Royal Norwegian U.S.-trip Reaches Minnesota

King Harald and Queen Sonja continue their 10-day U.S. trip in the Midwest, and spent Friday visiting St. Olaf College in Northfield and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Day two of the King and Queen’s official program in the U.S. started at St. Olaf College, named after the Norwegian King, Olav Haraldson. The college was founded by Norwegian-Americans, and still has a very international approach to its teaching. Its unique perspective and high quality, especially in music and mathematics, has given St. Olaf a strong academic reputation – also internationally.  

- Let me commend St. Olaf College for your achievements during the years, King Harald told students and staff.

He also spoke highly of the school’s environmental initiatives and academic level:

- Today I know that you are regarded as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Indeed you reach out far beyond the classroom and into society at large with your famous choir and other important aspects of the institution’s life.

The King and Queen had a chance to meet with the students and teachers in a Norwegian Class before a reception that took place in the Heritage room. They completed their visit in the school chapel.

Later in the afternoon, the Royal couple visited the Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned hospital and organization that specialize in finding the answers to health problems in patients that, in some cases, have gone years without a diagnosis. It is an integrated medical center dedicated to providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment in virtually every medical and surgical specialty, and patient care is supported by advanced programs in medical education and research.

The President of the organization, Dr. John Noseworthy, welcomed the King and Queen on Friday afternoon, and talked to them about the Mayo Clinic’s vision and research. They were also able to meet with several of the doctors at the clinic, including some of Norwegian descent.

Saturday will be a day off for the Royals to rest and re-group, before the official program starts again on Sunday with a visit to Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

(Kongehuset.no)

Julie Ryland

Saturday, 15 October 2011 06:51