A major day for St. Olaf sophomores
Ole the Lion cheers on a student declaring their major. 
Religion Department faculty members Anthony Bateza and Jamie Schillinger celebrate a newly declared major. 
St. Olaf sophomores pause for a photo with Ole the Lion while holding signs declaring their majors. 
Students pick up their class T-shirts at the Major Declaration Celebration. 
Students take a photo with Ole the Lion at the Major Declaration Celebration. 
Sophomores sign their class banner. 
Student leaders blow bubbles to celebrate the sophomore class. 
President Susan Rundell Singer chats with students at the Major Declaration Celebration. 
Sophomores sign their class banner.
The St. Olaf College Class of 2027 declared their majors and intentions for the future March 6 at the college’s annual Major Declaration Celebration.
The fun, festive St. Olaf tradition drew 557 sophomores to the Buntrock Commons Ballrooms, where they celebrated with faculty members in their declared academic departments and staff members from offices across campus. President Susan Rundell Singer handed out free class T-shirts and words of encouragement to sophomores, and Ole the Lion was on hand to offer a hearty congratulations as well. Students captured the moment with photos of themselves holding signs declaring their major, and they savored their success alongside complimentary snacks and Italian sodas courtesy of Public Safety.
The event is hosted each year by the St. Olaf Academic Success Center. Program Director of Advising Karina Sierra notes that declaring a major is a significant milestone for students that is key to ensuring students thrive in their sophomore year. The celebration has grown significantly since Academic Success Center Director Kathy Glampe first launched it in 2017.
“Whether sophomores have known their intended major for a long time or explored various options since arriving on campus, declaring a major is an exciting step,” she says. “The joy and excitement in the ballrooms is such a special moment!”
Marcus Cassell ’27 declared math and physics majors at the event. “I just like the problem-solving process,” he says. “It’s really satisfying to me, and it makes sense.”
Cece Huttemier ’27 also declared a science major, but she opted to go with biology. “I chose it because it has a lot of variety in it, and I’m an indecisive person. I’m pre-med right now, so that’s helpful,” she says.
Sophomores hold signs showcasing their newly declared majors. 
President Susan Rundell Singer offers congratulations to sophomores at the Major Declaration Celebration. 
Sophomores pose for photos with signs declaring their majors. 
Seniors like Luanga Kasanga ’25 were on hand to support and congratulate sophomores. 
Sophomores hold signs showcasing their newly declared majors. 
Students visited tables hosted by their academic department as they declared their majors. 
Ole the Lion was on hand to offer a hearty congratulations to sophomores. 
Sophomores pose for photos with signs declaring their majors. 
Student leaders, including Student Government Association President Zari Irving ’25 (center), hand out T-shirts to the Class of 2027.
Ian Cater ’27 declared a vocal performance major, which he believes will prepare him well for a career on stage. “I want to be able to get as much knowledge about that as possible so that I’m well-equipped to live in that kind of world, because it’s not easy,” he says.
For Audrey Jensen ’27, the Major Declaration Celebration provided her with an opportunity to publicly state what she’s known since before she stepped foot on campus: she’s a music education major. “That’s why I came to St. Olaf, so that was exciting,” she says.
Some sophomores didn’t just declare one major, but several. “My majors are Norwegian, environmental studies, and history. And I’m learning Norwegian because I have a lot of friends, family, and loved ones in Norway,” Osvaldo Rodriguez ‘27.
“Whether sophomores have known their intended major for a long time or explored various options since arriving on campus, declaring a major is an exciting step. The joy and excitement in the ballrooms is such a special moment!”
— Program Director of Advising Karina Sierra
Ella Nielsen ‘27 is an English and Religion major. “I originally started as just an English major. I want to be a librarian, and I found that a religion major would help me with archival work, so I’m really excited for both of these things,” she says.
Ross Erstad ‘27 declared majors in psychology and studio art. “I chose both because I’ve been interested in them from a young age, and I like psychoanalyzing people,” he says.
Megan Haas ‘27 also declared a major in psychology. “I did not come here knowing what I was going to do, and I took a Psych125 class and immediately knew it was everything I was interested in, specifically mental health and developmental well-being, and it was an immediate click,” she says. “I’m so excited to be part of the psychology major.”
Jayme Sandbeck ‘27 had a similar experience with the environmental studies major.
“I chose it because I’ve always just wanted to work outdoors and in the environmental department,” she says. “I took the intro class here my freshman year and I loved it — so I declared it.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2027!