A former English professor whose expertise is 18th-century British literature, David R. Anderson ’74 majored in English at St. Olaf and went on to earn his doctorate in English from Boston College. He also studied at Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management and Capital University’s Center for Dispute Resolution. Anderson went on to become the longest-serving president of St. Olaf since Sidney Rand, who also held the position for 17 years, from 1963 to 1980.
With a deep commitment to ensuring that campus facilities match the excellence of the St. Olaf experience, Anderson oversaw a dramatic transformation of the physical spaces on the Hill. The construction of Regents Hall was followed by significant renovations of Tomson Hall, Holland Hall, and Steensland Hall, the construction of an on-campus ice arena and investments in athletic facilities, and a $60 million student housing project, among a number of other smaller-scale renovations across campus.
He placed an emphasis on expanding resources for high-impact experiences like student-faculty research, internships, Conversation Programs, and study abroad. He provided a data-driven focus on the outcomes of a St. Olaf education and oversaw an overhaul of the college’s career services. To provide weight, gravity, and permanence to key elements of the St. Olaf experience, Anderson led the establishment of the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, the Institute for Freedom and Community, the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion, the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community, and the Smith Center for Global Engagement.
Anderson led a seven-year comprehensive campaign that raised more than $250 million and worked to significantly increase the college’s endowment so that today it funds more than 20 percent of the college’s operating budget. He also steered the college to a new admissions model that positioned St. Olaf among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country and enabled the college to compete more effectively and aspirationally for students. The result is a significantly more national, international, and diverse student body.
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