8–11 a.m. | Reunion Recess — Tostrud

Reconnect through fitness and fun at Tostrud Fieldhouse! Start your day with a fun run at 8:30 a.m. in St. Olaf Natural Lands, or shoot hoops, swim laps, walk the track, play tennis, pickleball, campus golf, and more! Outdoor activities canceled in case of severe weather.
👉For those participating in the fun run arrive early to complete the waiver.
👉Campus golf, volleyballs, and disc golf equipment will be available to check out from the Ytterboe Hall Front Desk from 7:30 a.m. to dusk.

8:30-9:15 a.m. | Saturday Morning Ole Yoga and Gratitude Meditation — Skoglund Gym

Pre-register or walk-up to enjoy a gentle morning yoga and gratitude meditation session. A limited number of mats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Or, bring your own! Make sure to arrive a few minutes early and complete your waiver.

9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. | Walking Tour of the Natural Lands — Art Barn

Experience a guided tour of the St. Olaf Natural Lands. View the unique and abundant variety of plants and wildlife that live and grow in this protected area. Meet at the Art Barn by the wind turbine, Big Ole.

2:30-6 p.m. | Fun on the Campus Green — Campus Green

Make your way over to the Campus Green to enjoy live music, campus views, giant lawn games, a petting zoo, and refreshments. Toast to good friends and making new memories. Family-friendly. The Rollin’ Ole will be serving Johnny Pops sponsored by the St. Olaf Fund.

8 p.m.-midnight | Saturday Night Entertainment

Dance under the stars with your classmates! The campus green will feature a silent disco with three DJ stations, each with music from a different era. There will be plenty of space to dance, socialize, play outdoor games, and enjoy s’mores by the fire. Bars will be serving local tap beer, a specialty drink, and NA beverages. Drink tokens will be available for purchase at the Ole Shop.

8:30-10:30 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Guided Then and Now Campus Tours — Old Main

Current St. Olaf students will lead small groups on walking tours of campus. Learn more about the newest buildings and discover how the Hill has changed since you were a student. Meet at the doors of Old Main. Tours will depart every 30 minutes. Last tour leaves at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Canceled in case of severe weather.

9-10:30 a.m. | Stained Glass Tour and Visio Divina with the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition – Boe Chapel

Enjoy an illuminating tour of the stained glass windows in Boe Memorial Chapel with a chance to reflect on the illuminations in the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition with St. Olaf College Pastor Matt Marohl and Lutheran Center Associate Director Peter Schattauer ’08.

9-10:30 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.| St. Olaf Faculty and Staff Lightning Talks – Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons

Join us for one or all of these 20-minute talks by St. Olaf faculty and staff members. View the online schedule of events for more details.

2:30-4:30 p.m. | Campus Centers Open Houses – Campus Green

Grab a friend and learn more about how St. Olaf supports current students and enjoy an afternoon treat with staff members from four of St. Olaf’s five innovative on-campus centers. 

Piper Center for Vocation and Career

Lutheran Center

Smith Center for Global Engagement

Taylor Center

Buntrock Institute for Freedom and Community

2:30-4:30 p.m. | Kierkegaard Library – Steensland Hall

Visit the Howard V. and Edna H. Hong Kierkegaard Library. This special collection and center for research and publication serves as an international hub for scholarship of Søren Kierkegaard and of existentialism more broadly. It serves students, scholars, faculty, alumni, and anyone interested in the writings and ideas of the Danish philosopher. Housing approximately 20,000 book volumes, it comprises many editions matching those owned by Kierkegaard himself as a part of the Library’s ongoing goal of recreating his personal library. 

4-5 p.m. | Author Signing: Helen Hardt ’86 – Bookstore

Don’t miss your chance to connect with #1 NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller Helen Hardt ‘86 (Helen Betcher McConnell). Helen will be signing copies of My Heart Still Beats, available for purchase at her table. Come say hello and celebrate her latest success!

10:30-11:30 a.m. | Donuts and All-Class Rally — Boe Plaza

Enjoy a tasty snack before the All-Alumni Celebration! Don’t miss trivia and a rousing all-reunion rendition of Um! Yah! Yah! accompanied by a live brass band from Lakeville North High School. Conducted by Matt Wanken ’05.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | All-Alumni Celebration — Boe Chapel

President Susan Rundell Singer invites you to join this joyful, multi-generational celebration of the St. Olaf community. Join us as we recognize the vital alumni contributions of time, talent, and treasure to St. Olaf.

2:30-6 p.m. | Fun on the Campus Green

Make your way over to the Campus Green to enjoy live music, campus views, giant lawn games, a petting zoo, and refreshments. Toast to good friends and making new memories. Family-friendly. The Rollin’ Ole will be serving Johnny Pops sponsored by the St. Olaf Fund.

8-10:30 p.m. | Dueling Pianos — Campus Green stage

Grab a beverage and sing along to all of your favorites during this high-energy show led by Charlie Ollmann ’76!

8 p.m.-Midnight | Saturday Night Entertainment — Campus Green

Dance under the stars with your classmates! The campus green will feature a silent disco with three DJ stations, each with music from a different era. There will be plenty of space to dance, socialize, play outdoor games, and enjoy s’mores by the fire. Bars will be serving local tap beer, a specialty drink, and NA beverages. Drink tokens will be available for purchase at the Ole Shop.

8:30-10:30 a.m. | St. Olaf Archives and NAHA Pop-Up Exhibits — Buntrock Commons

Grab a friend and learn more about St. Olaf’s history and current programming. Visit the St. Olaf Archives and Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) pop-up exhibits in Buntrock Commons. The St. Olaf Archives exhibit will feature items curated for the 1976 50th class reunion.

8:30-10:30 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Guided Then and Now Campus Tours — Old Main

Current St. Olaf students will lead small groups on walking tours of campus. Learn more about the newest buildings and discover how the Hill has changed since you were a student. Meet at the doors of Old Main. Tours will depart every 30 minutes. Last tour leaves at 10 a.m. Canceled in case of severe weather. 

Noon-5 p.m. | Rolvaag Library Open — Rolvaag Memorial Library

Relive your favorite study sessions and explore the “stacks” once again! The library is open for alumni to rediscover their favorite quiet corners and see our updated collaborative spaces.
The DiSCO (Digital Scholarship Center at Olaf) on the 4th floor of Rolvaag Library will feature a showcase of its 10-year history, tours, 3D-printed souvenirs, and crafts and activities for adults and children alike in our makerspace.

4-5 p.m. | Celebration of life: Professor Ted Vessey (1938 – 2025) – Regents Hall of Mathematical sciences 6th floor

Please join us for a gathering to honor the life and legacy of Ted Vessey, retired Mathematics Department Professor and longtime Department Chairman. The Department of Mathematics will be hosting this joyful gathering, a time for alumni, colleagues, friends, and family to reconnect and share stories in celebration of his enduring impact on the department, the college, and the lives of so many generations of Oles.

10 p.m. | Ghost Files — Behind Thorson Hall

Join former St. Olaf administrator and Northfield resident Greg Kneser, keeper of the St. Olaf “ghost files” for an evening of chilling tales. Hear legendary stories of the “red cap boy” haunting Thorson Hall, mysterious stereo disruptions, and other unexplained phenomena that have earned St. Olaf its reputation as one of the Midwest’s most haunted campuses. Dare to delve into the folklore that has spooked Oles for generations! Meet behind Thorson.

Thursday, May 28 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. | Black and Gold Ballrooms, Buntrock Commons
Kickstart your 50th reunion weekend with this fun and casual welcome reception. Enjoy connecting with your classmates over heavy appetizers, wine, and beer. Pre-registration is required.

Thursday, May 28 | 8 – 11:30 p.m. | Ytterboe Lounge
Continue the fun after dinner with late night snacks and conversation in the dorm. All are welcome!

Friday, May 29 | 10 a.m. | Boe Chapel
Attend this special worship service to remember and honor your classmates. Worship will be led by the Service of Remembrance and Gratitude choir, directed by Craig Arnold ’76.
You may wish to bring and reference your copy of the Viking Update.
St. Olaf student soloists will be performing special pre-service music beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The Class of 1976 will take a class photo in Boe Chapel immediately following the Service of Remembrance and Gratitude.

Friday, May 29 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Buntrock Ballrooms
Enjoy good food and even better conversation! The program for Friday lunch is planned by your class reunion committee. Included in the 1976 Ole All-In, Weekender, and Friday Only Packages. Pre-registration required.

Friday, May 29 | 2 – 4:45 p.m. | Tomson 280
Don’t miss these thought-provoking talks on a variety of topics planned by your 50th reunion committee. Featuring classmates and St. Olaf faculty and staff speakers.

SESSION ONE | 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Medical Innovations in Our Generation
In addition to addressing the current and future innovations in their fields, panelists will discuss how their St. Olaf education guided them along the way.
Panelists:
Chris Moertel, moderator
Paul McCray
Dan Townsend

SESSION TWO | 3 to 3:45 p.m.
Study Abroad and Global Engagement
Panelists will discuss how their living, working, and studying abroad impacted their lives and world view.
Panelists:
Larry Stranghoener, moderator
Cindy Hokanson
Steve Heim
Lynn Seifert
Kevin Strathy

SESSION THREE | 4 to 4:45 p.m.
Challenges for Christianity in America
Panelists will discuss movements within American Christianity, the state of Christian Nationalism, and how the church builds caring communities.
Panelists:
Rolf Olson, moderator
Peter Carlson Schattauer ’08
Nancy Keysor Koester
Rich Larson

Saturday, May 30 | 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Holland Hall
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your classmates who shared some of your most important experiences on the Hill.

• Athletics — Hosted by Mark Gelle and Craig Collins
• Music Alumni — Hosted by Craig Arnold
• Paracollege — Hosted by Ann Thompson and Paula Carlson
• Global Semester — Hosted by Alan Tjeltveit and Margie Dahl Sanders

Additionally, from 3 – 5 p.M. Nursing majors from the Class of 1976 are invited to gather for casual conversation and connection.