The 42nd Annual Gimse Global Engagement Photo Contest
For more than half a century, St. Olaf students have learned around the world as part of the college’s renowned study abroad and study away programs. And for nearly that entire time, they have shared the stunning images they’ve captured during their travels as part of the annual Gimse Global Engagement Photo Contest.
The photo contest is named in honor of Professor Emeritus of Art A. Malcolm (Mac) Gimse ’58 and his wife, Jackie. Together they planned, led, and taught more than 45 study-abroad programs, helping generations of Oles develop an informed global perspective. Gimse chronicled their international travel through photography, and he encouraged students to do the same.
Advisors in what is now the Smith Center for Global Engagement at St. Olaf launched the photo contest in 1983 to encourage students to share a glimpse of their travels with the broader community. Each year students submit hundreds of photos to the contest.
At St. Olaf, the options for studying abroad and away are robust. The college offers programs in more than 40 countries around the world, including faculty-led semester programs like Global Semester, a wide range of January Term programs, and institutional partnerships around the world. It’s an opportunity that most St. Olaf students take advantage of, with 70 percent of the Class of 2025 participating in at least one study abroad/away program.
See their experiences through their eyes in these photos from the 42nd Annual Gimse Global Engagement Photo Contest.
TOP AWARD
“Rust and Rivers” by Evgenia Roth ’26
Program: Environmental Science in Australia and New Zealand
Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park • New Zealand
“As we hiked along a set of glacial lakes and rivers toward the base of Mount Cook, we encountered rusty-colored foliage. The flow of people along the bridge displays how humans interact within the environment. We are small beings, parts of something greater. The mountains of Aoraki — about 10 million years in the making — are of the utmost cultural and ecological importance. Along with all creatures and places, they deserve gratitude and respect.”
TOP AWARD
“Wings Over Thought, Tuileries” by Grace Kamarad ’27
Program: Interdisciplinary French Studies in Paris
Jardin des Tuileries • Paris, France
“This bird perches on the head of a sculpture depicting Cain after killing his brother, Abel. Throughout my month in Paris, this was a common image: a bird perching on a statue or sculpture under the backdrop of a rainy sky.”
TOP AWARD
“Surfing Under the Southern Lights” by Graham Barwick ’25
Program: University of Otago
Dunedin, New Zealand
“After seeing a forecast, my friend and I decided to attempt to surf under the southern lights. As we paddled out, the lights intensified, and a wall of pink and green came toward us. We stayed out catching a few waves, but mostly, we enjoyed the view and the novelty of surfing under the lights. As we came in, we saw our other friends on the beach and set up the camera to take this photo, which captured one of the most magical experiences of my life.”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Field Trip” by Samuel Gwin ’25
Program: DIS Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
“Like Curious George, I have long been passionate about climbing, art, and new perspectives — so finding a skylight in my Danish Architecture Studio was like finding the Pearly Gates themselves. With a few brave friends, we transported ourselves up to the Copenhagen skyline and were in awe of its breadth. Most buildings in Copenhagen have a height limit and are packed snugly together, so standing atop our Architecture Studio, we experienced a new and exciting kind of sidewalk that none of the aggressive bikers below could reach: roofing. We could see the whole city from where we stood, and the only thing interrupting our gaze was the occasional copper dome or spire splintering up from the cobblestone streets below. This is exactly the kind of creative exploration and delight my study-abroad experience fostered.”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Mandela Monument at the Union Building in Pretoria” by Sarah Balekage ’25
Program: Social Issues in South Africa
Nelson Mandela Statue • Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa
“South Africa is a dream country that I always had on my bucket list to visit. Even though it was lightly raining when we got to the Mandela Statue in Pretoria, I couldn’t help but run over there and capture a picture next to this gigantic statue to show to my kids one day!”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Smørrebrød” by Thea Larsson ’26
Program: DIS Copenhagen
Copenhagen • Denmark
“A taste of Denmark, made during our very first gathering! In the DIS Culinary Living Learning Community, we learned the art of smørrebrød — bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor. This shared experience marked the beginning of new friendships and unforgettable memories.”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Monastery Moment” by Aiden Yung ’26
Program: Classical Studies in Greece
Meteora Monasteries • Meteora, Greece
“After following winding paths carved into the mountainside, we reached a lookout that revealed a stunning view of the Meteora Monasteries. Perched high on towering rock pillars, the monasteries seemed to float above the valley, blending history and nature in a truly unforgettable scene.”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Crossing the Bridge” by Cole Kehrberg ’26
Program: Global Semester
La Selva Biological Station • Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
“We crossed the bridge in La Selva Research Station alongside the rainforest researchers of Costa Rica every day we studied there. On September 8, a family of howler monkeys decided to join us.”
HONORABLE MENTION
“Pete!” by Emma Coen-Pesch ’26
Program: University of Galway
Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park • County Galway, Ireland
“During a Christmas Eve hike up Diamond Hill, I was really excited to have my photo taken next to this peat. Peat is a very cool type of soil that is extremely rich in organic matter and stores twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests. Throughout the hike I kept shouting ‘Peat!’ in excitement. My friend Julia, unfamiliar with the soil type’s name, thought that I had named it ‘Pete’ and was calling out to it because I had grown so attached.”
“Dumbo” by Gibran Murrieta ’25
Program: Dance NOW/NY January Term Experience
Dumbo Neighborhood • Brooklyn, New York
“The Manhattan Bridge was a common sight as we took the subways into Brooklyn for performances, dance classes, or to explore the city on our own. An iconic image and location for locals and visitors alike.”
“Early Morning on Roy’s Peak” by Ashtyn Bollinger Murrieta ’25
South Island, New Zealand
“Under the New Zealand Starts” by Graham Barwick ’25
South Island, New Zealand
“Through the Duomo” by Leonor Arrobas Da Silva ’26
Duomo di Milano • Milan, Italy
“Misty Spartan Morning” by Alexander Bjork ‘27
Sparta, Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece
“An elevated view of the city of Sparta dwarfed between a dense olive grove and the Taygetus Mountains.”
“Canyon Shadows” by Vera Sablak ’25
Ghost Ranch • Abiquiu, New Mexico
“Oles on Top of the World” by Megan Haas ’27
Bergen, Norway
“On our first full day in Bergen, a group of Oles on the Gender Equality in Norway travel abroad group went for a hike up the Ulriken mountain right behind our hostel. Ulriken Mountain is the highest of the seven mountains surrounding the town of Bergen, with an elevation of over 2,110 feet. The hike encompassed 1,333 stairs and took almost 2 hours to summit. While a physical challenge and more of an endeavor than many of us had signed up for this mountain-top experience was one of the best and most beautiful from our time in Norway.”
“Grazing Sea Turtle” by Addie Rossinow ’25
Lambai Island, Taiwan
“This photo is of a sea turtle off the coast of 小琉球 (Xiǎo liúqiú) (English name: Lambai Island), one of Taiwan’s many smaller islands. When the tide is high, these turtles spend their time near the shore. This particular turtle was grazing before it swam to deeper water. When I was studying in Taiwan, I was quickly made aware that there are several places where you can swim with sea turtles, so I knew I had to go at some point during my study abroad. What I appreciated about my experience swimming around the turtles was that there were not many tourists, and when there were, they kept a respectable distance from the turtles. This was a stark difference I observed between Taiwan and what I expect tourists in other parts of the world to act around wildlife.”
“Up the Library” by Eliza Putnam ’26
University of Aberdeen • Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
“Botanical Stamps” by Skyler Huckabee-Jennings ’25
Herbarium, Taipei Botanical Gardens • Taipei, Taiwan
“These stamps were used during the Japanese Colonial period in Taiwan to classify plants around the island.”
“The Hemicycle” by Andrew Baker ’26
The Hemicycle, Louise Weiss Building • Strasbourg, France
“The Permanent Seat of the European Parliament, the Louise Weiss Building has several outstanding architectural features. The parliamentary chamber, dubbed ‘The Hemicycle” is one. The seats are arranged with leaders of political groups seated at the front and their coalitions behind. The Hemicyle is ringed by interpretation booths for the European Parliament’s 24 official languages and public viewing seats.”
“Monument at Midnight” by Lauren Olson ’26
The Washington Monument, the National Mall • Washington D.C.
“A group of students, who became close friends take on a late night adventure to admire the Washington Monument. After long days of learning and networking the students sit, stand, and use media to appreciate the glow of the Monument from across the partly frozen Tidal Basin just as midnight approaches.”
“On the Water’s Edge” by Kieran Brown ’27
Trondheim, Norway
“The deep reds and rich golds of the stilt houses glisten on the waters of Trondhiem. This sunny day was a welcome feeling after days of rain and snow. This peaceful stroll across the beautiful bridges and walkways of the city, with a cup of hot chocolate, was one of my favorite moments of the trip.”
“Shrapnel” by Finnian Falvey ’25
Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
“This picture was taken in the town of Omagh, Co. Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The town is significant to the ‘Troubles’, as it was the sight of a IRA bombing in 1998, killing 29. It was the first such bombing to happen after the Good Friday Agreement, sending a message that terror will not cease in this new era of peace in Northern Ireland. An inquiry into the attack is still currently active. While the photograph was taken in a different part of town than the bombing took place, I was moved to capture this window laden with gunshot wounds. Why were they left there? What message does that send? The window casts a reflection on myself and the surrounding buildings. There’s a pub visible in the shot behind me, and an imposing cathedral waits at the end of the street. This photo was taken on 35mm, black and white film. 54°36’01.4″N 7°18’17.5″W”
“In Memoriam” by Zoe Ottinger ’26
Royal Airforce Bomber Command Memorial, Green Park • London, England, United Kingdom
“Before touring London, a small group of us arrived and explored Green Park. We stopped at the Royal Airforce Bomber Command Memorial where people placed red poppies in honor of those who passed during World War II.”
“A Combined Effort” by William Matzek ’25
Tromsø, Norway
“During our classes’s hike to a peak in Tromsø, Norway, we came across a massive rock pile. Each of us contributed to its towering height by adding stones we collected along the way. Mine’s the cool white one.”
“A Lock with No Key” by William Matzek ’25
Copenhagen, Denmark
“My roommates – Alison, Sarah, and Ryan – and I left a piece of ourselves in Copenhagen, signing and locking away our memories along the bridge we biked across everyday for four months.”
“Quick! Take a Pic!” by Maria Camilli ’26
Etosha National Park, Namibia
“This photo embodies the once in a lifetime opportunity we had on Global Semester to see many animals up close, in this case, an elephant practically at arm’s length outside of our safari jeep. Behind this photo was a very hurried shuffle of people as we all smiled and snapped a picture before our window of 5-10 seconds was up while on a safari tour in the early morning at Etosha National Park in Namibia.”