The 2018 Homecoming and Family Weekend schedule is here. See all that the weekend has to offer and plan your time on campus, September 21-23.
View, download, or print a .pdf Schedule of Events
Art Exhibition
Center for Art and Dance, Flaten Art Museum and Groot Gallery
Museum hours
Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
Connectivity | September 7 – October 28, 2018
Connectivity features artwork by faculty and staff in the Department of Art and History for the 2018-19 academic year. The practices of St. Olaf’s artists are wide-ranging, but they share in common a search for connections – to neighbors and community members, cultural identities, the environment, one’s inner world. By investigating, revealing, and sparking connections, these artists help make sense of the world and encourage creative acts within it.
Featuring work by Miranda Brandon, Paul Briggs, Irve Dell, Kate Fisher, Christie Hawkins, Peter Nelson, John Saurer, Christopher Tradowsky, and Michon Weeks, this exhibition is on view in both main floor galleries in the Center for Art and Dance.
Geocaching
New – Throughout the weekend, enjoy the thrill of hunting for any of the hidden public caches on campus which can be found on geocaching.com. On Friday and Saturday, we will post clues at 8 a.m. to find Homecoming Weekend only caches, with special First to Find (FTF) prizes. The caches will be listed on geocaching.com and clues will be posted on the rolling bulletin board near the Information Desk in Buntrock Commons Crossroads.
Friday, September 21
7–9:45 a.m. Breakfast
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door ($7.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
8 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads
8 a.m.–3 p.m. Open classes
Many faculty members open their classrooms for visiting families and alumni. Get a list at the registration table in Buntrock Commons Crossroads.
8 a.m. Geocaching on campus
Friday’s Homecoming Weekend special cache will be posted on geocaching.com. Clues can also be found on the rolling bulletin board by the Information Desk in Buntrock Commons Crossroads. First to Find (FTF) will get a special prize. Check out geocaching.com for other public caches on the campus.
10:10-10:30 a.m. Chapel Service of Morning Prayer
Boe Memorial Chapel
10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Lunch
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door ($11.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
1 p.m. Ole Hockey Golf Outing
Willinger’s Golf Club, Webster, MN
Calling all hockey alumni and interested Oles to join the golf outing. Contact Mike Eaves, Head Men’s Hockey Coach (eaves2@stolaf.edu) to participate. Last minute walk-ins welcome at Willinger’s. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Registration form
2–3 p.m. Follow the Food Tour with Bon Appetit
Buntrock Commons, gather at KSTO Studio (lower level, by the elevators)
Join St. Olaf’s Bon Appétit General Manager Traci Quinnell as she shows what makes our nationally recognized dining experience so extraordinary. Our tour starts where the product arrives and ends where we serve 6,000 meals a day. The tour is limited to 12 participants, and additional tours will be given on Saturday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sign up at the registration area in Buntrock Commons Crossroads.
2 p.m. Celebrating 40 Years of Social Work
Holland Hall
2 p.m. Holland Hall 433
Brian Baggaley ’99 will speak to the SW221 class. This talk is open to all.
3:30 p.m. Holland Hall 501
“I Want to Help People: Possible Pathways for Oles”
A panel of social work alumni, with the Piper Center for Vocation and Career staff, discuss Social Work career paths.
4–5 p.m. Dance Department ‘First Glimpse’
Center for Art and Dance, Wagner Bundgaard Dance Studio 1 (3rd floor)
Enjoy a preview of this year’s upcoming dances in this informal showing. Dance faculty will provide insight into their creative process for works that will be performed later in the year during the Companydance, Veselica International Dance Ensemble, and First-Year Dance Project spring concerts.
4:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door ($11.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
7–11 p.m. Young Alumni Event in the Twin Cities
Stella’s Fish Cafe, Minneapolis
Alumni from the Classes of 2008 through 2018 are invited to Stella’s to kick off Homecoming and Family Weekend. RSVP online for the chance to win a St. Olaf sweatshirt! There will be appetizers and a cash bar.
9–11 p.m. Bonfire
Mellby Lawn (Rain site: Buntrock Commons, Crossroads)
Gather around fire pits for s’mores and conversation. All alumni, family members, students, and community members are welcome to attend.
Saturday, September 22
7 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads
7–9:45 a.m. Breakfast
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door ($7.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
6:45 a.m. Homecoming 5K Run Check-in
Tostrud Center (Enter at the north side by garage door)
(Takes place rain or shine, but canceled in case of severe weather)
T-shirts will be available to pre-registered runners only during the pre-race check-in. Same-day registrants (including current students) may participate for $5 (but you will not receive a T-shirt).
7:30 a.m. Homecoming 5K Run
Starts at Tostrud Fieldhouse
(rain or shine, but canceled in case of severe weather)
Check in prior to the run to sign your waiver.
8 a.m. Geocaching on campus
Saturday’s Homecoming Weekend special cache will be posted on geocaching.com. Clues can also be found on the rolling bulletin board by the Information Desk in Buntrock Commons Crossroads. First to Find (FTF) will get a special prize. Check out geocaching.com for other public caches on the campus.
8 a.m.–5 p.m. Holland Hall Open House and Tour
Tour the newly remodeled spaces of Holland Hall! With natural light throughout the building and new spaces revealed, students and faculty are enjoying the new classrooms, offices, and gathering areas. Explore the beautiful features and designs of this historic building.
9–10 a.m. The Piper Center for Vocation and Career – Coffee
Tomson Hall 270
Drop by for a cup of coffee and a pastry to discover how the Piper Center is supporting current students and alumni as they pursue their vocation and careers. Connect with Piper Center Career Coaches, including our new Associate Director of Alumni Career Services Jenele Grassle, to learn how we support professional development and explore ways you can assist students with jobs, internships, and networking.
9–10 a.m. Sneak Peek at the Ice Arena / Tostrud Center Open House
Tostrud Center for Recreation
Enjoy a sneak peek at the early stages of St. Olaf’s new ice arena, opening January 2019, through a special viewing window. While you’re there, explore Tostrud Center, our 95,000-square foot state-of-the-art recreation and fitness center. In addition to excellent facilities for training, running, and climbing, Tostrud Center also has batting cages for baseball and softball, four volleyball and/or basketball courts, and four tennis courts.
9–10 a.m. Follow the Food Tour with Bon Appetit
Buntrock Commons, gather at KSTO Studio (lower level, by the elevators)
Join Traci Quinnell, St. Olaf’s Bon Appetit General Manager, as she shows off what makes our nationally recognized dining experience so extraordinary. Our “Follow the Food” tour starts where the product arrives and ends where we serve 6000 meals a day. The tour is limited to 12 participants. Additional tour at 2 p.m. Sign up at the registration area in Buntrock Commons Crossroads.
9–11 a.m. The 8th Annual Legacy Homecoming Event
Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater
A special event for high school students whose parent(s), sibling(s), or relative(s) attend or attended St. Olaf.
9 a.m. Check-in and refreshments
9:15 a.m. Welcome by Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George ’94
“Legacy: Not a Reason to Come, Not a Reason to Stay Away!”
9:30 a.m. STO Talk: Doug Casson, Professor of Political Science, Director of Great Conversation
10 a.m. Legacy student panel discussion with Q & A
10:30 a.m. Optional campus tours. Even if you think you know the place, take a fresh look with a current student tour guide.
Tours end at the lunch in Stav Hall
10–11 a.m. Town Hall Gathering with President David R. Anderson ’74
Tomson Hall 280 (Alumni Auditorium)
All visiting alumni, family members, and campus guests are invited to an interactive presentation by President Anderson, who will provide his perspective on higher education in America today and St. Olaf College’s place within that landscape. Refreshments provided.
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Ole Author Signing
Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf Bookstore
Meet Ole authors, featuring Professor Emeriti of Education James Holden (author of Heron Thieves; A Bat Out of Hell, and Other Fly Fishing Stories; Essays and Poems), and Priscilla Paton (author of Where Privacy Dies), wife of President David R. Anderson ’74
11:00 a.m.–noon City of Northfield Tour
Shuttle departs from Buntrock Commons circle
Take a guided shuttle bus tour of Northfield, led by Barb Evans, a member of the Heritage Preservation Commission, to learn about its historic and interesting sites, including architectural points of interest and its historic downtown. This tour is led in conjunction with the Northfield Historical Society.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Um! Yah! Yah! Photo Wall
Outside Boe Memorial Chapel
(Rain site: Buntrock Commons, Crossroads)
Bring your family and friends to take a photo at the Um! Yah! Yah! photo wall.
11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Festival Lunch
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pre-registration for this meal is requested, though not required, as on-site tickets will be available for cash/card/check purchase at registration or cash purchase outside of Stav Hall. Adults $13, children (ages 5–11) half price; students may use Ole Cards.
All guests and students are invited to dine in Stav Hall for cuisine prepared by the college’s award-winning food service provider, Bon Appétit, and featuring ingredients from southern Minnesota.
11:00 a.m. Touchdown Club Picnic
Manitou Field (east end)
Join athletic alumni, current student athletes, coaches, and Ole Club donors to connect and reminisce.
Athletic Events
10 a.m. Women’s Cross Country
St. Olaf Cross Country Trails
11 a.m. Men’s Cross Country
St. Olaf Cross Country Trails
1 p.m. Football Game vs. Augsburg University
Klein Field at Manitou
1:30–5:30 p.m. Celebrating 40 Years of Social Work
1:30 p.m. Opening reception
Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons
2-3 p.m. Public talk by Sean Thomas-Breitfeld ’01; CEU certificate of attendance available
Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons
3:15 p.m. Roundtable “speed meeting” conversations on arenas of practice/research/volunteering
Holland Hall
4:30 p.m. Reception with hearty appetizers – Presentation of the Genesis Award for Creative Leadership in the Global Community
Holland Hall
6 p.m. Informal gathering at the home of Mary Carlsen for those who may wish to continue the celebration
2–3 p.m. Follow the Food Tour with Bon Appetit
Buntrock Commons, gather at KSTO Studio (lower level, by the elevators)
Join St. Olaf’s Bon Appétit General Manager Traci Quinnell as she shows what makes our nationally recognized dining experience so extraordinary. Our tour starts where the product arrives and ends where we serve 6,000 meals a day. The tour is limited to 12 participants. Sign up at the registration area in Buntrock Commons Crossroads.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Student Government Association Reunion
Buntrock Commons, Student Activities Office 107
All SGA alumni are invited to gather outside the Office of Student Activities for snacks and refreshments, and to meet and mingle with past and current SGA members.
4 p.m. St. Olaf Natural Lands Tour
Meet at the Art Barn (Canceled in case of severe weather.)
Walk the trails with Diane Angell, Associate Director of Biology and Environmental Studies, and student naturalists. Learn about the abundant variety of flora and fauna in this protected area and how St. Olaf faculty and students use the land.
4:30-5:30 p.m. GLOW! Campfire Social
Fire pit behind Thorson Hall (Forest Inn in case of rain)
St. Olaf GLOW! (Gay, Lesbian, Or Whatever!) and the members of the Intersectionality House invite all LGBTQ+ alumni, family members, and allies to join us around the warm light of a campfire for s’mores and conversation. Come learn about St. Olaf’s LGBTQ+ community from current students on the Hill.
4:30–5:30 p.m. Parents’ Reception
Buntrock Commons, Black and Gold Ballrooms
Parents and family members are invited to a reception to meet others from your geographic area.
4:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner
Buntrock Commons, Stav Dining Hall
Pay at the door ($11.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
7:30 p.m. St. Olaf Orchestra Concert
Skoglund Center Auditorium
Open to all. No tickets required.
Sunday, September 23
8 a.m.–noon Registration
Buntrock Commons Crossroads
8:30–10:15 a.m. Sunday Continental Breakfast
Buntrock Commons · Stav Hall
Pay at the door ($7.25 plus tax for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
10:30 a.m. Service of Holy Communion
Boe Memorial Chapel
Music by the St. Olaf Cantorei.
11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Brunch
Buntrock Commons, Stav Dining Hall
Tickets are required and are available at the registration table or outside Stav Hall ($13 for adults, children ages 5–11 half price; students can use Ole cards).
3:30 p.m. Family Weekend Concert
Skoglund Center Auditorium
This concert will feature the Manitou Singers, Norseman Band, Philharmonia, and Viking Chorus. Open to all. No tickets required.