ARCHIVE

< April 2008
June 2008 >


International scholars to study at St. Olaf's Kierkegaard Library
Kierkegaard
MAY 30, 2008 — More than two dozen scholars will travel from as far as Italy and Portugal to study in St. Olaf's Howard and Edna Hong Kierkegaard Library this summer. The library features the largest collection of works by and about the 19th century philosopher outside of Denmark.

Real Life Finance 101
MAY 27, 2008 — The week before they graduated, St. Olaf seniors Jackie Smith, Catie Overfelt and Anna Dalager met with Star Tribune finance columnist Kara McGuire in search of advice about credit cards, savings plans and budgets. The resulting column offers tips for navigating "the post-college economy."

MPR interviews Horace Gant '08
Gant
MAY 26, 2008 — Horace Gant '08 recently spent a weekend at rookie camp with the Washington Redskins. Last week Minnesota Public Radio's Cathy Wurzer interviewed him about the experience.

Alumnus honored at law school commencement
Lee
MAY 25, 2008 — St. Olaf College alumnus Kristopher "Tip" Lee '04 recently received the 2008 Student Award of Merit from the William Mitchell College of Law Alumni Association. "I am a serious student who doesn't take himself too seriously," Lee says.

Commencement to be streamed live from Skoglund
MAY 22, 2008 — Friends and family members who can't make it to this weekend's commencement ceremony inside Skoglund Center Auditorium will still be able to get in on the excitement by watching the event live online. The commencement ceremony will be held inside Skoglund Center Auditorium due to weather concerns.

Alumnus to sign new baseball biography Saturday
MAY 21, 2008 — "A wonderful and impressively thorough new biography," writes the Chicago Sun-Times about Tom Swift's new book, Chief Bender's Burden. "[Swift's] mission is to reassert Bender as an important figure in the history of [baseball]. His book does well in both ways."

Students to display handmade books today
MAY 21, 2008 — St. Olaf College students will display the books they made by hand as part of a class titled "Art and Politics of the Book" during an exhibit that begins at noon today in the Crossroads of Buntrock Commons.

Celebration Weekend a time to remember past, look to future
MAY 20, 2008 — Nearly 3,500 St. Olaf College alumni, parents and friends will gather on the Hill May 23-25 to remember their college years and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2008.

Cisar receives Hilleboe Award
Cisar
MAY 20, 2008 — "Mary always listens to students with an open mind and asks questions before she makes decisions," reads the nomination form for St. Olaf Registrar and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Cisar.

Five St. Olaf seniors to join Teach For America
Jaastad
MAY 20, 2008 — Several Oles are among 3,700 new teachers who were chosen to join Teach For America this fall out of the more than 25,000 individuals who applied. "For two years I can be a part of a movement that changes lives," says Erica Jaastad '08.

'Gene Stream' students co-author journal article
Cole
MAY 18, 2008 — "Being an undergraduate co-author on a cover story is rather extraordinary," says St. Olaf Professor of Biology Eric Cole. "It's also a nice demonstration of what we hoped students would achieve through participation in the Gene Stream" -- a three-year interdisciplinary project supported by a $540,000 grant.

Alumnus appointed organist at National Cathedral
MAY 16, 2008 — Christopher "Kit" Jacobson '03 was recently appointed assistant organist and assistant director of music at Washington National Cathedral, a "majestic center of worship at the nation's capital" that welcomes more than 700,000 worshipers and visitors per year.

Schrader funeral set for Monday
MAY 16, 2008 — Funeral services for Veronica Schrader will be held Monday in Apple Valley, preceded by a visitation Sunday evening. Buses will be available both days to transport students and other members of the St. Olaf community.

A Message from President Anderson
MAY 15, 2008 — The St. Olaf community has been deeply shocked and saddened by Wednesday's news of the death of Veronica Schrader.

St. Olaf ties in to national 'Walk/Bike to Work' week
MAY 14, 2008 — In keeping with St. Olaf's mission and various "green" initiatives, the college is sponsoring a week-long "Walk/Bike to Work" event. The week will culminate with a celebration in Buntrock Commons.

St. Olaf community mourns student death
MAY 14, 2008 — The St. Olaf community was saddened to learn of the death of Veronica Schrader, a sophomore from Eagan, Minn. A prayer vigil will be held Wednesday night in Boe Memorial Chapel.

A marketing mogul
Foxwell
MAY 14, 2008 — St. Olaf College senior Andrew Foxwell founded a marketing company with the help of a $3,000 Finstad Entrepreneurial Grant and has transformed it into a business that is on track to make $10,000.

Classics Department announces annual award winners
MAY 13, 2008 — The St. Olaf College Department of Classics has announced the winners of the 8th annual competition for the Loomis Endowed Academic Award in Latin and the 7th annual competition for the Groton Endowed Academic Award in Greek, plus other academic contests.

Annual Syttende Mai breakfast to be held Saturday
MAY 13, 2008 — St. Olaf's annual Norwegian Constitution Day breakfast features a variety of hot and cold delicacies, including a variety of breads and crackers; cheeses, such as goat cheese and Jarlsberg; meats and fish, such as sardines, pickled herring and anchovies; dessert waffles; pastries and almond cake; and fresh fruit.

Marino interviews Mamet for Wall Street Journal
Marino
MAY 13, 2008 — Gordon Marino, professor of philosophy and curator of the Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf, recently traveled to Los Angeles to interview Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Mamet about his latest film, Redbelt. Read the story in the Wall Street Journal.

Atzinger wins piano competition
MAY 13, 2008 — St. Olaf Assistant Professor of Piano Christopher Atzinger was recently named the first place award winner of the International Piano Institute of Santa Fe's World International Competition. "I felt good about my performance, as I felt like I was connecting with the audience," he says.

Whoopee John, Prince, the Andrews Sisters ... and F. Melius
Christiansen
MAY 12, 2008 — Minnesota's 150-year history includes an eclectic collection of musicians. Prominent among them is F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf music program. Read how the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Star Tribune mark his legacy.

Star Tribune profiles Kelli Hueler '81
MAY 12, 2008 — Her father taught her that business owners "have a mission that's bigger than making a buck," and now Kelli Hueler '81 wants to create "the industry standard for changing lifetime retirement income. That's a goal that's worthwhile -- and fun."

St. Olaf senior presents at history conference
Lozeau
MAY 9, 2008 — After reviewing thousands of 19th century letters to gather information about the Ku Klux Klan, Adam Lozeau '08 presented his research to the Alabama Historical Association.

St. Olaf Choir, Cantus concert to be broadcast on Performance Today
MAY 9, 2008 — The music of the St. Olaf Choir and Cantus, a professional men's vocal group founded by St. Olaf alumni, will be broadcast on Performance Today, a program that reaches more than one million listeners.

St. Olaf announces three Fulbright fellows
MAY 8, 2008 — Two St. Olaf seniors and one alumna were recently named Fulbright fellows for 2008-09. They will use the prestigious award to pursue opportunities ranging from cancer research in Norway to teaching in Turkey to studying a Russian initiative to grow its population.

Lundin named head men's track and field, cross country coach
MAY 8, 2008 — Phil Lundin, head men's track and field coach at the University of Minnesota, has been named head men's cross country and track and field coach at St. Olaf. Lundin, a four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, will begin his new job this summer.

Turning ideals into philanthropic action
MAY 7, 2008 — St. Olaf seniors Peter Schattauer and Maggie Matson are leading this year's Senior Giving Campaign, which aims to instill a sense of philanthropy in the Class of 2008. "As alumni, it is time to start intentionally thinking about the way our values are reflected in the way we spend our money," Schattauer says.

Alumna tries out for Olympic marathon
Boren
MAY 7, 2008 — Jenna Boren '99 recently had the opportunity to compete in the Olympic marathon time trials in Boston. "The crowds were great and the course was cool. I just tried to make the most of what I had," Boren says.

A recipe to save the world
MAY 6, 2008 — St. Olaf seniors Katie Godfrey '08 and Danielle Stoermer '08 have created a cookbook that focuses on preparing healthy, locally grown food. "I hope the cookbook begins a discussion about the importance of eating local and seasonal foods and how doing so can benefit one's health, the environment, the community and the world," Stoermer says.

St. Olaf senior wins two awards for biofuel research
Smith
MAY 6, 2008 — Eric Smith '08 won first-place awards at the 75th Annual Minnesota Academy of Science Meeting and the 20th Annual Winchell Undergraduate Symposium for his research into turning prairie biomass into fuel. "It was a great feeling to present a project that so much work has gone into and that I care about so much," he says.

Students to present 'language museum' May 6
MAY 5, 2008 — The English Language and Linguistics class at St. Olaf will present a 'language museum' Tuesday. "I think often linguistics comes across as esoteric or mystical, and I want to make it seem clear and interesting," says Professor Louis Janus, who leads the class.

St. Olaf honors retiring faculty
MAY 5, 2008 — The five faculty members who plan to retire from St. Olaf College this year have coached championship athletes, led students on learning expeditions around the world, written books, organized international conferences, and helped bring innovative ideas and research tools to campus. Most importantly, they've touched the lives of thousands of Oles.

Sen. Klobuchar holds climate change forum at St. Olaf
Klobuchar
MAY 5, 2008 — During a visit to St. Olaf to discuss measures the college is taking to address global climate change, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said the innovation and creative thinking of college students is important in tackling this issue. "Sometimes I think we just need a little more imagination in Washington," she said.

Senior soloists to perform with St. Olaf Orchestra
MAY 2, 2008 — Selected senior singers and instrumentalists will each solo with the St. Olaf Orchestra during a May 9 concert. The event will feature a variety of music pieces, including the premiere performance of a composition by St. Olaf Professor of Music Justin Merritt.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar to hold forum at St. Olaf on global climate change
MAY 2, 2008 — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will visit St. Olaf College on Saturday, May 3, to participate in a discussion with faculty and students on climate change initiatives in Congress and on the nation's campuses.

The forum will be streamed live on the St. Olaf website and made available for archival viewing.

Second senior art show opens May 4
MAY 1, 2008 — "Articulation," the second of two senior art shows this spring, opens Sunday. "It has been incredible to work alongside such a talented group of senior art majors and to see the development of such innovative projects," says studio art major Nan Onkka '08.

Tuba player wins Schubert Competition
MAY 1, 2008 — St. Olaf music and chemistry double major Dan Larson '10 is the first person to win the annual Schubert Club competition using the tuba. Listen to him play and hear his interview with Melissa Ousley at Minnesota Public Radio.

Plagiarists release second album
MAY 1, 2008 — After studying abroad last year, members of the popular campus band Plagiarists are set to release a second album that features a fresh sound. "We came back with new instruments, a new palette of ideas and a new approach to experimentation," drummer Blake Wergeland '08 says.

St. Olaf organ recordings to be featured on Pipedreams
MAY 1, 2008 — Since the radio program Pipedreams is for people who love organs and the music they produce, it should come as no surprise that St. Olaf's own Holtkamp organ will be featured in an upcoming episode.