Luther College announces Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship recipients

Seven Luther College students have been awarded a $1,000 Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year. The recipients are Aaron Claxton, Eleanor Dickson, Emma Hansing, Kenna McGee, Avery Potter, Aiyana Taipe and Ren Talerico.

“These scholarship recipients exemplify resilience, determination, and commitment to service, community, and self. The selection process was highly competitive and considered not only students’ academic achievement, but also their leadership, service to others, personal experiences, career aspirations, and challenges they have navigated on their path to earning a college degree,” said Jennifer Hanifl, Ed.D., director of TRIO Student Support Services.

The Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship benefits first-generation college students, income-eligible students, and students with disabilities involved in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Luther College. TRIO SSS provides customized support and comprehensive programming that fosters students’ academic success, personal development, and community engagement.

The federally-funded program has been available at Luther for more than 50 years and TRIO SSS serves approximately 165 students annually. While the TRIO SSS program is federally-funded, the scholarships are funded by private donations.

The Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship was established in 2001 by Lloyd and Kathy Anderson of Ames, Iowa, in memory of their son, Pastor Steven Mark Anderson, who graduated from Luther in 1985.

“We are incredibly proud of each recipient and grateful to Lloyd and Kathy Anderson, whose support, in memory of their son, Pastor Steven Mark Anderson, makes opportunities like this possible,” Hanifl said. “These students demonstrate exceptional perseverance, a deep appreciation for the value of a liberal arts education, and a genuine desire to use their education to create meaningful change in their communities. This scholarship represents an investment in students whose potential extends far beyond the classroom, so they can remain focused on achieving their educational goals and preparing for lives of purpose, leadership and service.”

Aaron Claxton ’28, a junior from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, is majoring in Spanish and music. He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD), a national honor society that recognizes first-year students who achieve outstanding academic success. He is a member of Cathedral Choir and Organ Studio and enjoys being a collaborative pianist and playing for juries. He works as a tutor for students in music theory/ear training and Spanish. In his spare time, Claxton tunes pianos for Luther’s music department. Claxton plans to pursue graduate school in the future.

Eleanor Dickson ’27, a senior from Guttenberg, Iowa, is majoring in economics and minoring in philosophy. She is a staff writer for the Luther College Chips student newspaper and a member of the Business Club. Dickson received the Women’s Swimming and Diving Norse Award for the 2025-2026 season. During the summer, she works on a flower farm.

Emma Hansing ’27, a senior from Cortland, Illinois, is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in art. Through her on-campus work-study job at the Luther College Makerspace, Hansing helps students to bring their ideas to life. She is a member of Tau Delta Gamma. After college, Hansing plans to work as a physician assistant specializing in neuroscience.

Kenna McGee ’27, a senior from Eldridge, Iowa, is double-majoring in economics and environmental studies and minoring in Spanish. McGee volunteers with Luther’s Energy and Water Task Group, the Campus Garden Revitalization project, the Sustainable Foods Task Force, the northeast Iowa chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the Decorah Community Food Pantry. She is an assistant coach for the Decorah High School girls soccer team and coaches various youth soccer teams for the Decorah United Soccer Club. In 2025, McGee received an honorable mention for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, a national scholarship awarded to future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy and health care fields. She was the recipient of the Kuh Positively Luther Award, which recognizes students whose character, leadership and active participation in co-curricular activities enhance the quality of campus life. McGee is currently completing a yearlong internship as an energy analyst for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa. Her intended career path is to become an environmental economist or work in the private sector with a focus upon sustainability and the environment.

Avery Potter ’28, a junior from Newton, Iowa, is majoring in social work and psychology. She is the secretary for Norse Against Sexual Assault and the fundraising chair for Tau Delta Gamma. During the academic year, Potter works as a barista at Nordic Brew on campus. In the summer, she is a server at a steakhouse in Newton. After Luther, Potter plans to complete a master of social work program and become a mental health therapist for teens and young adults.

Aiyana Taipe ’27, a senior from Burnsville, Minnesota, is majoring in sociology and minoring in Spanish. She has a work study job at the Luther Book Shop. She is a member of Alpha Beta Psi (ABY) and helps to organize service-oriented events, such as the Stride Through Their Story 5K. She serves on the TRIO Leadership Council and is a member of the Performing Arts Committee at Luther. Taipe intends to pursue graduate school and earn a master’s degree in human resources.

Ren Talerico ’27, a senior from Madison, Wisconsin, is majoring in elementary education and minoring in art. In addition to being a member of the women’s swimming and diving team, Talerico enjoys volunteering with Luther’s Caf to Community program. She is the vice president of PALS, a student-led mentorship organization that pairs Luther students with Decorah elementary and middle school students. After college, Talerico plans to work as an elementary education teacher.

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