Updates and Happenings

Ok people, it's go time. The weekend of Oct. 5-7 is quickly approaching, and we hope that you're all hauling out your Luther sweatshirts and Norwegian sweaters in anticipation of our 20th reunion celebration. To keep things compelling and interesting, here are a few updates and happenings:

C'mon 1992!

Have you heard? It's Oct. 5-7.

Our current reunion registration count is (drumroll): 36. Craig sent that number with the qualifier that it "includes guests." While we're turning handsprings that these 36 will be joining us, if memory serves, our class size was around 500. Let's do what we can do bring up the average - what do you say? P.S. - I'm trying to talk Craig into hosting a follow-up video. If you think that would help, you should tell him. He's shy.




Just sayin'.

The Alumni Magazine is out!
Coming soon to a mailbox near you - or if you simply can't wait to flip directly to the class notes to see who got a job, got married or had a baby, check out the online version. (And hey - there's a good interview with President Torgerson on the importance of Alumni Giving. Something about "it's not the amount - it's the fact that you gave." It also has a list of "like institutions" and their alumni giving percentages. We're ahead of Wartburg, but let's raise the bar, don't you think?)

Malta will be well represented

We are told three of the five Maltese who graduated with us in 1992 are coming for homecoming this October and are all looking forward to it. Those coming are: Andrew Mangion, Julian Mamo and Jonas Diamantino. Looking forward to seeing you, guys! (Note, this came as a legitimate news item, so it's not like I'm trying to use the lure of the smoldering good looks and melodic accents of our Maltese classmates to bump our numbers. Then again, it can't hurt).

Here is Malta. I included this because I remember asking Julian freshman year where Malta was.
He kindly told me it was south of Italy without flinching.
In my defense, I wanted to go to Europe on one of our family vacations, but I was usually overruled and ended up in places like the Black Hills. I can tell you where Wall is if you're interested.



We have classmates of distinction

Marjorie Opuni-Akuamoa will receive the college's Distinguished Service Award during homecoming. Marjorie is senior advisor of Evidence, Strategy and Results at the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and recently presented at Luther's opening convocation.

Also receiving a Distinguished Service Award is Dr. Jennifer Weuve, who is currently epidemiologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at Rush University, as well as overall great gal. Marjorie and Jenni, we are proud of both of you! (BTW, Marjorie and Jenni will be at the reunion, so you will want to make sure you come so you can experience what makes them distinctive in person).

There's plenty going on and many ways you can connect with Luther, Decorah and the people you shared your life with for four years.

• Find your friends in the Union
• Hike to Dunning's Spring
• Watch the homecoming parade
• Eat at Mabe's
• Shop at Vanberia
• Take in football at Carlson Stadium
• Pick up a new Luther sweatshirt
• Get a Tornado at the Whippy Dip
• Join us Saturday night at the Steyer Opera House for our reunion celebration

So, what are you waiting for? Get registered! See you in October ...

Better with time: Five awesome things in Decorah that are, well, awesomer

5. T-Bocks

Remember Bernadine’s? How about Oddfellows? They’re now combined into one fabulous sports bar and pub, thanks to our classmate Dominique (Ells) Bockman and her husband, Mike Bockman. Dom, Mike and Mike’s brother, Mark, renovated the Oddfellows space and brought Bernadine’s great burger recipe. They’ve been serving up great eats and cold beer in a family-friendly atmosphere ever since.

4. Half-Baked Mabe's Pizzas

“I wish I could just bring Mabe's home with me.” Guess what? Now you can. If you haven’t been to a Luther alumni event (which frequently feature Mabe's pizzas, thanks to the half-bake formula), you can bring home a half-bake to finish off in your oven and eat later. Simply call Mabe's and place your order (they’re available in any size or variety) – and bring the magic home with you.

3. Trout Run Trail

Twenty years ago, there was a little strip of trail that followed the river from Main Street to the Decorah Campground. Today, there’s an 11-mile loop that connects central Decorah, the Fish Hatchery and the campground, offering a paved surface with gorgeous views of Decorah’s amazing natural landscape. The Trout Run Trail is now open, thanks to the generous support of area residents and businesses. Enjoy a run, walk or bike ride and take it all in.

2. Decorah Eagles

A few years ago, a family of eagles took up residence in a tree adjacent to the Decorah Fish Hatchery. The Raptor Resource Project rigged a webcam to watch their nest and the eagles became instant celebrities. For the past two years, over a million people have watched online as the eagles hatch their eaglets, including many school children hoping to learn more about these amazing creatures. Hundreds of visitors have come to Decorah to see the nest for themselves. You can, too. Head out to the Fish Hatchery – always a great afternoon of feeding trout, enjoying the stream and watching eagles swoop majestically along the limestone bluffs.

1. Luther’s Campus

Luther’s campus remains one of the most scenic in the Midwest. Updates and renovations in the past 20 years have made it more so. Check out the Dahl Centennial Union, the outdoor commons area next to the Luther bell, The Regents Center (field house), the Center for the Arts, the new science building and the Towers – just to name a few. And you can't miss the college's new wind turbine - just one of many initiatives that is making the college more sustainable.

It’s all here and it’s waiting for you – join us at Homecoming Oct. 5-7.

Baby Come Back: A video invitation to our 20th reunion!

We're on Facebook!

LC Class of 1992 is now on Facebook - come on over and "like" the page. We'll post reunion updates when available, but we also encourage everyone to post photos and connect with others. Ah, the magic of social media. Please help us reach out to classmates - we want to make sure everyone is included.

Your Class Agent letter promised a video and the video is coming. Our production company (Townies, Inc.) just finished shooting the video sequences and we're working on editing right now. Suffice to say, you have never seen Craig Rabe like this. You'll laugh, you'll cry. We'll try to get it posted this weekend.

We could tweet and pin and link and all of those other things in the social media realm, but we don't want to get too carried away.

The details

Our reunion will be at the beautifully refurbished Steyer Opera House,

which as you can see, is not the same type of venue where we had our

five-year reunion. Can we get an "Amen"?

The Luther College Class of 1992 will celebrate its 20-year reunion the weekend of Oct. 5-7 in Decorah. A full schedule of events can be found on Luther's website. Additional details are also in Craig's Class Agent letter.

Friday, Oct. 5, our class will host an informal gathering at Club Pyramid on College Drive (the former Jack and Jill building, next to The Pub, which is now Roscoe's, but other than the name change, it's still pretty much the same) in Decorah, where there will be music and a cash bar.

Saturday, Oct. 6 our reunion will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Steyer Opera House on Water Street in downtown Decorah.

Registering is a good idea - it's also the place where you can purchase your reunion tickets.

A few things:

• If you don't have a hotel room, get going on that. A listing of area establishments is available on the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce site.
• Decorah is beautiful all year but really comes into its own in the fall. The newly-constructed, 11-mile Trout Run Trail will be completed by reunion weekend. Be sure to bring the family and enjoy all that Decorah has to offer!
• We are not formally arranging child care this year but are glad to help if you need it. Send Craig an email.
• Upload your photos and connect with classmates on this blog! We welcome your comments and suggestions.

See you soon!

Greetings, classmates! Please be patient with us ...

The reunion letter went out a little earlier than we anticipated - we're scrambling to get information for you and get it up here quickly! Please check back. Thanks!