SMU IR13 2-31 10/16/13 10:39 AM Page 16
SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
OF
MINNESOTA
Your Gifts at Work 16
Here are just a few of the campus “headlines” from throughout the past fiscal year. Each of these demonstrate the wonderful things happening at Saint Mary’s that are made possible through the gifts of our benefactors. It is because of the generosity of our alumni and friends that we are able to continue reaching out to new learners and providing excellent educational opportunities.
Great seasons for SMU athletes
Alumni group forms in Nairobi
Saint Mary’s athletes shined on the court in 2012-13 and were celebrated for their outstanding performance. The women’s basketball team finished with an overall mark of 22-5 and were 18-4 in conference play. In the MIAC playoffs, Saint Mary’s beat Gustavus Adolphus in the first round before falling to St. Thomas in the second round. Coach Mandy Pearson (pictured above) was named MIAC Coach of the Year after guiding the team to its best season in almost 30 years. Women’s fastpitch softball finished fourth and made the MIAC tournament for the third straight year. Men’s baseball tied for third in conference and made the MIAC tournament for the second year in a row. The men’s tennis team made the MIAC tournament for the first time in the seven-year history of the playoff format, and coach Jeff Halberg was named an MIAC Coach of the Year. Additionally, athletes in men’s and women’s track and field competed in the MIAC Outdoor Championships.
The international reach and impact of Saint Mary’s University and the Lasallian education mission was evident April 27 during the commencement ceremony for our programs in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Donna Aronson, vice president for academic affairs — the College, presided at the festive ceremony filled with singing and dancing, and she delivered a keynote address lauding graduates for their successful quests despite challenges and hardships. Students at Christ the Teacher Institute for Education, who return to their homelands to teach and spread the gift of education, were awarded three-year diplomas or Bachelor of Education degrees in education. Graduates from our other affiliated program, Maryknoll Institute for African Studies, were awarded Master of Arts degrees in African Studies. Along with presenting the diplomas, Dr. Aronson also “cut the ribbon” inaugurating the new CTIE Alumni Association.