Archive Posts
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In the News: Jacob Benda on Inspiring Spiritual Renewal Through Art and Music
In the NewsJacob Benda, director of music, liturgy and sacred arts at the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, recently spoke with The Catholic Spirit about how he is creating a special place where art and music inspire and uplift the St. Thomas community. From the story: “My goal for the gallery,” Benda explained,…
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Music to Our Ears: St. Thomas Acquires New Steinway Concert Grand Piano for Schoenecker Center
Arts & HumanitiesProfessor of Music Dr. Vanessa Cornett-Murtada traveled to Steinway & Sons in New York in March to select an extraordinary artisanal 9-foot concert grand piano for the new Schoenecker Center at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She took a two-hour tour of the massive on-site factory and was able to watch piano components… -
Mastering the St. Thomas Sound: Tommie Record Label Debuts
Arts & HumanitiesIt didn’t take long for inspiration to hit. Just hours after opening the doors to the University of St. Thomas’ new Schoenecker Center, music business students were already collaborating on their first big idea: a Tommie record label. “It sounded a bit crazy and daunting at first,” Owen Hjerpe ’24 said. “But it was also… -
Art History and Microbiology Collaborate in New Project
STEAMBiology major Shaylee Beckfield ’25 believes bacteria can get a bad reputation. This spring she’s helping correct any misconceptions – one colorful petri dish at a time. As part of a series of Agar Art workshops inside the brand-new Schoenecker Center at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, Beckfield has passed out dozens and… -
Meet the Artists Behind the Schoenecker Center’s World-Class Art Collection
Arts & HumanitiesAnthony James is a rock star in the contemporary art world. A trained visual artist, his monumental sculptures – constructed from a mesmerizing combination of stainless steel, glass and LED lights – have appeared on all seven continents and even played a starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. And now, one of his pieces calls… -
First-Year Student Named Finalist in Broadway World’s Next on Stage
Humans of St. ThomasWhen first-year student Ashley Wongbi entered the University of St. Thomas, she knew she wanted to be a part of the performing arts. “Theater was a big part of me growing up,” Wongbi reflected. “I started in sixth grade through musicals at school. I started choir and started taking dance classes as well. When I… -
VIDEO: St. Thomas Students Collaborate to Save Discarded Pianos
St. Thomas 2025 - Lead in STEAM EducationIt’s a heavy, clunky and often emotional problem: how to dispose of an old piano. Once glorified as a beautifully crafted wooden frame housing musical strings and polished keys, unwanted pianos can often end up neglected and ultimately, in the trash. To solve that issue, every fall University of St. Thomas students seek sustainable alternatives.… -
Biology Professor Named Finalist in Agar Art Competition
Professional NotesUniversity of St. Thomas Biology Department Professor Joanna Klein’s passion for “Star Trek” recently landed her submission in the American Society for Microbiology Agar Art competition a finalist slot. The contest encourages scientists, artists and the general public to use live microbes as their palette and petri plates as their canvas. Contestants create agar art…