Several faculty bid Luther adieu

The word “change” means different things to many people. To some Luther College faculty members, “change” is the word that describes their near future. This year Luther bids farewell to some educators as they retire or go forward to pursue other goals.

“It’s time for change,” Doug Eckheart, professor of art said. “I am retiring or ‘re-treading the tires’ as I call it. To move onto new challenges and open new chapters in my life.”

Eckheart began teaching at Luther in 1968, when he was just 25. In over 40 years of devotion to Luther, he has taught more than 700 art majors.

“I will miss the many wonderful relationships established with students,” Eckheart said. “I will miss the classroom and eye training, teaching students to see the world and perceive the world in a unique and special way.”

In addition to improving his golf game and traveling, Eckheart plans to open an art gallery in downtown Decorah. “My goal is to make a ‘lot of money’ and give it away by sponsoring third world schools. It’s time for my generation to give back.”

Eckheart’s work can be found on his Web site www.eckheart.com.

Eckheart is not the only retiree with plans to give back to the community.

“I will spend more time as coach of the Decorah High School tennis teams,” said Professor of Mathematics Reg Laursen. “I will become heavily involved in Habitat for Humanity.”

Laursen will also spend his free time with his grandchildren.

“I am going to attend way more lectures, performances and sporting activities at Luther then has been possible in the past,” Laursen said.
However, Laursen will miss certain aspects of his 39-year Luther career.

“[I’ll miss] the interaction with the bright young minds of Luther students,” Laursen said. “I have always enjoyed trying to get past the surface to try find out what makes them tick.”
Retiring Professor of Social Work Lee Zook will miss his students as well.

“I will miss working with students who surprise me with their insights, ability to learn quickly and have taught me so much about life,” Zook said. “[I’ll miss] having some super experiences vicariously as alums let me know what they are doing, such as working in the Peace Corp, going to graduate schools, traveling around the world, getting jobs they love, having kids of their own, making a difference in the world.”

However, Zook remains optimistic about life after his 24-year stay at Luther.

“New opportunities await me that I don’t even know about,” he said.

Zook will continue working for the West Union branch office of Backbone Counseling Center, where he works part-time as a mental health social therapist.

“In addition to my part-time work I hope to pursue some other things I just haven’t had enough time for, hobbies and friends and more time with family.”

Also departing from Luther is Philosophy Professor Lissa Skitolsky, who has accepted a position at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania.

“We have a 2 year old son, and so it is especially important for us to live within driving distance of his grandparents,” Skitolsky said. “We are excited to live in a community with a larger Jewish community, and I am excited to teach in a Jewish studies program. We are also extremely excited to live within three hours of New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia.”

Along with anticipation for the future, Skitolsky holds a special place for her past.

“My time at Luther has been invaluable for teaching me how to pursue inter-cultural dialogue with respect, recognition and sensitivity, and for helping me to better understand and appreciate the complexity of Christian identity.”

“I will miss my colleagues and my friends here the most,” said Skitolsky. “We leave with heavy hearts, as we have made extremely strong friendships and have a lot of love for the Decorah community. I will miss everyone here so much, and will take any opportunity to visit Decorah again.”

According to the Dean’s Office, the college plans to fill each of the vacancies.