SIMONE BILES
September 30, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
WELCOME Maria Signorelli Verdoorn
Interim Executive Director of The O’Shaughnessy
INTRODUCTION Marcheta P. Evans, PhD
President of St. Catherine University
CONVERSATION Simone Biles
Athlete & Advocate
Marcheta P. Evans, PhD
President of St. Catherine University
THANKS TO STUDENT PARTICIPANTS Elliott Wendt, Gleason’s Gymnastics, Eagan, MN Nora Diaz, Girl Scouts River Valleys Kensley Johnson, YWCA Eureka! Program Hannah Smerillo ’26, St. Kate’s Student-Athlete Richanta Pollard ’27, St. Kate’s Student-Athlete
SIMONE BILES Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The most decorated gymnast in history with 41 medals across World Championships and the Olympic Games, Biles holds the most World Championship medals (30) and gold medals (23) in gymnastics history. A three-time Olympian, her 11 Olympic medals and seven Olympic gold medals are the most by a U.S. gymnast. The four-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, she has earned the rare distinction of having five skills named in her honor — The Biles — in the beam, floor (two), and vault (two) disciplines. Biles’s extraordinary accomplishments have received widespread recognition, including the youngest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Ebony Power 100, People’s Women Changing the World, USA Today’s 100 Women of the Century, and CNN Heroes, among others. Her autobiography, Courage to Soar, was a New 2
York Times bestseller and developed into an award-winning TV special on Lifetime while her Snap Originals series, Daring Simone Biles, received an NAACP Image Award. An ambassador for Friends of the Children, Biles utilizes her platform to help advocate for change and support initiatives that provide education and assistance for children and young adults associated with adoption, foster care, and overall wellness.
MARCHETA P. EVANS, PHD
12th president of St. Catherine University Evans has served in transformational leadership roles in higher education for nearly 30 years, most recently as chancellor of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, having led Bloomfield College as president before the two schools merged. Prior to that, Evans was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Our Lady of the Lake University, and associate dean at University of Texas at San Antonio. Evans graduated from the University of Alabama with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Alabama Birmingham, a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama.
The Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund was established in 2006 by Joan Kelly ’46 to bring nationally-known scholars to St. Kate’s for seminars, workshops, and classroom discussions. It is one of three prestigious programs designed to recognize academic excellence and grow the national visibility of St. Catherine University. A successful businesswoman and Phi Beta Kappa graduate in English, Joan Kelly ’46 (May 22, 1924–Nov. 2, 2016) attended both high school and college on the St. Catherine campus with her sister, Bonnie Jean, who died while a student here. The other two programs supported include the Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Faculty Excellence Award and the Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Student Excellence in Writing Award. 3
Upcoming At The O’Shaughnessy To explore The O’Shaughnessy’s full 2026–2027 season, go to stkate.edu/26–27 or pick up a brochure in the lobby. St. Catherine University 2026 One Read For Racial Justice Somewhere in the Unknown World
A CONVERSATION WITH KAO KALIA YANG Thurs., Oct. 29 | 6:30 p.m. Kao Kalia Yang is a Twin Cities-based, Hmong American teacher, speaker, and writer. She is the award-winning author of the memoirs The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Somewhere in the Unknown World, and Where Rivers Part.
WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE Sun., Nov. 15 | 2 p.m. After a lifetime devoted to climate activism, internationally renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis take to the stage in an intimate and inspiring theatre experience. A rare behind-the-scenes look at a life shaped by deep love, commitment, and the courage to act, they reflect on their extraordinary 50-year partnership in life and work.
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS Sun., Dec. 6 | 11 a.m. Their music has been called “the Shel Silverstein of family music” for the way it reaches both kids and parents. With banjo, guitar, and brotherly harmony at the heart of their sound, they create songs that make you want to dance in the kitchen and sing by the campfire. Blending humor and heart, their work reminds listeners that wisdom can be simple, and that the best adventures can begin right outside your door. 4
AN EVENING WITH CHANEL MILLER Tues., Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. Chanel Miller is a writer and artist who received her BA in Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her critically acclaimed memoir, Know My Name, was a New York Times bestseller, a New York Times Book Review Notable Book, and a National Book Critics Circle Award winner, as well as a best book of 2019 in Time, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, NPR, and People, among others.
Katie Leadership Impact Women of Color Leadership Series
AN EVENING WITH DR. BLACKSTOCK Tues., March 2 | 6:30 p.m. Uché Blackstock, MD, is a physician, author, and changemaker reimagining the future of health. A Harvardeducated emergency physician with over 17 years of frontline experience, she is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, a strategic consulting firm that partners with leaders and organizations across the healthcare and public health ecosystem to create systems where everyone can thrive. Recognized by Time on its inaugural Time 100 in Health list, Dr. Blackstock is also the New York Times-bestselling author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.
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MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT THE O’SHAUGHNESSY Help create meaningful artistic experiences and deep community connections of audiences of all ages! Learn more about how you can support The O’Shaughnessy at stkate.edu/oshag-support.
The O’Shaughnessy is grateful to the following organizations for their support of the 2026–27 season: Select activities made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Donations to The O’Shaughnessy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026–27 O’SHAUGHNESSY MEMBERS Champion Members: Corrine McCarthy Meg and BJ Nodzon Patty Wilder and Ryan Schroeder Shannon Stermer
Advocate Members: Irene and Fred Green Therese Sherlock Abigail Sugahara
Individual Members: Alison Enestvedt
Members support compelling art and collective impact at The O’Shaughnessy. Our mission, grounded in advocacy and equity, empowers women, inspires intellectual inquiry, and centers social justice. Activate your values with an O’Shaughnessy membership. Learn more at stkate.edu/ membership or scan the QR code.
WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK If you have feedback to share with us, simply scan the QR code and answer a brief survey. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective — we value your feedback as we are working diligently to make The O’Shaughnessy as meaningful, relevant and excellent to our community as possible.
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PICK PICK 66 FOR FOR $130 $130 PICK PICK 33 FOR FOR $75 $75 Learn more at stkate.edu/subscribe
CONCESSIONS SPONSORS Enjoy handcrafted local favorites and more at The O’Shaughnessy concessions bar in the lobby before each show and during intermission. Treats can be enjoyed at your seat!
Thank you JS Bean Factory and Candyland for supporting The O’Shaughnessy!
THE O’SHAUGHNESSY STAFF Maria Signorelli Verdoorn, Interim Executive Director Allison Secord, Sales and Marketing Manager Jonathan Burkhalter, Events and Operations Manager Carla Arnevik, Events and Operations Coordinator Kevin A. Jones, Production Manager Troy Wilhelmson, Associate Production and Video Services Manager Chadwick Cook, Production Services Coordinator Mik Finnegan, House Technician Roger Rosvold, House Technician Jacob Edholm, House Technician 7
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Wednesday, Nov. 18
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