Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College senior Nancy Le received the 2024 Joy Tlou Memorial Award in recognition of her contributions to campus life, encouraging a “community of joy.” 

Nancy Le

“I feel incredibly honored and grateful to receive the 2024 Joy Tlou Memorial Award. To have my creativity and positivity recognized by people at Luther means so much,” Le said. “Interacting with different people on campus, especially through my work-study job at the Career Center, brings me joy, and I’m glad that my contributions have made an impact on those around me as well.” 

The Joy Tlou Memorial Award was established by Hla Tlou in memory of her brother, Bonolo Joy Tlou ’86, in 2023. Le is the second recipient; Myke Shed ’23 was named the inaugural recipient in 2023. It is awarded to students whose character, leadership and participation in the campus community enhance the quality of campus life and encourage a “community of joy.”

Le came to Luther from Hue city Vietnam where she will graduate this year with a degree in visual communication. She has spread her positivity and talents around campus. 

This includes working at the Luther Career Center, where she creates content for social media, including videos, to educate the campus about services. Through the Career Center, she also serves as a Clifton Strengths Ambassador, where she helps students, faculty and staff on campus recognize and apply their talents in life and careers. She was nominated by her Career Center supervisors Katrina Brickley, administrative and communications coordinator, and Miriam Skrade, associate director.

“Nancy brings smiles, waves and giggles as she approaches the windows of the Career Center, all before she enters the door,” Brickley said. “Once inside, everyone working is greeted by peppy hellos. No one leaves Nancy’s presence a stranger.”

“Nancy brings not only joy, but also knowledge and impact to everything she does,” Skrade said. “Whether it’s a vice president or one of her classmates, she will talk to anyone like they’re long term friends.” 

In addition to her work study position at the Career Center, Le spent her junior year as part of Luther’s Nottingham Year, where students spend a year abroad in the English city, and serves as a resident assistant in Miller Hall. During her sophomore year, she was an admissions ambassador and a member of Luther College Cheerleading, in addition to working at the Writing Center.  

When asked how she brings joy to campus, Le responded by saying, “It’s the little things like making eye contact, sharing smiles, and giving genuine compliments to people, whether I know them or not. I love spreading positivity and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.” 

Le said she likes Luther’s small size because she feels like she was able to get to know everyone around campus.

“In each class Nancy has taken from me, she’s brought infectious energy. Ultimately, this has really elevated entire classroom communities in profound ways,” said Thomas Johnson, associate professor of communications studies. “She’s a bright light, no doubt.”

“I feel like I’m meant to be at Luther. The small size of the college has allowed me to create meaningful connections with a lot of members of our campus community, and it truly feels like home here,” Le said. “The friends I’ve made, the professors I’ve had, and Luther staff I’ve encountered have all contributed to making Luther a special place for me.”

About Bonolo “Joy” Tlou

Joy Tlou was born in Gwanda, Zimbabwe, in 1963. He moved to Decorah with his mom and sisters when he was two years old to join his father, who was a student at Luther College. Joy attended elementary school in Decorah and junior high school in Glencoe, Illinois; he graduated from high school in Blacksburg, Virginia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Luther College in 1986. No matter where Joy went, he was loved by everyone and was a friend to anyone. 

In addition to working as a college administrator, Joy was an artist who made beautiful pottery, a singer and musician, a cook who hosted dinners for no other reason than to bring people together. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, telling jokes and simply being in the company of friends and family.

About The Joy Tlou Memorial Award

The Joy Tlou Memorial Award is awarded to students whose character, leadership, and participation in the campus community enhance the quality of campus life and encourage a “community of joy.” The $3,000 award is managed through both an application and nomination process. In addition to meeting the criteria above, the following questions are addressed through the application or nomination: 1) What gifts do you have to share; 2) What joy can you bring to the campus community; and 3) What will you do to be like Joy?

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 will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and contributions in April with a series of lectures, as well as performances and a fashion show put on by Luther students. The college will host a residency for a Chinese musician, calligrapher and martial artist. While May is widely recognized as the national AAPI month, Luther will celebrate in April. 

Jaye Hobart, class of 2011, will give the Don Kemp Memorial Lecture in Social Work at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in Baker Commons. Hobart’s lecture will focus on her non-traditional social work journey through the nonprofit sector. Among her many board affiliations, Hobart serves the HANA Center, a Chicago-area nonprofit that aims to meet the needs of Korean, Asian American and multi-ethnic immigrants; and the Korean Adoptees of Chicago organization.

Luther will host a residency for Master Wu Zhongxian, an accomplished Qin player, calligrapher, and martial artist, from April 9–28. He’s also a Daoist practitioner. He’s offering a variety of workshops throughout April that are open to the public; to sign up for events, email Scott Hurley at hurlsc01@luther.edu. 

• Chinese Calligraphy Workshop: 1–3 p.m., Sunday, April 15, in the Center for the Arts 215, $25 for the public. 
• Qigong and the Earth Workshop: 5:30–7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the Center for the Arts Studio One, free to the public. 
• Chinese Medicine for Health and Longevity: 5–7 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at Decorah United Church of Christ, $25 for the public. 
• Tea and Qin Music: 5–7 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Ryumonji Zen Monastery, $25 for the public.

“Master Wu Zhongxian’s visit provides the community with opportunities to experience classical Chinese art forms such calligraphy, music and martial arts, as well Chinese religion and medicine,” said Scott Hurley, associate professor of identity studies. 

The ISAA fashion show in 2022.

Luther’s International Student Association and Allies (ISAA) in collaboration with the Asian Student and Allies Association (ASAA) will host their annual Fashion Show at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. The show will feature a wealth of talent and diversity. Tickets are available to purchase online and all proceeds from the show will be donated to Human Concern International to help the children of Gaza. 

“For me, this is a time I get to shine a spotlight on my heritage and my community. Often, people in minority communities have a hard time seeing themselves represented in the media, in leadership roles, doing things we dream about,” said Adrianna Tam, assistant professor of music and faculty advisor to ASAA. “Dedicating time to celebrate people – as we do for other heritage and history months – hopefully means that folks feel seen and worthy of being seen, with more curiosity, conversation, and compassion.”

Venerable Chao Hwei, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun and activist, will give a talk from 7:30–9 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, via Zoom. The talk will focus on her social justice activism, which includes advocating for LGBTQIA rights and gender equality. 

Sara Docan-Morgan will give a talk based on her book, In Reunion: Transnational Korean Adoptees and the Communication of Family, at 5 p.m. Monday, April 22, in Olin 102. She will discuss interviews with Korean adoptees who’ve reunited with their birth families, which reveals the complexities of family and identity, as well as how people define culture, family and self. 

Small Island, Big Song, a collective of renowned First Nation artists from across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, will perform music for Luther College’s Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 , in the Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall. Small Island Big Song is a music, film and performing arts project that unites artists from islands across the Pacific and Indian Ocean through artistic collaboration. Tickets are available to purchase online. 

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 Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (The CEPE) will celebrate the 25th anniversary of David Lynch’s “The Straight Story,” with a free screening and discussion with one of the film’s stars in early April. The film is based on the true story of Alvin Straight of Laurens, Iowa, who rode his lawn mower tractor across the state and part of Wisconsin to reunite with his estranged brother. 

James Cada, left, and Susanne Egli.

The CEPE will host a screening of “The Straight Story” at 7 p.m Thursday, April 4, in Olin 102. At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall actor James Cada, who played Danny Riordan in the movie, will be on campus to discuss the film. Along with Susanne Egli, associate professor of communication and leadership at St. Mary’s University, the two will also discuss the role of art as part of the public good. 

“The brilliance of ‘The Straight Story’ is that its complex characters and narrative positivity speak to audiences of all ages. And for folks living in this part of Iowa and the Midwest, it’s a rare chance to consider how our lives and values get represented on the silver screen,” said Andy Hageman, associate professor of English at Luther and director of the CEPE. “That helps us explore the values that may connect us in this part of the world, and it helps folks recognize that every identity represented in films shapes attitudes for good or ill.” 

Lynch, director of “Eraserhead” and “Blue Velvet,” surprised Hollywood and audiences by directing a G-rated film produced by Disney that is set in rural Iowa. The film stars Richard Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek along with Cada. It captures the feel of rural Iowa with the landscapes and dialogue. 

Cada and Egli, who has a theater career spanning around the U.S., will reflect on actors and artists who are based in the Midwest, but connected around the globe. The two will also share insights on the recent strike by SAG-AFTRA (the actor’s union) and the future of acting. 

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 – Patti (Schroeder) Hetrick, class of 1984, from Minneapolis was named the vice president for finance and administration at Luther College, President Jenifer K. Ward announced this week.

The native of nearby Caledonia, Minn., and graduate of Luther brings a wide range of governmental, public sector and corporate experience managing large and complex operational infrastructures.

Patti (Schroeder) Hetrick

“Patti has a deep love for Luther College and a skill set developed over a long career in finance and administration in a variety of sectors,” Ward said. “Given the pace of change in higher education, we will be well served by her fresh perspective coupled with her genuine investment in the vitality of her alma mater.”

Hetrick will begin on May 1 on a half-time basis then full-time in June. Luther budget director Andrew Bailey will continue as the interim VPFA until May.

“Luther College has had a significant impact on my life, and I’m excited to return to the places and spaces I call home,” said Hetrick. “My studies at Luther College gave me a sense of grounding in a big world, and the skills to work with our community to ensure that Luther continues to thrive for generations to come.”

She joins Luther after three years as the chief financial officer of the Hennepin County Library System in Minneapolis where she oversaw the budget, contracts, personnel management, capital projects and operations for the 41 libraries which served 1.2 million county residents. In her position as CFO, she also worked as needed with the Hennepin County Library Board, Hennepin County Administration and the county’s Board of Commissioners.

Prior to the Hennepin County Library, Hetrick spent 13 years as the budget director for the Anoka County government, also in the Minneapolis metro area. She managed a $341 million budget along with operational tasks and providing updates to a wide range of constituencies. In this role she worked with the county administrator and the overall management team which provided services to the approximately 363,000 residents of Minnesota’s fourth-most populated county.

During her tenure, she also gained additional leadership experience as the interim library director for Anoka County, steering the facility through the Covid-19 transition of services.

Before joining Hennepin County, she had a similar position of budget director for Sherburne County, Minnesota, and its $80 million budget for the county. She also had her own consulting business for the decade before joining civic government.

Following her graduation from Luther, she started her career in corporate America working first with internal audit at Cargill in Minneapolis. She advanced to director of internal audit and special projects at G&K Services, a publicly traded corporation also in Minneapolis, for a decade.

With family nearby, Hetrick will be relocating to Decorah later this spring.

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–Grace Lawrence, a senior at Luther College, is majoring in social work because she wants to help vulnerable populations. She’s spending her last semester in Washington, D.C., learning more about the social work field through an internship. 

“What I like about Luther’s social work program is the amount of field experience it offers,” Lawrence said. “Luther prioritizes real-word experience, and the courses are focused on applying the coursework in practice.”

Grace Lawrence

As part of her coursework, Lawrence is interning in D.C. through the Lutheran College Washington Semester, a personalized program for students at Lutheran-affiliated colleges to take advantage of academic and professional opportunities in the nation’s capital. 

She’s interning for the National Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit membership organization that provides training and resources to community organizations to alleviate poverty within communities. 

Her duties include creating materials to promote the connection between community action and social workers. March is National Social Work Month, which celebrates social workers and their contributions to society, and she’s created social media posts to celebrate the month. 

After graduation, Lawrence plans to attend graduate school to earn her master’s degree in social work and eventually work in the hospice care field. Broadly, the hospice field focuses on caring for people at the end of their lives. 

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” Lawrence said. “With social work, there are so many ways you can help vulnerable people.” 

Before interning at the National Community Action Partnership, Lawrence was part of Luther’s Social Impact Research Fellowship last summer, an 8-week program where students partner with a community-based organization to fill a need. 

Britt Rhodes

She promoted an online chat system for Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, which provides assistance and support for families with limited resources.  The goal of the fellowship is to connect students with the organization to problem solve within the organization. Lawrence worked to promote the chat system through a variety of channels including newsletters and social media posts. 

“Grace’s persistence, hard work and curiosity led her to apply for the Summer 2023 Social Impact Research Fellowship program where she could connect what she had learned in her social work and liberal arts courses to a community-based setting,” said Britt Rhodes, head of the social work department. 

“Through the fellowship, I was able to meet a lot of program directors and frontline staff which sparked my interest in the Community Action organization and is what ultimately led me to my internship in D.C.,” Lawrence said.

Luther College’s social work major aims to meet the demands of the social work field and prepare students for a variety of professional settings. The program offers rigorous courses, internship opportunities and student organizations like the Social Work Association. Lawrence’s advice to incoming students is to take as many social work courses as possible. 

Her other piece of advice  is to take advantage of the college’s counseling minor, which combines courses in psychology, counseling and social work. 

She also enjoys the small size of Luther, which offers personalized experiences throughout college career. 

“There are so many hands-on experiences in Luther’s social work courses,” she said. 

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.