Class Notes
Giving List

Spring 2013

Hello Everyone,

It has been a short 12 months since we all had the benefit and opportunity to walk across the stage at commencement, and I am sure you have realized, just like I have, that the time truly flies. It seems like just last weekend we were basking in the Decorah sun, soaking up the last few moments of college life. My life has changed dramatically, and I am currently living in Minneapolis, Minn., working in supply chain management at SPS Commerce. My years at Luther have proved invaluable as I have compared notes with graduates of other colleges and noted how Luther’s unique experience of small class size and professors has equipped me for the real world of work. I have had the privilege and opportunity to go back to Luther for two career fairs that had me speaking with the best and brightest from Luther College, as they get ready to move into the next phase of their lives and looking to us, alumni, for support, just as we did last year.

Luther has helped prepare me for the world and given me the opportunity to use the knowledge I gained at college in practical applications. I too looked for support from alumni and have the opportunity to work for former Luther graduates.  As we continue living in this grown-up world, remember where you came from, and offer a helping hand to those just getting started. Luther provided great opportunities for me and many more alumni. I know that loan payments have just started, but please, if you are able to make a donation to an organization, please consider Luther College.  Thanks to those who have already given back to the institution that gave us our start.  To those who haven’t, we encourage you to consider joining us in making a gift. The annual fund had 15 donors in the past 6 months, for a total of $1,070 and a participation rate of 3 percent. Let’s try to improve that rate by a little so we can help the next generation of Luther students with scholarships and activities, just like we were helped. 

I hope to see you all at the next alumni event or at homecoming next fall. Please be sure to update your contact information, so we are sure to reach everyone with news and updates regarding events and reunions (when that time comes around!).

Thanks again, stay in touch, and take care!

Your class agents,

Nick Devine
2012 Class Agent
devini01@luther.edu

Danielle Gibbs
2012 Class Agent
gibbda01@luther.edu

Katie Carnes
2012 Class Agent
klcarnes@hotmail.com

Mallory Heinzeroth
2012 Class Agent
heinma01@luther.edu

Class Notes
KELSEY BAUSCH had an internship with Pastor Eric Carlson ’89 and accompanied him on a vision trip to Tanzania, where they met Reverend Elireheme Mwanga ’69.

SYDNEY BEAN is a client support services associate at Transamerica Insurance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

ADAM BERTROCHE is a delivery consultant for Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Mo.

KATELYN BOTTEM is a public health associate for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Troy, Mo.

KATIE CARNES is a project manager for Epic Systems Corp. in Verona, Wis.

MADESH CHENNAPPA is a quality control engineer for TeamQuest Corp. in Clear Lake, Iowa.

CARAH CLAFLIN is the vocal music teacher at Emerson Elementary in Indianola, Iowa, and director of children’s choirs at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines.

BRUCE CLARK teaches biology at Lewiston-Altura (Minn.) High School.

TRICIA (GUNDERSON) CRARY is the office manager at South Winneshiek Veterinary Clinic in Ossian, Iowa.

ALLISON CROAT is the digital editor for Ashdown Broadcasting in Kasson, Minn.

ERIN EGGUM is a financial analyst for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

NATHAN GIANNETTINO is the district manager for General Motors in Irving, Texas.

ALEX GISLESON of Decorah teaches music and band at North Winneshiek Community School.

PETER GRAFFY is the coordinator of international programs for the Center for Interamerican Studies in Cuenca, Ecuador.

DANIEL GRAINGER is the director of church relations for EWALU Camp and Retreat Center in Strawberry Point, Iowa.

ASHLEY GROSVOLD is the human resources services recruiter for Logistics Health Incorporated in La Crosse, Wis.

HANNAH GRUNDHOEFER works for Wells Fargo in Jamestown, N.D., and serves as an assistant coach for Just for Kix.

COURTNEY GUNTLY is a resource coordinator for Family Promise of Northern New Castle County in Wilmington, Del.

CHRISTOPHER HANSON is an information technology business analyst for the technology leadership development program for The Hartford in Bloomington, Minn.

AARON HOFFLAND is the POS programmer at Menard, Inc., in Eau Claire, Wis.

JORDAN HUMPAL is a technical support technician for TriTech Software Systems in Decorah.

JAKE KESSLER is an associate professional accountant for Cargill, Inc., in Wayzata, Minn.

KATE KNOPIK is a human resources associate for Cargill, Inc., in Milwaukee.

JAKE LARKIN is a demand forecast analyst for Best Buy in Minneapolis.

BIANCA LUTCHEN was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year. Her teaching assistantship is at Rudolf-Koch Schule in Offenbach, Germany.

JESSICA MALLAMS is a registered nurse for Iowa Health Systems in Des Moines, Iowa.

JUSTIN MARSCHALL is a graduate assistant at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

ASHLEY MATTHYS is a project manager for Epic Systems in Verona, Wis.

MOLLY McHenry is a client services associate for Outcomes Pharmaceuticals Health Care in West Des Moines, Iowa.

COLLIN MEYER is a technology and risk consultant for Deloitte and Touche, LLP, in Minneapolis.

MITCH OBEY is a research assistant at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

MATT SHARKEY is assistant manager for Waterway Gas and Wash in Broomfield, Colo.

ELISSA STEVENS is an organic preparation analyst for TestAmerica Laboratories in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

HEATHER VISTE is a registered nurse in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

LOUISE VIVANT is an advisory staff member at Ernst and Young in Minneapolis.

KATIE WAGNER is a social worker for Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis.

RENEE WEEKS is a tax analyst for Deere and Company in Moline, Ill.

KRISTI WIETECHA teaches high school English for Lakes Area Charter School in Osakis, Minn.

ALICIA WOOCK is a band director for Music Education Services in Elk Grove Village, Ill.

VICTORIA DI YIN is a photographer for the SNS Post and Londo Mondo in Chicago.

TYLER ZEY is a graduate assistant at the University of New Mexico. He is a finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Performance Competition after winning the New Mexico Division.

Marriages
EMILY GILLASPEY and JACOB BLAIN '12, Aug. 4, 2012
CINDY SAN and SCOTT BISBEY, Sept. 29, 2012
HAILEY PUNKE and DAVID BOEHMER, June 2, 2012
CHRISTIN FERCH and DANIEL FLUCKE, July 7, 2012
BETSY ZIMMERMANN and BRIAN GERIKE, July 14, 2012
CARAH CLAFLIN and MICHAEL HART '11, Aug. 25, 2012
PATRICK HUSSEY and JACLYN OHNEMUS '11, July 28, 2012
KELSEY KITTLESON and Jharred Millonig, July 21, 2012
KATIE MALEK and Travis Mahr, Sept. 1, 2012
JESSICA MIETZ and Joel Maassen, June 30, 2012
PAIGE COMENTINO and JAKE SEIBERT, July 28, 2012
CASSIE MOLSKI and Andrew Wolfgram, July 14, 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.