Author: Luther College News

Luther College’s spring 2025 Dean’s List includes 562 students, with 56 first-years, 119 sophomores, 141 juniors and 246 seniors. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale and must complete at least 12 credit hours with 10 hours of conventional grades (A, B, C, D). 

Saba Abesadze, First-year, Tbilisi, Georgia

Aspen Ahrenholz, Sophomore, Vinton, Iowa

Jacob Aji, First-year, Iowa City, Iowa

Omotola Akingba, Sophomore, Mahikeng, South Africa

Abdullah Ali, Sophomore, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Jake Althaus, Senior, Durango, Iowa

Samuel Amundson, Sophomore, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Jeremy Andera, Senior, Cresco, Iowa

Allie Anderson, Senior, New Ulm, Minnesota

Jamie Anderson, Sophomore, Ames, Iowa

Karlton Anderson, Junior, Baxter, Minnesota

Micah Anderson, Junior, Elko New Market, Minnesota

Riley Anderson, Junior, Urbandale, Iowa

Mara Anderson-Skelly, Senior, Lemont, Pennsylvania

Simon Argue, First-year, Oronoco, Minnesota

Gideon Armah-Amissah, Junior, Columbus, Georgia

Gabriel Armstrong, Junior, Farmington, Minnesota

Ethan Arndt, Sophomore, Northfield, Minnesota

Harrison Arnold, Senior, Marion, Iowa

Aayush Aryal, Junior, Kathmandu, Nepal

Victor Azih, Senior, Mbabane, Swaziland

Conor Baesemann, Sophomore, Pleasanton, California

Rosie Baldus, Senior, Charles City, Iowa

Bella Bamlett, Senior, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

Anna Barbknecht, Senior, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Paige Barker, Junior, Manly, Iowa

David Barlecaj, Sophomore, Pfullendorf, Germany

Emma Barness, Senior, Calmar, Iowa

Alexsandra Barron, Sophomore, Houston, Texas

Anna Bartsch, Junior, Nerstrand, Minnesota

Abby Bates, Senior, Alexander, Iowa

Hannah Batterson, Senior, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Colin Battien, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Natalie Beaver, Junior, Hayfield, Minnesota

Valentijn Belder, First-year, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Vienna Bell, Sophomore, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jackson Bennett, First-year, Milan, Illinois

Michael Benoit, Junior, Port Byron, Illinois

Jersie Benson, Junior, Evansdale, Iowa

Annika Benson, Junior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Aria Bergman, Junior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Nischal Bhandari, Senior, Chitwan, Nepal

Rojan Bidari, Sophomore, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phoebe Billingslea, Sophomore, Missoula, Montana

Matthew Binsfeld, Senior, Elk River, Minnesota

Rhys Biro-Moore, Junior,  Farnsfield, United Kingdom

Lydia Blomberg, Junior, Plymouth, Minnesota

Samuel Blomme, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Andrea Bock, Junior, Medford, Minnesota

William Bockenstedt, Senior, Rosemount, Minnesota

Kenneth Boddie, Junior, Vista, California

Rachel Borchardt, Junior, Clarksville, Iowa

Nagham Boulos, Junior, Bethlehem, West Bank

James Bradley, Junior, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Natalie Brandenburg, Sophomore, Lake Mills, Iowa

Kelsey Bratland, Senior, Spring Grove, Minnesota

Juan Bravo, Senior, Los Banos, California

Keiller Breva, First-year, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Addison Brey, Sophomore, Plain, Wisconsin

Patrick Brognano, Senior, Oregon, Wisconsin

Vershon Brooks, Senior, Brighton, Colorado

Eleanor Brown, Junior, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Sophia Brown, First-year, North Liberty, Iowa

Olivia Brown, Junior, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

Isabelle Brummer, Junior, Stillwater, Minnesota

Jacob Bruns, Sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Rylie Bucklin, Sophomore, Marion, Iowa

Michelle Bui, Senior, Nam Dihn, Vietnam

Tracy Bui, Senior, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Megan Bumpus, Junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Jack Buntrock, Sophomore, Rochester, Minnesota

Salaheldin Buraie, First-year, Rochester, Minnesota

Emilee Burcham-Scofield, Senior, Boyceville, Wisconsin

Alexander Burdzy, Sophomore, Algonquin, Illinois

Brayden Burmeister, Sophomore, Jasper, Minnesota

Libby Bygd, Junior, Boyceville, Wisconsin

Kayla Byrne, Sophomore, Stewartville, Minnesota

Jessica Campos Arzate, Senior, Decorah, Iowa

Grant Carder, Junior, Adel, Iowa

Leif Carey-Odden, Senior, Mount Vernon, Washington

Hailey Carlson, Junior, Treynor, Iowa

Abigail Carroll, Junior, Saint Michael, Minnesota

Alexandria Cassens, Senior, Byron, Illinois

Sophia Chadima, Senior, Swisher, Iowa

Drew Chamberlain, Junior, Decorah, Iowa

Abhay Chhabra, Senior, New Delhi, India

Nirbhay Chhabra, First-year, New Delhi, India

Allison Christensen, Sophomore, Johnston, Iowa

Signe Christiansen, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Anastasia Cicala, Senior, Chisinau, Moldova

Ethan Claire, Sophomore, Rochester, Minnesota

Kendall Clausen, Senior, Rochester, Minnesota

Aaron Claxton, Sophomore, Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Jaydan Clayton, Junior, Evansville, Indiana

Elizabeth Clement, Senior, Decorah, Iowa

Isabelle Clements, Sophomore, Russellville, Arkansas

William Coffey, Senior, Niagara, Wisconsin

Carlicia Conceicao, Sophomore, Thalang, Thailand

Elena Conklin, Senior, Bainbridge Island, Washington

Lauren Conner-Dieter, Junior, Madison, Wisconsin

Aime Consolateur, Junior, Ngarama, Rwanda

Abraham Conway, Sophomore, Calmar, Iowa

Theodore Cornell, Sophomore, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hannah Coy, Senior, Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Hayley Crosland, Junior, Hanover, Minnesota

Zachary Cummer, Junior, Waverly, Iowa

Ava Cunningham, Junior, Albert Lea, Minnesota

Tollef Currell, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Meredith Dady, Sophomore, Rockford, Illinois

Sabina Dahal, Senior, Lalitpur, Nepal

Joe Dahl, Sophomore, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Erin Daniel, Senior, Ottawa, Illinois

Bella Dassow, Junior, Woodbury, Minnesota

Anastasia Davidson, Senior, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Kaidance Davidson, Junior, Byron, Minnesota

Tristan Day, Senior, Clearlake, California

Elliott Dean, Sophomore, Duluth, Minnesota

Jack Decker, Senior, Fairfax, Iowa

Kellen DeKok, Senior, Archer, Iowa

Nathaniel Dennis, Junior, Winona, Minnesota

Gennaro Dimuro, Sophomore, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Jennifer Bakhita Do Rego Sabino, Sophomore, Victoria, Canada

Abigail Doffing, Junior, Hastings, Minnesota

Jack Dornack, Sophomore, Chatfield, Minnesota

Tamim Dostyar, Sophomore, Leesburg, Virginia

Shae Downing, Senior, Sioux City, Iowa

Zoe Drey, Junior, Clive, Iowa

Sergey Dutt, Senior, Plain City, Ohio

Abigail Dykstra, Senior, Chandler, Arizona

Liam Edberg, Senior, Iowa City, Iowa

Kate Egan, Senior, Dubuque, Iowa

Fares El Abed, First-year, Ben Arous, Tunisia

Will Elias, Junior, Saint Peter, Minnesota

Cora Ellingworth, Senior, Waverly, Iowa

Britta Elsbernd, Senior, Mason City, Iowa

Leah Elsner, Junior, Denver, Colorado

Emma Englehart, Junior, Saint Charles, Illinois

Olivia Engler, Senior, Atlantic, Iowa

Abigail Englin, Sophomore, Hastings, Minnesota

Elizabeth Ess, Senior, Waconia, Minnesota

Annika Evanson, First-year, Urbandale, Iowa

Avery Fisher, Sophomore, El Cajon, California

Anna Floden, Senior, Mason City, Iowa

Erik Flores, Junior, Garnavillo, Iowa

Owen Ford, Sophomore, Eagan, Minnesota

Johnny Fox, Junior, Des Moines, Iowa

Mac Kenzie Frame, Senior, Farmington, Minnesota

Henry Franken, Junior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Annika Franzen, Junior, Decorah, Iowa

Jack Fritz, Senior, Johnston, Iowa

Logan Fritz, Senior, Johnston, Iowa

Mallory Fynaardt, Senior, West Des Moines, Iowa

Kamina Gager, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Peyton Gallt, Senior, Ames, Iowa

Luis Galvez, Junior, La Vega, Dominican Republic

Oyuntugs Ganchuluun, First-year, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ellie Gardner, Senior, Edina, Minnesota

Leah Gardner, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa

Aidan Garrity, Sophomore, Batavia, Illinois

Sarah Gay, Junior, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Ruby Gerhard, Sophomore, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Shan Ghimire, Sophomore, Kathmandu, Nepal

Anthi Giannakopoulou, Junior, Freiburg, Germany

Brett Giltner, First-year, Clive, Iowa

Jose Gimenez Ubilla, Senior, Santiago, Chile

Susmita Giri, Senior, Sindhupalchok, Nepal

Claire Girkin, Sophomore, Ionia, Iowa

Anika Gisvold, First-year, Dundas, Minnesota

Bryce Glaspie, Junior, Houston, Texas

Ellie Goble, First-year, New Windsor, Illinois

Ramses Godinez, Senior, Chicago, Illinois

Ella Goodnight, Junior, Illinois City, Illinois

Hannah Gordon, First-year, Lynd, Minnesota

Mallory Gosch, First-year, Cresco, Iowa

Jannie Gowdy, Senior, Melbourne, Iowa

Lauren Gray, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Ellie Greseth, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Talia Grier, Senior, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Emily Groppoli, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Neil Grube, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Owen Gruenwald, Senior, Ankeny, Iowa

Ethan Grunewald, Senior, Fairmont, Minnesota

Banele Gumede, Junior, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Olivia Gustafson, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Avery Hagstrom, Senior, Alexandria, Minnesota

Malaika Hale, Senior, Centennial, Colorado

Kolby Hamman, Junior, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Lucille Hanson, Junior, Nowthen, Minnesota

Jared Hanson, First-year, Hastings, Minnesota

Lindsay Hanson, Junior, Morristown, Minnesota

Jeremiah Haven, Junior, East Dubuque, Illinois

Lilly Hayden, Senior, Fulton, Illinois

Linnea Hedin, Senior, Hastings, Minnesota

Jenna Heeren, Sophomore, New Hampton, Iowa

Michel Heinrich, Sophomore, Hannover, Germany

David Helbling, Senior, Freeport, Illinois

Eva Hemenway, First-year, Harmony, Minnesota

Noelle Hendricks, Junior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stevie Herrera, Senior, Hancock, Iowa

Chase Heying, Senior, Sartell, Minnesota

Maggie Hickman, Senior, Solon, Iowa

Harrison Hilyer, Junior, Sylacauga, Alabama

David Hinderaker, Junior, Ames, Iowa

Gabriel Hiner, Sophomore, Decorah, Iowa

Jayce Hingtgen, First-year, Center Point, Iowa

Breah Hippler, Junior, Clive, Iowa

Natalie Hoeft, Junior, Oregon, Wisconsin

Sirianna Hokanson, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Peter Hollingshead, Junior, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Eva Hollingsworth, First-year, Platteville, Wisconsin

Anna Holm, Junior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Ryan Holt, Senior, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Jordan Hoover, Sophomore, High Point, North Carolina

Allison Horswill, Junior, Iowa City, Iowa

Katelyn Hosking, Senior, Slinger, Wisconsin

Foster Hull, Senior, Dubuque, Iowa

Teia Hulshizer, Junior, Utica, Minnesota

Emily Hursh, Senior, Saint Charles, Minnesota

Ella Husemann, Senior, Fairfax, Iowa

Elise Ilsley, Senior, Springfield, Illinois

Ashley Imdieke, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Mason Irving, Senior, Iowa City, Iowa

Chelin Isaacson, Senior, Superior, Colorado

Greydon Isebrand, First-year, Savage, Minnesota

Cassiah James, Senior, Evansville, Wisconsin

Christelle Jean, Sophomore, Croix-Des-Bouquets, Haiti

Georgia Jeddeloh, First-year, Richmond, Minnesota

Christian Jensen, Senior, Madison, Wisconsin

Makaylee Jensen, Senior, North Bend, Washington

Tara Jeremiah Rajanesan, Senior, Tamil Nadu, India

Kathryn Jiran, Sophomore, Carver, Minnesota

Ethan Johnson, Senior, Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Molly Johnson, Senior, Davenport, Iowa

Adam Jones, Sophomore, Decorah, Iowa

Christopher Jones, Sophomore, Houston, Texas

Rowan Jordahl, Sophomore, Hutchinson, Minnesota

Cheyanne Jordan, Junior, Hastings, Minnesota

Noah Jorgensen, Junior, Taylor Ridge, Illinois

Charles Julien, Senior, Greendale, Wisconsin

Maddie Kaasa, Senior, Delaware, Ohio

Jordan Kahl, First-year, Humboldt, Iowa

Morgan Kane, Senior, Lake City, Minnesota

Spike Karau, Sophomore, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Piper Kellner, Senior, Lansing, Minnesota

Suin Kim, First-year, Daegu, South Korea

Owen King, Sophomore, Dubuque, Iowa

Jillian Kipp, Senior, Plymouth, Minnesota

Lillian Kitundu, First-year, Des Moines, Iowa

Sophie Klein, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Katy Klein, Senior, Elgin, Minnesota

Jenna Kleven, Senior, Albert Lea, Minnesota

Mariah Klimesh, Senior, Eldora, Iowa

Greta Kloos, Sophomore, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Daniel Knapp, Senior, Marion, Iowa

Justina Kollie, Senior, Flekke, Norway

Natalie Koopman, First-year, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Emma Kowalczyk, Senior, Colgate, Wisconsin

Elizabeth Kowalski, First-year, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Kaitlyn Krambeer, Sophomore, Lansing, Iowa

Henry Kreckman, First-year, Oregon, Wisconsin

Keira Kreider, Sophomore, Ames, Iowa

Kevin Kretz, Senior, Fairfield, Iowa

Charlotte Krob, Sophomore, Mount Vernon, Iowa

Quinn Kruckman, Junior, Spillville, Iowa

Audrey Kuhn, Senior, Madison, Wisconsin

Hannah LaBonte, Senior, Lake City, Minnesota

Courtney Landgrebe, Senior, Rosemount, Minnesota

Jenna Langen, Junior, La Crescent, Minnesota

Claudia Larson, Senior, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Lauryn Larson, Senior, Clive, Iowa

Parker Lau, Junior, Burlington, Iowa

Asli Lawrence, Senior, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Binh Le, Sophomore, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam

Minh Quang Le, Sophomore, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Do Ngoc Diep Le, Senior, Hanoi, Vietnam

Kurt Lebakken, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Maren Lee, Senior, Gloversville, New York

AJ Lee, Junior, Long Lake, Minnesota

Emma Lee, Junior, Lewiston, Minnesota

Eleanor Lefort, Sophomore, Golbey, France

Taylor Lehman, Senior, Ankeny, Iowa

Enzo Leite Mitidieri, Junior, Campinas, Brazil

Raymond Li, First-year, Zumbrota, Minnesota

Lena Lichau, Sophomore, Marsberg, Germany

Elliot Lindberg, First-year, Danderyd, Sweden

Quinn Lohse, Senior, Waukee, Iowa

Awate Elizabeth Loma, Senior, Duino, Italy

Folabomi Longe, Sophomore, Abuja, Nigeria

Enrique Lopez Barriga, Junior, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain

Benjamin Lorence, Sophomore, Mason City, Iowa

Sully Lucy, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Julianne Lundvall, Junior, Ames, Iowa

Mia Lung, Sophomore, Perham, Minnesota

Kyla Maatta, Junior, Farmington, Minnesota

Alyce Madson, Senior, Robbinsdale, Minnesota

Ryan Malecha, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Hernan Manzanet Montas, Senior, Miami, Florida

Ella Marti, Senior, Chaska, Minnesota

Lydia Marti, Junior, Highland, Illinois

Rose Martinsen-Burrell, First-year, Decorah, Iowa

Julianna Mascardo, Sophomore, Iowa City, Iowa

Teagan Matheson, First-year, Shakopee, Minnesota

Andre Matos Palavra, Sophomore, Portugal

Regan McConville, Junior, Ames, Iowa

Owen McCredie, Junior, Bettendorf, Iowa

Norah McDonald, Sophomore, Wellington, Colorado

Simon McDonald, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Bryce McDonough, Junior, Nora Springs, Iowa

Hannah McFarland, Senior, Winterset, Iowa

Kenna McGee, Junior, Eldridge, Iowa

Kelsey McGregor, First-year, Yorkville, Illinois

Grace McIlrath, Senior, Grinnell, Iowa

Lillian McRoberts, Junior, Prior Lake, Minnesota

Sean Medcalfe, Junior, Augusta, Georgia

Bruna Medeiros Costa, Senior, Brasilia, Brazil

Madeline Meehan, Sophomore, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

Elizabeth Meehan, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Ruth Meehan, Junior, Iowa City, Iowa

Mira Melander, Sophomore, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Kathryn Merten, Senior, Ellensburg, Washington

Ashlyn Meyer, Junior, Urbandale, Iowa

Jacob Michaelson, Junior, Iowa Falls, Iowa

Katherine Miklethun, Sophomore, Plymouth, Minnesota

Elisa Millan, Senior, Plymouth, Minnesota

Megan Miller, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa

Isabella Miller, First-year, Ely, Iowa

Elijah Miller, Sophomore, Lake City, Minnesota

Daniel Millner, Junior, Hastings, Minnesota

Mari Mineck, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa

Brian Mitchell, First-year, Titusville, Florida

Chloe Moeller, Junior, Rosemount, Minnesota

Cam Moll, Senior, Cross Plains, Wisconsin

Ywa Moo, Sophomore, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Olivia Moore, Junior, Winona, Minnesota

Jack Moriarty, Senior, Waukee, Iowa

Kendall Moritz, First-year, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Lawson Morris, Junior, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Jack Morrison, Senior, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Nels Mortenson, Sophomore, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lindsey Moseley, Senior, Roseville, Minnesota

Violet Mowrey, Junior, Iowa City, Iowa

Ruthveridiana Mtaita, Junior, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Dylan Muhlbauer, Senior, Decorah, Iowa

Joseph Mulindwa, Sophomore, Kisongo, Tanzania

Charles Mullin, First-year, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Timothy Munce, Sophomore, Andover, Minnesota

Francesco Mungari, First-year, Rome, Italy

Sonnet Mungyeh, Senior, Richmond, Kentucky

Alexia Murano, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa

Jorge Murillo Urunuela, Senior, Madrid, Spain

Benjamin Murr, Sophomore, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Arnie Mutasingwa, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Rejoice Mzumara, Junior, Pune, India

Ethan Nelson, Junior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Alana Newell, Senior, Winnebago, Illinois

Sarah Ngakeni, Senior, Moshi, Tanzania

Anh Nguyen, Junior, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Dao Duy Bao Nguyen, Senior, Dong Ha, Vietnam

Jessie Nguyen, Sophomore, Bac Ninh, Vietnam

Khanh Linh Nguyen, Junior, Hanoi, Vietnam

Kim Anh Thy Nguyen, Senior, Catonsville, Maryland

Nhi Nguyen, First-year, Ha Tinh City, Vietnam

Phuong Nguyen, First-year, Bien Hoa City, Vietnam

Tran Nguyen, First-year, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tung Nguyen, Junior, Quan Le Chan, Vietnam

Callum Nimrod, Sophomore, Decorah, Iowa

Tapiwanashe Nkompilo, Senior, Harare, Zimbabwe

Francisco Nsabimana, Senior, Mbabane, Swaziland

Lily Nuland, Senior, Forde, Norway

Sydney Obaseki, Sophomore, Abuja, Nigeria

Kate Oelfke, Junior, Austin, Minnesota

Ellis Olson, Sophomore, Yorkville, Illinois

Halle Olson, Senior, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

Kyah Olson Sola, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Annisten Ondrashek, Sophomore, Calmar, Iowa

Grace Orme, Senior, Seattle, Washington

Abigail Ostermann, Senior, Menasha, Wisconsin

Emily Ostermann, Junior, Menasha, Wisconsin

Zion Oyelude, Sophomore, Plainfield, Illinois

Abigail Panka, Sophomore, Marshall, Minnesota

Mara Pankow, Junior, Decorah, Iowa

Magda Patten, Senior, Waukee, Iowa

Supreme Paudel, Senior, Nepal

Mari Paulsen, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Faith Pavlos, Sophomore, Grayslake, Illinois

Nicholas Perrott, Junior, Waverly, Iowa

Simon Persson, First-year, Horby, Sweden

Ellen Petersen, Senior, Madison, Wisconsin

Dane Petersen, Junior, Glencoe, Minnesota

Brooks Peterson, Junior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Noah Pettit, Junior, Chico, California

Emma Pichelmann, Senior, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Kyle Pido, Senior, Rochester, Minnesota

Callie Pierce, Senior, Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Amber Pinter, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

David Pittman, First-year, Johnston, Iowa

Annabelle Pollock, First-year, Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Kadence Popejoy, Sophomore, Ramsey, Minnesota

Ricardo Portilla Ruiz, Senior, Quito, Ecuador

Julia Praska, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Mia Prater, Junior, Superior, Colorado

Grace Priestly, Junior, Pine River, Wisconsin

Elizabeth Pritchard, First-year, Decorah, Iowa

Mara Quackenbush, Senior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lilian Quale, First-year, Long Lake, Minnesota

Joseph Quinn, Junior, East Dubuque, Illinois

Tyler Ragan, Sophomore, Flagstaff, Arizona

Zoe Rahberg, Junior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Yasmin Ramadan, Sophomore, Poughkeepsie, New York

Amelia Ramirez, Junior, Avondale, Arizona

Gerardo Ramirez Mainou, First-year, San Juan Del Rio, Mexico

Henrique Ramos Oliveira, Junior, Campinas, Brazil

Dylan Rauser, Senior, Ankeny, Iowa

Martine Redshaw, First-year, Hovland, Minnesota

Jacob Reister, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Samantha Renkas, First-year, Holmen, Wisconsin

Hogan Reuter, Senior, Farmington, Minnesota

Annika Rice, Senior, Ames, Iowa

Lillian Riedel, Junior, Shoreview, Minnesota

Austyn Riehle, Sophomore, Fairfax, Iowa

Aiden Rinker, First-year, Des Moines, Iowa

Pieter Rippentrop, First-year, Swisher, Iowa

Iris Roddy, Senior, Kansas City, Missouri

Ingrid Roeske, Sophomore, South Beloit, Illinois

Sophie Rog, Senior, La Madera, New Mexico

Matthew Rogness, Junior, Roseville, Minnesota

Christina Rolf, Senior, River Falls, Wisconsin

Grace Rosholt, Junior, Middleton, Wisconsin

Paige Ross, Senior, Faribault, Minnesota

Johnna Rotto, Junior, Ames, Iowa

Cassie Rounds, Senior, West Des Moines, Iowa

Chloe Rozga, Senior, Northfield, Minnesota

Rylan Ruf, Junior, Clayton, New Mexico

Cecilia Ruiz, Senior, Chicago, Illinois

Abigail Russeth, Senior, Lakeville, Minnesota

Marissa Rutkowski, Sophomore, Woodbury, Minnesota

Madigan Ryan, Sophomore, Bloomington, Minnesota

Kenedy Sandoval, Junior, Aurora, Colorado

Junita Sangare, Senior, Montserrado County, Liberia

Kwaku Junior Sarpong, Senior, Duino, Italy

Riley Sauser, Senior, Ely, Iowa

Teagan Schaefer, Senior, Williamsburg, Iowa

Samuel Scheffler, Senior, Lakeville, Minnesota

Carly Schettler, Sophomore, Indianola, Iowa

Annemarie Schloo, Junior, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sarah Schmidt, Senior, Bettendorf, Iowa

Kenlin Schmitt, Senior, Elgin, Iowa

Riley Schulte, Senior, Plymouth, Minnesota

William Scott, Sophomore, Kissimmee, Florida

Gavin Scurr, Junior, San Diego, California

Arif Seepersaud, Sophomore, Elko New Market, Minnesota

Moliehi Seipati, Sophomore, Maseru, Lesotho

Korpo Selay, Senior, Liberia

Seth Semmler, Sophomore, Circle Pines, Minnesota

Julia Severtson, Sophomore, Decorah, Iowa

Mark Severtson, Senior, Milan, Michigan

Julia Sheyko, Senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Maddux Shockey, Sophomore, Freeport, Illinois

Korede Shonibare, Junior, Abuja, Nigeria

Jeffrey Sieck, Sophomore, Grinnell, Iowa

Jackson Simeck, Junior, Adel, Iowa

Haylee Slotness, Senior, Shoreview, Minnesota

Natalie Smith, Junior, West Des Moines, Iowa

Christopher Smith, Sophomore, Rochester, Minnesota

Lizzie Snyder, Senior, Star, Idaho

Alyssa Sobolik, Junior, Cresco, Iowa

Keaton Solberg, Sophomore, Decorah, Iowa

Caleb Songstad, Junior, Emmons, Minnesota

Lillian Spade, Senior, Eagan, Minnesota

Garett Sperber, Junior, Oronoco, Minnesota

Eva Stadtlander, Senior, Iowa City, Iowa

Isabelle Staton, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa

Brynnen Stefan, Junior, Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Connor Stegen, Sophomore, Waukon, Iowa

Ava Stemler, Junior, West Des Moines, Iowa

Kai Stemm, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Peter Stinar, Senior, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Grace Stone, Senior, Osceola, Wisconsin

Kristian Stordalen, Junior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hannah Stoutner, Senior, Whitehall, Wisconsin

Alyssa Strampe, Senior, Janesville, Wisconsin

Logan Strom, Senior, Albert Lea, Minnesota

Abby Struble, Junior, Clinton, Iowa

Haylie Strum, Junior, Stewartville, Minnesota

Elliott Stuenkel, Senior, Waterloo, Iowa

Izaak Swanson, Junior, Bettendorf, Iowa

Sorley Swanstrom-Arnold, Senior, Duluth, Minnesota

Ella Swarts, Sophomore, Newton, Iowa

Kael Swarts, Senior, Newton, Iowa

Mackenzie Syvrud, Sophomore, Lake Mills, Wisconsin

Jalen Taha, Sophomore, West Des Moines, Iowa

Ren Talerico, Sophomore, Madison, Wisconsin

Amanda Teske, Senior, De Pere, Wisconsin

Mia Tessier, Sophomore, Urbandale, Iowa

Alli Thomley, Senior, Verona, Wisconsin

Carter Thompson, Senior, Fairfield, Iowa

Hayden Thompson, Senior, North Liberty, Iowa

Ashlynn Thorsen, Senior, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Lilly Timm, Junior, Des Moines, Iowa

Elise Trail-Johnson, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Khanh Tran, Sophomore, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Khanh Linh Tran, Senior, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Nora Tresemer, Junior, Geneva, Illinois

Ava Troff, Sophomore, Amery, Wisconsin

Karson Trujillo, Senior, Delano, Minnesota

Thuy Duong Truong, Senior, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam

Tlelepe Tsoako, First-year, Qacha’s Nek, Lesotho

Hannah Ullah, Senior, Des Moines, Iowa

Ellen Upper, Sophomore, Johnston, Iowa

Madi Urfer, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Marcus Uthke, Senior, Eyota, Minnesota

Soley Valdimarsdottir, Senior, Reykjavikurborg, Iceland

Alex Van Surksum, Junior, Sheldon, Iowa

Anastasios Vasileiou, Senior, Paiania, Greece

Nathan Vaughan, Junior, Berthoud, Colorado

William Vavrichek, Senior, Hopkins, Minnesota

Maria Paula Vega Fallas, First-year, Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica

Annika Veit, Sophomore, Iowa City, Iowa

Zoe Verhey, Senior, Dassel, Minnesota

Andre Viveros, Senior, Whittier, California

Nicholas Viveros, Senior, Whittier, California

Paige Vogel, Sophomore, Mantorville, Minnesota

Anishka Vogl, Senior, Austin, Texas

Joshua Wackerfuss, Senior, Chaska, Minnesota

Alexander Wagner, Senior, Junction City, Wisconsin

Regina Waldbillig, Sophomore, Rochester, Minnesota

Enya Wallace, First-year, Rapid City, South Dakota

Finn Wallace, Senior, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Linaea Walsh, Junior, Lombard, Illinois

Anna Walters-Smith, Junior, Rochester, Minnesota

Jacob Walz, Senior, Rochester, Minnesota

Millie Wang, Senior, Heze, China

Carson Weichers, Senior, Waverly, Iowa

Andrew Weidemann, Sophomore, Dubuque, Iowa

Julia Weigle, Senior, Saint Michael, Minnesota

Julia Weiner, Senior, Iowa City, Iowa

Annika Welter, Junior, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Julia Wendt, Senior, Madison, Wisconsin

Jacob Wenger, Senior, Manchester, Iowa

Ava White, Senior, Duluth, Minnesota

Josiah Wickum, Sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Lillyan Wiese, Sophomore, Austin, Minnesota

Kayla Will, Senior, Lake Mills, Wisconsin

Liv Williams, Senior, Coralville, Iowa

Olivia Williams, First-year, Wheatland, Iowa

Haley Wince, Senior, West Des Moines, Iowa

Rachel Winzenburg, Sophomore, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota

Clara Wodny, Senior, Duluth, Minnesota

Alexander Wold, Junior, Duluth, Minnesota

Jenna Woodsmall, Senior, Grimes, Iowa

Dex Wright, Senior, Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Pedro Xavier Pelicioni, Sophomore, Boca Raton, Florida

Sophie Yakes, Senior, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Eli Young, Senior, North Liberty, Iowa

Leen Zaher, Junior, Sebline, Lebanon

Ainsley Zahn, Senior, Rochester, Minnesota

Resana Zayan, Senior, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kylie Zeigler, Sophomore, Gilbert, Iowa

Rebecca Zheng, Junior, Waverly, Iowa

Matvii Zhuravlov, Sophomore, West Des Moines, Iowa

Audrey Zielstra, Senior, Glenwood, Iowa

Judith Zimundi, Senior, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

President Brad Chamberlain announced the Luther College Norse are changing athletic conferences, moving to the Midwest Conference for the 2026-27 academic year.

“Luther College is a proud Iowa college with a regional presence and a national reputation,” Chamberlain said. “At Luther, athletics is about community, character, and competition. Athletics at Luther is part of our holistic approach to learning that develops mind, body, and spirit. Luther was honored to receive an invitation from the Midwest Conference, and we look forward to joining the league in 2026.”

By unanimous vote of its Presidents’ Council this past week, the members of the Midwest Conference (MWC) extended an invitation to join the NCAA Division III league to Luther College. Chamberlain accepted the offer on behalf of the college and its Board of Regents to begin competition in fall 2026 as the 10th core member of the MWC.

“The decision to change Luther’s athletic conference affiliation was not made lightly,” Chamberlain continued. “The decision followed an intentional period of discernment that involved Luther’s leadership team, its Board of Regents, its athletic administrators, and its coaching staff.”

President Anne Harris of Grinnell College, who is the current chair of the Midwest Conference Board Officers, extended the offer.

“Luther’s interest in the Midwest Conference was met with broad-based enthusiasm by the members of the Presidents’ Council,” Harris said. “Its mission and vision for its athletic programs perfectly complement that which we believe to be distinguishing characteristics of the Midwest Conference experience.”

Headquartered in Grinnell, Iowa, the Midwest Conference traces its roots back to 1921 and the Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference. The MWC’s executive director is Heather Benning, and conference leadership was excited about the addition of Luther.

“While other leagues in our region are primarily state-identified, we truly are the DIII athletic conference of the Midwest,” Benning said. “When the league was formed 104 years ago, the intent was to establish an interstate athletic union of like-minded institutions; what binds our schools isn’t necessarily geographic proximity but rather a shared vision of the role of athletics in the undergraduate experience.”

The core members of the MWC are Beloit College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, Illinois College, Knox College, Lake Forest College, Lawrence University, Monmouth College and Ripon College. St. Norbert (men’s and women’s swimming and diving), the University of Chicago (football) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (men’s and women’s swimming and diving) are affiliate members.

An important factor in the decision to join the MWC was Luther College’s membership in the academic consortium of like-minded liberal arts colleges, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM).

“In the Midwest Conference, Luther finds partner institutions that share our philosophy toward athletics and that match the geographical diversity of our student body,” Chamberlain said. “When we considered all of our affiliations, including athletics, we took into consideration that the Midwest Conference more closely aligns with our academic partners in the ACM, and that Luther’s strengths, challenges, strategic priorities, and the geographical origins of its student body fit well with the MWC.”

The ACM is a consortium of 14 colleges across five midwestern states. Eight of the nine current members of the MWC are also members of the ACM.

The MWC currently sponsors 18 conference championships in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s outdoor track, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball.

“We have deeply enjoyed and have greatly benefited from the community, collaboration, and competition afforded by Luther’s membership in the American Rivers Conference and its predecessor,” Chamberlain said. “We desire to remain connected to member institutions of the American Rivers Conference, and we would welcome opportunities for non-conference contests between our institutions.”

Pamela Bacon has been appointed as the new provost of Luther College, President Brad Chamberlain announced on Friday, May 30.

Bacon joins Luther after a distinguished career as a professor and administrator at the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. For the past five years, she has helped lead academic affairs and later the division of student success at CSB and SJU. From 2020 to 2022, she was the dean of faculty before adding the duties of associate provost in 2022.

“Luther’s reputation as a selective liberal arts college that is known for its involved students, committed faculty and staff, and a strong sense of community inspired me to apply, and I am delighted to accept President Chamberlain’s offer,” Bacon said. “Given my experience at a faith-based residential liberal arts college and my own life-changing experiences attending a residential liberal arts college, I am excited to engage with the challenges and opportunities that are ahead for Luther College.”

“Dr. Bacon brings to Luther College a passion for supporting the holistic development that students should experience, inside and outside of the classroom, at residential, liberal arts colleges,” Chamberlain said. “Informed by her academic training as a social psychologist and her progressive experience as an academic administrator, Dr. Bacon’s empathetic, relational and collaborative approach emphasizes engaging stakeholders, considering alternative perspectives, and using data to inform decision-making processes.”

Located in central Minnesota, CSB is a women’s college and SJU is a men’s college. The two institutions share a single president, common curriculum, academic offices and faculty. In her role with CSB and SJU, Bacon was one of two direct reports to the provost and worked with approximately 240 full-time faculty and 2,700 students. She oversaw the deans for curriculum and assessment and student academic success; directors for research and grants and the Center for Teaching and Learning; and operations personnel for academic affairs.

“As associate provost and dean of the faculty at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, Dr. Bacon served a key role in supporting the merger of academic affairs and student development into an integrated division,” Chamberlain said. “Her ability to create strong partnerships; to refine processes and systems that enhance clarity, communication, and collaboration; and to help academic programs adapt to a volatile higher education landscape advanced excellence and community at the institutions during a time of transition. I am excited to partner with Dr. Bacon, and I am eager to see her impact on improving the experiences of students, faculty and staff at Luther College.”

Bacon will begin her role at Luther in July, providing leadership for a division that unifies and integrates the work of academic affairs, student success and student engagement. She becomes the permanent replacement for President Chamberlain, who served as Luther’s provost for three years before his selection as Luther’s current president in October 2024.

“We know that today’s students arrive at college with different needs that are critical to their success. In response, higher education institutions are increasingly unifying academic affairs and student affairs in a model that better supports a coherent student experience,” Chamberlain said. “Luther College adopted an integrated model in 2021, and we continue to see how a focus on holistic student learning and development, inside and outside of the classroom, is providing proactive and collaborative solutions to serve our students.”

“The integrated provost model underscores Luther’s dedication to creating an environment that allows students to thrive academically and personally, embodying the essence of a residential liberal arts education. The model allows academic affairs and student affairs to
work together collaboratively to prioritize student success,” Bacon said. “I am excited to work with the team at Luther to ensure that students receive a holistic, immersive experience that is both academically enriching and personally transformative.”

Joining the Benedictine Catholic liberal arts institutions as an assistant professor of psychology in 2003, Bacon was promoted to professor in 2016. She spent a 17-year career as a member of the CSB and SJU psychology department, serving as department chair for six years, prior to her administrative positions. Her research focuses on the self concept and the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on faculty and students.

Among her honors, she received the S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction award in 2007. She served as co-primary investigator on a National Science Foundation S-STEM grant to increase participation and persistence among women majoring in STEM disciplines. She also served as the faculty trustee to the CSB Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2014.

A magna cum laude graduate of Carleton College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she earned a master’s and a doctorate in social psychology from Iowa State University.

Luther College graduating senior Madelyn Kaasa received the college’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal for the class of 2025. The announcement was made during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 25.

“I feel honored that my classmates picked me,” Kaasa said. “I’ve gotten to meet so many awesome people while here. I just loved Luther and the Luther community. The Jenson Medal is really special and I feel really loved.”

Luther’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal is presented each year to an outstanding senior, selected by the graduating class, who best demonstrates the ideals of the college through service to students and the college community. Established through an endowment gift from Luther alumni Paul, class of 1948 and Elizabeth (Dybdal) Jenson, class of 1949, of Vassalboro, Maine, the Jenson Medal supports Luther College’s mission of service.

Reneé T. Watson, interim dean of student engagement, had the honor of notifying Kaasa that she would receive the 2025 Jenson Medal at Commencement.

“The Jenson Medal holds special significance as it honors students who lead with heart — those who are fully engaged, support others and leave a lasting impact. As is tradition, this year’s honoree, Maddie Kaasa, was nominated by her peers and endorsed by faculty — a powerful reflection of the relationships she has built and the respect she has earned across campus,” Watson said. “This recognition highlights Maddie’s enduring contributions to the Luther community and exemplifies the very best of what we hope—and believe—our students have become.”

Fifth-generation Norse Kaasa enrolled at Luther intending to study visual communication because she was the editor of her high school yearbook in Delaware, Ohio. But before the end of her fall semester, Kaasa changed her mind. She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue a career in teaching. She is the daughter of Melissa Miller and Brad Kaasa.

Kaasa graduated magna cum laude with a double major in elementary education and Nordic Studies. She has a heart for children with behavior and learning disabilities and plans to earn a special education endorsement.

With a passion for making connections and the skills for building community, Kaasa served as president of PALS, a mentoring program that pairs elementary students from local schools with Luther students.

Kaasa joined a student-led effort to reactivate the Alpha Beta Psi (ABY) sorority and grow membership. This year, the sorority grew from 16 to 54 women. Kaasa served as vice president of the sorority during her senior year.

She was the organizational team lead for the Student Senate, treasurer of Norse Against Sexual Assault (NASA) and treasurer for Luther Disability Alliance. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council.

“Student organizations are one of my favorite things about Luther,” she said. “It’s how I have fun here at Luther.”

Kaasa attributed her involvement with student organizations to the encouragement she received from her friends. Her roommate and best friend, Chloe Rozga ’25, was the president of Luther’s Senate Senate this academic year.

“If it wasn’t for my friendship with Chloe, I wouldn’t have gotten involved with student organizations,” Kaasa said. “We both want Luther to have these fun spaces for students. We want NASA to flourish. We want to make the Student Senate into something awesome. Our friendship has been really special and I cannot imagine what my Luther College experience would have been like without her.”

Elliott Johnson, assistant professor of education at Luther, was Kaasa’s advisor.

“We are so proud of Maddie Kaasa and all her achievements during her time at Luther College. Her work in her education courses developed her educational philosophy that growth happens most through inclusive and engaging environments. Her work with Student Senate, PALS, and the sorority, ABY, allowed her to share her gifts and philosophy with her peers,” Johnson said. “She will be a fantastic future educator.”

Kaasa’s next step is to complete her student teaching in Oslo, Norway.

“It’s the perfect combination of my majors. I’m going to be in a first grade classroom in an international school,” she said.

The Luther College Concert Band, under the direction of Cory Near, will embark on a tour of Japan from May 28 through June 9 — the ensemble’s first international tour since 2017.

The Concert Band last toured Japan in 2010 under the late Fred Nyline, its longtime director, and this year’s trip builds on that history.

“When discussing locations, we decided returning to a country that the ensemble has traveled to in the past would be a great opportunity for our students, and also pay tribute to the years of history and planning this ensemble has with Japan,” Near said. “I was fortunate to have many conversations with Professor Nyline about those experiences. Professor Nyline spoke highly of not only the musical opportunities our students can and will experience, but also the culture of Japan, which will undoubtedly shape our students for years to come.”

Nyline served as guest conductor for the Musashino Academia Wind Ensemble in Tokyo for five semesters, explained Susan Potvin, director of programming and outreach at Luther College. Because of Nyline’s connection, the Concert Band traveled to Japan five times between 1993 and 2010.

“It’s significant and special to have the band return to Japan on its first international tour since Mr. Nyline’s passing,” Potvin said. Nyline died on Nov. 16, 2022.

The band, which is made up of 60 Luther students, will perform in Kyoto, Hakone, Nagoya and Tokyo. The ensemble will perform in several exchange concerts with musicians from four high school bands and one university band. This tour includes many culturally significant stops, including Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

The tour’s performance program, titled “Friends: Old, New, and Remembered” opens with Nicole Piunno’s “Bright Shadow Fanfare,” a piece that the Concert Band performed in the fall and was selected by peer review to be included in a showcase at the College Band Directors National Association’s National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, in March.

The band will also perform “Furusato,” a well-known Japanese children’s song, and Catherine Likhuta’s powerful “Bury and Rise,” which was the composer’s response to her mother’s passing in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Switching gears, the Concert Band will perform the energetic “In Living Color” by Katahj Copley, and Carter Pann’s brilliant “The Three Embraces.” The band will close with James Barnes’ epic “Finale” from Symphony No. 3.

“This piece was Professor Fred Nyline’s favorite composition, so it felt fitting to travel across the world and bring ‘Finale’ to life in his honor in a country that meant so much to him,” Near said.

Seventeen Luther alumni, friends and Concert Band family members will tour Japan along with the band by attending performances and taking in scenery and architecture of the country.

Concert Band was formed in 1878, laying the foundation of what would become the college’s long-standing tradition of musical excellence. Concert Band is now one of the oldest touring organizations in the nation and ranks among the country’s outstanding undergraduate college bands. Concert Band is Luther College’s principal band ensemble.

From its beginnings as a student-directed brass and percussion ensemble formed with instruments from a discontinued community band, Concert Band rose to its current position of prestige through the influential directorships of Carlo Sperati (1905–1943), Weston Noble (1948–1973), Nyline (1973–2011) and Joan deAlbuquerque (2011–2020).

Since 2020, the Concert Band has been under Near’s direction. Near earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He holds a master’s degree from Temple University. His undergraduate degrees are from Ohio State University, where Near studied music education and tuba performance.