Author: Luther College News

May 8, 2023

Ten Luther College students presented papers at the annual conference of the Sigma Tau Delta national honors society in Denver, March 29-April 1. The students, all English majors or minors, are members of Luther College’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter. Their papers examined Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” 20th-century poetry and fiction, and contemporary film. Students also read from their own short stories.

Luther students at the Sigma Tau Delta conference in Denver, March 30, 2023: Grace James, Addie Craig, Ethan Kober, Scott Rust, Amy Webb, Anastasia Baldus, Mia Irving, Reagan Anania and Clara Wodny. Photo courtesy of Martin Klammer.

With 10 students, Luther College had one of the largest contingents at the convention. Luther students attending were Reagan Anania ’23 (Des Moines, Iowa), Anastasia Baldus ’24 (Charles City, Iowa), Addie Craig ’23 (Maquoketa, Iowa), Christina Dressler ’23 (Racine, Wisconsin), Mia Irving ’24 (Coralville, Iowa), Grace James ’23 (Waukesha, Wisconsin), Ethan Kober ’24 (Cedar Falls, Iowa), Scott Rust ’24 (Hudson, Wisconsin), Amy Webb ’24 (Waverly, Iowa) and Clara Wodny ’25 (Duluth, Minnesota).

Martin Klammer, Luther College professor of English who accompanied the students, said, “What was so impressive about the Luther contingent was not only the quality of their papers, but the way they supported each other. They came to each other’s presentations, even at 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning! The students learned so much, enjoyed themselves and really came together as a group.”

One of the presenters, Rust, said, “Attending the Sigma Tau Delta annual conference was an amazing experience! It was amazing to meet with and be surrounded by so many other English enthusiasts. It was also really fascinating to listen to others’ presentations and learn new things about literature.”

“For me, the most valuable part of the Sigma Tau Delta convention was having the opportunity to meet students from other schools. It’s fascinating to learn about the wide-ranging interests of our peers, and their enthusiasm for their work is contagious. Working with such a supportive community inspires me to keep digging deeper and to cultivate a similar atmosphere here on campus. Sharing your work is a really valuable experience. It teaches you to take pride in your writing while remaining humble enough to explore different angles,” said Craig.

Student travel, hotel and registration costs were supported by grants from the Office of the Provost, the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement, and the English Department.

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.

April 25, 2023

Beth Lynch

Beth Lynch, Luther College associate professor of biology, recently contributed chapter 13, “The Ties That Bind: Biodiversity’s Critical Importance” in a book titled “Tending Iowa’s Land – Pathways to a Sustainable Future” edited by renowned Iowa author Cornelia Mutel. The book details Iowa’s transformation from woodlands to agriculture fields and proposes solutions to the problems related to the environment. 

The book is divided into four sections that discuss soil, water, air and life, how these components affect agriculture and possible solutions. It is written for a non-technical audience and is meant to be informative but also fun to read. “It contains chapters written by research scientists like myself as well as essays written by people who are doing really interesting work in building sustainable pathways in Iowa,” said Lynch. 

In her chapter, Beth Lynch examines the value of biodiversity as an introduction to the fourth section of the book: Life. Lynch describes what biodiversity is, why it is important and the loss of biodiversity in Iowa since the mid-19th century.  

“I begin with describing some of the unexpected and marvelous species diversity that I have observed close to where I live on a farm north of Decorah and then I explain some of the science about biodiversity and extinction using examples from Iowa,” said Lynch. “It’s kind of depressing to talk about extinction, but it’s important for people to understand that we are currently experiencing a massive human-caused loss of biodiversity that will impact us and the places we live. It doesn’t get as much attention as climate change, but it is just as important and is happening much more quickly.”

The book also highlights how biodiversity and environmental problems will play a role in Iowa’s agriculture in the future. “If things continue as is, we will continue to see the rapid depletion of the little bit of biodiversity that still remains in Iowa,” said Lynch. “We will see fewer species surviving, even in parts of the state that are not planted in crops. Protecting biodiversity will require restoring and saving habitats that are needed by native species. Many people are working hard to do this on tiny fragments of public and private land, but so far it’s not on the scale that it needs to be to prevent future species losses.” 

“Tending Iowa’s Land – Pathways to a Sustainable Future” can be purchased from Dragonfly Books in Decorah at dragonflybooks.com and on Amazon.

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.

Brad Chamberlain, Luther College Provost; Jenifer K. Ward, Luther College President; Brent Gage, UI Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management; Edith Parker, Professor and Dean, UI College of Public Health

Luther College and the University of Iowa College of Public Health are partnering to create a 4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program in public health. Students who take advantage of this program will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree in public health in five years.

University of Iowa College of Public Health

“This accelerated path allows for substantial savings in both time and money, while pursuing education in one of the top 20 colleges of public health in the U.S.,” said Maryna Nading, associate professor of anthropology at Luther College. “During their senior year at Luther, students enrolled in this program will be taking both Luther courses and online graduate courses via U of I. They will be invited to participate in the events and activities at the College of Public Health, they will have a graduate school academic advisor, and will be encouraged to get to know other students in their cohort and their U of I faculty.”

Luther students from any major will be considered for admission to the Master of Public Health degree program, which provides training in epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, occupational and environmental health, and health policy. Graduates work as epidemiologists, policymakers, biostatisticians, administrators, program planners, and environmental specialists to name a few. 

An individualized plan of study will be prepared for each student upon admission to the program to ensure that their undergraduate and graduate degrees are completed within five years’ time. 

“Luther College has a long history of opening doors for its students, especially to graduate and professional programs upon graduation,” said Brad Chamberlain, provost at Luther College. “I am excited about this new partnership and new opportunity for Luther students—an opportunity that creates a direct and expedited path to a graduate degree at a respected partner institution in a field that is both timely and relevant.”

Since the pandemic, public health careers are in demand. The Bureau of National Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in public health will increase 15% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to almost 2.4 million new careers in public health.

“Luther students are often guided by the ethic of service and many are committed to social justice. In the field of public health, this work often takes the form of preventing disease and reducing health disparities. What could be a more noble work in our world divided by inequalities?” said Nading. 

For more information contact Lexie Just, associate director of admissions and recruitment at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, at lexie-just@uiowa.edu.

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.

About the University of Iowa College of Public Health

The University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa, is one of the nation’s premier public research universities. The College of Public Health, one of 11 colleges that make up the university, serves Iowa and the Midwest as one of the nation’s premier state-assisted schools of public health and leads the global community in rural public health education and training, research and practice. It is the only accredited school of public health in Iowa and is ranked among the nation’s top 20 public health schools and programs.

Luther College is hosting and co-hosting a series of events during Climate Justice Week, April 17–22, 2023. 

“Climate Justice Week is an exciting time at Luther because there are opportunities to learn more about sustainability issues and get involved in various ways,” said Jon Jensen, director of the Center for Sustainable Communities. “From speakers like Sarah Jaquette Ray to a community Earth Day Festival, it’s a week of activities to inform, inspire and celebrate the many facets of sustainability at Luther and in greater Winneshiek County.”

The following events are free and open to the public.

On Tuesday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. Sarah Jaquette Ray will present “Climate Justice and the Politics of Emotions” in Valders Hall of Science, room 206. Ray is chair of the Environmental Studies Department at Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California. Additionally, she is the author of “The Ecological Other: Environmental Exclusion in American Culture” and “A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet.” Ray’s writing on emotions and climate justice activism has been published in the LA Times, Scientific American, and The Cairo Review of Global Affairs to name a few. She is certified as a mindfulness teacher and delivers workshops for professionals on centering emotions in climate advocacy. Sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) and the Center for Sustainable Communities, Ray will discuss the relationship between climate change, justice and the role of emotions in bringing about political change.

“Folks who attend Sarah’s talk will definitely feel seen by her when it comes to how climate change shapes them and they’ll leave with exciting paths to coping and being physically and politically active,” said Andy Hageman, director of the CEPE. 

On Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. Luther College and Impact Coffee are partnering to offer a climate justice and earth themed Trivia at Impact. 

On Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities is partnering with Winneshiek County Conservation and other community organizations to put on an Earth Day Festival in the Community Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. All are welcome to take part in earth-friendly activities and experience educational exhibits. From seed planting to electrical vehicle displays and solar presentations, there is something for everyone. Other organizations partnering on this event include Iowa State University Extension, Winneshiek Energy District, Oneota Community Co-op and ArtHaus. For more information visit winneshiekwild.com/events/earth-day-festival-2023.

In addition, a special Earth Week Art Gallery exhibit will be on display in Luther’s Center for the Arts from April 20 to 27.

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.

Luther College students are organizing a cycling fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Decorah Free Clinic (DFC). DECORIDE will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 6, on the Trout Run Trail in Decorah. 

The DFC serves underinsured or uninsured patients who do not have access to professional health services, mainly because of cost. The patients in the clinic may have minor injuries or illnesses that need to be acutely attended to, or they may have chronic diseases that need long term follow up care.

Souk Sengsaisouk is a senior nursing major at Luther who volunteered at the clinic and now works as their interim director. He is one of the main organizers of DECORIDE because he sees the impact of the DFC first-hand and wants to raise awareness and provide some financial support. 

“Working closely with patients at the DFC allows me to gain insights about their primary health care needs. Having the DFC is a strength of our community as it ensures health care needs are met at both the individual and community level,” said Sengsaisouk. 

“The impact of the DFC is both for its patients and the individuals who serve at the clinic,” said Angela Kueny, Luther College nursing professor and volunteer nurse at the DFC. “It is the mark of a committed community to meet the health needs of all of its members, across all backgrounds and abilities to pay. Not only that, the DFC contributes to the health of the overall community. With fewer individuals struggling with disease or injury, communities thrive with productive members who can continue working and preventing the spread of disease.”

Check-in begins at Will Baker Park at 9 a.m. with the ride starting at 10 a.m. At noon, Pulpit Rock Brewing will welcome participants to enjoy a cash bar and music provided by Driftless Jazz, a popular Luther College band. 

Registration is open now and anyone can participate. Visit linktr.ee/DECORIDE to register and learn more. Apparel is also available to purchase through April 17 with 10% of the proceeds going to the DFC. 

This event is sponsored by Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, Donlon Pharmacy, Decorah Bicycles, Deco Products, Fareway, Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Decorah Parks and Recreation, and the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities.

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.