Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What's all that work being done at Luther College near the CFL and the union?"

Ray e-mails: "What's all that work being done at Luther College near the CFL and the union?  It sure looks like they're moving a lot of earth!"

Mr. Answer Person says: Ray, you must be talking about the "Bentdahl Commons."  This is the new name of the campus lawn next to the Dahl Centennial Union and the Center for Faith and Life.

It is being named "Bentdahl Commons" after a Twin Cities couple, Ray and Shirley Bentdahl, who donated $500,000 to pay for the project.  Ray Bentdahl is the retired president, chairman and owner of Excel Bank in Minneapolis.  Shirley Bentdahl is a retired teacher who taught in Spring Grove, Houston, Rushford, La Crescent and St. Peter, Minnesota  and in Kingsley, Iowa.  The two met while students at Luther and married in 1960 after they graduated.

Work on the project began about five weeks ago.  The project has a completion date of October 1st.  Once it's done, "Bentdahl Commons" will be used for worship services, performances, large receptions and other large gatherings.  Bentdahl Commons will include limestone and natural plantings, as well as water, electricity and wi-fi access.  Luther College officials are hoping the area will be a place of study and reflection and will be a popular student meeting place.

Reilly Construction of Ossian is handling the construction