Loras College: A Legacy of Academic Excellence and Notable Alumni
Loras College, a private Catholic institution in Dubuque, Iowa, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1839. Throughout its existence, the college has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. This article explores the history of Loras College, its academic programs, campus life, and highlights some of its most notable graduates.
A Historical Overview
The story of Loras College begins with Bishop Mathias Loras of the Diocese of Dubuque, who established Saint Raphael's Seminary in 1839. Initially located in the back of Saint Raphael's Cathedral, the seminary aimed to educate men for the priesthood. The first students included four seminarians from France, two members of a Sioux tribe, and several local students.
In 1850, Bishop Loras relocated the seminary to a more rural setting and renamed it Mount St. Bernard's College and Seminary. Father Joseph Cretin served as the first president of St. Bernard's before becoming the first bishop of the Diocese of Saint Paul. However, the financial Panic of 1857 led to the closure of St. Bernard's in 1860.
In 1873, Bishop John Hennessy re-established the college as St. Joseph's College in Dubuque, offering a high school and four-year college program. By 1878, St. Joseph's had three departments: preparatory, commercial, and ecclesiastical. In 1914, St. Joseph's College became Dubuque College and began offering a four-year degree program. The college's name was changed to Loras College in 1939.
Academic Programs and Accreditation
Loras College offers a wide array of academic programs, including 49 majors, 11 stand-alone minors, and nine pre-professional programs for undergraduates. The college also provides opportunities for students to participate in summer classes, internships, field experiences, and study abroad programs. In 1963, Loras initiated its Graduate Division, offering the Master of Arts degree in some fields. In 1973, Loras introduced Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, followed by the Division of Community Education in 1975.
Read also: A Guide to Loras College Scholarships
Loras College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The teacher education program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education, and the undergraduate teacher education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The American Chemical Society has approved the undergraduate chemistry program.
Campus Life and Facilities
Loras College's 65-acre campus is located on several hills in Dubuque, surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The campus features 23 buildings, two athletic fields, a stadium, and five tennis courts. Notable facilities include:
Athletic Wellness Center: Opened in 2008, this facility is used for men's and women's basketball and volleyball, along with men's wrestling.
Academic Resource Center: Home to the main library, containing 355,000 items.
Christ the King Chapel: Built in 1946, this chapel is decorated in a pre-Vatican II Streamline Moderne architectural style and hosts daily mass and other religious services.
Read also: Dining Options Explored
Hoffmann Hall: The oldest building on campus, constructed in 1902, houses academic departments and St. Joseph's Auditorium, home to the Loras Players, the oldest continually running theater group west of the Mississippi River.
Keane Hall: Located on the highest hill in Dubuque.
The Visitation Complex: The former convent of the Visitation Sisters, now used for art and music classes.
The Alumni Campus Center was built in 1992, and a new library was added in 2001. The Academic Resource Center houses a collection of approximately 355,000 items and 11,000 magazine subscriptions. The library also contains special collections of rare books, photographs, and manuscripts in the Center for Dubuque History. It is an official document depository for both the United States government and the state of Iowa.
Athletics
Loras College's athletic teams are known as the Duhawks, a name given to the football team in 1924. The school fields 23 men's and women's varsity teams in the NCAA Division III, as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC). Loras’ colors are Purple, Rah Rah Gold, and Metallic Gold. The men's soccer team has advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four five times since 2007, and once to the NCAA Division III Championship game in 2015. Denise Udelhofen ('90) serves as the director of athletics for the Duhawks.
Read also: Financial Aid Options at Loras College
Notable Alumni
Loras College has produced a diverse group of alumni who have excelled in various fields. Here are some notable examples:
Greg Gumbel: A renowned television sportscaster, best known for his work with CBS Sports, covering the NFL and NCAA basketball. He was the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship in the United States when he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS in 2001.
Darin LaHood: A member of the Republican Party, LaHood has represented the 16th district since 2023, and previously represented the 18th district from 2015 to 2023.
Rod Blum: Served as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district from 2015 to 2019.
Chris Jans: The head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball team.
Tom Miller: Served as the 33rd Attorney General of Iowa from 1995 to 2023.
Bill Lipinski: A former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2005, representing a district in Chicago.
Dennis Marion Schnurr: The Archbishop of Cincinnati in Ohio since 2009.
John Joseph Myers: Served as bishop of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey.
Frank Quilici: A former professional baseball player, coach, and manager with the Minnesota Twins.
Aloysius Schmitt: A Roman Catholic priest who served as a chaplain in the United States Navy during World War II, known for his heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Michael Joseph Melloy: A Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Kenneth M. Quinn: A former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and president of the World Food Prize Foundation.
Pat Murphy: A former Iowa State Representative and Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.
Tom Tauke: A former U.S. Representative from Iowa, serving six terms from 1979 to 1991.
Pam Jochum: An Iowa State Senator and former President of the Iowa Senate.
John Baxter: The special teams coordinator at Fresno State University and founder of Academic Gameplan.
Mike Blouin: A former U.S. Representative from Iowa, serving from 1975 to 1979.
Robert W. Aschenbrener: An American fighter pilot and flying ace of World War II.
Michael Breitbach: A former member of the Iowa Senate.
Shawn Hamerlinck: Served one term in the Iowa State Senate.
Patti Ruff: A former Democratic member of the Iowa House of Representatives.
Mike Connolly: A former Iowa State Senator.
tags: #loras #college #notable #alumni
