Where Is St. Norbert College Located?
St. Norbert College is located in De Pere, Wisconsin, a charming city situated along the Fox River in the northeastern part of the state. On a map, you can find St. Norbert College at approximately 44.4487 degrees North latitude and 88.0693 degrees West longitude. The college sits on the west bank of the Fox River, just minutes south of Green Bay, Wisconsin's third-largest city and home to the legendary Green Bay Packers football team.
De Pere is part of the Green Bay metropolitan area, which has a combined population of approximately 320,000 people. The city of De Pere itself has a population of around 25,000 and is known for its welcoming community, historic downtown, and strong connection to the college that has been part of its identity since 1898. The Fox River, which flows through the center of both De Pere and the St. Norbert campus, is a defining geographical feature of the area and adds natural beauty to the college setting.
Campus Overview and Geography
The St. Norbert College campus encompasses approximately 111 acres along the west bank of the Fox River. The campus is known for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds that blend historic buildings with modern facilities, creating an environment that is both academically inspiring and aesthetically pleasing. The campus layout is compact and walkable, with most academic buildings, residence halls, and campus facilities located within a short walk of each other.
The Fox River is one of the defining features of the St. Norbert campus. The river runs along the eastern edge of the campus, providing scenic views and recreational opportunities for students and staff. The college has developed attractive waterfront areas along the river, including walking paths, green spaces, and gathering areas that take advantage of the natural setting.
Key campus landmarks include the Bemis International Center, which serves as a hub for global education and cultural programming; the Mulva Library, which houses the college's extensive academic resources; and the Gehl-Mulva Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility that supports the college's strong science programs. The Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center provides modern athletic facilities for the college's varsity sports teams and recreational programs.
History of St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College was founded in 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a member of the Norbertine order, also known as the Order of Premonstratensians. The Norbertine order was founded in 1121 by St. Norbert of Xanten in Premontre, France, making it one of the oldest religious orders in the Catholic Church. The college was established to provide higher education rooted in the Norbertine tradition of community, faith, and service.
In its early years, St. Norbert College operated as a small school with a handful of students and faculty. Over the decades, the college grew steadily, adding new academic programs, constructing new buildings, and expanding its campus. The college began admitting women in 1952, and today approximately 60 percent of the student body is female.
Throughout its history, St. Norbert College has maintained its commitment to the Norbertine values of communio, which emphasizes the importance of community and shared life. This value permeates every aspect of the college experience, from its small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships to its emphasis on service learning and community engagement.
Academic Programs and Reputation
St. Norbert College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college that offers more than 40 undergraduate programs of study across the humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, and education. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has earned recognition for academic excellence from various national publications and ranking organizations.
Among the college's strongest academic programs are business administration, biology, education, psychology, and communication and media studies. The Donald J. Schneider School of Business & Economics is particularly well-regarded and offers programs in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and international business. The school's emphasis on experiential learning, including internships, study abroad, and collaborative projects with local businesses, prepares students for successful careers in the business world.
The sciences are another area of strength for St. Norbert College. The Gehl-Mulva Science Center, which opened in 2019, provides students with access to modern laboratories, research equipment, and collaborative learning spaces. Faculty members actively involve undergraduates in research projects, and many students present their work at regional and national conferences.
The college's liberal arts curriculum ensures that all students receive a broad-based education that develops critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. General education requirements include courses in writing, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, providing a well-rounded foundation regardless of major.
Student Life and Campus Culture
St. Norbert College enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students, creating a close-knit community where students know each other and form meaningful relationships with faculty and staff. The small campus size and student body foster a sense of belonging and community that is central to the St. Norbert experience.
The college offers a vibrant student life program with over 100 student organizations, including academic clubs, cultural organizations, service groups, performing arts ensembles, and intramural sports. Greek life has a presence on campus, with several fraternities and sororities offering social and service opportunities. The college's Campus Ministry program provides spiritual development opportunities for students of all faith backgrounds.
Athletics play an important role in campus life at St. Norbert College. The college competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the Midwest Conference, fielding varsity teams in 22 sports. The Green Knights have achieved notable success in several sports, with multiple conference championships and national tournament appearances. The emphasis on athletics as part of a balanced college experience, rather than as a path to professional sports, aligns with the college's liberal arts mission.
The Surrounding Community
The city of De Pere provides an ideal setting for a college campus, offering the amenities and opportunities of a metropolitan area while maintaining the safety and friendliness of a smaller community. Downtown De Pere, located just blocks from the St. Norbert campus, features a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues that cater to both college students and local residents.
The broader Green Bay metropolitan area offers additional resources and opportunities for St. Norbert students. Green Bay is home to the Packers NFL franchise, and the excitement of game days and the Packers tradition add a unique dimension to the college experience. The area also features museums, performing arts venues, shopping centers, and outdoor recreation areas that provide entertainment and cultural enrichment.
The natural environment surrounding De Pere and Green Bay offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. The Fox River provides fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, while nearby Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and the Green Bay Trail system offer hiking, biking, and nature observation. During Wisconsin's snowy winters, students can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter sports in the area's parks and natural areas.
Getting to St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College is accessible by several major transportation routes. The college is located near the intersection of Interstate 41 and State Highway 32, providing easy access from both the north and south. From Green Bay, the campus is approximately a 10-minute drive south along Highway 57 or Interstate 41.
The nearest commercial airport is Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, located approximately 12 miles northeast of the campus. This airport offers flights to several major hubs, including Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Atlanta, making it convenient for students traveling from across the country. Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport, about 120 miles south, offers a wider selection of flights for those willing to make a longer ground transfer.
For students driving to campus, the college provides parking facilities throughout the campus grounds. The relatively compact nature of the campus and the walkability of the surrounding community mean that most daily needs can be met without a car, though having one can be convenient for shopping, entertainment, and exploration of the broader region.
Why Choose St. Norbert College
Students choose St. Norbert College for a variety of reasons, including its strong academic programs, supportive community, and the personal attention that comes with a small liberal arts college. The college's commitment to the Norbertine value of communio creates a campus culture where students feel known, valued, and supported in their academic and personal growth.
The college's location in De Pere offers the best of both worlds: the intimacy and safety of a small city combined with the resources and opportunities of the Green Bay metropolitan area. Students benefit from strong connections between the college and the local business community, which provide internship and employment opportunities across a range of industries.
St. Norbert College's emphasis on experiential learning, including study abroad programs, undergraduate research, service learning, and internships, ensures that students graduate with not just academic knowledge but also practical skills and real-world experience. The college's alumni network, though relatively small compared to large universities, is deeply loyal and actively supports current students and recent graduates in their career development.
Conclusion
St. Norbert College occupies a beautiful 111-acre campus along the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin, just minutes from the city of Green Bay. On the map, it sits in the heart of northeastern Wisconsin, a region known for its friendly communities, natural beauty, and strong work ethic. As a Catholic, Norbertine liberal arts college, St. Norbert offers a distinctive educational experience that combines academic rigor with a deep commitment to community, service, and personal growth. Whether you are a prospective student looking for the right college fit or simply curious about where St. Norbert College is located, its place on the map represents much more than a geographical point: it represents a vibrant academic community with a rich history and a bright future.
