Macalester College is a nationally prominent, privately supported liberal arts college. It was founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian-related but non- sectarian college; its first class entered September 15, 1885.

Macalester’s commitments to academic excellence, internationalism, diversity, and civic engagement are reflected in the lives of its graduates, including former United States Vice President Walter Mondale ’50 and
former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan ’61.

An international outlook has long been a distinctive feature of Macalester's approach to the liberal arts and sciences, enriching not only academics, but also the day-to-day life of students. Students from around the world have been a part of Macalester's student body since World War I. The college has flown the United Nations flag since 1950.