Saint Mary's Newsroom
Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
Canvas Feature Deep Dives and trainings in July
As Saint Mary’s fully implements its single Canvas learning management system across its programs, CELT and Instructional Technology are gearing up for a new type of training option in July: Canvas Feature Deep Dives. These will be offered in addition to the usual introductory and intermediate trainings and will be recorded for future viewing. While these trainings will be virtual, we are also planning to start in-person trainings again.
The Deep Dives will focus on particular Canvas features, but also on technologies that integrate closely with Canvas, such as Panopto, Flipgrid, and Ally.
Finally, Instructional Technology will be creating a number of resource videos for on-demand trainings on common topics related to Canvas, Panopto, and other important instructional technologies. These will be available at celt.smumn.edu in mid-July.
The list of trainings and their times follows. Just click on the link to go to the CELT calendar and RSVP for as many trainings as you like. If you miss one of the Deep Dives, you’ll be able to find them on CELT’s recordings page.
July Canvas Trainings
Wednesday, July 7 — Getting Started with Panopto
Thursday, July 8 — Canvas Essentials
Monday, July 12 — Gradebook Deep Dive
Tuesday, July 13 — Canvas Intermediate
Wednesday, July 14 — Deep Dive with Panopto
Friday, July 16 — Getting Started With Course Access (Ally)
Monday, July 19 — Speedgrader Deep Dive
Tuesday, July 20 — Canvas Essentials
Thursday, July 22 — Canvas Essentials
Friday, July 23 — Quizzes Deep Dive
Monday, July 26 — Setting up Flipgrid (instructor)
Tuesday, July 27 — Canvas Intermediate
Wednesday, July 28 — Using Pages to Structure Your Course
Thursday, July 29 — Canvas Intermediate
July On-Demand (ETA: early July)
(Video) Recording your Panopto assignment (student)
(Video) Recording your Flipgrid responses (student)
(Video/Page) Showing students how to receive feedback
(Video) Google Suite Integration with Canvas
(Video) Setting up your Canvas course
Saint Mary’s announces spring 2021 Dean’s List
Congratulations to the following undergraduate students, who were named to the first semester 2021 Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University. The list includes 438 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.
Ivan Alatorre, Lake Station, Ind.
Mandukhai Alimaa, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Elise Amerongen, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Kyle Anderson, Savage, Minn.
Jared Antony, Marshall, Minn.
Kendall Archer, Draper, Utah
Kassandra Arriaga, Chula Vista, Calif.
Adrianna Baab, Wabasha, Minn.
Katie Ball, Eau Claire, Wis.
Allysa Barlow, Appleton, Wis.
Warlyston Barros, Sparta, Wis.
Abigail Bastian, Davenport, Iowa
Clare Bath, West Fargo, N.D.
Michael Bauer, Brainerd, Minn.
Rylan Bearden, Rochester, Minn.
Dakota Becerra, Yorba Linda, Calif.
Riley Becher, Rochester, Minn.
Stephany Beck, Oshkosh, Wis.
Zoie Becker, St. James, Minn.
Andrew Beine, Campbellsport, Wis.
Jacqueline Beltran, Waukegan, Ill.
Matthew Besek, Winona, Minn.
Isabel Bettag, Maple Park, Ill.
Gabriel Bickerstaff, Rollingstone, Minn.
John Paul Bickerstaff, Rollingstone, Minn.
Felicity Bieker, De Pere, Wis.
Jada Biermeier, Eau Claire, Wis.
Kathleen Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn.
Preston Bluhm, Farmington, Minn.
Ella Boomgaarden, Saint Peter, Minn.
Josephine Borchert, Saint Paul, Minn.
Billie Borschnack, Jonesboro, Ariz.
Liam Boyle, Westchester, Ill.
Kaydi Breeser, Caledonia, Minn.
Isaiah Brindamour, Hinckley, Minn.
Duell Buck, Rochester, Minn.
Nathan Budde, DePere, Wis.
Delaney Calabrese, West Dundee, Ill.
Clair Cardinal, Saint Paul, Minn.
Guy Cardinal, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mackenzie Carey, Prescott, Wis.
Cheyenne Carlsen, Big Lake, Minn.
Samantha Carlson, Circle Pines, Minn.
Anne Carmean, Blaine, Minn.
Molly Cary, Minneapolis, Minn.
Grace Chalmers, Albert Lea, Minn.
Crystal Chavez, Cicero, Ill.
Erin Ciconte, Melrose Park, Ill.
Larkin Clem, Elk River, Minn.
Jacob Clements, Holmen, Wis.
Keaton Cloven, Castle Rock, Colo.
Justine Cobbett, Saint Paul, Minn.
Colleen Costello, Delano, Minn.
Emily Crandall, Stillwater, Minn.
Angela Cruz, Minneapolis, Minn.
Katelyn Cruze, Litchfield, Minn.
Jimmy Cumbe Paucar, Minneapolis, Minn.
Sean Curran, Appleton, Wis.
Ian Currie, Franklin, Tenn.
Grace Cushman, Mayer, Minn.
Anna Dale, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Peter Danner, Grafton, Wis.
Elizabeth Davis, Big Lake, Minn.
Nolan Dawson, Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada
Alyson Deegan, Saint Peter, Minn.
Natalie Degener, Rochester, Minn.
Josie Denzin, Neenah, Wis.
Patrick Derleth, Berlin, Wis.
Katherine Devine, Glencoe, Ill.
Isaac Dotzler, Anoka, Minn.
Kayla Dwire, Marshall, Minn.
Christopher Ellis, Roseville, Minn.
Jake Emeott, Chisago City, Minn.
Rebekah Erickson, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jae Faber, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Tabitha Fabin, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Nolan Farnam, Rogers, Minn.
Kelly Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn.
Alexander Ferrier, La Crescent, Minn.
Angelyssa Figueroa, Tucson, Ariz.
Natalie Fink, Rochester, Minn.
Bridget Finley, Estherville, Iowa
Michael Fischer, Kilkenny, Minn.
Sarah Fowler, Hinckley, Ill.
Zavior Franck, Brainerd, Minn.
Bailey Frattalone, Forest Lake, Minn.
Noah Frechette, Lakeville, Minn.
Nathalie Freire Solis, Shakopee, Minn.
Elizabeth Fritton, Rochester, Minn.
Kelsey Fuerstenberg, Wilmont, Minn.
McKenna Gaalswyk, Rochester, Minn.
Brady Gagne, West Bend, Wis.
Brianna Galang, Plainfield, Ill.
Isaac Galle, Ellsworth, Wis.
Mirijana Ganley, Nisswa, Minn.
Sophia Gannon, Savage, Minn.
Grace Gilles, Saint Paul, Minn.
Abby Gilliland, Dodge Center, Minn.
Aleigha Glidewell, Lennox, S.D.
Sophia Goman, Champlin, Minn.
Seth Gonring, Madison, Wis.
Greta Gottwalt, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Erin Grams, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Thomas Graner, Wabasha, Minn.
Peyton Grant, Albertville, Minn.
Gabriel Graves, Littleton, Colo.
Allison Grengs, Westchester, Ill.
Kayla Grochow, Cokato, Minn.
Kaitlyn Gross, Spring Grove, Minn.
Paige Gudmundson, Plainview, Minn.
James Guenther, Rochester, Minn.
Corinna Hafner, Saint Paul, Minn.
Cole Hagen, Shakopee, Minn.
Noah Haidar, Saint Paul, Minn.
Christina Haile, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Katelyn Halisz, Chicago, Ill.
Riley Hall, Dallas Center, Iowa
Jacob Halper, Algonquin, Ill.
Sarah Halverson, New Hope, Minn.
Kara Hand, Naperville, Ill.
Sarah Hannan, Bangor, Wis.
Amanda Hansen, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Josiah Hanson, Box Elder, S.D.
Samuel Hanson, Eleva, Wis.
Logan Hanus, Wittenberg, Wis.
Sarah Hardy, Hastings, Minn.
Danielle Harris, Saint Paul, Minn.
John Hatton, Naperville, Ill.
Justin Haugo, Springfield, Minn.
Bridgette Hegarty, Chicago, Ill.
Michael Hegarty, Chicago, Ill.
Anthony Heier, Winona, Minn.
Shaun Heier, Winona, Minn.
Emily Henderson, Jordan, Minn.
Lucas Henderson, Lakeville, Minn.
Gianna Henningsen, Pella, Iowa
Nathan Herr, Chesterton, Ind.
Laura Herronen, Denver, Colo.
Maggie Heuer, Chaska, Minn.
Shantel Heuer, Eyota, Minn.
Rachel Hewitt, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Makenzie Hodson, Middleton, Wis.
Sarrianna Hoffer, Wausau, Wis.
Emily Hogan, Rochester, Minn.
Nathan Hoglund, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Marian Hollenbeck, Anoka, Minn.
Jennifer Honsa, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jared Houdyshell, Big Bend, Wis.
Grace Howard, Saint Paul, Minn.
Nathan Huberty, Elkhorn, Wis.
John Nickole Huevos, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Ivy Hunt, St. Paul, Minn.
Jack Hurley, Homewood, Ill.
Vincent Hurley, Maplewood, Minn.
Jesse Husman, Winona, Minn.
Tyler Hyatt, Waseca, Minn.
Aidan Indahl, Peterson, Minn.
Christa Ingabire, City of Kigali, Rwanda
Brianna Jacobson, Sycamore, Ill.
Joshua Janssen, Green Bay, Wis.
Abigail Johnson, Delano, Minn.
Gabrielle Johnson, Minneapolis, Minn.
Hailey Johnson, Ramsey, Minn.
Joshua Johnson, Moorhead, Minn.
Matthew Johnson, Saint Peter, Minn.
Peyton Jonus, Wabasha, Minn.
Daynalyn Jostock, Millville, Minn.
Emily Jurgensen, Plainview, Minn.
Emilia Jury, North Branch, Minn.
Alicia Kaari, Mukwonago, Wis.
Dara Kaiser, Bozeman, Mont.
Lauren Kantrovich, Delano, Minn.
Wade Katula, Fountain City, Wis.
John Paul Keane, Dakota Dunes, S.D.
Rachel Kedl, Lamberton, Minn.
Jordan Keeley, Saint Peter, Minn.
Katelyn Keller, Green Bay, Wis.
Henry Kelly, Saint Paul, Minn.
Mackenzie Kelly, Brookings, S.D.
Breanna Kenney, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Kodey Kiel, Medford, Minn.
Nicholas Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Noah Kiemel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Claire King, Red Wing, Minn.
Elizabeth King, Green Bay, Wis.
Julia Kirk, Jackson, Miss.
Katherine Kitchen, Metairie, La.
Zachary Kjeseth, Wabasha, Minn.
Mitchell Klatt, Barron, Wis.
Sydney Klausler, Lakeville, Minn.
Mason Klett, Saint Paul, Minn.
Thomas Kollasch, Bancroft, Iowa
Grace Korkowski, Prior Lake, Minn.
Alexander Kouris, Laporte, Ind.
Rose Kraus, Kasson, Minn.
Emily Krautkremer, Montgomery, Minn.
Ryan Krewer, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Jonathon Krull, Seymour, Wis.
Kasyn Kruse, Luverne, Minn.
Ethan Lacey, Henry, Ill.
Juoleanne Ladao, Lindenhurst, Ill.
Anna LaFontaine, Duluth, Minn.
Caily Landers, Palos Heights, Ill.
Rachel Lang, Saint James, Minn.
Caitlin Ledin, Ashland, Wis.
Austin Lenhardt, Winona, Minn.
Allyson Lenz, Owatonna, Minn.
Alexander Leschisin, Eden, S.D.
Brett Lettner, Trempealeau, Wis.
Brookelyn Lewis, Holmen, Wis.
Terra Lieser, Andover, Minn.
Erin Lime, Lino Lakes, Minn.
Isabelle Lindahl, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Brady Lindauer, Land o’ Lakes, Fla.
Tanner Linduski, Fall Creek, Wis.
Isaiah Lippert, Easton, Minn.
Colleen Lois, Green Bay, Wis.
Dominic Lonetti, Lakeville, Minn.
Mary Loy, Burien, Wash.
Brianna Lundy, Stacy, Minn.
Holland Lutgen, Minneapolis, Minn.
Jordan Malikowski, Royalton, Minn.
Grace Mandel, Victoria, Minn.
Anna Marinc, Carol Stream, Ill.
Andrew Martin, Shell Lake, Wis.
Quinton Martin, Minneapolis, Minn.
Kamryn Matta, Edinburg, Texas
Jordyn Matthews, Seattle, Wash.
Caedon McCartney, Owatonna, Minn.
Madysen McCormick, Black River Falls, Wis.
Jane McGann, Chicago, Ill.
Quinn McGranaghan, Portland, Ore.
Reid McKeown, Saint Paul, Minn.
Elliot McLarty, Sioux City, Iowa
Ciarra McNally, Saint Charles, Minn.
Mateo Means, Dallas, Texas
Edgar Medina Ortiz, Bloomington, Minn.
Brandon Merfeld, La Crosse, Wis.
Brooke Metcalf, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jordan Meyers, Eyota, Minn.
Arielle Miagkov, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mary Milbrath, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jordan Modjeski, South Lyon, Mich.
Mackenzie Moller, Cave Creek, Ariz.
Lindsey Monnet, Rochester, Minn.
Kennedy Morgan, De Pere, Wis.
Tanner Moris, Crandon, Wis.
Allison Moysis, Pewaukee, Wis.
Shawn Mugo, Winona, Minn.
Natalie Munich, Hayward, Wis.
Anna Muntifering, Saint Paul, Minn.
Madeline Murphy, Le Claire, Iowa
Hannah Nahrgang, Winona, Minn.
Saki Nakatsura, Kashiwa, Japan
Nicholas Nast, Oxnard, Calif.
Kirsten Neistadt, Baxter, Minn.
Lindsey Nelson, Winona, Minn.
Elizabeth Newman, Otsego, MI
Allyson Niedospial, Oak Lawn, Ill.
Tara Nikolich, Chicago, Ill.
Abby Nosbisch, Chatfield, Minn.
Katherine Novak, Saint Paul, Minn.
Westen Olson, Cambridge, Minn.
Christopher Orsello, Chicago, Ill.
Isabelle Ostrem, Cochrane, Wis.
Emily Ostrowski, Algonquin, Ill.
Abigail Painovich, Hinckley, Minn.
Kyle Palmberg, Holmen, Wis.
Mason Palmer, Holmen, Wis.
Emma Paquette, Faribault, Minn.
Trevor Paradise, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Laura Pasmick, Ely, Minn.
Claire Patterson, Marine on St. Croix, Minn.
Madeline Patterson, Albertville, Minn.
Brooklyn Paulson, Holmen, Wis.
Kate Pawlowski, Winona, Minn.
Breena Pehler, Rushford, Minn.
Francis Perroud, Villa Elisa, Argentina
Seth Peterson, Black River Falls, Wis.
Hunter Phillips, Minong, Wis.
Sarah Phipps, Hurst, Texas
Savanah Phyle, Prior Lake, Minn.
Tzolquin Pinedo, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jose Pizano, Waukegan, Ill.
Alexis Pogatchnik, Rice, Minn.
Olivia Potthoff, St. Charles, Mo.
Dalton Prenot, Winona, Minn.
Caitlin Preusser, Henderson, Minn.
Morgan Prokosch, Belle Plaine, Minn.
Luke Puffer, Duluth, Minn.
Joseph Pyka, Independence, Wis.
Denise Quizhpi, Minneapolis, Minn.
Brendon Raabolle, Elk River, Minn.
Brianna Raabolle, Elk River, Minn.
Griffin Rades, Shawano, Wis.
Karson Rades, Shawano, Wis.
Nina Reed, Marengo, Ill.
Maya Reichenbacher, La Crosse, Wis.
Brandi Remold, West Concord, Minn.
Marlee Ressa, Jersey Village, Texas
Luis Reyes, Madison, Wis.
Danielle Rhodes, Pewaukee, Wis.
Anthony Richter, Gillette, Wyo.
Akela Rimstad, Richfield, Minn.
Emma Ririe, Darien, Ill.
Melina Rodriguez, Des Moines, Iowa
Eryn Roemhildt, Saint Peter, Minn.
Kaitlyn Rollinger, Minnesota City, Minn.
Robert Roslund, Vanersborg, Sweden
Sawyer Rosner, Phelps, Wis.
Francisco Roxas, Hartford, Wis.
Braidyn Ruetten, Holmen, Wis.
Ryan Ruhle, Madison, Wis.
Molly Ryan, Saint Paul, Minn.
Zachary Ryan, Chicago, Ill.
Elliott Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn.
Gabriel Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn.
Anna Rystrom, Andover, Minn.
Hina Sakai, Fukuoka, Japan
Ana Paula Saldana Cisneros, Queretaro, Mexico
Evelyn Sanchez, Villa Park, Ill.
William Scannell, Eagan, Minn.
Avery Scardigli, Andover, Minn.
Emily Schaffer, Hampton, Minn.
Joseph Schauf, Deforest, Wis.
Catherine Schiltz, Corcoran, Minn.
Ewelina Schlomann, New Berlin, Wis.
Hallie Schmeling, Onalaska, Wis.
Mandy Schmidt, Mitchell, S.D.
Jessica Schneider, Minneapolis, Minn.
Randi Schofield, Hampshire, Ill.
Benjamin Schoonmaker, Moline, Ill.
Katherine Schroettner, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Justine Schultz, Minnesota City, Minn.
Emma Schuster, Rushford, Minn.
Mary Seegers, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Ashlyn Seifert, Austin, Texas
Cassandra Sepp, Duluth, Minn.
William Sepsis, Elmhurst, Ill.
Benjamin Serb, Wales, Wis.
Emilie Serna, Holdingford, Minn.
Theresa Shafranski, Stevens Point, Wis.
Skylar Shaw, Iowa City, Iowa
Deborah Shefa, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Brooke Shefchik, Stevens Point, Wis.
Kristopher Shepard, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Carson Sheridan, Waunakee, Wis.
Alexandria Shibilski, Plover, Wis.
Joseph Shlanta, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Jacob Simmons, Winona, Minn.
Rachel Simon, St. Cloud, Minn.
Noah Skemp, La Crescent, Minn.
Hannah Skroch, Savage, Minn.
Savannah Slafter, Spring Grove, Minn.
Rebecca Smart, Stevens Point, Wis.
Timothy Smith, South Saint Paul, Minn.
Julia Smrecek, New Berlin, Wis.
Shane Snaza, Esko, Minn.
Derek Sonmore, Minneapolis, Minn.
Angela Spors, Rochester, Minn.
Thomas Stang, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Karah Stangret, Blaine, Minn.
Mayme Stanton, West Concord, Minn.
Emma Steele, Sparta, Wis.
Quinn Steinbrecher, Onalaska, Wis.
Charles Stevens, Bloomington, Ill.
Danielle Stevens, Delano, Minn.
Ryan Stoynich, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Zachary Streit, Circle Pines, Minn.
Ashley Streveler, Colby, Wis.
Francis Strong, Fairbury, Ill.
Jack Strotbeck, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Coleton Strupp, Holmen, Wis.
Lindsay Stussy, Zumbrota, Minn.
Erin Sullivan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Cassandra Sutor, Chicago, Ill.
Parker Swanson, Eden Praire, Minn.
Theodore Sweet, River Falls, Wis.
Elijah Szymanski, La Crosse, Wis.
Makenzie Tafralian, North Las Vegas, Nev.
Ryo Takayama, Sagamiharashi, Japan
Andrew Tepp, Stevens Point, Wis.
Jack Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn.
Julia Thompson, Randolph, Minn.
Ayla Todd, Kasson, Minn.
Emma Toellner, Bonduel, Wis.
Maciej Tomczak, Luban, Poland
Sally Traxler, New Prague, Minn.
Elizabeth Trnka, Montgomery, Minn.
Huy Truong, Minneapolis, Minn.
Amanda Tuvey, Saint Paul, Minn.
Abrianna Utgaard, Star Prairie, Wis.
Clarissa Van Dale, New Brighton, Minn.
Cole Van Houten, Pine Island, Minn.
Celeste Van Klein, Lake City, Minn.
Alexis Van Ornum, Lindstrom, Minn.
Collin van Waardenburg, San Pierre, Ind.
Isabelle Vanneste, Shoreview, Minn.
Melissa Varner, Andover, Minn.
Rolando Vazquez, Antioch, Ill.
Anthony Vera, Le Mars, Iowa
Maxwell Vetch, Aberdeen, S.D.
Makenna Vickery, La Crescent, Minn.
Morgan Von Feldt, Chisago City, Minn.
Destiny Walker, Saint Paul, Minn.
Laura Walker, Winona, Minn.
Linnaea Wallis, Dresser, Wis.
Hailey Warmka, Bricelyn, Minn.
Simon Warmkagathje, Saint Charles, Minn.
Mackenzie Waters, Olathe, Kan.
Cameron Weber, Holmen, Wis.
Madison Weis, South Haven, Minn.
Timothy Welch, Winona, Minn.
Nicole Weninger, Woodville, Wis.
Samuel Wersch, Aurora, Colo.
Rhiannon Weston, St. Paul, Minn.
Joseph White, Fountain City, Wis.
Olivia White, Montevideo, Minn.
Courtney Wick, Mounds View, Minn.
Hanna Widdes, Duluth, Minn.
Ethan Wilcox, Quinnesec, Mich.
Trevor Wilhelm, St. Louis, Mo.
Elijah Williams, Beloit, Wis.
Madeline Wilsey, Saint Paul, Minn.
Jacob Wing, Verona, Wis.
William Winter, Saint Louis, Mo.
Lawrence Wirries, Moorhead, Minn.
Jacob Wittman, Marshfield, Wis.
Delaney Wolf, Bismarck, N.D.
Caroline Woodle, Knoxville, Iowa
Nicole Wurm, Clearwater, Minn.
Ayan Yakob, Santa Fe, N.M.
Gaojoshia Yang-Nicks, La Crosse, Wis.
Sophia Zebro, Anoka, Minn.
Maya Zender, Prior Lake, Minn.
Aryana Ziakas, Palatine, Ill.
Owen Ziegler, Mount Horeb, Wis.
Presbyteral Assembly an opportunity to support attendees, showcase our campus
Saint Mary’s University’s Winona Campus hosted nearly 220 priests for their biennial Presbyteral Assembly between June 20-24. For the attendees — priests of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis — it was a time for fraternity, prayer, and learning. And it was the first time the group was able to come together since the start of the pandemic.
For Saint Mary’s, it was an opportunity to not only support them in their important work, but also to showcase our beautiful campus, its facilities, and our university hospitality.
Father T.J. McKenzie, organizer of the Presbyteral Assembly, said, “We chose Saint Mary’s because it fit all the needs we were looking for in a new location. Previously, we were at a hotel in downtown Rochester. However, we were looking for a location that allowed for us to have greater access to a chapel, greater access to nature for priests to go walking, hiking, etc. We were also looking for a place that allowed for greater fraternity to take place, and the campus provides for that.”
The group was able to utilize both Saint Thomas More Chapel, along with the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, while enjoying our fieldhouse and outdoor spaces. In addition, they were able to take advantage of all that Winona has to offer, including area golf courses, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, the Polish Museum, and area cathedrals. They also enjoyed biking and kayaking opportunities.
Our hope is that this visit could turn into additional student referrals and visits — as well as facility rentals. Thanks to everyone who helped make their stay a pleasurable experience.
Things overheard during their visit:
- I will encourage my young parishioners and their families to tour Saint Mary’s.
- When I was 18 years old, why didn’t I tour and attend Saint Mary’s? This place is great.
- We were well taken care of … I am sure you do the same with your students.
- This campus has a real Catholic feel to it when other campuses have lost it.
- In a hotel, it felt like a business meeting but being on campus felt like a real retreat.
- I will definitely be looking at Saint Mary’s as a place to take a retreat, bring my parish council, and retreat groups. What amazing facilities, especially the Alverna Center and Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.
Hear Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis explain the purpose of Presbyteral Assembly and why it is so important for priests to gather on Relevant Radio.
Photo caption: Guests of the Presbyteral Assembly say their final Mass at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.
Four alumni honored during virtual Reunion Weekend
This past weekend, during virtual Reunion Weekend 2021, Saint Mary’s University honored alumni who have made outstanding achievements in their professional careers, who best exemplify the Lasallian charism Saint Mary’s was founded upon, and who have generously contributed time and talent to the goals and objectives of their alma mater.
Those honored were:
- Michael Cannon ’73, Alumni Appreciation Award
- Susan (Orlowski) Paul Caulfield ’80, Ed.D., Lasallian Service Award
- Jennifer (Lawrence) Nelson ’04, Lasallian Service Award
- Thomas Clasen ’78, Ph.D. Distinguished Alumnus Award
Read more about the awards and the recipients.
Second Amtrak train approved
Gov. Tim Walz signed the Minnesota Transportation budget on June 26 which includes a $10 million state appropriation to fund the second passenger train between the Twin Cities and Chicago. The state appropriation will leverage a $32 million federal grant for infrastructure work in Minnesota to enable the second train, and it will also enhance freight rail operations in the state.
Saint Mary’s has long been advocating for the second train, because it will offer a great transportation option for our students from the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
In the news
Rustin Wolfe, Ph.D.
Rustin Wolfe, Ph.D., Doctor of Education in Leadership professor, was interviewed for CBC Radio One on the topic of flow: “a state intimately familiar to athletes and artists — and to anyone who’s been fully absorbed in a given task to the point where time seems to stand still, and even the sense of self disappears.” Read more and listen to the interview called, Flow: Making the impossible … possible.
Pope Francis named seven leading professors of canon law to be consultants to the Apostolic Signature, including Saint Mary’s alumnus William Daniel, who teaches at The Catholic University of America, Washington. William Daniel and his wife, Meredith (Riewe) Daniel are both 2002 alumni. Read more from Crux.
Brian Sisson
Brian Sisson, athletic director, is participating in “Coffee with an AD,” a National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) series, on Tuesday, June 29. Sisson joins athletic directors from Colorado State University, University of Montana, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Coastal Bend College. The session is intended to facilitate open conversations in a small group setting between sitting athletic directors and administrators at all levels.
Convocation schedule announced
University Convocation 2021 is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Winona Campus. Please note this date on your calendars. The day will focus on the value of community and civil discourse and will include a keynote speaker in the morning and discussion groups in the afternoon. The day will also include the blessing and ribbon cutting for the newly renovated business, science, and nursing facility. Attend the ceremony and take a tour of the new facility at 11:45 a.m., followed by lunch in the newly renovated Toner Student Center Dining Hall. More information will be provided in late July about these events.
Inclusion, human dignity focus of new position at Saint Mary’s
Stepping into the newly created position of vice president for inclusion and human dignity, Leon Dixon says he’s not one to shy away from a challenge. He is ready and well-prepared to advance Saint Mary’s goal to develop and foster a more inclusive university community that emphasizes human dignity.
“Anywhere you go, universities exist to serve the students,” he said. “So that’s why I’m here — to serve them.”
A particularly meaningful title
At many colleges and universities, and other industries for that matter, similar roles hold the title of diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. For Dixon, having the words human dignity in his title is crucial.
“Usually, chief diversity officers deal a lot with demographics and try to make sure demographic needs are accommodated for and accounted for. Well, our students, our society deserves more than just demographic treatment. We’re more than just figures to check off in a box,” he said.
Dixon says in today’s society, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be “loaded words” that can lead to fractures among people. However, he says people can’t disagree when speaking about human dignity.
“Human dignity, that’s a God-given right. It’s not a mandated right; it’s not written in by law. This is something that God mandates — that everybody is treated with dignity and respect. You can’t divide that,” he said. “I don’t care what faith you practice … We all believe that.”
A year of pain and division
Discussions of inclusion and diversity have become more prevalent, and more sensitive in the last year after high-profile killings of Black men and women at the hands of law enforcement, as well as the evidence pointing to vast disparities in everything from health care to jobs to the economic impact witnessed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Dixon sees the current climate as an opportunity to lean into dialogue and change.
“I really believe the only way you address these kinds of conversations, these kinds of issues, is to actually have conversations,” Dixon said. “Once we get to that place where we feel as though we have to voice our opinion, whether it’s in the affirmative or the negative, it’s still a good place to be, because that’s where the learning comes.”
Dixon says the discussions and exchange of opinions has to be continual for sustainable change to happen.
“You know, your opinion is yours, and you can get mad and be like a kid on the playground, ‘I’m taking my stuff and going home.’ But as long as you come back to the playground again tomorrow, that’s what is most important, because sooner or later, we’re going to get past the emotional part and really get into who and what the conversation should be about and who we want to be.”
Being mindful of the last year, as well as the recent recognition of Juneteenth, can be a way to continue to move the conversation forward, Dixon said.
“What it does give us is an opportunity to actually have a conversation about how we can prevent this from happening again. How can we recognize and lift up those who are feeling marginalized? How can we find a way for law enforcement and communities of color and communities of low economic means to coexist? We need systems of law and order for a society to function … but we also need law enforcement to work with people they are serving instead of controlling them.”
Building a more inclusive campus and university
Building a hospitable university can take many shapes, but Dixon says having a community that is close and intentional in its actions is vital.
“We’ve got a lot to do, we have a long way to go, but we have to start somewhere,” Dixon said. “And it starts with us being intentional about our actions, intentional about conversations, and intentional about building a better place.”
Adhering to the school’s Lasallian Catholic tradition, which places an emphasis on concern for the marginalized and social justice, will also play a role in conversations about inclusion and human dignity.
“We’re Lasallian Catholics, it’s not an either or proposition,” Dixon said. “At the end of the day, we’re all guided by the Holy Spirit that keeps us moving and pushes us forward.”
He says he is encouraged that he believes most people in the university community are not afraid of changes that may need to be made.
“That’s a beautiful place to be in, because so often we know change is hard on most people,” Dixon said. “That makes my job easier. But more importantly, it creates an environment so these conversations can be the catalyst for what we can become.
However, to be successful, everybody in the university community needs to take part in the work.
“When we do inclusion work on campus, it’s important that everybody knows they have a stake in this. While your background or demographic profile are important, every person comes with a unique and particular history. All of these aspects of each person’s life are necessary ingredients for a vibrant and hospitable community where all are welcome and supported,” Dixon said.
The work begins
To implement change, Dixon will engage the entire university community. He plans to listen and assess before prioritizing the work that needs to be done.
“I need to hear firsthand where the problem areas are, or where the opportunity for growth is, or just what everybody is feeling,” Dixon said. “I need to know this because you can’t craft a plan for the people if you’re not with the people and doing it with love for the people.”
Measures of success
How students discuss their experiences at Saint Mary’s will be the best way to gauge whether the environment is inclusive.
“What we don’t want is that statement where (students) say, ‘This isn’t the place for me because I don’t feel valued or respected … And it can be just one student and we fail. These are things I don’t ever want to hear. These are the things that are non-negotiables,” Dixon said. “I’m here to help create an environment where we can all thrive.”
“If any student ever feels they don’t belong for reasons other than being homesick, we’ve got to work harder. I’ve got to work harder.”
A new Inclusion and Human Dignity website is in development. It will become a valuable resource to the entire university as we move forward in our work as a community; the link will be shared in a newsletter in a couple of weeks.
First Business Intelligence Summit a success
Saint Mary’s first virtual 2021 Business Intelligence Summit, held June 2, was an inspiring engagement between students, industry leaders, faculty, and alumni. More than 70 guests engaged in discussing innovative, best-practice artificial intelligence and business analytics in a Catholic and Lasallian spirit.
Breakout session topics included ProPurchaser Supply Chain, Digital and Social Media Analytics, Working with Multiple Analytics Teams, Professional Sports Analytics, Oh, if Only it Were That Easy!, Anticipate What Your Boss Wants, Detecting Online Fake Reviews, and Drone Technology, Data Engineering. Presenters included Saint Mary’s alumni and faculty, and a career panel rounded out the day
Alumnus Blaze Lanoue told organizer Michael Ratajczyk, “Great job putting the summit together. I am sure it was a lot of work. This is the kind of thing that adds value to students choosing Saint Mary’s for their BI masters degree.”
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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