Established on 01.30.2019 by Rev. Karla Mickelson '82
A 1974 graduate, Duane K. Mickelson taught at Concordia in the Art Department for 35 years. As an artist, Duane was known for finding and seeing things in nature that others would pass by. He used fragments of wood or other found objects to create beautiful works of art. His wife, Karla Marie-Florey Mickelson ’82, remembers that he would wake up to fresh tracks in the snow at their acreage by the lake and wonder what had happened with those critters the night before. “He allowed us to see the world with fresh eyes,” Karla says. “He’d pick out a texture or a shape and he’d expand the way of seeing the world.”
On November 24th, 2015, after living with brain cancer for 23 years, the college lost a dear teacher, colleague, and faithful friend. Karla, his brother, Dwight Mickelson ’87, along with Art Department Chair Heidi Goldberg embarked on a dual endeavor with The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum to honor Duane’s artistic contributions. At Concordia, his legacy will live on through his artistic works and the creation of the Duane K. Mickelson Endowed Scholarship in the Arts. Heidi shares that, “Duane was a gifted and passionate artist. He was a natural teacher and believed in passing on the gifts he was given.” Duane had an unwavering goal of sharing his knowledge and love of art with students of all ages with a selfless, gentle, positive, and humorous spirit.
The Duane K. Mickelson Endowed Scholarship in the Arts is awarded annually by the Office of Financial Aid, from nominations provided by the Art Department faculty, to one or more students in their sophomore, junior or senior year who show exceptional artistic ability.