Month: September 2025

Luther College and Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, are announcing a visit to Decorah on Monday, Oct. 6, by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway in honor of the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian emigration to the United States.

The public is invited to participate in the main events of Crown Prince Haakon’s visit:

• 10 a.m., Street Festival Celebration, on and around the Vesterheim campus
• 11:15 a.m., Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting, Hanson Vesterheim Commons
• 1:15 p.m. Celebration Convocation, Luther College Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. Reserved seating required; doors open at 12:30 p.m. and ticket holders must be seated by 1:15 p.m.

There is no cost to attend these events, but tickets are required for the Celebration Convocation at Luther. Tickets are limited to two per person. Tickets will be available to the public through the Luther College Ticket Office starting Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Crown Prince Haakon’s visit will highlight the deep cultural and historical ties between Norway and the U.S. and promote cooperation in business, education and culture.

The visit to Decorah will be the ninth by members of the Norwegian royal family since 1939; the last visit was in 2011, when King Harald V and Queen Sonja attended Luther’s sesquicentennial celebration.

Luther College is the first U.S. college founded by Norwegian immigrants (1861). In 1877, Norwegian Americans began collecting and preserving objects at Luther College, documenting their chapter of the immigrant story. That early collection grew into the Vesterheim, which features a world-class collection of 33,000 artifacts, a Heritage Park with 12 historic buildings, and a Folk Art School.

Another connection between Decorah and Scandinavian culture is Decorah’s annual Nordic Fest, which has drawn more than 1.5 million visitors since 1967. This year’s fest celebrated the theme of “Commemorating Crossings, 1825–2025.”

This year, many organizations in Norway and the U.S. have been commemorating the 200th anniversary of the first organized migration from Norway to North America. On July 4, 1825, a group of 52 Norwegians set sail on Restauration to New York City. Since that first voyage, about 900,000 people have followed. Today, nearly five million people in North America claim Norwegian ancestry.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, officials from Luther College and the Decorah Community School District formally launched a Preferred Admission Partnership aimed at expanding access to higher education for some of the region’s most accomplished students.

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain (left) and Decorah Community School District Board of Education President Cindy Goodner sign a Preferred Admission Partnership on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Decorah High School.

This type of partnership is a new one for both institutions. Qualifying Decorah High School students will have the opportunity for Preferred Admission to Luther, including a Preferred Admission scholarship.

“Strengthening connections with local partners is a priority for Luther College, and we are excited by how this new partnership with the Decorah Community School District will deepen the relationship between our two organizations,” said Luther College President Brad Chamberlain. “The partnership reflects a mutual commitment to invest in our local community by improving opportunities for students from Decorah to access and afford a Luther education.”

Eligibility requirements for Decorah High School students include a 3.25 GPA (unweighted) and completing Algebra II by the conclusion of their junior year. Eligible students who opt in to the program will be offered Preferred Admission to Luther College, provided they remain in good academic standing at Decorah High School. This status makes them eligible to receive a $500 Preferred Admission award, plus other institutional scholarships.

“The Preferred Admission Partnership opens doors for Decorah students to pursue an excellent academic opportunity close to home, recognizing their hard work and supporting their next steps,” said Cindy Goodner, president of the Decorah Community School District Board of Education.

Decorah High School has a strong record of fostering high academic achievement and providing well-rounded educational opportunities. It is a two-time National Blue Ribbon School, most recently in 2024, along with only four other Iowa schools. “U.S. News & World Report” has consistently ranked Decorah High School among the top five high schools in Iowa since the rankings began, including multiple years at the No. 1 spot.

“Students from Decorah High School are among the best in the nation and its graduates have consistently thrived at Luther,” said Matthew R. Beatty, vice president for enrollment management at Luther. “We are delighted to create a clear and supportive pathway for them to continue their education and reach their full potential on our campus.”

Decorah Community School District Superintendent Tim Cronin added that this partnership “represents an important step in supporting the aspirations of our students.”

“Many Decorah High School students already excel in academics, the arts and athletics, and this agreement provides them with the opportunity to continue their education at Luther while remaining connected to the community that has fostered their growth,” Cronin said.

Luther College is ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. As measured by the “Wall Street Journal,” Luther is ranked first for learning opportunities among private Iowa colleges and the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) consortium.

Decorah students who do not meet the Preferred Admission criteria are still encouraged to apply to Luther. They will be considered through Luther’s holistic review process for acceptance and potential merit awards.

To participate in the Preferred Admission Partnership, students and families are encouraged to contact the Decorah High School counselors, Pat Trewin and Brigit Storhoff, or Luther College Assistant Director of Admissions Mary Hellmark.