The Meaning of Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the moment at the conclusion of the Civil War when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued an order proclaiming the freedom of formerly enslaved people in the state of Texas.
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Anti-Racism Efforts
The following is a curated list of news stories and communications from university leaders related to St. Thomas’ ongoing work to combat racism. These stories appear in chronological order, from newest to oldest.
Recognizing Juneteenth at St. Thomas
President Julie Sullivan shared that the St. Thomas community will observe Juneteenth as a holiday this year. (June 4, 2021)
Equity in Action: Deans Discuss Racial Justice
Four St. Thomas deans gathered recently to discuss racial justice and the approaches they are taking to best integrate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the classroom, the pedagogy and the hiring practices of their divisions.
Healing and Change: One Year After George Floyd
One year after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, St. Thomas’ Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) assessed the community’s healing and progress toward change, highlighting the voices of three Black students.
One Year After the Death of George Floyd
One year after the death of George Floyd, President Julie Sullivan asked the St. Thomas community to remember the lives of all those lost to racial violence. (May 25, 2021)
Board Approves Renaming Principles
The University of St. Thomas Board of Trustees enthusiastically approved new university principles on renaming, as proposed by our Committee to Establish Principles on Renaming. (May 20, 2021)
Documenting Street Art, St. Thomas Researchers Better Understand Crisis
Academic News, American Culture and Difference, Anti-Racism Efforts, Art History, College of Arts and Sciences, English, Geography and Environmental Studies, Modern and Classical Languages, News, St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan, Top News
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Street art painted on the sides of buildings or plywood-covered windows can help us understand the complexity of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, reveals a mapping project spearheaded by St. Thomas faculty.
Equity in Action Keynote Speaker Motivates Attendees
The opposite of racist isn’t “not racist.” It is actively being an antiracist. That’s the message approximately 1,700 registered attendees of the Equity in Action: Cultivating Antiracist Universities conference heard weaved throughout the various workshops, breakout sessions and the riveting keynote address of guest speaker Professor Ibram X. Kendi, author of the bestseller How to Be An Antiracist.
Wounds Produce Narratives: Healing After the Deaths of George Floyd and Daunte Wright
The killings of Black, Indigenous and People of Color don’t seem to stop long enough for the deep wounds of racial injustice to heal. This was the theme of a recent healing and prayer service hosted by the Raci...
Equity in Action Conference Urges Brave Dialogue about Antiracism
Professor Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be An Antiracist, is the keynote speaker for the Equity in Action: Cultivating Antiracist Universities conference sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of St. Thomas.
DEI Journey Makes Impact on Athletics
Tommie fans will notice changes big and small when they return to the stands to watch their teams compete. One of these changes will be four words adorning some of the warm-up apparel: Shed A Little Light.
Supporting DEI Through The Impact Project
The Impact Project is a socially conscious start-up of students that is raising awareness and support for racial justice and community building within St. Thomas.
Students Advance DEI Through Business 200
Students in the Business 200 course this past year used racial covenants issued only 50-100 years ago to find how deeply rooted racial disparities were in the Twin Cities, even when it came to who could and couldn’t own a home in certain neighborhoods.
Bearing the Burden: How Privilege Plays Out in Pandemics
While it may be global or everywhere, the COVID-19 pandemic is not impacting everyone the same, biology professor Jill Manske said.
Five Observations: 2021 State of the University Address
Academic News, Alumni, Anti-Racism Efforts, Athletics, Common Good, Current Students, Faculty, Five Observations, Morrison Family College of Health, News, Our Community, President's Office, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Nursing, St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan, Staff, Strategic Planning, Teacher Education, Tommie Traditions, Top News
In her annual State of the University address, President Julie Sullivan celebrated the work of a challenging year, and shared optimism for St. Thomas’ future.
St. Thomas 2025: New Priorities to Elevate Prominence
With the demographics of college-age students set to undergo radical shifts in the coming years, St. Thomas unveiled this week a bold five-year plan designed to propel the university into the country’s top echelon of Catholic higher ed institutions.
St. Thomas Puts Spotlight on Black History
As the calendar turned to February, St. Thomas organizations had filled the month with opportunities to tour a virtual history museum, hear from experts in the medical and genealogy fields and create art: all experiences that put the spotlight on Black Americans.
Dr. Yohuru Williams: Celebrate Black Achievement, Yet Remember the Challenges
Being Black in America comes with complications embedded in American history.
‘Antiracist’ Author to Keynote ODEI’s Equity in Action Conference
Professor Ibram X. Kendi, an acclaimed historian and the author of the New York Times bestseller "How to Be An Antiracist," will be the keynote speaker for the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s inaugural one-day virtual conference.
We March for Justice
A group of students are applying lessons from the civil rights movement to today's fight against racial injustice.
Taking Action
2020 Fall-Winter, Academic News, Anti-Racism Efforts, Art History, Center for the Common Good, College of Arts and Sciences, COVID-19 Response, English, Front Page, Geography and Environmental Studies, News, Publications, School of Law, School of Law News Feed, St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan, St. Thomas Magazine, St. Thomas Responds
As St. Thomas looks back on this challenging year, here are some ways university members moved forward with purpose.
CAS Expert: Right-Wing Extremists Remain a Threat Under Biden Administration
Right-wing extremists are not going to go away just because a new president and leadership has entered the White House, said Lisa Waldner, associate dean and sociology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Four Facts on Mourning Dr. King in Minnesota
Read four facts about Minnesota mourning Martin Luther King Jr.
In Perilous Times, a St. Thomas Leader Stood with Dr. King
Former St. Thomas President Father James Shannon is an interesting connection between Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Thomas.
Phyu-Sin Than: Working Locally, Thinking Globally
Last summer when George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, just a few miles from the St. Thomas School of Law, 2L Phyu-Sin Than says she felt compelled to act.