Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2015

FA L L 2 0 1 5 M A G A Z I N E

ar

c

i

rhetoric

arithmetic

log

music gra m m

y

om

n tro

as

LIVING the Liberal Arts

geometry

Confirming our connection to broad-based learning

INSIDE

• Powerful new grants from Mellon Foundation p. 8 • Can science and theology coexist? p. 18 • Recapping Reunion p. 22

IN THIS ISSUE

ATIMEOFGREAT

CHANGE

LIBERAL ARTS

&CHALLENGE

FOR LIFE

FEATURES

10 Liberal Arts 18 Climate Change 22 Reunion Recap

18 memories

College of Saint Benedict Magazine is published three times a year by the office of Institutional Advancement.

Illuminated

EDITOR Greg Skoog (SJU ’89) Assistant Editor: Courtney Sullivan CONTRIBUTORS Gretchen Brown ’15 Ellen Hunter Gans ’05 Caleb Hammel (SJU ’18) Louis Johnston Kristin Sawyer Lyman ’00 Tommy O’Laughlin (SJU ’13) Leah Rado Jake Schultz (SJU ’16) Emily Stamp CONTACT College of Saint Benedict Magazine Institutional Advancement 37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374-2099 For address changes, please call 1-800-648-3468, ext. 1 or email csbalumnae@csbsju.edu Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

10 22 DEPARTMENTS

1 Message From the President 2 Worth 1,000 Words 4 News 26 I’m a Bennie 27 Class Notes 34 Bennie Connection 37 Generosity

The mission of the College of Saint Benedict is to provide for women the very best residential liberal arts education in the Catholic and Benedictine traditions.

The college fosters integrated learning, exceptional leadership for change and wisdom for a lifetime.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Proudly

Committed to the Liberal Arts Nearly 35 years ago, one of my esteemed presidential predecessors, S. Emmanuel Renner ’49, said that a liberal arts education is about educating holistically, and that the pursuit of truth and wisdom demands attention to the integration of one’s intellectual, creative, emotional and spiritual development. I’ve thought of these comments on many occasions, in part because they inspired me as I took up the legacy of such a powerful leader. I share her words with you because they remain powerful and compelling today, as we plan for the future of CSB. To listen to the current public narrative, many would assume that the liberal arts are no longer relevant. Every day, I read an article or hear a news story questioning their value in our fast-paced society, suggesting that we don’t need to attend to the integrated whole of the human being. However, I would argue that in a world of rapid change, tremendous access to information, and the need for a civil and civically active democracy, the liberal arts are more relevant than ever.

S. Emmanuel Renner ’49, said that a liberal arts education is about educating holistically, and that the pursuit of truth and wisdom demands attention to the integration of one’s intellectual, creative, emotional and spiritual development.

While many would purport that specialized job training should be the goal of education, those of us who believe in the liberal arts rightfully argue that the liberal arts are the ultimate job preparation. By preparing young adults to think creatively and critically, to have strong oral and written communication skills, to be good at problem solving and to be able to engage and work with a global community, a liberal arts education provides a foundation that will enable them to quickly develop needed and timely professional skills over the course of their professional lives.

This fall, President Hinton and the faculty welcomed the class of 2019 to Saint Ben’s at our Convocation ceremony.

It is this belief in the continued value of the liberal arts that compelled us to expressly articulate our commitment to “Liberal Arts for Life” as one of the four pillars of Strategic Directions 2020 (SD2020), our new five-year strategic plan: “By 2020, the liberal arts experience at the College of Saint Benedict 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.”

In this issue, we’ll focus squarely on “Liberal Arts for Life.”

Then, over the next three issues, we’ll take a closer look at each of the other pillars of SD2020. I invite you to read, to enjoy and to join with us on our journey to help the College of Saint Benedict provide a rigorous and engaging liberal arts education to new generations of Bennies.

Mary Dana Hinton College of Saint Benedict President

WORTH 1,000 WORDS

2 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

ONE TEAM

Friday, Sept. 25, was the volleyball team’s Blazer Big Day. And it was a big day. On a Blazer Big Day, Saint Ben’s teams come out (in red, of course) to support each other. Pair that with a key win against the preseason MIAC volleyball favorite Bethel Royals and you get big Bennie/Johnnie crowds and even bigger reactions like this.

PHOTO BY CALEB HAMMEL (SJU ’18)

Fall 2015 | 3

NEWS

2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Janet Setter Dryer ’83, former CEO and current chair of the board of HelpSystems.

Two CSB graduates received awards from the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University during the fifth annual banquet, Sept. 3, in Minneapolis.

The CSB Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Janet Setter Dryer ’83, former CEO and current chair of the board of HelpSystems. The CSB/SJU Social Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Krista Cleary Carroll ’00, co-founder and CEO of Latitude. That same afternoon, Rick Bauerly (SJU ’91) of Granite Equity Partners was named SJU Entrepreneur of the Year.

The CSB Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes the achievements of CSB graduates who best exemplify the

4 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

Krista Cleary Carroll ’00, co-founder and CEO of Latitude.

ideals of entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more businesses in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements while practicing Benedictine values in the workplace and in their lives.

Dryer joined HelpSystems in 1985 as a sales representative and has held positions of increasing responsibility over the years, including director of sales and marketing and vice president of sales and marketing. She was named president in 1998, succeeding company founder Dick Jacobson. In 2007, she became CEO of the HelpSystems family of companies, and announced her retirement in Dec. 2014.

During her tenure as CEO, HelpSystems grew from $20M to over $110M in revenue, completed 13 acquisitions and tripled its number of employees.

The CSB/SJU Social Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes the achievements

and qualities of a CSB or SJU graduate who best exemplifies the ideals of social entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more ventures that enrich humanity or address a social issue in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements while practicing Benedictine values in the workplace and in their lives.

Carroll is co-founder and CEO of Latitude, an independent creative agency that believes “purpose elevates talent.”

Their stated purpose is to elevate people living in extreme poverty around the world. Latitude invests 50 percent of their profits in organizations that advance this cause. This fuels them to passionately use their talents to best serve brands like Ann Taylor, Under Armour, Puma and Petco. To date, they have contributed over $2.1 million to non-profit organizations.

NEWS

Key Grants Will Help CSB/SJU Engage Diverse Student Body The College of Saint Benedict has received a $100,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in support of faculty formation to support liberal arts learning.

Saint John’s University also received a $100,000 grant from the Foundation.

Both awards are for planning or piloting curricular and pedagogical experiments.

Both grants — which run until June 2017 — are distinctive in their approaches, but complement each other.

The CSB grant will focus on professional development for humanities faculty that will address successfully teaching, advising and engaging both CSB’s and SJU’s increasingly diverse student body.

The multi-pronged approach includes an extensive review of current practices, multiple and dynamic faculty development opportunities and a “crossover evaluation” conducted in partnership with SJU. The ongoing operation of the program will be overseen by Jean Keller, CSB/SJU professor of philosophy.

The SJU grant will enable professional development for all faculty who teach FirstYear Seminar, to enhance understanding of and the ability to meet the needs of first-generation students and American students of color at CSB and SJU. This grant program will be managed by Kyhl Lyndgaard, director of First-Year Seminar and Writing Center.

“I am particularly excited about the ways that these grants will support our Strategic Directions 2020 commitment to liberal arts for life,” says CSB President Mary Dana Hinton. “Faculty development is key to helping our campus meet the needs and aspirations of a 21st century student body.”

New Faces Join CSB Board of Trustees The College of Saint Benedict recently named Patricia Offerman Bartholomew ’79, Katie Boylan ’99, S. Mary Reuter, OSB ’60, and David Roberts to its Board of Trustees. CSB trustees serve three-year terms and are eligible to serve three consecutive terms.

In addition, CSB Alumnae Board President Megan Sand Carr ’06 and CSB student Maria Knudsen ’17 will serve as ex-officio members of the board.

All six began their terms July 1. The board consists of 33 members and five ex-officio members.

Bartholomew is a 1979 graduate of CSB, and received a juris doctorate from Hamline University School of Law. She has served as a general counsel at Craig-Hallum Capital Group in Minneapolis since 1998.

Boylan is a 1999 graduate of CSB. Since 2011, she has served as director of public relations for Target Corporation.

Reuter received a bachelor’s degree from CSB in 1960. She served as an assistant and then associate professor of theology at CSB/SJU from 1981-2014, serving as chair of the department from 1983-89. Reuter also served as prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery from 1989-95.

Roberts currently serves as vice president of the Americas for the cardiac and vascular group of Medtronic plc in Mounds View, Minn. He has been with the company since 1986.

Carr is a 2006 graduate of CSB and received a juris doctor from Hamline University School of Law. She is currently the senior business development manager at Sand Companies, Inc., in Waite Park, Minn.

Knudsen is a junior communication major from St. Louis Park, Minn.

She was elected by CSB students to represent the student perspective on the Board of Trustees.

Patricia Offerman Bartholomew ’79

Katie Boylan ’99

S. Mary Reuter, OSB ’60

David Roberts

Megan Sand Carr ’06

Maria Knudsen ’17

Fall 2015 | 5

NEWS

Move-in Day means 476 new Bennies!

On Thursday, Aug. 27, campus came alive with hundreds of students, faculty, staff and alum volunteers, who joined in to welcome the class of 2019, help them find their way and get them settled. Eager upperclassmen carried stacks of boxes from cars to residence halls.

6 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

The event wasn’t just for first-year Bennies. It’s a campus-wide tradition that brings students and alumnae of all ages and backgrounds together. Blazer athletes, student employees from Campus Ministry, orientation leaders, resident assistants and other volunteers helped in the transition. President Mary Dana Hinton was on hand as well to meet students and guide them through their first hours on campus.

After their move-in, first-years quickly got the feel of campus life. They attended a community picnic and a resource fair, met their orientation leaders and joined their classmates in an opening dinner in the Haehn Campus Center Fieldhouse.

By the end of the weekend, the class of 2019 hadn’t just moved into new residence halls — they had joined a community of Bennies, past and present.

NEWS

Liberal Arts Conference set for summer 2016 The College of Saint Benedict, along with Saint John’s University, have long been recognized as two of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation.

In July 2016, the institutions will open their campuses to a national audience of trustees, faculty members, senior college administrators and policy makers for a conference on the liberal arts. The tentative dates for the conference are July 11-13, 2016.

The conference’s theme is “Liberal Arts Illuminated: Pathways, Possibilities,

Partnerships,” and it will be hosted by Presidents Mary Dana Hinton and Michael Hemesath of CSB and SJU. Up to 200 attendees are expected to attend the inaugural conference. The conference will include a robust series of plenary speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

“This conference positions Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s as leaders in the national conversation about the liberal arts,” Hinton says. “We want to continue to emphasize the value of the liberal arts, both at our own institutions and in the global conversation about higher

education. This conference is a critical step in that process.”

A mission statement from the conference notes that liberal arts colleges face “enormous and unprecedented challenges — challenges related to their purpose, their role, their value and ultimately to their sustainability and viability as institutions.”

However, the statement adds, “with those challenges come opportunities.”

The conference hopes to “define new pathways of opportunity, new partnerships and new opportunities to lead” with the liberal arts.

Scholarship Event Connects Students with Donors “Each of you will go forth from this college and change the world in some way — big or small,” said Hinton.

“That’s … what we’re investing in when we offer scholarships. It’s the potential we see in each of you that truly brings us here today.”

When the first Scholarship Mass was held, there were approximately 20 named scholarships at CSB. Now we have nearly 350 named scholarships, supporting approximately 720 students each year. (Over 90 percent of current students at the College of Saint Benedict are receiving financial aid of some sort.)

For over 25 years, the annual Scholarship Mass & Brunch has brought scholarship donors and recipients together in the Benedictine spirit of community.

First and foremost, it is an

opportunity to say thank you to the generous donors who make our named scholarships possible.

This year, President Mary Dana Hinton also used the occasion to recognize the students.

This year’s event drew roughly 90 donors and 170 students. “I want every donor in the room to know that giving to CSB students is the best decision they’ve ever made,” explains Maureen Opitz, director of donor relations. “And every student to know that donors believe in them.”

Fall 2015 | 7

NEWS

Nine CSB Students Receive Gilman Scholarships Nine students from the College of Saint Benedict received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for fall semester 2015 to help cover the costs of studying abroad. The nine CSB students received awards between $2,500 and $5,000.

The Gilman Scholarship program received more than 2,900 applications for the fall/academic year 2015-16 term. A total of 860 undergraduates from 332 colleges and universities across the U.S. were selected for the award.

The Gilman Scholarship program is a congressionally funded program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program is open to students receiving Federal Pell Grants from two- or four-year colleges or universities who might otherwise not participate in study abroad programs due to financial constraints.

Annually, CSB and SJU administer study abroad programs in more than 20 countries, offering students 19 semesterlong programs, 15 of which are facultyled and more than 20 short-term, faculty-led programs.

Where Are They Now? CSB Gilman Scholars are studying this fall in...

Japan – 3 Chile – 2 China – 2 Greece / Italy – 1 France – 1

8 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

BLAZER ATHLETICS

Long-Distance Training When Sam Womeldorf ’16 signed up to study abroad in Segovia, Spain, in the spring of her junior year, she knew that would mean missing most of the 2015 track and field season.

But not all of it.

“I had booked a round-trip ticket in the fall, to and from Madrid, and it just so happened that my return flight was on April 27 – two days before Tommie Twilight,” says Sam. So on Monday, April 27, Sam stepped foot on U.S. soil for the first time since January. Two days later, April 29, she competed in the steeplechase at the Tommie Twilight — the last chance for athletes to qualify for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

After not having competed in the steeplechase in nearly a year, Sam qualified for the conference championships and, less than two weeks later, she competed at the MIAC meet.

She finished 15th.

“Competing was terrifying after having not competed for a few months, especially in the steeplechase,” Sam says. “Was I happy with my time? Heck no! But obviously I was super excited I qualified because that was my goal and I wanted to race one last time with the senior women.”

In order to keep pace with her teammates while abroad, Sam, a psychology and Hispanic studies double major with an exercise science minor,

ran six days a week. Nelida, her host mother, worked in the morning, so Sam would run in the mornings or right after class during the week. And when she traveled, Sam made sure to wake up earlier than her companions and get a run in before they started their day.

Halfway through the semester, Sam was able to find a track — with steeple barriers — in Segovia. Head coach Robin Balder-Lanoue ’91 would mail out the Blazers’ workouts each week, so Sam was able to do the same workouts her teammates were doing halfway across the

NEWS

COURAGEOUS. STRONG. BOLD.

BY | LEAH RADO

world. The hardest part, she says, was that she was training by herself.

“Training by yourself is nothing like training with a team, and it was extremely hard to motivate myself knowing that it might not turn out the way I wanted it to. And not being with the Blazers every day is a struggle because there is no one there to cheer you on or push you further.”

After spending last semester traveling Europe and trying new foods, Womeldorf is back on campus and is focused on

improving her personal bests and helping the cross country team make its return to the national meet. This fall, she is one of the cross country team’s captains, and she’ll hold that same role for the track and field team come spring.

“Going into my senior year after not being on campus for almost a year is so exciting but slightly nerve racking at the same time,” Sam admits. “I think that being abroad and training by myself taught me a lot about self-motivation, but I could never have pushed myself these past three years without my team. I am

just excited to be back training with the team this year and running with my best friends again. And I am so proud to be the captain of these two teams.”

That drive to train on her own and desire to be with her teammates is what will make Sam such a good captain this year, according to Balder-Lanoue.

“Sam has improved so much since high school, and she’s starting to see herself as a leader. She’s driven and has a good attitude, and that will make her a good captain for both teams this year.”

Fall 2015 | 9

LIBERAL A FOR LIFE

ARTS

In our recently approved five-year plan, Strategic Directions 2020 (SD2020), the College of Saint Benedict outlines steps toward achieving the college’s newly articulated 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.

It’s not surprising to see “liberal arts” prominently featured in this vision. After all, we’ve been teaching a liberal arts curriculum for over 100 years. So what’s changing? Most notably, the intensity.

The liberal arts are under attack in the United States. And the College of Saint Benedict will not sit passively on the sidelines.

At this summer’s alumnae/i reunion, CSB President Mary Dana Hinton explained: “ I don’t just want to proclaim the value of the liberal arts. I yearn for the College of Saint Benedict to be a thought leader in the area of the value of the liberal arts. Never striving to be like others, but setting a standard based on: addressing issues of educational equality, being at the forefront of global education and holistically developing women. I yearn for the world to recognize the value that we offer to the current public narrative about higher education.”

But what are the advantages of the liberal arts? What benefits does this educational approach deliver over the course of a career? And what makes us believe that we deliver those advantages well (or, dare we say, better)?

Over these next few pages, we’ll take a broad, multi-disciplinary look at the liberal arts at CSB.

Fall 2015 | 11

FACULTY INSIGHT THE LIBERAL ARTS AND THE WEALTH OF NATIONS BY | LOUIS D. JOHNSTON, THE JOSEPH P. FARRY PROFESSOR AT CSB/SJU economic growth

Some politicians dismiss the liberal arts with remarks such as, “The state should not subsidize intellectual curiosity,” or with scornful questions such as, “Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don’t think so.”

My answer to that question is that intellectual curiosity and the liberal arts are vital interests (1) because they help produce citizens equipped to live in a free society and (2) because they drive the wealth of nations. Countries that suppress the arts and humanities, underfund basic scientific research or mock the social sciences as codified common sense are the ones that find themselves growing more slowly or slipping into stagnation. In this brief article, I will focus on how the liberal arts help drive the wealth of nations.

hockey stick graph

Let’s take a look at a picture I’ll call the Hockey Stick of Economic Growth:

Economic Growth Over the Very Long Run in Six Countries 45,000 U.S.

40,000

Per capita GDP (2005 dollars)

35,000

U.K. Japan

30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000

Brazil China

5,000 500

Ethiopia 0

500

1000

1500

2,000 Year

Picture from Charles I. Jones, Macroeconomics, Third Edition. Norton, 2014.

The vertical axis measures income per person, the horizontal axis measures time, and together they chart economic growth across the globe for the last 2,000 years.

Let’s begin on the left side of the graph. To the best of our knowledge, average incomes 2,000 years ago were pretty much the same all over the planet, and they stayed that way until around 800 years ago. Then, we start to see things change, especially in areas of Europe (England, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy) and East Asia (eastern China, Japan and Korea). Standards of living began improving in these areas. Population grew as well, both in quantity and in density.

These patterns intensified between 800 and 500 years ago, especially in Western Europe.

Not all was going well, however.

Plagues, infectious diseases and war regularly wiped out large numbers of people with the result that population and income would grow rapidly, fall and then grow again. However, the 16th century saw both standards of living and population growing, consistently, year after year, in Western Europe. This trend intensified and spread in the 17th and 18th centuries, and then exploded in the 19th and 20th centuries.

reason and gloried in the power of a human being to comprehend and to act in the worlds of art, science and politics, the very topics of the liberal arts. Advances in the liberal arts in turn spurred innovation in many areas of life (including science and technology) and led to increased productivity, i.e., using resources in new and more efficient ways.

Here I want to highlight an argument made by Joel Mokyr, an economic historian from Northwestern University.

Mokyr argues that the scientific enlightenment of the 16th and 17th century took root and spread in places such as England and Holland which then generated the industrial enlightenment in the 18th and 19th century. The key to this process was the role of education: directly, through learning skills in schools, and indirectly, by taking the tools learned in school and then applying them to realworld phenomena such as crop yields and steam engines.

What was needed, in other words, was the spread of the liberal arts, especially ideas developed in philosophy, politics, natural science and a variety of areas we today would label social science. The same is true today. Countries that want to bend their sticks send their young people to American colleges and universities because of their emphasis on the liberal arts.

If someone asks, “Do we really need more English majors,” you should answer YES! If someone asks, “Isn’t it better to study something practical like chemical engineering instead of chemistry or electrical engineering instead of physics,” you should answer NO, we need both.

Just remember the hockey stick.

What propelled this upward growth and sustains it today? The short version is that the bend in the hockey stick was a product of the Enlightenment, in general, and of the scientific revolution, in particular, which grew out of it. The Enlightenment elevated Fall 2015 | 13

chemi

trombone

THIS LIBERAL ARTS LIFE

str

STUDENT INSIGHT

y

ma

jor

a.m.

BY | HALEY CHATELAINE ’16 a.m.

honors planning & advisory council

swimming & diving

videoproducer

a.m.

Editor’s note: Haley is a chemistry major a.m. from a.m. Lakeville, Minn. She’s also a captain of the Blazer Swim & Dive team, president of a.m.

Chemistry Club, on the Honors Planning a.m. anda.m.Advisory Council and on the leadership team for Benedictine Friends. (And in her a.m. a.m. time she learns to play the trombone, spare tapsa.m.maple trees and produces some pretty helpful tutorial and promotional videos.) a.m. a.m.

Hera.m. a.m.thoughtful and engaged approach to p.m. blending arts, sciences, athletics and spirituality in her time at Saint Ben’s a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. captures the heart of the liberal arts. What p.m. follows is not one specific day, but a look at a.m. of the many things that keep Haley some a.m. a.m. a.m. busy any day. p.m.

a.m.

a.m.

a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

5:45 a.m.

Wake up

a.m.

10-11 a.m.

a.m.

Tutoring in the Math Skills Center

a.m.

6-7:30 a.m.

a.m.

Swim practice

a.m.

7:30-8 a.m.

Breakfast with team

a.m.

p.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

p.m.

8-10 a.m.

Chemistry research (urinary analysis of iodine in students) “As a prospective scientist, I love learning about the context in which I will be working. I don’t think you should just coop yourself up in a lab if you really want to make an impact. You have to understand a global perspective and how critical thinking works, as well as how you hope for your work to influence humanity. The liberal arts build that perspective.”

a.m. a.m. a.m.

p.m. a.m. a.m.

p.m. p.m. a.m. a.m.

Honors Philosophy of Knowledge “I love the idea of life-long learning.

The Honors Program is a chance for me to challenge myself intellectually and develop the skills necessary to become a contributing member of society who is curious about the world around her.”

p.m.

p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m.

p.m. a.m. p.m.

1-1:55 p.m.

p.m.

Intro to Food Science

p.m. a.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m.

“I hope to enter a Ph.D. program in food science, focusing on assessing and optimizing the bioavailability of nutrients in food products by investigating them as soft materials.”

Dinner with team 5-5:30 p.m.

Trombone lessons

p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

5:30-6 p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m.

2-4 p.m.

Swim practice

4-5 p.m.

“The best part about CSB/SJU is definitely the opportunities I have to try new things. I don’t think I would have been able to do so much anywhere else.”

p.m.

p.m.

p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

p.m.

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m.

p.m. p.m.

Chemistry Club meeting to plan Mole Day celebrations (Oct. 23) 6-8 p.m.

Work on Chemistry tutorial videos in Creative Lab “Just remember that learning new things isn’t supposed to be easy — especially when it means clearing up your thoughts — but it’s one of the most rewarding skills out there.”

8-10 p.m.

Homework 10 p.m.

Lights out! p.m. p.m. p.m.

14 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

“Don’t worry about judging yourself.

It’s going to be hard, but it doesn’t make sense to dwell on how well or poorly you think you’re doing. Do your best, ask for help when you need it and know that if you work hard, everything will be okay.”

a.m. a.m. p.m. a.m.

janit or

sal es &

CEO

a m

rk eti ng

or direct

bookkeeper

ALUMNAE INSIGHT WELL PREPARED FOR UNRELENTING, UNCERTAINTY AND CONSTANT CURVEBALLS

writer

BY | ELLEN HUNTER GANS ’05 financial analyst

At first glance, I represent a quintessential outcome of the traditional notion of liberal arts education. I double majored in English and communication, and today I’m a writer.

Classic, no?

But there’s so much more to it than that.

Yes, I studied and am currently employed in an arena commonly associated with the liberal arts. But writing is just a fraction of what I do. After facing a tough job market following completion of my graduate degrees, I made the scary and empowering decision to hire myself.

Being self-employed means wearing many hats. I’m the CEO, the director of sales and marketing, the bookkeeper, the financial analyst and the janitor. And while none of these roles comes naturally to me, I get up every day and choose to be blissfully uncomfortable. Without my liberal arts background, I never would have had the courage to step out on my own and forge a nontraditional path.

That’s because my liberal arts education didn’t simply teach me how to be a writer. It taught me how to ask questions, frame ideas differently and continually push beyond my comfort zone. It taught me how to explore new ways of being, thinking and doing. It taught me the dangers of operating on a narrow, egocentric plane.

Sure, I also learned rules of grammar and fell in love with well-constructed prose.

But more importantly, I learned that talent without perpetual self-challenge is useless. I learned that I’ll rarely be the smartest person in the room, and that’s a good thing, because learning is often more interesting than knowing.

Perhaps all of this is why high-quality liberal arts colleges produce people who excel in such a vast range of fields. I

Where else but a liberal arts institution can you sit in a philosophy class side-by-side with someone who will become an anesthesiologist and someone else who will become a painter? lived with a total of six different women throughout my four years at Saint Ben’s. As of this writing, their respective professions are: professor, physician, public relations executive, inner-city English as a Second Language teacher, doctor of physical therapy and pediatric trauma nurse. (Speaking of me not being the smartest person in the room…)

passion. Where else but a liberal arts institution can you sit in a philosophy class side-by-side with someone who will become an anesthesiologist and someone else who will become a painter?

I love my job, but it’s marked by unrelenting uncertainty and constant curveballs. If I had exclusively studied how to be a writer, I would have already failed a thousand times over. (Trust me.)

It was never about stringing together pretty words. It was about marching into the world with an elusive blend of confidence and humility, ready to ask questions and stumble and look silly and set crazy high standards and never settle.

Ellen is the founder of Word Couture Consulting and provides expertly tailored copywriting and branding services to clients everywhere.

A liberal arts education isn’t incongruous with any of those professions, because a liberal arts education is about catalyzing curiosity, leadership and intellectual Fall 2015 | 15

BIG-PICTURE THINKING

Employing the liberal arts over the next five years will mean many things at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University: • Developing a new Common Curriculum that is purposeful, sequential, integrative and cumulative.

• Creating a comprehensive First-Year Experience program.

• Launching an Office of Continuing Liberal Arts Education to develop and deliver non-credit, continuing education and experiential learning programs.

• And many more initiatives.

But there are innovative new tools being put in place already that showcase the ways we facilitate liberal arts learning.

One of the most intriguing is data visualization through CSB/SJU Library Services. It’s currently being tested in the classroom by Economics professor Louis Johnston in two of his Introduction to Economics classes.

Data visualization is the presentation of data in quickly identifiable graphic formats like statistical graphs, plots, information graphics and tables. “As a concept, data visualization is nothing new, but the slew of readily available, advanced data visualization software is,” explains

library technology support specialist Bennett Frensko, one of the project’s drivers. “Not long ago, visualizing a large dataset was no small feat and often required custom code. Now, within minutes, it’s possible to start interacting with, and gaining insight from, a dataset.”

“This is something we’ve been doing in the liberal arts forever,” confirms Johnston.

“We make maps, we make charts…

On my first day of Intro to Econ, I tell students, humans are pattern-seeking, storytelling animals. In economics, what we’ve always done is we start with pictures, then add words, then add numbers. And that’s true in a lot of disciplines.”

Students in Louis Johnston’s Econ111 course this fall are getting the chance to work in Tableau to create interactive dashboards like this one, using annual GDP and employment data by state.

16 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

“Data visualization is a tool that’s going to allow us to quickly move past much of the compilation and get straight to analysis and interpretation. — Louis Johnston, Economics Professor

CSB/SJU Digital Media Specialist Adam Konczewski, the project’s other driver, sums it up: “We’re visual creatures. Visuals are a universal language.”

data hands-on takes what normally would be passive research and learning and transforms it into a much more active and involved process.

Today, the Internet offers massive amounts of data. But it’s not processed — it’s raw. Compile huge amounts of that raw data into spreadsheets, and you’ll quickly begin to understand the old analogy about trying to “drink from a fire hose.”

This fall, Johnston and his economics students are beginning to explore those classroom applications for data visualization. Raw economic data at the state level was pulled in from two separate sources — the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That alone would have been challenging in the past. The resulting compilation would have been a spreadsheet of more rows than Microsoft Excel allows. But Frensko was able to create a Tableau-friendly dataset so that students will be able to spend the semester manipulating and interacting.

Data visualization software (CSB/SJU works with Tableau) enables users to take their data and bring it to life in ways that are easy to understand. It creates an exploratory environment that’s easy to interact with and makes a dataset’s patterns legible in a condensed form. “There’s power in numbers,” says Konczewski.

“But it’s hard for us as humans to see the relationships between those numbers.”

Layered graphs and interactive maps make it easier.

The geographic components of software like this hold clear potential for disciplines like environmental studies, history and political science. At the same time, the ability the ability to quickly create understandable graphs from complex data is a natural fit for students in the physical sciences. The chance to work with the

“Data visualization is a tool that’s going to allow us to quickly move past much of the compilation,” concludes Johnston, “and get straight to analysis and interpretation.”

That’s the thoughtful part. That’s the problem-solving part. That’s the liberal arts part. And that’s how we’re doing it today at the College of Saint Benedict.

Fall 2015 | 17

ATIMEOFGREAT

CHANGE

&CHALLENGE BY | COURTNEY SULLIVAN

BY | COURTNEY SULLIVAN

18 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES.

I

magine a world where safe water is increasingly limited, hindering economic productivity and social activities. A world beset by increasingly intense and frequent storms, rising sea levels and high rates of species extinction. In this world, some people experience extensive flooding, others endure intense droughts and millions are endangered by land degradation.

This is the world Pope Francis envisions in his nearly 200-page encyclical titled “Laudato Si’” (translated as “Praised Be You”).

Released in late June 2015, the encyclical makes clear that climate change is not just a scientific, ethical or political issue — it’s a moral one.

But should science and theology be mixed? The scope of climate change is a hotly debated issue around the world and skeptics have gone so far as to admonish Pope Francis and climate scientists for alarmism, over-interpreting or overreacting to evidence of climate change, particularly when models are presented that predict a future like the one described above.

On the surface, science and theology are vastly different areas of study, and there is well-documented conflict between the two over the centuries.

The church’s original admonishment of Galileo’s work is one popular example. But according to Noreen Herzfeld, Reuter Professor of Science and Religion at CSB/SJU, the church’s stance for many years has been that truth cannot be divided.

“If something is true and proven to be known in science, then it is also true in theology,” she says. “Catholic intellectual practice has reconciled science and theology for a long time.”

Judy Purman, director of the office of sustainability at the College of Saint Benedict, agrees and adds that she was overjoyed to see the Pope put that stance into practice. “Environmental problems occur because of the interaction between humans and the natural world, so we must include both scientific and social aspects when we seek solutions. What the church did with this encyclical, that science sometimes struggles to do, is put a moral face to this issue. It can look at real people and call attention to how we live, and how we act to bring "IF SOMETHING IS TRUE AND PROVEN TO BE KNOWN IN SCIENCE, THEN IT IS ALSO TRUE IN THEOLOGY."

about change. That is how theology and science work together.”

“Everything is interrelated,” says Herzfeld. “Science and the humanities — climate change and theology — they appear to be unrelated, but when we look closely at how they can relate, we improve our ability to understand and critically evaluate evidence and arguments. This type of thinking, the kind that’s developed at a liberal arts institution like Saint Ben’s, is one way this community has already begun addressing the climate change issue.”

Fall 2015 | 19

THE SCIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE There are two important points to remember when thinking about climate change. The first is that global warming and climate change are different issues, even though they are often used interchangeably in environmental discussions.

As the name suggests, “global warming” refers to the long-term trend of a rising average global temperature, which according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has increased by more than 1.3°F over the last century. (The average temperature in the Arctic has risen by almost twice as much.) On the other hand, “climate change” refers to the changes in the global climate, such as droughts and violent storms, which result from, among other factors, the increasing average global temperature.

“Both terms are used frequently in scientific literature,” says Purman. “Some skeptics claim this issue has recently undergone a name change from ‘global warming’ to ‘climate change,’ but in truth they refer to different physical phenomena. Some areas of the globe will continue to experience harsh winters and record low temperatures.

A snow storm will never be an indication that global warming is a myth.”

The second point to remember is that weather is not the same thing as climate.

Single weather events such as Hurricane Sandy cannot be definitively attributed to climate change. But scientists who study climate patterns over longer periods of time have data confirming more frequent destructive weather events and predict that extreme weather will increase in the future.

“Multiple studies published in peerreviewed scientific journals show that 97 percent of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities,” says Purman. “That’s an incredible percentage. It’s unlikely it will ever be 100 percent because there are always scientists who interpret data differently.

“It sounds scary to say, but at this point in time, we can’t stop climate change,” Purman continues. “The science is clear and we are already seeing the effects of it around the world. So the question now becomes how

20 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

"Pope Francis has earned great credibility by his example of humility. As a result, he is well-positioned to engage the public on this issue through Laudato Si’ . The document is colloquial, elegant and notably addressed to everyone living on the planet. It is characteristic of him to promote cooperation between people of all faiths to serve the good of humankind."

are we going to adjust and adapt? Do we have the will to slow it?”

THE ART OF AN ENCYCLICAL “Pope Francis has earned great credibility by his example of humility,” explains Herzfeld.

“As a result, he is well-positioned to engage the public on this issue through Laudato Si’. The document is colloquial, elegant and notably addressed to everyone living on the plant. It is characteristic of him to promote cooperation between people of all faiths to serve the good of humankind.”

The encyclical has two main messages.

The first is that Earth is the heritage of all humanity, not just one nation or civilization. Yet the responsibility for impact on the Earth through anthropogenic climate change is uneven, with those in the richer industrial nations generating the highest carbon, and most polluting, footprint.

While those who have contributed the least endure the brunt of such impact.

“The world’s poor are most at risk from the effects of climate change,” says Herzfeld. “Those in developing nations are particularly hard hit because they often live in fragile environments and have limited ways to protect their livelihoods. That injustice is how Pope Francis argues that by not caring for the Earth, we are magnifying this injustice towards the poor. And that is in direct opposition to the commandment to love thy neighbor.”

The second message asks people to not only reflect on how their actions harm others, but also how they’re harming themselves spiritually. Pope Francis refers to a “throwaway culture” in which consumerism and corporate profit have become the dominant driving forces in society. He calls on people to shun the notion that material goods and more money will lead to greater happiness.

“This idea is not new,” says Purman. “We all know in our hearts that a nicer house or a new pair of shoes will not make us happier.

What Francis is asking us to consider is what we’re losing when we fall into that line

A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE & CHALLENGE

of thinking. It may feel inconsequential most of the time, but when we look at the growing gap between the rich and the poor, it becomes clear that we’re not thinking nearly enough about how the things we consume are affecting the natural world.”

Though the purpose of a papal encyclical is to offer moral guidance to Catholic

clergy, the intended audience for Laudato Si’ also extends to elected leaders, corporate executives, the scientific community and the media.

Matthew Lindstrom, the Edward L. Henry Professor of Political Science at CSB/SJU, notes that the timing of the encyclical is significant. “Pope Francis addressed Congress and the United Nations in September. There’s little doubt that he released the encyclical in June so the moral

consequences of climate change would already be part of the dialogue before he spoke to U.S. and world leaders. There are a good number of climate-deniers in politics, and he takes aim at them. He has also made statements expressing great hope that nations will make progress on this issue at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris.”

THE LIBERAL ARTS: WHERE SCIENCE AND ART MEET “Saint Ben’s is answering the call. This encyclical is deeply tied to what we do here.”

Those words from Judy Purman are tied to the mission Saint Ben’s undertook when the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment was signed in 2006. That commitment was no empty pledge, and with the Benedictine values calling people to be good stewards of their resources, it’s not surprising that CSB has always prioritized sustainability and will continue to do so.

In Strategic Directions 2020, the College of Saint Benedict’s new five-year strategic plan, one of the supporting goals for the Liberal Arts for Life states, “Create interdisciplinary concentrations that leverage our unique academic strengths and distinctions to broaden opportunities and credentials for students.” Within that goal, it specifically calls out our environmental programs.

Many people are now familiar with CSB’s policy to no longer sell bottled water on campus, a decision based on the acknowledgement that water is a fundamental human right and shouldn’t be profited from. Trays were removed from Gorecki several years ago to cut down on waste, and any food waste that is generated is part of a hog feed program. Appropriate leftover food goes to the Community Kitchen program to provide meals and serve as a catalyst for building community and alleviating food insecurity. There is also a new “Stash It, Don’t Trash It!” program designed to recover the items students want to throw away when moving out.

“These are just a few of the numerous programs in action across campus to make immediate impacts toward sustainability,” says Purman. “We also have several educational programs, such as Eco-Reps, who are volunteer Bennies promoting sustainability in their residence halls. It’s all in an effort to meet the college’s plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2035, which is a state where the operation of an organization has zero net emission of greenhouse gases.”

Francis’ encyclical as part of the course.

“There are students from a wide range of studies enrolled,” she continues, “including global business leadership, peace studies, music, physics and political science.”

What should be even more interesting is that select students from this class will travel to Paris in November for the U.N. Climate Change Conference. Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s were both granted non-governmental "SAINT BEN’S IS ANSWERING THE organization Saint Ben’s also CALL. THIS ENCYCLICAL IS DEEPLY observer status, believes that training and after a highly TIED TO WHAT WE DO HERE." future leaders competitive and integrating application process, sustainability across 15 Bennies and Johnnies were selected to academic disciplines is one of the best ways attend. This group will attend proceedings, to advance this cause. Beginning this fall, a contribute to the youth delegation and new course is available to CSB/SJU students network with government and organization titled, “Climate Studies: Culture, Science employees. But through it all, they will be and Policy in a Changing Environment”. cultivating their own experience — It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume this applying what they’re learning to their lines course comes from the Environmental of expertise.

Studies department, but in true liberal arts fashion, this is the Sociology department “It’s through studies and opportunities like integrating the issue of climate change into this that the value of a liberal arts education its curriculum. is showcased,” says O’Reilly. “Critical thinking and an open mind are essential to “This course uses a cultural focus to solving a problem like climate change, with understand how humans study, experience, its far-reaching effects and consequences. interpret and mitigate global climate When you consider how our society engages change,” explains Jessica O’Reilly, CSB/SJU with science and theology, as evidenced by assistant professor of anthropology. “So as the mixed reaction Pope Francis’ encyclical we learn about the scientific components, received, you truly appreciate a place like we will also be exploring human nature CSB/SJU where those fields have always and social justice. We will even read Pope worked together.”

Fall 2015 | 21

memories

Illuminated

A few spotty showers couldn’t squelch the sunshine or the smiles as over 400 alumnae from the classes of 1939 through 2015 gathered on campus to celebrate their reunions.

The weekend included a Golden Anniversary celebration for the class of 1965, a Saturday kick-off highlighted by remarks from Katie Ploeger Hoffman ’05 and a gala awards ceremony saluting four remarkable women. And this year, for the first time ever, alumnae were able to connect with Johnnie classmates as Saint John’s held its first summertime reunion celebration the same weekend.

“I assure you, ten years ago I did not think I would be standing here as the director of operations for a brewery I helped found, talking about how important Saint Ben’s was to me. But that’s the thing about our wild and precious lives; you just never know where the path of passion and faith will lead you.”

Katie Ploeger Hoffman ’05 Katie (R) is pictured here with Diana (Pelant) Connelly ’05 and Gillian (Glass) Schoenbauer ’05.

122| College | College of Saint of Saint Benedict Benedict Magazine Magazine

“Lord, we ask you to join us here today as we gather with friends to celebrate this special place and the role it’s played in each of our lives. We thank you for this beautiful campus and for the chance to experience it again and remember the lessons we’ve learned.”

Josephine Zehnle Terwey ’39 Pictured here with S. Lois Wedl ’53

The world spins around. And time goes by. But there’s clearly something special about the connective powers of rhubarb pie and coffee. That’s one of the many things the College of Saint Benedict class of 1965 discovered this summer during their 50th Reunion Class Conversation.

“Do you look at your daughters and pray that they are able to live into the best the world has to offer? What are you yearning for? It is my yearning that allows me to stand here today.

It is your yearning that brought you back.”

President Mary Dana Hinton FallFall 2015 2015| 23 | 2

REUNION AWARD WINNERS

Lori Helmer ’85* S. Emmanuel Renner Service Award Recipient

Ellen Hunter Gans ’05 Decade Award Recipient Since graduating in 2005, Ellen Hunter Gans has earned master’s degrees from the University of Southern California and the London School of Economics. She has founded a successful consulting business, traveled much of the world, completed an Ironman triathlon and is a new mother. It has been a busy decade for Ellen. And, frankly, we were excited she agreed to slow down for the weekend to join us for reunion.

Ellen finished her second graduate degree in 2009, just in time for the bottom to fall out of the economy and ruin the job market. But Ellen moved forward and did the best she could with the skills she had. Her desire to gain experience and “feel like a productive member of society” motivated her to begin freelance writing or, in her words, “I hired myself and haven’t looked back since.” That strategy has proven to be incredibly successful for her as she now owns a healthy, growing writing consulting business, writing content for organizations of every variety with her quick wit and creative spirit.

While Ellen has gone on to attend and graduate from two other institutions of higher education, when asked where she went to school, she still replies with “Saint Ben’s.” As a matter of fact, when she was hired for the biggest contract she has ever had, the client stopped reading her resume after seeing she attended Saint Ben’s. “What other school has that?” asks Ellen. “Simply the fact that you attended says so much about who you are.”

While having a child has helped Ellen realize the importance of spending time with those near and dear to her, it has also motived her to continue accomplishing her goals. “I want to provide for our son, but I also want him to see as a young boy that women can contribute to the family, financially. It’s important to me that he see that model of a working mom.”

These past 10 years have been filled with milestones for Ellen, and there is no doubt the next 10 are looking just as bright. The sky is the limit for Word Couture Consulting, whether that means expanding or even breaking into the publishing industry. Whatever her next big, scary goal might be, there is no doubt that Ellen can accomplish anything to which she sets her mind.

24 24 | | College CollegeofofSaint SaintBenedict BenedictMagazine Magazine

Lori Helmer ’85 was born running in September 1963. “Less than 10 minutes in the delivery room, and she never slowed down,” remembers her mother, Dori. She completed 15 marathons, was an avid skier and her enthusiastic spirit continued into every phase of her life.

Lori arrived at Saint Ben’s in 1981. She made lasting memories with friends and actively participated in numerous clubs including the Accounting Club, Joint Events Council, Alpha Kappa Sigma sorority and VISTO club. “Saint Ben’s loved her, and she loved them,” recalls Sara Rohe ’85, Lori’s childhood and CSB friend.

Sara remembers Lori living the words, “Whatever you do, get as involved as you can and remember where you came from.” Lori began volunteering, in various capacities, immediately after graduation. She served on the CSB Alumnae Board from 2001-2008, belonged to the CSB Presidents’ Circle for over a decade and volunteered at many CSB/SJU sponsored events. Lori loved helping current students and alums in whatever way she could.

Lori’s passion for Saint Ben’s continued throughout her life. She never hesitated to tell others how Saint Ben’s helped launch her professional career as a certified public accountant and, eventually, vice president and senior personal trust relationship manager for Northern Trust.

In her spare time, she was a board member for the Ordway Circle of Stars, a member of the Minneapolis Foundation Board and a volunteer with numerous other civic organizations.

Lori passed away all too soon on Nov. 6, 2014, in a tragic accident while running. In honor of her dedication to Saint Ben’s, she is presented with this year’s Sister Emmanuel Renner Service Award. Lori remains a vibrant example of what it means to be a leader, steward and volunteer to her alma mater.

“I love Saint Ben’s not only because of the fantastic education that I received, the fabulous time I had while attending Saint Ben’s and the wonderful friendships that I developed while on campus, but most importantly for the network of friendships that I have developed since graduating from Saint Ben’s. I love to say that I am a Bennie.”

- Lori Helmer ’85 *This award was conferred posthumously.

Kristina (Tina) Seslija ’10 Benedictine Service Award Recipient “By 2025, I promise Mozaik is going to be recognized as the organization that made the biggest impact on our country. We are changing the unemployment rates, and by 2025, we will lead the development of innovative and entrepreneurial-minded youth.” Tina Seslija ’10 has embraced her position as project manager with Mozaik Foundation, a non-profit which has become a major agent for change in her home country of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tina came to Saint Bens in 2006 after Dan Whalen (SJU ’70) came to her community offering the opportunity for an American education.

“At first we thought ‘Oh great, another foreigner coming to let us know what is best for us,’” recalls Tina. But Dan took a different approach that would change Tina’s life forever. Rather than telling the communities what to do, he asked the young people what they were passionate about, and how they could use those passions to benefit their communities. “That was something we forgot during the war — how to give back to our communities,” Tina explains. “During the war, you just want to survive, after the war you just want to eat. Dan reminded us that there is more.”

Armed with her passion for rebuilding her country, Tina arrived in St. Joseph with her husband and two daughters. She wasted no time making the most of her new educational opportunities. With the help of CSB/SJU professors, Tina realized that when she returned to Bosnia, she could accomplish anything as long as she had a dream.

So after graduation, Tina returned to Bosnia and began her work to empower the young people of Bosnia-Herzegovina and create a more economically stable and socially strong future.

Tina began as the director of EkoMozaik, a social business owned by Mozaik. Under Tina’s leadership, EkoMozaik built a 5,017 square meter greenhouse that now provides work for over 100 previously unemployed women. For many of them, this was their first time receiving a paycheck, opening a bank account or working with women of another religion. Tina is now working as the project manager for PRO-Future, working to build reconciliation and trust.

Moving forward, Tina is more than optimistic for her organization.

Mozaik has not only empowered women and youth in BosniaHerzegovina, it has also had an impact on dozens of CSB/SJU students who have held summer internships there. Students see international growth and development first-hand, and they are also able to bring new sets of ideas to Mozaik to further its ability to instigate change.

While the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina has improved since 2006, there is still much work to be done to encourage more cooperation and unity among people of different ethnicities. Tina’s advice to students looking to work in international relations and post-war rebuilding is “peace is possible.” With this outlook, she will continue to serve her country and embrace every adventure with the passion and tenacity that have gotten her this far.

Denise DeVaan ’75 Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient Dorothy Day was an iconic figure as a Catholic and pioneering leader in the struggle for social justice. For Denise DeVaan ’75, she was also a mentor. Denise organized the first group of CSB/SJU students to volunteer at The Catholic Worker in New York during January Term of 1974.

She recalls that at the end of that month, “One of the toughest decisions I made was to leave the volunteer experience and return to Saint Ben’s to finish my studies.” But that volunteer experience created a passion that has led to a lifetime career of addressing poverty issues.

Through 44 years, Denise has worked for Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, the Minnesota Food Education & Research Center, the Minnesota Community Action Partnership and currently as a senior consultant for ICF International. Her current roles include coordinating national financial empowerment asset-building projects to bring financial literacy, financial capability, tax credits and banking and matched-savings resources to low-wealth families.

Her simple philosophy has been instrumental while serving others.

“Focus on strategies that speak to the interests and desired outcomes of all parties,” articulates Denise. “If there is evidence, a good return on investment, a reduced need for public assistance, genuine movement toward financial stability, it is possible to move these issues forward.”

Denise was the first lobbyist for Catholic Charities and the first woman to lead the Minnesota Community Action Partnership in Minnesota — investing 20 years in direct lobbying to reduce poverty.

Through the network of CAP Agencies, Native Tribes and WomenVenture, she created the first matched-savings program for Minnesota, which resulted in $2.5 million in savings deposits todate for low-income families. She was also the co-founder of the international Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance and its first president.

As a Kellogg National Fellow, Denise studied with Peter Drucker in the United States, Dr. Paulo Freire in Brazil as well as other notable political, business and not-for-profit leaders in South Africa, Costa Rica and Northern Ireland.

Denise says the most important leadership lesson she’s learned is to listen to what is being said and what is not being said. “The way we do our work is as important as what gets done. Relationships are key.

Trust is essential. It is impossible to be successful in my line of work without partnerships between leaders of government, nonprofit and private sectors,” Denise notes. “Many leaders and funding streams work together to create opportunities or pathways out of poverty. Developing a contemplative or meditative practice helps to ground the work.”

Denise attributes many of her accomplishments to her Saint Ben’s education and many mentors, including S. Emmanuel Renner ’49, who provided continuous support throughout her career. Denise has kept the Benedictine values, which were nurtured first in her family, as the foundation for her thoughtful, strategic leadership.

Fall Fall2015 2015 | | 25 25

I’M A BENNIE

NICOLE KESSLER Never stop learning

’08 A liberal arts education means not only finding your first dream job, but also being able to find a second dream when life throws a curveball.

After graduating from Saint Ben’s, Nicole Kessler worked as an environmental systems flight controller for NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) Program in Houston, Texas. Three short years later, she was at NASA when the Space Shuttle program ended, the Constellation program was cancelled and SpaceX began delivering cargo to the International Space Station.

When one door closes, another opens, and Nicole saw this as an opportunity to pursue a new interest that developed as these events unfolded — policy making.

“As flight controllers we were directly impacted by these [policy] decisions, and I wanted to know more about the decision-making process,” says Nicole.

She went on to graduate school to study science policy, and while there became more interested in energy and environmental issues. Those interests led to her current position doing energy efficiency research at the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE).

26 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

Major at CSB: Applied Physics

First-year residence hall: Corona

Favorite course/professor: Electronics with Tom Kirkman and Modern Dance with Leigh Dillard

Favorite Bennie memory: Playing ultimate frisbee with the CSB Hucklings

Little-known talent: I can make balloon animals

Latest great adventure:

Traveling to Japan last summer (2014) with the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership

What life lessons did you take with you after graduation?

How has your Saint Ben’s education influenced your career?

I learned the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive, caring people.

Life and work can get hectic, and for me, it’s been important to have family and friends close by to keep me balanced and keep perspective on what is important.

Studying physics and mathematics at CSB gave me the quantitative and problem-solving skills I needed to do the technical work I wanted, but the liberal arts education also taught me the importance of being well-rounded and the importance of tackling problems from different perspectives.

What is one piece of advice you would give to current students?

Apply for summer internships. You never know who you will meet, what connections you will make or what skills you will develop that could help you land the job you want after college or further in the future.

What are the greatest challenges in your career?

As I think about the direction I may want my career to take, the question I’ve been trying to answer is how to best utilize my policy degree in a technical setting.

What advice would you give emerging women leaders?

Keep working hard because we need you! Be brave, never stop learning.

CLASS NOTES

MILESTONES Beth Wegleitner Asmussen received the 1977

Outstanding Alumni Award from Inver Hills Community College in June ’15.

Ann Cofell received the 2015 Athena award from the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation in July ’15.

LynnSheree Lynch Lesmeister completed 1982 a master’s in teaching and learning at St. Mary’s University in May ’15.

Mary Kramer was presented with the 1985

Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award by the American Immigration Lawyers Association for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law in Miami, Fla. in June ’15.

1991

Tara Tollefson Gronhovd is the vice 1999

Julie Haberle Schomer earned a master’s 2006

Kelly Grinsteinner has run more than 100 competitive races and completed the Boston Marathon in April ’15.

Amanda Sell is working in Nicaragua with 2008

president of operations at Plaza Park Bank in St. Cloud, Minn.

Kate Francis is the senior advisor at 2001 GoodWeave International.

2002 Becky Guza was elected chair of the Minnesota section of the American Chemical Society in Jan. ’15 and is the senior scientist in waterbase/polymer technology at HB Fuller. She holds an M.S. in chemistry from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota.

Giavana Bain Jones joined the Lyford Cay Foundation as program director of scholarships and grants in April ’15.

in human resources management from Concordia University in May ’15.

VISIONS Service Adventures. VISIONS is a non-profit group that works with high school students from the U.S. around the world, helping them to fully immerse in a community through service work, cultural activities and community interaction.

Elizabeth Haagenson Dirkes is a 2009

registered dietitian at Country Manor, Sartell, Minn.

Taylor Vandenburgh worked on the production of Terra Phantasma. This new experiment in transmedia, through a collective of independent artists, premiered at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, July-Aug. ’15. She also took on the role of Lilith in “The Cruel Painter of Radostdale,” one of the plays featured in Terra Phantasma.

Jennifer Mike Rhein received her license as a marriage and family therapist in April ’15.

Jessica Lockner-Kotek McKeown graduated with distinction from Capella University in Dec. ’14 with a master’s in psychology, specializing in leadership coaching psychology.

HA PHAM

’91

’02

LAURA COLOMBO TOMCZIK

LIZ DEZIEL

became a partner at Mahowald Insurance Agency in Jan. ’15.

was promoted in July ’15 by U.S. Bancorp’s U.S Bank Wealth Management to lead the Twin Cities private banking business for The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank. Most recently, Liz was the youngest female managing director in The Reserve and led the private banking teams in the Twin Cities. The Private Client Reserve serves clients with at least $3 million in net worth.

Ruth Sitzman Puls graduated with a 1993

master’s in education leadership and learning from Midland University in Fremont, Neb. in spring ’15.

Nicole Tharaldson Mulder was featured 1995 in Fly MSP Airport for her skin care line, Epitome, in March ’15.

Dr. Kelly Sauer Collins, a specialist in 1997

physical medicine and rehabilitation, was featured in the DeLand column in the St. Cloud Times titled “Family has Stake in Concussion Battle” in April ’15 for her work with BrainSafe, a developing St. Cloud-area initiative to help prevent, diagnose and treat concussions and brain injuries.

Sarah Henderson Larsen is a state 1998

program coordinator at the MN Pollution Control Agency. She holds a master’s in public health from the University of Minnesota.

2005

J essica Guentzel Himmerick received the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle Graduate Student Award at Carlson School of Management for her academic achievement in May ’15. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education, community involvement and leadership.

Leslie Pesarchick is director of program 2006 operations at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., in Minneapolis, Minn.

’09

completed her doctoral studies in chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University in May ’15.

Anne Hylden is teaching chemistry at 2010

Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia, Pa. and at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. Anne did her graduate work in organic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania.

Erin Peterson Camerino graduated from 2011

medical school at the University of Minnesota in spring of ’15. She will complete her pediatric residency at the University of Minnesota.

Mardi Billman recently presented her research at the 249th National ACS Meeting. Billman is a graduate student in theoretical catalysis in Anthony Rappe’s lab at Colorado State University.

Khadija Fernandez is a laboratory 2012

technician at Carib Brewery Ltd. in Trinidad and Tobago.

BC

For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes, go to BenniesConnect: www.csbalum.csbsju.edu or email us at csbalumnae@csbsju.edu.

Fall 2015 | 27

CLASS NOTES Jill Kerrigan passed her preliminary orals 2012 in environmental science/civil engineering at the University of Minnesota in May ’15.

Danelle Rolle passed her preliminary orals at Purdue University in spring ’15.

2013

ate Kaiser is the quality assurance associate K at Upsher-Smith in Plymouth, Minn.

Kenie Kwok is an art director at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising in Hong Kong, China.

Linsey Matteson graduated from basic combat training as an Active Army SPC at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., in spring ’15.

Missy Shelendich received her white coat as part of the Tufts University School of Medicine physician assistant program in Boston, Mass. in May ’15. She will graduate in 2017.

Racheal Yates is a tutor/mentor/teaching 2015

assistant at Great Oaks Charter School in Manhattan, N.Y.

Laura Fox is the program assistant at the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in Duluth, Minn.

’01

KATIE JEFFERY TO MATTHEW FOLEY ’01, MAY ’15

’06

KELLY ZIEGLER TO BRIAN BAKER, MAY ’15

Olivia Cyr Fitzpatrick is a third grade teacher at Summit Charter Academy in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

’15

ERYNN SCHROEDER

was one of 35 across the nation selected to represent the U.S. at the World Flying Disc Federation’s “World Under 23 Ultimate Frisbee Championship” which took place in London in July ’15. She went on to win a silver medal, as well as the Spirit Award.

MARRIAGES Missy Sherman to Raul Rosas, Aug. ’10 2000 2001 Angie Engelbart to Matt Eckel, Aug. ’14 2003 Eriana Evenson to Neil Ihrke, May ’15 2005 Katie Honer to Looe Baker, June ’13

Maureen Cavanagh to Stephen Korthals, June ’14

28 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

’07 MARIA HILEMAN TO ERIC WHITE, FEB. ’15

CLASS NOTES 2008

Megan Warfield to Ryan Kimball, Sept. ’13

Rachel Windsperger to Daniel Evans, Aug. ’13

2009 Leah Niebur to Alexander Dunne ’09, Nov. ’14

Elizabeth Haagenson to Trent Dirkes ’09, July ’14 Carlee Charboneau to Kevin Carney ’10, 2010 Oct. ’13

Carrie Abrams to Ryan Campion, June ’14

Lisa Marthaler to Aaron Hellem ’10, Oct. ’14

Anna-Lisa Rustad to Brady DeVaan ’10, June ’15 Bridget Blatzheim to Jonathan Hauff ’10, June ’15

Tara Evanger to Justin Dalke, June ’15

Jenny Dahl to Justin Reicks, Aug. ’14

Megan Peterson to David Camerino ’10, 2011 Dec. ’14

2012

Kamira Alm to Matthew Mollet ’12, Oct. ’13

Anna Kovalchuk to Charles Lemon, June ’15

2013

E ilise Rooney to Dan Bonebright ’11, Feb. ’15

BELA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN Saturday, Oct. 24 @ 7:30PM Escher Auditorium, CSB

Mollie Holte to Andrew Canfield ’10, Nov. ’14

Katie Bauer to Jake Salzl ’12, June ’15

Whitney Radil to Adam Liske ’13, July ’14

Katie Lubenow to Joshua Bain, July ’15

PASTICHE Friday, Oct. 30 @ 7:30PM Escher Auditorium, CSB Saturday, Feb. 6 @ 8:00PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

Colleen Kennedy to Amed Kanan, May ’15 2014 Cindy Gonzalez to Jacob Peterson ’11, March ’14

RUTHIE FOSTER Friday, Nov. 13 @ 7:30PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 Saturday, Dec. 5 @ 7:30PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

’14

KATHY MATTEA SONGS AND THE SEASON Saturday, Dec. 12 @ 7:30PM Escher Auditorium, CSB

EMILY GUSTAFSON TO ZACH SCHAEFER, JUNE ’15

2015 Jennifer Kretschmer to John Terseck ’15, May ’15

Olivia Cyr to Adam Fitzpatrick ’09, June ’15

Keep the connections alive at facebook.com/SaintBensAlums

WWW.CSBSJU.EDU/WOW

Fall 2015 | 29

CLASS NOTES

BIRTHS

’98

ELEISE JONES & ZACHARY SILBERSHER, BOY, TRUMAN, FEB. ’15

Amanda Heinz Collins & Joe Collins ’99, boy, Peter, Sept. ’14

2001 Kristi Kubista-Hovis & Scott Kubista-

2000

Sarah Pierson Zimmer & Chris Zimmer, 2003

girl, Charley, July ’15

1998

1999

1999 Becky Martin Barnett & Justin Barnett, nn Josephson West & Casey West, girl, A Maggie, Dec. ’14

girl, Maggie, May ’15

Patricia Larson Moen & Brian Moen, girl, Tessa, April ’14

Sara Sorell Svenby & Joel Svenby, girl, 2004

Ericka Eiynck Goebel & Michael Goebel, boy, Layton, April ’15

Kathryn Schmucker Kiley & Gregory Kiley, girl, Muriel, Oct. ’14

Tricia Lembeck Quinlan & Andy Quinlan, girl, Claire, April ’15

Laura Brunckhorst Krueger & Benjamin Krueger, boy, William, July ’15

Brandi Senn Stavlo & JD Stavlo, girl, Lyla, Nov. ’14

Jennifer Hitzemann Thamert & Gerald 2005

nne Carlin Skramsted & Jeremy A Skramsted ’00, girl, Abigail, June ’15

Trina Rothstein Stephens & Timothy 2001 Stephens, girl, Margo, April ’15

Angie Engelbart Eckel & Matt Eckel, boy, Isaiah, June ’15 Jamie Pittelko Boche & Justin Boche, girl, Amelia, May ’15

KRISTIN SAWYER LYMAN & ANDY LYMAN, GIRL, BRIA, FEB. ’15 30 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

Hovis, boy, Anton, April ’15

Arden, April ’15

Thamert ’04, boy, Adam, Jan. ’13, and boy, Isaac, Sept. ’14

Patricia Canik Dumonceaux & Damien Dumonceaux ’05, boy, Fischer, March ’15 Elizabeth Siebenaler Marinac & Joseph Marinac ’05, girl, Genevieve, Feb. ’15 Lauren Chupita Dankers & Chase Dankers ’05, boy, Leo, May ’15

’00

CLASS NOTES 2006

2007 Meg O’Neill Rude & Karl Rude, boy, Michael, Dec. ’14

Anne Strommen Keene & Luke Keene 2008 ’08, girl, Rosella, April ’15

Amy Theisen Stang & Daniel Stang, girl, Kendall, June ’15 Jessica Lockner-Kotek McKeown & 2009

Conor McKeown ’09, girl, Aislyn, July ’14

Jenni Wegner Swinson & William Swinson, boy, William, March ’15 Angie Ballman Punton & Kyle Punton ’09, girl, Caroline, Feb. ’15

’06

JULIET NGUYEN HILL & ERIC HILL ’06, BOY, RAYNOR, APRIL ’15 J ennifer Gorrell Layton & Andrew Layton, boy, Liam, Dec. ’14

Cassie Benson Smith & Max Smith ’06, boy, Harrison, July ’15

Liz Leslie Housman & Joe Housman ’04, boy, Benjamin, May ’15

Megan Sand Carr & Charles Carr ’03, boy, Harrison, May ’15

Dana Lyndgaard Schneider & Kris Schneider ’04, girl, Adeline, May ’15

Michelle Crea Tapley & Brian Tapley, girl, 2007

Bethany Rosentreter Daniel & Brandon Daniel, boy, Connor, May ’15

Meghan Harris Kofoed & Alex Kofoed ’07, boy, Harrison, March ’15

Erin Fogle Lauer & Ben Lauer ’07, girl, Abigail, June ’15

Mikaela, Jan. ’15

Jessica Henry Esty & Brian Esty, boy, Henry, June ’15

Welcome HOME!

Jennifer Mike Rhein & Jacob Rhein, boy, Micah, June ’15 Jessica Dobmeier Moser & Adam Moser, girl, Nora, July ’15 Sonya Kamen Gaydos & Andrew Gaydos ’09, girl, Eleanor, July ’15 Sara Engelbrekt Thompson & Tim 2010

Thompson ’08, boy, Teddy, March ’15

Andrea Millerbernd Huschle & Jason Huschle, boy, Hudson, April ’15 Erin Moore Smith & Matteson Smith ’10, boy, Finley, Nov. ’14 Elena Noel-Utz & Josh Utz, girl, Jaelyn, 2011 May ’14

“We’ve been living and teaching abroad for the past nine years and George and Lucy have had experiences that really were influencing a desire to look at colleges in other parts of the U.S. as well as Europe and beyond. But the sense of community, welcoming, integrity and care about the student was so evident from everyone they encountered at CSB/SJU. They played out the process, but we think the choice to come here was clear early on for them.”

– Steve Dornbach ’90 Pictured: George Dornbach ’18, Amy LaPatka Dornbach ’92, Lucy Dornbach ’19 and Steve Dornbach ’90

Check out all the legacy families in the CSB/SJU class of 2019 at www.csbsju.edu/legacy.

Got a high school student in your life who would make a great addition to our community?

Let us know at spreadred.com.

Fall 2015 | 31

CLASS NOTES 2011

FRIENDLY FACES & PLACES ARE ONLY

A CLICK AWAY

’11

MELANIE MIESEN GRIFFITH & TROY GRIFFITH, GIRL, CALLEIGH, APRIL ’15 Alex Brinkman Truong & Long 2012

Truong ’12, girl, Marie, Dec. ’15

Karley Metzger Mejia & Mario Mejia, girl, Evelyn, June ’14

Like our page and find the latest news, information and photos from Saint Ben’s.

DEATHS 1941 Julia Breidenbach, April ’15 1943 Isabelle Letourneau Suthard, April ’14 Arthur Borer, spouse of Jane Neaton 1950 Borer, May ’15

1951 1953 1955 1956

FACEBOOK.COM/SAINTBENSALUMS

Elaine Scholz Bresnahan, July ’15 Danile Knight, OSB, July ’15 Colleen Carr Olson, April ’15 Carol Boklep Maiers, May ’15

Roselyn Schmitt, May ’15

1958 1966

Rosemary Boyle Petters, Jan. ’15 Kathleen Zimmerman Winkel, June ’15

Robert Welle (SJU ’48), father of Karen Welle Belmont and Margaret Welle Sitzer ’76, July ’15

1969 Audrey Lefebvre Pitts, Dec. ’ 13 Margaret Huls, mother of Rita Huls 1971 Kostreba, April ’15

Gary Myrick, spouse of Marge Gust 1972 Myrick, July ’15

Rosemary Soukup, mother of Barb Soukup 1973 Stalley, May ’15

Kenneth Gustafson, spouse of Mary Lou 1976 Humphrey Gustafson, Jan. ’15

Barbara Kutzke Feterl, April ’15

1977 Edward Tuohy (SJU ’69), brother of Jeanne Tuohy Klabunde, June ’15

Jan Salzer, July ’15

Jane Raveling-Thies, July ’15

Marian Melgard, mother of Jacqueline 1978 Melgard, Aug. ’15

Elmer Reber, father of Mary Reber 1979 Generous, June ’15

32 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! Who’s got more than 21,000 friends willing to offer advice, lend a helping hand and keep them up-to-date on their beloved college home? You! That’s who. Your Saint Ben’s connections never have to fade away — keep them growing strong and find us online today!

www.facebook.com/SaintBensAlums

Search “CSB/SJU Alums” group

www.csbalum.csbsju.edu or email csbalumnae@csbsju.edu

CLASS NOTES Joy Daly, mother of Jeanne Daly McIntee, 1980

Ronald and Gaye Maertens, parents of 1986

Roger Halverson, father of Kerrie Halvorson 1996

Michael Tierney, spouse of Sue Kelly Tierney, June ’15

Robert Kneefe, father of Colleen Kneefe 1988

Norman Atkins, father of Leslie Atkins 1997

Donald Bruggeman, father of Rebecca 1981

Dolores Kalb, mother of Barbara Kalb Hasper, April ’15

Jean Kiernan, mother of Monica Kiernan 1998

1982 Evelyn Gross, mother of Elizabeth Gross, April ’15

Dale Nielsen, father of Christi Nielsen Pellegrene, Feb. ’15

Carleton Helseth, father of Kristin Helseth, Jan. ’15

Joanne Wurtz, mother of Colette Wurtz 1983

Mary Ellen Rettler, mother of Christine Rettler Page, July ’15

Lynn Flynn, mother of Meghan Flynn 2000

May ’15

Bruggeman Harkman, Aug. ’15

Bresnahan & Anne Wurtz Parks ’85, May ’15

Roger Schnobrich, father of Julie Schnobrich Johnson, Jennifer Schnobrich Holmers ’85, Kathryn Schnobrich Kubinski ’86 & Karen Schnobrich Holetz ’89, May ’15

Cathy Maertens, July ’14 Orton, April ’15

1989

L awrence Imdieke, father of Laura Imdieke & Lila Imdieke Smith ’93, May ’15

John Rosenberger, father of Judy Rosenberger Schwob, May ’15 Thomas Tierney, father of Christine Tierney Meyer, May ’15

Milton and Adeline “Bunny” Zenk, father and mother of Debbie Zenk Swanson, July ’14 and Nov. ’14

Madeline Villalta, mother of Patricia Villalta 1990

1985 Richard Langlais (SJU ’49), father of

Ron Thelen, father of Doreen Thelen Runquist, May ’15

Alice Lenhardt, mother of Beth Lenhardt Finch, May ’15

Robert Felland, father of Lisa Felland 1994

Jerome Merkel, Sr., father of Lil Merkel Jungels & Tanya Merkel Rice ’94, July ’15

Robert Magaard, father of Kathy Magaard 1995

Catherine Langlais Rahimi, May ’15

Samayoa, May ’15

Sachs, April ’15

Marsh, May ’15

Laughlin & Kate Flynn Benscoter ’03, April ’15

Linda MacDonald, mother of Angie 2003 MacDonald Marsh, May ’15

2005 Ben Boerner, father of Rachel Boerner, June ’15

Schwob, May ’15

Evans, Sept. ’12

Morin, May ’11

Diana Messina, June ’15

Who’s your

BENNIE

FICIARY?

When you make a gift through your estate like Roselyn Schmitt ’56 (p. 37), you leave

Contact Chad Marolf, senior director of

a lasting impact that goes on and on. With your support and our Benedictine values and

major gifts, at cmarolf@csbsju.edu or

academic excellence, we can continue changing the lives of young women for generations.

320-363-5402 for more information.

Fall 2015 | 33

BENNIE CONNECTION

1 1.

J en Deglmann ’14, Sara Wartman Dooley ’98, Libby Dooley Hankey ’98, Angela Rodgers Hickman ’10 and Anne Sumangil ’99 attended an alumnae/i brunch at Benilde-St. Margaret High School in St. Louis Park, Minn. in May ’15.

3

2. Cheers to our 180 awesome Young Alumnae President’s Circle members in FY15. Picture here are (L-R): Jenna Weber ’15, Andria Driscoll ’14, Kathy Larrea ’14 and Cristina Pollock ’14 having fun at the YAPC end-of-year dinner celebration on June 3, 2015, at Rojo Mexican Grill in St. Louis Park, Minn.

3.

S aint Ben’s alumnae and friends in Chicago enjoyed an evening with President Mary Dana Hinton on April 24, 2015, at the Union League Club of Chicago.

4.

I n August, JoBeth Ranfranz ’80 hosted a CSB/SJU choir alum get-together which included rehearsal and a performance at Saturday evening Mass at Holy Name of Jesus church in Wayzata, Minn., followed by dinner at her place. She was joined by long-time friends and fresh new voices. First Row: JoBeth Pike-Ranfranz ’80, Jill Warner ’80, Jodie Erickson-Keefe ’81, Laurie Milner Menke ’81, Katie Renier ’13, Peggy Renier ’18.

Second Row: Becky Borrell ’81, Colleen Dean Lovinello ’81, Andy Case ’01, Sharon Cogley Paulson ’82. Third Row: Drew Jansen ’83, Zachary Gibbs ’17, Carol Diethelm ’81, Dr. Axel Theimer, Andy Renier ’18.

2 34 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

4

5

BENNIE CONNECTION

6

7 9 8

5.

T his group of CSB/SJU alums and friends bravely led the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the Seventh Inning Stretch at the June 17 Twins game at Target Field.

6.

J ennifer Stevenson ’12 and Sarah Berkowitz ’12 catch up during the Young Alum Community (YAC) social before the annual YAC Night at the Twins event on July 31.

7. Members of the class of 1972 meet on a regular basis in the Minneapolis area for a Bennie book club. Pictured here are those who attended the group in July ’15 at Psycho Suzi’s. (L-R): Margaret Francis, Colleen McGeary Larson with granddaughter Wendy, Shannon Shaughnessy, Mary Pat Huber, Jeanne Pyzdrowski Fraune and Linda Mohs Foster.

8.

A group of 1978 Bennies gathered to share Bennie memories in May ’15. (L-R) Barb Baker, Roseanne Strobel Buckley, Marcia Speedling Carlson, Lisa Wersal and Kathy Baker Lauer.

9.

Rose Blesner ’72 and Louise Muggli ’64 had known each other for years before discovering that they shared a Bennie connection at the CSB/SJU Summertime by George reception on July 22 in St. Cloud.

Fall 2015 | 35

Making a recurring gift shouldn’t have to be.

Keeping our annual giving program strong is a big deal.

This critical program supports scholarships, which make it possible for the next generation of Bennies to change the world.

No one knows that better than our Saint Ben’s Sustainers.

Our Sustainers understand the need for steady streams of income that keep our annual giving program strong.

They provide the security of reliable support through recurring gifts. This allows us to plan more effectively, administer the fund more efficiently and, ultimately, impact the lives of more students.

36 | College of Saint Benedict Magazine

Becoming a Saint Ben’s Sustainer and making a recurring gift is more convenient than ever.

Simply choose the frequency (monthly, quarterly or annually) and the vehicle (electronic funds transfer or credit card). When you do, you’ll join an elite group of stewards that give us a stronger foundation to build tomorrow’s dreams on. That’s certainly a big deal.

BECOME A SAINT BEN’S SUSTAINER. Learn more and enroll at givecsb.com.

GENEROSITY

The Enduring Search BY | GREG SKOOG (SJU ’89)

Philosophy could justifiably be defined as the search for enduring truths. As a professor of philosophy at CSB/SJU, Dr. Roselyn (Rosie) Schmitt ’56 spent decades training students to take part in that search.

Fortunately, she found an enduring way to continue, long after she’s gone.

Rosie named the College of Saint Benedict as a beneficiary of her retirement account. So when she passed away a few months ago, she was able to create the Barbara & Joseph Schmitt (in honor of her parents) Merit Scholarship Fund, providing help for deserving Bennies studying philosophy.

“She believed in the importance of taking seriously the intellect of young women and helping them cultivate the life of the mind,” explains her close friend and colleague in the Philosophy Department, Dr. Jean Keller. With this endowed scholarship, she will continue to cultivate the minds of Saint Ben’s students.

“She was passionate about a number of causes,” Jean recalls. Most notably, she was a committed peace activist as part of Benedictines for Peace and Pax Christi in the 1980s.

“She definitely was committed to working for peace and working on issues of peace,” says S. Merle Nolde ’49, who served with Rosie in Pax Christi. S. Merle most remembers her as the frequent spokesperson providing the group’s feedback to “The Challenge of Peace” — a much-discussed pastoral by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the early ’80s.

Rosie’s cousin Karol Schreifels remembers her generosity. “She consistently and faithfully gave to a lot of socially conscious causes throughout her life. She was kind of a nun without being a nun,” smiles Karol. “She lived very frugally and was able to save a lot of money and give to a lot of great causes.”

Actually, for many years, Roselyn was a Sister of the Order of Saint Benedict. From 1956 till 1989, she was S. Rosina Schmitt.

After earning her bachelor’s degree at CSB, “She taught a fair bit of elementary school for a number of years,” recalls Karol.

“Eventually the prioress determined that the college needed a philosophy professor and she was sent off to grad school.”

“She was almost sure they were going to send her away to study French and become a French professor,” adds Jean. “But for some reason the decision was changed at the last minute and Rosie went into philosophy.”

She believed in the importance of taking seriously the intellect of young women and helping them cultivate the life of the mind.”

Rosie was beloved as a professor. (She was honored as the faculty speaker at the convocation ceremony in 1997.) “Her priority as a teacher was to get students to think like philosophers, rather than to start out reading the key works of the great philosophers,” explains Jean. “There wasn’t universal agreement on that strategy, but it was just very important to her to meet students where they were at and teach them the skills to become philosophers.”

Now the scholarship she’s created will let Saint Ben’s continue to meet students where they’re at — financially as well as intellectually.

COLLEGES

EDUCATION

DON’T JUST TAKE WORD FOR IT! Fiske includes 44 schools on their 2015 Best Buys list.

CSB/SJU is the only one in Minnesota.

U.S. NEWS NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE RANKINGS SJU is ranked #79 on the 2016 list, with CSB close by at #90.

MONEY MAGAZINE’S TOP U.S. COLLEGES FOR 2015-16 CSB and SJU were both listed among the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the nation.

PRINCETON REVIEW’S COLLEGES THAT PAY YOU BACK CSB and SJU were both included in this list of 200, based on a unique “Return on Education” formula that measures 40 factors including academics, cost, financial aid, student debt, graduation rates, alumnae/i salaries, job satisfaction and more.

It was a good decision. “I would say, intellectually and socially, the highlight of her life was her time at St. Louis [University],” says Jean.

“She felt respected as a scholar by the friends and associates she made there, and she had so much fun with the Jesuits.”

OPERATING EFFICIENTLY In analysis of their 2015 rankings, U.S. News compared spending to educational quality and ranked CSB #2 among national liberal arts colleges.

TOP 15 CATHOLIC COLLEGES USA Today recently cited CSB as #8 on the list of best Catholic colleges and universities in the country as ranked by College Factual. SJU ranked #14.

TWO TRUMANS CSB / SJU produced Truman Scholars in back-to-back years (2013 and 2014); more than any institution in Minnesota.

In 1978 she earned her Ph.D. and began teaching at Saint Ben’s and did so until her retirement in 2006. “She belonged to Saint Ben’s — heart, mind and soul,” says Karol. “At some point she felt she needed to leave the Order, but she never left the community.”

TOP FULBRIGHT PRODUCER With 17 students receiving Fulbright Scholarships in the last three years, CSB/SJU were ranked in the very elite company of some of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Faculty from both CSB and SJU work diligently to mentor students for these opportunities.

Find out more of what folks are saying about us at

WWW.CSBSJUBRAG.COM THEY’D LOOK GOOD IN RED Know some prospective students who you think would make great additions to our campuses? Let us know a little bit about them at the link below and we’d be happy to give them each a free t-shirt!

www.spreadred.com If you’d be interested in learning about making a gift through your estate, please contact Chad Marolf, senior director of major gifts, at 320-363-5402.

Fall 2015 | 37

/twocolleges

@CSBSJU #twocolleges

@CSBSJU

@CSBSJU

SPREAD RED

Non-Profit Organization

CSB and SJU have life-changing opportunities to offer exceptional young women and men. But we can’t offer them if we can’t find them! So help us out. Tear out this sheet. Post it on the fridge. Put it in your purse. Pull it out when you’re talking with the students in your life. Now you’ll never have to pause when someone asks, “What’s so great about Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s?”

U.S. Postage PAID College of Saint Benedict

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT 37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

NUMBERS

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE More than

95%

of students receive assistance

AVERAGE NEED-BASED AWARD IS

$

31,100

Merit scholarships, from $1,000 to $22,000 a year, are based on academic, leadership, artistic and service abilities.

ENROLLMENT & RETENTION FACTS

BY

1ST-YEAR ENROLLMENT

992

3,809 undergrad enrollment

88%

88%

CSB

SJU

Freshmen who return for their sophomore year

GRADUATION RATE graduates earn 90% ofa degree within 4 yrs.

INTERNATIONAL STUDY We offer semester-long international study programs to Australia, Austria, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece/Italy, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom. Over 500 students study around the world each year. 56% of all CSB/ SJU students study internationally. CSB/SJU rank at the top nationally in mid-length study abroad programs.

36

MULTICULTURAL / INTERNATIONAL FACTS • Number of countries represented 27 • Number of international students 192 • American students of color 14% • International percentage 5%

APPLICATION FACTS High school GPA 3.35-3.90

ACT / SAT composite 23-28 / 1590-1880

PART-TIME

> 60

FACULTY

Areas of Study • Semester schedule • Core curriculum • Bachelor of Arts Majors • Bachelor of Science in Nursing

FULL-TIME

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

300

52

90% of full-time faculty have the highest degree in their field, and 100% of classes are taught by faculty members.

CLASS INFO Student / Faculty Ratio

12

to

Average Class Size

1

19

Reunion

2016

June 24-26

Class years ending in 1 or 6

Can’t wait to see you on campus next summer!

Save the date and start spreading the word now. There’s tons in store for you and your classmates — Bennies and Johnnies. Watch for more details.