Koren, dedicated in 1921, was named in honor of Ulrik Vilhelm Koren (1826-1910), one of the founders and leaders of Luther College. The building housed the library until 1969. Major renovation was undertaken in 1987-88, and the building is now devoted to classrooms and faculty offices for the following departments:

• Africana Studies
• Anthropology/Archaeology (The third-floor archaeology resource center is the largest in Iowa.)
• Education
• Political science
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Women and Gender Studies

Koren is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.