Loras

Loras is a name chiefly associated with a historical figure and an educational institution in Dubuque, Iowa. It is most commonly encountered in connection with Mathias Loras, the first bishop of the Diocese of Dubuque, and with Loras College, which was named in his honor.

Mathias Loras (1782–1854) was a French-born Roman Catholic prelate who became the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Dubuque, then an expansive territory in the American Midwest. He played a key role in organizing the Catholic Church in the region and in supporting early Catholic education and missions. His leadership helped lay the religious and community foundations that would influence the area for years to come.

Loras College is a private Catholic liberal arts college located in Dubuque. Founded in 1839, the institution was named after Mathias Loras to honor his service to the church and the community. The college offers undergraduate programs across arts, sciences, business, and education, emphasizing a broad liberal arts education within a Catholic tradition. The campus is residential, and the college maintains an active student life program. In athletics, the college’s teams compete under the nickname the Duhawks, reflecting the school’s distinctive branding.

Beyond these primary references, Loras can appear as a surname or given name in other contexts. The most prominent contemporary associations, however, are the bishop and the college that bears his name.