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Luther College (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa
, USA. The college offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree, with the greatest number of graduates coming from biology, education, and music.
Eighty-nine percent of Luther's 181 full-time faculty hold an earned doctorate or terminal degree. The college's student-faculty ratio is 12:1. A Phi Beta Kappa chapter attests the academic excellence of the college. Nearly 40 states and more than 50 countries are represented in the 2,500-member student body. Over 80 percent of Luther students study abroad, and the college has one of the highest Peace Corps
and other service corps participation rates nationally. Luther's mission statement emphasizes faith, leadership, and service to the larger world. Its 800 acres (323.7 ha) campus is located in the bluff country of northeast Iowa along the Upper Iowa River
. Luther is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
.
The path to founding Luther College began on October 10, 1857, when the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church created a college to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in the Upper Midwest
. Until the college was established, students would study at Concordia Seminary
in St. Louis, Missouri
. On October 14, 1859, the Rev. Peter Laurentius Larsen
was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC.
Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, at the start of the Civil War
, the NELC decided to open its own college that fall in a former 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 enrollment of 16. The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa
, with NELC Pastor Ulrik Vilhelm Koren successfully arranging the college's relocation and permanent settlement.
It did not take long for Luther to build an exceptional music program. In 1905, Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, an 1888 graduate of Luther, became the music director of the college and developed the Luther College Concert Band, founded in 1878, on the model of the wind ensemble pioneered by John Philip Sousa
. Under Sperati, the band undertook several tours of Europe
, their first in 1914, earning international acclaim for their musical talent. Sperati remained on the faculty until his death in 1945.
In 1932, Luther College dropped its mandatory study of the classics and fully embraced the modern concept of the liberal arts education. The 1930s marked another milestone in the college's history with its decision to admit women to the student body, which happened in 1936 due to financial constraints associated with the Great Depression. During the 1960s Luther again experienced significant change with the construction of several new campus buildings and the adoption of a 4-1-4 semester schedule.
In 1964, Luther's museum collection became separate from the college and was established as the Norwegian-American Museum. Now known as Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
, it is the largest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant group. Started in 1967, Nordic Fest
grew from Luther College Women’s Club annual celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day
.
During the last decade the college has engaged in extensive building and renovation projects. An extensive renovation of residence halls and the Dahl Centennial Union was completed in 2006, and Sampson Hoffland Laboratories, an extension of Valders Hall of Science, was completed in 2008. Sampson Hoffland Laboratories features many "green" properties, including an efficient air-handling system, low-flow water devices, occupancy sensors and low VOC. Sampson Hoffland's "green" traits were honored with LEED Gold certification. Luther hosts a variety of housing options, including residence halls, houses, apartments, and community-style townhouses for upper-class students. The Center for Faith and Life
is Luther's largest and primary performing arts facility, seating 1,600 people, and housing the 53-rank, 42-stop, 3-manual tracker-action Rost Memorial Pipe Organ.
Silver standards. The newly-constructed Sampson Hoffland Laboratories achieved LEED Gold certification in 2009, and two additional buildings meet LEED certification standards.
Luther was one of only 26 schools to be awarded the highest grade of “A“ on the College Sustainability Report Card 2011, published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. The campus also hosts a Car sharing
location.
Students can choose from more than 130 different groups and activities at Luther, including a student-run radio station and newspaper, more than 15 music ensembles, seven Greek societies, many academic clubs, numerous service organizations, 19 varsity sports, many recreational and club sports, Student Activities Council, and many theatrical productions.
Also, with the Upper Iowa River running adjacent to campus, students are offered many recreational options including canoeing, tubing, and kayaking. Extensive biking trails and parks in Decorah are also available to students, as well as a campus disc golf course and sand volleyball courts. Students also enjoy local shops, museums, and restaurants in Decorah, which has been listed as one of the most charming small towns in the Midwest.
The nearest major airport is La Crosse, WI about 50 miles (80.5 km) away . Some nearby cities include Prairie Du Chien, WI; Rochester, MN; La Crosse, WI. Northeast Iowa Community College
is approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) away.
Luther is an exclusively undergraduate institution enrolling about 2,500 students and employing 181 full-time teaching faculty. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
as well as professional accreditation boards for teachers, social work, music, nursing, athletic training and chemistry. It is a member institution of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest
and the Annapolis Group
.
Among liberal arts colleges, Luther was ranked 88th for 2008-2009 by U.S. News and World Report, 52nd in 2008 by the Washington Monthly, and 87th in 2008 by the Center for College Affordability & Productivity. Luther was listed among the 170 "Best in the Midwest" colleges by the Princeton Review and named by the Teagle Foundation one of the top 13 liberal arts college based upon its strong utilization of resources, high graduation rate, and large number of alumni that pursue advanced degrees.
1,636 students were admitted out of 2,054 applicants (80 percent admissions rate) for the class of 2012. Thirty-nine percent of freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, the average high school grade point average was 3.6, and the interquartile range
for SAT
scores was 1530-1910. Tuition and fees are shown as $40,600 for 2011-2012, with 98 percent of students receiving need- and/or merit-based financial aid.
, including Scandinavia
, Russia
, China
, Japan
, Mexico
, Brazil
, and the Caribbean
. About 40 percent of the student body participates in at least one of the college's seven choirs, three concert bands, three string orchestras, and two jazz ensembles. "Christmas at Luther," Luther's annual Christmas
concert, is broadcast nationwide each year. The sound-only concert broadcast is updated annually, with the professionally-produced televised version updated every four years.
Much of Luther's musical heritage can be largely attributed to the influence of two long-serving individuals. The 40-year tenure of Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, Class of 1888, fostered the college's Lutheran musical tradition beginning in 1905, resulting in the development of the Luther College Concert Band into one of the nation's finest touring music ensembles. History shows that the Sperati's Concert Band quickly achieved national acclaim, even to the point that famed bandmaster John Philip Sousa
canceled a performance of his famed touring ensemble just so that he could attend a performance of the Luther College Concert Band, which was scheduled to appear in a nearby city.
Sperati's foundation would later be strengthened and built upon by Weston Noble
'43, himself a student of Sperati. Following three years of U.S. Army enlistment in World War II
, Noble returned to his alma mater to conduct the Concert Band and the Nordic Choir
, direct Christmastime performances of George Frederic Handel's Messiah, and teach in the Music Department. Noble's bands (which he conducted until 1973) and choirs completed coast-to-coast tours and international appearances. Ensembles under his direction performed solo concerts at such venues as Lincoln Center and Town Hall in New York
; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City
; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
and the Walt Disney Concert Hall
in Los Angeles
; Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
in Chicago; Orchestra Hall and the State Theatre in Minneapolis
; and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul
. Under Noble's direction, Luther ensembles also appeared at historic cathedrals and concert halls throughout Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia, as well as on the programs of many national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association
, the American Choral Directors Association
, and the Music Educators National Conference.
The Nordic Choir
was featured in the film "The Joy of Bach," and in four weekly international broadcasts of "The Hour of Power" from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California
. Weston Noble retired from the faculty at the close of the academic year in 2005, having served continuously for 57 years, from 1948 to 2005.
The Nordic Choir, which tours internationally, is the most well known choral ensemble beyond the Luther College community. However, the ensemble is only one of the seven choral ensembles at Luther. Collegiate Chorale is a mixed choir composed of juniors and seniors. Cathedral Choir is a mixed choir that draws exclusively from the sophomore class. Aurora (formerly known as Pike Kor, which is Norwegian for "young women's choir") and Norsemen are gendered choirs composed entirely of first-year students. Cantorei is a women's choir drawing membership from all classes, primarily sophomore through senior. Collegium Musicum is an Early Music ensemble specializing in the music of the Medieval, Renaissance
, and Baroque
periods. The ensemble is open to singers of all years at Luther. In addition to the seven choirs, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble is open to first through fourth year students and often performs jointly with Luther's instrumental jazz ensembles.
Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, and Concert Band also tour internationally. Symphony Orchestra establishes residency in Vienna
every four years, and Jazz Orchestra has toured in the Caribbean and Brazil. Concert Band travels to Japan and China following spring semester every four years. Other instrumental ensembles include Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, Jazz Band, Varsity Band, Brass Ensemble, and Wind & Percussion Ensemble.
Currently, Frederick Nyline continues to conduct the Concert Band, and Dr. Allen Hightower has succeeded Dr. Craig Arnold (who succeeded Weston Noble) as Director of Choral Activities and conductor of Nordic Choir. Dr. Daniel Baldwin conducts the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, and Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán directs Jazz Orchestra.
Luther students also participate in faculty-coached student chamber ensembles ranging from piano trios to a full flute choir. Other prominent ensembles include the Luther Ringers student handbell choir; the 40+ member Trombone Choir; five student-led, small-group a cappella ensembles; the Luther College Balalaika ensemble; and the student-led Luther Gospel Choir.
Many members of the music faculty are professional performers in their own right, including Luther ensemble-in-residence, the Murasaki Duo, a professional cello-piano chamber ensemble.
In 1996, musician Dave Matthews
appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds
at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life, the site of their 1999 album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College
.
In 2002, the Empire Brass
, with college organist William Kuhlman, appeared in concert and recorded an album, Baroque Music for Brass and Organ, in the Center for Faith and Life.
In 2008, musician Ben Folds
appeared for his second time in concert at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life. During the concert, crowd tracks were recorded to be incorporated into his most recently released album.
The diverse international experiences of faculty enables development of study abroad courses and programs directly with overseas friends and colleagues, who become key resource people in other nations. These valuable contacts move students closer to the culture, improve the academic quality of courses, decrease student program costs and reduce the touring mentality. Since 1990 Luther has operated its own courses and programs in 70 nations.
(commonly called the Iowa Conference or IIAC) since its founding in 1922. Luther competes in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate athletic programs. Since joining the Iowa Conference, Luther has won 201 of the 482 IIAC titles during that period.
Two hundred seventy All-American honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes, and twenty-seven athletes have been crowned national champions. Forty-five student-athletes have been awarded the CoSIDA Academic All-American honor, and thirty have received the distinguished NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Since 1993-94, the first year of this award, 1,063 academic all-conference honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes. To earn academic all-conference honors, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.50 or greater on a 4.0 scale, have attended the school for a full year and competed in a varsity sport.
Luther's football and track teams compete in Carlson Stadium, which USA Today
magazine referred to as "one of the four best places to spend a football weekend."
About 20 percent of Luther's student body participates in one of the 19 varsity sports offered, and 70 percent of the student body participates in club sports. The college offers an extensive intramural sports program which ranges from slow pitch softball to Wii bowling. Backyard Wilderness Pursuits, a student-led organization, leads outdoor activities such as skiing and rock climbing in Decorah and the surrounding area. The school also fields dance and cheer leading squads.
Varsity Sports
Club Sports
Outdoor Facilities
on-campus championship cross-country course for practice and hosting races.
Indoor Facilities
Nathan Michael Reisetter, Lawyer, Executive, Non Profit Director
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
, USA. The college offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree, with the greatest number of graduates coming from biology, education, and music.
Eighty-nine percent of Luther's 181 full-time faculty hold an earned doctorate or terminal degree. The college's student-faculty ratio is 12:1. A Phi Beta Kappa chapter attests the academic excellence of the college. Nearly 40 states and more than 50 countries are represented in the 2,500-member student body. Over 80 percent of Luther students study abroad, and the college has one of the highest Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
and other service corps participation rates nationally. Luther's mission statement emphasizes faith, leadership, and service to the larger world. Its 800 acres (323.7 ha) campus is located in the bluff country of northeast Iowa along the Upper Iowa River
Upper Iowa River
The Upper Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest of the United States.Its headwaters are in southeastern Minnesota, in Mower County near the border with Iowa. It then flows through the Iowa counties of Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee, and finally into the Upper...
. Luther is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
.
History
Upper Midwest
The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the U.S. Census Bureau's Midwestern United States. It is largely a sub-region of the midwest. Although there are no uniformly agreed-upon boundaries, the region is most commonly used to refer to the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and...
. Until the college was established, students would study at Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton, Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of St. Louis, Missouri. The institution's primary mission is to train pastors, deaconesses, missionaries, chaplains, and church leaders for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod . The current president of...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. On October 14, 1859, the Rev. Peter Laurentius Larsen
Peter Laurentius Larsen
Peter Laurentius Larsen was a Norwegian-American educator and Lutheran theological leader. He was the founding president of Luther College.-Background:...
was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC.
Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, at the start of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the NELC decided to open its own college that fall in a former parsonage at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, just north of La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
and close to present day Holmen, Wisconsin
Holmen, Wisconsin
Holmen is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,005 at the 2010 census. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area.-Geography:...
. On September 1, 1861, classes officially began with an enrollment of 16. The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
, with NELC Pastor Ulrik Vilhelm Koren successfully arranging the college's relocation and permanent settlement.
It did not take long for Luther to build an exceptional music program. In 1905, Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, an 1888 graduate of Luther, became the music director of the college and developed the Luther College Concert Band, founded in 1878, on the model of the wind ensemble pioneered by John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
. Under Sperati, the band undertook several tours of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, their first in 1914, earning international acclaim for their musical talent. Sperati remained on the faculty until his death in 1945.
In 1964, Luther's museum collection became separate from the college and was established as the Norwegian-American Museum. Now known as Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa is the oldest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant ethnic group. The collection contains over 24,000 artifacts reflecting the experience of Norwegian-Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest...
, it is the largest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant group. Started in 1967, Nordic Fest
Nordic Fest
Nordic Fest is a weekend festival held annually in Decorah, Iowa, to commemorate the traditional customs and culture of Scandinavian countries, especially Norway. The event always occurs over the last weekend in July and often draws estimated crowds of 50,000 to 75,000...
grew from Luther College Women’s Club annual celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day
Norwegian Constitution Day
Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday observed on May 17 each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai or syttande mai , Nasjonaldagen or Grunnlovsdagen , although the latter is less frequent.- Historical...
.
Campus
Luther's campus is built on the rolling wooded hills and rugged limestone cliffs of northeast Iowa's bluff country. The scenic Upper Iowa River flows through the lower portion of the 175 acres (70.8 ha) central campus. The college owns an additional 125 acres (50.6 ha) adjoining the central campus which are devoted to environmental research, biological studies, and recreation.During the last decade the college has engaged in extensive building and renovation projects. An extensive renovation of residence halls and the Dahl Centennial Union was completed in 2006, and Sampson Hoffland Laboratories, an extension of Valders Hall of Science, was completed in 2008. Sampson Hoffland Laboratories features many "green" properties, including an efficient air-handling system, low-flow water devices, occupancy sensors and low VOC. Sampson Hoffland's "green" traits were honored with LEED Gold certification. Luther hosts a variety of housing options, including residence halls, houses, apartments, and community-style townhouses for upper-class students. The Center for Faith and Life
Center for Faith and Life
The Center for Faith and Life is an auditorium located on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Having opened in 1977, the auditorium is used primarily for music performances, including most on-campus performances by the Luther Music Department's student ensembles. The...
is Luther's largest and primary performing arts facility, seating 1,600 people, and housing the 53-rank, 42-stop, 3-manual tracker-action Rost Memorial Pipe Organ.
Sustainability
Luther’s sustainability program employs two full-time staff members. The college committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 50 percent below 2003-2004 levels by 2013, and has achieved a 15.5 percent reduction by 2009. Luther's dining facilities operate preconsumer compost programs and one-third operate postconsumer programs. Luther's fleet includes eight hybrid, six electric, and one compressed natural gas vehicle. All new campus construction will be built to LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
Silver standards. The newly-constructed Sampson Hoffland Laboratories achieved LEED Gold certification in 2009, and two additional buildings meet LEED certification standards.
Luther was one of only 26 schools to be awarded the highest grade of “A“ on the College Sustainability Report Card 2011, published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. The campus also hosts a Car sharing
U Car Share
UhaulCarShare is a for-profit carsharing service offered by U-Haul in selected cities across the United States, billable hourly or by the day.-Schools Served:* University of Utah* Lynn University* Kenyon College* Northwood University...
location.
Campus life
Ninety percent of Luther students live on campus all four years. About 85 percent are present on campus on any given weekend. Events include approximately 162 concerts and recitals, 41 theatrical productions, 47 lectures and 143 other events.Students can choose from more than 130 different groups and activities at Luther, including a student-run radio station and newspaper, more than 15 music ensembles, seven Greek societies, many academic clubs, numerous service organizations, 19 varsity sports, many recreational and club sports, Student Activities Council, and many theatrical productions.
Also, with the Upper Iowa River running adjacent to campus, students are offered many recreational options including canoeing, tubing, and kayaking. Extensive biking trails and parks in Decorah are also available to students, as well as a campus disc golf course and sand volleyball courts. Students also enjoy local shops, museums, and restaurants in Decorah, which has been listed as one of the most charming small towns in the Midwest.
The nearest major airport is La Crosse, WI about 50 miles (80.5 km) away . Some nearby cities include Prairie Du Chien, WI; Rochester, MN; La Crosse, WI. Northeast Iowa Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College serves the Iowa counties of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek, Dubuque, and Delaware counties. It also includes sections of Bremer, Buchanan, Jones, Jackson, and Mitchell counties. The college is commonly referred to as NICC. There are two...
is approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) away.
Academics
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
as well as professional accreditation boards for teachers, social work, music, nursing, athletic training and chemistry. It is a member institution of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest
Associated Colleges of the Midwest
Associated Colleges of the Midwest is a consortium of 14 private liberal arts colleges, primarily in the Midwestern United States. The 14 colleges are located in five states . The ACM was established in 1958 and is headquartered in Chicago...
and the Annapolis Group
Annapolis Group
The Annapolis Group is an American organization that describes itself as "a nonprofit alliance of the nation’s leading independent liberal arts colleges." It represents approximately 130 liberal arts colleges in the United States...
.
1,636 students were admitted out of 2,054 applicants (80 percent admissions rate) for the class of 2012. Thirty-nine percent of freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, the average high school grade point average was 3.6, and the interquartile range
Interquartile range
In descriptive statistics, the interquartile range , also called the midspread or middle fifty, is a measure of statistical dispersion, being equal to the difference between the upper and lower quartiles...
for SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
scores was 1530-1910. Tuition and fees are shown as $40,600 for 2011-2012, with 98 percent of students receiving need- and/or merit-based financial aid.
Music
Luther has a number of music organizations which have acquired international recognition through their annual concert tours and recordings. The Nordic Choir, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra are the college's four internationally touring ensembles, which have performed in many of the major concert halls and music centers of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, including Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. About 40 percent of the student body participates in at least one of the college's seven choirs, three concert bands, three string orchestras, and two jazz ensembles. "Christmas at Luther," Luther's annual Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
concert, is broadcast nationwide each year. The sound-only concert broadcast is updated annually, with the professionally-produced televised version updated every four years.
Much of Luther's musical heritage can be largely attributed to the influence of two long-serving individuals. The 40-year tenure of Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, Class of 1888, fostered the college's Lutheran musical tradition beginning in 1905, resulting in the development of the Luther College Concert Band into one of the nation's finest touring music ensembles. History shows that the Sperati's Concert Band quickly achieved national acclaim, even to the point that famed bandmaster John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
canceled a performance of his famed touring ensemble just so that he could attend a performance of the Luther College Concert Band, which was scheduled to appear in a nearby city.
Sperati's foundation would later be strengthened and built upon by Weston Noble
Weston Noble
Weston Noble is a highly accomplished and honored American music educator and conductor.Currently guest conductor of the Augustana Choir at Augustana College in...
'43, himself a student of Sperati. Following three years of U.S. Army enlistment in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Noble returned to his alma mater to conduct the Concert Band and the Nordic Choir
Nordic Choir
The Nordic Choir is a 64-voice a cappella choir of highly select mixed voices from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.In 1948, just two years after its founding by Dr. Sigvart Steen, a young Weston Noble began a 57-year tenure as music director and conductor...
, direct Christmastime performances of George Frederic Handel's Messiah, and teach in the Music Department. Noble's bands (which he conducted until 1973) and choirs completed coast-to-coast tours and international appearances. Ensembles under his direction performed solo concerts at such venues as Lincoln Center and Town Hall in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center . The Music Center's other halls include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.The Pavilion has 3,197 seats spread over four tiers, with chandeliers, wide curving stairways and rich décor...
and the Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 South Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Bounded by Hope Street, Grand Avenue, 1st and 2nd Streets, it seats 2,265 people and serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
; Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
Symphony Center
Symphony Center is a music complex located at 220 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta, Symphony Center includes the 2,522-seat Orchestra Hall, which dates from 1904; Buntrock Hall, a rehearsal and...
in Chicago; Orchestra Hall and the State Theatre in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
; and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. Under Noble's direction, Luther ensembles also appeared at historic cathedrals and concert halls throughout Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia, as well as on the programs of many national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association
American Bandmasters Association
The American Bandmasters Association was formed in 1929 by Edwin Franko Goldman to promote concert band music. Goldman sought to raise esteem for concert bands among musicians and audiences...
, the American Choral Directors Association
American Choral Directors Association
The American Choral Directors Association , headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a non-profit organization with the stated purpose of promoting excellence in the field of choral music...
, and the Music Educators National Conference.
The Nordic Choir
Nordic Choir
The Nordic Choir is a 64-voice a cappella choir of highly select mixed voices from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.In 1948, just two years after its founding by Dr. Sigvart Steen, a young Weston Noble began a 57-year tenure as music director and conductor...
was featured in the film "The Joy of Bach," and in four weekly international broadcasts of "The Hour of Power" from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove, California
Garden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California. The population was 170,883 at the 2010 census. State Route 22, also known as the Garden Grove Freeway, passes through the city running east-west. The city is known outside the Southern California area for being the home of Robert H...
. Weston Noble retired from the faculty at the close of the academic year in 2005, having served continuously for 57 years, from 1948 to 2005.
The Nordic Choir, which tours internationally, is the most well known choral ensemble beyond the Luther College community. However, the ensemble is only one of the seven choral ensembles at Luther. Collegiate Chorale is a mixed choir composed of juniors and seniors. Cathedral Choir is a mixed choir that draws exclusively from the sophomore class. Aurora (formerly known as Pike Kor, which is Norwegian for "young women's choir") and Norsemen are gendered choirs composed entirely of first-year students. Cantorei is a women's choir drawing membership from all classes, primarily sophomore through senior. Collegium Musicum is an Early Music ensemble specializing in the music of the Medieval, Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, and Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
periods. The ensemble is open to singers of all years at Luther. In addition to the seven choirs, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble is open to first through fourth year students and often performs jointly with Luther's instrumental jazz ensembles.
Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, and Concert Band also tour internationally. Symphony Orchestra establishes residency in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
every four years, and Jazz Orchestra has toured in the Caribbean and Brazil. Concert Band travels to Japan and China following spring semester every four years. Other instrumental ensembles include Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, Jazz Band, Varsity Band, Brass Ensemble, and Wind & Percussion Ensemble.
Currently, Frederick Nyline continues to conduct the Concert Band, and Dr. Allen Hightower has succeeded Dr. Craig Arnold (who succeeded Weston Noble) as Director of Choral Activities and conductor of Nordic Choir. Dr. Daniel Baldwin conducts the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, and Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán directs Jazz Orchestra.
Luther students also participate in faculty-coached student chamber ensembles ranging from piano trios to a full flute choir. Other prominent ensembles include the Luther Ringers student handbell choir; the 40+ member Trombone Choir; five student-led, small-group a cappella ensembles; the Luther College Balalaika ensemble; and the student-led Luther Gospel Choir.
Many members of the music faculty are professional performers in their own right, including Luther ensemble-in-residence, the Murasaki Duo, a professional cello-piano chamber ensemble.
In 1996, musician Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life, the site of their 1999 album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College
Live at Luther College
Live at Luther College is a live album by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds recorded at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Recorded on February 6, 1996 and released nearly three years later, it was the first concert by the pair to be available commercially...
.
In 2002, the Empire Brass
Empire Brass
The Empire Brass is a brass quintet from the United States. Current members include:* Rolf Smedvig, trumpet* Marc Brian Reese, trumpet* Michelle Perry, French horn* Mark Hetzler, trombone* Kenneth Amis, tuba...
, with college organist William Kuhlman, appeared in concert and recorded an album, Baroque Music for Brass and Organ, in the Center for Faith and Life.
In 2008, musician Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
appeared for his second time in concert at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life. During the concert, crowd tracks were recorded to be incorporated into his most recently released album.
Study abroad
Over 80 percent of Luther students study abroad or away. Moreover, Luther encourages faculty development through study abroad program and course development. Since 1990, over 140 Luther faculty have led Luther students on an overseas program. These experiences have resulted in the insertion of many international topics into academic disciplines and syllabuses across the curriculum. Luther faculty are strong advocates for student study abroad experiences and serve as valuable advisors to students.The diverse international experiences of faculty enables development of study abroad courses and programs directly with overseas friends and colleagues, who become key resource people in other nations. These valuable contacts move students closer to the culture, improve the academic quality of courses, decrease student program costs and reduce the touring mentality. Since 1990 Luther has operated its own courses and programs in 70 nations.
Athletics
The Luther Norse have been a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is an College Athletic Conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. As the name implies, member teams are located in the state of Iowa.-History:...
(commonly called the Iowa Conference or IIAC) since its founding in 1922. Luther competes in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate athletic programs. Since joining the Iowa Conference, Luther has won 201 of the 482 IIAC titles during that period.
Two hundred seventy All-American honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes, and twenty-seven athletes have been crowned national champions. Forty-five student-athletes have been awarded the CoSIDA Academic All-American honor, and thirty have received the distinguished NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Since 1993-94, the first year of this award, 1,063 academic all-conference honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes. To earn academic all-conference honors, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.50 or greater on a 4.0 scale, have attended the school for a full year and competed in a varsity sport.
Luther's football and track teams compete in Carlson Stadium, which USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
magazine referred to as "one of the four best places to spend a football weekend."
About 20 percent of Luther's student body participates in one of the 19 varsity sports offered, and 70 percent of the student body participates in club sports. The college offers an extensive intramural sports program which ranges from slow pitch softball to Wii bowling. Backyard Wilderness Pursuits, a student-led organization, leads outdoor activities such as skiing and rock climbing in Decorah and the surrounding area. The school also fields dance and cheer leading squads.
Varsity Sports
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Club Sports
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Outdoor Facilities
- Carlson Stadium: 5,000 seats; football field; eight-lane, 400-meter polyurethane track with two-directional approaches for pole vault and all jumping events; two shot put circles; discus/hammer cage; and multi-directional javelin-throwing areas.
- Twelve tennis courts adjacent to Carlson Stadium
- Varsity soccer competition-only stadium with seating for 500, scoreboard, perimeter fencing and lighting for night matches.
- Baseball and softball diamonds with seating capacity for 500.
on-campus championship cross-country course for practice and hosting races.
- On-campus driving range and access for the golf team to the Oneota Golf and Country Club located 10 minutes from campus.
Indoor Facilities
- The Regents Center Gymnasium: three full-sized basketball courts and seating capacity for 2,600. Used for practice and playing of volleyball and men's and women's basketball, and as the competition site venue for wrestling. Norse basketball teams also have access to full-sized cedar basketball court in the auxiliary gym and two basketball courts in the Sports and Recreation Center.
- State of the art 4250 square feet (394.8 m²) Paul Solberg Wrestling Complex
- 25-yard, six-lane pool with seating capacity for 600
- Sports and Recreation Center: 200-meter, six-lane polyurethane-surface track; easily accessible elevated walkway allowing up to 600 spectators; six tennis courts; year-round training facility for baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and football.
- Legends Fitness for Life Center: 10000 square feet (929 m²) training center with cardiovascular-conditioning machines; free weights; weight machines; climbing wall; computer lab; and social area.
- Three raquetball courts
- Four batting cages
- Athletic training room
Notable alumni
- Brian AndreasBrian AndreasBrian Andreas is an American writer, painter, sculptor and publisher. Most notable of his works are the StoryPeople objects he makes using salvaged wood from old homesteads...
, 1979, writer, painter, sculptor, publisher. Presented with the Luther College Distinguished Service Award in 1999. - John T. BensonJohn T. BensonJohn T. Benson is an American educator and Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 1993-2001.Born in Mauston, Wisconsin, Benson graduated from Luther College 1960 and received his masters degree from University of Minnesota 1963...
, 1960, Superintendent of Public Instruction of WisconsinSuperintendent of Public Instruction of WisconsinThe Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Wisconsin state government, and acts as the executive head of the Department of Public Instruction... - Gisle C. J. Bothne, 1881, Department Head of Scandinavian languages and literature at the University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
- Donald I. "Sarge" BoydSarge BoydDonald I. "Sarge" Boyd, award-winning band director and teacher, was born in Wendell, Minnesota in 1901 and died in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on March 1, 1987....
, 1926, Conductor of the Eau Claire Municipal BandEau Claire Municipal BandThe Eau Claire Municipal Band of Eau Claire, Wisconsin presents free family-oriented programming throughout the summer at the Sarge Boyd Bandshell in Owen Park. Seating is provided but some concertgoers prefer to bring their own. In the event of rain, performances are held at the Eau Claire Masonic...
for nearly half a century. Recipient of Carlo Sperati Award for Meritorious Achievement in the Field of Music - Realf Ottesen BrandtRealf Ottesen BrandtRealf Ottesen Brandt was an American Lutheran minister.-Background:Realf Brandt was born in Rock River near the Jefferson Prairie Settlement in Rock County, Wisconsin. His father, Nils Olsen Brandt , who had been born Slidre, Valdres, Norway, served as President of Luther College...
, 1877, Lutheran minister - Cheryl Brown, 1972, Miss IowaMiss IowaThe Miss Iowa competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss America pageant.In 1970, Miss Iowa Cheryl Adrianne Browne became the first African American ever to compete in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City...
1970, the first African-American contestant in the Miss America Pageant. - Clarence Norman BrunsdaleClarence Norman BrunsdaleClarence Norman Brunsdale was the 24th Governor of North Dakota and United States Senator of the state of North Dakota.-Biography:...
, 1913, 24th GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and U.S. Senator from North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S.... - Matthew BuscheMatthew BuscheMatthew Busche is an American professional cyclist for Team RadioShack. In 2009, he gained notoriety for his rapid rise from a Wisconsin-based amateur team to Lance Armstrong's Team RadioShack within the course of one season...
, 2007, Professional bicycle racer, 2011 National Champion United States National Road Race ChampionshipsUnited States National Road Race ChampionshipsThe United States National Professional Road Race Championships began in 1985. They are run by the governing body, USA Cycling. Until 2006 the race was open to all nationalities, the first American to finish being named the winner and given a distinctive jersey... - Drew CurtisDrew CurtisDrew Curtis is the founder and an administrator of Fark.com, an Internet link dump site. He is also the author of It's Not News, It's FARK: How Mass Media Tries to Pass off Crap as News in May 2007.-Bio:...
, 1995, founder of Fark.comFark.comFark is a community website created by Drew Curtis that allows members to comment on a daily batch of news articles and other items from various websites. As of June 2009, the site boasts approximately four million unique visitors per month, which puts it among the top 100 English language websites... - Donovan W. FrankDonovan W. FrankDonovan W. Frank is a United States federal judge.Frank was born in Rochester, Minnesota. He received a B.A. from Luther College in 1973 and his J.D. from Hamline University School of Law in 1977. Frank began his legal career as an assistant county attorney in St. Louis County, Minnesota...
, 1973, Article III (life appointment) Federal Judge for the United States District CourtUnited States district courtThe United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
for the District of Minnesota.(1998–present) - Herbjørn GaustaHerbjørn GaustaHerbjørn Gausta also Herbjorn Gausta was an American artist who is best known for his landscapes, portraits and scenes from rural settings...
, 1872, American artist best known for his landscape paintings - Callista GingrichCallista GingrichCallista Louise Gingrich, née Bisek is the wife of former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, and the President of Gingrich Productions, a multimedia production company based in Washington, DC....
née Bisek, 1988, wife of Newt GingrichNewt GingrichNewton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
, former Speaker of the House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the United States House of RepresentativesThe Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives... - Ingebrikt GroseIngebrikt GroseIngebrikt Fredrick Grose or Ingebricks F. Grose was an author, college professor and founding president of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.-Background:...
, 1885, first president of Concordia CollegeConcordia College, MoorheadConcordia College is a private liberal arts school located in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music, as well as a master's degree in education. The college was founded by Norwegian...
, Moorhead, MinnesotaMoorhead, MinnesotaMoorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
(1891–1893) - Haldor Johan HansonHaldor Johan HansonHaldor Johan Hanson was an American hymn writer, publisher and author.-Background:Haldor Johan Hanson was born in Fusa in the county of Hordaland near Bergen, Norway to Hans Lammenaes and Herborg . He emigrated with his family in 1865, at the age of nine, to Grand Mound, Iowa, where his parents...
, 1883, hymn writer, publisher and author - James C. M. Hanson, 1882, American librarian and author.
- Marty HaugenMarty HaugenMarty Haugen, , is an American composer of liturgical music.-Biography:Marty Haugen was raised in the American Lutheran Church in Minnesota, and also writes contemporary hymns and liturgies for the Lutheran church despite being a member the United Church of Christ...
, 1973, composer of sacred music (Holden Evening Prayer) - Kurt HeineckeKurt HeineckeKurt Heinecke is an American music composer, songwriter, voice actor and photographer. He is the music director at Big Idea Entertainment, creators of the computer-animated VeggieTales.-Early life:...
, 1987, primary music composer for the Veggie Tales series. - Ludvig HektoenLudvig HektoenLudvig Hektoen was a noted American pathologist. Hektoen published widely and served as editor of a number of medical journals. In 1942, Hektoen received the American Medical Association's Distinguished Service Medal for his life's work.-Background:Hektoen was born into a Norwegian immigrant...
, 1883, pathologist - Steven Hendrickson, 1973, principal trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra (United States) (1982–Present)
- Adolph HersethAdolph HersethAdolph Sylvester Herseth, was principal trumpet in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1948 until 2001, and served as principal trumpet emeritus from 2001 until his retirement in 2004.-Biography:...
, 1943, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony OrchestraThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
(1948–2001) - Dagfinn HøybråtenDagfinn HøybråtenDagfinn Høybråten , is a Norwegian politician and the former leader of the Christian Democratic Party. He was the director of the National Insurance Administration from 1997 to 2004, but barely attended to the position because he was a government minister in Bondevik's First Cabinet from 1997 to...
, 1979, Norwegian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs - Rev. Dean JohnsonDean JohnsonDean Elton Johnson is a former Minnesota politician and a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota...
, 1969, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader (DFL) (2004–07; Member 1983-2007), Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, Chief of National Guard Chaplains - Mark Johnson-Williams, 1976, co-designer of Tickle Me ElmoTickle Me ElmoTickle Me Elmo is a children's toy from Tyco Preschool, a division of Tyco Toys, based on the character Elmo from the children's television show, Sesame Street. When squeezed, Elmo would chortle. When squeezed three times in a row, Elmo would begin to shake and laugh hysterically.The toy was...
- Ole Juulson Kvale, 1890, U.S. Representative from MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
- Robert E. A. LeeRobert E. A. LeeRobert Edward Alexander Lee was the head of the Lutheran Church's film production and producer of Martin Luther and the Oscar-nominated film A Time for Burning.-Biography:...
, 1942, head of the Lutheran Church's film production and producer of A Time for BurningA Time for BurningA Time for Burning is a 1966 American documentary film which explores the attempts of the minister of Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska, to persuade his all-white congregation to reach out to "negro" Lutherans in the city's north side. The film was directed by San Francisco filmmaker... - Thorbjorn N. MohnThorbjorn N. MohnThorbjorn N. Mohn was an American Lutheran church leader and the first president of St. Olaf College.-Background:...
, 1870, American Lutheran church leader and the first president of St. Olaf CollegeSt. Olaf CollegeSt. Olaf College is a coeducational, residential, four-year, private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American immigrant pastors and farmers, led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after Olaf II of Norway,... - Weston NobleWeston NobleWeston Noble is a highly accomplished and honored American music educator and conductor.Currently guest conductor of the Augustana Choir at Augustana College in...
, 1943, internationally renowned director of Nordic Choir (1948–2005) and Concert Band (1948–1973) - Jim NussleJim NussleJames Allen "Jim" Nussle is an American politician and was the director of the Office of Management and Budget. Nussle was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2007...
, 1983, U.S. Congressman from IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
(1991–2007) - Dr. Michael OsterholmMichael OsterholmMichael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a prominent public health scientist and a nationally recognized biosecurity expert in the United States. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, a professor in the School of Public...
, 1975, professor and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and PolicyCenter for Infectious Disease Research and PolicyThe Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy is a center within the University of Minnesota that focuses on addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response...
(CIDRAP) at the University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
; member of the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity; epidemiologist, biosecurity expert, and author - Jacob Aall Ottesen PreusJ. A. O. PreusJacob Aall Ottesen Preus was an American politician. He served as the 8th state auditor of Minnesota from January 5, 1915 to January 5, 1921, and as the 20th Governor of Minnesota from January 5, 1921 to January 6, 1925. He was a Republican.-Background:He was born in Columbia County, Wisconsin on...
, 1903, 20th Governor of MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... - Jerry RosholtJerry RosholtKarlton Jerome Rosholt was an American journalist and author.-Background:Rosholt was born during 1923 in Glasgow, Montana. His parents were Carl Lauritz Rosholt and Ida Emilia Solem . He has one younger brother, Norman Tegnear Rosholt.Rosholt attended Luther College, but was interrupted by World...
, 1948, Journalist and author - Brian RudeBrian RudeBrian Rude is a Wisconsin politician and businessman.Born in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Rude graduated from Luther College. Prior to being elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature, he worked at Trane. He was elected first to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1982 and then the Wisconsin State Senate in...
, 1977, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
State Legislature - Brad SteigerBrad SteigerBrad Steiger is an American author who has written or co-written over 170 books, a number of which focus on paranormal subjects.-Childhood:...
, 1957, writer and paranormal researcher. - Kent Stock 1985, coach of the 1991 Norway High School baseball team who won their 20th straight IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
State Championship in their final season. He was played by Sean AstinSean AstinSean Astin is an American film actor, director, voice artist, and producer better known for his film roles as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, the title character of Rudy, and Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In television, he appeared as Lynn McGill in the fifth season of 24...
in the film The Final SeasonThe Final SeasonThe Final Season is a 2007 baseball film starring Sean Astin, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tom Arnold, Powers Boothe, Brett Claywell, Michael Angarano, and Marshall Bell and directed by David Mickey Evans. Sports Action by ReelSports...
. - Hans Gerhard StubHans Gerhard StubHans Gerhard Stub was an American Lutheran theologian and church leader. He served as Bishop of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America.-Background:...
, 1866, American Lutheran theologian and Bishop of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America - Nathan M. Reisetter, JD, 1997, former Vice President of First American Title Insurnace Company
See also
- Center for Faith and LifeCenter for Faith and LifeThe Center for Faith and Life is an auditorium located on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Having opened in 1977, the auditorium is used primarily for music performances, including most on-campus performances by the Luther Music Department's student ensembles. The...
Nathan Michael Reisetter, Lawyer, Executive, Non Profit Director
Other sources
- Bothne, Gisle C. J. History of Luther College (Decorah, IA. Fortfatteren. 1897)