St. Olaf News

St. Olaf mourns death of education professor
WEDNESDAY, JUN 24, 2009 — St. Olaf Professor of Education Mark Schelske, 54, died the morning of June 24 after a long battle with cancer. He had taught at St. Olaf for more than two decades. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 29.


The Nation dubs alumna 'Most Important Financial Journalist'
TUESDAY, JUN 23, 2009 — The cover story of the July 6 issue of The Nation features Gretchen Morgenson '76, reporter, columnist and senior editor of the New York Times.


Zorn
Zorn
Zorn elected mathematics association president
TUESDAY, JUN 23, 2009 — St. Olaf Professor of Mathematics Paul Zorn has been elected president of the Mathematical Association of America -- the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics at the undergraduate level.


Merritt
Merritt
Merritt wins composition competition
TUESDAY, JUN 23, 2009 — Assistant Professor of Music Justin Merritt recently took top honors in the Grassroots Music Festival Composition Competition for his piece titled River of Blood, and he was also chosen to participate in the Zeitgeist Composer Workshop.


Carlsen
Carlsen
St. Olaf hosts international social work conference
TUESDAY, JUN 23, 2009 — St. Olaf Professor of Social Work and Family Studies Mary Carlsen '79 recently led her department's effort to host the first international conference on the use of representational family sculpture technique in working with families.


MPR talks with L. Bruce Laingen '44 about Iran
MONDAY, JUN 22, 2009 — L. Bruce Laingen '44 was one of the 52 American hostages held in Iran from November 1979 to January 1981. Minnesota Public Radio's Gary Eichten recently spoke with Laingen about his experiences in Iran and about current events in that country.


St. Olaf named Xcel's No. 2 'Efficiency Partner'
FRIDAY, JUN 19, 2009 — Xcel Energy has named St. Olaf College its No. 2 "Efficiency Partner," a high ranking that is due mostly to the efficiency of Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences that opened last fall.


Researchers examine impact of climate change on lakes, wetlands
THURSDAY, JUN 18, 2009 — By gathering sediment samples from connected lakes, wetlands and upland tundra in northern Manitoba, St. Olaf Professor of Biology Charles Umbanhowar Jr. and researchers from three other institutions are examining how interactions among ecosystems affect their response to global climate change.


Littsey
Littsey
VIDEO NEWS: Young Investigators Program introduces urban youth to college experience
MONDAY, JUN 15, 2009 — The summer Young Investigators Program at St. Olaf introduces urban 9th- and 10th-graders to biology courses taught by St. Olaf faculty. Mejenta Littsey '11 is a past participant in the program who is assisting with this year's group. "[The program] inspired me to become an environmental studies major," she says.


Alumnus named State Department spokesman
THURSDAY, JUN 11, 2009 — In his new role as the U.S. State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly '77 will provide people around the world with information about America's foreign policy. It's no small task, but the Ole is ready.


News Photo

Enjoying the Ambassador's Independence Day Celebration in Olso.

St. Olaf student Frank Heller '12, an intern at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo this summer, and St. Olaf Professor of Norwegian Margaret Hayford O'Leary enjoy this year's Ambassador's Independence Day Celebration at the ambassador's residence. O'Leary is teaching at the Oslo International Summer School. Photo by Torild Homstad.

Recent news photos.