Saint Benedict’s Magazine Spring 2023

ACADEMIC INNOVATION

The College of Saint Benedict Magazine is published three times a year by the office of Institutional Advancement.

EDITOR

Greg Skoog (SJU ’89)

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Blake Theisen

CONTRIBUTORS

Kevin Allenspach

Katie Alvino

Dave Deland

Dan Genzler

Lori Gnahn

Tommy O’Laughlin (SJU ’13)

COVER PHOTO

Students in the honors program (Addy Fraze ’25, Sam Plessel ’25, Jackeline Chavez ’25 and Aubrey Sherman ’25) are driven to excel. New academic updates and innovations are changing the ways we define excellent outcomes for all our students.

CONTACT

College of Saint Benedict Magazine

Institutional Advancement

37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374-2099

For address changes, please call 1-800-648-3468, ext. 1 or email csbalumnae@csbsju.edu

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

The mission of the College of Saint Benedict is to provide for women the very best residential liberal arts education in the Catholic and Benedictine traditions. The college fosters integrated learning, exceptional leadership for change and wisdom for a lifetime.

Lifting our gaze

investments in curricular and co-curricular innovation. Evolving the student experience is essential to producing healthy enrollments and exceptional learning outcomes. The schools who will successfully navigate the current headwinds are those who are wisely seeking program balance and innovation while also offering increasingly more sophisticated and impactful educational practices.

Working in higher education is a blessing every day, because our focus is on students and their holistic development. It’s on human flourishing and, ultimately, creating a better world.

At Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, we are working to solve the perplexing problems facing society through providing every student a robust liberal arts education. Our distinct contribution to American higher education is, of course, our compelling foundation: the values which animate our Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, and residential campuses. Generations of alumnae and alumni evidence point clearly to the unique value of Bennie and Johnnie educational experiences.

At the same time, the headwinds we face are unrelenting. We see the reality of simply fewer higher school graduates … challenging economic conditions raising questions about the affordability of college … increased competition, political malaise and postpandemic workforce challenges.

These and many other threats to the health and vibrancy of CSB and SJU require us to be creative, bold and innovative. How do we overcome and thrive in the face of these pressures?

We do so with a strategy that remains laser-focused on the essence of who we are and what we do best: producing first-class outcomes. An unapologetic focus on our missions will drive our priorities and help us invest in even more sophisticated student experiences. That focus will allow us to produce even more impressive student outcomes. Emerging from the current gauntlet of challenges will require us to lift our gaze to higher-order outcomes, recommit to our compelling and distinctive missions and accentuate our greatest strengths – our faculty and staff. Simultaneously, it will require us to respond to the needs of new generations of students.

I’m frequently asked: “Brian, how’s it going?” Without hesitation, I can honestly say: “GREAT!” Because in these first nine months I’ve seen countless examples of resilience, creativity and passion in our faculty, staff, students, alums and Common Boards. We are confronting the challenges of today with a greatness of spirit, honesty about our weaknesses, eagerness about opportunities and commitment to student learning and flourishing.

As we work to further differentiate ourselves at the intersection of teaching and learning, our focus will be on targeted

In this issue we highlight current academic program development – one of our leading strategies for building momentum toward ensuring student flourishing and success. With creativity, innovation and much hard work, we’re building around our Integrations Curriculum, emphasizing our Institutional Learning Goals, creating new programs of study and emphasizing the high-impact practices and experiences we offer. We’re increasing our investment in contemporary teaching and learning pedagogy and development.

emphasizing our Institutional Learning Goals, creating new programs of study and emphasizing the high-impact practices and experiences we offer. We’re increasing our investment in contemporary teaching and learning pedagogy and development.

Be assured, we look forward to your input and support along this journey. So many of you have already made contributions to the health and vibrancy of CSB and SJU, and we thank you! We are grateful you’re sharing in this critical work of sharpening our vision and enabling CSB and SJU to deepen and broaden our contributions to the world.

It’s always been my view that there’s no better job than being a college or university president. This community has shown me something even better: getting that honor at both the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University! Thank you for your role in making possible the remarkable Bennie-Johnnie experience.

Brian J.

President,

Bruess, Ph.D.

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University

In this issue we highlight current academic program development –one of our leading strategies for building momentum toward ensuring student flourishing and success. With creativity, innovation and much hard work, we’re building around our Integrations Curriculum,

HEAR THE WINDS BLOW

For the second time in four years, the CSB and SJU Wind Ensemble was showcased at the College Band Directors National Association – one of seven ensembles selected by peer review to participate (via recording). The group has about four dozen musicians, representing 25 different majors. “The significance of this, the fact that it’s the second time we’ve been so honored in a short period, speaks to the consistent work and commitment the students have put into this group,” said conductor and associate professor of bands/brass Justin Zanchuk.

Six-Year Grant Will Help Faculty Foster Inclusivity

Saint Ben’s, in collaboration with Saint John’s, has received a six-year grant worth $505,000 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to work with a group of other colleges and universities to research how to cultivate, evaluate and reward effective and inclusive teaching. The funding is part of an Inclusive Excellence 3 (IE3) grant program offered by HHMI. Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s are among 104 schools divided into seven learning community clusters that will work together to increase capacity for inclusion of all students, especially those who belong to groups underrepresented in the sciences.

This work builds on the results of several previous grants. In 2021, CSB and SJU received a two-year HHMI grant for $30,000 to build intra- and intercampus relationships, examine institutional barriers to inclusion, establish processes and leverage diversity to increase institutional capacity as a prelude to the larger IE3 funding. In 2018, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s received a $600,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support BECOMING Community, an initiative focused on transformative inclusion and community building. And, in 2015, CSB and SJU each received a $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to kickstart planning and piloting pedagogical experiments.

Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s will be part of a group that includes Boise State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, National University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Queens

College, Skidmore College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Tuskegee University, Union College, the University of Maryland, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Rhode Island and Willamette University.

“This is a grant that was for faculty by faculty,” said Amanda Macht Jantzer, associate professor of psychology and project director for the grant. “It’s primarily about faculty development. How can we do more to serve our students in a really inclusive way? What is inclusive, just, diverse, equitable, accessible teaching? How do we demonstrate and measure it? How do we do it better? This is about professional development. Instead of having a model where faculty need to do it on their own or get funding to go somewhere for training, we can join together to do this work better and more efficiently.”

Bennies and Johnnies Recognized for Student Voting

In November’s mid-term elections, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s students were recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student

Voting – recognizing colleges and universities for making intentional efforts to increase student voter participation. CSB and SJU joined a group of 394 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing these four actions:

• Participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

• Sharing 2020 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN

• Developing and submitting a 2022 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN

• Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.

“This national recognition affirms the exceptional student leadership and civic engagement of the CSB and SJU Votes Coalition and all students who participate in elections,” said Matt Lindstrom, Edward Henry professor of political science and director of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in

nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items, with the support of ALL IN Challenge staff, to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages over 9 million students from more than 950 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sister Karen Rose Named 18th Prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery

Sister Karen Rose has been elected to serve as the 18th prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery.

The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict made the announcement Saturday, Feb. 25. Rose will be installed in a special ceremony on June 4 in the Sacred Heart Chapel in St. Joseph. She replaces Sister Susan Rudolph, who has served as prioress since 2017.

The prioress is elected to a six-year term. She serves as the spiritual leader of a monastic community that currently includes 157 sisters. She also represents the monastery as a corporate member of the College of Saint Benedict, as well as serving on the corporate board of St. Cloud Hospital. Both the college and the hospital were founded by the monastery.

Rose, who was born and raised in England, first entered the monastery in 2007 and made her perpetual monastic profession in 2012. She currently serves as the monastery’s director of mission advancement.

“This is such an exciting time and a beautiful transition of leadership,” said CSB and SJU President Brian J. Bruess. “I applaud the sisters on their thoughtful and reverent process of community discernment and look forward to working alongside Sister Karen, just as I have with Sister Susan. All of us at the College of Saint Benedict and at Saint John’s University send our heartfelt congratulations to Sister Karen and are grateful for her vocational ‘Yes!’”

New Leaders Steer CSB and SJU Toward the Future

As Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s continue to find successes and efficiencies under Strong Integration, several new leaders have arrived to help push that process forward.

Mitchell, who had served as the director of equity and inclusion at St. Catherine University in St. Paul since 2019, became the inaugural senior diversity officer at CSB and SJU on Jan. 2. She earned her education specialist degree in educational leadership and innovation from the University of Colorado at Denver, and both her master’s degree in higher education and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In her new role at CSB and SJU, Mitchell will be a proactive voice for unifying stakeholders across the two campuses and beyond toward a foundational vision for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) initiatives.

Kolomitz, who began her new duties Feb. 6, has worked in Catholic higher education for more than 25 years, including as COO from 2016-22 at Regis College, a liberal arts institution in suburban Boston. She led all internal operations, units and staff at the school, which serves approximately 3,400 students, and was responsible for institutional, organizational and operational strategy, risk management, and financial aid budget and modeling. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Johnson & Wales University in 2016, and completed a master’s degree in higher education at Providence College in 1997. In 1993, she graduated from Regis University in Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts and philosophy.

Oberman has been the CFO since May 2022, when she took over the role with the retirement of Sue Palmer as vice president of finance and administration. Prior to that, Oberman was the longtime controller for Saint Ben’s. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Saint Ben’s and her MBA from St. Cloud State University.

Meyer became CFO at Saint John’s in May 2022, after the retirement of Dick Adamson as vice president of finance and administration. Before being named CFO, Meyer was the investment manager for Saint John’s, overseeing the endowment funds. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Ben’s.

Sandra Mitchell Senior Diversity Officer

Kara Kolomitz Chief Operating Officer

Anne Oberman ’82 Chief Financial Officer

College of Saint Benedict

Jennifer Meyer ’05 Chief Financial Officer Saint John’s University

Saint Ben’s Reaches Best Rank Ever As Fulbright Producer

For the seventh time in nine years, the College of Saint Benedict has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students by the Department of State – and this time it was the highest CSB has landed in the rankings.

Out of just 19 applications, eight Saint Ben’s students were offered Fulbright awards in 2022, placing Saint Ben’s in a tie for 18th among the 42 schools that received the designation. None of the schools above CSB on the list had fewer than 24 applications. Of the eight awards, five students accepted the appointment – including Valerie Doze ’21, who received a rare open study/research award to work at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Gottingen, Germany. Also accepting Fulbrights, which were English Teaching Assistant awards, were four 2022 graduates – Sarah Broghammer (Norway), Regan Dolezal

(Czech Republic), Kate Schiltz (Spain) and Brigid Smith (Colombia).

Saint Ben’s had six Fulbright offers in 2021, which ranked No. 24 – the school’s previous top designation, and was No. 30 in 2020. Since 2021, the data reflect awards offered rather than only those accepted, which was the case prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our success is built on the quality of our students, the hard work they put into their applications, and the strength of our global and language programs,” said Dr. Phil Kronebusch, professor of political science and coordinator of competitive fellowships at CSB and SJU.

Strategic Planning Process Begins

Charting the best course for growth, stability and serving students is complicated. So most colleges and universities rely on a strategic planning process to help guide them forward.

At Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, rooted as we are in our Benedictine traditions of listening, respect for persons and community living, formulating a new strategic plan is no small task. And this time around, the stakes are especially high. The last combined strategic plan was written in 2015 and was meant to end in 2020 – but it was extended while the

boards of trustees went through the process of Strong Integration.

Now that Strong Integration is being implemented, the Common Boards are in place, the missions of both Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s are affirmed, and President Bruess is in office, it is time to chart the course for the next several years.

Throughout this spring, we are facilitating on- and off-campus meetings to recognize and hear the current understanding of each group related to their shared needs and priorities. Additionally, we will focus on the collective vision and direction for both institutions. The learnings from

the various groups will help inform and shape this nimble strategic plan to be shared with all constituents, to prepare for implementation and the rolling approval of new initiatives as they are ready.

On campus there will be focus group meetings to understand the current campus-wide insights and needs required to achieve success. Off campus, we’re in the midst of a nationwide series of joint alum events, sharing information and gathering input. Watch your email or our website at csbsju.edu/csb-alumnae/events to learn when one is coming to a city near you.

Standing Up for Women’s Sports

Recent studies have shown that only 2% of philanthropic giving goes to women’s and girls’ organizations. To help us all start fixing that imbalance, Wednesday, Feb 22, was our recordbreaking fourth annual CSB Athletics Give Day!

For 24 hours, hundreds pulled together – former athletes, long-time fans, parents of current and former student-athletes, staff, faculty – to support their favorite programs, with a goal of rallying 550 donors. Financial gifts like these give our athletic department the flexibility to build programs that develop our student-athletes and make us all cheer.

Total donors 649

Top teams (donors)

Track/CC 140

Soccer 129

Total dollars $102,600

Top teams (dollars)

Tennis $16,401

Track/CC $15,132

NATIONAL CHAMPION

Fiona Smith ’24 has made Saint Ben’s history before. She holds plenty of school and conference records (15 school, MIAC or DIII records, to be precise). She was already a seven-time All-American in cross country and track. Last fall she finished second in the nation at the NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships. But this was big, even by her lofty standards.

On Saturday, March 11, Fiona won her second individual national title in two days by recording a 3,000-meter championship record of 9:25.62 in a dominating performance at the NCAA DIII Indoor Track and Field Championship. (Nearly 24 hours earlier, she won the 5K national championship by nearly seven seconds, with a time of 16:33.79.)

She is the first in Saint Ben’s history –and the first in MIAC history – to win two individual indoor national titles in the same year. Not only did she set a high standard individually, but her performance also helped CSB record its best team finish ever at the DIII Indoor Nationals with 20 points for 11th. That team finish was the best among all MIAC schools.

Fiona, who is now a nine-time AllAmerican, shattered the previous meet record of 9:30.80 for the 3K, set in 2016. Her time was just under five seconds faster than the second-place finisher, University of Chicago junior Maddie Kelly.

“I feel good,” she said with a smile. “I’m very glad to be done, very relieved that it’s over. It was all so fun. They were two very fun races. But the 3K was even more enjoyable. I also enjoy that (event) more. Overall, I’m just so relieved and happy and grateful.”

She’s a leader on the track, but hopes her results can inspire other Bennies. “A lot of messages I’ve been getting over the past day have been congratulating me but also saying they hope I’m paving the way for the Bennies in the future. So, hopefully that means something to Bennies and helps,” she said.

CSB Head Track and Field Coach Robin Balder-Lanoue ’91 was pleased with the junior’s history-making accomplishment. And she knows how hard Fiona has worked, which has inspired confidence in the way she competes.

“She executed beautifully,” said BalderLanoue. “She ran her race right from the start. It’s a gutsy way to do it. But she’s confident and running great right now.”

Off the track, Fiona also excels in the classroom and the research lab. You can read more about her work in our Summer 2022 issue using this QR code.

Read/watch more about Fiona’s win in the 5K national championships here.

Read/watch more about Fiona’s win in the 3K national championships here.

ACADEMIC PIVOTING TOWARD THE FUTURE INNOVATION

The 21st century will become a Golden Age of learning. Use of technology; new opportunities for student engagement; students empowered to learn at their own pace and style; universities become centers for innovation; increased diversity and inclusion. The new university where all this and much more is possible, is within our grasp. What we must do to make it a reality is to pivot.

Pivot: A Vision for the New University

- Joan Soliday and Mark Lombardi

Times change. Methods change. Outcomes change.

So, it stands to reason that higher education must change as well, and nowhere more than at its core – the teaching and learning experience.

“Colleges and universities are facing intensifying headwinds that have been known to us for some time,” observes Brian Bruess, president of Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. “They’ve been accelerated by things like demographic shifts, questions of affordability, questions of the value proposition of higher education and the challenges to the essence of who we are as a liberal arts institution.”

“Despite a myriad of challenges, the future of higher education is bright, provided that we pivot and innovate,” says Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s Provost Richard Ice. “We need to embrace new understandings and dynamic approaches to the liberal arts. What we’re trying to do is address the upheaval that’s happening nationally.”

Georgia Nugent is president of Illinois Wesleyan University and past president of Kenyon College and College of Wooster. She’s an expert on liberal arts education who has spoken at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s several times in the past (most notably, during the national “Liberal Arts Illuminated” conference hosted here in 2016). In her essay “The Liberal Arts in Action: Past, Present, and Future,” she points out that there has been a movement away from defining the liberal arts based on academic disciplines toward more fluid lines of inquiry.

“What appears to produce the extraordinary result of a liberal arts education is the particular combination of matter and manner, a broad-based curriculum with specific

pedagogical practices in a context that also contributes to learning,” Nugent says.

“Our academic plans are a response to the changes that have impacted higher education. The world has changed in a variety of ways,” offers Karyl Daughters, interim dean of curriculum and assessment at CSB and SJU.

“We’re really focusing on innovating and creating a more sophisticated student experience,” adds Bruess. “We need to have this idea of innovation essentially permeating all of our innovation and all of our strategy going forward.

• Renew and further enrich the learning environment.

• Create new ways that produce even greater, more impactful outcomes

“There is always going to be a place in higher education for residential liberal arts colleges,” says Ice. “Moreover, there’s going to be a sweet spot for the distinctive Benedictine education that we offer at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. The academic heart of a college is no longer going to be measured by the classes that we offer, but by the learning outcomes and competencies that students are required to demonstrate.”

“We need to be nimble, adaptive and responsive to the changing times.”

How do liberal arts schools respond to those challenges? How do we pivot toward the possibilities of the future and accentuate the opportunities?

Those are questions that Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s have wrestled with while formulating our own sweeping, innovative initiative toward student-centric education and a nimble, responsive academic future.

We’ve mapped out a unified strategy that is purposeful and intentional, keeping these objectives in mind:

• Work together in new and innovative ways.

• Develop an increasingly more sophisticated student experience.

• Enhance the curriculum and cocurriculum for the singular purpose of human flourishing.

“Our mission is the holistic development of students. It is not just limited to their intellectual development. It entails the development of mind, body and spirit. And that’s where our innovation needs to reveal itself, because that’s what will help differentiate the quality and the depth and impact of what we’re doing,” Bruess says.

To pivot toward that future, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s have designed and developed a comprehensive and multi-faceted plan to foster academic innovation. The plan consists of five key components:

1 Integrations Curriculum

2 Institutional Learning Goals

3 Pathways to Distinction

4 New Academic Programs

5 Centers of Academic Excellence

WE’RE REALLY FOCUSING ON INNOVATING AND CREATING A MORE SOPHISTICATED STUDENT EXPERIENCE.”

INTEGRATIONS CURRICULUM

Virtually all colleges and universities, particularly liberal arts colleges, have a common or core curriculum – a selection of courses from various disciplines that are deemed essential for a complete education. Typically, this involves students selecting from a menu of course offerings to meet requirements.

The shortcoming of this traditional approach is that students are often more focused on their courses and majors than they are on the comprehensive body of knowledge that they need to acquire and master for a wellrounded liberal arts education.

Today’s world requires us to re-think this approach. This is something that all higher education has been examining and pondering, including Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. How can we be more relevant to the times?

“The status quo isn’t going to work. We know that,” Ice says. “In response we have designed an innovative new curriculum that focuses on the integration of knowledge and learning outcomes.”

The result is the new Integrations Curriculum. (We’re currently in the third year of a four-year roll-out as we phase in the Integrations Curriculum and phase out the prior “Common Curriculum.”)

“It’s all about connections,” Daughters says. “The curriculum is designed to guide students through reflection on the value of their education. This culminates in a senior capstone for which students integrate the knowledge gained through their coursework and campus experiences and connect it to their future vocation and the common good.”

Integrated learning – the ability to see relationships among the arts, the sciences and the humanities – is a valuable, real-life skill that makes CSB and SJU graduates highly sought-after by employers and the nation’s top graduate programs.

“The basic tenet of the new Integrations Curriculum at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s is that it is outcome-based, which will improve the product for students,” observes Ice. “It is also what employers are looking for; that learning occurs in and outside the classroom at CSB and SJU; and that it is about innovation, expansion and moving forward.”

What are these outcomes?

Upon completion of the Integrations Curriculum, students will be adept in the following skill areas highly valued in all career fields.

· Analyzing Texts – Elicit and construct meaning from texts.

· Collaboration – Interact effectively in a group while incorporating diverse perspectives.

· Common Good – Develop a conception of a moral life that incorporates concern for the common good.

· Gender – Examine the social construction of gender and related individual and systemic inequities.

· Information Literacy – Identify, evaluate and responsibly use information.

· Metacognition – Optimize one’s own thinking and learning processes.

· Quantitative Reasoning – Solve quantitative problems and develop and communicate arguments supported by quantitative evidence.

· Race and Ethnicity – Examine the social construction of race and ethnicity and resulting inequities.

· Religious Engagement – Analyze religious engagement with society.

· Speak – Construct ideas, opinions and information in appropriate oral forms.

· Theological Reasoning – Think critically about sources, doctrines and themes of the Christian tradition.

· Write – Construct ideas, opinions and information in appropriate written forms.

“The Integrations Curriculum is an exciting innovation for general education at CSB and SJU. We have moved away from distributed box checking to intentional pursuit of learning outcomes that more clearly define what we expect students to be able to do when they graduate,” Daughters says.

“I hope the new general education requirements are the last major general education reform we ever do – not because we’re going to perfect it, but because we’re going to constantly be changing and updating it,” Ice says. “The curriculum now has got to be constantly updated and changed to reflect the needs of society.”

ENGINEERING IN ACTION

Beginning in 2022-23, CSB and SJU began offering the new engineering physics concentration within the physics major. The courses included are “things our alums have told us they do out in the field,” says Jim Crumley, chair of the physics department. “And they are things they wished they’d gotten to do more of when they were in our program.”

Deanna Suilmann ’76 can attest to the value of blending engineering education with a liberal arts influence.

One in 10 applications to Saint John’s identifies engineering as a pre-professional interest. Interest at Saint Ben’s is only about one-third as much, but it’s clear more than two decades into the 21st century that engineering is a field that draws interest and draws students.

Deanna Suilmann could’ve told you that 50 years ago, only it wasn’t really an option when she was at Saint Ben’s – let alone as she was growing up. While seemingly every other girl in her elementary school class wanted to become a nurse, a secretary or a nun, she was determined to follow in the footsteps of her father, who worked as an engineer at Honeywell most of his life.

“As a child, I remember sitting on his knee when he was reading his graduateschool books and I was just fascinated,” Deanna recalls.

She majored in biology at Saint Ben’s, then studied biochemistry and microbiology in graduate school at the University of Minnesota. She was hired as a senior laboratory technician, testing materials used for flexible circuitry in products like calculators, washers and dryers and other consumer products.

“I started noticing all these things we could improve, and I took it upon myself to say, ‘Hey, we could do this and that,’” she says. “About six months later they made me an engineer.”

“If Saint Ben’s had that when I was there, I would’ve loved the opportunity to collaborate with other students –females, especially, but males, too – who were interested in the same things as me,” Deanna says. “It would’ve been great to be exposed to that kind of thinking when I was an undergrad.”

Deanna went on to secure six U.S. patents, working at pioneering firms like Cray Research (during which she earned her engineering degree) and W.L. Gore and Associates. When the latter moved its electrical products division from Wisconsin to Delaware, she commuted via the company’s private jet for 10-day stretches over a year and a half. But as her father was losing a battle with congestive heart failure in Minneapolis, and with a husband and young son, there was no way she could keep up the travel or leave the Midwest.

She felt a calling to go into education, and spent 19 years teaching science in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and coaching a Science Olympiad team that won seven state titles.

“To get to know those students and guide them, I was really blessed to be able to do that,” Deanna says. “It’s a fantastic time to be interested in engineering. All the companies I know are looking for good people who have an aptitude for that. At Saint Ben’s, I took courses in philosophy and psychology – things I might not have gotten had I gone somewhere else and majored in engineering. But those liberal arts classes helped me reason and understand. They gave me confidence. It’s great to know that now students can get a sense of both.”

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING GOALS

At Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, learning happens in classrooms, in labs, on our athletic courts and fields, across campus and around the world.

Drawn from our missions and our Catholic and Benedictine values and traditions, we established our Institutional Learning Goals to provide clear expectations and outcomes for the curricular and cocurricular experience. We are dedicated to ensuring students achieve these learning and developmental outcomes by the time they graduate.

The five Institutional Learning Goals –Think Deeply, Embrace Difference, Engage Globally, Serve Graciously and Lead Courageously – provide the foundation for our distinctive liberal arts experience.

College of Saint Benedict magazine took a deep dive into the Institutional Learning Goals in our Winter 2018 issue.

You can find it on our website or simply use the QR code here to learn more.

EMBRACE DIFFERENCE

Observe life from as many points of view as possible.

THINK DEEPLY

Think critically, creatively and with complexity when addressing significant questions.

PIVOTING TOWARD CHANGE

ENGAGE GLOBALLY

Embark on a journey of discovery and take part in the world.

LIVE COURAGEOUSLY

Embody the skills and attributes of personal and professional success.

SERVE GRACIOUSLY

Discover a meaningful life purpose through service and leadership.

PATHWAYS TO DISTINCTION

Finding a way to celebrate and recognize the entire range and scope of a student’s accomplishments during their time on campus is the drive behind the Pathways to Distinction program that was launched in 2020 by our Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholars.

Pathways to Distinction allow students to work toward obtaining recognition in alignment with our Institutional Learning Goals, as well as the honors program.

The program is designed to allow multiple ways for students to demonstrate achievement, not entirely based on grade-point average or coursework. It recognizes the important development and accomplishments of students across a variety of academic, community based, personal, leadership, global engagement, service and other experiences, helping students build and articulate important skills on their resume and adding an exciting signature program unique to CSB and SJU. “This is going to give our students an opportunity to be able to articulate clearly the skills they have learned here in their liberal arts education, inside and outside the classroom,” Ice says. “And when they go on to get jobs or apply to graduate or professional schools, they will be able to articulate those skills to employers and to graduate programs so that they understand their capabilities.

“This can be a point of distinction to show that this truly is a holistic education, and that we are really transforming students.”

Graduating with distinction in one of our five Institutional Learning Goals will show that you’ve learned and served graciously and courageously, inside and outside the classroom.

“We’re changing. What we used to have for a long time was graduating with distinction honors in a major. It’s now graduating with distinction in one of those five learning goals,” Ice says. “You have to show that you’ve been engaged in and out of the classroom.”

We talked more about Pathways to Distinction on page 8 of our Fall 2022 issue.

NEUROSCIENCE IN ACTION

pituitary disorder program. As a result, Rochester Regional Health – where she is vice president and chair of neurosciences – has a nationally respected department for brain care.

You can read more by just shooting the QR code here with your smart phone.

Dr. Mary Dombovy ’77 says neuroscience can lead to positions in device manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, in addition to giving an edge to med school students.

Mary Dombovy grew up in St. Cloud and chose Saint Ben’s in part to be closer to family. Her aunt had suffered a brain injury, and Mary was happy to repay all the attention she’d received as a child. Then her father suffered a stroke, and her own parents needed a helping hand, too.

“I became interested in more than just their acute treatment, but also in the problems they had with language, memory and cognition and how that changed or improved or didn’t improve over time,” Mary says. “When I was at Saint Ben’s, I had a one-track mind thinking about going to medical school. But I was always interested in how the brain works.”

She majored in biology and chased her dream, first at Mayo Medical School and later with residencies there and at the University of Wisconsin. It was there in 1989 that she met officials from Rochester, New York, who wanted to establish a brain injury and stroke recovery program. She accepted their offer to help build it, starting with neurologic rehab. She later hired neurologists, neurosurgeons, pain and spine physicians, neuropsychologists, and eventually developed programs for memory care, concussions and even a

Mary is a member of the Common Boards here at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. She and her late husband, Michael Johnson, have long sponsored a named annual scholarship at Saint Ben’s. And she was instrumental in helping launch our graduate nursing programs. Now she applauds a new undergraduate minor in neuroscience, knowing it will help prepare future Bennies and Johnnies to follow in her footsteps.

“I think it can lead to jobs in a number of areas – not only in medicine,” says Mary, counting off positions with device makers, the pharmaceutical industry, and people who are working on artificial intelligence or brain interface technology. “It gives you the underpinnings, the background. It would’ve allowed me to be a bit ahead when I started med school.

“As I’m looking for residency candidates or physicians, I prefer someone with a neuroscience or biomedical engineering background. I’m also looking for people who can get us involved with practical clinical research among other organizations or industries. From an undergrad position, those two backgrounds better prepare you to do things in this type of medicine than a straight biology or chemistry major. I’m not saying everyone should be able to identify a specialty when they’re an undergrad, but this is where you would seek help from a mentor, too.

“I see neuroscience programs growing,” she continues. “See what kind of traction it gets and one day it might become a major right alongside biochem.”

NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

In our pursuit of educational excellence, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s recently completed an Academic Program Prioritization process. The purpose of this analysis was to identify a strategic programming balance, as well as to target academic programs that have the potential for growth, innovation and integration.

“The guiding principle for this prioritization process is that students come first,” says Ice. “We seek to offer educational programs that have strong student interest as well as to position CSB and SJU as leaders and change agents in liberal arts education. We also want to become more competitive in the higher education marketplace.”

The Academic Program Prioritization process has involved years of discussions and analysis – and some undeniably tough decisions. (To learn more on that, we encourage you to look back on the email message that was sent to the entire community on Friday, Feb. 24. If you can’t find or didn’t receive that email, feel free to reach out to the Alumnae Relations office at csbalumnae@csbsju.edu.)

Much has been said and reported about academic program reduction at colleges and universities across the country, including at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. And yet, not to be overlooked in this conversation are the significant steps that we’ve taken over the past five years to add a number of new academic programs. “These new programs are innovative and strategic,” Ice says, “and many of them are cross-disciplinary, because that is the future of liberal arts education.”

DATA ANALYTICS MINOR

About the program – Data analysis has come to the forefront of society in multiple dimensions. In politics, business, finance, the economy, the environment, international relations, the arts, genetics, health care and in the study of languages and history, data analysis has always been of great importance. However, information technologies and increasing availability of data have provided new avenues of inquiry and exploration in the pursuit of knowledge, in the pursuit of the common good, and in the pursuit of private interest.

“Data analytics is a central tool for decision-making, and whether a person’s profession is as an epidemiologist, accountant, marketing manager, physician, political adviser, nurse, teacher, historian or biologist … they will be immersed in data as they attempt to make good choices in a rapidly changing environment.”

– Bob Hesse, CSB and SJU associate professor of computer science and mathematics

NEUROSCIENCE MINOR

About the program – The interdisciplinary neuroscience minor at CSB and SJU is designed to pair with any major or pre-health program and is collaboratively administered by the biology and psychology departments. Students take one core course – either Neurobiology or Physiological Psychology –and work with a neuroscience faculty advisor to individualize elective coursework that meets their unique needs and goals, such as accommodating study abroad or gaining computational experience.

“Neuroscience students are encouraged and supported in pursuing research and other cocurricular activities. We have research options available on campus during the school year and summer and also help students to apply for summer research positions and internships at other locations, such as in clinical positions or at large universities.”

– Jennifer Schaefer, biology department chair and neuroscience minor director

EXERCISE AND HEALTH SCIENCE MAJOR

About the program – At the heart of the exercise and health science major is the concept of evidence-based practice. Our graduates will ask clinically relevant questions, locate and read applicable primary research articles, evaluate research quality for potential bias, and synthesize research findings to answer the clinical question while giving consideration to the strength of the evidence. These academic skills allow our graduates to use the best scholarly evidence available to inform their clinical decisions, which is foundational to nearly all careers in the exercise and health fields.

“Awareness of these social identities enables our graduates to appreciate the unique values and preferences of each patient or client in relation to their own, and how social identities influence interactions with exercise and health fields.”

GLOBAL HEALTH MINOR

About the program – Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s global health minor taps into a compelling and growing field of study that examines the health of communities on an international scale, paying attention to issues of justice, inequality and problems that transcend borders.

The new minor, which became available in fall 2022, takes a liberal arts approach to the study of health within a global context. The program emphasizes the contributions that the social sciences and humanities –such as anthropology, sociology, history, communications and psychology – can make to understanding human experiences of health, illness and healing.

The unique courses and training provided by the minor will help students analyze some of the most pressing problems that shape our world, preparing students for exciting careers in health care, public policy, international service and more.

“Students have been interested in global health for many years and have been seeking out opportunities, both on and off campus, to pursue those interests on their own. So it just made sense to provide students with an opportunity to pursue this course of study in a more comprehensive way that combines relevant course work with study abroad opportunities, lectures, workshops, summer internships and more.”

NARRATIVE PRACTICE MINOR

About the program – The narrative practice minor connects the skills of creative writing to students’ future careers. Pre-health and nursing students in the narrative practice minor work with St. Cloud Hospital patients to prevent delirium and social isolation by offering innovative, creative-writing programming. Students gain clinical experience in multiple units of St. Cloud Hospital, deepening their understanding of acute and chronic illness while learning how metaphor and imagery shape effective communication.

“From first-semester students to graduating seniors, the narrative practice minor prepares students to hear and tell the stories that will improve the health of their future patients, the reach of their future businesses, and the vitality of their communities.”

– Don Fischer, professor and exercise science and sport studies department chair

– Ellen Block, chair of the sociology department

– Chris Bolin, assistant professor of English

CLIMATE STUDIES MINOR

About the program – The climate studies minor (which will be available in fall 2023) aims to provide students with a course of study that helps deepen knowledge about the climate crisis with applications and solutions derived from many academic disciplines. The minor can be integrated with – and complement – any existing major or future career.

With climate change looming as perhaps the biggest crisis of the foreseeable future, it is likely to require multiple solutions and complex thinking to find ways to reverse its effects and live with its reality. To address this need within a liberal arts education, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s will incorporate many fields from the academic catalog into the new minor.

“The great thing about our climate studies minor is that it is truly interdisciplinary. Climate crisis requires all hands on deck to research, innovate and craft sustainable and just solutions. Our program builds on our existing liberal arts strengths in cultivating diverse skills and perspectives among our students – the leaders of the future.”

– Corrie Grosse, assistant professor of environmental studies

ENGINEERING PHYSICS CONCENTRATION

About the program – The engineering physics concentration track within our existing physics major is designed to prepare students for technical jobs directly in industry after graduation as well as for students who want to pursue engineering degrees elsewhere. This program provides students with a fundamental background in engineering along with a strong foundation in physics and math. Joining these strong technical skills and knowledge with the excellent liberal arts education that CSB and SJU are known for is a winning combination for our students.

Specific courses like computer-aided design and MatLab programming introduce engineering and give practice in engineering technology. CSB and SJU are formalizing the path for students to do engineering senior projects like designing, building and testing devices like wind tunnels and rail guns.

“We see the new engineering physics track as an evolution of our applied physics program. Applied physics has been a great path into industry and engineering for our alums, but they have been telling us that more specific engineering practice would have been useful to them. We are confident that our engineering physics program is going to open up great opportunities for our students.”

– Jim Crumley, chair of the physics department

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

About the program – Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s have a distinguished, 40-year tradition of preparing strong, professional nurse leaders for contemporary nursing practice. That tradition now includes graduate nursing programs designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced roles in health care. You can learn more about the launch of our graduate programs in our fall 2021 issue, using the QR code above.

Currently available programs include:

• Doctor of nursing practice –Family nurse practitioner track

• Doctor of nursing practice –Leadership track

• Master of science, nursing –Leadership and education for practice track

FINANCE MAJOR (PROPOSED)

About the program – In recent years, finance has become a more popular avenue of study for students at CSB and SJU. The accounting major has seen approximately a 30% increase in the number who choose the finance concentration. In addition, the economics major has recently added a finance concentration to cater to students interested in finance through the lens of economics.

The proposed finance major, currently working its way through faculty governance, was developed with the goal of merging these concentrations into a single major in an interdisciplinary fashion. This is in keeping with the liberal arts spirit of Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. An additional concentration in mathematical finance is also being proposed to make finance at CSB and SJU stand out among our peers.

“Only one other school in Minnesota currently has an undergraduate major in mathematical finance. We feel that with our current faculty, we have strengths in all of these areas and can deliver a major of outstanding quality and value to incoming students.”

– Steve Welch, chair of the accounting and finance department

CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINOR (PROPOSED)

About the program – The creativity and entrepreneurship minor is designed to help students develop a “creative mindset” (curiosity, risk taking, pushing boundaries, welcoming failure, lateral thinking and embracing ambiguity) and an “entrepreneurial mindset” (opportunity recognition, idea generation, customer value proposition design, feasibility analysis and business model design). The minor will include 20 credits of coursework including an experiential component requiring students to create something they can “put out into the world.”

“I think this minor is a perfect fit for liberal arts institutions like CSB and SJU. We need creative problem solvers and entrepreneurial thinkers now more than ever. We need them in climate change, health care, education, politics, business, and so many other areas.”

– Paul Marsnik, director of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship

CYBER SECURITY (PROPOSED)

About the program – This will be an exciting and highly relevant new option, but it’s currently still in the development and discussion phase. Watch for more information to come.

5 CENTERS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

A primary strategy to add to the quality and expand the potential of educational programs at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s is to establish Centers of Academic Excellence.

Grounded in Benedictine values and rooted in our 1,500-year Benedictine heritage, academic centers enhance student learning by engaging students, faculty, staff and the broader community in interdisciplinary collaborations. A well-run and designed center can stimulate new intellectual and creative connections, address the pressing needs and challenges of our day and create new insights and opportunities to further the common good.

“Academic centers are broad-based and interdisciplinary. They transcend all the departments and disciplines,” says Ice. “It’s about educating the whole person. We’re trying to break down walls of learning inside and outside of the classroom, to think more broadly about the whole student experience because people don’t compartmentalize their lives.”

There are already a number of wellestablished Centers of Academic Excellence at CSB and SJU:

• Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement fosters dialogue and involvement regarding politics, values and public policy. The McCarthy Center facilitates opportunities for creative and integrated learning through programming and experiential learning on and off campus. Through events, conferences, lectures and social gatherings, the McCarthy Center gives students unique learning experiences.

DATA ANALYTICS IN ACTION

• Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning promotes dialogue, understanding, friendship and civic engagement across lines of difference. The center does this by sponsoring a host of interfaith activities, including artistic performances, lectures, panels, conferences, retreats and service programs.

• Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship is an education resource that provides classes, coaching and assistance to entrepreneurs. It builds relationships among and between Bennie and Johnnie students, faculty, alums and community members to create and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit.

• Mark and Teresa Fleischhacker Center for Ethical Leadership in Action is committed to helping students take the leadership and ethics theory that is learned in the classroom and apply it within the workplace and community. When fully realized, the center’s work will be focused in four main areas: supporting internships and community engaged learning experience for Bennies; educational programming for the entire CSB and SJU community focused on the development of confident, ethical leaders; mentoring with integrity; and faculty and staff development to ensure that faculty and staff are equipped to advise students using our Benedictine values within an ethical leadership framework.

• Center for Global Education offers semester and short-term study abroad and international exchange programs, teach abroad options and on-campus global learning opportunities. Center for Global Education collaborates with global partners to offer summer English as a second language programs and sponsors visiting international scholars.

Paida Chikate ’13 found her calling as an evaluator. To do so, she needed to complement her English degree with the language of statistics.

Paida Chikate works as director of evaluation for World Savvy, an organization that partners with K-12 schools to build inclusive, adaptive and future-ready learning environments. She’s simultaneously a Ph.D. student in evaluation and data analytics at the University of Minnesota.

That’s a big shift from when she came to Saint Ben’s from Zimbabwe as an English major. But her interest in political science provided a springboard to a master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and to that she added a master’s in gender and sexuality studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

For all her education, however, she laments that her time at Saint Ben’s came before there was such a thing as a minor in data analytics – which first became available in 2020. Being able to add that to her major, she says, probably would’ve crystalized her career path sooner and helped her avoid some painful learning later when, to earn her public policy degree, she needed to take a regression course in statistics.

“It was extremely difficult – to the point that I would come home crying because it was so hard,” Paida says. “I wanted to learn data because I knew how important it was for policy makers. Being able to translate complicated numbers into regular speech is a skill. I decided I was going to learn it no matter what.”

Her experience evaluating data began with research into women and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, creating a policy agenda for the ministry of education there while she was still an undergraduate at CSB. She later evaluated international organizations’ efforts to help children fleeing conflict in Syria and small-scale West African female farmers, in addition to education in Zimbabwe. In 2018, when she voted in a national election for the first time in her homeland, she noticed how observers evaluated that process and it spurred her to develop quantitative and qualitative skills en route to her Ph.D.

She discovered programs like Python, R and Stata – all used to interpret data –are just like learning another language. And proficiency allows her to multiply her value to an employer.

“It’s akin to being a doctor or an accountant,” she says. “People will always get sick, and numbers will always be there for interpretation. And, with artificial intelligence becoming more and more prevalent, data will become even more important in many areas of our lives. Policy makers are always looking for ‘What are the numbers saying?’ So are people in a lot of organizations. They want to know about the data, so I think even just adding this minor would make you desirable because there are so few people who can do this type of work.”

NEW CENTERS CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED AND CREATED AT CSB AND SJU INCLUDE:

• Center for the environment –

A proposed national center for the environment will be a programmatic hub for all things environmental: academic research and teaching, public outreach and education, and operations across both campuses. Over the last 30 years Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s have dramatically expanded efforts in all three areas, launching the environmental studies academic program, the Saint John’s Arboretum and Outdoor University, and broad campus sustainability initiatives in the 1990s. These grew rapidly in the 2000s, literally reaching tens of thousands of students and community members. The new center will elevate our environmentally related programs to the next level, positioning us for national prominence and engaging diverse audiences through the practice of Benedictine stewardship and an orientation toward a sustainable future for all.

“The proposed center will allow us to ‘level up’ our environmental and sustainability programing, raising what have developed into very strong regional programs to national prominence,” says Derek Larson, CSB and SJU environmental studies professor. “Ultimately we hope CSB and SJU will be places that come to mind when anyone is asked about places that inspire them to care about, act upon and advocate for everything from local access to green spaces to addressing climate change on the global stage.”

• Center for teaching and learning –The mission of a center for teaching and learning is to support, promote and enhance inclusive teaching and innovative pedagogical practices that lead to meaningful student learning. The center will provide specialized programming for new faculty to help them to understand the mission of the institutions and develop their skills as inclusive teachers. The center will also provide workshops and events to expose faculty to new, evidence-based practices, provide opportunities for faculty to discuss teaching issues and ideas through book clubs, dialogue groups and faculty panels, and to increase the adoption of inclusive pedagogies.

“The CSB and SJU faculty are outstanding teachers who are constantly working to increase their knowledge and enhance student learning,” says Pam Bacon, CSB and SJU dean of faculty. “Providing numerous campus opportunities for faculty to continue to develop their teaching skills, incorporate inclusive pedagogies into their practice, and talk about teaching with other passionate educators will have a positive impact on teaching effectiveness and, ultimately, the student experience.”

• Center for principled business leadership – CSB and SJU are establishing a center for principled business leadership to serve two primary goals: to enhance the quality and reputation of our business programs and to create a ‘big tent’ of opportunities for all students to connect their education to business. We have tremendous business programs in accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance and global business. And, under this new center, we will expand outreach and highimpact practices in those majors.

“We are in a unique position to address the ‘principled’ portion of business leadership as a Benedictine organization,” says Mary Jepperson, chair of the CSB and SJU global business leadership department. “The Benedictine values have stood the test of centuries of time and are as applicable to business as they are to daily life. Community living, taking counsel, respect for persons, listening, to name just a few, are skills that today’s business leader must employ to be an effective and ethical leader.”

“We want to see our students and graduates thrive after they have this educational experience,” Ice says. “This is our vision of academic excellence at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s.”

CLIMATE STUDIES IN ACTION

Protected Areas Fund describes her as having, “extensive project management, stakeholder consultation and government relations experience, as well as a proven track record in developing and managing partnerships with NGOs and local community members.”

Shenique Albury Smith ’03 has a frontrow seat to the impacts of climate change – and she’s not taking it sitting down.

According to an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in 2022, human activities have caused a 1.1-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures above pre-industrial levels. That increase is expected to reach 1.5 degrees within the next two decades and facilitate the rise of sea levels and its associated impacts. The study lays out five projected pathways for the future. In the worst case (the high-carbon pathway), global temperatures would rise by 4 degrees Celsius before the end of the century.

We’ve all read these statistics. Maybe you’ve even internalized them and understand their general importance. But for Shenique Albury Smith, those storms hit a little closer to home. When you live in a nation of over 700 small islands and cays, with most of its land mass near sea level, rising sea levels and impacts on critical coral reefs are tangible and visible changes happening right now.

Shenique is the recently appointed deputy director of The Caribbean Program of The Nature Conservancy, following seven years as director of The Bahamas Program, and a respected voice for both conservation and adaptation efforts in her country. The Bahamas

But when she came to Saint Ben’s from The Bahamas, she just knew she liked science … and didn’t want to be a doctor. “Somewhere along the way, I decided I wanted to work in the environmental field,” she says. “I was in the ecology club at my high school, and I really loved learning about native trees and plants.” So she majored in biology, with a minor in environmental studies.

Addressing climate change in the Caribbean, “We are dealing with small island states who make a very small contribution to the global challenge of greenhouse gas emissions. They don’t really have a big factor to play in solving that problem,” she says. “But they’re on the front line of the fallout from climate in terms of feeling things like more frequent and more strong hurricanes, ocean warming, rising air temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise. … These are things we’re grappling with.”

Shenique is excited to see climate studies growing as a field of education, like the new climate studies minor that will be offered this coming fall at CSB and SJU. “This is one of the greatest challenges affecting us today globally. And it’s cross-cutting. I’m an environmental professional. But it’s an issue for social development. It’s an issue for health. It’s a substantive issue that requires all hands on deck and attacking it from all sides with various kinds of expertise and skill.”

The opportunity to add a climate studies minor to nearly any major is one more step toward bringing those skills and influences to the table.

MAI CHONG XIONG ’12

MINNESOTA’S FIRST HMONG COUNTY COMMISSIONER

In January, Mai Chong Xiong ’12 was sworn in as the first Hmong county commissioner in Minnesota history, and the first Asian American elected to the Ramsey County board.

Mai Chong majored in political science at Saint Ben’s and served an internship with former Senator Al Franken. “My dream job was to be a staffer for someone in Congress or the U.S. Senate, but I ended up in local government,” she says. “I found it’s a place where I can get a lot of things done. You can get past the partisanship you find at other levels and do something solid on the issues together.”

Mai Chong represents District 6, the Greater East Side, Payne-Phalen, Conway, Dayton’s Bluff, Battle Creek and Highwood neighborhoods of the state capital. She won the election with 50% of the vote (7,993 ballots), compared to 48.6% for her opponent, Ying Vang-Pao (7,780). There also were 160 votes for write-in candidates.

Mai Chong graduated from Roseville Area High School but was unsure about college until she learned of Saint Ben’s through association with the Girls International Forum, a St. Paul non-profit organization that prepares girls to raise their voices in community government. The executive director, Zora Radosevich ’77, encouraged Mai Chong to check out the school, even writing letters of recommendation and once bringing her to campus for a visit. With scholarship assistance through the Intercultural Leadership Education and Development program, Mai Chong was able to get the best financial aid package at Saint Ben’s. She served on the student senate and followed her older brother as a first-generation college graduate.

Mai Chong, who was endorsed by Rep. Betty McCollum and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, raised more through her campaign ($130,000) than any other county commissioner candidate – and more than $50,000 above her opponent.

“I had quite a few Bennies and Johnnies who contributed,” she says. “Some of them heard about it and were cheering me on from afar. There’s a network of support there – including some of the faculty from the political science department, and that meant so much to me – that I can always tap into.”

She says she wouldn’t rule out running for higher office someday, but doesn’t believe she’ll stray far from her home. “I see my future in community organizing,” Mai Chong says. “I want to effectively change the lives of people who are struggling. The big issue I ran on was housing, and in college I was quoted in a student newsletter about how my one hope for someday was housing for all. That has always been near and dear to me because of the experience that I had (growing up). So many of our community members struggle privately, but we as a community can decide whether people will be housed and get the basic necessities or not.”

She views listening and asking questions as other skills she values most. “My message to the Bennies and Johnnies who are in college or will be in future generations is to be curious and courageous,” Mai Chong says. “We can make the world a better place.”

First-year residence hall

Corona

Favorite class

First-Year Seminar with Dr. Pamela Bacon

Favorite professor

Dr. Claire Haeg

Favorite Bennie memory

There were too many! But if I had to pick one it would definitely be spending time with the Bennies with whom I am still in touch today.

MILESTONES

1961 Judith Koll Healey is the author of King’s Bishop: A Fictional History, published through Calumet Press, Dec. ’22.

1981 Barbara Edwards Farley was named the chair for the Council of Independent Colleges Board of Directors, Washington, D.C., Oct. ’22.

1988 Sandra Thull Barner was hired as a clinical psychologist to conduct court ordered psychological evaluations and provide expert testimony at CNI Inc., Dallas, Aug. ’22.

1990 Amy Wesley was appointed as a commissioner of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, Nov. ’22.

1993 Kathryn Kucienski Ciesla was elected village president of Northbrook, Illinois, April ’21.

2001 Kristi Kubista-Hovis was promoted to director of resources, office of credit union resources and expansion at the National Credit Union Administration (Alexandria, Virginia), May ’22.

2005 Heather Parker Plumski of Stearns Bank (St. Cloud) was named 2022 CFO of the Year by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Nov. ’22.

2006 Julie Haberle Schomer was promoted to executive director of A Home for A Day, a senior living provider in St. Cloud, Minnesota, that offers residents adult day care, Jan. ’23.

2007 Susie Jacoby Zieger is currently serving as the 98th president of the Junior League of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dec. ’22.

2008

LAURIE WESTMAN HUOTARI

has been named office managing partner for the Minneapolis office of Stoel Rives – a leading U.S. corporate and litigation law firm, Jan. ’23.

1996 Lori Zahrbock is the new executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Barron County in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Oct. ’22.

1997 Stephanie Sack Roder & Ryan Roder (SJU ’97) are the new owners of Thomsens Garden Center in St. Joseph, Minnesota, Oct. ’22.

1998 Elaine Garbe was promoted to director of constituent engagement and annual giving at George Washington University, Dec. ’22.

2000 Jennifer Lohse is a new executive leader of Aware Recovery Care, which provides innovative in-home addiction treatment services, Oct. ’22.

TENA RYTEL MONSON

was elected to the Arden Hills (Minnesota) City Council, where she will serve a four-year term, Nov. ’22.

2009 Nicole Sand is president of her family’s company, Sand Companies, Inc. (Waite Park, Minnesota).

2010 Christin Tomy made her Perpetual Profession of Vows to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters of Wisconsin, May ’22.

2012 Mai Chong Xiong is the first Asian American and Hmong American elected to the Ramsey County Board, St. Paul, Nov. ’22. (Read more on page 26.)

2013 Kelly Butorac graduated with a master of library and information science degree from St. Catherine University, Dec. ’22.

Hudda Ibrahim published Imrah’s First 100 Words, a bilingual book introducing readers to a vocabulary in both English and Somali, Dec. ’22.

2013 Kristen Beste Tschida received the President’s Award from the Association of Minnesota Emergency Management for her work as professional development chair, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Sept. ’22. 2017

LISA PERUNOVICH

is an associate attorney with Faegre Drinker, a firm which provides legal and consulting services to businesses.

2022 Abby Kaluza is executive assistant to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Washington, D.C., Sept. ’22.

MARRIAGES

2009 Alyssa Weyrauch to Rex Kvasager, June ’22

2010 Allyson Klenke to Ashley Pattain, July ’22

2011 Caitlyn Borys to Richard Schwantes, June ’22

2012 Hannah Mortenson to Joshua Solomon, June ’22

2013 Alicia Johnson to Justin Ostendorf ’14, Feb. ’22

Jocelyn Norman to Patrick Regan, Sept. ’22

Melissa Shelendich to Robert Craft, June ’22

2014 Colleen Bouchard to Justin Rumpza, Sept. ’21

2015 Laura Brandes to John Satzinger, Sept. ’21

Brianna Granby to Gregory Robertson, July ’22

Xia Lee to Brandon Firkus, Aug. ’21

Jenna Maus to Roman Simmons, Sept. ’21

Madeline Norgaard to John Morrison, Sept. ’21

Share your key moments and milestones with your classmates and friends. Email us at csbalumnae@csbsju.edu KEEP

2015

2016

2016 Makenzie Krause to Jacob Lanthier, Oct. ’22

Jordan Marshall to Patrick Heavens, Sept. ’21

Beth Richmond to Michael Torborg, March ’22

Jill Valerius to Timothy Belrose, Aug. ’22

Afton Windsperger to Tyler Dick ’16, Dec. ’22

2017 Raina Quinnell to Samuel Ferguson ’17, Oct. ’22

Mariah Rathmanner to Parker Anderson ’17, Oct. ’22

Elizabeth Schneider to Andrew Mascharka, Aug. ’22

2018 Zoe Boehmer to Collin Szabla, Sept. ’22

Shannon Downes to Adam Hoffman, July ’22

Kali Frederickson to Zachary Templin ’17, May ’22

Taylor Kainz to Matthew Krutzig, Oct. ’21

Hannah Lendino to Austin Barrett, Sept. ’22

Emma Zvanovec to Joseph Wattenhofer ’17, Nov. ’22

2019 Chevelle Palomino to Nicholas Kazmierczak ’19, June ’22

2020 Rachael Gronstal to Luke Johnston, July ’22

Madeline Hester to Samuel Bares, Oct. ’22

Rebecca Johnson to Adam Hensley, Oct. ’22

Madelyn Konsor to Ryan Strelow ’20, April ’22

Kalli Kuhlmann to William Funk, Sept. ’22

Sydney Robillard to Daniel Gerhz ’20, April ’22

SARAH OBER TO ZACHARY KIER ’15, AUG. ’22

ANNA POHLAD TO MATT REIMANN, AUG. ’22

MAKENZIE KRAUSE TO JACOB LANTHIER, OCT. ’22

GRETA WINKELMAN TO TJ TEMPLIN, OCT. ’22

’20

ALYSSA KRAUSE TO AARON EGGERUD, OCT. ’22

Rachel Linhardt to Zach Kamp, Sept. ’22

2022 Erin Narloch to Sam Stuber, Oct. ’22

BIRTHS / ADOPTIONS

2004 Catherine Gregor Nelson & David Eddie, boy, Blake, Nov. ’22

Heidi Anderson Symons & Tyler Symons, boy, Axel, April ’22

2006 Emily Stenberg Brown & Trampes Brown, girl, Ada, Aug. ’22

2007 Kiersten Gjerstad Dolan & Andrew Dolan, boy, William, May ’22

Susan Jacoby Ziegler & Zach Ziegler, boy, David, Aug. ’22

2009 Erica Marsyla Benney & Adam Benney ’09, girl, Chloe, Sept. ’22

2010 Alissa Burg Gunderson & Nicholas Gunderson ’09, girl, Vivian, Dec. ’22

Lisa Marthaler Hellem & Aaron Hellem ’10, girl, Charlie, Aug. ’22

KELSEY GUSTAFSON SUTER & SEAN SUTER ’10, BOY, LOGAN, SEPT. ’22

Lindsay Havlik Wessels & Benjamin Wessels ’10, boy, Brooks, July ’22

2011

KATIE WINDSCHITL BROSLMA & MATTHEW BROSLMA ’11, GIRL, CECILIA, AUG. ’22

Danielle Karp Lilly & Andrew Lilly ’11, boy, Calvin, Jan. ’22

Molly Noel Madson & Zachary Madson ’11, girl, Millie, July ’22

2012

TAYLOR SCHMIDT BURNS & JOHN BURNS ’12, GIRL, ELOISA, SEPT. ’22

Kelsey Rose Deutz & Parker Deutz ’12, girl, Marie, Dec. ’22

Nicole Johnson Ferguson & Samuel Ferguson, boy, Owen, Aug. ’22

Katie Elmquist Grausam & Andrew Grausam ’11, girl, Emma, June ’22

Stephanie Kaplan Mahoney & Colin Mahoney, twin boys, Finn & Mason, Oct. ’22

Kathleen Lutz Nestingen & Sam Nestingen, girl, Faye, Dec. ’22

Jennifer Josephs O’Leary & Travis O’Leary, boy, Oliver, Oct. ’22

2010

2013 Julia Bedford Buermann & Shawn Buermann ’10, boy, Gabriel, Sept. ’22

Katherine Brown Massopust & Devin Massopust ’13, boy, Ellis, Aug. ’22

Andrea Tobias Mattison & Lars Mattison, girl, Adeline, Dec. ’22

Hannah Dolan Schilling & Eric Schilling ’13, boy, Teddy, April ’22

Christine Schneider Spevacek & Gregory Spevacek, boy, William, Jan. ’23

2014 Lexi Alm Johnson & Jesse Johnson ’14, girl, Alea, April ’22

2015 Sarah DeWitt Greening & Kevin Greening ’15, girl, Blair, Sept. ’22

Jenna Maus Simmons & Roman Simmons, girl, Lucy, June ’22

2016 Alexandra Busch & Andrew Boatman, boy, Auggie, Oct. ’22

Sarah Roehl Schueller & Alex Schueller ’15, girl, Emmersyn, April ’22

2017 Mariah Zamzow Burroughs & Brian Burroughs ’17, girl, Sloane, Oct. ’22

Tess Troyak Reller & Jeremy Reller ’17, girl, Olive, Oct. ’22

2019 Shelby-lyn Schneider Henle & Chad Henle ’12, girl, Sawyer, Nov. ’22

2020 Rebecca Johnson Hensley & Adam Hensley, girl, Jocelyn, March ’22

Let’s start the conversation now, so your voice can carry on through generations. A legacy gift of any size pays exponential returns. It’s an investment in ambitious, promising women – women who will honor your legacy with transformative, world-changing impact. Make a bequest through your will or trust, name CSB as a beneficiary, or establish a charitable gift annuity.

PAULA KEARNS STEICHEN & STEVEN STEICHEN ’13, BOY, PETER, JAN. ’20 & GIRL, JULIE, APRIL ’22

DEATHS

1942 Verna Fritsvold Randall, June ’22

1946 Jane Lynch Nolan, March ’21

1947 Ellyn Crahan Kunkel, June ’22

1948 Frances Hynan Baron, Oct. ’22

Eileen Opatz Berger, mother of Julie Berger Engebretson ’84, Jan. ’23

Margaret Beste Kemp, June ’22

Theresa Olsen McDonald, Nov. ’22

Frances Gambrino O’Brian, Sept. ’22

1949 Kathleen O’Driscoll Heying, Nov. ’22

Eileen Schwarzbauer Muelken, mother of Mary Ann van Muelken ’82, Oct. ’22

Elaine Twomey Stramer, Nov. ’22

1951 Rita Malinski Deyo, Nov. ’22

Caroll Brynjolfson Lynch, mother of Danni Lynch ’84, May ’22

1952 Mary Lou Schrank Birk, Oct. ’22

La Vonne Habstritt Danzl, Nov. ’22

Elizabeth Boyer Harthman, mother of Jane Harthman Warrelmann ’78, Suzanne Harthman Andreasen ’82 & Jacqueline Harthman Lunde ’84, Dec. ’22

1952 Ludmila “Mil” Padrnos Voelker, Dec. ’22

1953 Jeanne Guettler Chevalier, Sept. ’22

1954 Charlotte Moore Miller, Oct. ’22

1956 Joan Meyer Walter, Dec. ’22

1958 Thomas McCann ’57, spouse of Patricia Ringius McCann, Nov. ’22

1959 Mary Lentz Lockwood, Oct. ’21

Arbadella “Della” Pauly Theis, Dec. ’22

1960 Maxine Kaiser, Nov. ’22

Gary Klein ’58, spouse of Darnell “Nelli” Zachman Klein; father of Wendy Klein VanRavenswaay ’89 & Jennifer Klein Genereau ’93, Nov. ’22

1962 Joanne Russell Bendick, Oct. ’22

Nannette Dubay Kolbinger, Nov. ’22

Michael Skwira ’61, spouse of Karen Tell Skwira & father of Anne SkwiraBrown ’86, Nov. ’22

1963 Constance Nelson, Oct. ’22

Richard Witucki, spouse of Audrey Schmidtbauer Witucki, Nov. ’22

1964 Edward Villalta, spouse of Mary Ellen Burrock Villalta, Sept. ’22

1965 Genevieve Hoffman, mother of Judith Hoffman Lavinski, Oct. ’22

Rose Scheinost Lawson, June ’22

Sandra Verdeck Redding, Nov. ’22

Joseph Scheinost, spouse of Janet Burg Scheinost, Sept. ’22

1966 David Turch, son of Meridel Lamprecht Turch, Oct. ’22

1967 Anthony Jaros, spouse of Elizabeth Pearo Jaros, Oct. ’22

1968 Steven Linder, spouse of Susan Werner Linder, Dec. ’22

Alene Lowe-Korngable, Nov. ’22

1971 Rita Bester York, Oct. ’22

1976 Suzanne Brascugli, stepparent of Lynn Brascugli Damberg, Lisa Brascugli Murphy ’78 & Beth Brascugli Delima ’80, Sept. ’22

Floyd Graham, father of Margaret Graham Ferguson, Nov. ’22

1977 John Krebsbach ’45, father of Janice Krebsbach Florey, Oct. ’22

Ralph Johnson, spouse of Mary Pumper Johnson, Jan. ’23

MORGAN KESSLER RUSSEK & ANDREW RUSSEK ’18, GIRL, LETTIE, SEPT. ’22

1977 Grace Pribyl, mother of Ann Pribyl Mattson, Nov. ’22

Mildred Theisen, mother of Kathrine Theisen Mauser, Jan. ’23

1978 Katherine Gruber, mother of Mary Gruber, OSB, Oct. ’22

Denise LeBert Suess, Sept. ’22

John Undersander, father of Brenda Undersander Weisbrich, Oct. ’22

1979 Arthur Palmer, father of Susan Palmer Jacobson, Nov. ’22

Nancy Starbird, mother of Diane Starbird Malone, Sept. ’22

1980 Mary Gilbert Byrne, Dec. ’22

Judith Theobado, Oct. ’22

Sandra Beaton Walsh, mother of Hannah Walsh ’11, July ’21

1981 Roxann Thoreen, mother of Julie Thoreen Birkedal & Sarah Thoreen ’91, Dec. ’22

Daniel Lanz, father of Laure Lanz Fuerstenberg, Nov. ’22

Rosanne Uschold, Dec. ’22

1983 John Dryer, father of Kathryn “Kitty” Dryer Croston, Dec. ’22

1984 Susan Voss, mother of Theresa Voss, Nov. ’22

1986 Lee Larkey ’61, father of Theresa Larkey Graveen, Dec. ’22

Thomas Shantz, father of Joanne Shantz Schneider, Nov. ’22

1987 Molly Gallagher Carter, Oct. ’22

Patricia Kostelnik, mother of Theresa Kostelnik Johnson, Oct. ’22

Daniel Knofczynski, father of Melissa Knofczynski, Sept. ’22

Roselyn Koenig, mother of Elisabeth Koenig Sweeney, Sept. ’22

1988 Michael Dempsey, father of Jo Beth Dempsey, Kelly Dempsey Dean ’89 & Jill Dempsey Kennedy ’90, Aug. ’22

Gertrude Roers, mother of Maureen Roers Frank, Sept. ’22

William O’Callaghan, father of Catherine O’Callaghan Moritz, June ’22

Mary Jo Hendricks, mother of Mary Kathryn “Kate” Hendricks Reschenberg, Nov. ’22

Aloysius Houdek, father of Patricia Houdek Torborg, Dec. ’22

1989 Mary Quinn, mother of Shannon Quinn Horsager, Jan. ’23

James Rutten ’61, father of Stephanie Rutten Liberko, Nov. ’22

1989 Lois Montague, mother of Mona Baskfield Reynolds, March ’22

Rosemarie Gleason, mother of Jeanne Gleason Schmelzer, Oct. ’22

Patricia Igel, mother of Mary Igel Trudell, Nov. ’22

1990 George Pagnucco, father of Barbara Pagnucco Baumann, Oct. ’22

Judith Rataczak, mother of Sarah Rataczak, Nov. ’22

1991 Joan Hruby, mother of Annette Hruby, Oct. ’22

1992 Elmer Keppers, father of Victoria Keppers Kunkel & Kathleen Keppers Lutgen ’94, Oct. ’22

Jason Liestman, spouse of Pamela Mehle Liestman, Sept. ’22

Edna Weidner, mother of Susan Weidner Pietrowski, Nov. ’22

Taylor Majeres, son of Kirsten Younghans Rossum, Oct. ’22

James Gmeinder, father of Kristen Gmeinder Thompson, Nov. ’22

1993 Mary Jane Gominsky, mother of Sonda Gominsky Binsfeld & Deanna Gominsky Feldewerd ’94, Nov. ’22

Tomorrow’s taking shape right now at Saint Ben’s and we’re clearly excited about it. We’re strategically planning to continue providing a liberal arts education that prepares women to think critically, lead courageously and advocate passionately.

Show your support for our students this spring and we will send you an exclusive Saint Ben’s branded microfiber glasscleaning cloth. Visit givecsb.com today to learn more, make a gift and start seeing the future a little clearer!

FREE GIFT

1993 David Keller ’65, father of Mara Keller Clysdale, Sarah Keller Rowley ’91, & Jennifer Keller ’99, Sept. ’22

Kent Rahne, spouse of Marcia Hare Rahne, Dec. ’22

1994 John Klein, father of Amy Klein, Nov. ’22

Aran O’Brien, spouse of Krista Suchoski O’Brien, Nov. ’22

Williard Schafer, father of Carrie Schafer & Jill Schafer ’96, Jan. ’23

Margaret Sterk, mother of Tracy Sterk, Dec. ’22

1996 Elizabeth Kinney, mother of Cathleen Kinney, Dec. ’22

Robert Zollar, father of Amy Zollar Schwieters & Stacey Zollar Sykora ’99, Oct. ’22

1997 Ronald Schmitz, father of Lisa Schmitz Brennan, Sept. ’22

Maximilian Steininger ’62, father of Anne Steininger Capitani, Oct. ’22

Martha Gniffke, mother of Colleen Gniffke Hardie, Nov. ’22

Carol Zacher, mother of Penny Zacher Oleson & Tiffany Zacher Goettle ’10, Oct. ’22

1997 Michael Price, father of Molly PriceMunson, Nov. ’22

Harvey Woods, father of Kathy Woods, Oct. ’22

1998 Kimberly Engle, mother of Jodi Engle Mouratis, Oct. ’22

Lois Schaefer, mother of Kari Schaefer O’Keefe, Sept. ’22

Irene Head, mother of Abigail Head Schaefer, Sept. ’22

2000 John Miller, father of Erin Miller Ross, Dec. ’22

2001 Cynthia Jarvi, mother of Elizabeth Jarvi Fagen, Mara Jarvi Koolmo ’03, & Breanna Jarvi Bjerketvedt ’06, Nov. ’22

2003 David Tuohy, father of Angela Tuohy Jordahl, Oct. ’22

Gloria Swanson, mother of Kristel Swanson Lastine, Sept. ’22

2004 Kathleen Ziegler, mother of Ruth Ziegler Lucachick, Oct. ’22

William Minnich ’71, father of Teresa Minnich & Kate Minnich ’15, Oct. ’22

2005 Freeman Hatch, father of Johanna Hatch, Sept. ’22

2006 Thurber Spaanem, father of Sarah Spaanem Foehrenbacher, Nov. ’22

Mary Keske, mother of Shaundra Keske Heimermann, Dec. ’22

2009 Michael Tucker, father of Rachel Tucker Blase, Oct. ’22

Sanja Dermanovic, Nov. ’22

Patrick Ruane, father of Mary Ruane Pernula, Dec. ’22

2010 James Beckstrand, father of Allyson Klenke Pattain, Dec. ’22

2016 Adrian Seguin, father of Avery Seguin Harrison, Oct. ’22

2018 Keith Wakefield, father of Leah Wakefield, Dec. ’22

2019 David Hagen ’85, father of Gabrielle Hagen, Nov. ’22

Simon Storkamp, father of Alicia Storkamp & Jessica Storkamp ’22, Sept. ’22

Young Alumnae President’s Circle

The Young Alumnae President’s Circle is a collaborative community of women who show their impact by sharing consistently.

This spring, we’ve made big changes to make membership easier and more inviting for more young alumnae. It’s a clear and affordable path to leadership giving. Take the next step and visit givecsb.com to discover how easy it is to empower the women who follow in your footsteps.

Your gifts make a big impact!

Come see the new circle!

1 Bennie Day in Swanville (Minnesota) was celebrated by Pam Palm Czech ’01, Shelly Peterson ’93 and Tamie Palm Wimmer ’01, Sept. ’22.

2 Teachers at Annandale (Minnesota)

Elementary school celebrated Bennie Day, Sept. ’22. Back row (L to R): Maggie O’Donnell Dreier ’14, Reyna Manley Hartley ’01, Kaylee Batcha Fraser ’13, Laura Payne Sellheim ’03 and Amy Stifter Gagnon ’11. Front row (L to R): Erika Hauger Bakke ’04, Courtney Daniels Ortmann ’15 and Katie Vanselow Zuehlke ’98.

3 Class of 2013 Bennies gathered to celebrate Kelly Butorac’s graduation with a master of library and information science degree from St. Catherine University in December. Front row (L to R): Lauren Wander, Ellen Newkirk and Kelly Butorac. Back row (L to R): Michelle Hromatka, Megan Addabbo Dehn and Becca Scholz.

4. Twin Cities Orthopedics celebrated Bennie Day, Sept. 22. L to R: Jessie Donovan ’05, Kristina Burk ’14, Lisa Kranz ’14, Kerrie Dingmann Whiting ’14, Isabel Sim-Campos ’16, Courtney Siebenahler ’21, Maria Carrow Ryan ’06, Emily Marks Langan ’12, Stacy Jorgensen Sand ’99, Heather Isaackson Orth ’05 and Leah Pleiss Zimmerman ’08.

5 Paige Kamke Batcha ’09 and Cami Longstreet Zimmer ’93 met at an event in May ’22 and hit it off immediately! Cami states, “She [Paige] has reminded me of the power to be professionally authentic – and laugh every now and then.”

6 In May ’22, Christin Tomy ’10 made her Perpetual Profession of Vows to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters of Wisconsin, with her Bennie friends there to support her! L to R: Sarah Biro Hawkins ’09, Ann Koller ’10, S. Christin Tomy ’10, Laura Kinowski Eiden ’10 and Mikaela Dunn ’10.

7 Hannah Lendino ’18 and Austin Barrett were married in Sept. ’22. They celebrated with proud parents Anne Fredericks Lendino ’93 and Jeffrey Lendino ’93, along with Bennie/Johnnie guests ranging from classes of 1953 to 2022.

8 In Oct. ’22, Mariah Rathmanner ’17 married Parker Anderson ’17 and celebrated with 55-60 Bennie/Johnnie alums in attendance. Fun was had by all and, of course, “Piano Man” closed out the night!

Your words have POWER

The Alum Referral Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship (renewable for four years, totaling $4,000) available to deserving prospective Bennies and Johnnies. And all it takes to qualify is your recommendation.

Give your support to help them make a CSB and SJU experience affordable while you help us fill our campuses with talented, ambitious students who can make our community stronger.

We’re counting on you to help us recruit an amazing group of new students … and, with the Alum Referral Scholarship in play, those students are counting on you, too.

Think about the students in your life, then visit csbsju.edu/refer today and get started.

The Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars program offers new opportunities for inspired Bennies

Corie Barry ’97 is the chief executive officer of Best Buy. As a proud Bennie alumna and a trustee on the Common Boards of Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, she’s also a passionate advocate for women’s education. She has brought this passion and heart to the work Best Buy is doing to build a strong talent pipeline in Minnesota that empowers young people to reach their potential through education and mentorship.

Saint Ben’s is pleased to announce a new partnership with Best Buy to create the Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars program. The program’s aim is to attract talented students from Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, a program of the Best Buy Foundation.

Best Buy Teen Tech Centers are safe, afterschool spaces where teens from disinvested communities develop technical skills through hands-on activities and explore their creative interests in a variety of technology fields. Centers provide access to tech education opportunities, mentorships, and build a foundation for school and career success. Best Buy supports over 50 locations across the U.S. and Canada and has a goal of building 100 by 2025.

Best Buy is focused on making meaningful impacts within their company and communities by addressing underrepresentation and providing more educational and career opportunities for those who need it most. As part of that work, the company pledged $44 million to expand college prep and career opportunities including increasing scholarship funding for Teen Tech Center youth.

The new Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars program at Saint Ben’s is an extension of that commitment.

“We’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when a young person has access to the technology, support and mentorship

to pursue their dreams, and through our Teen Tech Centers we are committed to empowering the next generation of young leaders,” says Corie. “Saint Ben’s played such a pivotal role in my life, and I can’t think of a better place for our Best Buy Scholars program to continue to grow and help build a more inclusive talent pipeline in Minnesota.”

The Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars program will provide four-year renewable scholarships of up to $20,000/year to four students a year, beginning in fall 2023. The goal is to support 24 Bennies over 10 years.

During their time at Saint Ben’s, Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars will get the chance to take advantage of programs, opportunities and wrap-around services based on their interests, qualifications and needs – just like every Bennie. They’ll be able to pursue:

• Summer fellowships for students working at non-profits including host organizations of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers

• Mentorship through Advocates for Inclusive Mentoring, Women in STEM, or Intercultural LEAD

• Leadership programs like Bennies in Business or Hynes Scholars

• Academic enrichment and support programs like the Math and Writing Centers, Honors Program or Emerging Scholars

• Consideration for an internship at Best Buy

Students eligible to become Barry Family/Best Buy Scholars include those admitted to CSB who are current or past participants at a Best Buy Teen Tech Center or teens participating in Best Buy Foundation strategic partner organizations. For over 105 years, Bennies in every field have been learning and embracing what it takes to both innovate and inspire. This is one more exciting path for access to those opportunities.

You can learn more about supporting access to education at the College of Saint Benedict by contacting Heather Pieper-Olson, vice president of institutional advancement, at hpieperolso@csbsju.edu or 320-363-5964