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Saint Mary’s Super Bowl insights
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, a Saint Mary’s student, alumnus, and staff member provide their insights into how they think the game will be played out.
The student
Aidan Adamek, a current student majoring in sports management and business intelligence and data analytics, will be graduating from Saint Mary’s in December 2023.
Champion: Philadelphia Eagles
1. I created an overall offensive and defensive team score for both teams using Z-scores (a statistical measurement that describes a value’s relationship to the mean of a group of values). These scores were created by combining a variety of team statistics to create a score for a variety of offensive and defensive overarching statistical categories. Then combining the scores of each overarching statistical category to create an overall offensive and defensive score. The Eagles scored better defensively, but the Chiefs scored better offensively. According to my scoring, the Eagles ranked second offensively and third defensively among all 32 NFL teams this season. The Chiefs ranked first offensively and 17th defensively. Important to note: All statistics used were Per Game Statistics. Also, these rankings did not vary too much compared to other power rankings online or rankings by NFL analysts. Thus, the Eagles are the better overall team offensively and defensively.
2. I used correlation analysis to determine the top categories (scores) which correlated the most to the team’s overall offensive and defensive scores. I then used the categories that correlated the most to compare the two teams for each category. The Eagles outperformed the Chiefs for each defensive category, while the Chiefs outperformed the Eagles for all except one offensive category.
3. Of the last 10 Super Bowls, on average, the winning team’s Points For Per Game from the regular season is lower than the losing team. However, on average the winning team’s Points Against Per Game from the regular season is lower than the losing team. This statistic favors the Eagles.
- Eagles – Points For Per Game: 28.1, Points Against Per Game: 20.2
- Chiefs – Points For Per Game: 29.2, Points Against Per Game: 21.7
The saying “Defense Win Championships” may very well be true for this Super Bowl.
Rushing Yards:
Player: Miles Sanders
1. Using Player Per Game Rushing Statistics for 366 players from this past regular season (every player that rushed during this past regular season), I used multiple linear regression (a statistical technique used for observing the relationship between variables or prediction) to observe which rushing statistics impacted the response variable the most. The response variable was Yards Rushed Per Game throughout the regular season. The variables (rushing statistics) that were most statistically significant compared to the response variable (Yards Rushed Per Game) were Rushing Attempts Per Game (regular season), Rushing First Downs Per Game (regular season), the player’s longest rushing attempt (regular season), Rushing Yards Per Attempt (regular season), and Fumbles Per Game (regular season).
2. Using the previously listed variables, I compared each player for the Chiefs and Eagles that rushed the ball at some point throughout the regular season. Miles Sanders was dominant amongst all Chiefs and Eagles players for each category:
- Rushing Attempts Per Game: 15.2 (first)
- Rushing 1st Downs Per Game: 3.65 (second)
- Player’s longest rushing attempt: 40 (third)
- Rushing Yards Per Attempt: 4.9 (Tied second for players who played more games than league avg. of players who rushed – minimum 12 games played)
- Fumbles Per Game: 0.12 (Third amongst players that rushed more than league avg. of Yards Per Game – minimum 14 Yards Per Game Rushed)
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
1. Using the scoring that I described earlier, I compared my Rushing Score for both teams to determine which team would rush the ball more. The Eagles outscored the Chiefs overall for rushing, and outscored the Chiefs for each of the following rushing statistics:
- Attempts Rushing Per Game
- Total Rushing Yards Per Game
- Rushing Touchdowns Per Game
- First Downs By Rushing Per Game
Total Score: 43 points
1. To determine the total score for the super bowl, I analyzed the scores from the last 10 Super Bowls and compared the teams from each of those super bowls to the Eagles and the Chiefs.
- The average score of the last 10 Super Bowls was 48.8 points.
- The Standard Deviation (average amount of variability of data from the mean; how far on average each value is from the average of the dataset) was 15.804 points.
2. Comparing the teams from the last 10 Super Bowls to the Chiefs and Eagles, only three games were played by two teams where one team was ranked top 10 for both Points For Per Game (regular season) and Points Against Per Game (regular season) and the other team was ranked top 10 for Points For Per Game (regular season) but not for Points Against Per Game (regular season). The Eagles are ranked top 10 for both, while the Chiefs are ranked top 10 for Points For Per Game but not for Points Against Per Game.
That being said, the score from each of those three games from the last 10 Super Bowls was averaged. The Z-score (how many standard deviations away an observation is from the population mean) for each game was averaged as well. Then the average Z-score for the three games was multiplied by the Standard Deviation for points of the last 10 Super Bowls. By doing so, this calculated how many points the average score of the three Super Bowls as described above deviated from the average score of the last 10 Super Bowls. The three games deviated about -5.8 points from the average. Thus, 5.8 points was subtracted from the mean (48.8), which was 43 points.
Some Important Notes:
- This project focused on Per Game Statistics, as this is a much more accurate way of observing team behavior for sports.
- All data used for this project was from https://www.pro-football-reference.com/. This is a reputable free source for sports statistics and data.
The alumnus
Preston Black B’15 graduated from the BINA program and now works for Vikings Football as the CRM and Insights Manager. (Preston was driving back from Florida and said he would share his work when he had a chance.)
Overall Champion: Philadelphia Eagles
Player with the Most Rushing Yards: Miles Sanders with 66 yards for the game.
Total Score: 45 points (Eagles 23, Chiefs 22)
The staff member
Ellen Heydon, Digital Engagement Officer at Saint Mary’s University did not use a method to decide her answers, she just went with her intuition.
Overall Champion: Kansas City Chiefs (as an avid Chiefs fan, she couldn’t pick anyone else)
Player with the Most Rushing Yards: Miles Sanders with 62 rushing yards (The Chiefs are much more likely to throw the ball and I love a good Kelce Mahomes moment.)
Total Score: 51 points (Chiefs 27, Eagles 24) –51 came to me when I threw a couple of dice and 1 and 5 were the numbers showing. Obviously, a game with a score of 15 would be way too boring, and Mahomes doesn’t do low-scoring games. Turning the numbers to 51 and knowing that the Chiefs will throw the ball, I have hope that this is correct.
As for the halftime show, my bet is that Rihanna opens with “Don’t Stop the Music”.
Saint Mary’s announces first semester dean’s list
Congratulations to the following undergraduate students, who were named to the Fall Semester 2022 Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University. The list includes 419 undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Shamat Abraha, Saint Paul, Minn.
Aidan Adamek, Helena, Mont.
Oliver Adamson, Rochester, Minn.
Elise Amerongen, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Brinton Anderson, Pulaski, Wis.
Philip Apel, Saint Paul, Minn.
Brijit Arntzen, Woodbury, Minn.
John Assaf, Rock Island, Ill.
Julia Backlund, Jordan, Minn.
Allysa Barlow, Appleton, Wis.
Matthew Barton, Lakeville, Minn.
Zoie Becker, Saint James, Minn.
Joseph Beckman, Blaine, Minn.
Andrew Beine, Campbellsport, Wis.
Jacqueline Beltran, Waukegan, Ill.
Shawna Berdan, Montgomery, Minn.
Emelia Bergh, Chippewa Falls, Minn.
Matthew Besek, Winona, Minn.
Connor Beutin, Dubuque, Iowa
Gabriel Bickerstaff, Rollingstone, Minn.
Sophia Binder, Sycamore, Ill.
Alexis Blackburn, Chicago, Ill.
Kathleen Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn.
Preston Bluhm, Farmington, Minn.
Alexis Boeck, Kasson, Minn.
Will Boeckman, Big Lake, Minn.
Emily Bonk, Hudson, Wis.
Naleyah Bork, De Pere, Wis.
Alaina Botz, Saint Joseph, Minn.
Khai Branham, Becida, Minn.
Kaydi Breeser, Caledonia, Minn.
Dominick Brezinski, Mount Horeb, Wis.
Owen Brietzke, Winona, Minn.
Marshall Briggs, Phoenix, Ariz.
Isaiah Brindamour, Hinckley, Minn.
Mallory Brown, Austin, Minn.
Brenna Bruchert, Eau Claire, Wis.
Jacob Bruns, Sussex, Wis.
Brooklyn Bublitz, Winona, Minn.
Taylor Budde, Farmington, Minn.
Thomas Budin, Le Center, Minn.
Peyton Buerman, Shawano, Wis.
Christopher Bulwa, Glenview, Ill.
Hannah Bunke, Saint Charles, Minn.
Sean Burke, Chicago, Ill.
Breyton Buysman, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Emmarie Byom, La Crescent, Wis.
Djeneba Camara, Chicago, Ill.
Ryan Campbell, New Berlin, Wis.
Jack Campion, Minneapolis, Minn.
Maeve Cannon, Oak Lawn, Ill.
Alexander Cannon, Canton, MI
Guy Cardinal, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mackenzie Carey, Prescott, Wis.
Cheyenne Carlsen, Big Lake, Minn.
Catherine Carlson, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Anne Carmean, Blaine, Minn.
Marguerite Chabal, Paris, France
Grace Chalmers, Albert Lea, Minn.
Eric Charest, Minneapolis, Minn.
Claire Chmielewski, Rice, Minn.
Allison Ciero, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Luke Ciolli, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Cori Claeys, Lakeville, Minn.
Shane Cleary, Rochester, Minn.
Hope Clegg, Plymouth, Minn.
Larkin Clem, Elk River, Minn.
Devann Clemens, Chatfiled, Minn.
Jacob Clements, Holmen, Wis.
Oscar Clerjaud, Evreux, France
Justine Cobbett, Saint Paul, Minn.
Leo Colling, Jordan, Minn.
Thomas Comstock, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Jose Corvera Garcia, Santa Tecla, El Salvador
Mason Coyle, Madison, Wis.
Emily Crandall, Stillwater, Minn.
Sascha Cromheecke, Onalaska, Wis.
Katelyn Cruze, Litchfield, Minn.
Katrina Danzinger, Alma, Wis.
Kylie Davidson, Oronoco, Minn.
Natalie Degener, Rochester, Minn.
Theresa DeGross, Minneapolis, Minn.
Josie Denzin, Neenah, Wis.
Patrick Derleth, Berlin, Wis.
Katherine Devine, Glencoe, Ill.
Gianni DiTola, Saint John, Ind.
Emma Doering, Sycamore, Ill.
Michelle Doering, Minneapolis, Minn.
Taryn Dornseif, Somerset, Wis.
Megan Drayna, Woodbury, Minn.
Joseph Dunn, Andover, Minn.
Kayla Dwire, Marshall, Minn.
Christopher Ellis, Roseville, Minn
Ian Erdman, Flower Mound, Texas
Rebekah Erickson, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mariel Faber, Dodge Center, Minn.
Bennett Feudner, Fond Du Lac, Wis.
Zoe Fink, Stevens Point, Wis.
Andrew Fischer, La Crosse, Wis.
Cecilia Flores, West Saint Paul, Wis.
Kaiden Forsyth, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Zavior Franck, Brainerd, Wis.
Zackery Frantzen, Urbandale, Iowa
Noah Frechette, Lakeville, Minn.
Jacob Freund, Fond Du Lac, Wis.
Samuel Frick, Rochester, Minn.
Braden Fritz, Minnesota City, Minn.
Megan Frosch, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Ella Fry, Mindoro, Wis.
Kelsey Fuerstenberg, Wilmont, Minn.
Brianna Galang, Plainfield, Ill.
Samantha Ganther, Holmen, Wis.
Nathaniel Garity, Rochester, Minn.
Henry Gathje, Stewartville, Minn.
Aidan Gatz, Elburn, Ill.
Caroline Gearin, Star Prairie, Wis.
Blase Gebes, Whitewood, S.D.
Joseph Gerlach, Winona, Minn.
Abby Gilliland, Dodge Center, Minn.
Madeline Gindele, Buffalo, Minn.
Andrew Glanville, Oregon, Wis.
Izzabella Goettelman, Winona, Minn.
Seth Gonring, Madison, Wis.
Westin Gourneau, Bemidji, Minn.
Isabella Griffin, Saint Paul, Minn.
Elizabeth Groothausen, Jordan, Minn.
Gabrielle Gruenke, Blaine, Minn.
James Guenther, Rochester, Minn.
Paul Guertin, Elk River, Minn.
Caleb Gundberg, Winona, Minn.
Robert Haedt, Rochester, Minn.
Katherine Hafner, Rochester, Minn.
Noah Haidar, Saint Paul, Minn.
Seth Hakes, Oregon, Wis.
Katelyn Halisz, Chicago, Ill.
Riley Hall, Dallas Center, Iowa
Grace Hardel, Henderson, Minn.
Josie Hart, Oronoco, Minn.
Maeve Hastings, Chicago, Ill.
Michael Hegarty, Chicago, Ill.
Anthony Heier, Winona, Minn.
Emily Henderson, Jordan, Minn.
Lucas Henderson, Lakeville, Minn.
Gianna Henningsen, Pella, Iowa
Matthew Henrich, Mason City, Iowa
Rachel Hewitt, East Gull Lake, Minn.
Makenzie Hodson, Middleton, Wis.
Grace Howard, Saint Paul, Minn.
Erica Howard, Rapid City, S.D.
Grace Hubbell, Minneapolis, Minn.
Jack Hurley, Homewood, Ill.
Daniella Ilunga, Winona, Minn.
Christa Ingabire, Kigali Rwanda
Sydney Jackman, Litchfield, Minn.
Savana Johnson, Thurmont, Md.
Alyssa Jones, Stewartville, Minn.
Peyton Jonus, Wabasha, Minn.
Scott Kahler, Little Falls, Minn.
Lauren Kantrovich, Delano, Minn.
Abigail Kanz, Rushford, Minn.
Emma Kasella, Kasella, Minn.
Houmam Kassar, Hillside, Ill.
Alexander Keeler, Antioch, Ill.
Jack Kelly, Northfield, Minn.
Patrick Kemokai, Marrakech
Ryan Kerchoff, White Lake, Mich.
Emily Kern, Buffalo, Minn.
Elizabeth Khalil, Kenosha, Wis.
Noah Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Nicholas Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Madison Kindler, Sussex, Wis.
Samuel King, Austin, Minn.
Alberts Kirsons, Riga, Latvia
Landry Kirsling, Amherst, Wis.
Mitchell Klatt, Barron, Wis.
Mason Klett, Saint Paul, Minn.
Brooke Kline, Andover, Minn.
Kendra Klobe, Glencoe, Minn.
Philip Kostecka, Pequot Lakes, Minn.
Eion Kressin, Chippewa Fall, Minn.
Benjamin Kritsberg, Rosemount, Minn.
Kasyn Kruse, Luverne, Minn.
Samantha Kubes, New Prague, Minn.
Timothy Kujawa, Lake City, Minn.
Melanie LaDue, Rochester, Minn.
Kristen LaDue, Rochester, Minn.
Ella Lahart, Sherwood, Ore.
Noah Lahner, Waukesha, Wis.
Nina Langley, Chaska, Minn.
Julia Langworthy, Mapleton, Minn.
Kirstyn Larson, West Salem, Wis.
Leah Lebrun, Antioch, Ill.
Morgan Leib, Farmington Hill, Mich.
Zachariah Lenz, Owatonna, Minn.
Brookelyn Lewis, Holmen, Wis.
Kristian Lindanger, Tysværvåg, Norway
Jon Lindanger, Tysværvåg, Norway
Brady Lindauer, Land o Lakes, Fla.
Tanner Linduski, Fall Creek, Wis.
Jonathan Lutz, Fairmont, Minn.
Qi Kai Ma, Baotou, China
Janette Madrigal, Circle Pines, Minn.
Kailee Magaard, Mankato, Minn.
Thomas Magnavite, Palos Heights, Ill.
Peyton Maier, Elk River, Minn.
Emma Mara, Woodbury, Minn.
Aryn Marble, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Caedon McCartney, Owatonna, Minn.
Madeline McCartney, Minneapolis, Minn.
Jane McGann, Chicago, Ill.
Brooklyn McKinney, Brighton, Colo.
Caeli McMahon, Holmen, Wis.
Ciarra McNally, Saint Charles, Minn.
Andrew McNally, Necedah, Wis.
Caitlin Meier, La Vista, Neb.
Jacob Mejino, Westchester, Ill.
Lisa Menard, Haulville
Danielle Mengel, Stevens Point, Wis.
Brandon Merfeld, La Crosse, Wis.
Morgan Meyer, Kellog, Minn.
Abigail Meyer, Sauk Centre, Minn.
Michael Milam, Delafield, Wis.
Emma Miller, Eau, Claire, Wis.
Zamzam Mohamed, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Madison Mora, Honolulu, Hawaii
Morgan Muhlbauer, Carroll, Iowa
Haylee Mullenbach, Owatonna, Minn.
Samantha Munson, Plain City, Utah
Anna Muntifering, Eagan, Minn.
Madeline Murphy, Le Claire, Iowa
Abigail Nachand, Castle Rock, Colo.
Callahan Nauss, Maple Plain, Minn.
Jackson Nauss, Maple Plain, Minn.
Kirsten Neistadt, Baxter, Minn.
Isaac Nemeth, Plymouth, Minn.
Chase Neubauer, Stewartville, Minn.
Evan Neubauer, Independence, Mo.
Maggie Newhouse, Owatonna, Minn.
Alexis Nguyen, West Covina, Calif.
Analise Nielsen, Albertville, Minn.
Keegan Norton, Greendale, Wis.
Mark Nosbush, Paynesville, Minn.
Morgan Novotny, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Shunta Nozawa, Fuchu, Japan
Sophia O’Neil, South Jordan, Utah
Grace Olmstead, Beloit, Wis.
Luke Olson, Moline, Ill.
Dayana Ortiz-Robles, Columbia Heights, Minn.
Nozomi Osada, Matsudo-Shi, Japan
Isabelle Ostrem, Cochrane, Wis.
Tristan Ostrem, Cochrane, Wis.
Abigail Painovich, Hinckley, Minn.
Kyle Palmberg, Holmen, Wis.
Mason Palmer, Holmen, Wis.
Madeline Patterson, Albertville, Minn.
Brooklyn Paulson, Holmen, Wis.
Julio Perea, Milwaukee, Wis.
Katherine Perkins, Happy Valley, Ore.
Francis Perroud, Villa Elisa, Argentina
Conner Perry, La Crosse, Wis.
Alexander Peters, Kasson, Wis.
Elle Petersen, Chanhassen, Minn.
Seth Peterson, Black River Falls, Wis.
Natalie Peterson, Saint Cloud, Minn.
Teagan Phillips, Oregon, Wis.
Savanah Phyle, Prior Lake, Wis.
Natalie Picard, Waukesha, Wis.
Ryan Pierce, Crown Point, Ind.
Catherine Pierpont, Holt, Mich.
Elizabeth Pike, Rochester, Minn.
Laudon Poellinger, Hokah, Minn.
Alexis Pogatchnik, Rice, Minn.
Sidney Polzin, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Charles Pomroy, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Gabe Potyk, Oakland Township, Mich.
Dalton Prenot, Winona, Minn.
Luke Puffer, Duluth, Minn.
Brady Quan, Minneapolis, Minn.
Peter Quinn, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Brendon Raabolle, Elk River, Minn.
Jarod Raber, Coal Valley, Ill.
Karson Rades, Appleton, Wis.
Valeria Ramos Kuzuhara, Des Plaines, Ill.
Kiley Randoll, Muscatine, Iowa
Josephine Reed, Savage, Minn.
Danielle Rhodes, Pewaukee, Wis.
Anthony Richter, Gillette, Wyo.
Nathan Riess, Timnath, Colo.
Akela Rimstad, Richfield, Minn.
Celeste Rimstad, Minneapolis, Minn.
Christian Ripplinger, Holdingford, Minn.
Diego Rivera, Chicago, Ill.
Mario Rodriguez Gomez, Sonzacate, El Salvador
Eryn Roemhildt, Saint Peter, Minn.
Kendall Rolling, Dellwood, Minn.
Kaitlyn Rollinger, Minnesota City, Minn.
Courtney Rollinger, Minnesota City, Minn.
Jennifer Rosas, Saint Paul, Minn.
Garrett Rotzien, Minneapolis, Minn.
Mary Row, Winona, Minn.
Elise Roxas, Eagan, Minn.
Cordelia Ruch, Minneapolis, Minn.
Braidyn Ruetten, Holmen, Wis.
Anthony Ruskowski, Traverse City, Mich.
Riley Ruud, Winona, Minn.
Molly Ryan, Saint Paul, Minn.
Gabriel Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn.
Hina Sakai, Fukuoka, Japan
Ryan Saltness, Rochester, Minn.
Isaac Sanders, Bloomington, Ill.
Matthew Sankner, Pennington, N.J.
Jabari Sawyer, Chicago, Ill.
Avery Scardigli, Andover, Minn.
Jack Schafer, Brainerd, Minn.
Emily Schaffer, Hampton, Minn.
Grace Schaffer, Hampton, Minn.
Joseph Schauf, Deforest, Wis.
Riley Schiernbeck, Ida Grove, Iowa
Brooke Schilling, Fort Ripley, Minn.
Devyn Schmeling, Onalaska, Wis.
Mandy Schmidt, Mitchell, S.D.
Hailey Schmidt, Saint Peter, Minn.
Trinity Schmidtknecht, Winona, Minn.
Cameron Schmit, Byron, Minn.
Jessica Schneider, Minneapolis, Minn.
Peter Schoonmaker, Moline, Ill.
Patrick Schork, Beloit, Wis.
Katherine Schroettner, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Ella Schultz, Winona, Minn.
Emma Schuster, Rushford, Minn.
Alyssa Sebo, Winona, Minn.
Cassandra Sepp, Duluth, Minn.
William Sepsis, Elmhurst, Ill.
Benjamin Serb, Wales, Wis.
Emilie Serna, Bowlus, Minn.
Kirsten Sims, Mankato, Minn.
Benjamin Slavik, Andover, Minn.
Madalyn Slavin, Woodbury, Minn.
Michelle Smith, Oak Lawn, Ill.
Julia Smrecek, Rochester, Minn.
Sara Sommer, Washoe Valley, Nev.
Derek Sonmore, Minneapolis, Minn.
Amelia Spilde, Brooklyn, Wis.
Angela Spors, Rochester, Minn.
Leona Stastny, Yankton, S.D.
Emma Steele, Sparta, Wis.
Zachariah Steffens, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Claudia Stein, Carver, Minn.
Amber Stemper, Caledonia, Minn.
Tucker Stene, Minneapolis, Minn.
Abbie Stigler, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Eric Stomberg, Saint Paul, Minn.
Ashley Streveler, Colby, Wis.
Coleton Strupp, Holmen, Wis.
Lindsay Stussy, Zumbrota, Minn.
Zixi Sun, Mosinee, Wis.
Parker Swanson, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Savannah Swanson, Marengo, Ill.
Swanson Szepieniec, Eau Claire, Wis.
Charles Tackman, Escanaba, Mich.
Julia Thompson, Randolph, Minn.
Sophia Thompson, Melrose, Wis.
Nathaniel Thovson, Monticello, Minn.
Emma Toellner, Bonduel, Wis.
Yaquelinne Tomas Coronado, Worthington, Minn.
Elizabeth Trnka, Montgomery, Minn.
Colin Tushie, Shakopee, Minn.
Amanda Tuvey, Saint Paul, Minn.
Christopher Ullrich, Minnetrista, Minn.
Allison Urlaub, Burnsville, Minn.
Abrianna Utgaard, Star Prairie, Wis.
Seth Vagts, Brainerd, Minn.
Trevon Van Egtern, La Crosse, Wis.
Faith Van Erp, Cold Spring, Minn.
Dominic Van Hecke, Hartland, Wis.
Collin van Waardenburg, San Pierre, Ind.
Shania Vanlewin, Lakeville, Minn.
Isabelle Vanneste, Shoreview, Minn.
Melissa Varner, Andover, Minn.
Jacob Vaughan, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Anthony Vera, Le Mars, Iowa
Makenna Vickery, La Crescent, Minn.
Morgan Von Feldt, Chisago City, Minn.
John Vrchota, Lakefield, Minn.
Maya Wachter, Dubuque, Iowa
Ella Wagner, South Saint Paul, Minn.
Laura Walker, Winona, Minn.
Madison Wall, Chetek, Wis.
Haley Wangen, Stewartville, Minn.
Melanie Wardwell, Winona, Minn.
Hailey Warmka, Bricelyn, Minn.
Simon Warmkagathje, Saint Charles, Minn.
Sarah Watters, Stewartville, Minn.
Cameron Weber, Holmen, Wis.
Brendan Westbrook, Pine City, Minn.
Abbi Westhoff, Marion, Iowa
Rhiannon Weston, Saint Paul, Minn.
Joseph White, Fountain City, Wis.
Olivia White, Montevideo, Minn.
Hanna Widdes, Duluth, Minn.
Nicole Wierzba, Rosholt, Wis.
Ethan Wilcox, Quinnesec, Mich.
Thomas Williams, Dahinda, Ill.
Malerie Williams, Minneapolis, Minn.
Briana Williquett, Roberts, Wis.
Madeline Wilsey, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jacob Wing, Verona, Wis.
William Winter, Saint Louis, Mo.
Melanie Winzenburg, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
Lawrence Wirries, Moorhead, Minn.
Jacob Wittman, Marshfield, Wis.
Avery Wojtowicz, Oak Creek, Wis.
Brooke Woodmansey, Helena, Mont.
Nicole Wurm, Clearwater, Minn.
Jordy Wyant, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Warner Young, Newberry, Mich.
Maya Zender, Prior Lake, Minn.
Owen Ziegler, Mount Horeb, Wis.
Jenna Zimmer, Creston, British Columbia
Sharing the story of Saint Mary’s
Marketing and Communication staff, partnering with the entire Saint Mary’s community, shares the story of Saint Mary’s in a variety of venues and to a variety of audiences. Please also consider using the stories, photos, and messaging being shared on social media on your own accounts, and help us disseminate Saint Mary’s story even wider.
Saint Mary’s Currents continues with two new episodes
Back for a second season, Saint Mary’s Currents, the school’s official podcast, has two fresh episodes.
The first is an interview with Tricia Klosky, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, who discusses the psychology of serial killers and why society has such an interest in these individuals.
In the most recent episode, Andrew Scott, Ph.D., associate professor of business, joined host Ben Rodgers to discuss the nation’s debt crisis. These episode topics are examples of how Marketing and Communication watches current hot topics in the media and partners these topics with faculty who have expertise in these areas. These podcasts are also being shared with regional media contacts who are always looking for experts to weigh in on trends and national issues.
Story of Bollig sisters shared in Winona Daily News
A story about three Bollig sisters, who all attended Saint Mary’s, recently ran in the Winona Daily News and the La Crosse Tribune. The story highlights the different experiences all three sisters had in their time on campus and how Saint Mary’s prepared them for life after college. Saint Mary’s stories, written by Marketing and Communication, run monthly in the two papers as a part of a content-sharing agreement.
Merchlewitz, Gossen featured in video series in the Winona Daily News
Ann Merchlewitz, J.D., senior vice president and general counsel, and Timothy Gossen, Ed.D., senior director of admission and dean of summer programs, were both recently featured in a video series that ran in the Winona Daily News. In the videos, the two talked about their favorite moments of 2022 and what they look forward to in 2023. Their responses, in written format, have made the cover of the paper the past two weekends. Watch for more responses from Saint Mary’s in the future!
Update on enrollment
Admissions is eager to communicate more regularly and efficiently with the Saint Mary’s community, and staff and faculty can expect additional updates on recruitment and enrollment progress in the coming weeks and months. At this time, below is a brief update that Michael McMahon, vice president for enrollment management, shared with the Board of Trustees.
Under the leadership of Tim Gossen, Ed.D., senior director of admission and dean of summer programs, and through the invested work and collaboration of many stakeholders, recruitment at the College has made significant strides over the past several months. As of the middle of January, the College admission team has been consistently 20% ahead in first-year deposits year-over-year. While we have a long way to go until the end of the cycle, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic. If the trends continue, we will welcome a significantly larger recruitment class in fall 2023 than fall 2022.
Those working to address enrollment challenges in the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs have been every bit as devoted as well. By way of example, many faculty and staff worked tirelessly during the week between the Christmas and New Year holidays to get new and continuing students registered for spring semester classes.
In January, we welcomed about 35% more new students for our internal SGPP programs than we did last spring. This news must be nuanced, as a good bit of the year-over-year growth came from a new initiative with a reduced tuition rate. For overall enrollment, our SGPP credits were about 5% below the budget reforecast from October 2022.
We look forward to providing regular updates in the future. Thanks for the work you do to contribute to our enrollment growth, for all of us play a role in this important effort.
Saint Mary’s Spotlight: Tricia Dobrient
The Marketing and Communication Office will be profiling Saint Mary’s University leaders regularly in the Cardinal Update. Our goal is to showcase those overseeing and guiding key areas important to our strategic initiatives. This week, we feature Tricia Dobrient, senior director of student success.
Tricia Dobrient, senior director of student success
Name: Tricia Dobrient
Title: Senior director of student success
How long have you worked at Saint Mary’s? About 3 years
How would you describe your role at Saint Mary’s? My role here on campus is to support each student’s journey to success. Specifically, my role encompasses many aspects of the holistic academic experience, including student transition to the university, broad retention efforts, and assessing on-going needs of the current student population. I am lucky enough to work with the dedicated faculty and staff around campus, and to have face-to-face interactions with students daily.
What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is the community here at Saint Mary’s. As a Milwaukee native, I have found a home here in Winona and within my colleagues in the Student Success Center.
What are your hopes for the future of Saint Mary’s? My hope for the future of Saint Mary’s is for us to continue to learn and grow from our mistakes and use our accomplishments to sell the university as the kind, caring community it truly is.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment? I am proud of being a young, female leader here on campus. In terms of physical accomplishments, last year I was awarded the Young Professional of the Year through the National Association of Campus Activities, which was pretty neat.
Looking at the “Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission,” which of the 12 declarations resonates with you the most? Why? Declaration #2, Lasallian Partners: New Agents in the Mission. I chose this declaration because it is an understanding of the shortcomings of our past and a clear statement on what we can be doing better. As a graduate of an all women’s college (Mount Mary University), and as a woman in leadership, I find great value in knowing there has been a precedent set within the Lasallian community to listen to and learn from voices that have traditionally been excluded. Within the history of modern colleges and universities, women, among many other identities, have been left out of the creation of higher education. Under section 2.2.1, it reads, “Therefore, it is necessary to promote intentionally, from a spirit of fraternal communion and apostolic zeal, the presence, voice, action and representation of women in all areas of the Institute, especially in the areas of leadership and decision-making.” I find it empowering that statements, such as the one above, have been included in formational documents and declarations used by Lasallian colleges and universities, including Saint Mary’s. Looking into future generations of college students, it is important that we include these often-forgotten voices and value constructive feedback in order to make changes and improvements for a better future.
Scott discusses national debt limit on Saint Mary’s Currents
On Jan. 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt limit, sparking economic and political concerns. But what does it mean when the debt limit is hit, and what steps can be taken to correct the issue? In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, Andrew Scott, an assistant professor of business, discusses what national debt is, what policy prescriptions politicians might use to combat the issue, and how those policies might affect the average American.
If you enjoy the show and the topics discussed, subscribe to Saint Mary’s Currents wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to previous episodes by visiting the Saint Mary’s Newsroom.
Sisters share Saint Mary’s connections
WINONA, Minn. — When Maddie Bollig B’20 walked into a Saint Mary’s University biology class with Dr. Ray Faber, he did a double take.
“Didn’t I already teach you?” he asked with furrowed eyebrows.
Maddie explained that although she was new, she bore an admitted resemblance to two earlier sisters, Tera B’07 and Ashley B’15, both of whom had also enrolled in and enjoyed Dr. Faber’s courses.
The seasoned biology professor would be the only one all three sisters would share during their time at Saint Mary’s as they each pursued different academic interests: Tera public relations and literature; Ashley marketing and sport management; and Maddie environmental biology.
And, although all three ran track and cross country, most of their extracurricular interests also differed: Tera managed the Cardinal student newspaper; Ashley was more active with the PR/Business Club; and Maddie was in biology club and sang in concert choir.
But their shared college experiences are at the heart of their memories of Saint Mary’s.
It began with community.
Tera felt at home when she first visited campus, both because of the beauty of the area and because of how friendly and welcoming the community was. Ashley said she didn’t even consider any other schools. “I knew pretty early, I’d be going to Saint Mary’s, based on my sister’s experience and the sense of community and belonging that I felt when I visited,” she said. And then, when it was Maddie’s turn, “By that point, Saint Mary’s was our family. It was a bonus that they had a really good biology program,” she said.
Within the close-knit community, the sisters grew to be professional leaders, now successful in their careers: Tera as manager of internal communications at Children’s Minnesota, Ashley as senior science and academic coordinator at Academy of Neurology, and Maddie as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyst for Saint Mary’s GeoSpatial Services.
All credit Saint Mary’s for preparing them for their careers.
Looking back at when she first arrived on campus, Tera described herself as shy and timid. “By senior year, I was managing the newspaper and a captain on the cross country team,” she said. “I became a leader and gained confidence because of the opportunities and support I received.”
She also credits the liberal arts for giving her such a rounded view of the world, and for professors who encouraged her to take a variety of courses and discover what she truly wanted to do. “Once I found my passion, they helped me hone in on the real-world practical skills I needed after I graduated,” Tera said.
Ashley chooses to work for organizations that are mission driven, something she values from her time at Saint Mary’s. She also appreciates her business courses, which taught her to think on her feet. “I learned about being able to deal with a variety of stakeholders in jobs on campus and through the real-world projects we did in classes, working with real businesses. It really helped me learn how to adapt quickly to changes. People really value that flexibility. The projects we did were so much more challenging than what my friends in other schools were doing.”
Working with GeoSpatial Services as a student intern eventually led to Maddie’s current position (even if she couldn’t have envisioned it at the time). She also had not envisioned attending graduate school until her adviser helped guide her academic career path. “In graduate school, one of the main reasons I was accepted was because of my connection to GeoSpatial Services. And when I got to grad school, I was ahead of the classmates I came in with because of what I had taken at Saint Mary’s,” she said. “There were so many classes waived (and that I didn’t have to pay for) because I already had taken them at Saint Mary’s; Saint Mary’s was teaching master’s-level courses at an undergraduate level.”
She also thanks her adviser for including her, as a student, on research about the relationship between needlegrass and spotted knapweed, now published. She added, “At Saint Mary’s, you’re more than just a number. I thought it was just a slogan but you realize, it’s true. Faculty are here to support you.”
Coming full circle, Maddie now helps conduct exit interviews with current Saint Mary’s students who have worked at GeoSpatial Services. They tell her they appreciate the real-world experience. “They enjoy contributing to national wetlands inventory that will benefit many researchers and landowners,” she said.
All three stay connected to their alma mater. Tera is even running in an upcoming Ragnar Relay race with college friends from 15 years ago. “I don’t know of another school where you build so many lifelong friendships, not just with classmates, but with faculty, staff, and coaches,” she said.
Dr. Max Bonilla named provost and dean of faculties at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS/WINONA, Minn. — Max Bonilla, SSL, STD, an experienced Catholic higher education administrator in both the U.S. and Europe, has been named provost and dean of faculties for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, effective Feb. 1.
Max Bonilla, SSL, STD
Dr. Bonilla comes to Saint Mary’s after serving as the international director for the Expanded Reason Institute for the University Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Spain, a role he has served in since 2018. Between 2012 and 2018, he also served the university as vice president for international relations and as a professor. Prior to University Francisco de Vitoria, he worked in a number of academic administrative and teaching roles at Catholic University of Avila, Spain, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and the University of St. Thomas School of Theology in Houston, Texas.
In 2012, he was recruited by the University Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, to assist in the creation of international faculty-level partnerships dedicated to person-centered education. He also was the main coordinator of several projects with the Vatican, including the Expanded Reason Awards.
He graduated from the Institute for Educational Management of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education in 2007. He received an advanced degree from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a doctorate in Biblical Theology (STD) in 2000. He also received a licentiate in Sacred Scriptures (SSL) from Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1996.
“Having worked in higher education for decades, Dr. Bonilla has extensive experience and success in accreditation, assessment, curriculum reform, online programming, and both graduate and undergraduate programs,” said Father President James P. Burns, IVD. Ph.D. “Saint Mary’s, like most higher education institutions, is facing significant industry change and challenge, and we are fortunate to find a leader who has a demonstrated track record of innovative thinking that has advanced and helped stabilize several institutions. I am confident he will elevate the reputation and recognition of our academic programs on a regional and national level, and most importantly, he has expressed how deeply he values and relates to our mission and our Lasallian Catholic heritage.”
“As I learned of the heritage, legacy, and teaching philosophy that grounds Saint Mary’s University, I recognized the same inspiring fundamentals that have informed my own educational approach throughout my career: the dignity of every person; the essential importance of community; the great need for character education and ethical formation; and the ever present need for a practical, accessible education such as the one inspired by the Lasallian Brothers,” said Dr. Bonilla. “I am motivated by and fully support the university’s strategic plans and look forward to maintaining the student-centered, outcomes-focused approach for which Saint Mary’s is known. The flourishing of people to the benefit of society and ordered to their good as aided by higher education is my life’s mission. I am eager to contribute my energy and talents to advance Saint Mary’s.”
Matt Gerlach, Ph.D., has served as the interim provost and dean of faculties since last spring and will be returning to the position of vice president of Character, Virtue, and Ethics, which he was hired for in August 2021.
Saint Mary’s athletic department to celebrate 50-year anniversary of Title IX
WINONA, Minn. — During the week of Feb. 20, the Saint Mary’s University athletic department is planning a weeklong celebration in recognition of the 50-year anniversary of Title IX.
“We are thrilled to celebrate women in sport and 50 years of Title IX with a number of great events lined up here at Saint Mary’s,” said Saint Mary’s athletic director Brian Sisson. “We are fortunate to have so many successful former alumni-athletes returning to campus to talk about their careers in the sports world, and we’re honored to welcome Dr. Nicole M. Lavoi from the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, who will present ‘Title IX and Women’s Sports, Current Research Initiatives of the Tucker Center, and Future Trends of Women’s Sports.’
“It promises to be a very special week.”
On Monday, Feb. 20, the inaugural Alumni Who Work In Sport Panel will kick off the week’s events. The panel includes the following Saint Mary’s alumni: Tom Wistrcill B’92, commissioner of the Big Sky Conference and men’s basketball alumnus; Taylor Pogreba B’17, Minnesota Wild associate account executive and women’s hockey alumna; Laura Sonday B’19, TennisONE content manager and women’s tennis alumna; and Sheila McGill B’98, head women’s soccer coach at St. Thomas University and women’s soccer alumna.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22 — sandwiched between a two-night showing of a documentary on the history of Title IX and its impact — keynote speaker Nicole M. Lavoi, Ph.D., will take center stage. Dr. Lavoi is a senior lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, where she is the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport.
Each evening’s event will take place at 7 p.m. in Aquinas 200 (the Dr. Philip A. Cochran B’77 Auditorium). Complete details will be found on saintmaryssports.com, as well as through other university communication.
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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