Macalester College

Macalester College
Name	Macalester College
Established	1874
Type	Private liberal arts college
Endowment	$1.1 billion (2023)
President	Suzanne Rivera
City	Saint Paul, Minnesota
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 53 acres
Students	2,174 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	234
Colors	Blue & orange
Nickname	Scots
Mascot	The Scot
Affiliations	Annapolis Group, Associated Colleges of the Midwest

Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1874, it is known for its academic rigor, internationalism, and commitment to service. The college enrolls approximately 2,200 students from across the United States and over 90 countries, fostering a diverse and globally engaged community.

History

Macalester College was chartered in 1874 by the Reverend Edward Duffield Neill, a former chaplain to President Abraham Lincoln and President Andrew Johnson. Neill, who also helped found Hamline University and the University of Minnesota, envisioned an institution that would serve the frontier of the Upper Midwest. The college is named for Charles Macalester, a wealthy Philadelphia philanthropist and trustee of the Board of Indian Commissioners, who donated the initial funds and land. Early growth was supported by ties to the Presbyterian Church, though the college is now non-sectarian. A significant figure in its 20th-century development was DeWitt Wallace, co-founder of the Reader's Digest Association, whose substantial donations funded numerous campus buildings and endowed professorships, shaping the modern institution. Throughout its history, the college has emphasized themes of international understanding and civic engagement, a legacy continued under presidents like James Wallace and more recently, Suzanne Rivera.

Academics

Macalester offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum with over 40 majors, including strong programs in International Studies, Political Science, Economics, and Environmental Studies. The college is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest consortium, facilitating off-campus study programs. Academic life is characterized by a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a focus on undergraduate research, with many students presenting at national conferences like the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The college houses several notable academic centers, such as the Institute for Global Citizenship, the Hugh S. and Winifred B. Kuehnast Chair in International Studies, and the Jan Serie Center for Scholarship and Teaching. Distinguished faculty have included scholars like Walter Mondale, who served as a distinguished visiting professor, and historian James L. Huston. Macalester consistently ranks highly among national liberal arts colleges in publications like U.S. News & World Report.

Campus

The 53-acre urban campus is located in the historic Summit-University neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, near Grand Avenue. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, with notable buildings including the DeWitt Wallace Library, the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, and the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center. The Olin-Rice Science Center provides state-of-the-art laboratories, while the Leonard Center houses athletic and wellness facilities. The campus is also home to the Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area, a 280-acre ecological preserve. Key outdoor spaces include the Old Main lawn and the Kagin Commons plaza. The college's location offers students easy access to the cultural resources of the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota State Capitol, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Guthrie Theater.

Student Life

Student life at Macalester is marked by high levels of engagement and a distinctive culture of activism. There are over 100 student organizations, including a nationally competitive Model United Nations team, the award-winning student newspaper The Mac Weekly, and numerous cultural groups like the Black Liberation Affairs Committee and the International Student Association. A longstanding tradition is the annual Spring Fest concert. The college's commitment to internationalism is reflected in its student body, with about 15% international students, and programs like the Live It! Fund for community projects. Residential life is centered around themed houses, such as the EcoHouse and the Cultural House, and residence halls like Turck Hall and Bigelow Hall. The campus frequently hosts lectures by prominent figures, with past speakers including Kofi Annan, Muhammad Yunus, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Athletics

Macalester competes in NCAA Division III athletics as a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Varsity teams, known as the Scots, field 19 sports, with notable success in soccer, tennis, and swimming. The men's soccer program has a storied history, including a national championship in 1998 under coach John Leaney. The college's athletic facilities are primarily located in the Leonard Center, which includes the Riley Gymnasium and the Macalester Stadium. A unique aspect of Macalester athletics is its history with American football; the college was the first in Minnesota to field a team in 1887 and famously ended its varsity program in 2002 before reviving it in 2014. Intramural and club sports are also popular among the student body.

Notable Alumni

Macalester alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as politics, academia, journalism, and the arts. In government and public service, notable figures include former Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale, former United States Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, and United States Senator Keti Topuria. The field of journalism is represented by Pulitzer Prize winners like Tim O'Brien and Geneva Overholser. In academia, alumni include National Medal of Science recipient Mildred Dresselhaus and philosopher Cornel West. Other distinguished graduates are United Nations Under-Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, Tony Award-winning playwright Katori Hall, and co-founder of the The Onion, Scott Dikkers. The college's global network is further exemplified by alumni like former Prime Minister of Greece Lucas Papademos.

Category:Liberal arts colleges in Minnesota Category:Educational institutions established in 1874 Category:Universities and colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota