Founded in October 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Norbertine priest and educator, the school was named after Saint Norbert of Xanten.

St. Norbert's second president, Dennis Burke, expanded the college, anticipating the student population would eventually reach 2,000.

Serving as the college's president from 1983 to 2000, Thomas Manion led the expansion of facilities and the development of additional academic programs.

[5] Although he announced on November 1, 2019, that he would not continue as president after the end of the 2019–20 academic year,[6] uproar from the college community led to further discussion between Bruess and the SNC Board of Trustees that resulted in a multiyear contract.

Directly behind the Campus Center is a pavilion and marina where St. Norbert hosts a picnic for students to kick off the school year.

This shoreline area is also the venue for "Knights on the Fox" – a free summer concert series open to the community.

[12][13] It is located on the site of a former mission chapel that was erected for early settlers by the French-born Jesuit priest Rev.

In 2015, the college began offering an MBA program through its new Donald J. Schneider School of Business & Economics.

The school also has eight National Honor Society chapters, two student publications, and eight musical and performance ensembles.

In 2013, the old St. John's Lutheran Church (originally built in 1932) was reopened as the Cassandra Voss Center following a $2.7 million renovation.

[29][30] It was named after former St. Norbert College student Cassandra Voss, who died in a car accident at age 21.

Before her death, she was on track to become St. Norbert College's first student to graduate with a major in women's and gender studies.

Greek groups sponsor fund-raising activities, food drives, and benefits to support charities.

Greek groups collectively completed a total of 2,117 hours of service and raised $9,638 for their respective philanthropies during the 2015–16 school year.

[34] The St. Norbert College Green Knights participate in NCAA Division III athletics and were members of the Midwest Conference from 1982 through the 2020–21 season.

The Green Knights men's hockey team has appeared in 19 NCAA Division III Tournaments since 1997.

[36] The Green Knights football team has won 17 Midwest Conference championships since joining the league in 1984.