During Luther College’s Homecoming music performance on October 10, the 2023 Hemp Prize and Presser Scholar Awards were presented to Emma Prostine (‘24) and Malachi Rhettman (‘24). The music department also presented the Weston Noble Award and Dr. Carlos A. Sperati Award to alumni Jan Knutson (‘78) and Gene Anderson (‘63) to commend them for their notable accomplishments in their careers.
The 2023 Hemp Prize was awarded to Prostine, a senior chemistry major who plays violin in both the Chamber and Symphony Orchestra. The Hemp Prize is a $8,000 scholarship funded by former interim President of Luther College Richard Harr (alongside his wife, Joann) and is given to a senior student member of Symphony Orchestra. The prize awards students of performance, talent, and leadership. Prostine is also the President of the chemistry club and an executive of the health science club. Prostine has been playing violin for 18 years, and is very grateful for everyone who has helped her grow.
“I felt incredibly grateful for those in my life who have pushed me to be where I am today,” Prostine said. “I’m thankful for my parents, who instilled practice skills in me years ago, and encouraged me daily. I’m thankful for the Hemp family who donated this generous prize! I feel so incredibly proud to align myself with a music program that allows such opportunities for all musicians, especially for non-music majors like myself.”
Post graduation, Prostine plans on attending pharmacy school at the University of Iowa. Despite anticipating a busy schedule, she is sure that music will always be part of her life.
“There won’t be a lot of time for violin, however, it will always remain an integral part of my life,” Prostine said. “My time at Luther has convinced me that music is, above all else, a gift to share with others. It is good for the soul.”
The 2023 Presser Scholar Award was presented to Rhettman, a senior music and management double major who plays the Double Bass in Symphony Orchestra. The Presser Scholar award was established in 1939 to honor Theodore Presser, who was the publisher of Etude music magazine. The award is presented to a Luther student studying music who demonstrates great excellence and merit. Rhettman is also currently involved in the pit orchestra for Luther’s upcoming fall musical, “Big Fish.” Upon receiving the award, Rhettman felt incredibly grateful and proud to be the recipient of this award, and thanked his community for all their help that made this possible.
“I felt both a sense of pride and humility,” Rhettman said “As Dr. Beckendorf was naming all of the people that helped make the award possible, I realized how I couldn’t have achieved that recognition without the community around me. I was proud that my hard work was being recognized, but also incredibly grateful for the community that made that work possible”
After graduation this spring, Rhettman hopes to go into Arts management and remain involved in music. Until then, he plans to audition to regional orchestras in Minnesota to play with.
The last two of the presented awards were given to exceptional and notable alumni. The Weston Noble Award was given to alumni Jan (Bakker) Knutson (‘78), while the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award was given to Gene Anderson (‘63).
Knutson founded Parker Arts Academy and now serves as coordinator for the Academy. She has additionally won the Florentine Opera Young Artist Career Development Program, the Jerry Hall of Fame award, and Teacher of the Year in the Janesville school district. Anderson worked as a director of bands and a music theory instructor for 20 years at the University of Richmond in Virginia. Additionally, Anderson formed Doctors of Jazz which is composed of fellow university colleagues. The group has performed in Europe and around Richmond.
More information about the Homecoming Music Awards can be found here.
