Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Categories: Universities and colleges in Iowa | Liberal arts colleges | Historically Norwegian-American colleges
Luther College
Luther College
| Established | 1861 |
|---|---|
| Motto | soli deo gloria |
| School type | Private |
| President | Richard L. Torgerson |
| Location | Decorah, Iowa, United States of America |
| Enrollment | Approximately 2,600 |
| Faculty | 191 |
| Central Campus Size | 175 acres (708,000 m²) |
| Web site | www.luther.edu |
This Luther College article is not to be confused with the Luther College associated with the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.
Luther College is a private, comprehensive, four-year liberal arts college located in Decorah, Iowa, USA and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther College today boasts an enrollment of almost 2,600 students representing 34 states of the USA and 35 countries. Only about 35% of the student body represents the state of Iowa. The college offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs.
Luther is perhaps the most famous for its musical groups, which have acquired global recognition through their many international tours. Since 1907 the Luther community has performed Handel's Messiah, a tradition only made longer by Bethany College. The college also hosts "Christmas at Luther" a musical celebration of the holiday season that is televised nationwide. Much of Luther's musical fame can be attributed to Weston H. Noble '43, past director of the Luther Concert Band and current Nordic Choir director. Noble has been on the Luther faculty since 1948.
In 1996 the musician Dave Matthews appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds at Luther College, the site of their 1999 album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College . The college is also infamous for naked soccer, a final exam week tradition that ended in 2002.
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History
The path to founding Luther College began on October 10, 1857, when the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) decided to create a college to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in the Upper Midwest. Until the college was completed, students would study at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. On October 14, 1859 the Rev. Laur. A. Larsen was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC.
Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, the NELC decided to open their own college that fall in an unused parsonage at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin, just north of La Crosse, Wisconsin and close to present day Holmen, Wisconsin. On September 1, 1861, classes officially began with an enrollement of 16. The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa, with NELC Pastor Ulrik Vilhelm (U.V.) Koren responsible for arrainging this move.
It didn't take long for Luther to build an exceptional music program. In 1905, Carlo A. Sperati, an 1888 graduate of Luther, became the music director of the college and worked to develop the Luther College Concert Band, which was originally founded in 1876. Under Sperati, the band took many tours of Europe, their first in 1914 while earning international acclaim for their musical talent. Sperati remained on the faculty until 1945.
In 1932 Luther College dropped its mandatory study of the classics. The 1930s also marked another milestone in the college's history, the decision to become coeducational, which happened in 1936 due primarily to financial reasons. During the 1960s Luther again experienced significant change with the construction of several new buildings on campus and the adoption of a 4-1-4 semester schedule.
Campus
Luther's picturesque campus contains a delightful mix of the old and new. Larsen Hall, Loyalty Hall, and the Koren Library, built in 1907, 1916 and 1921, respectively, add the character of a small college on an Iowa prairie. During the last ten years the college has engaged in extensive building and renovation projects. The Franklin W. Olin Building (1995), Baker Village (1999) and the Center for the Arts (2002) paint Luther to be a modern school with facilities equipped to offer innovative ideas in learning. The college is host to a variety of housing options, including residence halls, language houses and community-style townhouses for upperclass students.
Recognitions
Luther has consistently been recognized as a leader in liberal arts studies. In the 2004 and 2005 editions of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, Luther was ranked in the top tier of national liberal arts colleges. It was ranked in the second tier in 2003 and the third tier in 2002.
In 2004 Luther was also named one of the Colleges of Distinction, a list of schools emphasizing student engagement, strong teaching, a vibrant community and successful outcomes. It was also listed as one of the 170 colleges in the "Best in the Midwest" list by the Princeton Review. In March 2005 Luther was named by the Teagle Foundation as one of America's top 13 liberal arts colleges based on its strong utilization of resources, high graduation rate and large number of alumni that pursue advanced degrees.
Among the other liberal arts colleges in Iowa, Luther usually ranks with Grinnell College and Cornell College as the most selective institutions of its type in the state.
Ongoing projects
During the last few years Luther has been engaged in several projects to improve the campus and student life of the school. It is continuing its renovation projects with the Valders Hall of Science and Centennial Union. It is also working to acquire more campus diversity through intense recruiting efforts. Luther ranked near the bottom of a U.S. News & World Report survey of campus diversity among national liberal arts colleges.
Athletics
The Luther Norse have been a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (commonly called the Iowa Conferece or IIAC) since its founding in 1922. Luther has won more conference championships than any other school in the history of the IIAC.
Luther is the traditional athletic rival of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
Famous alumni
Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus '03, 20th Governor of Minnesota
Jim Nussle '83, U.S. Congressman from Iowa
Drew Curtis '95, Founder, Fark.com
Callista Bisek-Gingrich '88, wife of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich
Cheryl Brown '72, 1970 Miss Iowa pageant winner and Miss America competitor
Clarence Norman Brunsdale '13, Former Governor of and U.S. Senator from North Dakota
External links
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