Nov. 25, 2025 Newsletter

As St. Thomas prepares for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, please note that some university offices and services will be closed or operate on reduced hours. Most offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday. All Dining Services locations will be closed on Thursday. The View will be open Friday-Sunday.

Featured

Believing in the Process: How Coach Thanh Pham Elevates Tommie Volleyball

Thanh Pham speaking to his athletes during a stoppage.
On a winning streak, the St. Thomas volleyball team is on a path toward its first-ever play in a Division I NCAA tournament depending on the outcome of a pre-Thanksgiving Day title match against South Dakota State. The coach behind it all is Thanh Pham.
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A St. Thomas Education Major's Drive Earned Her an Obama-Chesky Scholarship

Junior Ariah Crosby smiling at camera in headshot
A smile spread across Ariah Crosby's '27 face as she jumped from story to story, recounting everything that led her to national recognition. "I've always been very ambition driven," she said. During her short time at the University of St. Thomas as an education major, Crosby has worked for the Minnesota Capitol Pathways, conducted research…
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Leadership and Grit: A Tale of Two Defensive Backs

St. Thomas Defensive Backs Branden Smith and Den Juette
When Branden Smith thinks back to the lessons he learned playing football at the University of St. Thomas, the fifth-year cornerback recalls a series of injuries that caused him to miss playing time. "Injuries hurt — not just physically but mentally," he said. "But they teach you to be better than you were before. You…
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Events

Dec. 1: Celebrate at the Tree Lighting Ceremony

Cadenza performing in front of Christmas tree.
Join us for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m. in the Anderson Student Center atrium! This event officially kicks off the holiday season at St. Thomas with music and reflection. As we turn on the lights of the Christmas tree, all of the holiday lights around campus will light up, too! Plus, music will be provided by student performers. Later, at 8 p.m., the St. Thomas string ensemble will perform in the Brady Education Center auditorium.
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Dec. 2: Attend Pizza with a Professor

Join Dr. Patricia Maddox, the featured guest for Pizza with a Professor, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at noon. Maddox is a professor in the Sociology Department, specializing in gender and sexuality studies. She partners with Catholic Charities to develop community-engaged sociology classes as well.
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Dec. 2: Learn Leadership Through Service and Purpose

Khaled Samaha
Join adjunct professor Khaled Samaha, who is also the co-founder of SAHR Sports, as he shares his expertise in leadership. Leadership Through Service and Purpose in Business is an hourlong gathering that will include free food and will begin Tuesday, Dec. 2, at noon.
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Dec. 3: Participate in Advent Retreat Small Groups

The Ignatian Spirituality Center (ISC) invites our community to take part in Advent Retreat Small Groups – an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with God during this sacred season. The retreat includes four gatherings and daily prayer materials designed to support reflection and spiritual growth. The Wednesday gatherings at the Iversen Center for Faith are from noon-1 p.m. beginning Dec. 3. The other dates are Dec. 10, Dec. 17 and Jan. 7.
RSVP here to join.

Dec. 5: Ornament Giveaway at Women's Hockey

A spectator waving a towel inside a hockey arena.
Cheer on the Tommies as they go up against the Minnesota Gophers! Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. St. Thomas ornaments will be given away while supplies last. Students can claim their free ticket here.
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Dec. 5: Enjoy the Third Annual Cabaret

Join us for a night of student-driven performance! In association with Scene Setters, Theater Club presents the third annual Cabaret. Come enjoy a night of many diverse student talents composed into one full-length show. Similar to a talent show, this production features a wide range of acts including vocal, instrumental, written, theatrical pieces and more! This is a free and casual show, so arrive or leave whenever you please.
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Dec. 12: Celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Mass.
Join us for our annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Spanish Mass at noon, followed by a procession and reception at ASC Scooter's at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. This event is co-sponsored by Campus Ministry, SDIS, Holidays at St. Thomas and DAB. All are welcome.
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Dec. 15: Apply for Four Pillars Mini Grant

The Four Pillars Project will be awarding mini-grants of up to $2,000 for an individual or up to $4,000 for a team of any size to help faculty members and student-facing staff enhance their courses or other learning experiences in ways that help undergraduate students learn about and/or develop and exercise one or more of the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
Learn more

More News

Congratulations to the 2026 Tommie Award Nominees

Soon the finalists for the 2026 Tommie Award will be announced. What an amazing list of nominees we had this year! Please join us in congratulating them all. The Tommie Award is presented each academic year to a senior who, according to St. Thomas students, faculty, and staff, best represents the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas through leadership, scholarship, and campus involvement. The Tommie Award recipient is selected during fall semester and the award is presented each spring at the St. Thomas Day dinner.
Read their profiles
Tommie Award Nominees

Military Times Ranks St. Thomas No. 1 in Minnesota on Best for Vets List

Cadets from Air Force ROTC Detachment 410 participate in the 38th annual Veterans Day vigil.
The latest Best for Vets list from Military Times places the University of St. Thomas in its highest-ever position in the national rankings. St. Thomas is ranked No. 39 overall on the list that recognizes colleges and universities for their commitment to serving veterans and military-connected students. Minnesota's largest private university is also the state's…
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Tommie Innovators Spark Big Ideas at the Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Fowler Business Concept Challenge
When Xinsheng Tang '26 MS looks at a municipal wastewater outfall pipe, he doesn't see an endpoint; he sees possibility. Standing before a packed room of 63 judges, visitors and peers at the 17th annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge, he explained how cities could turn a constant, gravity-fed stream of wastewater into clean electricity. "Cities…
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In Our Prayers: Professors Sheppeck and Meierotto

Mick and Richard - In Our Prayers
Associate Professor Mick Sheppeck, whose contributions to the Opus College of Business and to generations of students spanned more than four decades, passed away on Nov. 5 at age 74. Richard Robert Meierotto '58 a longtime University of St. Thomas biology professor, environmental advocate and mentor, passed away at age 94 on Nov. 9, in St. Paul.
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Seen Around St. Thomas

Finding Forward
Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve sat down with President Rob Vischer during the Nov. 24 Finding Forward for an inspiring conversation centered on the lessons she's learned as a trailblazer in professional women's basketball. (Mark Brown / University of St. Thomas)

In the News

Top row, from left to right: Glenn Caruso, Seth Ketron, and Ali Ling. Bottom row, from left to right: Audra Nuru, Mark Osler, and Buffy Smith.
Media Highlights:

Glenn Caruso, head football coach, spoke with the KSTP about how St. Thomas is preparing to face top-ranked North Dakota State University, emphasizing the team's focus on discipline, resilience, and growth.

Seth Ketron, assistant professor of marketing, spoke with KSTP about ways shoppers can avoid social media scams, encouraging consumers to look for red flags and verify unfamiliar sellers before purchasing.

Ali Ling, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, joined the "Talking PFAS" podcast to discuss the true cost of removing PFAS from the environment and why reducing ongoing production is essential to avoiding an economic burden that could exceed global GDP.

Audra Nuru, professor of communication studies, spoke with Yahoo! about the viral "bird theory," describing how shared moments of attention can strengthen emotional connection and relationship satisfaction.

Mark Osler, professor of law, spoke with John Katko of PBS about the scope and impact of presidential pardons, offering historical context and insight into how modern clemency decisions are shaped.

Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College, cowrote an op-ed for U.S. News & World Report with Carolyn Gentle-Genitty of Founder's College at Butler University on the role embedded two-year colleges play in supporting nontraditional learners.

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

In Case You Missed It

St. Thomas Climbs to No. 11 in Entrepreneurship Rankings
What Are You ALL FOR?
Building on a Tradition of Generosity: The Tommie Network Rallies Once Again
Sights and Sounds: St. Thomas Basketball Debuts at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
Father Chris Collins to Begin New Assignment in Belize in 2026
Dr. Ali Ling Named to AAEES 40 Under 40 List
St. Thomas Launches New Coffee Blend in the Tommie Shop

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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