New Luther College President embraces her new home

(by decorahnews.com's Ben Gardner):

During my interview with Luther President Jenifer K. Ward, I gleaned a few characteristics that resonated with me: she knows her way around a metaphor, she knows movies, and she appreciates paradox. At one point in the interview, she used movie-watching as a metaphor for her leadership approach. When you watch a movie, she noted, you're paying attention to a lot: lighting, story, editing, color composition, acting, theme. You're holding a lot in your head at once; nevertheless, if held in harmony, a meaningful and constructive experience is born.

In her new position, Ward will have to manage the many different moving parts of Luther College. Each new president is an opportunity for transition, from old to new, and President Ward, in collaboration with the Luther community, will be responsible for leading Luther through this transition.

Before becoming Luther's president, Ward served as provost and dean of the college at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. Ward earned her doctorate from Vanderbilt University in German with an emphasis in film studies.

Before becoming Luther's 11th president, Ward was familiar with Luther and Decorah from a visit to the campus during Lutheran Summer Music. She notes the town has changed since the early-2000s, and for the better. "The fact that there's an independent bookstore, three coffee shops, and an admirable food co-op all on the town's main street: Water Street feels activated to me."

Ward is enthusiastic about exploring ways to bring Decorah and the Luther community into closer connection. In addition to providing jobs in the community, "I think Decorah and Luther benefit from a cultural synergy," said Ward. "At Luther, we serve as a cultural and natural resource to the community."

She added: "More than that, we have a rotating crop of temporary citizens, by way of our students, creating constant turnover of energy that allows the town to keep refreshing itself."

"My first priority at Luther is to get to know the community: listen, learn what the context is." This will mean listening and collaborating with many different invested parties—staff, faculty, cabinet, students, parents. Getting these groups to work harmoniously behind the same mission will be one of many challenges facing Ward during her tenure. "I do my best thinking in conversation," said Ward. "I don't think it's possible for one person to have all the answers."

In conversations with faculty, staff, and community members, I've observed an overwhelming enthusiasm for Ward's collaborative and decisive approach to academic leadership. Among many retired and present faculty, Ward is being seen as the critical leader required to transition Luther into the future of higher education. Among academics, this future is somewhat shrouded. But many of the problems are clear: college is costing more, fewer academics are getting tenure, and many young people are getting a good education, but at the cost of debilitating loan payments.

Ward grew up in Arkansas in a family devoted to self-education and music. "There was a family attention to the notion of educating oneself, that wasn't tied to formal education." Much of the idiosyncratic education Ward received was from her grandfather, a preacher and voracious reader, who fueled her with an intellectual curiosity she retains today.

I ask Ward if there are any classes she's interested in teaching. There are lots! She misses the classroom, however, in her twenty years in academic leadership, Ward has learned she never stopped teaching. "Almost every day, I'm teaching someone about higher education or Luther. Anytime I talk to alumni, I'm teaching."

At the close of our interview, Ward mentions that after our interview she'll be taking the Luther Cabinet to Luna Valley Pizza Farm. She wants footwear advice. I tell her leave the Jimmy Choo heels at home.
Like me, the president is a cinephile, and, to my mind, it's a meaningful image: the Luther Cabinet, with their new president, sharing a meal at a unique farm-to-fork small business.

The image becomes even more meaningful and nuanced when the camera pans over to the service counter, where Maren Beard—former Luther sustainability coordinator—stands, smiling and multitasking. If the camera tracks into the kitchen, we'll see some dough-stretchers and pizza-toppers—many Luther grads—some of who, during the week, plant and harvest vegetables served at the Winneshiek Farmers Market.

President Ward doesn't yet know all these small town anecdotes, or the myriad ways—subtle or stark—Luther and Decorah intersect. But I'm confident she's seeking out these intentional relationships and opportunities, which are in such abundance in Decorah's idiosyncratic nooks and crannies. And I'm confident Decorah will continue to reach out and collaborate with the Luther community.