Director's Note

A letter from Dr. Matt Lindstrom, Edward L. Henry Professor and Director of the McCarthy Center

Welcome to the Fall 2021 issue of the McCarthy Magazine. Earlier this semester as campus sidewalks, classrooms, and dining halls were filled once again, I was recharged by the new energy around me. As I reflect on the past sixteen years, I am incredibly grateful for the McCarthy Center community. This year ’ s talented team of student coordinators is led by Victoria M. Evens, McCarthy Center Civic Fellow. She is a leader whose vision and creativity inspire those around her.

The pictures and articles in these pages reflect the vibrant spirit of our students, staff, faculty, and off-campus supporters. Our approach is one of engagement with the world around us while striving to understand the patterns connecting local, national, and global institutions and cultures. This semester, the McCarthy Center team and its partners created an impressive variety of programs and student opportunities which have furthered this core philosophy.

While the 15th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture with Senator Tina Smith did not quite go as planned, the October 14 Humphrey Theater protest generated instructive conversations about what activism can look like; these are ongoing still. Other events such as the St. Joe study tour and the 16th annual Polidazzle in Minneapolis helped connect students to each other and to the wider community of supporters. Our December study tour to New York City is another example of the Center ’ s mission to inspire, connect, and educate through experiential learning.

Our work is as important today as it was sixteen years ago. No one party, person, or place can fix the problems we, as a community, face today. This is precisely why our John Brandl Scholarship Program offers students financial support for summer non-profit and government internships worldwide. As we look forward to 2022, the McCarthy Center will continue to challenge students to dream big while also giving them the skills, knowledge, and connections to succeed.

Thank you very much for your support throughout the years. And, as always, I look forward to hearing more of your ideas and feedback in the year to come. It is an honor and a privilege to work with such a brilliant and committed team of students, staff, faculty, and supporters.

D R . M A T T L I N D S T R O M

Director