SUMMER 2015
Informed AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW PHILANTHROPY SHAPES SAINT BEN’S
UNITED IN VISION
A Note From the President p. 2 > S trategic Directions 2020 p. 4 >B elieve the Skype p. 6 > Encouraging Transformation p. 8 >H ello, and Thank You! A Note From the VPIA p. 10
A Note From the President
UNITED IN VISION In May, the College of Saint Benedict Board of Trustees approved Strategic Directions 2020, to be implemented in the 2015-2016 academic year. You may have heard me introduce it soon after that during the Presidents’ Circle dinner or the Young Alumnae President’s Circle reception. This strategic plan will guide our work for the
Dr. Mary Dana Hinton
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next five years by addressing two key imperatives: defining our distinction in higher education and ensuring that our curricular and co-curricular experience and practice adapts to the needs, expectations, and aspirations of a 21st century student body.
achieving the college’s newly articulated strategic vision: The College of Saint Benedict will be nationally recognized as a community that provides a liberal arts education preparing women to think critically, lead courageously and advocate passionately.
The goals and metrics included in the final plan approved by the CSB and SJU Boards of Trustees reflect the input of more than 800 staff, faculty, students, alumnae and alumni, members of the Order of Saint Benedict, donors, and friends of the college and university. We held two rounds of conversations with key stakeholders. The initial group of conversations developed a shared understanding of key enrollment issues, financial issues, and liberal learning and co-curricular learning and values. The second round of campus conversations focused on the community’s articulation of those values.
During my engagement with alumnae as we developed the plan, I was impressed with the leadership, global engagement and advocacy I saw in our alumnae, and I am looking to turn to you for support as we bring our strategic plan to life. For example, one of the pillars of the plan is the holistic development of women. Several initiatives supporting that will include professional and career development as well as an emphasis on mentors and leadership development. You can expect we will be calling on alumnae and friends as we implement these important initiatives.
For the College of Saint Benedict, Strategic Directions 2020 outlines steps toward
“You can expect we will be calling on alumnae and friends as we implement these important initiatives.� 3
A Brief Summary
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2020 Through the following four pillars, the vision of Strategic Directions 2020 is that the College of Saint Benedict will be nationally recognized as a community that provides a liberal arts education preparing women to think critically, lead courageously and advocate passionately.
Liberal Arts for Life By 2020, the liberal arts experience at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University will be characterized by an innovative and integrative curriculum that provides our students with the knowledge, skills, experiences and values to meet their professional and personal goals and shape their civic identity.
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Holistic & Transformational Development of Women By 2020, the College of Saint Benedict will transform and empower young women to live their lives with integrity and purpose, utilize their voice with confidence and compassion, and engage diverse perspectives and peoples, inspiring them to reach their full potential. Inclusive & Engaging Catholic & Benedictine Experience By 2020, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University will extend our Catholic and Benedictine values to create a vibrant and lived community experience. We will preserve and embed the Benedictine values of our sponsoring communities. Shared Future, Sustainable Future By 2020, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University will together develop and implement an economic model that allows us to meet and sustain high standards of excellence, value, affordability and efficiency.
Liberal Arts for Life
Holistic & Transformational Development of Women
Strategic Directions – 2020 – Inspired Learning Inspiring Lives
Inclusive Catholic & Benedictine Experience
Shared Future, Sustainable Future
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Student Spotlight
BELIEVE THE SKYPE When MacKenzie Flickinger ’17 started her college search, she had a focus. “Science was my big passion… That or music. Actually, I was trying to find scholarships for either of them.”
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campus visit to interview for a Mapcores scholarship, Kris came through and arranged to conduct the interview via Skype.
She heard about the Mapcores (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science Research Scholars) program at Saint Ben’s from a friend, but didn’t pay much attention. “Saint Ben’s was a private college and I thought of it as elite and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it or afford it,” MacKenzie remembers.
“I hadn’t looked too closely at the Mapcores scholarship at that point,” admits MacKenzie. “I hadn’t even looked at the amount. When I finally did, I was amazed.” Students accepted into the Mapcores program receive, among other advantages, a scholarship of $21,000 a year. The idea of a Saint Ben’s education had suddenly become real for this firstgeneration student.
But Saint Ben’s was persistent; especially mathematics professor Dr. Kris Nairn. “She kept after me,” says MacKenzie. “Don’t give up. You have talent. We want you here.” When MacKenzie explained that her family couldn’t afford the time or expense of a
In the process of championing the Liberal Arts for Life, Strategic Directions 2020 will develop a new Common Curriculum that is powerful, sequential, integrative and cumulative across four years. The Mapcores program — introduced in 2009 — is a
“Saint Ben’s was a private college and I thought of it as elite and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it or afford it.”
strong example of this already in place. Women in the program start with a special science-focused Honors First-Year Seminar, continue in the sophomore year with a Problem Solving Seminar, then a Research Seminar in the junior year, and finally a Senior Research Project in the senior year. Mapcores scholars also have access to summer research opportunities on and off campus. MacKenzie has spent this summer researching with scientist-inresidence Mike Heroux (a distinguished member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M) ‌ and working as a music librarian in the Benedicta Arts Center. That sort of diversity of opportunities makes her a fan of the liberal arts for life.
MacKenzie Flickinger ’17
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Donor Spotlight
ENGAGING TRANSFORMATION
Terry & Susan Dolan
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“As parents, Susan and I know that Saint Ben’s unique learning experience prepared her and gave her confidence to advocate, serve and lead more effectively in a global world.” -Terry Dolan
Terry Dolan, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management & Securities Services at U.S. Bank, is the incoming chair of the CSB Board of Trustees. He and his wife Susan are faithful donors and fervent fans of the college, in part because they’ve seen our commitment to the transformational and holistic development of women played out in the experience of their daughter, Hannah Dolan Schilling ’13.
the same time,” Hannah recalls. “I always put 100 percent effort into assignments from them, because I knew that I would receive 100 percent from them in feedback.”
Hannah’s time at Saint Ben’s helped her grow into, “a confident, mature woman,” according to her proud father. He cites the supportive role of the Sisters of Saint Benedict and the presence of professors who, “took a strong interest in her and encouraged open discussions,” as factors that impressed him.
“As parents, Susan and I know that Saint Ben’s unique learning experience prepared her Hannah Dolan Schilling ’13 and gave her confidence to advocate, serve and lead more effectively in a global world,” Terry explains.
Hannah agrees and lists English professor Christina Tourino and political science professor Claire Haeg as critical influences. “Dr. Tourino and Dr. Haeg both intuitively knew how to challenge and encourage me at
And she’s done just that in her role at the Stearns County (Minn.) Attorney’s Office. Most notably, Hannah played a key role in helping Stearns County receive a Mentor Court Grant — which designates their Domestic
Violence Court model as a national role model. “I helped write the grant application, including a substantial budget analysis determining how grant money would be spent,” says Hannah. The grant now helps other counties learn from Stearns’ successful Domestic Violence Partnership — a program that has brought court filings down 75 percent over four years among program offenders and led to 87 percent use of legal services by victims. The Dolans have committed to support the upcoming Saint Ben’s capital campaign in order to make the mission of Saint Ben’s and the goals of SD2020 a reality. “As a businessperson and someone very actively involved in community organizations, I know the importance of the holistic development of women,” says Terry. “Diversity in thoughts and perspectives is critically important to an organization’s future success.”
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Inspired Leadership
HELLO, AND THANK YOU
I’m pleased that one of my first messages to you is one of thanks and gratitude for your generosity to Saint Ben’s! Since arriving on campus June 1, I have been overwhelmed by the inclusive and engaging experience. Thank you for this welcome, and for your generous financial support! Allow me to share a few highlights from my first weeks on campus. • With lights dimmed and voices hushed, hundreds of Bennie alums passed the light of candles, bringing to life the motto inspired by Matthew 5:14-16, “Sic luceat lux vestra” — so let your light shine. This was one of my favorite moments of Reunion 2015. • Over 80 CSB/SJU students and alums who intern and work in Washington, D.C. gathered to celebrate the amazing influence of our two schools on our nation’s public policy. We especially appreciated the fact
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that Senators Franken and Klobuchar, along with Congressman Emmer, took the time to come and speak with us. • The fourth floor of Main is in organized chaos as it is being transformed into a state-of-the-art space for Saint Ben’s excellent nursing program. I can’t think of a better education for a future nurse than one that blends high-tech expertise with Benedictine values of respect, dignity and hospitality. You need to know that it is your financial support that makes experiences like these possible for young women at Saint Ben’s. Each day, your gifts help prepare women leaders for service in the community and in the world. Know that your gifts are multiplied worldwide as Bennies lead businesses, teach our young people, engage in public service and serve the community every day.
I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the CSB Institutional Advancement office. I have spent a career strengthening faith-based, private, residential, liberal arts higher education. I look forward to using that experience in this Catholic and Benedictine community as we financially strengthen Saint Ben’s for the 21st century and beyond. Warmly and with Bennie pride,
Kathy Hansen Vice President of Institutional Advancement
“Each day, your gifts help prepare women leaders for service in the community and in the world.�
Kathy Hansen
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID College of Saint Benedict ANNUAL GIVING 37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374
$2.15B
ENDOWMENT SIZE
AS REPORTED BY THE COUNCIL FOR AID TO EDUCATION
Please direct questions to 800-648-3468, ext. 3 or mutsch@csbsju.edu
SHARED FUTURE, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE By 2020, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University will together develop and implement an economic model that allows us to meet and sustain high standards of excellence, value, affordability and efficiency. Part of that will involve diligent responsibility for things like limiting the growth rate of both tuition and tuition discounting. But another key component will be increased support from endowed and gifted resources. Our current endowment is dangerously small when compared to those of peer institutions. The size of our endowment must grow. Please consider Saint Ben’s in your estate planning. When you do, you can play a long-term role in strengthening the college and building that sustainable future!
$57.3M #89 CSB
#1 WILLIAMS COLLEGE
TOP 100 LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES AS RANKED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2014
Questions? Ask Bill Hickey, director of gift planning, at 320-363-5480 or whickey@csbsju.edu.
Informed
AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW PHILANTHROPY SHAPES SAINT BEN’S