It was recently discovered that Luther College and the city of Decorah are positioned above a buried impact crater from a meteorite strike 470 million years ago. Retired Iowa Geological Survey geologists H. Paul Liu and Robert McKay, who led the research, will share the story of the crater’s discovery and the unique fossil life forms that were preserved in the crater’s basin. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in Room 206 of Valders Hall of Science. It is open to the public with no charge for admission.
“Many people know that, as part of the Driftless Region, Decorah’s landscape and surface geology are distinctive,” said Laura Peterson, associate professor of environmental studies and chemistry. “Now we have an additional geologic claim to fame, with the much more ancient meteor crater that lies beneath the surface here.”
The Decorah Impact Structure, as the Decorah crater is formally known, is one of fewer than 200 recognized impact craters on the Earth’s surface. Liu and McKay will explain the observations that led to the recognition of the three-and-a-half-mile-wide crater and discuss how the exceptional fossils discovered in the crater basin have added to the understanding of the history of life.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
Senior Circuit exercise classes are held on Tuesdays from 8:45 to 9:45 am in the Calmar Rehab Clinic.
Senior Circuit classes are structured to include exercises for cardio, strength, flexibility, endurance and balance – emphasizing correct and safe techniques for older adults.
Location
WMC Calmar Rehab Clinic 115 North Maryville Calmar, IA 52132
Cost
Interested participants can purchase one Senior Circuit class for $5, or purchase a 10-class Senior Circuit punch card for $45. Anyone recovering from a recent injury or surgery should consult with their doctor before attending this class.
Call 563-562-3243 to sign up for a class.
Coordinating Department: Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
At 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, the Luther College Center Stage Series presents GRAMMYⓇ award-winning bluegrass duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers. Families are invited to come to campus an hour early at 1 p.m. to enjoy activities planned by students from the Center for Sustainability Communities in celebration of Earth Day.
The Okee Dokee Brothers are Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing who grew up in Denver, Colorado, and have known each other since they were three years old. Their passion for the outdoors has been at the forefront of their original and inspiring Americana Folk music, beloved by children and adults alike.
“The Okee Dokee Brothers make family music, not just kids’ music. Their songs are catchy, smart, uplifting and appealing to all ages,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming. “I’m excited to host them at Luther close to Earth Day because their songs come with such great messages about our relationship to nature and the value of getting outdoors.”
Mailander and Lansing believe that, through their music, they can motivate kids to have respect for their communities, the natural world and themselves. They encourage everyone to explore the world around them and interact with nature.
The Okee Dokee Brothers are five-time Parents’ Choice Award winners and have been called “two of family music’s best songwriters.” Their album “Can You Canoe?” won the 2013 GRAMMYⓇ for Best Children’s Album, and their subsequent releases have received high praise from sources including NPR, USA Today, The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune which stated “these are songs that encourage kids to find happiness with fewer material possessions and embrace adventure even in trying situations. Without getting preachy or heavy-handed, Mailander and Lansing come off like happy, kind and fun big brothers eager to show their younger siblings how to have an ethically sound and green-conscious good time.”
The performance is sponsored by Lynne Sootheran and Kent Simmonds.
Tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office, online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing [email protected] or by calling (563) 387-1357.
This family concert marks the conclusion of the current Center Stage Series. The 2022-23 Center Stage Series season will be announced in May.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will come together with world-renowned epidemiologist Michael Osterholm ’75 for the Roslien Distinguished Lecture entitled “Pandemic Economics” at Luther College. In the Main Hall of the Center for Faith and Life, Kashkari will answer questions posed by Osterholm regarding the economic ramifications stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Covid has had terrible, and very uneven, impacts on the economy,” said Steve Holland, professor of economics at Luther College. “I am looking forward to hearing what Neel Kashkari has to say on these issues. As the president of the Minneapolis Fed, he’s been at the center of research and policy discussions about the impacts of the pandemic and will be able to share insights we could not get anywhere else.”
Holland also mentioned various ways he has observed the pandemic’s impacts on labor markets. “So many people lost their jobs or had to go to work despite the fear of COVID-19, while others were easily able to transition to remote work. The pandemic may have also been a big contributor to the “Great Resignation” or the “Great Rethink” that has workers reassessing what they want out of a job and how work fits into their lives. These shocks are having ripple effects for families, businesses and the economy that we are only beginning to understand,” said Holland.
Kashkari has served as the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis since 2016. Additionally, he serves on the Federal Open Market Committee, bringing the Ninth Federal Reserve District’s perspective to monetary policy discussions in Washington, D.C.
Osterholm, a 1975 Luther College graduate and current regent, works as regents professor and director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota. In November of 2020, he was named to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board.
Later in the session, Kashkari will answer the questions of Luther College students.
The event is open to the public with no charge for admission. To view via livestream, visit luther.edu/events for the link on the day of the event.
This event is sponsored by the Dr. David J. Roslien Distinguished Lecture in Science and Leadership, which aims to bring internationally recognized individuals who have made impacts on society through the use of cutting-edge science or global leadership in policy and programs to campus to engage with faculty and students.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
To promote the love of writing, Decorah Middle School 8th graders have organized a series of writing contests open to all students at the school. In March, students in grades 5-8 wrote and submitted original “spring” poems and “adventure” short stories. Winners were recently announced at the monthly assembly and include Naomi Kutz, Kelbi Schuman, Poppy Bellrichard, Leah Garcia-Prats, Brandi Nehls, Natalie Holthaus, Harper Novak, Charley Courtney, Keegan Joyce, Ayla Low, Olivia Quam, Jillian Volz, Charlotte LaBelle, Jordyn Roberg, Grace Stockman, Danika Mueller, Carson Bohner, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Miles Sullivan, and Lawrence Christman. Not pictured is Naomi Pedlar.
To honor their spring writing, all winners received a gift certificate to Whippy Dip.
Winners of the DMS March Writing Contest: Front Row (l-r): Naomi Kutz, Kelbi Schuman, Poppy Bellrichard, Leah Garcia-Prats, Brandi Nehls, Natalie Holthaus, Harper Novak, Charley Courtney, Keegan Joyce, Ayla Low
Back Row (l-r): Olivia Quam, Jillian Volz, Charlotte LaBelle, Jordyn Roberg, Grace Stockman, Danika Mueller, Carson Bohner, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Miles Sullivan, and Lawrence Christman.
Brad Hurst, Jr., has been selected as Decorah High School’s next principal. Hurst has been an Associate Principal at Mason City High School for the last four years, supervising special education services and managing and aligning systems of support and intervention. Prior to his leadership role at Mason City High School, Hurst was a science teacher at Waukee High School, at Johnson High School (where he served as a teacher leader through Iowa’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation program), and at East High School in Des Moines. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drake University. He has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his career in education.
Superintendent Mark Lane shared, “After a thorough search and interview process, I am proud to recommend Mr. Brad Hurst to serve as our next Decorah High School Principal. Brad has a distinguished career as a teacher and leader. I am confident he will work collaboratively with DHS staff, students, and our community to continually improve our services.”
“I am humbled and excited to have been chosen to serve as your next principal at Decorah High School,” Hurst remarked. “The Decorah Community School District has a legacy of academic, athletic, and musical excellence that speaks for itself. Decorah High School is consistently ranked at the top or near the top annually in the state of Iowa. A large part of this success is due to the leadership, vision, and tireless support that your current principal, Kim Sheppard, has given to the students and staff of Decorah High School over the last 21 years. I would be remiss if I did not take an opportunity to properly thank her for her service and for building the bridges to help make Decorah High School what it is today. As your principal, I plan to invest a lot of time right away in getting to know each of you and in learning more about the systems, people, and traditions that have contributed to Decorah’s greatness. Thanks to all of you for this opportunity. Go Vikings!”
A 1997 graduate of Crestwood High School, Hurst looks forward to returning to the area with his wife Shelley and daughter Holly.
NeNew DHS Principal Brad Hurst, Jr. with his daughter Holly and his wife Shelley.
Establishing a new school and state record for number of participants from one school, 50 students from Decorah High School recently competed in the regional Envirothon contest held on the Upper Iowa campus in Waterloo. Five of the ten Decorah teams finished in the top 15 of the 43 competing teams from across Iowa, earning the right to compete at the state contest to be held on May 2nd at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger. The team that finishes first on May 2nd will represent Iowa at the international contest to be held July 24-30, 2022 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Envirothon is a five-member team competition for high school students, testing their knowledge of natural resources. Whether in the field or the classroom, students are challenged to use their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios, and answer written questions covering five categories: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues.
The Carnivorous Chickens team of Sylvia Sandhorst, Amelia Wadsworth, Lily Sandhorst, Margret Zook, and Chloe Sheffield–and the Decorah Nerd Republic (DNR) team of Anders Lovstuen, Simon Kutz, Conner Evelsizer, Libby Phillips, and Gabriel Hiner finished with identical scores, placing them second at the regional competition. Following close behind, the Skabush team of Peter Essa, Nathaniel Myers, Nathan Swarbrick, Henry Weis, and Justin Berlage finished in third place. The Langers team of Benson Newhouse, Erik Hjelle, Lange Betts, Max Wilson, and Beau Newhouse finished in seventh place. The team of Cooks’ Critters–Aiden Nalean-Carlson, Ellen Rooney, Nadia Johnson, Alex McGohan, and Mairi Sessions–finished in eighth place.
Even though five other Decorah teams did not finish as one of the top fifteen qualifying teams, they still performed well. Coach Larry Berland remarked, “I cannot express adequately how much I enjoy working with the Envirothon students. The number of participants and their results indicate an awesome display of our Decorah students’ concern and awareness of their natural environment around them. Living in this community is advantageous for these students because so many parents and residents model excellent stewardship of their surroundings. I want to thank all the administrators and teachers in the district who have helped develop these fine students. The students’ success is directly proportional to their never-ending efforts.”
The local Envirothon is sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa along with a generous sponsorship from the Winneshiek County Conservation Board and director Barb Schroeder.
The Carnivorous Chickens Team placed second at regional competition. Photo ID (l-r): Sylvia Sandhorst, Chloe Sheffield, Margret Zook, Lily Sandhorst, and Amelia Wadsworth
The Decorah Nerd Republic (DNR) team placed second at regional contest. Photo ID (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Conner Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Simon Kutz, and Libby Phillips.
The Skabush team placed third at regional contest. Photo ID (l-r): Nathaniel Myers, Justin Berlage, Henry Weis, Peter Essa, and Nathan Swarbrick. The Langers team placed seventh at regional contest. Photo ID (l-r): Lange Betts, Beau Newhouse, Erik Hjelle, Max Wilson, and Benson Newhouse.The Cooks’ Critters Team placed eighth at regional competition. Photo ID (l-r): Alex McGohan, Nadia Johnson, Aiden Nalean-Carlson, Mairi Sessions, and Ellen Rooney.
Luther College will host “Building a World that Includes Disability,” a lecture by Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Rosemarie Garland-Thompson. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, in the Jenson-Noble Recital Hall. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.
“Dr. Rosemarie Garland-Thomson is one of the most important disability studies scholars in the world. What’s so exciting about having her at Luther is that her expertise has really developed from a place of liberal arts engagement: she’s a professor emerita of English and bioethics, but her work is informed by so many other fields, including identity studies, the health sciences, religion and philosophy,” said Marie Drews, president of the Luther College Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
During her presentation, Garland-Thompson will take a look back in time to demonstrate the resourcefulness, resilience and accomplishments of those with disabilities. She poses the questions: What would our world be like if it fully welcomed and included people with disabilities? How could we build that world to share and live in together? and Why would that be a better world for us all?
In her 2016 editorial “Becoming Disabled” Garland-Thompson points out that disabled people can often be overlooked. The current infrastructure of society is not built for, and in most cases not remotely accessible to people with disabilities. This lecture will highlight the prevalence and presence of disability and will explore ways in which the world can shift in order to better accommodate every person.
“Disability is everywhere once you start noticing it. A simple awareness of who we are sharing our public spaces with can be revelatory. Wheelchair users or people with walkers, hearing aids, canes, service animals, prosthetic limbs or breathing devices may seem to appear out of nowhere, when they were in fact there all the time,” wrote Garland-Thompson.
Garland-Thompson is a bioethicist, author, educator, humanities scholar and thought leader in disability justice and culture. Her work develops the field of critical disability studies in the health humanities to bring forward issues regarding disability access, inclusion and identity to a broad range of institutions and communities. Her “Becoming Disabled” editorial was published in the New York Times and became the inaugural essay in their ongoing weekly series written by and about people with disabilities. Additionally, Garland-Thompson co-edited, “About Us: Essays from the New York Times about Disability by People with Disabilities,” and authored “Staring: How We Look,” and “Embracing Our Humanity: A Bioethics of Disability and Health.”
Luther is one of the select higher education institutions in the United States with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a scholastic organization that recognizes students who have achieved distinction in the liberal arts and sciences. With a mission of contributing to the academic life of institutions and facilitating the exchange of ideas between scholars and students, the Phi Beta Kappa Society has offered the Visiting Scholar Program since 1956. Hosted by Phi Beta Kappa chapters, participating scholars travel around the country to participate in discussions with students and to present lectures to the public.
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
