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Celebration Weekend a time to remember past, look to future

By Linnae Stole '10
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.

celebration
Celebration Weekend 2008 will feature an Alumni Awards banquet; concerts by the St. Olaf Band, Choir and Orchestra; reunion events both on and off campus; a 5K Ole Run/Walk; an alumni book signing event; and will conclude with the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2008.

Friday, May 23
The Celebration Weekend festivities kick off Friday with reunion events in various locations around Northfield and the Twin Cities. President David R. Anderson '74 will host an Alumni Awards banquet beginning at 6 p.m. that pays tribute to the recipients of St. Olaf's highest alumni honor. The program includes a reception followed by a dinner.

Friday's events will also feature a concert by the St. Olaf Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Steven Amundson. It will begin at 8 p.m. in the Skoglund Center Auditorium. The performance is the final on-campus appearance for the orchestra before it leaves for a 15-day tour of Spain and Morocco the following week.

Saturday, May 24
Saturday's events will begin with a 5K Ole Run/Walk through portions of the beautiful cross country course. Registration and check-in will be held from 7 to 7:45 a.m., and the run/walk begins at 8 a.m. Walk-in registrations are welcome.

All alumni, parents and guests are invited to attend Sammenkomst ("The Gathering") on Saturday morning in Boe Memorial Chapel. The event celebrates St. Olaf's unique spirit and the accomplishments of its alumni. President Anderson will also deliver a state of the college address.

Commencement06Band
Graduating members of the St. Olaf Band traditionally do a line dance after the ceremony while the band plays Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Bookworms can also get their fix Saturday during an alumni book signing event that will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Buntrock Commons just outside the bookstore. A number of alumni authors will be on hand to discuss and sign their books.

Saturday will also feature reunion luncheons for the classes of 1938, '43, '48, '53, '58, '63, '68, '73, '78 and '83. The St. Olaf Band will perform at 3 p.m. under the direction of conductor Timothy Mahr '78 and the St. Olaf Choir at 8 p.m. under the direction of conductor Anton Armstrong '78. Both performances will be held in the Skoglund Center Auditorium. President Anderson will host an evening celebration banquet for members of the Class of 2008 and their families.

To commemorate the Class of 2008, a new "campus illumination" tradition begins Saturday evening. A ceremony will be held at 10 p.m., at which time the Class of 1958 will "share the light" with the Class of 2008 as they welcome them into the alumni body. The seniors will then collectively light lanterns and hang them on the green from Mellby Lawn to Rolvaag Library, illuminating the campus.

Sunday, May 25
Sunday's events begin with a baccalaureate service in Skoglund Center Auditorium at 9 a.m., led by St. Olaf Pastor Bruce Benson. Stav Dining Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for family, friends and students for a special Celebration Brunch.

Commencement exercises will be held for the Class of 2008 in Skoglund Center Auditorium beginning at 2 p.m. The student speaker is senior Lindsey Myers, and the commencement speaker is Susan Seacrest '75. Seacrest, a clean water activist and recipient of last year's Heinz Award for the Environment, will be giving a speech titled "Four Calls: A Commencement Address."

Because the ceremony will be held inside, seating will be limited to ticketed family members of graduating seniors. The public will be able to watch the proceedings from a few locations across campus.

Contact Alumni and Parent Relations at 507-786-3028 or alum-office@stolaf.edu.