Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.
Education Put to Work
The college is proud of its record of "education
put to work." Breadth in liberal arts study combined with depth
in an academic major remains the most adaptable and enduring education
for students anticipating productive lives in a rapidly changing world.
A large percentage of St. Olaf graduates
continue their education in America's best graduate and professional
schools. According to the National Research Council's Survey of Earned
Doctorates, St. Olaf ranks sixth among bachelor's degree colleges in
the number of graduates who went on to earn doctoral degrees during
the period 1991-2000. St. Olaf was first among baccalaureate colleges
in mathematics, fourth in chemistry and sixth in life sciences as an
undergraduate supplier of Ph.D.s during the same period. (It ranks 11th
among all higher education institutions as a source of Ph.D.s in mathematics.)
Many St. Olaf graduates enter university
programs in medicine, law, the fine arts, business and management and
government and public policy, as well as research programs in technologies
not dreamed of a decade ago. Other graduates embrace the life and mission
of the Church, teaching and careers in international service, outreach
and travel.
The college counsels patience, search and
reflection in the preparation for future work. Some of the most successful
academic programs and majors preparatory for careers are not decided
until the end of the sophomore year, and college majors that seem unrelated
to specific careers often prove extremely viable. It is noteworthy that
many of the country's top business leaders were philosophy or history
majors. Today it is not uncommon to see chemistry majors enter law school
and English majors (with requisite health science electives) admitted
to medical school.
A number of factors contribute to the success of St. Olaf
graduates, including an education that recognizes that as knowledge
becomes increasingly less compartmentalized it will be those who have
learned how to learn who will have the advantage.
Through their regular coursework, innovative options like
the Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum program (see Index), and
the hands-on experience provided by independent study and research options,
internships, and programs like the Finstad Office for Entrepreneurial
Studies, students explore the interconnectedness of the world today
and prepare for life in the ever-changing world of tomorrow.
Guiding students in their explorations are the informed
and caring men and women of the St. Olaf faculty and staff, who provide
continuing support to students in a regular and resourceful program
of search and guidance. A number of pre-professional studies programs
also help them shape their studies to fit the requirements of America's
top professional and graduate schools.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The Center for Experiential Learning
The Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) was established in 2000 to
fulfill the vision of providing every interested St. Olaf student with
experiential learning opportunities that relate to and complement the
St. Olaf liberal arts curriculum. Building on the educational strategy
that students need to "live their learning" by creating bridges
between classroom work and the world by "the Hill," CEL programs
focus on internships and service learning, career development and entrepreneurial
studies. Programs are implements through the CEL's Offices for Career
Connections, Internships, Servant Leadership and Entrepreneurial Studies
with the intent of providing a coordinated, comprehensive, classroom-based
experiential learning program that is academically sound, inclusive
of all academic disciplines and connected with all sectors of the domestic
and global communities. For in-depth information about these programs,
visit http://www.stolaf.edu/services/cel.
Career Connections The mission of the Office
for Career Connections is to assist students in developing, implementing
and evaluating career/life plans and to educate faculty and staff regarding
issues of career and life planning. The career connections process emphasizes
career exploration, experiential learning and reflection through a wide
range of assessments, resources, services and programs throughout the
campus community.
Internships The Office for Internships provides
a one-stop service to students seeking experiential learning (outside
the classroom) opportunities a unique learning experience offering
students the opportunity to develop and sharpen transferable skills,
build a network of employer contacts, assess strengths and test classroom
theories in real world settings. The office works to create meaningful
learning experiences by facilitating interactions between students,
faculty, alumni and organizations.
Entrepreneurial Studies The Paul and Anne
Finstad Office for Entrepreneurial Studies was established in 1992 with
a major gift from the Finstads and other St. Olaf alumni. The office
promotes entrepreneurial thinking and action among students, faculty
and alumni of the college.
Servant Leadership The mission of the Office
for Servant Leadership is to support students and faculty as they connect
classroom learning with practical, "hands-on" service in a
community setting. This connection between classroom and community occurs
in such a way that all parties students, faculty and individuals
in the community benefit from the interaction. The office supports
development of value-based leadership skills that go beyond traditional
training to an emerging model of leadership that doesn't rely solely
on power or position. Servant leadership encourages students, faculty
and staff to become agents of change and transformation within the campus
community and in the larger society. The goal of servant leadership
programs is an engaged campus, one where students and faculty explore
vital contemporary issues by involved themselves in service to the community.
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