Winter 2024 Saint Mary's Magazine

Fall 2023/Winter 2024

Women Who Lead

Building relationships, breaking down biases

INSIDE:

Meet alumnae who are shattering glass ceilings

CONTENTS

2 4 24 26 28 31 35 38 45

FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 FROM THE EDITOR FEATURE: WOMEN WHO LEAD FINANCIALS

ATHLETICS

BENEFACTOR DINNER

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT Gary Klein M’04 VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION Michelle Rovang EDITOR Deb Nahrgang dnahrgan@smumn.edu ALUMNI DIRECTOR Tracy Heaser CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donny Nadeau B’85, Deb Nahrgang, Ben Rodgers PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Conover, Geoffrey DeMarsh, Deb Nahrgang, Missy Schneider PRODUCTION Sara Anderson, Megan French CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bill Neumiller

NEWS AND VIEWS

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

ART DIRECTOR Maria Beyerstedt PRINTED BY La Crosse Graphics ADDRESS CHANGES Saint Mary’s Magazine Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 700 Terrace Heights #21 Winona, MN 55987-1399 ON THE WEB smumn.edu/magazine

LOOKING BACK

ON THE COVER Dawanna Witt B’07, M’13, Hennepin County Sheriff, is working to be a role model to young African American women. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” she says.

ABOUT SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Grounded in Lasallian Catholic values, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. Whether in person or online, adult or undergraduate, students are treated with respect, taught with humanity, and supported by faculty and staff committed to their success in programs designed to prepare graduates for today’s and tomorrow’s careers. Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Saint Mary’s enrolls nearly 4,100 students at its undergraduate and graduate programs on campuses in Minneapolis, Rochester, Winona, and online. Saint Mary’s offers a highly personal, real-world-ready educational experience that fully prepares students to work, lead, and serve with character and purpose. Learn more at smumn.edu.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 1

FROM THE EDITOR

Showcasing the value of women

A

fter speaking to each of the women featured in this magazine, I was inspired. We need more women like them in leadership!

This immediately led me to question, why aren’t there more women like them in leadership?

After all, good leaders are empathetic, good listeners and communicators, excellent negotiators, and talented at conflict resolution. They need to be productive, multitask, juggle responsibilities, and prioritize. They must be intuitive, inquisitive, and intelligent.

Frequently women have played all of those roles in their lives, as they’ve navigated homelife and work responsibilities. And they’ve done them well.

But is that part of the issue? Unless women can be perfect at everything, do they sell themselves short?

Many of my women friends in leadership have expressed that they believe different expectations are placed on women than men.

A woman who is vocal is considered pushy or aggressive, whereas men are deemed assertive. Even as women are smashing glass ceilings everywhere, many women continue to feel talked over or invisible.

I don’t mean to negate the talents of men in leadership. I have worked with many men who were and are excellent leaders; but this

2 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

issue isn’t about them. Our goal should be to create symbiotic teams where both men and women are heard, respected, and empowered.

And, as long as we’re on the topic, paid equally.

Research has shown that men are often seen as more competent and capable of leadership than women, even when they have the same qualifications (Forbes). According to the World Economic Forum, women occupy just 33 percent of leadership positions globally as of 2022. Only 31 percent of CEOs are women.

How do we begin to break down those barriers? It’s going to take a while to chip away at long standing gender biases. It’ll take a concerted effort to examine pay scales and hidden prejudices. Women need to support women. And women also need to cut themselves a little slack.

There probably isn’t a woman alive who didn’t wish at one point or another (maybe every single day) they could be in two places at once; soccer games and band concerts compete with conferences and stressful workloads. Home cooked meals frequently turn into drive-through dining on the go. And there’s never been five straight minutes where there wasn’t laundry to do.

Like America Ferrrera said in “The Barbie Movie,” (discussed inside by Nadia Effendi B’09, who works for Mattel)

“It is literally impossible to be a woman … we have to always be extraordinary but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.

“You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean. You have to lead, but you can’t squash other people’s ideas. You’re supposed to love being a mother, but don’t talk about your kids all the … time. You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people.

“You have to answer for men’s bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you’re accused of complaining. You’re supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you’re supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.

“But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.

“You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line.

It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal

or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.”

Women need strong role models because as Dawanna Witt B’07, M’13, Hennepin County Sheriff, says, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” And women (and men too) need to work for organizations that support better work-life balance.

Businesses and organizations need to spend more resources training and mentoring women in leadership.

And as Chrissy Downwind M’17, the first American Indian woman to hold a vice president position at a four-year university campus in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, says, if women need to shatter glass ceilings standing in their way — they need to walk around with a big hammer.

Enjoy this issue! These alumnae have some amazing things to say.

ALUMNI, SEND US YOUR NEWS We want your personal and professional news items – photos, news clippings, etc., as well as tips about fellow alums who might make good feature story subjects.

For submission guidelines and how to submit your news, go to connect. smumn.edu/ alumni/classnotes.

Deb Nahrgang Saint Mary’s Magazine Editor

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 3

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

65 years of empowering girls

Effendi proves Barbie is more than just a pretty face

A

When you understand the impact this doll has on the development of a child, that feels really empowering and exciting.

Nadia Effendi B’09

s moviegoers flocked to “The Barbie Movie” this summer, Nadia Effendi B’09 — as senior manager of Barbie Global Marketing at Mattel, Inc., — had a special seat.

Paying homage to the iconic queen of pink, Effendi even donned a wig and a colorful signature Barbie-esque outfit.

Mattel rented a theatre so many of its employees were able to get together and celebrate what quickly grew into a more than billion dollar-grossing movie and cultural phenomenon.

“That was really special,” she said. “There were so many jokes targeting Mattel, so it was fun to be in a theatre with all Mattel employees.”

Barbie has, since her inception, been working to close the gap that comes between girls and their full potential, and Effendi is proud to be associated with the 65-year-old beloved brand.

Although she isn’t directly involved in products related to the movie, she works with the fantasy line of Barbies (mermaids, unicorn girls, fairies, butterflies, etc.), so she knows the blood, sweat, and tears that, for example, go into launching the new “Weird Barbie.” And she is loving the resurgence of all things Barbie.

“It’s been incredible to see the response from fans, from consumers,” she said. “I think Barbie has been both beloved but also pretty judged over the years. So it’s fun to be able to poke fun at that but also reintroduce her and remind people of what Barbie was built for and meant to be. Sometimes that negative lens that we put on the doll is exactly the thing the doll was designed to fight against. It’s been cool to see that message resonating.”

4 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Effendi said she loved the movie’s unapologetic message of woman empowerment. (Not so ironically, “The Barbie Movie” set a record for the highest– grossing movie to be solely directed by a woman, Greta Gerwig.)

“From a brand lens, there are so many reasons for boys to get into Barbie. Dolls teach empathy, so children of all genders and ages can learn from doll play, whether it’s Barbie or not,” she said. “But, when Barbie was first conceived, it was about ‘We’re for the girl, we’re here to inspire. We’re here to drive imagination and exploration for girls,’ because that didn’t exist in that way. We don’t all want to play mommy and homemaker all day, there are other stories to tell. I love that the movie shared that sentiment. We have empathy for you, Ken, and understand your perspective, and we want to give you space, but also we’re shutting it down.”

Although this resurgence is great, Effendi said the company must always be thinking long term. “The brand has been around for 65-plus years, and you don’t’ survive that long unless you evolve and continue to grow, and that’s one thing I love so much about the brand.

“With Barbie, we take diversity and representation very seriously. It is a pillar of our brand and what we stand for. We don’t only look at each doll individually, but at the line as a whole to make sure that the stories we are putting out there feel reflective of our communities and the world around us.”

Effendi said that Mattel does a lot of research on how consumers engage with the brand and how products are influencing perceptions, learning, and development. “It’s true that we’re developing toys all day, but when you understand the impact this doll has

on the development of a child, that feels really empowering and exciting,” she said.

Prior to her work with Barbie, Effendi, an Electronic Publishing and Public Relations double major, worked in licensing for Disney and Pixar Animation properties at Disney Consumer Products.

At Disney, Effendi worked in various areas, gaining valuable experience in licensing and retail. Around 2018, she was leading Disney stores inside Target Stores, managing the needs of the “shop in shop,” and aligning Disney’s needs and Target’s needs to create a Disney experience inside Target retail stores.

After a few years, she decided it was time to try something new, and she was hired as manager of global brand marketing for Barbie. She began on the customized team, which looks across all the segments of Barbie and partners directly with retailers to develop exclusive products. In March, she was promoted and absorbed more responsibilities with the fantasy line.

She admits, as a Saint Mary’s student, she couldn’t have ever imagined having the career she’s had. “I feel like one thing I’m very proud of is being open to the opportunities and not being afraid of change and doing something that may be a risk or be difficult,” she said.

She credits one of her professors for supporting her and encouraging her to take her first career risk. “I would credit Dean Beckman for so much of my career, honestly.”

she said. “I was at a fork in the road, I loved playing soccer but there was an opportunity to do an internship in Washington, D.C., my senior year. Had I stayed and played, I’d have had an amazing season, but going to Washington opened up doors for my future.”

“Because of that experience in D.C, I got a job in D.C. following my senior year, which sent me on this whole trajectory. It’s led to so many amazing moments. Without his encouragement, I don’t think I would be where I am. He had the vision.”

Just like Barbie can be anything, Effendi tells current students to have the confidence that they can too.

“Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know,” she said. “Don’t listen to ‘we’ve done this before’ or ‘this is the way that it’s always been.’ That’s never the right answer. Even if it didn’t work yesterday, today is a new day. Keep trying and putting yourself out there, ask questions, build relationships, and keep learning.”

As senior manager of Barbie Global Marketing at Mattel, Inc., Nadia Effendi B’09 is glad people are jumping on the Barbie bandwagon.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 5

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Changing the future of education

Downwind advocates for marginalized students

Chrissy (Koch) Downwind M’17 became the first American Indian woman to hold a vice president position at a fouryear university for the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities.

C

hrissy (Koch) Downwind M’17 admits she doesn’t sugarcoat.

“When I introduce myself, I usually include the fact that I don’t have a filter,” she says with a laugh.

So when Downwind is asked how women go about breaking glass ceilings in their workplaces, she simply says, “Walk around with a big hammer.”

Downwind, who is Ojibwa and Lakota, shattered one glass ceiling after she was named vice president for American Indian student success and campus diversity

6 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

officer for Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC) in April 2023.

She became the first American Indian woman to hold a vice president position at a four-year university campus for the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities. In her previous role as executive director of the American Indian Resource Center for both BSU and NTC, she was also the first woman to hold that position.

“As a marginalized woman working in a male gender-based role, I’m not quiet,” she says. As an advocate for her students, she can’t be.

Downwind believes she got a lot of her spirit from her father, and the work that she’s doing is a continuation of the legacy he started.

“Through and through, I’m a daddy’s girl,” she said. “Dad lived a pretty rough lifestyle until I was born, and then he decided, when I was in the third grade and he was in his 40s, that he was going to change the trajectory of how life looked for my family and go back to college.”

It wasn’t easy. Downwind said she remembers watching him struggle to raise his family, work full time, and go to school. “I not only watched my dad get his degrees but also start working for St. Cloud State. I watched him pioneer his way through the MNSCU system (at that time)

to be the founder for the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State.” Though her father suffered from medical conditions and could not continue his work, a seed was planted in Downwind when she was young to help others.

After she got her bachelor’s degree, she began working in a K-12 setting. “I was making a difference and I loved working with my students,” she said. “My students consisted of high-need traumatized, marginalized students in a public school setting. I connected with them and loved my work.”

She never considered leaving that position and working in higher education. In fact, Downwind said the main reason she came to enroll at Saint Mary’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership was almost entirely because she was dared by a friend.

“I don’t back out of a challenge,” she said, admitting that 13 years after getting her bachelor’s degree, she wasn’t sure she had made the right decision. Online education was completely new territory.

Yet, Downwind said she received the support she needed to be successful. “The faculty were so open and willing to help,” she said. “I have nothing but love for Saint Mary’s and what it did for me, giving me the energy and the knowledge I needed to continue moving forward. It was so easy and so smooth, and to have that in an institution, especially when you do it online … To this day, I recommend Saint Mary’s. I owe a lot to Saint Mary’s for where I am today.”

It was her cohorts who first suggested she move into higher education. Downwind said she associated higher education with people in suits, speaking academic jargon, and usually uptight.

“I figured, that’s not me,” she said. “And I wasn’t going to change myself to fulfill that narrative.”

But when Downwind felt her current job in public schools was going stagnant, and a position opened at the American Indian Center at BSU, she applied and was hired in July 2019.

In her second week, her superior, the executive director of the center resigned, and Downwind instinctively picked up the slack. Because she

showed such initiative, she was encouraged by several at BSU to apply for the executive director position.

“I never saw myself in that leadership role,” she said. “I didn’t have that confidence to move forward without a nudge. A lot more people had confidence in me than I did in myself.”

During this same timeframe, BSU was facing a crisis with hate crimes and racial speech. “Our students didn’t feel safe and like their voices weren’t being heard,” she said.

“When those students came to me, I saw the despair on their faces. As a marginalized woman, I grew up in a society where I fought all of those things.

“I was an alumna of BSU 20 years ago, and I faced and dealt with the same marginalized oppression and racial discrimination that our students face today,” she said.

In her short tenure, Downwind and her team have grown American Indian enrollment from a low of just over 200 students to 430.

Now, they are focused on retention.

She also is running the Nisidotaading (pronounced “nisi-do-tah-ding”) program for the Minnesota State chancellor’s office, housed at BSU. This initiative, named for an Ojibwe phrase which means “having a mutual understanding,” will help to ensure that BSU students across all disciplines graduate with an opportunity to develop an understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures and the issues they face.

Her goal is to provide culturally fluent professional development and training for faculty and staff, first at BSU and then across the Minnesota State System. “We’re changing the future. I feel like my father’s work has come full circle,” she said.

Downwind is proud that her sons, and now her granddaughter, are seeing their mom and grandmother break barriers. “I don’t want my granddaughter to experience the same issues (as a woman and as an American Indian) that I did,” she said. “Women look at things like a mother, seeing how things are affecting students. As caregivers, it’s inherent. When women empower one another, those ceilings are going to start shattering.”

Women look at things like a mother, seeing how things are affecting students.

As caregivers, it’s inherent. When women empower one another, those ceilings are going to start shattering.

Chrissy (Koch) Downwind M’17

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 7

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Comfortable with being first Hughes named first African American woman president at Bay College

D I feel like (women) lead more from an authentic lens and are more mindful of our impact and the imprint we are making as we lead.

Dr. Nerita Hughes M’09, D’20

r. Nerita Hughes M’09, D’20 has had a number of firsts in her career, serving as the first African American woman in a number of administrative roles — including her current position: sixth president of Bay College in Michigan.

Firsts definitely run in her family. Her late father was among the first African American firefighters in the Minneapolis Fire Department, and her mother was among the first African American teachers in Minneapolis Public Schools, both during the 1960s.

In some ways, it’s because Dr. Hughes saw more “firsts” were needed, that she decided to change career paths.

After a successful career in business and industry, and after earning her MBA from Saint Mary’s in 2009, she decided to return to Saint Mary’s for her doctorate in Education in Leadership and pursue a future in education.

“I saw there were no college presidents — at least in the Minnesota State College and University system — that looked like me, let alone, vaguely, anyone in administration in general, who looked like me,” she said.

“That’s largely why I decided to pursue my doctorate.”

Prior to assuming her current role in July, Dr. Hughes served as interim associate vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Innovation and dean of the School of Business, Careers, Education, and Workforce Innovation at North Hennepin Community College. There, she served as the first African American dean. In 2008, North Hennepin, served a diverse student population, with roughly 40 percent students of color. Yet, she

8 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

said, the administration did not reflect the students they served.

“When we look at the many different opportunities available to people of color, how do we make sure they have these types of opportunities available and not just some of the front-line positions, like customer service?” she asked. “They need to start seeing more and more people like them (serving as administrators) to see themselves in that equation.”

Preparing her students to meet the needs of surrounding businesses is one of her goals as president of Bay College, a public community college in Escanaba, Mich.

Founded in 1962, the college has a main campus in Escanaba and another 25-acre campus in Iron Mountain, Mich. The school currently has about 1,900 degree-seeking students, and that number climbs another 8,500 when you include workforce students.

“We are the community’s college,” she said, explaining that the college’s goal is not only to provide a holistic service to its students (not just academically but also in mind, body, and soul) but also to work closely with business and industry partners, along with community organizations. “We are trying to make sure we are responsive to business and industry needs and will position ourselves to be a prime feeder for these partners in filling roles with the qualified applicants they need.”

Dr. Hughes advises young professional women, looking to start out in any field, including education, to map out what they want to impact. Her father used to tell her, “You can have a lot of letters behind your name but what are you going to do with it?”

“If you’re in it just for status, you’re in it for the wrong reasons,” she said. “What legacy are you going to leave at that institution?

Inspect what you expect. In other words, what homework do you have to do? Highlight areas that you are not as proficient in as you should be and get the training you need. Know your ‘why’ and your purpose.”

When Dr. Hughes was researching schools for her MBA, she looked at Saint Mary’s alongside several others. It was the school’s reputation and a personal referral that made her choose Saint Mary’s. “I really felt like it reflected an adultfriendly environment,” she said. “I was working and had young kids at the time, so I needed that.”

And, she said, what she learned was directly benefiting her work: “It allowed me to, in real time, be able to put into practice things I was learning like accounting practices, operations management, quantitative statistics and analysis. I was able to make data-driven decisions.”

Even with a strong education, Dr. Hughes admits women continue to face barriers and that “there are still glass ceilings we need to burst open.”

“I feel like (women) lead more from an authentic lens and are more mindful of our impact and the imprint we are making as we lead,” she added.

“The last barrier I see is ourselves. If we apply for positions, we feel we need to be able to check the majority of (qualification) boxes, 90% or higher, or we won’t even apply whereas men will apply if they can only check 60% of the boxes (or less). How do we overcome that? Women run into imposter syndrome more so than men.

We are quicker to discount our attributes and abilities.”

Dr. Hughes says that even if women are brought to the table, they need to feel comfortable eating and not question if their voice is going to be heard. It can begin by women supporting women.

“A mantra that really fits is ‘lift as we climb.’

That’s how women can help each other,” she said. “As we’re climbing, how do we reach back and help bring someone along with us? What are the tools we used that can help someone else along the way?”

Dr. Nerita Hughes M’09, D’20 takes her role seriously as the first African American woman president of Bay College in Michigan. People of color, she says, need to see more people like them as administrators so they can envision themselves in those positions one day.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 9

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Always remembering where she came from Witt builds relationships as Hennepin County sheriff

F

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt B’07, M’13 is working hard to be the person her family and her community needs to see. Photo by Edgar Linares

or a significant portion of her young life, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt B’07, M’13 only associated negative feelings with police officers.

“With my childhood and the challenges we had, I did not like, nor trust, law enforcement. There were bad experiences witnessed in my family,” she said.

As sheriff of the largest sheriff’s office in the State of Minnesota since January 2023, one of Witt’s goals is to build relationships between law enforcement and those they serve — to be, as she says, the person her family, her community, and her county needs to see … to be the person she as a young woman needed to see.

Despite her efforts, sometimes people haven’t been receptive to her efforts, particularly following the pain and unrest of the murder of George Floyd.

“I have to be honest. During this time I was called some of the worst names,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve never cried so much in my life. I felt the anger, and I felt their pain but what hurt me the most was — oh my goodness — all I wanted to be was the person that my family, my community, needed to see. For a short time I felt like I’d wasted my life in this career. It was really difficult getting through that. But something inside me said, ‘You’ve got to get up and keep talking to people.’ I didn’t hide in my office. I had to toughen up and take it. I talked to people even if they didn’t want me there, trying to build those relationships.

10 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 11

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

I remember where I came from. I use those things to make sure I’m always doing my best to be who people need me to be.

Dawanna Witt B’07, M’13

“I understand the hurt and the anger. I’m not forgetting where I came from. I’m leading from the front in that way.”

Witt’s desire to help others started as a young child living in Minneapolis.

“I had a difficult childhood and was one of five kids,” she said. “I was taking care of my siblings and trying to protect them from all the bad things going on around us. I had a daughter at 15. I left home as a teen and lived on my own, raising her, going to school, playing basketball, and working two jobs.”

She says one of the best things that ever happened to her was receiving a Justice Alan Page Scholarship. Part of the scholarship included a two-year volunteer commitment.

Witt chose to work with kids, mostly young girls, from a diverse community, who had never played organized sports. She taught them how to play basketball and softball, and that two-year commitment joyfully grew to 10.

“I feel like I was paid because it made me happy watching them grow and being a part of their lives. It filled my heart,” she said.

In college, she studied chemical dependency and family therapy and continued on a path of service by working in the nonprofit field.

She had a friend who was a juvenile probation officer, and while taking a tour of the Hennepin County Jail, she learned they were looking for female detention deputies, specifically women of color.

“I had never considered that because of my feelings about police officers,” she said.

“I thought, ‘This isn’t the same as a police officer, so I can do this job.’ ” As she took on the role of detention deputy in 2000, she began to have more interaction with police officers.

“That was the only thing that could break down those barriers,” she said. “I needed that communication and interaction so I could see for myself that they weren’t what I thought.”

Witt began to see how she could advance her career in law enforcement and returned to school to be a licensed peace officer. In 2004, she was hired by the Dakota County Sheriff’s office, where she had a wide range of roles for the next 16 years, working her way

12 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

up to captain — the first woman captain to serve Dakota County.

When Witt left Dakota County and returned to Hennepin County, she said she sat down with every woman she had worked with in the department. “I asked, ‘Who is going to be next?’ We have to represent.

What is the resistance about women wanting to take on those responsibilities? You can’t be what you can’t see. And we are always trying to recruit more women.

“Women bring a different skill set to this position,” she added. “We know women have demonstrated less use of force in de-escalating intense situations. But also, we police women. And I believe we should be reflective of the community we police.

We bring our experience and our lenses to situations just because of our gender alone. We may have some similar types of experiences where we can relate. I am a mom, I’m a grandma. I feel like I can draw on my experiences to de-escalate another mother.”

As Witt’s career was growing, she found Saint Mary’s and earned a bachelor’s degree in Police Science in 2007, and master’s degrees in Public Safety Administration and Human Resources, both in 2013.

She credits B.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership program director Don Winger with her graduate career: “I was so blessed that we crossed paths,” she said. “I questioned, ‘Can I do this?’ I wasn’t so sure.

He inspired me. The way he interacts with students isn’t just a transaction or just a job; he connects with the people he encounters.

He’s an asset to Saint Mary’s.”

Witt said she also enjoyed being in classes with people in the same type of profession.

“That helped a lot,” she said. “With all of the struggles law enforcement is going through right now, we were all facing the same challenges and limitations and learned from one another. And I appreciated the flexibility Saint Mary’s offered, knowing we all have full-time careers. We need to be creative to continue producing our next generation of professionals and that’s something Saint Mary’s did. I am forever sold on Saint Mary’s.”

In 2019, Witt returned to Hennepin County to oversee two of the largest divisions, court security and adult detention.

In her role, she oversaw court security for two of the most high-profile trials in modern history, Derek Chauvin and Kim Potter. She also dealt successfully with the pandemic in Minnesota’s largest jail, leading the development of new protocols to help limit institutional and community spread of COVID-19.

She faced protesting, national attention, and a pandemic; she jokes that her timing has never been good.

But the timing was right in January 2023 for her to take on her newest role as Hennepin County sheriff, becoming not only the first woman in the position but also the first woman of color.

“It means a lot to me (to have broken that barrier),” she said, recounting the recent story of how a young Black girl, about the age of 7, looked up at her (in uniform) and wanted a hug. This is the change Witt is working so hard to see.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” she adds. “They need to see women in this male-

dominated field and women who look like me to know they can look like this too.”

She tells young women, particularly women of color, looking for a career in law enforcement, “Don’t get stuck.”

“We were meant and built to get around obstacles,” she said. “Many times I thought, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ I used to tell people that me getting into this field was an accident, because I just kept putting one foot in front of another. But God knew what he was doing all the time. He just forgot to tell me about it. I tell that to every woman, every person of color. Obstacles can be hard but they can also help build character. Just don’t stay stuck.”

Throughout her career, Witt said, although it may sound cliché, she is most proud of the fact she has stayed true to herself. “I remember where I came from. I use those things to make sure I’m always doing my best to be who people need me to be,” she said. ”I find great joy in just keeping people safe and making people happy. I have one of the best jobs in the world because I can leave every day and say I helped someone.”

Sheriff Witt makes an appearance at the Vikings training camp.

Photo by Edgar Linares

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 13

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Measuring the impact of women Wieser conducts ongoing research about women in the workforce

D

r. Michelle Wieser, dean of the School of Business and Technology, has the same thoughts swirling around in her head as most career women. At any given moment, she’s thinking about her 13-yearold daughter’s after school commitments, presentations she needs to prepare for work, and what she’s making for dinner.

Today’s women want to do it all.

But Dr. Wieser believes that may be exactly the issue of why women aren’t excelling in the workforce in some instances.

Dr. Michelle Wieser, dean of the School of Business and Technology at Saint Mary’s, has been conducting research since 2016 about career outcomes of MBA students.

14 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

“We need to be easier on ourselves,” she said. “We make ourselves feel guilty and get twisted up. I want to be the perfect colleague, dean, employee, wife, mom, volunteer, and friend. You’ve got to recognize that you can’t be perfect, there’s just no way.”

Beginning with her dissertation in 2016, Dr. Wieser has conducted ongoing research about the academic experience and career outcomes of female and minority MBA students and graduates of top-tier business schools. Each year, she has collaborated with Forté Foundation, an organization that partners with corporations, nonprofits, and graduate and undergraduate universities to address inequities at top business schools and the impact those inequities have on the business world.

Results have been shared in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal and CBS news.

“I think way back when it started, the research was driven out of a desire to see women be successful in business school and in business in general,” she said. “It will always be a passion of mine. I want this world to be easier for my daughter. I grew up never thinking I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do. That’s the way I’ve always approached everything. The reality is there are so many roadblocks still to what people face.”

For example, research has shown that women of color are lagging behind the other groups in virtually everything.

Another disheartening statistic for Dr. Wieser is the lack of pay equity between men and women.

“What is always shocking to me is the pay gap, and particularly how it widens as men and women progress in their careers,” she said. “When we look at the current salaries of men vs. women (all other things as equal as they can be statistically), men earn 17 percent more than women, and as these are MBA grads from top schools, that equals $36,000, which is a huge gap.”

The next thing Dr. Wieser and Forté want to focus on is understanding what is holding women back.

“We see women aren’t aiming as high as men. We have that data,” she said. “We know they’re hitting the sweet spot of their careers right as they are wanting to start families, so kids are entering the picture.”

But, there’s more to it.

“Working professionals are asked their opinions about work, and one of the big barriers to senior leadership in women, where there’s a marked difference between men and women is the lack of confidence and hesitancy of women to share their ambitions with leaders. I also find it interesting that women strive early for leadership but trail in striving for executive leadership; why is that?

Throughout her career, Dr. Wieser has seen men take a much more proactive approach to career advancement as they frequently apply to positions, even when they don’t meet several of the qualifications.

Women are more cautious. “We’re perfectionists and hold ourselves to a very

high standard,” she said. “We’re always worried about what people will think of us.”

Dr. Wieser said it’s her goal to peel back the layers and uncover whether women are talking themselves out of wanting more or whether the barriers they face are truly insurmountable.

One thing is for sure. She believes women need to be advocates for one another and more than allies.

“In my mind, whether it’s right or not, I view allies as those who say, ‘I support you, I’m here for you,’ but it can be passive or active. If you’re an advocate, you’re making something happen. So part of it is self advocacy and part of it is being really intentional about pulling other women up through the organization and encouraging them, even if it means they eventually seek higher levels of leadership at a different company. There needs to be mentorship opportunities at work and a clear formal career plan.”

Men, she said, receive far more regular coaching and mentoring than women.

“I’m constantly trying to improve myself and seek ways to become a better leader, but I have to be very proactive about it,” she said.

“Research shows men are being presented with more opportunities for mentorship without having to seek it out.”

The presence (or lack of a documented career plan) must also be examined. “Men are moving farther ahead faster,” she said.

“Someone in the organization is helping pull them further, whereas women are often scratching and clawing, trying to find their way.”

In the end, Dr. Wieser said, businesses and organizations need a blend of talented women and men at the helm.

Women bring a different set of skills and perspectives to leadership. “We know, and stats tell us, companies perform better when they have gender balance in the C-Suite and on their boards,” she said. “What women bring are characteristics like empathy and a genuine interest in other people, as well as strong communication and creativity. We need women in leadership.”

We know, and stats tell us, companies perform better when they have gender balance in the C-Suite and on their boards.

Dr. Michelle Wieser

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 15

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Models of service

Wolf and Keeley preparing for careers in medicine

D

The ones who are good leaders are the ones who want the best for people they are helping.

Delaney Wolf B’21, C’22

elaney Wolf B’21, C’22 and Jordan Keeley B’22, M’23 have supported and challenged each other for years.

It was only natural that the two form a friendship and a bond, considering they have so much in common.

Both played on the Cardinal women’s hockey team at Saint Mary’s, both serving as captains.

Both studied the sciences (Wolf Biochemistry and Spanish, and Keeley Biology-Pre-Physical Therapy and also Leadership).

Both continued their education at Saint Mary’s beyond their undergraduate degrees (Wolf earning a certificate in Healthcare Administration in 2022 and Keeley earning her master’s in Organizational Leadership in 2023).

Both are passionate about service, with lengthy volunteer activity lists. In fact, because of this strong commitment, both were nominated for the Hockey Humanitarian Award (a national award, presented annually to a hockey studentathlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism). Wolf took home the award in 2021.

16 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Now, both are studying medicine at Duke University Medical School, (Wolf in the M.D. program and Keeley in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program).

Wolf has known since high school that she wanted to go into healthcare. She started down that career path as a CNA. “I really wanted to be more involved with helping patients find out what’s going on and manage that,” she said. Though she had been looking at endocrinology and neurology, she’s using this time to learn more about different specialties and career opportunities.

Keeley, likewise, has always been interested in science, particularly how our bodies work, and the relationship between exercise and movement. Then, she tore her labrum in her hip her sophomore year and was given the option of going to physical therapy or having surgery. “I opted for PT, hoping I could still play. And I got back into shape, even better than where I was before,” she said. “That was my aha moment. I knew I wanted to help people get back to doing what they love.”

The two say their connection has been valuable, on the ice and off.

“We both wanted to find meaningful ways to interact with people, so we fed off of each other’s goal to do service activities,”

Delaney Wolf B’21, C’22 and Jordan Keeley B’22, M’23 have been on similar paths since Cardinal Women’s Hockey.

They inspire each other in their love of service and in their career pursuits in medicine. Photo courtesy of Duke University School of Medicine

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 17

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Women in leadership roles are aware that they have been supported by other women and are conscious about helping other women into similar roles or mentoring them.

Jordan Keeley B’22, M’23

Wolf said. “And obviously we both share the healthcare interest, so we can work on classwork together and talk about science.”

“I think Delaney and I like to compete in many aspects of our lives, even in practice,” Keeley added. “We rope each other into a lot of commitments that way. There are many things I wouldn’t have tried or done if it wasn’t for her.”

Both believe that one trait of a good leader is that they’re interested in developing other leaders.

“I’ve noticed that a lot of women are focused on developing leaders of the next generation,” Keeley said. “Women in leadership roles are aware that they have been supported by other women and are conscious about helping other women into similar roles or mentoring them.”

Wolf agrees. “Of all the women leaders I know, they’ve all been very invested in developing other leaders: Our coach focused on not just being better athletes but better community members. Our faculty provided us with opportunities to meet other women to develop connections and help us determine where we want to go,” she said.

“The ones who are good leaders are the ones who want the best for people they are helping.”

They each believe women bring an important perspective to health care.

“Even as a little girl, we are taught to think about other people and how what you are doing is impacting other people,” Keeley said.

“When women get into leadership roles, it’s like second nature. Many of my mentors have been interested in developing the emotional piece of leadership. Being emotional and vulnerable are our hidden super talents that make us effective leaders.

“Healthcare providers talk a lot about understanding and recognizing the patient as a whole person,” she added. “I can teach someone to walk better, and Delaney can prescribe medications but we also need to recognize if there are other factors impacting patients positively and negatively, maybe socioeconomic factors. We have to recognize them as a whole person in order to provide the best level of care.”

18 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Wolf added, “I feel like being a woman has helped me stay open minded to that.

We learn to relate to others. I’m hearing not just women leaders, but also male leaders, who are bringing everyone together to the same page. That shift is going to let us make a bigger impact in the future. Through common thought, we can make a shift to help patients who face disadvantages due to race, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity.”

Both also believe a passion for service plays an important role in leadership.

“In general I think that in order to effectively lead people, we have to be able to serve them,” Keeley said.

“Servant leadership is a partnership,” Wolf added. “Everybody involved has a role; as a provider, your role is to diagnose or treat; the patient has a role to be honest. There needs to be an exchange of trust. We need the patient to feel comfortable enough to share something they may not feel is related. It’s about really listening …”

Both alumnae believe leadership thrives best in a supportive environment like they found at Saint Mary’s. “ “At Saint Mary’s, I had a real community that became a home outside of my family,” Wolf said. “The people I found there wanted what was best for me. Finding that support was huge.”

“I honestly can’t rave enough about my experience at Saint Mary’s,” Keeley added. “Every time you ask someone from Saint Mary’s what their favorite part about the university is, they’ll tell you it’s the community. Everybody is intentional about building deep and meaningful and thoughtful relationships. That’s honestly what built me into who I am now.”

Juggling multiple balls

Soccer coach McGill finds work, home-life balance

S

heila (Hannon) McGill B’97 has coached women’s soccer for the University of St. Thomas for 17 years.

She’s also the mom of five.

The fact that she’s been able to do both roles, simultaneously and successfully, is a point of pride.

“Those combinations don’t happen,” she said. “The biggest thing is that longevity.

I’m doing something not a lot of women who are mothers, especially with five children, are able to do and be successful in a predominantly male world. Glass ceilings are there for women, and they’re hard to get through. I’ve had the benefit of having supportive people in my life.”

McGill first credits her family, including her husband, who, she admits with a laugh, has become a really good cook during her fall season. She also credits her children, who have been not only forgiving, but also supportive.

“There have been times during the season that I’ve felt like I was letting my family down, but my kids actually lift me up,” she said.

“Be forgiving of yourself,” she said.

“Know that no one is superhuman. You can’t always balance it all. You’re going to have to prioritize. My family is my priority, and to me that’s the right priority, but also — it was able to be done. It comes down to your support system. And that also has to do with your business. Do you have the support there too?”

For example, McGill said her youngest “happy surprise” child was born a week before the start of that soccer season, back before maternity leave.

Nervously, she went to the athletic director and said, “I need to have a talk with you.” “(After I told him), he leaned back and said, ‘Oh thank God, I thought

you were quitting!’ It was the best response he could have given me.”

Yet again, she said, with the help of her support team, she navigated taking care of a newborn while coaching. Her husband diligently brought the baby back and forth to practices so she could nurse on schedule.

“Having that support is key,” she said.

“It’s about getting more people on board to support women in trying to be a mother and a successful woman in their fields.”

McGill knows that in addition to teaching her athletes competitive skills, she’s also teaching them leadership skills they’ll need throughout their future.

“They’re all going to be successful career women outside of soccer,” she said. “I try to show them how to have a difficult conversation with someone without getting too emotional or working backwards. How can we be problem solvers moving forward? Some of my former players, now working at Drake Medical and Medtronic, for example, have reached back and said things like, ‘You really helped me successfully navigate this world.’ ” There are challenges, McGill admits, to being a woman in leadership who works with women.

“They want you to be their best friend, their confidant, a little bit their mom too, as well as a professional making difficult decisions,” she said. “You have to have a thick skin, and you have to be able to let things roll off your back. Keep the picture you are trying to achieve in front of you.

And try to be a positive person who keeps things moving in the same direction with that target in mind. I love surrounding myself with other strong women who are collaborative with me, women who have the same values and vision.”

When I’ve been searching for an assistant coach, I’ve seen men who are completely unqualified but take a chance and apply.

But every woman who applies is qualified. They have everything I need on their résumés.

Sheila (Hannon) McGill B’97

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 19

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

Sheila (Hannon) McGill B’97 has found a balance between being a mom and being a head coach of women’s soccer at the University of St. Thomas.

McGill used these skills as she transitioned from Division III to Division I in 2021. “I think it’s about keeping a positive mentality. If you act or seem scared, a team can feel that coming off of a coach,” she said.

“We had team meetings and talked about Division III upperclassmen working with Division I underclassmen. We talked about the type of people they wanted to be and the legacy they would want to leave. They already had the knowledge they needed.

They knew how to play college soccer.”

For example, she says proudly, “Our last season before we left Division III, we were one penalty kick shootout away from the Final 4.”

Beyond this exciting season, McGill has acquired a number of accolades during her career. She coached her 300th game at St. Thomas early this season, which was her 25th in college soccer as a player, assistant or head coach. She has the longest tenure at her school of the nine Summit League women’s soccer head coaches.

A former MIAC soccer player at Saint Mary’s from 1993-97, McGill was an assistant coach at St. Catherine University from 200306. She also coached at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, White Bear Lake’s youth soccer program, and for U.S. Youth Soccer National League Region II and the State of Minnesota in the Olympic Development Program. She’s been named MIAC Coach of the Year in 2008, 2018, and 2019.

She tells young women hoping to coach at a Division I level, “Get your license and be the one who is qualified, get experience, find yourself a good mentor. Get that experience, even if it means volunteering at first, and don’t be afraid of feedback.

We all get feedback and the claws come out, and then you retract the claws, and take a deep breath, and see if you can find something useful in that feedback, something that can make you a better coach.

“It’s also about self reflection,” she said. “Every time we have successes and failures, we reflect on the ‘whys’. We do a collaborative reflection after every practice and every game. Did we make

20 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

the right decisions? There are times when the answers are ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ ” McGill agrees women are often toughest on themselves, and the proof is in the applications she sees. “When I’ve been searching for an assistant coach, I’ve seen men who are completely unqualified but take a chance and apply. But every woman who applies is qualified. They have everything I need on their résumés.”

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 21

FEATURE › WOMEN WHO LEAD

The dream career that didn’t get away Maxwell angles for women’s perspective in fishing

C

Christine Maxwell M’23 is CFO and vice president of operations for Northland FIshing Tackle, working in a male-dominated industry in a male-dominated field.

hristine Maxwell M’23 works for Northland Fishing Tackle whose tagline is “made by fishermen, for fishermen.”

In her position as CFO and vice president of operations, Maxwell reminds her colleagues that women fish too. And she’s got photos with some impressive catches to prove it.

“All the time people are surprised I’m the CFO. All the time,” she said. “People will come in and ask to speak with a manager, and when I come to the front, they’ll say, ‘I’ve already been helped, thanks, but I’m looking for the manager.’ It’s 2023, but this is a heavily male dominated industry, being in manufacturing and leisure fishing tackle.

“But I’ve worked for the Army and Boeing Company — and all in finance, which is also male dominated, so I’m used to it. It pushes me a little harder,” she said. “I’m good at my job because I’m a problem solver. When you work for a smaller company, you wear a lot of hats. Every day I’m learning something new, doing something different, and I never know what I’ll step into.”

The unpredictability and the challenge is part of why Maxwell loves her job.

“No day is the same. I have to triage what’s going on. I’m good at what I do; I think the job fits me well,” she said.

Maxwell had just moved to Bemidji, Minn., about the time COVID-19 hit.

As she began looking to re-enter an office setting, she applied for her

22 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

position at the Bemidji-based Northland Fishing Tackle. Although she had 15 years of finance and contracted sales experience and a bachelor’s degree in finance, she didn’t have the experience or the degree in accounting she needed.

After being turned down for the position, and after hearing similar feedback during her job search, Maxwell decided to do something about it. She applied to Saint Mary’s M.S. in Accounting program in March of 2021.

She shared the news with her recruiter, who notified the CEO of Northland Fishing Tackle.

“He said, ‘Call her back and tell her she’s hired.’ He liked that I was willing to go and get what I needed and wanted,” Maxwell said.

The flexibility of the online program worked with Maxwell’s busy schedule and with starting a new position. She also said — as she was interested in getting her CPA license and had an undergrad degree in finance — Saint Mary’s was one of the few master’s programs that would have qualified for her to sit for the Minnesota exam after earning her master’s degree.

An added bonus: “Things I was learning in class would immediately apply at work or vice versa,” she said.

“The things happening in my job were things we were learning about in class. Or, things happening at my work could be brought into classroom conversations. I also liked that it was self paced, and you could study on your own.

I could be a CFO, a mother, have a family, have a life, and still go to school. I enjoyed learning from other students and their experiences as well.”

Maxwell said she’s grateful to work for a smaller family-oriented business that values its employees, men and women.

“I’m fortunate to work at a place where if my child is sick, they’d tell me to go take care of my family, but they would treat a male counterpart the same way.

It’s not only because I’m the mom.”

Northland was started in 1975 by John Peterson, who remains a part owner, and his family works in the business — which, headquartered in Bemidji, sells nationwide, particularly in the Midwest.

“We make all kinds of fishing tackle and accessories for the northern fishermen, people who specialize in walleye, pike, panfish, and bass. We’ve come a long way in marketing, sales, and ERP systems in the past 50 years,” she said.

While she admits she didn’t know much about fishing when she first started working for Northland, now she said, she’s out on the water a lot, year round.

“Everyone here fishes and is passionate about it, and it’s hard not to when you work with professionals; you get all the inside information,” she said.

Although Maxwell is only one of three women at her company and the only one in management, she said she feels respected.

“I don’t think a woman should be intimidated by a job that’s traditionally in a male dominated field just because everyone else they see is male,” she said. “Women can do anything a man can do and vice versa.

“Women, we put it on ourselves too,” she adds. “We don’t always treat ourselves the way we treat our male counterparts. We don’t give ourselves the same grace as we give men.”

Maxwell believes women have to continue pushing themselves. “We can’t sit back and wait for it to happen,” she said.

“As the only female on the management team, I use my voice to bring diversity to the team, and that’s important. Although the majority of our customers are men, that is changing. More and more women are wanting to become anglers. What would women like? Do we make clothing in sizes and styles for women? And when we’re promoting, who does the shopping in most households for Christmas and birthdays?

If we are only marketing toward men, we’re going to miss out on the population that does gifting. To escape that malecentered mentality has been helpful.”

We don’t always treat ourselves the way we treat our male counterparts.

We don’t give ourselves the same grace as we give men.

Christine Maxwell M’23

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 23

FINANCIALS

Financials 2022-23

Saint Mary’s annual report of its financial status Revenues and Expenditures

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Revenues and Gains

Assets

Net tuition and fees Government grants Private gifts and grants Sponsored research and programs Endowment income Other sources Net gain on investments Auxiliary enterprises

$47,334,378 $3,469,973 $10,081,591 $105,867 $1,315,509 $4,629,969 ($3,327,627) $7,118,293

Total revenues & gains

$70,727,953

Cash and cash equivalents Receivables Prepaid expenses Endowment investments Other investments Property, plant, and equipment Total assets

$16,804,911 $17,284,497 $118,198 $62,971,446 $207,910 $96,623,918 $194,010,880

Liabilities Expenses Instruction Research Public service Academic support Student services Auxiliary enterprises Institutional support Annuities payable adjustment

$23,654,727 $266,223 $5,982,023 $7,464,616 $15,005,673 $6,239,424 $18,915,068 $5,843

Total expenses

$77,533,597

Increase in net assets

($6,805,644)

Funds Raised from Development Efforts Foundations Friends Alumni Corporations Parents Minnesota Private College Fund Faculty and staff Total funds

$1,485,239 $30,138,901 $2,382,660 $1,355,373 $77,555 $16,350 $52,597 $35,508,675

24 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Deposits and deferred revenue Asset retirement obligation Contract payable-food service Bonds payable Annuities payable Deposit held in custody Government grants refundable

$3,064,647 $1,689,686 $11,341,481 $1,016,089 $1,610,348 $4,475,168 $298,671 $1,304 $639,227

Total liabilities

$24,136,621

Net Assets Unrestricted Restricted

$100,997,026 $68,877,233

Total net assets

$169,874,259

Total liabilities & net assets

$194,010,880

Sources and Uses of Funds Revenues n Net tuition and fees n Private gifts and grants n Auxiliary enterprises n Other sources n Government grants n Endowment income n Sponsored research and programs

4.91% 1.86% 0.15%

6.55%

10.06%

66.92% 16.64% 10.06% 6.55% 4.91% 1.86% 0.15%

66.92% 16.64%

7.74%

Expenses n Instruction n Institutional support n Student services n Academic support n Auxiliary enterprises n Public service

8.08%

30.62% 24.48% 19.42% 9.66% 8.08% 7.74%

30.62%

9.66%

19.42% 24.48%

Funds Raised from Development Efforts n Friends n Alumni n Foundations n Corporations n Parents n Faculty and staff n Minnesota Private College Fund

84.88% 6.71% 4.18% 3.82% 0.22% 0.15% 0.05%

0.22% 0.15% 0.05%

3.82% 4.18% 6.71%

84.88%

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 25

ATHLETICS

Sports Hall of Fame and Cardinal Excellence Dinner

T

he Saint Mary’s University Athletic Department, in association with the Saint Mary’s Alumni Association, will induct three members into the Saint Mary’s Sports Hall of Fame on March 23, 2024: Marc Weisenburger B’75, Jamie (Rattunde) Nelson B’05, and Jenny (Folgers) Baertsch B’05. The trio will be recognized as part of the Cardinal Excellence Dinner, held in Winona.

“This year we honor three alumni who excelled on the court, on the field, and on the track,” said Brian Sisson, athletic director. “We look forward to not only congratulating these three successful Cardinal greats but also celebrating all of Cardinal Athletics, which has had a fabulous year competitively and academically.

“I look forward to a sold-out event; I invite you all to join us for this signature event. Together, we’ll propel Cardinal athletics forward, and recognize the tremendous athletic accomplishments of our five Hall of Fame inductees.”

Watch the Cardinal Athletics webpage at saintmaryssports.com for more information about the Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner.

Jamie (Rattunde) Nelson B’05 (Women’s Basketball) A four-year regular for the Saint Mary’s women’s basketball team, Nelson helped guide the Cardinals to the MIAC post-season tournament each of her four years — including a semifinal appearance in 2004-05. She was a D3hoops.com SecondTeam All-Region as a senior, not to mention landing First-Team All-MIAC honors in each of her final three seasons, while being selected to the MIAC All-Defensive Team all four years. Nelson closed out her collegiate career averaging 14.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg, while recording 350 steals and dishing out 385 assists. Nelson ranks first in program history in free throws made (423), free throws attempted (596), and minutes played (3,271), while also ranking in the top five in eight other career categories.

2024 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Jenny (Folgers) Baertsch B’05 (Track & Field/Cross Country) A four-year letterwinner, Baertsch was a three-year track captain and a cross country captain her senior year. Owner of a combined 10 indoor/outdoor school records, she was the MIAC hurdles champion in 2004 — and qualified for the NCAA national championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Baertsch collected eight First-Team All-MIAC honors and added three honorable-mention selections over her storied career, while being named Academic All-MIAC and USTFCCCA All-Academic each of her last three seasons.

Marc Weisenburger B’75 (Baseball) A three-time First-Team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Weisenburger closed out an illustrious four-year career with the Saint Mary’s baseball team hitting .275 — including .342 as a junior and .329 as a senior. Voted as the MIAC’s top catcher each of his last three seasons, Weisenburger was tabbed the conference’s Most Valuable Player in 1975, while also being named a member of the Outstanding College Athletes of America following his senior season.

26 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

ATHLETICS

Alumni benefactors donate more than $800,000 for artificial turf for Saint Mary’s ballfields

T

hanks to the generosity of two alumni benefactors, Saint Mary’s University’s Max Molock Field, and its Fastpitch Softball Field have a new look.

Gary Klein M’04, Saint Mary’s vice president for advancement, and Brian Sisson, athletic director, announced that a significant gift of more than $800,000 — spearheaded by former Saint Mary’s baseball players and teammates Marc Weisenburger B’75 and Bob Cerone B’75 — was used to replace both the baseball and softball infields with artificial turf.

“We are extremely blessed with the continued generosity and support of our alumni,” Klein said.

“This differentiating and transformational impact for our baseball and softball student-athletes will be appreciated for years to come and will continue to elevate our programs and enable us to provide an unmatched student-athlete experience.”

Sisson added, “This is such an exciting time for Cardinal Athletics, made possible because of benefactors who help our programs become regionally dominant and nationally prominent.”

Weisenburger has been a longtime supporter and benefactor of Cardinal Athletics. He works with baseball coach Nick Winecke B’07, M’12 to support Cardinal Athletics and played a significant role in the fundraising for the baseball clubhouse, which was constructed in 2019. “Baseball alumni continue to join together to advance the student-athlete experience and their commitment to being the best they can be,” Weisenburger said. “Alumni recognize how athletic departments need to be competitive in today’s environment, when students have many choices. Wanting to make a difference and creating a differentiator for the university, we identified the immediate benefit of improving the surface playing conditions, while

considering the overwhelming desire to protect Saint Mary’s legendary coach Max Molock’s legacy to have the premier facilities in the MIAC. “Max would be heart-broken, having to retire the John Deere tractor that dragged the field, but we have to recognize the commitment to be the best,” he added. “New playing surfaces for our studentathletes, and the ‘Give to the Max’ programs fulfill a continued commitment to remember Max Molock’s legacy.”

The Give to the Max program was also started

by Weisenburger. Named in honor of Molock and because Weisenburger and Winecke know players seek to achieve excellence, or “give their max” both on and off the field, the program provides each Cardinal baseball player approximately $500 worth of essential baseball equipment and related athletic gear each year, once again helping to provide Saint Mary’s student-athletes the ultimate athletic experience.

As Weisenburger’s energy has been focused on the turf project, Bob and Cathy Cerone graciously continue to support “Give to the Max” by serving as the program’s major benefactors.

“Cathy and I are delighted to join Marc in creating a quality, first-rate experience for our Cardinal student-athletes,” said Bob Cerone. “Our experience at Saint Mary’s was very rewarding. We hope to encourage others to join us in creating an outstanding athletics program for the future. We recognize the need to maintain our exceptional coaching staff along with providing state-of-the-art facilities for our athletes.”

After this past season, in which countless games were postponed due to poor weather and playfield conditions, the turfed fields are a welcome addition, according to both baseball coach Nick Winecke and fastpitch softball coach John Tschida B’90.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 27

BENEFACTOR DINNER

Heritage Award and Benefactor Recognition Dinner

E

ach year, Saint Mary’s Benefactor Recognition Dinner serves as a celebration of philanthropy and a thank you to the university’s many generous benefactors.

The evening program included special recognition of the 2023 recipients of the Heritage Award for Transformational Philanthropy: The Riebenack Family – F. Walter, Mary Ann, Kristen, and Angela, as well as The Otto Bremer Trust.

The Riebenack Family endowed the F. Walter and Mary Ann Riebenack Scholarship and the Kristen A. Riebenack Memorial Scholarship, leaving a substantial and everlasting legacy that has significantly enhanced student access to Saint Mary’s M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program.

The Riebenack family was honored with one of this year’s Heritage Awards. Their late daughter, Kristen Riebenack M’97, inspired their giving to Saint Mary’s.

28 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Accepting on behalf of the Riebenacks was Audrey Kintzi, vice president emerita and executive director for the Master’s in Philanthropy and Development program.

The Otto Bremer Trust established two endowed funds in honor of inaugural trustee Lawrence A. Carr and his son-in-law trustee, Robert J. Reardon. The Robert J. Reardon Memorial Scholarship supports full-time undergraduate students of color on the Winona Campus, with demonstrated financial need. The Lawrence A. Carr Endowed Chair in Business supports faculty in the School of Business and Technology.

Accepting on behalf of The Otto Bremer Trust award were its trustees, Frank Miley C’02, a Saint Mary’s past parent and alumnus with a graduate certificate in education from Saint Mary’s, and Dan Reardon, whose daughter Catherine Reardon B’83 is an alumnae of Saint Mary’s.

Two graduating seniors, Nick and Noah Kiemel, presented their experience. Noah Kiemel is a senior Finance and Business Intelligence & Data Analytics double major.

Nick Kiemel is a senior Business Management major. Both compete on the men’s hockey team.

“Having a twin brother is an incredible blessing, and Nick and I are fortunate to have such a good relationship with each other,” Noah Kiemel said. “When deciding where to go to school, we knew how unique an opportunity it would be to go to college together. While playing junior hockey in Boston, we toured multiple colleges together.

One day, our coach called us to his office and said that the longer we waited, the more difficult the decision would become. So, we walked outside his office and said, ‘On three,

BENEFACTOR DINNER

Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., university president, presented a Heritage Award to The Otto Bremer Trust.

Accepting were Dan Reardon, co-CEO and trustee of The Otto Bremer Trust, and Frank Miley C’02, trustee of The Otto Bremer Trust.

say where you want to go 3…2…1… Saint Mary’s!’ ” Nick continued, “Out of the many different schools we visited, Saint Mary’s stood out because of the people we met. Everywhere we went on campus, we connected with someone who wanted to show us how much they loved it here. During our tour, we spent a lot of time with the hockey team. The group of guys here was so welcoming and made us feel right at home, and this was a significant contributor to why we wanted to come and be a part of this campus. Something that Coach Egan stressed to us on our visit was that not only was he looking for talented hockey players but also good people. This has been proven true with every recruiting class he has brought in and continues to be the culture for all of Saint Mary’s Athletics.

“As our four years are coming to an end, it is hard to put into words just how impactful our time at Saint Mary’s has been. We have learned countless life lessons and skills and made friends that will last a lifetime. Like our friend and teammate Jack Hatton said, ‘No

one is going to remember the score of a game or the grade you got on a test. But you will remember the relationships you build while you are here.’ “ Noah ended with, “We are incredibly blessed to attend a school like this and be part of such a rich community. Thank you for your tremendous generosity and support of Saint Mary’s University. It is a place that changes lives, and we are proud to be Cardinals for life.”

Students like Nick and Noah — from all Saint Mary’s programs and on all its campuses — are leading ethical lives of service, while becoming ever stronger virtuous leaders in their families, their communities, their churches, houses of worship, and in the world.

Saint Mary’s continues to be blessed by the generosity of benefactors and is tremendously grateful for their unending support. Saint Mary’s is what it is and is able to do the extraordinary things it does — because of you.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 29

BENEFACTOR DINNER

Trustee Jerome A. B’69 and Mary (Fiss) CST’71 Colletti joined Michelle Wieser, dean of the School of Business and Technology, and Amy Heinz, dean of the School of Health and Human Services.

Trustee Emeritus Michael M. Gostomski B’62 is pictured with Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, and James Gostomski.

Dr. Michael T. Flynn B’75 is pictured with David G. B’64 and Katherine (Tierney) CST’64 Ness.

Robert B’66 and Margaret Paradise, enjoyed talking with Michael J. B’66 (trustee emeritus) and Claudia (Drvota) CST’68 Dooley.

Nick and Noah Kiemel, twins and seniors on the men’s Cardinal hockey team, spoke during the Benefactor Recognition Dinner program.

30 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

NEWS AND VIEWS

NSF grant will launch Center for Business Analytics The Saint Mary’s community is pleased to announce that it has received an Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will be used to launch the university’s Center for Business Analytics.

Faculty, staff, and administration worked tirelessly to secure the grant since March and learned the university would be a recipient of the $400,000 grant in September.

With business analytics being among the most sought-after majors and programs within the School of Business and Technology, Saint Mary’s leaders see launching the Center for Business Analytics as an opportunity to embrace the university’s goals to build distinctive, mission-aligned programs that raise our visibility.

“This is very exciting as we look at what’s next for Saint Mary’s when it comes to areas of study that focus on technology, business intelligence, and artificial intelligence and how we can raise our profile and be seen as thought leaders in those areas,” said Michelle Wieser, dean of the School of Business and Technology.

According to Michael Ratajczyk B’03, M’05, program director for the M.S. and B.S. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics program and associate professor in the School of Business and Technology, the Center for Business Analytics will focus on two main areas: workforce development and strengthening the regional economy.

“The center will focus on providing workshops, seminars, and webinars from industry leaders and experts, and will also partner with regional businesses to provide vocational training opportunities for our students,” Ratajczyk said. “We see this as a winwin for our students and the communities in which our campuses are located.”

With the NSF grant secured, Ratajczyk says the university is positioned to pursue grants to help move the Center for Business Analytics forward.

“The NSF saw the vision behind the center to be very strong and they loved our project,” he said. “There is an expectation that we will be applying for more NSF grants.”

Efforts are underway to begin the launch of the Center for Business Analytics.

Jon Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization, will keynote the Hendrickson Forum on April 10.

Save the Date for Hendrickson Institute Forum, featuring Jon Clifton Save the date for Wednesday, April 10, when Jon Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization, the global analytics and advisory firm, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Hendrickson Forum on Saint Mary’s Minneapolis Campus. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with the lunch and keynote from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Clifton’s mission is to connect 1 billion individuals with their unique strengths, assist organizations in fostering thriving workplaces, and help 8 billion of the world’s citizens be heard on their most pressing issues through the Gallup World Poll, a century-long project spanning over 150 countries. After joining Gallup in 2008, Clifton rose to the position of Global Managing Partner in the firm’s consulting division, leveraging behavioral economics to advise leaders.

His 2022 book, Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness, achieved Wall Street Journal bestseller status. Clifton has also contributed to notable platforms like The Economist, BBC, and the Harvard Business Review. He holds a board position at Gallup and has formerly been a board member for entities such as Meridian International, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Streetwise Partners, and the University of Nebraska’s International Business Advisory Board.

He has a Juris Doctor, specializing in international law, from the University of Nebraska, as well as bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from the University of Michigan. He holds a senior fellowship at Baylor University Institute for the Studies of Religion and has been recognized with honorary doctorates in humane letters by Midland University and Western New England University.

For more information and to register, go to smumn.edu/hendricksonforum.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 31

NEWS AND VIEWS

Saint Mary’s announces $10 million gift from Slaggie Family Foundation; impactful gift tied to innovation and university’s future

Steve and Barb Slaggie.

Photo courtesy of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

The Steve and Barb Slaggie family has long believed in the value of Catholic education and the importance of Saint Mary’s University within the Winona community. Their recent $10 million gift commitment is testimony to this belief and will provide Saint Mary’s with a remarkable transformational gift for generations.

The Slaggie Family Foundation – which is overseen by Stephen and Barbara Slaggie – announced a planned $10 million gift to Saint Mary’s, which will be directed toward the future of Saint Mary’s and innovation. In addition to their parents, the four Slaggie children supported this commitment, including son Michael B’93, a Saint Mary’s alumnus.

The Slaggie family is well-known in southeast Minnesota. Steve was one of the founders of Fastenal, a global industrial supply company, headquartered in Winona.

Ever committed to their community and region, they are active champions for Catholic education, the arts, and humanitarian causes.

They have deep and long relationships with Cotter Schools, Mayo Clinic, Saint John’s University, and Saint Mary’s.

The family’s deep ties with Saint Mary’s date back to the 1950s, including three generations that have served on boards for the institution. With previous financial support of Saint Mary’s students given through Countdown to College and the First Generation Initiative (FGI), they also helped to establish the Jul Gernes (B’61) Pool, in memory of Barb and Steve’s brother-in-law.

“As well-established members of this community, it is incredibly encouraging to me and so many at the university that the Slaggies have chosen to assist us in this way. Their support demonstrates that they view Saint Mary’s as a pillar in the Winona area and beyond. They want us to stay and thrive, and they understand how critical we are to the local community. Barb

32 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

and Steve believe that Saint Mary’s has what it takes to deliver on an excellent faith-based education. It is even more heartening to be recipients of their generosity since they knew we had to make difficult decisions over the last few years. Their gift is an affirmation of the direction we have moved in,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary’s. “I view the Slaggies as dear friends and humble servant leaders who continue to see the importance of the mission and vision of Saint Mary’s. Simply put, their generous philanthropic gift is a blessing, as are they.”

“Knowing many, including our son and my siblings, who have attended Saint Mary’s, we know the knowledge and strong leadership they foster in their students. We are galvanized by the change Saint Mary’s students and alumni are able to make, and want to see that continue through our gift,” said Steve Slaggie.

Steve Slaggie’s two brothers, Tom and Michael Slaggie B’60, also attended Saint Mary’s.

Tom Slaggie was expected to be a member of the Class of ’58, but received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. “There is no question of my fond memories, and how I was shaped during my time at Saint Mary’s,” said son, Michael, B’93. “Our family deeply believes in the importance of the Lasallian Catholic experience at this university, and we are inspired by the students we continue to meet – really, the future leaders of our country that will need strong character and virtue for the challenges they will encounter. It has been reassuring to get to know Father Burns during challenging times to help clarify the critical academic changes that were made at the university.”

“We continue to be humbled and inspired by the generosity of benefactors who have given to our university. Each person who gives demonstrates his or her commitment to who we are as a university and who we are becoming.

These gifts continue to impact our graduates as they enter the workforce with the valuable blend of character education, real-world preparation, hands-on learning, and ethical leadership skills,” said Father Burns.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Saint Mary’s receives $4 million estate gift commitment; celebrates benefactors’ dedication to mission With a recent $4 million estate gift commitment, Saint Mary’s has raised close to $35 million in transformational gifts during the past four months — an unprecedented level of philanthropic support shown for the university in that amount of time.

Betty Kabara, a former trustee and generous longtime benefactor of Saint Mary’s, has made an estate gift of $4 million to further the mission of the university’s Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, founded by her and her husband, the late Dr. Jon Kabara B’48, in 2006.

The Kabaras have devoted their lives to supporting and inspiring the next generation of ethical leaders. Dr. Jon Kabara of Galena, Ill., founder of Med-Chem Labs, was known worldwide in the medical community for his breakthrough research. It was his goal to show young people how to create, run, and thrive at their own businesses — to give entrepreneurs of the future the tools to succeed.

After his passing, Betty Kabara has continued to champion their mutual passion for advancements in research and education.

Currently Med-Chem Labs’ president and CEO, she shared her more than 50 years of business acumen as trustee of Saint Mary’s from 2012-17.

The Kabaras founded Gundersen Health System Kabara Cancer Research, which provides an internship experience for a Saint Mary’s student each summer. They also previously made a $1.5 million gift in 2016 to enhance science and business at Saint Mary’s.

“One of the first things my husband wanted me to see before we got married was the Saint Mary’s campus. He shared that it was one of the best times of his life, and I think so many students come away from there feeling that way,” she said.

“Jon knew our personal efforts will impact the leaders for the next generation. We believe the

The late Dr. Jon B’48 and Betty Kabara, a former trustee.

Lasallian Catholic experience at this university is very important. We have always believed tomorrow’s leaders of our country and our world need strong character and virtue to form a truly peaceful global economy.”

“We continue to be humbled and inspired by the generosity of benefactors who have given to our university, especially in recent months. This remarkable gift by the Kabaras is yet another indication of their dedication and devotion to Saint Mary’s, our mission and vision.” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president. “We are incredibly grateful to both Betty and Jon for all they have done, and continue to do, for our students and the university as a whole. Their gift is an affirmation of the direction we have set. I know what they have given will continue to multiply, like a ripple effect, in the same manner as our other recent gifts. These gifts continue to impact our graduates as they work for the common good — entering the workforce with the valuable blend of character education, real-world preparation, hands-on learning, and ethical leadership skills.”

$100 Million Challenge These generous gifts will be allocated toward a $100 million challenge set earlier this year by an anonymous benefactor. The benefactor and his family made a $25 million commitment, the largest in Saint Mary’s history, to inspire others to step forward to support the university and to position it for a strong and successful future. With these most recent gifts, the university has raised approximately $34 million on the $100 million goal.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 33

NEWS AND VIEWS

New partnership with Benedictine allows nursing students on-the-job experience A new partnership between Saint Mary’s and Benedictine will allow the university’s students to train as certified nursing assistants and work at the health system’s local senior living facility.

With the new partnership, Benedictine will be able to use the Sandy Adducci Nursing Skills Lab on the Winona Campus to train certified nursing assistants and offer CPR certification courses.

The first certified nursing assistant training program using the nursing lab began on Oct. 9.

The courses are open to both the general public and members of the Saint Mary’s community.

“This is a win-win situation for everyone involved,” said Sister Agnes Mary Graves, RSM, DNP, director of the nursing program at Saint Mary’s. “Our nursing students will have the ability to experience work in their vocation prior to graduation, and our top-notch nursing laboratory will truly be a community asset.”

She added, “As a Lasallian Catholic institution, we’re also pleased to partner with a Catholic healthcare organization like Benedictine, which shares our mission and understands the importance of comprehensive healthcare, which

The first cohort of students training as certified nursing assistants as a part of a new partnership between Saint Mary’s and Benedictine

34 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

means looking at the whole person, body, soul, and mind.”

For more than 30 years, Benedictine Living Community-Winona has offered a certified nursing assistant program onsite. The program, which has graduated just over 6,000 students, offers an instructor-led track (with 75 hours of class completed in person with a registered nursing instructor) and a blended learning option (with 40 hours of class completed independently by the student online and the remaining required hours completed in person with an instructor).

“We are excited to collaborate with Saint Mary’s and provide an excellent educational experience for those looking to enter the nursing field beginning with certified nursing assistant training,” said Carol Ehlinger, executive director of Benedictine Living Community - Winona. “Our focus is to continue the hands-on experience of learning and developing nurses with our mission in mind.”

The Sandy Adducci Nursing Skills Lab offers an advanced nursing suite that includes access to hospital beds, patient manikins, and other topnotch training technology.

ALUMNI

Because of you

B

ecause of you, there is a place in the world that will never be the same. Because of you, success is defined by service and ethics. Because of you, serving others will become the norm.

These are just a few of my favorite ‘Because of you’ phrases, Saint Mary’s University marketing and communication has shared on our website, social media, digital communications, etc.

We are all ambassadors for our university. We all go our separate ways once we leave the undergraduate campus, or graduate or professional program. And because of you, the world will change for the better.

I’m nearing the end of my term as president of the Alumni Board, and I’m thrilled to share that Peg (Stringham) McCoy CST’80, M’11 is your presidentelect! I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the future of our university! With a recent $4 million estate gift commitment, Saint Mary’s has raised close to $35 million in transformational gifts during the past several months — an unprecedented level of philanthropic support shown for the university in that amount of

time. This generous gift will be allocated toward a $100 million challenge set earlier this year by an anonymous benefactor. The benefactor and his family made a $25 million commitment, the largest in Saint Mary’s history, to inspire others to step forward to support the university and to position it for a strong and successful future.

In addition to voting for Sports Hall of Fame members and alumni award recipients, I’ve always been most proud of the Alumni Board’s efforts to drive Lasallian Day of Service.

Alumni, students, faculty, and staff come together to make a difference in their communities, embodying the spirit of the Lasallian mission. This year, we had 16 confirmed sites in the Twin Cities, Winona, Southeast Minnesota, Chicago, Milwaukee, Florida, Maryland, and Rhode Island. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference each year.

It’s been an honor to serve in this capacity, and please consider participating on the Alumni Board yourself. The Saint Mary’s Alumni Association is

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS Kerry Edwards B’04 President, Alumni Board of Directors

currently seeking alumni who are interested in representing our alumni on the university’s Alumni Board of Directors. Read more: connect.smumn.edu/ alumniboardinterest.

Because of you, Saint Mary’s will continue to flourish and offer a highly personal, real-world-ready educational experience that fully prepares students to work, lead, and serve with character and purpose.

March 19 Founders’ Day and Day of Giving, Winona Campus and universitywide March 23 Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction, Winona Campus June 21-23 Reunion Weekend 2024, Winona Campus To see what’s coming up next, visit connect. smumn.edu/ events

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 35

ALUMNI

Alumni Events

ALUMNI, SEND US YOUR NEWS We want your personal and professional news items – photos, news clippings, etc., as well as tips about fellow alums who might make good feature story subjects.

Gary Russell M’70 was one of many alumni who stopped by the Welcome Home BBQ on Aug. 27, 2023, to welcome new students and welcome back returning students to the Winona Campus for the 2023-2024 school year.

For submission guidelines and how to submit your news, go to connect. smumn.edu/ alumni/classnotes.

As part of the university’s Lasallian dedication to service, the Saint Mary’s Alumni Board conducts a service project at every meeting. Here Dr. Russ Barcelona B’82 and Dr. Chris Tyre B’81 drop off food item donations, collected from board members at the Rochester, Minn., Salvation Army after the September 2023 board meeting.

36 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Alumnus Nate Semsch B’04 helps a student practice her interviewing skills at Cardinal Career Prep day on Sept. 25, 2023. In addition to mock interviews, this event — co-hosted by Career Services and the Office of Advancement — gives students a chance to have their résumés reviewed by professionals and network with fellow Saint Mary’s alumni.

ALUMNI

Saint Mary’s president, Father James P. Burns IVD, Ph.D., center, congratulates the 2023 Alumni Award recipients including, from left: Distinguished Alumnus Award winner Paul Magallanes B’63, Alumni Appreciation Award winner Jerry Papenfuss B’62, Lasallian Service Award winner Jim Izzo B’75, and Outstanding Young Alumnus Award winner David Dahlstrom B’10.

Reunion Weekend Recap

M

ore than 270 alumni and their families gathered on the Winona Campus for Reunion Weekend 2023.

The full weekend of activities included the 50th anniversary dinner for the class of 1973, alumni awards brunch, alumni BBQ dinner, as well as other specific class gatherings and activities planned by class peers.

Plans are underway for Reunion Weekend 2024, so save the date for June 21-23, 2024 — especially for those classes ending in a 4 or 9 celebrating a special milestone.

See you in June!

Gerry Williams B’73 receives his Master of the Art and Science of Life Experience degree from Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D. at the Class of 1973’s 50th Reunion Celebration dinner.

The largest class at Reunion Weekend was the class of 1983! With more than 60 members signing up, this group set the bar for future reunion weekend classes.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 37

CLASS NOTES 1960s Richard Schell ’66, a missing-in-action soldier, had County Road 25 between Minneiska and Rollingstone, Minn., named in his honor on June 18, 2023.

1980s Lori (Nelson) Quinn B’80, Lake Zurich, Ill., was promoted to senior development director at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in August 2023.

Allen Klein M’83 was featured in the article “Making Time for Awe and Laughter Enhances Life” in NextAvenue on Oct. 16, 2023.

administrative support and accounts payable clerk at Winona Area Public Schools in June 2023.

Brian McGlynn II B’10, M’19, Mound, Minn., began his position as controller at Rice Companies, Inc. in October 2023.

Dr. Roberta Pellant D’04, Hingham, Mass., published her book, “Searching for Sea Glass,” on Aug. 8, 2023. The book became the No. 1 Amazon International Best-Seller in September 2023.

Hjalmaar Rose B’10, C’22, Cottage Grove, Minn., was promoted to assistant vice president business technology analyst at U.S. Bank in February 2023.

Veronica Raulin B’06, Madison, Wis., was promoted to director of advisory at SADA in April 2023.

Brian Ragatz M’07, Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as president of St. Thomas Academy on July 1, 2023.

William “Bill” Robinson III B’85, Albuquerque, N.M., began his position as land entitlement manager at Meritage Homes in October 2023.

Courtney Beckers B’08 began her position as national sales executive at Hines and Associates in July 2023.

Dr. Mic Hunter M’87, Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as psychologist at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in July 2023.

Bradley “Brad” Berzinski M’08, Winona, Minn., began his position as superintendent at Winona Area Public Schools in July 2023.

Mark Yedinak B’87, Huntley, Ill., began his position as director of IT at Intelligent Generation in September 2023.

Michael Krumm B’08, Montrose, Minn., was promoted to procurement manager at Hoya Vision Care in June 2023.

Dr. Gayle (Engesser) Brekke B’88, Parkville, Mo., received her Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the University of Kansas Medical Center in June 2023.

Adam Wiltgen B’08, Red Wing, Minn., began his position as program officer at Minnesota State Arts Board in October 2023.

1990s Ellen (McGonagle) Cole B’90, Clearwater, Fla., began her position as manager at Moffitt Cancer Center in July 2023.

Jill (Peterson) Flores B’97, Rochester, Minn., began her position as secondary school teacher at Century Senior High School in August 2023.

2000s Francis “Frank” Miley C’02, Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as co-CEO and trustee at Otto Bremer Trust in February 2023.

Mary “Mary Kate” (McBride) Farnan B’03, La Grange Park, Ill., began her position as school counselor at Oak Lawn-Hometown School District in July 2023.

James “Jim” Baertsch B’04, Winona, Minn., began his position as

Brenna (Sheehan) Wood B’08, Minneapolis, Minn., began her position as event director at K2 & Co. in May 2023.

Melinda (Smith) Harkins M’09, Lake City, Minn., began her position as strategic sourcing analyst at Intek Plastics in May 2023.

2010s Travis Dietrich B’10, M’12, Prescott, Wis., was promoted to vice president of refrigerated logistics at Bay and Bay Transportation in July 2023.

Dr. Melinda Fierro Westberg M’10, C’15, D’20, Stillwater, Minn., began her position as earth science teacher at Anoka-Hennepin School District in August 2023.

Saurabh Kapoor M’10, Union City, Calif., was promoted to senior assistant vice president at Wells Fargo in October 2023.

38 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Kristina (Scherber) Sherrett B’10, Saint Paul, Minn., was promoted to member engagement manager at Catholic United Financial in March 2023.

Bridget Coffou B’11, M’16, Tacoma, Wash., began her position as sexual violence prevention specialist at State of Washington National Guard in August 2023.

Benjamin Eirikson B’11, Pine Island, Minn., began his position as deputy general counsel at South Dakota Department of Human Services in June 2023.

MacNeil “Mac” Jaehnert ’11, Bayside, Wis., was promoted to digital communications team lead at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in June 2023.

Andrew Kilpatrick B’11, Champlin, Minn., began his position as assistant to the city manager at City of Burnsville in August 2023.

Nathan “Nate” Kremer M’11, C’13, S’13, Stilwell, Kan., began his position as principal at Harmony Elementary in the Blue Valley School District in June 2023.

Colin McGlynn B’11, Saint Bonifacius, Minn., was promoted to chief commercial officer at JRC in October 2023.

David Timmons B’11, Buffalo, City, Wis., began his position as regional account manager at Trade Tools Inc. in July 2023.

Carolynn Lee M’12, Sheboygan, Wis., was promoted to deputy director of education grantmaking at Ascendium Education Group in May 2023.

Bo Beyer B’13, Circle Pines, Minn., began his position as customer success manager at Goals.com in August 2023.

Patrick “Petey” Brown B’13, Prior Lake, Minn., was promoted to social media manager at Minnesota Timberwolves T-Wolves Gaming in August 2023.

CLASS NOTES Michael “Mike” Feriancek B’13, Minneapolis, Minn., was promoted to audit director at Olsen Thielen and Co. Ltd. in August 2023.

Two alumni lawyers recognized for their service

Michael “Mike” Lang B’13, M’21, Newport, Minn., began his position as large market account associate at Surest in August 2023.

Merle WIlberding B’66, J.D.

James Nathan M’13, Akron, N.Y., began his position as director of quality and food safety at Kreher Family Farms in May 2023.

Stephanie Nuttall C’13, M’14, C’22, Eagle Point, Ore., began her position as assistant legal counsel at Josephine County in July 2023.

Julianne “Julie” (Bartosz) Olivo B’13, Mokena, Ill., began her position as director of communications and public relations at Intersport in August 2023.

Cody Sprague B’13, M’17, McGregor, Minn., began his position as director of consumer research and insights at General Motors in July 2023.

Alyson Kriz B’14, M’23, Chanhassen, Minn., began her position as onboarding team new hire mentor at Delta Air Lines in August 2023.

Jesus Martinez B’14, Chicago, Ill., was promoted to acquisition marketing manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in July 2023.

Robert Rand Jr. C’14, S’22, Richfield, Minn., was promoted to assistant principal at Whittier Elementary, Minneapolis Public Schools, in July 2023.

Mary “Cate” Coghlan B’15, Minneapolis, Minn., was promoted to asset protection business partner at Target Corporation in May 2023.

Carli (Chadderdon) Hesse B’15, Missouri City, Texas, began her position as executive assistant at Federal American Grill in September 2023.

Lisa Viker M’15, Wabasha, Minn., began her position as director of business development at NoCo in June 2023.

Scott Zengri B’15, Cicero, Ill., began his position as supply chain demand planner at Martin Brower Corporation in October 2023.

The Ohio State Bar Foundation presented Merle Wilberding B’66 with the 2023 Ritter Award, an honor that goes to just one Ohio lawyer each year and is comparable to a lifetime achievement award.

Wilberding was selected from more than 40,000 lawyers in Ohio. “Merle Wilberding has devoted over 50 years to the practice of law, reflecting the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and ethics,” said Susan Elliott, professor and director of Zimmerman Law Library, University of Dayton School of Law. “He is deserving of this award not only for his long and successful career as an attorney, but also for his extraordinary contributions to the military justice system, to the state and local bars, to the arts, to education, and to continuing efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our system of justice and the community at large.”

Throughout his career as an attorney in Washington, D.C., and Dayton, Ohio, Wilberding has accrued a lengthy list of prominent legal achievements and worked high-profile national cases including the “My Lai Massacre,” a case that will go down as the most notorious court martial arising out of the Vietnam War. In 2008, on a substantially pro bono basis, he represented the family of LCpl. Maria Lauterbach, who was savagely murdered and buried in the backyard of Cpl. Cesar Laurean in North Carolina. Subsequently, he became a national spokesperson for the victims of sexual assault in the military. At Saint Mary’s, the Merle F. Wilberding Alumni Room has been named in honor of his generosity. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2016.

Patrick Salvi B’75, J.D. Patrick A. Salvi B’78 J.D., was honored with the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence in fall 2023. The award was presented at the Illinois Bar Association’s 24th Annual Black Tie Gala in Chicago.

Salvi founded Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in 1982 and currently serves as its sole owner, chairman, and managing equity partner. His practice concentrates on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, aviation, and product liability cases.

Regarded as one of the most prominent personal injury trial attorneys in the nation, Salvi led his firm to recover more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements, including over 300 cases that recovered over $1 million. In 2017, Salvi served as lead counsel on a team that recovered $148 million on behalf of a young woman paralyzed at O’Hare Airport. This is the most recovered from a personal injury suit in Illinois.

Salvi has received numerous accolades, including being named Best Lawyers® Plaintiff’s Personal Injury “Lawyer of the Year” in Chicago and receiving The Jury Verdict Reporter and Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in 2011, 2012, 2018, and 2022.

He has been consistently listed as one of the “Best Lawyers in America”

by Woodward/White, Inc. Additionally, Salvi has been selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers Top 10 list every year since 2014 (out of 96,000 Illinois lawyers and in all categories of law).

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 39

CLASS NOTES Kirsten (Hoffmann) Haas B’16, Golden, Colo., was named the 2023 Armed Forces Insurance Coast Guard District 17 Spouse of the Year.

Elizabeth “Tess” Mitchell ’17, Wausau, Wis., began her position as retail relationship banker at BMO in August 2023.

Nicholas “Nick” Esposito B’16, Saint Charles, Ill., began his position as podiatric medicine and surgery resident at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in July 2023.

Matthew Phillips M’17, C’22, Chaska, Minn., began his position as behavioral specialist at Jordan Public Schools in June 2023.

Sarah Frich M’16, Howard Lake, Minn., began her position as sales support specialist at John Hancock in June 2023.

Karina Kim B’16, San Mateo, Calif., was promoted to associate director of operations at Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education in June 2023.

Megan (Collins) Knoff B’16, M’18, South Saint Paul, Minn., began teaching at South Washington County Schools in August 2023.

Clare (Siska) Matthews B’16, Minneapolis, Minn., was promoted to principal data analyst - outsource aligned at C.H. Robinson in October 2023.

Dr. Nicholas Thell B’16, Duluth, Minn., began his position as physical therapist at Genesis Rehab Services in June 2023.

Brigette Audette B’17, Elk River, Minn., began her position as family, victim, and community coordinator at Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Agents Association in June 2023.

Christopher “Chris” Bartosz B’17, Saint Louis Park, Minn., began his position as senior financial analyst at Dakota Supply Group in August 2023.

Emily (Winter) Bonfe B’17, Saint Paul, Minn., began her position as client success consultant at Anglepoint in May 2023.

Elsa Chase B’17, Stewartville, Minn., began her position as digital marketing specialist at Nexstar Network in June 2023.

Lauren Finley B’17, Minneapolis, Minn., was promoted to clinical pharmacist practitioner at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in July 2023.

Saul Hernandez B’17, Minneapolis, Minn., was promoted to business banking data and operations manager at BMO U.S. in October 2023.

Luis Antonio Villadolid B’17, Palatine, Ill., was promoted to assistant vice president of Lockton in June 2023.

Tamara Zieglmeier M’17, Elk River, Minn., began her position as construction project manager at Donaldson in August 2023.

Kathryn “Kate” Clark B’18, Kenosha, Wis., was promoted to therapist at Professional Services Group, Inc. in September 2023.

Sara Dethloff B’18, Chicago, Ill., began her position as project manager at Bostrom in May 2023.

Sarah Egbert B’18, Colorado Springs, Colo., began her position as director of communications at Dr. Kells’ Weight Loss in March 2023.

Dr. Jeremy “Jay” Heinle B’18, York, Pa., received his doctorate of medicine from Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2023.

Alexa Krogstad B’18, Saint Paul, Minn., began her position as an aesthetician and working in reception at Rejuvenation MedSpa by Minnesota Women’s Care in July 2023.

Javier Madrid B’18, Tucson, Ariz., was named one of Cristo Rey’s 40 under 40 in 2023.

Joseph Musco B’18, Chicago, Ill., was promoted to senior consultant, fund administration, HFS at Northern Trust Corporation in June 2023.

Tara Nagy B’18, Oak Lawn, Ill., began her position as business intelligence engineer at Follett Higher Education in July 2023.

Ajibola “Bola” Agboola M’19, Rosemount, Minn., was promoted to lead project manager at Wells Fargo in August 2023.

Tyler Aliperto B’19, Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as middle school

40 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

assistant principal at Friendship Academy of the Arts in June 2023.

Milton Dodd M’19, Plymouth, Minn., began his position as director of new business, health, and benefits at WTW in September 2023.

Nyakume “Becca” Dup B’19, Houston, Texas, began her position as secondary faculty - IB psychology at The Awty International School in August 2023.

Hailey Nisbit B’19, Utica, Minn., was promoted to underwriting account manager at American Contractors Insurance Group in September 2023.

Julia Waterloo B’19, Saint Charles, Ill., began her position as administrative assistant at RCP Advisors in May 2023.

2020s Misty Coonan M’20, C’20, Cologne, Minn., began her position as PHP counselor at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in July 2023.

Ricardo Estrada Rodriguez B’20, Oronoco, Minn., was promoted to enterprise operations analyst at Morrison Healthcare in August 2023.

Patrick Laughlin B’20, Saint Louis, Mo., was promoted to bank examiner at Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in September 2023.

William Matthews B’20, C’21, Geneva, Ill., was promoted to supplier development associate at Fastenal in October 2023.

Kristjan Meitz B’20, Saint Paul, Minn., was promoted to data enablement analyst at 3M in September 2023.

Dylan Robertson B’20, Alpharetta, Ga., was promoted to senior financial analyst at LexisNexis Risk Solutions in October 2023.

Adam Tapper B’20, Los Angeles, Calif., was promoted to station manager at Enterprise in October 2023.

Haley Williams B’20, B’21, Littleton, Colo., was promoted to associate editor at Red Line Editorial in June 2023.

Clare Bath B’21, Minneapolis, Minn., began pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy in the fall of 2023.

CLASS NOTES Angela Cruz B’21, Saint Paul, Minn., began her position as paralegal at Robichaud, Schroepfer, & Correia, P.A. in May 2023.

Annalise (Shupe) Gibbs B’21, Preston, Minn., began her position as youth financial educator at BayPort Credit Union in August 2023.

Jacob “Jake” Homan, B’21, North Mankato, Minn., began his position as accountant at United Prairie in September 2023.

Ryan Krewer B’21, Savannah, Ga., began his position as ambassador at Cora Bett Thomas Vacation Rentals in July 2023.

David Lindstrand B’21, Lakeville, Minn., began his position as senior financial analyst at Schwan’s Company in July 2023.

Kaitlin Patterson B’21, Chicago, Ill., was promoted to human resources generalist at Loyola University Chicago in July 2023.

Shane Sheets M’21, Green Isle, Minn., received the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal Health Care Hero Award in June 2023.

Abby (Winter) Stanislawski B’21, Winona, Minn., began teaching at Eau Claire Area School District in August 2023.

Tony “TJ” Draves, Jr. ’22, Fond Du Lac, Wis., began his position as account executive at Madison Capitols Hockey Club in August 2023.

Rose Kraus B’22, Goodview, Minn., was promoted to staff scientist II at Braun Intertec Corporation in July 2023.

Cassidy Meyer B’22, Hastings, Minn., began her position as faith formation director at Church of the Blessed Sacrament in July 2023.

Mackenzie Moller B’22, Cave Creek, Ariz., began her position as production coordinator at Desert Foothills Theater in August 2023.

Brother Roderick Robertson, FSC B’63, who taught in the Fine and Performing Arts Department for more than 40 years before his retirement in 2015, had one of his mandalas, “White Feather Dance,” featured on CBS “Sunday Morning” on Oct. 24. For decades the long-running news show has featured a depiction of the sun, submitted by artist viewers. These shining examples of art are chosen by one woman, Jessica Frank, who has chosen over 9,000 from the countless submissions. manager at Rivers Edge Golf Club and Services in October 2023.

service specialist at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in September 2023.

James “Jimmy” Sewart B’22, Mequon, Wis., began his position as content syndication specialist at Fastenal in August 2023.

Dylan Musiedlak B’23, Winona, Minn., began his position as business intelligence specialist at Schwan’s Company in July 2023.

Gabriel Bickerstaff B’23, Stewartville, Minn., began his position as legal assistant at Wagner Pehler, Ltd. in June 2023.

Catherine “Katie” Pierpont B’23, Winona, Minn., began her position as mental health coordinator at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in August 2023.

Grace Chalmers B’23, Albert Lea, Minn., began her position as copywriter at Ecreative in June 2023.

Katherine Schroettner B’23, Winona, Minn., began her position as residence hall director at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in July 2023.

Andrew Froese B’23, Traverse City, Mich., began his position as first assistant golf professional at Rivers Edge Golf Club and Services in October 2023.

James “Gino” Hoffman B’23, Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as advertising coordinator at Star Tribune in October 2023.

Joshua “Josh” Janssen B’23, Green Bay, Wis., began his position as market research analyst at Capital Wealth Planning, LLC in July 2023.

Alexander “Alex” Keeler B’23, Antioch, Ill., began his position as staffing coordinator at Aramark in July 2023.

Trevor Paradise B’22, Edina, Minn., was promoted to relationship manager at Fidelity Investments in July 2023.

Brady Lindauer B’23, Land O Lakes, Fla., was promoted to relationship manager at Fidelity Investments in October 2023.

Cassandra Sepp B’22, began her position as event and marketing

Daniel Marxen B’23, Maple Grove, Minn., began his position as client

Timothy “Timmy” Smith B’23, South Saint Paul, Minn., began his position as data steward at Ergotron in July 2023.

Melissa Varner B’23, Andover, Minn., began her position as case manager at Southwest Network in July 2023.

MARRIAGES 1980s Daniel “Dan” Fitzgerald B’88 and Cathleen Barry B’89, Michiana Shores, Ind., were married July 15, 2023.

2010s Kimberly “Kim” Puk B’13 and Dario Salmon, Naperville, Ill., were married Sept. 3, 2023.

Tiffany Johnson B’15 and Eric Clos, Harmony, Minn., were married Aug. 5, 2023.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 41

CLASS NOTES Chloe Stauffer B’16 and Dr. Jeremy “Jay” B’18 Heinle, York, Pa., were married in 2023.

Austin Arnold B’19 and Brittney Flom B’19, Saint Paul, Minn., were married June 24, 2023.

2020s Amanda Pohlman B’20 and Grant Biggs, Omaha, Neb., were married Aug. 26, 2023.

Justin Edwards B’20 and Hannah Edwards, Maple Grove, Minn., were married June 3, 2023.

Gabrielle Shupe B’20 and Nathan Eversole, Preston, Minn., were married April 22, 2023.

Jessica “Jess” (Hoffman) B’20 and Andrew Yeske, Loretto, Minn., were married Oct. 7, 2023.

Noah French ’21 and Megan French, data services specialist at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, Minn., were married Sept. 23, 2023.

Michael Sauer ’21 and Tamara Sauer, Bemidji, Minn., were married May 26, 2023.

Abby Winter B’21 and Jacob Stanislawsi, Winona, Minn., were married Sept. 23, 2023.

Brady Lindauer B’23 and Brianna Lindauer, Land O Lakes, Fla., were married May 28, 2023.

BIRTHS 2000s Amanda “Rosie” (Gwost) B’04, M’05 and James Dotson, New Prague, Minn., welcomed a daughter in July 2023.

Liz and Patrick B’05, M’16 Jacobsen, La Grange, Ill., welcomed a daughter on Oct. 11, 2023.

2010s Alex and Emma (Stenzel) B’12 Pederson, Minneapolis, Minn., welcomed a son in October 2023.

Julie (Pierce) B’12, M’15 and Matthew M’17 Boelke, Dayton, Minn., welcomed a daughter on April 12, 2023.

Samuel “Sam” B’12 and Samantha (Dahlstrom) B’12 Callisto, Minneapolis, Minn., welcomed a daughter on Sept. 14, 2023.

Kaitlyn (Bryant) B’14 and Brandon B’15 Larsen, Saint Paul, Minn., welcomed a son on June 26, 2023.

Richard “Dick” Ligda B’66, Marshall, Minn., passed away on June 7, 2023.

Kenneth Spanjers B’66, Saint Paul, Minn., passed away on Aug. 17, 2023.

Robert Noonan B’67, Weed, Calif., passed away on Sept. 26, 2023.

Josh and Kelsey (Brekke) B’13 Markham, Appleton, Wis., welcomed a daughter in August 2023.

Thomas “Tom” Holstein B’69, Rolling Meadows, Ill., passed away on May 3, 2023.

Phil and Katie (Stein) B’15 Minter, Chatfield, Minn., welcomed a son on Oct. 13, 2023.

1970s

Skye and Casey (McCarraher) B’19 Miller, Dyersville, Iowa, welcomed a daughter on June 6, 2023.

DEATHS 1950s Joseph “Joe” Lafond B’51, Centennial, Colo., passed away on June 11, 2023.

Jack Mertes ’51, Edina, Minn., passed away on March 1, 2023.

Donald “Doc” Kemmeter M’70, Rhinelander, Wis., passed away on Aug. 16, 2023.

Michael Cannon B’73, Rolling Meadows, Ill., passed away on Sept. 30, 2023.

Paul Berra B’74, Saint Louis, Mo., passed away on Sept. 25, 2023.

Scott Lindorff B’74, Munster, Ind., passed away on Jan. 17, 2023.

William Englehart, Jr. B’75, Wheaton, Ill., passed away on July 26, 2023.

Dr. William “Bill” Gensler B’53, Tucson, Ariz., passed away on June 5, 2023.

Thomas “Tom” Glancey B’77, Imperial Beach, Calif., passed away on Sept. 3, 2023.

Charles “Chuck” Wiser, Jr. B’56, Saint Paul, Minn., passed away on July 20, 2023.

Richard “Dick” Daley B’78, Western Springs, Ill., passed away on March 19, 2023.

Dr. Ronald “Ron” Severino B’58, Wheaton, Ill., passed away on July 15, 2023.

Lee Mulcrone B’78, Hometown, Ill., passed away on June 29, 2023.

1960s Richard “Dick” Schaefer B’60, Fargo, N.D., passed away on June 23, 2023.

Richard “Dick” Drogosz B’61, Freeport, Ill., passed away on Sept. 27, 2023.

John Carroll ’62, Sewickley, Pa., passed away on Jan. 28, 2023.

Father Melvin Long B’62, Lake Forest, Calif., passed away on Aug. 17, 2023.

Roger Nedoba B’63, Naples, Fla., passed away on June 13, 2023.

Sister Virgina “Gina” Webb M’79, Saint Paul, Minn., passed away on Sept. 8, 2023.

1990s Mia (Cacciabondo) Geheren B’90, Huntley, Ill., passed away on May 21, 2023.

Judith “Judy” Gentry C’96, Minneapolis, Minn., passed away on Feb. 18, 2023.

Anthony “Tony” Marra ’96, Antioch, Ill., passed away on April 7, 2023.

2000s

Aloysius “Al” Mazig ’65, Minneapolis, Minn., passed away on April 27, 2023.

Dr. Renee Jesness D’05, Bozeman, Mont., passed away on March 12, 2023.

Stephen “Steve” Dybsky B’66, Muir Beach, Calif., passed away on Aug. 1, 2023.

Maureen “Mo” Polasek B’02, M’05, Saint Louis, Mo., passed away on Sept.

18, 2023.

42 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

CLASS NOTES

Bill Crozier, Ph.D. Bill Crozier, Ph.D., known for his kind demeanor, his sense of humor, and his knowledge and reverence for history, died Sept. 23, 2023. He was just a month shy of his 95th birthday.

He and his wife, Selma, came to Winona in 1968 when he began teaching history at Saint Mary’s.

He later served as the university’s archivist and coauthored Saint Mary’s Centennial book.

Survivors include his wife, Selma; daughters, Elizabeth Crozier B’88 and Kathleen (Crozier) Eikens B’84, and sons, John G. Crozier B’78, Daniel P. Crozier B’78, and Robert Crozier B’83, as well as William D. Crozier. A daughter, Mary Crozier-Sauer B’87, and a son, Thomas, preceded him in death.

During his 45-year tenure, Dr. Crozier touched a heartwarming number of people who came forward on Saint Mary’s social media page with these words: “He was an amazing professor who truly cared about his students. He had a great sense of humor and a sparkle in his eye. He will be remembered fondly. I’m grateful for his presence in my life.”

— Deedee (Strickland) Nadeau B’85 “I went to him second semester senior year and said, ‘Doc, I’m three history credits short of graduating.’ He turned to his massive, stuffed bookcases and said, ‘Well, there must be something here you could write a paper on.’ ”— Taya Gavin B’94 “He was part of the reason I chose Saint Mary’s.

My dad was a history major in the late ’60s/early ’70s and worked with him on a history of Winona. When we went on a visit in 1992, we went and talked to him.

He recognized my dad immediately, and it was so fun to listen to them chat. At the end of our time together, he said, ‘OK, young lady. Go look at a ton of schools … but then come here. There isn’t anywhere better.’

So I did.” — Rebecca Schaefer Wolf B’98 “He made a lasting impression on me and taught me the importance of history and inspired me with the love of research. I was fortunate to learn all about Winona and data compilation doing what I thought was going to be an easy independent study under his guidance. I also learned a lot about conversation and laughter while spending time with one of my favorite teachers. Thanks, Doc.” — PJ Cullerton B’76

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 43

CLASS NOTES Faculty/Staff William “Bill” Crozier, former history professor, Minneapolis, Minn., passed away on Sept. 23, 2023.

James Herzog, former faculty member, Owatonna, Minn., passed away on Sept.

26, 2023.

Robert Taylor, former staff member, Winona, Minn., passed away on April 13, 2023.

SYMPATHY 1960s Col. James “Jim” Williams B’60 and Dr. James “Jim” Bierden B’61, for the passing of their sister and wife, Margaret “Peg” (Williams) Bierden CST’62, on Jan. 15, 2023.

Allen “Al” Nedoba B’67, for the passing of his brother, Roger Nedoba B’63, on June 13, 2023.

Thomas “Tom” Schaefer B’67, former assistant to the vice president of academic affairs at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, for the passing of his brother, Richard “Dick” Schaefer B’60, on June 23, 2023.

1970s Stephen “Steve” Flad B’70, for the passing of his wife, Mary Flad, on July 11, 2023.

Thomas “Tom” Angst B’71, M’10, Dr. Beth (Angst) McQuinn B’05, and Paula (Angst) Hunter B’11, for the passing of their wife and mother, Linda Angst, on Oct. 5, 2023.

Judge Joseph Casciato ’71 and Jack Casciato ’08, for the passing of their brother-in-law and uncle, Dr. Ronald “Ron” Severino B’58, on July 15, 2023.

Sally (Weldon) Cannon B’74, for the passing of her husband, Michael Cannon B’73, on Sept. 30, 2023.

Peggy (Kenny) Adelmann B’76 and Dr. Joan (Kenny) Meyer B’78, for the passing of their mother, Lorraine Kenny, on Jan. 17, 2023.

Dr. Robert “Bob” B’76 and Dr. Ann (O’Connor) B’77 Trauscht, and Thomas “Tom” Trauscht B’85, for the passing of their mother and mother-in-law, Mary

Lindsay McCabe As this magazine was headed to print, we learned of the death of a soft spoken and humble, yet powerful and tireless supporter of the university, Lindsay McCabe M’98.

McCabe died Dec. 6. His involvement with Saint Mary’s was multifold. McCabe served Saint Mary’s as the executive director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership for many years, beginning in 2007, and as such he played a pivotal role in beginning the Hendrickson Forum.

A strong advocate for adult education, in his retirement, he served as the vice chair of Saint Mary’s Council of Regents since 2013-14. He and his family have remained strong supporters of the Lasallian Catholic mission of the university for well over a decade.

He also earned an M.A. in Management from Saint Mary’s and had started his studies in the Ed.D. program. He leaves behind his wife, Ann, two children, and two grandchildren.

“Lindsay was a great leader who never saw flaws in others, only the best,” said Matt Mahmood, fellow Saint Mary’s Regent. “Dedicated to the future of our university, his absence will be felt for a long time on the Council of Regents. Perhaps his biggest contribution — among many — was to the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership.”

“We are all grieving the loss of Lindsay, a model of quiet compassion and principled ethical leadership at our university and the larger community,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary’s. “I personally have lost a good friend and wise counsel.

A man of integrity and service, we celebrate the profound legacy that Lindsay has left, rejoicing in the blessing of his memory to all who have been touched by his life.”

(McClory) Trauscht CST’50, on Feb. 6, 2023.

Daniel Crozier B’78, John Crozier ’78, Robert Crozier ’83, Kathleen (Crozier) Eikens B’84, and Elizabeth Crozier B’88, for the passing of their father, William “Bill” Crozier, on Sept. 23, 2023.

Chris Johnson B’79, Julianne “Julie” (Johnson) B’81 and Thomas “Tom” B’82 Shannon, Mary (Johnson) Rommelfanger ’83, and Robert “Rob” Johnson ’87, for the passing of their father and father-in-law, George Johnson, on Sept. 29, 2023.

44 | SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024

Monica (Koller) Rateike B’79, for the passing of her husband, Alan Reteike, on Sept. 25, 2023.

1980s Karen (Koscielniak) Barry B’85 and Kelly (Bingen) B’87 and Robert Jr. B’89 Koscielniak, for the passing of their father and father-in-law, Robert Koscielniak, Sr., on May 29, 2023.

Michael “Mike” B’85 and Christine “Tina” (Henderson) B’85 Burke, for the passing of their mother-in-law and mother, Marion Henderson, on Sept. 23, 2023.

CLASS NOTES Richard “Rick” Drogosz B’86, for the passing of his father, Richard “Dick” Drogosz B’61, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Andrew Marra B’94, for the passing of his brother, Anthony “Tony” Marra B’96, on April 7, 2023.

Paula “Kelli” (Maniscalco) Whisler B’86, and Paul B’87 and Jacqueline (Maniscalco) B’87 Adank, for the passing of their father and father-in-law, Leonard Maniscalco, on Sept. 24, 2023.

Jennifer (Luetgers) Schultze B’99, for the passing of her father, Gary Luetgers, on June 11, 2023.

Christine (Lafond) Cozort ’88, for the passing of her father, Joseph “Joe” Lafond B’51, on June 11, 2023.

Laura (Miller) Hensley B’01, for the passing of her father, Robert “Bob” Miller, on April 27, 2023.

1990s

Christopher Garland ’04, for the passing of his father, Terry Garland, on June 4, 2023.

Kathryn “Katie” (Geheren) B’87 and John ’87 Blake, William “Bill” Geheren B’90, Michael “Mike” Cacciabondo B’93, and James “Jim” Geheren B’95, for the passing of their sister, sisterin-law, and wife, Mia (Cacciabondo) Geheren B’90, on May 21, 2023.

James “Jim” B’91 and Molly (Crosby) B’91 Cave, and Elias Cave B’21, for the passing of their daughter and sister, Iris Cave, on Aug. 27, 2023.

2000s

Patrick Polasek B’05, for the passing of his sister, Maureen “Mo” Polasek B’02, M’05, on Sept. 18, 2023.

Nicholas Berra B’07, for the passing of his father, Paul Berra B’74, on Sept. 25, 2023.

of their father and father-in-law, Charles Stasica, on Oct. 14, 2023.

Michael “Mike” Skillrud M’08, for the passing of his wife, Theresa Skillrud, on June 7, 2023.

2010s Constance “Connie” (Budin) Buck B’13, Joseph “Joe” B’15 and Abigail “Abbie” (Zuzek) B’15 Budin, Samuel “Sam” B’19 and Erin (Budin) B’20 French, and Thomas Budin B’23, sympathy for the passing of their grandfather and grandfather-in-law, James Warren Connelly, on Sept. 2, 2023.

Faculty/Staff Rebecca “Becky” Merchlewitz, custodian, sympathy for the passing of her father, Jerome “Jerry” Palmer, on June 7, 2023.

Adam B’07, M’11, M’17 and Meghan (Riordan) ’07 Stasica, for the passing

LOOKING BACK Psychology major Lexi Assimos B’14 talks with Dr. Jay Mutter at the Celebration of Scholarship, an event Saint Mary’s started in 2013 for students of all disciplines to present findings from their research. Classes are canceled on this day so all students can attend the presentations. Research and public presentations remain an important part of Saint Mary’s curriculum.

If you have more information about this photo, please contact Saint Mary’s Magazine editor, Deb Nahrgang. Mail comments to Saint Mary’s Magazine, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights #36, Winona, MN 55987. Or, send an email to dnahrgan@ smumn.edu.

SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE | FALL 2023/WINTER 2024 | 45

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Twin Cities, MN Permit 4612

WINONA CAMPUS 700 Terrace Heights #21 Winona, MN 55987-1399 USA

Lasallian Day of Service Oct. 28, 2023 20 CITIES, 8 STATES Sites spread across the nation from MN, WI, IL, SD, OH, RI, AZ, and FL. OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS Participants included alumni, faculty, staff, students, family, and friends.

OVER 600 HOURS All sites worked a combined total of over 600 hours.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! Oct. 26, 2024