Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1950,
Like colleges all over the country (and the world), Luther College is experiencing a spring semester like no other. Our students are participating in remote learning, connecting with their professors and classmates online. It certainly isn't the spring semester we imagined, but Luther is responding 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 Dick's letter that he wrote to you, the Class of 1950, just weeks before we became immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic. We think you'll enjoy reading what is shared, knowing, of course, that any events referenced may be cancelled or postponed.
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
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Dear members of the Class of 1950,
I begin with a special request.
Homecoming at Luther next fall (October 9-11) will be the occasion for our 70-year class reunion. Hard to believe, but true. The special luncheon for our class, along with the classes of ‘45 and ‘55, will be held in the Nobel Room of Centennial Union on Saturday that weekend, starting with a reception at 11:00. How great it will be if a number of us can be there!
Now to my request. It would be good to know in advance who will be able to come that day; then I can be in touch as the date approaches. So, if during the coming months it seems possible that you will make it to the luncheon, drop me a note to that effect at the email or street address below. Even if you are unable to come, I would love to hear from you with a word to pass on during the gathering that day.
Life at Luther is now well into the presidency of Dr. Jenifer K. Ward. Her inauguration event in early November got things off to an inspiring start. And with her natural gift for leadership, she has things in high gear at this point. She has been out visiting alumni around the country. In one week recently, she flew to Denver for an evening with nearly 100 attendees; a few days later, it was over to LaCrosse for another sizable gathering. During the national Giving Day event recently, she was online encouraging support for the college and making her own generous gift in the form of a match to incentivize the giving of others.
On campus of late, there have been several interesting developments on the academic front. President Ward and the president of Northeast Iowa Community College have
signed an agreement
that will enable students at NEICC to earn their AA degree and then transfer to Luther and graduate with a B.A. in Social Work after two more years. There is now also a new interdisciplinary major in
Global Health
, providing a special focus for students interested in international development issues. And, in yet another direction, the startup this spring semester of a novel Rochester Semester program will offer students from a variety of majors unique internship and research opportunities and the chance to explore related career paths. This program builds on the long-standing Luther-Rochester Mayo connection established by the college’s nursing program.
These new directions in Luther’s academic program join recently established majors in neuroscience and data science. Together they provide strong evidence of how Luther is moving aggressively to meet the challenges facing private higher education in our country. We can be confident that, under President Ward’s leadership, Luther will succeed in meeting these challenges.
I look forward to seeing some of you in October and hearing from more of you. In the meantime, let’s keep up our financial and moral support of the college. It’s a special place.
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Richard Ylvisaker '50
1950 Class Agent
702 Meadow Court
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-3191
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CLASS NOTES
David Leirmo
and his family from Ferryville, Wis., received the 2019 Farm Family of the Year Award at the Crawford County Conservation Awards. David’s father, Jens Leirmo, immigrated to the area from Norway in 1912. He eventually bought the home farm in the Town of Freeman in 1920. David took over the management of the farm in 1956 after graduating from Luther. David’s brothers John and Olaf joined the operation in the late 1970s and John’s two sons joined in the last decade. The Leirmo family was selected by the Crawford County Land Conservation Committee for the successful, conservation-minded operation they run within the county.
OBITUARIES
Herbert Von Arx
of New Glarus, Wis., died March 18, 2020, age 94.
Ramona “Raye” (Olsen) Hukari
of Bend, Ore., formerly of Hood River, Ore., died Sept. 26, 2019, age 90.
Carstien Otman Reseland
of Minneapolis died June 18, 2019, age 94.
Jean Ann (Strand) Slindee
of Blackduck, Minn., died Sept. 23, 2019, age 89.
John L. Spencer
of Oak Park Heights, Minn., died Feb. 1, 2020, age 92.
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