Gustavus Adolphus College pays homage to its Swedish heritage by hosting the annual Nobel Conference, which has brought Nobel laureates to campus since 1963. The college — named after a 17th century Swedish king — is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and religion is an important part of the student experience. The school offers daily Sabbath services and is home to student-run religious organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Most Gusties, as they're called, participate in the school's community service programs, which engage the local community in St. Peter, Minnesota through language exchanges, mentorship, construction of affordable housing and more. The small size of the school — there are just about 1,900 undergraduates — and the surrounding community contributes to its close-knit culture. Almost all students live on the 340-acre campus all four years, and more than 90% receive financial aid.
The liberal arts curriculum means that about a third of classes students take are for the major of their choice, a third are general education requirements and a third are electives they’re interested in. The school says that nine out of 10 graduates each year are employed in a job related to their career goals, headed to graduate school or volunteering in programs like the Peace Corps within nine months of leaving campus.
Gusties have plenty of traditions, including "traying" down snowy campus hills on cafeteria trays in the winter.
