The Royal VisitTheir Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden

Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden visited Gustavus Adolphus College in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the College by Swedish immigrants in 1862.

A Royal Visit Schedule

The following public events were held in conjunction with the visit of Their Majesties.

Friday, October 5, 2012

10:20 a.m. - Processional to Christ Chapel

  • Eckman Mall was lined with 1,000 St. Peter school children and others who wanted to welcome Their Majesties.

10:30 a.m. - Festival Worship Service in Christ Chapel

  • A Festival Worship included greetings from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, music by Gustavus Choir, Choir of Christ Chapel and Chapel Brass, and the blessing of an altar cloth entrusted to Gustavus and needlepointed by His Majesty the King’s great grandfather King Gustaf V.

2:00 p.m. - Dedication of the Sesquicentennial Plaza

  • The Sesquicentennial Plaza was designed to commemorate the College's 150th Anniversary of its founding and is a feature of the new West Mall. The Plaza serves as a gathering place on campus and features a 16-foot tall Sesquicentennial Sculpture. A historical timeline of the College engraved in the walkway leading from the Sculpture to the west door of Christ Chapel.

2:30 p.m. - A Seminar Honoring His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf

"From Global to Local: Teaching and Living Environmental Sustainability"
  • A discussion moderated by Margaret Anderson Kelliher with a panel including Swedish Ambassador to the United States Jonas Hafström, faculty member Jeff Jeremiason, student Alex Christensen, and Christy Morse the Chari and CEO of the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation. The discussion focused on the environmental sustainability efforts at Gustavus and environmental sustainability in the United States and Sweden.

2:30 p.m. - A Seminar Honoring Her Majesty the Queen Silvia

"Protecting and Supporting the World’s Women and Children"
  • A discussion moderated by Terry Morrow with a panel including Her Majesty the Queen, faculty member Elizabeth Baer, student Neo Mpunga, and Cathy ten Broeke special advisor to the executive director of the United State Interagency Council on Homelessness. The discussion focused on the challenges and successes in protecting and supporting women and children.

A Special Exhibition Featuring Swedish Art

150 Years of Swedish Art: Highlights from Stockholm: Moderna Museet and Nationalmuseum, is on display at the Hillstrom Museum of Art from September 10 to December 2, 2012. For more information on the exhibit including hours, visit the Hillstrom Museum.

During Their Majesties visit, they also had a viewing of the 150 Years of Swedish Art exhibit and attended a lunch in Alumni Hall and a dinner in the Twin Cities. These events were closed to the public.