Naming Policy and Naming Committee
At Macalester College, there are a number of buildings, spaces, and programs that are named in honor of distinguished alumni, donors, and friends of the college. Macalester’s naming policy was developed to ensure the use of naming advances the college’s interests, fosters an inclusive community, and preserves the college’s reputation.
Naming a Macalester asset for an individual or entity is one of the highest honors the college can bestow. This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the honoree’s connection to the college’s mission.
The Naming Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on honorary namings. If you wish to honor a member of the Macalester community, such as a faculty or staff member, individuals may be recognized at least one year after their service to the college has ended.
If you have a proposal for an honorary naming for the committee to review, please email your written proposal to [email protected]. The proposal must include:
- A biographical summary of the person or institution to be honored;
- A description of the facility, program, or space and the proposed name;
- A description of the contribution the person or institution has made to the college and/or the greater community; and
- The reason the contribution and individual or entity merits being honored by Macalester.
Under exceptional circumstances, the college reserves the right to revoke the name of an asset if the name presents reputational risk or the name no longer aligns with the values and the mission of the college. If you have a proposal for revoking a name, please email your written proposal to [email protected] or reach out to Joanna Curtis, VP for Advancement at [email protected]. The proposal must include supporting materials that provide specific evidence that the namesake in question has violated the principles for naming outlined in the naming policy.
Naming Committee Members
Please direct any questions about the committee’s work to the committee chair.
- Committee Chair: Joanna E. Curtis, Vice President for Advancement
- Myrl Beam, Associate Professor; Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
- Martin Bernsten ’26, Current Student, Class of 2026, MCSG/Legislative Body, 1st Year Representative
- Donnie Brooks, Director of Athletics; Athletics & Physical Education
- Hana Dinku, Director; Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice
- Rick Grubb ’73, Trustee
- Kaylee Highstrom, Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations and Campaign Manager; Advancement Division
- Patricia Langer, VP of Administration & Finance, CFO; Administration & Finance Division
- Lisa Mueller, Associate Professor; Political Science
- Niloy Ray ’99, Alumni Board
- Burke Strickland ’69, Alumni Board
- Adrien Wright ’25, Current Student, Class of 2025