Alumni honor inspirational professor

Throughout Dr. Marilyn Frost’s career, her office door was always open.

And now, thanks to some of the very first students she taught at Saint Mary’s (then College), office door 339B in the newly renovated Aquinas Hall will permanently bear her name.

When Frost began teaching psychology at Saint Mary’s in 1969, she was not much older than the students in her classrooms. She and her progressive attitude arrived at the pivotal moment when the school was transitioning from an all men’s school to coeducational.

In the world outside of the university, life was even more tumultuous. In the early ’70s, with the Vietnam War raging, students were being drafted. Meanwhile, the Civil Rights movement was occurring.

There was much to talk about and much work to be done, more than could ever occur during normal office and classroom hours.

Greg Stevens ’74 and Mike Heiges ’74, both psychology majors, describe Dr. Frost as an excellent teacher and mentor, but also friend — so much so that a core group from their class has stayed in touch with her for 50 years.

“The word that comes to mind most is caring,” Stevens said. “She always had a real interest and really cared about what we were doing.” He and Heiges recall students gathering with faculty outside of the classroom, including in the pub on Friday nights, to “soul search” about what was happening in the world.

“She was business-like and also warm,” Heiges added. “She was very intent that you walked away with concrete pieces of information and knowledge but she was always there, both inside and outside of class. Greg and I are not the exceptions; within our class, there were many people whom she influenced. In the last 50 years, she has always been a presence in our lives. She has been with us since we raised our children and embarked on our careers.”

As Stevens is a university trustee, he heard about the renovation of what was formerly called the Adducci Science Center’s Brother Charles and Hoffman Halls. He and Heiges had just finished their 45th class reunion in 2019. Knowing that Dr. Frost had a tremendous impact on their lives, as well as so many of their classmates, and that the newly renovated space would house psychology, they decided to raise the funds to name a space in her honor.

After the reunion, a number of classmates decided to raise the $30,000 required to establish the Marilyn Frost, Ph.D. Collegial Faculty Office, dedicated Oct. 15, 2021.

“Many of these people have had contact with Marilyn in various ways,” Stevens said. “She had a significant impact in the lives of many, many students of the class of 1974 but, more importantly, ever since then. Marilyn was a role model. She had a real impact on the women in the class of 1974 and a number of the people who gave are women who became successful doctors, psychologists, businesswomen, and artists. I’ve been fortunate because (continued)

This space is dedicated to Dr. Marilyn Frost, a cherished and longtime member of the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota community. Her work began in 1969 as a professor in the department of Psychology. Her later appointments included those of administrator and dean of the graduate school, before she finished her career as a professor emerita and member of the board of trustees. Esteemed for her sustained excellence in teaching and long-term commitment to the values of the university, Dr. Frost earned – among several awards and accolades – the Bishop Heffron Service Award in 1994 and the Brother Charles H. Severin, FSC, Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005.

A brilliant educator, she was a compassionate leader who took time to shepherd students through academia and the challenges of personal growth. A valued role model, mentor, and friend, the Saint Mary’s University community is grateful for her unfailing dedication. Led by efforts from the Class of 1974, this office was sponsored in honor of Dr. Frost for her 50 years of service, and as a testament to the meaningful impact she has had on so many lives.

I’ve been able to observe her in other roles as a dean and on the board of trustees. She just finished her tenure on the board. Her institutional knowledge and perspective is a tremendous asset for the university.”

Dr. Frost describes the gesture as both humbling and touching.

“I’ve known this group for more than 50 years; that covers my adult life,” she said. “We have stayed connected. And I have to say (this recognition) is so touching. However, I have felt very acknowledged by them already. When you see them over their lifetimes at various stages, you revisit what is meaningful.”

As a psychologist, Dr. Frost specializes in personality psychology — studying the behavior patterns, dynamics, and well-being of people throughout their lives. She explains that longitudinal psychology, which follows the same group of people throughout a long period of time, is very valuable but often expensive, time-consuming, and therefore not often done. So staying connected to this group of alumni over the course of their adult lives has been meaningful both personally and professionally.

Dr. Frost is excited that psychology will have its place in the new facility, dedicated to interdisciplinary innovation. “I’m committed to the entire endeavor,” she said. “Psychology is a hub discipline that connects to both science and business. ”The majority of these alumni were psychology majors who spent their lives in the sciences and business and entrepreneurship and law, the same areas that business will connect,” she added. “These alumni, as students, were idealistic, very connected, and committed, and to see how they’ve lived this out throughout their lives is wonderful. If you want to talk about ethical lives of service and leadership, you are talking about these adults. They’ve contributed professionally and philanthropically in their families, careers, and communities. And they’ve stayed connected; it’s a wonderful statement about Saint Mary’s.”

The renovation of Aquinas Hall would not be possible without the generous support of our philanthropic partners. In addition to the Marilyn Frost, Ph.D., Collegial Faculty Office, a number of named spaces have already been established and were recognized during the Oct. 15 dedication. We graciously thank all those who have made this beautiful facility a reality.

• Anthony ’59 and Sandra Adducci Family

Makerspace • Colletti-Fiss, LLC Collegial Faculty Office — made possible by Jerome A. ’69 and

Commons — made possible by Thomas

Conway ’79, and Michael ’73 and

Sally (Weldon) ’74 Cannon • James L. ’69 and Marianne Coogan Student

Learning Commons • De La Salle Christian Brothers Terrace — made possible by Marni (Haydock) Bond ’90 • Joseph J. Elston ’51 Collegial Faculty Office • Charles J. Fiss Collegial Faculty Office — made possible by Jerome A. ’69 and

Mary (Fiss) CST’71 Colletti • Roger S. ’67 and Elaine Haydock Center • Jon ’48 and Betty Kabara Institute for

Entrepreneurial Studies Office Suite • Merchants Bank Seminar Room • Jerry V. ’62 and Patricia Papenfuss

Multimedia Lab • Brother Jerome Rademacher, FSC ’58, Ph.D.

Collegial Faculty Office — made possible by grateful alumni • William ’41 and Barbara Schuler Collegial

Faculty Office • Chuck ’70 and Connie Schrup Student Learning

Commons • Brother I. Ambrose Trusk, FSC ’43, Ph.D.

Collegial Faculty Office — made possible by

Gregory ’74 and Catherine (Trusk) ’76 Stevens • WNB Financial External Partner Suite