Archive Posts
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John Sullivan ’80: A Creative Problem-Solver
AlumniIt was the insight of a St. Thomas professor that propelled John Sullivan ’80 to a legal career – and ultimately gave Sullivan the means to change how corporations understand equality. Sullivan, who is now general counsel for Carlson, Inc., in turn, returns the favor by supporting St. Thomas programs and initiatives that enhance equality,…
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Alum Entrepreneur Empowers Authentic Expression
Diversity, Equity and InclusionJamie and Souphak Kienitz ’16 are the founders of Jay Victoria – an inclusive brand offering fashion for plus women, nonbinary and queer humans. Their mission is to make everyone feel seen, heard and confident in their clothing. Focusing on plus-size menswear style, Jay Victoria fills a void in the fashion industry, empowering authentic expression… -
Altering the Law to Protect Native American Artists
Business & LawRecent St. Thomas law school graduate Trey Perez ’23 J.D. believes that changes to federal intellectual property (IP) laws and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act could better protect and boost the economic development of Native American tribes and Indigenous artists. He explains why in a paper that was published by the Seattle University School… -
Archbishop Ireland Justice Fellows Advocate for Children in State Systems
Business & LawIf you didn’t know any better, Maya Karrow ’21 J.D. might come off as a private investigator. And that assumption would be partially correct. She’s certainly on the ultimate search for answers. Karrow is convincing in her investigator ways; last year she spent countless hours in the bowels of county courthouses across Minnesota. She sent… -
Former USAF Fighter Pilot and St. Thomas Alumnus Aids Ukrainian Refugees
AlumniIn early 2022, Rob Zettel ’76 made a trip to Poland, just six miles from the Ukrainian border, to provide food and supplies to Ukrainians displaced by the war. Zettel knew he wanted to become a pilot since before his high school guidance counselor gave him several reasons why he shouldn’t. If that challenge didn’t… -
Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Business & LawAs a teen entrepreneur, Solome Tibebu ’12 understood the potential of technology in addressing the biggest obstacle to mental health: access. Even before digital health tech became mainstream, she was exploring ways to use technology to provide better mental health care. Tibebu has been involved in the mental health space since she was 16. She… -
Navigating the Art of Negotiation
Tommie ExpertsNegotiation. It can be one of the most anxiety-inducing words. Many who enter my class and the businesses I consult see negotiation as an adversarial word due in part to the drama we see in politics, movies, and TV shows. These contexts generally portray negotiation as a male-dominated sport, which can trigger sweaty palms, rapid… -
Every Company Is a Technology Company
Business & LawWhy digital fluency is a necessity for today’s students Today’s students are often called digital natives, born into a world where digital technologies such as computers, smartphones and the internet have always been a part of their daily lives. Although they are familiar with social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, they have only a moderate… -
Talee Vang: On a Mission to Create Change
AlumniDr. Talee Vang was not sure a master’s degree was in the cards for her – much less a doctorate. A refugee from Thailand who came to the U.S. with her family when she was 2 years old, she was often the only Hmong student in the classroom when she pursued her bachelor’s degree at… -
St. Thomas Day Recognizes Six Outstanding Tommies
AlumniNearly a century ago the University of St. Thomas handed out its very first Tommie Award. The awards have evolved since 1931, but the mission behind St. Thomas Day remains the same – to honor the extraordinary contributions of the Tommie community. This year the university held its annual St. Thomas Day on Wednesday, May…