Archive Posts
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In Our Prayers: Quentin Hietpas ’53
In Our PrayersWith deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Quentin "Quent" Hietpas, a beloved leader, mentor, and champion of the University of St. Thomas community. Hietpas passed away on Feb. 15, 2025, at the age of 93, leaving behind a profound legacy of dedication, leadership and philanthropy. Hietpas was born Feb. 25, 1931, and graduated from…
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Watch: Iconic Minnesota Stone Quarried for Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
AthleticsFive floors from the ground – and in the middle of winter – a small army of stonemasons are hard at work on the exterior of the under-construction Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. Affectionately known as “brickies,” these skilled workers are giving the rising University of St. Thomas landmark its signature look. On this particular… -
Tales from the Archives: St. Thomas Students and Study Abroad
Study AbroadIn the last year, nearly 700 St. Thomas students took part in study abroad programs, with Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom standing out as top destinations. But have you ever wondered about the roots of study abroad programs at St. Thomas? The history of study abroad at St. Thomas stretches back to the post-World… -
Legal Clinic Students Work to Reform Sentencing Laws for Victims of Abuse
Business & LawThree University of St. Thomas School of Law students in the Community Justice Project legal clinic are part of a growing push to reform Minnesota’s sentencing laws in cases that involve victims of abuse and exploitation. Kristina Brindley, Elayna Chambers and Daphne Karofsky worked with the nonprofit Violence Free Minnesota in fall 2024 to conduct… -
Tales from the Archives: The Tommie of the Year Award
Humans of St. ThomasThe 2025 Tommie Award recipient, Aidan McGill ’25, is the latest honoree of a University of St. Thomas tradition that dates back to 1931. The headline of the Purple and Gray student newspaper on Feb. 6, 1931, proclaimed: “MR. TOMMY” CONTEST TO BEGIN. This marked the beginning of what would become the 93-year legacy of… -
Commutations Legal Clinic Client Among Those Pardoned by President Biden
Business & LawPresident Joe Biden announced on Dec. 12 that he had granted pardons to 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes. Among them was Sarah Carlson, who worked with the University of St. Thomas School of Law Federal Commutations Clinic to submit her pardon application. Carlson was arrested in 2009 for a nonviolent drug offense, convicted of… -
Renewing the Culture Through Catholic Education
Faith and MissionSomething significant is happening in Catholic education today. In their 2023–24 annual report, the National Catholic Education Association shares that “amidst societal upheaval and educational instability, Catholic schools have emerged as beacons of stability, reversing years of enrollment decline.” Yet tucked inside the positive news, Catholic schools increasingly face the challenge Jesus gave the apostles:… -
PHOTOS: Catholic Studies Summer Alumni Event
AlumniOn Aug. 23, 2024, more than 350 alumni and their families gathered on campus for a class reunion-style event. Bluegrass music, conversation and joy filled the room. This story is featured in the winter 2025 issue of Lumen. -
Q&A With School of Law Alumna Emily Niles ’14 J.D.
AlumniEmily Niles ’14 J.D. is a partner and litigator at Robins Kaplan LLP where she represents clients in high-stakes intellectual property (IP), technology and business disputes. Over the past several years, Niles helped lead a trial team in a patent infringement dispute related to pre-lit artificial Christmas trees that in 2024 achieved a $42.4 million… -
2024 Law Alumna Award Recipients: Christy Botts and Carmeann Foster
AlumniThe University of St. Thomas School of Law honored Christy Botts ’98, ’11 J.D. and Carmeann Foster ’08, ’12 J.D./MSW with its Alumna Achievement Award at the 2024 Alumnae Brunch on Nov. 2. Botts and Foster are co-founders of Rebound, Inc., a Twin Cities nonprofit that seeks to partner with the community to address the…