Archives for 2025

In this devotion, Ramona Bouzard ’80 M.Div., ’13 D.Min., asks if, when we look in the mirror, we see God’s love and justice reflected. Read today’s God Pause.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to a campus-wide safety training on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, led by a professional safety trainer. The Safety Committee chose this date because it’s the same day as our All Hands Meeting, which means we’ll have most of our community together. The session focuses on the Run, Hide, Fight response model and will include both a presentation and building-specific walk-throughs to help everyone feel more confident about what to do in an emergency. Here’s an outline of the day:

• 9–10 a.m. —Kickoff session with our trainer on Run, Hide, Fight skills.
• 10–11:30 a.m. —Walk-throughs in Gullixson Hall (by floor, for employees who work in that building).
• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. —All Hands meeting
• 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. —Walk-throughs in Bockman Hall then Olson Campus Center
• 5 p.m. —Zoom session for students (link in email), then a final in-person review and best practices discussion on the third floor of Bockman Hall

We really encourage everyone to join in. These sessions are a great way to learn practical safety skills and help keep our campus community safe. Thank you all for your participation and for making safety a shared priority here at Luther!

Friday, November 14 marked the end of our hosting the Smithsonian exhibit on human origins. It was a good experience, and there are many people to thank. Sponsored by both the Smithsonian Institute and the American Library Association, the representatives from both organizations were impressed with the welcome and hospitality they received and was offered to visitors of the exhibit. They were deeply grateful for our work hosting the exhibit. Some fun facts:
– Over 800 guests walked through the exhibit
– 200 of those participated in the programs offered by the Smithsonian during Fall RFS week
– Ken Reynhout led over 120 students from the Blake School through the exhibit as part of a ninth-grade educational experience
– Several local churches took advantage of the exhibit and brought over senior groups.
One of the best comments we received from one of the participants was from a young girl who, upon learning that humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas, said: “My brother has a lot more than that in common with bananas!” Thanks to all who engaged the exhibit and volunteered. Special thank yous to:
– Exhibit Committee: Kenneth Reynhout, Jessi LeClear Vachta, Josh Mesner, Rachel Farris, Chris Jacobson, and Dale Dobias
– Jack Hendricks who stepped in at the last moment to be the docent coordinator. He skillfully organized and scheduled over 15 volunteers to host during the exhibit open hours.
– Dale Dobias for leading this project, especially with so many other changes taking place in the library.
—Terri Elton, Dean of Academic Affairs

This week, the office of International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) and the International Student Association (ISA) join NAFSA-Association of International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad, and the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) in celebrating International Education Week. Historically a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, International Education Week has for 25 years provided institutions in the US an opportunity to showcase the people, places, and power of global connections among its students, faculty, and staff. The ISA has organized displays of cultural artifacts from across the global in Bockman Hall 116 under the banner “Celebrating Unity in Diversity.” The following countries are represented: Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Tanzania, and the United States of America. Cultural Artifacts may include traditional clothing, cultural symbols, artwork and crafts, photos and stories, and traditional instruments.

Join us Tuesday, December 2, 4-6 p.m. (doors open at 3:30) in OCC 10 to watch the new documentary “Sugarcane” and learn more about a part of our country’s history and Canada’s as well. This is a beautifully told story and brings you into the experience that continues to shape many of our Indigenous neighbors. The film’s name comes from a Native reservation in British Columbia. Indian residential schools were also used in the United States. Join us to learn more. Snacks provided.

The Luther Seminary community is warmly invited to Augsburg University’s annual Advent Vespers at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. For more than four decades, Augsburg has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons with a magnificent experience of music and liturgy focusing on the theme of preparation and culminating in the joyful celebration of the Incarnation.
2025 Advent Vespers: Guide Our Feet Into the Way of Peace
December 5 (7 p.m.) and December 6 (2 p.m. and 5 p.m.)
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis
Advent Vespers is free to the public with a suggested donation of $30 per person. Reservations are encouraged. Learn more and register for Advent Vespers.