Kathleen Stokker

Kathleen Stokker is a prominent scholar and educator in the field of Scandinavian Studies, particularly Norwegian language and culture. She has had a long and distinguished career at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she served as Professor of Norwegian and Director of Scandinavian Studies.3

Academic Background

Stokker holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Interestingly, her undergraduate degree is in Chemistry, also from the University of Wisconsin.2

Research and Publications

Stokker is well-known for her research on Norwegian culture, particularly during World War II. She authored the book "Folklore Fights the Nazis: Humor in Occupied Norway, 1940-1945," which explores how Norwegians used humor and folklore as a form of resistance during the Nazi occupation.1 This work has been praised for its insight into psychological warfare through folk humor.

Teaching and Textbooks

As a professor of Norwegian, Stokker has made significant contributions to language education. She co-authored "Norsk, Nordmenn og Norge," a widely used Norwegian-language textbook series in the United States.5 This demonstrates her commitment to promoting Norwegian language learning and cultural understanding.

Honors and Recognition

Stokker's contributions to Scandinavian Studies have been widely recognized. In 2006, she received Norway's prestigious St. Olav Medal, a testament to her significant impact on Norwegian-American relations and cultural exchange.4

Current Status

While her LinkedIn profile lists her as the Director of Scandinavian Studies at Luther College3, it's worth noting that some sources refer to her as Professor Emeritus of Scandinavian Studies at Luther College.4 This suggests she may have retired from her full-time position but continues to be active in the field.