Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools

Mallory Heinzeroth, class of 2012, received Luther College’s 2024 Young Alumni Award at the Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 19.

DECORAH, IOWA—Mallory Heinzeroth, class of 2012, received Luther College’s 2024 Young Alumni Award. Heinzeroth was presented with the award at the college’s Commencement on Sunday, May 19. 

The Young Alumni Award was established in 2003 and recognizes outstanding achievements of Luther alumni in their vocation or avocation who have graduated in the last 15 years. Each year an alum is presented with the award at Commencement. In 2012, Heinzeroth received Luther’s Jenson Medal, which is presented each year to an outstanding senior who best demonstrates the ideals of the college through service to students and the college community.  

“We grow each time we step out of our comfort zones. Saying yes to something new or daunting creates space for development, change, and learning new skills,” Heinzeroth told the 2024 graduating class at Commencement. 

Heinzeroth now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, where she works at the healthcare software company Epic Systems as a global implementation executive for the Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, team. She previously worked as the Asia-Pacific regional executive at Epic, where she built Epic’s network of support for entities such as the Singapore Ministry of Health and Australian Capital Territory in their implementation and ongoing use of the company’s software. 

After graduation, Heinzeroth served as a fellow with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children, creating a program for pre-and post-natal care in developing nations by establishing a program for women and children’s health clinics in rural Nicaraguan communities. 

In Madison, she serves on the board of the nonprofit With Love Inc., through which she supports women’s health equity through volunteer events and fundraising. She also sings in the Philharmonic Choir of Madison. 

While at Luther, Heinzeroth was a double major in biology and management, with a minor in Spanish. She also was involved all over campus — she was the president of Student Activities Council and secretary of Student Senate, played rugby, sang in choir, was a photographer for CHIPS and the yearbook, and was a member of the Alpha Beta Psi sorority. She attributes a lot of her success in life to the broad experiences she was able to have as a student at Luther. 

“Each time I said yes and tried something new, I learned, I made new connections with friends and peers, and my impact on improving health care around the globe deepened. I’m doing something that is meaningful to me each day because I said yes to a new challenge at work,” Heineroth said at the ceremony. 

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 graduating senior Matilda Koeller received the college’s Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal for the class of 2024. The announcement was made during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 19.

Matilda Koeller, a graduating senior, received Luther’s Jenson Medal at Commencement on May 19.

“It feels really significant to receive the Jenson Medal. I’ve been honored to receive other accolades, but this feels especially significant in coming from my peers at Luther,” Koeller said. “I tear up thinking about how people I see around campus selected me for this award.” 

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, class of 1948, and Elizabeth (Dybdal) Jenson, class of 1949, of Vassalboro, Maine, the Jenson Medal supports Luther College’s mission of service.

Koeller majored in identity studies and is the first cohort to graduate with the program, which was established in 2020. She came to Luther from McGregor, Iowa, thinking about majoring in music education. However, after taking an introductory identity studies class from Char Kunkel, the head of the department, she found her major. She describes Kunkel as a “mentor and role model who is incredibly kind.” 

“The identity studies curriculum is inherently multidisciplinary. You engage with everything socially from the lens of you and what you bring to the table,” Koeller said. “It’s impacted by my lived experience. We want to centralize the lived experiences of all students in the class and of others from marginalized communities.”  

For Koeller, forming identity is an ongoing process, and at Luther she has uncovered and discovered a lot about herself. 

“I came to Luther, like many entering undergrad, uncertain about my identity. I didn’t realize how much room there would be for self-discovery,” Koeller said. 

Koeller socially transitioned in gender identity during her sophomore year. She became involved in activism for transgender students beginning her junior year, as she was inspired by the community she was a part of in her residence hall. 

She wanted to represent student interest in the issues, so she wrote the petition “Demand Action for Transgender Students at Luther” on change.org and organized a rally on campus attended by nearly 100 students. 

“I first really connected with Matilda while she was a resident assistant in Brandt advocating for gender neutral restrooms and housing. She has advocated for policy change and spurred us to be more active in our defense of trans lives and has tirelessly advocated for equity and inclusion for all on campus,” Kunkel said. “We are very proud of Matilda and her service for the college in becoming more inclusive and equitable.”

Koeller also talked to administrators and Student Senate and made policy recommendations for campus to be more inclusive of transgender and gender nonconforming students. She also spoke at a Decorah rally in spring 2023 on the courthouse steps. As a result of her activism, there is now an expanded gender-inclusive floor in Brandt, where Koeller worked as a resident assistant for two years. 

Koeller was also a member of the Beautiful Mess a capella group and the Pound Ultimate Frisbee group, where she made her friends around campus and became a pillar of the Luther community.

After graduation, Matilda plans to work in student services or social services, with the ultimate goal of pursuing her master’s in social work.  

“When you engage with a community in a way that connects with people, that is service,” Koeller said. “And the community has served 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.

DECORAH, IOWA—The Luther College Jazz Orchestra is traveling to Brazil May 20 through June 5, where the group will perform concerts and participate in workshops in the country with prominent musicians, dancers and artists. 

Jazz Orchestra tours abroad every four years, and this will be the third time the ensemble has traveled throughout Brazil. The ensemble last toured Brazil in 2016. The international tours are an opportunity for Luther students to experience the diversity of music throughout the world. 

Luther College’s Jazz Orchestra will travel Brazil from May 20–June 5.

“In addition to concerts and service projects, we will take classes from prominent Brazilian musicians and dancers, get to know the cities of Salvador, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while enjoying their exceptional culinary arts and friendly people,” said Tony Guzmán, director of Jazz Orchestra.  

During the trip, Jazz Orchestra will perform with students at the Tatuí Conservatory of Music in São Paulo, the city’s largest music conservatory. As part of a service project in the city, they will lead a workshop at Santa Marcelina University, another music conservatory. 

Before leaving São Paulo, students will have the opportunity to take a ballroom dance workshop from professional dancers. After arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Luther students will take a drumming workshop. The ensemble will also perform a concert in the city’s botanical gardens. 

“Brazil is a country with tremendous diversity in its nature and people, showcasing a strong cultural and economic development. All jazz musicians admire and perform Brazilian music, from samba and bossa nova, to baião and frevo,” Guzmán said. “We bring the spirit of Luther College and the United States to share our music cultures with the people of Brazil, and at the same time learn from their impressive music traditions.”

Guzmán received his bachelor’s degree in music education in 1990 from Luther and holds a Ph.D. in music education, a certificate in pedagogy of music theory and a master’s degree in music education from Florida State University. An active arranger, Guzmán is known for his choral arrangements of Caribbean and Latin American music, some of which are published by Boosey & Hawkes and Oxford University Press.

About Luther College Music 

Luther is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, two bands and two jazz bands. One-third of all Luther students participate in music, including large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 175 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance. Learn more at luther.edu/music. 

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College Nordic Choir will tour Norway May 20 through June 3. The tour will celebrate the choir and Luther’s Norwegian roots, as Luther was the first college in the U.S. founded by Norwegian immigrants. With 2025 also marking the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to the U.S., Nordic Choir will perform musical selections celebrating homecoming on the tour. 

On the tour, students will perform at churches and concert halls throughout Norway. This includes historic villages and cities like Lillehammer, Stravanger and Kristiansand. The choir will also participate in a church service at the Bergen Cathedral. The choir will finish their tour with a performance in Oslo at Uranienborg Kirke, a church located behind the Royal Palace. 

Nordic Choir will travel through Norway May 20–June 3.

“Nordic Choir has a long history of impactful music opportunities through its international touring,” said Andrew Last, director of Nordic Choir. “This year, Nordic celebrates the college’s Norwegian heritage through a tour program that includes themes of ‘coming home’ and
‘flight.’ The program will also commemorate the wonderful Norwegian voices through folk song, choral legends and F. Melius Christiansen, the founder of our Lutheran choral heritage.”

Fifty-nine Luther alumni, friends and parents will tour Norway along with the choir by attending performances and taking in scenery and architecture of the country. 

Nordic Choir is Luther’s principal touring choir in a choral program that includes three upper-class touring choirs and two first-year choirs. Nordic Choir honors the Lutheran choral tradition while exploring new and innovative choral works that span styles and genres. Performances have been described as “thrilling,” “breathtaking” and “rock-solid in intonation and rhythmic clarity.” Every three years, Nordic Choir tours internationally and tours nationally every year. This past winter, the choir toured the Upper Midwest. 

The Luther College Nordic Choir was founded by Sigvart Steen and memorably conducted for 57 years by Weston Noble, class of 1943. Previous conductors include Craig Arnold and Allen Hightower. Since 2017, the choir has been under the direction of Last, associate professor of music and director of choral activities and graduate of the class of 1997. He earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University and a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln School of Music.

About Luther College Music 

Luther is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, two bands and two jazz bands. One-third of all Luther students participate in music, including large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 175 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance. Learn more at luther.edu/music. 

DECORAH, IOWA—The receipt of one of the largest planned gift commitments in college history has lifted Luther College to its greatest single year of fund-raising with just over $33 million committed, President Jenifer K. Ward announced prior to the 2024 Commencement.

While requesting to remain anonymous at this time, the donor’s multi-million-dollar commitment is the second largest planned gift to Luther, and will be devoted to future student scholarships.

“We are very thankful for the thoughtful way alumni and their families are including Luther in their estate planning, and particularly their desire to make sure their legacy is supporting future generations of Luther students,” Ward said. “As we prepare to salute our Class of 2024, it was their work and stories that inspired gifts like this for Luther’s future.”

The $33,377,394 committed to date surpasses the previous record of $26.1 million in 2005-06, and with two weeks left in the current fiscal year, there is potential for continued growth.

“On behalf of all our current students, faculty and staff, we are so very thankful to those who have supported the mission of Luther College this year,” Vice President for Development Mary Duvall said. “We have been so excited by some of the transformational gifts we have received in recent months, and we continue to be grateful for the groundswell of individuals who have stepped up to support Luther in the past year.” 

As Luther College prepares for the upcoming comprehensive campaign, the stage is set by a series of achievements during the 2023-24 academic year which led to the $33 million total effort.

During the fall, Luther received its largest individual gift with a $10 million commitment from Michael ‘92 and Nicole Gerdin and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation, naming the current Regents Center as the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness in November. Two weeks earlier, one of the top 10 all-time gifts was announced from Dennis ’64 and Suzanne Birkestrand to rename the court within Gerdin Fieldhouse as the Birkestrand Family Court. Their $2 million commitment supports the renovation of the main competition space into an arena configuration.

Combined with other contributions to the building campaign for Regents Center, the Gerdin and Birkestrand gifts have put the fieldhouse renovation project on track to start the opening phase during the summer, with opportunities for donors to participate in following project phases.

“The fact that we had all these records in a single year speaks to the tremendous momentum behind Luther College and the belief in the college’s future,” Ward said. “These aren’t just gifts. They are investments by our alumni, friends, and supporters.”

Along with more than 9,000 individual gifts during the academic year, Luther College posted its largest-ever Giving Day with $1.2 million raised to support the Luther Fund, Luther’s unrestricted current fund that supports all students, faculty, staff and community endeavors on campus. Norse Athletics also had its largest One Team Day in the fall, collecting more than $365,000 to support each of the 23 varsity sports at Luther.

“As we approach the end of the fiscal year at Luther, we are extraordinarily grateful for the support and we are energized for the bold future ahead,” Ward said. “We look forward to welcoming more donors and friends to be part of that future with us.”

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.

Students enjoying a bonfire night and roasting marshmallows at the Davidson Møteplass on Luther’s campus this winter.

DECORAH, IOWA— On May 4, Luther College dedicated a new space for outdoor informal gatherings on campus. The Davidson Møteplass (Norwegian for “gathering space”) was made possible by a gift from Luther alumni Thor Davidson, class of 1993, and Wendy (Jaycox) Davidson, class of 1992. It supports Luther’s strategic framework and campus master plan, and highlights Luther’s roots in Nordic culture, as the first college in the U.S. founded by Norwegian immigrants. 

“We’re investing in the future,” Wendy Davidson said. “We have great memories from Luther and we want other students to have those same great experiences.” 

Thor and Wendy Davidson in front of the plaque for the Davidson Møteplass on Luther’s campus.

Located between Dahl Centennial Union and Ylvisaker Hall, the Davidson Møteplass embraces the Nordic tradition of “friluftsliv,” or purposeful, immersive time outdoors. Adirondack chairs encircle two fire pits, overlooking the Upper Iowa River Valley, and the area is equipped with WiFi and power outlets. Luther’s campus master plan envisions multiple indoor and outdoor spaces that facilitate student engagement and success. 

“Wendy and Thor have been extremely thoughtful in how they wanted to continue their legacy at Luther. From their own time on campus, they learned the great value of togetherness and bonding that happens at college,” said Mary Duvall, vice president for development at Luther. “They wanted to be very intentional in creating a space that would bring future generations of Luther students together to develop lifelong friendships – a hallmark of the Luther experience.”

“The students are loving the new space. It is nice to see students taking a break from their busy schedules to relax with each other and enjoy the beautiful outdoor seating and fire pits. It is a great new addition for programming on campus,” said Kris Franzen, director of residence life. “Every Thursday night is now “S’mores Night” on campus thanks to the new space.” 

The Davidsons, who now live in Wheaton, Illinois, met at Luther. Since graduating, the Davidsons have continued to support Luther, with Wendy Davidson serving as the Board of Regents Chair from 2018–2022. 

“Luther is where we made our closest friends,” Wendy Davidson said. “We wanted to create an environment where students would get out of their dorm rooms and spend time together to create great memories.”

Thor and Wendy Davidson donated the funds for the Møteplass because it’s an opportunity for the two to give back in a way that is meaningful for them. 

“Our Luther journey began over thirty years ago when fate brought us together at a fraternity and sorority event. It was there, amidst our classmates, friends and a firepit that our paths crossed, igniting a bond that has endured through the years,” Thor Davidson said. “That’s why, when the opportunity presented itself to contribute to the creation of an outdoor space, we felt called to do so.”

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.