Notable Alumni of Luther College

Dagfinn Høybråten 1957–

Norwegian politician, former Christian Democratic Party leader

Callista Gingrich 1966–

US ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Spouse: Newt Gingrich (Emory University, Georgia College & State University)

Jim Nussle 1960–

Former U.S. representative and credit union association CEO

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1983

Also attended: Drake University

Norman Brunsdale 1891–1978

Governor of North Dakota and US senator

J. A. O. Preus I 1883–1961

20th Governor of Minnesota

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Child: J. A. O. Preus II (Luther Seminary, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities)

Child: Robert D. Preus (Luther College, Harvard University)

Henry Oscar Talle 1892–1969

Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa

Attended until 1917

Also attended: University of Chicago, Boston University, Emerson College

Ole J. Kvale 1869–1929

Minnesota US representative and Lutheran minister

Also attended: University of Chicago, Luther Seminary

Child: Paul John Kvale (Luther College, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities)

Arne Sorenson 1958–2021

President and CEO of Marriott International

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Patrick Whitesell 1965–

Executive chairman of Endeavor, talent agent

Spouse: Lauren Sánchez (El Camino Community College District)

Sibling: Sean Whitesell (University of California-San Diego, University of Northern Iowa)

Michael T. Osterholm 1953–

Epidemiologist and University of Minnesota professor

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Lynn Steen 1941–2015

Mathematician and professor at St. Olaf College

Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ole Ivar Løvaas 1927–2010

UCLA psychologist known for ABA autism research

Also attended: University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Jakob Larsen 1888–1974

Classical scholar of ancient Greek politics

Also attended: Yale University, Harvard University, University of Vermont

Ludvig Hektoen 1863–1951

Pathologist and National Academy of Sciences member

Also attended: University of Illinois at Chicago

Duane Hanson 1925–1996

Sculptor

Also attended: Macalester College, University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Rasmus Bjørn Anderson 1846–1936

Scholar and diplomat, originator of Leif Erikson Day

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Brad Steiger 1936–2018

Writer on the paranormal, UFOs and spirituality

Also attended: University of Iowa

Georgann Johnson 1926–2018

American stage, film and television actress

Also attended: Northwestern University

Marty Haugen 1950–

Composer of liturgical music

Elias Molee 1845–1928

Journalist and linguist, Saxonist movement participant

Brian Andreas 1956–

Writer and artist known for very short stories

Also attended: John F. Kennedy University

Phyllis Yes 1941–

Oregon-based artist and playwright

Weston Noble 1922–2016

Music educator and conductor at Luther College

Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Matthew Busche 1985–

Former professional road racing cyclist