Archives for July 10, 2023

In today’s devotion, Deanna Wildermuth ’97 M.Div. reminds us to look for signs of hope and restoration. Read today’s devotion.

Nardini Fire technicians will be on campus to do the annual fire alarm system testing this coming Monday and Tuesday, July 10th and 11th. The alarm system will be sounding for short periods of time. Building evacuation is NOT necessary during these tests. We will be starting the testing in Olsen Campus Center, and waiting to test the Bockman Hall system until later in the day.

It is with great excitement that we welcome two new faculty members to Luther Seminary. Cody Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership, joins us after years of pastoring a congregation and teaching at various schools. Cody has been a contextual learning supervisor to many seminarians, worked as a campus chaplain, and is a well-published author, with his most recent book, Corpse Care, focusing on the ethics of tending the dead. Cody is excited to join the Luther Seminary. He says, “I am so grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received at Luther thus far! Cultivating this community of theological learning and ministerial formation alongside you all is my deep honor, and I am eager to participate in all that the Spirit is doing in and through Luther Seminary in the days to come.” You can find Cody in Bockman Hall 120.

Isaac Horwedel, Visiting Assistant Professor of Ethics, is a Louisville Institute Post Doctoral Fellow. He is a recent graduate of Emory University, who has served as a teaching pastor and co-founded a non-profit addiction recovery ministry. In addition to teaching ethics courses here at Luther, Isaac will work with MA students in their capstone course and teach a course on Addictions and ministry. We are excited to welcome Isaac. He says, “Luther’s commitment to faithful discernment and innovation is rare among its peers. As a junior scholar in an increasingly precarious field, I am blessed to be joining a community that so strongly values the personal and professional lives of its members. I am both thrilled and honored to pursue my vocation as a scholar and educator at Luther Seminary.” You can find Isaac in Gullixson Hall 201.

We would also like to recognize several Academic Affairs staff.

Librarian Mary Ann Teske begins her move to retirement and will be working part-time. She will generally be in the office three days a week.

Jeni Mullenix has been promoted to Program Manager for Advanced Theological Education (ATE). Jeni continues her work supporting and advising ATE students and managing the ThM and PhD programs. She will also begin working with ATE program assessment and more fully integrating ATE students into all areas of the Luther Seminary community.

Contextual Learning Associate, Emily Rova-Hegener, has been moved from a contract employee to a full-time employee. Her primary focus is on placing ELCA interns and supporting interns and their supervisors. She also will lead Region 1 and 3 internship cluster retreats and develop learning modules to accompany interns while on internship.

With the MDivX program coming to an end, Jody Nyenhuis and Sandy Olson have new roles. Jody is the Senior Manager of Academic Achievement. In this role, she will tend to the academic progress of students and be a bridge between the Academic Deans, the Office of the Registrar, and the advising team. Jody’s office is in Gullixson 302.

Sandy Olson is the Executive Assistant to the Academic Affairs Team. She focuses her efforts on technology and administration, and will be part of the advising team to support Academic MA students. Sandy’s office is in the newly renovated Gullixson 308 suite.

Terri Elton, Dean of Academic Affairs
Rolf Jacobson, Dean of the Faculty

Zoom Phone is coming soon and we look forward to showing you the features and ease of use. We have a Q&A Information Session scheduled for Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. This will be both in person in OCC 148 and in Zoom. Please bring your questions that are not in the FAQ.

We will also demonstrate Zoom phone in the app live.

Zoom Link is in the Community Announcements email.

Terra is no longer with Luther Seminary. Renewals, applications, and assignments continue to be processed. If you have general questions, or you are seeking an update regarding your housing status, please email housing@luthersem.edu, and a member of the operations team will assist.

Don’t forget to sign up for the all-Seminary summer book read! We will be meeting six times in July/August (various times available) to discuss Kazu Haga’s Healing Resistance. Students (current and brand new), staff, faculty, and admin are all invited to participate with us! We’ll examine and practice principles of nonviolence and restorative justice in pursuit of Christ’s call to truly love our neighbors and our enemies. Students are eligible to receive a free copy of the book from Student Council. Sign up by July 14: https://forms.gle/R9j2sE7uC3VoDGvF8