Three students from Decorah graduated from Luther College with Latin honors this spring, joining 110 graduates recognized by the college for academic achievement. Andrew Bradley Chamberlain and Elizabeth Clement graduated cum laude, while Dylan Joseph Muhlbauer received magna cum laude, the highest distinction reported among the three Decorah graduates.

Luther included the three students in its announcement of the spring 2026 graduating class. The announcement listed graduates’ hometowns, fields of study and academic honors after the college’s May commencement.

Decorah graduates and their fields of study

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

Latin honors recognize academic achievement among graduating college students. Muhlbauer’s magna cum laude recognition placed him above Chamberlain and Clement in the honors categories reported for the three Decorah graduates.

A broader spring graduating class

The 110 graduates who earned Latin honors represented a range of academic programs and backgrounds. Luther reported that 22% of graduates completed double majors, approximately 20% were first-generation college students, 17% were international students and 6% were transfer students.

The graduate announcement included students from Decorah and nearby Iowa communities including Cresco, Spillville, New Albin and Iowa City, along with graduates from communities elsewhere in the United States and other countries.

Recognition followed May commencement

Luther announced the graduate list on Aug. 7, following the spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24. The ceremony marked the graduates’ transition to the next stage of their lives.

During commencement, Gideon Armah-Amissah received the Elizabeth A. and Paul G. Jenson Medal. Luther described the annual honor as recognizing 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. Hecht was identified as a conservation social scientist and environmental anthropologist. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by alumni who graduated within the previous 15 years.

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