Luther College celebrates One Team Giving Day success

November 9, 2022

President Ward and student athletes have some fun dressing up on One Team Day.

Luther College hosted its third annual One Team Giving Day on Thursday, Nov. 3. The campaign raised more than $310,000 from 1,189 donors to support student-athletes, exceeding the college’s $300,000 goal. 

“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of support we received on One Team Day,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics. “We want to thank everyone who shows up for our student athletes on this day and throughout the year.” 

Funds raised through One Team Day support Luther student-athletes as they continue to uphold Norse traditions established by decades of excellence in Luther Athletics. The monetary donations allow coaches to create competitive schedules, purchase new equipment and gear, and maintain top-notch facilities. Donors had the opportunity to give directly to individual sports programs or to all student-athletes as ‘one team.’  

One Team Giving Day followed Luther Fund Giving Day 2022 on March 10, when more than $1.1 million was raised to support scholarships and financial aid, field study trips, music tours, student organizations, volunteer opportunities in the community, college ministries, residence hall improvements, campus landscaping, building maintenance, intramural sports, student/faculty research and more. The eighth annual Luther Fund Giving Day will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Luther College, an NCAA Division III athletics program, is a member of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) located in Decorah, Iowa.

 

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who 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.

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Luther College alumnus awarded Torrison and Williams medical scholarships

November 8, 2022

Luther College alumnus, Matthew Benson ’22 has been awarded a graduate medical education scholarship through the Torrison and Williams Scholarship Program for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Dr. George and Emma J. Torrison Scholarship Fund with support from the Fredrick W. Williams Scholarship Fund annually awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in medicine. Endowments are managed by the Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Benson studied biology and chemistry while attending Luther College and is currently attending graduate school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. While learning about various medical specialties and networking are Benson’s priorities, he has long-term plans to use his knowledge to serve a smaller community.

“At the moment, my goal is to focus on my education in medical school to allow myself the opportunity to choose a specialty in a few years that I really have a passion for. I also plan on returning to a rural community in the future to serve a small town wholeheartedly,” said Benson. 

Benson says he hopes to find a specialty he can connect with on a personal level and says his faith community has helped him take a step forward in that direction.

“I am very thankful to have received this scholarship. My faith has profoundly influenced my life and guided me to where I am today. It means a lot to me that the ELCA and my faith community have given me such a generous scholarship that helps me continue to pursue my career aspirations,” said Benson

After completing several job-shadowing experiences, Benson has found interest in family medicine and general surgery. While he is keeping his options open, these specialties are a few he will be looking into as he furthers his career.

 

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who 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.

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John Cline Elementary and the Decorah Public Library host pumpkin project

John Cline Elementary School and the Decorah Public Library recently hosted the Pumpkin Literacy Project.  Preschool through second grade students were invited to choose a pumpkin from the John Cline “Pumpkin Patch.”  They were then encouraged to read a favorite book with their families and decorate their pumpkin to represent the book. The Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization) assisted in sponsoring this event.  

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Decorah Elementary Schools Celebrate STEAM Family Night

Nearly 300 students and families participated in Decorah Elementary’s Fall in Love with STEAM Family Event.  The evening was filled with an abundance of science, technology, engineering, art, and math-themed activities hosted by John Cline and Carrie Lee Schools as well as community partners, including Luther College, NICC, Decorah Bank and Trust, Keystone Area Education Agency, the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County 4H, Winneshiek County Conservation, and Eagle Bluff Nature Center. The event was sponsored by the Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization).  

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Engineering with Imagination Blocks
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Building Catapults with Winneshiek County 4H
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Virtual Reality with Keystone AEA
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Origami with NICC
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Coding with Decorah High School Students
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Exploring Dig Bins with Winneshiek County Conservation
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Meet and Greet with a Snake and Skunk from Eagle Bluff Nature Center

Luther College Book Shop collects unserviceable flags

From Nov. 7–12, in honor of Veterans Day, the Luther College Book Shop invites people to bring unserviceable flags to the Book Shop. A flag is considered unserviceable when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. The correct way to dispose of an American flag is by burning and burying the ashes. The collected flags will be taken to the All Vet’s Club in Decorah where they will be ceremoniously retired. Military members from the Luther community who have served or are serving are also invited to the Book Shop at any time this week to be recognized. Thank you, veterans!

Luther College co-hosts Welcome Home Party for Decorah Sea Scorpion

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Impact Coffee, the Luther College Environmental Studies Program will present a model of the giant sea scorpion found in the Decorah Crater basin. This event is sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program, Visit Decorah, the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Northeast Iowa RC&D and Winneshiek County Conservation. Additional work is in progress by these groups to develop more public information related to the crater and its discovery.

The Decorah sea scorpion, Pentecopterus decorahensis, is a fossil discovery from the Decorah Crater basin, which was formed by a meteor impact around 465 million years ago. It is the oldest sea scorpion fossil ever found and one of the largest at over six feet long. The life-sized model is on loan to Luther’s Environmental Studies Program from the Iowa Geological Survey at the University of Iowa. It will be moved to a more permanent display location in Valders Hall of Science at Luther College next spring, where it will remain accessible to the public for viewing.

“We’re excited to have the sea scorpion model visit Impact Coffee, where many people will have the opportunity to see it,” said Laura Peterson, professor of environmental studies. “There are so many wonderful things about Decorah, and the impact crater and its fossils are pieces of our geologic history that help make Decorah unique, both above ground and below. It’s exciting to be able to share more of this story with the community.”  

Immediately following the welcome home party, C&C Trivia at Impact Coffee will include crater-related questions. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who 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.

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Remembering former Luther College President Richard Torgerson

Richard “Rick” Torgerson, Luther’s ninth president, died on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. A legendary figure in Luther history, he shaped the college in deep and meaningful ways that will resonate far into the future.

Torgerson and his wife, Judy, served two terms at Luther, from 1999 to 2013. During their tenure, the college moved forward in innumerable ways, including adding major facilities to campus—Sampson Hoffland Laboratories, the Center for the Arts, the Legends Fitness Center, and the Aquatic Center. Under Torgerson, major additions and renovations were also made to Valders Hall of Science, Dahl Centennial Union, Jenson-Noble Music Hall, Loyalty Hall, and all residence halls. The central campus green areas and roadways were reconfigured and Bentdahl Commons was constructed, enhancing Luther’s standing as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.

A man of action who was also known as an attentive listener, Torgerson was a top-notch strategic planner. He shaped and directed two transformational strategic plans to advance Luther into the new century of higher education, and he led Luther’s Development team to the completion of three major campaigns for scholarships, facilities, and other educational needs: Leadership for a New Century, which raised $63.5 million; the Higher Calling Campaign, which raised $93.3 million; and the Sesquicentennial Fund, which raised $57 million. These funding initiatives added more than $55 million to the college’s endowment.

Torgerson was a national leader in environmental sustainability on college campuses. He was a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007. His strategic planning included a goal to eventually achieve carbon neutrality, and he did this in part by erecting a wind turbine on campus. He also presided during the installation of the college’s first solar energy field, the largest in Iowa at the time. His visionary thinking combined with meaningful action garnered national recognition for Luther as a leader in sustainability and contributed to a 2009 invitation to join the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, a consortium of the region’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities.

Torgerson’s service to higher education extended far beyond the Luther campus and included serving on the executive committee of the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America, the academic program working group for the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission, the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, the Presidents Council of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the boards of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Minnesota Public Radio, and Bioscience Alliance of Iowa.

In 2018, five years after the Torgersons left Decorah and moved to Edina, Minn., the Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies was established at Luther. The center, with a lead gift from longtime friends O. Jay and Patricia A. Tomson, honors the Torgersons’ impact at the college and the special efforts they made to strengthen Luther’s treasured ties with Norway. For these efforts, Torgerson was also awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in 2013.

While Torgerson will long be remembered for leading the teams that reshaped Luther’s physical campus, nearly tripled its endowment, built a national reputation in sustainability, and strengthened the college’s academic program, he will be remembered even more fondly as the energetic, intense, passionate, vital man that so many students, staff, and faculty counted as a supporter and friend. His fabled handshakes, bear hugs, and shoulder claps were never in short supply, and neither was his genuine care and attention as a listener.

Asked once how he’d like to be written into Luther’s history books, Torgerson answered, “I think I’d like people to say, ‘He was authentic, and he added value.’” 

Service arrangements have yet to be determined.

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DHS Variety Show tickets available now

An entertaining adventure awaits audiences in “Mr. Frazzle’s Fantastic Field Trip,” Decorah High School’s 2022 Variety Show. 

Mr. Frazzle and his students find themselves exploring the human brain on a hilarious, family-friendly jaunt that ties together 18 vocal, instrumental, and dancing acts presented by DHS students. The script was written entirely by the cast.

“Mr. Frazzle’s Fantastic Field Trip” performances are Thursday, Nov. 10, Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the DHS auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students, and are available online at https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php and in the DHS office. The box office will also open an hour before each show with house doors opening 30 minutes before showtime. 

The cast and show writers include Elliana Brodbeck, Ella Grouws, Gabriel Hiner, Adam Jones, Andy Kruger, Sally Laybourn, Ada Lovelace, Jake Magner, Libby Phillips, Kamryn Steines, and Ethan Stravers.

Presenting variety show acts are Julia Alberts, Annaleissa Arnold, Raven Battle, Jr., Quinn Baumann, Doug Bentley, Ashley Bjork, Ben Bockman, Ethan Bockman, Grace Blikre, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elliana Brodbeck, Rebecca Bruening, Leslie Campbell, Liam Chamberlain, Sophia Christman, Davis Coppola, Chloe Chyle, Braunwyn Darrington, Kathleen Delphey, Evynne Downing, Amelia Dugger, Bryar Duwe, Connor Evelsizer, Natalie Goodner, Ella Grouws, Sydney Hageman, Erik Hjelle, Bethany Hanson, Lucas Hanson, Ezra Harman-Wood, Nev Harper, Jenna Hartz, Aya Hawthorn, Gabriel Hiner, Mikayla Hiner, Kealy Hines, Elayna Hook, Avah Hove, Alexandra Irwin, Lily Iverson, Caleb Johnson, Elsa Johnson, Adam Jones, Greta Jones, Alexandra Kane, Rebecca Kane, Kate Kelly, Sydney Kipp, Jackson Knoke, Jensen Korsness, G. Carter Kowitz, Brinley Krivachek, Andy Kruger, Sally Laybourn, Franklin Lesmeister, Ada Lovelace, Jake Magner,  Carson Merritt, Sami Mount, Beau Newhouse, Michael Njus, Kylie O’Hara, Libby Phillips, Elizabeth Pritchard, Mya Redenius, Ellen Rooney, Sylvia Sandhorst, Elias Sassaman, Julia Schwarz, Chloe Sheffield, Annalise Skrade, Daniel Skrade, Hope Stahl, Joseph Stammeyer, Kamryn Steines, Brynn Storhoff, Hayley Stowe, Robin Suhr, Gareth Sweet, Gwenyth Thompson, Kiah Tweten, Abbie Valkosky, Elias Vorvick, Ezra Vorvick, Adam Walter, Henry Weis, Camielle Wiedow, Rorie Wiedow, Max Wilson, and Margret Zook.

Crew members include Stage Manager Karmyn Bakken, Ariana Albert, Raven Battle, Jr., Grace Blikre, Cody Carolan, Elsa Christman, Sophia Christman, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Abbeke Jensen, Madysen Lippe, Maran Martin, Amelia Pankow, Elizabeth Pritchard, Lily Sandhorst, Sylvia Sandhorst, Ryan Sibley, Annalise Skrade, Kera Walter, Addison Wicklund, and Max Wilson.

Directors for “Mr. Frazzle’s Fabulous Field Trip” are Chris Hadley, Jason Rausch, Karen Trewin, and Kristen Underwood.

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Photo ID: Front row: Adam Jones
Middle row (l-r): Ethan Stravers, Ella Grouws, Andy Kruger, and Elliana Brodbeck
Back row (l-r): Ada Lovelace, Gabriel Hiner, Libby Phillips, Sally Laybourn, Jake Magner, and Kamryn Steines

Fifteen DHS musicians selected to All-State ensembles

On Saturday, October 22 at Independence High School, 43 Decorah High School musicians participated in the Iowa All-State Music auditions. The students prepared difficult musical selections and then competed for spots in the All-State ensembles with students from East Central and Northeast Iowa, including Dubuque and Cedar Rapids schools.

Fifteen students were selected as members of the 2022 ensembles: Cedrik Beiwel, viola; Oliver Brummel, bass; Jenna Hartz, alto; Gabriel Hiner, bass; Mikayla Hiner, soprano; Simon Kutz, cello; Sally Laybourn, alto; Ada Lovelace, soprano; Michael Njus, tenor; Libby Phillips, tenor; Mairi Sessions, tuba alternate; Gareth Sweet, tenor; Elias Vorvick, trombone; Ezra Vorvick, string bass; and Rorie Wiedow, alto.

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Front row (l-r): Jenna Hartz, Rorie Wiedow, Libby Phillips, and Gareth Sweet
Second row (l-r): Mikayla Hiner, Sally Laybourn, Mairi Sessions, Eli Vorvick, Michael Njus, and Ada Lovelace
Third row (l-r): Cedrik Beiwel, Ezra Vorvick, Oliver Brummel, Gabriel Hiner, and Simon Kutz

Decorah High School volleyball raises funds for suicide awareness and prevention

The Decorah High School volleyball team participated in a fundraising effort for the Step UP and Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk by pledging to donate $2.00 for every Decorah kill, dig, and ace serve occurring during the NEIC match against Charles City. Several other families also donated, and over $500 was raised for this worthy cause.

The Step UP and Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk is important to bring friends and families together in remembrance of loved ones lost to suicide and to offer hope to those who may be struggling. All proceeds will go towards support, materials and suicide prevention education in area schools as well as local communities through Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health.

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Photo ID front row (l-r): Autumn Schaller, Carmen Johnson, Lani Hubka, and Dahlyn Headington 
Back row (l-r): Chloe Reiser, Emma Wold, Sami Mount, Amelia Dugger, Haley Gossman, Britann Mettille, and Addison Wemark
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