Jan. 14, 2026 Newsletter

There will be no J-Term classes on Monday, Jan. 19, as the University of St. Thomas observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most campus offices and services, including dining, will be closed for the holiday.

Featured

Praying, Grieving, Acting

President Rob Vischer sent an email to St. Thomas faculty and staff on Friday, Jan. 9, following recent events in the Twin Cities. Read it here on OneStThomas.

Oceans Shatter Heat Records, John Abraham's Research Reveals

John Abraham
John Abraham, professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, is featured in national and international coverage examining record ocean warming, with news outlets citing his research on ocean heat content as a key indicator of climate change. Abraham's work shows that the world's oceans have absorbed unprecedented amounts of…
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Professor Puts People at the Center of Data

Amelia McNamara
Data is everywhere. Most people might picture a computer screen and a dense spreadsheet. Amelia McNamara goes beyond that, however. She partnered with the local Lumen Christi Catholic Community on a project that showed her students the real-world applications of data science. The parish specifically wanted to map the mental health needs of its members…
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Leading to HEAL: Where Service Meets Healthcare

Volunteer Haley Moore Leads Blood Drive
For Haley Moore '26, a biology major and pre-med student at the University of St. Thomas, advancing the common good doesn't wait for a medical degree.  As a student leader for the HEAL (Health, Advocacy, Education, and Lifestyle) Volunteer Program through the Center for the Common Good, Moore coordinates American Red Cross blood drives on campus and also connects students with meaningful opportunities to give…
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Events

Jan. 15: Attend Health Equity Breakfast

MFCOH Health Equity Shield
The Morrison Family College of Health, in partnership with the Cultural Wellness Center, upcoming health equity breakfast themed "Resilience Rooted in Strength" takes place 8-10:30 a.m. on Jan. 15 at Allina Commons – MacMillan Center, Sundet Hall, located at Allina Health in Minneapolis. This event is free to St. Thomas students, faculty and staff. The price is $40 for community members.
Learn more

Jan. 16-17: Cheer on Tommie Hockey in Doubleheader

Four members of the St. Thomas women's hockey team hug in front of the net after scoring a goal during match.
Hockey takes center stage at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena this weekend, welcoming Tommie Nation for a marquee doubleheader featuring both the women's and men's hockey programs. The women will host No. 1 Wisconsin over the weekend, while the men welcome Bemidji State in a key CCHA matchup. Tickets can be purchased at www.tommiesports.com/tickets.

Jan. 21-22: Catch Tommie Basketball's Winning Streak

Show your Tommie pride during alumni night. Tommie Men's Basketball look to extend their perfect home record at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena (9-0) when they tip off against South Dakota State at 8 p.m. on Jan. 22. Dating back to the 2023-24 season, the Tommies won 27 consecutive home games. At 7 p.m. on Jan. 21, cheer on the women's team at the Penny.
Get tickets

Jan. 22: Learn Tips for Time Management

Academic Glow-Up flyer
The Academic Glow-Up series is tackling time management for those feeling overwhelmed by their to-do list. Join the Center for Student Achievement via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 22, from noon-1 p.m. to learn practical time management tools to stay on track and handle whatever the new semester throws your way.
Learn more

Jan. 25: Join Author Whose Book Inspired Nuremberg Film

Jack El-Hai sitting in a chair
Author Jack El-Hai is having a conversation about his book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist inside the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2-3 p.m. The story, adapted into the 2025 film "Nuremberg" starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, is about a U.S. Army psychiatrist's assignment to assess Nazi leaders.
Learn more

Jan. 26: Learn More About Teaching Today's Tommies

Teaching Today's Tommies flyer
Faculty across disciplines will share tactics and practices to improve engagement with today's students in this conference-style event from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Jan. 26 in McNeely Hall, Room 100. Tips range from inclusive pedagogical practices to learning more about students to support students in the classroom and beyond campus.
Learn more

Feb. 4: Engage in a Black History Lesson on Athletics

Black History Month graphic
Racial Justice Initiative Founding Director Dr. Yohuru Williams leads this MasterClass that will cover a history of Black athletes who navigated exclusion, exploitation, protest and other subject matters. Join on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from noon-1 p.m. via Zoom.
Register here

Feb. 5: Meet Former Pro Soccer Athlete Tony Sanneh

Tony Sanneh sitting with a soccer ball
Former professional soccer player Tony Sanneh comes to St. Thomas for this Black History Month AfterClass that celebrates inspirational Black athletes. Join from 5:30-7:30 p.m on Feb. 5 at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena as the Racial Justice Initiative sponsors this conversation during Black History Month's centennial anniversary.
Register here

Feb. 5: Turn Your Business Plan Into $10,000 (or More!)

Have an idea you're ready to build? Current students and recent alumni are invited to enter the St. Thomas Business Plan Competition for a chance to win $10,000, plus $8,000 in additional finalist prizes. Social ventures can compete for an extra $6,000 through the Fowler Global Social Innovation Award. Submissions are due Feb. 5. Info sessions, mentoring and free planning tools are available to help you get started.
Learn more and submit your plan at the Business Plan Competition website.

Feb. 5: Hear From Renowned Futurist at Finding Forward

Finding Forward flyer with images of Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen and President Rob Vischer
President Rob Vischer will engage in a conversation with Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, a cultural futurist and award-winning author, from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 5, at O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium. The Future of Smart author advocates for educational systems to adapt its testing to evaluate cultivating skills that cannot be replaced by machines. This event will also be livestreamed and a reception will follow the in-person gathering.
Learn more

More News

Law Professor Jerry Organ Appointed to ABA Special Advisory Committee

Jerry Organ
University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Jerry Organ has been appointed to a Special Advisory Committee by the American Bar Association (ABA), the national accreditor of law schools. The committee of state supreme court justices, law school deans and prominent legal scholars will assist the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education…
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Alum Finds Harmony Between Technology, Leadership and Faith

When Barry Lau '93 followed in his brother's footsteps to the University of St. Thomas, he was drawn not only by family ties but by the university's "excellent reputation for the business program." What he discovered was a community that shaped far more than his academic path; it gave him foundation for faith, leadership and…
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Seen Around St. Thomas

Tommies make New Year resolutions
Tommies kicked off 2026 with New Year's resolutions! Watch the video to hear what resolutions some of them made to start the year off strong.
See full video

In the News

Top row left to right Shanan Custer, Yay Feng, Christopher Wong Michaelson. Bottom row left to right Adura Nuru, Mark Oasler, Jena Zang.
Media Highlights:

Shanan Custer, adjunct faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, shared with WCCO-TV some key strategies actors use to memorize dialogue.

Yayu Feng, an emerging media assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke with MPR about how a viral YouTube video propelled allegations of childcare fraud in Minnesota into the national political spotlight.

Christopher Wong Michaelson, an ethics professor at the Opus College of Business, discusses in The Conversation why the traditional 40-hour workweek may no longer best fit many workers.

Audra Nuru, professor of communication studies and family studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke to Time about how overusing artificial intelligence tools can erode authenticity and emotional clarity.

Law Professor Mark Osler explained to Straight Arrow News how a president's use of pardon power often reflects personal values rather than traditional standards focused on rehabilitation and accountability.

St. Thomas Chief Data and Analytics Officer Jena Zangs spoke to KARE 11 about a new AI-powered classroom app she co-developed that personalizes learning for K-12 students.
Read more St. Thomas "In the News" stories.

In Case You Missed It

Friendships Flourish in From Rondo Classrooms to Entrepreneurs, $12.3M Gift Expands St. Thomas' Impact
St. Thomas Nursing Center for Simulation Earns International Accreditation
St. Thomas Hosts Fireside Chat With St. Paul Mayor-Elect
Paola Ehrmantraut Named Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at St. Thomas
Engineering Majors Tackle Real-World Challenges at Senior Design Clinic
St. Thomas Names Gretta Macdonald as Head Coach of Women's Soccer
St. Thomas AI Officer Selected for Global SheBuilds Competition
2025 Photos of the Year

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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