Luther College announces Handshake executive Christine Cruzvergara as 2024 commencement speaker

Head shot of Christine Cruzvergara wearing a magenta shirt

Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer, Handshake

DECORAH, IOWA—Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer at Handshake, will give the 2024 commencement address at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 19, at Luther College’s Carlson Stadium. Cruzvergara leads Handshake’s partnerships with the higher education community, which includes more than 15 million students from more than 1,500 higher institutions, to connect students with career and internship opportunities.

Cruzvergara is recognized as an agent of change and an expert on strategies that create equitable student career success outcomes. Handshake, based in San Francisco with offices across the U.S. and the globe, connects students enrolled in four-year institutions, community colleges and bootcamps with more than 900,000 employers. Employers on the site include Fortune 500 Companies, public school districts, healthcare systems and nonprofit organizations.

“I met Christine at the Midwest Roundtable on Talent,” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “I knew I wanted to bring her to Luther — not only because we use Handshake in our Career Center, but because she is an engaging speaker who shows how career aspirations start with self-knowledge, sense of purpose, laying groundwork, and the creative use of networks, from family to friends to more traditional influencers.”

Handshake aims to accelerate students’ careers and democratize access to opportunities. Because of her work, Cruzvergara is regularly referenced in media, such as the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes Magazine, Fortune and Inside Higher Education.

Prior to joining Handshake, Cruzvergara was the associate provost for career education at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she received the 2017 Career Services Excellence Award from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the 2017 Innovation Award from Eduventures.

She has also held senior level positions and board roles at George Mason University, Georgetown University, The George Washington University, NACE and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

No tickets are required for the outdoor commencement ceremony. The event will be livestreamed. More information is available at commencement.luther.edu.

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Luther Alumnae to Share Story of Achieving Gender Equity for Women’s Athletics

Cover of the book Break Point by Sheri BrendenDECORAH, Iowa – Sheri Brenden, author of “Break Point: Two Minnesota Athletes and the Road to Title IX,” will speak at Luther College on April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall, along with her sister, Peg Brenden. The book covers Peg’s involvement in a landmark civil rights case to allow equal access to sports for women. Both Brenden sisters graduated from Luther College and participated in sports during the early Title IX era. 

The talk is hosted and sponsored by the English department at Luther College, with additional support from the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) and from the law and values program.

In the early 1970s, Peg Brenden sought to have the same opportunity to compete for her St. Cloud, Minn., high school in tennis as male athletes, and during her senior year filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota State High School League and her high school. Her action was joined with runner Toni St. Pierre into a 1972 lawsuit claiming a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The book recalls the courtroom battle before Federal District Court Judge Miles Lord and the subsequent appeals to the Eighth Circuit. The ruling opened the way for Peg to compete as a senior for her high school. In their talk, the Brendens will weave together both their family’s and broader women’s history to remind the audience of the wider implications for female students.

Peg Brenden head shot and Sheri Brenden head shot

Peg Brenden, left, and Sheri Brenden, right

The book had its genesis when Sheri Brenden, Luther College class of 1981, became concerned that an important story about women in sport risked being lost. She drew on skills learned as a Luther English major, one-time reporter for the St. Cloud Daily Times, and research librarian for two of Minnesota’s largest law firms. To preserve the history, she interviewed teammates, coaches, lawyers and others associated with her sister’s gender-equity case.

During her Luther career, Peg Brenden played first singles on the Luther tennis team. She is a member of the Norse Athletic Hall of Fame. Following graduation at Luther in 1976, she completed her law degree at the University of Minnesota. She is a retired Minnesota Workers Compensation judge. Sheri competed at Luther in tennis and field hockey, and also served as an editor for CHIPS, the Luther student newspaper.

The talk is free and open to the general public. A reception will follow.

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About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Luther College raises record-setting $1.2 million on Giving Day

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College raised more than $1.2 million during the ninth annual Giving Day on March 7. The money raised on Thursday will support and enhance the Luther experience at the college through the Luther Fund, Luther’s unrestricted current fund that supports all students, faculty, staff and community endeavors on campus. 

“Together we had the biggest Giving Day ever, both in the amount raised and in the notes and stories about the impact Luther College has had on the lives of those in our community,” said Luther President Jenifer K. Ward. “Gifts came from all 50 states and over a dozen countries, and from lifelong supporters to first-time contributors. There is no “thank you” big enough to express our gratitude.”

Luther students wrote thank you notes to donors for Giving Day.

Giving Day capped off “Luther Gives!”, a weeklong campus event celebrating the generosity of Luther alumni, donors and campus community. Students wrote thank you notes to donors who funded their scholarships, sent Norse Notes valentines to anyone on campus who made a difference in their lives, and posted reasons they love Luther on the walls of the Dahl Centennial Union. 

This year’s Giving Day also included the first Luther Day at the Landing, where 100% of all sales made at Justin’s and The Buzz at the Landing Market were matched with an equal gift to the Luther Fund.

“It’s been great to double down on our partnership with Luther College today,” said Terry Ramlo, class of 1986 and manager of the Landing. “It was fun to see so many people stop by the Landing today. We’re glad to contribute to Luther and the Decorah community, especially on Giving Day.”

Mark your calendars for next year, as Giving Day returns on Thursday, March 6, 2025. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Disability activist Lydia X. Z. Brown to give Price Distinguished Lecture March 1

DECORAH, IOWA—Lydia X. Z. Brown, director of public policy at the National Disability Institute, will give the Price Distinguished Lecture in Women’s Leadership at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. The event is co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. 

Lydia X. Z. Brown

Brown, a queer, disabled and East Asian advocate, organizer, attorney, strategist and writer, will give a lecture entitled “Until We Are All Free: Disability Justice Interventions in Queer, Trans, Feminist Movements,” which is part of Luther’s Women’s History Month events through March. ASL interpretation will be provided. Attendees should refrain from wearing any fragrances to this lecture. Childcare is available during the lecture. 

“After I heard Brown speak in Rochester, I knew I wanted to bring their expertise to Luther.  Brown isn’t advocating for disability rights but disability justice,” said Char Kunkel, head of the identity studies department at Luther. “We fundamentally need to change the systems of oppression, not just add in the various identity groups to achieve limited individual rights. We need societal transformation of the many intersecting oppressive systems so that all people can thrive. Justice for all means all, hence why the lecture is titled ‘Until We Are All Free’.” 

Brown has spoken and consulted throughout the U.S. and the world on topics such as disability rights and justice, especially at the intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality, as well as publishing scholarly and community articles on related topics. Their work addresses how ableism is tied to other forms of systemic oppression and marginalization. Brown’s work can be found on their website.

Brown is the founding executive director of the Autistic People of Color Fund. They hold a lecturer appointment in the women’s and gender studies program and the disability studies program at Georgetown University. Brown is also an adjunct professorial lecturer in American studies in the department of critical race, gender and cultural studies at American University. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Luther College Regent Dr. Michael Osterholm receives Government Service Award from AMA

DECORAH, IOWA—Dr. Michael Osterholm, class of 1975, was presented with the Outstanding Government Service Award from the American Medical Association in February. Osterholm, who serves on Luther College Board of Regents, is a world-renowned epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota

Dr. Michael Osterholm accepting the Outstanding Government Award. Photo Credit: Ted Grudzinski

The award is presented to elected and career public servants at the state, local and national levels, who use science and medicine to promote public health. Osterholm was selected in the category of “member of the executive branch serving by presidential appointment.” He was named to Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board in November 2020 and served as Minnesota’s state epidemiologist from 1984 to 1999. 

“I’m very honored to have received this award, but I could not have achieved this award without the help of others I’ve worked with over the past 50 years,” Osterholm said. “My public health career began at Luther.”

He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations, and has served as the principal investigator and task force chair for the World Health Organization’s Research and Development Roadmap for both influenza and the zika virus as part of his role on the council. 

Osterholm, who published the New York Times bestseller Deadliest Enemy: Our War against Killer Germs in 2017, is the McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health at the University of Minnesota and has published more than 300 academic papers and abstracts on epidemiology and infectious disease. For years, he has been warning that the U.S. was ill-prepared for a pandemic. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Luther College Symphony Orchestra to perform across the country

DECORAH, IOWA—The Luther College Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Daniel Baldwin, will perform across the U.S. for their spring 2024 tour. The choir will perform a homecoming concert in Decorah on March 26. 

The concert is open to the public with a freewill donation taken at the door. 

Luther College’s Symphony Spring 2024 Tour begins in March.

The program begins with “Three Dance Episodes from Leonard Bernstein’s “On the Town. The orchestra will once again perform Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80, by Gabriel Fauré along with “Introduction and Gopak” from “The Fair at Sorochinsk” by Modest Mussorgsky, “Siegfried Idyll” by Richard Wagner and “Huapango” by Jose Pablo Moncayo. 

Symphony Orchestra, Luther’s largest and oldest orchestral ensemble, is one of Luther’s four main touring ensembles. The Symphony travels regularly in the United States and maintains a three-week residency in Vienna every four years, next scheduled for January 2027. More than 70 student musicians, representing a variety of academic majors, perform with the orchestra. Many are also involved in chamber music, choir, band or a jazz ensemble. 

“Apart from two, month-long residencies in Vienna, Austria in 2019 and 2023, this will be the

Dan Baldwin

orchestra’s first opportunity in more than six years to take an extended tour,” said Dan Baldwin, director of orchestral activities. We bring with us a beautiful program and a large, talented group of student musicians. We’re very grateful for all those who’ve worked to make our tour possible.”

Baldwin is the head of the Music Department and has served as director of orchestra activities at Luther since 1997. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Baldwin is currently the conductor of the Luther College Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

About Luther College Music 

Luther is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, two bands and two jazz bands. One-third of all Luther students participate in music, including large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 175 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance. Learn more at luther.edu/music.

 

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Luther College announces 2024-25 Fulbright Program semi-finalists

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College is proud to announce that four students have been selected as 2024-25 semi-finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. All four students received nominations for English teaching assistantships. 

The Luther semi-finalists are:

  • Robert Clower, class of 2023, English Teaching Assistantship in Germany
  • Linnea Johnson Nordqvist, class of 2024, English Teaching Assistantship in Latvia
  • Nick Rogness, class of 2024, English Teaching Assistantship in Norway
  • Amy Webb, class of 2024, English Teaching Assistantship in Germany

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places recent college graduates and young professionals abroad as assistant English teachers in classrooms from primary through university level. Last year, three Luther students were selected as Fulbright teaching assistants in Slovakia and Norway. The finalists for 2024-25 will be announced this spring. 

These students were approved by the National Steering Committee and selected among the nearly 10,000 applicants on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. 

Operating in 160 countries world-wide, the Fulbright program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. The primary goal of the program is to increase mutual understanding between U.S. residents and people from around the world. 

Robert Clower, class of 2023

Linnea Johnson Nordqvist, class of 2024

Nick Rogness, class of 2024

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Luther College announces Winter Graduates 

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College is proud to announce the winter graduates from December 2023 and January 2024. The 65 graduates come from 12 states, which include California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, plus 3 countries including Ivory Coast, Nepal and Spain. Congratulations to these new alumni as they start the next chapter of their lives. 

Below are the graduates, along with their majors and hometowns. 

Tamara Ayers
Music Education
Arlington, Virginia

Irelyn Baumberger
Management
Evansville, Wisconsin

Kaitlyn Belger
Nursing
Urbandale, Iowa

Isabelle Berg
Elementary Education
Chatfield, Minnesota

Evan Berth
Music
Watertown, Wisconsin

Katie Bevers
Religion
Charleston, South Carolina

Samuel Bundy
Sociology
Arvada, Colorado

 Analisa Buresh
Anthropology
Kasson, Minnesota

Suman Chapai
Computer Science
Pokhara, Nepal

Brandon Deas
Sociology
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mathea Diedrich
Allied Health Sciences, Nordic Studies
Windsor, Wisconsin

Adrianna Dirks
Exercise Science, Allied Health
Casey, Iowa

Carter Erickson
Accounting
Camas, Washington

Madelyn Ess
Nursing
Delano, Minnesota

Haylee Felt
Biology
Stewartville, Minnesota

Julian Garcia
Nursing
Chicago, Illinois

Emma Gibson
English
Iowa City, Iowa

Molly Graff
Music Education
Holmen, Wisconsin

Maya Grocholski
English
Plymouth, Minnesota

Morgan Hansen
Nursing
Hudson, Iowa

Victoria Harris
Elementary Education
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Lars Heinecke
Nursing
Center City, Minnesota

Maddison Henry
Nursing
Hesper, Iowa

Noah Hill
Data Science
Houston, Texas

Elizabeth Kauls
Allied Health Sciences, Exercise Science
North Oaks, Minnesota

Theodore Keller
Biology
Edina, Minnesota

Nathan Knautz
Music Education
Batavia, Illinois

Rachel Lapaczonek
Nursing
Bettendorf, Iowa

Mafi Latu
Management
Redwood City, California

Emma Lin
Biology
Des Moines, Iowa

Allison Marasco
Anthropology
Omaha, Nebraska

Kaylee Martin
Social Work
Romeoville, Illinois

Erin McCulloch
Social Work
West St. Paul, Minnesota

Adam Mertzenich
Computer Science
Decorah, Iowa

Destini Miller
Management
Oak Park, Illinois

Sidney Miller
Global Health, Political Science
Hokah, Minnesota

Laura Miro I. Rodrigo
Computer Science, Management
Barcelona, Spain

Lauren Monosmith
Nursing
Pine Island, Minnesota

Mackenzie Muehleip
Nursing
Galena, Illinois

Calie Mundahl
Nursing
Woodbury, Minnesota

Sydney Nelson
Nursing
Albert Lea, Minnesota

Isaiah Nordine
Biology
Rochester, Minnesota

Jorgen Olson
Biology
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Annalie Piller
Nursing
Kenyon, Minnesota

Shelby Pisney
Elementary Education
Lime Springs, Iowa

Megan Rasmussen
Nursing
Shoreview, Minnesota

Brenna Reiland
Music Education
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Kyra Rose
Nursing
Golden Valley, Minnesota

Noah Rouw
Music
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Emma Sanders
Elementary Education
La Motte, Iowa

Alex Sass
East Asian Languages and Linguistics
West Union, Iowa

Jasmine Schueler
Nursing
Rushford, Minnesota

Elise Skellenger
Management
Decorah, Iowa

Ella Smith
Management
Larkspur, Colorado

Asher Smith
Communication Studies
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Oumar Samassi Souare
Economics
Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Jake Stone
Sociology
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Justin Taitano
Management
Las Vegas, Nevada

Addison Tollakson
Elementary Education
Amery, Wisconsin

Emma Vanbenschoten
Nursing
Byron, Minnesota

Zoe Warm
Nursing
Long Grove, Iowa

Courtney Wendland
Elementary Education
Luverne, Minnesota

Blayre Wisneski
Neuroscience, Psychology
Shakopee, Minnesota

Levi Wolter
Exercise Science
Elysian, Minnesota

Angelina Zimmerman
Chemistry
Maquoketa, Iowa

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Norway’s tenThing Brass Ensemble to perform March 7 for Luther College’s Center Stage Series

DECORAH, IOWA—The all-women tenThing Brass Ensemble will perform for Luther’s Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. The award-winning Norwegian ensemble will stop at Luther as part of their tour across the East Coast and Midwest. The event is co-sponsored by Luther’s Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies. 

Led by renowned trumpet player Tine Thing Helseth, the ensemble will premiere a new piece by American composer Jennifer Higdon titled “Ten of Hearts,” written for tenThing and co-commissioned by Luther College. 

The performance coincides with Luther’s celebration of Women’s History Month throughout March and will highlight the work of many women composers, including Agathe Backer, Lili Boulanger, Ruth Crawford Seeger and Grażyna Bacewicz.

In addition, the performance will include a diverse repertoire by composers including Bernstein, Bartok and Grieg.

I have so much admiration for Tine Thing Helseth,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming. “I love her creative and open-minded approach to the usual boundaries of genre. She took second place in Eurovision’s Young Musician category then went on to become a Eurovision juror. She was the first classical musician to win Newcomer of the Year at the Norwegian Grammy Awards. Her ensemble and her repertoire are proof of her commitment to lifting up women. Plus, of course, she’s an amazing musician.”

Founded in 2007, tenThing has risen to international acclaim since its formation. The ensemble will release their second album “She Composes like a Man” in April; Helseth’s most recent solo album “Seraph” is available to stream or purchase. 

Center Stage Dinner Series

The talented chefs of the Norse Culinary Team are back with the popular Center Stage Dinner Series. The dinners feature a multicourse menu to complement each performance. A separate ticket is required; the menu for March 7 can be viewed at tickets.luther.edu. Dinner seating begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Peace Dining Room on the second floor of Dahl Centennial Union.

Both dinner and show tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life, online or by calling (563) 387-1357.

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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Luther College celebrates Women’s History Month in March with lectures and music

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College will celebrate Women’s History Month in March with a series of events, which include lectures and a Center Stage Series concert. A Luther alum will return to give a talk on her book. 

“The identity studies department wants Women’s History Month at Luther to be intentional in showing how it intersects with Black History Month and Asian and Pacific Islander History Month through our events,” said Char Kunkel, head of the identity studies department at Luther. “We want to honor women’s history, but show how it intersects with other identities.” 

“People ask, ‘Why Women’s History Month?’ The month celebrates what women are doing now, but to me the stress on history is even more important,” said Kate Narveson, professor of English, who helped organize Women’s History Month events. “We need reminding that our opportunities as educated women in the US are a privilege not known by most women, won by brave and unfinished efforts to dismantle restrictive structures and imagine equal lives.”

Women’s History Month at Luther includes the following events: 

Grace Ji-Sun Kim, an ordained Presbyterian minister and professor at Earlham School of Religion in Indiana, will give the Sihler Lecture, “Theology of Visibility,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. In 2021, she published “Invisible,” a book on theology; throughout her career she has published and edited more than 20 books. Kim is also the host of Madang, a podcast which discusses topics such as Christianity, religion and culture. At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall Kim will speak at a chapel service honoring International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.  

Mary Jane White, poet and translator, will give the talk “In Love with Another’s Words: The Translator as the Literary Ambassador” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the Nansen Room of Dahl Centennial Union followed by a Q&A with Lise Kildegaard, professor of English at Luther. White translated the work of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, who was called one of the greatest poets of the 20th century by the American poet Joseph Brodsky. 

The all-women tenThing Brass Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall as part of the Luther Center Stage Series. The 10-piece brass ensemble formed in 2007 and performs selections from composers like Mozart, Bernstein and Bartok. 

Lydia X. Z. Brown will give the Price Distinguished Lecture, “Until We All Are Free: Disability Justice Interventions in Queer, Trans, Feminist Movements,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. Price is a queer, disabled and East Asian advocate, organizer, attorney, strategist and writer. They also serve as the director of public policy at the National Disability Institute and are the founding executive director of the Autistic People of Color Fund. The event is co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. ASL interpretation will be provided. Attendees should also refrain from wearing any fragrances to this lecture. 

Luther will continue to celebrate women’s history in April with a talk by alumna Sheri Brenden, class of 1981, about her book “Break Point: Two Minnesota Athletes and the Road to Title IX” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. Her book focuses on two Minnesota high school athletes and gender equity in girls’ sports before the passage of Title IX. One of the athletes is Sheri Brenden’s sister, Peg Brenden, class of 1976, who will also speak at the event. A reception will follow. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 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.

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