aid, and innovate in areas such as sustainability and global education, but it can only do so if we continue to provide support. We can help Luther to thrive in this new landscape. Here’s how: We can continue to give make gifts on an annual basis—remember, gifts of all sizes are welcomed—and we can be Luther's best recruiters.  We can also create internships for Luther students; host gatherings and attend events; and we can continue to be the best evidence of the college's impact! 

We hope you enjoyed a blessed Easter and have a lively spring. 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dean Pribbenow
dapribbenow@gmail.com

Barbara Clauson
barbara.a.clauson@gmail.com

Class Notes
ROSS DUNBAR is the supply chain director for Arctic Cat in Plymouth, Minn.

ROBERT FOSBURGH is the claims administrator and exchange facility manager for Farmers Insurance Group in Olathe, Kan.

ERIC A. JOHNSON is a professor in the School of Music at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He has given lectures and demonstrations on Israeli choral music at both the National Collegiate Choral Organization national convention and the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Choral Organization convention.

JOHN MATTHEIS is assistant professor of family medicine at McLeod Family Medicine in Florence, S.C.

DEAN PRIBBENOW is vice president for academic affairs at Edgewood College in Madison, Wis.

ROB VEATCH of Dassel, Minn. is regional sales manager for Superior Vision.

ANNA WETTERLING is a supervisory information management specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in St. Paul, Minn.

Obituary
Gary Dale Miksch of West Des Moines, Iowa, died October 29, 2012, at age 48, due to an aortic aneurysm. Born in Grand Island, Neb., he graduated from Coon Rapids (Iowa) High School before enrolling at Luther, where he majored in political science. Gary married Lori Dalton in 1995, and they made their home in West Des Moines. He was employed with KeHe Distributors for the past 16 years and also delivered papers for the Des Moines Register. A member of Point of Grace and Journey Churches, Gary will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Lori Miksch; three sons, Ryan, Joshua, and Andrew Miksch; two daughters, Tessa and Sarah Miksch; his father, Dale Miksch; two brothers, Scott and Jeff; and two sisters-in-law. Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Miksch.

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: