St. Olaf welcomes Susan Rundell Singer to campus
Shortly after being announced as the next president of St. Olaf College, Susan Rundell Singer joined the campus community for a series of welcome events.
“All of you, and the mission, draw me to St. Olaf,” she told students, faculty, staff, and alumni who gathered for a special chapel service to hear introductory remarks from the college’s 12th president. “I cannot wait to start co-creating the next chapter of St. Olaf’s history with all of you.”
This is a community that genuinely wants every student, faculty member, and staff member to thrive, to belong. Not an easy aspiration, but essential. Telling St. Olaf’s story will be a joy.Susan Rundell Singer, 12th President of St. Olaf College
Rundell Singer, who taught at neighboring Carleton College for 30 years before spending the last decade in leadership roles at the National Science Foundation and Rollins College, said it’s an honor and a privilege to lead St. Olaf.
“Northfield is my home, and the opportunity to return and serve a college I have long admired still feels a bit surreal,” she said.
After the chapel service, Rundell Singer greeted St. Olaf community members in the Buntrock Commons Crossroads during a reception hosted by the Student Government Association. Student leaders presented her with gifts that included a #12 St. Olaf hockey jersey — which she promptly put on — and Oles of all ages gathered to say hello and take selfies with the college’s next leader. The St. Olaf jazz ensemble played during the event, which also featured Ole the Lion and celebratory snacks. Following the reception, Rundell Singer ate lunch with students in Stav Hall and then met with alumni.
The following morning she held a Q&A session with all St. Olaf faculty and staff members, answering their questions about her vision and plans for the future of the college.
“This is a community that genuinely wants every student, faculty member, and staff member to thrive, to belong. Not an easy aspiration, but essential. Telling St. Olaf’s story will be a joy,” she said.
Learn more about St. Olaf’s next president here. Watch the special chapel service held on February 21 to welcome her below.