Staff
Dr. Deanna Thompson | Director
thomps38@stolaf.edu 507-786-3118
The Lutheran Center is led by Deanna A. Thompson, a nationally recognized expert on interfaith dialogue and worship practices. Thompson is a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from Martin Luther and feminism to the intersections of cancer, trauma, and faith, and what it means to be the church in the digital age. She is author of five books, including Crossing the Divide: Luther, Feminism, and the Cross; The Virtual Body of Christ in a Suffering World; and most recently, Glimpsing Resurrection: Cancer, Trauma, and Ministry.
Rev. Dr. Char Rachuy Cox | Director of Programming, Engagement and Innovation for Congregational Thriving
cox11@stolaf.edu
Rev. Dr. Charlene Rachuy Cox serves as the Director of Programming, Engagement, and Innovation for Congregational Thriving through the St. Olaf College Lutheran Center. She has served as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for over 30 years, serving in congregational, collegiate, and seminary settings. Pr. Char holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, with an emphasis in Spirituality.
Rev. Peter Carlson Schattauer | Associate Director
schatt2@stolaf.edu 507-786-3872
Peter Carlson Schattauer serves as the Associate Director of the Center. Schattauer is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), called by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA to his work at St. Olaf. He has previously served congregations in Maple Grove, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Campus Ministry – Twin Cities and volunteers with Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.
Sabrina Bakken | Assistant Director of Programming and Administration
bakken6@stolaf.edu 507-786-3043
Sabrina serves as the Assistant Director of Programming and Administration, working with the Lilly Grant funded Nourishing Vocation Project and the Nourishing Vocation with Children grant. Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from St. Catherine University and brings a lot of experience from events planning at St. Olaf College.
Dr. Pippa Younger | Administrative Assistant
younge2@stolaf.edu 507-786-3605
Pippa serves as the Administrative Assistant. She holds a Doctorate in Hydrology and Meteorology from Lancaster University and comes to the Lutheran Center with a background in church financial management.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council provides counsel and advice concerning the Center’s mission, vision, strategic plan, partnerships and impact. The Council includes members of the St. Olaf community and external partners.
Advisory Council Members
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee provides guidance on the Center’s day-to-day operations. The Committee includes St. Olaf faculty, staff and students.
Steering Committee Members
Interfaith Fellows
The Interfaith fellows are current junior and senior students who assist the Lutheran Center in working to deepen campus understanding of the role that religious identity plays in many people’s lives and of the importance of interfaith, including non-religious, education and cooperation, with a special emphasis on student programming and outreach.