News

U.S. News & World Report recently featured St. Olaf College as one of the 30 most beautiful colleges in the United States. Home to curated gardens, hundreds of acres of natural lands, renowned limestone architecture, and quintessential student spaces, St. Olaf is often noted for its stunning aesthetics. U.S. News highlighted several of this storybook campus’s most unique features:

Boe Memorial Chapel
Home to the campus ministry team, Boe Memorial Chapel is the primary location on campus for spiritual reflection and faith-based connection. The chapel features inspiring architecture, including the bell from the Red Wing Seminary, a pulpit constructed from Minnesota white pines, and the internationally renowned Holtkamp Organ, which is still used today for pipe organ recitals and ensemble performances. 

Holland Hall
Modeled after the Mont-Saint-Michel monastery in France, Holland Hall stands as one of the most majestic and iconic buildings on St. Olaf College’s campus. It is home to students, faculty, and staff from the economics, history, philosophy, political science, social work and family studies, and sociology and anthropology departments.

Natural Lands
Boasting an impressive 430 acres of restored forests, prairies, and wetlands, the St. Olaf Natural Lands are home to numerous Minnesota native flora and fauna. The area has become a beloved community hub for recreation, relaxation, and research. 

Steensland Hall
The original and oldest library on campus, Steensland Hall is home to the largest collection of works by and about the 19th-century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard outside of Denmark. Steensland stands out on campus for its Neoclassical Revival-style architecture. 

Other picturesque campus spots include:

The Greenhouse and Green Roof
Located atop Regents Hall of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the greenhouse and green roof contain more than 300 species of plants. A favorite study spot for students, the greenhouse consists of five growing spaces that support student learning and research of plant biology and ecosystems.

The Lion’s Pause
At St. Olaf, the Lion’s Pause serves as the student-run and organized hangout spot. Modeled after First Avenue, a famed music venue in Minneapolis, the Lion’s Pause hosts dances, cultural showcases, TED Talks, and other culturally significant campus performances. 

Meditation Labyrinth
Nestled between Boe Memorial Chapel and the Center for Art and Dance, a twisting walking path encourages amblers to slow down and pause amongst the flowers and native grasses. Designed by students in the mid-2010s, this twisty labyrinth provides a meditative space for the campus community in fair weather.