LUTHERL COLLEGEu ALUMNIth er & FRIENDS MAGAZINE Save the SPRING / SUMMER 2016 Date for STORY Homecoming 2016 REGINA CANADA Luther College High School students, 1996 LUTHER LS STORY message from the editor pink shag carpet in the rumpus know this is also ‘my’ house?” grandparents’ house to change room; the special occasion dishes; To my horror, that was just the because for me it was the and the red woolly stockings hung beginning! On future visits, there constant in my life: a stability under the fireplace mantel every was always something new, that was, for me, a tangible way Christmas. I can hear the sound something different: new counter of remembering my childhood. I of CBC classical music on Opa’s tops and sink with faucet in the believed that I should be allowed radio, the wind blowing through kitchen, a new light fixture for the to adapt and grow, but I wanted the wind chimes in the backyard, dining room, glaringly white and my Oma and Opa to remain or the needle of Oma’s sewing gold Christmas dishes, and dark exactly the way I envisioned them machine clattering away. This green, patterned stockings for the as a child ... and that included was my happy place (still is), and fireplace. their home. I finally realized that I loved it just the way it was. Then change is inevitable, but balance Visiting my grandparents in Swift the look of that world changed … I remember being a little upset is the key. Everyone should be Current, Saskatchewan, has literally. each time my Oma, wanting encouraged to embrace the new always been a very special time change of her own, decided to while still learning from, and for me. When I think about those We did not live close to Swift update/modernize her house remembering, the old. visits, a plethora of childhood Current when I was a child, so we between our visits. I couldn’t memories flood my senses: the were able to visit only a few times figure out why this bothered me. In this issue, you will see aroma of Opa’s coffee (the same each year. During one of those At home, I would rearrange my examples of how Luther has its for Oma’s green-bean soup) or the visits, I walked into the bathroom, room every six months. I loved to own traditions while continually unique smell of the water when and to my shock (and dismay), a update my surroundings, keeping looking for new ways to stay washing the dishes or taking a white plastic surround covered things new, fresh, and exciting; current and offer our students bath (the city adds lots of chlorine the green tile; my black-and-white it was invigorating to me. I was the best education and services to the water). I can still see the curtains were gone, replaced even perfectly content when possible. A blend of the old emerald green tiled bathtub by pastel green sheers. There my mother would rearrange our and the new … the best of both with the black-and-white sheer was a new stand-alone vanity house for “better flow.” So if I worlds. curtains pulled back with black where the sink once was and was fine with changes of my own, cords; the crystal chandelier in wainscoting graced the walls. She why wasn’t I happy about my the dining room; the simple brown had even replaced the clothes grandmother’s? countertops in the kitchen; the hamper! “What has she done?!” lush, caramel velvet curtains in I thought to myself. “How dare It dawned on me that I did Michelle Clark (U’04) the living room; the purple-and- she not consult me? Does she not not want anything in my Senior editor of the Luther Story If you have a question or story Senior Editor: Michelle Clark (U’04) idea to share, please contact us at: Editorial Advisor: Angela Bethune Editorial Board: Amber Peters (U’06), The Luther Story Donna Grant (U’93), Richard Hordern, REGINA CANADAc/o Luther College at the Hilary Schroeder University of Regina Design: Bradbury Branding & Design 3737 Wascana Parkway www.bradburydesign.com The Luther Story is the Regina, Saskatchewan The Luther Story is distributed by Canada magazine of the alumni and S4S 0A2 Canada Post under publication mail agreement friends of Luther College. [email protected] number 40065736. LUTHER STORY LS table of contents From the Pulpit • 2 From the President • 3 Alumni Profiles • 4 Shukran (Thank you) Roland Miller • 8 The Luther College Story Continues • 11 Founders’ Day Dinner 2015 • 12 Donor Focus • 13 A Time to Build Update • 14 64th L.I.T. & Homecoming 2016 • 16 Farewell Alanna and Black & Gold Gala • 17 A Tribute to Mr. Bob Davis • 18 Aboriginal Initiatives • 19 Writing Across the Disciplines • 20 Win a Travel Voucher • 21 Send Us Your Pics • 21 On Campus • 22 Class Notes • 24 Notices & Events • 28 Top: Rev. Dr. Roland Miller, LCUR Academic Dean, from 1977-1991. Left: Soren Oberg (HS’88) Right: Bob Davis, L.I.T. Director, Dean of Men, a coach, and teacher at LCHS from 1960-1968. Cover image: Kim (Anderson) Semenchuk, Kirsten (Ermel) Boyce, Corinne Stavness, all 1996 graduates of LCHS. LUTHER LS STORY message from the pulpit while lifting up my own tradition 4. Chaplains always make sure Thanks be to God for Luther and encouraging understanding there is food at events. College as we continue our work of other traditions. This said, I Eat well! Everything is just better with the students who grow wonder if the same seven reasons when you eat well. and learn with us. May we find the author of the article has given communities that continue to to hang out with your College 5. Chaplains can help you find grow and learn always. Chaplain might also be a call for your “place of peace.” all of us to stop and reflect on Where is your place of peace? Has where we find ourselves now. all of your striving and working Maybe the excitement, energy, resulted in a balance of engaged and curiosity of academic chaos and peace? Who are you Pastor Sean Bell Chaplain, Luther College at the pursuits can inspire and serve with now? It is hard to believe it was just last University of Regina us well beyond our time in the 6. Chaplains can help you summer that I was starting in the institution. understand your Quad mates and position as Chaplain at Luther other university students. College’s University campus. I am Inspired by Raushenbush’s seven How much has the place sure I experienced many of the reasons, I offer the following where you live changed since same emotions that our students seven reasons to live in your your graduation day? Do you experience before their first day journey beyond academia as if understand your neighbours at university: Will I fit in? Will I find you still have a College Chaplain and strive to get to know them friends? Am I ready to do the work by your side: because they can help you required of me? What will my learn and see the world in a day-to-day look like? The learning 1. Chaplains are interested in different way? Do you have a real curve is steep, the pace is fast, the big questions. community? and the excitement is high. Are you still interested in the big questions? Are you still inquiring 7. Chaplains can direct you to Shortly after I began at Luther, and using your education and different activities. I found an article by Rev. Paul critical skills to assert yourself in While I cannot, as Chaplain, Raushenbush in the Huffington life? direct everyone to different Post, entitled “7 Reasons To Hang activities, maybe these questions 2. Chaplains have your back. Out With Your College Chaplain will inspire you to remember Have you found a community to (Even If You’re Not Religious).” the growth and learning you back you up as you go? Where do It is my understanding that experienced when you were a you find support? the Chaplain at the University student. Maybe it is time to come campus is a chaplain to everyone, 3. Chaplains go on fantastic back and take a few classes! and therefore it is my job to be retreats. a Lutheran pastor, aware of the Have you fallen into a rut? Do many paths and journeys that you take the time to see life from students, faculty, and staff are on. different angles and perspectives? My role is to support, challenge, When do you go on retreat and and help all individuals grow, explore what else there is? 2 THE LUTHER STORY • SPRING / SUMMER 2016 LUTHER STORY LS message from the president lays the foundations for all the our University campus about how education, either as student or professions, rather than teaching we need to consider our response facilitator, are truly blessed. the skills specific to any one of to the Truth and Reconciliation those professions. Finally, he Commission report, released late noted that a liberal arts education last year. He challenged us to places a high value on the student- consider that response within the to-student and student-to-faculty context of our Christian faith and Bryan Hillis (U’78), Ph.D. interactions wherein so much of educational privilege. One of our President, Luther College the intellectual and interpersonal professors, himself a distinguished skills are learned. researcher, thought it was the best lecture he had heard on this As someone closer to the end of campus.