Month: November 2023

Dave Mitchell, head wrestling coach for Luther, speaks at the One Team Day celebration at T-Bock’s.

DECORAH, IOWA—During its fourth annual One Team Day, Luther College raised $367,011 from 1,189 donors for Norse athletics. This is the largest-ever One Team Day on record.

“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of support we received on One Team Day this year,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics at Luther. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in One Team Day, and thankful for everyone who shows up to support Norse athletes throughout the year.”

Donors were able to support the specific teams of their choice. The funds raised on One Team Day provide critical operating support, such as advanced technologies for training and recovery, top-tier equipment and uniforms, and quality travel and training experiences.

During the day on Nov. 16, student-athletes from each sport reached out to alumni, family members and other supporters of Norse athletics through text messages. Lara Welter, a senior Norse softball player and mathematics major with a concentration in secondary education, had the chance to connect with alumni who played softball, in addition to her former coaches.

“It was a lot of fun reaching out to people and hearing their stories. I connected with people I hadn’t spoken with in so long, including my own former coaches from high school and childhood,” Welter said. “It’s really rewarding when something I did inspired them to support Norse athletics.”

At the end of the night, Luther alumni and members of the Decorah community gathered for the first ever One Team Day Celebration at T-Bock’s.

“Luther is Decorah’s college and Decorah is Luther’s town,” said Dave Mitchell, head wrestling coach for Luther. “They were made for each other.”

About Luther College 

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s 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.

DECORAH, IOWA—For 50 years, the TRIO Achievement Program has helped students at Luther College navigate higher education. Not only does the federally funded program help first-generation and income-eligible students access financial aid and career advice, it also provides a strong support system on campus to guide students through their college careers and launch them into the next stages of their lives.

“TRIO is an integral part of the student experience. Luther has always been an institution of connection and relationships; TRIO is a part of Luther’s legacy throughout each graduating class,” said Heidi Ludeking, student achievement and instructional specialist at Luther. “Thousands of students have been impacted by the supportive relationships that were forged through their college journey through the program.”

TRIO arose from the American Civil Rights Movement, and refers to the three federal programs — Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services — established in the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs ensured equal educational opportunity for all students, and were eventually combined into one initiative as a “trio.”

The TRIO initiative began at Luther in 1973. For half of a century, the program has provided coaching for academic, personal, financial and career decisions to Luther students. Currently, TRIO at Luther offers Student Support Services (SSS) to 165 students each year.

In order to qualify for the TRIO program, students must be a first-generation college student, be income eligible or have a documented disability. Students can apply online.

TRIO also provides financial assistance through lending programs, grants and scholarships that help participants save money and reduce debt. Each year, the program at Luther awards 11 participants a scholarship that’s funded by donors with Luther connections.

Samuel Scott (left) and Andrew Peter, director of major gifts at Luther, at TRIO’s 50th anniversary celebration during Homecoming weekend.

“TRIO has helped me take advantage of so many opportunities at Luther,” said Samuel Scott, a senior majoring in business management. “There are so many events and meetings to help you navigate things like financial aid and careers.”

Whether the program was helping students of the 1980s impacted by the farm crisis or assisting current students navigating financial assistance programs to reduce debt, TRIO has remained committed to helping Luther students succeed.

“TRIO’s advisors are very supportive,” said Rose Baldus, a junior theater major with a minor in counseling. “They’re easy to talk to if you need academic or even emotional support. TRIO’s a great resource that’s helped me through college.”

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s 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.