Daily Chapel Talk
February 24, 2020
“Seeing and Believing”
Daily Chapel Talk
September 11, 2019
“Be a Barnabas”
Daily Chapel Talk
February 25, 2019
“The Domestic Transfiguration of my Baseball Mitt”
Founders Day Convocation
November 6, 2018
“The Vision of Five Bewhiskered Men”
Daily Chapel Talk
September 13, 2018
In his first chapel talk of the academic year, President David Anderson shares the story of the Tower of Babel and the story of the Coming of the Holy Spirit to reflect on the impact of one’s voice — and the powerful metaphors that can be drawn to today’s world.
Opening Address for Faculty, Staff, and Emeriti
August 30, 2018
President Anderson shares his welcome address to faculty and staff, which outlines the college’s goals for the year. You can also review these goals here.
All-Alumni Convocation
June 2, 2018
President David Anderson addresses the demography of the incoming class and the college’s most recent achievements during Reunion Weekend.
PDA’s Desk: IPEDS 2018
March 22, 2018
President David Anderson shares important institutional information from the annual Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Survey.
Daily Chapel Talk
February 12, 2018
Giving a message on the importance of vision and understanding, President David Anderson narrates a story from the Gospel of John with students representing the various voices.
PDA’s Desk: A Welcome Back Message to Students
February 12, 2018
President David Anderson provides a recap of Fall Semester and January Term, along with college updates for the start of Spring Semester.
PDA’s Desk: Bias Incident Reporting Process
January 16, 2018
President David Anderson prefaces Chief Diversity Officer Bruce King and Dean of Students Roz Eaton’s explanation of the college’s bias incident reporting process.
Town Hall Gathering
October 7, 2017
President David Anderson provides the community with campus history and explains updates the college has gone through.
Alumni Award Winner Panel
October 6, 2017
President David Anderson shares a conversation with Ruth ’81 and Arne Sorenson, recipients of the Alumni Award, about their leadership experiences.
PDA’s Desk: To Include is To Excel
October 2, 2017
President David Anderson introduce Provost Marci Sortor and Professor Maggie Broner’s conversation detailing an exciting new project centered on inclusion for all students.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 11, 2017
In welcoming students back to campus, President David Anderson delivers a speech emphasizing the need for peace and acceptance in the midst of 21st century hatred and xenophobia.
A Welcome Message from PDA
August 28, 2017
President David Anderson welcomes students back to the Hill and shares his hopes for the coming academic year in relation to life beyond St. Olaf.
All-Alumni Convocation
June 3, 2017
In his state of the college address to visiting alumni, President David Anderson provides an in-depth overview of current and incoming Oles.
‘Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem’
March 7, 2017
Listen to President Anderson, a fan and scholar of hard-boiled detective fiction, discuss Rex Stout, author of the popular Nero Wolfe series, as part of the International Crime Fiction Panel.
Daily Chapel Talk
March 7, 2017
The text from 1 Kings 3:5-14 provides President Anderson an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of leadership.
President Anderson on the Immigration Ban
January 30, 2017
President Anderson addresses the St. Olaf community in response to the recent presidential executive order regarding immigration.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 12, 2016
Speaking on the text of Matthew 9: 16-17, the parable of new wine in old wineskins, President Anderson welcomes students to the new semester and encourages them to be open to new opportunities to learn, to engage, to develop, and to serve.
All-Alumni Celebration Address
June 4, 2016
President Anderson presents the state of the college during Reunion Weekend.
Daily Chapel Talk
February 16, 2016
President Anderson reflects on the criticism of Martha in Luke 10: 38-42 and the importance of nourishing both body and soul. Making the case that, as humans, satisfying the needs of the body opens the mind and heart for nourishment of the soul, and that, as Christians, we can nourish ourselves and others through acts of hospitality.
St. Olaf ‘On the Road’ in Seattle
January 30, 2016
President Anderson discusses strategic philanthropy with David Rossow ’05.
October 10, 2015
President Anderson interviews economist Dean Maki ’87 during the academic year’s first On the Road event that gathers alumni, parents, and friends of the college together with prospective students for conversation and networking.
Daily Chapel Talk
May 11, 2015
President Anderson reflects on the story of Jonah and the whale and its lessons for daily life.
Minnesota Public Radio Friday Roundtable
May 8, 2015
President Anderson joined MPR host Kerri Miller and two other college and university presidents in a discussion of higher education today and Kevin Carey’s new book The End of College: Creating the Future of Learning and the University of Everywhere. Listen to the archived broadcast.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 9, 2014
President Anderson reflects on the Parable of the Five Talents and its relevance to the beginning of a new academic year, urging students to think of their time at St. Olaf as both an investment in the future and an opportunity to consider how best to go about employing the gifts and talents that are accorded each of us.
All-Alumni Convocation Address
May 31, 2014
President Anderson provided an overview of the graduating and incoming classes at St. Olaf and the financial state of the college. In his comments to alumni, he laid out the economic realities facing St. Olaf and other liberal arts colleges and spoke to the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly diverse campus community.
Daily Chapel Talk
February 17, 2014
President Anderson discusses the choices presented in Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and challenges all to make a commitment to the task of aligning our actions with God’s vision for us and for God’s creation.
Address to the Annual Nordic American Breakfast
November 26, 2013
President Anderson is asked to speak on the topic of “Family and Friends” and discusses Norwegian heritage in the context of contemporary American life.
Dedication of the Reconstructed Art Barn
November 7, 2013
“The Art Barn, reconstructed as a classroom, a retreat center, a gathering place, a portal to the Natural Lands, a model of sustainability, lives again to serve the College, its students and faculty, and the community around us,” said President David Anderson at dedication ceremonies for the new building.
Summit on the Hill Address
September 21, 2013
President Anderson discussed the challenges facing St. Olaf and higher education in speaking to 300 alumni volunteers participating in the annual Summit on the Hill, stressing the importance of securing the college’s identity in the face of rapid change.
All-Alumni Convocation Address
June 1, 2013
President Anderson presented alumni with an update on the state of the college, including the financial health of the institution and the configuration of the next incoming class. In doing so, he highlighted recent initiatives to restrain tuition and expenditures and to engage in closer collaboration with Carleton College to achieve greater efficiencies in college operations.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
April 30, 2013
President Anderson discusses major enhancements to the physical plant, including an expansion of the Cage cafe in Buntrock Commons, the renovation of Hoyme and Ellingston residence halls, and the restoration of the historic Art Barn.
Daily Chapel Talk
March 18, 2013
President Anderson reminds current and prospective students in the audience that “we should think of our lives as guided and formed by and for some purpose and consequently to think of ourselves as responsible for finding that purpose and then being guided by it.”
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
February 28, 2013
President Anderson examines the challenges to higher education, including calls for transparency regarding value, affordability, and student outcomes, and the development of free MOOCS (massive,open, online courses).
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
October 18, 2012
President Anderson examines the guiding principles of Division III athletics and how well St. Olaf meets those aspirations through the performance of its student-athletes.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 19, 2012
President Anderson speaks to the Lutheran understanding of vocation and the importance of finding one’s vocation in life.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
May 24, 2012
President Anderson describes the college’s initiative in documenting return on investment and the development of a comprehensive database on initial career placement/outcomes for Class of 2011 graduates.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
February 3, 2012
President Anderson talks about the importance of assessment and the St. Olaf performance indicators from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
Daily Chapel Talk
January 11, 2012
President Anderson reflects on guilty pleasures and the promise of God’s grace.
Council of Independent Colleges Address
January 6, 2012
President Anderson discusses the challenges in making the case for a liberal arts education in today’s climate in remarks before the Council of Independent Colleges Presidents’ Meeting.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
November 1, 2011
President Anderson provides a status report on the health of the college.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 27, 2011
Autumn is usually associated with the completion of the growing season and the fulfillment of promise. By contrast, in the academic calendar autumn is all about potential, about promise, about newness in short, about beginnings.
All-Alumni Convocation Address
June 4, 2011
The first, most obvious, and most critical question to ask about the welfare of the College is whether there is still a sufficient demand for the experience we offer and whether we can generate enough revenue to provide that experience. The answer to both questions is yes.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
May 20, 2011
President Anderson presents the St. Olaf Strategic Plan and answers questions about college priorities.
Daily Chapel Talk
April 7, 2011
The Do Over
As children playing games, we took advantage of a “do over” from time to time. President Anderson reminds us that God doesn’t grant do overs, but if we ask forgiveness we will experience his loving response.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
February 3, 2011
President Anderson discusses the renovation of the old Science Center and the features of the newly renamed Tomson Hall.
Mid-Year Update
February 2, 2011
As we await the return of students for the start of semester II, President Anderson invites us to tour the newly renovated Tomson Hall and delivers a mid-year update on the state of the College.
Lunchtime Live Broadcast
October 21, 2010
In the first Lunchtime Live broadcast, President Anderson examines the finances of the college and the characteristics of the incoming class, answering questions from parents and alumni.
Daily Chapel Talk
September 14, 2010
Reflecting on the journeys that brought us to St. Olaf, the journeys of students and faculty abroad, and the journeys ahead, President Anderson reminds us that we “walk in the care of a providential God.”
Opening of the 2010–11 academic year
September 2, 2010
President Anderson opens the 2010–11 academic year with a State of the College address.
Commencement 2010
May 30, 2010
President Anderson provides the charge to the Class of 2010 at graduation.
Sammenkomst 2010
May 29, 2010
In addressing alumni at reunion, President Anderson discusses the changes that are taking place at the college and explains why St. Olaf is flourishing during difficult times.