Andrew Ellingsen has returned to a leadership role at Luther College, taking over the Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies in Decorah after more than five years directing folk art education at Vesterheim.
Ellingsen began directing the center on Aug. 12, 2026. Luther College Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17. He succeeds Associate Professor Maren Johnson, who was recently appointed executive director of the center.
A return to Luther and Decorah
Ellingsen is a longtime Decorah educator and former director of Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School. During his time at Vesterheim, he expanded participation and grew programs through strategic planning and other organizational initiatives, according to the announcement.
His work included partnerships with Luther College. Those collaborations included January Term classes hosted at Vesterheim 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.
Educator with Decorah and Nordic connections
Ellingsen’s 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.
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.
Center links Luther, Norway and local 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.
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.