Luther College

Statistics

Students Say - Academics
""The ‘gist' of Luther College is best summarized by the mission statement for Paideia (the required common courses for…students): the college encourages us to ‘seek wisdom in community' by facilitating conversation and creating lasting relationships that extend beyond the walls of the classroom." Accordingly, "class sizes are great" for discussion, and "professors know that their primary responsibility is teaching, and it shows." "They are dedicated to their classes and…personally getting to know their students." "They are friendly, down-to-Earth human beings who simply have a passion for what they do. They bring a positive attitude…to the classroom." "One of the advantages of a small school is the accessibility of faculty and staff." But such closeness is a double-edged sword; when students "miss a day of class, we get called or e-mailed to see where we were." Academic programs across the board receive high marks from students, but "particularly science and music" are seen as strengths of the college. "Administrators are visible throughout campus and during school events, and the administration process is unusually open." For example, "any student can make an appointment with the president of the college and hold a meeting with him within the week, which says something." "It's hard for first year students to register classes." But "you have to know how to work the system. If you can't get into the class you need, it is possible to talk to the registrar and negotiate.""

Students Say - Campus Life
""Life at Luther is generally very relaxed and peaceful." "Although classes are difficult, people like to kick back and enjoy nature." On any given day, for example, students can be "found on the library lawn studying, reading, playing Frisbee, or just talking." Or you might find them taking "advantage of the bike trails, hiking trails, and the river." "Sledding in the winter" is also a popular way to kill time. "There is somewhat of a party scene at Luther," with "Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays…the most popular nights to go out." For the drinking set, besides parties, "There are about two bars that most students go to." But there is plenty to do for the non-drinking set. Students credit the many entertainment options to "an excellent Student Activities Council," which sponsors "concerts like Ben Folds and Guster (two recent Luther performances), folk dancing in Marty's (the on-campus coffee shop), intramural sports, an ultimate Frisbee competition, a Drag Ball or a talent show," "Chinese acrobats, blues singers, amazing jugglers, and much, much more." Off-campus, "although there isn't a huge amount of exciting things to do," "downtown Decorah has many historic buildings and places to eat and shop for people of all tastes.""

Students Say - Student Body
"At Luther, "the typical student is white, Midwestern, and Lutheran." He or she is "middle class," of "Scandinavian" descent, "generally friendly and courteous," "laid-back, easy-going," and "is either in music or in athletics." Many hail from the suburbs of the Twin Cities and from all over Iowa. Career-wise, many students are "hoping to emerge in a service position; nursing, teaching, social work, or ministry." "Everyone dresses pretty casually, and the blonde and tan Barbie type is not very prominent." Atypical students would include "students of color, and a good size population of LGBT students." Many members of the former group are reportedly "international students;" there are "very few actual American minorities." But "both groups are well integrated into the life and activities of the college.""

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