St. Olaf College

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St. Olaf College

St. Olaf is a nationally ranked liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. One of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf experience.

Olaf College offers a distinctive education grounded in academic rigor, residential learning, global engagement, and a vibrant Lutheran faith tradition. Many excellent colleges provide one, two, or even three elements of the St. What makes St. Olaf unique is the combination of so many distinguishing features working together at the highest level: an intense academic program that sharpens minds and

an emphasis on a global perspective that broadens them; the vitality of a residential community that engages thoughtful people across the full range of human experiences; and a faith tradition that encourages reflection and honors different perspectives. By cultivating the habits of mind and heart that enable graduates to lead lives of financial independence, professional accomplishment, personal fulfillment, and community engagement, St. Olaf College provides an uncommon educational experience that fully prepares students to make a meaningful difference in a changing world.

08/21/2026

Um! Yah! Yah! The Princeton Review has named St. Olaf in a variety of top rankings this year. Check out the highlights:

Best in the Midwest
#8 Best Classroom Experience
#9 Great Financial Aid

“It is an exciting time to be a student on the Hill! I’m grateful that The Princeton Review recognizes our fantastic classroom experience and commitment to affordability,” says Associate Vice President for Enrollment Chris George ’94.

“St. Olaf is truly a place where our community empowers Oles to navigate what’s next so they can shape the world.”

👉 Read more at St. Olaf News! https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/st-olaf-named-a-best-college-in-the-princeton-review

08/18/2026

The ‘fly’ effect: Oles create an interactive exhibit on sound for young learners!

This summer visitors at the Great River Children’s Museum can explore an interactive exhibit on animal sounds thanks to the contributions of St. Olaf students Wyatt Gurgel ’28 and Mary Cate Pugh ’27 and Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Neuroscience Norman Lee.

The "Sound Seekers" exhibit explores how animals use and produce sounds for communication within their own species, how scientists study animal sounds, and how intended and unintended listeners use such sounds for survival or to reproduce.

🗓️ Curious minds can explore Sound Seekers at the Great River Children’s Museum through August 31.

👉 Read more at St. Olaf News! https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/the-fly-effect-oles-create-an-interactive-exhibit-on-sound-for-young-learners

08/15/2026

Navy Researcher Kathryn Wahl ’87 Receives Award for Breakthroughs in Interfacial Science

Kathryn Anderson Wahl ’87, a senior researcher at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has been awarded the 2025 E.O. Hulburt Annual Science Award for pioneering research that has advanced the scientific understanding of adhesion, lubrication, and nanoscale contact mechanics.

Her research integrated optical spectroscopy with tribological instrumentation, enabling scientists to directly observe chemical and structural changes occurring at sliding interfaces. This capability helped clarify how layered lubricants behave and degrade under stress.

“Underwater adhesion has always been a challenge, and it’s been overcome because of Dr. Wahl’s work,” says Capt. Randy Cruz, the commanding officer of NRL. “This is a very distinguished and well-deserved award.”

👉 Read the full story in the latest edition of the St. Olaf Magazine!
https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/navy-researcher-kathryn-wahl-87-receives-award-for-breakthroughs-in-interfacial-science

08/13/2026

St. Olaf professor earns Fulbright award for research in France!

Associate Professor of Practice in Sociology and Anthropology Marc David has been awarded a Fulbright to conduct research in France on the history and impact of French-language education initiatives in his home state of Louisiana.

Since 1969, the French government has sent generations of teachers to the state’s public schools to help preserve Louisiana’s French heritage, even as the number of native speakers has steadily declined.

David’s award is research-focused and pairs him with the French host institution CY Cergy Paris Université, where he will spend the academic year conducting archival research and interviews.

👉 Read more at St. Olaf News: https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/st-olaf-professor-earns-fulbright-award-for-research-in-france

08/09/2026

Reflections from New Zealand Study Abroad 🇳🇿✈️

Lee Christianson ’27 reflects on how their academic journey at St. Olaf has been impacted by their study abroad experience in Dunedin, New Zealand.

“I decided to come to New Zealand because of the advanced technology and study in kinesiology, the vibrant Maori culture — which I am interested in as a dancer and performer — and the protections that the country offers to transgender individuals.”

“On a weekend away from studying, a group of friends and I traveled to Isthmus Peak to climb the summit on a sunrise hike. As we grew closer to the peak, the sun started to show itself on the horizon. Then, a squawk caught our attention as three of the endangered mountain parrots joined us in taking in our surroundings. The vastness of the landscape and interaction with these birds made me realize how precious our world is.”

“Doing something as difficult as climbing for three hours and being surprised by what was there has been integral to my experience abroad so far. I’ve taken this experience and translated it to being present in my everyday life. Watching other people interact, seeing slivers of sunlight on the floors of classrooms, and making cozy meals for myself in my flat. The most beautiful things to appreciate are right where we are at the moment.”

A new $20 million gift from Louis and Mary Kay Smith, combined with existing scholarships, will enable Oles to participate in a semester-long study-abroad program for the same cost as attending class on campus.

👉 Read more in the latest edition of the St. Olaf Magazine. https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/an-incredible-investment-in-global-education

08/07/2026

On August 5, St. Olaf students presented their internship reflection presentations for the Entrepreneurship Scholars summer internship program and the Biotechnology Internship Program at University Enterprise Labs (UEL).

Both programs connect St. Olaf students with paid summer internships at startups, entrepreneurial organizations, and venture capital firms, giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in innovative environments.

🦁St. Olaf Students:
Celine Al Miari '28
Erin Burns '27
Eyuel Woldehanna '27
Dararasmey Eav '27
Audrey Scarlett '27
Lara Oliveira Cutrim '26
Ali Haidar '27
Ibrahim Awada '27
Gelila Lemma '27
Ava Spohn '28
Tinevimbo Museba '28

📸 Steven Garcia '20

08/06/2026

A summer of discovery with CURI!

Over the past two months, 116 students have been participating in St. Olaf College's Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (CURI) program, collaborating with 37 faculty mentors on projects that span the natural sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the arts.

“Students gain an in-depth understanding of particular subjects through working closely with the faculty,” CURI Coordinator Erin Eltonga explains. “They gain real-life experience and mentorship to develop skills for graduate school and for their future professions. Many of the projects have a cross-disciplinary emphasis, which is important when it comes to solving world issues from a holistic approach.”

Whether studying proteins, stories, ecosystems, social movements, or mathematical structures, the 48 research teams have had a summer of discovery.

👉 Read more about the projects student have been working on this summer at St. Olaf News! https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/launching-a-summer-of-discovery-at-the-curi-opening-symposium

08/02/2026

Reflections from Italy Study Abroad 🇮🇹✈️

Mikayla Franke ’27 reflects on how her academic journey at St. Olaf has been impacted by her study abroad experience in Milan, Italy.

“When I discovered a study-abroad opportunity aligned with my academic and personal interests, it felt like the perfect fit. I was especially eager to experience the city more deeply and gain a better understanding of Italian culture. I was able to attend the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, which was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The performances were incredible — and as someone who is passionate about music and takes voice lessons back at St. Olaf, it was especially inspiring to hear Andrea Bocelli perform live. The most impactful aspect of studying abroad has been the people I’ve met along the way, some of whom I’ll even stay connected with after this experience. The most surprising thing has been realizing that learning Italian is more challenging than I initially expected. This experience has gone by incredibly quickly, and I’ve truly cherished every moment.”

A $20 million gift from Louis and Mary Kay Smith enables Oles to participate in semester-long study-abroad programs for the same cost as attending classes on campus.

👉 Read more in the latest edition of the St. Olaf Magazine. https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/an-incredible-investment-in-global-education

07/26/2026

Anna Schmidt ‘25 receives Torrison Scholarship to pursue medicine!

The scholarship supports students pursuing careers in medicine, with particular emphasis on those whose work aims to alleviate currently incurable diseases.

For Schmidt, the desire to become a physician crystallized during a clinical shadowing experiences in a pediatric cardiovascular intensive care. She watched physicians care for infants recovering from open-heart surgery while providing their families with emotional aid.

“As I watched the team of providers determine complex diagnoses, make thoughtful plans for recovery, and guide families through difficult and vulnerable moments, I realized I want to be part of this work,” she says.

Schmidt is among the many St. Olaf College graduates who continue to find success in medical school admissions. The Piper Center for Vocation and Career reports that 77% of St. Olaf’s competitive medical school applicants in the 2023-24 application cycle were accepted.

👉 Read more at St. Olaf News! https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/st-olaf-alum-receives-torrison-scholarship-to-pursue-medicine

07/24/2026

Reflections from Copenhagen Study Abroad 🇩🇰✈️

Quinn Clark ’28 reflects on how his academic journey at St. Olaf has been impacted by his study abroad experience in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“I chose Copenhagen because I wanted to experience daily life in Scandinavia as well as learn more about Denmark’s sustainability culture, as it is considered one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the world. Besides that, Copenhagen is filled with Nordic history and has amazing public transportation and biking culture. The most impactful part of my time abroad has been the friendships I’ve made. My housing style is a mixture of American and Danish university students, so it’s been a blast connecting with the Danes and exploring Copenhagen with them through a local lens. My experience has been deeply shaped by the friends I’ve made, and it feels really cool to know that I now have connections with people from all over the world!”

A $20 million gift from Louis and Mary Kay Smith enables Oles to participate in semester-long study-abroad programs for the same cost as attending classes on campus.

👉 Read more in the latest edition of the St. Olaf Magazine. https://wp.stolaf.edu/news/an-incredible-investment-in-global-education

Address

1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN
55057

Telephone

+15077862222

Website

http://stolaf.edu/

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