Category: Alumni Story

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program selected 2026 Luther College graduate Sophia Chadima to be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic for the 2026-27 academic year.

Five Luther alumni will join the Luther College Board of Regents in October.

David Hecht graduated magna cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and biology from Luther College in 2011.

As one of the oldest operating radio stations in Iowa, KWLC serves as a professional environment for Luther students to gain broadcasting experience.

Operating in over 140 countries worldwide, Fulbright is the largest and most esteemed exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government.

The last time a Luther student received the award was 2021. 

A licensed mental health counselor, Joelle Nielsen returns to Luther to lead the Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program.

The Board of Regents approved the Torson gift to provide Gerdin Fieldhouse challenge funding, enrollment marketing funding, leadership development initiatives, and support for the Luther Fund.

“Receiving [the Weston Noble Award] inspires me to keep improving my service to Luther College and to the world,” said Juan Tony Guzmán, director of the jazz program and professor of music at Luther College. “I was close to Mr. Noble since I came to the United States in 1988. Like many others, I benefited from his wisdom, generosity, kindness and humor.”

This year’s recipients are Allan Solomonson ’60, Linda (Olson) Bieri ’75, Michael Goze ’75, Perran Wetzel ’79 and Loretta Dooley Wetzel ’80, Esther Menn ’80, Erika (Barth) Cottrell ’95 and Ryan Nilsestuen ’05.