Homecoming Schedule of Events

Subject to change:

8:45 A.M.– 4:45 P.M. / DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
BOOK SHOP OPEN

9 A.M. – 5 P.M. / MAIN LOUNGE, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
REGISTRATION

10:30 A.M. / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
HOMECOMING CHAPEL

11:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M. / IMPACT COFFEE UPSTAIRS, DOWNTOWN DECORAH
CLERGY AND COLLEGE MINISTRIES ALUMNI COFFEE WITH MELISSA BILLS

3 – 5 P.M. / ADMISSION ATRIUM, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION, SECOND FLOOR
CLASS OF 1974 (50-YEAR) RECEPTION

4:30 P.M. RECEPTION / LOBBY, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
5:30 – 6:30 P.M. PRESENTATION / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
CELEBRATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Congratulations to this year’s awardees:
Mike Voltmer, ’74
Mary (Burbridge) Kreger, ’79
Doug Knutson, ’84
Ellie (Stack) Shaw, ’94
Sam Yamoah, ’04

7 P.M. / NOBLE RECITAL HALL, JENSON NOBLE HALL OF MUSIC
“TURN IT UP TO 11” – THE 1984 CONCERT
Luther faculty, staff, student, and community musicians will perform a lineup of hit songs from the year 1984.

7 P.M. — 12:00 A.M. / ONEOTA MARKET/LOUNGE | DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
GAME NIGHT – BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND BLACK STUDENT UNION

7 P.M. UNTIL CLOSING / DOWNTOWN DECORAH
Visit downtown Decorah and explore local shops and restaurants. Learn more at visitdecorah.com

7:30 – 8:30 P.M. INDUCTION CEREMONY / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
RECEPTION TO FOLLOW — QUALLEY LOUNGE / CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Alec Bonander ’09
Janet (Dobyns) Mundell ’09
Becca (Girvan) Zellmer ’14
Mike Jefferson ’04
David McKay ’09
Kara (Reiman) Cordes ’99
Merle Foss – Coach
Dave Happel – Meritorious Service
1963 Football Team
Kathie (Kempf) Grider ’99

8:30 P.M. JAZZ CONCERT / MARTY’S, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION

Subject to change:

8 A.M. – 3 P.M. / MAIN LOUNGE, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
REGISTRATION

9 A.M. – 5 P.M. / DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
BOOK SHOP OPEN

9 A.M. / BOB AND ANN NASLUND SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTER (SRC), REGENTS CENTER
COFFEE WITH ATHLETICS
Join Director of Athletics Renae Hartl, Head Tennis Coach and chair of the Hall of Fame Committee Adam Strand, and Hall of Fame Committee members for an informal coffee reception to kick off Saturday’s events. Coffee and light snacks provided.

9:30 A.M. / RECITAL HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
PHI BETA KAPPA SYMPOSIUM ON THE LIBERAL ARTS – Speaker: The Spirit is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal – Jon Ailabouni, ’10

10 A.M. / WATER STREET TO CAMPUS
HOMECOMING PARADE

10 A.M. / VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE, ROOM 206
HOSLETT MEMORIAL LECTURE
“Geography of Home,” with Professor Emerita Beth Lynch.

11 A.M. – 12:30 P.M./ VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE, ADJACENT TO ROOM 271
HOSLETT MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

11 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. / SAMPSON HOFFLAND ATRIUM
SCIENCES RECEPTION | BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, PHYSICS AND PSYCHOLOGY

11 A.M. / RECITAL HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
IRONSIDE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE IN NURSING 
Dr. Kirstin Manges Piazza (’11) PhD, MSHP, RN will share her scholarly work focused on patient-centered interventions and outcomes that align care with older adults’ priorities to ensure practice and policy reflect best evidence. 

11 A.M. RECEPTIONS / 11:30 A.M. LUNCHEONS
CLASS REUNION RECEPTIONS/LUNCHEONS
Classes of 1949 (75-year), 1954 (70-year), and 1959 (65-year)—Nobel Room, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1964 (60-year)—Mott-Borlaug Rooms, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1969 (55-year)—Center for the Arts, Main Floor Atrium
Class of 1974 (50-year)—Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union

11:30 A.M.  / ONEOTA MARKET, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
TAILGATING IN ONEOTA MARKET
Enjoy snacks, beer, and other beverages as you cheer on the Norse. Last call will be at the end of the 3rd quarter of the football game.

12:00 – 1:00 P.M. / ROOM 245, VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE
OPEN HOUSE | LUTHER COLLEGE NURSING SIMULATION CENTER

1 P.M. / LEGACY FIELD, CARLSON STADIUM
FOOTBALL GAME VS. NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Halftime: Recognition of Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees, Class of 1974 (50-year) Reunion Class Gift Presentation

1:30 – 2:15 P.M. / MAIN 112
BOOK RELEASE, “Sagas of Luther College: Norwegian and Lutheran Identities Past, Present, and Future”
Join Rachel Faldet ’78, professor emerita of English and Maren Johnson, associate professor of Nordic studies for the launch of a new edited anthology about Luther College and its connection to Norway and the Lutheran higher education tradition. Some of the authors, alumni and current faculty and staff, will join for the launch of this new book.

2:30 – 3:30 P.M. / WIGLEY-FLEMING GALLERY, CENTER FOR THE ARTS
ALUMNI ART EXHIBIT RECEPTION
Gallery hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

3 – 6 P.M. / FARWELL HALL 8TH FLOOR LOUNGE
TAU DELTA GAMMA ALUMNI MIXER

4 – 6 P.M. / BAKER COMMONS, BAKER VILLAGE
CIES HOMECOMING COOKOUT
Join the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support for an afternoon cookout. Food and drinks provided. All are welcome!

CLASS REUNION RECEPTIONS/DINNERS
Class of 1974 (50-year)—5:30 P.M. Reception / 6:30 P.M. Dinner – Peace Dining Room | Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1979 (45-year)—6 P.M. Reception – Vesterheim Commons
Class of 1984 (40-year)—6 P.M. Reception – Impact Coffee
Class of 1989 (35-year)—6 P.M. Reception / 7 P.M. Dinner – Steyer Opera House | Hotel Winneshiek
Class of 1994 (30-year)—6 P.M. Reception – Sampson Hoffland Atrium | Luther Campus
Class of 1999 (25-year)—6 P.M. Reception / 7 P.M. Dinner – Oneota Golf and Country Club
Class of 2004 (20-year)—6 P.M. Reception –  King Pin Entertainment Center
Class of 2009 (15-year)—6 P.M. Reception – Convergence CiderWorks
Class of 2014 (10-year)—6 P.M. Reception – Upstairs Banquet Hall | T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill
Class of 2019 (5-year)—6 P.M. Reception – The Landing Market

Subject to change:

9:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. / DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
BOOK SHOP OPEN

10 A.M. / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
HOMECOMING WORSHIP

1:30 P.M. / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
HOMECOMING CONCERT
Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Baldwin, conductor
Concert Band, Cory Near, conductor
Nordic Choir, Andrew Last ’97, conductor
Presentations:
Weston H. Noble Award: David Judisch
Carlo A. Sperati Award: Dr. Justin Knoepfel ’04

Luther College Book Shop (located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Friday, October 25: 8:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 27: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cafeteria (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Meals are served continuously during open hours.
Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oneota Market (located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Features pre-made items, Impact Coffee, baked good, breakfast all day, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, and daily specials.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED

Nordic Brew (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Features ice cream, coffee (including specialty coffees), bakery items, cinnamon rolls, and crepes.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nordic Mart (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Luther’s convenience store with cold drinks, snacks, health and wellness items, and household items.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Things To Do

In addition to catching up with all things Luther and participating in events on campus, you may be wondering what you might do in Decorah and we’ve got some ideas:

• Hit the Luther Book Shop to stock (or restock) your Luther gear.
• Take a look at the view of the Valley from the deck of Dahl Centennial Union.
• Check out downtown Decorah and take advantage of the restaurants, ice cream and pizza joints, coffee shops, and sports bars both downtown and in the surrounding area, many owned by Luther grads, offering a wide variety of cuisines from all over. We recommend reservations at most places – call ahead to check for sure!
• Pack your hiking shoes or bicycles (you can also rent bicycles)! You can hit the trails early and still make lunch! With miles and miles of trails over the rolling hills as well as up into the bluffs, you can really get lost in this part of the Driftless Region. We also recommend visiting two of our favorite parks: Dunning’s Spring and Phelps Park.
• With nearly every storefront full, downtown Decorah is bursting with retailers, offering nearly everything you might need to check some things off your holiday shopping list (no, it’s not too early). Clothing stores, gift shops, arts and crafts suppliers, candle shops, a food co-op, bookstores, and much more!

Vesterheim Museum

Open daily | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Downtown Decorah

Exploring Vesterheim’s Main Building with its four floors of incredible artifacts is a delight. Wandering at your own speed, you can linger for as long as you wish at your favorite pieces.

Take a tour through the museum’s latest addition, the beautiful Vesterheim Commons and enjoy a guided tour of the museum’s Heritage Park – scheduled daily at 1:30 p.m. (Please call ahead to confirm in case of tour change.) Find out more about Heritage Park here.

Good to know: In 1877, Norwegian Americans began collecting and preserving objects at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, documenting their chapter of the immigrant story, making them pioneers in the preservation of cultural diversity in America. That early collection has grown into one of the most comprehensive museums in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group—Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, now an independent not-for-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).