What's in a Name?

Inspired by the Ole Avenue Project (which includes a new residence hall and several townhouse-style residences), this virtual exhibit looks at the people behind the names of St. Olaf's residence halls and has some examples of archival objects from Ole life.

Read through and experience this exhibit either by scrolling up and down or by using the menu bar at the top to navigate to a specific section.

Following his graduation from Luther College, Ytterboe (1857-1904) became a teacher at St. Olaf College in 1882. He was incredibly involved in the school in both academics and athletics, and was well-known for his good sense of humor and patience. He served as superintendent for the men’s dormitory on campus. When a financial depression hit the school in the 1890s, Ytterboe’s devotion led him on a quest for donations to keep the school afloat. His fundraising efforts took him to five states and ultimately saved the college. In 1903, the school faced another problem: scarlet fever. Ytterboe chemically treated the bathrooms and basement of the dormitory over a 10-week period, hoping to stop the spread of the fever. Because of his sustained chemical use, he eventually succumbed to formaldehyde poisoning in 1904. The men’s dormitory that Ytterboe served as the superintendent for was built in 1901 and it was named after him in 1914. This building was later demolished in 1997, and its name was given to the Ytterboe Hall (completed in 1989) that is on campus today.

Mohn (1844-1899) was the principal and president of St. Olaf from the school's founding in 1874 until Mohn's death in 1899.

The original Mohn Hall was built in 1912 to accomodate the rising number of female students. It was demolished in 1967, but the name was passed on to one of the twin dormority towers that was constructed in 1964, which still stands today.

"It was fitting that the dormitory was named Mohn Hall in memory of St. Olaf's first president who had steadily maintained his strong belief in coeducation throughout the twenty-five years of his leadership at the school." [1 p185]

"Its residents have loved Mohn Hall, even though for some in periods of homesickness or academic pressure, it may have more fittingly been spelled "Moan Hall."" [2 p54]

Mellby (1870-1918) graduated from St. Olaf in 1893, making her the first woman to graduate from a Norwegian Lutheran college in the entire country (St. Olaf gained college status in 1889). Following her graduation, she served as a preceptress, and was an active member of the school. She was especially interested in building community and promoting the interests of women. Mellby served the college until her retirement in 1909 and she died in 1918. Mellby Hall was built in 1938, and Dean Gertrude Hilleboe suggested the hall be named in Mellby’s honor. It is the oldest existing dorm building on campus.

"She was diligent and exacting in the classroom, effective and understanding in her role as preceptress, and always enthusiastic for the College, especially at baseball games." [1 p148]

Thorson (1841-1920) was a founder and benefactor of St. Olaf. He played a role in choosing and purchasing the plot of land that Old Main sits on, which was bought from a Mr. Cutler in June of 1876 [1].

Thorson willed $800,000 to St. Olaf upon his death [1] in 1920, but due to legal issues, the hall that bears his name wasn't completed until 1948.

Hilleboe (1888-1976) graduated from St. Olaf in 1912, and served as the Dean of Women for 43 years (1915-1958) and was also a professor of Latin. Hilleboe’s early life was spent close to the college (in part because her uncle, Halvor Ytterboe, was a St. Olaf professor) and she likewise contributed to the early development of the campus. She was particularly interested in the advancement of women students, and was witness to some of the most essential chapters of St. Olaf history. Hilleboe wrote about St. Olaf and her time on campus in a memoir called Manitou Analecta, which is available to borrow from the library. Hilleboe Hall was built in 1951 and named after Hilleboe in honor of her contributions to the college. At the time, it served as a women's dorm, accommodating the student population that Hilleboe tirelessly served and guided as the Dean of Women.

"One could sense the Ole spirit in her talks to freshman girls, [...] in her vigorous singing of college songs, or in the sight of her sprightly figure on a hayrack with the cheerleaders in the Homecoming parade, waving at the crowds and thoroughly enjoying herself." [1 p237]

Kittelsby (1880-1925) graduated from St. Olaf in 1900, and served the college as a professor and preceptress for nine years. In 1914 she departed for China, where she taught the children of missionaries at the American School Kikungshan in Honan. Her devotion to both schools lasted until her death in 1925. Kittelsby Hall was built in 1957, and was created as a wing to the pre-existing Hilleboe Hall. Like Hilleboe, it served as an all-girls dorm until the campus moved to coed housing in 1970s.

"I owe much to her, because she inspired me with the love of the beautiful in all things — poetry, literature and music." [3 p78]

Kildahl (1857-1920) was elected as the second president of St. Olaf in 1899. He served until his resignation in 1914. During his tenure as president, the student population added over 300 students and seven new buildings, including two residence halls, were erected.

Kildahl Hall was built around the same time as Kittelsby Hall, in 1957.

"The unique Kildahl "stamp," then, is to be understood in a way which does justice to his reputation as one of the church's most outstanding preachers without minimizing his remarkable ability to sense St. Olaf's educational role and to guide the development of that role in a day of transition and change." [1 p123]

Hoyme (1847-1902) was the first president of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church, which was affiliated with and provided funding to St. Olaf.

Hoyme Hall was built in 1961 and had its naming dedication ceremony on the same day as Ellingson Hall. Hoyme's name had orginally been used for the Hoyme Memorial Chapel, which was built in 1906 and then irreparably damaged by a fire in 1923.

"Hoyme was an able churchman in his day, but the decision to attach his name to a women's dormitory was ironic since he was opposed to the higher education of women." [1 p474]

Ellingson (1877-1968) was a 1906 alumnus and the first St. Olaf graudate to receive a doctorate in chemistry, which he earned from the University of Wisconsin in 1912. He was a chemistry professor at St. Olaf from 1919 to 1952 and "was known as a hard driving teacher and a proponent of careful scholarship." [1 p159] The Manufacturing Chemists Association honored Ellingson with an award for his skilled teaching in undergraduate chemistry in 1957. [5]

Ellingson Hall was built in 1961 in order to house 200 male students.

"Under Glasoe and Ellingson St. Olaf's chemistry department acquired renown for the large number of majors who went on to earn the Ph.D. degree in chemistry. Boe's appointment of Ellingson was correctly interpreted on campus as the president's firm intention to strengthen the position of the sciences." [1 p282]

Larson (1892-1967) graduated from St. Olaf in 1916, receiving her B.A. in English and history. She went on to receive her master’s degree in history from Columbia University and a doctoral degree from Radcliffe College (Harvard University). Larson returned to St. Olaf in 1926. In addition to publishing several non-fiction books, she served as a history professor and eventually became chair of the history department in 1942. She worked at the college until her retirement in 1960. Larson Hall was built in 1964 and named after her to thank her for her years of service to the college. At the time, it served as a women's dorm, fulfilling the dream of adequate housing for women on campus.

"Agnes Larson was a popular teacher, assiduous scholar, and chairman of the history department. Some said that she wore a certain red hat when she was especially worked up about something, but she was unfailingly enthusiastic about her work." [1 p482]

Rand (1916-2003) was the sixth president of St. Olaf from 1963 to 1980. Under Rand's leadership, St. Olaf established the Paracollege, adopted the 4-1-4 academic calendar, and altered the college landscape with new residence halls and academic buildings.

Rand Hall, built into the hillside it rests on, was completed in 1980 and was given its name in 1983.

"In the case of Rand, title, function, and man were fittingly served by the designation of President Rand. He assumed the office calmly, modestly, without nervous self-conciousness, but with sufficient poise and self-assurance to leave no doubt that he realized and accepted all the implications of leadership." [1 p517]