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Luther College (Iowa)

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Luther College

Luther logo Luther_logo_helmet_head

Established 1861
Motto soli deo gloria
School type Private
President Richard L. Torgerson
Location Decorah, Iowa, United States of America
Enrollment Approximately 2,600
Faculty 191
Web site www.luther.edu

Luther College is a private, comprehensive, four-year liberal arts college located in Decorah, in the state of Iowa, USA and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther College today boasts an enrollment of almost 2,600 students representing 33 states of the USA and 35 countries. The college offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs.

Luther is perhaps the most famous for its musical groups, which have acquired global recognition through their many international tours. The college also hosts "Christmas at Luther" a musical celebration of the holiday season that is televised throughout the Midwest. Much of Luther's musical fame can be attributed to Weston H. Noble '43, past director of the Luther Concert Band and current Nordic Choir director. Noble has been on the Luther faculty since 1948.

In 1999 the musician Dave Matthews appeared in concert with Tim Reynolds at Luther College, the site of their album Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Luther College. It is also infamus for naked soccer, a final exam week tradition that ended in 2002.

History

The path to founding Luther College began on October 10, 1857, when the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) decided to create a college to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in the Upper Midwest. Until the college was completed, students would study at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. On October 14, 1859 the Rev. Laur. A. Larsen was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC.

Upon the closing of the seminary in April 1861, the NELC decided to open their own college that fall in an unused parsonage at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin, just north of La Crosse, Wisconsin and close to present day Holmen, Wisconsin. On September 1, 1861, classes officially began with an enrollement of 16. The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa.

Athletics

The Luther Norse have been a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (commonly called the Iowa Conferece or IIAC) since its founding in 1922. Luther has won more conference championships than any other school in the history of the IIAC.

Famous Alumni

Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus '03, 20th Governor of Minnesota

Jim Nussle '83, U.S. Congressman from Iowa

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