Chris Norton ’14 receives Luther College’s Young Alumni Award

Chris Norton, class of 2014, received Luther College’s 2025 Young Alumni Award in absentia at the college’s Commencement on Sunday, May 25.

The Young Alumni Award was established in 2003 and recognizes the outstanding achievements of Luther alumni in their vocation or avocation who have graduated in the last 15 years. Each year, an alum is presented with the award at Commencement.

Chris Norton

As a first-year student at Luther in 2010, Norton was injured during a football game and paralyzed from the neck down. He was given a 3% chance of ever moving below the neck again. After years of intense physical therapy and training, in a stunning show of determination and perseverance, Norton walked across the stage at his graduation with the help of his then fiancée Emily. The video of the feat touched the world and went viral with more than 300 million views. Soon after, Chris and Emily set an ambitious new goal to walk seven yards side-by-side down their wedding aisle, which they did in 2018. Norton’s eight-year journey is chronicled in the award-winning documentary “7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story.”

Since graduating from Luther with a degree in business management, Norton has dedicated his life to empowering others to overcome their obstacles. He is a motivational speaker, best-selling author and the founder of the Chris Norton Foundation, which provides rehab technology grants and organizes wheelchair camps free of charge for families living with disabilities.

Elisabeth (Marvin) Sandersfeld, class of 2000 and president of the Luther Alumni Council, read a message to the class of 2025 on Norton’s behalf. Unfortunately, Norton was unable to attend the ceremony because of a family emergency.

“Class of 2025, life will bring both triumphs and tribulations. When challenges come — and they will — do not hesitate to call on our community. I promise they’ll show up for you,” Sandersfeld read to the audience. “The good news is, the Luther community you’ve been a part of doesn’t end today. Instead, as you move on, [the Luther community] can expand. So, going forward, be the one who shows up when others need support. And when your personal struggles become too heavy, have the courage to ask for help. Because receiving help is just as important as offering it.”

Chris and Emily have adopted five children and have been foster parents to more than 23 children. Chris also serves as the 10th grade youth group leader at his church. The couple lives in Florida.

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