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.

Indian scholar proclaims 'why I love St. Olaf'

By Gabriel Merigala
May 29, 2007

More than 130 years ago St. Olaf was only a dream, a distinct and committed venture by deeply religious Norwegian Lutherans. Each successive leader struggled with the problems of providing educational opportunities for students. Gradual development took place as buildings were planned and constructed. Today, St. Olaf is a temple of learning.

MerigalaLarge
Gabriel Merigala, a dean and professor of philosophy at Madras Christian College in Chennai, India, has spent the past year at St. Olaf as a Kierkegaard Scholar.
Coming from India to visit St. Olaf three times in the past, and now living here for one full academic year, has been a dream come true. As a Kierkegaard scholar, I have appreciated the warm welcome that the college has extended to my family, inviting us to be part of this beautiful community. During my research here, I realized the beauty of St. Olaf: its richness in academics, its moving chapel services, its glorious past, and its strong network of students, professors and alumni.

I wish to show how grateful I am by sharing what I love about St. Olaf College.

A glorious past
St. Olaf is among the best educational institutions of higher learning in the country, known for academic excellence, a global perspective and a strong Christian character. Its clearly defined mission -- the physical, moral and spiritual development of students, the preparation for them to become servant-leaders in the wider world -- is achieved year after year.

This is exactly the kind of higher education that great leaders of the world such as Mahatma Gandhi have envisioned for the welfare of society.

St. Olaf gets its identity from its association with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. However, participation of students from more than 30 religious denominations illustrates the college's receptiveness to people of all faiths.

It is a wonder how St. Olaf keeps track of the voluminous events -- academic, artistic, athletic, national and international programs -- that take place throughout the year.

At least one-third of our 3,000 students participate in music. The annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, which features 500 students in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra, is popular throughout the country. The St. Olaf Band, the St. Olaf Choir and the St. Olaf Orchestra tour throughout the United States and Europe, performing beautiful music with a clear message that "Jesus Christ is the light of the world."

The sense of responsibility and accountability exhibited by the students impresses everyone. Students' and teachers' dedication for learning, whether it is sunny or snowing outside, or even on secular holidays such as Presidents' Day and Labor Day, speaks highly of the ethos of the institution.

The student-run Manitou Messenger, the staff-produced St. Olaf Magazine and website, as well as posters, brochures and other information challenge students to become articulate and precise communicators. Undoubtedly, this builds a community of well-equipped future leaders and agents of social transformation.

Opportunities at home and abroad
Apart from many courses in the liberal arts, the opportunities for entrepreneurship, environmental studies, management studies, pre-medical studies and biomedical studies is witness to the foresight of the institution for creating more steps on the ladder of excellence.

St. Olaf provides opportunities for international exposure, thanks to the efforts of Professor Ansgar Sovik '34 and many other faculty members who followed his example. Living and learning in other countries add a rare dimension to students' personality and worldview. In addition, providing opportunities for students to work with service organizations is a special characteristic of St. Olaf.

The institution's academic growth is supported by modern, well-equipped libraries and the information technology department. The Rolvaag library is a pleasant home for the learner, with a quiet atmosphere for reading and learning. The Kierkegaard Special Collections Library adds beauty, merit and international renown to the institution by inviting scholars from all over the world to produce articles, papers and books.

St. Olaf has a longstanding association with the Northfield community. The college invites townspeople to take advantage of its cultural, musical and academic programs. The college also provides spiritual nourishment, inviting people to attend the weekly Sunday services, daily chapel services and other related programs in Boe Memorial Chapel. The chapel stands out as the spiritual crown of the institution, fulfilling the vision of Lars W. Boe, the fourth president of St. Olaf College.

While observing the buildings and the systems on campus, one cannot help but remember with gratitude the dedicated alumni and friends of the college and the significant role they play in maintaining and promoting the institution. Alumni support helps provide the strength for St. Olaf to accomplish its future endeavors and continue to evolve.

One of the most important dimensions of St. Olaf is the Center for Experiential Learning. Through scholarships, grants and internship opportunities, it encourages students' development in critical-thinking skills, decision making and leadership training, which are required to succeed in today's modern world. The determination to offer the best for the future development of students is etched deeply into the spirit of the institution.

Building on the past
Many notable figures contributed to the foundational principles of St. Olaf College. Founder Bernt Julius Muus, a leader in the religious life of Goodhue, Rice and Dakota counties, proclaimed a vision that "Christianity must be the center of any well-rounded educational program." He believed that "the aim and purpose should be to equip each student with moral and spiritual power regardless of what profession or vocation he might enter upon later in life."

Pastor Thorbjorn Nelson Mohn, our first president, will always be remembered for his untiring efforts and able leadership during critical times of the college's history. His message to the graduates was clear and inspiring: "face your job with clear eye and steady hand -- don't worry about what others will say about you, but be your own severest critic; try to add something; no matter how little, to the stock of the world's permanent values."

Mohn made great efforts to raise funds for the future needs of the growing institution, much as President David R. Anderson and others today march forward to create another milestone like the new Science Complex, which will be a model of interdisciplinary scholarship.

All of the hard work of Muus, Mohn, Quammen, Bockman, Preus, Boe and many others in raising funds, planning buildings and academic courses and in recruiting committed professors is evident in the institution we see today.

I believe that this college is God's freely given gift to all of us, including generations of students and teachers in the future. I am thankful that I have been part of the great community that has received and will continue to receive this gift. Let dear St. Olaf live and reign in our hearts, let its flag fly high, and let it meet today's challenges with dignity and confidence to contribute to unity, peace and well being for all.

Dr. Gabriel Merigala, a dean and professor of philosophy at Madras Christian College in Chennai, India, has spent the past year at St. Olaf as a Kierkegaard Scholar.

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