Luther College News – Page 9

Writers Festival invites attendees to experience the magic of writing

August 6, 2025 Luther College News

Luther College is welcoming 15 writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for its Writers Festival on Sept. 12–13.

Luther College is welcoming 15 writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for its Writers Festival on Sept. 12–13.

The 2025 Luther College Writers Festival is the eighth incarnation of an event first held in 2007. The event examines the diverse ways in which highly crafted literature in all genres explores the human condition and activates the spiritual and moral imagination of readers.

The festival features a variety of readings and publishing advice, in addition to book signings with the authors. Organizers are expecting between 100 and 200 attendees to be on campus for the festival.

Registration is currently open and a schedule of events is available on the registration page. There is no charge to attend, but participants are encouraged to make a freewill donation.

The festival’s theme, Writing is Magic, invites participants to explore the enchanting and magnetic energy involved with crafting literature.

“In its effects on the readers who enjoy it and the artists who create it, writing is magic,” said Amy Weldon, professor, head of Luther’s English Department and co-director of the Writers Festival. “Taking the time to behold the world around us and experience it anew through language is a process in which anyone can engage, and the Writers Festival will offer attendees the chance to experience this process for themselves, through talking with and hearing the work of published writers and trying their own hand at generating work on site.”

Megan Mayhew Bergman, an award-winning fiction writer and climate journalist, will give the Farwell Distinguished Lecture at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Center for Faith and Life.

“We are delighted to have Megan join us at the Luther College Writers Festival,” Weldon said. “Having experienced her unique ability to inspire writers firsthand, I can say that festival attendees have a real treat in store.”

Bergman is the author of three books, “Birds of a Lesser Paradise” (2012), “Almost Famous Women” (2016) and “How Strange a Season” (2022). She has written columns on climate change and the natural world for “The Guardian” and “The Paris Review.” Bergman is the director of creative writing at Middlebury College and of the Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference. She cofounded GreenStory, an environmental narrative consulting firm.

About the Farwell Lecture Endowment

The Elwin D. and Helen Farwell Distinguished Lecture Series Endowment was established in 1981 in recognition of the contributions the Farwells made to the Luther community. Elwin D. Farwell was president of Luther College from 1963 to 1981.

Every five years, TRIO programs across the country compete nationally for continued funding.

August 1 2025

Professor of Management Rob Larson was elected to be the NCAA’s Division III Management Council’s chair at the July meeting of the Management Council. The Management Council reports directly to the Presidents Council and handles the implementation of policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and Division III Presidents Council.

July 23 2025

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Luther College to receive federal grant for continued financial support of TRIO services

August 1, 2025 Luther College News

Luther College announced its selection for federal grant funding renewal from the U.S. Department of Education for its TRIO Student Support Services program, which supports first-generation college students, income-eligible students and students with disabilities.

“Providing pathways for first-in-family students to attend college and earn a degree is a hallmark of Luther College and its supportive academic community. Luther has been a proud member of the TRIO program since the 1970s, and we are pleased and grateful to receive a renewal from the federal government for another five-year period,” said Luther College President Brad Chamberlain. “The renewed award will provide vital support services for first-generation students at Luther and ensure their academic success. I congratulate Dr. Jennifer Hanifl and her team on a successful renewal of the project and their work to realize Luther’s vision of elevating individuals, communities and society, one graduate at a time.”

Every five years, TRIO programs across the country compete nationally for continued funding. Program evaluation and funding are based on academic standing, persistence and graduation rates of participating students.

A sponsor of a TRIO program since 1973, Luther is among several colleges and universities selected to receive grants through the U.S. Department of Education. The TRIO Student Support Services program at Luther fosters the academic, professional and personal growth of 165 students annually.

“Our students inspire us every day,” said Jennifer Hanifl, Ed.D., director of TRIO Student Support Services. “They show up with grit, tenacity and courage. They balance jobs, family responsibilities and financial pressures while still walking into classrooms determined to succeed. This funding isn’t just about a program — it’s about honoring the incredible perseverance and potential of our students.”

July 23 2025

college students sit on lawn in front of library

July 21 2025

TRIO Student Support Services

Luther College
700 College Drive
Preus Library 107
Decorah, Iowa 52101

Office Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Additional hours as scheduled.

trio@luther.edu

Phone: 563-387-1269
Fax: 563-387-1411

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Professor Rob Larson elected to chair NCAA Division III Management Council

July 23, 2025 Luther College News

Portrait of Rob Larson wearing a black suit jacket and red tie

Rob Larson, Professor of Management at Luther College

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Luther College Professor of Management Rob Larson was elected to be the NCAA’s Division III Management Council’s chair at the July meeting of the Management Council. Currently, he serves as vice chair of the Management Council.

“Serving in this new role comes at a time of significant change at the NCAA and in college athletics,” Larson said. “Being in a position to advocate for the interests of Division III student-athletes and Division III institutions at this time is an opportunity and challenge I look forward to. At Luther, as well as at hundreds of other colleges and universities, student-athletes make up a vital part of the college and the undergraduate experience. Working to support and enhance their experiences has been an important part of my work at Luther and I am grateful for the chance to serve in this new position.”

“We are incredibly proud to see Rob Larson step into the role of Division III Management Council Chair,” Athletics Director Megan Wilson said. “This is a tremendous honor for Rob, and it’s an even greater benefit for Luther College, Norse athletics, and all our student-athletes. His leadership on a national stage will undoubtedly elevate our program and amplify the voice of Division III.”

The Management Council reports directly to the Presidents Council and handles the implementation of policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and Division III Presidents Council. The Management Council may sponsor legislative proposals; make interpretations of Division III’s bylaws; and may also handle resolution of Division III issues and recommendations from other committees and working groups throughout the Division’s substructure. The chair of the Management Council also is a member of the Division III Presidents Council.

In this role, Larson will also serve on the NCAA Board of Governors. The board of governors is made up of 16 members who represent each of the three divisions of the NCAA and provides strategic planning for the NCAA, which governs intercollegiate athletics at roughly 1,100 colleges across the United States. The board also initiates and settles litigation, provides oversight of the NCAA’s budget, and employs the NCAA president.

Larson joined the faculty of Luther in 2003 and is a professor of management in the Department of Economics, Accounting and Management. Larson’s first engagement with the NCAA came as a member of the Division III Membership Committee from 2015–2019. He has also served as a faculty athletics representative to the American Rivers Conference since 2006.

Luther College's first Dorian Orchestra Reunion

Nearly 90 alumni came from as far as Portland, Ore., and Boston to reconnect with old friends and to make music with new friends.

July 22 2025

July 21 2025

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Luther College alumni travel from coasts to reconnect at first Dorian Orchestra Reunion

July 22, 2025 Luther College News

Nearly 90 Luther College alumni returned to campus on July 12–13 for the opportunity to play classical music together under the direction of Dan Baldwin, longtime conductor of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra.

This is the first time that Luther College has hosted a reunion for Symphony Orchestra alumni. Assistant director of music outreach and Dorian coordinator Nicholas Drilling ’23 said the weekend was a resounding success.

Nearly 90 Luther College alumni attended the college’s first Dorian Orchestra Reunion on July 12–13, 2025.

“We are so pleased with how the reunion turned out. Alumni came from as far as Portland, Ore., and Boston, ready to rehearse, ready to reconnect with old friends and excited to make music with new friends,” Drilling said.

The reunion served two purposes. Firstly, the Luther Music Department wanted a reunion for orchestra musicians, similar to the Dorian All-Band and Choir reunions. These alumni musician reunions are held annually, rotating between the band and the choir alumni.

“Now, Symphony Orchestra will have regular reunions too,” Drilling said.

Secondly, this weekend marked the end of an era for the Luther College Symphony Orchestra with the recent retirement of Baldwin, who served as the director of orchestral activities since 1997. The Board of Regents approved Baldwin’s status as professor emeritus in May 2025.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Dr. Baldwin and Luther’s long-standing orchestra program than with a reunion. As soon as we opened registration, alumni made plans to attend and told us that they wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to honor Dr. Baldwin and his contributions to Luther College,” Drilling said.

Violinist Ehler Orngard ’09, a support engineer at a software company in Oakland, Calif., rarely plays classical music anymore, but Orngard didn’t hesitate to rehearse for a weekend in the Center for Faith and Life.

“I have many fond memories from Luther College, and all of them involve Dan Baldwin and the symphony orchestra. I learned a lot as a college musician under Baldwin,” Orngard said. “This reunion is a special moment and a rare opportunity to play under Baldwin again.”

For former Dorian Summer Camp counselor and Luther Symphony Orchestra cellist Macaulley Whitlock ’13, this reunion provided a reason to return to northeast Iowa. Whitlock is an orchestra and band teacher living in Boston.

“I missed my 10-year Luther class reunion, so when I heard about this reunion, I said to myself, ‘I am not going to miss this.’ The opportunity to play under Dr. Baldwin is too special to be missed,” Whitlock said.

Denver resident and double bass player Josh Kail ’01 last visited campus in 2002. A Salesforce application director at DaVita Kidney Care, Kail had not played in an ensemble this large since college, but he wasn’t concerned about feeling out of place.

“This reunion is exactly what I was hoping it would be — I’m catching up with friends. I’m meeting new people and we’re making music together,” Kail said. “I’ve only been here for 30 minutes and I already know it was worth my time to drive here. It feels great to be back on campus. It feels like Luther.”

The Dorian Orchestra Reunion marked the end of an era for the Luther College Symphony Orchestra with the recent retirement of Dan Baldwin, who served as the director of orchestral activities since 1997.

Tyné Rieck ’03 actively plays her bassoon with local groups in Davenport, but it’s not her full-time job. Rieck is the business and IT manager at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. For Rieck, the reunion was filled with “small world” moments and professional connections.

“My special moment at the reunion was realizing that the two other bassoon players felt like long-lost friends,” Rieck said. “We were from three different orchestra generations, meaning we didn’t cross over during any of our years, yet we all spoke the same language. We had similar experiences and many shared emotions. They knew what it was like to play bassoon in a Dr. Baldwin ensemble, to perform in a Luther College Symphony Orchestra tour, a Vienna trip, and had experienced the difficulty of balancing being a double reed player with being a good student.”

Rieck also praised the long-term impact of Baldwin.

“Dr. Baldwin had an immense impact on me as a college student. I respected him so much; I never wanted to disappoint him or waste his time. Although he was supportive, he kept pushing us to be better,” Rieck said. “He also had some musical words of wisdom that made a big impact and I continue to follow. The ones that have stuck with me are about settling for mediocre playing, such as ‘mediocrity kills ensembles’ and ‘mediocrity means you are going backward.’”

Baldwin earned his bachelor of music (cello) degree from Furman University, and master of music (cello) and doctor of musical arts (orchestral conducting) degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his arrival at Luther, Baldwin served as director of orchestral activities at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

About Symphony Orchestra

The Luther College Symphony Orchestra is Luther’s largest and oldest orchestral ensemble. Student musicians performing with Symphony Orchestra represent a variety of academic disciplines. Many are also involved in chamber music, choir, band or a jazz ensemble.

The orchestra tours regularly in the United States, and every four years, it spends a month studying, rehearsing and performing in Vienna, Austria. The orchestra also collaborates with Luther College choirs for the annual Christmas at Luther performances.

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Luther College scholarships recognize students’ resilience, leadership and academic excellence

July 21, 2025 Luther College News

Luther College TRIO Student Support Services is proud to announce that 11 Luther students were awarded scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year.

“These scholarships are more than financial support — they’re a recognition of our students’ resilience, leadership and academic excellence,” said Jennifer Hanifl, director of TRIO Student Support Services at Luther. “I am incredibly proud of this year’s recipients, and we are grateful for the generous donors who continue to believe in the talent and determination of first-generation college students, income-eligible students and students with disabilities, many of whom are trailblazers for their siblings and communities.”

TRIO Student Support Services is a federally-funded program that provides specialized support for first-generation college students, income-eligible students and students registered with Disability Services. It has been sponsored by Luther College for more than 50 years, fostering the academic, professional, and personal growth of 165 students annually.

Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship

Six students — Jenna Kleven, Kenna McGee, Stephanie Mews, Zion Oyelude, Cecilia Ruiz and Ren Talerico — received a $1,000 Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship. The Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship was established in 2001 by Lloyd and Kathy Anderson of Ames, Iowa, in memory of their son, Pastor Steven Mark Anderson, who graduated from Luther in 1985.

Jenna Kleven

Jenna Kleven ’26, a senior from Albert Lee, Minn., is double majoring in music and management. She is a member of the Luther College Concert Band, enjoys being a Dorian Summer Camp counselor and was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. Kleven has worked in the Department of Music office on campus and at Home Depot. She is exploring the possibility of graduate school after her graduation from Luther.

Kenna McGee

Kenna McGee ’27, a junior from Eldridge, Iowa, is double majoring in economics and environmental studies with a minor in Spanish. She is a member of the Luther Women’s Soccer Team, Energy and Water Task Group, Campus Garden Revitalization, Citizens Climate Lobby and the Sustainable Foods Task Force. She also volunteers as a translator at the Decorah Community Food Pantry. In spring 2025, McGee was named to the Dean’s List. She aspires to work as an environmental economist and seeks to make a lasting impact on society.

Stephanie Mews

Stephanie Mews ’27, a junior from Marshfield, Wis., is double majoring in music and visual communication. She was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. She is a member of Cathedral Choir, Tau Delta Gamma and the TRIO Leadership Council (TLC). Mews also runs the lighting board for Luther opera performances. During the summer, she works at Target. After college, Mews would like to do design work for musicians.

Zion Oyelude

Zion Oyelude ’27, a junior from Plainfield, Ill., is a nursing major. He is a member of the Black Student Union and Alpha Lambda Delta. Oyelude was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List and is a resident assistant at Ylvisaker Hall on campus. His future plans include becoming a registered nurse focusing on patient care and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Cecilia Ruiz

Cecilia Ruiz ’25, a senior from Chicago, is majoring in nursing and is a Luther College cheerleader. Ruiz was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. During the summer, Ruiz works in the emergency department at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is looking forward to a career as a pediatric nurse.

Ren Talerico

Ren Talerico ’27, a junior from Madison, Wis., is an elementary education major with an art minor. She is a member of the Luther Women’s Swim Team. Talerico volunteers with Partners and Leaders in Service (PALS), a community mentorship program that pairs elementary and middle school students with Luther students, and Luther’s Cafeteria to Community Program. Talerico was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. During the summer, Talerico is a swim coach, lesson instructor and lifeguard. After graduation, she plans to be an elementary school teacher who inspires bright minds.

Karen Julesberg Scholarship

Five students — Jersie Benson, Geremiah Brown, Stevie Herrera, Arif Seepersaud Jr. and Aiyana Taipe — were each awarded a $1,000 Karen Julesberg Scholarship. The Karen Julesberg Scholarship benefits first-generation students, income-eligible students, and students with disabilities involved in TRIO Student Support Services at Luther College.

Karen Julesberg ’60 of Madison, Wisc., has sponsored the scholarship since 2012.

“When I was considering the many worthwhile opportunities that support Luther students and programs, it took me some time to select one that not only fit my interests but also touched my heart,” Julesberg said. “Once I learned about TRIO with its variety of activities designed to support income-eligible and first-generation students, my choice was easy.”

Jersie Benson

Jersie Benson ’26, a senior from Evansdale, Iowa, is an English major with a sociology minor. Benson is on Luther’s Bowling Team. She works at the Decorah Public Library and is a board member of Luther’s Oneota Review literary publication. Benson was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. After graduating from Luther College, she hopes to be a librarian.

Geremiah Brown

Geremiah Brown ’26, a senior from Vallejo, Calif., is a management major. He is on the Luther Football Team and received the Jeff Wetach Character Award. Earlier this year, Brown received first place in the Dr. Reneé Watson First-Generation Student Essay Contest. He was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. He currently works at Kwik Star. In the future, Brown hopes to become a data analyst for a major sports team.

Stevie Herrera

Stevie Herrera ’26, a senior from Hancock, Iowa, is majoring in elementary education with an endorsement in middle school for social studies and English as a Second Language (ESL). She volunteers with PALS and is a member of Tau Delta Gamma. She was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List and received the Tau Delta Gamma Outstanding Service Project award. Herrera works as a tutor at the Decorah Middle School. This fall, she is excited to begin student teaching.

Arif Seepersaud

Arif Seepersaud Jr. ’28, a sophomore from Elko New Market, Minn., is a data science major with a marketing minor. Seepersaud is a member of the Luther College Football Team, Alpha Lambda Delta and TLC. He is also a preceptor in computer science. This fall, he will be a resident assistant at Ylvisaker Hall. Seepersaud was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List. His dream is to be a data analyst for an NFL team.

Aiyana Taipe

Aiyana Taipe ’27, a junior from Burnsville, Minn., is majoring in sociology with a Spanish minor. Taipe is involved in Alpha Beta Psi, Performing Arts Committee and Latines Unides. She is a member of TLC. She has worked as a teacher assistant. After graduating, Taipe plans to attend graduate school and work as a human resources specialist.

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More than 120 spring graduates receive Latin honors

July 10, 2025 Luther College News

Luther College announced that 268 students graduated in the spring of 2025. They were honored at the 2025 Commencement ceremony on May 25.

Of the graduating class, 124 received Latin honors across a variety of majors and 18% were first-generation college students. Approximately 4% of the graduates were transfer students, 14% were international students and nearly 20% of students were double majors.

Watch a video featuring highlights from Commencement.

Luther College announced that 268 students graduated in the spring of 2025. Of the graduating class, 124 received Latin honors across a variety of majors and 18% were first-generation college students.

Congratulations to the following graduates:

Ryan Richard Adams, Osage, Iowa

Chemistry, cum laude

Raul Alfonso Ferrández, Alicante, Spain

Management

Allie Anderson, New Ulm, Minnesota

Communication Studies, Visual Communication, summa cum laude

Mara Anderson-Skelly, Lemont, Pennsylvania

Environmental Studies, summa cum laude

Charlotte Appel, Lynnwood, Washington

Music Education, summa cum laude

Noah James Arndt, Northfield, Minnesota

Biology

Gabriel James Atkins, Castle Pines, Colorado

Management

Victor Azih, Mbabane, Eswatini

Management

Aidan Christopher Bailey, Dripping Springs, Texas

Management

Rosie Baldus, Charles City, Iowa

Theatre, cum laude

Anna Barbknecht, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Accounting, Management, cum laude

Emma Elizabeth Kastl Barness, Aurora, Colorado

International Studies, Political Science, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude

Milan Bartelt, Denver, Colorado

Biology

Soren Basnet, Kathmandu, Nepal

Computer Science

Abigail Bates, Belmond, Iowa

Environmental Studies, summa cum laude

Ava Catherine Bednarz, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Psychology

Jack Bell, Madison, Wisconsin

Exercise Science, magna cum laude

Fiona Bennett, Lisle, Illinois

Nursing

Casey Berg, Austin, Minnesota

Accounting, Management

Alyssa Rae Blankenship, Columbia Falls, Montana

Biology

Samuel Blomme, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Nursing, cum laude

Mary Brady, Eldora, Iowa

English, magna cum laude

Patrick Brognano, Oregon, Wisconsin

Chemistry, cum laude

Vershon Brooks, Brighton, Colorado

Exercise Science–Allied Health

Kayla Brummer, Ankeny, Iowa

Biology

Vincent Buchner, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Computer Science, summa cum laude

Thuy Tram Bui, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Mathematics/Statistics, magna cum laude

Michelle Thi Bui, Vietnam

Accounting, Economics, magna cum laude

Maia Bumgardner, Urbandale, Iowa

Chemistry

Brady Burkheimer, Ames, Iowa

Biology

Michael Burns, Forest City, Iowa

Visual Communication

Chanyanuch Butsayaturt, Thailand

Political Science, International Studies

Jessica Campos Arzate, Decorah, Iowa

Communication Studies

Leif Carey-Odden, Mount Vernon, Washington

Nursing, magna cum laude

Toby Carls, St. Paul, Minnesota

English

Christopher Cevallos, El Salvador

Political Science, International Studies

Signe Christiansen, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Elementary Education, magna cum laude

Cody Clark, Wayzata, Minnesota

Religion, Identity Studies

Kendall Clausen, Rochester, Minnesota

Psychology, cum laude

Alfred Adade Cobbinah, Decorah, Iowa

Neuroscience, cum laude

Sabina Dahal, Lalitpur, Nepal

Computer Science, cum laude

Makenzie Dahlstrom, Packwood, Iowa

Law and Values

Kaitlyn Dailey, Utica, Minnesota

Social Work, summa cum laude

Jerrianne Dannenmueller, Osceola, Wisconsin

Psychology

Anastasia Violet Davidson, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Music, summa cum laude

Vicky Davis, Davenport, Iowa

Neuroscience

Tristan Day, Clearlake, California

Psychology

Jackson Decker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Chemistry, cum laude

Kellen DeKok, Archer, Iowa

Economics, Spanish, cum laude

Ethan Allen Ducklow, Carver, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning

Noah Dutler, Plainfield, Illinois

Management

Abigail Jean Dykstra, Chandler, Arizona

Nursing, magna cum laude

Katelyn Elisabeth Egan, Dubuque, Iowa

Nursing

Nour El Kassem, Beirut, Lebanon

Neuroscience, Nordic Studies

Britta Elsbernd, Mason City, Iowa

Music, Visual Communication, summa cum laude

Olivia Engler, Atlantic, Iowa

Accounting, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude

Zoe Epple, Edina, Minnesota

Environmental Studies

Anthony Marco Esposito, Plymouth, Minnesota

Data Science

Bitijula Esther Bitijula, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Social Work, Psychology

Jay Fjelstul, Decorah, Iowa

Management, Nordic Studies

Mac Kenzie Rose Frame, Farmington, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Allied Health, cum laude

Jack Henry Fritz, Johnston, Iowa

Psychology, summa cum laude

Logan Daniel Fritz, Johnston, Iowa

Biology, summa cum laude

Mallory Fynaardt, West Des Moines, Iowa

Biology, Anthropology, magna cum laude

Kamina Gager, Woodbury, Minnesota

History, summa cum laude

Peyton Gallt, Ames, Iowa

Nursing, magna cum laude

Cameron Gallt, Ames, Iowa

Exercise Science

Rafael Gamballi, Cuiaba, Brazil

Management

Ellie Gardner, Edina, Minnesota

Biology, summa cum laude

Benjamin Ryan Gillikin, Long Valley, New Jersey

Nursing, cum laude

Jose Giménez, Santiago, Chile

Economics

Susmita Giri, Sangachok, Nepal

Data Science, Economics, magna cum laude

Joseph Gorman, Santa Rosa, California

Environmental Studies

Janette Gowdy, Melbourne, Iowa

English, Nordic Studies, summa cum laude

Lauren Gray, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Biology, summa cum laude

Alyssa Gray, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Biology

Talia Anessa Grier, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Management

Emily Groppoli, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Allied Health Sciences, magna cum laude

Owen Gruenwald, Ankeny, Iowa

Data Science, Theatre

Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard, Illinois

History

Ethan Grunewald, Fairmont, Minnesota

Computer Science, Mathematics, magna cum laude

Olivia Grace Gustafson, Edina, Minnesota

Biology, summa cum laude

Avery June Hagstrom, Alexandria, Minnesota

Elementary Education, summa cum laude

Rawan Hannoon, Gaza, Palestine

Neuroscience

Kressin Hartl, Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Music Education

Alexys Harwood, Spring Valley, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Allied Health

Jonas Haugland, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Chemistry

Cade Hawkins, Batavia, Illinois

Chemistry

Elizabeth Steele Heim, East Dubuque, Illinois

Social Work, magna cum laude

Garren Heinert, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Law and Values

William Heithoff, Winterset, Iowa

Exercise Science–Allied Health

Braeden Hendel, Mankato, Minnesota

Nursing

Keely Shea Hermanson, Decorah, Iowa

Psychology, Social Work, cum laude

Chase Heying, Sartell, Minnesota

Anthropology, Sociology–Criminology Track, cum laude

Ryan Daniel Hinderaker, Ames, Iowa

Music Education

Ryan Lucas Holt, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Music, Physics, Mathematics, magna cum laude

Katelyn Hosking, Slinger, Wisconsin

Exercise Science–Allied Health, magna cum laude

Foster Hull, Dubuque, Iowa

Visual Communication, magna cum laude

Emily Hursh, St. Charles, Minnesota

History, magna cum laude

Elise Lynnée Ilsley, Springfield, Illinois

Nursing, cum laude

Ashley Imdieke, Northfield, Minnesota

English, magna cum laude

Redempta Iratunganye, Musanze, Rwanda

Neuroscience

Mason Irving, Iowa City, Iowa

History, magna cum laude

Chelin Isaacson, Superior, Colorado

Elementary Education, magna cum laude

Cassiah James, Evansville, Wisconsin

Communication Studies

Piper Marie Jensen, Stoughton, Wisconsin

Biology

Christian Jensen, Madison, Wisconsin

History, Theatre, cum laude

Blake Jondle, Long Beach, California

Exercise Science –Strength and Conditioning

Taiyo Kakegawa-Fernandez, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Psychology

Morgan Kane, Lake City, Minnesota

Nursing, magna cum laude

Alyssa Keller, Rochester, Minnesota

Visual Communication

Casey Kellett Whitwham, Essex, England/Navan, Ireland

Data Science

Piper Kellner, Austin, Minnesota

Biology, cum laude

Jillian Kaye Kipp, Plymouth, Minnesota

Environmental Studies

Katy Klein, Elgin, Minnesota

Accounting, magna cum laude

Jacob Aaron Klingsten, Waterford, Wisconsin

Music Education, summa cum laude

Leo Kloos, St. Paul, Minnesota

Visual Communication

Leah Koenig, Lakeville, Minnesota

English, cum laude

Emma Kowalczyk, Colgate, Wisconsin

Management

Will Kuelbs, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Social Work

Audrey Kuhn, Madison, Wisconsin

Nursing, magna cum laude

Ethan Kunka, Great Falls, Montana

Music Education, cum laude

Hannah LaBonte, Lake City, Minnesota

Nursing, magna cum laude

Gislaine Lainfiesta Lopez, St. Paul, Minnesota

Anthropology

Courtney Landgrebe, Rosemount, Minnesota

Elementary Education, magna cum laude

Claire Larson, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Art

Claudia Larson, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Environmental Studies

Nicole Larson, Lakeville, Minnesota

Nursing, magna cum laude

Asli Joelle Lawrence, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Music, magna cum laude

Katherine Lawson, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Music Education, summa cum laude

Diep Le, Hanoi, Vietnam

Accounting, Data Science, magna cum laude

Carl Jamison Lee, Lewiston, Minnesota

Political Science

Tancrède Lefort, Golbey, France

International Studies, Political Science, magna cum laude

Noah Lindeman, St. Paul, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning

Quinn Lohse, Waukee, Iowa

Elementary Education

Awate Elizabeth Elisama Loma, Juba, South Sudan

Economics, International Studies, cum laude

Sullivan Lucy, St. Paul, Minnesota

Mathematics/Statistics

Justin Maas-Espinoza, Tracy, California

Sociology

Madi Major, Golden, Colorado

Biology, Environmental Studies

Ryan Malecha, Northfield, Minnesota

English, magna cum laude

Hernan Jesus Manzanet, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Data Science

Evan Jordan Marinov, Toronto, Canada

Computer Science

Amara Kyri Marks, Urbandale, Iowa

Law and Values

Ellanor Elizabeth Marti, Chaska, Minnesota

Environmental Studies, cum laude

Delaney Estrella Martinez-Wilson, Mead, Colorado

Exercise Science

Owen Matzek, Hastings, Minnesota

Environmental Studies, magna cum laude

Mark McCollor, Minnetonka, Minnesota

Visual Communication

Adam McDonald, Cold Spring, Minnesota

Music

Hannah McFarland, Winterset, Iowa

Nursing

Erin McGrath, Woodbury, Minnesota

Psychology, Neuroscience

Grace McIlrath, Grinnell, Iowa

Anthropology, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude

Mitchell McManus, Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Music

Bruna Costa, Brasilia, Brazil

Visual Communication, magna cum laude

Raul Medrano III, Madera, California

Management

Jordan Melendez, Worthington, Minnesota

Computer Science

Elisa Millán, Plymouth, Minnesota

Economics, Spanish, cum laude

Megan Hyla Miller, Urbandale, Iowa

Economics, Nordic Studies, summa cum laude

Jack Moriarty, Waukee, Iowa

Mathematics, Physics, summa cum laude

Jack Morrison, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Environmental Studies

Sonnet Mungyeh, Happy Valley, Oregon

Global Health–Plan 1, German

Alexia Murano, Urbandale, Iowa

Elementary Education, Spanish, cum laude

Jorge Murillo Uruñuela, Madrid, Spain

Computer Science

Arnold Mushumbusi Mutasingwa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Neuroscience

Nev Nelson, Woodinville, Washington

Chemistry, cum laude

Alana Suzanne Newell, Pecatonica, Illinois

Biology

Duy Nguyen, Vietnam

Data Science, Physics

Tapiwanashe (Taps) Nkompilo, Highfields Harare, Zimbabwe

Data Science

Clayton Nowak, Andover, Minnesota

Biology

Riley O’Donnell, Dubuque, Iowa

Neuroscience, cum laude

Emmaleigh Ohrt, Decorah, Iowa

Music, cum laude

Halle Olson, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

Nursing

Kyah Joann Olson-Sola, Northfield, Minnesota

Nursing, cum laude

Oluwa Victor Olayemi, Lagos, Nigeria

Social Work, Psychology, cum laude

Ava Severina O’Neill, Northfield, Minnesota

Environmental Studies, Political Science

Ahmed Daud Osman, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Economics

Javier Pastor Valls, Alicante, Spain

Economics

Ellen Petersen, Madison, Wisconsin

Psychology

Bryan Peterson, Estherville, Iowa

Communication Studies

Emma Pichelmann, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Biology, Anthropology, summa cum laude

Amber Pinter, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Nursing, cum laude

Gray Pitsenbarger, Shoreview, Minnesota

Art

Mya Ploor, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Music

Cole Pollock, Ankeny, Iowa

Biology

Stirling Pollock, Grand Marais, Minnesota

Visual Communication

Ricardo Antonio Portilla Ruiz, Quito, Ecuador

Global Health–Plan 1, cum laude

Gracia Powell, Bellingham, Washington

International Studies, Political Science, cum laude

Julia Lynn Praska, St. Paul, Minnesota

Nursing

Mark Prince, San Diego, California

Mathematics, Physics, cum laude

Carlie Prymek, Iowa City, Iowa

Music

Mara Quackenbush, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Communication Studies

Ian McAlister Ramirez, Janesville, Wisconsin

Communication Studies

Montserrat Ramírez Mainou, Queretaro, Mexico

Neuroscience

Dylan Rauser, Ankeny, Iowa

Exercise Science–Allied Health Sciences

Hogan Reuter, Farmington, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Allied Health Sciences

Kaija Elizabeth Rice, Ames, Iowa

Social Work, cum laude

Annika Mary Rice, Ames, Iowa

Nursing

Kelly Ristau, Preston, Minnesota

Psychology, Art

Isaac Roberts, Decorah, Iowa

Nordic Studies

Mateus Rohden, Joinville, Brazil

Computer Science

Christina Rolf, River Falls, Wisconsin

Art, magna cum laude

Juan Pablo Rosaldo, Mexico City, Mexico

Economics

Noel Rosales Jr., Chicago, Illinois

Law and Values

Jax Rosland, Elmhurst, Illinois

Communication Studies

Paige Ross, Faribault, Minnesota

Exercise Science–Allied Health, cum laude

Hannah Roth, Rochester, Minnesota

Music

Ella Rowley, Rochester, Minnesota

Mathematics

Chloe Rozga, Northfield, Minnesota

Communication Studies, Law and Values, summa cum laude

Fernando Ruiz Vega, Chicago, Illinois

Accounting

Abby Russeth, Lakeville, Minnesota

Global Health, summa cum laude

Haakon Rustad, Northfield, Minnesota

Nordic Studies, Accounting

Khalil Saldivar, Houston, Texas

Visual Communication

Junita Sangare, Monrovia, Liberia

Biology, cum laude

Riley Mae Sauser, Ely, Iowa

Exercise Science–Allied Health, magna cum laude

Sarah Schmidt, Bettendorf, Iowa

Mathematics, Biology, summa cum laude

Kenlin Mae Schmitt, Elgin, Iowa

Exercise Science–Allied Health

Tori Nichole Schnell, Deforest, Wisconsin

Exercise Science–Allied Health

Andie Schrader, Bloomington, Minnesota

Social Work

Erica Schulte, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Accounting, Management, cum laude

Riley Schulte, Plymouth, Minnesota

Management, magna cum laude

Aidan Schultheis, Des Moines, Iowa

Psychology

Mark Severtson, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Music, summa cum laude

Nico Shrestha, Minnetonka, Minnesota

Political Science, Spanish, Law and Values

Elijah Shubatt, Dubuque, Iowa

Law and Values

Matthew Gunner Smith, Decorah, Iowa

History, Political Science

Lizzie Snyder, Petaluma, California

Individualized Interdisciplinary-Ancient Civilizations

Kai Stemm, Roseville, Minnesota

Data Science, German

Anna Stenerson, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Social Work, magna cum laude

Peter Stinar, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Accounting, magna cum laude

Isaac Stivers, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

German

Hannah Isabel Stoutner, Whitehall, Wisconsin

Communication Studies, magna cum laude

Alyssa Strampe, Janesville, Wisconsin

Psychology, magna cum laude

Zed Strom, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Political Science

Sorley Swanstrom-Arnold, Washburn, Wisconsin

History, magna cum laude

Kaleb Thiesse, Kasson, Minnesota

Elementary Education

Allison Thomley, Middleton, Wisconsin

Visual Communication, Art, magna cum laude

Hayden Thompson, North Liberty, Iowa

Psychology, cum laude

Vincent Torgerson, Mabel, Minnesota

Political Science

Elise Trail-Johnson, St. Paul, Minnesota

Visual Communication, magna cum laude

Emma Tran, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Mathematics/Statistics, magna cum laude

Hannah Marie Kerchner, West Branch, Iowa

Music, magna cum laude

Marcus Uthke, Eyota, Minnesota

Management

Soley Valdimarsdottir, Reykjavik, Iceland

Data Science, Management, cum laude

Anastasios Vasileiou, Paiania, Greece

Management

William Foster Vavrichek, Hopkins, Minnesota

Chemistry

Justin Velzke, Owatonna, Minnesota

Management

Zoe Verhey, Dassel, Minnesota

Management

Andre Viveros, Whittier, California

Economics

Anishka Vogl, Austin, Texas

Music

Renee Vorndran, Osceola, Wisconsin

Environmental Studies

Grace Vuckovich, Mokena, Illinois

Sociology

Josh Wackerfuss, Chaska, Minnesota

International Studies, Spanish, Political Science, magna cum laude

Alexander Wagner, Mosinee, Wisconsin

Communication Studies

Emma Walker, Decorah, Iowa

English, cum laude

Finn Wallace, Eagan, Minnesota

Visual Communication

Shulei Wang, China

Computer Science, Religion, magna cum laude

Julia Weiner, Iowa City, Iowa

Psychology, magna cum laude

Jacob Wenger, Manchester, Iowa

Chemistry, summa cum laude

Luke Westholder, Edina, Minnesota

Management

Ava White, Duluth, Minnesota

Communication Studies, summa cum laude

Livia Monet Williams, Coralville, Iowa

Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning

Clara Wodny, Duluth, Minnesota

Visual Communication, English, summa cum laude

Avery Wrage, Waverly, Iowa

Biology, magna cum laude

Reece Wright, Annandale, Minnesota

Music Education, magna cum laude

Dexter Wright II, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Psychology, cum laude

Sophie Yakes, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Identity Studies

Eli Young, North Liberty, Iowa

Management, magna cum laude

Judith Zimundi, Harare, Zimbabwe

Chemistry

Ruby Zorn, Little Rock, Arkansas

English, cum laude

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Luther College appoints Megan Wilson as athletics director

June 26, 2025 Luther College News

Megan Wilson has been named Luther’s athletics director.

Megan Wilson has been named athletics director at Luther College, President Brad Chamberlain announced today.

An NCAA Division III national champion athlete, former head coach and experienced athletics administrator, Wilson returns to Luther from the University of Dubuque, where she has served as associate dean of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics for the past three years.

“NCAA Division III athletics is a complex landscape that is rapidly evolving. In Megan Wilson, Luther College and Norse athletics has found a strategic leader that will make an immediate impact on the culture of excellence and achievement that we are building together,” Chamberlain said.

“Megan’s leadership style is rooted in building relationships and marked by transparent communication and innovative problem-solving,” Chamberlain continued. “We are excited to welcome Megan back to Luther College, and I am eager to partner with her to support a Norse student-athlete experience that is distinctive and transformational, and that meets the moment, both for Luther College and intercollegiate athletics more broadly.”

“I am honored and thrilled to return to Luther College as the next director of athletics,” Wilson said. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to President Chamberlain, the search committee, the athletics staff, and the entire campus community for their warm welcome and enthusiasm throughout the process. Having previously been part of this incredible community, I know firsthand the passion, pride, and commitment that define Norse Athletics. I’m excited to build on that strong foundation and lead with a student-centered vision rooted in excellence, equity, and integrity.”

At Dubuque, Wilson served as an associate dean of student engagement, and as a member of the UD Athletics Department’s Senior Executive Team. In this role, she assisted in the development, implementation and management of UD’s zero-based athletics department budget, oversaw NCAA and American Rivers Conference compliance requirements, and had sport supervision duties.

Along with direct oversight of intramurals and recreation for UD, Wilson served on the university’s Cares Team, which provides resources and services to all at-risk students at Dubuque. She also was a member of the UD campus retention and persistence committee and was a deputy Title IX coordinator.

“When we began the search process, we made clear we were seeking individuals with strong administrative experience who aligned with our belief that athletics is about community, character, and competition,” Chamberlain said. “Athletics at Luther is part of our holistic approach to learning that develops mind, body, and spirit, and we were seeking a leader who could both enrich Luther’s tradition of excellence in intercollegiate athletics, and integrate athletics into the fabric of the broader campus and local communities.”

“President Chamberlain’s philosophy on athletics deeply resonates with me—especially the emphasis on character, community, and competition,” Wilson said. “These values are at the heart of what makes college athletics meaningful and transformative. I’m excited to partner with President Chamberlain and the entire Luther community as we embrace the new opportunities ahead and continue to elevate the student-athlete experience.”

Wilson’s selection concludes a process to return to a full-time athletics director at Luther, which started last fall and included a nationwide search for the position this spring.

“We were fortunate to have a robust field of applicants from across the country, and the interest in our athletics director position shows that Luther Norse athletics is highly regarded and respected,” Chamberlain said. “Megan’s naming as Luther’s new athletics director adds to the building momentum for Luther athletics, which includes the ongoing Gerdin Fieldhouse renovation and invitation to join the Midwest Conference in 2026-27. Luther is well positioned to build upon the achievements of our past conference champions, All-Americans, and NCAA Postgraduate Scholars.”

Known across the region and nationally, Wilson is a member of the A-R-C Strategic Focus Group; was a member of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Committee from 2018 to 2024, including two years as the committee chair; and has participated in various NCAA leadership programs, including the Pathway Program as a member of the 2023–24 cohort.

Prior to joining Dubuque, Wilson served as associate athletics director and advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Luther. Along with home event administration for major events including the All-American cross country meet and three A-R-C conference championships hosted by Luther, she served as the director of the then-named Regents Center.

Earlier in her athletics administration career, she was associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and held the same position at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

At each stop in her administrative career, Wilson established or expanded corporate sponsorship programs for her institutions. Most recently, she wrote and received the NCAA Women and Ethnic Minorities grant, which led to the creation of a paid position for a coordinator of creative media, marketing and fan engagement at UD.

As a head coach, Wilson had a nine-year career leading UW-Platteville women’s basketball, and during her time also served as the liaison for athletics and admissions for Pioneer athletics.

As a college athlete, she had a legendary career for UW-Stevens Point, playing all four years and serving as the team captain her junior and senior seasons as the Pointers won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2002. Following graduation, she became an assistant coach for the Pointers for four years, helping guide the team to back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and NCAA tournament bids.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration at UWSP, she also completed her master’s degree in education. A native of Barneveld, Wisc., she led Barneveld High School to back-to-back state championships and was the valedictorian of her graduating class. She and her husband, Josh, have three children, Aidan, Brody and Palmer.

Wilson succeeds Renae Hartl, who held both athletics director and head softball coach positions for the past decade. Hartl announced in December 2024 she was stepping down to focus full time on her role as head coach of Luther’s storied softball program, which she has led for 24 years. With Wilson’s arrival in mid-July, Hartl will also serve as associate athletics director for facility development and resume her role as Luther’s senior woman administrator.

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Three Luther College students to empower youth in Timor-Leste and Bangladesh through Projects for Peace grants

June 25, 2025 Luther College News

Three Luther College students, Jose Eliano Da Silva, Kim Anh Thy Nguyen and Resana Zayan, received two grants through Projects for Peace. This global program partners with educational institutions to identify and support young peacebuilders. The $10,000 grants will fund the students’ innovative community-centered projects focused on empowering youth in Timor-Leste and Bangladesh.

Since 2007, Luther students have initiated and led 24 different summer Projects for Peace programs globally. In total, 39 Luther students have been awarded this prestigious grant to spread sustainable peace around the world.

Jose Eliano Da Silva and Kim Anh Thy Nguyen: “Empowering Timorese Youth through Enhanced Education: Building a Future of Change and Progress” in Timor-Leste

Da Silva and Nguyen’s project, “Empowering Timorese Youth through Enhanced Education: Building a Future of Change and Progress,” focuses on education, leadership training and civic engagement for high school students living in rural areas.

Kim Anh Thy Nguyen and Jose Eliano Da Silva

“We want to give young people the skills and opportunities they need to become active leaders in their communities and help shape a more inclusive and peaceful future for Timor-Leste,” the students wrote in their proposal. “We believe that empowering youth is a central pillar in creating a peaceful society, as young people are key agents of change and progress.”

In August, Da Silva and Nguyen will host a seven-day intensive training camp for 40 Timorese youth from eight high schools across six municipalities.

“I’ll focus on overall project coordination, logistics and linking the sessions to broader peace-building goals, while Kim will support the implementation of leadership and well-being sessions, and help ensure the training is accessible and engaging for all participants,” Da Silva said.

The training camp will have additional support from Timor-Leste Youth for Peace, a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to promoting peace and social justice.

“Partnering with Timor-Leste Youth for Peace felt like a natural step. We share the same belief that young people are not just the future, but also the present agents of peace and transformation in Timor-Leste,” Da Silva said.

After the camp, students will continue to collaborate with Timor-Leste Youth for Peace and use their summer training in their schools and local communities.

Nguyen, a senior from Vietnam, will travel to Timor-Leste for the first time this summer. She is partnering with Da Silva on this project because of her commitment to youth empowerment and community health.

“As a nursing major, Kim brings valuable insight into health-related challenges facing young people, particularly in rural areas,” Da Silva said.

This project is deeply personal for Da Silva, a junior majoring in economics and international studies at Luther.

“Growing up in Timor-Leste, I witnessed firsthand the inequalities faced by the youth,” Da Silva said. “I want to create a space where the youth can develop leadership skills, learn about their rights and feel empowered to drive change in their communities. This project will help them to realize the power they have to build peace.”

Resana Zayan: “Empowering Education and Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts” in Bangladesh

Zayan’s project, “Empowering Education and Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts,” focuses on rebuilding the Chengi Ideal School and creating a sustainable education system for the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Resana Zayan

“This funding will enable the restoration of vital facilities destroyed during the flood, train Indigenous teachers in essential subjects, restore dorm facilities for students coming from remote areas, and provide opportunities for cultural enrichment and physical activities,” Zayan wrote in her proposal.

Zayan’s inspiration stems from a conversation she had with a high school friend from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

“When I started thinking about the impact I wanted this project to have, I asked her, ‘What’s most urgently needed right now?’ Without hesitation, she told me about Chengi Ideal School, which had recently been hit hard by the floods,” Zayan said.

With help from her friend, Zayan contacted the school to learn more about their struggles.

“They sent us photos of students sitting in flooded classrooms, with water covering the floors and soaking through the infrastructure,” she said. “The school had already been trying to secure funding to rebuild but hadn’t found any support. That’s when I knew this was the right place to focus our efforts.”

The short-term goal is to repair classrooms, establish a library, provide wifi connectivity and upgrade an existing dormitory with a kitchen. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable education system for Indigenous children by enhancing teacher training, improving dormitory facilities to boost student retention and providing transportation for students from remote areas.

“The need is connected to the broader challenge of providing education to a marginalized population already facing the impacts of climate vulnerability,” Zayan said.

Zayan is a senior majoring in visual communication at Luther. This summer, she will facilitate her project remotely. She feels humbled and honored to have her project selected for a grant.

“Having this project recognized feels like a powerful step toward shedding light on a region that’s been in the shadows for too long,” she said. “This recognition gives me hope that people are ready to listen and stand in solidarity with communities that have been excluded for far too long.”

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Julie Thornton appointed Luther College’s dean of students

June 20, 2025 Luther College News

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain announced that Julie Thornton has been appointed as the new dean of students for Luther College.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Thornton to Luther College as our dean of students,” Chamberlain said.

Julie Thornton

With more than two decades of experience in student affairs and student-facing offices, Thornton joins Luther from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was the Title IX coordinator and oversaw equity and compliance.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Luther community to start building relationships and working collaboratively with a team to support students through the joys and challenges of college life — focused on students feeling welcomed, having a sense of belonging and finding and nurturing their passions,” Thornton said. “My experiences with students and employees on so many different college and university campuses over my professional tenure has prepared me for the important work ahead in student life at Luther.”

Her past experience at other institutions made her a strong candidate for the role.

“Luther is well regarded as a community of learners marked by deep connections among its students — connections that foster a sense of belonging and a focus upon others,” Chamberlain said. “During the selection process, Provost Pamela Bacon and I agreed that the breadth of Dr. Thorton’s past experiences, her record of implementing student-centered solutions, and her commitment to creating environments where students thrive both academically and personally closely aligned with our mission and strategic priorities associated with supporting the holistic development of students, inside and outside of the classroom.”

Bacon was recently appointed the new provost at Luther. As dean of students, Thornton will be one of the lead administrators in the Office of the Provost and work closely with Bacon.

“Her talent for building relationships and collaborating across areas makes her an ideal partner in the integrated provost model,” Bacon said. “I’m looking forward to working with her in the Office of the Provost to support and promote student success.”

While completing her doctorate in education at the University of Kansas, Thornton worked in the KU human resources office, and also served briefly as the interim associate vice chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX in Lawrence.

Before her doctoral work, Thornton was the assistant vice chancellor for students at the University of Minnesota at Rochester. She has also worked at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona. She spent almost four years as director of student activities at Washington University in St. Louis. Thornton also served as the assistant dean of students and director of residential life at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois.

A graduate of St. Olaf College majoring in speech communication and public relations, Thornton was also a multi-year all-conference and All-American runner. Early in her professional career she coached cross country and track for two colleges before moving into student life positions. She earned a master of science degree in educational administration and foundations at Illinois State University.

Thornton will begin her role at Luther in July. She is looking forward to relocating to Decorah and being an active member of the community.

“I am learning about the strong sense of community that exists in Decorah and at Luther, and I am energized about all that is to come,” she said.

Four Luther College graduates were awarded English teaching assistantships in Europe for the 2025–26 academic year.

Kellen DeKok, Lydia Gruenwald, Alexia Murano and Cassandra Norton were selected to be teaching assistants.

June 16 2025

Luther College’s spring 2025 Dean’s List includes 562 students, with 56 first-years, 119 sophomores, 141 juniors and 246 seniors.

June 10 2025

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Four Luther alumni receive international English teaching assistant awards

June 16, 2025 Luther College News

Four Luther College graduates were awarded English teaching assistantships in Europe for the 2025–26 academic year.

Kellen DeKok, Lydia Gruenwald, Alexia Murano and Cassandra Norton were selected to be teaching assistants by three different organizations with similar missions. Teaching assistants act as cultural ambassadors and promote mutual understanding through cultural exchanges.

Norton received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award and will teach in Germany. The Austrian-American Educational Commission selected Gruenwald to teach in Austria. Both DeKok and Murano received teaching assistantships through the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain.

Kellen DeKok

Kellen DeKok

DeKok, of Archer, Iowa, graduated from Luther in May 2025 with degrees in Spanish and economics. He will be a teaching assistant with the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program in Spain.

DeKok applied for this program because of his positive experiences in Europe as a Luther student. DeKok, who played French horn in the Luther College Symphony Orchestra for three years, participated in a January term (J-Term) residency in Vienna, Austria, in 2023. This experience ignited his love of international travel.

During the summer of 2024, DeKok studied in Spain. After that “incredible and transformative experience,” DeKok made the goal of returning to Spain after graduation.

“I am looking forward to being able to practice my Spanish and to ‘live the life’ in Spain again,” DeKok said.

Lydia Gruenwald

college student standing in front of white wall

Lydia Gruenwald

The Symphony Orchestra Vienna residency was a pivotal moment for Gruenwald too.

“I fell in love with Austria – the history, the music and the people there who cared so deeply about intercultural connection,” she said.

Gruenwald, of Lombard, Illinois, was selected to be a teaching assistant at two secondary schools in Austria.

“I’m looking forward to making deep connections with my community, collaborating with other teaching assistants, practicing my German and learning more about what aspects of the USA my students are curious about,” she said.

Gruenwald graduated from Luther in May 2025. She majored in history with minors in music and museum studies.

Alexia Murano

Alexia Murano

Murano, of Urbandale, Iowa, was a double major in Spanish and elementary education with an English as a Second Language endorsement. She graduated cum laude in May 2025. While at Luther, Murano completed her student teaching in Norway.

“I witnessed how transformative international teaching can be not only for my students but for myself, as an educator,” she said.

Murano will be part of the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program in Spain.

“I am excited to immerse myself in the Spanish education system, further my Spanish-speaking skills and learn more about the culture in Spain,” Murano said. “I look forward to the challenges and growth opportunities that come with stepping into a new classroom, especially one abroad.”

Cassandra Norton

Cassandra Norton

Norton, of Lakeville, Minnesota, graduated summa cum laude and earned degrees in German and international studies in May 2024. She also minored in identity studies. Norton won the Outstanding Delegate Award at the American Model United Nations Conference in 2023. She spent her spring 2022 semester studying in Germany through Luther’s Münster Semester program.

Norton will be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Germany.

“I am so excited to return to Germany and experience the country in a more personal and independent way,” she said. “I know the ETA position will take me to new heights by pushing me out of my comfort zone. I cannot wait to explore my new community there.”

More than 45 Luther alumni have received international teaching assistantships since 2000.

Current students and recent alumni who are interested in applying for an international English teaching assistantship should contact professor Elizabeth Steding, director of student honors and fellowships, by emailing stedel01@luther.edu.

For more information about these opportunities, visit Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Fulbright Austria or the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program.

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