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The Gustavus Adolphus College Media Room is your central resource for news, leadership insights, brand assets, contact info, and official documents for journalists, partners, and the general public.

Here's how to apply and maximize your music scholarship awards to best showcase your hard work and talent.

Through the Gustavus Japanese Studies Department, students study the Japanese language, literature, history, politics, art, and religion. Plus, there's a required semester abroad in Japan, and faculty mentoring.

Learn more about the Gustavus Campus Safety philosophy and approach to protect the community and about student employment with the office.

The Gustavus Writing Center offers peer support for papers and presentations and writing resources for all disciplines.

Gusties get involved with 100 plus clubs and organizations, small classes, and supportive mentors—plus time built in to explore passions beyond the classroom.

A Minnesota native, Steve Mellema received his undergraduate degree (with majors in physics and mathematics) from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1972. Following his graduation, he spent six years in Malaysia as a teacher and trainer with the United States Peace Corps. He subsequently attended graduate school at Ohio University, receiving a Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics in 1983. 

Following postdoctoral positions at Ohio University and the University of Wisconsin, he joined the faculty at Gustavus in 1986. He taught in the physics department through 40 years of graduating classes, and also served three terms as chair of the department. 

As an active member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Steve incorporated the results of physics-education research into his own teaching of physics for more than three decades, including peer instruction, cooperative-group problem solving, computer simulations, and studio methods. Steve was fortunate to receive two Fulbright Scholar appointments to Malaysia, and used them to bring some of those advancements in physics pedagogy to his adopted "second home'", teaching at the School of Physics at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. 

Over the years, he has also led four study-abroad courses taking Gustavus students to visit and study Malaysia. Steve retired from active teaching in 2025, and is currently a Research Professor of Physics. 

Through the Gustavus Business and Economics Department, students study accounting, finance, economics, and management. Expect emphasis on global learning, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and internships.

We provide a welcoming space to explore your identity, share your adoption experiences, and build understanding. Whether you're an adoptee or passionate about learning, we support you.

Whether you're a first-year, transfer, or international applicant, we guide you through the admission process including applying, visiting campus, understanding financial aid, and connecting with admission counselors during every step of your admission journey.

Nicolas teaches beginning and intermediate levels ceramics courses as well as sculptural foundations and design. Other responsibilities include managing the Studios and Department Programs. He was a two-year Resident Artist at the Archie Bray Foundation. He has exhibited regionally and nationally in small group and solo exhibitions at venues including Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Carnegie Art Center, Phipps Center for the Arts, Modlin Center for the Arts, and Mulvane Art Museum. Nicolas has recently received a McKnight Artist Fellowship and a Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grant.

Nicolas uses clay and press-molded multiples to build sculptural accumulations which investigate the confluence of society, geography, and memory. Regarding clay and the ceramic process, he reflects “…a material which is both intimately connected to our humanity and can be made to take any form, a companion to society, I feel it owns a historicity like almost no other.”