As part of a series running up to the World Philosophy Day Conference that will be held in Tehran later this fall, Professor of Philosophy Charles Taliaferro was interviewed recently by Iran's Tehran Times about the possibilities of developing a dialogue between Eastern and Western philosophers.

“We need to equip these kids to make sure they don’t fall behind,” says Brandon Auge ’10 about the importance of teaching English as a second language in St. Paul schools. “We are trying to get them the skills they need to graduate on time.” This is the fourth year of St. Olaf's summer course for student ESL teachers.

President David R. Anderson '74 and his family recently welcomed a new addition to their home: a yellow Labrador retriever named Macey.

St. Olaf Choir Conductor Anton Armstrong ‘78 is one of seven guest conductors at the 22nd Zimriya World Assembly of Choirs in Israel, where he is working with singers from around the world.

Associate Professor of Music Paul Niemisto is currently at the Finnish National Archives continuing his research on the history of 19th century Finnish military brass bands.

St. Olaf Dean of Student Financial Aid Kathy Ruby spoke with Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune about a new survey that shows students are increasingly turning to their grandparents and other relatives to help pay for college.

A recent Star Tribune article takes a close look at how a number of federally funded TRiO Student Support Services programs serving low-income, first-generation, or disabled college students have not been granted money for the coming year. St. Olaf's SSS program that currently serves 180 students did get re-funded at nearly $1.3 million for five years.

Professor of Political Science Dan Hofrenning recently discussed the upcoming election with Minnesota Public Radio host Gary Eichten on his Midday program, and was recently quoted in the Star Tribune calling this year's gubernatorial race "a fundamental debate about the role of government in Minnesota."

St. Olaf College once again placed in the top quartile of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges in the most recent (2011) edition of the U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges.” In addition to being ranked No. 51 among the 266 liberal arts colleges represented, St. Olaf was rated No. 9 in the “Focused on Their Undergrads” list and No. 36 in the new “High School Counselors’ Picks” category.

Moody’s Investors Service has announced its most recent evaluation of the fiscal soundness of St. Olaf, upgrading the college from its previous A2 bond rating to A1, which President David R. Anderson '74 calls a “testament to the fact that St. Olaf continues to prosper and excel in difficult times.”

Despite a national obesity epidemic, scientists know surprisingly little about how each cell in the human body stores excess fat — something that Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry Laura Listenberger and three student researchers are working to change.

Professor of Philosophy Gordon Marino, curator of St. Olaf's Hong Kierkegaard Library, recently wrote "The Fork and the Shrink" — the cover story for the July/August issue of Humanities magazine.

This summer 40 girls gathered at St. Olaf for the Engineering and Physics Camp for Girls. Their task? Build eight "Rube Goldberg" machines. A video shows the results.

Princeton Review's latest national guide, The Best 373 Colleges: 2011 Edition, includes St. Olaf on three lists: Best Campus Food (No. 6), Town-Gown Relations are Great (No. 6) and Best Quality of Life (No. 15).

Graydon Royce, music critic for the Star Tribune, recently interviewed St. Olaf Associate Professor of Music Paul Niemisto about Northfield's upcoming Vintage Band Festival that will feature 25 bands playing more than 100 performances.