Author: Luther College News

DECORAH, IOWA – Luther College announced today the commitment of a historic $10 million gift from Michael and Nicole Gerdin and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation. This is the largest individual gift in the college’s 162-year history, which will serve as the lead gift toward the expansion and renovation of the Regents Center, home to Norse athletics and the center for sports and recreation at Luther College.

“Today it’s my absolute joy and distinct privilege to announce this transformational gift to Luther College,” President Jenifer K. Ward said. “This support is not only historic, it speaks to the strength of Luther’s reputation as a fine Iowa college destination and to our potential for future success.”

The Chairman, President and CEO of Heartland Express in North Liberty, Iowa, Gerdin is a 1992 graduate of Luther who studied management and was a member of the Norse men’s basketball team. Starting his career as a teenager at the company his father founded, Gerdin moved up the ranks at Heartland to lead the firm, mirroring Heartland’s rise into one of North America’s largest truckload transportation and logistics companies.

“I wanted to play college basketball, and I wanted to go to a place that had a good business school. I kept coming back to Luther,” Gerdin said when describing his college decision process in the announcement Monday morning. “I talked to President Ward about what this upgrade could mean for Luther and the whole Decorah community. It is time for Luther.”

In recognition of this commitment, the facility will be renamed the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness.

“We want this project to embody that spirit of bringing all of campus together,” Ward said. “While the Regents Center is home to many Norse athletic teams as a training and competition venue, it is also heavily utilized by students, faculty, staff, and community members for recreation and wellness. This investment by the Gerdins and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation not only touches Luther, but contributes to the vitality of Decorah and all of northeast Iowa.”

“This is so incredibly exciting for all of us, and we are beyond grateful to Mike and his family for believing in us and this special place,” Athletic Director Renae Hartl said. “Here at Luther, students are at the heart of all we do, and these gifts are really about them. Our campus becomes their home for four years, and we work hard to provide an environment where we exercise our minds in classes and labs and we stress and push and exercise our bodies as part of overall wellness and a strong tradition of NCAA Division III athletics.”

Aside from serving as the headquarters for the Luther Norse athletic department, the center also houses facilities used by the entire college, including the campus’ student, faculty and staff fitness facility, the college’s aquatics center, and the recently renovated indoor track, tennis courts, and flexible usage space of the Robert and Ann Naslund Sports and Recreation Center. Among the highlights in the preliminary plans for the Gerdin Fieldhouse are a new entrance space for the public, a team meeting space open for use by all teams, renovation of the locker rooms, and a new common area and study space for the 21 Norse athletic teams.

Originally constructed in 1963, the current Regents Center is over 200,000 square feet, and will become one of the largest renovation projects in the college’s history.

The Gerdin gift comes just weeks after the announcement of another significant individual gift with $2 million from Dennis and Suzanne Birkestrand to renovate and rename the court inside the Regents Center to the Birkestrand Family Court. Watch the announcement on Luther’s YouTube channel.

“These gifts of support from our alumni show remarkable confidence in the future of Luther College,” Ward said. “The recent investments in Luther by our graduates are symbolic of their journeys, and they call us toward our future. Mike and Dennis came to Luther in different generations, but they both received a broad-based education that grounded them in the ability to adapt and succeed. They share the same common thread of hard work up through the ranks, building their companies and careers, and now giving back so the next generation can benefit from that same Luther experience.”

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.

DECORAH, IOWA—During its fourth annual One Team Day, Luther College raised $367,011 from 1,189 donors for Norse athletics. This is the largest-ever One Team Day on record.

“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of support we received on One Team Day this year,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics at Luther. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in One Team Day, and thankful for everyone who shows up to support Norse athletes throughout the year.”

Donors were able to support the specific teams of their choice. The funds raised on One Team Day provide critical operating support, such as advanced technologies for training and recovery, top-tier equipment and uniforms, and quality travel and training experiences.

During the day on Nov. 16, student-athletes from each sport reached out to alumni, family members and other supporters of Norse athletics through text messages. Lara Welter, a senior Norse softball player and mathematics major with a concentration in secondary education, had the chance to connect with alumni who played softball, in addition to her former coaches.

“It was a lot of fun reaching out to people and hearing their stories. I connected with people I hadn’t spoken with in so long, including my own former coaches from high school and childhood,” Welter said. “It’s really rewarding when something I did inspired them to support Norse athletics.”

At the end of the night, Luther alumni and members of the Decorah community gathered for the first ever One Team Day Celebration at T-Bock’s.

“Luther is Decorah’s college and Decorah is Luther’s town,” said Dave Mitchell, head wrestling coach for Luther. “They were made for each other.”

About Luther College 

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

DECORAH, IOWA—For 50 years, the TRIO Achievement Program has helped students at Luther College navigate higher education. Not only does the federally funded program help first-generation and income-eligible students access financial aid and career advice, it also provides a strong support system on campus to guide students through their college careers and launch them into the next stages of their lives.

“TRIO is an integral part of the student experience. Luther has always been an institution of connection and relationships; TRIO is a part of Luther’s legacy throughout each graduating class,” said Heidi Ludeking, student achievement and instructional specialist at Luther. “Thousands of students have been impacted by the supportive relationships that were forged through their college journey through the program.”

TRIO arose from the American Civil Rights Movement, and refers to the three federal programs — Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services — established in the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs ensured equal educational opportunity for all students, and were eventually combined into one initiative as a “trio.”

The TRIO initiative began at Luther in 1973. For half of a century, the program has provided coaching for academic, personal, financial and career decisions to Luther students. Currently, TRIO at Luther offers Student Support Services (SSS) to 165 students each year.

In order to qualify for the TRIO program, students must be a first-generation college student, be income eligible or have a documented disability. Students can apply online.

TRIO also provides financial assistance through lending programs, grants and scholarships that help participants save money and reduce debt. Each year, the program at Luther awards 11 participants a scholarship that’s funded by donors with Luther connections.

“TRIO has helped me take advantage of so many opportunities at Luther,” said Samuel Scott, a senior majoring in business management. “There are so many events and meetings to help you navigate things like financial aid and careers.”

Whether the program was helping students of the 1980s impacted by the farm crisis or assisting current students navigating financial assistance programs to reduce debt, TRIO has remained committed to helping Luther students succeed.

“TRIO’s advisors are very supportive,” said Rose Baldus, a junior theater major with a minor in counseling. “They’re easy to talk to if you need academic or even emotional support. TRIO’s a great resource that’s helped me through college.”

About Luther College

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

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College celebrated a $2 million gift from Dennis and Suzanne Birkestrand to support renovations within the college’s Regents Center Gymnasium.

In recognition of the family’s generosity, the court will be renamed the Birkestrand Family Court.

“On behalf of all of Luther College, I want to say thank you to Suzanne and Dennis for their ongoing support,” President Jenifer K. Ward said at the announcement event. “They have already endowed the Birkestrand Economics and Management Chair and provided a lead gift to the Legacy Field project. We are so fortunate and blessed to have alumni and friends like the Birkestrands who are making investments in the future of Luther College.”

The gift ranks among the largest individual gifts to Luther College, which provides a substantial investment in the ongoing renovations at Regents Center.

As a student-athlete at Luther, Dennis, class of 1964, played football as well as ran track. The Bikestrands’ son Bjorn, class of 1998, played basketball for Luther in his first year, later following his passion for music by participating in Nordic Choir.

Last week, the Birkestrands sent greetings to the campus from their home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Luther was a major contributor to my life story, and as a result, I want to give back to Luther what they gave me,” Dennis Birkestrand said. “Athletics is what brought me to Luther.  They showed an interest in me when I was a high school player, and without that, I probably wouldn’t have gone to college. I feel strongly about encouraging Luther to always have a very strong athletic program.”

Dennis met his wife, Suzanne, when the two worked for the Maytag Corporation. While not a Luther alum, she has become keenly aware of the impact the college has on its graduates.

“I went to a Big Ten school, but it did not compare to the lasting friendships Denny has experienced and continues to experience from his time at Luther,” Suzanne Birkestrand said.  “As an alumnus, he has remained interested and committed to going back, both in promoting sports and promoting business classes that explore all sides of an issue.”

Athletic Director Renae Hartl spoke on behalf of the coaches who will benefit from the renovations within the gymnasium space.

“All our teams that practice and compete here in the Regents Center gym are excited for what these changes will mean to them,” Hartl said. “From volleyball to both basketball teams and our wrestling program, they all send their profound thanks to Dennis and Suzanne for this gift.”

The initial plans for the gymnasium space will create an arena atmosphere with seating that surrounds all sides of the primary court.

Matthew Franzen, a senior basketball player for the Norse, also spoke at the livestreamed announcement event.

“On behalf of all the athletes who practice and compete in this space, we want to say thank you to the Birkestrands,” he said. “While as a senior I won’t have the opportunity to play on this new court space, I know what it will mean to the generations of Norse that will follow.”

It was Dennis’ hope that his family’s support for the new court and renovations would touch all students at Luther.

“Hopefully the whole project is going to make the whole school much more attractive to all students, not just student-athletes,” Dennis Birkestrand said. “While my desire is to always open the Sunday paper and see Luther’s success being published in the sports section. I’m hopeful this will be one of the engines that will make that happen.”

Franzen agreed the changes will elevate Luther.

“Knowing that an alum like Mr. Birkestrand and his family are committed to supporting those of us who are here now and make us very proud to represent Luther,” Franzen said. “This will make one of the loudest home courts in the conference into an even tougher place for opponents.”

The $2 million Birkestrand gift comes just months after the dedication of the renovation of the Robert and Ann Naslund Sports and Recreational Center. The $1.2 million renovation included dedication of the overall space along with the Oertel/Leake Courts for indoor tennis and the Neubauer Indoor Track, both named to honor legendary former Luther head coaches.

“The Birkestand family’s support isn’t just continuing the momentum at Luther, I believe it is helping us accelerate,” Ward said.  “It was almost one year ago when we opened the doors on the Naslund Sports and Recreational Center.  And now, here we are preparing to transform another part of campus. We are excited about the impact these renovations will have for our students, and the community at large that comes to the Regents Center almost daily for events or to utilize the facilities.”

The Birkestrands spent 22 years in marketing and sales with Maytag before starting  a distribution business in 1988 for the Jenn-Air brand of appliances that was headquartered in Kansas City. They then founded Factory Direct Appliance in 1993, which offered a range of appliances to homebuilders and remodelers for 21 years. They sold the business in 2014, and endowed the Birkestrand Economics and Management Chair at Luther with a $1.5 million gift in spring 2016.

“We are so appreciative of the Birkestrands and the way they have been advocates for all things Luther,” Ward said. “Their thoughtful support has been uplifting for the entire student experience.”

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.

DECORAH, IOWA— Luther College’s annual One Team Day returns Thursday, Nov. 16, for its fourth year to raise money to support Norse athletics.

Donors can support the specific teams of their choice. Funds raised will provide critical operating support, such as advanced technologies for training and recovery, top-tier equipment and uniforms, and quality travel and training experiences.

Gifts made on Nov. 16 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by more than $130,000 in matching funds pledged by One Team Day challenge sponsors. In 2022, Luther raised $310,000 from more than 1,100 donors on One Team Day.

The day-long event also includes the first-ever One Team Day Celebration, which is free and open to the public at T-Bock’s upstairs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The celebration includes complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

“Every year, the athletics department looks forward to One Team Day because of the outpouring of support for Norse athletics from alumni, parents and friends,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics. “One Team Day ensures that our coaches can provide competitive schedules and cutting-edge training equipment and technology for our student-athletes. We are grateful to everyone who supports our Norse athletes.”

To donate to athletic teams, visit the donation webpage or call 563-387-1862. Besides donating, people can participate in One Team Day by joining the Facebook event to catch fun updates throughout the day, celebrating Norse Athletics on social media platforms using the hashtag #OneTeamDay and visiting luther.edu/one-team-day to track the fundraising success for each sport.

About Luther College 

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

DECORAH, IOWA—Christmas at Luther returns for 2023, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities for audiences to view this Emmy Award-winning production. This year’s theme, “Love, the Rose, Is on the Way,” will be featured in four performances running Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in the Center for Faith and Life’s Main Hall.

Tickets to view the show in the Center for Faith and Life go on sale to the general public as of Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. Livestream tickets are available for the performance at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. On-demand tickets are also available for the same performance, which allows for unlimited viewing Dec. 8-Jan. 2. Tickets are available to purchase on the Christmas at Luther website (luther.edu/music/christmas-at-luther) or by calling the Ticket Office at 563-387-1357.

“The seven ensembles involved with Christmas at Luther have been preparing the musical selections for this performance for many weeks already; all involved are eager to present this year’s production,” said Susan Potvin, director of music marketing and production manager for Christmas at Luther. “We especially look forward to premiering a brand new choral and orchestral arrangement of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High,’ which was commissioned specifically for Luther College and created by the acclaimed composer Dan Forrest.”

Hundreds of Luther student musicians are involved in the annual Christmas at Luther productions. Ensembles performing this year include Aurora and Collegiate Chorale, conducted by Adrianna Tam; Norskkor and Cathedral Choir, conducted by Mark Potvin; Nordic Choir, conducted by Andrew Last; and the Symphony Orchestra and the Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Dan Baldwin. The audience is also invited to participate in the singing of hymns.

Between larger ensemble pieces, Luther College organist Alexander Meszler will weave in threads of the melody “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” and a variety of students will narrate poetic and scriptural texts.

Luther College Music Showcase Day 

High school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing music at Luther have the opportunity to attend Christmas at Luther Music Showcase Day on Thursday, Nov. 30. Students will have the opportunity to connect with current Luther music faculty and students and get a behind-the-scenes look at this acclaimed production. The day also includes a catered dinner and a complimentary ticket to the Thursday evening Christmas at Luther show. A registration link is available at luther.edu/music/christmas-at-luther.

Holiday buffet tickets available to purchase

Luther Dining Services is offering a holiday buffet in the Peace Dining Room, located on the second floor of the Dahl Centennial Union, prior to the Christmas at Luther performances on Friday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3. Seating begins at 5 p.m. before the Friday and Saturday shows; there are multiple seating options from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available to purchase online at tickets.luther.edu or by calling the ticket office at 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. Luther’s 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 announced a change of dates for its 2024 Homecoming celebration today, shifting to October 25–27, 2024.

A change in the overall schedule by the American Rivers Conference (in association with the NCAA) regarding the first week of competition for the entirety of Division III has resulted in the shift of the American Rivers Conference schedule for all members.

“Homecoming is a special event at Luther, and both our Alumni Office and Athletic Department work diligently to announce the dates two years in advance,” Director of Athletics Renae Hartl said in a message to campus today.  “We considered our options, including holding Homecoming on the original weekend without a football game, but after further consultation with internal and external groups, we have determined the new date for Homecoming will be October 25–27, as the Norse host Nebraska Wesleyan.”

Local Decorah area hotels have indicated they plan to honor reservations for the original 2024 Homecoming dates of October 4–6, but all who have reservations must contact their hotel by Friday, November 10, to confirm their reservations for the new Homecoming weekend. The college has also reached out to area short-term housing owners on platforms like AirBnB or Vrbo to encourage them to also allow visiting alumni and friends to rebook for the new dates.

Key on-campus partners were consulted about the options that were available, and they agreed that October 25–27 was the best option. They are already shifting the many other Homecoming traditions to align with this new weekend, including the numerous class reunions, performances and lectures, Homecoming concert, and Sunday worship service.

“We want to reassure you that we explored a wide variety of options, and we took feedback from many groups in reaching this decision,” Mary Duvall, vice president for development, said.  “It is unfortunate that the change of weekends is necessary, but we truly believe it’s the best solution when considering all the factors, and will lead to the best Homecoming atmosphere possible. We recognize this causes an inconvenience in rescheduling accommodations and other plans, and we want to be a resource for you.”

Those with questions related to logistics like rooms or venues can contact Sherry Alcock, executive director of alumni relations, by phone at 563-387-1861 or by email at alcock@luther.edu. For other questions, Duvall encouraged individuals to contact her at 563-387-1525 or mary.duvall@luther.edu.

“On behalf of all of Luther, I want to thank everyone in advance for their support and assistance, and, I might add, your grace,” Duvall said. “We are working diligently to facilitate the changes that will be necessary to shift weekends. But most of all, we are so grateful for the ways you show up and support Luther, and we are all looking forward to a fantastic Homecoming weekend next October 25–27, 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

 

Luther College has launched a new strategic framework to guide the institution for the next two years. The framework addresses the college’s need to expand its reach, align its resources and strengthen its organization, as it maintains a vision of being both grounded and global.

“This approach is deliberately conceived as a ‘framework,’ rather than as a ‘plan,’” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “Instead of creating a multi-year plan, which would require a lengthy process and has a high potential of becoming out-of-date in this era of rapid change, the framework will enable Luther College to lay the groundwork for adapting its strategies and operations going forward, while also aligning us with the college’s historical mission and values, which call us to be a community where we are enlivened and transformed by encounters with one another.”

The framework’s vision states that the college is both grounded in its place and mission and also global in its reach and impact. Luther is the first U.S. college founded by Norwegian immigrants, and its “rooted and open” Lutheran intellectual heritage remains a vital underpinning of its identity. At the same time, the strategic framework’s vision emphasizes its openness to the world, with high enrollment of international students and participation of students in study abroad, as well as a curriculum with a global focus.

In order to expand the college’s reach, the framework specifies work to add new academic programs, engage its constituencies, and form new partnerships. This area of focus would expand upon recent work such as a new engineering science major and a partnership with the University of Iowa College of Public Health to create a 4 + 1 Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree in Public Health. The college also launched a new core curriculum this fall with an emphasis on skills-based and experiential learning.

Another important tenet of the new framework is engaging alumni and friends of Luther to support the college and mission.

“’Activation’ is an important word for us right now. Luther is blessed to have so many alumni, parents and donors who have a deep love for this place and this community,” said Mary Duvall, vice president for development at Luther. “So we’re seeking to activate our community—equipping our alumni to connect current students to internships and job opportunities, inspiring prospective students to choose Luther and ensuring the transformational Luther experience is available for students long into the future.”

Implementing the first phase of the college’s new campus master plan is another component of the strategic framework. An early example of the types of campus-wide changes envisioned by the campus master plan includes this summer’s renovation of two classrooms, one in Main Hall and one in Olin Building, in order to create more active learning spaces. Additional projects included in the strategic framework include renovating more classrooms, fundraising for a Regents Center renovation and completing feasibility studies for the renovation of Preus Library and Main Building.

The strategic framework web page includes more details about the college’s plans to expand its reach, align its resources, and strengthen its organization during the next two years. The new framework succeeds the previous strategic plan, “Inspired. Empowered. Engaged,” launched in 2018 with a five-year life span.

About Luther College

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

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College’s Center Stage Series and Student Activities Council will kick off a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Asian Students and Allies Association (ASAA) at Luther with performances by internationally-recognized musicians Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn and comedian Aiko Tanaka.

Center Stage Series: Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn 

Musicians Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn blend Chinese folk songs with traditional Appalachian banjo music for Luther College’s Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9,  in the Center for Faith and Life’s Main Hall.

Fei is a trained classical composer and a master of the guzheng, a 21-string traditional Chinese instrument that dates back 2,500 years. Her compositions combine Western classical styles with traditional Chinese music to create a unique and contemporary sound. Washburn is a Nashville-based musician, most widely known for her mastery of the clawhammer banjo. She won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album for her collaboration with her husband and fellow banjo player Béla Fleck with their self-titled album. This is Washburn’s second time at Luther following her 2012 solo performance for the Center Stage Series.

Fei and Washburn will perform music from their self-titled collaborative album that was released in 2020; the record combines Fei’s guzheng and Washburn’s banjo. Fei and Washburn’s collaboration “recasts ‘world music’ as music of our shared world, highlighting our shared humanity and the transformative power of song.” The album is available to purchase on Bandcamp or stream.

The Center Stage Dinner Series is also available before the show beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Peace Dining Hall on the second floor of the Dahl Centennial Union. Both dinner and show tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life, online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing tickets@luther.edu or by calling (563) 387-1357.

Comedian Aiko Tanaka 

The comedian, actress and TV personality Aiko Tanaka will perform a comedy show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Marty’s in the basement of the Union. The event is open to the public, and general admission tickets are $5 at the door. The event is free for Luther students who have paid their student activities fee.

Born in Tokyo, Tanaka first appeared in the film “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” and was also featured in the Justin Lin-directed mockumentary “Finishing the Game” about Bruce Lee’s last film. Tanaka has also been featured on the The Jim Jeffries Show, The Howard Stern Show and Comedy Central Stand-Up Asia! Live.

History of the Asian Students and Allies Association 

The ASAA was founded in February 1984 as the Asian Student Association as a way for Asian students, who, at the time, were largely Southeast Asian refugees and first-generation immigrants, to advocate and organize for themselves on Luther’s campus. They organized the first Ethnic Arts Festival, which began in 1984 and ended in 2020. In the early 2000s, the group added “allies” to their name in order to reach a wider audience on campus. More programming marking 40 years of ASAA on Luther’s campus will follow in February.

About Luther College

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