Luther College is a private, selective, four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Located in Decorah, Iowa, USA and founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther College today has an enrollment of approximately 2,550 students representing 39 states and 34 countries. The college confers the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors, as well as certificate programs. Luther College is a Phi Beta Kappa institution. A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. ... The date of establishment or date of founding of an institution is the date on which that institution chooses to claim as its starting point. ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... Private schools, or independent schools, are schools not administered by local, state, or national government, which retain the right to select their student body and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition rather than with public (state) funds. ... University President is the title of the highest ranking officer within a university, within university systems that prefer that appellation over other variations such as Chancellor or rector. ... A faculty is a division within a university. ... Alternate uses: Student (disambiguation) Etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation verb stŭdērĕ, which means to study, a student is one who studies. ... Decorah is a city located in Winneshiek County, Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. ... The athletic nickname, or equivalently athletic moniker, of a university or college within the United States of America is the name officially adopted by that institution for at least the members of its athletic teams. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Liberal arts colleges in the United States are primarily liberal arts colleges with an emphasis upon undergraduate study in the liberal arts. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Decorah is a city located in Winneshiek County, Iowa. ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... Norwegian Americans or (Norwegian Norsk Amerikaner) are an ethnic group in the United States. ... A B.A. issused as a certificate Bachelor of Arts (B.A., BA or A.B.), from the Latin Artium Baccalaureus is an undergraduate bachelors degree awarded for either a course or a program in the liberal arts or the sciences, or both. ... The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an honor society which considers its mission to be fostering and recognizing excellence in undergraduate liberal arts and sciences. ...

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. Peter Laurentius (Laur.) Larsen was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC. is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, commonly called the Norwegian Synod, was founded in February 1853 in Iowa. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton, Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of Saint Louis, Missouri. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

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. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Official language(s) None Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Area  Ranked 23rd  - Total 65,498 sq mi (169,790 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 17  - Latitude 42° 30′ N to 47° 05′ N  - Longitude 86° 46′ W to 92° 53′ W Population  Ranked... Location in the state of Wisconsin Coordinates: , Counties Government  - Mayor Mark Johnsrud Area  - City 57. ... Holmen is a village located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... Decorah is a city located in Winneshiek County, Iowa. ...

It didn't 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. 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... For the toll-free telephone number see Toll-free telephone number Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

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 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 campus buildings and the adoption of a 4-1-4 semester schedule. Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

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. 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... This article belongs in one or more categories. ...

Campus

Overlooking the Oneota Valley, Luther's campus contains a mix of old and new buildings. 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 decade the college has engaged in extensive building and renovation projects. The Franklin W. Olin Building (1995), Baker Village (1999), the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music (ren. 2002), and the Center for the Arts (2002) paint Luther to be a modern school with facilities equipped to offer innovative ideas in learning. An extensive renovation of the Centennial Union was completed in October 2006, and the college is planning for a major renovation and addition to the Valders Hall of Science. Luther is host to a variety of housing options, including residence halls, Prairie Houses, and community-style townhouses (Baker Village) for upperclass students; renovations are being undertaken in the residence halls as well. The Center for Faith and Life is Luther's largest and primary performing arts facility, seating about 1,450 people, and housing the 62-rank Rost Memorial Organ. The Center for Faith and Life is an auditorium located on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. ...

Statue of Martin Luther Image File history File links Luther_statue. ...

Residence Halls: Miller and Dieseth Image File history File links Regents_towers. ...

Recognitions

Luther has consistently been recognized as a leader in liberal arts studies. In the 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007 editions of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, Luther was listed as one of America's "Top Liberal Arts Colleges." [1] In 2004 Luther was named one of the Colleges of Distinction, a list of schools emphasizing student engagement, strong teaching, a vibrant community, and successful outcomes. Luther is also listed by the Princeton Review as one of the 170 "Best in the Midwest" colleges. In March 2005 Luther was named by the Teagle Foundation as one of America's top 13 liberal arts colleges based upon its strong utilization of resources, high graduation rate, and large number of alumni that pursue advanced degrees. And in 2006 Luther was ranked 90th in Washington Monthly's list of top liberal arts institutions in the United States. [2] Luther ranks as a "more selective" institution and has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States. The college has also been recognized by multiple national television shows for its co-ed naked soccer, a final exam week tradition that has for years been discouraged by the administration and is now formally banned. U.S. News & World Report is a weekly newsmagazine. ... The Princeton Review (TPR) is a for-profit U.S. company that offers private instruction and tutoring for standardized achievement tests, in particular those offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), such as the SAT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and MCAT. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in... The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an honor society which considers its mission to be fostering and recognizing excellence in undergraduate liberal arts and sciences. ...

Music

Luther is arguably most famous for its music organizations, some of which have acquired international recognition through their annual concert tours and appearances over the past several decades at many of the major concert halls and music centers of Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, and the Caribbean. About 40 percent of the student body participates in at least one of the college's six choirs, three concert bands, three orchestras, and two jazz ensembles. "Christmas at Luther," Luther's annual Christmas choir concert, is now televised nationwide.

Much of Luther's musical heritage can be largely attributed to the influence of two individuals. It was the 40-year tenure of Dr. Carlo A. Sperati, Class of 1888, who fostered the college's Lutheran musical tradition beginning in 1905, and quickly developed 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 notoriety, even to the point that famed bandmaster John Philip Sousa cancelled a performance of his touring ensemble just so he could attend a performance of the Luther Concert Band, which was scheduled to appear nearby. Portrait of John Philip Sousa taken in 1900 John Philip Sousa (November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor known particularly for American military marches. ...

Sperati's foundation would later be strengthened and steadily built upon by Weston Noble '43, himself a student of Sperati. Following three years of military service in World War II, Noble returned to his alma mater to conduct the Concert Band and Nordic Choir, direct Christmastime performances of Handel's Messiah, and teach in the Music Department. Noble's bands (which he conducted until 1973) and choirs achieved critical acclaim for their coast-to-coast tours and international appearances. Ensembles under his direction performed at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York; the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, both in Los Angeles; the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul; and Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Minneapolis. 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 several national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Music Educators National Conference. Weston Henry Noble is an accomplished music educator and conductor. ... The Nordic Choir is an elite, 84-voice a capella choir made up of upper-class students from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ... The Kennedy Center as seen from the Potomac River. ... Categories: Historic civil engineering landmarks | Buildings of Salt Lake City, Utah | Stub ... The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center (which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the nation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is located in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. ... There are several buildings named Orchestra Hall: Theodore Thomas Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Illinois Orchestra Hall in Detroit, Michigan Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

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 is an elite, 84-voice a capella choir made up of upper-class students from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. ...

Nordic Choir, which tours internationally, is arguably the most well known choral ensemble beyond the Luther College community, however the ensemble is only one of the six traditional choral ensembles at Luther. Collegiate Chorale is a mixed choir composed of juniors and seniors. Cathedral Choir is a mixed choir composed of sophomores. Pike Kor (Norwegian for young women's choir) and Norsemen are choirs composed entirely of first-year students. And Cantorei is a women's choir drawing membership from all classes, though primarily sophomore through senior. In addition to the six traditional choirs, there are two additional chamber ensembles: Collegium Musicum, an early music ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists, and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, which often performs jointly with Luther's instrumental jazz ensembles. The Nordic Choir is an elite, 84-voice a capella choir made up of upper-class students from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. ...

Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra also tour internationally. Symphony Orchestra establishes residency in Vienna every four years, and Jazz Orchestra has toured in the Caribbean. “Wien” redirects here. ...

As of 2006, Frederick Nyline continues to conduct the Concert Band, and Dr. Craig Arnold has 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. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African, now naturalized American, Grammy-winning lead vocalist and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Live at Luther College is a live album by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, the first and only concert by the pair to be released commercially. ...

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. Current members of the Empire Brass, from left: Marc Brian Reese, Kenneth Amis, Michelle Perry, Rolf Smedvig, and Mark Hetzler The Empire Brass is a brass quintet from the United States. ...

Study Abroad

Luther's approach to internationalizing the campus curriculum is to build on the international expertise of its faculty and to support and encourage faculty development through study abroad program and course development. Since 1990 over 110 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 syllabi 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 64 nations.

Athletics

Luther College Norse Logo

The Luther Norse have been a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (commonly called the Iowa Conference or IIAC) since its founding in 1922. Luther has won more conference championships than any other school in the history of the IIAC. Logo Information This is the new athletic logo of the Luther College Norse, unveiled in 2002. ... Logo Information This is the new athletic logo of the Luther College Norse, unveiled in 2002. ... The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is an athletic conference which competes in the NCAAs Division III. Member teams are, as the name suggests, located in the state of Iowa. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ...

Luther's men's basketball teams has continuously posted losing seasons. The women's team, continues to enjoy a lot of success, sometimes going deep into the NCAA tournament.

Luther is the traditional athletic rival of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Wartburg College is a selective four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Waverly, Iowa. ... Waverly is a city located in Bremer County, Iowa. ...

While not a part of the athletic department, Luther's ultimate frisbee team, LUFDA (Luther Ultimate Flying Disc Association), has continually been ranked as one of the top teams in the state, and often in the nation. [3] This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Distinguished Alumni

Ingebrikt Frederick Grose 1885, First president of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota (1891-1893)

Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus 1903, 20th Governor of Minnesota Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus (August 28, 1883 – May 24, 1961) was an American politician, born in Columbia County, Wisconsin. ...

Clarence Norman Brunsdale '13, 24th Governor and U.S. Senator from North Dakota Clarence Norman Brunsdale was born in Steele County, North Dakota on July 9, 1891. ...

Weston Noble '43, internationally renowned director of Nordic Choir (1948-2005) and Concert Band (1948-1973) Weston Henry Noble is an accomplished music educator and conductor. ...

Adolph Herseth '43, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1948-2001) Adolph Herseth - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, based in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the leading orchestras in the world. ...

Steven Hendrickson '73, principal trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra (United States) (1982-Present) The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), founded in 1931, is a major American symphony orchestra that performs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, USA. Since 1996, the music director of the orchestra is the American conductor Leonard Slatkin. ...

Rev. Dean Johnson '69, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader (DFL) (2004-07; Member 1983-2007) Dean E. Johnson (born June 24, 1947) is the current majority leader of the Minnesota Senate. ...

Cheryl Browne '72, 1970 Miss Iowa pageant winner and Miss America competitor The Miss Iowa competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss America pageant. ... For the patriotically-themed comic book superheroines, see Miss America (comics). ...

Marty Haugen '73, composer of sacred music (Holden Evening Prayer) Marty Haugen, (born December 28, 1950 in Wanamingo, Minnesota), is an American composer of liturgical music for both Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations. ... Holden Village is self-described as a year-round ecumenical Christian center for renewal. ...

Dr. Michael Osterholm '75, professor and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota; member of the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity; epidemiologist, biosecurity expert, and author Michael Osterholm Ph. ...

Mark Johnson-Williams '76, co-designer of Tickle Me Elmo This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Dagfinn Høybråten '79, Norwegian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Dagfinn HøybrÃ¥ten Dagfinn HøybrÃ¥ten (born December 2, 1957), is a Norwegian politician, representing the Christian Democratic Party (KrF). ...

Jim Nussle '83, U.S. Congressman from Iowa (1991-2007) James Allen Jim Nussle (born June 27, 1960, Des Moines, Iowa) is an American politician. ...

Kurt Heinecke '87, primary music composer for the Veggie Tales series. Kurt Heinecke is a composer who works for Big Idea Productions, and who has created or co-created much of the popular music associated with VeggieTales. ... Veggie Tales is a series of childrens books and computer animated videos conveying Christian ideals to children via humorous, anthropomorphic vegetable-shaped characters. ...

Callista Bisek-Gingrich '88, wife of Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newton Leroy Gingrich (born June 17, 1943), Ph. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the...

Drew Curtis '95, founder of Fark.com Drew Curtis holding a can of Heineken Drew Curtis (b. ... Fark. ...

Eric Cutler '99, opera singer

External links

• Official Website
• Music at Luther
• Luther College Admissions Office
• Norse Athletics
• Luther College NewsBeat (Student Publication)
• Luther Review (Student Newsmagazine)
• Luther College Chips (Student Newspaper)
• KWLC Radio Station
• Princeton Review profile of Luther College
• MPR story about "Iowa's Brain Drain" highlighting Luther College students