The tour is part of a nationwide celebration commemorating Crossings: The 200th Anniversary of the First Organized Migration from Norway to North America.
By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, visited St. Olaf College on Wednesday. The Crown Prince spent nearly three hours on campus, meeting with students and faculty, touring the campus, and leading a discussion forum. The event was a high-energy one with hundreds of students participating throughout the morning.
The visit to St. Olaf was part of a larger tour across the United States, celebrating Crossings: The 200th Anniversary of the First Organized Migration from Norway to North America. Among the other stops for the Crown Prince were Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, a visit with Governor Tim Walz, and a final stop in New York City yesterday to welcome the arrival of the ship Restauration, which carried the first migrants from Norway.
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Crown Prince Haakon Commemorates the Relationship between Norway and St. Olaf in Speech:
In his speech to students, who were gathered inside Boe Chapel, the Crown Prince noted the strong Norwegian culture at St. Olaf and praised the work to study and connect with his country:
“I would also like to thank St. Olaf for its major and lasting contribution to keeping our common history and legacy alive. Not just as dusty memories fixed in time, but as a living bond that keeps evolving. I think a key to that success is the way you have lifted the Norwegian-American experience into a contemporary global context, welcoming students from all backgrounds.” – His Royal Highness Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, Addressing students, Audio courtesy of St. Olaf College
In particular, he praised the work of the Norwegian-American Historical Association, located at St. Olaf, for its efforts in preserving history. Noting that they are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year as well.
In his remarks, the Crown Prince noted the importance of education, meeting other people, and being curious:
“Independent teaching and research is at the heart of democracy. And so, to the students here today, cherish that freedom. Seek out those who are different from you. Be curious, be generous, because that is how we grow.” – HRH Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, Addressing students, Audio courtesy of St. Olaf College
Students React to the Crown Prince’s Visit:
As part of the event, the Crown Prince heard from several students about research projects they had conducted related to Norway. Evan Atchinson recounted his experience with giving a presentation to the Crown Prince, with KYMN, after the event:
“I was lucky out last, so I got to see how everyone did before and how kind of inviting he was, shaking everyone’s hand, asking really informative questions. I was just really, really grateful for how interested he was in our research, because it means a lot to us, and you can tell that it meant something to him.” – Evan Atchinson, Student who presented to the Crown Prince, KYMN Interview.
Another one of the students who had the opportunity to present, Otelia Lighthill, shared the impact of the connection between the college and Norway.
“But I think seeing the very little ways that Norwegian culture and heritage continues to live on, such an American Midwest campus … And even just the courses that are offered and the care and value that come from the faculty and the professors in helping you find those research topics that relate to the school and relate in like the interconnectivity between the history of the school and the history of Norway and those immigrants.” – Otelia Lighthill, Student who presented to the Crown Prince, KYMN Interview
President of the College, Dr. Susan Rundell Singer, tolKYMN that the entire college was honored by the visit and also indicated a bright future for both institutions.
“I think we accomplished what I most hoped we would, which is to strengthen ties between 2 nations, make two cultures accessible to each other, and find joy in celebrating beautiful moments.” – Dr. Susan Rundell Singer, President of St. Olaf College, KYMN News Interview
Audio Recordings of the Event:
Thank you to St. Olaf College for providing the audio of the event, you can watch their video recordings of the event here.
Photo Gallery from the Event:
Pictures by Logan Wells/KYMN News
HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway at the Rolvaag library at St. Olaf College. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway talks with Dr. Kari Lie Dorer, Professor and Chair of the Norwegian Studies Department. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News Dr. Susan Rundell Singer, President of St. Olaf College. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon (right) hears from Amy Boxrud of the Norwegian American historical Association about their current work saving and restoring historical artifacts from WWII. HRH Crown Prince Haakon views part of the collection of historical items restored by the Norwegian American historical Association. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon (right) and St. Olaf College President Dr. Susan Rundell Singer. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon (center) talks with students as we arrives as St. Olaf College. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (right) and St. Olaf College President Dr. Susan Rundell Singer greet students on the campus green. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRM Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (right) and Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs (center-left) here presentations from students at St. Olaf in the Rolvaag Library. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
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HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway talks with Dr. Kari Lie Dorer, Professor and Chair of the Norwegian Studies Department. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
Otelia Lighthill a student at St. Olaf College presents to HRH Crown Prince Haakon. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon views part of the collection of historical items restored by the Norwegian American historical Association. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
St. Olaf College President Dr. Susan Rundell Singer gives remarks on the connections between the college and Norway. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon speaks to students on the importance of education and the connection between the college and Norway in Boe Chapel at St. Olaf College. 
HRH The Crown Prince of Norway. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News HRH Crown Prince Haakon speaks with students in a forum discussion. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (right) and Dr. Kari Lie Dorer Professor of Norwegian, Norwegian Department Chair, and King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies at St. Olaf College (left). Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News 
One of the players of the Lars Skjervheim Spelemannslag playing music at the lead of the Procession for the Norwegian Crown Prince. 
Students lead the procession as the Crown Prince arrives at St. Olaf College. Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News
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