New Luther College President declares to Decorah Rotary "We are your college and you are our town"

Luther College's new president, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward, gave a speech Tuesday to the members of the Decorah Rotary Club.

Following a rousing version of "Row Your Boat" by the Rotarians, Dr. Ward began her speech by noting the community's warm hospitality shown her since she moved here this summer and began her tenure as Luther College's 11th president.

In her presentation to the Rotary Club, Ward broadly detailed her vision for Luther and the role the liberal arts college has within the larger Decorah community. She told the Rotarians: "I want you to understand we are your college and you are our town."

Ward noted the importance of imparting to Luther students the responsibility of freedom: "You have agency and responsibility to live as a free person in this world."

Ward then commented on the responsibility Decorah has to "welcome Luther students to the community, regardless of their background or where they're from."