Luther College (Iowa)
President Jenifer K. Ward | | |
Provost | Brad Chamberlain | |
---|---|---|
Undergraduates | 1,744 | |
Location | , , U.S. 43°18′58″N 91°48′11″W / 43.316°N 91.803°W | |
Campus | 175 acres (71 ha) main campus, an additional 825 acres (334 ha) of field research areas[2] | |
Colors | Blue & white | |
Luther College Campus Historic District | ||
Area | approximately 61 acres (25 ha) | |
NRHP reference No. | 100006184[3] | |
Added to NRHP | March 5, 2021 | |
Division III - A-R-C | ||
Website | luther |
Luther College is a
History
On October 10, 1857, the
Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, at the start of the
In 1866, a group of students signed a "bill of rights" criticizing the rigid schedule, the rules about going downtown, the lack of windows in some of the sleeping rooms, and the woodcutting and shoe-shining chores, concluding that "there was not enough freedom."[5] The leader of the group, 18-year-old Rasmus Anderson, was expelled.[5] This event was viewed as a rebellion and "the worst of sins" by the pastors assembled in a pastoral conference shortly after.[5]
In 1905, 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 embraced the modern concept of the liberal arts education. Due to financial constraints associated with the Great Depression, the college decided to admit women as students in 1936. During the 1960s Luther constructed several new campus buildings and adopted a 4-1-4 semester schedule (two 4-month semesters with a 1-month session between them).
In 1964, Luther's museum collection became separate from the college and was established as the Norwegian-American Museum. Now known as
Campus
Luther lies at the edge of
Luther student housing includes residence halls (Miller Hall, Dieseth Hall, Ylvisaker Hall, Farwell Hall, Brandt Hall, Larsen Hall, and Olson Hall) and several houses, townhouses, and apartment buildings. Ninety-five percent of Luther students live on campus all four years.[6] Farwell, an upperclassmen dorm consisting of both double and single rooms housing 259 students, opened in 1991.[7] Designed by Hammel, Green, & Abramson Inc., the building has nine stories costing approximately $7,000,000.[8]
In the 2000s, the college engaged in extensive building projects. A 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.
The Center for Faith and Life is Luther's largest and primary performing arts facility. Other performance areas on campus include the Center for the Arts[9] and Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.[10]
In 2021, the historic upper campus was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.[3] At the time of its nomination it consisted of 33 resources, which included 17 contributing buildings, four contributing objects, seven non-contributing buildings, and five non-contributing objects.[11] One of the contributing buildings, Koren Hall, was individually listed on the National Register in 1984.
Academics
Luther is an exclusively
Among private liberal arts colleges, Luther was ranked 102nd by the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report's college and university rankings.[16]
Tuition and fees are shown as $61,500 for 2023–2024,[17] with 98 percent of students receiving need- and/or merit-based financial aid.[18]
Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were:[19]
- Nursing (39)
- Management (31)
- Biology (29)
- Psychology (27)
- Music (19)
- Social Work (18)
- Political Science (17)
Music
Luther has a number of music organizations that tour and sell recordings internationally. 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 Europe, as well as Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean.[20] About 40 percent of the students participate in at least one of the college's five choirs, two concert bands, two string orchestras, and two jazz ensembles.[21] "Christmas at Luther," Luther's annual Christmas concert, is broadcast nationwide each year.[22] The concert broadcast is updated annually.
Much of Luther's musical heritage can be 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 and developed the Luther College Concert Band into one of the first nationally touring music ensembles. Sperati's Concert Band achieved national acclaim, and famed bandmaster John Philip Sousa canceled a performance of his own touring ensemble so that he could attend a performance of the Luther College Concert Band, which was scheduled to appear in a nearby city.[23]
Sperati's foundation was built upon by
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. A new film documentary To This Day about the first international tour of the Nordic Choir in 1967 was released in October 2017.
The Nordic Choir, which tours internationally, is one of the five choral ensembles at Luther. Collegiate Chorale is a SATB choir composed of upperclassmen and Cathedral Choir is a SATB choir composed of sophomores only. Aurora and Norskkor, featuring soprano-alto and tenor-bass voices, respectively, are composed entirely of first-year students. In addition to the five choirs, students have opportunities with Collegium Musicum and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Collegium Musicum is an early music ensemble specializing in the music of the
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 internationally every five years and have visited countries such as Spain, Iceland, Norway, and more. Other instrumental ensembles include Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, among others.[20]
Luther students also participate in faculty-coached student chamber ensembles ranging from piano trios to a full flute choir. Some of these 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.
In 1996, musician Dave Matthews appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds at Luther College in the Center for Faith and Life, which resulted in their 1999 album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College.[25]
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 the Center for Faith and Life.
Study abroad
Each year, between 400 and 500 Luther students participate in international study, ranking Luther among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad prior to graduation—over two-thirds. Over the years, more than 150 Luther faculty have led Luther students on programs in more than 70 countries.[26]
Athletics
The Luther Norse have been a member of the
Three hundred thirty-eight All-American honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes, and twenty-nine athletes have been crowned national champions. Sixty-eight student-athletes have been awarded the CoSIDA Academic All-American honor, and forty-two have received the distinguished
Since 1993–1994, the first year of the award, 1,929 academic all-conference honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes.[27] 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 have competed in a varsity sport.
Approximately 25 percent of Luther students participate in one of the 21 varsity sports offered. A large majority of the study body participates in intramural activities which vary by semester and is offered by the Recreational Services program.[28] Outdoor Recreational Services is an extension of the Recreational Services program in which students/staff lead outdoor activities such as slacklining, kayak trips on the Upper Iowa River, fall break trips, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.
Varsity sports
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Club sports
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Outdoor facilities
Carlson Stadium: 5,000 seats; blue turf 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.
Other outdoor facilities include 12 tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds with enclosed dugouts, lighted soccer field, cross-country running course, intramural rugby, soccer, and ultimate frisbee pitches, fitness trail, ropes course, and room for cross country skiing.[citation needed]
Indoor facilities
The Regents Center Main 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 north gym and two basketball courts in the Sports and Recreation Center.
Sports and Recreation Center: newly renovated in 2022.[citation needed]
Legends Fitness Center: 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) training center.[citation needed]
The Aquatic Center features a 25-yard, eight-lane pool with separate one-meter and three-meter diving well and a shallow area for swimming lessons, adaptive physical education classes, and water aerobics.[citation needed]
Notable alumni
- Torger Juve, 1866 – Wisconsin State Legislature[29]
- Norwegian Lutheran Church in America
- Thorbjorn N. Mohn, 1870 – first president of St. Olaf College
- Herbjørn Gausta, 1872 – American artist best known for his landscape paintings
- Lutheranminister
- Ole Grönsberg, 1877 – second president of Pacific Lutheran University
- J. C. M. Hanson, 1882 – librarian
- Haldor Johan Hanson, 1883 – hymn writer, publisher, and author
- Ludvig Hektoen, 1883 – pathologist
- Concordia College
- Howard A. Knutson, 1951 – Minnesota lawyer and Minnesota State Representative
- Laurits S. Swenson, B.A. 1886, M.A. 1889 – United States ambassador to Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands
- U.S. representative from Minnesota
- Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus, 1903 – 20th Governor of Minnesota
- Norman Brunsdale, 1913 V 24th Governor of North Dakota and U.S. senator from North Dakota[30]
- V. Trygve Jordahl, 1922 V Luther College Board of Regents, district president and director of Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Marv Olson, c. 1928 – Major League baseball player
- Robert E. A. Lee, 1942 – head of the Lutheran Church's film production operations
- Adolph Herseth, 1943 – principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- Robert Preus, 1944 – Lutheran theologian and president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana[31]
- Jerry Rosholt, 1948 – journalist and author
- Ole Ivar Lovaas, 1951 – Norwegian-American clinical psychologist and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles
- Brad Steiger, 1957 – writer and paranormal researcher
- Phyllis Yes, 1963 – artist[32]
- Dave Senjem, 1964 – Minnesota State Senator; minority leader; majority leader
- Wisconsin State Senator
- National GuardChaplains
- Bruce Tammen, 1971 – artistic director and conductor of Chicago Chorale, recipient of Weston Noble Choral Award for outstanding service in vocal music education
- Cheryl Browne, 1972 – Miss Iowa 1970, first African-American contestant in the Miss America pageant
- Gregory R. Dahlberg, 1973 – United States Under-Secretary of the Army; Senior vice president Lockheed Martin
- United States District Courtfor the District of Minnesota
- Marty Haugen, 1973 – composer of sacred music
- Michael Osterholm, 1975 – professor and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy[33]
- Brian Rude, 1977 – Wisconsin State Assembly
- Dagfinn Høybråten, 1979 – secretary general, Nordic Council of Ministers; board chair of the GAVI Alliance[34][35]
- Brian Andreas, 1979 – writer, painter, sculptor, publisher; Luther College Distinguished Service Award recipient
- Arne Sorenson, 1980 – president and chief executive officer of Marriott International
- Jim Nussle, 1983 – U.S. Congressman from Iowa; director of the Office of Management and Budget for President George W. Bush
- Leon Lillie, 1984 – Minnesota State Representative
- Callista Gingrich née Bisek, 1988 – wife of Newt Gingrich
- Tod Bowman, 1989 – Iowa State Senator
- Drew Curtis, 1995 – founder and administrator of Fark
- Aaron Sheehan, 1998 – Grammy award-winning tenor
Notable faculty
- Marcia Bunge, Lutheran theologian
- Herbjørn Gausta, artist
- Gerhard Forde, Lutheran theologian
- A. Thomas Kraabel, classics scholar
- Weston Noble, music educator
- Dean Schwarz, artist specializing in ceramics
- Congressman from Iowa's 4th congressional district
- Oscar Tingelstad, president of Pacific Lutheran College
See also
References
- ^ As of June 30, 2021.U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "Luther Campus". Luther College. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Program: Weekly List". National Park Service. March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "Luther College Enrollments (2009-2013)" (PDF). Luther College (Iowa). September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Nelson, David Theodore (1961). Luther College, 1861-1961. Luther College Press. pp. 76–77.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Farwell Hall". Luther College. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Center for the Arts". Luther College. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "Jenson-Noble Hall of Music". Luther College. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Jan Olive Full. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Luther College Campus Historic District" (PDF). City of Decorah, Iowa. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ U.S. National Center for Education Statistics. "IPEDS Profile: Luther College" (PDF). Luther College.
- ^ "Accreditation and Affiliations". Luther College. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ "ACM Welcomes Luther College as Newest Member". Associated Colleges of the Midwest. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
- ^ "Member Colleges". The Annapolis Group. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
- ^ "Best Colleges 2016: National Liberal Arts Colleges". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ^ url=http://www.luther.edu/financialaid/tuition/
- ^ "Quick Facts". Luther College. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ "Luther college". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Dept of Education. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Luther Ensemble Tour Concerts - Music - Luther College". www.luther.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Christmas at Luther College". Christmas at Luther College. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ Yates, Benjamin (May 2016). "One Hundred Years of Band Tradition at Luther College". Archived from the original on March 24, 2017.
- ^ "Ensembles - Music - Luther College". www.luther.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew. "So, about that time Dave Matthews recorded a live album in small-town Iowa". Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ "Center for Global Learning". Luther College. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "History - Athletics - Luther College". www.luther.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ "Intramural Sports - Recreational Services - Luther College". www.luther.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ "The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin for ..." April 4, 1882. Retrieved April 4, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ "BRUNSDALE, Clarence Norman, (1891 - 1978)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
- Concordia Historical Institute. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ "Luther College". September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Dr. Michael Osterholm '75". Alumni. Luther College. May 24, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ "Dagfinn Høybråten". U.S. Department of State. June 5, 2015. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ "Luther College schedules graduation activities". The Courier. May 11, 2005. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
Further reading
- Bothne, Gisle C. J. History of Luther College (Decorah, IA. Fortfatteren. 1897)