Archives for 2025

Neighbors, partners, and local stakeholders are invited to attend a community forum hosted by the Saint Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) to review the latest concept plans for the Luther Seminary Lower Campus and to discuss key topics like housing, traffic, and environmental stewardship.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Olson Campus Center, 1490 Fulham Street, Saint Paul
The forum will be moderated by Sherman Eagles, co-chair of the SAPCC Luther Campus Task Force. SAPCC thanks Luther Seminary for donating the use of the Olson Campus Center and providing light refreshments and Lifestyle Communities for making representatives available to participate and answer questions. Registration is not required but appreciated—it helps SAPCC plan seating and refreshments.

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!

You are invited to F. Willis Johnson’s final segment of his webinar “The Alchemy of Faith-Informed Entrepreneurism: From Imagination to Innovation.” Join us tonight on Zoom (link in email) from 6-7:30 p.m. CT for the final installment of this multi-episode guide for spiritual entrepreneurs that walks us through the core creative energies fueling our work: imagination, ideation, ignition, and innovation.

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to a Lunch & Learn with the Student Housing Working Group on Wednesday, November 19, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in OCC 10 and on Zoom (link in email). Bring your own lunch. The working group will present its preliminary findings and proposals and solicit feedback from the Luther community on this important issue as we imagine a residential student community in our future space.

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.

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