Five Honored for Leadership, Service at Saint Mary’s Founders’ Day In celebration of its heritage, Saint Mary’s presented awards to two staff members, a faculty member, and two outstanding seniors at its Founders’ Day celebration March 14 on the Winona Campus. Both Nick Winecke ’07, M’12, head baseball coach and recruiting coordinator, and Alison Block, associate registrar at the Twin Cities Campus, received the Distinguished Lasallian Educator award. These awards are given by Lasallian schools to honor contributions and commitment to the Lasallian mission of education. Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, associate professor of biology and director of the Allied Health program, received the 2017 Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC, College Faculty Award. This award is bestowed biennially on a College faculty member who demonstrates sustained excellence in teaching, contributes to the university outside of the classroom, builds community by serving as a model of the Lasallian spirit, and is a creative, passionate, and inspiring teacher. Dr. Minnerath has served, taught, and mentored students at Saint Mary’s for almost 20 years. The Outstanding Male and Female Senior awards were presented to Ena Moats ’17, daughter of Steven and Julie Moats of Roland, Iowa, and Peter Hegland ’16, son of Jim and Tanja Hegland of Saint Charles, Minn. Outstanding Seniors have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Above all, these men and women have shown genuine concern for meeting the
needs of others. The following students were finalists for the 2017 Outstanding Senior awards: (females) Amanda Baker, Maetzin Cruz-Reyes, Abigail Fangman, and Acacia Wimmer; and (males) Aidan Goodman, Darvell Jones, Joseph Malinao, and Aaron Romportl.
Honored for Leadership are, clockwise from top left: Alison Block, Nick Winecke ’07, M’12, Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, Ena Moats ‘17 and Peter Hegland ‘16
REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION The university received notice in March 2017 that the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) continued the accreditation of Saint Mary’s, with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2026-27. This result was achieved through the dedication and hard work of countless faculty and staff over the course of the past three years. The Higher Learning Commission has required a follow-up report, due Oct. 1, 2018, on the implementation of an assessment plan for the undergraduate College’s general education and co-curricular activities. The university has already begun the work to prepare that report. HLC accreditation is an affirmation of the university’s mission and plans. The Commission noted in its report that the 32 III smumn.edu/magazine FALL 2017
university had “provided evidence that its resources support its need for current execution of the mission and plans for initiatives that will strengthen the university’s abilities into the future.” The report also indicated that “the university’s strategic plan, campus master plan, annual budget, and technology infrastructure needs are key initiatives that have been embraced by its stakeholders … .” Congratulations and gratitude go to members of the steering committee, HLC coordinator, and the many working groups, faculty, administrators, and staff who helped with this successful universitywide endeavor.