Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1981,
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 Ruth's letter that she wrote to you, the Class of 1981, just weeks before we became immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic. We think you'll enjoy reading what she has to share, knowing, of course, that any events referenced may have been 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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Greetings!
I hope you are all doing well in this new decade. As I sat down to write this letter, I remembered our first dinner during freshmen orientation week with President Farwell, when he asked how many of us had Norwegian roots, and then declared that we were all “honorary Norwegians” while at Luther. That may or may not pass the political correctness meter today, but I believe he intended for us to feel welcome and connected, which I did, and still do. I treasure my Luther connections, and all the ways that Luther helped to shape the person that I am today. What are some of your early Luther memories?
Actually, I do have Norwegian roots, and I was thrilled to finally visit Norway this past summer and see the farm where my great-grandmother was born. It was a powerful experience and a trip of a lifetime. While at Luther, I studied abroad during January term during my sophomore and senior years. So, I’m happy to see that January term study abroad is still alive and well at Luther. Check out the “Student Research Topics in Paideia 450” article about students who traveled during January term this year on Luther’s
Ideas and Creations Blog
.
New at Luther is the
partnership
with Northeast Iowa Community College. This partnership establishes a pathway for Social Work students to earn a degree from the community college, and then transfer into Luther as a junior and earn a B.A. degree.
Although it’s hard to believe, we are coming up on 39 years since we graduated. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the fall of 2021 at our 40-year reunion (October 1-3). In the meantime, remember to check
luther.edu/alumni/events/
to find out about upcoming Luther events in your area.
Your travel-loving classmate,
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Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Rogaland Norway, Ruth ’81, and sister, Sara Hnath ‘83 (left)
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1981 Class Agents:
Ruth Hanson Thom
11257 42nd Street
Clear Lake MN 55319-9730
320-510-1784
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Pamela (Norris) Phillips
11655 Gehrkes Point NW
Alexandria MN 56308
410-703-2742
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CLASS NOTES
Donita (Hook) Joens
of Cedar Falls, Iowa, is a retired school superintendent.
OBITUARY
Steven McGregor Demorest
of Evanston, Ill., died Sept. 22, 2019, age 60.
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