Archive Posts
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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,…
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Tommie Support Fuels Student Body President Jake Manske ’25
Humans of St. ThomasSurrounded by fuel tankers, tow trucks and large shipments of Cheez-Its, Jake Manske ’25 grew up in the thick of a family business. It’s no surprise that family means everything to him. “From the time I could see over the counter, I was right in the middle of it all, and I loved it,” said… -
WATCH: Tommie Educators Knit Custom Hats for Students
People & CultureIn December fifth-grade teacher Emma Monson ’22 asked her class at Red Rock Elementary in Woodbury to design their own winter hats – on paper. The students had no idea that within a few weeks, she’d show up with a tote full of cold-weather gear, knitted to their precise specifications. “They were all shocked,” Monson… -
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… -
2025 Tommie Award Spotlights Student-Athletes in Final Round
Humans of St. ThomasEach academic year, University of St. Thomas students, faculty and staff choose a senior student they think best represents the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas. These ideals include scholarship, leadership and campus involvement. St. Thomas seniors Aidan McGill, Brecken Thomas and Jack Zupfer have been nominated as Tommie Award finalists out of 40 semifinalists for… -
Sky’s the Limit: New Game Design Minor Teaches Accessibility
STEAMA set of headphones rested on Dr. Sky LaRell Anderson’s head as he waited for guests at the Jon Henner Memorial Accessibility in Games Speaker Series to settle in their seats. The University of St. Thomas faculty member appeared remotely, from his Minnesota office adorned with framed college degrees and the glow of purple and… -
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… -
New Professor Profile: JiYong Lee and Jose Capa Salinas
People & CultureAssistant Professors JiYong Lee in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Jose Capa Salinas in the Department of Civil Engineering joined the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota this academic year. They bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their respective fields. Capa Salinas is making a significant impact… -
A Tommie Explores Family, Football and Future
AthleticsAs a senior mechanical engineering major and football player at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, Langston Robinson’s journey is one filled with resilience, hard work, and an unwavering dedication to both his academics and athletics. Robinson, a center on the St. Thomas football team, hails from Milwaukee, making his time at St. Thomas… -
Family Connection: Meet the Sisters Welcoming Future Tommies to Campus
Humans of St. ThomasIf you visit the admissions office at the University of St. Thomas, you’re likely to encounter genuine family hospitality. Two sisters from Brookfield, Wisconsin, Lauren and Lizzy Rusch, are often at the front desk, together, ready to offer prospective students and their families a warm, “Welcome to St. Thomas.” Lauren ’25, a senior admissions intern,…