Homecoming Schedule of Events

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

9:00 A.M.–5 P.M. / LOBBY, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
REGISTRATION

10:30–11:30 A.M. / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
HOMECOMING CHAPEL AND CONVOCATION: The Inauguration of the 12th President of Luther College – Bradley M. Chamberlain Ph.D.
A community-wide reception will follow.

3:00–4:30 P.M. / LUTHER COLLEGE BOOK SHOP
BOOK SIGNING WITH MIKE OSTERHOLM ’75
Mike’s newest publication, “The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics,” will be available for purchase.

4:30 P.M. / RECEPTION / LOBBY, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
5:30–6:15 P.M. / PRESENTATION / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
CELEBRATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Congratulations to these 2025 recipients for their contributions of service:
Allan Solomonson ’60
Linda (Olson) Bieri ’75
Michael Goze ’75
Perran Wetzel ’79
Lorretta Wetzel ’80
Esther Menn ’80
Erika (Barth) Cottrell ’95
Ryan Nilsestuen ’05

7:30–8:30 P.M. / INDUCTION CEREMONY / MAIN HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
8:30 P.M. / RECEPTION / LOBBY, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to this year’s inductees:
Dave Lee ’80 – Football
Gene Adams ’00 – Wrestling
Holly (Wendt) Crowser ’00 – Softball
Matt Louder ’00 – Men’s Soccer
Leah (Schmitt) Taylor ’00 – Women’s Tennis
Jeff Patzke ’05 – Wrestling
Katie (Dolan) Gerber ’10 – Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field
Michael Pettengill ’10 – Men’s Swimming & Diving
Tiffany (Kruse) Rave ’10 – Softball
James Garcia-Prats ’14 – Men’s Soccer
Warren Berg ’48 – Sports Information Director, Meritorious Service Award (Warren’s children will be accepting on his behalf)

8:30–10:30 P.M. / MARTY’S
JAZZ NIGHT
Join SAC, Luther’s Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Ballroom & Swing for a fun night of music, dancing, and ice cream!

EVENING
INAUGURAL NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Enjoy Decorah’s great restaurants, shops and special events

The Footnotes will lead Scandinavian dances at the Vesterheim Commons patio, 520 West Water Street (rain location Vesterheim Commons) from 7:30 – 9:30 P.M.

Student acapella groups will perform at The Landing at 211 College Drive, beginning at 8:30 P.M.

Homecoming events are subject to change.

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

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

9:00 A.M. / PREUS LIBRARY LAWN
YOGA WITH ANGIE SPARTZ ’00, CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Start the day with a free yoga session, beginners welcome. Wear comfortable clothes to move in; yoga mats are optional. Bring your own, or enjoy the grass beneath you.

9:30 A.M. / CONCERT RECITAL HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
PHI BETA KAPPA SYMPOSIUM
Erin VanLaningham ’96 will present. Reception in Qualley Lounge to follow.

10:00 A.M. / WATER STREET TO CAMPUS
HOMECOMING PARADE
Marching in the parade? Connect with classmates or your organization, and sign up here.

10:00 A.M. / AQUATICS CENTER, GERDIN FIELDHOUSE
LUTHER SWIMMING & DIVING ALUMNI MEET
Join the current Luther Swim & Dive team to celebrate, swim and dive! Format includes mixed relays, 50s of stroke, 100 IM, 50, 100, 200 freestyle and diving

10:00 A.M. / ROOM 206, VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE
HOSLETT MEMORIAL LECTURE

11 A.M.–12:30 P.M. / VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE (Adjacent to Room 271)
HOSLETT MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

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

11:30 A.M. / RECITAL HALL, CENTER FOR FAITH AND LIFE
IRONSIDE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE IN NURSING 
Mike Anderson ’99, Chief Operating Officer at Heartland Anesthesia & Consulting to present.

11:00 A.M. RECEPTIONS / 11:30 A.M. LUNCHEONS
CLASS REUNION RECEPTIONS/LUNCHEONS
Classes of 1950 (75-year), 1955 (70-year), and 1960 (65-year)—Nobel Room, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1965 (60-year)—Mott-Borlaug Rooms, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1970 (55-year)—Main Floor Atrium, Center for the Arts
Class of 1975 (50-year)—Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union

11:30 A.M. / ONEOTA MARKET AND TERRACE, DAHL CENTENNIAL UNION
LUTHER FOOTBALL TAILGATE
Selling an assortment of craft and domestic beer, wine, a variety of soda and beverages, and snacks. Last call will be at the end of the third quarter of the football game. Open to all. Please note: the class of 1985 will be hosting a class gathering at terrace during the football game.

12:30 P.M.–1:30 P.M. / ROOM 245, VALDERS HALL OF SCIENCE
NURSING SIMULATION CENTER OPEN HOUSE

12:30–2:30 P.M. / UNION ART GALLERY
ART SHOW: OIL PAINTINGS BY ASHLEY DULL ’05
Twenty years after Ashley’s first art show, which was homecoming as a senior at Luther, this show represents the profound impact and roots that Luther College has had in shaping the art she creates. https://www.artbyashleydull.com/

1:00 P.M. / LEGACY FIELD, CARLSON STADIUM
FOOTBALL GAME 
Luther vs. Wartburg

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.

3:00–5:00 P.M. / BAKER COMMONS, BAKER VILLAGE
CIES COOKOUT
Join the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES) for an afternoon cookout. Food and drinks provided. All are welcome!

3:00–6:00 P.M. / FARWELL STUDY LOUNGE
TAU DELTA GAMMA ALUMNI MIXER
Celebrating 70 years of sisterhood and service. Not a Tau Delt alumni? Friends and family are welcome. Admission is $5. RSVP for this event.

CLASS REUNION RECEPTIONS/DINNERS 
For more information, visit the Luther reunions page
Please note: reunion locations are subject to change

Class of 1975 (50-year)—5:30 P.M. Reception / 6:30 P.M. Dinner – Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union.
Class of 1980 (45-year)—6:00 P.M. Reception – Vesterheim Commons
Class of 1985 (40-year)—5:30 P.M. Reception – Hotel Winneshiek, Steyer Opera House
Class of 1990 (35-year)—5:00 P.M. Reception – Sampson Hoffland Atrium
Class of 1995 (30-year)—5:00 P.M. Reception – Center for the Arts
Class of 2000 (25-year)—5:00 P.M. Reception – Impact Coffee
Class of 2005 (20-year)—5:30 P.M. Reception – Oneota Golf Course and Country Club
Class of 2010 (15-year)—5:30 P.M. Reception – Hotel Winneshiek, Ballroom
Class of 2015 (10-year)—6:00 P.M. Reception – T-Bock’s Upstairs
Class of 2020 (5-year)—5:00 P.M. Reception – The Landing

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

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
Concert Band, Cory Near, conductor
Nordic Choir, Andrew Last ’97, conductor
Presentations: Weston H. Noble Award, Carlo A. Sperati Award and Hemp Family Prize for Orchestra Performance

Homecoming events are subject to change

Luther College Book Shop
Friday, October 3 –  8:45 A.M. to 4:45 P.M.
Saturday, October 4 – 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, October 5 – 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

The Caf (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Meals are served continuously during open hours.
Friday: 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Saturday: 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Sunday: 10 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

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

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. 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 Springs 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).