Luther College Appoints New Dean of Students 

Luther College has a new dean of students.

President Brad Chamberlain says Julie Thornton has been appointed to the position, bringing more than two decades of experience in student affairs and student-facing offices to the Decorah campus.

Thornton joins Luther from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was the Title IX coordinator and oversaw equity and compliance.

Thornton said, “I am thrilled to be joining the Luther community to start building relationships and working collaboratively with a team to support students through the joys and challenges of college life — focused on students feeling welcomed, having a sense of belonging and finding and nurturing their passions. My experiences with students and employees on so many different college and university campuses over my professional tenure have prepared me for the important work ahead in student life at Luther.”

Chamberlain said Thornton’s record of implementing student-centered solutions, and her commitment to creating environments where students thrive both academically and personally are closely aligned with Luther’s mission and strategic priorities associated with supporting the holistic development of students, inside and outside of the classroom.

Thornton will begin her role at Luther in July.