Search Gustavus

Dr. Laura D. Triplett began her Gustavus career in 2008 with a faculty appointment in geology. Now established in the department of Environment, Geography and Earth Sciences, she teaches courses related to earth surface processes, environmental geochemistry, hydrogeology and climate change. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on topics as varied as reconstructing past water quality conditions in lakes and rivers, quantifying impacts of invasive species on freshwater geochemical cycling, and creating state-wide landslide susceptibility maps. In all her research, Dr. Triplett seeks out collaborations with community stakeholders. And, Dr. Triplett has involved Gustavus students in almost all aspects of her research program from designing preliminary studies, to executing major multi-year projects funded by external foundations and government agencies, to presenting findings at national scientific conferences.

Dr. Loramy (Mimi) Gerstbauer teaches courses in international relations, US foreign policy and Latin American Politics. She contributes to multiple interdisciplinary programs, with longtime leadership roles in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. Her research is on peacebuilding NGOs and transitional justice and reconciliation in international politics. She has published multiple peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and a book on apologies in US foreign policy. She served as a US Fulbright Scholar at Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland, and taught at Kansai Gaidai University outside Osaka, Japan. She serves with the nonprofit organization, Peace and Hope International, working for human rights across Latin America, and has taken student groups to Nicaragua, Colombia, and Peru. She has been at Gustavus since 2001 and completed her PhD at the University of Notre Dame.    

Peg O’Connor is the author of the forthcoming book on addiction and recovery titled, Recovering Character: Knowing How to Belong to Yourself. She is the author of three other books on addiction including Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publishing, 2022), Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery (Central Recovery Press, 2016), and The SoberPhilosopher Workbook for Exploring Addiction and Creating Recovery (Wildhouse Publishing, 2023). 

O’Connor is the author of the popular blog series, Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken. The title of the series is a wink and nod to martinis. She has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Minnesota Star Tribune, USA Today, The Daily Herald, and Dallas Morning Herald. O’Connor has appeared on numerous television, radio, and podcast programs and has been quoted as an expert in publications ranging from The New York Times to Cosmo.

Sarah Ruble is a Professor of Religion and specializes in the history of Christianity in the United States. She is the author of The Gospel of Freedom and Power: Protestant Missionaries in American Culture After World War II (University of North Carolina Press, 2012). She has also published articles on topics such as gender in U.S. religious history, the American missionary movement, and Lutheran contributions to American religion. Dr. Ruble is also a frequent presenter at adult forums and lifelong learning programs. She has developed two YouTube-based curricula for adult forums, one on the history of Christianity and race in the United States and the other on the development of Christian doctrine. Both are available on her website sarahruble.com.

At Gustavus, Dr. Ruble teaches a broad range of courses in the Religion Department. She also currently serves as the Faculty Director of Assessment and as Gustavus’s Accreditation Liaison Officer. In 2025 she was awarded the Faculty Service Award for her contributions to the Gustavus community.

Scott Moore has enjoyed more than four decades of experience as a musician and educator. His career includes over a thousand concerts with renowned American orchestras and jazz legends to collaborating with pop music icons and touring Broadway productions. He is the only bass trombonist to have studied in the Juilliard School's Professional Studies program.

Now that he has moved beyond the stage, Dr. Moore is a dedicated mentor at the College, where he challenges students to rethink their attitudes and perspectives. His core message to students is to cultivate resilience by embracing a positive outlook and understanding the powerful idea that we can become what we think about. He has served as a department chair and has taught a wide range of courses, from music theory and history to technology and academic research. Currently, his courses on pop music and seminars for first-year and advanced students focus on a powerful lesson: the joy of creation should always be celebrated over the stress of competition.

Stay connected with Gustavus through alumni events, class reunions, networking, and giving opportunities that celebrate your legacy and support future Gusties. Also find the form for the Referral Scholarship program to help recruit future Gusties.

Dr. Annalise Rivas teaches all levels of Russian language at Gustavus, as well as contributing to the Eastern European & Eurasian Studies and Comparative Literature programs through courses on Eurasian culture, film, media, and literature. Her scholarly interests focus on pedagogical practices in the teaching of foreign languages, particularly the use of authentic literary texts in building language proficiency. In addition to language pedagogy, Annalise recently focused her scholarly efforts on diversifying and amplifying the voices of Russian speakers from outside of the Russian Federation, including receiving a fellowship to spend time in Central Asia learning more about variations in Russian language use. Prior to arriving at Gustavus, Annalise lived and worked in several different countries, sparking a curiosity and love of travel that she strives to share with students through telling stories, cooking regional foods, and encouraging international experiences. 

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.”

Scott is an organic chemist who is interested in the interface between biology and chemistry. In his research, he has developed new ways of making molecules and applied those methods toward the synthesis of complex natural products. His current research is aimed at understanding how gene expression is regulated at the molecular level.

While he primarily teaches organic chemistry, he has also taught courses on medicinal chemistry, fermentation, and science and religion. His service to the college includes leading the design team of the Nobel Hall expansion/renovation, as well as chairing major faculty committees like the Faculty Senate and Faculty Personnel. He directed the Nobel Conference, and he coordinated a high school outreach program tied to the conference. He helped found the Gustavus Faith Science and Ethics Camp, where he has been the science director.

Outside of Gustavus he enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking. He is also active in community service.

Seán Easton is a professor of Greek, Latin and Classical Studies (GLCS). His research and teaching are focused on three main areas: Representations of Ancient Greece and Rome in visual media, especially movies and television; epic poetry and later writers who adapt it from it (especially Shakespeare); and environmental thought, peacemaking and the conflict emotions in ancient Greece and Rome. He teaches courses in the following interdisciplinary programs: Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies (PJCS); Comparative Literature; Environmental Studies; Film Studies; and Sports Management. He has published articles and chapters on the Roman epic poet Lucan and the representations of Alexander the Great in Sohrab Modi’s film 'Sikandar' (India, 1941) and Oliver Stone’s 'Alexander' (USA, 2004), the Greco-Persian Wars in the '300' franchise films, Greek and Roman myth in John Frankenheimer’s classic 'Seconds' (1966), Terrence Malick’s epic 'New World' (2005), and George Nolfi’s adventure-romance 'The Adjustment Bureau' (2011).

Biology majors/minors investigate living systems' structures, functions, and responses, from organisms to populations and ecosystems. You will have lab experiences and abundant research opportunities, and sharpen your scientific reasoning. Sample courses and career paths here, including medicine. 

Pre-pharmacy students major in Chemistry, Biology, or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. You'll receive a strong science foundation for graduate school, plus the freedom to explore through elective courses. It's academic rigor, a supportive community, and the advantages of an immersive on-campus experience. Plus, the Office of Health Professions provides comprehensive support, from navigating prerequisites to pharmacy school applications.