Spring 2020

Dear members of the Class of 2018,
 
Like colleges all over the country (and the world), Luther College has just wrapped up a spring semester like no other. Our students participated in remote learning, connecting with their professors and classmates online and on Sunday, May 24, we celebrated the Class of 2020 with a virtual commencement . It certainly wasn't the spring semester we imagined, but the Luther community responded with resiliency and creativity.
 
Many of us are making adjustments, sometimes daily or even hourly, to these uncertain times but we wanted to connect with you and to send you Grant, Katie, and Corinn's letter that they wrote to you, the Class of 2018, just weeks before we became immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic. We think you'll enjoy reading what they have to share, knowing, of course, that any events referenced may have been cancelled or postponed.
 
Especially now, gifts to the Luther Fund can make a big difference in supporting students as they navigate all that's ahead. If you can ,   I hope you will consider making a gift today.

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these times. For updated information about Luther's response to the pandemic, visit luther.edu.

Many thanks for your steadfast love and support.
 
Mariah Bringer Smith ‘95
Director of Development, Current Gifts
Healthy greetings to the Class of 2018!
 
As we write this letter, much is going on around the world- including the spread of COVID-19. The virus is moving fast and has caused current Luther students to prepare for online classes following spring break. We lament with all of the student athletes, musicians and performers on campus as their seasons quickly came to an end per direction of the NCAA and instruction of the CDC. As this is most likely impacting all of us in some way, we send you all wishes of good health and quick healing during this time.
 
Luther recently held their fifth annual Giving Day on March 5th, raising nearly 1 million dollars for the Luther Fund! If you gave back on Giving Day, thanks for helping keep your favorite Luther traditions alive. 
 
We celebrate with some of our favorite professors who recently received tenure and promotion to associate professor: Brittany Cord (accounting and management), Maren Johnson (Nordic studies), and Tommy Occhipinti (mathematics); Molly McNicoll (biology) was also promoted to associate professor. Britt Rhodes '96 (social work) and Erik Baack (biology) were both promoted to full professor. We are excited to know that these professors will continue to be a part of the Luther community!
 
It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the two-year anniversary of our graduation from Luther College! So much has happened with our classmates since then including new jobs, marriages, and even births! If you have any accomplishments or celebrations you would like to share, please let Grant, Katie or Corinn know! 
 
Be well, Norse!
Katie Hendrikson
2018 Class Agent
6930 Cleve Avenue E.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076651-239-4470
Grant Preheim
2018 Class Agent
44469 281st Street
Marion, SD 57043-5815
605-760-3580
Corinn Schmieg
2018 Class Agent
8230 Laketown Road
Waconia, MN 55387-9627
612-202-0993


CLASS NOTES
 
Kaitlin Bratland teaches elementary special education for the Mabel-Canton (Minn.) Public Schools.

Megan Broadbent teaches English for the Monticello (Iowa) Community School District.
 
Elizabeth Budahn is choral director at Milaca (Minn.) High School.
 
Erik Duethman is health unit coordinator at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wis. In Sept., Erik won the gold medal for the 8K race in a time of 25:33.8 at the 42nd annual Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk on the Marquette University campus.
 
Christen Foster teaches eighth grade science for the Estherville (Iowa) Community School District.
 
Ethan Harris is lead facilitator at Team Quest in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Mariahna Jorgenson-Rathke teaches grade 6-8 orchestra at the Eastern Carver County School District in Chaska, Minn.
 
Luke Lumbar is service coordinator and a certified support planner at Partners in Community Supports in St. Paul, Minn.
 
Abby Mark is a research fellow at Boston University.
 
Daniel Melaas-Swanson teaches music at Hillside Elementary School in New Richmond, Wis.
 
Adam Morgan is a mental health counselor at Touchstone Mental Health in Minneapolis.
 
Christopher O’Connell is grades 5-12 band director for the Ogilvie (Minn.) Public Schools.
 
Mariah Olson Trewin is a registered nurse with Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis.

Linnea Peterson is marketing coordinator at 1517 Media in Minneapolis.
 
Evan Scheck teaches social studies at Spencer (Iowa) High School.
 
Peter Scott teaches science at Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, Iowa
 
Hannah Sutcliffe is produce programs assistant at The Food Group in Minneapolis.
 
Bailey Victoria is director of athletic performance at Florida State University Schools in Tallahassee, Fla.
 
Steffenee Voigt teaches art for the Oelwein (Iowa) Community School District.

 
MARRIAGES
 
MEGGIE ACKER and Ryan Albert, Sept. 27, 2019
 
BRIDGET BECKER and Derek Miner, Oct. 26, 2019
 
AMANDA GIELAU and ETHAN THONN '17, July 17, 2019
 
ELLE ROSS and JARED BARNES, June 15, 2019
 
ABBY SUHR and Aaron Schweitzer, Dec. 28, 2019