This month, professors across campus shared reflections on their pandemic experiences and the science behind the future of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Pandemic Reflections of a Chemist, Professor, and Mom (All in One) by Olga Michels, professor of chemistry

COVID-19, Vaccines, and Viral Variants—What Comes Next in the Pandemic? by Eric Baack, professor of biology, and Brian Hiester, visiting assistant professor of biology

Writing, Reading, and De-isolating by Rachel (Andersen) Faldet '78, assistant professor of English

"The world has always been a place where hatred exists, but as of late it has been front and center in our minds, hearts, and communities. I'd like to try to help us understand what causes it and what helps us to eradicate it." — Loren Toussaint, professor of psychology

Starting in January 2017, Toussaint collaborated with a team of students to develop a scale measuring hate. The finished research project was published in December 2020. Student participants, who are now alumni included Marcus Enomoto '19, Wyatt Anians '19, Kacy Rodamaker '19, Alahna Keil '17, and Maxwell Meier '18.

"Most people do not think of a music degree as a road to law school, and for a long time, neither did I. What I have learned in the years since leaving Luther is that my liberal arts education gave me an advantage."

Emily’s legal career and extensive community involvement are further detailed on page 30 of the publication.

Charmaine is an international student from Namibia studying biology, global health, and chemistry.

Join us for the online events happening during this year's Climate Justice Week, under the theme, “Social Equity In Our Changing Climate.” We're excited to host speakers Sandra Henry and Susan Crate!

Registration is now open for the next virtual alumni book club which will read Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake, both by Jhumpa Lahiri. Meetings will take place via Zoom on Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. CST, beginning on May 4, 2021 and ending on June 8, 2021. Moderated by Suzanne (Knoll) Hales '65 and Ruth Caldwell, professor emerita of French.

Drift less and visit more with time in Decorah this summer! Decorah area events are getting creative and finding ways to safely gather in community.

Luther will host an in-person, modified commencement ceremony to celebrate the class of 2021 at 11 a.m. CST on Sunday, May 16. A livestream of the event, featuring Chris Norton '14 as the Commencement speaker, will also be available online for others to join in the celebration!

Starting in June, the Career Center will officially join the Development and Alumni Relations Department. This shift will start a new chapter for career support, for both students and alumni, by combining resources and strengthening the network between alumni and current students.

Last month we shared the appointment of Lynda Szymanski to a newly created provost position at Luther. This new position is actually very similar to that of John Linnell, who served as provost from 1971—1973, when he was promoted by President Farwell to oversee both academic and student affairs. A big thanks to Anna Linnell '86 for calling our attention to this piece of Luther's history!

Mary Lou Mohr, professor emerita of English, passed away Thursday, April 1, 2021. Dr. Mohr taught at Luther from 1963 until her retirement in 2000, and continued to be an active part of campus life, attending concerts and lectures, leading and participating in Lifelong Learner Seminars. She is survived by her son, Jonathan Mohr '91 of Eden Prairie, Minn. Memorial services will be held at a later date.