Archive Posts
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St. Thomas Day Celebrates Six Outstanding Tommies
People & CultureEach year, the University of St. Thomas honors staff, students and alumni who inspire meaningful change and extend the St. Thomas mission in the world around them. On Wednesday, April 23, six awardees were celebrated in honor of the commitment to work, community, leadership and campus involvement. The 2025 recipients are: Monsignor James Lavin Award…
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How a Kid From a Dairy Farm Found His Career in Global Affairs
AlumniPeter Watson’s journey from a small dairy farm in southeastern Minnesota to the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., exemplifies his lifelong commitment to service and the pursuit of excellence. A Marine Corps veteran, Watson’s path has been shaped by his experiences in the military, higher education, and international relations, all anchored in his dedication… -
Tales from the Archives: St. Thomas Day
AlumniThis year, the University of St. Thomas will celebrate St. Thomas Day on April 23. The annual Mass and dinner continue a tradition that has endured for 139 years. St. Thomas Day was originally observed on or around March 7, the traditional feast day on the liturgical calendar of our school’s patron, St. Thomas Aquinas. In the… -
'Say Yes More Than You Say No': A Tommie’s Formula for Finding Purpose
AlumniThe path Evan Schwartz ’09 followed to the University of St. Thomas was rooted in family tradition and childhood memories. Growing up in Iowa, he often visited family in the Twin Cities, where his father, Dave Schwartz, a proud St. Thomas alumnus, introduced him to the excitement of Tommie track meets. Those early experiences, combined… -
Rooted in Community, Leading with Purpose: Manuela Hill-Muñoz and the Tommie Journey
Center for the Common GoodTwice a month, a group of students gather at the Center for the Common Good, peeking in to ask if they can pet the dogs. Around the same time, the joyful sounds of two playful corgis can be heard echoing throughout the space. These two adorable corgis are the fur babies of Manuela Hill-Muñoz, the… -
From St. Thomas to Spotify: The Value of Networking
AlumniWhen Scott Henkemeyer ’97 steps into a content strategy meeting at Spotify, there’s a good chance at some point that day he’ll be serenaded by a mashup of bubblegum pop, indie rock and punk. That mix is not mandatory listening at headquarters but appears on his Spotify playlist, which contains throwbacks he listened to in… -
In Our Prayers: Terrance ‘Terry’ Dolan ’83
Humans of St. ThomasThe University of St. Thomas mourns the loss of alumnus and longtime supporter Terrance “Terry” R. Dolan ’83, who passed away on March 29, 2025, at the age of 63. A steadfast advocate for higher education and a generous philanthropist, Dolan’s legacy at St. Thomas will live on through the lives of students he has… -
Tommie Track Star Makes Leap From Texas to the Twin Cities
AthleticsWith a deep breath, Christina Driver positions her feet. Charging forward before she pushes off – arching her back as she soars across the sand. Hours of practice, patience, pushing, all culminate in that one moment. Seconds later, lying in the sand, her mind is already on the next one. Daughter of former Green Bay… -
2025 Tommie Award Winner Aidan McGill Reflects on St. Thomas Journey
Humans of St. ThomasSince Aidan McGill was four years old, the University of St. Thomas has surrounded his life with community, support and a home. The Tommie legacy started with his grandmother attending St. Thomas and trickled down to his mother, Sheila McGill, who has been coaching 18 seasons of women’s soccer. Devin McGill '22 and Grace McGill… -
Standing in Her Power: Trustee Anne Sempowski Ward
People & CultureAnne Sempowski Ward has never stayed in one lane. A mechanical engineer by training, she pivoted into brand strategy, turned around legacy businesses, broke barriers in corporate boardrooms and even became a minority owner of a WNBA team. She did all this while holding true to her personal mantra: Take a leap. “I always say,…