SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
A message from the President
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This past fiscal year has had its share of challenges. Yet, despite the emotional and financial hardships that have accompanied all that has occurred, our benefactors have shown tremendous support for and generosity to Saint Mary’s. Most recently, we’ve received a generous anonymous gift to help us with the formation of our undergraduate nursing program. We’ve also made enhancements to our Winona Campus over the summer, including a new entrance and upgraded plaza — made possible because of another anonymous donor. And we continue to show our appreciation to the Kern Family Foundation for their support of our Character and Virtue initiative. How do we begin to show our gratefulness for those who, even in times of uncertainty, choose to philanthropically support Saint Mary’s? These gifts speak volumes to the relationships established here — and the knowledge and skills enhanced here — which our alumni carry with them throughout their lived experience of ethical awareness and leadership. It is also reaffirming that the important work we are currently doing, and our future aspirations, resonate with our benefactors and friends. Our identity as a Lasallian Catholic institution is strong. Through our strategic plan, we’re articulating our heritage and moving strategically in ways that are more enterprising and mission-focused than ever before. We’re also enhancing the programs already aligned with mission and well established, which have proven to be transformational, like our First Generation Initiative. Every gracious gift allows us to do more — provide more scholarships; begin new, in-demand programming; enhance our facilities; and support us with the unanticipated challenges we are facing because of the current pandemic. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians (2:1-5), we are grateful for all those who “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than oneself” ... ” look[ing] not only to one’s own interests, but also to the interests of others.” In this connection we are reminded that we can do all things in Him when we focus our efforts not on ourselves but on the good of others. As Brother Superior Robert Schieler stated “The deeply held conviction that each and every person is created in the image and likeness of God is at the heart of Catholic anthropology and is, therefore, an essential mark of Lasallian education.” We live this day in and day out with your support. We offer this investor’s report to recognize both the people and the gifts that sustain us as we
sustain you all in our daily prayers. Thank you for your continued assistance and partnership. Your kind and selfless generosity help us to bring our Lasallian Catholic education into the world.≠
Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D. President
