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, succeeding Associate Professor Maren Johnson.
Luther College Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17. Johnson, a Nordic Studies associate professor, was recently appointed executive director of the center.
Ellingsen brings Luther and Vesterheim experience
Ellingsen returns to a leadership role at Luther after spending more than five years as Vesterheim’s director of folk art education. Vesterheim is the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School in Decorah.
During his time at Vesterheim, Ellingsen expanded participation and grew programs through strategic planning and other organizational initiatives, according to the source. His work included partnerships with Luther College, including January Term classes hosted at the museum and a Vesterheim–Torgerson Center internship pipeline for Luther students. The organizations also developed plans for education-focused tours in Norway.
Ellingsen previously 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. Ellingsen taught elementary music for nearly 20 years in the Twin Cities and later in Decorah. He then taught undergraduate elementary music methods at Luther and 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.
Center connects Luther, Norway and Decorah’s heritage community
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, as well as 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.