Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota was founded on November 14, 1866 by the Minnesota Conference of Congregational Churches as Northfield College. In 1871, the name was changed in honor of benefactor William Carleton of Charlestown, Massachusetts.
The school is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational, liberal arts college with about 1900 students. The College respects its historical ties and gives continuing recognition to them through membership in the Council for Higher Education of the United Church of Christ.
Carleton competes in quizbowl and won the 1999 National Academic Quiz Tournaments undergraduate championship.