McCarthy Magazine | Spring 2023

McCARTHY

Serving the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University

The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement

Issue #9 Spring 2023

Table of Contents:

Director’s Note

Welcome to the Spring 2023 McCarthy Center Magazine! Wow, is the semester really almost over? According to the calendar day it is, but it is also supposed to be spring too and snow currently still on the ground in late April. Even with the variety of weather-related cancellations we had this semester, it was a wonderfully enriching and fruitful second half of the year.

Victoria and I were assisted by an exceptionally strong group of students who helped the McCarthy Center with a very busy semester. We hosted numerous campus and online events, supported student and faculty participation at national and international academic conferences, organized student study tours and networking opportunities, and provided

leadership development pathways through our mentor program, John Brandl Scholars internship funding, and through the leadership of Dr. Ted Gordon with the Initiative for Native Nation Relations and affiliated partners.

We are grateful for the CSB+SJU community and greatly appreciate the support we receive from so many on and off campus. We welcome your involvement and all your ideas. Thank you!

Dr. Matt Lindstrom Eugene J. McCarthy Center Director McCarthy

Lobbyists, Law, and Politics: Voices from Alums

Written by: Director, Dr. Matt Lindstrom

When hearing the word, lobbyist, many of us conjure up nefarious images of corruption and greedy “fat cats.” We don’t necessarily think about the Constitutional rights we have to advocate and speak for (and against) just about everything imaginable. The term, lobbyist, was originally used to define those waiting in the lobbies of the British Commons to influence legislation when the members walked by. While the methods have evolved, lobbying is an important, yet often maligned, part of democracies.

To understand the roles of lobbyists today, the McCarthy Center collaborated with Gene Ranieri ‘69 to put together a panel discussion of lobbyists and CSB+SJU graduates to discuss their careers as lobbyists and their work during the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session.

Ranieri, recently retired Director of Government Relations for the City of Minneapolis, was joined by Anne Finn ‘94, Intergovernmental Relations Director for the League of Minnesota Cities; Tom Freeman ‘08, Principal at Faegre Drinker Consulting; Stephanie Pinkalla ‘14, Government Relations Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota- North DakotaSouth Dakota; and Pierre Willette ‘87, former lobbyist

for the City of Minneapolis and now at the private firm Goff Howard.

Each panelist described the nature of their work and their pathways as professional advocates. The panel members discussed the range of clients they represent including unions, companies, cities, as well as broader themes such as environment, health, and immigration. While each panelist represents diverse interests, they all emphasized the importance of consistent, reliable, and honest communication. Panelists explained that their word and the trust they develop with clients and legislators is the most foundational aspect of their professions. Facts and figures are important in policy debates, but without trust and strong relationships they only go so far.

There is a long tradition of civic engagement among CSB+SJU students and graduates. This panel brought together multiple generations of people interested in learning about the democratic process of lobbying and the wide range of career opportunities within government relations. While the lobbies and lobbyists look different from the 17th Century, this panel captured the continued importance of advocacy and democratic free speech.

Denis McDonough Joins

Bennies and Johnnies to Discuss his New Role

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23

Virtual communication – one of the few silver linings of the COVID pandemic – has allowed Bennies and Johnnies to tap into alumni connections in new, creative ways. Earlier this Spring, Denis McDonough joined a zoom call to discuss his time at CSB+SJU, his career path and his role as Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Denis McDonough is the Secretary of VA. McDonough’s was nominated by President Biden to his current position and confirmed by the United States Senate on February 8th, 2021. He was sworn in the following day as the 11th Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

During his confirmation hearing, Secretary McDonough testified to Congress, “I will work tirelessly to build and restore VA’s trust as the premier agency for ensuring the well-being of America’s Veterans. After all, there is no more sacred obligation nor noble undertaking than to uphold our promises to our Veterans, whether they came home decades ago or days ago.” Prior to his current role, McDonough served in the Obama administration as chief of staff at the National Security Council from 2009 to 2010, as Deputy National Security Advisor from 2010 to 2013 and White House chief of staff for the full second term of President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017.

During brief introductory remarks, McDonough first recalled his time at CSB+SJU. He spoke to the role of the communities in providing a space for learning, character development and co-curricular leadership. To illustrate this experience, McDonough recalled using a flashlight to read one of his favorite books on a ride back from a Johnnie football game.

Later, McDonough opened the conversation to his role

as the Secretary of the VA. McDonough claimed there is no department which enjoys more bipartisan legislation than the VA – which he greatly appreciates. In addition, McDonough spoke to metrics assessing VA’s foremost priority: the health of each patient, race disparities in medicine and gender disparities in medicine.

Lastly, the conversation opened for a student question and answer period. Bennies and Johnnies asked McDonough about his role as Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama, how to overcome perceptions at the VA and what impacts the Pact Act have on his work.

The McCarthy Center thanks McDonough for his time and inspiring message to CSB+SJU students.

Ted Talk Thursday: The Future of Affirmative Action

Written by: Meghan Weiss ‘26

On Thursday March 23, 2023, The McCarthy Center organized it’s first Ted Talk Thursday on Affirmative Action. We watched Michelle Tlaseca Verede’s “Why We Need Affirmative Action” then discussed with Political Science professor Dr. Phil Kronebush ‘81 in context with current supreme court cases. Following the Ted Talk and Dr. Kronebush’s presentation, students were engaged in group discussion about affirmative action within our diverse student body at CSB+SJU and how affirmative action has impacted their lives. There were many opinions on affirmative actions, and it was great to hear them to start healthy conversation. Some student comments about the events were:

“The event was cool and informative, I never thought of affirmative action in that way.” - Mac Rohlk ‘26

“I knew about affirmative action before coming to the event, and in Dr. Kronebush’s presentation it was interesting to see more cases that related to affirmative action and to hear his thoughts on the cases and affirmative action.” - Zoey Coval

‘26

The Ted Talk was a fun, short event that provided a good experience for students. It was a helpful event for those who were informed on affirmative action and looking to gain more knowledge, and it was helpful for those who were hearing about affirmative action for the first time. Sometimes starting the conversation is all that is needed to spark up ideas, passion, or change. with events like this, we can continue to start the conversation to make a difference at CSB+SJU.

McCarthy Trivia

Written by: Landon Peterson ‘24

As a fun way to engage with students during Black History Month and Women’s History, the McCarthy Center turned to trivia in The Record, CSB+SJU’s student newspaper. For the second year in a row during Black History Month and for the firsttime during Women’s History Month, students could flip open The Record and find a trivia question, with four possible answers. Individuals who submitted the correct answer to the McCarthy Center email were entered into a drawing for a gift card to Krewe, St. Joe’s first Black-owned restaurant serving New Orleans cuisine, for Black History Month and Bruno Press, a women-owned letterpress printshop, for Women’s History Month.

Think you’ve got what it takes to answer the trivia questions correctly? Test yourself below!

Black History Trivia

1. Florence Price was the first African American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra. What year did her piece debuted?

A) 1933 C) 1967

B) 1900 D) 1945

2. During the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1895, there were 15 jockeys riding, how many were black?

A) 17 C) 13

B) 1 D) 6

3. What state was the first to elect a Black governor?

A) New York C) Minnesota

B) Illinois D) Virginia

4. Who was the first African American to win an EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony)?

A) Quincy Jones C) Viola Davis

B) Whoopi Goldberg D) John Legend

Women’s History Trivia

1. Which state was the first to grant women the right to vote?

A) Alabama C) Minnesota

B) New York D) Wyoming

2. Although it was unofficial because the race only allowed to be ran by men, Bobbi Gibb became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. When she completed this feat in 1966, what was the longest sanctioned race that women were allowed to participate in?

A) 1 mile C) 3.5 miles

B) 10 miles D) 1.5 miles

3. Who became the first woman vice-president candidate on a major political party ticket when selected in 1984?

A) Sandra Day O’Conner

B) Geraldine Ferraro

C) Dianne Feinstein

D) Carolyn B. Shelton

Day at the MN Capitol

Written by: Landon Peterson ‘24

This year, March 1st marked the in-person return of “Minnesota Private Colleges Day at the Capitol” for students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Hosted and led by the Minnesota Private College Council, CSB+SJU students attended an advocacy seminar and got the opportunity to meet with legislators alongside students from Augsburg University, Bethel University, the College of St. Scholastica, Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas.

As someone who attended, I am incredibly thankful to be able to participate in such an immersive experience, and to the Minnesota Private College Council for guiding us through the day. Advocating for an issue on a college campus, via social media, or in our hometowns is drastically different than advocating at the Captiol –particularly when you’re sitting across from a legislator. The advocacy seminar equipped each student with

the lingo and materials necessary to talk to legislators, and then students were given free reign of the Capitol complex, with the ability to sit in on committee hearings, watch general session, or simply explore.

The highlight of my day was meeting with Rep. Mike Howard (51A). Both myself and a student from the College of St. Scholastica thanked him for supporting the Minnesota State Grant program, of which two in five college students in Minnesota receive. As residents of his district, it was fun to talk with him about our paths to college and what we planned to do postgraduation.

In addition to Minnesota Private College Council’s schedule of events, the McCarthy Center hosted alumni/ae working in and around the Capitol for a reception. Current students were able to make connections with graduates working in the public policy sphere, and ask them questions about their careers. The McCarthy Center is grateful for the generosity of SJU alumni Vic Moore ‘72 in organizing the reception.

Minneapolis Study Tour: Law, Economic, & Politics

Written by: Kate Fenske ‘23

On Friday, April 27, bright and early at 7:15 a.m., the McCarthy Center took ten students to downtown Minneapolis for a day long study tour.

The first stop was the Hennepin County Government Center to meet with Jacqueline Perez ‘15 and her coworker. Both serve as prosecutors for the county, aiming to bridge the gap between police, judges, and crime victims. Accompanied by donuts, both women talked about their unique educational and professional background and focused specifically on authenticity within their profession, particularly as women in the field. Additionally, they talked heavily on how their work changed after the murder of George Floyd and during the trial of Derek Chauvin.

‘92, general counseland corporate secretary; and several other employees’ part of the Fed’s young employee association. After lunch, we were taken on a tour of the building to learn the history of the Federal Reserve system and got the opportunity to see the money vaults.

Next, we went back downtown to the IDS tower, taking a brief stop at the Minneapolis Business Partnership office. Meeting with Amy Walstien ‘00, senior policy director; and Charlie Weaver, executive director. Students had the chance to discuss the intricacies of current public policy issues in the state, including paid family leave and the legalization of marijuana, and how large businesses in the state view the issues.

Lastly, the group made its way to a Minnesota staple – the Target Cooperation headquarters. The space was filled with modern, sleek workspaces for collaboration and meetings, and, of course, lots of Target products. Katie Boylan ‘99, chief communications officer, and Breanna Schafer ‘04, senior director of government affairs, sat down with us to talk about their backgrounds, positions, and how they incorporate the recognizable Target brand into their work. To end the day, we were taken on a tour of the headquarters, which was noticeably empty on a Friday afternoon after they transitioned to a hybrid work schedule.

After a coffee stop and navigating the skyways and the rainy downtown streets, the group made their way to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Representing all of the ninth financial district, it is the home office for all of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of Michigan and Wisconsin.

While there, we had the opportunity to eat lunch while overlooking the Mississippi river, accompanied by Steven Powell ‘10, senior counsel; Amy Kramer Brenengen ‘91, Assistant VP of HR; LuAnne Pederson

Overall, the day was filled with lots of networking, learning and advice from alumni and other professionals. The tour had students from several different majors – everything from theology and communications to business and political science. The day allowed every student to meet with professionals with shared interests and every individual seemed to see a benefit from the experience.

Polidazzle

The 16th Annual Polidazzle

Written by: Landon Peterson ‘24

This year, current CSB+SJU students, alums, and friends of the McCarthy Center gathered in the West Wing Room at the Campus Club of the University of Minnesota for one of the Center’s best traditions: Polidazzle.

The event, which is traditionally held in the wintertime, was pushed back this year due to a number of factors –but the delay didn’t impact the value people took out of it.

Polidazzle, a portmanteau (a word formed by the combination of other words) of Holidazzle and politics, gives students a chance to meet and mingle with alums who are active in civic and political life while alums get the chance to meet and connect with the next group of talented, ambitious Bennies and Johnnies.

This year, Richard Carlbom ‘04, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, answered questions from current students Zoey Coval ‘26, Jacob Gathje ‘24, and Ilan White ‘26

about all things politics, public policy, and the current legislative session. Student Coordinator Meghan Weiss ‘26 gave the introduction.

Carlbom has had an active role in Minnesota politics, having served as the mayor of St. Joseph from 2005 to 2007, led political campaigns for politicians like Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips, and most notably, served as the campaign manager of Minnesotans United for All Families, where he led the campaign to defeat a proposed amendment to the Minnesota constitution that would ban same-sex marriage and also orchestrated the passage of a bill in the Minnesota legislature that brought the freedom to marry to Minnesota.

“Polidazzle continues to be one of our most impactful events of the year, and for good reason. It was great to see Bennies and Johnnies of all ages and backgrounds connecting around civic engagement, and I’m especially thankful to Richard and our student panelists for their contributions,” said Dr. Matt Lindstrom, McCarthy Center Director.

Polidazzle looks to return to the traditional early December time for the 2023-24 school year.

Mentor Program

Written by: Kate Fenske ‘23

“Through informational interviews, job shadowing, resume and cover letter critiques, and career discussions, students will gain a greater awareness of the avenues for success in political, personal, and professional life.” This sentence comes directly from description of the mentor program that students see when they are signing up. This semester, the program certainly met expectations.

Participating students started the semester with a checkin meeting, where they shared how their mentorship had been going thus far. Many of the participants reflected on how positive of an experience it had been for them and the connections they had been able to make outside of CSB+SJU.

In February, facilitated through Director Matt Lindstrom’s Public Policy class, participants were able to participate in a Zoom panel discussion and Q&A with Gene Raneri, Anne Finn, Tom Freeman, Stephanie

Pinkalla, and Pierre Willette.

Next, the mentor program promoted two opportunities for students to connect with their legislators and alumni working at the state Capitol, one through the annual Day at the Capitol to advocate for private college funding, and the other in partnership with the CSB+SJU College Democrats. Throughout both days, students had the chance to learn advocacy skills and learn more about policymaking in the state.

Finally, in partnership with Experience and Professional Development (XPD), mentees were given an opportunity to have their resume and LinkedIn profiles critiqued and learn networking basics in preparation for Polidazzle.

The mentor program was created in demand for a concrete way for current Bennies and Johnnies to connect with the fames “Bennie Johnnie network.” Throughout its years, it certainly has met that goal, and this semester was no different.

Joseph P. Farry Professorship, INNR, and first Elder-in-Residence

Written by: Dr. Ted Gordon

This Spring, the Initiative for Native Nation Relations hosted our first Elder-in-Residence, White Earth elder Joe LaGarde. Mr. LaGarde is a longtime veteran of Indigenous activism. Born and raised on the White Earth Reservation, Mr. LaGarde’s life of activism began when he joined the American Indian Movement shortly after he returned from his military service in the Vietnam War. In 1977, he co-founded the Circle of Life Academy, a tribally-led K-12 school devoted to bringing Ojibwe identity and values to future generations. In 1996, he helped expose and oust Darrel Wadena Sr., a tribal chair who was later found guilty of corruption. Mr. LaGarde is also the founder and Executive Director of the Niibi Center for the Rights of Nature, which focuses on language revitalization, water protection, historical trauma healing, and supporting the traditional leadership roles of Anishinaabe women.

INNR’s connections with Mr. LaGarde go back to our inception in Summer 2021. As part of a delegation of White Earth representatives, he came to St. Ben’s and St. John’s for a discussion of boarding school truth and healing. Since then, INNR partnered with the Niibi Center on our McKnight Foundation grant to collect boarding school oral histories. Under Mr. LaGarde’s leadership, the Niibi Center hosted CSB and SJU students for boarding school healing forums this past August, September, and March. His time as our Elderin-Residency led to conversations that strengthen our collaboration for years to come.

A highlight of Mr. LaGarde’s visit was his participation in “Through Generations: The History of Boarding Schools and the Important Journey Toward Healing”, a panel co-organized by the Initiative for Native Nation Relations and the Indigenous Students Association.

Other panelists included Jaime Arsenault, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the White Earth Nation and Olivia Janis, a White Earth-based mental health counselor specializing in historical trauma. SJU Senior and Indigenous Students Association President Moses Wiseman facilitated the panel, sharing the ways he’s witnessed the impacts of boarding schools and asking poignant questions to each panelist about the ways their work promotes healing. The event was recorded and can be found in the events page under Initiative for Native Nation Relations on the McCarthy Center’s website.

As an elder-in-residence, the true value of Mr. LaGarde’s time at CSB and SJU came not from his participation in a panel, but from all of the casual and impromptu connections he made with our students. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students joined him for meals, walks along Lake Sagatagan, and visits to St. John’s archival and artifact collections. While visiting these collections, Mr. LaGarde share invaluable personal insights, helping us understand how the materials in our possession, which are being processed for repatriation, can help him and his community better understand their past.

He finished his residency by speaking to Dr. Ted Gordon and Dr. Emily Heying’s co-taught Native Food

Sovereignty course. He shared how he’s seen White Earth’s access to traditional foods change over the course of his lifetime and its impact on the community’s health. He told us about how diabetes was once rare but became common place as White Earth’s access to healthy lakes for fishing and wild rice gathering gave way to processed commodity foods. As he shared his experiences, students made connections with themes discussed throughout the semester and asked questions about how they can help. In response, Mr. LaGarde drove home that healing from historical trauma, reclaiming Ojibwe language and culture, and protecting Indigenous food traditions are all equally needed to improve well being at White Earth. It was a powerful conclusion to his residency.

With the success of our first Elder-In-Residence program, INNR looks forward to continuing this new

tradition annually, bringing Native Nation elders to our campuses to share their wisdom. Mr. LaGarde’s visit was one of many events during a busy Spring Semester for INNR. This Spring also saw the first presentation of INNR’s research internationally (at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute), a new partnership with St. Cloud State University for our Indigenous Graduate Honoring, continued progress toward archive and artifact repatriation as well as several well-attended events featuring Indigenous speakers. Please look out for the Summer 2023 INNR Newsletter for a fuller discussion of our Spring activities. INNR Newsletters can be viewed on the McCarthy Center website, or you can sign up for our mailing list by emailing Ted Gordon at TGordon@csbsju.edu.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison visits

CSB+SJU

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23

“Let’s do next month!” said Keith Ellison, the 30th Attorney General of Minnesota.

After appearing on Twin Cities PBS Almanac and greeting Dr. Louis Johnston, professor of economics at CSB+SJU, Ellison expressed his interest in engaging with Bennies and Johnnies. Ellison had not been to Collegeville or St. Joseph recently and Johnston jumped at the opportunity to host him for a policy discussion.

After a meet and greet in the Multicultural Center and dinner with students, Ellison received an introduction from Sydney Walker ’23.

As Walker described, Ellison is a “public servant through and through.” Prior to his election to attorney general of Minnesota, Ellison served as the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s fifth congressional district, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2018 and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives serving House district 58B from 2003 to 2007.

While in Congress, Ellison was the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first African American representative from Minnesota. As attorney general, Ellison was in charge of the prosecution of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.

Following his introduction, Ellison delivered brief remarks to start the evening’s program. He detailed his career in public service, the role of the attorney general and his current priorities. Central to this conversation was the current “trifecta” of Democratic Farmer Labor control of the Minnesota House, Senate and

Governor’s Offices.

In conversation with Johnston, Ellison informed the audience of both his role and the state’s role in President Biden’s reform of the student-loan repayment system and the planned merger between Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health.

Ellison explained the differences between federal and state policy, policy implementation at the state level and how he plans to advocate for Minnesotan families.

Audience members then engaged with the Ellison, asking questions regarding the Biden administration approving the Willow Project in Alaska, the state legislature’s passage of “Drivers Licenses for All” bill and youth Engagement in politics.

Ellison concluded the conversation with a hopeful message, “The youth are our future, the youth are our strength.”

The McCarthy Center thanks Ellison, Johnston, Walker, Multicultural Student Services, Dining Services, CSB+SJU students and members of the St. Joseph community for making the event a success.

Geometry of a Leader Retreat

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23

The Summer Leadership Fellows (SLF) program provides Bennies and Johnnies opportunities to engage in 10-week summer internships with non-profit and government organizations. This year, students will receive $7,000, representing the John Brandl Scholars, Fleischhacker Fellows, Marie & Robert Jackson Fellows and Global Health Fellows.

Internships are the main feature of the SLF program. However, before, during and after engagement with sites, students conduct multiple trainings with professionals.

One of this year’s opportunities was the “Geometry of a Leader” training led by Joe Cavanaugh ’81, Jane Leyden, and Dan Schwartz of Youth Frontiers. Summer Leadership Fellows, Bonner Leaders and McCarthy Center Staff were all in attendance for the evening’s programming.

The “Geometry of a Leader” or G.O.A.L. programming operated on the analogy of a triangle – the strongest

geometric shape. “Presence,” the base of the triangle, allows for both “humility” and “courage” to act in unison and create the shape, Without one side of the triangle, the shape – or leader – loses its credibility.

Through lecture style training, small group conversations, multiple forms of music and full group circles, the evening brought students closer and prepared them for a summer of growth as young professionals. One student has even landed an internship with Youth Frontiers for the summer!

Following a full group circle to praise the contributions of each participant throughout the evening, students received a card to establish their intentions for the summer.

The card read, “Today. I am present to people. I speak with humility. I acknowledge I need people. I act with courage. I trust my vision despite the cost.”

Thank you to Youth Frontiers, the Summer Leadership Fellows Program, the Bonner Leadership Program, John Brandl Scholars, Fleischhacker Fellows, Marie & Robert Jackson Fellows and Global Health Fellows for making the training a success. McCarthy

UN Climate Conference Student Presentations

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23

Each year, CSB and SJU students have the opportunity to apply, interview and enroll in the course Environmental Studies 305: Global Climate Policy. For the first three months of the semester, students research relevant environmental issues, develop research guides and prepare to conduct interviews with stakeholders at the Conference of the Parties (COP).

The United Nations describes COP as “an international climate meeting held each year by the United Nations. COP [is for] those countries who joined—are ‘party to,’ in legal terms—the international treaty called the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).”

In November of 2023, COP27 was hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Described as “the Implementation COP,” this year’s conference centered on environmental policy topics such as loss and damage, carbon pricing and the Global North-Global South divide.

To extend the impact of research at COP27, students were required to share their findings both in their local communities and on campus. A small-group lunch-andlearn sponsored by the McCarthy Center provided a space for four students to share their research findings.

First, Emmett Adam ‘23 presented his research entitled, “Climate Induced Migration at COP27: Centering Youth and Women Voices of the Global South.” Adam explained the disproportionate impact of climate induced migration on the Global South, women and young people. In addition, he detailed the importance of collaboration between policymakers to center the adaptation and resilience strategies leveraged by Global South communities to counter climate induced migration.

Next, Josh Nelson ‘23 discussed his research paper, “Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at COP27.” Through the presentation of photographs from the conference and personal stories, Nelson explained the uncertainty faced by individuals in SIDS. To ensure the vitality of culture for future generations, Nelson argues, SIDS leaders must secure adequate funding to promote resilient strategy.

Thirdly, Kate Fenske ‘23 presented her research on “Climate Change and its Effects on Public Health in the Amazon Region.” Fenske, an Integrative Science major, began explaining the background for her interest in public health, citing its interdisciplinary nature as a key draw. As the Amazon Region continues to shrink, she argues it is crucial to consider the impacts of climate change on public health.

Lastly, Landon Peterson ‘24 presented his research essay, titled, “The Impact of Climate Change on Home Insurance: Cost, Coverage, Consumer Impact and Innovation.” Though often receiving a bad reputation in the public eye, Peterson contends securing a risk pool through home insurance provides resilience against climate change. With an increase in billion-dollar extreme weather events in recent years, Peterson further argues the importance of innovative home insurance.

The McCarthy Center thanks the student presenters and Dr. Corrie Grosse for their contributions. Smaller scale events like these are crucial to the vibrance of the Center, and we cannot thank both the presented and attendees enough for their hard work!

Scholarship Opportunities

John Brandl Scholars

Written by: Asst. Director, Victoria M. Evens

Alongside the Fleischhacker Center for Ethical Leadership in Action, Global Health Fellows, and Marie & Robert Jackson Fellows, the John Brandl Scholars program is a part of the Summer Leadership Fellows program, which provides opportunities for students to engage in ten week summer internships in non-profit and government organizations.

The John Brandl Scholars program celebrates Saint John’s Alumnus John E. Brandl ‘59 and his lifelong commitment to mentorship and scholarship in higher education, public policy, and politics. The program is endowed through Dan ‘70 and Katharine Whalen’s initial gift to the McCarthy Center in 2006 to support public policy research projects.

The following high acheiving CSB+SJU students have been selected as the 2023-24 cohort of Brandl Scholars and will receive a stipend of $7,000 to support summer internships anywhere in the world: Sophia Anderson ‘24, Chiamaka Chijoke ‘24, Betty Garcia Herrera ‘25, Elizabeth Hamak ‘24, Wesley Kirchner ‘24, Evan Mattson ‘24, Jamie Ozuna ‘24, Landon Peterson ‘24, Fredi Ponce Parra ‘24, and Jose Reynoso ‘24.

John E. Robson Scholars

Written by: Asst. Director, Victoria M. Evens

The John E. Robson Scholarship for CSB Students interested in Public Policy and/or Social Change was established in 2002 by Margaret Zuehlke Robson in memory of her husband, John. John’s life was a model of personal political engagement - the cornerstone of citizenship. Having served under four Presidents of the United States and having been enmeshed in many

aspects of public policy, this scholarship serves as a legacy of John’s life’s work. This scholarship is meant to inspire students at the College of Saint Benedict to become involved in public policy in order to produce societal change.

Students eligible for this opportunity must be current College of Saint Benedict sophomores or juniors with an economics, sociology, or political science major. Selection is based on engagement in domestic or international policy issues, and participation in political activities through research, internships, jobs, volunteering, and other campus engagement. Students must display a passion and dedication to making social change.

Each year, the selection committee, made up of at least five faculty and staff members representing the economics, sociology, and political science departments, awards five to ten scholarships valuing up to $5,000 per scholarship.

For the 2023-24 academic year, ten incredible CSB students have been selected to receive the John E. Robson scholarship. We are honored to announce the following recipients of the 2022-23 John E. Robson Scholarship: Jennifer Agustin Ambrocio ‘24, Jackeline Chavez ‘25, Martha Dougherty ‘25, Rachel Erben ‘25, Janett Jimenez ‘23, Maeve Miley ‘24, Clair Moonen ‘24, Eileen Otto ‘24, Elianna Schmaltz ‘24, and Ashley Tarrolly ‘24.

If you are interested in applying for the John E. Robson Scholarship or Summer Leadership Fellows in the future, we encourage you to reach out to previous recipients for guidance on your application. More information on all scholarships and opportunities supported by the McCarthy Center can be found on our website.

McCarthy Center Staff

Apply for Student Funding through the McCarthy Center!

The McCarthy Center has funds devoted to supporting student opportunities relating to professional development, academic, or civic engagement opportunities. Student funding is available to CSB+SJU students in any major. If you are interested in applying for funding, scan this code for more information.

M. Evens

Matt Lindstrom Edward L. Henry Professor, Director

Ted Gordon Joseph P. Farry Professor

Victoria M. Evens Assistant Director

Emmett Adam ‘23 Programming Coordinator

Kate Fenske ‘23 Mentor Program Coordinator

Landon Peterson ‘24 Mentor Program, Media Coordinator

Meghan Weiss ‘26 Programming Coordinator