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The Future of Smart Is Human: Rethinking Learning in the Age of AI
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"Are you smart?" Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen asked the audience at the University of St. Thomas. "Or should we be asking: How are you smart?" That provocative question anchored the most recent Finding Forward event, The Future of Smart Is Human, where Hansen joined President Rob Vischer for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of learning in…
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March-April: Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Finding Forward Events
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March 12: Exploring Faith, Reason and the Cosmos with Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ
Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ – a renowned planetary scientist, Jesuit brother and recent director of the Vatican Observatory – will engage in a conversation in his expertise to address various topics. Topics such as, "Can science and Catholicism be companions in the search for truth?" will be explored in this discussion. The in-person event will run from 7-8 p.m, Thursday, March 12, inside the Iversen Center for Faith's Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas lower level, and refreshments will be provided at the reception. There will also be a virtual option to listen to the discussion.
Learn more and register
March 25: Timberwolves Owner and Mega Entrepreneur Marc Lore
Stay tuned for more details about this upcoming chat with entrepreneur Marc Lore. Lore is currently the co-owner for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves franchise and former president and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce. He's also the founder, chairman and CEO of Wonder Group. Lore will be joined by President Vischer as well as investment leader and St. Thomas alum Vik Uppal '06.
April 21: Media Ethics with Major Garrett
CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett will sit down with President Rob Vischer to discuss how media organizations can serve the public interest amid deepening political polarization. Together they will chat about various themes in journalism such as ethics-related challenges in the digital age. The in-person event will take place from 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, inside James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall in ASC, followed by a reception with refreshments. There is a virtual option to join the chat.
Learn more and register |
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St. Thomas Names Father Daniel Griffith VP for Mission
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The University of St. Thomas will turn to a triple Tommie to serve as its next Vice President for Mission. Father Daniel Griffith, a St. Thomas School of Law faculty member who currently serves as pastor and rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, will begin his new role July 1. Griffith will…
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Dr. Michael Osterholm to Deliver Keynote at St. Thomas Whole Person Health Summit
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The Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas will host its fourth annual Whole Person Health Summit on April 16, 2026. A keynote address titled "Vaccine Integrity Project: A Road Map for Resilience" will anchor the summit. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Osterholm will examine how lessons learned during COVID-19 and recent…
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St. Thomas Employee Recognition 2025
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The University of St. Thomas community celebrated the service of faculty and staff on Feb. 19. Over 270 employees celebrated milestone anniversaries of at least five years or greater, including members celebrating over 45 years of service at the university.
The following employee recognition awards were handed out for outstanding achievements by faculty and staff:
Common Good Award – Erica Berglund, Administrative Assistant for the Office of the Provost
Think. Act. Work. Award – Nichole Boehmke, Director of Facilities
Embracing Our Differences Award – Marta Pereira, Director of Cultural Initiative and Spiritual Formation
Living Our Convictions Award – Thanh Pham, Head Coach of Tommie Volleyball
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Tales from the Archives: First St. Thomas Black Faculty and Staff Members
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In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week, laying the foundation for a national movement to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black Americans. Fifty years later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford formally designated February the national commemoration of Black History Month. A century after Woodson's original call, the University of St. Thomas…
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Feb. 25-26: Support Tommie Basketball
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Feb. 25:
Cheer on women's basketball in their home finale as they take on Kansas City from 7-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. We will celebrate Tommie women's basketball head coach Ruth Sinn, who will be celebrated and honored during this game, which will cap her 25-year stint with the Tommie women's basketball program as both a player and a coach. Students are eligible for free tickets.
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Feb. 26:
Snag a giveaway and cheer on men's basketball when they take on North Dakota State from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, in Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. The first 400 students in attendance will receive a replica St. Thomas basketball jersey. Students can claim free tickets.
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Feb. 26: Craft Letters to Loved Ones
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Come to the create[space] and craft your appreciation for loved ones from noon-2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Anderson Student Center. On-site there will be writing utensils, decorations, postage and more.
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Feb. 26: Show up at Black History Month Movie Night
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Celebrate Black History Month with Dougherty Family College from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, at Terrence Murphy Hall on the Minneapolis campus. The event will include a night of food, painting and movies. RSVP to attend the event in person or join virtually.
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Feb. 26: Enjoy the Chapel Arts Series – Dueling Pianos
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Witness the chemistry between Julia and Irina Elkina, twin Dranoff International Two Piano Competition winners, in a live performance. They will perform piano pieces together from 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. The event is free and open to the public.
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Feb. 27: Celebrate Lent With Stations of the Cross
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This Lenten season, Campus Ministry invites all students, faculty and staff to reflect and pray at Stations of the Cross. This event will be every Friday from Feb. 27-March 20 at 3 p.m. to reflect and pray in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas.
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Feb. 27: Celebrate Black History at BESA Cultural Dinner
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RSVP today, Feb. 25, for BESA's 2026 Cultural Dinner celebrating Black history from 4:30-10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, in ASC's James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall (third floor). The event will honor a century of Black excellence, resilience and power and will include food, performances, and community connection.
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March 1: Meet Author Whose Book Inspired Nuremberg Film
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Join Jay Phillips Center for a conversation with author Jack El-Hai about his book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist. The story, which was adapted into the 2025 film "Nuremberg" starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, covers a gripping account of U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas M. Kelley's encounters with Nazi leaders awaiting trial at Nuremberg. The discussion takes place from 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 1, in James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall. Registration is required.
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March 3: Gather for Session About Mary Magdalene
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Join the Theology Beyond the Classroom event to journey through this season of Lent from 5:30-6:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, in JRC 227. Father Steve McMichael will facilitate an intriguing deep dive into Mary Magdalene, who has been deemed the "faithful disciple of Jesus." Pizza and beverages will be provided.
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March 3: Congregate During Iftar Celebration
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Join MFCOH and the Muslim Student Association from 5-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, in James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall for a cultural dinner based on "Being Present." The event includes a program, iftar and a discussion from guest speaker Fatinah Abumayeleh, a mental health practitioner. Abumayeleh will share her experience, as a Palestinian Muslim woman, traveling to her birth country of Guatemala. All Tommies are invited to join. Registration is encouraged.
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March 4: Listen to Discussion on Moral Responsibility
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Dr. Laurel Potter, associate professor of theology (pictured), and Bishop Kevin Kenney, will join Dr. Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, who will reflect on how beauty and vulnerability shape moral responsibility and justice. The event runs from 6-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, in O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium. Food and beverage begins at 6 p.m., and the lecture will commence at 7 p.m.
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March 5: Attend Feminist Journalism Discussion
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Celebrate Women's History Month by sitting in as Ms. Magazine writer and editor Dr. Janell Hobson and Elaine Welteroth, former editor-in-chief for Teen Vogue, discuss the history of feminist voices in media from 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 5, in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium. The event is free and registration is recommended.
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March 30: Register for $1,000 Viewpoints Fellowship
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Join a national cohort of student leaders from six universities. The Viewpoints Fellowship is a yearlong leadership program for student organization leaders. Fellows develop practical skills for navigating disagreement with curiosity, strengthening their organizations.
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Ash Wednesday Mass in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on Feb. 18, 2026, in St. Paul. (Brandon Woller '17 / University of St. Thomas) |
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Media Highlights:
Gigi Giordano, director of counseling and psychological services at the Center for Well-Being, spoke to MinnPost about the anxiety experienced by international students during the recent ICE operations in the Twin Cities.
Director of Admissions Kristen Hatfield spoke to Twin Cities Business about recent increases in enrollment for higher education in Minnesota.
Jonathan Keiser, associate vice president of Academic Technology and AI Enablement, spoke with the Pioneer Press about the university's inaugural Tommie Buildfest, a 24-hour AI hackathon focused on combating hunger and food insecurity.
Mike Porter, professor of marketing at the Opus College of Business, joined KCBS Radio to discuss the challenges and reinvention of American shopping malls.
Manjeet Rege, professor and director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, spoke with WCCO Radio about the rapid growth of AI powered surveillance technologies and the privacy concerns that come with them.
Tyler Schipper, associate professor of economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, appeared on "Minnesota Live" to speak about the local economic impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
Read more St. Thomas "In the News" stories. |
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Know of anything or anyone interesting around the university that would make for a good Newsroom feature story? Let us know at news@stthomas.edu.
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![Three students standings and working on arts and crafts in create[space].](https://news.stthomas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/createspace-students-crafts-620x413.jpg)
