Luther College ( Iowa ) 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 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 . History . On October 10 , 1857 , the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church created a college to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in the Upper Midwest . Until the college was established in 1861 , 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 . 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 wood cutting and shoe shining chores , concluding that " there was not enough freedom " . The leader , 18 year old Rasmus Anderson was expelled . This event was viewed as a rebellion and " the worse of sins " by the pastors assembled in a pastoral conference shortly after . 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 . 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 central campus . The college owns an additional 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 ( Miller Hall , Dieseth Hall , Ylvisaker Hall , Farwell Hall , Brandt Hall , Larsen Hall , Olson Hall ) , several houses , the College Apartments , and community - style townhouses for upper - class students in Baker Village . 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 . Housing . Brandt Hall . Diderikke Brandt Hall is named for Diderikke Brandt , wife of the first college pastor , Nils Brandt . The west wing opened in 1949 , the east wing in 1958 . Renovated in 2003 , the east and west wing are connected by a social lounge on the first floor , the main study lounge on the second floor , and a study lounge on the third floor . Brandt is one of the three designated residence halls for first - year students . Olson Hall . Completed in 1955 and named for Oscar L . Olson — third president of Luther College ( 1921 to 1932 ) — this hall was renovated in summer of 2004 to include suites for upperclassmen and three - person rooms for first - year students . The hall contains an east wing and a west wing , which are connected by a large TV lounge on the first floor , the main social lounge on the second floor , and a large study lounge on the third floor . 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 LEED 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 . 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 away . Some nearby cities include Prairie Du Chien , WI ; Rochester , MN ; La Crosse , WI . Northeast Iowa Community College is approximately away . Academics . 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 . 636 students were admitted out of 2 , 054 applicants 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 . 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 Europe , as well as 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 , Joan deAlbuquerque conducts the Concert Band , and Allen Hightower has succeeded Craig Arnold ( who succeeded Weston Noble ) as Director of Choral Activities and conductor of Nordic Choir . Daniel Baldwin conducts the Luther College Symphony Orchestra , and 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 . Study abroad . Over 80 percent of Luther students study abroad or away . Since 1990 , over 140 Luther faculty have led Luther students on an overseas program . 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 Conference ( 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 : training center with cardiovascular - conditioning machines ; free weights ; weight machines ; climbing wall ; computer lab ; and social area .