Spotlight Archives :: Luther College

Kaia Sand '15

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:42:24 -0500

Kaia Sand '15

Zumbrota, Minn.
Music and English (writing track)

Most of Kaia’s days are filled with music—literally. Whether it’s a class for her major or she’s rehearsing with one of the music ensembles, most of her day focuses on music. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Michael Crowe '13

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:34:23 -0500

Michael Crowe '13

Davenport, Iowa
English (writing track)

Michael claims he's one of many generations in his family who has attended Luther. "Both of my parents graduated from here along with some of my aunts and uncles, my little brother, and the list really goes on and on," he says with a laugh.

Christina Storlie '13

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:53:45 -0500

Christina Storlie ‘13

Decorah, Iowa
Math

“I love anything that involves problem solving or number crunching,” says Christina. “I also like that the academic paths at Luther allow students to branch out a bit.”

Marissa Schuh '14

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:36:06 -0500

Marissa Schuh '14

Plymouth, Minn.
English and Biology

Marissa admits that Luther wasn’t on her radar for the majority of her college search even though she started visiting schools during her sophomore year.

Kelsey Engbrecht '14

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:30:19 -0600

Kelsey Engbrecht '14

Mahtomedi, Minn.
Communication Studies

Not every student finds that their work-study position ultimately helps them decide on a career path. But that’s what happened for Kelsey.

Tyler Wedemeier '13

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:20:25 -0500

Tyler Wedemeier '13

Westgate, Iowa
Elementary Education

Tyler claims that many factors pointed him in Luther’s direction when it came time to choose a college. “But the main reason I considered Luther is because I was being recruited to play basketball here,” he says.

Lindsey Weaver '12

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:41:01 -0600

Lindsey Weaver '12

Lakeville, Minn.
Math

Lindsey recently took a January Term class in South Africa called “New Hope: Developing a Sense of Vocation.”

Obi Ukabiala ‘13

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:38:23 -0600

Obi Ukabiala ‘13

Urbandale, Iowa
Biology (premedicine)

“With my experience in football and interest in sports medicine, I feel that becoming an orthopedic surgeon makes perfect sense,” he says.

Paige Ofstedahl ’12

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:36:00 -0600

Paige Ofstedahl ’12

Apple Valley, Minn.
Economics

“Seeing first-hand communities and countries where poverty and inequality are more prevalent really makes me want to use my skills to help people who haven’t been as fortunate,” Paige says

Elizabeth Knutson '12

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:31:56 -0600

Elizabeth Knutson ’12

Monroe, Wis.
Biology and psychology

“I first looked at Luther because my parents and grandparents went to college here,” she says.

Samantha Stykel '12

Mon, 17 May 2010 12:49:19 -0500

Samantha Stykel '12

Colgate, Wis.
Biology and math

Although Samantha hasn’t decided on a specific career path, she’s definitely discovering more about herself by keeping things she’s passionate about in her life and learning from new opportunities.

Ashley Matthys '12

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:56:39 -0500

Ashley Matthys '12

Red Wing, Minn.
Communication studies and management

Ashley feels that her recent journalism course in China was a defining experience for her.

Greg Siems '12

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:33:57 -0500

Greg Siems '12

North Liberty, Iowa
Russian studies and political science

When Greg first came to Luther, he knew he needed to fulfill a language requirement.

Sam Simataa '13

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:45:43 -0600

Sam Simataa '13

Windhoek, Namibia
Music

Sam grew up in Namibia but attended his final two years of high school at the United World College (UWC) in India.

Sarah Czechowicz '12

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:37:40 -0600

Sarah Czechowicz '12

Madison, Wis.
Biology

Combining a biology major with minors in religion and environmental studies strikes a good balance for Sarah.

Mallory Heinzeroth '12

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30:15 -0600

Mallory Heinzeroth '12

Denver, Colo.
Premedicine and management

Mallory believes that traveling offers some of the most valuable learning opportunities. In high school, she ventured to South Africa with her mom to work in a school that provided services for children with autism.

Kevin Ellingson

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:13:38 -0500

Kevin Ellingson

Locksmith and preventive maintenance mechanic

A biodiesel distiller: One of Kevin's job responsibilities includes converting the cafeteria's waste fryer oil into biodiesel fuel so it can be used in Luther's lawn and maintenance vehicles.

Greg Lonning

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:04:12 -0500

Greg Lonning

Lifetime wellness director

His view on sustainability: "It's really more than motion lights," says Greg. "It's about making changes in our behaviors."

Diane Narum

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:50:56 -0500

Diane Narum

Production manager, Luther's dining services

Local-food favorites: Diane believes that buying local foods makes it easier to offer more made-from-scratch cooking.

Andi Beckendorf '93

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:40:09 -0500

Andi Beckendorf '93

Associate professor of library and information studies, research and instruction librarian

Loves bass instruments: Andi started playing the double bass when she was nine years old.

Jon Koch '12

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:40:19 -0500

Jon Koch '12

Austin, Minn.
Psychology

Jon admits there are pros and cons to homeschooling. He believes it makes a person more self-reliant and allows a parent and child to be more focused.

Matt Stump '12

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:46:38 -0500

Matt Stump '12

Goshen, Ind.
Music education and music performance

Where he'd like to study abroad: Germany or another European country to learn more about the history of music.

Craig Mosher

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:18:35 -0500

Craig Mosher

Associate professor of social work and program director

"It's one thing to teach social work, and it's quite another to do it," Craig says.

Renae Hartl

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:05:54 -0500

Renae Hartl

Head softball coach and instructor in health and physical education

A fierce competitor since her own college days, Renae admits she breathes softball sometimes to the brink of hyperventilation.

John Moeller

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:48:46 -0500

John Moeller

Professor of political science

John Moeller is a classic facilitator. "I don't tell people things so much as I try to get discussions going," he says.

Eric Kutz

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:03:27 -0500

Eric Kutz

Associate professor of music

A North Dakota native, Eric Kutz knows what it's like to make big choices about college and vocation.

Scott Fjelstul '83

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:43:38 -0500

Scott Fjelstul '83

Head men's golf coach

Scott never tires of talking about Luther. "The college is a passion of mine," the management grad says. "It's given me lots of opportunities that I want others to know about."

Bob Larson

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:50 -0500

Bob Larson

Professor of theatre/dance

"Sure doesn't seem like 42 years," Bob says, chuckling as he recaps his tenure at Luther. "The true joy of this job is that you get to know young men and women in the midst of their academic and personal journeys."

Scott Carlson

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:21:16 -0500

Scott Carlson

Associate professor of biology

It's perhaps a little unusual that Scott wound up at Luther--his academic career seemed oriented toward intensive research buried in a behemoth department at a research institution.

Philip Freeman

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:26:35 -0500

Philip Freeman

Professor of classics and Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages

Though Philip leads a neatly organized scholarly life, his approach to the study of classical history is fairly free-form.

Jeff Wettach '79

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:26:56 -0500

Jeff Wettach '79

Assistant professor of health and physical education, and head track and field coach for men and women

Known as "Coach Dubs" to many students, Jeff is never far from cracking his signature broad smile.

Lori Stanley '80

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:09:15 -0500

Lori Stanley '80

Professor of anthropology and associate dean

As odd as it may seem for a decorated academic, Lori is known for ducking notoriety.

Harley Refsal

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:53:52 -0500

Harley Refsal

Professor emeritus of Scandinavian folk art

In many ways, Harley hasn't really left the farm he grew up on in west-central Minnesota. For one thing, he's still fluent in the Norwegian his family spoke.

Uwe Rudolf

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:40:09 -0500

Uwe Rudolf

Professor emeritus of accounting and management

After 10 minutes of conversation with Uwe (OOH-veh), it's obvious that his life and living have not been linear.

Yarrow Pasche

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:13:20 -0500

Yarrow Pasche

Associate head coach for women's cross country and assistant distance track coach

For Yarrow, no job proposition is really too far afield.

Wanda Deifelt

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:55:57 -0500

Wanda Deifelt

Professor of religion

Wanda's favorite part of teaching is talking with students in what she calls her Brazilian-South Dakotan accent.

Steve Pasche

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:41:38 -0500

Steve Pasche

Head men's cross country coach, assistant distance track coach, and skills instructor in orienteering and rock climbing

For Steve, coaching is more an adventure than a paycheck. You can't put your finger on any one thing that makes a program successful, he says.

Steve Holland

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:35:37 -0500

Steve Holland

Associate professor of economics

"Being a lawyer seemed a natural step for me at the time, but I realized after seven years that it wasn't my gig," Steve explains with a smile.

Rita Tejada

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:04:13 -0500

Rita Tejada

Associate professor of Spanish

The big events in Rita's life tend to come in pairs. For starters, her daughters are a year apart.

Rick Torgerson

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:00:57 -0500

Rick Torgerson

President

Rick might joke about having imperfect hearing, but it's clear there's one sound he never misses--opportunity knocking.

Mona Nelson '75

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:30:52 -0500

Mona Nelson '75

Professor of accounting and management

Don't be deceived by her title--Mona is as quick with words as with numbers.

Juan 'Tony' Guzman '90

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:25:33 -0500

Juan Tony Guzman '90

Associate professor of music and education

To Tony (as he prefers to be called), music isn't as much a profession as a way of life.

Jon Jensen '89

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:11:09 -0500

Jon Jensen '89

Associate professor of philosophy and environmental studies

Since Jon arrived back at Luther, campuswide awareness of environmental issues has grown rather organically--no pun intended.

Jodi Enos-Berlage

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:04:59 -0500

Jodi Enos-Berlage

Associate professor of biology

Jodi's dealings in biology range from microbial biofilms (the layer formed when bacteria attach to and grow on surfaces) to agriculture (she and her husband operate a small farm).

Jessica Paul

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:57:16 -0500

Jessica Paul

Professor of music

In her work as a professional voice coach and accompanist, Jessica illuminates the relationship between soloist and supporting instrumentalists.

Jeff Wilkerson

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:45:35 -0500

Jeff Wilkerson

Associate professor of physics

Jeff counts almost everything. He even keeps track of the number of trick-or-treaters who visit his house--in 15-minute intervals so he can build a histogram.

Jayme Nelson '87

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:34:08 -0500

Jayme Nelson '87

Associate professor of nursing

Soft-spoken and unassuming, Jayme doesn't at first appear the kind of person who is everywhere at once.

Jane Hawley '87

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:28:23 -0500

Jane Hawley '87

Associate professor of dance

Mention "Jane" in conversation virtually anywhere on Luther's campus, and you're likely to see a glimmer of recognition.

Dave Mitchell

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:51:49 -0500

Dave Mitchell

Head wrestling coach and instructor in mathematics

You could say that Dave likes to keep things in the family--the Luther family, that is.

Brad Chamberlain

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:51:30 -0500

Brad Chamberlain

Associate professor of chemistry

By most counts, Brad is the quintessential science geek. He has molecule models on his desk.

Brad Miller '86

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:15:51 -0500

Brad Miller '86

Associate professor of computer science

A few years ago, Brad was a frenzied entrepreneurial executive who traveled nationally and internationally two or three days a week and lived via his laptop. "I was that guy clutching his cell phone in airports, conducting two meetings at once," he explains.