Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools

May 22, 2023

Luther College graduating senior Mychal Shed received the college’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal for the class of 2023. The announcement was made during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21. 

“I feel truly blessed and honored to win this award. The Jenson Medal is especially humbling for me because it came from my classmates and friends who deemed me worthy enough to represent Luther College and the amazingly talented class of 2023. These are the same people who I entered Luther College with as strangers, and now, four years later, we are leaving as friends, teammates, brothers, and sisters. This is an honor that I will forever cherish and hold near and dear to my heart,” said Shed. 

Luther’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal is presented each year to an outstanding senior, selected by the graduating class, who best demonstrates the ideals of the college through service to students and the college community. Established through an endowment gift from Luther alumni Paul ’48 and Elizabeth (Dybdal) Jenson ’49 of Vassalboro, Maine, the Jenson Medal supports Luther College’s mission of service.

During his time at Luther, Shed was a member of the men’s basketball team and was voted team captain. Additionally, he was the president of the Black Student Union and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and on Luther’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also worked in the Admissions Office as a Lead Student Ambassador and was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. The role that was most fulfilling for Shed was serving as camp counselor/mentor for the Junior Norse Skills Camps. 

“Working with the children at camp served as a challenge of patience, understanding, and connection—a challenge that I took pride in achieving. As an aspiring youth and adolescent social worker and school counselor, I know that these experiences will be similar to the day-to-day occurrences that I will face in my career. I am grateful for those campers, as they helped me learn a great deal about myself. They helped me learn how to communicate effectively with different youth, how to build and maintain genuine relationships and connections with them, and the most salient—they taught me how to become a better listener,” said Shed. 

Shed graduated with a degree in psychology. He is the son of Maya Sample and Marcus Shed and is from Teague, Texas. He said, “Coming to the rural Midwest was a concern of mine four years ago. Will I be accepted? If they do accept me, will they understand me? During my first semester at Luther these fears were alleviated completely. Now, after four years of deeply rooting myself in this community through genuine service, leadership, and love—I can wholeheartedly say that my peers have accepted me, understood me, and most definitely have supported me every step of the way.” 

This fall, Shed will attend the University of Chicago, where he has been accepted into the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice to pursue his master’s degree in social work.

Ashley Benson, dean of student engagement, got to know Shed very well during his time at Luther. She said, “Myke is a dynamic human being. I remember meeting him when I interviewed at Luther. I have enjoyed watching him grow as a student leader and seeing the impact he has on his peers. He is valued by so many. He brings warmth and joy to any room he enters. I look forward to watching him grow as a graduate student and a professional. Myke truly deserves this prestigious Jenson Medal award that is woven into the fabric of Luther College.” 

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. 

May 16, 2023

Luther College seniors Gideon Perez, Sadie Pichelmann and Berit Skogen have received Fulbright awards for the 2023-24 academic year. All three will serve as Fulbright English Teaching Assistants.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Every year, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards more than 2,000 students, artists, and early-career professionals from all backgrounds and in more than 100 different fields of study to teach English and undertake research abroad. Fulbright awards are given based upon leadership potential, academic achievement, and record of service.

Gideon Perez ’23 was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia.

Gideon Perez ’23 of Austin, Minnesota, will graduate in May with a major in English. He was selected for an English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia. “After learning about Slovakia’s rich history, deep culture, and beautiful natural landscapes, it was so easy to fall in love with,” said Perez. “Outside of teaching, I’m excited to integrate myself into a new community and meet plenty of new friends,” he said. After his Fulbright, he plans to continue teaching English or pursue a career in publishing.

Sadie Pichelmann ’23 was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia.

Sadie Pichelmann ’23 of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, will graduate in May with a major in history and minors in biology and music. She also was selected for an English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia. “I know much more about Western Europe than I do about Eastern Europe, and I hope to fill this gap in my knowledge through my time in Slovakia,” Pichelmann said. “I’m most excited for the opportunity to encounter people and situations that will challenge my sense of self and my worldviews,” she added. After her Fulbright experience, she plans to attend medical school. “I am of the firm conviction that treating each person as a whole and acknowledging their unique individuality is vital to being an effective caregiver, and being able to understand and appreciate other cultural backgrounds and viewpoints is a large part of that,” Pichelmann said.

Berit Skogen ’23 will be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Norway.

Berit Skogen ’23 of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, will graduate in May with majors in history and Nordic studies and minors in Africana studies and religion. She will be an English Teaching Assistant in Norway, where she previously studied abroad. “I chose Fulbright because it provides grantees with so many amazing opportunities and connections. Living there for 10 months will give me a lot of language practice and opportunities to learn from my students as well as foster connections between the US and Norway,” said Skogen. When not in the classroom, she is excited to run and ski in the mountains. After her Fulbright experience, she plans to pursue graduate degrees in Scandinavian studies.

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.

May 12, 2023

Joshua Hartl ’23, U.S. Teaching Assistant (USTA) in Austria for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Austrian-American Educational Commission has selected Luther College senior Joshua Hartl of Oskaloosa, Iowa, as a U.S. Teaching Assistant (USTA) in Austria for the 2023-24 academic year.

Administered by the Fulbright Commission, the AAEC has sent more than 3,000 college graduates to teach in Austria since 1962. Teaching assistants act as cultural ambassadors and promote mutual understanding across national borders. The program is funded primarily by direct contributions from the governments of the United States and Austria.

Hartl is graduating from Luther in May 2023 with majors in communication studies, international studies and German, as well as a minor in theater. He has previously studied in Germany. He will serve as an English teaching assistant in Leoben, about an hour north of Graz.

“I wanted to do the USTA program to get experience living and working outside of the United States,” said Hartl. “I also believe education to be an invaluable opportunity to create a better future and want to do so by sharing my skills, unique perspectives and knowledge to the youth of Austria.”

He added, “I chose Austria because I am an adventurer at heart. Its beautiful landscape of mountains, rivers and snow are perfect for all of my outdoor interests.” In his free time, he plans to enjoy the many opportunities for outdoor sports that the region offers.

After his USTA position ends, Hartl hopes to seek further employment in Europe. “I want to find more places to call home and ways to make a positive impact wherever I am,” Hartl said. “I believe this assistantship will help me better understand what I am passionate about and how to use my talents to benefit those around me.”

“Ultimately, I hope it helps me find and narrow my choices for a more focused career after the assistantship,” Hartl added. “I also think working as a teacher with students abroad will teach me valuable lessons and skills applicable to whatever the future holds for me.”

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.

May 8, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.