SUMMER 20014
Informed AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW PHILANTHROPY SHAPES SAINT BEN’S
TEAMING UP FOR THE SECOND CENTURY Classes of ’79 and ’64 p. 2 > Keeping the Nursing Department Healthy p. 4 > Mary Franz ’16, Set to Succeed p. 6 > An Inarguably Great Professor p. 8 > The Inauguration of Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D. p. 11
Donor Spotlight
TEAMING UP FOR THE SECOND CENTURY At last year’s all-school reunion, the torch was passed and alums were encouraged to serve as the “sisters for the second century.” A year later, two alumnae classes have shown what that phrase means to them. As Cate McGinnis’ 35th reunion approached, she thought, “I’ve had a busy year but a good year, so I wanted to give something. And at the same time I was hoping I’d be able to get some other women to join me and we could challenge one another and really do some good for Saint Ben’s.”
Class of ’ 79
With some phone calls and conversations, a group consisting of Cate, Lynn Newman, Lorraine Birskovich, Anne McGarry, Mary Zitur Miley and Mary Flynn Worley assembled and committed to a challenge grant of $19,500, encouraging alumnae participation and sustained giving.
A golden class reunion is a significant milestone. And the class of 1964 approached theirs singing and laughing and sporting matching t-shirts. And they didn’t slow down all weekend. The impressive thing about their energy and their cohesion wasn’t only that they had 47 alums show up for a reunion. The impressive thing was their class participation rate for annual giving — an amazing 59.9 percent. It’s easy to be helpful when you’re talking about choices you believe in and things that matter to you. Members of the class of ’64 asked with confidence and declared their results with pride.
Class of ’64
When you show your Bennie spirit, that inspiration shines on others. Thank you, classes of ’79 and ’64! 2
2,227,635 total raised in annual operating and scholarships for students
$
240,539
largest single-day of online giving >>> Nov. 13, 2013
$
11.3 million
total gifts and pledges in fiscal year 2014
number of donors
241
152
72
Presidents’ Circle Members
Young Alumnae President's Circle Members
donor increase from 2013
$1,500+
ANNUAL GIVING FY 2014 IN BRIEF
$
KEEPING THE NURSING DEPARTMENT HEALTHY In 1971, CSB students entered the first baccalaureate classes in nursing in a 4,500 square foot space on the fourth floor of the Main Building. Today the department is widely respected and valued and boasts some of our brightest students and most successful alums. Educating quality nurses means creating an environment that supports the development of critical thinking, communication and caring. Aspiring health care professionals need significant simulated and actual learning experiences. With today’s technology that’s more possible than ever. Modern training and simulation spaces allow students to
practically “suspend disbelief ” and place themselves in a clinical setting. Fortunately, a current fundraising initiative to completely revamp the fourth floor of Main, including the “link” between Gertrude and Teresa Halls, will provide the types of spaces, flexibility and equipment needed to meet the challenges of that changing environment. Along with the reconfiguration of the space, the most critical aspect of this renovation will be the creation of the technology infrastructure to record and review the simulation activities with the students. This will mean improved analysis, evaluation and education.
Nursing is the fifth largest major at CSB/SJU. With a rigorous curriculum that blends in liberal arts and Benedictine values, our alums pass the national licensure exam at rates well above 90 percent. With their bachelor of science degrees, our nurses are highly sought after by employers, especially for leadership positions. But longstanding growing pains are holding back the department’s potential to do more.
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Renovation will include… • Expansion to 7,000 square feet of learning space • 8 simulation rooms (acute care to home care and everything in between) • Debriefing rooms • 2 large classrooms • 2 practice labs • Adequate storage
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
If you’d like to put your own stamp on a state-of-the-art facility that will elevate the program for the next generation of nursing alums, please consider a gift to the renovation project. You can arrange a visit to look at the space and what renovation will mean by calling Chad Marolf, Senior Director of Major Gifts, at 320-363-5402. Or, you could consider helping today’s nursing students by making a gift to the new Nursing Annual Scholarship. Visit www.givecsb.com, select Give Online and, under Designations, type “Nursing Scholarship” in the comments box.
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Student Spotlight
SET TO SUCCEED It’s sort of fitting that a future nurse should end up at Saint Ben’s as a result of a volleyball recruiting video gone viral. “Saint Ben’s found me,” laughs Mary Franz ’16. “I created a recruiting tape for volleyball, hoping that some schools I was interested in would see it and consider me to play on their team.” But the video reached further from her Colorado home than she thought. “To my surprise, I received an email from the head volleyball coach at a small school in Minnesota. I had never heard of CSB before, but after doing some research, it had everything I was looking for in a college.” A strong nursing department was important to Mary. “I was inspired by my mom and other relatives who work in medicine. I became drawn to nursing through their influence and 6
encouragement and I’ve felt their support every step of the way.” The program’s dynamic curriculum that challenges nursing students to incorporate liberal arts and Benedictine values into their studies is another key point for Mary. “Each semester we’re presented with new ways to exercise our talents by which we can expand our knowledge and develop into capable leaders with a deep sense of self-awareness and gratitude.” This summer, Mary traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to a fellowship through the CSB/SJU Center for Global Education for their Global Internship Program. “I worked with an organization in the city of Mostar called ‘Sunce’ that provides care and activities for individuals with mental and physical disabilities,” she explains. “I was responsible for the direct care of a young girl with cerebral palsy and
a few adults who experienced psychological trauma from the recent war.” “My experiences in Bosnia this summer were invaluable to my development as a nurse,” she claims, “because every day I was called to practice compassion and see others as Christ.” Those experiences may end up influencing her career path as well. “There are so many possibilities that I couldn’t narrow it down just yet, but I know that I would love to practice nursing abroad someday. After studying nursing at CSB for the past two years, I’ve developed an interest in public health and I am excited to see where that takes me.”
Our alums pass the national licensure exam at rates well above 90 percent.
Mary Franz ’16 in Bosnia
“My experiences in Bosnia this summer were invaluable to my development as a nurse, because every day I was called to practice compassion and see others as Christ.” 7
AN INARGUABLY GREAT PROFESSOR The study of international relations and comparative politics is the study of conflict and resolution. So it’s not surprising that a professor with a passion for political science would also be passionate about the art of debate. That’s Dr. Christi Siver, CSB/SJU professor of political science. Throughout high school and college, she competed in debate at the national level, researching and assembling arguments on broad public policy issues. She has continued to be involved in debate here at CSB/ SJU, helping to form a speech and debate team. But beyond that she serves as the managing director of the Women’s Debate Institute, a non-profit organization which runs a debate camp for high school girls, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. 8
Dr. Christi Siver, CSB/SJU Professor of Political Science
As a professor she has three goals. She wants to build students’ knowledge about international relations and comparative politics; develop their research, critical thinking and communication skills; and foster their identities as responsible young scholars.
This year Christi was honored with the Sister Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award at CSB/SJU for representing the best of teaching and learning at the colleges.
At the Women’s Debate Institute, high school girls have the opportunity to learn policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate skills from some of the top female debaters in the country. Working one-on-one with former National Debate Tournament and Cross-Examination Debate Association winners gives girls the competitive edge they need to be successful debaters. The experience also teaches students what it means to be a woman in debate and exposes girls to the rich community of women in this activity.
Street financial firms, Christi was already confident she wanted to teach. Her love of engaging new ideas and the mentoring she herself received from her own teachers inspired this calling.
This year Christi was honored with the Sister Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award at CSB/SJU for representing the best of teaching and learning at the colleges.
Her reputation is that of a rigorous-yetentertaining professor, willing to spend enormous amounts of time with students. She truly cares about her students, even beyond their years here. That’s not open for debate.
As a professor she has three goals. She wants to build students’ knowledge about international relations and comparative politics; develop their research, critical thinking and communication skills; and foster their identities as responsible young scholars.
While she was still in graduate school, amongst other bright minds destined for important government service or Wall 9
become
Illuminated C E L E B R AT I N G O U R C O L L E C T I V E B R I L L I A N C E
UPCOMING EVENTS THURS, SEPT. 4 – Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Minneapolis FRI, SEPT. 12 – Physician Conference, College of Saint Benedict MON, SEPT. 15 – Blazer Open Golf Tournament, St. Cloud SUN, SEPT. 21 – Inauguration of Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., College of Saint Benedict SAT, OCT. 4 – Young Alum Homecoming Breakfast, St. Joseph SAT, OCT. 4 – Intercultural LEAD Alum Social, Saint John’s University
Inauguration MARY DANA HINTON, PH.D. 15th president of the College of Saint Benedict Mark your calendar, save the date and join us in September as we inaugurate our 15th president and illuminate our future.
WED, NOV. 5 – Career Expo, College of Saint Benedict SAT, NOV. 8 – Red Mass, College of Saint Benedict FRI, NOV. 21 – Minnesota Alumni Professionals Conference, College of Saint Benedict
Save the Date SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 2014 For a full schedule of inaugural activities, visit www.csbsju.edu/csbinauguration.com.
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A No Notte From the Pr Pres e id es iden e t
I am pleased to greet you as the 15th President of the College of Saint Benedict. I look forward to meeting and working with the faculty, staff, students, alumnae, trustees and you, our Presidents’ Circle donors. The warmth of the community and the foundational Benedictine values have already embraced my family and me and we feel as if we have found “home.” Over the course of this transition year, I anticipate learning even more about what makes CSB such a special place; a place worthy of your investment.
As I reflect on my own personal journey to this position, without a doubt, the generosity and support of others played a powerful role. Whether it was the private support I received that enabled me to attend an all-women’s boarding high school (where my deep and abiding respect for women’s education was born) or the endowed scholarships that created the opportunity for me to attend a liberal arts college, the financial donations and investments of others made a real and significant difference in my life. Without the support of various donors, I would not have been
exposed to the rigors and lifelong benefit of a liberal arts education — an education that prepared me to lead the College of Saint Benedict — an education we promise to provide to each and every one of our students, regardless of their background. In my inauguration next month, I intend to talk about the importance of our collective efforts in illuminating the College of Saint Benedict and ensuring our students shine even brighter as we sojourn into our second century. Your contributions are a major part of that illumination. Thank you for lighting the way for future generations of Bennies.
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 93723
ANNUAL GIVING 37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374 Please direct questions to 800-648-3468, ext. 3 or mutsch@csbsju.edu
THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME Lori Helmer ’85 considers Saint Ben’s one of the best things to ever happen to her. In fact, she credits going to an all women’s school with her feeling comfortable being a woman.
Lori Helmer ’85
So several years ago Lori took out a life insurance policy on herself and made the College of Saint Benedict the owner
Informed
AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW PHILANTHROPY SHAPES SAINT BEN’S
and recipient of the policy. Lori makes an annual contribution to CSB and, in turn, when the premium comes due, CSB pays the premium. Lori’s annual contribution is tax deductible. “My goal is to support the College so we sufficiently provide for the future by building endowment,” explains Lori.
If you’re interested in considering a similar plan, simply contact Bill Hickey, director of gift planning, at 320-363-5480 or whickey@csbsju.edu.