Spring 2020

Dear Members of the Class of 1996,
 
Like colleges all over the country (and the world), 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.
 
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 Jessica's letter that she wrote to you, the Class of 1996, 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.
 
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 ,   I hope you will consider making a gift today.

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
What is happening at our alma mater?

L earning African American History: the role that African Americans played, and continue to play, in shaping the economy, politics, and culture of our shared nation.

D U ring J-term, 243 students and 26 program leaders participated in one of Luther's 14 courses around the globe.

T opics for research in Paideia: “Ethical Challenges in Contemporary Norway.” Students are traveling around Norway focusing on three ethical challenges: environmental sustainability, immigration, and urbanization.

Global H ealth Program launching in Fall 2020: a program to equip students with the knowledge and skills to improve the health and wellness of people worldwide. For more info. check out luther.edu/global-health .

E ducating social workers through a transfer pathway with Northeast Iowa Community College that 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.

R ochester opportunities that will provide immersive learning opportunities at the Gift of Life Transplant House, the Rochester Diversity Council, Destination Medical Center and City of Rochester Sustainability, as well as in a number of areas within the Mayo Clinic, including biomedical research, biomedical informatics, finance and information technology. [Editor's note: the Rochester program has been suspended for this fall]

For more information about these stories as well as other things going on at Luther, check out the Ideas and Creations blog. While you’re there, be sure to update your information in the Alumni Directory . Remember that your giving to Luther keeps these programs going and allows students to access the amazing education we were so fortunate to have! Blessings to you all.
Jessica Kettles


1996 Class Agents:
Jessica Kettles
2835 Hartford Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81503
970-314-3330
Andy Sassaman
2365 Allan Drive Road
Decorah, IA 52101-7576
563-419-9199
Ami (Shoup) Patra
6212 South Dover St.
Littleton CO 80123-3218
303-979-8333
CLASS NOTES

Meredith (Sherman) Borchardt is a librarian at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
 
Dee Brown was named NJCAA National Women’s Coach of the Year. His women’s cross country team won their third national title in a row establishing an NJCAA record of seven team titles. In May, Dee was elected as president of the NJCAA Track and Field Coaches Association.
 
Josh Byrnes of Osage, Iowa, is the general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities, and is Region 3 DEED director for the American Public Power Association. He was also appointed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to serve on the board of the Iowa State Department of Education.
 
Julie (Torkelson) Chamberlain is pastor of worship and connections at Decorah Covenant Church in Decorah.

Heather (Bassett) Dahl is a policy analyst for the Albuquerque (N.M.) Public Schools.
 
Matt Davis is EVP of MLA programs and special projects for Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) in Dallas.
 
Sarah (Romine) Ernst is senior manager, process development, at Hibu in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
Beth (Olson) and Dan Haddinger live in Rogers, Ark. She teaches ESOL for the Rogers Public Schools, and he is an event specialist at The Roark Group, Inc.
 
Erin (Etscheidt) Humpal is senior manager of business systems analysis at Transamerica in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
Erin (Blagsvedt) and Kori Jorgensen live in Taylor Ridge, Ill., Erin is director, publishing/managing editor for the American Rental Association, and Kori is a lieutenant with the City of Rock Island Fire Department.
 
Luther Koenig is sales and store manager at Bodensteiner Implement Company in Elkader, Iowa.
 
Jill Osier won the Yale Younger Poets Award, one of the most prestigious and important literary awards in the nation, for her manuscript “The Solace Is Not the Lullaby.” Her piece is a collection of poems that center on the human and natural world. Osier lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.
 
Cheryl (Hammes) and Scott Runde ‘95 live in Zimmerman, Minn. She is senior oncology sales specialist at Novartis Oncology and he is a podiatric surgeon at Fairview Northland Medical Center.
 
Jenn (Ruud) Strack is owner of Just Juliet in St. Paul, Minn.
 
Jaymi Wilson is a project manager for the City of Rochester, Minn.

 
MARRIAGES

AMI SHOUP and Pavan Patra, Feb. 24, 2019

 
OBITUARIES
 
Mary A. Herman of Decorah, Iowa, died Jan. 9, 2020, age 51.
 
Kathryn (Hanson) Mills of Northwood, Iowa, died Oct. 17, 2019, age 46.