The Carillon Rings Again!

The Luther carillon has been revived! The idea to bring it back to life started when a few members of the class of 1968 gathered at Mabe’s during their 55-year reunion weekend. At one point, the conversation turned to reminiscing about the carillon bells and wondering why they stopped ringing on campus. Dave Kaasa ’68 and Linda (Aaker) Ritland ’68 decided to form a committee (which included class agent Warren Luckner ’68) to work with the college on a proposal and fundraising effort to bring the bells back to Luther. The goal was to raise about $30,000 to get the bells up and running again in time for Commencement, where Dave would be in attendance to see his granddaughter, Maddie Kaasa ’25, graduate—and receive the Jenson Medal!

From left: vice president for advancement Mary Duvall, Nancy (Johnson) Justus ‘68, Dave Kaasa ‘68, and Jenna Mockler-Gjerde ’06, associate director of annual giving and campaigns, gathered outside the CFL to hear a newly revived carillon play “To Luther.”

In May, Dave, his wife Rayna, and a fellow committee member, Nancy (Johnson) Justus ’68—who came just to hear the bells—attended Baccalaureate, where the carillon played “To Luther” right before the program. The group gathered outside the CFL to listen—and shed a few tears! Watch the video below.