UNIVERSIT Y MAGA ZINE
FALL 2026
SPREAD ac col ad
St. K
al on Nati
PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER ’10
WORD
ate’s
THE
r o f es stack up
OPENING CELEBRATION 2026
Students, faculty, and staff kick off the 2026–27 academic year with a spirited celebration in August.
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT MARY HAEG, JD DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS SARAH VOIGT MAOL’25 EDITOR ALISA BLACKWOOD DESIGNER HEATHER LONGMORE
CONTRIBUTORS RAPHAEL CERVANTES, PhD KARA DeMARIE MLIS’16 KENDALL GRAHAM LAURA GREENLEE-KARP MELANIE HOMAN D’ANN URBANIAK LESCH MOLLY ORTH AMY SHAW/ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS TEAM NICOLE ZIBOLSKI
PHOTOGRAPHERS PATRICK CLANCY TAMIKA GARSCIA REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER ’10 TARA SLOANE MIA TIMLIN ’25 ADDRESS CHANGES 651-690-6666 STKATE.EDU/UPDATEINFO mag.stkate.edu
@st.kates @stkates St. Catherine University
UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
FALL 2026
2 FROM THE PRESIDENT 3 VOLUNTEER IMPACT REPORT
No More 4 ASt.Secret Kate’s mission-centered support
and programming shows up in a year of recognitions and accolades
11 AROUND CAMPUS 14 BOOKMARK 16 KATIES IN ACTION 18 CLASS NOTES PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER ’10
St. Catherine University Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Communications. No part of this publication may be reprinted without permission. St. Catherine University was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905. Learn more: stkate.edu/ourhistory
21 IN MEMORY 24 KATIE DIARY
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Katies are known for their civic engagement and the energy leading up to the November 3 midterm election is in full swing. Find voting resources, Election Day ride information, and more on page 14.
From the President As we move into fall and the days become cooler, I am reminded of the importance of creating warmth for one another — the warmth of belonging, encouragement, shared purpose, and genuine connection. At St. Kate’s, this is a season for coming together as we begin a wonderful academic year filled with new possibilities. Our campus has truly come alive again, and I am filled with excitement and hope for all that lies ahead. That excitement is reflected in our theme for this year: Our Home. Our Community. Our Future. It reminds us that St. Kate’s is more than a place. It is a community shaped by our shared mission, our relationships, and our commitment to helping every person feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. This has been our practice as a community for years, and when I first arrived on campus, I would hear from many community members how we are “the best-kept secret” among institutions of higher learning. I remember thinking to myself, “that’s not always a good thing!” As the past year has shown us all, though, we’re not such a secret anymore. We have received a number of recognitions and accolades, which you can read about on page 4. I encourage you to take a moment, reflect on the meaning of these recognitions, and appreciate how our generations of mission, vision, and values in action brought us to this moment. It is humbling and extraordinary. Our students — the reason for our commitment to the worthy work of this University — have always inspired us, but reading stories of alumni who use their St. Kate’s
2
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
education to make our world a more just and equitable place is living proof of our mission in action. This issue includes a profile of Kay Wilhelmy Bauer ’59 and her lifelong advocacy for women veterans. You won’t regret reading her story on page 16. As we continue throughout this academic year, I want to remind you that alumni are valued members of Our Community. St. Kate’s has been your home in the past, and still is your home today. Without question, alumni are also important to Our Future. The future of St. Kate’s belongs to all of us, and every voice, every contribution, and every act of service matters. The Sisters of St. Joseph entrusted us with a mission that calls us to serve the dear neighbor without distinction and to move always toward the love of God and neighbor. That mission remains our compass as we respond to today’s challenges and embrace tomorrow’s opportunities. As the weather grows cooler, may the warmth of our St. Kate’s community continue to bloom. I am excited about what this academic year holds and I’m deeply grateful to be on this journey with each of you. Marcheta P. Evans, PhD President
KEEP UP WITH PRESIDENT EVANS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: and : St. Catherine University’s President : stkatespresident
Volunteer Impact Report BY THE NUMBERS 2025–26
20% Of volunteer opportunities fulfilled remotely 2,113 Total hours contributed 1,086 Total students directly impacted 506 Total number of volunteers 558 Total opportunities filled 1951–2026 Alumni volunteer class years 2025 • 1976 • 2022 • 2023 • 2018
Most active class years
A VOLUNTEER WRITES THANK YOU NOTES TO DONORS DURING THE ANNUAL ALUMNI NOTE-WRITING LUNCHEON.
VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION CATEGORY
Advisory Council 72 volunteers
Alumni Leader 15 volunteers
Career Development 59 volunteers
Center for Spirituality and Social Justice 77 volunteers Community Service Event 111 volunteers
Event Support 15 volunteers
Katie Fund Support 32 volunteers
Mentoring
81 volunteers
Reunion Support 18 volunteers
Student Support 22 volunteers
Volunteer Speaker 56 volunteers
Grand Total
558 volunteers
stkate.edu
3
4
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
A Secret No More St. Kate’s mission-centered support and programming shows up in a year of recognitions and accolades BY SARAH VOIGT MAOL’25
PHOTO/TAMIKA GARSCIA
stkate.edu
5
LEFT: INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED VIOLINIST KELLY HALL-TOMPKINS SPOKE AND PERFORMED AS PART OF THE WOMEN OF COLOR LEADERSHIP SERIES, KATIE LEADERSHIP IMPACT; TOP RIGHT: NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS ITS TOP PICKS FOR U.S. WOMEN’S COLLEGES; BOTTOM RIGHT: STUDENTS GATHERED FOR NETWORKING AT A STUDENT AND YOUNG ALUMNI SUMMIT; FAR RIGHT: PARTICIPANTS AT A ST. KATE’S EMPTY BOWLS EVENTS, IN COLLABORATION WITH HALL-TOMPKINS’ NONPROFIT, MUSIC KITCHEN — FOOD FOR THE SOUL.
“
hen women are W centered, supported, and empowered, they thrive — and they change the world.” —President Evans
S PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER ’10
t. Catherine University has always measured its success in academics, community engagement, and welcoming all without distinction through its students’ abilities to realize their full potential. This year, we celebrate recognition of that success from multiple national and international organizations — nudging St. Kate’s “best kept secret” status to the side. From the prestigious Fulbright Program to Newsweek, St. Kate’s is honored to receive acknowledgment of its daily work and long-term vision, standing out as a university that meets these organizations’ highest standards. “These recognitions affirm what we at St. Kate’s have always believed and lived: when women are centered, supported, and empowered, they thrive — and they change the world,” said University President Marcheta P. Evans, PhD.
6
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
hoosing a college is one of the most important decisions in a young woman’s life. It’s about more than academics—it’s about finding a place to thrive, to lead and to build the foundation for a successful future. The college experience should empower every student to reach their full potential, and for women, that can mean attending an institution with female academic role models (who are fairly paid) which prioritizes campus safety and meaningful pathways to success. Women’s colleges have long championed these values, creating environments where female students can flourish without barriers. But many coeducational institutions are also making significant strides in fostering gender equity, ensuring that women have access to the resources, support and opportunities they need to excel. To help prospective students and their families make informed decisions, Newsweek and Gender Fair are proud to present the inaugural America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026 list. This comprehensive ranking evaluates U.S. colleges across four critical categories: leadership, pay and policies, safety and opportunity. Our methodology draws on federally reported data, providing a new dimension of insight that complements existing college rankings. We’ve also included information on state-level reproductive health policies, sourced from the Center for Reproductive Rights, so students can consider how local laws may impact their health care access. These rankings aren’t meant to be used in isolation—they’re one tool among many to help navigate the college search process. Nothing replaces visiting campuses and talking with current students. But we hope this list helps identify institutions that are truly committed to supporting women’s success, both during college and beyond. Every school has different strengths, and some factors may matter more to you than others. We encourage you to explore the rankings, understand the methodology and discover the colleges that align with your values and aspirations.
AMERICA’S
BEST COLLEGES FOR WOMEN COURTESY OF NEWSWEEK
2026 Recognizing the institutions of higher learning that provide robust opportunities for female students to thrive
i l lu s t r at i o n by
L I N C O L N AG N E W
—Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief
34
N EWSW EEK.COM
F E B R UA R Y 0 6 , 2 0 2 6
N EWSW EEK.COM
35
PHOTO/TARA SLOANE
NEWSWEEK: ST. KATE’S No. 3 BEST U.S. COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Newsweek announced this past January that St. Catherine University ranked No. 3 in its first-ever list of the best colleges for women to attend in the United States. The list included more than 700 institutions, both women’s and co-educational, from across the country. Newsweek drew from federally reported data to reflect factors that create a supportive environment for women’s success, such as leadership opportunities and equity in pay.
How St. Kate’s supports student success
From its beginning, St. Kate’s has guided an inclusive community of women to learn and discern wisely, live and lead justly, and shape a better world. Students gain critical leadership skills through a safe, supportive environment and specialized resources such as Katie Leadership Impact programming, one-on-one Career Development mentoring, and hands-on opportunities with local partners. PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER ’10
Why it matters
For every student, their higher education experience is an investment of time and resources. Finding the best partner for their path forward can make the difference between earning a degree and launching a leadership journey that builds a foundation for lifelong purpose and success. This ranking affirms the validity of our mission and hones the focus of our forward vision.
stkate.edu
7
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH BEAR CARE CLINIC/RISE UP HEALTH CLINIC; GLOBAL SEARCH FOR JUSTICE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING; A STUDENT PROJECT DISPLAYED DURING TPT’S MIX TAPE EVENT AT THE O’SHAUGHNESSY.
PHOTO/MIA TIMLIN ’25
CARNEGIE RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Last January, St. Kate’s was again named as having met the criteria for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. The 2026 classification remains in place through 2032, celebrating St. Kate’s for its ongoing work deepening community partnerships, tackling societal challenges, fostering civic engagement, and catalyzing real world learning experiences. The University first received the classification in 2015. “Ever y day, the St. Catherine University community is learning from and working with the communities we are a part of and contribute to,” said D’Ann Urbaniak Lesch, assistant vice president for engaged learning and employer and community par tnerships. “This work is embedded in a St. Catherine education in a multitude of ways that support our students in leading and influencing as they learn and then graduate.”
8
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
St. Kate’s was one of three private colleges in Minnesota, and 237 institutions nationwide, selected by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching during this recognition cycle.
How St. Kate’s supports student success
St. Kate’s advances community connections through courses, clinicals, fieldwork, practicums, student employment, volunteering, and civic engagement like voting and dialogue. This work is supported by the University’s Center for Community Work and Learning (CWL), which is part of the Office of Scholarly Engagement (OSE). In the classroom, an introductory course required for most undergraduates called The Ref lective Woman integrates community-engaged learning as it explores topics like leadership, racism, and intersecting oppressions. The St. Kate’s Civic Engagement Fellowship is a student leadership program that fosters democratic and civic engagement through voter education and access, advocacy, and dialogue. In the community, St. Kate’s students, faculty, and staff live out the University’s commitments to scholarly inquir y and social justice through thoughtful partnerships, including: • Welcoming the Dear Neighbor?, a collaboration with Mapping Prejudice, examines the history and impact of housing discrimination in Minnesota. St. Kate’s co-led a project with Ramsey County for the last eight years to build a racial covenants map. St. Kate’s was recognized in 2024 with the Uniservitate Global Service-Learning Award for Catholic higher education institutions. • O ngoing work with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), focusing on voting and women’s leadership, led to student participation on the film Citizen, celebrating the suffrage centennial and the TPT Mix Tape event at The O’Shaughnessy. • Establishment of the Rise Up Health Clinic in 2020, located in the White Bear Lake Area High School, stemmed from a clinical partnership between the School of Nursing, the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences, and the community. This site brings accessible healthcare for the community while also serving as a practice site for St. Kate’s faculty and clinical site for interprofessional healthcare students.
Why it matters
The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by polic y ma kers, f unders, and researchers, the Classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions.
LEFT TO RIGHT: A STUDENT CELEBRATES SUBMITTING A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMPETITIVE FELLOWSHIPS OFFICE; VICTORIA LO ’26 STUDIED ABROAD IN SINGAPORE IN 2025 WITH SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL STUDIES; NAG POE ’24 IN THAILAND AS A FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR; CURRENT GLOBAL STUDIES STUDENTS SANDY BLONG ’27 AND KAYLA GOMES ’27 ENJOYING THEIR STUDY ABROAD TIME IN COPENHAGEN.
A TOP FULBRIGHT-PRODUCING INSTITUTION
St. Catherine University was named this year as one of 96 national colleges and universities with the highest number of students and recent alumni selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. "We are honored to be recognized as a top Fulbrightproducing institution, but we are not entirely surprised,” Denise Baird, PhD, provost and senior vice president said at the time. “Seeing our int el ligent , c u r ious, a nd motivated students excel at this level is something we w itness ever y day. O ur Fulbright Fellowship students contribute to our thriving intellectual climate and are an example to other students across the campus.” The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s premier international academic exchange program, providing exceptional Americans the opportunity to study, teach, collaborate, and conduct research abroad. Fulbright alumni achieve distinction and are recognized as global leaders. The first Katie Fulbright recipient dates back to 1953. Most recently, Katies earned the distinction for multiple consecutive years, including two St. Kate’s graduates for the academic year 2025–26, and in 2024–25, 2023–24, and 2022–23. One of the University’s most recent Fulbright recipients is Nag Poe ’24, who was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award and spent the 2025–26 year teaching in Thailand. “Immersing myself in a different culture was
something I’ve always wanted to do so this was the perfect opportunity for me. [The Fulbright] has granted me the opportunity to make so many connections around the world,” Poe said.
How St. Kate’s supports student success
St. Kate’s Competitive Fellowships office, which was established as part of the Off ice of Scholarly Engagement, supports applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, as well as other fellowships, in all areas of study and degree levels. St. Kate’s staff and faculty guide students through the application process, which also supports their personal and academic growth. This support culminates in “I Hit Submit” celebrations that honor the preparation, work, and learning that goes into applying — strongly positioning applicants for future opportunities regardless of outcome.
Why it matters
St. Kate’s status as a Fulbright top producing institution celebrates the University’s success and commitment to global connection and collaboration. “Since its founding, the Fulbright Program has fostered intercultural exchange and mutual understanding across borders,” said Neela Nandyal, PhD, director of Global St ud ie s a nd C ompet it ive Fellowships, ref lecting on F u l b r i g h t ’s c o n t i n u e d relevance. “Today, this work matters more than ever, and St. Kate’s students and alumni are uniquely positioned to advance it.”
stkate.edu
9
PHOTO/TARA SLOANE
AGE-FRIENDLY UNIVERSITY DESIGNATION
Providing quality educational opportunities for aging adults and fostering intergenerational connections earned St. Kate’s designation this year as an AgeFriendly University (AFU). “Joining the Age-Friendly University Global Network is a natural fit for St. Kate’s, whose mission calls for valuing human dignity at every stage of life,” said President Evans. The designation formalizes a long-held commitment by the University, practiced through academic programs, community partnerships, and intergenerational engagement. A cross-campus committee of faculty and staff, led by faculty members Melanie Homan, OTD, associate professor in the graduate occupational therapy program, and Josh Guggenheimer, PhD, worked on the application for several mont hs, collec t ing a nd sha r ing the ma ny ways St. Kate’s is involved in and committed to this effort.
How St. Kate’s supports student success
The University offers diverse opportunities for students to learn about and engage in intergenerational work both on and off campus. On campus, academic and social opportunities abound, including: • A n interdisciplinary longevity and aging minor, which engages students in preventing and addressing health disparities that inequitably accelerate aging • The St. Kate’s Women’s Health Integrative Research Center, where students have collaborated on several interventional studies aimed at increasing mobility and vitality across the lifespan
10
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES BRING STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER WITH OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS THE ST. KATE’S CHAPEL CHOIR (LEFT), AND STUDENT-LED EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT THE WISDOM WELLNESS CLINIC, ELDERS LODGE IN SPRING 2026 (ABOVE).
• Valuable hands-on experience for healthcare students who work with older adults volunteering as simulated patients at the Institute of Simulation and Interprofessional Learning (I-SAIL) • The Chapel Choir, which brings together students, alumni, and older adults from the community to build intergenerational connections Off campus, St. Kate’s staff and students partner with nonprofits serving older adults, including: • E lders Lodge, where students of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing provide education and care at the volunteer-run clinic, which serves primarily older Native American adults • Presbyterian Homes (including Carondelet Village), where occupational therapy students complete one-on-one senior fitness assessments and fall-risk education • R ebuilding Together Minnesota, which enlists occupational therapy students to visit homes and recommend modifications so older adults can live safely and independently
Why it matters
The Age-Friendly designation affirms the University’s success in adult education, leadership, research, and community partnerships “that value the contributions of older adults and promote a culture of belonging across generations,” said Homan. By joining the Age-Friendly University Global Network, St. Kate’s embraces the opportunity to continue learning f rom the best practices of fellow member institutions, while sharing models of intergenerational research and service-learning.
Around Campus
ST. KATE’S TEAM HELPS LAUNCH TWIN CITIES POPE LEO VILLAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT On July 8, a group from St. Catherine University joined Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to kick off the Twin Cities Pope Leo Village. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to social justice and service, Pope Leo Village is a national interfaith movement bringing together volunteers and community members to build affordable homes. The St. Kate’s build team included 15 students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have been part of the Welcoming the Dear Neighbor? (WTDN) project. Team members first researched and taught about
racial injustice in housing through their involvement in Collaborative Research’s Summer Scholars program and Community Work and Learning community engagement efforts. “While much of our summer is spent researching the history of housing, today is an opportunity to move from research into action,” said Samantha Schroeder ’27 at the event. “Building this home with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity reminds us that housing isn’t just something we study, it’s something that shapes people’s lives and communities.”
stkate.edu
11
ST. KATE’S RENEWS ACCREDITATION FROM THE MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD Reinforcing a commitment to preparing highly qualified classroom educators, St. Catherine University’s education unit has renewed its accreditation from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), earning continued approval through 2032. The University’s education unit encompasses the systems, structures, and programs that support licensure pathways, including early childhood education and library media specialist. Individual licensure programs undergo separate, regular review cycles, ensuring that both program content and pedagogy meet rigorous state standards. The renewed accreditation comes at a meaningful moment for St. Kate’s, as the University celebrates the 100th anniversary of the education department, reflecting its history of innovation in teacher preparation, including the early integration of Montessori pedagogy.
PARTNERSHIP FOR CONTEMPLATIVE DISCIPLESHIP HOSTS SUMMER RETREAT On August 1, St. Catherine University welcomed over 150 attendees from Twin Cities metro area Christian congregations for a day centered on reflection, stillness, and spiritual grounding. Together, participants engaged in contemplative practices, including a walking meditation, seated exercises, and a sensory mindful eating experience. Retreat participants also forged connections across diverse congregations and ecumenical traditions. The event was brought to life through St. Kate’s Partnership for Contemplative Discipleship, a Lilly Endowment Inc.-funded initiative dedicated to nurturing quiet reflection, intentional action, and transformative faith practices within the broader community. While the Partnership for Contemplative Discipleship has historically focused on collaboration between St. Kate’s and over 25 Twin Cities Christian congregational partners, it looks forward to expanding those opportunities for connection to the campus community. In the 2026–27 academic year, the Partnership will begin crafting programming designed for St. Kate’s students, faculty, and staff.
12
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
ST. KATE’S CALENDARS stkate.edu/alumni-events Athletics | stkatesathletics.com The O’Shaughnessy | stkate.edu/oshag Catherine G. Murphy Gallery | gallery.stkate.edu
SHOWCASE CELEBRATES SUMMER SCHOLARS’ RESEARCH A record number of student researchers gathered with faculty, staff, and community members in July for St. Catherine University’s 2026 Summer Scholars Closing Celebration. The Summer Scholars showcase featured presentations from 45 undergraduate researchers who worked in collaboration with 25 interdisciplinary faculty, on a total of 23 separate projects. Presenters invited family and friends to learn about their research and celebrate their achievements at the event. The Summer Scholars program supports projects from a wide range of disciplines, including projects from the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences and the School of Liberal Arts, Business, and Leadership. In addition to presentations of final research posters, this summer’s showcase also included examples and demonstrations, including the House of Worth Afternoon Dress, presented by Cody Kramer ’27, Jessica Manion ’28, and associate professor Carol Mager in the fashion design and merchandising department. The physics and mathematics team of Mary Gurka ’28, Abigail Lee Williams ’28, Anna Wigren ’27, assistant professor Alex Yuschik, PhD, and professor Erick Agrimson also demonstrated their atmospheric ballooning and rocket engineering project. Researchers from the psychology department even brought home-cooked food to share as part of the St. Catherine University Cookbook Research Project.
ST. KATE’S AWARDED $400,000 FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION St. Catherine University has been named a 2026 recipient of a $400,000 Institutional Impact Grant by the Educating Character Initiative (ECI), a project of The Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. The three-year grant supports integration of character education into undergraduate curricula, strengthening the core curriculum and fostering social justice values in alignment with the University’s mission. St. Kate’s is one of 49 institutions nationwide to be awarded an Institutional Impact Grant this year for its proposal, Developing Virtue through Action: A Curriculum to Foster Love of Neighbor without Distinction. The award continues the work begun by the year-long CapacityBuilding Grant that St. Kate’s received from ECI in 2025. The project will support faculty embedding virtue pedagogy into courses, particularly in Global Search for Justice seminars, where students engage in a range of experiential learning opportunities. The grant will also connect these efforts with other character-focused work at St. Kate’s and beyond through the establishment of a Summer Character Institute and a permanent resource library.
For more news and to read full announcements, visit stkate.edu/news. stkate.edu
13
FIND THESE TITLES
at the St. Kate’s Bookstore at stkate.edu/bookstore.
Bookmark As midterm elections approach, cozy up with reads that inspire civic engagement.
Midterm elections are Tuesday, November 3, and while some citizens focus on presidential election years, your vote at the midway point of a president’s term helps shape the make-up of Congress. This fall, voters have the opportunity to mark their preferences for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, along with state-specific races for ballot measures,
governor, state representatives, judicial, and other local offices.
HOW TO VOTE ON CAMPUS
You can also research candidates, topics, see a sample ballot, and learn about your voting rights:
St. Catherine University is known for its community involvement, and that includes stepping up to vote. In both 2022 and 2024, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge named St. Kate’s a Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting.
St. Catherine University’s faculty and staff offered their book recommendations about informed voting, community building, and democracy during election season.
libguides.stkate.edu/voterresources
MAKE YOUR PLAN This year, the University is making sure Katies keep the civic culture and participation strong. Visit the St. Kate’s Civic Engagement web page to learn about the resources offered, including: • how to register to vote (in-state or out-of-state) • how to determine your polling location • how to get to your polling location • how to vote early or by absentee ballot stkate.edu/vote
14
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
DAY-OF VOTING For students who live on the University’s St. Paul campus, did you know you can vote using either your St. Kate’s address or your permanent/home address? (Choose one.) If you plan to vote using your St. Kate’s address, your voting location is at the Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul. On November 3, Election Day, the St. Kate’s Voter Van will take you there. Meet at the St. Mary’s roundabout any time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. — and remember to pick up your “I Voted!” sticker after casting your vote.
COURTESY OF GLOO BOOKS
COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS
Nellie Francis: Fighting for Racial Justice and Women’s Equality in Minnesota by William D. Green (2021). Nonfiction.
Learn about Nellie Francis, an African American suffragist and activist, whose work for gender and racial equality in Minnesota and nationally has largely gone unrecognized. This historical look at Francis’ life covers the beginning of her public life as the only Black graduate and speaker at a white St. Paul high school in 1891, to her campaigning efforts for an anti-lynching law, racial dignity, and interracial collaboration.
A willingness to ask questions and understand opposing political views isn’t easy, but it’s essential for humanity in these contentious, divided times, contends author Mónica Guzmán. As an advisor for Braver Angels, a national cross-partisan depolarization organization, Guzmán shares her personal and professional experience to help readers embrace their natural curiosity and have real conversations about differing worldviews.
It’s never too early to teach children about the importance of voting and engaged citizenship. If you have children or younger siblings, start by reading Calling All Future Voters! together, discuss your own experience of voting, then bring them to the polls for an immersive experience of what it’s like to cast your ballot.
COURTESY OF SIMON & SCHUSTER
COURTESY OF BENBELLA BOOKS
I Never Thought of it That Way by Mónica Guzmán (2022). Nonfiction.
Calling All Future Voters! by Ed Hailes Jr, Laura Atkins, and Jennifer Lai Peterson (2014). Fiction.
Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson (2025). Nonfiction.
Two progressive authors and journalists tackle what they call “the failings of liberal governance,” calling for a need to work past a scarcity mindset and excessive regulation that gets in the way of development, large-scale construction, and clean energy innovation. Instead, the authors argue, it’s time to embrace a mindset of abundance while understanding the political, economic, and cultural barriers holding back true progress.
stkate.edu
15
Katies in Action A former Navy nurse and longtime advocate for women veterans, Kay Wilhelmy Bauer ’59 is among those honored in the revamped Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. BY KENDALL GRAHAM
When the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum opened its new location in Little Falls in September, it was with a St. Catherine University alumna as a permanent part of the display. Kay Wilhelmy Bauer ’59, who served as a U.S. Navy nurse in Vietnam, is one of roughly a dozen veterans from throughout Minnesota’s history who are represented in clay sculptures.
she reached the rank of captain, followed by time as a nurse at United Hospital in St. Paul. She was part of a group of female Vietnam War veterans who advocated in the 1980s for the creation of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., and helped design a monument to servicewomen at Veterans Memorial Park in Blaine, Minnesota, which was unveiled in 2023.
Bauer is proud to be featured in the museum, and proud that its exhibits and collections recognize a wide range of Minnesota veterans. “I’m glad they’ve got women in there, because so often we forget that there are women who serve — who have served forever,” she said.
“I’m so proud that we’re going to have [the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum], because it includes the entire family,” Bauer said. “The entire families, as well as all of those who served, both men and women.”
Making sure women’s contributions are duly recognized has always been critical for Bauer. “Growing up, I was always a women’s advocate,” Bauer said. “In grade school, back in the ’40s, the principal at the Cathedral grade school in St. Paul started the crossing guard system, and she made it just for boys. And I wrote protest letters to her, and said, ‘Sister, you are a woman. Why are you saying these are just for boys?’” Bauer carried that energy throughout her life, including a 35-year career in the Navy, during which
16
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum also collected memorabilia from veterans to feature in its displays. Bauer donated an áo dài, or traditional Vietnamese dress, along with a boarding knife that was presented to her by the commanding officer of a Vietnamese shipyard. As a nurse, she was also sometimes asked to provide care to civilians in outlying villages who were afraid or unable to get to the provincial hospital. “We got permission from our command and went out to these areas … and then they asked me to commission one of their ships,” Bauer explained. “The commanding officer of their shipyard presented me
PHOTO/MINNESOTA MILITARY & VETERANS MUSEUM
PHOTOS/COURTESY OF KAY WILHELMY BAUER ’59
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GRADUATION PICTURE OF KAY WILHELMY BAUER ’59; CO-PILOT BAUER IN 1967; A RENDERING OF THE NEWLY REOPENED MINESOTA MILITARY VETERANS MUSEUM; BAUER IN UNIFORM IN YOKOSUKA, JAPAN; BAUER BEFORE HER 1957 ST. KATE’S PROM
with one of their official boarding knives that were ancient — it’s steel, a handmade boarding knife and wooden scabbard.” Bauer, who was also a 2018 Alumnae Award winner, credits her education at St. Kate’s with launching her nursing career. Decades later, she’s remained in touch with many friends she met at the University. “Even though I’ll be 90 in another month, most of my friends are in their late 80s, we keep together,” she said. “My
best friend I met my first day at St. Kate’s in 1954. We’ve been friends ever since.” The newly reopened museum offers another window into a long life of service and its wide-reaching impacts. “The memorial is so important,” Bauer said. “People from Minnesota have always been the foremost people in volunteering to aid our country.”
stkate.edu
17
Class Notes
SCOTT BURWELL, former adjunct faculty in psychology, married Camila Torres at Our Lady of Victory Chapel on June 26, 2026.
2000
GLORIA DAWIT-PURI ’00, a registered nurse and master esthetician, founded Amata Lucè™ Aesthetics in Burke, Virginia.
KAREN SANDHURST MAED’03 was profiled in Minnesota’s Fairmont Sentinel in September for her retirement after 44 years of teaching at St. John Vianney Catholic School. She first taught music, then taught second grade from 1989 until her retirement. KATIE KNODEL KUMMER, MS’06, was elected to serve as the American College of Healthcare Executives National Regent for the state of Minnesota for the 2026– 2029 term. Also serving as current Director of Strategy and Business Development at Children’s Minnesota, Kummer will represent Minnesota healthcare leaders at a national level.
SUSAN WESTON KLUG ’08 earned a Doctor of Health Science in Population Health degree from Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Population Health in Philadelphia in May 2026.
2010
ELIZABETH BERNHARDT ’11 was one of 26 women featured in the 2027 edition of the international society for optics and photonics (SPIE) Women in Optics Notebook, which “highlights women who are making a difference through their work and other contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.”
18
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE CONTACT US Online: stkate.edu/alumni Phone: 651-690-6666 Email: alumni@stkate.edu facebook.com/katiealumni St. Catherine University Alumni
KELSEY WILL HEDLUND ’14 married Wesley Hedlund on June 21, 2025 in Eagan, Minnesota. JESSICA NUNEZ ’19 married Jordan Gregersen at Our Lady of Victory Chapel on June 20, 2026.
SHELBY DUPONT ’19 was awarded a scholarship to an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) program in Urban Climate and Sustainability (MUrCS). She will attend three universities in Scotland, Finland, and Spain as part of the program, receiving a degree from each, with tuition fully covered by the European Commission.
2020
MEGAN LEXEN MSW’22 began a new position as independent clinical social worker, specializing in psychotherapy, at Essentia HealthDuluth Clinic. KELLEN RHOLL DPT’25 married Alexandra Koes at Our Lady of Victory Chapel on July 11, 2026. Rholl earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy at St. Kate’s.
stkate.edu
19
Save the Date Reunion weekend will be here before you know it! Mark your calendars for:
JUNE 4–6 Celebrating graduates of 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2022. Online registration opens March 2027. For more information, visit stkate.edu/reunion.
Contact Alumni Relations at alumni@stkate.edu with your questions.
20
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
In Memory w Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the following St. Catherine University graduates, faculty, staff, and community members.
Carol Ganzer Segale ’58, former employee w May 15, 2026 Lucille A. O ’Donnell ’73, former assistant professor of occupational science w June 26, 2026 Julius Bonello, former trustee w November 21, 2024 Lawrence J. McGough, trustee emeritus w May 27, 2026 Susan R. Nelson, former assistant professor in the physical therapy assistant program w May 25, 2026
Marie Strub Michel ’45 w March 20, 2026 Anne Ackerman Schmid ’47 w July 24, 2026 Pauline J. Beton ’47 w February 25, 2026 Dolores O’Brien Johnson ’48 w March 2, 2026 Ruth Feely Novitzki ’49 w August 1, 2026 Mary Brecht Berg ’51 w April 28, 2025 Janet Ries Schnabel ’51 w June 21, 2026 Yvonne Simon Furr ’51 w July 7, 2026 Elizabeth Bodmann Dwyer ’52 w August 21, 2020
stkate.edu
21
Mary Kavanagh Sennott ’52 w June 22, 2026 Kathryn Keohen Malone ’52 w March 16, 2026 Romana Pirkl Wesely ’52 w July 24, 2026 Janice Schulte Meyer ’52 w March 28, 2026 Marilyn Sack Phelan-Gautraud ’54 Margo Seal Fox ’54 w December 12, 2020 Shirley Strobel Hanson ’54 w September 3, 2025 Patricia Joyce Stangel ’56 w May 28, 2026 Patricia Baden Christensen ’57 w August 4, 2026 Beverly Gagnon Peterson ’57 w April 15, 2025 Jo Ann Guetter Sperl ’58 w May 30, 2026 Elizabeth Mueller Grace ’58 w August 12, 2025 Josephine Salmon Skoglund ’58 w October 28, 2025 Marneen Schmidt Weber ’58 w December 17, 2025 Marcia Adams Spagnolo ’59 w June 12, 2026 Carol Beckman Summers ’59 w June 29, 2026 Mary Como Deutz ’59 w December 8, 2025 Janet Anderson Tschida ’63 w February 24, 2026 Mary Ellen Dale Coutu ’64 w May 16, 2026 Rita Schuhwerck Dandurand ’67 w July 23, 2026 Carole Chiodi Kleinfeldt ’72 w May 21, 2026 Susan L. Rue Nelson ’78 w May 25, 2026 Gertrude Lebens Graves ’79 w March 21, 2022 Christina M. Joyce ’81 w June 29, 2026 Barbara Diem Boulay ’82 w June 20, 2026 Juanita Bolton Geisz ’83 Arlene Mach Barnhart ’84 w May 13, 2026 Audrey Rouleau Erickson Cert’84 w January 22, 2026 Ardis Wiley ’85 w June 28, 2026 Jeanne Kletzke Roloff ’86 w August 8, 2026 Molly Brentlinger Belokopitsky ’87 w March 17, 2025 Valorie Johnson Hasse ’92 w July 15, 2026 Anne Kearney McDermott ’94 w July 14, 2026 Marian Mounts Danielson MSW’94 w September 1, 2023 Jocinda Fleeson Gaynor ’97 w February 22, 2024 Kirsten Muyres-Norbie Poveda ’09 w May 5, 2026
Would you like to make a memorial gift? Please contact 651-690-6976 | giving@stkate.edu Contact us to share news of a death 651-690-6666 | inmemory@stkate.edu
22
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
LAWRENCE “LARRY” McGOUGH Lawrence “Larry” McGough, former trustee emeritus, died on May 27, 2026 at the age of 96. McGough, a retired owner of McGough Construction, served on the Board of Trustees for 18 years (1991– 2009). He was married to Andrea Schweizer McGough ’54, and supported the Endowed Chairs and Program Funds at St. Kate’s. McGough helped found the Catholic Community Foundation and was recognized last year in our Donor and Volunteer Report for more than 35 years of giving to St. Kate’s. The McGough family is remembered on campus with a third-floor lounge in Coeur de Catherine that is named in their honor. McGough is survived by his daughter, Lynne, two granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and one brother.
SUSAN R. NELSON Susan R. Nelson, PT, MS, faculty emerita, died on May 25, 2026 at the age of 72. Spending much of her early life in Waupaca, Wisconsin, Nelson lived a life of service to others as a practicing physical therapist in Minneapolis. She also served for 30 years as an educator and director of the St. Catherine University Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Under her leadership, the program successfully navigated two national re-accreditation visits. She also co-developed the original associate degree co-curriculum courses, Core Integrated Learning. Throughout her academic career, Nelson maintained an active clinical practice within the University of Minnesota Fairview system, seamlessly bringing her real-world expertise into the classroom. Her students deeply connected with her passion for physical therapy, describing her as very encouraging, knowledgeable, and kind. In recognition of her outstanding contributions and service, she was named faculty emerita in 2019. Nelson is survived by five siblings, three children, and two grandchildren.
stkate.edu
23
Katie Diary
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANTONIAN HONORS STUDENTS AT A RETREAT, CIRCA 2000; TAROT CARDS DESIGNED BY STUDENTS DURING THE HONORS CLASS TAROT FOR COLLECTIVE TRANSFORMATION; MYSEE CHANG VANG ’13, ANTONIAN SCHOLAR AND FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR TEACHING IN LAOS; THE 1987 YEARBOOK REPORTS ON THAT YEAR’S HONOR SOCIETY BANQUET; ANTONIAN HONORS PINNING IN 2022
BY ALISA BLACKWOOD
As St. Catherine University marks the 40th anniversary of the Antonian Honors program, its founders’ longterm vision and impact are palpable. In an April 1984 memo found in the St. Kate’s archives, Sister Anita Pampusch wrote to a select group of staff: “I have been working with a group of top-ranking freshman on ideas for an honors program. Their suggestion is that we create an inter-disciplinary honors program focussing [sic] on discussion and current events.” Not only was the endeavor successful, it flourished. St. Kate’s staff and faculty have since mentored and supported almost 500 undergraduate scholars through the rigorous program. One of the originally proposed goals included deepening “a love of learning, understanding of great issues, and independent scholarship among women.” That vision has been carried out by Rafael Cervantes, PhD, the Antonian Honors program director for the last 10 years, as well as by those who came before him, such as the late program founder Margery Smith, CSJ, ’49 and the late Susan Welch, PhD, a beloved professor in the English department who regularly taught and developed courses for the honors program. “These faculty members have made an indelible mark on the honors program and the students they have mentored. I’m grateful to them and to all the faculty who have chosen to become a part of the program,” said Cervantes, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies. Part of what sets the program apart are the intensive honors projects completed and presented by program seniors, who push themselves to excel as learners and leaders.
24
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FALL 2026
“By the time they submit their final draft, their honors project is a labor of love, and also determination and grit, maybe some pain. Because of this massive investment, students feel connected to their project in ways different from a class project,” Cervantes said. Mysee Chang Vang ’13 graduated as an Antonian Scholar and focused her honors project on how education affects second-generation Hmong women. "During my early adult years, I never felt Hmong enough or American enough. My honors project helped me with my identity as a Hmong woman and prepared me for the rigorous application process for my Fulbright" teaching English in Laos, Vang said. Honors students are also required to take classes teamtaught by faculty from different disciplines, as originally imagined by the program’s founders. “[This] gives students a creative and innovative way to learn,” Cervantes said. “They have the opportunity to see interdisciplinary connections happening in realtime as their professors talk about fashion and physics, tarot and social justice, or art and theology — to name a few topics of honors seminars in the past.” Graduating from St. Kate’s with distinction as an Antonian Scholar often serves as a stepping stone for students as they launch their next steps. Some have used their honors projects as writing samples for their graduate school applications, while others have used them as part of their application to receive a Fulbright award. The University congratulates the Antonian Honors alumnae, staff, and current participants who have continued building upon the program’s rich history and legacy through a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership.
PHOTOUNIVERSITY ARCHIVES PHOTO/TARA SLOANE
“
The intensive writing, research, and my honors
project prepared me for the rigorous application process for my Fulbright... I know my journey at St. Kate’s was so instrumental in me feeling confident and ready for a leadership role.” —Mysee Chang Vang ’13, Antonian Honors Scholar and Fulbright Scholar in Laos
stkate.edu
25
NONPROFIT ORG.
Communications 4122 St. Catherine University 2004 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105-1750
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 822
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Katie Cat
Gabrielle Agbenyiga ’24
Lydia Fasteland ’12, MLIS’17
Debbie Campbell ’27
Show up for students on Give to St. Kate’s Day! Help us meet our goal of 700 donors supporting a transformative education.
One day. One mission. Unlimited impact.
stkate.edu/GoKatieGive