Archive Posts
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In the News: Buffy Smith Talks About How Parents of College Students Feel FOMO
DFC NewsDr. Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Sheletta Brundidge of WCCO Radio regarding parental FOMO, assisting children in navigating larger college classrooms, fostering peer accountability, cultivating a sense of belonging and other related topics. From the interview (Segment starts at 17:15): Brundidge: The one thing…
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In the News: Erica Embury on Opportunities at Dougherty Family College
In the NewsErica Embury, associate director of admissions for Dougherty Family College, spoke to WCCO Radio host Sheletta Brundidge about the opportunities for young scholars at Dougherty Family College. From the story: Do you have a child that’s looking at colleges? If you need a different pathway than signing up at an expensive four-year institution, Erica Embury,… -
Largest First-Year Class in St. Thomas History Marches Through the Arches
People & CultureThe skies over St. Paul had a steady drizzle on the morning of the University of St. Thomas’ annual March Through the Arches as first-year students gathered at the edge of the lower quad, adjusting purple shirts and snapping photos with family. Then, a few minutes before the ceremony began, sunlight broke through. It was… -
In Our Prayers: Michael E. Dougherty ’66
In Our PrayersThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of Michael Emmett Dougherty ’66, an alumnus, trustee, visionary philanthropist and founding benefactor of Dougherty Family College (DFC). He died Aug. 10, 2025. Together with his wife Kathy and their family, he established Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas to create a pathway… -
Internships Jumpstart Careers for Dougherty Family College Students
People & CultureWhen most people think of the University of St. Thomas, they picture the iconic Arches, the Kasota limestone exterior of its buildings, and the deep-rooted traditions of Minnesota’s largest private university. The educational approach and opportunities for its students also stand out. That quality extends beyond the St. Paul campus, the original home of St.… -
In the News: Buffy Smith Op-Ed on Proposed TRIO Cut Published in Diverse
In the NewsDr. Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College, recently wrote an op-ed for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education on how a proposed budget cut to TRIO programs could shut the door on opportunity and erode the strength of the American middle class. From the story: As a child growing up in public housing in Milwaukee,… -
Dougherty Family College Class of 2025 Celebrates Associate Degrees
Quotes from the QuadIn a celebration filled with emotion, pride, and promise, Dougherty Family College honored the Class of 2025 as they walked across the stage and into the next chapter of their lives. Surrounded by their “ohana” – their family of relatives, friends, faculty, and staff, these scholars marked a major milestone by earning their associate degrees… -
100 Scholars Strong: Dougherty Family College Reaches Scholarship Milestone
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeAs a first-generation college student, Chuy Garcia-Sanchez found financial barriers towering over his path to a higher education. “I didn’t get any financial aid from my parents, nor the state,” he said about his two years pursuing an associate degree at Dougherty Family College. He recalls almost dropping out during his first year due to… -
English Professor of Dougherty Family College to Publish Positive Columns on Modern Times
Professional NotesDr. Louis Porter II, a teaching professor of English at the University of St. Thomas' Dougherty Family College, has begun penning a monthly column called Towards Higher Ground, published in the Minneapolis-based newspaper Insight News. Porter, a former reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and advocate for equity, believes in the importance of making… -
In The News: Dr. Buffy Smith on Enhancing Student Success in Underserved Communities
DFC NewsDr. Buffy Smith, dean of the Dougherty Family College, was interviewed by the 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. From the story: “When scholars graduate from Dougherty Family College, we want them to…