Karen Schierman, who is retiring as associate director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning of the University of St. Thomas and St. John’s University, sent this note of thanks to the St. Thomas community:
“Thank you for 21 years of wonderful and meaningful work at St. Thomas, and for celebrating with me Thursday at the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning as I retire! I was gratified to see so many of you.
“I have deeply appreciated all of your support and assistance, and your encouragement and interest in the work of the center. I hope that all of you will continue to participate in the work of the center and I know you will enjoy working with our director Dr. John Merkle, and also with Father Steven McMichael who will be taking over some of my responsibilities.
“Both of them have a wealth and breadth of experience in Jewish-Christian relations and in interfaith relations and I am confident that the work of the center will flourish.
“I have a special place in my heart for the St. Thomas community and for its excellence in education, and I hope that our paths will cross along the way in the future.”