St. Catherine University Magazine, Spring 2016

Ever Evolving, Always St. Kate’s

MIRROR, MIRROR...

Kylie White ’14 snaps a selfie through an unexpected lens — a traffic mirror — during her J-Term study in South Korea.

EDITOR Pauline Oo MAOL Cert’14, MBA’17

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Kara DeMarie MLIS’16 Kayla Forbes MBA’17

CLASS NOTES EDITOR Sara Berhow

DIRECTOR OF VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS Jayne Stauffer

WRITE TO US St. Catherine University 2004 Randolph Avenue Mail 4122 St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 mag@stkate.edu

ART DIRECTOR Carol Evans-Smith

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Kristin Kalstad Cummings ’91

ADDRESS CHANGES 651.690.6666 alumnae@stkate.edu

VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS Bea Abdallah

ONLINE mag.stkate.edu

DESIGNERS Molly Orth Joey Blanchard

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

SPRING 2016

F EAT U R E S

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Ever Evolving, Always St. Kate’s Reimagining adult learning.

BY JULIE MICHENER AND PAULINE OO

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Lunchbox Ukuleles?

Professors join forces, challenging students to new ways of thinking.

BY PAULINE OO

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Earn & Learn St. Kate’s student employment program proves career-readiness isn’t only created in the classroom.

TH E CO M M O NS 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

BY SHARON ROLENC

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO/KYLIE WHITE ’14

St. Catherine University was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Learn more: stkate.edu/ourhistory mag.stkate.edu/advisoryboard

Cover Photos: University Archives; Rebecca Zenefski,

By Rebecca Studios PHOTO/ UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES JIM HANSON

St. Catherine University Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Marketing and Communications with the St. Kate’s Magazine Advisory Board. No part of this publication may be reprinted without permission.

The Changing Face of Katies (1916–2015): St. Kate’s mission to educate women, no matter their age or background, is firmly intact. What’s evolved is the diversity of our student body. And that’s a beautiful thing!

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MY ST. KATE’S

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KATIES IN ACTION

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OFFICE HOURS

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CLASS NOTES

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BEHIND THE SCENE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Andrea Lee, IHM A Letter from the President

Dear friends,

I’ve been spending a lot of time in airplanes of late and, despite always traveling with a boatload of work and a seemingly infinite number of notes to write, I’ve spent a good deal of “air time” reflecting on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Of course, there is a personal as well as institutional perspective during this more contemplative time of “getting somewhere” or “coming home.”

In addition to wonderfully engaging times with alumnae in Denver, San Diego and Miami, I’ve been at board meetings in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and — soon — Texas. Last month, 800 presidents of private colleges and universities from across the country gathered in Miami and, earlier this month, the nation’s Catholic college and university presidents met in Washington, D.C. These gatherings offer a wonderful perch from which to assess how we compare with peer colleges and universities.

So far, the answer to “how do we stack up as an institution” is a resounding “pretty darn well.” I take some personal pride in acknowledging the esteem in which St. Catherine University is held, even as I know it is the collective work of many that makes our University such a shining star, admired and respected across the nation.

Such a conclusion of “well-being” is drawn from dozens of discussions with colleagues and unsolicited comments about St. Kate’s success as a thriving, comprehensive University that holds its College for Women as its heart. The data we received from our recent audit and from the Council of Independent Colleges, where our financial and measurable “well-being” results are compared with those of some 700 other colleges and universities, further underscore and objectively reinforce that conclusion. That conclusion is especially true when I consider how threatened colleges for women have been.

I am proud of our results, as we all should be. Compared to many peer institutions we are well — very well. But we should never become complacent or cocky. Good results must always lead to more good energy and new horizons and never to dismissing the many threats in the environment around us.

As I flew home from the East Coast recently, the great blizzard of 2016 was already wreaking havoc. As our plane burst through the snow-laden clouds to brilliant sunshine, I thought how easy it could be to dismiss or forget the storm raging below — a mistake we should never make.

My successor will inherit a strong and good University, but there will be challenges ahead and much important work to do.

As we prepare for change and new challenges over these next months, I hope to see many of you. Call, write, come and visit…invite me to visit you!

May the changes that come your way this year be engaging surprises, ones that bring joy, new energy and abundant grace. Thank you for more than I can ever say.

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

Supporting St. Kate’s is easier than ever With KatiesDirect, our recurring gifts program, you can:

Budget your support over the year Maximize your giving impact Skip the checks and postage

Visit stkate.edu/katiesdirect and choose a plan that works for you.

Office of Development | 651.690.6516

FEATURE 4

ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

Ever Evolving, Always St.Kate’s Reimagining adult learning.

BY JULIE MICHENER AND PAULINE OO

St.

Catherine University is at it again. Nearly 40 years ago, it made headlines for launching the first weekend education model for women in the Upper Midwest. This fall, it’s anticipating the needs of that group again, with a reimagined college for adult students that bestows certificates and degrees at the associate and baccalaureate levels.

Adult baccalaureate programs first appeared at St. Kate’s in September 1979.

The Weekend College was the second of its kind in the nation and first in Minnesota. It offered four majors — business administration, promotional communications, social work and theology — and classes met three-and-a-half hours every other weekend, with independent-study assignments in between.

PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

EVENING/WEEKEND/ONLINE STUDENT KARA BECKER ’15, MAOT’17 (SEE PAGE 17) WAS THE STUDENT SPEAKER AT DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT.

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Katie Evolution: The Highlights 1905 –

1917 –

1937 –

1979 –

Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

E arns full accreditation by North American Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Becomes first Catholic college or university in the nation to be awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

Opens Weekend College, the first baccalaureate program in Minnesota for nontraditional women students.

PHOTO/UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Then-president Sister Alberta Huber, CSJ, knew it was a gamble. But she forged ahead because she saw an emerging population of women — older than the traditional collegeaged student and unable to attend during traditional Monday through Friday hours — in need of a degree. Although women in the first wave of Baby Boomers were entering the workforce in large numbers, many never had the chance to attend college, or had to drop out before completing their degree. Only 7 percent of women in Minnesota held a degree beyond high school.

St. Kate’s administrators hoped to attract 20 enrollees with this new Weekend College. Instead, they welcomed an eclectic group of 127. The women ranged in age from 16 to 56, averaging five years since their last formal education experience. Five students were widows, 60 were married, 39 were single and 20 were divorced. This initial group also had 201 children between them, two of whom were born after the term started.

“Weekend College was a radical idea designed to meet the needs of the times back then,” says Colleen Hegranes, executive vice president and provost. “At that point, technology was not as widely available or advanced as it is today. Weekend offerings were the only alternative available for students who could not fit the traditional daytime program into their lives.”

By 2008, the Weekend College offered 15 majors and five certificate programs, and served almost 900 students — 2 percent of whom were men. Though men were not eligible to receive their first baccalaureate at St. Kate’s, they could obtain a post-baccalaureate major (second major certificate), a graduate or associate degree.

In 2009, as St. Kate’s evolved from a college to a university, the Weekend College transitioned to the Evening/ Weekend/Online Program, and began offering more

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

flexible weeknight and hybrid (on campus and online) classes. Accelerated seven-and a-half week course schedules were also introduced as a convenient alternative to the traditional full semester.

Since then, however, the market has changed; namely, adult college offerings have grown exponentially. In Minnesota alone, the state Department of Higher Education website lists over 110 two- and four-year colleges and universities delivering adult and continuing education programs. Alternatives run from vocational and technical degrees at community colleges to fully online programs at for-profit institutions and graduate certificates offered through satellite locations in Fortune 500 offices.

TODAY’S ADULT STUDENT So, what’s fueling this proliferation? Just like Sister Alberta identified back in the 1970s, it’s another mass wave of the population seeking new alternatives in higher education. According to a 2007 U.S. Department of Labor report, adults over age 24 make up about 44 percent of post-secondary students in the United States, and nearly 37 million more adults are interested in post-secondary and work-related courses, but find it too difficult to pursue due to family responsibilities, work obligations or other challenges.

The report further states that today’s adult students are self-directed and want a more practical way to learn.

They enroll in continuing education to earn a credential (certificate or degree) so they can get ahead in their current job or upgrade and expand their skills for a career move.

These students are older (28 to 80) and have more life experiences than traditional first-time college students.

More than half of them are also financially independent — almost 40 percent work full time — and 27 percent have children.

“They are ready to forge ahead in a new direction, but they are also looking for community,” says Brigette Marty, associate director of St. Kate’s Student Center and Activities Office, who counsels the Evening/Weekend/

St. Kate’s Today 1987 –

2000 –

2005 –

2009 –

2016 –

First digital records of men in non-degree & second major certificates.

Weekend enrollment reaches 954 students — a record high!

Celebrates 100 years of educating women to lead and influence.

Becomes St. Catherine University.

4,961 Total enrollment (fall 2015)

Online Student Advisory Board. “They have their eyes on the prize, but I see them develop strong relationships, gain inspiration from the learning process and grow into engaged learners, even though they don’t expect to, at first.”

Why? Unlike traditional college students, this population faces its own, unique set of barriers to success. The five biggies are self-doubt (Am I too old to go back to school?), time (Can I balance it all — work, school, parenting?), finances (How will I pay for this?), childcare (Who will look after my baby when I’m in class?) and genuine fears (Will I remember how to study?).

THE CHANGING FACE OF SUCCESS As a pioneer in this segment of higher education, St. Kate’s understands the unique needs of adults and stands ready with an innovative model to support them and promote their success.

Beginning this fall, St. Kate’s will launch an adultcentered college to include an array of programs — associate and baccalaureate — from the University’s four schools. The degree options will blend the best practices of continuing education with the tripartite mission of the University. This means courses to accommodate busy schedules, offered on a year-round calendar with shorter terms. Yet, even with the accelerated schedules, the curriculum will incorporate the core elements of the liberal arts, Catholic Social Teaching and intellectual inquiry. There will also be a robust supply of support services (i.e. writing tutors and evening advisors) to accommodate student needs and challenges.

“We want to serve working adults by offering depth and breadth,” says Anne Weyandt ’83, dean of adult and applied education. “Our vision is to provide them with levels of connected learning that elevate their pursuit of meaningful careers and lives of dignity grounded in social justice. This new model also allows us to strengthen our historic position as a leader in this highly competitive adult learning market and clearly articulate the value of a St. Catherine degree.”

94% Women 344 Faculty with terminal degrees

Students enrolling at St. Kate’s under this new model will have choices unlike ever before. They can start in an associate program in health science and, with degree in hand, progress — continuously or with breaks — toward a career-focused bachelor’s degree. Or, they can choose to enter directly into a baccalaureate program. They may then move on to the Graduate College to pursue a master’s and terminal degrees across a variety of fields.

Regardless of which direction or degree level they choose, adult learners will encounter clear, comprehensive pathways to reach their goals.

“Our ongoing commitment to serving nontraditional students seeking a St. Kate’s education is an important reflection of the way in which our founders and sponsors, the Sisters of St. Joseph, have always responded to the needs of the times,” says Mary Ann Brenden, associate professor of social work and a consociate with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

One thing that won’t change? The St. Kate’s commitment to creating a learning environment that celebrates the extraordinary ways women teach and learn. While opportunities for men enrolling at the University will expand from associate and graduate degrees to include first baccalaureates in the adult college setting, Brenden says men “who get it” — that gestalt of a woman-centered learning environment — will be able to access more diverse perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of women’s experiences and contributions.

And one last thing that’s absolutely certain? The College for Women — one of the largest in the United States to offer baccalaureate degrees for women only, not to mention the very heart of St. Catherine University — will remain exactly as its name implies.

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FEATURE

Lunchbox Ukuleles?

Professors join forces, challenging students to new ways of thinking.

BY PAULINE OO

M

arilyn McNamara ’15 knew going into her final project for “Music in the Air: The Science and Soul of Music” that she wanted to repurpose a lunchbox into a ukulele. What she didn’t anticipate was double majoring in physics and math after that course ended. The class, co-taught by Professors Arlene Goter (music) and Jolene Johnson (physics) challenges students to build musical instruments using basic physics principles.

“I was a philosophy major before and had just started taking STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] classes again because I missed them,” says McNamara. “Additionally, I play trombone and am very passionate about music. So a class that combined physics and music was irresistible to me.”

Goter and Johnson’s pairing of seemingly disparate disciplines is a unique method of learning that is actually quite prevalent at St. Catherine University.

“It’s the culture here at St. Kate’s,” says Lynne Gildensoph, biology professor and department co-chair.

“We have a history of intentionally partnering with colleagues from other departments to team-teach classes, and we have the support and encouragement to do it. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning for students isn’t as common, in my experience, at a public university or a larger research university.”

The idea of integrating methods and analytical frameworks from more than one academic discipline to examine a question or problem dates back to the 18th century, according to research in the Journal of Social Science Education. Interdisciplinary reflection is part of Catholic Intellectual Tradition, as well.

“Catholicism aims for an understanding of the world around us so we can be closer to God,” says Bill McDonough, associate professor of theology. “And that’s what Vatican II reminded us to do: turn back to the world to learn from the world. Catholic Intellectual Tradition is a rich and living approach to knowledge, which involves vigorous dialogue and rigorous inquiry that tends to combine many disciplines, including classic texts and technology.”

Today, “interdisciplinary” has become a catchphrase.

Its use is spreading, reports the scientific journal Nature, and it describes scientists and social scholars coming together to solve increasingly complex problems like

A GIFT FROM MARILYN’S MOM. 8

PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

famine or climate change. At St. Kate’s, however, the word carries another definition. Interdisciplinary means different academic departments joining forces to challenge students to look through new lenses.

Here are a few examples:

THEOLOGY AND NURSING Dealing with death and disease, or with difficult and seriously ill patients, on a daily basis “can do a number on you,” says Mary Lagaard, assistant professor in the graduate nurse practitioner program. “And it doesn’t help that healthcare professionals are being pushed to do more in less time. Burnout is a huge issue in primary care.”

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, healthcare workers have elevated rates of depression and anxiety linked to job stress, which leads to higher rates of substance abuse and suicide.

And, in so many cases, the result is compromised patient care and outcomes.

Determined to offer a solution, Lagaard is partnering with McDonough to pilot a new course called “Welcoming Spirituality into Healthcare.” Their goal is to build resiliency in healthcare professionals through faith and “whatever brings [them] meaning,” says McDonough, who coordinates the University’s Master of Arts in Theology program.

“Spirituality in healthcare isn’t new,” he adds. “In the 1500s, disease was seen as the result of moral failure, or it required exorcism. Spirituality got thrown out completely because we overplayed it.”

In their class — offered this spring to graduate-level theology and nursing students, and all healthcare workers, including chaplains — Lagaard and McDonough will examine a host of Eastern and Western practices for resilience, such as compassion, loving kindness and meditation. But it won’t focus on religion.

“This course has nothing to do with an indoctrination,” notes McDonough. “We will talk about personal, team and organizational challenges to resilience, and get participants talking about their own strategies for sustaining their spirit. We will also help them recognize the connection between self care and patient care.”

BIOLOGY AND ART This fall, Gildensoph will teach “The Art of Biology” for the third time with Carol Lee Chase, who chairs the Department of Art and Art History. The course blends botanical and biological anatomy with observational drawing and watercolor painting.

“This is a very satisfying class to offer because the intersection of art and science isn’t always apparent to students,” explains Chase. “Some of our students are art majors with drawing and painting skills, but little interest in biology; others are science majors with no art background and they come in saying, ‘I can’t even draw a straight line.’”

>>> THE FRETS WERE ANGLED TO COMPENSATE FOR A POSITIONING PROBLEM WITH THIS NUT.

RESCUED PIECE OF OAK FROM A SHELVING UNIT IN THE PHYSICS DEPARTMENT.

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OAK HEAD (BACK VIEW)

The class provides a way for students to learn the basics of drawing through observation. Adds Gildensoph, “In biology, we used to draw everything. That’s how we understood anatomical structures and functions, and identified them for a test, a research project or field guide.

These days, students use Google to look up anatomical structures, but they lose tactile learning by doing that.”

Right away, students study plant structures such as leaves, roots and flowers by dissecting them and making detailed drawings of what they see. In the studio portion of the class, students work on sketching and drawing techniques. About a month in, Marilyn Garber, director of the Minnesota School of Botanical Art, shares her watercolor techniques with them. During the second half of the semester, students focus on patterns in nature, such as shell spirals and leaf arrangement in plants.

“There are absolute benefits from collaborating with Lynne,” says Chase. “Interdisciplinary learning opens up channels for connections, which is especially important in our disciplines, because people don’t often think of artists and scientists as likely collaborators.”

The pair is currently working on a research paper that addresses the historical connections between science and art (artists as scientists and scientists as artists), the rise of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) in the teaching of K–12 classes, and how their course is effective at braiding lab sciences with studio arts.

“Look at it this way,” offers Chase. “What do scientists do when they have an idea? Experiment. What do artists do when they have an idea? Experiment. We are not that different.”

MUSIC AND PHYSICS McNamara ditched the Darth Vader lunchbox she found at Goodwill for Captain Kirk and his crew because the Star Trek one offered better resonance and louder sound.

“Each material vibrates in a different way, and it is possible to shake apart whatever you are building if you choose the wrong material,” she explains. “I was introduced to this phenomenon in Professor Johnson and Professor Goter’s class, and it’s something I still really like thinking about.”

“Music in the Air” pairs physics and music to encourage students to look at both disciplines through a different lens.

“Sometimes students wonder why they need physics or music,” says Johnson, the physicist. “They see a reason and connection in this class. We’re giving students a better understanding of why liberal arts courses are important.”

Johnson and Goter, the pianist, alternate lecture periods.

On music days, students learn how to recognize different types of music and how to construct basic musical units. They explore what dividing a string does to the pitch. They also attend a concert with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. (For many, it’s their first time seeing musicians live.) On physics days, the students discuss the properties of sound. They experiment with oscillations, plucked strings and air column vibrations, and auditory range in the lab. (To play most musical instruments, you have to create standing waves on a string or in a tube or pipe.)

“The professors also did a good job of encouraging us to consider the scientific background of music, and how it relates to the emotions we feel upon hearing that music,” adds McNamara.

For their final project, the students were required to build a simple stringed instrument out of everyday objects, compose a piece of music and perform it with the instrument. The one-of-a-kind creations include a birdhouse balalaika, a plastic bowl mandolin, a cigar box guitar, a tambourine banjo and, of course, the lunchbox ukulele.

“We want students to think beyond what’s in front of them and be able to see things that aren’t apparent,” says Goter. “Not everything’s black and white. Now they can listen to a guitar or piano and understand what generates the sound, and know that there are multiple explanations of the world.”

For McNamara, interdisciplinary learning left her forever changed.

“I’ve been a musician for over half my life,” she says.

“Still, I didn’t know what was going on behind the scenes beyond the most basic facts. This class fixed that in short order. It changed my life. I plan to get a master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. My end goal is to become an aerospace or aeronautical engineer.”

Watch Marilyn on her ukulele, stkate.edu/lunchbox-music

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

MY ST. KATES

ALISSA ELLINGSON ’19 SET A NEW ST. KATE’S 100-YARD BUTTERFLY RECORD IN DECEMBER.

EAT TO PEAK

BY STACY DAHL ’16

Each summer, Associate Athletics Director Madge Makowske applies for and receives one of four NCAA grants to support additional education activities for Wildcat Athletics. This year was no different. The Mindful Athlete Nutrition Program, however, is special because it involves multiple partners and hands-on learning for students.

Each month, Holly Willis, the assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics who co-leads the project with Makowske, works with student volunteers to produce the newsletters. Jordan Rice, a graduate student in holistic health studies, formats and emails the newsletter, which includes topics such as recovery meals and eating on the road.

“What started as a small idea I had blossomed into a full-on collaboration with St. Kate’s faculty, studentathletes and interns, Sodexo and our registered dietitians on campus,” says Makowske.

“Snack Attack” events teach student-athletes about portion sizes and how to build low-calorie, high-protein snacks.

PHOTO/SARA EISENHAUER

The program aims to improve student-athlete performance and well-being — now and post college — through better nutrition. It includes a newsletter, “Snack Attack” info sessions and cafeteria placards that identify dietitian-approved meals for student-athletes.

“An athlete’s body is like a performance car,” notes Makowske. “If you put bad stuff into the car, it will not run well. The body operates the same way. You have to fuel it with healthy food, or it will lack energy and not perform well.”

“Our volunteers all bring different experiences and knowledge to our work sessions,” says Willis, a registered dietitian. “The opportunity to guide students through the process of creating educational content has been as rewarding as presenting it to the athletes.”

Registered nurse Sarah Hoyt and Sara Eisenhauer, sports information director, round out the project team.

More info at stkate.edu/manp Stacy Dahl is a senior majoring in business administration.

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GUERRILLAS AT ST. KATE’S

BY SHARON ROLENC The local arts community is about to go bananas over the Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover February 29– March 6, and St. Kate’s is at the heart of the action.

The Guerrilla Girls are internationally known activists that expose sexism and racism in politics, the art world, film and our culture at large. Group members remain anonymous, take on the names of dead women artists and appear in public wearing gorilla masks. 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the organization.

“To partner alongside regional giants like the Walker and Mia is an incredible honor,” says Patricia Olson, associate professor of art and art history, and director of the Women’s Art Institute. “It’s a testament to the strength of the arts at St. Kate’s — of our commitment to nurturing and showcasing women artists through the curriculum, the Women’s Art Institute and the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery.”

Last fall, the Guerrilla Girls held creative sessions with students at St. Kate’s and Mia to form the basis of the takeover and inspire a new generation of art activism.

Some of that work, including “Till Death Do Us Part” (pictured), appears in the “Happy and Angry” exhibition running now through March 12 at St. Kate’s Visual Arts Building. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

More event info at ggtakeover.com

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0 ph wo ys m e i in c n th al ha ei do v r e en me ex ti st pe re ic r li vi ien fe o c ti le ed m n es ce .

While nearly 30 organizations are involved, St. Kate’s is one of six organizing partners, along with Hennepin Theater Trust, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Walker Art Center and Weisman Museum of Art.

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The Twin Cities Takeover “aims to inspire individual and collective activism” through new artwork and a series of public, community-wide events.

ART ACTIVISM IN PRACTICE: RUZANA ABDUL-RAHIM, A ST. KATE’S EXCHANGE STUDENT, CREATED THIS POSTER IN A GUERRILLA GIRLS WORKSHOP.

2015–16 MILESTONES These dynamic St. Kate’s programs are celebrating an anniversary:

15 YEARS Education: Curriculum and Instruction

25 YEARS Master of Social Work

30 YEARS Pastoral Ministry Certificate

30 YEARS Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

70 YEARS Occupational Therapy

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

MASTER OF ARTS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY GRADUATES, CLASS OF 2015. SEE MORE PHOTOS: flickr.com/stkates

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

BY PAULINE OO There were tears of joy and cheers of jubilation as hundreds of students received their diplomas at St. Kate’s December Commencement.

A few days earlier, in Richmond, Virginia, 14 students successfully completed the University’s online Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program — the first of its kind in the nation. St. Kate’s launched the program in fall 2014, in partnership with Genesis Rehab Services, a nationwide provider of comprehensive therapy services for older adults. To earn their degrees, students completed about 80 percent of their coursework online and attended labs every three weeks to achieve 700 hours of fieldwork.

Earlier this month, 18 Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates received their degrees as part of the University’s first-ever graduating class in this field of study. Among the graduates were several professionals from Xcel Energy, Target and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

The St. Kate’s MBA, established in spring 2014, offers concentrations in management, healthcare and integrated marketing and communications (IMC). The IMC, which focuses on digital marketing and electronic communications, is the first of its kind in the nation.

While OTA online is currently only available to students in Virginia, St. Kate’s plans to expand it to other states, starting with California this fall.

#mystkates Share your Commencement or spring photos with us on Twitter and Instagram.

stkate.edu

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KATIES IN ACTION

The Ripple Effect How one woman’s legacy of compassion lives on.

BY PAULINE OO Judith “Judi” Gorman Krieger ’63 lived a life of compassion and concern for the suffering of others.

Much like a dropped stone creates a ripple in a still pond, her good work and kindness has created and furthered opportunity for those in need. Almost two decades after her death, the Judith Gorman Krieger Scholarship is her legacy, recognizing a senior student who demonstrates generosity and empathy beyond her years with financial support.

Gorman Krieger was a St. Paul resident, a mother of five and a nurse with a law degree. “My mom went to law school at 45 because she wanted another way to help people,” says Jill Richardson, one of her children.

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

“She worked on a project that focused on women’s issues, especially domestic abuse and poverty, directed by the first woman on the Minnesota Supreme Court, Rosalie Wahl.” But what she really loved was nursing, “especially home care nursing,” adds Jacki Schrab, her other daughter. “It was important to her to see her patients in their homes, to interact with them and to allow them their dignity.”

When Gorman Krieger died in 1998, she left an indescribable hole in many hearts. One was in that of her good friend Lois Rogers ’63.

“Judi was an extremely humble person,” says Rogers.

“Her story is a story of selfless giving. She quietly opened her heart and home to those in need, and routinely gave of herself to others. We created this scholarship as a way for us, her friends and classmates, to honor Judi’s memory and perpetuate her example of compassion for others.”

The young woman honoring her memory this year — and expanding the radius of the ripple — is Ardo Jimale ’16. How this sociology major readily carves out hours for strangers in spite of her own adversities, though, is remarkable.

ARDO JIMALE ’16 (RIGHT) SHARES HER PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS WITH NEELANZANA PAUDEL ’17.

PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

Jimale was born into poverty and civil war in Somalia.

A 13-year-old maternal aunt who fed, clothed and protected her was her “everything,” she notes. When life in the eastern African country went from bad to unbearable, they fled. Home became a series of refugee camps until they were welcomed into the United States in 2005.

The 11-year-old Jimale had lacked educational opportunities and was hungry to learn. She quickly blossomed at a charter school in Minneapolis. “I didn’t know any English, but I picked it up right away,” says Jimale, who also speaks and writes Somali, Swahili and Hindi.

St. Catherine University caught her attention in her junior year of high school. “The dream of college was far from my mind, until I visited St. Kate’s,” she says. “I liked the focus on social justice and women’s leadership, and I felt that this was a place I could have a family and community.”

By the time she enrolled, Jimale was on her own. Her aunt and sole guardian had passed away. Jimale took on three jobs just to cover tuition and living expenses.

In her little spare time, she helped her new immigrant

JUDITH GORMAN KRIEGER ’63

and refugee neighbors adjust to life in a new culture.

With the Krieger Scholarship, gone are Jimale’s days of juggling work and school. Today, she spends more time volunteering in her neighborhood. Jimale keeps a special eye on the mothers and young women, helping them apply for jobs or enroll in English classes, translating medical visits and food labels, and tutoring their children.

“My mom always spoke highly of St. Kate’s and the women behind it,” says Richardson. “This scholarship allows our family to meet some of these wonderful women. Each year when we present the award, we learn of some unexpected connection between the students and my mom.”

With Jimale, the connection was themes of loss and survival, and helping women improve their lives.

“If I can help make someone’s life better or more comfortable, why wouldn’t I help?” remarks Jimale, who plans to go to law school and work in foreign policy.

“My aunt used to tell me that the only valuable thing every human has is his or her time, and that it’s up to me how I choose to spend that time.”

Like the woman whose name her scholarship bears, Jimale will change the lives of those around her, expanding the circumference of compassion ever wider.

CHANGE A LIFE TODAY To start a student scholarship or fund an existing one, call the Office of Development: 651.690.6737

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PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

OFFICE HOURS

A Lifeline for Mother and Child

BY SARA BERHOW The Access and Success program started 24 years ago, serving St. Catherine University students with children. Joan Demeules, program director, has been involved from the start. Under her leadership, the Access and Success team has put St. Kate’s at the forefront of supporting student parents in higher education.

Q:

What is the goal of Access and Success?

We initially launched Access and Success as a retention program — keeping students with children enrolled at St. Kate’s — and that remains our overarching goal today.

We want student parents to be successful. They’re very motivated and willing to sacrifice. This program provides resources, support, encouragement and guidance to follow through on their commitment to a college education.

Q:

Who does Access and Success support?

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

Access and Success started out serving single parents on the Minneapolis campus in the 1992– 93 academic year. Over time, the program has evolved. In 2000, it expanded to serve all undergraduate students, then, a few years ago, to include all student parents across all degree levels, from certificates to doctorate degrees.

Q:

What are some challenges that can derail these learners?

One of the biggest is time management. In addition, many of the students we work with are the first in their family to attend college and need help navigating their way.

Financial stress and childcare needs are two other common challenges, and they’re part of the reason Access and Success is so valuable. We have emergency grants, and we connect student parents with resources in the community to alleviate financial worries.

To help with childcare, we have child-friendly study spaces on both campuses; our student parents use them very creatively. We offer a childcare grant program and have a book that lists students who are willing to babysit children of Katies.

It’s often the small needs we can fill that keep someone on track.

JERRISHA GOINES ’18, WITH SON OMARR JOHNSON, USES THE ACCESS AND SUCCESS PROGRAM. SHE IS ONE OF THE NEARLY 850 STUDENT PARENTS WHO ATTEND ST. KATE’S.

ACCESS AND SUCCESS 493 Coeur de Catherine St. Paul 361 Education Building Minneapolis OFFICE HOURS Varies, call 651.690.6894

Q:

Q:

We have about 850 student parents, and each of our groups is different. Our youngest and most challenged group is the day baccalaureate students. They tend to come directly from high school — young moms with young kids.

The Steps to Success mentoring program supports them, and we’ve seen amazing results in retention.

We’ve boosted their graduation rates to the level of our general student population. Our graduation rate for Steps to Success participants stands at 70 percent. Nationally, it’s only 35 percent for that demographic.

The Evening/Weekend/Online population is our largest group.

They tend to be a little older, have a bit more money because many work, and their children are often older. They don’t spend as much time on campus, making outreach more challenging. Certificate and associate students also tend to be older and our most ethnically diverse.

That’s been a challenge across this country for at least 20 years.

St. Kate’s is ahead of the curve, not only in finding out who these students are, but also in delivering the services they need to succeed.

Access and Success is a national model for this work, and we continually advocate for shifts in the identification system so more students can benefit from it.

Who are student parents at St. Kate’s?

Q:

What drives them to attend college?

Student parents have tremendous potential. They’re really driven to create a better life for their children.

It’s clear from our surveys and national data that when a person has a child, it becomes an opportune time to make life changes.

How do you identify and reach student parents?

Q:

How do our student parents impact the community?

Our Mother-to-Mother program is a perfect example. In it, student parents share their stories with pregnant and parenting teens, explaining what their lives look like as college students with children, yet reassuring those young women that college is something they can make happen. Our students emerge as relevant role models, develop new leadership skills and deepen their commitment to completing their own education.

Q:

How does a parent’s life change after she graduates from college?

It’s so profound, I’m not sure we can even wrap our brains around it.

We have alumnae doing amazing things and they have such impactful stories. They change their life trajectory. d

A Student’s Take Kara Becker ’15, MAOT’17 (pictured on page 4) is the mother of three daughters. She served on the Access and Success Advisory Board.

Q: W hat motivated you to seek a college education?

St. Kate’s had been in the back of my mind for some time. After I had my oldest daughter, I was working so much that I spent less time with my child. I felt a call to find more meaningful work. I decided on healthcare, partly because several people in my life had gone through health crises, and I didn’t like hearing about the care they received. I wanted to become a caregiver who instills hope.

Q: W hat does it mean to attend a university that supports students with children?

It almost makes me tear up when I think about it. St. Kate’s goes to great lengths to take care of not just me, but my family; every detail is considered. I feel so proud to be a Katie. Initially I didn’t think I needed assistance, but I’ve learned that it’s not a flaw to accept the support offered. Access and Success has been a tremendous gift, and I will definitely advocate for it as an alumna.

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FEATURE

Earn & Learn St. Kate’s student employment program proves career-readiness isn’t only created in the classroom.

BY SHARON ROLENC

M

ary Falowo ’16 maintains an unwaveringly calm demeanor as she talks you through the most frustrating of computer problems. It’s one of the many skills she’s developed as a student employee in the information technology (IT) department.

The communications and journalism major aspires to become a documentary filmmaker, but four years of working in IT opened another door she didn’t anticipate.

“I can also see myself working as an IT systems manager,” she says.

Falowo already has a taste of what management is like. She was promoted to student lead after two years on the job and now trains other IT students.

“Working in IT has made me well-rounded,” she says.

“It’s taught me to think on my feet and be accommodating.

I find myself troubleshooting wherever I go.”

Falowo and her IT peers are experiencing the University’s intentional shift to give students more meaningful work experiences. Even the name is different — student employment instead of work-study — to reflect this shift.

“We wanted to place the focus on the job and encourage student workers to step up and perform at a very professional level,” says Kathleen Czech, assistant director of financial literacy and student employment. “Every campus position is an opportunity for students to increase their skills for the future.”

CREATING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE John Jeries, chief information officer, was an early adopter in developing a deeper student experience.

When he first came to St. Kate’s in 2003, IT had one student worker, largely responsible for paperwork and filing. Today, 35–40 students are busy with technical work, including help desk support from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a week.

“They provide our community with much needed technology and support,” he says. “At the same time, our student employees become more proficient and

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

comfortable with technology, and use it more effectively in their studies and, more importantly, after they graduate.”

That was certainly the case for Chi Huynh ’10, a senior financial analyst for Ecolab. While her current job — based in Singapore, by the way — is directly related to her finance major, that’s not how she initially got her foot in the door.

“Ecolab recruited me straight out of college,” she explains. “The company put me on the IT team doing process improvement because of my IT experience at St. Kate’s Academic Resource Center.” In her first year at Ecolab, she managed a major computer replacement and implementation project for 400 employees.

“It was very similar to what I did at St. Kate’s, helping professors and students adapt to a new system and software,” says Huynh, who picked up other valuable skills as a student employee with International Admission.

Leadership development in campus employment is especially pivotal for student workers.

“It changes the dynamic of their relationship with faculty,” says Jeries. “As a student, you depend on faculty to give you knowledge. But then you get into a work situation where your teacher is asking you for help — that is a really powerful experience.”

DEVELOPING CRITICAL SOFT SKILLS While classroom or industry-specific knowledge and skills are important in the job market, people skills often carry as much weight. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 67 percent of employers look for verbal communication skills and over 60 percent look for interpersonal skills.

Business major LaShay Holt ’17 knows this all too well.

A self-described introvert, Holt admits to feeling disconnected her first two years on campus. This changed last summer when she met Mark Johnson, director of Public Safety — arguably one of St. Kate’s biggest extroverts. He hired her for a newly developed student community service officer position.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: STUDENT EMPLOYEES — LAUREN DUSEK ’17, MARY FALOWO ’16 (LEFT), SENA LAWSON ’17, AND HATTISHA GARY ’17 — PROVIDE A RANGE OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN THE IT OFFICE.

Read about the students behind St. Kate’s successful Money Management program, stkate.edu/pmm

PHOTOS/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

“This job has pushed me out of my shell, because there are people who need my help, and being able to help them helps me,” says Holt.

Student officers focus on locking and unlocking doors; escorting students, staff or faculty upon request; and assisting with emergencies, like guiding paramedics to correct locations. They also take their meal breaks in the cafeteria, while in uniform, as a way to put a friendly face to public safety officers in general.

“I tell LaShay and the other community service officers to ‘Go out there like you’re running for sheriff — shake hands and kiss babies. Be visible, be friendly and let them know you’re here to help,’” Johnson says.

This approach paid off. Just three months after the program was implemented last January, positive comments showed up in St. Kate’s annual student survey.

The program has clearly made an impact on Holt as well.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to like it,” she says. “I thought it was just a way to make money. But it’s been fun. I can answer so many more questions about St. Kate’s now that I’m working here.”

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June 17 & 18

Reunion 2016

Evoke memories of your time at St. Kate’s and make new ones!

WE’RE CELEBRATING: • Graduates from years ending in 1 or 6 • Dolphins (all class years) • Residence Hall Advisors (all class years) REUNION HIGHLIGHTS: • Class parties (food and beverage included) • President’s Luncheon and Alumnae Awards • Theatrical revue celebrating Mother Antonia • FREE activities

JOIN THE FUN!

Learn more at stkate.edu/reunion

Watch your mailbox! Registration info early March.

Don’t miss a thing. Update your contact info online: stkate.edu/updateinfo 20

ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • FEBRUARY 2016

CLASS NOTES

SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE | CONTACT US Online: stkate.edu/alumnae Phone: 651.690.6666 Email: alumnae@stkate.edu

Class Notes 1940–49

MARY MADONNA ASHTON, CSJ ’44 was named a 2016 National Women’s History Month honoree. She is only the second woman religious (first CSJ) to receive this honor since the Women’s History Project began in 1980. The March 19 award ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C.

1950–59

CAROL EBERT LANDRY ’58 received the Pax Christi Award. The Superior Diocesan Council of Catholic Women recognized Carol at its 65th Annual Convention in June 2015. Parishioners at St. Patrick Church in Hudson, Wisconsin, say: “By her humble devotion and willingness to share her God-given gifts, her light shines brightly, reflecting the glory of God and the peace of Christ.”

1970–79

MAGGIE MCCANN PIKE ’71 completed her newest book, A Chardonnay a Day: Vignettes That Bring Cheer, a collection of lighthearted and engaging personal narratives. A list of her published books is at maggiemccannpike.com.

LYNDA MONICK-ISENBERG ’73 accepted a full-time position at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design as a professor and coordinator of the teaching artist minor. She is also co-director of The Drawing Project (drawingproject.org), which brings people together through drawing.

Oh, my stars and garters! CLASS OF 1974 gathered in the Black Hills

of South Dakota to celebrate their friendship of 45 years. They met in 1970 as first-year students on the third floor of Derham Hall. Pictured with their husbands, from left to right: Nancy Simonson Anderson, Keith Anderson, Jeff Syring, Judy Pearson Syring, Bob Milligan, Joanne Weber Milligan, Kathy Tellers Lehne, Mike Lehne, Darlene Biegalke Ballensky and Mike Ballensky.

BARBARA PANKONIE HARDING ’78 has relocated to Arizona and is the corporate senior director of postacute care at Dignity Health. Barbara has responsibilities in Arizona, Nevada and California. Dignity Health is the fifth-largest health system in the United States.

1960–69

JOAN GREGORYK ’66, founder in 1996 of the Children’s Chorus of Washington, led the ensemble on a tour of France in 2015. The group performed at places such as Chartres Cathedral and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where they sang at high Mass on July 4. For her work with the chorus, Joan was honored as a 2016 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian. The magazine annually honors residents who make Washington, D.C. a better place to live by their generosity, creativity and compassion.

CLASS OF ’74

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1980–89

KIM BRAEGELMAN BUHL ’83, COTA/L received the 2015 MOTA Fieldwork Educator Award for her outstanding commitment and enduring legacy in fieldwork education. Kim has supervised students at St. Kate’s, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Herzing University throughout the past 25 years. She provides OTA students with learning experiences that ensure they are qualified and competitive in the healthcare workforce.

LINDA WALSH MCCANN ’83 earned a doctorate degree in business administration from Metropolitan State University, becoming the first woman to defend her dissertation at

IN MEMORY

LINDA MCCANN ’83 this university. Linda, who is married with five children, is a certified public accountant and an assistant professor in the accounting department at Metropolitan State.

JEANETTE BLACK KERSTEN ’85 co-authored a book with Kelly La Venture called The Human Factor to Profitability: Building a PeopleCentered Culture for Long-Term Success.

Jeanette is an associate professor in

the College of Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

ANNE MCKEIG ’89 was selected as one of 48 promising U.S. state leaders for the Toll Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Council of State Governments. The annual seminar seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of state government.

Anne serves as presiding judge for Hennepin County Family Court.

She is also leading this Minnesota court’s participation in the Family Court Enhancement Project, funded by the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

w

Our deepest sympathy to the families of the following graduates, faculty members and trustees: Loretta Girzaitis, adult education instructor w December 13, 2015 Pauline Driscoll Griffith M’36 w August 7, 2014 Marion Quinn Nosker ’36 w October 29, 2011 Elsie Wuerth Grill M’37 w September 20, 2015 Lorraine Merten Lee M’39 w June 27, 2015 Virginia May Schlichting ’39 w June 10, 2015 Grace Fooshe Murphy ’41 w November 25, 2015 Mary Jayne Wynne Kloman M’41 w January 20, 2014 Evelyn Densmore Reagan ’43 w October 19, 2015 Jeanne Corbett Lemmens M’46 w September 9, 2015 Ruth Hagen Jacobs J’46 w November 25, 2014 Josephine Maney Fischer J’46 w May 4, 2013 Ruth Heck Bossenmaier ’47 w October 30, 2015

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

Martha Keyes Kittridge M’47 w November 2015 Carole Larpenteur Baker ’47 w December 5, 2015 Gladys Pepos Lustgraaf ’47 w October 24, 2014 Florence Marion Sletner Miller ’47 w December 4, 2015 Bernadine Brenny Duevel M’49 w September 29, 2015 Mary Frances Coonan Boulay ’49 w November 10, 2015 Shirley Dorn Herzog M’49 w July 6, 2015 Charlotte Menk Ryan ’49 w October 3, 2015 Barbara Eisenbarth Schmidt J’50 w September 11, 2015 Mary Kranzfelder Huzzar ’50 w October 13, 2014 Joan Murphy Parker ’50 w September 10, 2015 Lucille Crea Smith J’52 w November 23, 2015 Adrienne Lahay Prisk ’52 w June 9, 2014 Angela O’Neill O’Keefe ’52 w September 1, 2015

ERRIN KRATOCHWILL STEVENS ’89, completed her first novel, Updrift, published by Liquid Silver Books.

1990–99

SARAH MANN MONSON ’96, 2MAJ’09 earned a master’s degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University. She works as a certified nurse midwife at Franciscan Healthcare, part of the Mayo Clinic Health System, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

KATHLEEN VORNBROCK POTTER ’97 graduated from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, in September 2015. She now holds a master of education and continues to work as an occupational therapist for the St. Croix River Education District.

2000–09

LYS AKERMAN-FRANK ’01 exhibited her work at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) November 3, 2015 to January 24, 2016. The piece, called “Mia Community Selfie Mural” is a collection of selfies from museum community members, and is part of Mia’s celebration of 100 years and counting.

ELIZABETH JONES ’01

ELIZABETH JONES ’01, MAOL’08 works as the wellness coordinator for the city of Mesquite, Texas. She was recently named one of the Top 100 Health Promotion Professionals by the Wellness Council of America.

Nancy Seibel Culligan ’52 w December 11, 2015 Bik-Yuan Tong Chan ’52 w July 11, 2014 Elizabeth McMahon Anundson ’53 w October 15, 2015 Muriel Sullivan Tobin J’53 w September 4, 2015 Margaret Bergeron Musolf ’54 w November 21, 2015 Audrey Hansen Schweitzer J’54 w August 5, 2015 Janet Lees Hubbeling ’54 w May 15, 2015 Nancy Williams Moran ’55 w September 30, 2015 Elizabeth Hausladen Diers M’56 w September 2, 2015 Kathleen Regan Dailey ’56 w September 30, 2015 Agnes Paul Schloesser, CSJ (Anna Schloesser) ’57 w November 7, 2015 Rosemary Walsh ’57 w August 30, 2015 Doreen Maurer J’59 w September 8, 2015

Mary Elizabeth Becker Lesko ’60 w September 26, 2015 Sandra Pennington Anderson ’60 w August 26, 2015 Manette Durand, CSJ (Dorothy Durand) ’62 w October 11, 2015 Susan Neisen, CSJ, ’66 w December 24, 2014 Antoinette Scholand Larson ’68 w August 22, 2015 Mary Jane Edmond Shadell ’70 w October 8, 2015 Mary Joan Crosson ’74 w August 24, 2015 Jeralyn Niederkorn Lucking M’77 w 2015 Marilyn Kotek ’79 w November 10, 2015 Janet Schmitt Ulrich ’81 w December 8, 2015 Anne Hunter Bisson ’83 w September 29, 2015 JoAnne Dubuque Bennett ’84 w August 12, 2015 Alison Coutts Lohse M’84 w November 17, 2014

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AMY ROGAN-MEHTA ’04 was promoted to assistant dean for students at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MEREDITH NIELSON HOLLENBERGER ’06 welcomed daughter Sloane Rebecca in October 2015.

KATE MCNAMEE RUSSELL ’01

IN MEMORY

EMILY BLAHA PALUMBO ’06 welcomed son George Patrick in October 2015.

DEBRA LINDH MAOL’07 was named to Psych Central’s “21 Mental Health Doctors and Therapists You Should Be Following on Twitter.” According to the blog post, “Debra’s Twitter stream provides a lot of great content on stress reduction and she is [an] expert on mindfulness techniques.

Her stream will help anyone incorporate simple, easy, and effective stress reduction techniques into their daily routines.”

KATE MCNAMEE RUSSELL ’01 was married on November 14, 2013, and welcomed son Easton John in November 2014. Left to right: Kate, Braxton, Maggie, Easton, Andy and Brint.

BRIDGET HIGGINS HER ’02 was married on September 19, 2015.

GEORGE

SLOANE

ELIZABETH TSCHIDA NARANJO ’07 was married on September 5, 2015.

w continued

Linda Lamb M’84 w April 9, 2015 Anne Boortz Jilek M’85 w November 15, 2015 Katherine Arbeiter ’90 w January 20, 2015 Therese Brennan MAOL’90 w October 24, 2015 Catherine Nierengarten ’90 w October 1, 2015 Sheryl Palmer ’91 w September 10, 2015 Caryl Owens Vanzo Cert’95 w January 5, 2015 Robert Mandell M’01 w September 10, 2015

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MEMORIAL OR TRIBUTE GIFT? PLEASE CONTACT Office of Development 651.690.6516 giving@stkate.edu CONTACT US WHEN YOU HAVE NEWS OF A DEATH 651.690.6666 inmemory@stkate.edu

Key to abbreviations: mag.stkate.edu/abbreviations

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

FRANKIE BARNHILL ’08 is a general assignment reporter for Boise State Public Radio. She joined the newsroom full time in 2015 after working as a freelance reporter for the station in 2014.

HILARY NOVACEK BUNDT ’08 welcomed daughter Magdalena Erezybel in April 2015.

JEAN THORESEN MAT’09 is the director of pastoral care at Pax Christi Catholic Community in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Jean says the position is very rewarding, and she loves all the Katie connections.

2010–PRESENT

ANN MCCOMAS-BUSSA MAT’10 is a theology teacher at The Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota.

After being a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years, Ann says her new career is a dream come true.

MAUREEN RYAN ANDERSON ’11 was married on November 28, 2015.

ERIN LEVINSKI WAHL ’13 was married August 22, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Chapel. She works at Minnetonka High School as a paraprofessional.

BROOKE MEISSEL KOPP MAED’14 was married on August 15, 2015, in Mandan, North Dakota.

ERIN NOACK POLFLIET ’14 was married on October 10, 2015.

MELISSA HEBRANK SPEAKMAN ’14 was married on June 27, 2015, in Wilno, Minnesota.

AMY PATTON HOLTON ’11 was married at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota, on July 4, 2013.

ELLEN BLAHA LARUE ’11 was married on November 21, 2015

MAGDALENA JENNY MCDOUGAL ’08 welcomed baby Cedar Hart on October 26, 2015.

SALLY MOE PRINS ’08 was married on September 12, 2015.

Artist SARA UDVIG ’08 designed a mural for the High Bridge in St. Paul, Minn. The West Side Community Organization hosted a celebration of its completion in October 2015.

LAURA NELSON ’09 became a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, a nonprofit that strives for justice by creating opportunities for law students to provide public interest and pro bono legal services.

JENNA OLSON RUBBELKE ’11 was married on October 3, 2015.

SAMANTHA LUCKING WERNER ’12 was married on June 27, 2015.

ELIZABETH VOLK DEUTSCHENDORF DPT’13 was married on November 11, 2015.

MARY NOBLE GARCIA MAT CERT’13, MAT’14 joined Loyola Spirituality Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. She offers individual and group spiritual direction, workshops and retreats.

MICHAELA MAGLER RODRIGUEZ ’13 was married on September 26, 2015.

LET’S CONNECT

We’d love to hear from you, and be able to tell you the latest St. Kate’s news. Share your email address online at stkate.edu/updateinfo or call 651.690.6666.

WHY?

• Receive important updates • Follow the search for St. Kate’s new president • Participate in the spring 2016 alumnae survey • Keep in touch • Help St. Kate’s go green with paperless communications

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Katie Connections Through Events St. Catherine University alumnae connect with one another and the University through a variety of events held on and around campus each year.

Join us! To see a list of upcoming events, visit stkate.edu/alumevents.

1 1 Alumnae traveled to LePuy, France, birthplace of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Traveling Scholars trip was an initiative of the Alumnae Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee and the Friends of the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery.

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

2 Mary Costello Nakasone ’49 and granddaughter Nellie Nakasone ’12 at Home for the Holidays.

3 Cuc Kim Vu ’99, assistant professor of liberal arts and sciences, worked at Habitat for Humanity on Citizen Katie day. The crew of Katies installed siding on a home in St. Paul.

2

3

4 5 4 The University’s Multicultural and International Program for Students (MIPS) teamed up with Alumnae Relations for a dinner in November.

Students and alumnae enjoyed great conversations and networking.

5 Catherine McNamee, CSJ (right), former St. Kate’s president, speaks with first-year student Sheng Thao ’19 at The Reflective Woman: Composing a Life Interviews. The Alumnae Council’s Alumnae Student Connections Committee coordinates this annual event.

6 Alumnae from the St. Kate’s MLIS program led the 14th annual Booked for the Evening event in November.

More event photos at flickr.com/stkates

6

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Reminder: Chapter events are open to all alumnae.

No membership is required, and you don’t have to live or work in the chapter area or event location.

To find a chapter near you or to reach a local leader, visit: stkate.edu/alumnaechapters

KATIES GIVE BACK

Alumnae chapters make a difference in their communities.

Citizen Katie started as a student day of community service, but has grown to include alumnae in the Twin Cities and across the country.

In October 2015, eight chapters held service events with a variety of local nonprofits: • Seattle and Denver (pictured) alumnae prepared and served brunch to families staying at Ronald McDonald House.

• The Naples chapter sorted and packed groceries at the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

• Katies in Rochester, Minnesota collected supplies for the Gift of Life Transplant House.

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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY • SPRING 2016

• Chicago-area alumnae painted doors and worked on landscaping projects at The Institute of Women Today.

• The Twin Cities south metro chapter did outdoor cleanup at Lewis House in Eagan.

• Alumnae in the Twin Cities east metro chapter packed meals at a Feed My Starving Children mobile pack site in Woodbury.

• The Twin Cities west metro chapter assisted families participating in the holiday gift program at Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners in Plymouth.

Giving back to the communities in which we live and work is a wonderful way to demonstrate our Katie spirit. Plus it’s fun, it’s meaningful and it’s a great way to connect with other alumnae.

Our goal is to have all chapters participate in Citizen Katie on October 15, 2016. Help us meet this goal!

Register your chapter activities today. Email Kelly Povo ’09, chapter manager, at kapovo@stkate.edu.

More Citizen Katie photos at stkate.edu/ck-pics

BEHIND THE SCENE

The Saint John’s Bible

BY PAULINE OO

T

he Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible, a gift from Lois Rogers ’63 and her husband, John, consists of seven volumes (each weighing between 25 and 35 pounds) with nearly 160 illuminations spanning its pages. Each Thursday at noon, library archive staff open the display case on the lower level of Coeur de Catherine and turn the page to reveal a new one to our campus community.

PHOTO/REBECCA ZENEFSKI, BY REBECCA STUDIOS

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Marketing and Communications, Mail 4122 St. Catherine University 2004 Randolph Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105-1750 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

KATIES OVER THE DECADES, 1916 –2015.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 822