MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome (and thanks for the welcome)!

My name is Brian Bruess and, as of July 1, I am president of both College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University – the first time both of those titles have been held concurrently. In the short time that my wife Carol and I have been here, we have both certainly felt the engaging welcome of this community. The Benedictine hospitality lives up to its billing. Thank you to those who have reached out with greetings and well wishes.

That sense of community was certainly one of the most powerful forces drawing Carol and me to this opportunity, but not the only one.

There’s the tradition of academic rigor that Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s have upheld for well over a century. The education our students receive can change lives, impact families and change the direction of whole communities. That’s an exciting thing to be part of, and I look forward to building on those outcomes in the coming years.

There’s the strength and impact of the legendary alum networks that stretch from these campuses, around the world. Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s grads have always been present for each other, for today’s students and for these institutions, generously serving as mentors, resources and benefactors. I look forward to meeting and connecting with as many of you as possible and learning the heart of that connection.

And, of course, we were drawn here by these students. The unique structure of this integrated relationship attracts and produces women who lead with passion and confidence. It attracts and produces men of character and wisdom who will bring their best to everything they do.

And in that spirit, I’m glad you’re here with us today to kick off another season in the storied tradition of Johnnie golf. Like all of our Johnnie competitors, these are student-athletes in the finest sense of both those words. As we cheer for today’s performances on the field, let’s all commit to cheering a little louder in recognition of the performances we don’t see – in the classroom, in the lab and in service to their church or community.

Go Johnnies!