You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

St. Olaf, Carleton make annual donation to city

By David Gonnerman '90
December 14, 2007

Continuing with a long and unique tradition that dates back eight decades, St. Olaf College and Carleton College recently presented their annual contribution to the city of Northfield.

CollegeCheck$
(L-R) City Council Member Kris Vohs, St. Olaf Vice President Alan Norton, Northfield City Administorator Al Roder, Carleton Vice President Fred Rogers and Northfield Mayor Lee Lansing.
On Dec. 13 St. Olaf and Carleton representatives and city administrators gathered as the institutions made a combined donation of $146,000 to the schools' host city. Presenting equal amounts of $73,000 to Northfield were Carleton Vice President and Treasurer Fred Rogers and St. Olaf Vice President and Treasurer Alan Norton. Accepting the donations were Northfield City Administrator Al Roder, Northfield Mayor Lee Lansing and at-large city council member Kris Vohs.

Home away from home
Nearly 5,000 college students from the two colleges (approximately 3,000 St. Olaf students and 2,000 Carleton students) call Northfield home from September through May and June. The City provides college students with emergency and professional services, restaurants and shopping, as well as employment opportunities. Many students also benefit academically from internships in local professional settings.

Northfield, in turn, reaps the benefits of a large base of potential clients and consumers for its businesses and volunteers for local organizations and schools.

The two colleges are among the largest employers in Northfield, with more than 1,500 employees combined. Local citizens also are able to enjoy a wide range of athletic, art and musical offerings from both colleges, most of which are free and open to the public.

St. Olaf and Carleton are among the first U.S. colleges to make financial gifts to their host city.

Eric Sieger, director of media and public relations at Carleton College, contributed to this article.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.