Waldorf University, founded in 1903 as Waldorf College, was a result of "The Great Hotel War of Forest City", a competitive battle between Forest City's two upper-class hotels, which were built at the same time. The result was the Waldorf Hotel being left vacant after only four months of operation. The vacant hotel provided an opportunity for Rev. C.S. Salveson to create a Christian college. Waldorf started out as an academy and business college, not just a preparatory program for future pastors. From its earliest days, Waldorf viewed education sponsored by the church as essential for success in society.[5]
Since 1920, Waldorf's curriculum has evolved to reflect a liberal arts emphasis. Today almost all Waldorf students intend to earn a bachelor's degree. In the spring of 1994, Waldorf College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.[5] In January 2010, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sold the college to a subsidiary of Columbia Southern University and it became a for-profit institution.[6] Waldorf College became Waldorf University in March 2016.[7] In 2022, the ownership of the college was transferred to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation and the university began the process of returning to nonprofit status.[8]
Waldorf University offers associate, bachelor, and master's degree programs, as well as several undergraduate certificate options and online career-prep programs.[9][10] It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).[11][12]
According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, Waldorf University is considered "less selective" and had an admissions acceptance rate of 72%.[13] Peterson's - The Real Guide to Colleges and Universities ranked Waldorf College admission as being moderately difficult.[14]
Waldorf University is home to Iowa Iota, Chapter 364 of Region IV of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. Alpha Chi is a national college honor society that admits, by invitation, college juniors, seniors and graduate students in any academic discipline who are in the top 10% of their class.[15]
The university is also home to the Alpha Iota Lambda chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda, which is the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students.[17]
Waldorf competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, track & field and wrestling; women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, eSports and shooting sports. The university expanded athletics in 2010 by adding men's ice hockey and women's wrestling.[19]
The Waldorf Warriors men's soccer team represents the university in college soccer. It won the Association of Independence Institutions (AII) conference championship, beating Georgia Gwinnett College in 2017 to claim its first conference title in the sport.
The ice hockey team began play during the 2011–12 academic year and plays an independent schedule of club programs, as the NAIA does not currently sponsor a championship for ice hockey.[20] The program is coached by Mike Heitkamp and assistant coach Ty Prater.
