Interim Luther College President: Luther College is "grounded in faith"

When the nomination of Dr. Mark Hagerott to become the next president of Luther College derailed this spring, part of the reason was uncertainty over whether Hagerott's background as a Missouri Synod Lutheran would fit with the ELCA background of Luther College.

When former Luther Seminary President Dr. David Tiede accepted the job of Interim President at Luther College, he issued a statement that said "Luther College is educationally excellent, grounded in faith, and centered in student lives."  Dr. Tiede tells decorahnews.com that the use of the phrase "grounded in faith" was intentional.  He believes the Lutheran tradition is for people to be deeply respectful to one another—no matter their faith.

That fits well with the mission of Luther College, says Tiede, because Lutherans welcome learning.  "We study anything," he says.  And whether a student comes to be a doctor, an accountant or a liberal arts graduate, everyone has their calling, says Tiede.  That fits his understanding of Lutheranism and explains to him why students come to Luther College.

The secret, says Tiede, is to help the college understand the values it shares.  "We need to have as strong a 'we' as possible," he says, adding that if that goal is achieved, the college will be able to have a "celebrative welcome" for its 10th president.