Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College

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Gustavus Sign

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College! My name is Caitlin, and I'm excited to show you our wonderful campus. Here at Gustavus, we equip students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time through an innovative liberal arts education of recognized excellence. Located 60 miles south of Minneapolis on a beautiful 350-acre campus overlooking the Minnesota River Valley, Gustavus is known for its strong sense of community, close collaboration between students and faculty, and the many hands-on opportunities that are provided to all Gusties. One of the long-standing winter traditions at Gustavus is grabbing a tray from the Caf and sledding down Old Main hill. Before we get started, let me explain the many ways you can explore our beautiful space. -You can click on the forward facing arrow to start walking around. -You can jump to the next stop by clicking on the "Next" button. -Now, if you already know where you want to go, you can select any location by using the list OR by clicking directly on the map. -Lastly, remember that you can explore any particular location in more detail by clicking the supplemental icons.

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Old Main

Tour stop audio transcript

Gustavus was founded in 1862 by Swedish-Lutheran immigrants and moved to Saint Peter, Minnesota in 1876. Back then, Old Main was the only building on campus. Students lived, ate, studied, and took classes all within these walls. More than 150 years later, Gusties still take courses in political science, religion, classics, and philosophy right here in the building where it all began. And our rigorous academics are balanced with fine arts, athletics, and service opportunities outside of the classroom. At Gustavus, our 2,300 students choose from over 70 majors and are involved in over 120 different student organizations. And when you're outside Old Main, be sure to paint the rock!

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Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library

Tour stop audio transcript

Working on a research paper? Looking for a quiet place to study? Or maybe you just want to read the newspaper or check out the latest bestseller? The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library is the central hub for information at Gustavus, so stop by with a quick question for a research librarian, meet classmates for a group project, or stay up late studying for tomorrow's midterm exam. And getting the information you need goes beyond the library – there's a computer lab with printing in every residence hall and the entire campus has wireless internet supported by full-time professionals in Gustavus Technology Services.

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Eckman Mall

Tour stop audio transcript

The main outdoor corridor on campus, Eckman Mall bustles with activity every day as students grab a cup of coffee, go to class or lab, or head to the cafeteria. As a central gathering place, the mall also hosts outdoor concerts and festivals, ice cream socials, and activity fairs throughout the year. With student organizations ranging from finance and investing to the Hill Crew fan group to the Legacy a cappella singers to our Japanese Culture Club, there are many ways to get involved on campus. In fact, over 75 percent of Gusties participate in community service activities every year.

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Campus Center/Cafeteria

Tour stop audio transcript

The Jackson Campus Center is home to the nationally-ranked Gustavus Dining Service, the admission office, the campus book store, the Hillstrom Museum of Art, and several offices that support student development. The Caf is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the week and features nine different stations with a wide variety of tasty options. Gustavus, the first certified Fair Trade college in Minnesota, is also home to the Big Hill Farm, a student-run garden that provides produce for the campus. And don't forget to check out our award-winning art museum and the Courtyard Café coffee shop in the basement of the campus center.

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Lund Center

Tour stop audio transcript

Gustavus offers 23 intercollegiate sports and competes in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III. Over 25 percent of our students are involved in athletics at Gustavus and we rank in the top ten in Division III in the number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. In addition to serving as the home of the athletics department, Lund Center is also home to the Department of Health and Exercise Science and fitness facilities that are open to all students. Want to see what the atmosphere here is like on game day? Check out the supplemental info below for video highlights and photos of our other athletic facilities.

Nobel Conference

Tour stop audio transcript

Each fall, Gustavus hosts the Nobel Conference, the only lecture program in the United States that is authorized by The Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. The Nobel Conference brings together world experts in cutting-edge scientific issues to discuss both the science and ethics of each year's topic, with over 90 Nobel Laureates visiting Gustavus since the conference began in 1965. More than 10,000 people watch the conference each year on campus or through our online live stream. Recent topics have included reproductive technology, ocean biology, the limits of the universe, and the science and experience of addiction.

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Beck Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

The energy-efficient, L.E.E.D Platinum-certified Beck Academic Hall is home to the social sciences, including economics and management, psychological science, history, sociology and anthropology, and communication studies. With an average class size of 15 and overall student-to-professor ratio of 11 to 1, Gustavus is a place where you'll get personal attention from faculty members. You'll be challenged and supported as you receive an interdisciplinary education and hands-on opportunities that will prepare you for life after college. What's that mean? After graduation, nearly a third of our students go directly to professional or graduate school and 99 percent of new Gustavus grads are situated within six months of commencement.

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Olin Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

Olin Hall houses the departments of physics and math, computer science, and statistics. Students in math and physics are well prepared to go on to careers in engineering, education, research, technology, and analysis. The physics program emphasizes undergraduate research and is nationally recognized as one of the top producers of graduates who go on to receive a PhD in physics. On top of the building is the Olin Hall Observatory, where students can utilize a computer-guided 14-inch Celestron Telescope as well as mounts for smaller telescopes to study astronomy or just gaze at the stars.

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Carlson International Center

Tour stop audio transcript

Serving as one of the College's residence halls as well as the offices of the Center for International and Cultural Education and the Swedish House, the Carlson International Center is an intentional space where students can learn, live, and socialize with a global perspective. Nearly 50 percent of Gustavus students study away for a semester, a year, or for the month of January during their four years on the hill. And when it comes to service, we've got you covered – Gustavus has produced nearly 300 Peace Corps volunteers since the program began in 1961.

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Southwest Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

One of the fourteen residence halls on campus, Southwest Hall offers apartment or suite-style living to returning students. Gustavus students live on campus for all four years, which provides community-based living opportunities that supplement classroom learning and development. Living here means there's always something going on. Whether it's cooking with friends in the residence hall kitchen, playing campus-wide capture the flag, or going to the weekend movie in the Wallenberg Auditorium, there are plenty of ways to stay busy when you're not studying, practicing, or rehearsing.

Linnaeus Arboretum

Tour stop audio transcript

Located on the southwest corner of campus, the 135-acre Linnaeus Arboretum provides a breathtaking setting to relax, study, go for a run, or snowshoe with a friend. In addition to providing 2.5 miles of trails that wind through forests, ponds, and prairies, the Arboretum hosts events for Gustavus students and the Saint Peter Community throughout the year. "The Arb," as Gusties call it, continues to grow in use each year and serves as a living classroom for biology and environmental studies students and a living performance space for Gustavus dancers, musicians, and actors.

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Bjorling Recital Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

As the main musical performance space on campus, the 475-seat Bjorling Recital Hall hosts a variety of solo, ensemble, and guest concerts throughout the year. Almost 40 percent of Gustavus students are involved in one of nearly thirty ensembles, including four groups that tour on a regular basis. Gustavus offers majors in musical performance, music theory, and music education, along with the opportunity to minor in arts administration. And music scholarships are available to students regardless of major, so whether you play the trombone or sing soprano, there are many ways for you to be involved.

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Anderson Theatre

Tour stop audio transcript

The 270-seat Anderson Theatre features a unique thrust stage that makes every member of the audience feel like a part of the action. In addition to three major theatre productions each year, the Department of Theatre and Dance produces several site-specific, student-directed, and experimental theatre pieces either in the College's Black Box Theatre or at locations across campus. In addition to the recital hall and theatre spaces, the Schaefer Fine Arts Building also houses the Kresge Dance Studio, where Gustavus dancers choreograph and rehearse for nearly a dozen shows each year. Like music, productions are open to students from all majors and scholarships are available in theatre and dance.

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Nobel Hall of Science

Tour stop audio transcript

The Nobel Hall of Science hosts chemistry, biology, geology, and geography, environmental studies, and biochemistry majors along with pre-professional programs in healthcare professions. Because we're a liberal arts college, our professors are focused on working directly with students. Research opportunities are a priority at Gustavus, and our unique First-Year Research Experience program allows students to practice lab work early in their undergraduate career. We're excited that the Nobel Hall of Science is being renovated and will double in size over the next three years. To see what the future of science at Gustavus will look like, check out the supplemental info below for a video flyover of our updated facility.

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A.H. Anderson Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

The newly renovated Anderson Hall is home to the Department of Education, the Center for Academic Resources and Enhancement, the Writing Center, and the unique Ake and Kristina Bonnier Multifaith Center. From meditation practices to Muslim prayer to yoga, the multifaith center offers daily programming for students, faculty, and staff from a variety of faith backgrounds. And education? Future teachers learn in state-of-the-art facilities that prepare them to impact the next generation of learners. Once our education majors complete their classroom studies, they have the opportunity to student teach across the United States or through partner programs in Mexico, Central America, and Europe.

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Christ Chapel

Tour stop audio transcript

Located in the middle of campus, Christ Chapel is the spiritual center of the Gustavus community and offers a 20-minute daily chapel service each weekday throughout the academic year. From student speakers to music-based worship, daily chapel encourages all students to reflect on their own faith. Gustavus is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and there are currently seven student-led religious organizations representing a variety of faiths. Our annual Christmas in Christ Chapel worship services take place here every December as over 350 student performers and more than 5,000 guests join together to celebrate the Christmas season through Word and song.

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West Mall / Sesquicentennial Plaza

Tour stop audio transcript

For over 150 years, Gustavus Adolphus College has educated young people to lead lives of leadership and service in society. Now that you've seen our beautiful college on the hill, we invite you to join us in person to experience the community that truly makes this campus come alive. Gustavus is a place where you will be challenged with rigorous academics and supported by caring professors, thoughtful staff, and fellow Gusties at every step of your journey. It's a place that values excellence, community, justice, service, and faith. And it's a place that will equip you for success after graduation. Join us at Gustavus. Make Your Life Count.

Confer-Vickner Hall

Tour stop audio transcript

The Culpeper Language Center provides tutoring for all languages offered in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. This space is where Gustavus students and faculty can interact and share their passion for language and culture. The Center is located in Confer-Vickner Hall, home to two other departments: English and Scandinavian Studies. As a college founded by Swedish immigrants, Gustavus remains connected to its heritage (with events like "Fika" and places like the Swedish House) even as our students come from and embrace other cultures.

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