Homecoming 2024

Thank you, Sherry!

At this year’s Homecoming, we were grateful to celebrate Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82. Readers of this magazine will recognize her name—and many of you have the good fortune to know her.

Sherry (Braun) Alcock ’82 (center) with Joy and Dave Roslien ’59 at Sherry’s retirement reception at The Landing during the Homecoming parade on October 26. David was a vice president at Luther when he hired Sherry in 1990.

Sherry worked at Luther for 33 years, most recently as executive director of alumni relations, planning Homecoming events from 1990 through 2023. Through her decades at Luther, she was a dream colleague and collaborator—considerate, gracious, hard-working, enthusiastic, and with an abiding love of Luther.

Jeanie Lovell, senior director of foundation and government relations, worked with Sherry for more than three decades and says, “Sherry dedicated her entire career to serving her alma mater. She personally connected with thousands of alumni of all ages over the years and nurtured special bonds to Luther. Those lasting friendships are part of her legacy.”

It’s a beautiful legacy, Sherry, and we’re all the better for it!

The 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients include (from left): Mike Voltmer ’74, Mary (Burbridge) Kreger ’79, President Jenifer K. Ward, Ellie (Stack) Shaw ’94, Sam Yamoah ’04, and Doug Knutson ’84.

Distinguished Service Awards

Mike Voltmer ’74 launched Voltmer Electric his senior year at Luther. Today, it is a multistate company known for its work on Iowa highways, airports, and underground. In Decorah, Mike has served in leadership roles with the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Spectrum Network, Sunflower Childcare Center, Nordic Fest, and Vesterheim.

Mary (Burbridge) Kreger ’79 is a public education leader and advocate who served for the past six years as superintendent of Minnesota’s third-largest school district, District 196. Now retired, she led the district through the pandemic, helped win voter approval for $493 million in school facilities improvements, and secured additional public funding for student mental health.

Doug Knutson ’84 founded Knutson Photography in Minneapolis in 1986. He has photographed Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including the Dalai Lama and Elie Wiesel. His work has appeared in Time, Business Week, and Sports Illustrated. He has served as a volunteer photographer for the Highland Friendship Club, Three Rivers Park District, Art Buddies, and Boy Scouts of America.

Ellie (Stack) Shaw ’94 is director of federal government affairs at American Express Co. She serves on the executive committee and board of directors for the Public Affairs Council and is advisory council co-chair for the Public Leadership Education Network. The network’s Ellie Shaw Scholarship, named in her honor, promotes diverse and inclusive leadership in policymaking.

Sam Yamoah ’04 is chief strategy and innovation officer at Cambia Health Solutions. He was a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and served in leadership roles with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States and the Dubuque Rescue Mission. He also cofounded a nonprofit that has distributed more than 10,000 books to learning centers in Ghana.

Inductees into the 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame

Athletics Awards

Inductees into Luther’s Athletics Hall of Fame included (from left): Dave Happel, former diving coach; Janet (Dobyns) Mundell ’09, cross country, track and field; David McKay ’09, cross country, track and field; Merle Foss, former wrestling coach; Kara (Reiman) Cordes ’99, golf; Becca (Girvan) Zellmer ’14, softball; Alec Bonander ’09, wrestling; Mike Jefferson ’04, football. The event also inducted the 1963 football team. The 1965 men’s track and field team will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during the Alumni Track and Field Meet on Saturday, February 8.

Music Awards

Weston H. Noble Award

David Judisch, professor emeritus of music, taught at Luther for 40 years. Since 1975, he has directed the Luren Singing Society, leading it on five tours to Norway, which included performances for royalty. He has significantly contributed to the Decorah Lutheran Church choir for 24 years.

Carlo A. Sperati Award

Justin Knoepfel ’04, an associate professor of music and department chair at Gustavus Adolphus College, is conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. He has performed violin with distinguished orchestras and musicians and at venues across the United States and Europe.

Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize for Orchestral Performance

Mark Severtson ’25, a music major, has been principal tubist in Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and the Noble Brass Quintet. He won the 2023–24 Band Concerto Competition, the first Joan deAlbuquerque Memorial Prize for Band, and the 2022 Tim and Sandra Peter Music Leadership Award.