Our Place

The Sisters of St. Joseph have always understood the importance of the physical learning environment in educating the whole person. As a result, the 1920s brought two iconic spaces to St. Kate’s with the opening of Our Lady of Victory Chapel and Mendel Hall. The Chapel, central to the student experience since its opening in 1924, has provided the St. Kate’s community a place for peace and reflection, key parts of the Catholic intellectual tradition, while hosting the University’s most sacred traditions. In 1927, St. Kate’s continued its legacy of being a forerunner in women’s education with the opening of Mendel, a space dedicated to women studying the sciences, which was highly unusual for the time. The University’s first chemistry graduate in 1933 launched a longstanding St. Catherine tradition of our science alumni going on to medical and dental school, conducting research, and entering professional careers in their industries. Investing in our campus provides access to cutting-edge classrooms and technology, as well as spaces for reflection — both of which are foundational to a liberal arts education. We are especially thankful for the Sisters’ generous lead gift of the Minneapolis campus, which provides the opportunity to invest in upgrading labs and technology, purchasing new equipment, and restoring key equipment and building features.