Sept. 18, 2024 Newsletter

Featured

St. Thomas Engineering Leads University Consortium to Bolster Industry Partnerships

The University of St. Thomas School of Engineering is one of five universities in a consortium that was awarded $2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to bolster industry-academic partnerships. The award comes from NSF's Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program.
Read more

Political Equation: Students Use Math to Predict Wins at the Ballot Box

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.
Predicting the outcome of a political election is extremely problematic. From the candidates to the voters – and everything in between – elections are a complicated puzzle. But what if a math equation could provide answers long before a single vote was cast? Mathematicians at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota are studying how…
Read more

Teacher-Student Reunion Solidifies College Choice

Vincent Wiegman at Arrowhead Stadium.
A small-world connection played a part in drawing University of St. Thomas student Vincent Wiegman '27 to the Twin Cities from the Kansas City area: his middle school science teacher. Minnesota native and St. Thomas Senior Admissions Counselor Annie Dockendorf taught in the Kansas City area for nearly two years before joining…
Read more

Upcoming Events

Sept. 19: Join Us for a Special Announcement

Special Announcement - Sept. 19, 2024
You're invited to join President Rob Vischer and the Board of Trustees for a special announcement at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, outside of Tommie North Residence Hall. The university is preparing to celebrate a momentous occasion. The details will be revealed at the event. All members of the St. Thomas community are welcome to join as schedules permit.

Celebrate Hispanic and Latine Heritage on Campus

HOLA during the Homecoming Golf Cart Parade on the St. Paul campus on October 7, 2023.
National Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latine Heritage Month, runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It began in 1968 to celebrate the rich histories, cultural wealth, and contributions of Hispanic/Latine communities to the U.S. Several events are planned across campus to highlight the contributions of our Latine and Hispanic Americans. Events include a Latine Heritage Month Celebration on Oct. 4 and a conversation with author and essayist Sandra Cisneros on Oct 12. Find a full listing of events on TommieLink.

Sept. 19: Lunch and Learn With U.S. Bank Goals Coach

U.S. Bank goals coaching event at St Thomas
Whether it's an unexpected vehicle repair, a bookstore expense, or a pleasant surprise – like a vacation too good to pass up – being financially prepared is always a positive. Students are invited to have a Jersey Mike's lunch at noon Sept. 19 in Room 108 of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library with U.S. Bank Goals Coach Barry Saeger. He'll offer advice on how to prepare for an unplanned expense. Participants will have a chance to receive a $20 Amazon gift card.
Learn more

Sept. 24: Meet Novelist Colum McCann on Campus

Promotional image for Finding Forward conversation with award-winning author, Colum McCann.
Finding Forward welcomes award-winning author Colum McCann for a conversation with President Rob Vischer. They will discuss peacemaking, grieving and storytelling. McCann is the author of seven novels, including the New York Times bestseller Apeirogon, a unique exploration of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This Finding Forward conversation will explore how we can connect with each other, breaking down barriers in a time of turmoil and divisiveness.

The Sept. 24 event in James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall starts at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A livestream option is also available. Registration is required.
Learn more

Sept. 26: Hear from Bestselling Author Kiese Laymon

Portrait of author Kiese Laymon
Bestselling author, social critic and essayist Kiese Laymon will visit campus on Sept. 26 as part of the Diverse Voices Author Series. Winner of numerous awards, Laymon is known for his memoir Heavy, which was named one of the best memoirs of the past 50 years by The New York Times. The lecture in ASC James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall is free and open to the public. The program begins at 7 p.m.
Learn more

Oct. 7: Learn About the Priesthood in Ireland Lecture

Dr. Matthew Levering from Mundelein Seminary will explore the roles of the "royal" priesthood and the "ordained" priesthood. Sponsored by The Saint Paul Seminary, this year's fall Ireland Lecture gets underway at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 in OEC auditorium.
Learn more

More News

Welcome New St. Thomas Full-Time Faculty

New Faculty 2024-25
As we begin a new academic year, the University of St. Thomas extends a warm welcome to our newest full-time faculty! See video slideshow to meet each of them virtually and to read about their many experiences, interests, and passions.

Campus Ministry Welcomes New Muslim Chaplain

Imam Tamim Saidi
Dr. Tamim Saidi, a Muslim chaplain for local Twin Cities hospitals and the resident scholar for the Islamic Resource Group (IRG), has been contracted to help support Muslim students in their religious and spiritual lives while at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. "It will be a blessing not only for our Muslim students…
Read more

Remembering Archbishop John Ireland for His Birthday

John Ireland statue video play screen
The University of St. Thomas recalls the birth of its founder, John Ireland. The archbishop was born on Sept. 11, 1838, in Burnchurch, County Kilkenny, Ireland. He died on Sept. 25, 1918, in St. Paul, Minnesota. St. Thomas students collaborated with the Office for Mission to put together a video about Ireland's life.
Watch video

Seen Around St. Thomas

DFC group photo of student and staff on the plaza outside TMH taken on September 12, 2024 in Minneapolis.
We celebrate a new class at Dougherty Family College, led by Dean Buffy Smith (center). The two-year college has 146 first-year students this year advancing toward their associate degree. We look forward to many of them transitioning to a bachelor's degree once they graduate with their cohort. (Brandon Woller '17/University of St. Thomas)

In the News

Headshots of professors John Abraham, Christopher Michaelson, Rachel Moran, Chip Small, and Buffy Smith
Media Highlights:
John Abraham, mechanical engineering professor at the School of Engineering, spoke with ABC News about how climate change was addressed in the recent presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Christopher Michaelson, ethics and business law professor at Opus College of Business, spoke with Fast Company about the challenges facing Starbucks' new CEO, sharing advice on the different types of work orientation.

Rachel Moran, professor at the School of Law, spoke with St. Louis Public Radio about advocating for police hiring reforms after misconduct by Illinois officer Sean Grayson, showing errors in responsibility and oversight.

Chip Small, associate professor of biology at the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke with WCCO Radio about new research highlighting the benefits of using compost in gardens and the importance of optimizing its usage to reduce the risk of excess runoff.

Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College, was interviewed by online publication The EvoLLLution. Asked about challenges facing students from underrepresented communities, Smith discussed different ways universities could help students succeed both in and out of the classroom.

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

In Case You Missed It

First Look at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
Using Augmented Reality to Tell Stories About the 'Culture of Encounter'
Empowering Voters: CEVEA's Commitment to Civic Engagement

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.

facebook twitter instagram youtube email