Three students from Decorah graduated from Luther College in spring 2026 with academic honors, joining a graduating class connected to communities across Iowa, the United States and other countries.

Andrew Bradley Chamberlain, Elizabeth Clement and Dylan Joseph Muhlbauer were recognized among Luther’s spring graduates. Muhlbauer earned the highest distinction of the three, graduating magna cum laude. Chamberlain and Clement each graduated cum laude.

Decorah graduates and their honors

Chamberlain completed majors in Law and Values and Nordic Studies. Clement earned a degree in Social Work. Muhlbauer completed majors in Accounting and Management.

Luther College announced the graduate list on Aug. 7 following the spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24. The ceremony recognized graduates as they prepared to begin the next stage of their lives.

For the three Decorah graduates, the honors reflected academic achievement in different fields of study:

  • Andrew Bradley Chamberlain: majors in Law and Values and Nordic Studies; graduated cum laude.
  • Elizabeth Clement: degree in Social Work; graduated cum laude.
  • Dylan Joseph Muhlbauer: majors in Accounting and Management; graduated magna cum laude.

Spring class included 110 Latin-honors graduates

The three students were part of a Luther spring class in which 110 graduates earned Latin honors across a range of majors. Luther also reported that 22% of the graduating class completed double majors.

The college’s announcement listed graduates’ hometowns, majors and academic honors. Alongside Decorah, the list included nearby Iowa communities such as Cresco, Spillville, New Albin and Iowa City, as well as communities elsewhere in the United States and other countries.

Approximately 20% of the spring graduates were first-generation college students. International students represented 17% of the class, while transfer students accounted for 6%.

Luther directed readers to a video featuring highlights from the 2026 commencement and to related coverage of the spring Dean’s List.

Commencement awards and address

Gideon Armah-Amissah received the Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal during commencement. Luther described the annual award as an honor for an outstanding senior selected by the graduating class who best demonstrates the college’s ideals through service to students and the college community.

David Hecht, a 2011 Luther graduate, received the Young Alumni Award and delivered the commencement address. Luther identified Hecht as a conservation social scientist and environmental anthropologist. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by alumni who graduated within the previous 15 years.

For Decorah families and the local Luther community, the honors place three local graduates’ academic accomplishments within a spring class with Iowa, national and international connections.