Many of our students gravitate to the world of commerce, broadly defined.

Ryan Brown (2001), majored in English and Political Science, studied in Luther’s Nottingham program and held a deep interest in politics that led him to employment in the office of Congressman Bill Luther. When Luther lost a bid for re-election, Ryan entered a management-training program at Target, Corporation, where he has found a perfect match for his organizational and analytical skills and ability to work with people.

Gabriel Scheer is a 1998 Luther graduate. Currently serving as Program Manager at Flexcar in Seattle, he has worked as a consultant with the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment, where he created policy recommendations for increasing and improving the development and implementation of sustainably designed streets in Seattle.  In 2003 he founded Seattle Greendrinks, a social organization for people working in, or interested in, environmental and sustainability issues. He has also worked and studied overseas including in New Zealand, Japan, England, and Brazil. Gabriel holds master's degrees in International Studies and Public Administration, as well as an Environmental Management Certificate, all from the University of Washington.

Nate Reisetter graduated in 1997 with majors in Political Science and Communications and earned the J.D. at Hamline three years later. Having grown up around the world of real estate, Nate found himself less interested in the day-to-day practice of law and more attracted to title work. He currently is a Vice-President of First American Title Insurance Company.

Anna (White) Lovely (94') served as Deputy Director of Student Correspondence at The White House, something she started through a semester in Wastington, D.C.. She returned to the Midwest in 1997 and earned an M.A. in speech communication from the University of Minnesota. She has worked in public relations for Select Comfort Corporation and is currently the marketing and brand manager for Cargill. Anna is currently an officer and member of the board of directors of the Minnesota Public Relations Society and a development volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

Jose Carballo came to America from El Salvador in 1987 on a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) scholarship to study English and Food Technology at Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Luther in 1994 with majors in Management and Political Science. From 1994-2001, Jose managed Maytag's business in Central America.  Currently he is working to set up a clay tile business in Central America and is active in bringing Christian Missionaries to El Salvador.

William Barth (’86) is one of many Luther grads from his era living in Washington, D.C. While most opted for law or the public sector, William found the world of business interesting enough that after passing both the written and oral components of the Foreign Service exam he decided to stay put. He currently is an executive at Global Securities Information.

Brian Rude had explored his interest in politics through a number of internships prior to graduating in 1977. That passion eventually led to election to the Wisconsin House and later to the Wisconsin Senate where he served as president of the Senate during those periods when the Republicans were in the majority. After many years of public service, Rude voluntarily left politics and currently is the director of external relations for Dairyland Power, which provides energy for communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Rude has served as the President of the Luther Alumni Council, has received the Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater, and has taught a course on practical politics for the Department on two occasions.