Homecoming Schedule of Events

Homecoming events are subject to change

Registration

9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Lobby, Dahl Centennial Union

Homecoming Chapel

10:30 a.m. | Main Hall, Dahl Centennial Union

Celebration of Distinguished Service and Award Presentations

4:30 p.m. | Reception | Lobby, Center for Faith and Life
5:30 p.m. | Ceremony | Main Hall, Center for Faith and LIfe
We are accepting nominations for 2026 Distinguished Service Awards until January 31, 2026.

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

7:30 p.m. | Induction Ceremony | Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life
8:30 p.m. | Reception | Lobby, Center for Faith and Life

Luther College Night on the Town

Visit downtown Decorah for great restaurants, shops and special events. Check out area attractions and visitor info at visitdecorah.com.

Registration

9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Lobby, Dahl Centennial Union

Phi Beta Kappa Symposium

9:30 a.m. | Recital Hall, Center for Faith and Life

Hoslett Memorial Lecture

10 a.m. | Room 206, Valders Hall of Science

Hoslett Museum Open House

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Valders Hall of Science (adjacent to Room 271)

Sciences Reception: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Physics and Psychology

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Atrium, Sampson Hoffland Laboratories

Ironside Distinguished Alumni Lecture

11:30 a.m. | Recital Hall, Center for Faith and Life

Reunion Luncheons

11 a.m. Receptions | 11:30 a.m. Luncheons
Classes of 1951 (75-year), 1956 (70-year), and 1961 (65-year) | Nobel Room, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1966 (60-year) | Mott-Borlaug Rooms, Dahl Centennial Union
Class of 1971 (55-year) | Main floor atrium, Center for the Arts
Class of 1976 (50-year) | Peace Dining Room, Dahl Centennial Union

Nursing Simulations Center Open House

12:30–1:30 p.m. | Room 245, Valders Hall of Science

Football Game

Time TBA | Legacy Field, Carlson Stadium

Evening Class Reunions

For more information, visit the class reunions page
Please note: reunion locations are subject to change
Class of 1976 (50-year) Reception and dinner | Time and location TBA
Class of 1981 (45-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 1986 (40-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 1991 (35-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 1996 (30-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 2001 (25-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 2006 (20-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 2011 (15-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 2016 (10-year) Reception | Time and location TBA
Class of 2021 (5-year) Reception | Time and location TBA

Homecoming Worship

10 a.m. | Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life

Homecoming Concert

1:30 p.m. | Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life

Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Nordic Choir to perform

Award Presentations
Weston H. Noble Award to be announced

Carlo A. Sperati Award to be announced

Hemp Family Prize for Orchestral Performance to be announced

Luther College Bookshop

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.
Fridays | 7:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m.
Saturdays | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Sundays | 10 a.m.–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.–3:00 p.m.
Saturday | Tailgating hours TBA
Sunday | CLOSED

Nordic Brew

Featuring pastries and speciality coffee drinks, located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union
Homecoming hours TBA

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 some of Decorah’s most loved 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. Learn more about planning a visit at Vesterheim.org.

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).