Luther College has placed a familiar Decorah educator at the center of its Nordic studies work. Andrew Ellingsen, a former Vesterheim leader with teaching and museum-education experience, began directing the Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies on Aug. 12.
Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17, 2026. Ellingsen succeeds Nordic Studies Associate Professor Maren Johnson, who was recently appointed executive director of the center.
Ellingsen’s Decorah and Luther connections
Ellingsen most recently spent more than five years as director of folk art education at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School in Decorah. In that position, he expanded participation and grew programs through strategic planning and other organizational initiatives.
His work at Vesterheim included several educational partnerships with Luther College. Those collaborations 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. Before joining Vesterheim, he taught elementary music for nearly 20 years, first in the Twin Cities and later in Decorah. He also 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.
A center focused on Nordic connections
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 deep Decorah roots and connections within the Norwegian-American heritage community. Johnson welcomed the appointment 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 will support the center’s continuing work with students, faculty, Vesterheim and Nordic partners.