WELCOME TO LORAS COLLEGE!

As Iowa’s oldest college and the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi, the principles that served as the cornerstone of this institution in 1839 are still vibrant today.   For over 170 years, bright and deserving students have come to study at Loras College.  It is an unbroken line of faculty, staff, students and graduates that has made this college a rich, strong learning community. 

As a diocesan, Catholic liberal arts college, we see our efforts to create a diverse and engaged campus as a basis for the strong ties that we hold to the people, communities and the institutions we serve.  
Whether it is:

• Working in the Carver Foundation Media Studies lab with outstanding faculty to produce award-  winning projects,
• cheering on the Duhawk football, soccer and track/field teams with up to 2,500 fans in the newly-renovated Rock Bowl Stadium, 
• gathering with thousands in St. Peter’s Square for prayer and being publicly recognized by Pope Benedict XVI as Loras College students,
• studying with a faculty-led group in Santiago, Spain,

Loras College offers a breadth and depth of experience that will advance your learning, preparing you to adapt to and serve in a complex and ever-changing world.

The resources and facilities at Loras are regularly enhanced to ensure a high quality learning environment:

• Whether it’s the ThinkPad laptop computer all full time students receive, along with wireless internet access and Help Desk services,
• the Academic Resource Center, with its four floors of comfortable study spaces and learning resources,
• the New Apartment Complex, with spectacular living spaces and a great community room
• the state-of-the-art Athletic and Wellness Center, with a two-story fitness facility, or, the
• Medical Associates DNA laboratory – one of the few in the region housed by an educational institution.

To further underscore the value of the Loras College experience, consider:

• Loras College continues to rank as #11 in the Top Tier among Best Midwest Regional Colleges in the 2011 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S. News Media Group.
• Loras College ranked 13th nationally in the baccalaureate category among U.S. colleges and university by Washington Monthly based on its 1,317 students performing 33,000 service hours
• Loras College was the only college featured in Eye on America’s Hidden Gems in Higher Education

We offer unique programs and outreach to distinguish the College we hope becomes your alma mater – from the Breitbach Catholic Thinkers and Leaders program, to the nationally-ranked Mock Trial Team.  From the nationally ranked men’s and women’s soccer teams to the concert choir that will spend summers  touring China – you can, truly, Be More at Loras College.

I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Sincerely, 

James E. Collins (’84)