Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools

Luther senior Jack Moriarty has been named a Rossing Physics Scholar for the 2024–25 academic year.

Luther College senior Jack Moriarty has been named a Rossing Physics Scholar for the 2024–25 academic year. Moriarty will receive $10,000 from the Thomas D. Rossing Fund for Physics Education.

Moriarty, a double major in physics and mathematics from Waukee, Iowa, plans to pursue a career as a theoretical physicist. He would like to help deepen our understanding of the universe by applying mathematics to physics.

“For as long as I can remember, math and science have fascinated me,” he said. “At some point in high school, I became drawn to the subject of calculus and its power to solve difficult problems.” 

At Luther, he has been involved in National Science Foundation-funded physics research led by Professor Todd Pedlar, focused on experimental particle physics. Pedlar and his students conduct research as members of the international collaborations Belle and Belle II at KEK, Japan’s High Energy Research Organization, located in Tsukuba, Japan. 

“I reached out to Jack to find out if he’d be willing to join my research group the summer after his first year, and he jumped at the chance—and I have been so glad that he did, as he has been an outstanding research assistant since then,” said Pedlar.

During the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024, and continuing into this academic year, Moriarty focused on the study of elementary particle physics. He applied several advanced mathematical and computational methods to improve the precision of his results, which deepened his understanding and enjoyment of the research process. During this, his senior year, he will complete an Honors Senior Project based on this research.

“My physics courses have led me to a profound love of the theoretical frameworks of physics, and my experimental research has given me the drive to build and understand models to answer the open questions about the universe,” Moriarty said. “For these reasons, I plan to earn my Ph.D. and pursue a career as a theoretical physicist. In this way, I would like to use the language of mathematics to explore models of physical systems and help further our understanding of the universe.”

The Thomas D. Rossing Fund for Physics Education makes available scholarships annually for exemplary students in physics. The awards are made possible through gifts from Dr. Thomas D. Rossing, who created the fund through the foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. After graduating from Luther, Rossing earned master’s and doctoral degrees in physics from Iowa State University and worked as a professor of physics at St. Olaf College, Northern Illinois University and Stanford University. Rossing wanted to support students who majored in physics by providing scholarships in addition to other financial aid to exemplary physics students. 

Imani Winds, the 2024 Grammy winner in the Classical Compendium category, will perform in Luther College’s 2024–25 Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall.

The Imani Winds featuring Kevin Edward Newton Jr., French horn; Monica Ellis, bassoon; Brandon Patrick George, flute; Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe; and Mark Dover, clarinet

The Imani Winds members are Monica Ellis, bassoon; Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe; Brandon Patrick George, flute; Kevin Edward Newton Jr., French horn; and Mark Dover, clarinet.

Founded more than 25 years ago, Imani Winds have led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their vibrant performances, bold programming and imaginative collaborations. Their work embraces both traditional chamber music and newly commissioned pieces that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

“The Imani Winds have a well-deserved international reputation for their masterful playing and engaging stage presence,” said Susan Potvin, director of programming and outreach. “They are bringing an exciting show to Luther entitled ‘Grooves and Meditations,’ which will showcase a diverse repertoire ranging from a Stevie Wonder cover to a brand-new commission.”

“Grooves and Meditations” kicks off with Valerie Coleman’s Red Clay and Mississippi Delta, a piece that showcases the rich history and spirit of the American South. Kalevi Aho’s Wind Quintet No. 1 evokes innovative and distinctive tones, colors and moods. Paquito D’Rivera’s A Little Cuban Walz offers a lively tribute to Latin rhythms, followed by Stevie Wonder and Mark Dover’s Overjoyed. The program will also feature Alevi Dedeler raki masasinda  by Fazil Say. Dance Mediterranea by Simon Shaheen, arranged by Jeff Scott, will bring the event to a close. 

Imani Winds won the 2024 Grammy for their album “Passion for Bach and Coltrane,” released through their record label, Imani Winds Media. Their groundbreaking approach has earned them three additional Grammy nominations. 

In 2021, Imani Winds became the first-ever Faculty Wind Quintet at the Curtis Institute of Music, highlighting their deep commitment to education. Their dedication is further reflected in the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, which they launched in 2010. This annual summer program focuses on musical excellence and career development for pre-professional instrumentalists and composers

In 2019, the ensemble launched the Imani Winds Foundation to further support their mission of outreach and education. With a permanent presence in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Imani Winds continue to leave an unforgettable mark on the music world. Buy tickets for the show and for the pre-show dinner at tickets.luther.edu or at the Luther Box Office in the Center for Faith and Life. Contact the Ticket Office at tickets@luther.edu or 563-387-1357.

Luther College is celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month in October with a guest speaker, a film showing and participation in Decorah Pride Week events.  

“While Pride Month is in June for many organizations, Luther is focusing on LGBTQ+ History month in October,” said Robert Clay, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement. “We celebrate heritage months during the academic year in order to maximize efforts and reach the widest community audience.”

All of these events are free and open to the public. 

On Friday, Oct. 11, Coming Out Day will be honored with an all-day tabling event in the Dahl Centennial Union lobby, hosted by the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support and the Wellness Office. “Our all-day tabling event will provide a supportive and informative space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies,” said Michelle Boike, assistant dean and director of CIES. “This is a perfect opportunity to connect, educate, and foster a sense of community.”

Gina Weekley, Luther’s 2024 Queer History Month Speaker

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, CIES presents Queer History Month Speaker Gina Weekley, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. Gina Weekley, an influential voice in the LGBTQ+ community, will be sharing her insights and experiences with a focus on the history and ongoing struggles of queer individuals. 

“Gina Weekley is an engaging, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable presenter,” said Roberto Coral, CIES office manager. “Her own personal and professional experiences give her a unique perspective on the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community. Her training services provide practical and empowering ideas on how to create an inclusive environment.”  

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, in Valders 206, the Monthly Movie will feature “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. 

Decorah Pride Week events will be held Oct. 8–12. Please see Decorah Pride’s website for complete details about all events. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, the Pride Parade will include many local guests and organizations, followed by a Party in the Park. Multiple groups from Luther College will participate in the parade and the party. 

One event of Decorah Pride Week will feature Luther’s musical talent in concert: queerPOPERA at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Impact Coffee in downtown Decorah. The music will include pieces by Verdi, Bernstein, Donizetti, Sondheim and other composers, as well as visual art, dance and instrumental collaborations. The performance will conclude with a closing dance party, with music by Driftless Jazz. 

The mission of queerPOPERA, founded by Jaime Webb, guest lecturer in voice at Luther, is to showcase the diverse narratives of the LGBTQ+ community through the emotive power of opera. 

The Oct. 12 concert will feature Luther faculty and staff Adrianna Tam, Andrew Last, Andrew Whitfield, Camille Balleza, Carla Hanson, Jaime Webb, Nicholas Shaneyfelt and Rachel Storlie; alumni Aidan Spencer, Ava Shively, Jana Lundell (dancer), Marie Sauze, Olivia Luster and Sasha Tomasevich; and students Arin Kyllo, Erin Daniel, Jaime Bizarri, Kelly Ristau (visual artist) and Malaika Hale.

Luther College President Jenifer K. Ward announced today the addition of women’s wrestling as the college’s 11th varsity sport for women for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.

“Luther has a long legacy of supporting its students’ desire to belong to teams, to learn discipline and resiliency and to compete,” Ward said. “We were among the first colleges to establish varsity teams for women, beginning in 1964 — well before Title IX legislation required us to. We will soon celebrate our 60th anniversary offering our women opportunities to participate in varsity athletics.”

Along with announcing the addition of the program, Ward established milestones for the upcoming months.

“This will be a planning year in 2024-25,” Ward said. “Our timeline is to use this fall and winter to get the word out to recruits that the program will begin next fall. We will begin a nationwide search for our first women’s wrestling coach this winter, so that we can hire as soon as possible after this wrestling season, and we will field our first team in the 2025-26 academic year.”

Athletic Director Renae Hartl and men’s wrestling coach Dave Mitchell joined Ward in her online announcement.

“With both the NCAA and the American Rivers Conference set to add women’s wrestling as a championship, the moment to join in is now,” Hartl said. “And with renovations underway at the future Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness, including an expanded wrestling training space, the timing is perfect.”

“I have seen the growth of girls wrestling in the state of Iowa first-hand and I know many of the great coaches leading girls high school programs in Iowa and beyond,” Mitchell said. “We offered a girls’ wrestling team camp in 2023, and it grew significantly this year. One of the top questions I get asked by girls and coaches at camp, and by our alumni and Luther wrestling fans, is, ‘When is Luther adding women’s wrestling?’”

For Luther, the addition of women’s wrestling takes the college to 22 total varsity sports, with 11 for women and 11 for men. It comes two years after the college added both men’s and women’s bowling as varsity teams.

“We’re proud to add to Luther’s legacy of being a college that promotes new athletic opportunities for women,” Hartl said. “With Luther adding the sport, the state of Iowa will lead the nation with the most collegiate women’s wrestling programs to date. With the recent announcements by the A-R-C and NCAA, I know this can open up recruiting opportunities for students from other states to come to Decorah.”

Mitchell added the attraction will also be local.

“Our wrestling community is eager to have opportunities for our local and regional girls to study and compete, and the timing is perfect to provide those opportunities right here,” Mitchell said. “The coach who leads this new program is coming into a strong wrestling support system in a strong girls wrestling region. For example, we have in Decorah both the girls state team champions and the girls wrestling coach of the year, Gene Adams, who was an All-American himself here at Luther.”

The visibility and strength of Luther’s existing men’s program provides another support for the decision.

“Luther is known nationwide for excellence in wrestling, and in the future, we expect to see that excellence on both the men’s and women’s teams,” Hartl said.

This aerial view shows Luther’s extensive athletics facilities and fields in November 2020. Renovations began in 2024 on the Regents Center, which will become the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness.

“The construction for our Gerdin Fieldhouse is underway, and those plans include a wrestling facility expansion and a dedicated women’s wrestling locker room, so the time is right to move swiftly to align our programming with our facility renovation,” Ward said.

At the recent NCAA Convention, the national organization endorsed the creation of divisional championships at each level. When approved this fall, women’s wrestling became the 91st national championship offered by the NCAA, and Division III will lead the way with more than 60 member institutions sponsoring the sport.

Competition schedules cannot be determined until later this year, as both the A-R-C and NCAA are finalizing details of participation in their respective first years of competition. The total number of first-year participants may also be a factor.

“We won’t know for a while whether this will begin as open competition or also include team duals,” Hartl said. “What we do know is young women will have the opportunity to put on that famous Luther blue singlet and compete like a Norse.”

State and national organization leaders expressed their support for Luther’s addition of women’s wrestling.

“The addition of women’s wrestling at Luther College will no doubt have a generational impact for female athletes to come,” said Erin Gerlich, executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletics Union (IGHSAU). “As we look across our state and our country over recent years, girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing programs offered in sports. In Iowa alone, we have consistently seen the number of high school female wrestlers grow exponentially each year and reports from the youth wrestling community show no signs of girls wrestling slowing down anytime soon.”

“On behalf of our NWCA Board of Directors, I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Luther College administration for recognizing and embracing the rising popularity of girls and women’s wrestling in a state that has always been synonymous with the sport,” said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. “Anytime we add more opportunities for young women to further their educational and athletic goals in college, it’s a win for our students and a win for our sport.”

Girls wrestling has grown exponentially in high schools since the IGHSAU sanctioned it, expanding from from 58 schools to 204 schools with teams and another 61 with cooperative sharing agreements.

“Iowa has become a leader in the collegiate world for women’s wrestling[LB1] , which allows our Iowa girls even more opportunity to pursue their wrestling dreams at the next level,” Gerlich added.

To learn more about Luther women’s wrestling, go to LutherNorse.com for updates and to find questionnaires for prospects interested in next year’s team.

Additional Information 

Nella performs in the 2024-25 Center Stage Series on Sept. 27. 

Nella, 2019 winner of the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, will be the first act in Luther College’s 2024-25 Center Stage Series, performing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. 

Born in Venezuela, Nella is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Nella’s music is a warm, rich blend of her native country’s folklore, the sounds of her generation, and influences from Spain’s Andalusia region. Nella’s songs are deeply personal, carrying elements of her homeland’s musical tradition while connecting across cultures and borders. 

“I’m really excited to start the Center Stage Season with Nella. Her vocal quality and musicianship are mesmerizing,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming.  “She’s touring with Gilad Barakan on guitar and the two of them will spend some time with Luther students in the afternoon as part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. I love it  when artists are enthusiastic about connecting with our community; Nella has been wonderful.”

In May 2019, Nella released her debut album, Voy, with its title track earning a spot on the New York Times’ list of the best songs of 2019, coming in at #14. She followed this success with the release of Doce Margaritas in 2021, her first album with Sony Music, featuring 12 songs written by Javier Limón and collaborations with Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan guitarist Cheo Pardo. 

Before her debut album, Nella appeared in the Spanish feature film Everybody Knows, starring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, performing songs written by Latin Grammy winner Javier Limón. Shortly after, she launched her tour dubbed Me Llaman Nella (They Call Me Nella), which featured songs from the film, other Limón-penned tunes, and Venezuelan folk songs. This two-year tour took her to the USA, UK, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, and Mexico.