Saint Mary's Newsroom

WINONA, Minn. — According to a 2020 study, Gallup found that NCAA student-athletes engaged in important undergraduate experiences at higher rates than their non-athlete peers and are more likely to be thriving in many post-college domains.

Which comes as no surprise to Saint Mary’s University athletic director Brian Sisson.

“Saint Mary’s is a stellar example of what rings true in this study,” Sisson said. “Our student-athletes are well-rounded, very active across so many spectrums of campus, and leaders into their careers and communities after graduation.

“The support our student-athletes get from our coaching staff, support staff, and the faculty and staff across campus is remarkable. Together, they leave a lasting impact and make for a memorable experience on campus for all.”

Gallup interviewed nearly 5,000 former NCAA student-athletes about their college experiences and current well-being, and compared the responses to 69,000 non-student-athlete graduates from the same colleges.

According to the study, NCAA student-athletes (55%) are much more likely than their non-athlete counterparts (31%) to have held a leadership position in a club or organization such as student government, a fraternity or sorority, or an athletic team.

The study also found that NCAA student-athletes (70%) are more likely than their non-athlete peers (65%) to have graduated college in four years or less, and they are half as likely to have taken more than five years to graduate (6% vs. 12%)

The study also noted that graduates who were NCAA student-athletes (39%) are more likely to earn an advanced degree than non-student-athletes (32%). This difference is most pronounced among Black graduates, with 49% of Black student-athletes versus 39% of Black non-athletes attaining an advanced degree.

“From the academic experience, to the numerous leadership lessons learned, to graduation rates and further education, college athletes strive and achieve greatness,” Sisson said. “I would not be here today without my experience as a former student-athlete. It has helped shape me into who I am today.

“Kudos to our exemplary athletic staff, who do so much to mentor our student-athletes — so many of whom were student-athletes themselves,” added Sisson. “Lastly, as mentioned in the study — on giving back to their institutions financially after the fact — I want to thank all of our Cardinal athletic alumni who choose to support our current and future generations of student-athletes here at Saint Mary’s.”

Benefactors make campus expansions possible

WINONA, Minn. — Winona Campus students at Saint Mary’s University will be welcomed back to numerous changes, upgrades, and continued renovations — all of which are being made possible solely through philanthropic support.

Adducci Science Center

One of the largest construction projects underway is the renovation of the Adducci Science Center’s Brother Charles and Hoffman halls, which are being transformed into a state-of-the-art space for innovation and collaboration.

Through a $17 million initiative, Saint Mary’s is creating a space for state-of-the-art classrooms, learning spaces, and labs for business and the sciences (including math, psychology, nursing, and computer science.)

A rendering of the new Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls from Highway 14.

Saint Mary’s knows that interdisciplinary efforts are critical now more than ever. In fields ranging from business to healthcare, it takes a team of experts to examine issues, challenges, and opportunity from a variety of perspectives.

“No one person, or one discipline, has all of the knowledge necessary to solve our most challenging problems,” said Todd Reinhart, Sc.D., dean of Sciences and Health Professions. “We know that in solving long standing societal issues, we need experts from various perspectives and disciplines to weigh in and ultimately come up with solutions that should have a higher chance of being successful.”

Highlights of the new facility, expected to be completed by fall 2021, will include a nursing suite, simulation and control rooms, a debrief room, makerspace, trading lab, data analytics lab, computational lab, environmental biology lab, human behavioral lab, sales training suite, teaching and research greenhouse, and covered outdoor classroom extension.

Saint Mary’s has received a $5 million anonymous match to kick off fundraising efforts. Additionally several other alumni and friends, including Merchants Bank and WNB Financial, have supported this initiative. As with its other recent building projects on the Winona Campus, including the Science and Learning Center and Brother William Hall, all major building projects at Saint Mary’s University are funded entirely by the generosity of benefactors. To support this project (and take advantage of the $5 million match), contact Audrey Kintzi, vice president for Advancement and Communication, at 457-1486 or akintzi@smumn.edu.

Additional upgrades

Additional summer upgrades include new front entrance signage and a major plaza remodel, all of which are also possible through the generosity of Saint Mary’s benefactors. The university’s entrance signs are being replaced with two, 45-foot stone walls. Additionally, a significant portion of the concrete in the plaza is being replaced with more inviting grassy areas.

WINONA, Minn. — As a direct response to market research and an identified need in the workforce, Saint Mary’s University has announced its plan to establish a B.S. in Nursing program in fall 2021 at its Winona Campus.

The university is currently renovating its Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles halls to house the dedicated nursing suite, which will include a large clinical skills lab, a high fidelity nursing simulation center, faculty offices, and learning hubs (among other collaborative disciplines like business and the sciences — including math, psychology, and computer science).

Seven clinical agency partners from southern Minnesota and the metro area have agreed to partner with Saint Mary’s on student clinical education, and more relationships are forthcoming.

The addition of nursing is just one way Saint Mary’s is expanding into the healthcare sector.

Saint Mary’s has admitted its second cohort for its 3+2 Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program in collaboration with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Saint Mary’s M.S. in Nurse Anesthesia program and online bachelor’s completion RN to BSN program were touted this year as having top earning potential, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Todd Reinhart, Sc.D., dean of Sciences and Health Professions, said there is a high need, particularly in rural areas, for qualified healthcare workers in a variety of disciplines. “We know that with the changing demographics and aging of the workforce, there’s continued need for nurses and nurse anesthetists,” he said, “And we also know that we’re going to continue to need educated policy and prevention personnel. One of the biggest examples of this we are seeing today is with COVID-19.”

Dr. Reinhart added that today’s healthcare systems want to increase their patient care bandwidth, particularly in rural areas. Many of Saint Mary’s healthcare programs directly address that need.

“We have clinical placements in rural areas to help with relationship building and the job placement, and our graduates are sought after,” he said. “It’s ultimately about helping today’s healthcare system provide affordable quality care. Saint Mary’s is working to help strengthen the workforce and address the economic challenges within that workforce.”