Jan. 15, 2025 Newsletter

There will be no J-Term classes on Monday, Jan. 20, as the University of St. Thomas observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most campus offices and services, including dining, will be closed.

Featured

Federal, State Support Fuels Expansion at Center for Microgrid Research

Rendering of a new facility for the Center for Microgrid Research
Thanks to considerable private and government support, the Center for Microgrid Research is surging into a new era with a power-up totaling more than $20 million. The funds are fueling expanded student-focused research, a rapidly growing team of engineers, and soon, the construction of an additional industry-leading facility.
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Professor Research: Sea Surface and Deeper Ocean Temperatures Reach New Record High

John Abraham answers questions about how he monitors temperatures across the world's ocean in a recent engineering course.
The ocean is the hottest it has ever been recorded by humans, not only at the surface temperature but also for the upper 2,000 meters, according to a new study co-authored by John Abraham, a mechanical engineering professor in the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. The study, published in Advances ...
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Tommie Experts: Using AI to Detect Risk of Obesity

Manjeet Rege
Obesity disease is a significant health issue that has affected millions of people worldwide. A new study co-authored by Dr. Manjeet Rege, a professor in the School of Engineering, explores the application of ensemble learning techniques in predicting obesity risk using lifestyle data.
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More News

Learn New History About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Image of new book King: A Life and the co-author Dr. Yohuru Williams
Ahead of his namesake holiday, learn new history surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s incredible legacy that forever inspired and shaped our lives. Racial Justice Initiative Founding Director Dr. Yohuru Williams will give a special presentation featuring his new co-authored book, King: A Life, which is a young adult adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller. This MasterClass session is Thursday, Jan. 16, at 2:30 p.m. Register here for the virtual event.

Williams also will emcee the State of Minnesota MLK Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Ordway. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

Join the 21 Days of Social Justice Challenge

Promo image announcing the 21 Day Social Justice Challenge
Student Diversity & Inclusion Services is once again hosting this year's 21 Days of Social Justice Challenge. The 21-day program is designed to allow community members to listen, reflect and take action regarding race, racism and antiracism. Each day participants will be asked to complete one to two tasks designed to engage and expand their learning about their self, others and systems. The challenge begins Jan. 15.
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Call for Summer Mathematics Research Projects

Students in Mathematics Professor Natasa Dragovic summer research class work on a research project focused on political campaigns in Schoenecker Center on August 7, 2024, in St. Paul.
The Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) is soliciting applications from faculty for summer 2025 research projects. Past projects have applied mathematics to a number of real-world problems in a variety of fields including numerical analysis, actuarial science, biology, finance, digital imaging and more. Faculty are asked to submit their completed application by Friday, Feb. 7.
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Feb. 7: Learn About Japan Study Abroad Opportunity

Explore the power of studying abroad with the School of Education at their upcoming Global Leadership Forum: Graduate Study Abroad event on Friday, Feb. 7. Attendees will be able to learn about a summer 2025 study abroad opportunity to Japan. Current graduate students and alumni are eligible to study abroad in Japan. Past participants will also have the opportunity to connect with one another and discuss the impact of experiential learning.
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Seen Around St. Thomas

Campus Scene taken on January 10, 2025 in St. Paul.
Fresh snow blankets the St. Paul campus for J-Term classes. (Brandon Woller '17/University of St. Thomas)

In the News

Headshots of Phil Esten, Mahmoud Kabalan, Yohuru Williams, Jhon Wlaschin
Media Highlights:

Phil Esten, vice president and director of athletics, spoke with Chip Scoggins at the Minnesota Star Tribune for an article about how a potential NCAA rule change could impact the university's postseason eligibility.

Mahmoud Kabalan, associate professor of electrical engineering and founding director of the Center for Microgrid Research at the School of Engineering, spoke with Marketplace about the role microgrids play in improving resiliency during winter storms in Texas.

Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative, joined WCCO Radio to discuss the future of DEI initiatives under a new administration in Washington, D.C.

Jhon Wlaschin, adjunct psychology professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, published an op-ed in the Pioneer Press on the topic of the proposed TikTok ban and concerning data practices that affect personal and social psychology.

Read more St. Thomas "In the News" stories.

In Case You Missed It

Fulbright-Hays Scholar Inspires Next Generation of Tommie Engineers
School of Education Equips Educators With New Mental Health and Well-Being Certificate

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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