Endowed Chairs and Professorships
Luther College awards endowed chairs and endowed professorships to honor Luther faculty whose teaching careers and accomplishments have:
- Exemplified the philosophy and values of the liberal arts
- Enriched the intellectual life of students
- Enhanced the academic character of the institution
- Demonstrated leadership in the teaching profession
Nena Amundson Distinguished Professorship
The Nena Amundson Distinguished Professorship honors the late Nena Amundson (1932-1999), a 1956 graduate of Luther College who taught physical education and coached women’s athletics for more than 40 years, primarily at California Lutheran University. A pioneer in collegiate women’s sports programs, Amundson provided an estate gift to fund the endowment for the Luther wellness program. The Amundson Professorship Award provides funding for a selected research project, with particular focus on health and wellness issues for women.
The Nena Amundson Distinguished Professor for 2025-2027 is Molly McNicoll. Molly writes, “Programs to increase nature-based activity are likely to benefit all those who participate. In addition, identifying and addressing barriers within specific groups can increase the participation of individuals in those groups. Programs tailored to support women can be designed to overcome learned or socialized perceptions, such as assumptions of vulnerability or lower cultural expectations for outdoor activity. Several published studies have demonstrated that nature-based programming specifically designed for women can improve participants’ sense of freedom, camaraderie, and stress relief. Our ‘Wellness steps through nature’ program will develop general programming, as well as women-focused programming designed to address barriers that may be experienced by women on campus.”
Birkestrand Economics and Management Chair
The Birkestrand Economics and Management Chair was established by Suzanne Birkestrand and Dennis Birkestrand ’64, former business owners who believe in and support the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our nation’s free-market economy, in recognition of the profound impact Luther College has had on their lives. The Birkestrand Chair shall be a strong teaching scholar dedicated to empowering undergraduates to achieve, who recognizes the importance of free-market friendly perspectives on economic theory, private enterprise, and good business practices.
The Birkestrand Economics and Management Chair for 2026–2029 is Gregory Patton. Greg holds a Ph.D from the University of Iowa and joined Luther in 2013.
Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Chair in Economics
The Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Chair in Economics is named in honor of Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl, business entrepreneurs who supported the college with financial gifts, including an endowment gift to establish the Dahl Chair. The award recognizes excellence in teaching economics and the relationship of international political, social and economic issues to world markets. The Dahl Professor will encourage students to develop sound analytical and critical thinking skills, become active participants in community and civic activities, and understand the importance of incorporating personal responsibility into their work and their lives.
The Dahl Chair for 2023–2028 is Steve Holland. With a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from St. Olaf, Steve earned the J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and the Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the Luther faculty in 2005, he served as a policy associate at Macalester College. Professor Holland’s problem-based, cross-disciplinary approach to teaching explores the intersection of economics and public policy. His work with undergraduate students has included research in microeconomics, public policy, environmental economics, hunger and globalization.
Kermit O. and Jane E. Hanson Professorship in History
The Kermit O. and Jane E. Hanson Professorship in History is named in honor of Kermit O Hanson ’38 (1916-2010) and Jane E. Hanson ’39 (1916-2010), whose support for the college included an endowment gift to establish the Hanson Professorship. The award recognizes the value of educational opportunities and the quality of the academic program provided by Luther College and in recognition of dedicated faculty in the area of history who influenced the Hansons’ lives and careers.
The Hanson Professor in History for 2025–2028 is Richard Mtisi.
Wilford A. Johnson Chair in Biblical Studies
The Wilford A. Johnson Chair in Biblical Studies honors the memory of Wilford A. Johnson and his son Herbert G. Johnson, in recognition of the value of Christian higher education and the quality of the academic program provided by Luther College. The Chair was established by resolution of the Board of Regents in appreciation for the significant support and commitment from its former member Herbert G. Johnson (1911-1992) and his spouse Katherine G. Johnson (1915-2021), and in recognition of the interests of the donors.
The Wilford A. Johnson Chair in Biblical Studies for 2025–2028 is Guy Nave.
Dennis M. Jones Chair in the Humanities
The Dennis M. Jones Chair in the Humanities, named in honor of former Luther College Professor of English Dennis M. Jones (1932-1990), is awarded to a member of the Luther faculty who honors the values and traditions of the humanities, enriches the intellectual life of students, and provides academic leadership in the humanities. This was formerly a National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Teaching Professorship established through a challenge grant from the NEH and funded during Luther’s Fund for Luther III campaign.
The Dennis M. Jones Chair in the Humanities for 2025–2028 is Amy Weldon. An Alabama native, Amy is Professor and Department Head of English at Luther and the author of five books, most recently Creature: A Novel of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein (2025). Her next book, A Thing of Beauty: Reading the Romantics in a World on Fire, is currently under contract to Bloomsbury Academic. You can read more about Amy’s work at amyeweldon.com.
Rev. John and Barbara Melin Professorship in International Studies
The Rev. John and Barbara Melin Professorship in International Studies was established by Rev. John Melin ‘70 (1947-2024) and Barbara Melin. The award recognizes the critical role the dedicated faculty in the international studies program at Luther College play in a globalized world where international concerns impact almost all areas of our lives.
The inaugural Melin Professor in International Studies for 2025–2028 is Orçun Selçuk.
Martin and Mary Hull Mohr Professorship in Renaissance and Reformation Studies
The Martin and Mary Hull Mohr Professorship in Renaissance and Reformation Studies was established by former Professors of English Martin Mohr (1928-2019) and Mary Hull Mohr (1934-2021), with additional generous support from former English Professor John C. Bale (1925-2019) and Mabel L. Bale (1925-2008). The award recognizes the strong tradition in the humanities that has characterized Luther College from its beginnings, as well as the ways the renaissance and reformation continue to shape attempts to define the limits and potentialities of what it is to be human.
The inaugural Mohr-Hull Professor in Renaissance and Reformation Studies for 2025–2030 is Robert Christman. With a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Early Modern European history from the University of Arizona, Robert is a leading scholar of the Protestant Reformation and its impact. With the support of grants from the Fulbright Commission and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, he has done research on the intersection of elite and lay thought and culture in the early modern period. In his work with undergraduates, he teaches many aspects of the period including the bubonic plague and its impact, Europe’s early encounters with the rest of the world, and the intellectual transition from late medieval to early modern thought.
Weston Noble Endowed Chair in Music
This chair is named in honor of Weston Noble ’43, Professor Emeritus of Music, whose professional service of teaching, directing and conducting at Luther influenced the lives of thousands of students for over fifty years and whose dedication and service to the college also witnessed to the Gospel. Established by Ervin and Phyllis Johnson, the award recognizes the value of Christian higher education and the quality of the academic and music programs provided by Luther College. The Noble Chair will both enrich the education of students at Luther College and bring national attention to the college and its programs.
Hamlet Peterson Professor in Exercise Science
The Hamlet Peterson Professorship in Exercise Science was established by Helen (Peterson) ’52 and Jack Hustad. This professorship is named for Hamlet Peterson, class of 1922, and is in honor of Hamlet and Thelma Peterson and Ferd and Vera Hustad. The motto “MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO” (a sound mind in a sound body) is the motto that was engraved on C. K. Preus Gymnasium and is the motto which Hamlet Peterson (Coach Pete) embodied. Coach Pete, renowned for his role in Luther College athletics, was a member of the Luther College faculty from 1922 to 1967. The award recognizes the integral role physical education plays in the liberal arts tradition and honors the dedicated faculty in the health and exercise science program at Luther College.
The inaugural Hamlet Peterson Professor in Exercise Science for 2026-2029 is Brian Solberg. Brian is a Decorah native, with a Bachelor’s degree from Luther College and a Master’s in Exercise Science from the University of Iowa. He has also completed additional study from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in Exercise Science. His work with undergraduate students on research projects has included concepts of physiology as applied to human performance and supplements that aid performance. Brian writes, “Teaching has always been a part of my family, with students as the center of our efforts. I truly enjoy the laboratory and research setting as the opportunity to engage with students and apply concepts to real world situations. Their desire to learn motivates me to look for new and innovative ways to teach and adapt the classroom setting.”
Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages
The first endowed faculty chair established at Luther, the Qualley Chair honors Orlando W. (Pip) Qualley (1897–1988), who served six decades as a Luther faculty member and administrator. Qualley held positions of vice president, dean, professor of classical languages, registrar, basketball coach and football coach. Known for his firmness, directness and drive, he encouraged high academic standards and recruited a faculty devoted to education. The Qualley Chair for 2026–2029 is Professor Dan Davis. Davis succeeds previous Qualley Chairs A. Thomas Kraabel and Philip Freeman.
Dan Davis, Associate Professor of Classics, earned the M.A. in Anthropology (Nautical Archaeology) at Texas A&M University and the Ph.D. in Classics at the University of Texas at Austin. He joined the Luther faculty in 2011 and teaches all levels of courses in Classics and Greek and Latin language. He has also taught in our Paideia program. Perhaps one of Dan’s most notable accomplishments since coming to Luther has been his development, together with faculty from Vanderbilt University and the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, of a summer archaeological field school in Greece, giving students the opportunity to work at one of the most important sites of the ancient world. Dan Davis is recognized worldwide as one of the leading researchers and most prolific publishers in his field, and known on campus for the integration of his work into the classroom by involving students with his research and scholarship.
Russell R. Rulon Endowed Chair in Biology
The Russell R. Rulon Endowed Chair in Biology honors Russell R. Rulon (1936-2016), Professor of Biology at Luther College from 1963 to 2000, whose teaching and mentoring skills helped numerous students advance to careers in medicine and established Luther’s biology/pre-med program as one of the best among liberal arts colleges. It is awarded to a Luther professor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching biology and dedication to serving as an advisor and mentor to students. The Rulon Endowment was created by the support of colleagues, friends, and alumni who were beneficiaries of Rulon’s teaching and mentoring skills. The Rulon Chair will devote part of his/her time to a project that will enhance the training of students in science.
The Rulon Chair in Biology for 2025–2028 is Jodi Enos-Berlage.
Tomson Family Endowed Chair in Norwegian Language and Modern Nordic Culture
The Tomson Family Endowed Chair in Norwegian Language and Modern Nordic Culture serves as the academic foundation of the Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies, providing oversight for academic and co-curricular programs, preserving existing partnerships, and creating new collaborative initiatives with educational institutions and scholars in Norway. This endowed chair was established thanks to the generosity of O. Jay and Patricia A. Tomson, long-time friends of the college, and Marti (Tomson) Rodamaker, Luther class of 1984 and Regent Emerita.
The Tomson Family Endowed Chair in Norwegian Language and Modern Nordic Culture is Maren Johnson.
Wardell Professorship in Sociology
The Wardell Professorship in Sociology was established through a generous endowment gift by Mark Wardell ’68 (1946-2024). The award was given in appreciation of the quality of the academic program provided by Luther College and recognizes the dedicated faculty in sociology.
The inaugural Wardell Professor in Sociology for 2025–2028 is Char Kunkel. Char received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her bachelor’s degree was granted from St. Cloud State University, MN, in Educational Psychology and minors in Women’s Studies and Human Relations. Her recent research interests focus on institutional resilience, immigration and racialization in the contemporary United States, and creating radical community.