100. Mission, Structure, History, and Accreditation
101. Mission
In the reforming spirit of Martin Luther, Luther College affirms the liberating power of faith and learning. As people of all backgrounds, we embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern our callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good.
As a college of the church, Luther is rooted in an understanding of grace and freedom that emboldens us in worship, study, and service to seek truth, examine our faith, and care for all of God's people.
As a liberal arts college, Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves us beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world--an education that disciplines minds and develops whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society.
As a residential college, Luther is a place of intersection. Founded where river, woodland, and prairie meet, we practice joyful stewardship of the resources that surround us, and we strive to be a community where students, faculty, and staff are enlivened and transformed by encounters with one another, by the exchange of ideas, and by the life of faith and learning.
102. Corporate Structure
Luther College is a church-related liberal arts college, independently incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa.
The members of this corporation shall be the voting members of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America entitled to vote at such meetings chosen in accordance with the discipline and usage of such Church, or its successor; the members of the Board of Regents of this corporation; the president of the College operated by this corporation; and the officers of the administration of the College.
103. History
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided on October 10, 1857, to found a college. The first three students went to Concordia College and Seminary in St. Louis in 1858 until suitable buildings could be erected. A Norwegian professorship was established at that school as a part of this early venture and that was filled in 1859 by the Rev. Laur. Larsen, who began teaching on October 14, 1859. Hence, October 14 has been regularly observed as Founder's Day by the College.
Concordia College and Seminary was closed in April with the outbreak of the Civil War, and Professor Larsen and the students returned home. In June 1861, the Church decided to proceed at once to establish its own college. A newly-erected parsonage at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin, was used that fall for the college, and the doors opened on September 1. There were two teachers and 16 students that first year.
In the summer of 1862 the school was transferred to Decorah and housed in a building at the corner of Winnebago and Main. The first “Main” on the present campus was dedicated October 14, 1865. The first graduating class was in 1866. During the first seventy-five years, the school admitted men only; it became coeducational in 1936.
The centennial was observed in 1961; then the institution had an enrollment of 1,357 and a staff of 75 full-time and 12 part-time teachers. Luther College 1861–1961, a book written by the late Dr. David T. Nelson was published for that occasion, and serves as a monumental work in preserving the heritage of Luther College. The College celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1986. For that occasion a history of the past 25 years, Stability and Change: Luther College in Its Second Century, by Leigh D. Jordahl and the late Harris E. Kaasa was published.
104. Accreditation
Luther College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the Iowa Department of Education, the Council on Social Work Education(baccalaureate level), the National Association of Schools of Music, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Iowa Board of Nursing. The College is professionally approved by the American Chemical Society and is approved by the American Association of University Women.
Luther College is also a member of and/or participates in: American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American College Health Association, American Council of Education, American Personnel and Guidance Association, Annapolis Group, Association of American Colleges, Association of College Admissions Counselors, Association of Governing Boards, Association of Innovation in Higher Education, Association of Lutheran College Faculties, Central Association of College and University Business Officers, College Board, College and University Personnel Association, College Entrance Examination Board, Fulbright Association, Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium, Institute of European Studies, Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Iowa Campus Contact, Iowa College Foundation, Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Lutheran Educational Conference of North America, Midwest College Placement Association, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, National Association of College Admissions Counselors, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, National Association of Summer Sessions, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Commission on Accreditation, and the Upper Midwest Association of Intercultural Education.
105. By-Laws Of Luther College—Section XI. Faculty
105.1. The Board of Regents, upon recommendation of the President shall grant tenure and prescribe the conditions thereof.
105.2. The Faculty of the College shall consist of the President, the Dean of the College, full-time staff members holding the rank of instructor or higher, and part-time staff members with the rank of assistant professor or higher.
105.3. Faculty Associates are staff members without faculty rank who by virtue of administrative position have faculty status including voting privileges. Officers of the Administration are automatically faculty associates. Other eligible administrative positions are determined by the President in consultation with the appropriate faculty committee. Staff members in those positions are nominated for Associate status by the President after a term of service and approved by the Faculty. Faculty Associates continue to hold Associate status as long as they hold the appropriate position.
105.4. The College Council shall include the President of the College as chairperson; the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College (who shall chair meetings in the absence of the President); not more than four other officers of the administration; the Executive Director of the Luther Diversity Center, and tenured faculty members chosen according to procedures established by the faculty.
105.5. The College Council shall serve as a forum for the discussion and study of major college-wide issues. It provides an opportunity for representative members of the faculty to serve in an advisory role to the administration and Regents of the College, especially in matters of long-range planning and in the planning of the budget. Other issues may be identified by the Council for deliberation and brought to the attention of the faculty and/or appropriate committees of the faculty.
105.6. The Faculty, with the approval of the Board of Regents, shall establish the departments of instruction, decide upon courses of study, determine the requirements for the admission to the college and for graduation, nominate candidates for degrees, establish the rules and regulations for the government of the College, and have the power to suspend or expel students whenever it finds such action necessary for the welfare of the college.
105.7. The Faculty shall elect or authorize the selection of such committees as may be required for the carrying on of the powers enumerated above.
105.8. In case the President deems it necessary, the President may dismiss a teacher and shall report such action to the Board of Regents. The teacher may appeal the case to the Board of Regents.
105.9. In case of complaints against the President, any charge made shall be presented directly to the Board of Regents in writing, properly signed and verified. The decision of the Board of Regents is final.