Luther College to celebrate Homecoming 2019 Oct.

Luther extends an invitation to the Decorah community to join in the celebration.

Each year thousands of alumni and friends of Luther College come back to campus for the annual Homecoming celebration. This year Luther will celebrate Homecoming Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 3-6.

Luther encourages the Decorah community to join in the fun, as many of the events are open to the public.

“Homecoming at Luther is a great opportunity for our alumni to reconnect with classmates and faculty on campus, it’s also the perfect time to bring their families and visit their favorite Decorah places. The Decorah community is such an important part of the Luther experience and we are so grateful for the many ways the community welcomes our alumni back home!” said Sherry Alcock ’82, executive director of alumni relations.

Unless noted otherwise, the following events are open to the public with no charge for admission:

Friday, Oct. 4

            10:30 a.m.: Homecoming Chapel, Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life. Margaret Herz-Lane ’69 will preside and two of Luther’s ensembles will perform at the service; the Wind and Percussion Ensemble, directed by Joan deAlbuquerque and Collegiate Chorale, directed by Jennaya (Rogers) Robison ’96. The organist is Shayla (De Jong) Van Hal ’16.

8:30 p.m.: Jazz at Marty’s, lowest level of Dahl Centennial Union. The Luther College Jazz Band, Luther College Jazz Combo and Luther College Jazz Orchestra will be performing under the direction of Juan Tony Guzmán ’90 and Jon Ailabouni ’10. 

Saturday, Oct. 5

9:30 a.m.: Phi Beta Kappa Symposium on the Liberal Arts, Recital Hall, Center for Faith and Life. Mitra Sadeghpour ’94 will give a lecture titled “Opera and Its Relevancy in the 21^st Century.” Sadeghpour seeks to answer the question, “In this high-tech world, is there still value in taking the time to tell stories through music?”

10 a.m.: Homecoming Parade. The traditional Luther Homecoming Parade starts at Decorah High School, follows Water Street to College Drive, then turns onto campus. Joining in the festivities this year will be Luther’s new president, Dr. Jenifer K. Ward. The grand marshals are current and emeriti Preus Library faculty and staff in honor of the library’s 50^th anniversary.

11 a.m.: Ironside Distinguished Alumni Lecture in Nursing, Recital Hall, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music. Carl Stecker ’79 will deliver an address titled, “Oh the Places You’ll Go! The Mission and Life of a Global Migrant.”

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Luther Tailgate, Dining Hall, Dahl Centennial Union. Join us before the big game for great tailgate food and conversation. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-10 and free for children under 5.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Outdoor High Ropes Challenge Course, athletic fields, behind Lindeman Pond. This adventure will be open for walk-in participation as available. Participants must be 18 years or older, ages 10-17 may climb with parent or guardian present.

11:15 a.m.: Hoslett Memorial Lecture, Room 206, Valders Hall of Science. Karen Hansen ’89 will be giving a lecture titled, “Vitamin D: Super-Size Me!”

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Harvest Festival, Valders Hall of Science Courtyard. The Center for Sustainable Communities is hosting this fall-themed festival complete with pumpkin carving, fresh cider and a celebration of sustainability at Luther.

1 p.m.: Luther Football vs. Central College, Carlson Stadium. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for students, $3 for seniors 65+ and there is no cost for children five and under. Tickets will be available at the gate, the game will be live-streamed at: stream.luther.edu/sports. Immediately following the game, there will be an Alumni and Friends Reception with faculty at Bentdahl Commons, the rain site is in the lobby of the Center for Faith and Life.

1:30-3:30 p.m.: 50^th Anniversary of Preus Library Open House, Hovde Lounge, Preus Library. Come enjoy cake and coffee with the library staff.

3:30-5 p.m.: Artist’s Reception, Upstairs Gallery, Center for Faith and Life. Come meet the artist and view the impressive exhibition, “Road Trip: Original Paintings and Pastels of Life on the Road” by Christopher Cudworth ’79.

4-5 p.m.: “Coming Home: Kayaking the Fjords of Norway,” a documentary by David Ellingson ’69, Room 206, Valders Hall of Science.

4 p.m.: Athletic Hall of Fame Reception, Mostrom-Bahe Lobby, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.

5 p.m.: Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Noble Recital Hall, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees include Dale Jensen ’69, Jane (Greene) Hildebrand ’74, Steven “Duke” Corson ’79, Jeffrey Wettach ’79, Susan (Satre) Michael ’94, Jami Severson ’99, Alycia Ashburn ’99, and Zac Bartlett ’09.

Sunday, Oct. 6

            10 a.m.: Festival of Eucharist, Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life. Campus Pastor Mike Blair will preside. Directed by Jennaya (Rogers) Robison ’96, Luther’s Aurora and Cathedral Chorale will perform along with Cathedral Choir and Norskkor, directed by Mark Potvin ’01. The organist is Shayla (De Jong) Van Hal ’16.

1:30 p.m.: Homecoming Concert, Main Hall, Center for Faith and Life. Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Baldwin; Concert Band, conducted by Joan deAlbuquerque; and Nordic Choir, conducted by Andrew Last ’97, will perform. A number of awards will also be presented including the Presser Undergraduate Scholar award; the Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize will be awarded to Luke Berkley ’20; the Carlo A. Sperati Award will be given to Timothy Arnold ’04; and the Weston H. Noble Award will be given to John M. Broman ’69.

A number of other events are happening throughout the weekend including men’s and women’s athletic events, class-specific reunions, alumni sporting matches, several dance/movement events, the Luther Book Shop is hosting alumni and faculty book signings and theatre students will perform their new play, “Lunatics,” in the Jewel Theatre. For the full Homecoming 2019 schedule visit  www.luther.edu/homecoming/schedule.

Luther College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.