Commencement 2026

A professional photographer will take pictures of each graduate as they receive their diploma. After Commencement, families and graduates will be able to view and order photos if desired. Information will be posted on this web page.

Guests are asked to park in the Preus Library, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music, Regents Center, and Farwell Hall parking lots. Please avoid parking on streets and in faculty/staff parking lots.

Handicap accessible parking: The best locations for handicap accessible parking near Carlson Stadium are in the Farwell Hall entrance loop and next to the Regents Center parking lot. Look for signage upon arrival. Guests can also enter the field from these points for accessible seating. Ushers will be available to assist you.

Download the parking map

Commencement and Baccalaureate will be livestreamed on this web page as well as in the Dahl Centennial Union at Oneota Market (main level) and in the Cafeteria (lower level). If the ceremony is held indoors in the CFL Main Hall, the on-campus livestream locations will be Oneota Market, Valders 206, Olin 102, and the Noble Recital Hall in the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.

Luther College monitors weather conditions and forecasts for Commencement weekend. If the decision is made for an indoor ceremony, the college will inform faculty, staff, and students of the change via the #LutherAlert system; families and the general public can find the information on this web page and on official Luther College social media.

At Commencement, guests with mobility challenges and their families may sit on the Carlson Stadium track. There will also be a limited number of alternative seats for persons with mobility challenges and their families on the Dahl Centennial Union terrace. Contact the Ticket Office at (563) 387-1357 for more information.

Decorah hotels fill early for Commencement weekend. A list of options is available at visitdecorah.com. On-campus housing is not available.

Book Shop, Dahl Centennial Union
Friday, 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Center for Faith and Life
Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Dahl Centennial Union
Friday, 7 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Sunday, 6 a.m.–8 p.m.

Oneota Market, Nordic Brew, and the Dining Hall are in Dahl Centennial Union. No reservations are required.

Friday, May 22 

Cafeteria

• 8–9 a.m. Breakfast ($10.00)
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch ($13.25)
• 5–6:30 p.m. Dinner ($14.25)

Oneota Market

• 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Nordic Brew

• 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Saturday, May 23 

Cafeteria

• 8–9 a.m. Breakfast ($10.00)
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch ($13.25)
• 5–6:30 p.m. Dinner ($14.25)

Nordic Brew

• 7:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 24 

Cafeteria

• 7–10:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast ($10.00)
• 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Commencement Family Brunch ($13.25)
  No reservations required

Nordic Brew

• 7:00 a.m.–1 p.m.

If a guest is in need of sign language services, contact the Programming and Outreach Office at (563) 387-1538 in advance.

Graduates should plan to attend the Grad Finale on April 8 and 9 in the Dahl Centennial Union lobby to confirm their program names, pick up caps and gowns, and more. Graduates unable to attend may have a friend pick up their cap and gown.

After the Grad Finale, caps and gowns may be picked up at the Luther College Book Shop.