A familiar figure in Decorah’s education and Norwegian-American heritage communities is taking over leadership of one of Luther College’s signature academic centers. Andrew Ellingsen began directing Luther College’s Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies on Aug. 12, 2026.
Luther College Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17. Ellingsen succeeds Nordic Studies Associate Professor Maren Johnson, who was recently appointed executive director of the center.
The change connects three major parts of Decorah’s cultural and academic landscape: Luther College, Vesterheim—the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School—and the area’s broader Norwegian-American heritage community.
Ellingsen brings Luther and Vesterheim experience
Before returning to a leadership role at Luther, Ellingsen spent more than five years as Vesterheim’s director of folk art education. The source says he expanded participation and grew programs through strategic planning and other organizational initiatives.
His work at Vesterheim included partnerships with Luther College. Those efforts included January Term classes hosted at the museum, a Vesterheim–Torgerson Center internship pipeline for Luther students and plans for education-focused tours in Norway.
Ellingsen also co-taught FCUL 139: Nordic Tales and Traditions with Johnson. The course was piloted in 2024 for Luther students studying away during their first year.
His career began in elementary music education. He taught elementary music for nearly 20 years in the Twin Cities and later in Decorah, then taught undergraduate elementary music methods at Luther. He also served on the faculty for Orff Schulwerk graduate courses at Southern Methodist University, the University of Memphis and the University of St. Thomas.
Ellingsen earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Luther in 2003 and holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
What the Torgerson Center does
Established in 2018, the Torgerson Center reflects Luther’s history as the first college in the United States founded by Norwegian immigrants. Its mission is to build connections with modern Norway and other Nordic countries through innovative programs and strategic partnerships.
The center creates learning opportunities for students and faculty and collaborates with Vesterheim on programming. Luther describes it as the only endowed undergraduate Nordic Studies center in the United States.
Bacon cited Ellingsen’s experience as an educator and program leader, along with his Decorah roots and connections in the Norwegian-American heritage community, when announcing the appointment. Johnson welcomed the selection and described Ellingsen as a thoughtful leader who can help advance the center’s work.
From Luther’s Decorah campus, Ellingsen’s background in classroom teaching, museum education, international programming and the college’s academic community is expected to support ongoing work with students, faculty, Vesterheim and Nordic partners.