Macalester College

Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1874, it is noted for its rigorous academic programs, internationalist ethos, and commitment to civic engagement. The college enrolls approximately 2,200 students from across the United States and over 90 countries, fostering a diverse and globally-minded campus community.

History

The institution was founded by the Reverend Edward Duffield Neill, a former chaplain to President Abraham Lincoln and a prominent figure in the early history of Minnesota. Named for the philanthropist Charles Macalester, its establishment was supported by the Presbyterian Church. The college first held classes in downtown Saint Paul before moving to its current campus in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood. A pivotal figure in its development was President James Wallace, who served from 1894 to 1906 and whose family, including his son, the famed journalist Henry A. Wallace, left a lasting legacy. Under the lengthy presidency of Charles J. Turck from 1939 to 1958, the college significantly expanded its physical plant and academic reputation, solidifying its liberal arts mission during the post-World War II era.

Academics

The college offers a comprehensive curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree across over 40 majors. It is particularly renowned for its strengths in international studies, economics, biology, and political science. The academic environment is characterized by a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a emphasis on undergraduate research, often supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Notable academic centers include the Institute for Global Citizenship, which promotes interdisciplinary study of international issues, and the Hugh S. and Winifred B. Cummings Center for the History of Psychology. The college is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, allowing for cross-registration with institutions like Augsburg University and the University of St. Thomas. Its graduates are consistently among the top recipients of prestigious fellowships, including the Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright Program, and Truman Scholarship.

Campus

The 53-acre urban campus is situated in a residential neighborhood approximately five miles from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Historic buildings like Old Main, constructed in 1884, blend with modern facilities such as the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center and the Leonard Center for athletics and wellness. The campus features the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, which houses departments for music, art history, and theatre, and the Olin-Rice Science Center, a hub for STEM education. Its grounds are a designated arboretum, containing over 110 species of trees and the iconic Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel. The college also operates an off-campus biological field station on Lake Superior and participates in the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs.

Student life

Student life is active with over 100 student-led organizations, including a nationally competitive Model United Nations team and a long-standing campus radio station, WMCN. A strong tradition of civic engagement is reflected in programs like the Bonner Community Scholars and involvement with local organizations in the Twin Cities. The college’s NCAA Division III athletic teams, known as the Macalester Scots, compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, with soccer, basketball, and cross country being particularly popular. A hallmark of campus culture is the annual Scottish Country Fair, celebrating the institution’s Scottish heritage. Residential life is centered around several theme houses and residence halls, fostering close-knit communities within the larger urban setting.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Nobel Prize-winning economist Walter Heller, and former U.S. Senator and Vice President Walter Mondale. Other notable graduates are author and activist Tim O'Brien, former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, and co-founder of the Onion Scott Dikkers. The faculty has included influential scholars such as historian James H. Billington, who later served as Librarian of Congress, and political scientist Ruth B. Mandel, a director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Katharyn Machan Aal and anthropologist Bilinda Straight have also taught at the college, contributing to its academic prestige.

Category:Liberal arts colleges in Minnesota Category:Universities and colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota Category:Presbyterian universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1874