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To commemorate its 150th anniversary, St. Olaf College is inviting alumni, faculty, staff, and students to mark the milestone in a quintessentially Ole way: by making the world a little better for those around us.

The college will host a Week of Service April 21–27 that will feature alumni-driven service projects across the country and a large-scale service project on campus April 21–22. The events are part of a month-long celebration of community impact.

The Ole Week of Service highlights the dedication of St. Olaf alumni who are committed to service. Hosted by the Alumni and Parent Relations Office, the week encourages alumni to organize and participate in volunteer projects that make a difference in their local communities. To date, five alumni-driven service projects are planned in Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, and California. These opportunities are created by alumni, who identify service sites and invite fellow Oles to join them in giving back.

In addition to alumni-led projects nationwide, St. Olaf will host Feed My Starving Children on campus for a large-scale service event called the Days of Service. The two-day event April 21–22 will bring together students, faculty, staff, and alumni for a shared volunteer experience, showcasing the power of working side by side for the common good. The Days of Service will be co-sponsored by the St. Olaf Student Government Association (SGA), Alumni and Parent Relations, Bon Appétit, and the Sesquicentennial Committee.

“We are honored to bring the Feed My Starving Children event to campus. Over two days, over 600 dedicated students, staff, faculty, and alumni will come together to pack more than 100,000 meals,” says Bon Appétit Director of Operations Dylan Johnson, who helped organized the Days of Service event. “This is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we come together with purpose and compassion. Together, we are not just providing food; we are offering hope, dignity, and the chance for a better future for those in need.”

To make the event a success, the college will need 375 people each day to volunteer for two-hour shifts between 1 and 8 p.m. in the Lion’s Pause in Buntrock Commons. On-site training will be provided, and volunteers will hand-pack meals that are then sealed, boxed, and shipped to organizations around the world that are working to feed children in need. All are welcome, and those interested can sign up for a two-hour shift here.

“There won’t be titles or positions — just people working alongside each other to make a difference,” says Alumni and Parent Relations Associate Director Joshua Lee, one of the organizers of the Week of Service. “Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will all be together throughout the event, which I think is really meaningful.”

Those interested in participating in one of the Ole Week of Service alumni projects can RSVP now to secure their spot. If no projects are available in their area, alumni can submit their own service project, which the Alumni and Parent Relations Office will help promote. 

“To me, service is really important. It connects us to our community and gets us to interact with folks we typically wouldn’t while making a difference. I think this is not only something that’s good and healthy for us as a community, but it’s going to be beneficial for the greater community and the common good, too.”

— Alumni and Parent Relations Associate Director Joshua Lee

Lee notes that as St. Olaf celebrates its 150th anniversary, this Week of Service reflects the college’s long-standing commitment to community engagement.

“To me, service is really important. It connects us to our community and gets us to interact with folks we typically wouldn’t while making a difference,” Lee says. “I think this is not only something that’s good and healthy for us as a community, but it’s going to be beneficial for the greater community and the common good, too.”

For media inquiries, contact Director of Public Relations Kat Dodge at dodge2@stolaf.edu or St. Olaf Public Relations at stolafmedia@stolaf.edu.