L. DeAne Lagerquist
Harold H. Ditmanson Chair in Religion

My study of the history of Christianity began at California Lutheran College (B.A.), continued at Luther Seminary (M.A.), and the University of Chicago, Divinity School (Ph.D.).  I joined the St. Olaf Religion department in 1988, after three years of teaching at Valparaiso University.  My teaching includes general education courses required of all St. Olaf students as well as more specialized topics and off-campus programs.  Students in my courses often explore interactions of religion with various aspects of culture: for example, investigating the ways artists from around the world portray biblical stories, or how Indian Christians make use of Tamil folk music, or immigrant Lutherans’ adaptation to the American context.  I was among the designers of the American Conversations program.  Three times I have been lead teacher and many times team taught single courses in the sequence.  In 2007-08 my husband and I led the St. Olaf Global Semester program.  Much of my research has considered Lutheran topics, including women’s organizations, higher education, and St. Olaf’s own Lars W. Boe.  During my recent sabbatical my research focused on Gertrude Sovik (1907-92) and developments in 20th century Christianity. I served three terms as chair of the religion department, five years as Senior Tutor of St. Olaf’s Paracollege, and directed American Conversations for four years.