March 7, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Run time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
WELCOME
Irene Green Executive Director of The O’Shaughnessy
INTRODUCTION
Marcheta P. Evans, PhD President of St. Catherine University
LECTURE
Dame Jacinda Ardern
Q & A
Moderator – Betty McCollum ’87
U.S. Congresswoman
The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern became the Prime Minister of New Zealand at just 37 years of age. During her time in office, she faced the challenges of a live-streamed domestic terror attack against New Zealand’s Muslim community, a volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Ardern’s focus on people, kindness, and what she has called “pragmatic idealism” saw New Zealand achieve some of the lowest losses of life experienced by any developed nation through the pandemic, the ban of military-style semi-automatic weapons in her country, and the creation of the
Christchurch Call to eliminate violent extremism online, which Ms Ardern continues to hold the role of Special Envoy.
Ms. Ardern is a champion of women’s empowerment. While in office, New Zealand reached 50 percent representation of women in parliament, and on government-appointed boards. She decriminalized abortion, improved pay equity laws, and extended paid parental leave to six months — all while being only the second woman in the world to have a baby while leading her country.
Ms. Ardern is a passionate advocate of climate action and is a board member
of The Earthshot Prize, focusing on solutions to climate change and environmental issues. She is also an Arnhold Distinguished Fellow, Conservation International where she is advocating for climate action and better treatment of the environment.
Ms. Ardern is the 2023 Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Hauser Leader in the School’s Center for Public Leadership, a program where leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors engage with students and faculty on building skills in principled leadership.
She is also the Knight Tech Governance Leadership Fellow at Harvard Law School’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, where she is focused on ways to improve content standards and platform accountability for extremist content online.
Ms. Ardern holds an Honorary Doctorate from Harvard University.
Betty McCollum ’87 is a Democrat serving her 13th term in the United States House of Representatives, representing the families of Minnesota’s Fourth District. In 2000, Congresswoman McCollum made history as only the second Minnesota woman elected to serve in Congress since statehood in 1858. McCollum represents the residents of Minnesota’s capital city, St. Paul, as well as all of Ramsey County and most of Washington County.
Throughout her career in public service, Congresswoman McCollum has been a champion for excellence in education, protecting the environment, expanding health care access, and robust international engagement that prioritizes diplomacy and development, along with a strong national defense.
In the 119th Congress, Congresswoman McCollum brings a common sense, Minnesota perspective to her work as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, where she serves as the top Democrat on the Defense Subcommittee (HAC-D).
Marcheta P. Evans, PhD is the 12th president of St. Catherine University. Evans was previously 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.
St. Catherine University presents
May 1, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Free, reservations required: oshag.stkate.edu/goodman
Founded by Arthur and Constance Goodman in 1979, the Goodman Lecture promotes interfaith dialogue between Jewish and Christian communities. St. Catherine University is extremely grateful for the Goodmans’ generosity and the continued support of their daughters Mary Ann Goodman Reilly ’61 and Stephanie Goodman ’83, both St. Kate’s graduates.
SUPPORT THE O’SHAUGHNESSY
RENT THE O’SHAUGHNESSY
The O’Shaughnessy relies on the generosity of individuals like you to help us offer experiences that meaningfully connect artists and audiences of all ages. Donations to The O’Shaughnessy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Go to oshag.stkate.edu to make a secure donation, and click Donate, or visit stkate.edu/give to explore a full list of the University’s giving opportunities.
The O’Shaughnessy is grateful to the following organizations for their support of the 2024–25 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.
Special Shoutout to Our Dining Club Partner
Thank you to Groveland Tap for supporting The O’Shaughnessy. For more information, go to oshag.stkate.edu/visit
Dates are available to rent. Contact Maria Signorelli Verdoorn for more information at msignorelli@stkate.edu, 651-690-7749, or visit oshag.stkate.edu.
THE O’SHAUGHNESSY STAFF
Irene Green, Executive Director
Maria Signorelli Verdoorn, Associate Director
Allison Secord, Sales and Marketing Manager
Kevin A. Jones, Production Manager
Troy Wilhelmson, Associate Production & Video Services Manager
Chadwick Cook, Production Services Coordinator
Bri Atwood, House Technician
Roger Rosvold, House Technician
Mary Beth Zorn, House Technician
Carla Arnevik, Management Assistant
Additional St. Catherine University support:
Saundra Huntley, Program Design
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