Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus NewsletterSaint Mary’s announces 2017-18 Dean’s List
WINONA, Minn. — The following undergraduate students were named to the second semester, 2017-18 Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Winona Campus. The list includes 326 undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has about 5,700 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Jamaica and Nairobi, Kenya. At Saint Mary’s residential campus in Winona, the undergraduate curriculum combines traditional liberal arts and sciences with career preparation in a student-centered environment.
Ivan Alatorre, Lake Station, Ind.
Kali Aldrich, Rochester, Minn.
Tiffany Alequin, Saint Paul, Minn.
Kate Alley, Rapid City, S.D.
Juan Altamirano Herrera, Appleton, Wis.
Fabian Alvarez, Chicago, Ill.
Michael Amelio, Venetia, Pa.
Brenden Amiotte, Rapid City, S.D.
Tyler Amy, Chatfield, Minn.
Coral Anderson, Rogers, Minn.
Kendall Archer, Draper, Utah
Besufekad Azage, Adis Abeba, Ethiopia
Elizabeth Atneosen, Woodbury, Minn.
Jennifer Babolik, Pine City, Minn.
Brian Bansley, Chicago, Ill.
Cassandra Barr, Eau Claire, Wis.
Marlon Barrett-Dwyer, Chicago, Ill.
Jesse Barron, Minnetonka, Minn.
Nicole Bartosz, Woodridge, Ill.
Clare Bath, West Fargo, N.D.
Jessica Bauer, Nerstrand, Minn.
Michael Bauer, Brainerd, Minn.
Sheyenne Bauer, Cannon Falls, Minn.
Stephany Beck, Oshkosh, Wis.
Mariah Bell, Chatfield, Minn.
Savhanna Berger, Champlin, Minn.
Carter Bernier, Downers Grove, Ill.
Isabel Bettag, Maple Park, Ill.
Regina Bettag, Sheboygan, Wis.
Brittney Birkhauser, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Ellen Blackmer, Forest Lake, Minn.
Debra Blissenbach, Hastings, Minn.
Julia Boeve, St. James, Minn.
Aimee Boggs, Browning, Mont.
Nathan Boice, Saint Charles, Minn.
Ben Borash, Bowlus, Minn.
Allison Borawski, Stickney, Ill.
Matthew Bowe, Bloomer, Wis.
Zachary Bracken, Osseo, Minn.
Erin Budin, Le Center, Minn.
Kayla Burck, Algonquin, Ill.
Kristin Burke, Rochester, Minn.
Sean Butcher, Cave Creek, Ariz.
Maximillian Bzdula, Elmwood Park, Ill.
Chad Cagle, Washington, Ill.
Lucas Campbell, Stillwater, Minn.
Meagan Campbell, Mayer, Minn.
Oscar Castro, Tucson, Ariz.
Caren Cazares, Milwaukee, Wis.
Alberto Centeno, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Samantha Chaffee, Delavan, Minn.
Kathleen Chamberland, Roseville, Minn.
Maxwell Champa, Bloomington, Minn.
Ryan Charko, Warren, N.J.
Erin Ciconte, Melrose Park, Ill.
Jonathan Cieminski, Fountain City, Wis.
Michael Cimba, Chicago, Ill.
Elizabeth Ciukaj, Alsip, Ill.
Edann Cloos, Big Stone City, S.D.
Haley Colton, Spring Valley, Minn.
Kelsey Corcoran, Olathe, Kan.
Carley Cronen, Kandiyohi, Minn.
Bryanna Cross, Alsip, Ill.
Hannah Crowe, Baraboo, Wis.
Jessica Cwik, Chicago, Ill.
Anna Dale, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Monet Datari, Minneapolis, Minn.
Aaron Davis, Mound, Minn.
Megan Demaris, Sleepy Eye, Minn.
Sara Dethloff, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Alexander DiBacco, Darien, Ill.
Daniel Dionesotes, Bloomington, Ill.
Isaac Dotzler, Anoka, Minn.
Zachary Drake, Westby, Wis.
Elizabeth Duellman, Fountain City, Wis.
Justin Edwards, Marshfield, Wis.
Sarah Egbert, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Samuel Eggebrecht, Rochester, Minn.
Jordan Elwood, Hannon, Ont., Canada
Jake Emeott, Chisago City, Minn.
Ruoyu Fan, Chengdu, China
Maxwell Faust, Stillwater, Minn.
Niying Feng, Foshan, China
Jared Ferk, Winona, Minn.
Tyler Fiebig, Baraboo, Wis.
Bridget Finley, Estherville, Iowa
Stephen Fishbune, Rochester, Minn.
Grace Fitzsimmons, Lake City, Minn.
Brittney Flom, Kenyon, Minn.
Rowan Flynn, Wausau, Wis.
Shauna Frahm, Arcadia, Wis.
Danielle Franke, Saint Paul, Minn.
Nicholas Franta, La Crescent, Minn.
David French, Winona, Minn.
Carina Friend, Colorado Springs, Colo.
McKenna Gaalswyk, Rochester, Minn.
Laura Gagnon, New Richmond, Wis.
Sarah Garrison, Rosemount, Minn.
Shannon Genereau, Cromwell, Minn.
Brett Giesen, Cato, Wis.
Shawn Gilbert, Rice Lake, Wis.
Kevin Gleason, Minneapolis, Minn.
Liam Gorman, Orland Park, Ill.
Courtney Govan, San Diego, Calif.
Natalie Grant, Saint Paul, Minn.
Anthony Grazian, Elmwood Park, Ill.
James Green, Bethel, Minn.
William Grillo, Hermantown, Minn.
Garrett Grunke, Verona, Wis.
Leanna Haag, Lewiston, Minn.
Jacob Hagstrom, Longview, Texas
Christina Haile, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Daniel Hammer, Baxter, Minn.
Amanda Hansen, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Brittney Hanson, Janesville, Iowa
Tabitha Hanson, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Sarah Hanus, Wittenberg, Wis.
Sarah Hardy, Hastings, Minn.
Taliya Harris, Chicago, Ill.
Kassidy Hauschild, Hayfield, Minn.
Ian Hebeisen, Plymouth, Minn.
Jeremy Heinle, York, Pa.
Jamie Henderson, Madison, Wis.
Megan Hendrickson, Harmony, Minn.
Miryea Herman, Anchorage, Alaska
Danielle Higgins, Eyota, Minn.
Bradley Hill, Matteson, Ill.
Ryan Hippman, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Nathan Hoglund, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Alexander Holm, Red Wing, Minn.
Kathryn Homan, Mankato, Minn.
Grace Homer, Litchfield, Minn.
John Nickole Huevos, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Alexa Huisman, Adrian, Minn.
Ivy Hunt, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Tyler Hyatt, Waseca, Minn.
Dixon Irwin, Red Wing, Minn.
Courteney Jacob, Lewiston, Minn.
AnnMarie Jacobson, Little Falls, Minn.
Trenton Jancze, Vancouver, Wash.
Samantha Janssen, Zimmerman, Minn.
Alyssa Johnson, McKinney, Texas
Tatiana Jones, Chicago, Ill.
Stephen Jungbauer, Stillwater, Minn.
Alicia Kaari, Mukwonago, Wis.
Stefan Kahlstorf, Winona, Minn.
Kirsten Keefe, Chatfield, Minn.
Katelyn Keller Green Bay, Wis.
Allison Kempinger, Rochester, Minn.
Ruba Kenyi, Rochester, Minn.
Aaron Kibirige, Coon Rapids, Minn.
Abigail Killian, Fountain City, Wis.
Amanda Kintzi, Rosemount, Minn.
Robert Kinyon, Rapid City, S.D.
Marissa Kinzer, Aitkin, Minn.
Dorothy Kirsch , Wesley, Iowa
Zechariah Kitzhaber, Marshfield, Wis.
Carolyn Klaesges, St. Anthony, Minn.
Brian Klein, Wells, Minn.
Austin Kleman, Kronenwetter, Wis.
Jack Knoblauch, Coon Rapids, Minn.
Caleb Kormann, Saint Paul, Minn.
Ciara Kowalczyk, Royalton, Minn.
Jacob Kramer, Austin, Minn.
Jacob Kramlinger, Saint Paul, Minn.
Gloria Kranenburg, Woodstock, Ill.
Ryan Krewer, Wheeling, Ill.
Brandon Krogman, Owatonna, Minn.
Cole Kruger, Hayfield, Minn.
Jordan Kubista, Owatonna, Minn.
Kamila Kuchta, Woodbury, Minn.
Cecelia Kuka, Delano, Minn.
Christopher Lackey, Union Grove, Wis.
Emily Lais, Osseo, Minn.
Summer Lardy, Richmond, Minn.
Peter Lehn, Hokah, Minn.
Ahnika Lexvold, South Haven, Minn.
Solomon Liebl, Fertile, Minn.
Sara Lind, Peterson, Minn.
Isaiah Lippert, Easton, Minn.
Bohao Liu, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
Mia Lloyd, Minneapolis, Minn.
Colleen Lois, Green Bay, Wis.
Danielle LoMastro, Wauconda, Ill.
Dominic Lonetti, Lakeville, Minn.
Tara Longseth, Cloquet, Minn.
Emily Loof, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Graham Lorsung, Clear Lake, Minn.
Karly Lunda, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Klowee Malakowsky, Wabasha, Minn.
Jordan Malikowski, Royalton, Minn.
Michael Marlin, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Kalleigh May, Hugo, Minn.
Erin McCoy, Carpentersville, Ill.
Erin McElligott, Bothell, Wash.
Brennan McGuire, Minneapolis, Minn.
Yunbo Mei, Xuzhou, China
Kristjan Meitz, Waukesha, Wis.
Bailey Melz, Excelsior, Minn.
Rachael Menke, Winona, Minn.
Angela Messer, Saint Paul, Minn.
Arielle Miagkov, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mark Miller, Roseau, Minn.
Maria Missurelli, Franklin, Wis.
Brian Mockler, Dubuque, Iowa
Maria Antonieta Morales-Lozano, Tucson, Ariz.
Tanner Moris, Crandon, Wis.
Victoria Mota, Melrose Park, Ill.
Anna Muccio, Saint Paul, Minn.
Marissa Naab, Fairmont, Minn.
Nicholas Nast, Oxnard, Calif.
Megan Neuberger, Minnetrista, Minn.
Connor Nicholas, Las Vegas, Nev.
Daniel Nolte, Owatonna, Minn.
Taylor Novak, West Salem, Wis.
Mara Novakovic, Mokena, Ill.
Anna Nungester, Floyds Knobs, Ind.
Celeste Nygren, Seattle, Wash.
Carolyn Ogram, Maple Lake, Minn.
Austin O’Hare, Rushford, Minn.
Bailey O’Hare, Rushford, Minn.
Eric Ohde, Chetek, Wis.
Rachel Ohde, Chetek, Wis.
Mia Ojczyk, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Daniel Olajonlu, Rogers, Minn.
Isaiah Olsem, Dundee, Minn.
Emily Ortiz, Albert Lea, Minn.
Olivia Osterbauer, Minneapolis, Minn.
Benjamin Owen, Allen, Texas
Molly Palecek, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Anthony Pasquesi, Elmwood Park, Ill.
Monikaben Patel, Lacrosse, Wis.
Claire Patterson, Marine on St. Croix, Minn.
Jessica Patton, Lyndon Station, Wis.
Gordon Paulman, De Forest, Wis.
Gabriella Pederson, Chaska, Minn.
Colby Peterson, Menomonie, Wis.
Jenna Phelps, South Saint Paul, Minn.
Jose Pizano, Waukegan, Ill.
Amanda Pohlman, La Vista, Neb.
Hanna Potter, Winona, Minn.
Rachel Prince, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Abigail Propsom, Bloomington, Minn.
Madonna Puetz, Lewiston, Minn.
Joseph Pyka, Independence, Wis.
Denise Quizhpi, Minneapolis, Minn.
Luke Range, Houston, Minn.
Elizabeth Rayne, Paola, Kan.
Nicholas Reding, St. Paul, Minn.
Michele Remer, Grand Forks, N.D.
Shannon Rinehart, Lewiston, Minn.
Lauren Rogers, Barrington, Ill.
Robert Roslund, Vanersborg, Sweden
Sawyer Rosner, Phelps, Wis.
Sofia Rowan-Martin, Saint Paul, Minn.
Christian Ruf, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Ryan Ruhle, Madison, Wis.
Celeste Russell, Las Vegas, Nev.
Natalie Ryan, Vlg of Lakewood, Ill.
Elliott Rysavy, Owatonna, Minn.
Nicholas Sawchuk, Rochester, Minn.
Robert Scanlon, Plainview, Minn.
Analiese Schadler, Ankeny, Iowa
Alec Schillinger, Katy, Texas
Hallie Schmeling, Onalaska, Wis.
Daniel Schmidt, Woodridge, Ill.
Stephanie Schmidt, Plainview, Minn.
Benjamin Schoonmaker, Moline, Ill.
Justine Schultz, Minnesota City, Minn.
Marcella Schumacher, Edina, Minn.
Brendan Scott, Rochester, Minn.
Catherine Seifert, Stillwater, Minn.
Emily Seykora, Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Nicholas Shelquist, Minnetonka, Minn.
Kristopher Shepard, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Gabrielle Shupe, Preston, Minn.
Alyssa Sloneker, Blue Earth, Minn.
Kynzie Smedsrud, Luverne, Minn.
Kaila Smith, New Hope, Minn.
Laura Sonday, Saint Paul, Minn.
Angela Soto, Saint Paul, Minn.
Andrea Speltz, Rollingstone, Minn.
Brynn Spitzer, Winona, Minn.
Thomas Stang, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Emilie Steingraeber, La Crosse, Wis.
Paul Stewart, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Signey Stoesz, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Emily Strezishar, East Grand Forks, Minn.
Ashley Tangang, JB MDL, N.J.
Andrew Tepp, Stevens Point, Wis.
Alyssa Thiel, Berlin, Wis.
Erika Thiel, Burr Ridge, Ill.
Benjamin Thompson, Winona, Minn.
Kyle Thompson, St. Paul, Minn.
Toan Tran, Puyallup, Wash.
Jacob Tschida, Pine River, Minn.
Meaghan Updike, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Cole Van Houten, Pine Island, Minn.
Margaret Vetch, Rapid City, S.D.
Maxwell Vetch, Aberdeen, S.D.
Magen Vlaminck, Willmar, Minn.
Carlee Jo Vonderheid, Eau Claire, Wis.
Sarah Walker, Richland Center, Wis.
Caitlin Wallerus, Osseo, Minn.
Kieran Walsh, Saint Paul, Minn.
Anna Washburn, Kenyon, Minn.
Sarah Waterman, Burnsville, Minn.
Mackenzie Waters, Littleton, Colo.
Grace Wegleitner, Saint Paul, Minn.
Michelle Wegrzyn, Chicago Heights, Ill.
Rebecca West, Chicago, Ill.
William White, Winona, Minn.
Haley Williams, Littleton, Colo.
Grace Wilson, Portage, Wis.
Michelle Wing, Verona, Wis.
Mary Wintroath, Suffern, N.Y.
Delaney Wolf, Bismarck, N.D.
Paige Wolniakowski, Winona, Minn.
Teresa Wroblewski, Mayer, Minn.
Gaojoshia Yang-Nicks, La Crosse, Wis.
Aleaha Zabel, Hastings, Minn.
Siyang Zhu, Shanghai, China
Katherine Zinke, Saint Paul, Minn.
Quinncy Zupko, Wyoming, Minn.
Alexander Zuzek, Hastings, Minn.
John Zweber, Menomonie, Wis.
Looking back and moving forward
This summer is a unique one as we said farewell to Saint Mary’s 13th President Brother William Mann on May 31 and are welcoming our next President Rev. James P. Burns on July 9. Summer at the Winona Campus is filled with different activities and energy as we host a variety of camps and workshops, community events, and our alumni reunion weekend. This is also a time to freshen up the campus and facilities before we welcome students back in the fall. Still, I reflect on the spring semester and am reminded why we’re really here: to prepare graduates who have the knowledge, skills, and critical-thinking abilities necessary to be lifelong learners, successful workers, good neighbors, and ethical citizens. Enjoy this newsletter with updates about our university and details of how are students are making the most of their college careers.
— Ann Merchlewitz, interim president (summer 2018)
Welcoming our new president
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., dean of the Woods College of Advancing Studies and Summer Session at Boston College, has been named the 14th president of Saint Mary’s University. Mary Ann Remick, chair of the university’s board of trustees, announced the board’s selection on May 1, adding that Father Burns will officially begin his presidency Monday, July 9. Remick also appointed a Presidential Transition Team to assist Father Burns as he familiarizes himself with the needs, goals, culture, and charism of Saint Mary’s. To welcome Father Burns, a number of welcome sessions are scheduled, including events open to the community at each of our three locations. Receptions will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. with brief remarks from Father Burns at 4 p.m. Please RSVP at least one week in advance of the welcome event you will attend at mysmumn.org/WELCOME2018.
- Winona Community Reception
July 11
Science and Learning Center Lobby, Winona Campus
700 Terrace Heights, Winona
- Rochester Community Reception
July 27
Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center
2900 19th Street NW, Rochester
- Twin Cities Community Reception
Aug. 7
Saint Mary’s University Center Trustee Lounge
2500 Park Avenue, Minneapolis
As we anticipate the arrival of Father Burns, you’re invited to welcome him with prayer and add your own personal note.
Celebration of Scholarship highlights student achievement
The sixth annual Celebration of Scholarship on April 27 highlighted and celebrated the diverse talents and skills of Saint Mary’s students across a broad spectrum of academic performance disciplines. More than 150 students participated in the all-day event centered around graduating students and the excellent work they’ve done here at Saint Mary’s. Family and friends of participating students were on campus for the presentations, exhibits, performances, and displays. For more information, a list of presentations, and to view photos from the day, visit smumn.edu/studentscholars.
Expanding in Rochester
Saint Mary’s University became a more notable community partner in Rochester, Minn., May 24 at a ribbon cutting dedication for a new 10,000-square-foot addition to the university’s Cascade Meadow facility. Starting in July, the addition will house the university’s extensive Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs in Rochester. And, through a special collaboration with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Health Sciences, the facility will house the graduate portion of a proposed 3+2 physician assistant program, which Saint Mary’s anticipates beginning in fall 2019. In honor of benefactors and Cascade Meadow founders Jack and Mary Ann (Wera) Remick CST’64, the addition will be called Remick Hall.
Photo caption: Cutting ribbon were, from left: Laura Smith, associate, DLR Group; Scott Walker, associate vice president of partnerships in Rochester and executive director of Cascade Meadow; Mary Ann (Wera) Remick CST’64, chair, Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees; Jack Remick, founder of Cascade Meadow; Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University; Dr. Mike Huckabee, director, Physician Assistant Studies Program, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences; Dan Melbostad, general manager, McGough Construction.
Author tells student leaders ‘Dare to try!’
More than 35 Saint Mary’s undergraduate student leaders learned how to engage and innovate from international best-selling author and global consultant Dr. Jackie Frieberg at the 2018 Hendrickson Forum on April 24. The students met Dr. Freiberg, recognized as one of the Top 30 Minds on Leadership by Leadership Excellence Magazine, on the Saint Mary’s Twin Cities Campus in Minneapolis. Dr. Freiberg delivered a lunchtime keynote address to approximately 280 people, including area business leaders and community members. After the keynote, the Winona Campus students spent an hour with Dr. Freiberg. Majoring in various subjects including business, the students shared a common interest in innovation and leadership. During their time together, Dr. Freiberg imparted the college students with 10 leadership“isms” for life:
- Keep great company (and be good company) … People want to be and work with someone who dreams big, gets stuff done, and knows how to have fun.
- Build bridges … What you know and who you know is important.
- Learn like crazy … Life is a journey. Don’t fake it. Be a lifelong learner.
- Show up … Get to know people and their backstories.
- Dream big … Dreams choose people; people don’t choose dreams. Capture your dreams, write them down, visualize them every day.
- Dare to try … Don’t make excuses. Rise above your fear.
- Choose carefully … Be a gentleman (or a lady), not a jerk. Be classy, not catty. Temporary pleasures lead to permanent reminders.
- Find a cause … Work to have an impact on society in a positive way.
- Play hard … You’ll work harder if you’re happier.
- Work hard … Don’t count on someone else to do it for you.
First generation students achieve dream of college graduation
From the moment they first stepped onto the Winona Campus as eighth-grade Countdown to College students, they have been encouraged to build the future of their dreams. As they walked across the commencement stage, they were prepared to make those dreams come true. On May 12, eight students from the very first Countdown to College class graduated. Countdown to College is a component of the First Generation Initiative, which was established in 2010 to help ensure academic success for high-need, high-potential, first-generation students from middle school through college graduation. In Countdown to College, promising inner city students who are often the first in their families to go to college are chosen to attend four summers of college preparation programming at Saint Mary’s. Participants meet for two weeks each summer for four years. Students who successfully complete the Countdown to College program are eligible for the First Generation Initiative Scholars program, where they receive a full scholarship to attend Saint Mary’s.
Photo caption: The First Generation Initiative Scholars Class of 2018 (who were in the inaugural Countdown to College Class of 2013) include, from left: back, Alexis Cummins, Javier Madrid, Cuauhtemoc Zarate; front, Marisol Martinez, Caren Cazares, Maria Antonieta Morales-Lozano, Nathalie Urbina, and Diana Servin.
Breaking ground on a new baseball clubhouse
Saint Mary’s broke ground May 1 on a new $704,000 baseball clubhouse. The project was made possible through the generosity of a lead gift from Marc Weisenburger ’75, and more than 50 other young alumni have stepped up to bat to join Weisenburger in this dream by sponsoring lockers at $2,000 or more. The 2,500-square-foot facility, which will be referred to as Pudge’s Place in recognition of Weisenburger’s nickname during his playing days, will include:
- a locker room with 46 locker stalls
- a players’ lounge with spaces for athletes to study, have team meetings, and enjoy quiet time
- big screen TVs, a ping pong table and gaming area
- a coaches’ space
- bathrooms and a shower facility
- a laundry facility and storage
Photo caption: Breaking ground were, from left, Willy Dickenson, vice president, Schwab LLC Construction Services; Joe Seegers ’18, Cardinal baseball team; Nikki Fennern, athletic director; Nick Winecke ’07, assistant athletic director, head baseball coach; Marc Weisenburger ’75, lead benefactor on this project; Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University; Jake Mencacci ’18, Cardinal baseball team; and Owen Warneke, lead architect, OWA Architects.
PR/B Club visits Hormel
The Saint Mary’s Public Relations/Business Club interacted with a panel of business professionals at Hormel in Austin, Minn., on April 6. They discussed mergers/acquisitions, investor relations, and certifications. Club members, seen above with Saint Mary’s alumnus and Hormel Financial Analyst David Dahlstrom, also toured the Hormel plant and the SPAM Museum. The club’s faculty adviser is Department of Communication Chair Dean Beckman.
Track athlete is All-American in triple jump
Saint Mary’s junior Becca Dup of Albert Lea, Minn., earned her first All-American honor at the NCAA Division III national championships in May. After 17th- and ninth-place finishes in the triple jump in her first two NCAA Division III national championships, Dup uncorked a leap of 11.79 meters to place sixth overall and earn the All-American title. Read more about her success and journey.
Students advocate for diversity and inclusion
The YES! (Youth Equity Solutions) Leadership Team conducted professional development training for Student Success Center staff on March 15, which gave them the opportunity to share their expertise and leadership on important issues surrounding diversity and inclusion with staff. Created by the Missing Voices leadership group, the YES! Leadership Team is comprised of 10 Saint Mary’s students (six First Generation Initiative students and four other students of color), as well as some high school students. These students are leaders in the movement to improve classrooms through the use of advocacy, art, and narrative. They help plan two large-scale events that happen each year, the Youth Action Retreat and the Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit. These individuals are empowered to add their unique voice to the equity conversation in order to take action and make change in the community.
Photo caption: Some of the participants from the YES! Leadership Team professional development training included, from left: Esther Peralez, dean of Student Success, and students Monikaben Patel, Enitan Onayiga, Tiarra Thompson, Aldontae Guess, and Ruba Kenyi.
Weekend retreat focuses on servant leadership
Fifty students participated in a retreat in April that focused on learning and reflecting on the foundation and development of servant leadership. The retreat was led by Daniel Pearson, assistant men’s basketball coach for Canada’s University of Calgary Dinos, 2018 national champions. Pearson has traveled extensively to learn about servant leadership through interactions with Jean Vanier, Canadian Catholic philosopher, theologian, humanitarian, and founder of the L’Arche community; and the Sisters of Charity, the religious community of Mother Teresa. The Saint Peter and Teresa Leadership Clubs (SPTLC) at Saint Mary’s collaborated with Campus Ministry to present the retreat. Outgoing SPTLC officers Jacob Mencacci and Mari Morales-Lozano were student leaders in the experience which served as an intentional student leadership opportunity. Campus Ministry leaders, Athletic Advisory Council members, and SPTLC members were all present at the retreat, made possible by a grant from the M & M Flynn Charitable Gifting Fund of the Catholic Community Foundation.
New Cooperative Education Program launches
Saint Mary’s is launching a new Cooperative Education Program that will incorporate significant, sustained professional career experiences into an undergraduate degree. The program will complement classroom experiences with placement in a work setting and, in turn, help advance partnering organizations. Students in the program will work full-time or nearly full-time for a semester, giving them practical learning opportunities. They’ll remain housed on campus, take flexible supporting classwork, and participate in campus activities. Our Winona Campus is located near a nationally and internationally renowned manufacturing, health care, and arts hub. Several local businesses are interested in partnering with Saint Mary’s, including Fastenal. Fastenal is specifically seeking business and communications students, who will be fully immersed in the company’s operations and culture by rotating through multiple departments, all before college graduation. By immersing students in organizations while they’re still in college, there is a good chance they’ll have an opportunity to matriculate into full-time employees post graduation, bringing passion, energy, and vibrancy to the Winona community.
Photo caption: Andrew Scott, assistant professor of Business, speaks to students during a class. Scott has been an instrumental leader in getting the Cooperative Education Program started, along with Dr. Tom Marpe, dean of Business and Technology.
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