By Seth Boyes,
A bronze statue of Martin Luther stands on the campus of Luther College in Decorah. The college was founded in 1861, and officials with Luther recently announced staff changes as part of the college's strategic plans for the future. (Photo by Seth Boyes)
Officials with Luther College say some staff changes are on the near horizon as part of a multi-year strategic plan aimed at ensuring the Decorah institution is able to meet the needs of the next generation.
Luther College President Jenifer Ward said in a July 16 statement that some staff would be added to the college, others would be changed or consolidated and what she called a limited number of others would be eliminated. Luther employs approximately 460 staff members, and last week’s announcement said the college plans to eliminate eight non-instructive positions — less than 3 percent of the 271 Luther employees who fall into that category. The college also plans to eliminate 20 positions which are currently unfilled. The changes are part of Luther’s Strategic Framework for 2023-2025 and will take affect Aug. 1.
“The strategic staffing plan will help ensure that Luther College continues to fulfill its mission and strategic objectives, build on recent momentum, better meet the needs of a new generation of students and go forward with a renewed focus on financial sustainability,” Ward said.
Bill Smith, Luther’s vice president of communication, said all eight of the affected employees were offered severance packages, providing them an extra month of health coverage benefits. The cuts weren’t from any particular department, according to Smith.
“Between the eight and the 20 unfilled positions, it was across the enterprise,” he said. “It’s not really congregated in any one area, and that speaks to the scope of the review that was done.”
Both he and Ward described the recent announcement as a somber decision, and both emphasized the college’s aim is fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.
“We are happy about these exciting changes and sober about the need to make some difficult choices that will be felt widely in our community,” Ward said. “First and foremost, though, our collective, shared obligation is to position Luther for future vitality.”
Smith estimated the college began developing its strategic framework around 2022 — the plan became active July 16, 2024, according to Ward’s statement. Both Smith and Ward noted many institutes of higher education — like many industries — are adjusting to rising costs and other societal factors which have led to fewer individuals seeking a college degree.
However, Ward noted the number of new students expected for Luther’s upcoming fall semester is on track to surpass last year’s figures – Smith explained those estimates are based off deposits which have been received from incoming students. Ward also said the college recently completed what she called its most successful fundraising year in Luther’s 163-year history. The college expects to receive a total of approximately $34 million following a number of recent pledge from donors, Smith said.
“Many colleges like us do not have the endowment, liquidity and assets that allow us to make reasoned decisions while still safeguarding the experience of our current students,” Ward said.
The college’s president also highlighted renovations planned for campus facilities like Luther’s Gerdin Fieldhouse — work there is expected to begin next month — as well as the Preus Library.
“The strategic staffing plan will help ensure that the good work of individuals and programs is strongly aligned with Luther’s overall institutional strategy and its priorities, guided by our core values of excellence, sustainability, inclusivity, curiosity and community,” Ward said.
Smith went on say the college must remain flexible in order to meet student needs, which he noted may differ from the days when some of the college’s programs were first established.
“It’s best to address future needs from this position than not,” he said. “We’ve got momentum, and we wouldn’t be good stewards of that momentum if we didn’t make these difficult decisions that need to be made.”
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I pray the momentum doesn’t look like what we are seeing at Wittenberg U. or Bethany in Lindsborg. Liberal Arts are important to ensuring our nation and our church have critically thinking, broad minded people making decisions. The Arts and Languages help in this endeavor. Recruiting Lutherans better would help as well.