Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1862 by Eric Norelius and was originally named Minnesota Elementar Skola. In 1865 on the 1,000th year anniversary of the death of St. Ansgar, "the Apostle of the North," the college was renamed and incorporated as St. Ansgar's Academy. In May of 1873, the college was again renamed and reincorporated as Gustavus Adolphus Literary and Theological Institute in honor of King Gustavus Adolphus the Great of Sweden. On October 16, 1876, it opened as Gustavus Adolphus College in its new location in St. Peter, Minnesota. Gustavus is the oldest of several Lutheran colleges in Minnesota. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Related Topics:
Liberal arts college - 1862 - Eric Norelius - 1865 - St. Ansgar - Apostle - St. Ansgar's Academy - May - 1873 - Gustavus Adolphus Literary and Theological Institute - Gustavus Adolphus the Great - Sweden - October 16 - 1876 - St. Peter, Minnesota - Lutheran - Minnesota - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Gustavus consistently ranks high among U.S. liberal arts colleges, currently placed among the best 100 national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. Gustavus students choose from over 50 major subject areas, ranging from physics to religion to Scandinavian Studies. The College is lauded for its Writing Across the Curriculum program, which fosters strong writing skills in all academic disciplines. Since the 1980s Gustavus has had a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States.

Related Topics:
Liberal arts - U.S. News & World Report - Physics - Religion - Phi Beta Kappa

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The vast majority of Gustavus' 2700 students (Gusties) live in residence at the College, in traditional dormitories, College-owned houses, and theme areas, such as the International House and the Swedish House. Campus life is enhanced by the many musical ensembles which perform throughout the year, including the Gustavus Choir, Christ Chapel Choir, the Lucia Singers, the Gustavus Adolphus Symphony Orchestra, Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Jazz Band, etc. Theatre is also a regular part of campus life and there are two art galleries on campus.

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The Gustavus campus features state-of-the-art science facilities, several computer and language labs, and a large new dining facility which has improved the cafeteria food from that endured by previous generations of Gusties. In the center of campus stands the College's majestic and striking Christ Chapel, which seats over 1000 people. Ecumenical chapel services are held each weekday and on Sundays. Attendance is voluntary. Gustavus' first building in St. Peter, Old Main, originally housed the entire college. It is presently undergoing major renovations such as the addition of an elevator to enable it to serve future generations of Gusties. The campus is well-landscaped with every tree indigenous to Minnesota in the Linnaeus Arboretum. It is further graced by a number of remarkable sculptures by the late well-known Minnesota sculptor Paul Granlund, an alumnus of the College who for many years was sculptor-in-residence.

Related Topics:
Christ Chapel - Ecumenical - Linnaeus Arboretum - Paul Granlund

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