Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College
Motto E Caelo Nobis Vires[1]
Motto in English
 Strength Comes To Us From Heaven
Type Private liberal arts
Established 1862
Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Endowment $144 million (2015)[2]
President Rebecca Bergman
Academic staff
 170 full-time
Students Approximately 2,450
Location St. Peter, Minnesota, United States
Campus 1.38 km2 (0.53 sq mi)
or 138 ha (340 acres)
Colors Black and Gold
         
Nickname "Golden Gusties"
Mascot "Gus" the Lion
Affiliations MIAC
Website gustavus.edu

Gustavus Adolphus College (Gustavus), is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in St. Peter, Minnesota, United States. A coeducational, four-year, residential institution, it was founded in 1862 by Swedish Americans. To this day the school is firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage. The premier event on campus is the annual Nobel Conference, which features Nobel Laureates and other world-renowned scholars explaining their expertise to a general audience. Gustavus has 170 faculty of which 94% are tenure-track faculty. The student to faculty ratio is 11:1 creating an class size of approximately 15.

Mission and values

The college presents its mission as tied to the fact that it is a church-related college: A "private residential liberal arts college firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage.” While the institution offers many majors, the school also presents itself as a place where "a mature understanding of the Christian faith" is nurtured; so that “students are encouraged to work toward a just and peaceful world.” Many students are involved in volunteer work, and service learning is integrated into many of the courses on campus.

History

Gustavus Adolphus College Old Main

Founding

View of the campus c. 1905

The college was founded in 1862 as a Lutheran parochial school at Red Wing by Eric Norelius, pastor. Originally named Minnesota Elementarskola (elementary school in Swedish), it moved the following year to East Union, an unincorporated town in Dahlgren Township. In 1865, on the 1,000th anniversary of the death of St. Ansgar, known as the "Apostle of the North", the institution was renamed and incorporated as St. Ansgar's Academy.

Renaming

In April 1873, the college was renamed Gustavus Adolphus Literary & Theological Institute in honor of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. On October 16, 1876, it opened as Gustavus Adolphus College at the current location, enticed to relocate to St. Peter by the town's offer of $10,000 and a large campus. Gustavus is the oldest of several Lutheran colleges in Minnesota. It was founded as a college of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1962 it became a college of the Lutheran Church in America, when the Augustana Synod merged into that body. The Lutheran Church in America merged in 1988 to create the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

World War II

During World War II, Gustavus Adolphus College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.[3]

Founding of the Nobel Conference

The annual Nobel Conference was established in the mid-1960s when college officials asked the Nobel Foundation for permission to name the new science building the Alfred Nobel Hall of Science as a memorial to the Swedish inventor, Alfred Nobel. Permission was granted, and the facility's dedication ceremony in 1963 included officials from the Nobel Foundation and 26 Nobel Laureates. Following the 1963 Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm, college representatives met with Nobel Foundation officials, asking them to endorse an annual science conference at the College and to allow use of the Nobel name to establish credibility and high standards. At the urging of several prominent Nobel laureates, the foundation granted the request, and the first conference was held at the college in January 1965.

Rankings

University rankings
National
Forbes[4] 184
Global
Liberal arts colleges
U.S. News & World Report[5] 79
Washington Monthly[6] 55

Presidents of Gustavus Adolphus College

Disasters

A bust of Gustav II Adolf of Sweden on campus

Academics

Gustavus Adolphus is currently ranked among the best 100 national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. In 2014, Gustavus ranked 76th rising from 85th in the 2013 rankings.[7] Students choose from over 70 programs of study with 75 majors in 24 academic departments and three interdisciplinary programs (including 14 honors majors), ranging from physics to religion to Scandinavian studies. The College's Writing Across the Curriculum program fosters writing skills in all academic disciplines. Since 1983, the college has had a chapter of the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa. The school offers an alternative interdisciplinary general education program known as the Three Crowns Curriculum. Recently the college instituted a test-optional admission policy, making it the first private college in Minnesota to forgo the ACT/SAT score requirement on its application.

Campus

The campus features science facilities, computer and language labs, and a large, new dining facility. The college's Christ Chapel, which seats 1500 people, stands in the center of campus. Gustavus' first building in St. Peter, affectionately known as "Old Main," originally housed the entire college. Major renovations to the building were completed in 2005. In the Fall of 2011, a new social science center, Beck Hall, was opened on campus. The campus includes 33 sculptures by the late Minnesota sculptor, Paul Granlund, an alumnus of the college who for many years was sculptor-in-residence. Every tree indigenous to Minnesota is grown in the Linnaeus Arboretum. In 2009 students founded Big Hill Farm, which grows produce for the cafeteria and aims to connect the campus to sustainable agriculture.

Notable buildings

"Old Main" – the school relocated from East Union upon completion of this building in 1876
Christ Chapel, built in 1959–1961

Old Main

“Old Main” was the first building erected at Gustavus Adolphus College when its cornerstone was laid on August 12, 1875.[8] Contracted to O. N. Ostrom and constructed from Kasota limestone, the total cost of the building was around $25,000.[8] Old Main was completed in 1876 and dedicated on October 31 of that year. Originally referred to as the “School Building,” as more buildings were erected, it became known as the “Main Building” and by 1905, it became commonly referred to as "Old Main."[8]

The building was heated by wood stoves and housed the entire college in the first years of the institution before other buildings were added. It originally contained several classrooms, sleeping quarters for students, faculty, and the president as well as a kitchen, dining room, chapel, library, and museum.[9] Until 1920, it was tradition for seniors to gather on the building’s roof for a sunrise breakfast the morning of commencement.[9]

On its 50th anniversary in 1926, Old Main underwent a renovation from funds provided by the Minnesota Conference.[8] The 1998 tornado, which destroyed much of the Gustavus campus, resulted in the need to repair Old Main’s bell tower. Seven years later in 2005 another renovation was completed; the building now houses the Office of the Chaplains and the religion, political science, philosophy, and classics departments.

A popular ghost story surrounding Old Main is the tale told by former Chaplain Richard Elvee of two deceased Gustavus security officers, Harley and Barney, occasionally wandering its halls while he composed his sermons on Sunday mornings.[10]

Christ Chapel

Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College

Christ Chapel is a church located in the center of Gustavus Adolphus College. Constructed from March 2, 1959 to fall 1961, the chapel was dedicated on January 7, 1962. Construction of the chapel was made possible by gifts from the congregations of the Lutheran Augustana Synod, a predecessor body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is affiliated with the college. Ecumenical services are held each weekday and on Sundays during the academic year. There is seating for 1,500 people in the chapel, with 1,200 on the main floor and an additional 300 in the balcony. It is the largest seating area on campus.

The chapel and surrounding grounds are adorned by the sculptures of Paul T. Granlund, the former artist-in-residence at Gustavus Adolphus College.

The organ in Christ Chapel was originally built by Hillgreen-Lane at the time the Chapel was built. It has been significantly altered in the last 30 years. These renovations, carried out by David Engen and more recently by the Hendrickson Organ Company of St. Peter, include a new console with solid state combination and relay, moving several ranks of pipes from an antiphonal position in the basement into the main organ above the balcony, restructuring the Swell mixture, and extensive repairs following the tornado of 1998. It currently contains 55 speaking ranks of pipes, played from a four-manual console, and has a preparation on the new Great chest for a mounted Kornet V stop.[11]

The Chapel also houses a small portative organ of three stops on one manual which is used for accompanying and especially for continuo playing in Baroque compositions.

On March 29, 1998, the spire, which towers above the chapel, was toppled by a tornado that left most of St. Peter, Minnesota in ruins. On March 17, 2008, the cross that was atop the spire was hung from the ceiling in Christ Chapel during a service marking the 10-year anniversary of the tornado.

Campus life

The majority of the college's 2,600 students (known as "Gusties") live in residence halls on campus, in college-owned houses, and, a small minority, in theme areas, such as the Carlson International Center, CHOICE substance-free housing, and the Swedish House. Students with permission from the college may choose to live off-campus within the community of St. Peter or elsewhere.

Nearly 1/5 of students are active in Greek life at Gustavus, where there are currently twelve recognized Greek organizations on campus. This includes several Greek organizations founded at Gustavus, including the largest sorority on campus, Delta Phi Omega, the Epsilon Pi Alpha fraternity, Tau Mu Tau sorority, and the Tau Psi Omega fraternity (also known as the Reds).

Arts

Many musical ensembles perform throughout the year, including the Gustavus Choir, the Choir of Christ Chapel, the Lucia Singers, the Gustavus Adolphus Symphony Orchestra, Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, etc. Theater and Dance events are also a vibrant part of "Gustie Life", with shows every fall and spring and a musical every other year. There are also two art galleries on campus, the Hillstrom Museum of Art and the Schaefer Art Gallery. The college has an independently operated dining service, serving the Market Place cafeteria and Courtyard Cafe. The Princeton Review ranked Gustavus 8th in its "Best Campus Food" category for 2009.

Study abroad

The college's study abroad program has included internships at BNU-HKBU United International College in Hong Kong, China.[12]

Athletics

Gustavus is a founding member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, MIAC. Key sports at the college are tennis, swimming, golf, basketball, ice hockey, football, and soccer. The school's team name is the Golden Gusties, represented by a lion mascot because Gustavus Adolphus was known as "The Lion of the North." Gustavus has had three players drafted in the NFL Draft: Russ Buckley in 1940, Kurt Ploeger in 1985, and Ryan Hoag in 2003. On March 26, 2014, Gustavus announced it would not continue its men's and women's Nordic skiing team. This will go in to effect in the 2014-2015 school year.

Varsity sports

Men's

Women's

The Gustavus women's softball team placed third in the NCAA Division III national tournament in 2009. The Gustavus men's hockey team placed second in the NCAA Division III national tournament in 2009. The Gustavus soccer team finished second in the NCAA Division III national tournament in 2005 — led in part by three-time all American Robert "Bobby" Kroog. In 2003 the Gustavus men's basketball team finished second in the NCAA Division III national tournament. In the middle of the twentieth century, the Gustavus football team was coached by long-time coach/AD Moose Malmquist. In addition, the women's hockey team has won seven conference titles, including six straight, and has placed in the top four nationally in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010. The Gustavus men's tennis team have made 11 consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division III National Championships. Gustavus Adolphus College hosted the 2013 USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championships at the Swanson Indoor Tennis Center and Brown Outdoor Courts in St. Peter, Minnesota. In 2003 Steve Wilkinson's squad placed third at the NCAA Division III Championships as well as a first-place finish at the ITA Indoor Championships. Steve Wilkinson retired in 2009 as the winningest coach in college tennis history with a record of 929-279. Gustavus player Eric Butorac, closed out his senior season of 2003 by winning both the NCAA Division III singles and doubles championships, with Kevin Whipple as his partner. In 2003, Eric Butorac turned pro. He is now a doubles specialist, and has achieved success being the no. 3 ranked American doubles player for the bulk of the past six years.

A couple of women alumni who played ice hockey at Gustavus, have gone on to represent the United States at the 2016 Women's Bandy World Championship.[13]

Directors' Cup

Gustavus placed 8th in the 2008–09 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings. The Directors' Cup is the only all-sports competition in intercollegiate athletics.[14] In Division III, standings are based on national tournament finishes in 18 sports. In 2002–03 Gustavus placed a school-best sixth in the Directors' Cup standings.

Media

Gustavus Adolphus College is home to several publications and broadcasters:

Notable alumni

See also Category:Gustavus Adolphus College alumni

Notable faculty

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marketing and Communication". Gustavus Adolphus College.
  2. ↑ As of June 30, 2015. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2014 to FY 2015" (PDF). National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute. 2016.
  3. ↑ Waldhauser, Steve (2011). "Songs of Thy Triumph – A Short History of Gustavus Adolphus College" (PDF). St. Peter, Minnesota: Gustavus Adolphus College. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  4. ↑ "America's Top Colleges". Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings". America's Best Colleges 2016. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Washington Monthly's 2015 Liberal Arts College Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Gustavus Adolphus College". U.S. News & World Report.
  8. 1 2 3 4 “The Dedication of ‘Old Main’: the fiftieth anniversary.” Gustavus Adolphus College, 1926. Print.
  9. 1 2 “Dedication Ceremony: on the occasion of the renovation of the Old Main building.” Gustavus Adolphus College, 2005. Print.
  10. ↑ Freiert, William K. “Old Main Rededication Remarks.” Rededication of Old Main. Oct. 8, 2005. Print.
  11. ↑ "Christ Chapel". Gustavus Adolphus College.
  12. ↑ "UIC welcomes 20 international interns aboard". United International College.
  13. ↑ "From Hockey to Bandy: Gustavus Alumnae to Compete in World Bandy Championship This Weekend" Posted on February 18th, 2016 by Nick Hoelmer, read on February 19th, 2016
  14. ↑ "NACDA.COM :: NACDA Official Web Site".

External links

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