Andrew Ellingsen, a longtime Decorah educator and former Vesterheim director, is now leading Luther College’s Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies. He began directing the center on Aug. 12, 2026, succeeding Associate Professor Maren Johnson.
Luther College Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17. Johnson, an associate professor of Nordic Studies, was recently appointed executive director of the center.
Ellingsen returns to Luther after Vesterheim leadership
Ellingsen returns to a leadership position at Luther after more than five years as Vesterheim’s director of folk art education. Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, is located 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, 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 had 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. He taught elementary music for nearly 20 years in the Twin Cities and later in Decorah before teaching 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.
A center connecting Luther, Norway and Decorah’s heritage
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.
When announcing Ellingsen’s appointment, Bacon cited his experience as an educator and program leader, as well as his Decorah roots and connections in the Norwegian-American heritage community. 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 continued work with students, faculty, Vesterheim and Nordic partners.