Spring 2018

Dear Classmate,

Greetings from Luther and Decorah! 

Lots to think about in these challenging times for colleges like Luther. College costs are high, student debt is great, endowment growth is not keeping up, and liberal arts education is often put down in the press. The benefits of post high school education are not in dispute, but many writers assert that community colleges now provide the best skill sets for the work force most needed in society. What then can be said about liberal arts colleges and more pointedly about colleges of the church in today’s environment?

We have always claimed Luther graduates, like ourselves, excel at writing, speaking, thinking and serving. We say a diversified skill set and experience at Luther is “money in the bank.” A lifetime of success depends upon knowledge, curiosity, service, and a solid base of ethical decision making. Luther’s mission statement clearly speaks to all of the above.

As we give advice to grandchildren and great-grandchildren about what college might mean for future life we hope you will think about your Luther days and what they contributed to your own career and life. When you think about these things, please share your thoughts with your friendly class agents. 

College News

Luther’s new neuroscience major gets off to a great start with a $200,000 gift from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. The award will support both course work and laboratory equipment for the new major.

A big ouch—the men's basketball season ended with a conference record of 0-16.  If you have grandchildren or great-grandchildren playing high school basketball please share names with the Admissions Office. The names of players from your church or local high school would also be welcome.

A fun season—the women’s basketball team finished second in the Iowa Conference and started post season play February 23^rd.

Giving Day 

If you participated in Luther’s third annual Giving Day on Thursday, March 8, we say thanks so much. The total raised for the Luther Fund was a whopping $478,193, Wow! Your gifts make a large difference for Luther in these very challenging times for church colleges. You can make a gift today by using the attached form and the reusable envelope or by visiting givenow.luther.edu.

Alumni Tours and Events 

If you have interest in upcoming alumni tours check them out at luther.edu/alumni/tours.  Nordic Choir companion tour to Germany and Czechia (May-June) and a Sicily/Malta tour (October).

If you need information on possible alumni events in your area call: 563-387-1861.  Information on events in Decorah is at visitdecorah.com.

We hope you will contribute to future class agent letters by sending us memories of your time at Luther. Stories of past Luther experiences are always fun to read and your classmates will appreciate being a part of remembering our “good old days.”

Obituaries

Brief obituaries are posted online for the classmates listed below. We all share so many special memories of these dear friends from our days at Luther.  

OBITUARIES 

Loren C. Behm of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Decorah, died Oct. 12, 2017, age 84. 

Roger Sherwood Edgar of Lakeville, Minn., died Oct. 19, 2017, age 80.

Ardis Georgianne Fiskerbeck Christen of Rochester, Minn., died Sept. 15, 2017, age 79.

Janet (Natvig) Dotseth of Waverly, Iowa, died Nov. 5, 2017, age 80.

Diane Marie (Iverson) Nordgaard of Red Wing, Minn., died Oct. 2, 2017, age 79.

Glen Awalt Rosendahl of Roanoake, Va., died Sept. 7, 2017, age 85. 

William “Bill” Tjaden of Denver, Iowa, died Oct. 15, 2017, age 81.

Full obituaries can be found on the Luther College website at: luther.edu/in-memoriam/
If you would like a printout of the full obituaries from your class mailed to you, please contact us at: [email protected], or 563-387-1509.