50-Year Reunion

Registration for Homecoming and reunions 2026 is now open. Make plans to come back and register today!

1976 Pickleball Mixer

10:00 a.m. | Gerdin Fieldhouse, North Gym

Bring your paddles, balls and water bottles. 

Plan to kick off your 50th reunion with a game or two of pickleball. It will be fun. It will be good exercise. It will allow you to eat your Mabe’s pizza without guilt!

Peg Brenden (the designated class pickleball ambassador)* will be on hand to make sure everyone has a good time.

Class Reception

3:00 — 5:00 p.m. | Admissions Atrium, Dahl Centennial Union

Launch into the weekend by gathering informally with your classmates. This popular open house style event is a wonderful time to mingle and reconnect! There is no cost to attend.

Celebration of Distinguished Service and Award Presentations

Congratulations to classmates Tom Coon ’76 and Ron Larson ’76 for receiving the 2026 Distinguished Service Award. Celebrate their recognition at the Distinguished Service Award reception on Friday, October 2 at 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. Award presentation to follow at 5:30 p.m.

Class Reunion Reception and Luncheon

11:00 a.m. Reception | 11:30 a.m. Luncheon | Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union

Celebrate your 50-year reunion with a luncheon, and enjoy a program by the Class of 1976 50-year reunion committee. Of the two 50-year reunion programs, the luncheon tends to be more formal. During this program you will have a chance to honor distinguished classmates, present your class gift to the college, remember classmates who have passed away, and reflect on your connection to the college and each other.

Football Game with 1976 Class Gift Presentation at Halftime

1:00 p.m. | Carlson Stadium

All members of the Class of 1976 are welcome to join the Class Gift presentation at halftime of the football game.

Class Reunion Reception and Dinner

5:30 p.m. Reception | 6:30 p.m. Dinner | Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union

Close out Homecoming weekend by spending a fun evening with classmates! Wine and beer will be available for purchase. Your reunion committee is planning a fun evening of activities for this event—stay tuned!

This fall, your class will celebrate the foundational role Luther College has played in your lives and enjoy the connections you formed with each other. By making a gift in honor of your 50-year reunion, you also make a difference for today’s Norse seeking the same transformative experience you had. 

Thanks to the generosity of your classmates, your gift to the Luther Fund this year will go twice as far! Your contribution will make an immediate difference by supporting scholarships and financial aid, improving buildings and grounds, and creating new opportunities for student organizations and academics. 

The double match is available until met, up to $50,000. Gifts and multi-year pledges (up to five years) given to the Luther Fund will activate matching funds. 

Reunion matching challenge generously sponsored by: Paula (Hermeier) Meyer and Kurt Meyer ’76, Cy Nelson ’76 and Mona Nelson ’75, Chuck Pietscher ’76 and Anne (Peterson) Pietscher ’78, and Lynn Paulson ’76 and Ruth (Hanna) Paulson ’78.

By making a gift in honor of your 50th reunion, you make a difference for today’s students seeking the same transformative experience you had.

What counts in my class gift?

• Outright donations (online, cash, check, stock transfers)
• New pledges (up to five years)
• Pledge payments made on existing pledges
• New planned gifts or increases on established planned gifts

How do I make a gift?

• Give online
• Give by mail: Loyalty Hall, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101
• Give us a call! 563-387-1322 or 800-225-8664

Thank you for your support of Luther College!

Thanks to the Class of 1976 5-year Reunion Committee: Cy Nelson, Kurt Meyer, Mary (Edwards) Steinberg, Gail (Gulstrand) Torgerson, Lyle Torgerson, Geri (Grimm) Dirth, Tom Coon, Nancy Kluver, Peg Brenden, Nancy (Hansen) Runningen, Dave Runningen

• Join your Class of 1976 Facebook Group! While you’re there, get in the reunion spirit by sharing photos and memories, and tagging classmates.
• Share news about your life and reminisce about your time at Luther by submitting your story to your Class Memory Booklet.
• Calling all artists and creators! Display your creative works during the reunion by signing up to participate in the Class Creativity Showcase.
• Stay informed about reunion plans by making sure your contact information is up-to-date in Luther’s online alumni portal NorseConnect. While you’re there, use the alumni directory to connect with classmates!