A familiar face in Decorah’s education and Norwegian-American heritage communities is taking charge of Luther College’s Nordic Studies Center. Andrew Ellingsen has been appointed director of the Richard L. and Judith A. Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies, a role that will place his experience in elementary music education, museum programming and international study at the center of Luther’s connections with Norway and the wider Nordic region.
Provost Pam Bacon announced the appointment during the week of Aug. 17, 2026. Ellingsen’s first day on the Luther College campus was Wednesday, Aug. 12. He succeeds Nordic Studies Associate Professor Maren Johnson, who was recently appointed executive director of the center.
A Decorah educator with Vesterheim experience
Ellingsen most recently served for more than five years as director of folk art education at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School in Decorah. During that time, he expanded participation and grew programs through strategic planning and organizational initiatives.
His work at Vesterheim also included educational partnerships with Luther. 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 a 2024 pilot program for Luther students studying away during their first year.
Before joining Vesterheim, Ellingsen taught elementary music for nearly 20 years, first in the Twin Cities and later in Decorah. He 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.
His academic background includes a master’s degree in music education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Luther College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.
Center connects Luther with the Nordic region
Established in 2018, the Torgerson Center honors Luther College’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 provides 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 said Ellingsen’s background as an educator and program leader is a major strength, while also highlighting his deep roots in Decorah and connections within the Norwegian-American heritage community. Johnson welcomed the appointment, calling Ellingsen “a generative, thoughtful leader” who will help advance the center’s work.
Ellingsen’s new position brings together his classroom teaching, museum education, international programming and experience in Luther’s academic community. From the college’s Decorah campus, that background will guide the center’s continuing work with students, faculty, Vesterheim and Nordic partners.