From the President

Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Ph.D., recently provost and vice president for academic affairs at St. Norbert College (WI), will become Saint Martin's 11th president and the first woman to serve in this role. Unanimously supported by the Saint Martin’s University Board of Trustees following a nationwide search, Dr. Bonds-Raacke will start on July 1.

This May I celebrated my 14th and last commencement at Saint Martin’s. The large crowd included families back in the Pavilion for the first time since 2019. This commencement signifies the last major event at Saint Martin’s for me as president as I retire this June and conclude a 43-year career in Catholic higher education. When I was a young man, I would never have envisioned this would be my career path. Truly, it was and remains a calling. I have enjoyed every minute, even the trying times that tests a person’s mettle. In my charge to the 2022 graduates, I shared this advice: keep an open mind, never say never, and let God call you to your vocation.

The progress at Saint Martin’s has been great over the past 13 plus years, due to many individuals who have stepped forth to support our mission, including many of you. While much remains to be done, Saint Martin’s is well poised to do so.

I am especially proud of the courage of our trustees to begin a comprehensive campaign, For Every Saint, during the pandemic. With the support of trustees, the Abbey, faculty, staff and alumni, the campaign has already made great strides. This summer begins its public phase. To be successful, we need every Saint, past and present, to step up: let’s bring this campaign to the finish line. Kathleen and I have made a significant gift to the campaign because we believe in the mission and the students served at Saint Martin’s. I hope you will join us too.

Thanks again to everyone for this incredible journey. Kathleen and I are excited for the leadership and vision the new incoming president, Dr. Jennifer BondsRaacke, will bring. We will remain close to Saint Martin’s and hope to see you at future events!

Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. President