The grand opening of the Norse Lounge took place on Wednesday, February 28. Luther College Wellness created this Wellness Wednesday event to allow students to build wellness kits, snag a donut and de-stress for 10 minutes.
Formerly known as the Student Organization Suite (SOS), students can now use the space to relax, gather and do homework. New Wellness Coordinator Bergen Gardner (‘21) was the architect who transformed the space.
“Our number one priority as a Wellness team is for students at Luther to have access to resources that help them achieve whatever wellness means to them,” Gardner said. “Since my office is located in the Norse Lounge, I had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand what the space could be if given proper attention. I felt that there was no better place for a student lounge than [in] the Student Union.”
Upon arrival, students had the opportunity to build mini wellness kits with an array of options that included free condoms, candy, sunscreen, Propel and sleeping masks. Many students chose to drop by in between classes and during shadow block, as a way to get acquainted with the space and take a brain break. Annika Franzen (‘26) took this time to make a wellness kit with her friend and get acquainted with the new lounge.
“I think this is a great opportunity for students to destress and just have a moment to do something fun and silly,” Franzen said. “I loved making a kit with my friend. It only took us about ten minutes, but it was ten minutes that I did not have to focus on work or school and I could just be silly.”
Student Senate Dieseth Hall Representative Mackenzie Dahlstrom (‘26) talked about how the new revamp can help student organizations connect with students via the boards and Student Senate office hours.
“I love the new revamp and what it is going to do for students,” Dahlstrom said. “I think the new lounge paired with Student Senate hours will be a great way for students to connect with what organizations are doing around campus. I really look forward to seeing more students in and out of the space.”
Wellness curated the lounge to ensure that students are pursuing things in and around the community that make them feel happy and connected, like with the addition of massage chairs. Gardner said that the primary goal “is for students to have access to resources to help them be well.”
“The Norse Lounge will not only be a lounge, but also a place to find information about what is going on campus and in the Decorah community,” Gardner said. “The team hopes to see the lounge regularly full of students participating in things that make them happy. From reading in the massage chairs to chatting with friends and to making bulletin boards to provide information to campus.”
Wellness will be hosting consistent Wellness Wednesdays. The next Wellness Wednesday was held on March 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students will have the ability to enjoy candy salad while making homemade heating pads. Even if students only have five minutes to stop by, Wellness encourages all students to stop and enter their name in a raffle to win a self-care kit.
