Spring 2020

Dear Members of the Class of 1990,
 
Many of us are making adjustments, sometimes daily or even hourly, to these uncertain times but we wanted to be sure to connect with you and to send your class letter and notes to you!

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.

In the midst of the uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic, in the United States and at Luther, we also confront centuries of racism that has led to oppression, injustices, and inequities.
 
We must strive to make this world a better place for our neighbors who experience systemic oppression. Luther College is preparing to be a leader in the difficult and painful conversations that will take place over the coming months and years. I invite you to view President Ward's message regarding the college's initial action steps .

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, please consider making a gift today.

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these times.

Many thanks for your steadfast love and support.
 
Mariah Bringer Smith ‘95
Director of Development, Current Gifts
Greetings Norse!

Saying thirty years ago is unreal and it makes me think back to 1975 and all the excitement around the preparations for the Bicentennial in 1976, not 1990. But here we are, it’s 2020 and thirty years ago was 1990. It's hard to believe it's been that long. As you may know, Luther College is unable to host an in-person Homecoming this fall, but there will be some online events to help us celebrate our 30-year reunion - stay tuned!


College Updates:



  • ICYMI (in case you missed it): the second issue of Norse Notes is available.

  • Luther is now a Bee Campus USA affiliate, recognizing the benefit to pollinators that Luther has been providing through our sustainability and land stewardship efforts over the years."

  • Luther's Ideas and Creations blog is an excellent way to keep up with what we're talking about in our community. The latest post, What is Juneteenth, by Professor of Religion, Guy Nave, is timely and and informative.


  • Luther College and Northeast Iowa Community College are partnering in an effort to meet growing workforce needs in the social work field. The two institutions partnered to create an A.A. to B.A. Social Work Transfer Pathway. This agreement will provide students the opportunity to complete an A.A. at NICC with credits that directly transfer to Luther, allowing them to obtain their B.A. in social work in only two additional years.

  • Beginning in the fall of 2020, Luther College will offer a program to equip students with the knowledge and skills to improve the health and wellness of people worldwide. The new program, global health, is an interdisciplinary field that addresses health, health equity, and socioeconomic concerns of people around the world. Students will be trained to understand the complex interactions among social, political, environmental and cultural forces that shape the health status of populations across the globe.They will be encouraged to understand the implications of inequalities domestically and globally and begin to take steps toward positive change. After students graduate from Luther with a degree in global health, they will be qualified for careers such as health program coordinators or policy analysts in a variety of domestic and international health organizations. They will also be prepared to pursue a master's degree in public health, global health or another health-related field, and have the option to gain further expertise through a doctoral program.

Thank you for your generous support throughout the years. Keep your personal updates/news coming and stay connected. 2020 is proving to be a unique year and I believe we need to stay positive, grounded and connected. A quick reminder from 1990, Pretty Woman , Ghost, Goodfellas, and Misery were in the movie theaters, we were singing to Nothing Compares 2 U and it was Hammer Time . May this year find you happy and healthy. Take care everyone. Go Norse!
 
Soli Deo Gloria,
‌
Sarah Thomson

1990 Class Agents:
Sarah Thomson
2712 Isle Royale Court
Burnsville, MN 55337-3424
952-736-2461
Ann (Edwards) Lee
708 Ray Street
Lake Mills, WI 53551
920-728-1195

CLASS NOTES
 
Adele (Barlow) Buffington is director of creative arts at Peñasquitos Lutheran Church in San Diego.

Katie (Carr) Ditch is clinical director at Riverview Child and Family Therapy in St. Charles, Ill.

Vanessa (Grima Baldacchino) Frazier was named permanent representative of Malta to the United Nations in New York City.
 
Jane (Vaaler) Roets is a parent educator and therapist for the Town of Ellington, Conn.

Arndt Schnöring is the general secretary of the Foundation of German Business (Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft) in Berlin, Germany.
 
OBITUARIES

Julie (Lyng) Jass of Burnsville, Minn., died Aug. 9, 2019, age 51.

Elayne Joyce (Stoen) Werges of Meroa, Iowa, died Sept. 17, 2019, age 60