Whether you are new to campus or want to be re-introduced to “the Hill” from a Norwegian-American perspective, we invite you on this one-hour stroll to a few of our favorite spots that connect to the college’s Norwegian heritage. Tours depart from Buntrock plaza (This is directly outside Buntrock Commons on the campus side, not the parking-lot side. Go up the stairs or elevator from where you registered. The tours will be led by current students.
Please note that these tours will try to accommodate as best as possible but participants are warned there will a fair amount of standing/walking without guarantee for seating. The entirety of the tour will occur on paved sidewalks with limited inclines/declines. Please have a method of hydration such as a filled water bottle for the tour.
Meet the Tour Guides:
Otelia Lighthill ‘27
Hei! My name is Otelia Lighthill and I am a student organizer for the Crossings and Connections Conference this summer. I am a junior at St. Olaf College and a History and Norwegian double major. During the school year I work as an archives digitization assistant with NAHA and a research assistant in the Norwegian department. I also compete with the Women’s Track and Field team here on campus and sing with Agnes A Cappella. I am working with the conference this summer because the 200th anniversary of Norwegian-American migration doesn’t happen every year! My mother comes from Saltdal, Nordland, Norway, so I have lots of experience with migration in both my family, and personal journeys I’ve made myself.
Kieran Brown ‘27
Hei Hei! My name is Kieran Brown, and I am a student organizer for the Crossings and Connections Conference this summer. I am also a junior at St. Olaf College. I am a double major in Biology and Nordic Studies with concentrations in Public Health and Neuroscience. In my spare time, I enjoy participating in our Stitches club here on campus and crocheting small projects, such as flower bouquets. Traveling across Norway in January and learning about Norwegian migration really made me excited to participate in this conference. I can’t wait to hear so many perspectives come together to make our own migration story as we discuss the past and look to the future. My mother’s grandparents migrated to America from Lillehammer and Hemsedal around the 1850’s. Hearing about my ancestor’s travels has made me better appreciate how connected we all are, even if some of us are thousands of kilometers away.
Moisés Duarte ‘26
Hola! My name is Moisés Duarte, and I’m thrilled to be part of the student team organizing the Crossings and Connections Conference this summer. I’m originally from Honduras and currently a B.M. Vocal Performance student at St. Olaf College. Before coming to Minnesota, I studied at UWC Mahindra College in India, a transformative experience that taught me what it truly means to live between cultures and across borders. My life and work as a musician have taken me across continents, performing, composing, and collaborating on projects in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the U.S. I’m passionate about using music and storytelling to explore themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. Migration isn’t just an abstract concept for me; it’s part of my family’s history, my artistic voice, and my everyday experience as an international student. For the conference, I’m working behind the scenes on the film festival and digital logistics. My goal is to help ensure that stories—especially those told through sound and image—are shared with care, quality, and connection. I’m honored to contribute to a gathering that not only reflects on the past but also creates space for new voices and global perspectives to meet.
Looking forward to welcoming you to campus this summer!
Millie Thakur ‘27
Hei! My name is Millie Thakur, and I’m a student worker for the Crossings and Connections Conference this summer. I’m a Quantitative Economics major with a concentration in Finance at St. Olaf College. Originally from Nepal, I’m especially interested in global migration and cultural identity; topics that resonate deeply with my own experiences and the goals of this conference. I have travelled across the world through China, Kenya, Croatia, Italy, and now to the USA. This summer, I’m supporting various behind-the-scenes logistics to help the conference run smoothly, from coordinating materials to assisting with guest preparation. I’m excited to contribute to a space where stories of movement, belonging, and connection come to life.
Looking forward to welcoming you to campus!