Message From the President

Let your spark shine

Since this issue is scheduled to arrive right around Christmas, let me extend my holiday greetings! We’ve nearly made it to the end of 2020. And that has come through the grit and resiliency I see demonstrated daily in this community.

It’s demonstrated in Bennie doctors, nurses and all manner of health care professionals, of course. It’s demonstrated in Bennie primary and secondary teachers. (Special shout out to each of you. As we’ve made our way through modifying the learning experience this semester with college students, I continually marvel at what you’re able to achieve with children.) It shows in Bennie alumnae handling chaos on the home front – working from home and handling distance learning for their children. It shines in Bennie entrepreneurs who have borne the brunt of our restrictions and limitations.

But it doesn’t stop there. Bennies are still upright and pushing forward in every field. That’s what Bennies do.

In this issue you’re going to read Dr. Sucharita Mukherjee’s (CSB/SJU professor and chair of the Economics Department) examination of the state of the economy (before and during COVID) and the pending recession. She’s going to illuminate many of the ways these things continue to hit women hardest. That’s reality.

But you’re also going to read anecdotes from across both campuses about the ways this community has taken the challenges that 2020 has thrown at us and polished them till they shine. Our students, our faculty, our staff and our facilities have found the bright spots. Assistant professor Patricia Kent and her vocal students spread out and sang outdoors; taking advantage of the seldom-used courtyard in the BAC. Regina Hall residence director Gina Honek ’19 developed a new online system for helping our first-year Bennies meet face-to-face and create connections. And there are so many other stories.

And that’s reality too.

All of you are demonstrating the strength and skill that defines a Saint Ben’s education, whether you feel like it or not. Bennies have faced this year straight-on. And even if it feels like your light has been dimmed, there’s still a spark.

Let it shine.

Laurie M. Hamen, J.D.

College of Saint Benedict Interim President