St. Olaf College marks a significant turning point in the academic journey of its sophomores each year with the annual Major Declaration Day held in early March. This event is a vibrant celebration of students formally committing to their chosen fields of study. Serving as a true academic milestone, the day is designed to be festive and supportive, featuring representatives from various departments across the college, dedicated photo opportunities to commemorate the achievement, and complimentary snacks, all contributing to an atmosphere of excitement and recognition for this important choice.

The Philosophy Department’s table created a welcoming hub for their incoming cohort. Students who stopped by could acquire exclusive departmental swag including philosophy t-shirts, stickers, and buttons, helping them show pride in their new major. They were also provided with a schedule detailing departmental events, ensuring they could take part in the intellectual and social life of the major.

Professors Dan Farnham and Brian Söderquist were present at the table throughout the event. They offered warm congratulations to each student, officially welcoming them into the Philosophy major community. Professor Söderquist observed a palpable level of excitement among the students, noting that the new Philosophy majors appeared “very enthusiastic” about the field of study they had chosen. 11 students made a stop at the Philosophy table to formally declare their major on that day. However, this count represents only a fraction of the 23 total students who officially declared the Philosophy major this March. The department looks forward to supporting these new majors on their philosophical journey and celebrating their future accomplishments.

Featured above are a few of the newly declared Philosophy majors, class of 2028.

Congratulations to the class of 2028!