News

Respectably Green

Luther’s green initiatives have earned the college national acclaim
By: Kerry Green, Staff Writer

Luther’s sustainability initiatives recently received two national recognitions: a Rocky Mountain Institute grant of $45,000 and an “A-” grade on the College Sustainability Report Card.

The Rocky Mountain Institute awarded Luther the grant in late July. The Institute invited Luther, among 12 other schools, to attend a conference in Colorado, to discuss energy conservation efforts and plans. After the conference, Luther submitted a grant proposal that contained plans for a major campaign on campus for student-initiated energy conservation. The proposal was accepted, and the institute is now in the process of allocating grant funds.

Larsen bomb threat a miscommunication

By: Don Stein & Danny Wilcox , News Editors


Health Services received a suspicious phone call at 9:55 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Though the exact conversation remains unknown, sometime during the call a miscommunication occurred, sparking a flurry of response from Luther and the Decorah community.

Towering Renovations

Miller and Dieseth Halls, reputed as somewhat seedy upperclassmen dorms, may not see major changes anytime soon
By: Alexander Van Dyke & Danny Wilcox, Volunteer Writer & News Editor


Renovation of the Miller and Dieseth residence halls has long been considered by students to be somewhat of a pipe dream and a foregone fantasy.

Film festival to debut at Luther

“Eco” theme will include mostly local movies, focus on food production and sustainability
By: Megan Creasey, Staff Writer

Over J-term, the first annual Oneota Film Festival will take place on campus, offering a selection of films relating to sustainability.

The films, ranging from feature-length films to short films, will be shown in three different venues on campus Jan. 22 and 23.

Sustainability Coordinator Dan Bellrichard talked about how the idea for the festival came about.

Mock trial team ‘makes a motion’ toward regionals, wins invite

By: Megan Creasey, Staff Writer

This Friday through Sunday Luther’s mock trial teams will compete at Macalester College’s (Minn.) invitational mock trial competition. The mock trial teams, led by Mitch Zoelzer (‘10), Allison Dahlberg (‘11) and Jonathan Grieder (‘12), recently competed amongst nine other teams in a competition held at Luther Oct. 24.

H1N1 down, not yet out

By: Nick Nienhaus, Volunteer Writer

With initial cases of swine flu appearing a day or two before classes started, H1N1 moved in among the students and looked as though it was going to stay.

As the semester went on, cases of the virus appeared to have dropped and the college community began to wonder if the worst was over or yet to come.

Iowa Supreme Court Justice visits

By: Sam Wiles, Staff Writer


Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady delivered a speech at Luther last Tuesday regarding Iowa’s legalization of same-sex marriage. Cady is the author of the unanimous majority opinion for the case, Varnum v. Brien, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state in April 2009.

Faculty and staff to receive one percent raise

By: Rick Gauthier, Staff Writer

Despite national economic hardships, staff and faculty will receive a one percent raise this year. The raise is smaller than in the past, but professors are not showing great concern.

“It’s tough times,” Walt Will, professor of computer sciences, said. “We’re in a recession. I can handle it.”

Nguyen freed, not yet cleared

By: Sam Wiles, Staff Writer

Luther alumna Hoa Nguyen (‘03) was released after nearly nine weeks in the custody of International Customs Enforcement while awaiting a possible deportation to her homeland of Vietnam.

Nguyen, who was teaching at the University of Minnesota, was incarcerated in August after she failed to show up for a court date to discuss a change in her student visa status.

Renovated Norby House opens as residence hall

By: Nicholas Nienhaus, Volunteer Writer

“Beautiful,” “Fun,” “A great place to live.” These are just a few comments made by new Norby House residents and visitors who attended Norby’s open house Saturday, Oct. 24.

‘Methland’ exposes Iowa meth problem

By: Meg McCormick, Editor in Chief

In Oelwein, Iowa, just 50 miles from Decorah, a tragic and unique story has stepped into the national spotlight through Nick Reding’s “Methland.” Three of the book’s featured figures appeared at Luther Oct. 22 to share how their collaboration is combating the disastrous effects of methamphetamine on their community.

Oelwein Mayor Larry Murphy, assistant Fayette County prosecutor and Luther alumnus Nathan Lein (‘98) and Dr. Clay Hallberg spoke to students, staff and faculty as well as community members and officials. Decorah Chief of Police Tom Courtney attended the lecture along with members of “Moms off Meth” and area healthcare and social workers.

“Methland” tells the story of what the author calls “the all-American drug,” methamphetamine, and the effects it has on communities throughout the country. Oelwein is one of several towns examined in the book and is used as a prime example of rural meth infestation.

“Oelwein was looking at the grave,” Murphy said. “We knew that we were dying.”

Methamphetamine, more commonly known as meth, is an illegal drug that has infiltrated rural communities with easy availability, low cost and highly addictive effects.

Luther alumna faces possible deportation

A 2003 Luther alumna is currently incarcerated and facing deportation to her native country of Vietnam after a clerical error regarding her graduate student visa
By: Sam Wiles , Staff Writer


Hoa Nguyen (‘03) was alone in the Minneapolis home she shares with her husband Dan Hanson (‘03) Aug. 14 when four immigration officers forcibly detained her for failing to attend a court date where she was to discuss a change in her student visa status.

New greenhouse larger, more advanced

By: Alexander G. Van Dyke , Volunteer Writer

Though the Sampson-Hoffland Laboratory building is less than one year old, its surroundings have already received a facelift. Three construction projects are taking place around Luther’s newest building— a rain garden, an oak savanna and a new greenhouse.

Wright’s lecture explores the ‘Evolution of God’

By: Ben Gardner , Ad Manager

Administration ponders credit system revamp

By: Andrew Dyrdal , Staff Writer

With more high schools administering college credit courses through local community colleges, the number of students bringing in high numbers of credits is increasing—and worrying professors.

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