Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1957,
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 Hildy's letter that she wrote to you, the Class of 1957, 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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Dear Classmate,
As your class agent I decided I should drive to Decorah in November to attend the inauguration of our new president, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward. (I’m sure Betty Rikansrud Nelson attended every inauguration post Ylvisaker.) I enjoyed the whole experience and came away with the impression that President Ward will be a good leader in this era of smaller high school graduating classes with stiffer competition for students. Just think of all the exciting options for kids enrolling these days, from internships to research projects, to study abroad, to the
partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College
for two-year transfers, and
new academic programs
to name a few.
I was surprised and happy to note that, along with all the academic dignitaries participating in the inaugural festivities, both the Mayor and Decorah Chief of Police were included. This to me signaled that town and gown know that they have much to gain from closer ties. The Luther family is becoming much more diverse and it’s important that Decorah remains a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. I loved seeing blue and white “NORSE” banners fluttering from Decorah lamp posts.
If you are like me, you make out a list of charities/causes you will support during the year, the amount you intend to give and you stick to it, recording the date and method of each payment. If some “new” charity comes along and asks for a gift I say, “I’m sorry, but I am fully committed for this year, but if you would like to send me your brochure, I could consider it in another year.” This method works for me, and it goes without saying that Luther is on that list. If you haven’t written your check to Luther yet, sit there a minute and pull up a signature memory from your college years, and then go write that check.
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Hildy (Grevstad) McGown
1957 Class Agent
106 Nautilus Drive
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8670
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OBITUARIES
Lloyd Walter Asbe
of Lewiston, Idaho, died Aug. 27, 2019, age 84.
Rhody Marquard
of Freeport, Ill., died March 8, 2019.
Constance Rae “Connie” (Blunt) Nelson
of Bloomington, Minn., died June 7, 2019, age 83.
Janet Marie (Schmidt) Rosett
of Coon Rapids, Minn., died Oct. 24, 2019, age 84.
Carl Edward Skrade
of Columbus, Ohio, died Sept. 5, 2019, age 84.
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