St. Thomas Responds | St. Thomas Newsroom

The lower quad, Monahan Plaza, Aquinas Hall and the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library are pictured under glowing pink skies on a beautiful summer night on July 29, 2020, in St. Paul.

University of St. Thomas Plans Full Return to Normal Operations on Campus

March 12, 2021

Academic News, COVID-19 Response, For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News, Notices, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Top News, University News

Based on Minnesota’s plan to accelerate vaccine distribution, and the university's success in mitigating COVID-19 on campus so far, St. Thomas is making plans to resume in-person, normal campus operations before the fall 2021 semester.

The Saint Peter's Basilica is seen in silhouette on February 28, 2013, in Rome, Italy.

Virtual Study Abroad Expands Global Experience

Emilie Dozer '21

February 17, 2021

Academic News, College of Arts and Sciences, COVID-19 Response, Globalization, Neuroscience, News, Opus College of Business, Our Community, School of Engineering, St. Thomas Responds, Study Abroad, Top News

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made travel nearly impossible for students across the country, St. Thomas has found ways to provide students with a global experience despite the current circumstances.

Ted Tiffany, a grad student pursuing his master’s degree in the School of Social Work, works from his home office space in St. Paul on January 8, 2021. Tiffany has been one of many University of St. Thomas community members that have helped with contact tracing efforts on campus during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Contact Tracers Help Keep Students Safe and Campus Open

Amy Carlson Gustafson

February 1, 2021

Academic News, COVID-19 Response, Morrison Family College of Health, News, Our Community, School of Social Work, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

Contact tracers and care coordinators have become vital in the effort to keep campus open during the global pandemic by helping identify students who need to be in isolation or quarantine.

The statue of John Ireland stands amid falling snow on the lower quad April 11. (Photo by Mike Ekern '02)

Discontinuation of Employee Cost Mitigation Measures

President Julie Sullivan

February 1, 2021

COVID-19 Response, Front Page, News, Our Community, President's Office, St. Thomas Responds

President Julie Sullivan shared encouraging news about the university's fiscal year 2021 financial projection. (Feb. 1, 2021)

Taking Action

Amy Carlson Gustafson

January 28, 2021

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.

Anything but Typical: Adapting to Change Through a Pandemic

Brant Skogrand '04 MBC

January 27, 2021

2020 Fall-Winter, Academic News, College of Arts and Sciences, COVID-19 Response, Front Page, News, Opus College of Business, St. Thomas Magazine, St. Thomas Responds, Theology

Five months after sending students home to finish spring semester online, St. Thomas faculty and staff put the finishing touches on preparations to allow the university to resume in-person instruction in the fall.

Masking Issues

Amy Carlson Gustafson

January 12, 2021

2020 Winter, Academic News, COVID-19 Response, School of Law, School of Law News Feed, St. Thomas Lawyer, St. Thomas Responds, Tommie Experts

COVID-19 has resulted in a range of economic and social impacts, from rising unemployment rates to health disparity among racial and ethnic populations. Amid the fallout, the pandemic has also highlighted the divisiveness over face covering guidelines and mandates.

Professor Monica Hartmann teaches and Economics class in O’Shaughnessy Education center during the coronavirus pandemic in St. Paul on September 9, 2020.

Faculty Perspectives on Teaching During the Pandemic

Michael Derus

December 8, 2020

Academic News, College of Arts and Sciences, COVID-19 Response, Faculty, News, Opus College of Business, Our Community, Physics, School of Engineering, Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

As faculty members continue to navigate the uncharted waters of teaching during a global pandemic, one professor has an unexpected piece of advice for her students.

Volunteers collect help with saliva testing during a COVID-19 testing event in the Field House in the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex in St. Paul on November 19, 2020.

St. Thomas Schedules Additional Free COVID-19 Testing Events

Brant Skogrand '04 MBC

December 2, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Events, For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News, Notices, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Top News, University News

Registration is now open for St. Thomas’ second free COVID-19 mass testing scheduled for Dec. 8 at the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex (AARC) field house.

Faculty Using COVID-19 as a Lens for Hands-on Learning

Michael Derus

November 30, 2020

Academic News, Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, COVID-19 Response, Faculty, Neuroscience, News, Opus College of Business, Our Community, Psychology, Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pervade every aspect of daily life, faculty members are taking advantage of unique opportunities for students to learn through real-world experience.

Tommie Give Day Collaboration Provides 900 Masks to Catholic Charities

Rachel Reisig

November 24, 2020

Center for the Common Good, COVID-19 Response, Events, Front Page, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Tommie Traditions, University News

The number of donors and dollars raised on Tommie Give Day shattered previous records, and the Tommie Network rallied for a community partner: Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The Anderson Student Center and the fountain glowing purple on the John P. Monahan Plaza at dusk. Liam James Doyle/University of St. Thomas

COVID-19 Situation Update: Nov. 19

President Julie Sullivan

November 19, 2020

COVID-19 Response, For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News, Notices, Our Community, President's Office, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

President Julie Sullivan shared important updates regarding Gov. Tim Walz’s latest executive order and its impact on St. Thomas. (Nov. 19, 2020)

Spring Term Study Abroad Suspended

The Newsroom

November 5, 2020

Academic News, COVID-19 Response, For Students, Front Page, Globalization, News, Notices, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Study Abroad

Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the university has made the decision to suspend all spring term 2021 study abroad programming.

Students walk toward the Frey Science and Engineering Center on a sunny winter day in St. Paul on February 5, 2020, in St. Paul.

Newly Formed Department Connects with Class of 2020

Michael Derus

October 22, 2020

Alumni, COVID-19 Response, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Staff, Top News

A newly formed department at St. Thomas is assisting the Class of 2020, who graduated into a world that would have been unrecognizable just months before.

Students hang out on the lower quad on a beautiful fall afternoon during Homecoming week on October 9, 2020, in St. Paul.

Dear Tommies: Gratitude from USG

Undergraduate Student Government

October 21, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Current Students, Faculty, Front Page, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Staff

The Undergraduate Student Government expresses gratitude to all members of the St. Thomas community that have played a role in the return to campus this fall.

Global Online Internships and Service

Azaan Salyani

October 6, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Front Page, Globalization, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Study Abroad

With study abroad programs on hold due to COVID-19, we explore the options that St. Thomas is developing to get international experience.

Staying Vigilant

President Julie Sullivan

September 21, 2020

COVID-19 Response, For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News, Notices, Our Community, President's Office, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

President Julie Sullivan reminded the St. Thomas community to stay vigilant in following the measures and protocols outlined in our Campus Preparedness Plan.

University Suspends J-Term Study Abroad Programs

The Newsroom

September 15, 2020

Academic News, COVID-19 Response, For Students, Front Page, Globalization, News, Notices, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Study Abroad

Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the university has made the decision to suspend all J-Term 2021 study abroad programming.

An aerial view of the lower quad. (Photo by Mike Ekern '02)

Academic Convocation: Gratitude and Hope for 2020-21

Brant Skogrand '04 MBC

September 9, 2020

Academic News, Admissions, Anti-Racism Efforts, COVID-19 Response, Events, News, Our Community, President's Office, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

Nearly 600 St. Thomas community members gathered virtually over Zoom for the 2020-21 academic convocation, in which two important topics – the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice – were frequently addressed.

Tommie the Tomcat mascot practices social distancing while wearing a mask and following COVID-19 safety protocols like cleaning and sanitizing as campus prepares to reopen for fall semester on July 15, 2020, in St. Paul.

Dear Tommies: This Will Be New to All of Us

Adali Flores-Mendoza

September 9, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Current Students, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Top News

Student Adali Flores-Mendoza writes that we, as a community, can hold each other accountable during this pandemic.

Dear Tommies: Your Safety Is Our Goal

Candy Sauer

September 9, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Current Students, News, Our Community, St. Thomas Responds, Staff, Top News

Candy Sauer, who has been on the front line of getting campus ready for the fall as part of the Facilities Management team, shares with Tommies what to expect.