Office of Student Engagement
Dahl Centennial Union 266
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1020
Welcome Week is an orientation experience designed to help first-year and transfer students make a successful transition into the Luther community.
Save the dates: Saturday, August 26–Saturday, September 2, 2023
During this orientation experience, you will:
- Learn more about Luther and the college’s academic and community expectations
- Interact in meaningful ways with other new students, faculty, and staff
- Gain tools and knowledge to help students be successful
- Build a community that will support, respect and protect one another
Note that the schedule posted below is subject to change. Beginning August 14, students will have their own interactive schedules on KATIE.
Do you need assistance like closed captioning, an interpreter, or transportation due to mobility needs? Contact Disability Services at 563-387-1481 or disabilityservices@luther.edu.
Welcome Week 2023: August 26 through September 2
| 8 a.m.-1p.m. | Residence Hall Check-In Luther college athletes will be there to assist you and your family as you move in. Your resident assistant (RA) will make themself available to help you get connected and settled in. |
| 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop Is Open Dahl Centennial Union, Main Floor Pre-ordered textbooks can be picked up in the Mott-Borlaug Room on the first floor of the Dahl Centennial Union between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
| 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | College Offices and Resources The following offices and resources will be available in the Main Lobby of Dahl Centennial Union: Division of Student Success (including Disability Services), Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Engagement. Student Employment and Technology Help Desk and the City of Decorah. Students can obtain their Parking Permit at the Welcome Center. |
| 3 p.m.-4 p.m. | A Luther Welcome Mandatory for all new students, families invited | Center for Faith and Life (CFL), Main Hall Provost Brad Chamberlain, campus staff, and student orientation leaders will officially welcome you to the Luther community. |
| 5-8 p.m. | Connect with Your Residence Hall Floor (5 p.m.), Floor Meetings (7 p.m.) and Welcome Skits (8 p.m.) Mandatory for all new students | Begins in the residence hall and continues in the Center for Faith and Life (CFL) at 8 p.m. Transfer students will meet at the Luther Bell 5 p.m. and join other new transfer students for dinner and group activities. At 8 p.m. they will join all new students for the Welcome Home RA Skits at the CFL. |
| 9 p.m. | Outdoor Movie Bentdahl Commons (Rain Location: Valders 206) Bring your own blankets and join us on the commons for a movie. Popcorn and candy will be provided! |
| 9:30 a.m. | Sunday Worship Center for Faith and Life (CFL), Main Hall New students, returning students, families, and all members of the Luther College community are invited to a special worship service to begin the academic year. All faith backgrounds and denominations are welcome to attend. Interested students are invited to participate in worship by singing in a pick-up choir that will rehearse prior to worship at 8:45 a.m. |
| 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop Is Open Dahl Centennial Union, Main Floor Pre-ordered textbooks can be picked up in the Mott-Borlaug Room on the first floor of the Dahl Centennial Union between 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Your Luther Life 101 Mandatory for First-Year Students | Center for Faith and Life (CFL), Main Hall
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| 1-3:30 p.m. | Awareness Through Performance (ATP) and Your Luther Life 102 Mandatory for all New Students | Center of Fine Arts (CFA), Jewel Theatre, and Jenson-Noble Hall of Music, Noble Recital Hall
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| 2-5 p.m. | Technology Help Desk: New Student Assistance Brandt Hall and Ylvisaker Hall Learn how to connect your devices to the internet, use Luther’s printers, and find solutions to other technology problems. |
| 3-7 p.m. | Choir Auditions for Aurora or Norskkor Jenson-Noble Hall of Music For detailed information, visit the Choral Auditions page. |
| 7 p.m. | Playfair The Ultimate Icebreaker Mandatory for First-Year Students | Library Lawn Team building and entertainment, all rolled into one! |
| 8:30 p.m. | Focus: Under the Stars Bentdahl Commons All students are invited to Focus, our student-led worship, held every Sunday evening. We gather for music, drama, community and prayer at the close of day. |
| 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop Pre-ordered textbooks can be picked up in the Mott-Borlaug Room on the first floor of the Dahl Centennial Union between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
| 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. | Paideia Session Mandatory for all First-Year Students | Paideia Classroom (see location details in KATIE) Get connected to your excellent faculty, who are excited to meet you in a prerequisite Paideia session! Come prepared to get to know your classmates, explore the expectations of a Luther education, and discuss your assigned summer reading. |
| 1-2:30 p.m. | Get to Know Your Advisor Mandatory for New Students | Location to be determined During this time you will connect with your Luther College academic advisor, whom you met with at ROAD. This person will remain your advisor for at least the fall semester. Please have you schedule close by so that you can create a follow-up meeting. |
| 3-5 p.m. | Campus Scavenger Hunt Learn about resources on campus and in the Decorah area as you join your team on an interactive scavenger hunt! Create your team, designate a team captain, and download the FREE GooseChase app on your mobile device. Teams with the most points will earn PRIZES! |
| 4:30 p.m. | First-Year String Players Meeting Orchestra Room, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music Q&A with members of the Luther College string faculty. Topics include lessons, chamber music, orchestra auditions, lockers, and practice room policies. Required of all first-year string players. |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Transfer Student Event Meet at the Luther Bell New incoming transfer students will meet their transfer student support team and will receive tips for a successful transition to Luther College. Current transfer students will get the opportunity to meet incoming transfer students and celebrate the start of a new year together. Food will be provided. |
| 8 p.m. | Bingo Night Bentdahl Commons | Rain location: Regents Center Students are encouraged to bring their own blankets or towel to sit on. Win some Luther gear! |
| 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop Pre-ordered textbooks can be picked up in the Mott-Borlaug Room on the first floor of the Dahl Centennial Union between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
| 9-10 a.m. | Academic Advising Sessions: Information on Areas of Study Mandatory for all New Students | Location details in KATIE Choose the advising session that most closely reflects the area of study you may wish to pursue. If you are still exploring possible majors and minors, a “still exploring” session is available. |
| 10:30 - 12:30 a.m. | Diversity and Inclusion | Dr. Joshua Fredenburg Mandatory for all new students | CFL, Main Hall Dr. Joshua Fredenburg will share stories of empathy and understanding as you begin your journey to Learn Actively, Live Purposefully, Lead Courageously. |
| 2-3 p.m. | Leadership and Involvement | Dr. Joshua Fredenburg Mandatory for all new students | CFL, Main Hall Dr. Joshua Fredenburg is a dynamic, inspirational, high energy speaker that has served as a speaker in 47 different states and two countries delivering transformational programs that revolve around leadership, diversity and inclusion, virtual leadership, retention, healthy relationships, career success, millennials, and creating generational synergy amongst multiple generations of people. |
| 6-8 p.m. | Activities Carnival Library lawn (weather permitting) Find out how you can get involved in student organizations at Luther! Join us on the library lawn to meet with student organization leaders from our 80+ student groups! There will also be music, food and fun! |
| 8 p.m. | Be the Light, Ring the Bell Meet on the steps of the CFL Join us for a candlelight ceremony as part of a new Norse tradition. Each new student will have the opportunity to ring the bell as your journey begins at Luther College. |
| 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | First Day of Class Belfie What’s a belfie, you ask? It's a selfie at the Luther Bell, to remember your first day of classes. Norkie will be available at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. |
| 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop Pre-ordered textbooks can be picked up in the Mott-Borlaug Room on the first floor of the Dahl Centennial Union between 9 a.m.-2p.m.. |
| 10:30 a.m. | Opening Chapel Bentdahl Commons | Pastor Melissa Bills (speaker) and Dr. Alex Meszler (music) Chapel programming is held each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from 10:30-10:50 a.m. in the CFL. A variety of speakers and musical ensembles are featured in chapel from across traditions. All are welcome. |
| 7-8 p.m. | PAIDEIA Author Q & A required Mandatory for first-year students | CFL, Main Hall Session begins promptly at 7:00PM. On-stage Interview with the author of this year's PAIDEIA Summer Read. |
| 9:40-11 a.m. | Opening Convocation Mandatory for all new students | CFL, Main Hall The college marks the beginning of the new year with an official welcoming of new students into the community. Francisco Cantú, author of the summer reading The Line Becomes the River, will be this year’s Opening Convocation speaker. |
| 10:30 a.m. | Weekday Chapel with College Ministries CFL, Main Hall | Speaker (to be announced) and Dr. Alex Meszler (music) Chapel programming is held each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from 10:30-10:50 a.m. in the CFL. A variety of speakers and musical ensembles are featured in chapel from across traditions. All are welcome. |
| 7:30 p.m. | Comedy Stage Hypnotist CFL, Main Hall | Rain Location: Marty's A comedy hypnosis show where you and your friends become the stars! This is a Luther tradition you will not want to miss! |
Office of Student Engagement
Dahl Centennial Union 266
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1020