January 2021
52101
Reflections and follow-up actions on the Washington, D.C., riots
As the Luther community observed the unfolding of events in our nation’s capital Wednesday, January 6, President Jenifer K. Ward asked us to “stop and rededicate ourselves, as members of Luther College, to the pursuit of the common good stated in our mission,” and to also “pray, in the words of whatever faith tradition, or ethical or moral compass animates you.” For Dr. Ward, these words are: "Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy." Building upon this message, she communicated with students, faculty, and staff on Thursday about her reactions to the riots and the initial steps that the college will take as a community to re-learn what it means to care for and practice democracy.
You can read President Ward’s letter here.
Perfecting our vision in a year of tragedy
Professor of religion Robert Shedinger shares what we can learn from 2020, a year of grief and suffering, and how the challenges of last year can help us create a better world for all living things. Read more here.
Nursing school during a pandemic
Current student Erin Saemrow '21 shares her perspective on how Luther's nursing program has adapted to the pandemic and continued to provide valuable real-world experiences. Saemrow completed her senior preceptorship at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis during September term. Click here to read about how the pandemic has reaffirmed Erin's desire to be a nurse and serve others.
Believing in the impossible
Grace Huber '20 reflects on her own family’s traditions and the meaning of Hanukkah during her time as a student at Luther and as an alumna finishing student teaching. Read more about Grace and her experiences here.
'Living a Hip Hop and Abolitionist Life: Resistance, Creativity, Hip Hop Civics Ed, Intersectionality, and Black Joy'
Author and activist Bettina L. Love will give Luther College's 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day lecture at 4:00 p.m. CST on Monday, January 18. Love's lecture will address the issues of racial violence, oppression, intersectional justice, and how to make sustainable community change. Click here for more details. The Zoom link for the lecture will be posted here the day of the event.
A musical offering in response to the death of
George Floyd
Professor of music Brooke Joyce shares how learning about George Floyd’s death inspired him to create music that encourages us to reflect and work for change. Joyce's composition was performed by Luther's Unison Piano Duo, music professors Du Huang and Xiao Hu, for Iowa Public Radio. Click here to learn more and hear the piece titled "He Hung His Head and Died (12 Variations for George Floyd)."
Stream Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Nordic Choir, and Symphony Orchestra albums from the past few years online

Christmas at Luther 2020
Christmas at Luther 2019
Luther College Nordic Choir -
Come Listen in the Silence (2019)
Luther College Jazz Orchestra -
Aquarela (2013)
Luther College Concert Band - Morning Sun upon the Wild Prairie Rose (2015)
Luther College Symphony Orchestra -
A Far Green Country (2013)
Estate gift to benefit the humanities
Regent emeritus Richard “Dick” Hemp '64, and his spouse, Joann (Harr) Hemp '65, have established an endowed faculty chair for Luther College through a planned gift. Long considered a core element of a well-rounded education, the study of humanities encourages students to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask tough questions. Learn more about the Hemp Family Chair in the Humanities here.
Phonathon 2021
Meet Rida Naz '21, another student caller! Rida is an accounting and business major from Karachi, Pakistan. Along with her dedicated work helping manage the call center, she’s also involved in Student Philanthropy Council, TEDxLutherCollege, and Beta Theta Omega (BTQ). Calling will continue this spring, so if you see a call from 563-387-1324, we hope you’ll pick up and chat with our students!
Alumnae publish books
Congratulations!
Eli Williamson '02 was named a 2020 Notable Veteran Executive by Crain's Chicago Business. Williamson is the co-founder of Leave No Veteran Behind, a national non-profit organization that invests in veterans to build better communities.

Thomas Marquardt '91 has been appointed to serve as the chief medical officer for the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

Paul Moen '79 was named 2020 CFO of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Moen is senior vice president – chief financial officer for Crown Bank in Edina, Minnesota.
Eli Williamson '02
Thomas Marquardt '91
Paul Moen '79
Help us recruit future students! The deadline to nominate current high school seniors for the $1,000 per year Norse Referral Scholarship is Monday, January 11th.
At Luther College, we learn actively, live purposefully,
and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact.h