Features

All across campus, signs, flyers and sidewalk chalk declare the Forgiveness Blitz. Events pertaining to forgiveness have become the vogue. A “tree of forgiveness” has sprouted in the Union, and even Focus has gotten into the Forgiveness theme. But what is the Forgiveness Blitz?

April 1 is quickly approaching, and soon, the pranking will begin. For the first time here at Luther, students have organized to celebrate Poisson D’Avril, the French April Fools’ Day. This holiday includes one of the oldest, and most unusual, tricks in the book.

The snow is dripping and the birds are singing, which can only mean that spring is finally coming. It’s time to eliminate that dust-bunny forest under the bunk bed, gear up the bikes and get ready to soak up the sun.

You may have noticed a rise in energy awareness this month: the “Energy Idol” concert, residence halls posters about conserving water and electricity and door-to-door energy audits. This was not a coincidence, but the work of Luther’s Environmental Concerns Organization for Energy Evolution Month.

Annual Dorian Festivals can create an inconvenience for Luther students. There are longer lines in the caf and lounges occupied by loud Dorians in residence halls. However, many students think the experience is worth it.

Born out of one alum’s experience with another mentoring group while at Luther, Believing and Achieving is an organization aimed to help mentor K-3rd graders in the Decorah area.

Erik House (‘09), the founder of Believing and Achieving, first thought of the mentoring program after he spent the summer at Luther working for Upward Bound.

“I was inspired by Phyllis Gray, Scott Zierath and the students of the Upward Bound program to continue to work with young people,” House said. “After a couple of long discussions with a friend, I decided to pair college students with elementary students for mentoring in the subjects of academic achievement, behavior, teamwork, healthy choices and physical development.”

With 2,100 students housed on campus, Luther College relies heavily on the Residence Life office.

“Res Life works to provide a living and learning community where student needs can be met in unique ways,” Brandt Hall Director Lindsey Bulger said.

In addition to finding suitable housing for all students, Residence Life puts on over 700 events a year, including BOMB, Humans vs. Zombies and Hall Brawl.

“These events help make Luther feel like home,” Ylvisaker Assistant Hall Director Jake Wessels (‘11) said.

Whether you like mountains, the sea or a tropical country, students have found options for a unique spring break trip through Luther. This year, the Habitat for Humanity chapter at Luther is going to Mississippi on a service trip, Back Yard Wilderness Pursuit (BYWP) is going on a ski trip to Colorado and College Ministries is organizing a mission trip to Nicaragua.

With a $20 donation, participants can fight hunger in Luther’s fifth annual Empty Bowls project, held in the CFA Sunday, March 7 from 11-2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a variety of soups and breads provided by local businesses, restaurants and individuals. The event will use bowls created by Luther students and Decorah residents, which the diners can then take home.

A large heart was created on the Luther football field using footprints in the snow two days before Valentine’s Day by an unknown artist.

Luther students and faculty were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected artwork. President Richard Torgerson had a clear view of the heart as his office overlooks the football field.

With snow falling on the ground, they packed their bags and prepared themselves. They hugged friends and family goodbye and loaded a bus for the airport. Once there they checked in and boarded their planes. Hours later they arrived at their destination tired and jet lagged, but astonished and excited for their J-term.

The Secular Student Alliance, a group of Luther students who identify themselves as atheists, agnostics, humanists, deists and others, aim to give students with a nontraditional faith a place to talk and be understood. While the religion and philosophy departments are excited about the idea of adding yet another diverse group to campus, other members of the Luther community are less comfortable about its formation.

Three times a year, community members and students alike revel in the opportunity to celebrate the spoken word. Decorah’s own ArtHaus established the Poetry Slam in 2008 and has continued to attract both poets and admirers to its dimly-lit, highly-charged performances.

The most recent slam, held at the Elk’s Lodge Feb. 5, captivated a record-breaking 150 people. Many brave souls stood on stage and made their mark upon the community, either by sharing their own work or performing someone else’s.

Each New Year, as students at many schools migrate back to campus for another semester, Luther students return to start January Term.

The semester-January term-semester (3-1-3) schedule became popular in the 1960s and 70s, and Luther was one of many schools to adopt it. As time passed and some colleges moved away from the 3-1-3 schedule, Luther sustained the program and made it even more impactful.

As Luther digs out of Tuesday and Wednesday’s blizzard, students are bracing for winter to be cold, snowy and icy, with blizzards and biting winds. However, with the appropriate supplies and optimism to face the harsh winter weather, the winter can be not only tolerable but also fun.