The past academic year was full of achievement and promise for the future in all these areas.
Preservation of arts and culture The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library also received a major grant this year from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the cataloging of more than 15,000 Eastern Christian manuscripts digitized in the Middle East and Ethiopia.
Undergraduate liberal arts education Once again, we were recognized, with CSB, as a national leader in undergraduate study abroad—achieving the No. 1 spot among baccalaureate institutions for the number of students participating in mid-length study abroad programs. We also celebrated a milestone in the history of our study abroad program: the 25th anniversary of our relationship with Southwest University in Beibei, China. More than 500 students have participated in the program in Beibei since its inception.
Major fundraising initiatives Several years ago, we identified three main priorities that are central to our future: strengthening enrollment; increasing scholarships, particularly for first-generation students; and renovating and expanding Alcuin Library into a learning commons. We’re pleased to announce that we took important strides toward funding these initiatives in FY 2009.
In addition, our institutions were granted a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, an achievement that recognizes our excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Last April, 81 students were inducted into the new chapter.
We received a lead challenge grant of $2.5 million from the Frey Foundation for First Gen scholarships. This initiative both strengthens enrollment and increases scholarships.
Among our many outstanding students last year were Matt Beck ’10, who earned a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Nuremberg, Germany; Patrick Curran ’10, who completed a year-long assignment as a Mayo Innovation Scholar; and Minga Batsukh ’11, from Mongolia, who won his second consecutive Division III national wrestling championship.
We received a $1 million lead gift from an anonymous Board member that enabled us to complete the first phase of the project to transform Alcuin Library into a learning commons. This project will transform Alcuin from a building that houses books into a welcoming, communityoriented space for study, discussion and the creation of knowledge.
The year brought another highlight when SJU head basketball coach, Jim Smith, achieved his 700th career win, becoming only the second coach at the NCAA Division III level and the 27th coach overall to reach 700 career wins in men’s basketball history.
Our founder, Fr. Boniface Wimmer, OSB, urged his colleagues to go “forward, ever forward.” As Saint John’s continues to move forward, we are always mindful of the generous contributions of treasure and time we receive from our alumni and friends. Because of you, we will continue to form young minds and hearts to go forth and serve our local, national and international communities for generations to come.
Environmental stewardship and sustainability The Benedictine order has a long tradition of stewardship of the environment. In keeping with this tradition, we made great strides toward a more sustainable campus with the installation of the largest solar energy field in the upper Midwest. We also received a major grant from Target to advance sustainability goals, including metering our buildings.
Thank you for your extraordinaryy generosity, g y
Fr. Robert Koopmann ’68, OSB President
Graduate theological education ɨF 4BJOU +PIO T 4DIPPM PG ɨFPMPHZt4FNJOBSZ SFDFJWFE HPPE news in the form of a major grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the Youth in Theology and Ministry program, which connects high school students with seminary faculty and offers experiences of theological reflection, service, prayer and community.
Ann H Huntrods untrod ds Chair, Board of Regents
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