While the crispness in the air and the start of school signals the end of the summer, it also marks the beginning of numerous and varied free events for Northfield area citizens to enjoy on the Carleton College campus.
The fall athletic season is in full swing, and more than 30 regular-season contests slated on the College campus from now through November. The football team has five home contests, highlighted by the home opener against Macalester College on Sept. 27, Homecoming against Augsburg College on Oct. 11 and the season finale against St. John’s University on Nov. 15. The men’s and women’s soccer teams play at picturesque Bell Field, and both figure to battle for MIAC Playoff slots this season. They host a women and men’s doubleheader with Bethel University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The volleyball team, nationally ranked each of the last five seasons, plays at West Gym six times this season, concluding the regular season against St. Olaf College on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Finally, the cross country teams hosts the Running of the Cows event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Carleton Arboretum.
If athletic events aren’t your thing, there are plenty of art exhibits, musical events and theatre productions to fill the fall calendar.
Carleton’s weekly convocation series is the best known of these, and are held every Friday at 10:50 a.m. at the Skinner Memorial Chapel. One highlight of this fall’s slate is Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He is the highest-ranking Afghan American and Muslim in the Bush administration and his previous assignments include U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. Convocations are open to the public and free of charge.
Carleton’s Art Gallery is hosting “World Ceramics: Transforming Women’s Traditions” through November 19. The exhibit highlights ceramists and ceramics from points around the world where the makers are normally female, and explores innovative contemporary work based on transformations of older forms and designs.
View Carleton’s Calendar of Events for a full listing of free campus events.