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Kudos to Luther: it's not your average liberal arts institution

Date 10/7/2004 12:00 AM | Topic: Features

If you think being distinctive means you need to wear a pinstripe suit and smoke a pipe, there's some good news: you've already been nationally deemed "distinctive." Why is that? You're associated with Luther College.

Luther is featured in an online college guide called Colleges of Distinction, (), which will soon be published as a book.

This guide profiles some of the best schools of higher education in the United States. The purpose of the collaborators, ranging from parents to educators, was to provide consumers with the best possible information about higher education.

Apparently, they found Luther worthy of recognition.

"Luther College is honored to be selected as one of the nation's 'Colleges of Distinction' based on our reputation for providing a liberal arts education that prepares young men and women for life-long learning and service," President Torgerson said.

Ruth McClelland-Nugent, chief editor for the publication, said "This is a great honor for any college. The schools in this book are some of the very best in the country."

In order to qualify as a "college of distinction," a school needs to meet a variety of criteria and possess certain qualities of "greatness."

They should engage students, have a healthy teaching environment, a lively and active community and have a high percentage of successful graduates.

"Luther's worthy as an educational institution as a whole, but it is lacking in some departments, just like any other college," said Justin Ellis ('06).

The guide emphasizes the importance of having students taught entirely by "real professors," and is concerned that colleges provide students with a wide variety of "innovative learning experiences."

"I think Luther's worth the money that you pay for it," said Soren Tryggestad ('05). "What stands out to me is that professors are helpful and accessible. And I love the giant, awesome oak trees."

As noted by Colleges of Distinction, qualities are expressed at Luther by providing strong study abroad programs and internship opportunities. In fact, 60 percent of Luther students graduate with some kind of internship experience.

There are also a variety of research opportunities at Luther. Student Research Assistantships are available for students who want to research with faculty members. Colleges of Distinction also commended Luther for receiving a grant from the Lilly Endowment for two million dollars.

It's also important to the developers of Colleges of Distinction that a campus be active, indicating that they are "real residential communities, not suitcase colleges that shut down at 5 p.m."

Colleges of Distinction lists that students have many opportunities for personal development through Luther's 107 recognized student groups. Almost 1,000 Luther students are involved with musical ensembles. Nearly one-fourth of students participate in varsity sports.

"I mostly agree with calling Luther 'distinctive,' but I do wonder if Luther is really far beyond other colleges," said Angie Miller ('05).

The college guide also notes the beauty of the campus: how it was designed to fit the prairie landscape, through natural curves and using native plants and trees.

Last but not least, the college guide finds Luther as worthy of distinction because of its reputation of turning out successful and knowledgeable graduates.

Nearly 96 percent of Luther graduates are accepted into graduate school, employed, interning or volunteering within six months of graduation.

In the meantime, undergrads can appreciate Luther's well-roundedness. As Tryggestad said, "It's got something for everybody."

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Kendra Swanson

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