Oct. 5, 2022 Newsletter

Featured

Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous Peoples Day is this Monday, Oct. 10, a day set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Native peoples. There will be no classes on Monday. University offices and select dining service locations will also be closed in observation of the holiday and will reopen Tuesday. The holiday was added to the list of official University of St. Thomas holidays earlier this year.

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, Father Chris Collins, vice president for the Office for Mission, spoke with Maka Black Elk from Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The two discuss the work behind truth and healing initiatives on the Pine Ridge reservation. Watch here.

New Enrollment Management VP Focuses on St. Thomas Thriving

Omar Correa
An early experience with higher education shaped the professional career of Omar Correa, St. Thomas' new vice president of strategic enrollment management. Beginning his academic career at the University of Puerto Rico, Correa braved a transition to Iowa State University to complete a bachelor's degree in chemistry, although he did not speak English at the…
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Hispanic Heritage Month: Elevating Stories With Lorena Armstrong-Duarte

"I think of myself as a storyteller. I am here to help the university and the president tell their story." That is how Lorena Armstrong-Duarte, communications and constituent relations manager for the Office of the President, defines her role at St. Thomas. Armstrong-Duarte assumed her role at the University of St. Thomas one year ago,…
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Crews Complete Deceased Student Memorial Installation

Deceased Student Memorial.
How do you honor a deceased student's life while creating a space that can hold the weight of grief and remembrance? That is a question that has been circulating across campus for the past several years; it's one that doesn't have a correct answer but deserves a heartfelt attempt at a response. In 2017, the…
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More News

St. Thomas Announces $3 Million Gift to Support Student Entrepreneurship Competitions

Ron Fowler.
One of the University of St. Thomas' hallmark student venture competitions will be funded in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of one of its most distinguished alumni. The university's Schulze School of Entrepreneurship has announced a $3 million donation from Ron '66 and Alexis Fowler that will extend funding for both the Fowler Business Concept…
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CAS Receives $1.5 Million Grant for Science-Focused Scholarship Program

The $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will be used to provide financial support for low-income students interested in science fields. The College of Arts and Sciences will establish the NSF Discovery Scholars program, designed to help disadvantaged students thrive at St. Thomas. The program will award scholarships to 23 students interested in…
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New Grant Sharpens Focus on Whole-Person Health at St. Thomas

Penny and Bill George.
One of Minnesota's leading foundations focused on integrative care and healing is helping the University of St. Thomas expand opportunities for students, researchers and professionals to transform their communities through whole-person care. The George Family Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to the university's Morrison Family College of Health. The foundation's largest ever gift to…
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This Week in Tommie Sports

It's a very busy weekend in St. Paul, including a Saturday showdown between St. Thomas football and defending Pioneer Football League champion Davidson. Cheer on the Tommies at O'Shaughnessy Stadium at 1 p.m. For a full schedule, click here.

Upcoming home games:
- Thursday at 7 p.m.: Volleyball vs. South Dakota
- Friday at 3 p.m.: Swim and dive vs. Green Bay
- Friday at 4 p.m.: Women's soccer vs. SDSU

PHOTOS: Fiesta Latina on the Quad

Fiesta Latina on the Quad. Mark Brown/University of St. Thomas
As a way to celebrate the vibrant culture and heritage of the diverse Latinx population on the University of St. Thomas campus during the recognized Hispanic Heritage Month, members of HOLA!, Diversity Activities Board, and Student Diversity & Inclusion Services held Fiesta Latina on the Quad Sept. 29. The event featured a flags giveaway, michoacana…
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Chat With Interim President Rob Vischer

Dean Rob Vischer headshot.
Have something you'd like to discuss with the interim president? Rob Vischer will hold fall office hours monthly on both St. Paul (Aquinas Hall) and Minneapolis (Terrence Murphy Hall) campuses. The 15-minute appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. View his schedule for office hours here and contact Erica Oswald at ejoswald@stthomas.edu or (651) 962-6500 to schedule a time.

Making Waves With Dr. Jill Manske

The Luann Dummer Center for Women invites you to help kick off their first Making Waves event of the year. Join Biology Professor Dr. Jill Manske for "Women's Reproductive Health 101" on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 1:30-3 p.m. in OEC 103. For more details, click here.

COVID-19 Dashboard: 22 Positive Cases Reported

The university reported 22 new COVID-19 positive test results for the week ending Sept. 30, 2022, and a 90.9% vaccination rate among students, faculty and staff. See full dashboard details on the COVID-19 webpage.

Get your updated Moderna bivalent booster at the Center for Well-Being. The updated COVID-19 boosters target the most recent Omicron subvariants. Online scheduling for your primary series and boosters is available at myHealthPortal. Learn more on OneStThomas.

Seen Around St. Thomas

The St. Thomas Club Sailing team competes at the National Qualifiers Regatta in Madison, Wisconsin. Pictured are Greg Bittle and Meriah Kirschstein. The team was recently reestablished as an official club sport. Learn more about the club and how to get involved here. (Livia Wagner/University of St. Thomas)

In the News

Media Highlights: Dr. Yohuru Williams spoke with TPT "Almanac" on the history of reform in the Minneapolis Police Department and the credentials of would-be police chief Brian O'Hara.

Professor John Abraham spoke with KARE 11 on climate change's effects on Hurricane Ian, and how scientists' understanding of severe storms can help communities become more resilient toward them.

KARE 11 also featured the School of Engineering's microgrid in light of Hurricane Ian. The grid is a "self-contained energy network" that can provide buildings with power in the event of outages.

Read St. Thomas "In the News" stories.

In Case You Missed It

Dougherty Family College Receives $10M Anonymous Gift
Increasing Voter Engagement in Election Season
Veterans Resource Center Renamed in Dedication Ceremony

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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