Class Notes
Giving List

Spring 2013

Greetings, Class of 2010 Friends!

As always, there seem to have been a lot of transitions to embrace since the last installment of our widely circulated newsletter.  One transition we haven’t had to embrace, fortunately, is the end of the world.  I know I (Paul) speak for many of us when I express my relief with the error of the Mayans (you can admit it, there’s no judgment here).  That was a close one! 

In all seriousness, a change that bears special significance to our Luther community is the coming end of term for Rick Torgerson.  We are sad to see President Torgerson go, but we celebrate his substantial positive impact on Luther.  He has overseen some impressive cosmetic and infrastructural projects (the aquatic center is nearing completion!), helped to ensure ongoing financial security with significant increases to the endowment, while also maintaining a strong and vibrant faculty to sustain learning.

A few classmates and I recently had a chance to sit down with Rick and Judy, and I was struck with the thoughtful response Rick gave to one question posed.  He was asked what is one practical thing we can do to give back to our alma mater if funds are tight, and he encouraged us to share more openly to young people about our Luther experience.  He reflected that the character of Luther students is often a humble one, but that we need to be confident in sharing our experiences and love for our school with those considering their big college decision.

Attending a small liberal arts school in Iowa, far from the conveniences of a bigger city, is a big mental hurdle for a lot of prospective students.  It doesn’t have the same allure and flash as some other options.  However, once you spend time at Luther, we know that you realize quickly you’ve found something special.  It is a truly student-centered institution that invests in individuals and where the thoughtful exchange of ideas is a top priority.

President Torgerson also made a point to express his confidence in the search process for his replacement, and a strong belief in the spirit of the community.  He loves the character of the students at Luther and marvels at the way Luther continues to sustain itself year after year.

Thanks for staying in touch!  And as usual, I encourage you to check out the class updates; we have a lot of friends to celebrate!

Bobby Anderson
rja230@centurylink.net

Stephanie Conant
conast01@luther.edu

Paul Scholtz
paul.scholtz@gmail.com

Class Notes
MAHLET AMANUEL is a program management specialist for Salisbury (Md.) University.

JILL BOHLE earned a master’s degree in English rhetoric and composition from Washington State University. She is a technical document specialist for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, Wash.

MAGGIE (FONS) BRITTON is a proofreader for Hal Leonard Corporation and an adjunct music professor at Luther College.

MEGAN (HAMANN) and DAN COFFIELD live in Urbandale, Iowa. Megan is a quality control analyst for the Principal Financial Group. Dan is an image specialist for Gannett Publishing.

PHUONG DAU published the article “Functional Tolerance in an Isoreticular Series of Highly Porous Metal Organic Frameworks” in Dalton Transactions. He works as a research assistant at the University of California-San Diego.

MESHA HALL-JACOBSON and BRANDON JACOBSON ‘08 live in Lansing, Mich. Mesha earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut.

TAYLOR HAMMRICH completed a year in South Africa serving rural communities with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program.

JAYNA (TANGEN) HARSTAD teaches at Chatfield (Minn.) Elementary School.

ANDREA HATLELI is a music therapist for West Music in Marion, Iowa.

KRISTEN HAUG earned a master’s degree in horn performance at the University of Minnesota. She is the customer support representative for MakeMusic, Inc., in Eden Prairie, Minn.

JAKE HELLMAN is an accountant for Stueve Construction Co. in Algona, Iowa.

JANELL MAGNUSSON teaches middle school music and choir at Mount Caramel (Ill.) Middle School.

LEE MEIRICK is a professional services consultant working with implementation of PeopleSoft for Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Mo.

KRISTEN (LINDHOLM) and TAYLOR NELSON live in Lafayette, Colo. Kristen teaches pre-school at the Boulder Country Day School.

Taylor is a swim coach and aquatics instructor at Rally Sports Health and Fitness Club.

ANDREW PETERSON works for AmeriCorps VISTA with AchieveMpls in Minneapolis.

JOSH QUALLEY is the senior systems analyst for Methodist Hospital Systems in Dallas.

KIRSTEN ROBLE is a sales associate for Express in La Crosse, Wis.

MICHELLE SAWYER earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Dakota. She is a social worker at Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

LAURA (BRINEY) WIGHT works for Iowa Trust and Savings Bank in Moravia, Iowa.

Marriages
KATHERINE LOHER and BOBBY ANDERSON, July 14, 2012
LINNEA GRAFFUNDER and CHRIS BARTELS '11, Sept. 1, 2012
MEGAN HAMANN and DAN COFFIELD, June 9, 2012
JAYNA TANGEN and Joshua Harstad, May 26, 2012
ERIN LUNDE and SEAN KEENAN '09, Aug. 4, 2012
JENNA NANKE and ANDERS LARSON '11, Aug. 19, 2012
KRISTEN LINDHOLM and TAYLOR NELSON, Aug. 4, 2012
GINA LEWIS and Tommex Njugunah, Oct. 5, 2011
JOE OLYNYK and JULIA JENKINS '09, Sept. 2, 2012
JON SHRADER and SARAH BULGER '11, Oct. 13, 2012
EMILY GUEMMER and Casey Turner, June 23, 2012
BEN WEISS and Jessica Zamora, Oct. 12, 2012
LAURA BRINEY and Jeremy Wight, Aug. 18, 2012

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: