On Sunday, May 16 the Class of 2021 joined together for Commencement on campus and officially joined the Luther College Alumni Association. Welcome, Class of 2021! Soon Luther will also welcome new provost Lynda A. Szymanski to campus, and our community continues on the path back to normal (alert level blue). The college is excited to continue to celebrate all that students, faculty and staff have been able to accomplish together. Nicholas Bjerke, Luther's visual media manager, took some time at the end of this academic year to review some of the amazing moments our student photographers were able to capture.

"When I reflect on the people I’ve met during my time at Luther, I feel so incredibly inspired by each of them. I have watched students from all over the world rally together to make a difference on our campus, in Decorah and Iowa, and in our greater global community. Moving forward, I have no fear of being a leader and taking risks, because I know the people I love from here will always be there to catch me. That is not something you can come across just anywhere, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Soli Deo Gloria."

Madeline received Luther’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal, which is presented each year to an outstanding senior, selected by the graduating class, who best demonstrates the ideals of the college through service to students and the college community.

"As the college charts its path to the future, sustainability should continue to play a distinctive role in helping the college to live out its mission, reduce operating costs, provide experiential learning opportunities to our students and meet the needs of our community."

Jon is beginning a renewable, three-year term this month.

Rodolfo has created songs that express universal experiences from an American-Latinx perspective, in collaboration with OOPS MN, and accompanied by Victoria Vargas, Jared Miller, and Mauricio Sanchez.

Milt and Joanne were honored in May when the Manchester Aquatic Center was renamed after them. Milt is believed to be the longest-serving mayor in Iowa, serving over 47 years.

"An Artist’s Journey: Carl Homstad, 50 Years" is a special exhibit that is available to view at Vesterheim, The National Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, now through May 30, 2022.

This family-friendly, dog-friendly event strives to raise money for ArtHaus and Decorah Human Powered Trails. It starts and ends at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co., which was founded by four Luther alumni. While there be sure to note the artwork of Hannah Tulgren '18 on many Pulpit Rock labels and inside the taproom too!

Luther College faculty, staff, students, alumni, and their families are invited to represent Luther by walking in the Nordic Fest Parade on Saturday, July 24. This is an opportunity to participate in a fun community event and show your Luther pride!

From 1954-1994, Curt devoted his professional life to Luther College, working in admissions, alumni relations, development, and music, before being granted emeritus status upon retirement. The Curtis Reiso Atrium in the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music is named in his honor. 

Curt passed away at the age of 88 on August 20, 2020. A memorial service will be held on campus Tuesday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m.

At the May 14 meeting, the Board of Regents granted emeritus status to Nancy Barry, English; Anne Bulliung, classics; Rachel (Andersen) Faldet '78, English; Laurie Iudin-Nelson, modern languages, literatures and linguistics; Kevin Kraus, biology; James Martin-Schramm, religion; Deborah Norland '75, education; Kimberly Powell, communication studies; Lori (Van Gerpen) Stanley '80, anthropology; and Virginia Strauss, music. Congratulations to all!

“I am excited to assume the role of dean of student engagement at Luther College and to bring President Ward's vision to fruition with the new provost model. My immediate focus will be to learn the culture of the college while also improving retention and persistence efforts, developing leadership training for student leaders and collaborating with various student affairs/student services and academic departments.”

Dr. Benson will join the Luther community on July 1.